Lots of double blog days this week as I elaborate on the Super Bowl as well as my own life.

I watched a another motivational Monday message on Facebook today. Shoutout to Vanessa for putting these out every week.

Today I’ll be talking perfection and how it has impacted my life in the past. These days I don’t worry about being perfect but in my 20s it was a big issue along with the comparison trap that I talked about last week.

Perfection kept me from having a great college experience. It wasn’t so much an issue at Hiram G. Andrews Center or the community college as it was at Slippery Rock. Maybe it was because of my major and I thought getting good grades would get me more job leads. I looked back on it on years and wondered what I could have done different. I even considered returning to school with a different major.

Perfection kept me from having work. That summer of 2006 I was turning down jobs because I wanted that perfect ideal job. It was the worst summer of my life. It started to get old with my parents and pretty soon I was going to have to take what I could get. By the middle of August, I was applying everywhere. Eventually I ended up at Kings Family Restaurant in Delmont.

Perfection is a trap because even if you find the perfect outfit or have the perfect body, you will find flaws. You will also find something that’s better than what you have because what you have is not “perfect” enough.

No job will be perfect. You have to make it perfect on your own and learn to like it. I’ve made my own job like that and it’s come in handy with all the traveling I do going around to Toastmasters events and conferences. I have that leverage thanks to working at WIS

I’ll close this blog out with a Slippery Rock shoutout. It looks like the work on the north end of campus is really beginning to come together. The Performing Arts 🎭 Center is looking nice and the construction 🚧 on East and West Gym is getting done. I’ll have to check it out this Spring when I make my visit (one of two along with Homecoming). Here’s pictures from the Facebook page.

Have a great night. Remember, live your best life. Be your best you. ROCK out because you are worth it. Laugh 🤭 too because laughter is the best medicine.

Bye everyone. ❤️ you.

Last night was a magical night 50 years in the making.

The Kansas City Chiefs ended their half-century long drought of winning the Super Bowl with a 31-20 come from behind win over the San Francisco 49ers. One thing I’m taking from the 2019 NFL postseason is this. You can’t keep Patrick Mahomes down.

Twice before the Chiefs were behind in the playoffs, by 24 to Houston and 11 to Tennessee. Eventually the Chiefs woke up and when they did, they never relinquished the lead. That divisional game against the Texans was crazy. It was nice though not to see New England in the Super Bowl, even better to see them one and some. Even the best teams fall.

This Super Bowl is not just for Patrick Mahomes, Tyrann Matthieu, Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, and Andy Reid. It’s for the ones who never got to experience holding the Lombardi trophy.

Derrick Thomas (RIP) who spent 11 years terrorizing opposing teams’ quarterbacks. An automobile accident cut short his career and his life at 33 in February 2000. One of the greatest linebackers and defensive players of all time.

Tony Gonzalez, one of the best tight ends in the game, played 12 years with the Chiefs and five with the Falcons. A basketball player in college, Gonzalez transitioned to football and had a stellar career. He is now on FOX’s pregame show with Howie Long, Michael Strahan, Jimmy Johnson, and Terry Bradshaw.

Last but not least, Marty Schottenheimer. Canonsburg’s own, Marty always came up short during his long coaching career with Cleveland, Kansas City, and San Diego (I don’t count that one year in Washington). So many disheartening playoff losses including two in his Browns career to Denver (one more to the Broncos in 1997 with the Chiefs). The Colts loss in 1995 was hurtful too. The closest Marty got to the Super Bowl was the 1993 season when they faced Buffalo. Overall, Schottenheimer was 5-14 in his playoff career with no Super Bowl.

Congratulations to Andy Reid for finally winning the big one himself and ending the long championship drought in Kansas City. I’ll be highlighting him tomorrow and talking about how my life has gotten better since 2013 (Reid’s first year in KC).

Another week comes to end. Plus we say goodbye to January and hello to February.

I was hard pressed to find some good content for the blog but I managed to come up with some good stuff.

On Monday, it was appropriate to mourn the loss of Kobe Bryant as he and his daughter and several others were killed in a helicopter crash outside of Los Angeles. I offered my condolences in the blog.

I got inspiration this week from some Toastmasters friends for some of my blogs. I watched a video on Facebook by my fellow Greensburg Toastmaster Faerie Grace and that helped me with my first blog. This one I called “Live Your Best Life”. The next day I did a blog about getting out of the comparison trap which was inspired by Vanessa Matthews, another Toastmaster, who does motivational videos every Monday.

I got into some Squad Goals on Thursday, both with Gilmore Girls and some colleagues whom I consider my squad. I won’t bore you with Gilmore Girls, so I’ll jump to my work squad.

The 3609 squad is Ashley and Maura and Chase and Emily and Myself. I felt I was accurate with my squad goals.

Play 🎹 like Ashley,

Party 🎊 like Maura,

Game 🎮 like Chase,

Dress 👗 like Emily,

Blog 🤳 like James

I ordered some more new clothes this week online at JCPenney and Amazon. I’m impressed with how quick everything came. My jeans fit well (as long as I eat good it won’t be a problem) and my blazer will look good with my colored V-Neck tops. You’ll see pics next week in my Stylish Outfit Party: Expanding my Wardrobe.

Oh and Gilmore Girls blogs were done this past week. Oy with the blogs already.

Have a great start to your week and remember, Live Your Best Life, Be Your Best You, ROCK out because you are worth it. Don’t forget to laugh because laughter is the best medicine.

Enjoy the start of your workweek. Have a great night. ❤️ you.

Well I got to the end of season two of Gilmore Girls. Didn’t think I’d last one season, did you? I’m glad I stuck with it because I feel there were good episodes and storylines.

This season the series moved from Thursday night to Tuesday night on the WB (replacing Buffy the Vampire Slayer). It would remain on Tuesdays for the rest of its time even after going to the CW in 2006.

This season saw Dean and Paris (Jared Padalecki, Liza Weil) get added to the main cast, plus we were introduced to Jess (Milo Ventimiglia). The latter being Luke’s nephew who makes his uncle’s and Lorelai’s lives a living hell. Christopher makes occasional appearances throughout the season as well. While I thought of him as a jackass when I watched GG in the past, I got to know his character a little more watching the series on Netflix. He’s not that bad so far.

Some of my favorite episodes from season two include The Roadtrip to Harvard. What sparked this trip was Lorelai’s broken off engagement to Rory’s teacher Mr. (Max) Medina (Scott Cohen). It was a possible preview of Rory’s future and what could have been Lorelai’s past. They were escaping all the gossip of the breakup and it seemed like a nice road trip.

The Bracebridge Dinner brought all the townspeople together at the inn as a blizzard cancels the historic dinner that Sookie had planned. The bombshell of this episode was that Richard quit his job (er, retired) at the insurance company he worked at. Emily was upset and angry at first but came to accept it. My favorite quote from this episode, “Like sands through the hourglass, so are the Gilmores of our lives.” Nice reference to Days of our Lives, Lorelai.

The Dean-Jess-Rory triangle is quite interesting. Dean and Jess seem to fight for Rory’s attention. “A Tisket, A Tasket” was a good example as Dean is upset over Jess winning the picnic basket and sharing it with Rory. “Teach Me Tonight” when Rory and Jess get into a car accident after Jess swerves to avoid an animal in the road and Lorelai is ready to kill Jess (I could see Dean punching him out for that. But boy, did he hit the roof when he found out from Rory in the next episode).

The season finale which I watched this morning was really touching. Sookie and Jackson get married and just as Lorelai thinks she gets Christopher, he goes back to Boston because his girlfriend Sherry is pregnant (just as Lorelai thought they were on the outs). So deja vu all over again like when he got Lorelai pregnant at 16 and was absent in her and Rory’s life?

So here’s my review of season two. I liked the storylines, the addition of new characters, and the Dean and Jess drama made things interesting. I think Emily is a bit much in some of the episodes (Lorelai’s Graduation Day) and Lorelai’s indecisiveness on things (It Should’ve Been Lorelai) gets to me. Overall I give this season an B-plus

Coming up this week in the blog is another motivational post. I think you all liked what I had to say so I’ll make this a once a week thing. I’ll go more into detail tomorrow with my week in review.

I expanded my wardrobe yet again so you’ll be seeing a lot of pictures. But you’ll have to wait until Friday night. Lots of colored V-necks, plus my red leather jacket (that makes three now… I have an obsession) and some blazer pics. I’m trying to make a good impression. I work hard so I like to look good. I have an outfit already picked out for Wednesday’s meeting too.

Time to close off the blog with a Green and White shoutout. We had a gloomy January (I stayed in good spirits though with all the blogs I posted this month) but #Ineedsunshine. Here’s a late Spring pic outside North Hall. Credit goes to the photographer who snapped this awesome pic. I’ll be making a trip up there this Spring myself if the weather cooperates.

Live your best life. Be your best you. ROCK out because you are worth it. Laughter 🤭 is the best medicine. Enjoy your weekend. Are you hoping for an early spring or six more weeks?

Bye Everyone. ❤️ you. 😘 🤗 😚 💗

Yes, another Gilmore Girls blog today. But today will also center on the attributes of the characters.

You’ve heard of squad goals. Some may not though. Let’s go over the definition of squad goals. Squad goals is used in reference to a person or thing seen as a model to aspire to or emulate, especially with one’s friends.

I don’t know if Gilmore Girls started the whole squad goals thing, but there’s ways to emulate the main characters of the show. Here’s the many ways.

Coffee ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ like Lorelai— Isn’t it obvious? The woman is a coffee connoisseur. I remember the pilot where Luke wanted to refuse her a cup because she had five already; but she insisted because his was the best. If Stars Hollow had White Rabbit and Sun Dawg, Lorelai and Rory would be regulars. Talking gets honorable mention because she is a fast talker. Read Lauren Graham’s memoir if you get a chance. You won’t be disappointed. She worked on it while working on the revival in 2016.

Read like Rory—The girl is smart as a whip and has a collection of books. I can identify with Rory when it comes to reading even though my tastes are a little different than hers. If blogging was popular during the show, Rory would be a pro at it. Unlike her mother, Rory has a better relationship with her grandparents. If I had to choose boyfriends, I’d choose Dean over Jess. Dean genuinely cared for her more than she knew even to the point of being overprotective. Jess, so far, is nothing but trouble but as the seasons go on I’m sure he’ll get better. I’m nowhere near the Logan years yet on my GG viewing.

Cook like Sookie—This was Melissa McCarthy’s big break. As good as she’s gotten since GG, playing Sookie did wonders for her. I love the friendship that Lorelai and her had on the show. They worked great together at the Independence Inn and I’ll be getting into the Dragonfly Inn soon. As for Michel, I don’t he added much to the show and came off as a prick to me. Jackson and her make a great couple.

Rock like Lane— Rory’s best friend on the show. In real life, Keiko Agena was much older but she looked young for her age. Her mother owned an antiques shop in their house and was very set in her ways. Lane always found ways to work around her mother but most times it backfired. She was also musically talented as I’ll come to see in later years.

Drink like Emily—Let’s face it. When your daughter gets pregnant at 16, and makes questionable life choices. Add to that, your daughter’s love life has always been questionable, you need to have a drink or two or three. Lorelai had an acrimonious relationship with her parents due to the way things turned out. The pilot episode introduces us to the reason Rory got into Chilton, and that was her grandparents paying for her education. What’s the catch to that? Lorelai and Rory going to their house for Friday night dinner.

Talk like Paris—A know it all who wouldn’t know a bad grade. Paris and Rory have a love hate relationship. Sometimes the worst of enemies, other times the best of friends. As the series goes on, I’ll learn more about how they get along.

At work, I also have my own squad and with that their own squad goals. We worked together a good bit in the fall last year. I consider them like my squad and like family. They came through for me when I was in mourning and feeling lonely. Let me introduce them.

Ashley and Maura and Chase and Emily

I’m always a little careful because I don’t want to act like I’m on another level. Chase always insists and says that that he and Emily love having me around. The fact is that I’m grateful for the girls’ friendship and for that of Chase and Emily too.

As I said, they did come through for me a lot. Having the girls around to talk to helped me feel like I’m not alone. I loved our getting together at Bud Murphy’s back in November. Having Chase come back after his summer hiatus made me enjoy my job more. Getting to know Emily helped make me a better person.

I have squad goals for my work squad as well. I’ll even include my own.

This is my squad goals shoutout; Blog like James, Dress like Emily, Game like Chase, Party like Maura, Play like Ashley.

The small quaint town of Ligonier is just 35 minutes away from me. Since we’re on the subject of Gilmore Girls, I want to talk about how much the small town reminds me of Stars Hollow.

It has its share of small businesses. Many of the restaurants could pass for Luke’s. Second Chapter Books could be Stars Hollow Books. The Dollar General could be Doose’s (Taylor is quite the character). Ligonier Valley High School could be Stars Hollow High School. Friday night dinner could be held in Westmont (Lorelai’s parents could get a nice house there). There’s a library in town for Rory to study at or check out books. One of the bed and breakfasts could pass for the inn that Lorelai runs. Then there’s the Wicked Googly which would be a rocking hangout. I could take this all sorts of ways.

Time to close off the blog with a shout to the Green and White. We had no real sunshine this month but I kept my hopes up with all the blogging that I did. Here’s a picture to get you in the mood for Spring.

Live your best life. Be your best you. ROCK out because you are worth it. Weekend’s almost here. Have a great night. Bye everyone. ❤️ you. 😘 🤗 😚 💗.

Today’s blog stems from a motivational talk I heard on video yesterday about comparing yourself to others. I wanted to share my story because I’ve long been guilty of doing this myself and I believe we all have.

For me that started in 2006 following graduation. I entered post academia not knowing where I’d end up in life. While others would find work in their field, I was going in with no real world experience. I settled for a job at Kings. For the longest time, I began comparing myself to others. It became a long running thing for me.

We need to tell ourselves that we aren’t in a race. Our journeys are different than others around us.

There’s no comparison between the sun and the moon. They shine when it’s their time. I got down on myself while others shone. It just wasn’t my time back then.

Let’s talk about that person who took me to task over my mirror selfies. She was stuck in the comparison trap as well. She was jealous because I was enjoying myself(ie). She felt she could control me and so she went on my page to attack me personally. I blocked her and my cousin reported her to Facebook for harassment.

We wouldn’t have done that had she left me alone. I did my part, deleted the comment, and apologized. What happened was that I made a joke about a Trump calendar and she took offense to it. Lesson learned: Watch what you say to people who can be easily triggered.

I don’t do the mirror selfies to compare myself to others or because I am insecure. One reason which I didn’t share yesterday is that I like to look good. Pretty soon I will look into having a photographer work with me and we can get some legit photos at a spot to be determined.

Anyway, enough of that fiasco. You’re here to do you and be you. Don’t dwell on what that other person has. Just because the grass is greener on the other side doesn’t mean things are always going to be peachy. That couple who has such a great relationship might just be keeping up appearances. The guy who has his Rolls Royce and expensive watch may be nice on the outside but a total jerk on the inside. The girl wearing the exquisite dress might be smiling on the outside but crying on the inside. You get the picture.

Love the relationship you have even if it doesn’t get the attention others think it should. Cherish your Honda Civic even if it doesn’t have a TV in it. Love your outfit even if doesn’t get the likes on Instagram.

Time for a shoutout to my favorite green and white Alma mater. Nothing compares to this great school and nothing compares to this view. I always enjoyed walking through the quad on my way to class or the ARC.

Live your best life. Be your best you. ROCK out. Because you are worth it. Bye everyone. ❤️ you.

Why? Why do I have this blog? Why do I like taking mirror selfies? (until I decide to invest in a photographer) Why did I join Toastmasters and why do I stick around? Some of the questions I ask myself. I have an answer to why I do the things that I do.

I like telling stories and I have a lot to share. You’ll read about it in the blog.

I took a more stylish approach with my clothes and I like taking pictures because I look good in what I buy. I’m really rocking the leather jacket in a lot of my pics. The mirror selfies highlight my apparel more but I want to have some nicer photos done.

Toastmasters has helped to improve my communication and leadership skills. It’s also helped me to become more social. I’m used to traveling for work, so visiting different clubs is nothing new to me.

But what if you have those haters who don’t like what you have to say? Or, they tell you your mirror selfies are childish (true story)? How about when someone doesn’t agree with your choice of TV show because it’s too girly?

I’ve had all three of those three things happen to me. Not everyone is going to like you or share your interests. You need to be brave and bold and brim with confidence, rising above the naysayers.

Be unapologetically and fearlessly you! Live your best life! Be your best you! What you say in your blog may be helping that person who’s having a very bad day. Your mirror selfies may make that person feel more beautiful or help make them a better person. Who cares if that one person doesn’t share your interests? As long as you enjoy it, that’s all that counts.

Do what you love not for the critics, but do it for you. Do it because you desire to. Those who love you and support you will follow your dream and give you rave reviews. I’ve heard from many of Toastmasters friends how great my blog is. I’ve also gotten praise for my wardrobe (a chosen few who love seeing me rock my leather jacket).

I’m doing what I’m doing because I want to, because I desire to. Would I have updated my wardrobe the way I did if not for one person showing me how I can do better? What I do makes me, me. I am stylish and I am worth it and I am proud.

A few shoutouts before I close off the blog. First one goes to Faerie Grace who gave me the inspiration for today’s blog. She’s an awesome person and a fabulous motivational speaker who knows a thing or two about balloon art 🎈.

Second one goes to Speaking With A Twist. Faerie gives life changing keynotes, inspirational and motivational speeches and some awesome balloon art to enhance the speech and add impact and remembrance.

The third and final one is of course my Alma mater which I love so much. The most beautiful campus in the nation (and I say that with regards to Penn State, IUP, and Clarion among others). Here’s a picture to accentuate the grandeur of Slippery Rock University on a cold winter’s day.

Have a great night. Bye everyone. ❤️ you.

Before I start today’s blog, I want to extend condolences to the family of Kobe Bryant, including his 13 y/o daughter Gianna. They along with several others perished in a helicopter 🚁 crash outside of Los Angeles.

Kobe Bryant is known as one of the greatest NBA 🏀 players of all time. Born and raised outside Philadelphia. Bryant was drafted out of high school by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1996 NBA draft. He had a 20 year career with the Lakers and won five NBA titles (three of those came playing with Shaquille O’Neal; all five coming under coach Phil Jackson).

Kobe Bryant’s accidental death marks a sad day for sports. It teaches us to love our children and our families. We need to put differences aside that don’t even matter as we are not guaranteed tomorrow. We will know where we were when this happened (just like when the Challenger Space Shuttle exploded, just like when the plane hit the World Trade Center).

I’ve learned to appreciate stuff after I’ve taken some time away from it. Back in 2017, I had all my manuals completed in Toastmasters and stood just two projects away from my Distinguished Toastmaster award. But I wasn’t feeling the spirit anymore. I didn’t leave physically, but emotionally for a year.

I “came back” in February of 2019 with a better sense of where I stood. I knew I wanted to finish my last two requirements for the DTM. I attended all four division contests and the conference. I completed my Advanced Communicator Gold requirement by leading a seminar at Achievers. I led McKeesport to distinguished and that got me my Advanced Leader Silver and eventually my DTM.

I took a break from my annual homecoming tradition last year to attend the 2019 Fall Symposium. I told myself that I was done with HoCo and that it was played out for me. With the blogging becoming a regular thing, I’m more in love with my Alma mater than ever. I also have plans to attend Slippery Rock’s 2020 Homecoming in October.

I’m also giving shoutouts on the blog to SRU so it’s only fair that I’m there. Those pictures I see on Instagram have me thinking ahead to warmer weather, sunshine, green grass, and flowers blooming. I also use the pictures in my blog. I give credit to the user who took the photos

I got feedback on my blog post from last Monday. This is what will be going in the newsletter. I was my told that my words were succinct, encouraging, and relevant. I was also told that I’m changing lives. That made me feel really good and I can’t wait to read the finished product.

I’m going to close this off with another beautiful Slippery Rock picture on a chilly January day. Just another photo that will get you in the mood for Spring.

Stay warm. Bye everyone. ❤️ you.

We’ve come to the end of a great week. We got the views and boy did we get a lot. This channel is really starting to take off.

After work on Monday, I took the time to drive down I-79 to Southpointe. I wanted to check out the location of my hotel. Disclaimer: This is conference #15 for me and the second time I’ve attended a conference at the Hilton Garden Inn. The first time was in May 2013. I’m looking forward to running the DTM gauntlet and doing my DTM dance on April 18th

I gave a nice shoutout to some of our flourishing clubs. Earlybirds, Moon, and Cranberry High Noon all got praise from me.

Tuesday, I gave a brief Thank You to my fans and supporters on the blog. I was still reeling from the hate I was given over my mirror selfies. Everyone is on my side with the Stylish Traveling DTM. I control my happiness, not a random stranger who had no business being on my personal page. I loved this outfit that I put together. I wore it last Saturday night and this morning.

Wednesday was just a small preview of what’s to come in February. That includes contest season and more Stylish Outfit Pictures. I also got an email from my District Director per Monday’s blog. She and the District Public Relations Manager wanted to use my article for the upcoming newsletter. I was proud to contribute.

Thursday was a quick day at work and then it was off to start the blog. I actually began work on it when we took break at 8:30. I made plans to promote my Alma mater in the blog. I talked about my time there and how the campus has changed since I graduated. Even though it’s been 15 years, it still feels like yesterday. I’ll post a pic of the best campus in the nation everyday. It’s my way of giving Slippery Rock a nice shoutout.

Friday, I handed out some shoutouts to my “squad”. Chase drove the van to our store and paid me the drive time. Emily because she’s such a hard worker and go-getter who gets things done. Maura and Ashley just because they’re awesome. I had to leave around 9 to go somewhere else but all around it was still a great day. I was still a little disappointed though because I didn’t get to tell the girls, Chase, and Emily ❤️ you. It makes my day to tell them that.

Thursday was a great day for views. I think it had to do with my announcement that I was promoting Slippery Rock University in the blog.

It was a lazy, unsettled weekend with rain and snow and not much going on. But things can only get better from here. Contest season is fast approaching and the days are getting longer. Actually on Saturday I did get to model my new red leather jacket. I took it easy with the fashion this week but I snapped a couple of nice pics. More stylish outfit pictures coming to the blog mid-February.

Time to close the blog with my Slippery Rock shoutout. No new pics today to think of but this one will get you thinking Spring. What a beautiful campus. Credit goes to the same guy who had the nice winter pics of the Rock.

Have a great start to your week. Spring will be here before you know it. Bye everyone. ❤️ you. 😘 🤗 😚 💗

Very soon, Slippery Rock residents and students will be able to enjoy a good caramel macchiato or iced French vanilla latte.

Dunkin’ is opening their store in Slippery Rock tomorrow morning at 10 on 304 S Main Street (former home of Sheetz which moved down to the corner of PA routes 173 and 258 back in 2014).

More food options have arose since the Holy Cow opened up on W Park Road (former home of Dairy Queen 🍦 and more recently, Taco Bell on Grove City Road next to Rite Aid.

Other chains and independent restaurants in town are praising the arrival of Dunkin’ in Slippery Rock because it’s another option for the growing student population at Slippery Rock University. The Camelot and North Country Brewing (the latter being one of my favorites when I come to town) think it’ll be good for the community. Dunkin’ will be a nice addition to the growing college town.

Campus television station WSRU-TV also covered this story and will be live at 10 am for the grand opening.