Nix is a 20 something princess trying to survive in this crazy world. Come along for the ride!
This is my blog. It's mostly used to post my photos, but there's also the occasional cooking adventure (usually paired with photos), as well as the occasional post on my opinion of something controversial. I've got an awesome boyfriend and too many pets and wonderful friends. We're in the process of buying our first home, while living on a 100 acre farm. It's fun in my world.
Nix Smith August 17th, 2008
Sorry this post has taken so long to get up, I’m sure everyone’s been dying to see the inside of our new house! The inspection went through with flying colors (not that we expected anything less), in case anyone was wondering…
Anyway, here we go! As a reminder, if you’re reading this through an RSS reader, you’ll need to come to the page itself to see the photos.
Nix Smith August 8th, 2008
A few months ago, Vonage (a VOIP phone company) began airing these ads. I tried to find a full-length version, but this was the only one I saw on YouTube. If you’re unsure what the problem is, let me explain.
In the full version, the Vonage woman talks about all of the extra features you get with Vonage “at no extra charge.” She does this with the attitude of a snobby teenager. My phone company is, like, SO much better than yours. They hit on every possible problem with using a “real” phone company instead of Vonage: high prices, confusing package rates, poor availability of customer service. They even suggest that the age of “the phone company” (like there’s only one) should be a consideration in your choice.
Vonage is not, unfortunately, the only company to use tactics like this. It’s a style in advertising that I simply do not agree with, nor will I support companies who do it. Why not? Because it’s immature, it’s dirty, and it’s unnecessary. Remember the Progresso soup ads that ran for years? You should eat OUR soup, because if you eat Campbell’s soup you’re stupid and a baby.
If your product is as good as you say it is, then let your product speak for itself. By telling me how bad the other company is, all you do is make me want to support them instead of you. It’s been a few years since Progresso stopped using this style of advertising, and I still won’t buy their soup.
When I see a commercial (or a magazine ad or what-have-you), I don’t want to hear about anything EXCEPT for your product. What does your product do? What does your company believe? What issues do your employees support? What any other product or company does or doesn’t do is 100% irrelevant.
Part of being an intelligent consumer is to take the time to educate yourself on what it is that you are putting your money towards. Sometimes it’s easier than others, and this is a perfect example.
It’s one more way that you should think before you buy.
Nix Smith August 8th, 2008
So yesterday was my 29th birthday. I met it both with reluctance and some joy. After all, who doesn’t like presents?
The last two (or five) years have gotten me to begin thinking about what it is that I’ve accomplished with my time here on Big Blue. The true (or observed) length of 29 years depends on what you’re comparing it to. When you think of it as 11 years since I graduated from high school, it’s a damned long time. When you look at it as 30 of the potential 100 years I could live, it’s a damned short time.
So which way have I chosen to look at it? We’ll return to this in a moment.
This year my best friend turns 30. It’s only the second time in the 18 years we’ve been friends that her being a year older has mattered (the other, of course, being that she turned 21 first). Realizing that she’s about to hit the milestone that I’ve spent the last 4 years dreading made me think twice before complaining about said milestone to her. Instead, I offered for her to join me in staying 29 forever, as I plan on doing next year.
She had an even better plan. You see, her father doesn’t want the two of us to get older anymore than we do, for obvious reasons. Because of this, he’s spent the last 4 years convinced that she’s still 25. We’ve always fought him on it, but this year we’ve decided that really, father DOES know best. In addition, I will no longer be one year younger, simply because I can not afford an increase in my car insurance rates.
I announced our decision to go backwards in age a few days ago, and my other friends, god bless them, were all extremely supportive. I recieved as many “Happy 25th Birthday!” greetings as ones with no age attached. I will be getting a similar card for Monica’s birthday next month.
So, to go back to the question raised earlier, as to how I chose to view my time here on Earth? No, 29 isn’t all that long at all, but really, 25 is fabulously less.
Nix Smith August 5th, 2008
One of the snacks that’s been easy to find around here is Sun Chips, which also happens to be a favorite of both Jeff’s and mine, so we’ve had them in the house almost every day since we’ve been here. Once I was able to procure some fake deli meat, I started to make sandwiches, and the last two I made, I also put chips on them.
It’s one of those things you either like or you hate. Hell, many people aren’t even willing to try it.
Me? I’m all about some added crunch to any meal. Crunch is one of my favorite textures.
I may never eat a chipless sandwich ever again.
Nix Smith July 30th, 2008
So I was feeling bad that the horses were getting all of the fresh fruit. See, there’s a local orchard only a mile or so from our house, and we go there once or twice a week for fruit for me, and fruit for the landlord’s horses. Last night it occurred to me that we hadn’t gotten any fruit for the hamster! So while we were at the library, I looked up an AWESOME list of what fruits are OK for him to eat, then we headed back over to Shaw’s.
Last night for the first time, Nugget got to eat a few blueberries! He doesn’t like them nearly as much as I thought he would (we’ll try blackberries next time), but it sure was cute watching him try them.
As a reminder, if you are reading this through an RSS reader, you’ll need to come directly to this post to see the photos.
Also, a big welcome to my newest commenter, Heidi, who I found via her blog, “Rude’s Rants, Raves, and Remembrances!” Continue Reading »
Nix Smith July 28th, 2008
We subscribe to DirecTv. They will move your service for you for free, but it’s only once within a 12 month period. We’re only going to be here on the farm for less than 3 months, and I didn’t want to have to pay the $100 to have a second installation done once we buy our house, so I decided that I would install it here on my own.
As a reminder, if you are reading this post through an RSS reader, you need to come to the post itself to see the photos. Continue Reading »
Nix Smith July 28th, 2008
To try to help the kitties all feel more comfortable here, on the first night we broke out our giant tub of catnip. As you can see, it worked!
As a reminder, if you are reading this post through an RSS reader, you will need to come to the actual post to see the photos. Continue Reading »
Nix Smith July 27th, 2008
So the house we ended up finding to rent is part of a 100 acre farm in White Hall, MD. It’s been a big (and strange) change for sure, but we’re both really enjoying the relaxing atmosphere. Like I said, this is an opportunity for a new start for us, something we are both looking forward to!
This set of photos is from in and outside of our house and around the farm.
As a reminder, if you are reading this from an RSS reader, you will need to come to the post itself to see the photos. Continue Reading »
Nix Smith July 27th, 2008
Well, hello there, readers! Sorry for the prolonged absence. The last few weeks have been particularly crazy as we’ve been preparing for the move from Richmond, VA to White Hall, MD. We had to get rid of a ton of stuff (mostly to charity, but there was a TON of garbage and recycling to deal with too), sort, pack, pack more, say goodbye to everyone, etc etc etc.
As I have a tendency to do, I took a bunch of photos along the way. This set is of our house in Richmond, as empty as it was the day I first moved in there (way back in 2003). As a reminder, if you are reading this through an RSS reader, you will need to come to the post itself to see all of the photos. Continue Reading »
Nix Smith July 27th, 2008
Today our beautiful Matthew would have been 27 years old, but some dickless wonder took him from us way too soon.
We all love you and miss you, Matthew. Happy birthday.
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