tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59152102880367987602012-02-14T20:20:10.103-08:00Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.comBlogger381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-52152026126070825572009-03-07T10:32:00.000-08:002009-03-07T11:22:00.869-08:00

I had an epiphany this afternoon as I had succumbed to a habit that has become very natural for me - biting my fingernails. I already know, so do not try to inform me of the downfalls of the grossness of this type of habitual behavior. I know about germs. In fact, on most occsasions, I am very much a clean indiviual that hates a dirty or dusty environment clustering my space.That being said, I

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-29977370156173868252009-02-07T04:55:00.000-08:002009-02-07T05:20:31.562-08:00

What is the deal with apartment neighbors? Why is it, that every single person we come across has a story of something "interesting", usually meaning a horror story of sorts.Take for instance, and we have all encountered this - the extremely overweight tenant that parades about the apartment at all hours - sounding like a herd of elephants on a stampede.What about the smell of bacon that lingers

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-10905778040316740452009-01-16T06:52:00.000-08:002009-01-16T07:17:51.607-08:00

For the upper 20-somethings to mid 30-somethings in age, we go to our grandparents and are greeted with overly-warm rooms (mid to upper 80's) and old gritty smiles from teeth that have lived a full life and shown their wear and tear from the war of time and food. Not only do we end up with a greeting of slobbery kindness we hear the faint sounds of music rotating (if they are traditional) or

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-88037263010900567082009-01-16T06:32:00.000-08:002009-01-16T06:50:23.167-08:00

Yeah, it's cold. The type of cold where ice cubes actually shiver. The type of cold that encourages us to wear our "snuggies" to the store underneath our everyday attire. (Please tell me you have seen the latest in gimmicks that endorse blankets with arm placements - so as to not fall off your shoulders when reach for the third piece of coffee cake). I digress.I was out running errands today for

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-24959975206442982702008-11-10T15:19:00.000-08:002008-11-10T15:55:14.932-08:00

Here is what you are going to do tonight. Grab your keys and wallet and head to the local store that sells cameras. Not just any cameras, the kind that you can use for night viewing. Once you purchase them, let’s say a minimum of 8, you are going to install them inside your bedroom (Bowl Strikes!! – as you know this means keep your mind out of the gutter and on the right path) You will install

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-59673980815217621962008-11-10T15:10:00.000-08:002008-11-10T15:18:37.057-08:00

I love to question the normalcy of life, but there are things that I come across on a daily basis that I sometimes forget to question. These would be things that we take for granted as we are rooted by habitual nature. I often try to unveil this sense as I typically find humor entrenched within.There was one this weekend as I entered my vehicle. As a creature of custom I displayed the same acts

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-10740195779314947072008-10-26T18:32:00.000-07:002008-10-26T18:43:09.111-07:00

I have always pondered what the true meaning of the above title could possibly mean. (Yes, I sit and “ponder” many of life’s great curve ball statements and questions because I am a giant nerd like that! What!)Actually the above title only led me to one avenue of truth. If we don’t waste what we have, we’ll still have it in the future and will not lack (want) it. You know I am a green fiend of

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-46287007199347502392008-10-22T16:38:00.000-07:002008-10-22T16:45:49.183-07:00

I am not sure if you know this about me, but I take showers. Of course I like to conserve my green footprint in the world, so I may cut down the duration of my stay in the ivory tower of cleanliness. (Get it…ivory soap?) If not, just stop reading now. Honestly, this is going nowhere.I declared above that I try to dampen my footprint, but I stumbled (literally) upon a product that makes me want to

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-44822882354391054882008-09-25T15:28:00.000-07:002008-09-25T15:34:26.290-07:00

I was at work and was whistling tunes of all kinds and that got me thinking of songs that I knew that had some type of "whistle" involved. Here is what I could think of...I know there are others. Let me know what you come up with.1 Otis Redding (which he never heard that song after he sang it - he died before it aired in a plane crash in Wisconsin)2 "Whistle While You Work" - ha, too obvious3 "

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-37076095637409456082008-09-16T18:08:00.000-07:002008-09-23T16:24:26.478-07:00

I recently saw an advertisement for RLS. Most of you may already know what these letters mean. Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). I didn’t pay close attention to details, so I can only assume that you have a leg that involuntary shakes during the night, or a leg that is pissed off that you chose to go to sleep when “he” did not want to; the leg had some unfinished business. (You know I have ADD, so you

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-74982863868214145802008-09-14T16:36:00.000-07:002008-09-14T16:39:18.303-07:00

Have you been to church recently? I have (which makes me better than you and that much closer to God!); at least, that is what some think. I went recently and felt the wrath of God upon my liberated soul. I went to church this past weekend and realized differences from what I remember as a child to what I realize now as a somewhat intelligent and mature adult (notice the use of somewhat in that

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-40461646596644738692008-09-12T17:19:00.000-07:002008-09-12T17:31:31.438-07:00

The new students are back in town and the hustle and bustle of a new school year is beginning. Over the past several years I have noticed a significant change in apparel. I am not talking about the furry lined boots that the girls are wearing with 80’s tights. I am not even talking about the manufactured holes in the “stylish” jeans we buy for the same cost as a text book; a science textbook –

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-28679070302800093662008-09-07T18:56:00.000-07:002008-09-19T02:53:24.536-07:00

We have all inevitably gone into a doctor’s office at some time in our life. Some of us were born there (not me as I was born in a manger – draw your own conclusions). There is a distinct aroma of sterility coupled with the fear and anxiety of the endless possibilities of the reasons you are there. I had recently walked into a similar building with the physical surroundings mentioned above and

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-75932607079223874642008-08-13T16:32:00.000-07:002008-08-13T16:39:44.021-07:00

I am beginning a new chapter in my life as a High School English teacher and I am sure that prompts and thoughts will come from this adventure. School starts in a matter of 12 hours and I have been at school preparing for more than a week to present the best possible information to reach as many students as possible. While at school today I was witness to a discussion among students about a

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-66026643165601696262008-08-07T16:26:00.000-07:002008-08-08T16:15:22.323-07:00

Let’s just talk for a minute about some awkward moments that we ALL experience. Very quickly, I will illustrate an example as it happened to me earlier this morning. I was in a meeting and I proceeded to head to the little boys room. Upon entering I realized that there were other men using the urinals. I had to become strategic in a moments whim, which I did, and chose the urinal that was

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-50592313060906605642008-08-06T03:44:00.000-07:002008-08-06T03:47:38.937-07:00

I know this may seem a bit random, but I was thinking about food as I woke up this morning and got to thinking….Do Corn Nuts get stale? Are they already stale and we just don’t know it? Makes you wonder, well – makes me wonder, if dogs feel the same way about their food. I realize that it is dog food, but if you think about it their bag does not have a large zip-lock to “keep the fresh in.” If

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-14489656468438989702008-08-05T15:16:00.000-07:002008-08-05T15:20:27.882-07:00

There is an old cliché about a mirror being able to show two sides of any given person, and to some extent, I agree that you can physically see yourself and your reflection. However, in a deeper sense, you can only see the exterior you and not the interior. Depending on the gender of the individual this can either be a positive or negative viewpoint to obtain. Take for example a first date

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-49240908510634699372008-07-29T14:18:00.000-07:002008-07-29T14:37:50.391-07:00

Have you ever looked at labels on the products that you purchase? I have recently started looking at these and have seen some of the ridiculousness that ensues. Knowing that my household is limited with a multitude of products, I chose to go to the store to see more.As I entered a local retail box I saw a slush puppy machine. This machine dispenses a simple frozen liquid of delight for all to

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-69890469633335870952008-07-28T16:17:00.000-07:002008-07-28T16:20:02.708-07:00

I know and understand that our world is on the cusp, if not actually in, a state of recession. Being a current graduate of Grad school, I realize the necessity for money. Trying to afford anything while two full time students are in school can be a bit of a struggle. We survived, but we have been feeling the financial cuffs the economy put on and tightened this summer with raising gas prices and

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-31539010906896124402008-07-27T08:41:00.000-07:002008-07-27T08:44:33.459-07:00

There was a comment made at work the other day about how we live in a male driven society. Of course I interjected and fought against the female version of the pissing contest, but it dawned on me after the discussion that she may have been correct. Riding my bike home I was able to see how this statement could be nothing more than true.Of course my examples could be mere coincidences, but when

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-76606302164206503002008-07-23T16:13:00.000-07:002008-07-23T16:16:33.541-07:00

A simple point of the finger has many connotations. It can direct our memory back to the classroom setting when we were younger and the teacher pointing the finger in a military-esque style while proclaiming disappointment towards our lack of judgment on the lax timeliness of homework. It can also be a suave move from a friend that points with a smirk on the face as if to say, “Heyyy.” If used

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-12330709868304542782008-07-22T14:39:00.000-07:002008-07-22T14:42:48.473-07:00

I went to King’s Island this past weekend and witnessed a sight all too common in our society, wherever you live I know you have seen too much of the same – large, heavy people. Now I have nothing against large people as I have them in my extended family, but there are things about them that make me upset – my extended family and others. If you are large and are working to better yourself, this

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-37472913777190815932008-07-21T15:10:00.000-07:002008-07-21T15:13:48.914-07:00

As most of you know, I am a music person. I love all types (except country as it still needs work to prove its talent towards what they call music). What I started noticing when I was listening to tunes this morning was that there was a gap between what I listen to and love, and what the young’ns are listening to and loving. As I moved beyond the mindset of musical gaps, I realized that the youth

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-23137863632295822842008-07-18T14:48:00.000-07:002008-07-18T15:29:26.507-07:00

It is no secret that I am a fan of funny things. One thing that does surprise people is that I find humor (like gut-busting humor) from songs. Usually any kind of whispering (through the 80’s this was popular), any type of funny lyrics (deemed by myself), and overall music that is played in the background of the singing can strike the chord of my funny bone.Here is my list:1. Afroman - Colt 45.

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-31392079974784679582008-07-17T19:54:00.000-07:002008-07-17T20:02:25.934-07:00

Speaking to people in the summer adds a new twist to a conversation. I know this seems weird, but this is true. Take for instance, as I was heading inside from the outdoors (obviously) and I was a distance away from my colleague when I had asked a question. After asking, “What?” she took off the glasses and intently tuned into my question. Really? Is my question miraculously going to waft in the

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-28704044752847430162008-07-15T13:35:00.000-07:002008-07-15T13:43:54.596-07:00

Riding to work today with my refurbished bike (that still needs much work!) I had come across a song that I had not heard in a long, long time; Hootie and The Blowfish – only wanna be with you. This sparked my interest to attempt a top 25 favorite remembered songs from the 1990’s. This is yet another list that could be expanded into a top 100 I am sure, but for your sake I wrote down, in no

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-68217647898067114432008-07-13T12:25:00.000-07:002008-07-13T12:27:53.724-07:00

I have told stories from my youth that people assume I am fabricating. At times I wish I was, but unfortunately even my creativity has boundaries. This blog involves one of those stories that stretch the limits of truth and seems to cross over the line of not being genuine. This blog is true and as I stated before, I cannot possibly make up a gem of a story like this one.It was summer time and my

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-58717622869891308692008-07-12T21:47:00.000-07:002008-07-13T07:09:50.107-07:00

Apparently, I am supposed to be blogging about ME! I was told that bloggers write in their columns to self-fulfill their desires to read about themselves on their own sites. Knowing that, as I last checked, there were only 6 visits to my site in the past two days, I can only imagine the warmth of reception I will receive after writing about my personal experiences. I will bite my tongue if I

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-55440505637001286972008-07-10T13:50:00.001-07:002008-07-10T14:02:30.056-07:00

I know the first thing that most of you are thinking…why is he talking about Frank Zappa and the Mother of Invention album – One Size Fits All? If you did think that…I want to meet you and give you one of those super handshakes like the ones that Fresh Prince would give to Jazz his best friend (This involved a high five, followed by a windmill low five and somewhere in this mess of shaking and

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-8343818431784905762008-07-08T13:54:00.000-07:002008-07-08T13:58:34.203-07:00

I was perusing through all of the uprooted, damaged trees at a local, but national, retail box and came upon a uniquely phrased category that read Politics and Current Affairs. Most people probably glance at the sign and continue walking. As you would have probably guessed by my perception of my reality, I had to stop and give a double take. I immediately went over to check out the latest

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-82137261827934094262008-07-06T18:21:00.000-07:002008-07-06T18:23:54.173-07:00

I was thinking the other day of expiration dates. Take for instance a Mountain Dew 2 liter that I bought July 2nd expires on October 13th, 2008. A Gatorade bottle that was purchased on July 4th will expire December 29th, 2008. You can keep a chocolate bar in the fridge for up to 1 year. Unopened coffee, in the can, will stay for 2 years. Our favorite topping for ice cream, maraschino cherries,

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com75tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-4101278350532981692008-07-05T04:07:00.000-07:002008-07-05T04:52:49.526-07:00

So when I decided to write this blog yesterday, I was overwhelmed by a self diagnosis of my ADD. I am back today to hone in my thoughts into some general consensus of the peeves I have in my life.As you can tell from my title, I already have a peeve about the misuse of “Pet Peeves” as people tend to phrase it in the modern sense. The origination of the word derives from the 14th century, and was

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-71556623947757005142008-07-04T05:33:00.000-07:002008-07-04T06:25:04.246-07:00

I was driving to my parents’ house for a weekend celebration of our freedom (4th of July) – who am I kidding, it had nothing to do with us sitting around listening to Battle Hymn of the Republic or This Land is Your Land or even the one I could do without ever hearing again, God Bless the USA. Don’t get me wrong, I am ALL for patriotism, I just don’t sit around memorizing these songs for the

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-76730005604070449122008-07-02T13:56:00.001-07:002008-07-02T16:01:22.223-07:00

If any of you know me, you know that I really dig the dreadlocked, hippy, drug-induced era of the late 60’s through the 70’s. If you didn’t know me, then now you are aware. Of course, like many, I believe that I should have been born (in what our depiction of the 70’s was) into the Dazed and Confused movie. I wanted to make those paddles of perfection that would crack the bottom of the freshman

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-89550170315861971902008-07-01T14:22:00.000-07:002008-07-02T04:08:50.815-07:00

We (the hierarchy system of small town to global scale) are full speed ahead in our efforts to turn “Green”.First I must ask the obvious, what color were we before? Yellow seems like a hopeful color, why not choose that color? I understand that we often think of the darker colors on the spectrum representing gloom so I guess dark blue, black, and grays are out. Yellow, Pink, and baby Blue is

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-16861245459487265432008-06-30T18:13:00.000-07:002008-07-02T04:14:11.594-07:00

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window? (this is a replica of our dog Rudy)(Now, queue the laugh)The truth of the matter is that some of you out there look at that question, chuckle – or as the teens would say LOL, and move along with the reading. The others, well let’s face it, are

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-56751160128180451612008-06-30T16:10:00.000-07:002008-07-01T15:54:54.439-07:00

I recently went out and bought a new MP3 player and no it was not a white delight, or in layman’s terms – iPod. Living in a college town I am accustomed to seeing students of all kinds walking around wearing, or should I say flashing, their white chords connected to an electronic device only 3% filled up with music because they cannot afford songs, due to their recent, pricy purchase of the very

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915210288036798760.post-49659530267208563542008-06-30T14:17:00.000-07:002008-07-01T15:29:44.446-07:00

I went to the store this past weekend to pick up a few items for a small and intimate BBQ. I wanted nothing more than to watch a piece of cow slowly being cooked to my perfection (medium-well). I wanted the spicy marinade of cow to waft up to my nose and confirm the physical process of browning meat. In order to have this evening of delight I had to drive to the store and pick up the items of

Ryan Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655521891711835459noreply@blogger.com0