Online Dating- DANGER!

So I got all dolled up to meet this guy for some coffee, then he started sending me odd texts, things I don't even want to repeat here. 

Ladies, look out, there are far too many creepers on dating sites.

Two Friends.

Just Some of My Random Photos

Random Day!

Today was crazy! People are always so much nicer to me when my cleavage is showing a little... hm. But anyway, I was looking for the math lab at school to get help and ran into this guy who was too nervous (just like I was) to go into the lab. He needed the English lab to read something over for him. He asked me if I worked there, I told him I was hired but turned down the job. It looked at me lik

e I was nuts. lol Anyway, I read over his paper, made a few comments and helped him out!

Then I went to the math lab, scared as ever, and they were mean, just like I thought. They told me they aren't here to teach me, only to help me with problems. WTF? I'm HAVING a problem, it's your job fart knocker. lol

So I went to the disabilities room and got so much help for around 40 minutes. The man there was so much nicer. He even said that the math lab sucks now, he used to work there. I have to bring him a present. He said he would help me as long as I needed on Monday, before my exam.

So now I know more about math than I have in a long time. Taking my midterm on Monday and I'm going to do a good job!

  So, I haven’t posted anything on here for a while, due to school being rather hectic. But, tonight I do have time for a post. I need to get something heavy off my chest: THE NOOK TABLET STINKS!

Don’t get me wrong, I bought it when it first came out and I loved it… But that was last December.  The first Nook Tablet I bought was defective right out of the package, so, I got a second one. The second one was running fine until a few weeks ago. The web browsing  has been very “touchy” the past few weeks. Say, I try to get on Facebook; right after it loads, the page flies away without warning, and I am back at my home screen. The second Tablet lasted me almost a whole year, and I am sad to part with it, but I have to.

Here is the real kicker: I just got my THIRD Nook Tablet in the mail a few days ago, and it is having the same browsing problems. I just don’t get it. Not to sound superior or anything, but I could do Barns & Noble’s “tech support” gagged and blindfolded. The “customer support” people were so dull that they had to put me on hold around 7 million times to “check something” A.K.A, go ask someone else.

Finally, I got elevated to a manager who was going to send me a new device. I refused to hard reset a brand new product because that is just stupid. Why would she want me to do that? I did it on the second device, and it didn't work… So, I was getting offered a new one. Then a thought hit me, “They are coming out with a new Nook HD+! Maybe (since I paid the same amount for my original Nook) they could upgrade me, since I've had THREE failing products. So, this woman agrees and tells me to call back in November when they HD+ comes out.

So, I sat twiddling my thumbs for a while, and then decide to call back. I wanted to make sure I was on the pre-order list so I could get the Nook HD+ sent to me as soon as it is for sale. Oh boy, that was a very stupid idea.

I got this “supervisor” on the line who told me first;  they do not do upgrades, and second; I have to give him my credit card number so I could get a new Nook Tablet sent to me so I can see if MAYBE the FOURTH one will work the way it’s supposed to.

Let’s get something clear, I did not have to give any information for having the third (newest) device sent to me. This @SShole told me that it was, “Company policy.” I said, “Really? Then why didn’t have to do this a few weeks ago?” He went on to tell me (acting like he was the king of the universe) that I would have to send my Nook back first before they sent me the new one. That is some bullshit. So, I resigned and gave him my numbers (I will sue their asses if any fees come up from that company.)

This second guy was just a dickhead. Nothing else to it, he is just a sad saggy panted man in a dead-end job.

After all of this, after spending so much money on buying the apps and books… I just wish I had gotten the Kindle Fire. I feel like I have to stick with the Nook now, because I've put so much money into it and I highly doubt they would reimburse me all the money I gave them for their damned product.

Word to the wise:

                Do MUCH research before making a almost $300 commitment, or on just about any other electronic device.

P.s… I had to hard reset my phone yesterday too. The people who know me, tell me that I am cursed with the things that I buy (mainly electronics), and I am starting to think it’s true.  

The Kitchen Table Family Restaurant!

 Seldom do my family and I get to see each other just for fun. Errands, Holidays, Birthdays; those are the times I see my family. Scheduled and time restrained. But, today was not such a day. It was a lovely, bright and sunny Sunday afternoon that I spent with my mother and my two nieces: Lilli and Ariana.   

Around 1pm today my mother, with my nieces tagging along, came to pick me up. We decided we were hungry and went to the best new little Mom and Pop place- The Kitchen Table Family Restaurant, on the corner of Amherst Street and Elmwood Ave, in Buffalo, NY. Let me just say, this place is fantastic. Every time I have the money to eat out, I come here. Everything is homemade and delectable. They started out just serving hamburgers, hotdogs and fries (and let me say something about these fries: They are, by far, the best homemade French fries I’ve ever had in my life!), but it has much progressed into a plethora different menu items. All sorts of sandwiches; tuna, turkey melt and club, fried fish sandwiches, though I’ve yet to try them all, I have no doubt they are as delicious as every other item I have ordered. Their fish fry, served on Friday’s and Saturday’s, is the best thing (other than their homemade potato salad and fries) on the menu. The Kitchen Table now serves breakfast all day long! How many other places do you know, other than chain restaurants, which do breakfast from 7am till 9pm?! I don’t believe I am doing this place justice with writing this. I think everyone should come try it out. It’s a little hidden treasure. Did I mention the ice cream and slushies they serve all year long? No more will you be let down when your favorite ice cream parlor closes for the winter!

 I think, even though the food is the best I’ve had in a while in the Buffalo area, the owner and his employees take the cake.  If you even need a smile to brighten your day, just come down to Elmwood and Amherst and walk in The Kitchen Table! Quick to a joke, a friendly demeanor and just all over good people who work here are sure to brighten your days.

Maybe you’re thinking, what’s the catch? Well, there is none. The prices are the cheapest you will find in Buffalo and surrounding areas. The final word is that you need to check this place out! I am actually sitting in The Kitchen Table as I write this, drinking coffee and an AMP (I’m a caffeine junky, I know) and using their fast and FREE WiFi!

 As this place is new, and not many people know of it yet, the turn-over is still rather slow for how wonderful it is. I hope, my readers, that you take a little trip to The Kitchen Table Family Restaurant! Trust me, it’s worth the drive. Lucky for me, it’s right across the street from my apartment. 

Confrontation

The human mind is often so complex we are unaware of how we react the way we do: in one such instance, the anger that comes from being confronted by a fault of one’s own. This has often occurred in my life, directly affecting me. I will calmly tell a person that they have hurt my feelings by an action of their own, and be rebuffed with an immense amount of anger and resentment.

Why is it that when you confront someone on their wrong –doings that they must point out all of your own faults and mistakes.  It doesn’t seem quite far to me that when I am being calm with someone (or, in cases, someone is being calm with me- for I am not devoid of fault in this) they rebuttal with accusations and harsh words, often yelling that can be accompanied by profanity. I am not a psychologist, psychiatrist, or one of any profession of the sort- but I have studied much psychology, in college and on my own. I am uncertain if this behavior is sociological or psychological. It seems to me to be a bit of both.

Most people have experienced this behavior on one end or the other of their life- Which leads me to believe it is a social pattern. However, when you think on the psyche, this behavior is a model of repression, projection and guilt.

Sociologically, this may be a repeat pattern, from person to person- from friends, families and neighbors. If the group of people you are surrounded by act in a certain way, you are most definitely apt to respond in kind. The only way the pattern can be broken is if one person or more persons choose to negate from the set path. That goes for any social pattern.

The person being confronted is often left floundering for an excuse for their poor behavior, wanting to blame everything – everyone- but themselves.  That leads to the person projecting their feelings of guilt onto the person confronting them. As humans, we are highly emotional and tend to overreact on the smallest matters. Such is the nature of our existence.  It takes a trained mind to remain rational when you have done something you know to be wrong but don’t want to admit to it. We tend to fight it with every fiber of our being, like a survival instinct. 

What I want to go is how we solve the problem of being overly emotional. I know it is natural to have emotions, but how to keep them under control if when pointing out (kindly) the fault in people only makes them more irate? 

-Ashley Lang

Vacation Within A Vacation!!

So, here I am in Prescott Valley, Arizona! I came to visit an old friend and his family. The drive is about two hours away from where my father and grandmother live, but it is deferentially worth the drive!

I came down to Prescott from Flagstaff on Friday afternoon. I was greeted with the warmest welcome I've received in maybe forever! Well, other than my fathers dogs! Haha. Open arms, hearts and kind voices enveloped me as soon as I crossed the threshold. It was a bonus to see that my friend (Nick's) uncle, aunt and two little (well, not so little anymore) nieces had just come back from vacation. Last time I had seen Nick, or any of family was around 2007! So, his nieces looked so strange to me!! I can't believe how grown up they are now. It seems a little insane. Before their drive back home, they had to stop and pick up the multitude of critters that Nick and his family had been watching. You name it, they had it! Lizards. rats, doggies and birds- Needless to say they must have a very full home.

Nick's family is my second family (I wish they were my first, haha.) They have always treated me with nothing but love and respect! 

I will tell the rest of my tale once I am back in Flagstaff tomorrow. I had to stay an extra night here due to a monsoon. A curse and a blessing at the same time. It was my father's birthday today and I was sad to miss it. But, he worked all day so it's not like I would have been able to see him much.

Goodnight, Good Morning, and Good Afternoon World! 

Peace and Love,

Ashley

Arizona Success!

  The plane rides were the best I've had. Got to sit with younger, happier, people for a change! Found lots of nice people to chat with everywhere I went! Finally arrived in Flagstaff, Arizona around 2am. (That would be  5am NY time.) So I was up and traveling for about 20 hours. My dad picked me up from the airport in Phoenix and I barely remember the 2 1\2-  3 hour drive to Flag! 


   All day yesterday I was running errands with my grandmother, so it's nice to sit around and relax today. Maybe going to the mall a bit later to do some clothes shopping! 


   It seems I brought rain with me here. It's thunderstorming right now, but it's lovely. I love monsoon season with all of my heart. Some days I really miss living in Arizona, but I always end up getting home sick for New York. It's much better to just come and visit! 


   Next weekend my father and I are going to Vegas for two nights! We are going to see Phantom of the Opera and do the look around, tourist thing! I haven't been to Vegas since I was about 11-12. My grandmother and father took me there for a night or two and we stayed at Circus Circus, that was a blast. But now I can go and waste a few dollars gambling. I've never gambled in my life and I am totally prepared to lose the $20 I go in with!


I will post pictures when there are pictures to post!


Peace and Love,




~Ashley

On Vacation!

The long awaited trip to Arizona for my summer break is now in session!!

Sad Panda.

Yesterday I was a jungle gym for my nieces. We had a cook out at my sister's place and my nieces expect me to be super-woman because I *used* to me... I just can horse around with them like I used to and they don't understand that. It makes me feel awful. 

I did my best to keep up with them, but I am really paying for it today. It feels like my knee is out of place and I was kicked repeatedly between my shoulder blades on my spine. I have a 7 1/2 hour trip tomorrow to AZ... I think I'm going to ask for a wheelchair at the airport... But my pride is holding me back... I think I have to tho, because I am just not up to walking all over. 

Today is just not a good day:

Woke up late 
Didn't have time to shower 
Missed two doctors appts 
The second bus was suuuupppperrr late, which made me miss the appts
I woke up in so much pain I could barely move around- Still can't really. 

GAH. Still need to go to the store, pack, clean, PACK- I'm OCD about packing because I always seem to forget something. Check 7million times and over again to make sure I have everything I need.... Back up my files onto my external hard drive, in case anything happens to my computer in transit.... 

Sorry for venting- But I really don't care! :P

The Road2Recovery 

Productive.

 Worked on my photos from my last photoshoot, cleaned my apartment, made this blog, made a tumblr, read, dyed my hair, blah blah blah.


 So, I figured if I'm going to start a blog, I'm going to do it right! I will post what I wrote and had printed on the front page of my school newspaper!


Coming Out by Ashley Lang

  I am so glad that the state I live in, the great state of New York, allows me to marry the woman of my dreams some day. I feel awful that most others are not granted that right. Frankly, it makes me sick to my stomach. We have hearts, souls and feelings just like the rest of the population. Why is it that we cannot love who we choose to? 

 Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgendered people have been prosecuted throughout the ages. They have been seen as deranged, second class citizens. We have been beaten, berated, and begrudged for most of our lives. It is rare that one can “come out of the closet” in peace in harmony. So often children are shunned by their parents, family members and peers for being honest about whom they are. Why, as a civilization can we not see past a person’s sexual orientation or gender? Why can we not love them for the person they are, not for what’s between their legs or whom they happen to love? I wish I had all of the answers, but I, for the life of me, cannot comprehend the hate some people have in their hearts for people who just happen to be a little different from them. We all inhabit this Earth as one race, the human race. To hate someone for being gay is a kin to hating someone for the color of their eyes, skin or hair. It has such little meaning. I propose we come together, untie, and have love for whom ever we meet.

 My “coming out” story was easier than what most people have to go through. Yes, it was hard, and continues to be, but I no longer hold resentment for how people react(ed) to the news. Hating someone for their wrongful actions does not make the world a better place. Tolerance is the key. Growing up, I had no idea I was different from anyone else. I thought all little girls played house together. I thought it was okay to want to play with Legos and not Barbies. I had no idea that kissing girls on the playground was different or wrong. Not until I grew older did I realize that how I acted, who I was, differed from the “norm.”

 I remember, clear as yesterday, being around seven years old and talking to my mother about the “boy” I would marry some day. My mother, who has always had an open, loving mind said to me, “Or the girl you marry.” That stopped me dead in my tracks. How did she know what I was thinking? How could she have any idea? My little seven year old mind reacted with fear and disgust. I said, “Ew! Mom! That is so icky and totally wrong! Who would do that!?” I felt a little piece of myself fade away as I denied who I was.

 When I was around 14-15 years old my sister confronted me about my being gay. I was sitting in my bedroom, listening to music when she walked in. She sat down on my bed with me and looked me dead in the eyes; her face was serious and accusing. She asked me, “Ashley, do you like girls?” I froze. Where would she have come up with that idea? I had no clue. I turned my head away and kept quiet. “You can tell me, you know, I won’t say anything.”, She said. I started crying. Not just a few tears, but big gasping sobs. I pleaded, “Please don’t tell mom or anyone else! PLEASE!” As is my sister’s style, she told my whole family, down to the aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as all of her friends. It was earth shattering. My whole world had come apart. In my mind, the only thing to do was to deny her allegations. I went back into the closet. 

 It took me years of self exploration, coming in and out of the closet, and a big dose of reality to admit my sister and mother were right. I loathed myself for it. I was royally pissed off that I was different from everyone else. Why couldn’t I just be normal? Because I have never been “normal”, I’m erratic, artistic, loving and caring, and just a plain nut ball. But, I am also a lesbian. Think what you will, form your own opinion, but never judge me for who I happen to love, because I love you all no matter what.

 Whoever is reading this, if you happen to be gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgender- You are NOT alone. Things do get better, and you learn to love yourself. People will come around, or you will find new people who love you for who you are. Do not lose faith in mankind. You are loved. 

Just some random, old photographs!

Delaware Park. Buffalo, NY.

Just two shots from a day at the park.