It's Contest Time at Felicianation!

Pin It

I appreciate your shares, and comments make me feel less lonely, so you know, don't be shy :)

bit.ly/felicianationcontest

Yeah, So This Is Weird

Pin It

Lately I've been getting a lot of traffic from a foreign search engine.

I think it's called yandu or something. Anyway, I was curious, so I clicked the link, and was brought to a search of my URL on that engine.

What I found was rather strange...

I've discovered two anonymous comments so far that link to my website. The comment is totally random, and then it says feel free to visit my website, with a link pointing here. Spam comments. Comments I didn't make.

Worst part is, one of the comments is on a transgender website! Nice. That's just great for the rep... lol

Seriously though, how freaking weird is that? Who would leave random comments pointing to my blog?

More importantly, why?

Techie friends? Anyone?

Much love,
Felicia

Gay Marriage, Abortion and Opression

Pin It

The FB conversation that caused this rant.

I've spoken out about the war on abortion before, but last week, with all the talk about gay marriage rights and the on-going court cases in the US, my frustrations with people hiding behind God to defend their own agendas of hate have grown to a boiling point, and I find myself having to revisit the subject, but this time I'm not just talking about abortion rights, I'm talking about gay marriage rights as well. 

I'm talking about basic human rights. The right to choose who you love, the right to choose if and when you want children.  The right to live your life as you see fit, not dictated to you by politicians with dirty agendas using God's name in vain.

Unless you have ever spoken directly to God, you have no idea what He wants, feels or thinks. If we are to believe that God makes no mistakes, then it is within His design that we all be different.

If you are going to use His name to defend hatred, please remember that He said "love thy neighbor", not love thy neighbor unless he's gay or something else you don't approve of.

A true Christian accepts others without judgement, as he knows that only God has the right to judge.

I'm saying stop quoting the bible at me, because you only ever quote the things you like, and even those quotes take on a new meaning depending on the spin you try to make on them.

The catholic religion has spewed so many lies over thousand of years that I find myself very conflicted in my beliefs, but what I do believe for sure is that no one on this planet is in a position to judge others. That everyone on this planet has done at least one thing they wouldn't be too proud of discussing with God Himself, and that no one on this planet really knows anything about what God thinks, or if He even truly exists.

I believe in being a good person: in doing my best, and trying to better myself. I believe in being generous, and helping the less fortunate. 

I believe in letting others live their lives in freedom, to choose who they want to be, their sexuality, who they want to marry, which religion they want to adhere to, and if and when they wish to have children.

As humans in this day and age, we are subjected to many rules and regulations. Practically slaves to our societies and governments, but...

No law should ever have dominion on our bodies or dictate whom we can love.

Okay, so that's my rant for today.

TTYS!
 

First Day Of Spring

Pin It

When you were a kid, which date were you told the seasons changed on?

"Spring Bloom" Painting on ipad by Felicia-May Stevenson

I could swear it was the 21st.  In fact, I'm sure of it.  So when did this change, and more importantly, why?!

I'd been arguing about this with my eldest son for two days, as his teacher told him the first day of spring was on March 20th, and my youngest's teacher said the 21st.  A quick google search has just revealed that he is right and I am wrong.  

Apparently a bunch of astronomers got together and decided that the vernal equinox (AKA first day of spring) actually happened today, March 20th this year.

What's worse, it seems that March 21st has barely ever been the first day of spring.

Is everything I learned in school nothing but a lie?

Damn You Facebook By Annah Rondon

Pin It

If you don't know who Annah Rondon is, then you should definitely check out her blog at Red Means Go.

This Cuban girl writes it as she sees it and keeps the masses entertained with stories of her escapades as a single woman, her wildly funny views on life, and her ever amusing illustrations.

Her personality shines through her work and is really what hooks you and keeps you coming back for more.

"Damn You, Facebook" is the budding author's first attempt at self-publishing, and while the book could use some polishing, it is light and very entertaining, even causing a few "Laugh Out Loud" moments.

Her signature style doesn't disappoint, and I'd say that for $1.98, this book had less calories than a bag of chips, and left me feeling more satisfied.

  

Spambots and Captchas

Pin It

I hate captchas.  If you don't know what captchas are, they are those annoying letters and numbers you have to copy correctly to prove you're not a spambot (spam robot) before you can comment on a blog post.

I usually surf blogs from my iPad, which just makes copying captchas even harder, because they are so hard to see.

"Please prove that you're not a computer."  I'm not a computer, but apparently, I'm blind.

Sometimes I write this really clever comment, and then after 3 or 4 unsuccessful attempts at posting, I get discouraged and leave the site.

A friend of mine who recently started blogging was using the dreaded captchas, so I asked him nicely to disable them.  He mentioned that he used to have a lot of issues with spammers, but I was all "No, no, Bloggers spam filter is really good.  They go directly to spam, never actually get published!"

Well!

It's like Murphy himself heard me and decided it was a great time to apply his law.  Suddenly, I'm receiving tons of spam comments, and they are actually getting through the spam filter.

The worse part is the repetitive nature of the comments:

"Great post! I've been looking for this information for days, and you really hit the nail on the head with this one.  Also, please visit my website... something cigarettes.com"

Some are even insulting:

"Is it just me or do some of the comments on this post sound like they're coming from brain dead people? :)-  Also, please visit my site... something money solutions .com."

"There is very a lot of good infomation on this website, but you should realy check you're speling, as you make lot of mistakes.  Also, please visit my site: casino something .com."

Haha! Thanks for the tip.

So now I don't know what to do.  I want people to be able to post anonymously to my blog.  I don't want to force people to log in or reveal themselves.  Some of my posts are about depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder, I want my readers to feel free to write what they are really feeling, without fear of retribution.

So I suppose I'll keep things as is for now, but if you see a spambot comment, rest assured, it will be deleted soon.

What do you do to avoid both the dreaded captchas and the dreaded spambot?

Improved Gun Control For The United States

Pin It

From Obama's FB page

In a press conference held Monday, January 14 2013, Barack Obama, days before the start of his second term as President of the United States of America, has announced plans to improve gun control in his country.

To the outside world, this seems like the most sensible thing to do.  He is not suggesting revoking the second amendment right to bear arms.  He wants to ban semi-automatic assault rifles, extend the waiting period to purchase firearms, improve background checks, put more counsellors in schools and provide better access to mental health care.

Americans would still have the right to bear arms, just not the kind that can kill 20 people in less than 2 minutes.

Of course, the National Rifle Association (NRA) is completely against these proposed changes.  Interesting to note that until 2004, there was a prohibition against semi-automatic machine guns, so while they try to cry infringement on constitutional rights, the right to own an assault rifle doesn't date back to the forefathers...

I simply don't understand this organisation.

When I read over Obama's plan, every point seems purely logical to me.

What foot you can stand on to defend the right to own a Bushmaster AR-15 assault rifle like the one used by Adam Lanza to kill 26 people?!

The right to bear arms was meant as a way to insure that every citizen had a right to protect themselves, and their land. 

However, it is becoming less about one individual's rights and more about the general public's right to feel safe.

I'm not suggesting that guns be banned all together (though I wouldn't personally be upset), but I am suggesting that the NRA is being irresponsible in this instance by not working with the President in his efforts to restore public safety.

I have lost count of the number of mass shootings in the States over the past year.  I have lost count of the number of lives that were lost because of inefficient and outdated laws.  The American constitution has been in effect since 1789, and has been amended 27 times since then.  Why? Because some of the things that were written 200+ years ago have nothing to do with today's was of life.  Did assault riffles even exist then?

Better and deeper background checks might have kept assault riffles out of the hands of Adam Lanza and James Holmes. 

A ban on assault riffles might have saved the 38 people the two of them killed.

For these people, it's too late for should have beens and could have beens, but it's not too late for the next batch.

Maybe, just maybe, if the US government actually works together, for the people, instead of against each other for their own individual agendas, maybe the next batch could be saved.

Maybe the next Adam Lanza would have better access to mental health care.  Maybe he would send off flags when he tried to purchase three tons of ammunition. 

Maybe...

Funny Friday: Jealousy

Pin It

A recurring subject of late has been jealousy.  There's so much I'd like to say on the subject, but I'm more in a "I want to draw" phase than a "I want to write" phase, so I made you an image to tide you over until I get my butt in gear.

Every one needs to stop looking at what their neighbor's doing or has, and learn to appreciate their own blessings.

Much love,
Felicia

Thought Provoking Quote

Pin It

(Some people cause happiness wherever they go.
Others... Whenever they go)

It's not that hard to be nice, and it feels good.

Hold a door for someone.  Smile at a stranger.  Treat the cashier like she's a real person.  Let someone into your lane on the road, or wave to thank the person who just did it for you.  It only takes a second, and it's good for Karma.

So which of these do you want to be?

PS: In case you were wondering, I "painted" this image using Art Studio for iPad).

Something To Think About Before You Vote

Pin It
So you voted for Romney...

And then you got date-raped.

But you knew the guy,

So it wasn't legitimate rape.

You didn't fight back because you were scared,

And now you can't prove that that he raped you.

Since it wasn't legitimate rape,

You got pregnant.

Since you voted for Romney,

You can't get an abortion.

Since you couldn't prove you were raped,

You're sharing custody of your illegitimate child with your illegitimate rapist.

According to the president you elected, this was God's plan for you.

Think about it!!!

#teamobama

Much love,
Felicia

Be sure to read my other post for more on my views on abortion laws, I fear for a country with anti-abortion laws.

Funny Fridays: Dirty Old Men

Pin It Today's Funny Friday is brought to you by cheezburger.com

Creepers!!!

I thought this was especially funny, because as a younger woman I always took it in jest when a much older man made comments or flirted with me.  Until the day my boyfriend made me realize that they were serious and would get in my pants if given the chance... ugh.  The thought still sends chills down my spine, as I recall certain conversations!!!

Haha!
Much Love,
Felicia

3 Ways the IPhone 5 Disappoints Yet Again

Pin It


Apple may be the leader in smartphone technology, but the iPhone 5 and iOS 6 are still disappointing to me on many levels, as I feel more attention to detail is required to reach perfection.

First off, why is there still no customizable display as offered on Android devices? I want live wallpapers and the ability to arrange my icons as I wish. Come on Apple, you going to tell me that's too hard to achieve?

Second, why haven't the dictionary and autocorrect been fine tuned yet? How hard would it be to offer an "add to dictionary" option? How about language detector? If Microsoft was able to figure it out, surely you are too?

Third, I resent these permanent apps you have added to my phone. I don't give a flying crap about the stock market or the news stand, and it bothers me that I can't just delete them. It's my phone, I should be able to do as I please with it. You're like an over-baring mother that won't let me leave home without my mittens.

In conclusion, I'd say I have a love-hate relationship with Apple. On the one hand, I love my iPhone and iPad. On the other, it really bothers me that they keep releasing the same products with incremental improvements every year.

It bugs me even more that I sincerely think this is a well thought out business plan, an evil genius idea to take advantage of the masses, and society's constant need to one-up each other and to keep up with the neighbors.  It's a conspiracy, you know it's true.

wink wink

Much love,
Felicia

A Little Inspiration: There Is Still Good In The World

Pin It This picture was posted on the Facebook page Being Liberal.

According to the page, this dry-cleaning store is Plaza Cleaners, located in Portland.

The photo has over 24000 likes; so obviously many people (such as me) were touched by the gesture and at least for one moment, felt a renewed faith in human kind. I find this very inspiring and think more businesses need to start thinking like this.

If I'm ever in Portland, I'll have something dry-cleaned just to show support.

Have you witnessed a wonderful act of kindness lately?  Or better yet, performed one?

Much Love,
Felicia

Remembering September 11

Pin It

All of my news feeds are talking about the unforgettable events of 9/11.

I glance at the calendar and realize it's today and I shudder as I wonder if someone is planning a re-enactment.

Sadness engulfs me as I shut my eyes, and relive the events of that day; the day the world changed forever. Maybe it wasn't the world that changed. Maybe it was me.

Innocence lost.

Collision with the reality of the depravity man is capable of, no turning back.

Thousands of lives ended, millions more affected directly or indirectly by the ripples of the tidal wave that hit their collective worlds.

One day that shaped every single one after it.

One day that is a constant reminder that life is uncertain, and that everything can change, or even end, in the blink of an eye.

Much love to all, but especially to the survivors, to the families of those that weren't so lucky, and to the men and women who risked their lives to help others.

You are a constant reminder that there is still so much that is good in this world.

Felicia

I Fear For A Country With Anti-Abortion Laws

Pin It


There has been much talk about making abortion illegal, both in Canada, and in the United States.

I shudder at the thought, as this would result in thousands upon thousands of children born to parents who didn't want them or couldn't afford to care for them.

Young girls with great destinies ahead of them forced to repeat the cycle of poverty in which they grew up. Women forced to raise children fathered in rape or incest, because despite what congressman Todd Akin may think, if you're ovulating, and there's sperm, your body doesn't know if you wanted it or not, and it's gonna do what it is programmed to do.

This means thousands of children that would possibly be resented, neglected, even abused. Some would be given up for adoption, but adoption being so expensive and lengthy, the baby would end up spending his first weeks, months, maybe even years in foster care.

Many of these children would grow into adults with poor backgrounds, poor education, and little self esteem, which would just start the wheel rolling all over again for a new cycle to begin and a new generation of "oopsie babies" to be born.

This would also mean the return of back alley abortions, with shady doctors performing shady operations with sub par tools. Some women would try to abort it themselves, using a coat hanger or some other desperate measure that could lead to serious infection or self-injury.

Meanwhile, the rich would still be able to get their little problems "taken care of", for a hefty sum at faraway retreats. Their tracts not derailed, their lives not completely changed, their bodies not scarred for ever. The gap between the rich and poor in our countries would continue to grow, and be wider than ever before.

I'm not saying I'm for abortion, I'm just saying I'm not against it.

I'm saying it's a personal choice, and a very difficult one. It's a decision that women will have to live with for the rest of their lives, and one no woman makes lightly.

I'm saying stop quoting the bible at me, because you only ever quote the things you like, and even those quotes take on a new meaning depending on the spin you try to make on them.

The catholic religion has spewed so many lies over thousand of years that I find myself very conflicted in my beliefs.

What I do believe for sure, is that no one on this planet is in a position to judge others. That everyone on this planet has done at least one thing they wouldn't be too proud of discussing with God himself, and that no one on this planet really knows anything about what God thinks, or if he even exists.

I believe in being a good person: in doing my best, but being able to recognize my sins (as I see them), and trying to better myself. I believe in being generous, and helping the less fortunate. I believe in letting others live their lives in freedom, to choose who they want to be, their own religion, their sexuality, and if and when they wish to have children.
As humans in this day and age, we are subjected to many rules and regulations. Practically slaves to our societies, but...

No law should ever have dominion on our bodies.

Much love,
Felicia

Testing Blogpress for iPad

Pin It So I just downloaded Blogpress, hoping to get more editing options for blogging from my iPad than the free blogger app I have on my iPhone, which doesn't give you any options. Just straight text, and if you add a photo, it goes at the bottom of your post, no choice.
So here's a random photo, just to see if I can place it where I want:



Hum, not bad. I can adjust the size, and the alignment.... Vast improvement.
Now, what about bold, italics, or under strike?
There are options under HTML to insert these types of text... Just hope they
are placed properly. We'll see when I hit publish I guess.
Isn't it nice that we're experimenting together? I think so.
One more: Can I change fonts? What about colors?
If I hit publish and everything works... This app is worth the exorbitant $4.99 cost... If not, I may just have to learn to use it better.
Could be a PWU... Problem with user!
Haha!
Much love,
Felicia
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

*Update, apparently my attempts to insert bold text were unsuccessful.  Will have to try again, after I look it up.

* update again: I was doing it wrong, you have to select the text then click the code. I can do everything I can do on the computer on my blogpress app. Well worth the $4.99 price!

Fashion Wednesdays: What Not To Wear

Pin It When I was 12 years old, long before "What Not To Wear" was a television show, I said I wanted to have a show called "Fashion Police".  We would arrest people on the street that were wearing something completely wrong, and give them an instant make-over.  Even at that young age, I had a passion for fashion and an eye for style.

Ah the millions I could have made...

Anyway, as I was driving the other day and stopped at a red light and saw this:

Seriously?

Worse part is, I watched him pull up his boxer shorts, but not his pants. I didn't like it when they use to show just the top of their boxer shorts... the whole but hanging out? Come on! It's just wrong!

Looking like a fool with your pants on the ground!!!

Budget Friendly Fashions

Pin It You may have noticed there's a new ad on the page, and I thought I'd tell you more about it.

I recently came across E's Closet Boutique from a facebook ad, and I just love their affordable fashions.  They have an affiliate program, so I signed up, because it's easy to promote something you really like!

Great fashions at low prices... just the way I like 'em!



Perfect place to shop on a budget? Everything under $50? AWESOME!

Just a couple of my favorites for spring / summer:

April

Love the colours, love the shape... flattering for all body types!

$37.50

Ashley

This top is right up my alley, love the one shoulder, it's sexy without being slutty, and the flap should help camouflage my muffin top...

$19.99

There are many more... make sure to check it out! What's more, they offer $8 flat shipping, and if you use my username as a coupon code (fmstevenson), you'll get an extra 5% off! Or sign up to become an affiliate yourself and earn a little extra cash... on sales and even on future affiliates you recruit.  

There's No Accounting For Taste

Pin It

hmmmmmm

I lived off peanut butter from early childhood until I became pregnant with my first son, almost 7 years ago.

When I started to dislike it while I was pregnant, I figured my love affair would resume once I gave birth.  To my surprise, the smell still repulsed me, and the taste would make me gag.  Except for Reese's Pieces.  Those were always good.

A few months ago, I'm sitting in my living room watching television and start to wonder what I could eat... Suddenly I think about my old staple:  Peanut butter and butter sandwhich (you smear butter on top of the peanut butter and mix them together... it makes it extra creamy - and yummy).

So I'm sitting there and I swear, it's been 6 years since this thought has even crossed my mind, so I'm like: "What?!"


  My first thought is this is impossible, my mind is playing tricks on me.  I'll get up and go smell the jar and then my nose will remember we don't like the stuff anymore.

I get up off the couch, moving kind of slowly, I know this is silly, but it feels like I'm in the twilight zone.  I don't say anything to Barry, I walk over to the cupboard to pull out the PB and open the jar to take a whiff, fully expecting to gag, but I don't gag.  The smell is heavenly.  Further confused.  I take a little taste, still unsure whether I will like it.  I don't like it, I love it.

Shoot.  No.  What's Happening?  What does this mean?  Am I pregnant?!

Nope, not pregnant.  So what happened?

What makes our tastes change?  Why do we start to like foods we didn't and stop liking the one's we did?

Five Signs You're Addicted To Your iPhone

Pin It

Hi, my name is Felicia, and I am addicted to my iPhone.

Well, I didn't really want the thing, but now that I have it, I couldn't see myself living without it.

For better or for worse, my iPhone is now an intricate part of my life... and seems to have become an extension of my arm.

Here are five symptoms I've noted that may indicate that you're addicted to your iPhone... and have been using it far too much!

1. You make a mistake while typing on a computer and keep going, expecting auto correct to fix it.
2. While sitting at your PC, you double click on an area of the page to enlarge it.
3. You double space to end a sentence while typing on your PC and don't understand why it doesn't add the dot and automatically capitalize the first letter of the next sentence.
4. You compulsively pick it up and unlock it without really needing to use it.
5. When you close your eyes at night, you can still see the screen of whichever game you've been obsessing over. (OK, no joke, I'm not proud to admit this, but the other night as I tried to lay me down to sleep, I could see myself as the shark in Hungry Shark... hunting for fishies. I know, I'm Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs)

Check out my post on 25 ways smart phones have changed our lives to find out more about the reasons why we are addicted to these devices.


What about you?  Do you own a smart phone?  Could you live without it?  

Much Love, 

Felicia