For the Blue Spot In a Red State; Austin, Texas: “Me, Myself, and Vinny”

My cousin Vinny. There are SO many things I could say about him but I will start with logistics. Vinny lives in Austin, Texas. That is what got me there in the first place.

Vinny and I are technically third cousins (he will debate me on this fact still to this day) but in our large, loud Italian family that means we are practically brother and sister. He grew up in nearby New Jersey and is only three months younger than I.

We have done the bonding that you do as you grow up, sharing all of the highs and lows of life as part of having a large, loud, Italian family.

But what it boils down to is this: LOVE. Pure, unconditional, and sometimes inappropriate love. I did mention he is from New Jersey, right?

Vinny is an odd duck for sure but he is my odd duck and in many ways my spirit animal. What he lacks in stature he makes up for with his GIANTIC heart…….that’s right Vinny I am saying heart and nothing else you nutcase.

It has been two months since I visited Austin and it took me about that long to recover. Recover from Vinny or Austin you ask? Truthfully I am not sure. Honestly, probably a bit of both. But I am now ready to share all. At least what’s legal.

To be honest I never imagined I would end up writing so much about my cousin despite his many beliefs to the contrary. However once I started typing this is what came out, so I can't fight it and as I did I wore a huge smile on my face as I typed every word.

Plus if you will pardon the expression; I couldn't resist making him “shit his good underwear”.

For more actual information about Austin and my time there see the posts that follow.

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For Find Out Friday - Why Do Emery Boards Make My Skin Crawl?

You know that sound a fingernail makes when it scratches against a chalkboard? You know that feeling the sound of that action gives you? I, like most people, hate that sound. I instantly feel like scrunching my shoulders up to my neck and closing my eyes. I feel the exact same way when I am using an emery board to file my nails. This annoying sensation has a name: “grima” which is Spanish for disgust or uneasiness. This term basically describes any feeling of being displeased, annoyed, or dissatisfied someone or something. It is a feeling that psychologists are starting to pay more attention to as it relates to our other emotions. Emery boards are traditionally made with cardboard that has small grains of sand adhered to them. It is the sandpaper that I believe makes me filled with grima. According to studies that are being done around the world, it is not just the feeling that we associate with certain things like nails on a chalkboard or by using emery boards

For My Madness During Migraine Awareness Month

Last weekend as I sat staring at the blank page in front of me, I was still surprised and elated that I had an entire day to myself and unlike past experiences it was filled with what I wanted when I wanted it. There were a few rough moments but when I consider the previous twelve hours (and the days to come) have been better than the last week. Especially this last week even though I had braced myself ahead of time, I just didn’t know I should have braced for a more serious episode. I am a chronic migraine sufferer for so many years I don’t quite remember when they started exactly which is ironic because I can remember every special event they have ruined. I remember plays or dinners I was at where I don’t remember what happened but I could tell you what I felt minute by minute. It amazing how the mind works, especially when it’s operated by a migraine brain. In the last few years, specifically the last few years since I have been going to the Montefiore Headac

For Find Out Friday - Why is One Foot More Ticklish Than the Other?

As I sit here typing I can’t seem to stop thinking about my nails. Mainly that they REALLY need to get done. They are starting to chip and become unruly. As soon I as think about making an appointment my mind immediately returns to this question: “which of my feet will be ticklish this time?” Because I am a girl that needs her fingernails and toenails to match, I always get a pedicure whenever I get my nails done. And while this should be an activity I enjoy, it often feels like a chore, despite my going only once every three to four weeks. I know; #firstworldproblems. Anyway, each and every time I get my toes done, as soon as they are done soaking in the bubbly water I wonder, which of my feet will be ticklish today? Without fail one of them always seems to get the brunt of it and suddenly what was supposed to be a relaxing activity has made me all tense. So, is there a scientific reason for this? According to most research, yes. While the answer doesn’t

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