Long time reader, one of my favorite bloggers, and a dear friend Terri who is the author of the blog Terri Terri Quite Contrary tagged me to participate in THIS meme.
Terri has challenged me to name ONE of my own favorite posts as well as ONE of my own favorite pictures. And after I read this:
“Will you do us the honor of telling us about your favorite post? And from your millions and millions of pictures, can you choose just one favorite? Please say you will!”
I just couldn’t say no!
Considering I have been blogging for four years, and I’ve written over 1,000 blog posts, its safe to say, I have a ‘few’ favorites. Some of them are:
*The Black Out
*Wait! Isn’t that…?
*My Daddy And The Spider.
*Lesson Learnt.
*A Lesson In Geography. Or Something Like That.
*Because Its Not Really A ‘Party’ Unless The Paramedics Arrive.
*Wherein I Hope To Avoid Making An Ass Of Myself.
*Continuing Educational Credits And The Longest Sales Pitch In The History Of The World.
*I Could. But I Won’t.
*The Mayan Ruins.
*If Only There Had Been A ‘Warning Label’ Printed On The Bottle
*Doing Things Differently™ – My Week In Review [Part One]
But, I am only allowed to chose ONE favorite blog post. And I am going to have to go with this one:
To My Dear Sweet Highway…The New Jersey Turnpike
I give up. You win. I will never beat you. All I have left to say is, “Uncle.”
I want you to know I have considered moving in order to avoid you all together. But everywhere I go, there you are. Since there is no way for me to steer clear of you, it’s time for us to reach some sort of agreement.
Please stop trying to tempt me into playing that wicked game of forced rapid lane changes. I will lose every time, as you have proven once again. After doing battle with you every day, twice a day, for six years now, you still find ways to outfox me.
I will never figure out how you managed to lure me in yesterday. Maybe it was those fresh painted lines? They cover your cracks so well. I forgot all about your infinite wisdom. You fooled me with those sexy wide-open lanes. You did an excellent job of manipulating me into believing I could trust you that day.
Alas, it was nothing more than your heartless trickery that provided me little to no traffic for a cool 10 miles. I actually had a sense of peace and silence in my head. It reminded me of the early days when we first met. Back when driving on you, complete with my windows down and music playing on my console, was all the glorious sense of freedom I needed.
For a moment, dare I say, it was nice?
Then WHAM!
You Slut.
You hit me. And right where it hurt. With your ever-so conquering: ‘Brick Wall Of Traffic’.
I was too far past my ‘escape exit’ to save myself. You must have noticed I’ve been using that secret alternate route. You must have been planning this for weeks, watching my every move, plotting for the perfect time to unleash your revenge. You sure are a crafty one.
I must admit it was a well-executed plan.
When you first caught me you held me tight in your grip. And then, you made me pay. To think you betrayed me and snuck behind my back for the feel-good-quickie of a 13 mile back up, a four-car pile-up, with an over-turned dumpster to boot. You may be an old lady, but you’re still a mighty strong mother fucker when you want to be.
There was no hope to be had. I was stuck in that mess for the long haul. I couldn’t even make my famous take-a-fast-ride-on-the-shoulder-move because you are under construction.
What a surprise.
You Whore.
It took 49 minutes to travel 3 miles.
Not. Cool.
As I sat in my car, practically parked, I watched the clock tick slower than on any other day. Time actually stood still. I thought about seeking my own revenge upon you. I tried to figure out ways to break up with you right then and there. I contemplated turning in my EZ-Pass in search of a strictly back road pathway to reach my journey’s end. I pondered all of ways I could cheat on you with the Garden State Parkway. However, your vast body made up of tar and asphalt covers 99.9% of the state.
When it was all said and done, the painstaking crawl, moving inch by inch, every inch that you made me beg for, that’s when you showed me just how tough you really are. After I finally saw those big blinking lights greeting me at the bottom of the exit ramp I realized you have the nerve to charge people money at the tolls? Instead, you should be serving hard liquor or handing out free prizes to those of us who actually made it to our destination exit.
Alas, I can’t play with you anymore, not like I used to.
It was fun while it lasted, but I surrender.
You have beaten me into submission.
I will not expect to get to work or home on time again.
EVER!
Sincerely, Meleah Rebeccah Hawthorne.
Now, I am supposed to chose ONE ‘favorite’ photo.
And, much to my surprise, that was NOT as difficult as choosing ONE blog post.
And even though this photo was taken with my OLD computer, and I have since ‘Upgraded’ the ‘Love Of My Life’ to the 15″ Inch 500GB Sexy Silver MacBookPro, this photo still represents my love for ‘All Things Apple’. And, it’s still quite possibly ‘The Best Date I’ve Ever Had.’
Seriously.
The only photo I love as much as THAT one? Is THIS ONE.
[A big fat ‘Thank You’ goes out to my friend Jen Rinaldi for taking such amazing photos.]
Now. The last part of this challenge involves choosing my favorite blogger and asking them to share their favorite blog post and photo.
The hard part is choosing just ONE blogger. As you can see in the right hand side bar, I have LOADS of ‘Favorite Blogs’. And, quite frankly, I am not even sure who still wants to participate in memes anymore? The last time I tagged people, it didn’t go over too well. And well, that was just kind of embarrassing.
So…
Instead of tagging someone else, I am opening the door to ALL OF YOU.
If you would LIKE to play along, please feel free to share YOUR favorite blog post that YOU ever wrote, and YOUR favorite photo!
Enjoy!
Melea – I followed Terri's Tag here and love your style, even if you're an Apple person (I'm an Appleophobe, myself). And as a Southern Californian, I've been seduced many times by many freeways. Anyway, as our not-so-beloved Governator would say, “I'll be back!” Good stuff.
Bud aka Older Eyes
YAY! Hi! And Nice to meet you! *waves*
Welcome to my head, and feel free to drop by ANY time!
🙂
I remember the turnpike post very well – it made me go on wikipedia to know more about it and then on to Google news and other blogs ! Oh boy !
And your date with your Mac is also one of my favourite pics
I'm reading “My Daddy and the Spider” now – while having chai.
OMG – what and amazing post that was – Lots of things are making sense right now. 🙂
I've new respect for your Daddy. I now totally believe and understand when you say “that there is no one like him”.
Jaffer! You rock. And you've been hanging around this blog long enough to remember both of those!
🙂
Anyone who comes to my house in the middle of the night to *kill* a hair clip? IS the greatest dad in the world!
🙂
I Remenber the post AND the beautiful photo taken by our buddy Jen. Taken for your appreciation video of your MAC! ( I like the tub picture myself) LOL
I can so relate to the post being somewhat neighbors.
Congrats! A well earned honor sent from a great person!
Two of MY fav's!
Aw. Thank you Oscar! I think that may have been The Best Movie I've ever made! Oh, and that bathtub photo? is hysterical!
Ah, yes! I have not-so-fond memories of travelling on the New Jersey Turnpike, though I have to say two things. Firstly, I was on holiday, so it doesn't really count, since nothing is ever as bad when it's not your own particular problem, and secondly, it has nothing on the traffic in LA. Nothing. It's not a patch. Seriously. I have never, ever seen such hideous, long, mind-numbing multiple lines of traffic. Though the rush hour drive from DC down into Maryland comes very, very close.
That picture is indeed lovely! LOL!
Ahahahhahahahhahahahahahhahah!!!
Jay, I lived in California for YEARS and they do drive MUCH differently than on the East Coast! But I would take the PCH over the NJTPK any day! At least in CA you can enjoy the scenery verses looking at factories polluting the environment!
That photo makes me jealous of an Apple !
I also wandered over from Terri's blog. I love your picture also, and your blog was so funny! Makes me think of my interstate drive every day to and from work. I have my 'safety exits' too that I eye as I wonder if traffic is backed up a couple miles ahead.
Yay for Mac!!!! I love my MacBook!
You ROCK! I can't believe how quickly you did this! (And especially since you tagged me last week with a meme – that I haven't forgotten about – and have the best of intentions of participating…)
I love your favorite post! I don't remember reading that one before. (Could be I have a short-term memory problem!) But I definitely remember those photos and they are awesome. They should be framed and hung on a wall!
Thanks for playing along!
That was certainly one captivating post! I was riveted from the start. I love that photo too. Apple would love it too. 🙂
Hi Melea.
That was an awesome post!
I too arrived from Terri's Tag and am glad I did, It is nice to meet you.
I can't believe after all these years blogging I haven't been here before. I will be by again, I love your style 🙂
After reading your post I was right there with you all the way right down to the last minute in the car.
The photo was very nice and elegant, thanks for sharing it.
I really appreciate your participation in the Meme and being Tagged, I understand how it can be when you tag someone and they don't participate… Been there!
All the best
Wolfbernz
And it should!
Macs Rule! And thank YOU for dropping by my silly little blog. Im glad I shared something you could relate too!
I'm DTD, so I don't procrastinate these days! That's the ONLY reason why this post was up so fast!
xoxoxoox
Thank You!
🙂
OMG! Im so flattered! Thank you!
And, welcome to my crazy blog! Feel free to come back any time!
🙂
Meleah, what a GORGEOUS pic! I was on the 'pike once (shudder). You are a very brave woman 🙂
BTW, thanks for stopping by WWFC, and for adding us to the list.
I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!
After following you all this time and ready all about bridges and cleaning and spiders and family, I remember the NJ Turnpike was one of your best (and you have a lot to pick from). It was either this one or your dad and the spider (close second). Who else could turn something as frustrating as navigating the NJTP as Meleah.
And I still think the you and Macbook photo is one classy shot.
You guys are GREAT! And by you guys I mean 'WWFC'!
I am happy to add yall to my daily reads!
Oh, and thank you for that excellent compliment!
Ah yes, my blogging buddies that have been 'around' for as long as YOU have, will never forget that NJTPK post!
And, thank you so much for that wonderful compliment!
BRAVA!!! Applause…applause!
This is post was stellar! I freakin' loved your favorite post, especially this part….
…”Instead, you should be serving hard liquor or handing out free prizes to those of us who actually made it to our destination exit”…
HAHAHAHHAHA!
And ok…can I just say how much I loved the photo of you and your Mac date? That was hysterical! And it made me envious for not getting a MACBOOK, now!
I also clicked on the photo link you left. What a faaaaaaabulous photo! How the heck did you do that? So clever!
Anyway…I am so glad to have met your aquaintance through our blogs, and I look forward to many more years of blogging together!
You're da the BOMB!
Well, MY favorite photo of you is (ahem) with a certain bodacious, black, lacy undergarment on New Years Eve!…. BUT…the Apple pic is my second favorite photo. ??? ~xoxo!
Aw. Ron! Im so glad we *met* too.
I very much enjoy reading your blog as well.
And thank you for your lovely comment!
But, please DONT have Mac Envy! You did what was right for you!
[PS: Both photos were made by my friend Jennifer Rinaldi. in the 'other one' I had to change my outfit a million times and stand in different places all over the foyer and then she worked her magic to make it look like there were a million meleah's all in one room! She is super talented!]
Ahahhahaha. I <3 that photo of me with YOU too!
xoxoxoxo
Ha ha ha! I love that you called the New Jersey Turnpike a whore! And what a great photo! Two great items = one great post!
I hate that whore of a highway! She is a terror!
Ha! I read this late last night and got the biggest belly laugh out of it! Ode to the Jersey Turnpike. The smells, the dirty, the crazy ass drivers. So many memories. Its really a shame the world thinks of NJ based on their travels of that road. I actually grew up on the shore (oh god dont think of that show!) and our “road” was the Garden State Parkway. What exit??? lol
Come visit when you get a chance. Its crazy talk but your involved. =)
I can see why you chose that one. It's funny as hell and even more clever. I laughed out loud and shook my head at how well written it was. Inspiring!!
LOVE the photo.
Your apples look amazing.
I mean your Apple. The computer.
Eh. Who am I kidding.
Wow, that photo is fabulous! My dream is to own a macbook. One day, one day.
And the post? You are a beautiful writer. The story flowed, kept me captivated and was very funny… loved it!
Girl, that highway is a nightmare! but I'm terrified of the GSP because the lanes are so narrow I always feel like someone will collide into me at any given moment!
And, Ill be right over!
Really? Wow! Thank you!
🙂
Ahahahhha. Thanks Rod!
🙂
And one day you WILL have a Macbook! They are so much fun. And I am glad to liked my post!
🙂
Jaffer! You rock. And you've been hanging around this blog long enough to remember both of those!
🙂
The Jersey Turnpike, I know it well (and try to avoid it like the plague). You should check out I95 in Connecticut. It puts the Jersey Turnpike to shame.
That is a gorgeous photo. I love the composition and your pose. You look mahvelous (am I dating myself).
Hooray for Dating Yourself! I don't think I could handle the 195 in CT! That's definitely way too far outside of my 'comfort zone!'
And thank you. My friend did a really good job 'directing' and photographing me!
Ha ha- that is a great photo of you and the lap top. It should be an advertisement for online dating sites or something. I figured the Jersey Turnpike post would be somewhere high up there on your list. I hate driving out east.
New Jersey Turnpike
Ridin on a wet night
'Neath the refinery's glow
Out where the great black rivers flow
I think that's my favorite blog post too. I mean, there's been so many good ones but that one cracks me up every.time.I.read.it.
I remember that post 😀 I enjoyed reading it cos it was so well written.
oh my…I was just thinking of getting a MacBook later this year. You got me, Mel. And, that date pic is fabulous!
I remember seeing this photo!!
And I recall thinking, (and Still do) that it was one of the most creative and hilarious ways to show your 'Best date ever had'!
(I'm trying to remember if it was a twitpic you had posted or if I had wandered over here and saw it?) Whichever, Great job! 🙂
~ZZ
Driving out here IS brutal!
Yep. Nothing but industrial factories all up and down that whore of a highway
🙂