8-bits of awesome.

Each week I talk about 8 things that I find to be awesome.  Whether it be geek news, things to be added to my ever-growing wish list, funny pics or some rad new music...you'll find it weekly here at The Shiny Happy in my

And here we go:

• Are you an Iggle?  Have you heard about IGGPPC Online Summer Camp!?  I'm so super excited about this!  Join us!!
• No thanks, Taxi.  I prefer to roll out with Optimus Prime!
• I do not condone violence in the workplace, BUT this makes me feel all Daryl Dixon-ish.
• In my serious apathetic search for workout clothes, I found this treasure.
• This is me.  Except for the fact that I am pathetically behind...
• There is some serious want here. Possibly lust.
• Sooo......I'm probably going to have to try this.  Don't judge.
• I'm a fan of a good 404.  These are pretty rad.

Alright! And that's a wrap on this week's 8-bits! What things are bringing the awesome to your life this week? Let me know by sharing your links in the comments. I can always use more awesome.

happy birthday to meeeee!

Hey, friends!  Guess what!?  

 

It's my favorite day of my favorite month!!  Woo!!  I know that not everyone looks forward to their birthdays once they reach a certain age. 

I am not one of those people.

I love every single Facebook post, text, call, etc. I love me some attention.

As most of you already know, I celebrate birthday months.  All of April are belong to me. 

The festivities start April 1st...and this year was no different.  It started with birthday lunch thanks to my good friend, Mo-Jack. 

Sourdough Pile-Up at Plain & Fancy Sandwich Shoppe.

That's my Mo-Jack! :)

Saturday morning was spent cheering on my favorite little softball player.  Go #3!!  Being a first-year softball mom is a pretty awesome birthday gift.  I'm excited.  Plus, my Matti is too much cute. 

So much awesomeness packed into a little 8-year old...and the chick's got the attitude to back it all up.  Love her!!

Saturday was filled with two more softball games.  Miss Matti did such a great job for her first year.  They won their second game and we celebrated afterwards with a slushy! 

I came home after the games to gorgeous flowers from my mister!  What a man.... :)  I was also surprised to get a super awesome gift in the mail from my little sis.  Unikeys!!  I love them!

Saturday night, the mister & I met up with our friends, Jeff & Anitha for some birthday fun at one of our favorite local joints -- Muddy Jake's.  It was a great night full of comedians -- Bob Biggerstaff, Daryl Felsberg and Owen Dunn.

Bob Biggerstaff at Muddy Jake's.

Jeff and Anitha.  Also, Jeff's facial hair -- now known as "The Reverse Unicorn." 

All day today was spent with my mister.  We started with our delicious breakfast at The Red Barn Cafe...a weekend ritual.  Ham & cheese omelet, grits and toast. Yeehaw!

After some shopping, we headed to the theater to check out "Divergent."  Can you say theater to ourselves!?!??  Happy Birthday to me!

The movie was awesome!  I can't wait for the next. We both loved it.  I'm pretty sure I would watch again tonight, if I could.  
Now, I'm just relaxing at home with my man.  That's a happy day all in itself. 

....and that's just week one, folks.  More birthday month awesomeness to come! :)

christmas sweater awesomeness.

Ugly Christmas sweaters make me so happy.

I was so excited yesterday to find out that my place of business is having an Ugly Christmas Sweater Day next month!  In a world where I have to be all business-like, I will get to display my geek for all to see on this one day!  

Because said sweater selection is so exciting and highly important, I am asking for your opinions.  Below are my top 6 favorites.  Help me pick the sweater that will rule them all.

1.  Meow-y Christmas

2.  Ya Filthy Animal   

3.  Christmas Unicorns

4.  Parachuting Sharks 

5.  Happy Holla Days 

6.  Santa Saurus Rex

Aren't these AWESOME!?  Help me decide which one will grace the halls of my workplace.  Leave me a comment and I'll reveal which one was chosen in my Ugly Christmas Sweater Day post next month...complete with awesome pics!

color runnin'.

I don't call myself a runner.  I am not a runner.  Does that mean I don't enjoy a good 5K!?  No, it does not!  
I AM an aspiring runner.  One day I will run and not want to die.  See #27 on my 35 Before 35.

This weekend, I took off to Dallas with my mom and two of my friends for some 5K fun!
Of course, who has the energy to run the next day if they don't partake in some amazing Mongolian food the night before? hehe.

I was the Mongolian food veteran.  YUM!

 We got back to the hotel early since we were planning on taking the DART rail to Fair Park...and that meant getting up at 5am!  That's OK though, we were geeked!

Game faces....activated!

Starbucks is always a good way to live.

The DART ride was successful and gave us time to enjoy our coffee from Starbucks.  Oh, how I love Starbucks.
We arrived at the starting line early and had time to roam around and take some pics.  Aaaaaand...I got to meet the Runicorn!!  The Color Run's unicorn mascot.  Life. Made.

White girls CAN jump.  #proof

Life. Made.  I want a unicorn.

Let's do this!

Nothing says super rad like sporting my "Happy" neck tattoo.

This was my second Color Run and it was just as much fun as the first!  We didn't let the whole "5K" aspect stop us from mid-run photo ops...

Me & the mom.  She's awesome.

It seemed like we sailed through this run faster than last time.  Before we knew it, we were at the finish line enjoying the amazing Color Run after party. 

Notice that I was the only one to MAKE her own shirt?  Oh yeah.  I'm SUPER RAD!

My before & after shot.

The posse...before & after.

Of course...

After the after party fun, this was the result.

Post after party photo op. Headed to the DART station to call it a day.

 The next Color Run in Dallas will be April 12th.  Who's gonna join me?

the soup.

The Soup includes a mixture of all the lovely things that made me *squee* this week! It’s got my favorite geek news, social media posts, and anything other delicious thing that makes me happy. 
So, awaaay we go! 

• Geek Newsy Things: A Potato Tribute to Wonder Woman and WB's Greg Silverman Skirts Around Wonder Woman Rumors at The Mary Sue   
• Favorite Facebook Post: 

  

  (via The Dork Side)

• Favorite Tweet: "I am the uneven drawstring on the hoodie of life." - @grantmeawishh
• Favorite Pin: 

  

  (Tumblr)

• Favorite Song:  "Sweater Weather" by The Neighbourhood
• Favorite Blog Post:  "Why Edward Scissorhands and I Would Be Best Friends"
• Something I Learned: In Pennsylvania, it is illegal to use milk crates for anything besides milk.  The unauthorized use of milk cases can induce a fine of $300 or imprisonment for up to 90 days.  (There must be a lot of Pinterest users weighing the pros and cons on this one. haha.)
• Wants of the Week: 
  
  
   
  Super awesome superhero hoodies by thelittlestbat.  I love this BatGirl hoodie! 
  
  
  
  I pretty much want every Funko Pop toy ever made, but I'm really digging the ninja turtles!  
  They would look awesome on my desk at work!
  
  If it were possible for coffee to be more magical, it would definitely be more magical 
  if it came from this squee-worthy unicorn mug from LennyMud.
   

  

 This seriously made me squee out loud...

What are some things that made you squee this week?  Hit me up or share in the comments.

the soup.

Seriously.

LeslieIRL is quickly becoming my geekblogguru.  (Yes, that just became a word). 
I love her "Tangerine" posts so much that I've created a similar post to be a feature here!  
The Soup includes a mixture of all the lovely things that made me *squee* this week! It’s got my favorite geek news, social media posts, and anything other delicious thing that makes me happy. 
So, awaaay we go! 

• Geek News: Warner Bros. Exec Says We "Need" A Wonder Woman Movie via The Mary Sue (Amen, brother)
• Favorite Facebook Post: "Be you!  We like you." - Rhette B (After I had to apologize yet again to for my sarcasm.  Glad my friends support my sense of humor).
• Favorite Tweet: "I've squeed like 34 times already.  I need to save my voice." - @girl_gone_geek (Jamila)
• Favorite Pin: 

  

  via Lisa Alderfer

• Favorite Song: "Electric Feel" by MGMT and "Still Into You" by Paramore
• Favorite Blog Post: Thanks to Lori over at GirlHero, I was named her first ever Geek Hero of the Week! 
• Something I Learned: Great White Sharks congregate in the middle of the Pacific Ocean in an area known as the "White Shark Cafe."

What are some things that made you squee this week?  Hit me up or share in the comments.

the niche: who am I?

The amazing Leslie of LeslieIRL posted an awesome list of questions for writers to find their niche.  What a perfect way for me to introduce myself to you and do a little self-discovery at the same time!  Thanks, Leslie!  You get 20 brilliance points for this one!  
And awaaaay we go.....  

1. What is one of your favorite words, that you have never heard any one else that you know of describe themselves as?
Peachy.  I know other people say it, but it's my favorite "how are you?" response.  It makes me happy.

2. If someone was to search for your blog in Google, and you could rank on the first page for 5 keywords, what would they be?
Geekery.  Random.  Awesome.  Unicorns. Happiness. 

3. What is your favorite adjective? Especially one to describe the way a person is.
Awesome.  I know i use it too much.  It's not original....I just love it.

(Google images)

4. Think of your favorite movie character, comic book character, or cartoon character, that you self-identity with. What are a couple of words you would use to describe their personality? What color would you describe them as?
I absolutely love Wonder Woman.  She is super-awesome, fiery and brave.  She does what she wants.  Her color is definitely red.

5. What color are you?
I am yellow.  Happy & bright, yet not everyone's favorite. haha.  

6. What are you the most knowledgeable about? What would other people say you are the most knowledgeable about? When is the last time you went on a really good rant about something?
Music & useless pop culture information.  Other people would probably say music.  My brain is full of music trivia and info.  It's my "thang."  It's been a while since I had a really good rant.... I think I'm due.  

7. If you had to design a business card right now, and could only have 3 words on it, what would those words be?
Awesome. Random. Geekery.  

8. Your blog is a food. What food is it and why?
Ice cream.  It makes everyone a little happier.  Even if you're lactose intolerant, you still want it.  

9. If you could plan a photo shoot for your professional head shot, what would you be wearing? What piece of clothing, jewelry, or accessory would you wear that screams you?
Wonder Woman t-shirt. Sunglasses. Toms.   

10. If you could collaborate with any blogger, artist, or person, who would it be, and what would you bring to their table? 
Honestly...my friend, Andy Van Engen, is a pretty sweet graphic designer.  I would provide never-ending kazoo solos & piles of easy mac to work with that guy to create something awesome.  Also, to work musically with the guys from Knox Hamilton.  Oh yeah.  

11. Pick a tagline for yourself. Or a few. 10 words total, for your identity, and niche.
Mayor of Awesometown. Unicorn tamer. & just plain rowdy. 

12. If you could copyright one item, food, object, or animal, and when people see it they would think of you, what would it be? It will help if this object is not already associated with someone else.
Unicorns!  Oh, I love unicorns.

(deviantART)

13. Your blog is an animal. What animal is it, and why?
Umm....a unicorn. Unicorns are the rare epitome of awesomeness. 

14. You have to pick 2 emotions that your blog will make people feel. What are they?
Happy & connected. 

15. Someone who reads your blog writes you an email, expressing that your blog caused them to do something, or feel something, or think about something, or try to make something, and it makes you so happy to know this. What did it cause them to do?
I love, love, LOVE when I get these emails.  I especially love it when I encourage people to be comfortable with who they are and actually begin to love themselves.  Most of all, I want people to laugh, be happy and enjoy life. 

16. What’s your favorite mythical creature, and why?
Well, of course....a unicorn. Second place would have to go to zombies.  Oooh...or maybe the Phoenix!  

17. Your blog is referred to someone that you admire by a friend. They use these 2 words to describe your niche.
Humorous Geekery.  

18. You can only use one social network to promote your blog, forever. Which one do you choose and why?
Twitter.  It's just superior.  

19. You would love it if this store posted your blog’s business cards on their front counter.
ThinkGeek headquarters. :)  

20. If you had to pull an Emma, and take a photo of yourself looking down from your chin of your feet and the ground, where would you choose to be standing, what would you choose to wear, and why?
Wearing Toms by the lake.  I love to be near the water...and Toms don't leave my feet.

Not MY Toms....but you get the idea.  (Google)

21. What are you most passionate about? What would other people perceive you as being most passionate about? Are these things different?
Music/photography & volunteering for American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.  I have been involved in Relay for 8 years now.  You can help out by making a donation towards my goal! 

22. You have to choose a celebrity to do a poetic reading of your favorite blog post, with the perfect voice. Who is it?
Steve Carell.  I love that man.

(Google)

23. What image on someone else’s blog have you seen that you love?
LeslieIRL's "Word To Your Unicorn" image. LOVE!  

24. You can only blog from one location for the rest of your life. Where is it?
My couch.  It's oh, so comfy & near the family.  Unless there comes a day in the near future that the mister and I buy a new house with my very own office!  Oh, joy! 

25. You walk into the Internet cafeteria. You see tables with every blogger ever. You sit down at the table with these 5 bloggers.
Cory Copeland. Cassi Clerget. Maggie Creamer from sometimes you need that.  Lauren Nelson from the urban hippie. Steph Cortes from nerd JERK.  

26. You have to decorate your online bedroom. What is the pattern on your bedspread? What poster is above your bed? And what CD is in the CD player?
Yay!  The bedspread is black with the Wonder Woman logo.  The poster above my head is of Mr. T riding a unicorn.  The CD is playing "Camilo (The Magician)" by Said The Whale.