Gipsy Dharma

I am really excited to share a lovely company with you all today, Gipsy Dharma.

Gipsy Dharma is a company out of the United Kingdom that specializes in unique handmade leather boots and clothing.  The items that they sell are all beautiful and would be a lovely statement piece with any outfit!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] via[/caption]

My favorite boots are the red ones.  I am dreaming of wearing them with my black high-low maxi dress.

All the items in the shop are handmade from leather.  Because they are handmade they all are different, you would be the only one wearing those boots.

One of the things that I love most about Gipsy Dharma is her philosophy "of always being on the move and constantly dreaming of what will come next."  I love this because who doesn't love to travel and look cute exploring new places.

Aside from the red boots I am totally loving these tan ankle booties too.  I usually hate ankle boots, but these are really cute and I would totally try to pull them off!

If knee-high or ankle boots are not you thing Gipsy also started to make flip-flops too.  I honestly live in my flip-flops here in California and am always on a the hunt for a pair that is casual for the beach and beautiful for work our just hanging out.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] via[/caption]

Go over and make sure you check out all that Gipsy has to offer.  There are many lovely colors and styles you can choose from! If you were to buy a pair which ones would you love to have in your wardrobe?

February Sponsor Lovin'

One of the things I decided I wanted to do when I opened Erica Jacquline for sponsors is to help promote my sponsors in a unique and creative way.  I want my promotion of my sponsors work to come across and genuine and real. I promise to only promote things that I really do like.

With that being said I decided to try something new.  I just reread all my sponsor's blogs this past month and found my favorite post of theirs.  I would like to share them with you in the hopes that you go read these posts and follow some amazing ladies.



 

Allusional - Danielle wrote Stories for the Fighters for the people in her life that have fought and battled cancer.  I loved her wisdom and kindness that shone through her writing here.

Becoming Bailey - I loved this piece about finding a balance between work and life and the importance not letting our work take over your life.

Be A Warrior Queen - One of the things I love most about Raewyn is that she loves herself and loves to help others.  Her challenges to do good for the world and those around her is admirable.  This one was my favorite this month.

Route Bliss - Christina always makes me want to pack up my things and just hit the road.  Her post on using a DSLR camera made me want to go snap some travel photos pronto!

So Fill Your Heart - Renee is one of the sweetest bloggers out there.  Her love for her family is apparent this month as she wrote about her dad's birthday and this touching post about the passing of her grandfather and what a wonderful man he was.

TMInspired - Taylor takes some beautiful photos!  This engagement shoot was great! Taylor is located in Orange County if you are looking for a local photographer.

Kimchi and Sweet Tea - Her post about Stay At Home Moms needing a business trip was so true and funny!

And So I Did - Madi is a smart woman as evidenced by her buying a barbecue grill for her husband for Valentine's Day.  She just hand off the cooking duties!

You Gotta Have Hart - I loved Jaime's The Kind of Girl Who post.  She focused on the positive and laughing through life which is something I can get on board with.

Sew Craft Cat - Kelly posted so many great craft ideas this month.  I actually loved her post yesterday about marketing your Etsy shop.  She has an Etsy shop by the same name and knows what she is talking about.

Mer in America  - Meredith is a great gal going to grad school, loving country music and getting fit! Her Luke Bryan concert experience made me remember when I saw him this summer and how much fun that was.

The Grits Blog - Ashley wrote a post about losing her dog last November.  It was so sweet and sad.  It made me appreciate Penny more and my time with her even if she is being a pain right now.

I had a great time getting to know all of you this month and I am looking forward to many more months of blog reading in the future!

Thank you so much for sponsoring Erica Jacquline this month and I hope you will again in the future!

If you are interest in sponsoring my blog during the month of March there are still some open spots.  If you are interested please click here and choose the option that works best for you

Teacher Fashion On A Budget

I have tried to write like five posts for today and my brain is just not working right.  I am going to blame the mountain of work that I have had on my desk at my real job for the last day, month, year.



Sweater - Target // Pencil Skirt - Old Navy - similar here // Shoes - Roxy

Who are we kidding. I am so entertaining this photo would never happen in real life.  My Psycho Psychology class is just so sweet they thought it would be the funniest thing in the world to pretend to sleep.  I don't get it but it made their day.

Here is  my teacher fashion on a budget.

I decided I really like this outfit and I will pretend to be a fashion blogger and tell you where my outfit came from. I work at a private school.  The subtext of that statement is I make less money than the underpaid public school teachers.

Shopping on a dime, looking professional, and young are my priority when it comes to fashion.  I love these sweaters from Target.  I have three in different colors.  They are so versatile and go with a lot.  Plus in Southern California there is not a lot of weather so this sweater is all you really need on those "winter" days.

The skirt from Old Navy has been in my closet since my first year teaching in 2007.  This thing goes with everything and will not wear out.

The shoes from Roxy I actually bought at Ross.  They are not the most professional shoes in the world, but on long teacher days my feet do not hurt and they are pretty cute too. That is all I have for you today.

What is your favorite piece of clothing that you found on a budget?  Where would you recommend shopping?  What is your favorite comfortable item that you make work with a work wardrobe.

The Eyes Have It

Hey oh! I hope your Wednesday is going well so far. I get to wear jeans and a t-shirt to my professional job so I feel like it is going to be a great day for me and the world.

I wanted to take a quick moment to share with you my latest love, my glasses.

[caption id="attachment_921" align="aligncenter" width="600"] I don't know why my hand is on my head, but it is. Glasses -  Marc Jacobs[/caption]

I know that saying you love your glasses is totally the strangest thing a person could say on a blog, but really I am so happy to have these babies in my life right now!   I went about 2 and a half months without glasses so having them on my face feels great.

You see my darling puppy, Penny, found my old glasses on a table around Thanksgiving.  She likes very expensive things so of course she thought they were a new chew toy just for her.

[caption id="attachment_923" align="aligncenter" width="600"] She may look cute, but she is destroying my whole house and wardrobe.[/caption]

She got a hold of my glasses and did this!

[caption id="attachment_922" align="aligncenter" width="593"] How did she bite a hole in them?[/caption]

I know this might be hard to believe but I couldn't use them to see anymore.  I would get dizzy because the prescription was jacked up and there was a hole in the lens.

Three months later I finally went to the eye doctor.  I actually decided to change doctors because I did not like my old one very much.  If anyone in Orange County area is looking for a great eye doctor Dr. Swearingen at OC Eyecare is both amazing and funny.  A rare combination for an eye doctor.

I have had my new glasses for two weeks and I am so happy I can see again.  Perhaps you have noticed less typos?  This is because I can actually see what I am typing again.

My excitement over my glasses is actually strange to me.  Growing up I actually hated glasses.  I have had to wear them all my life and I would try to rebel against it as often as I could buy not wearing glasses to school.  Who needs to see the white board or your book or your homework?

I was actually born with cataracts in my eyes and had to have my lenses removed when I was just a baby.  Yes folks I was born with the eyes of your 80-year-old grandma, actually most of my family was.  The science name for it is congenital cataracts and you can read the Wikapedia article here.

I can not remember a time without glasses, contacts or really both. I have to wear contacts to correct for the vision I lost when I had my lens removed as a baby.  Then I get to wear glasses over that like one would to correct vision to read or drive. Of course when I was little I hated contacts so I opted for this option for five years.  No one made fun of me ever (yeah right).

[caption id="attachment_920" align="aligncenter" width="584"] This photo was also taken on my neon pink ninja turtle camera. #swag[/caption]

It probably didn't help that I thought showing all your teeth was required for a proper smile.

Anyway after years of hating my glasses, teenage years of refusing to wear them at school, and times people were just mean I have finally come to realize that I do not care.  I am so happy that I can see and grateful for my vision.  Really I could be in a lot worse situation.  I can drive, read, work, do anything I want to. I just have to wear contacts and glasses at the same time and go to the eye doctor more than you do.  In the scheme of life that ain't so bad.

I am in many ways grateful for my eye and the life I have had because I had something a little different about me.  I think it made me a more empathetic person.  I know what it is like to not like something about yourself and want to change it but you can not.  I know what it is like for ignorant hurting people to try to hurt you for something you can not control. I know that it is not fair, but I know that it is what it is and that is OK.

[caption id="attachment_829" align="aligncenter" width="672"] Rocking the glasses at a concert with my mom.[/caption]

So the eyes have it! It being my love, because they are the only eyes I have and I am grateful for what I have.

What is something you have struggled/still struggle with loving about yourself?

What is something that you love about yourself?

Sunday Funday Instagram

Choosing which filter to use is the hardest part of my day

Does anyone use Toaster or Kelvin?

 

Gipsy Darmah

So You Want to Start A Blog - Basic Blog Design

Welcome back to the So You Want To Start a Blog Series.  Last week I shared my tips on what to do before you even write one word of content.  In case you missed it you can catch up here.

This week I am going to focus on the look of your blog.  I am assuming you have content to fill your posts with,  you are starting a blog I hope you have content for at least a week of posts.   Look and layout is where a lot of people, I, spent a ton of time in the beginning of my blog and I wish I knew a few simple things that would have helped.

So You Want to Start A Blog - Basic Blog Design Tips

Like all the great things in my life - Penny -  Blogging should have really come with a warning label. I had no idea how much time and energy I would pour into this space for the next year and how stinking frustrated I would be when a post disappeared or I could not get the extra spaces in my post to disappear.  I am petitioning all blogging platforms to have a warning that we can all ignore.

WARNING: Blogging is a highly addictive substance.  It will suck part of your life away and you will care way too much about things like followers, page views, and SEO. 

There should be another warning label that lets you know that you are about to become that nerdy computer person who knows things like HTML and how to use it to make things pretty.  You will learn more about fonts and how to make glitter letters, because we all need to know this, and you will want to quit many times when it is just over your head.

I know I have been there, and to some respect I am still there, as are all the bloggers out there, unless they got their degree in Graphic Design. Even if this is the case they still understand.

Here are just a few tips I wish I had in mind when I first started blogging that would have helped me make my blog look as nice as I could without hiring a designer while I waited to make sure I wanted to continue down this path.

I do want to say I am in no way an expert with design or blogging.  I just mess around with my computer until I get something I can live with.  These are tips and tricks for the "every girl" that may not know a ton, but can learn if she needs. to.

1. Choose a White Background - Or a very light background - or just a thin page border

On Blogger under the Template tab click "Customize."  There are tons of pre made templates you can choose from.  I usually think they look like a cute high school project if you use one, but if you like it then go for it (I used this for like three months so no judgement.)

Also if you have a dark color with white writing you will automatically be losing readers.  Some fine folks, like me, have eye issues and reading white writing on a dark background hurts their eyes and makes makes me see double.  You are limiting your audience with some of your design choices.  If you are cool with it I am cool with it.

Look at the blogs you are reading.  What does their page look like.  I am sure that more often than not the page is clean and easy to read.  Having too much stuff distracts from you and your content.

Keep it simple and clean.  Add pops of color and fun designs to enhance your blog, not to over take it.

2. Choose a font that is easy for all people to read

This goes with the color deal.  Not everyone likes to squint when they read.  You do not need to make your blog 20 point font or anything but anything under 12 and you will lose readers.

To change your font, color scheme, or background colors go to Template ------> Customize --------> Advanced

3. Utilize Photos

Make them Extra Large every time!  The other thing I just started to do is make them the same width so my blog has a consistent look.

[caption id="attachment_907" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Click Extra Large every time.[/caption]

My favorite free website to use for photo editing is Picmonkey.com.  I could get lost there resizing my photos, adding fonts, adding overlays, making collages.

4. Keep Your Layout Simple

Your side bar width is easily adjustable if you want it to be larger or smaller.  I would say around 320 is good and gives you enough room.

Your sidebar is a great place to put information your readers want to know about you.  If you clog it up with puppy quotes and calendars it is going to look like a front yard at a garage sale, junky.

Some things I would say every blog should have:

About Me 

Search This Blog

Ways to Follow the Blog - Facebook, Twitter, Google Friend Connect

Archives

If you look at other blogs and want something they have google it.  That is how I figured out how to put my instagram photos on my blog.  It was easy!

If you want to add a gadget (blogger) or widget like the Instagram photos you have to get the code go to Layout and Add Gadget.

Click on the HTML one and paste the code and save.  You got it!



 

6.  Utilize free web tutorials

My favorite person in the world is Sarah from Venus Trapped in Mars.  She has a segment on her blog called Saturday Sessions where she breaks down how to add simple design elements to your blog to jazz it up without hiring someone to do it for you.  I designed my own About Me over there on the right with her step by step tools.

7. Make it your own

If you do not want to learn how to edit your own design there are plenty of designers out there that can help you.  If you are looking for a designer my advice is to look at the bottom of the blogs you love.  There will be a button you can click that takes you to their designer and you can see  their portfolio and how much they charge.  Do this until you find a designer you like and a price you feel comfortable paying.

Until then, you are the master of your own fate. If you do not like the way the generic header looks on your blog make one on picmonkey.  Just use design instead of edit. under design.

If you do not want your blogger profile to show up make your own about me.  Honestly, Sarah has made easy to follow tutorials that will teach you how to do all this so you will be happy with the look of your blog while you are working on your content and your staying power.

What do you think?  Do you like blogs that use a lot of color in the background or have the pre-made templates?  What would you add or change to my basics of blog design.

Blogging, Beaching, Running

This weekend was so jam packed with fun and friends I totally need a day off to recover from it all!

A weekend of OC Bloggers, brunch, beach views, and the Brea8K race!

The weekend started off with an OC Blogger event.  I saw Melyssa advertise it on her blog The Nectar Collective that there was going to be a brunch for Orange County, California bloggers and I felt like I had to go, and I am so glad that I did.

The event was held at Great Over Good in Santa Ana and was a perfect, creative space.  It was a joy to meet other bloggers in person, eat some amazing food, and pretend I am crafty.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="717"] I made a craft and even tied a ribbon on it. Please do not notice that the ribbon could have been shorter.[/caption]

One of my favorite movements came from Jess from Jess Loves This Life.  As soon as she met me she said "Penny!" and I knew I would love her.  I told Penny she had a fan and she has been unbearable ever since!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="717"] Jess from Jess Loves This Life![/caption]

Another highlight for me was meeting Rachel, Nicole, and Raewyn in person. I had already read their blogs so it was cool to meet them face to face after reading and sponsoring their blogs.

I think the best part of the day for me on a personal note was not just meeting more bloggers, which was amazing, but being encouraged that pursuing my PhD was the right thing to be doing.  I was kind of getting discouraged and considering not doing it next year.  Some of the ladies that were there were are actually working as professors already or were in school.  They totally gave me the encouragement I needed to know that I was making the right choice and that even though it would be hard it was worth it.  Um hello working 3 days a week!

After the brunch I decided I needed some "Erica Time" and went down to San Clemente for a few hours to walk around and soak up the beach.

I love San Clemente.  It is my favorite beach town to just go and hang out and shop, eat and walk along the beach.  It is not overcrowd like some of the beaches in Southern California and it is relaxed and welcoming.

While I was there I tried my hand at using my camera a little more and took a few photos to document the lovely day. The first four photos were of a cute little shop on Del Mar that had awesome shabby chic furniture and handmade signs. I would have spent my whole paycheck there if there was a way to get it all home.

Then I went down to the pier and took some photos of the scenery.  Sorry if you do not like beachy ocean photos.  This would be the time to quite reading my blog if you hate beauty.

[caption id="attachment_891" align="aligncenter" width="620"] San Clemente Pier[/caption]





I also had the opportunity to participate in an 8K this weekend, I thought it was a 5K but whatever, I owned it.

Truth be told I didn't run that much. I ran enough so that when I say "I ran in an 8K" it isn't a lie.  It was a very fast walk though and I beat all those old people and children so that as all that mattered.  If you are thinking about a 5K or 8K or half marathon or whatever, just do it.  It was really fun and not at all terrible.

[caption id="attachment_894" align="aligncenter" width="620"] I ran in the 8k Brea Classic and the picture a stranger took of me was tragic so all you get is this to prove I did it.[/caption]

One last note before I leave you for today.  I just want the world to realize I am so smart when it comes to hockey.  I made the following prediction on Friday's post, A Girl's Guide to Olympic Hockey, and I was right!  If only I was in Vegas at the Sports Book and I could have made a few dollars.

[caption id="attachment_868" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Bam! I called it![/caption]

Linking up with Rachel and Emily today as I provided a wrap up and I am grateful for the great weekend I had!

I also ail be continuing my series on starting a blog tomorrow with the following theme:

Sunday Funday with Ellie

Hi there everyone!  I hope you are having a great day so far. I somehow was signed up to run a 5K today so I will probably die, it has been nice getting to know you all. No but really, I am running today and I don't run, so say a little prayers.

It is that time of week were we celebrate all things Sunday and all things Funday!

This week's co-host is the lovely Ellie from True Online Love  where she blogs about finding love online.  Crazy I know.  Go on over to her blog say hi and follow along.

Also add the button at the bottom of my post to your post to spread the awareness of how important Sunday Funday is to the interwebs.

For today I am going to keep it short and simple.

There is a chance that I am getting old.  I know this because I had never heard of the latest app that took over the phones and the world, Flappy Bird.

This little app was around for a year and did not pick up speed until a few months ago.  Apparently the designer got some flack for the game looking too much like Super Mario Bros and not being very savvy so he took it off the app store.  Which I am pretty sure is this little game has made such a splash.  It is the new Twinkie Delimit of 2013. People care a lot more now that they can not have the dumb game than they did when it was free.

The game appears to be highly addictive and people can not get enough of it.  If you are one of the few like me who did not download the app when you had the chance do not worry there is a way for you to get it.  All you have to do is fork over a few thousand dollars and you can buy a previously owned phone that has the app on it.  An app that was free for a whole year by the way. In case you do not believe me here is an article proving it.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="768"] via[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360"] via[/caption]

Maybe I was the only old lady living under a rock but my students blew me away when they told me about this on Friday.  I kind of thought they were kidding, but after 10 minutes of work putting this post together I know they were speaking the truth.  If you happen to be one of the lucky few with Flappy Bird on your phone good for you.  The rest of us will continue to live life with human interactions and meaningful relationships.  Getting past level 29.

 

<div align="center"><a href="http://trueonlinelove.blogspot.com" title="Erica Jacquline "><img src="http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q738/ericajt/03db24b4-4cb0-4217-9049-33679e0b5aee_zps51c4ed8a.png?t=1393134901" alt="Erica Jacquline " style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Girl's Guide To Olympic Hockey

After watching my twitter feed blow up today with new found hockey fans I realized there was much confusion over the fine sport of hockey and I should do something about it.  So I put together a VERY basic hockey guide for you fans out there.

I know I left a ton off and I hope I got nothing wrong.  Stick with these simple rules and ways to make the games fun and you will go far in life.

The basic things you need to about Olympic Hockey finals this weekend.

Periods

Hockey games are 60 minutes long.  The game is divided in to three Periods of 20 minutes each. There are two Intermissions of 20 minutes between the first and second period.

How Many People Play on Each Team


Each team has 25 men on the roster.  During the game each team can only have 6 men on the ice.

1 Goalie

2 Defensemen

3 Forwards

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="475"] Via[/caption]

Points

Players and teams get points for scoring

Goals - the puck goes in net and the team and the player get a point

Assists - the person or 2 people who pass the puck to the player that scores the goal get a player point for the assist.

Major Penalty - If a major penalty is called the player that it is against has to sit out of the game for 5 minutes in the penalty box.

Minor Penalty - If a minor penalty is called the player has to stay in the penalty box for 2 minutes.

Below are four of the most common penalties that are called and a brief explanation of what they are.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="509"] via[/caption]

Power Play

When a player has been given a penalty and sits out for 2 or 5 minutes the team continues with one man less.  For example 4 on 5.  The team with five players is on a Power Play and the team with 4 players is trying to kill the penalty.

Short Handed Goal

If a team with less players during a Power Play (Short Handed) scores a goal it is a Short handed goal.

Fighting

In NHL hockey there is a five minute penalty for fighting.  International hockey rules are more strict and result in being ejected from the game

Pulling the Goalie

NOT what you might be thinking!

It is actually not a penalty, but what a team might do if they are down by a goal in the final minutes of a game. A coach may "Pull the Goalie" leaving the net unattended.  They can then send another player to the ice to increase their odds of scoring a goal in a 6 on 5 situation.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="609"] via[/caption]

Rules for Overtime are different in the NHL, International Hockey, and even in Stanley Cup Playoffs.  Here are the International (Olympic Rules)

For each overtime ends as soon as a team scores a goal. So if a team scores in the first minute of overtime the game is over.

Preliminary round: 4 0n 4 overtime for 5 minutes.

Playoff rounds (qualifications round, quarterfinals, semifinals, bronze medal): 4 on 4 overtime for 10 minutes.

Gold medal game: 4 0n 4 20 minute over time.  There is another 20 minute intermission between the 3rd period and overtime.

If neither team scores a goal in overtime the game goes to a shootout.

Shootouts: A team has to choose three unique players to shoot.  If the shoot out is tied the team can send the same men to keep making shots on the goal until one team makes an unanswered goal from the other team.

For example the US vs. Russia Game went to a shootout.  After the first three rounds it was tied 1-1.  Each team sent the same player five times to score and Oshie from the US finally made a goal that Russia couldn't answer.

Choose Your Boyfriend

Look at the rosters for the people on the remaining teams and pick the one you think is the hottest.  Then each time he scores a goal or gets an assist he did it for you!  By the way Teemu Selanne from the Ducks is everyone's boyfriend because he is so sweet and kind off the ice. He is also in his 6th and final Olympics and is the oldest person to score an Olympic goal.  He is just amazing!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="320"] via[/caption]

Make Up Nicknames

Teemu is called the Finish Flash, how cool is that. See how many nicknames you can come up with for the players.

Have a Drink

Drink when ever you want it is Hockey after all!  There need not be a drinking game. A player scored a goal, drink. A Canadian said "Eh", drink.  You have no idea what happened, drink. I of course am talking about coffee because these games are EARLY like 4am early!



All loser consolations prizes or Bieber are based on the following billboard for the semi final game:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] via[/caption]

I know it is sad and I should say the US over Finland but Teemu!  Really I watch for the players I love and national pride does not have much to do with it for me.  My loyalty goes 1. Ducks 2. Nation.

If you want to know more about which NHL teams has players in the Olympics there is a complete list here.

If you want to what players I love here is my list

Canada! Ryan Getzlaf and Correy Perry

Finland - Teemu Selanne, Sami Vatanen

USA - Cam Fowler

Sweden - Jakob Silverberg

Now go forth and sing "Oh Canada" because if the US can't win they should!

Hoppin' On Board The Kind Of Girl Train...

I am the kind of girl who...

- joins a link up two days after the rest of the world did #YOLO

- hates the phrase YOLO

- really thought it was cool that The Flying Tomato, Shaun White, had a trick in the Olympics called a YOLO with some numbers after it.

- was once eating dinner in a park and a gang fight broke out and as she was running to her car looked at her friend and said YOLO

- will stop coming up with YOLO facts

- wears a Great Gatsby t-shirt with pride even though she isn't teaching American Lit this year.

- is going to stop making this list and is going to tell you about about her day yesterday.

Yesterday, I took Penny to Doggie Day Camp at Pet Smart while I was at work. Yes, I know that it is a little silly, but Penny is spoiled and I don't care, she is the happiest little girl ever.  I took her to Day Camp because she was attacked at the dog park the day before and I didn't want her to be traumatized for too long.  She needed good socialization with dogs that don't bite and I knew PetSmart was a good, safe place for her to be.

The day went great and according to the fine people at Day Camp she made lots of friends and now has a best friend named Jasmine, how cute is that.

I came home and she was pretty tired from all the playing so I took her on a short little walk around the neighborhood to get out of the house for a few minutes.

Thus begins the narrative portion of this blog post.  The names of the people have been changed, but the story is 100% true.

We were about halfway through our walk when a little dude passed us on his evening run.  Which is totally normal the street is quiet and lots of people walk their dogs, run, or take evening walks on that street.  He passed by and yelled "HI!" and kept running.

I said hi back to be nice and thought nothing else of it.  Then a minute later he turned around and ran back towards us.

"Hey, I have to ask you, where did you get your sunglasses?  Are they vintage?" - Running Man

"Um... What?  No.  They are just from Target." - A confused Erica

"Oh really?  They look like they are vintage. Are you sure you didn't buy them from like a vintage store?  They look like old cop glasses, like from that show CHiPS." - Running Man who watches shows from the 80s.

"Nope, they are just $12 sunglasses from Target." - Erica who is over this conversation

"OK cool, well I should keep running, but first I have to ask you another question.  What is the difference between being in love and just loving someone?"  -Running Man that suddenly fell in love with Penny, or maybe Erica.

"I don't know." - Erica who is so tired of men falling in love with her all the time.

"Well you see I had a friend who broke up with his girlfriend and he told her that.  Then another friend was dumped by his girlfriend and she told him the same thing and I am trying figure out what they mean. It is really important to me." - Running Man who can not handle the complexities of love.

"I think they just mean they like, or love, the person, but they do not want to commit to them for the rest of their lives." - Erica who "gets love."

"Wow! You are right. I can tell you are perceptive and wise." - Running Man speaking words of truth.

"Hey I can see you are wearing a ring. Do you wear a lot of rings?" - Running Man who is now Walking Man.

"Yes all the time I never stop wearing rings." - Erica who knows her turn is coming up and just wants to make this conversation as ridiculous as possible.

"Cool.  Like on all your fingers. Do you wear rings on all your fingers? Even your middle and index finger?" - Running Man who was going to buy Erica an engagement ring for her thumb.

"If the ring fits." - Erica who has become feisty as her turn is fast approaching.

Walking Man and Erica now come to the point in the road where Erica was to turn left and Walking Man was to continue running straight.  The air was full of sadness.

However, a Jeep pulled up with two guys and a puppy.

"Hey do either of you know who this dog belongs to." - Jeep man with a dog in his car.

Erica checks to make sure Penny is still attached to her leash. "No I have never seen her." - Relieved Erica who still has her dog

"We found her running in the street and we didn't want her to get hit by a car or eaten by a coyote tonight.  Here is my contact information in case you hear of a family missing their dog." - Jeep man gives out business cards.

"OK will do.  Good bye." - Erica who contemplates going another way for her evening walks with Penny from now on.

This concludes the narrative portion of the story.

- I am the kind of girl that wears a Gatsby shirt which causes men to fall in love with her and buy her thumb engagement rings and rescue dogs while walking around her neighborhood.