Twas The Day Before Christmas…

…and we were busy, busy, busy! My Baby Maia came into town (yeah, yeah…her parents too) so her parents could go the Redskins/Vikings game, our annual Christmas Eve Party and leave out of BWI to fly to Val’s brother’s house in TX for Christmas.

While Manny & Val went to the game. Princess Cara, Princess Maia and I got busy making a Ginger Bread House & Christmas Bark (made famous by CreoleInDC). Princess Maia brought Princess Cara an apron for Christmas and once opened and attired, we got to cooking.

                     

                     

These ladies were serious about that Ginger Bread House. Look at the intensity here as we decorate. What Fun!

After we got done with the Ginger Bread House, I had my helpers work on melting chocolate (under supervision) for the Christmas Bark. Let me tell you how hard it is to keep those little fingers out of the chocolate. They kept insisting on doing taste tests for the sake of the Kingdom. Wanted to make sure that the Bark was fit for consumption and distribution to friends & family. I let the Princess sprinkle the nuts and dried fruit on the chocolate to make their own versions. Interesting how they were very meticulous about nut placement.

What a lovely idea. I’m hoping they are ready in time for me to take to the parties I have to go to this evening.

 

I hope your Christmas Eve has been starry & bright. Have you been a busy bee today?

Epic Holiday Party!

This past Saturday was my Holiday Party & Cookie Exchange…and this picture above is just half of those in attendance. WE HAD AN ABSOLUTE BLAST! Thank you to Nineteen69 who came down from Philly to help host this event.

 

EPIC. The Party started at 2pm and the last 6 or 7 guest rolled out at 11pm. We ate up everything during the party so about 8:30 pm, in order to not have a bunch of people driving home 3 sheets to the wind (that wasn’t going to happen no way-we would have been posted up in the theater watching movies and ish till ya’ll could drive), I whipped up a pan of lasagna. Funny how a bunch of people pulled up round the kitchen island and waited for it to be done. DELICIOUS!!!!

 

 

We played Christmas Trivia, had an Christmas Ornament Hunt and everyone got a chance to make their own Ornament (which was judged for a prize). We sang Christmas songs off Pandora, drank pitchers of the two Signature Drinks (Sparking Sidecars and Bubbly Cosmos) & LOTS & LOTS OF WINE!

  

We even had a gift exchange. The whole evening was filled with laughter and foolishness. It was definitely feeling like Christmas up in the crib Saturday night.

 

I love my friends & family. GREAT PARTY. GREAT FRIENDS. GREAT TIME!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thursday (Holiday) Thoughts

My outdoor Christmas Tree has the serious gangster lean going on…yeah, and it will probably stay that way for a while. Not feeling like going out there and trying to straighten it up.

 

I mailed off my Secret Blog Santa gift today! I think I was very clever, but it is going to be real easy to figure out who it came from. Probably obvious.

 

Saturday is the Holiday Cookie Exchange Party. I’m so excited to see everyone. I’m thinking the Signature Cocktail is going to be Sparkling Cosmo’s. They look so delish & festive in the picture.

 

I’m done with all the Christmas Shopping. Finished today. If it ain’t got by now, well, you ain’t getting it. HUMPH.

 

Now to wrap it all up. Sigh.

 

The Queen Mum and I have movie night tomorrow night. Gonna see the new Mission Impossible in the IMAX theater. Hope she is springing for some pre-movie cocktails. Hint. Hint.

 

A new member of my TOP MAFIA shared some news with me today about an opportunity that could mean big things for their family. I have my whole family in prayer over this coming to fruition. We’ve claimed it. It is yours. I’m so happy for them.

 

I am also thankful, that at this age or time in my life, that I can make new friends that can go into the TOP MAFIA category. It is hard and rare. I am blessed.

 

The Prince, Heir to the Empire, Protector of the Realm is coming home this weekend for Winter break. You know I got that cheese eating Kool-Aid Momma grin on already.

 

Ms. Pattey & I best get off our azz and get to running. We done bit off a big ole chunk of running for next year. RUN, PATTEY & LISA, RUN.

 

Yeah…and that USAT Challenge…SWIM, LISA, SWIM!

 

Princess Charlee snuck up on me at the Mall today and tried to get all up in my bags. Naw player. Move along. Nuttin’ to see.

 

I’m going through some holiday TV withdrawal…what da hell I’m s’pose to do without The Walking Dead & Boss till 2012. When does Game of Thrones Season 2 come on?

 

Winter is Coming!

 

What you thinking bout?

Army-Navy Football 2011

We won the Tailgate, the March On and the Coin Toss…but we (Army) lost the game…AGAIN. A Decade of Depression. At least this game was respectable in that it was close. We just can’t seem to stop fumbling and making error after error after error. We just can’t seem to hold the line, to stay strong, to bring our A game. Sigh.

 

Despite another year of crushing disappointment, I had a wonderful time hanging with my friends & classmates at the game. Absolutely a BLAST! I’m still in recovery and probably need a detox session.

 

Enjoy the video of the day! BEAT NAVY 2012…please.

A Year of Cycling with the BMWCC

Friday night I went to the Baltimore Metro Wheelers Year End Happy Hour and I compiled, with the help of Rick, ReggieC, MikeD and others from the club, video and pictures from several of the rides & outings with the club.

I hooked up with BMWCC by random happenstance (although I don’t believe in just coincidence) one day out at Sandy Point after completing an open water swim practice and it has been an absolute joy ever since.

 

Becca and I walked back up to out bags and were trying to decide how far we were going to go when a group of about 8 cyclists from BMWCC – a predominantly Black Cycling Club (Baltimore Metro Wheelers Cycling Club) rode up. OMG! We struck up a conversation – they had already done the first half of their 50 mile and were about to turn around – DID WE WANT TO JOIN THEM? Hell yeah! One of the riders, Ken, was gracious enough to offer bringing us back to the park after riding 20 miles out to BWI. The game was on!

It was the best group ride I’ve been on to day…wait…it was the ONLY group ride I’ve been on. It was challenging (as they pushed me faster than I was used to going) and absolutely wonderful & fun to have people to ride with that watched out for you, talked & joked with you and were just all around supportive of you (not to mention also looked like you). Black Girls (& Boys) DO Bike, Swim, Run. YES!!!! I can’t wait to go again.

We did 20 miles from Sandy Point to BWI Observation Lot and I didn’t really know that I could go that fast. That last hill at the end whipped me out but I made it.

Shout out to Tania, Carol, Ken and all the other riders (I apologize for forgetting your names) for taking in two stragglers and making us feel right at home.

It was like this the rest of the season with the cyclists from BMWCC. Becca and I are certainly the weakest/slowest cyclists in the group…or perhaps we just ride different as we mostly train for triathlon’s and it is a lot different than group riding or when cycling is your primary focus; however, not once was I ever dropped (I may have been left behind, but I was never abandoned). The cyclists in the club are all the most helpful & encouraging bunch of of cyclists EVER. On every ride there was always some one sharing their knowledge, coaching through adversity & challenges and/or just encouraging to push through. They all inspired a trust & confidence (especially when drafting or in traffic) that I could and would get better & stronger.

 

Thanks for a great 1st year for me. I look forward to riding with you in 2012 & beyond.

 

So, fellow “elite” athletes…have you found a club (Tri, cycling etc) that has made all the training and “practicing” your sport fun? Do tell!

‘Twas the Night Before Army-Navy 2011

Santa and Rudolph are back at it, trying to ensure that Santa's beloved Black Knights will be victorious at this year's Army/Navy Game!!! On Brave Old Army Team...

 

Once again…grown folk talk. You’ve been warned.

‘Twas The Night Before Army-Navy

This is a repeat from 2010. Careful...grown folk ARMY talk here. You've been warned.

GO ARMY!
BEAT DA HELL OUTTA NAVY WITH A STICK!

Holiday Party Time

It’s the season for holiday cheer and parties, parties, parties…and, of course, I have have every intention to get in on the festivities by throwing my Second Annual Holiday Party & Cookie Exchange. This year I am putting it on with my co-host (and fellow hostess with the mostest) – Nineteen69. While I thought it would be a lovely touch to send crafty invitations out this year, I just didn’t have the time so I went ahead and put out an Evite right after Thanksgiving.

 

However, 2 days after the Evite went out, I received an offer from Mixbook.com to try out their site and 30 premium, completely customizable 5x7 flat Mixbook Holiday Party invitations. BOOYA!

 

I went to their website and it is nicely laid out with lots of options, templates or even the ability to design you own. Editing templates or the design features are easy to use and intuitive. Here is the information about Mixbook:

Mixbook is a leading photo products company that helps people create custom photo books, cards, and calendars. Whether starting from scratch, or using one of our thousands of professionally designed templates, every Mixbook product is 100% customizable. With Mixbook, you can truly Make It Yours™

That last line is accurate. Even if you pick a template…you can truly edit it…even the pictures…and make it your own. I was impressed.

 

I really didn’t do anything earth shattering with my invite:

…but I was very impressed with the result and the quality of the invitation. If you have an event coming up or are still looking at a place to have your holiday photo cards done, then check out Mixbook.com.

 

You can also check them out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/mixbook or on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/mixbook.

 

If you came last year to the Holiday Party & Cookie Exchange (link to last years party) or want to come this year and didn’t get an evite or mixbook invite then drop me a comment so I can get it out to you. We had a BLAST! Join us and…

 

EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY!

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Dear (Secret) Blog Santa

I am so excited about the blogger secret Santa that Pserendipity set up again going on 3 years in a row! It has been great fun and I’ve participated every year. Each time I have met a bunch of wonderful bloggers, of course expanding my Google reader list.

 

I've got my secret blogger that I am to select a gift for and have started reading their blog - combing thru the archives trying to figure out the perfect gift. Since the person I selected is completely new to me, I'm having to learn about and infer stuff just by reading. I can't interact extensively with them right now (no commenting) as it would kill the secret. Sigh.

I'm hoping that they post a hint over the next few days so I can be about my mad hunt (just another excuse to shop) for my interpretation of said hint.

Since I'm soliciting a hint or two, I thought I'd post a little blurb about my preference (or proclivities) to help my Secret Santa out. It is pretty much the same as last year, but I've added a few updates.

- I have, on numerous occasions, been called out for my sparkly fabulousness and am easily distracted by shiny, sparkly, bedazzled things. OOOOHHHH SHINY!!!!

- I even bejewel my hair, my running shoes, my bike. Seriously. Don't judge me.
- I have a shoe fetish that is unrivaled with a closet to hold the in. DSW certificate?
- You can NEVER go wrong with anything related to red wine or martini's. I'm not an alcoholic...I'm a professional drinker.
- You can't go wrong with Cigar paraphernalia. My not so secret vice.
- I'm an "elite athlete" ya know. Triathlon training stuff or related in some way would be awesome . SWIM BIKE RUN.

- And if you just lurk around, I’m sure you’ll come up with something just fabulous. No worries.

Bottom line...if it screams DIVA, sparkles and/or is girly, I'm going to be ecstatic.
...and in actuality, any gift I receive that is from the heart and given with as much caring & thought as I know the people involved are (and have put over the past years) putting into this will be a blessing and greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Santa.

12 Days of Mayhem

 

The Holiday’s are Mayhem…are you in good hands?

“Lifetime Success”–Army Strong

Back in August, I was selected to participate in a Army Advertising program titled “Lifelong Success.” This AOL.com program scheduled to be launched next month, will be centered around and feature prior service soldiers telling their story on how the Army helped get them to where they are today.

I was invited to share my story of my transition into the civilian workforce.  This advertising campaign is designed to help drive and promote recruitment efforts for the U.S. Army.

              

              

I was more than happy to oblige. I certainly attribute my “lifetime of success”, perseverance, commitment & dedication to my education & training at The United States Military Academy & in the Army.

 

Here is one of the 6 video vignettes that will be featured on the AOL.com Army microsite when released. When I have link to the site, I will update you so you can see all of the awesome people who have led a lifetime of success as a result of their careers in the Army.

Lisa Steptoe: Army Veteran and Medical Sales Professional

Army Veteran. Army Strong. Army Proud.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas…

The tradition here at True Blessings is to put up our Christmas Decorations starting the day after Thanksgiving. It’s been this way for so many years that I don’t even think about it. We pull down all the storage boxes and commence to decorating….until today.

 

The lights (all on a timers) came on and my sister exclaimed “OMG! You have got to see how beautiful this is all lit up!”. I didn’t want to get up off the couch to take a look around, but I did and I looked at it through her eyes. Beautiful.

 

My sister reminded me of something – especially during this holiday season – Take time to stop & admire the beauty, your family, your friends – those perfect moments around you. Pure Joy!

Thanksgiving Memories–True Blessings

 

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you all a Blessed Thanksgiving!

 

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Diva Review: How To Catch Happy

How to Catch Happy was a nice, inspirational, quick read. I read it on a Sunday afternoon and while I wasn't quite sure how all the fishing stories were going to work - especially since I don't even like to fish (it certainly isn't what would make me happy), I enjoyed the stories and the bottom line...find out what makes you happy and get busy doing it before life passes you by.

 

This book is not like most of the other self-help, self-improvement books out there - it doesn't have a check list of things to do or exercises to complete. It is just a short collection of stories - actually how 4 people "caught" happy by fishing.

 

While I enjoyed the book (it was short, sweet & to the point) I did find these stories a tad simplistic and wasn't quite sure if the people in the book were actually "happy" now by just fishing or were just sharing their regrets from their lives while fishing and were trying to still find their way to "happy."

 

For the price & length, How to Catch Happy is at least a nice reminder that since life is short, we need to take the time to stop and smell the roses and include the thing or things in our life that truly make us happy. Let's not just do all the things we think we are obligated to do - all duty, honor, family, career - etc. - but include the things that bring true joy & happiness to our life.

 

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Swim Smoothly–Total Immersion 1.0

Swimming smoothly has been my objective ever since I started this Triathlon business. Swim so I don’t panic, so I don’t exhaust myself before I even get out of the water onto the bike, so I don’t drown…swim with ease & confidence.

 

Well, I managed to get through the last couple of Tri’s without having a panic attack, but it still was just downright exhausting.

 

Then Ninteen69 said she had heard about Total Immersion Swimming and send me over to some video’s on the Tube of the You. Recall this for my post – TOTAL Immersion:

Well, then I got to dishing on the phone with Nineteen69 about this triathlon business and how we could improve on our swim. She had been looking into this concept of Total Immersion Swimming and looking for a coach. She hipped me to some video clips from the inventor of the Total Immersion Swimming technique - Terry Laughlin – and I was immediately impressed. I watched over an hour of a seminar he gave at MIT on the technique, made them a favorite on my iphone (YouTube app), watched 2 clips again at my gym and decided to give it a try.

As my soror and fellow triathlete, Roz would say – LIFE CHANGING!

Did I master the technique by watching over an hour of video? NO. But I changed my whole way of swimming and did my best to imitate the stroke, relaxation, hand position and NO KICKING and I felt like I was slicing through the water effortlessly. I did 70 laps – 1750 meters - pretty much NON-STOP – and was not winded.

He had me at the 20th lap w/o stopping. SOLD. DONE. Put a fork in me.

Like I said…SOLD! LIFE CHANGING!

 

Nineteen69 hooked us up with a coach (William Lang) for an all day Total Immersion 1.0 Clinic earlier this month. We were in the pool with him for 8 hours…Team Diva (Rosalyn, Nineteen69, and myself)…drilling, drilling & drilling. We were transformed. Bill was awesome! Patient & thorough, he got us through the basics in one day with a list of drills & workouts that we could do on our own.

 

I highly recommend that if you want to improve you swimming, learn to swim effortlessly or, as Bill Lang puts it, “ with a combination of grace, efficiency, and mindfulness that is unique to this practice”  – especially if you are a newbie triathlete – that you HAVE take one of clinics.

 

As triathletes, we spend a lot of money on equipment, race entries and other miscellaneous stuff. Total Immersion was some of the best money I’ve spent to improve performance. Oh, and if you are going to spend the moolah…make sure you have a CERTIFIED coach that knows the technique COLD. Seriously. (Easy Freestyle does not necessarily = Total Immersion just like Hot Yoga does not = Bikram) Just Sayin’.

 

For grins & giggles, enclosed is a video of our before and after. Watch carefully…not to learn the technique, but to see the differences. We went from:

• Furiously kicking w/churning water TO Less/No Kicking w/no water displacement
• Windmill arms TO “Hand in the mail chute” – ie. placing hand in water, not slapping the water
• Lifting head out of water TO Head down, rotating to breath
• Butt dragging TO Swimming balanced, even, flat
• Splashing on top of water TO Smooth on top of water

You can see that we were gliding, swimming smoothly. Were we suddenly experts? NO. Drill, baby, drill. Practice, Practice, Practice. What I do know is that I am confident that I can swim better & longer without feeling like I am doing a gazillion sprints. WOO HOO!

Before & After.

 

Have you tied Total Immersion Swimming? What do you think?

Wordless Wednesday…’cause I have no words

…and you couldn’t tell me NUTTIN’ either. Seriously, white sheer hose? Huh? Bwaaahaaahaahaa!!!!

Weekend Warrior–Blog Hopping

On Sunday’s I like to catch up on the books on my Nook (oh, that rhymes) and on my blogs in my google reader. I’ve met a lot of great people over the years via blogging both in person & virtually.

 

In order to meet some more great bloggers, I decided to participate in a Blog Hop! A Blog Hop is a place to meet/read new bloggers. Click on the images below to see a links to a list of blogs participating in the Blog Hop. If you find something you like, check & see if you are following each other on Twitter, etc. It helps increase your bandwidth too!  It's always fun to meet new bloggers and expand our network!

     

Thank You to All Who Served and Are Serving

Thank you to all of you that have and are serving our country. God Bless You!

Duty Honor Country

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PATTEY!!!

It's my TOP MAFIA; Soror; the other half of the HANDY HOTNESS crew and my fellow Swim (she’s working on it), Bike, Run crazy-cake’s….BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

 

And being the sinister, evil bestie that I am…I went ahead and gifted her the registration for the Derby Festival Marathon – YES – 26 POINT 2 miles. I registered for the Derby Festival Half so I could be there with a beer and a cheer when she comes across the finish line. WOO HOO!!!

 

I also convinced her to go ahead and jump in the drink with me and we are going to do the Buckhead Border Triathlon in Louisville, KY. OH YES WE WILL!!!!

 

Happy Birthday, Pattey!!!!

             

Steptoe Group, LLC–The Why

I have always been proud of my husband. ALWAYS. He is a man of vision – of purpose. He is driven. A man of character & principle. When I first met him, he told me of his dreams – of one day being the CEO of his own company – of building something big, something with meaning. He was talking about social entrepreneurship before we even knew what that meant.

 

…And he is DOING IT! I have been on this journey with him for almost 25 years. Though thick & thin, mountain’s & valleys. We have put everything – and I mean EVERY SINGLE THING- into this venture…and so haven’t a lot of our friends & family. We absolutely love and hold dear to our hearts all of those that believe in us – in him. And Ron WILL make this happen. We are still struggling, but we are starting to see the fruits of our labor.

 

Here is just one blessing that has come out of all the hard work the Steptoe Group team has put in:

On September 19, 2011, The American Alliance of Healthcare providers (AAHCP) awarded the Steptoe Group the Choice Award for Excellence in a Medical Specialty. This video is a recap of the event with an interview with Ronald Steptoe, CEO of the Steptoe Group.

Shot and edited Damone Brown of Grace Lens Multimedia.

 

If you want to know more, invest or help in some way…you know how to reach us.

HAPPY 84th BIRTHDAY GRANDMA WILLIE

The Queen Grandmother celebrated her 84th Birthday with her Granddaughters Empress Lisa & Lady Laura AND her Great-Granddaughters Princess Erin, Charlee & Cara.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GMA!

Not So Wordless Wednesday

I LOVE this season…and to while working on sharpening my mixology skills, I discovered the most awesome season liquor – Fulton’s Harvest Pumpkin Pie Cream Liqueur. OMG!!!!

 

For you Mixology envy pleasure, may I present the

 PUMPKIN MUDSLIDE --

Equal parts Fulton’s Harvest, Vanilla Vodka & Kahlua. Pour over ice. Heaven in a glass.

 

Fulton’s Harvest is a seasonal item. GET IT NOW. GET IT IF YOU SEE IT. Bring it to my house and let me mix for you…or just bring as a hostess gift to my next soiree.

Caption This!

Prince Jordan & Lady Camille Halloween 1995 or 96.

I laugh every time I look at this picture. The relationship dynamics are the same at any age. LOVE THIS!

 

What do you say?

Just For Me

I am asked all the time…”Why do you do all of this? Are you crazy or something?” Well, I may be a tad crazy, but there is a method to my madness. The reason that comes to mind every time is I do if JUST FOR ME. Every medal, every accomplishment, every mile is MINE. I did that.

 

I do it for me.

 

You see, a long time ago I married a man who had (still does) ambition, vision & dreams. He had a plan for our family and we agreed that he would lead us there – his career/business ventures would be put first and I would support him and do what what necessary to keep us True North. The FireMarshall Empire is doing pretty good – despite the challenges, risks, hills & valleys. To sum it up, I am to The FireMarshall what Pepper Potts is to Tony Starks…and that’s fine – it works for us. Sometimes, though, I want to be the star. I want something – to do something – that is my very own.

 

I don’t know if that make any sense to ya’ll, but after I finished my first triathlon (even though I swore I’d never do that again) I felt exhilarated, POWERFUL, a sense of accomplishment & success that was indescribable…and it was MINE.

 

I do it JUST FOR ME.

 

This year has been a wonderful year of challenges, growth & personal success. It has kept me sane though one of the most trying year(s) of our lives. 12 months. 10 races.

2 – 10 Milers, 1-10k, 1- Triathlon Relay(Bike), 5-Triathlons, 1-Century ride. Whew, Chile. I put together a little slide show of the journey --

 

A Year in The Wide World of TravelDiva Sports

 

 

Is there anything you do JUST FOR YOU?

Is Anybody There?

I blog cause I want to. It is my virtual diary of my life and sometimes what I think about the surrounding drama. I live my (or rather our) life out loud as the FireMarshall is always saying.

 

At first, I didn’t care that I didn’t get very many comments…and then, as I started writing more and more….I did care. Every blogger wants comments – we want to interact with our audience. How do I know I even have an audience? Well, there are the stats (page views, time on site, etc.) and then there are all the people I run into that tell me they read along. We not only want to write it down but we want to discuss it too.

 

I started to get some comments and things were growing and we were having a good ole time. Then I went and got all damn fancy and tried to “upgrade” my commenting features to Haloscan from the blogger commenting. That worked all fine and dandy…until Haloscan switched to JS-Kit which promptly got ate up by Echo…and then it went all to hell. Echo got all uppity and decided that the commenting features were no longer going to be free – even basic, little ole me free commenting – yeah, fork over $10/month for the service period and we might just let you keep all your past comments. HUMPH.

 

I stuck with the Haloscan/Echo Free commenting for a LONG ASS while before I realized that because I wasn’t paying up, free wasn’t really free. Free meant commenting features were sporadic if they worked AT ALL. In other words, nobody could comment – EVER. I started hearing from friends that they couldn’t comment so they just left a message on FB or something. I started to investigate. Now, I don’t know nuttin about how this shyat works really. Just give me the damn code, tell me where to cut and past and wham. Done. I went to every computer in the house – I wasn’t able to comment. DAG NABIT. Then I went on a mission “just switch back on Blogger commenting”.

 

Not so damn easy. Not so damn fast. Whoa partner.

 

I spent the better part of the afternoon using Mr. Google to figure out how to remove the JSKit/Haloscan code and how to restore Blogger. After crashing my template XML code (I don’t know what I just said, but crash my blog it did – thank God I backed my template up) I simply reverted “widget templates to default” and it was DONE. I had to put back in the code for my signature & for the label cloud, but everything else stayed the same.

 

While I lost ALL of my old comments…FUGG YOU ECHO…it was worth it. You suck. Your overpriced service with no service SUCKS. Goodbye.

 

If you have been following along all this time and haven’t been commenting cause ECHO SUCKS BIG TIME, I hope you will come back by and talk with me.

 

Welcome. Let the normal crazy recommence.

Testing

Had to change some things back. SIGH. JS-Kit/Echo Commenting SUCKED