Notice how high school kids and all kids in general get really antsy toward the end of spring? And how high school seniors could care less about anything not txt worthy? Welcome to my life today.
I'm taking my first vacation in three years and I leave exactly a week from today. And I could care less about anything and everything not related to NY.
I think I'm even on vacation mode when it comes to eating because I had no problem scarfing down a piece of pizza or two and slice of cookie cake at my office pizza par-tay today. WTF? I always do that on vacation. Like somehow since I'm in another state, there are no calories.
My life right now consists of two categories...before new york and during new york. If you're trying to talk to me about anything else, you might as well wait until June 12th...when i have the post NY blues and will stare at you as you ramble on at me.
Needless to say, I'm so excited that I might pee a little if I think about it too much.
And then we have Ryan. Ryan hates taking time off of work. He's only called in sick for two half days in the three years we've been dating. He only takes a day off or leaves an hour early on the Fridays that I force him to or threaten his life. And New York is not his destination of choice (even though he has never been)
I can't possibly fathom how any person wouldn't be excited about this trip! All he wants to do is get on Cash Cab. While I would also like this opportunity, I'll be the first to admit that I'm terrible at trivia. The only way we'd win is if my mom and my BFF were along with us. (Look Meg Nasty, I'm linking!)
So if anyone has suggestions on a way to get my dear live-in boyfriend excited, please, don't hesitate!
If not, tell me your favorite thing about New York!! 6 days and counting!!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Sick Freak
I was home sick yesterday and I was quickly reminded that daytime television absolutely blows. Seriously. TLC doesn't even show "A Wedding Story" anymore, TNT doesn't show "Dawson's Creek" and Verizon was not offering a free trial for any of the movie channels. So I was forced to watch Martha Stewart and The Price Is Right until I remembered that I own dvds. It was down to The Holiday and The Family Stone. I chose the latter.
Toward the end when Ben takes Meredith to get drunk at the bar, he says one of my favorite lines, "You have a freak flag, Meredith...you just don't fly it."
This got me thinking...
One of my favorite social events that I'd attend as a single gal in Dallas was the stop light party. If you aren't familiar, it's a party where everyone is invited regardless of status. And even better, you're officially labeled. Those who are in a relationship wear red nametags or wristbands, those who are single wear green and those who have issues or would answer "it's complicated" wear yellow. Everyone wins at this party...the girlfriends can monitor any green hooch, I mean tag, that comes near their man, the single guys know which girls are single (even though they often go after red tags as it poses more of a challenge) and the yellow tags are the easiest ones to strike up a conversation with because you simply ask, "so whats wrong with you?"
People don't have enough of these parties. They rank right up there with the rubix cube parties and holiday sweater parties. If you're having one, you should invite me...I'm loads of fun (I'm just sayin')
Anyway, I digress. The point is that I think we should use this methodology in everyday life. Instead of having MD, MBA, PhD on your business card, I think we should also follow it with any "D" that applies to you. And when I say "D" I just mean disorder. You can write it out like obsessive nagging disorder, tends to overreact disorder or the more commonly known: ADD, ADHD, OCD, BPD, and so on. Because really, if you're worried you'll get dumped when they figure out what kind of "D" you are, wouldn't you rather save yourself some time?
So I say, fly that freak flag! Put it out there for the world and own it.
Sincerely,
MC, AE, OCD and OPD (obsessive planning disorder)
Toward the end when Ben takes Meredith to get drunk at the bar, he says one of my favorite lines, "You have a freak flag, Meredith...you just don't fly it."
This got me thinking...
One of my favorite social events that I'd attend as a single gal in Dallas was the stop light party. If you aren't familiar, it's a party where everyone is invited regardless of status. And even better, you're officially labeled. Those who are in a relationship wear red nametags or wristbands, those who are single wear green and those who have issues or would answer "it's complicated" wear yellow. Everyone wins at this party...the girlfriends can monitor any green hooch, I mean tag, that comes near their man, the single guys know which girls are single (even though they often go after red tags as it poses more of a challenge) and the yellow tags are the easiest ones to strike up a conversation with because you simply ask, "so whats wrong with you?"
People don't have enough of these parties. They rank right up there with the rubix cube parties and holiday sweater parties. If you're having one, you should invite me...I'm loads of fun (I'm just sayin')
Anyway, I digress. The point is that I think we should use this methodology in everyday life. Instead of having MD, MBA, PhD on your business card, I think we should also follow it with any "D" that applies to you. And when I say "D" I just mean disorder. You can write it out like obsessive nagging disorder, tends to overreact disorder or the more commonly known: ADD, ADHD, OCD, BPD, and so on. Because really, if you're worried you'll get dumped when they figure out what kind of "D" you are, wouldn't you rather save yourself some time?
So I say, fly that freak flag! Put it out there for the world and own it.
Sincerely,
MC, AE, OCD and OPD (obsessive planning disorder)
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Next Post
Have you ever been so bored that you think you might have actually found the end of the internet?
Fear not! I've found yet another way to waste your time that might be enjoyable...the Next Post feature on blogspot.
If you're ever on a fantastic blog such as the one you're reading now, there is a link at the top of the page that says "Next Blog" This feature always provides new blog neighbors which is great, you'll never hit the same "next" blog twice!
I found some really interesting blogs (and some scary ones) when I visited the blogs "next" to mine.
It is an interesting way to pass the time and sometimes I feel like I'm a peeping tom but hey, I welcome the visits to my humble little blog so I'm thinking they will too.
Happy Nexting!
Fear not! I've found yet another way to waste your time that might be enjoyable...the Next Post feature on blogspot.
If you're ever on a fantastic blog such as the one you're reading now, there is a link at the top of the page that says "Next Blog" This feature always provides new blog neighbors which is great, you'll never hit the same "next" blog twice!
I found some really interesting blogs (and some scary ones) when I visited the blogs "next" to mine.
It is an interesting way to pass the time and sometimes I feel like I'm a peeping tom but hey, I welcome the visits to my humble little blog so I'm thinking they will too.
Happy Nexting!
Monday, May 19, 2008
TICK-led Pink
Insert theme song from the movie Deliverance.
So we went camping with one of our favorite couples this weekend in Ar-Kansas.
It was an incredible trip where we were on the search for diamonds....and BIG ones at that. We went to Crater of Diamond State Park, the only diamond mine in North America where you can mine or pan for diamonds and finders keepers!! I was determined to find one.
As our Tom-Tom did us wrong and we literally had a 20 minute section of our drive where we turned from dirt road to dirt road, we were a little worried but impressed by the scenery. We arrived, set up camp and headed to town for dinner. Simple Simons pizza, salad and one calzone for 4 people=$40!!! sheesh!
That night we searched for firewood as we'd gotten to the state park too late to buy wood. Little did we know that taking wood from a state park is illegal...so don't tell anyone, k?
The next day, after about an hour and a half of searching for diamonds, we gave up. Yes, we're quitters. But to our defense, the two couples with campsites next to us had been to this state park 7 times and were there for 2 weeks straight this time and they had never found a diamond.
After our hunting, we walked down to the river and when we got back to our site we showered for dinner. In the shower I noticed a tiny leaf on my stomach. I tried to brush it off. Stuck. I tried to flick it off. Still stuck. So then I try to grab it with my wet soapy hands and pull it off. Um...Houston, we have a problem.
Yes kids, it was a tick. A huge black disgusting tick with a white dot on it's back. Notice it was tiny when I thought it was just a leaf. And what makes it worse is that its legs are still moving. Gag.
Now at this point, I've just started my shower, haven't even put shampoo in my hair yet. Cause, you see, showering at a campsite isn't a fast process. You have to carry everything to the bathroom and make sure that your underwear are hidden nicely inside the clean t-shirt and that you are carrying 2 pairs of shoes and wearing one. You enter the public bathroom and find the shower stall that is most suitable. Stay clear of the handicap accessible one with the seat in it..yuck. Find the one that is the least wet and sometimes, if you're lucky, there is a little bench to rest your items on. You de-clothe being careful to never let your bare foot touch the shower floor, only your shower flip flops and always have one eye on the shower curtain. We all know that it's reason for living is to suction cup itself to your bare ass. I had only barely stepped foot into the shower and was proceeding with my initial rinse when I found the tick.
I still had to shampoo/conditioner in one and rinse (lets be honest, you might as well be washing your hair with rubbing alcohol its so dry) and soap and rinse. I did a detour around leg shaving because hello...nasty lime disease (is that how you spell it?) carrying insect STUCK INSIDE OF ME!!
I dry off and ponder whether or not I should dry that area and begin the daunting task of putting on a pair of jeans after I've dried off with a ridiculously thin towel and am still damp, all while standing on top of your shower flip flops and not letting the bottom of your jeans touch the floor while putting them on.
I left the showers feeling more dirty and gross than when I entered as I had an insect STUCK INSIDE OF ME!!!
Ryan bravely burned me with the match twice, getting the tick on the third try and then yanked the little f-er out of my belly. At this point, since I was at risk for limes disease (i like this spelling) I thought, "what goes with limes?"....it was time for a margarita. (See post on the best margarita recipe ever)
We ended the evening around the campfire with hot dogs and smores and a lot of fun. I think it's still going to take me a few days to catch up on my sleep and determine if I am diseased or not. Wish me well people.
So we went camping with one of our favorite couples this weekend in Ar-Kansas.
It was an incredible trip where we were on the search for diamonds....and BIG ones at that. We went to Crater of Diamond State Park, the only diamond mine in North America where you can mine or pan for diamonds and finders keepers!! I was determined to find one.
As our Tom-Tom did us wrong and we literally had a 20 minute section of our drive where we turned from dirt road to dirt road, we were a little worried but impressed by the scenery. We arrived, set up camp and headed to town for dinner. Simple Simons pizza, salad and one calzone for 4 people=$40!!! sheesh!
That night we searched for firewood as we'd gotten to the state park too late to buy wood. Little did we know that taking wood from a state park is illegal...so don't tell anyone, k?
The next day, after about an hour and a half of searching for diamonds, we gave up. Yes, we're quitters. But to our defense, the two couples with campsites next to us had been to this state park 7 times and were there for 2 weeks straight this time and they had never found a diamond.
After our hunting, we walked down to the river and when we got back to our site we showered for dinner. In the shower I noticed a tiny leaf on my stomach. I tried to brush it off. Stuck. I tried to flick it off. Still stuck. So then I try to grab it with my wet soapy hands and pull it off. Um...Houston, we have a problem.
Yes kids, it was a tick. A huge black disgusting tick with a white dot on it's back. Notice it was tiny when I thought it was just a leaf. And what makes it worse is that its legs are still moving. Gag.
Now at this point, I've just started my shower, haven't even put shampoo in my hair yet. Cause, you see, showering at a campsite isn't a fast process. You have to carry everything to the bathroom and make sure that your underwear are hidden nicely inside the clean t-shirt and that you are carrying 2 pairs of shoes and wearing one. You enter the public bathroom and find the shower stall that is most suitable. Stay clear of the handicap accessible one with the seat in it..yuck. Find the one that is the least wet and sometimes, if you're lucky, there is a little bench to rest your items on. You de-clothe being careful to never let your bare foot touch the shower floor, only your shower flip flops and always have one eye on the shower curtain. We all know that it's reason for living is to suction cup itself to your bare ass. I had only barely stepped foot into the shower and was proceeding with my initial rinse when I found the tick.
I still had to shampoo/conditioner in one and rinse (lets be honest, you might as well be washing your hair with rubbing alcohol its so dry) and soap and rinse. I did a detour around leg shaving because hello...nasty lime disease (is that how you spell it?) carrying insect STUCK INSIDE OF ME!!
I dry off and ponder whether or not I should dry that area and begin the daunting task of putting on a pair of jeans after I've dried off with a ridiculously thin towel and am still damp, all while standing on top of your shower flip flops and not letting the bottom of your jeans touch the floor while putting them on.
I left the showers feeling more dirty and gross than when I entered as I had an insect STUCK INSIDE OF ME!!!
Ryan bravely burned me with the match twice, getting the tick on the third try and then yanked the little f-er out of my belly. At this point, since I was at risk for limes disease (i like this spelling) I thought, "what goes with limes?"....it was time for a margarita. (See post on the best margarita recipe ever)
We ended the evening around the campfire with hot dogs and smores and a lot of fun. I think it's still going to take me a few days to catch up on my sleep and determine if I am diseased or not. Wish me well people.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Unexpected Inspiration
This weekend I had the unique opportunity to reconnect with an old friend of mine. He has always been close to my family but given that he's a few years older, he was never really that close with me. The visit left me in shock, awe and amazement.
This man was an unexpected inspiration to me.
He has had a colored past and has enough material for one heck of a book. He has had his ups and downs, made more mistakes than he wishes he had and he has had to start over on more than one occasion. Previously, when I thought about him, I thought about the pattern he had created for himself and the future I wondered if he'd get.
And now, having spent an afternoon with him....I'm completely impressed and almost jealous.
Because, you see....I don't know a single person who hasn't made a mistake. The difference between this friend and everyone else is that he made mistakes, he was caught making them and he paid the price for it. This happened several times. And instead of looking at his life as what it had been or what it could be, he looks at his life as what it is going to be now. He spoke to us with honesty about his experiences, expectations about his future and acceptance of his past.
How many people do you know exhibit that type of accountability? He sat there and talked with us and completely owned every mistake and accomplishment as if they were just another chapter of his life. He didn't make excuses or promises and definitely looked at the world differently than I did. I can only say that I wish I could be that free.
I applaud him, no, I salute him for his openness, his outlook and his attitude. It was inspriational and pure.
I can only hope that one day, we all can reach his level of clarity. Here is this man that has the world ahead of him. Where some people would consider themselves in the middle of their life, he has the unique opportunity to write his own story...for himself and for those around him. I can't wait to see how it turns out.
This man was an unexpected inspiration to me.
He has had a colored past and has enough material for one heck of a book. He has had his ups and downs, made more mistakes than he wishes he had and he has had to start over on more than one occasion. Previously, when I thought about him, I thought about the pattern he had created for himself and the future I wondered if he'd get.
And now, having spent an afternoon with him....I'm completely impressed and almost jealous.
Because, you see....I don't know a single person who hasn't made a mistake. The difference between this friend and everyone else is that he made mistakes, he was caught making them and he paid the price for it. This happened several times. And instead of looking at his life as what it had been or what it could be, he looks at his life as what it is going to be now. He spoke to us with honesty about his experiences, expectations about his future and acceptance of his past.
How many people do you know exhibit that type of accountability? He sat there and talked with us and completely owned every mistake and accomplishment as if they were just another chapter of his life. He didn't make excuses or promises and definitely looked at the world differently than I did. I can only say that I wish I could be that free.
I applaud him, no, I salute him for his openness, his outlook and his attitude. It was inspriational and pure.
I can only hope that one day, we all can reach his level of clarity. Here is this man that has the world ahead of him. Where some people would consider themselves in the middle of their life, he has the unique opportunity to write his own story...for himself and for those around him. I can't wait to see how it turns out.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Rut Roh
Rut Roh
Ever get stuck in the same mindset? That seems to be my mentality this week. Maybe it's because I'm really looking forward to the weekend and so the monotony of the work week is getting to me, or maybe because it's raining. (Or maybe it's because our neighbor fell thru our ceiling this weekend and we've had a mess to clean up ever since.)
Regardless, I'm stuck in a rut..going on day 3, and I can't seem to get out of it.
But one thing I've noticed over my long 28 years...If you look forward to the future so much, it makes it harder to enjoy the present and for me, my rut is not enjoying today.
This is something I have always struggled with being the planner that I am. When I was in college, my roommate asked me if I wanted to be married or engaged by the time I graduate and I remember telling her, "No...I don't plan like that, I'm pretty laid back. I don't want to be married or engaged, I just want to know WHO I'm going to marry by the time I graduate."
WOW
What an idiot I was.
I was in a sorority in college and that didn't help things. We had these incredible ceremonies, Candle passes, where you would pass the drop or the engagement ring of the girl who got dropped or engaged. (By the way, getting dropped is when a fraternity boy gives you his greek letter charm on a necklace. It the equivalent of a promise ring) The lights would be out, you'd stand in a circle, pass the candle with the ring or drop tied by a ribbon and the girl who's ring or drop it was would blow out the candle. The diamond would sparkle in the candle light and we'd all be jealous as hell and hope it wasn't that beeotch who got engaged. Everyone would shreik with excitement and congratulate the gal.
SERIOUSLY!?!?! What are we doing to ourselves. These girls are probably not even 21 years old and getting engaged before they graduate and have their first job!! And we're encouraging this?? Do we later have the candle pass where you tie the divorce papers to the candle and the lucky ex-wife blows out the candle?
I too have been guilty of asking the high school student or college student what they want to do with their life. How are they supposed to know? How many people do you know that are actually using their degree?? My brother has a history degree and he works in Advertising. This is the case with most people I know. We train our youth to set goals and achieve them but we're training them to think SO far in advance. I think very few people actually know what they want to do with their life when they pick their college major or even their college of choice. I didn't know what I wanted to do...heck, I still don't. But I'm learning things that I don't want to do and other things that I enjoy doing. I think it's a process, not a plan.
I remember the scene from "Never Been Kissed" where Drew Barrymore is a reporter who has gone undercover as a high school student. Her gym coach tells her "if you don't pass gym, you'll never get into college" and she tells her coach, "you guys are still telling that lie?"
I guess my point is that everyone has expectations and hopes for the future. And I believe that when someone asks you about your future, they genuinely hope that you're happy and that exciting things are happening in your life. But so many of us put so much emphasis on hopes, expectations, goals and measuring life from major event to major event, that we miss the greatness of today.
Take time to stop and smell the roses. If you can't find any, come to my house, Memaw would be proud...mine have two pink blooms at the top...I think that's a good sign.
Ever get stuck in the same mindset? That seems to be my mentality this week. Maybe it's because I'm really looking forward to the weekend and so the monotony of the work week is getting to me, or maybe because it's raining. (Or maybe it's because our neighbor fell thru our ceiling this weekend and we've had a mess to clean up ever since.)
Regardless, I'm stuck in a rut..going on day 3, and I can't seem to get out of it.
But one thing I've noticed over my long 28 years...If you look forward to the future so much, it makes it harder to enjoy the present and for me, my rut is not enjoying today.
This is something I have always struggled with being the planner that I am. When I was in college, my roommate asked me if I wanted to be married or engaged by the time I graduate and I remember telling her, "No...I don't plan like that, I'm pretty laid back. I don't want to be married or engaged, I just want to know WHO I'm going to marry by the time I graduate."
WOW
What an idiot I was.
I was in a sorority in college and that didn't help things. We had these incredible ceremonies, Candle passes, where you would pass the drop or the engagement ring of the girl who got dropped or engaged. (By the way, getting dropped is when a fraternity boy gives you his greek letter charm on a necklace. It the equivalent of a promise ring) The lights would be out, you'd stand in a circle, pass the candle with the ring or drop tied by a ribbon and the girl who's ring or drop it was would blow out the candle. The diamond would sparkle in the candle light and we'd all be jealous as hell and hope it wasn't that beeotch who got engaged. Everyone would shreik with excitement and congratulate the gal.
SERIOUSLY!?!?! What are we doing to ourselves. These girls are probably not even 21 years old and getting engaged before they graduate and have their first job!! And we're encouraging this?? Do we later have the candle pass where you tie the divorce papers to the candle and the lucky ex-wife blows out the candle?
I too have been guilty of asking the high school student or college student what they want to do with their life. How are they supposed to know? How many people do you know that are actually using their degree?? My brother has a history degree and he works in Advertising. This is the case with most people I know. We train our youth to set goals and achieve them but we're training them to think SO far in advance. I think very few people actually know what they want to do with their life when they pick their college major or even their college of choice. I didn't know what I wanted to do...heck, I still don't. But I'm learning things that I don't want to do and other things that I enjoy doing. I think it's a process, not a plan.
I remember the scene from "Never Been Kissed" where Drew Barrymore is a reporter who has gone undercover as a high school student. Her gym coach tells her "if you don't pass gym, you'll never get into college" and she tells her coach, "you guys are still telling that lie?"
I guess my point is that everyone has expectations and hopes for the future. And I believe that when someone asks you about your future, they genuinely hope that you're happy and that exciting things are happening in your life. But so many of us put so much emphasis on hopes, expectations, goals and measuring life from major event to major event, that we miss the greatness of today.
Take time to stop and smell the roses. If you can't find any, come to my house, Memaw would be proud...mine have two pink blooms at the top...I think that's a good sign.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
The best inheritance has no monetary value.
I consider myself fairly unique. I've said before that I don't have a style, I have an opinion.
Ask any of my friends, there's not a room in our house that looks like it came out of a department store or any other furniture store that sells you a "set" of furniture.
I don't believe that a real home can be purchased from a store. A real home is developed by incorporating memories and adding to it as you go. It's a process and if it can all be delivered on a truck from the same place, thats unacceptable. (unless you're moving from one home to the next)
One thing that I love about our home is that it's filled with history and hand-me-downs. Ryan complains that every time I see my Mom, I gain a piece of furniture....but I love that. I love it that when people ask me where I got something, my answer often times has a story behind it.
Like the woven sign in our guest bathroom that came from Ryan's grandparents (that I didn't realize was actually made to go in a bathroom when I hung it by our front door), or the grandfather clock in the living room that hung his grandparent's mantle, the elephant that was my pawpaws, the iron bed I grew up with as a kid that was actually from my great granparents home or the sofa handed down from my brother.
I was blessed to inherit my grandparents dining room table from my Dad's mom. It's a big piece of furniture that you can see from the front door and gets so many compliments. (My granny has an awesome style and it's such a cool table.)
But one of my favorite things that I've inherited is something few people ever see. It sits in our kitchen on the container of flour and makes me smile every day. It's a thought for the day book that was my Memaw's and she had it in her kitchen. It has a thought for the day and every few days or so I come across a hand written note on it....birthdays, anniversaries, the day the payment for the chrysler or motorhome was due.
Somehow, by reading these notes each day, I feel like I honor her memory a little bit more and am that much closer to her. And by re-enacting this process that she did in her kitchen, I can only hope that it helps me to one day become the woman that she was.
I'll leave you with one of the thoughts from this week that is really awesome. "The most worried people you know are troubled about small things that don't exist or really matter. The least worried are those who face a few big ones and take them by the horns. -Norman Shiddle"
Ask any of my friends, there's not a room in our house that looks like it came out of a department store or any other furniture store that sells you a "set" of furniture.
I don't believe that a real home can be purchased from a store. A real home is developed by incorporating memories and adding to it as you go. It's a process and if it can all be delivered on a truck from the same place, thats unacceptable. (unless you're moving from one home to the next)
One thing that I love about our home is that it's filled with history and hand-me-downs. Ryan complains that every time I see my Mom, I gain a piece of furniture....but I love that. I love it that when people ask me where I got something, my answer often times has a story behind it.
Like the woven sign in our guest bathroom that came from Ryan's grandparents (that I didn't realize was actually made to go in a bathroom when I hung it by our front door), or the grandfather clock in the living room that hung his grandparent's mantle, the elephant that was my pawpaws, the iron bed I grew up with as a kid that was actually from my great granparents home or the sofa handed down from my brother.
I was blessed to inherit my grandparents dining room table from my Dad's mom. It's a big piece of furniture that you can see from the front door and gets so many compliments. (My granny has an awesome style and it's such a cool table.)
But one of my favorite things that I've inherited is something few people ever see. It sits in our kitchen on the container of flour and makes me smile every day. It's a thought for the day book that was my Memaw's and she had it in her kitchen. It has a thought for the day and every few days or so I come across a hand written note on it....birthdays, anniversaries, the day the payment for the chrysler or motorhome was due.
Somehow, by reading these notes each day, I feel like I honor her memory a little bit more and am that much closer to her. And by re-enacting this process that she did in her kitchen, I can only hope that it helps me to one day become the woman that she was.
I'll leave you with one of the thoughts from this week that is really awesome. "The most worried people you know are troubled about small things that don't exist or really matter. The least worried are those who face a few big ones and take them by the horns. -Norman Shiddle"
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