Let me start by acknowledging the fact that my brain is pretty fertile ground for damage at this time. So, when I watch TV shows that take place in exciting cities or movies with Cinderella-story plotlines, it's a safe bet that I will be enchanted and long to adopt a new life.
For example... Recently, I started watching the show Las Vegas. This is an older show. It is 100% escapist TV, which I basically require for any TV show I watch. So, I think this show is fun and appealing. I get to indulge all my men fantasies, as this show is packed to the gills with guys I find attractive. And then, as I'm into my 4th episode for the night, I start to think... Hey, what if I moved to Las Vegas. I bet my life would be exactly like this show. This is where the danger starts.
Dangerous why, you wonder? Well, my guess is that if you found someone in Las Vegas working in any bigtime casino job, they'd probably have a fault or two with the show - not the least of which being that every episode has a happy ending. I'm fairly certain that this isn't so commonplace in real-life Las Vegas. Especially when you start adding hit men, strippers and thieves to the mix. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Anyway, I'd just like to point out that I'm having a really hard time not picking up and moving South.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Back To School, Back To School
By the way, the title of this blog ABSOLUTELY MUST be sung in the Billy Madison voice...
It’s Back To School time. This probably isn’t too much of announcement to most of you. If you’ve set foot in a Target or Wal-mart lately, then you were probably blasted with all sorts of Back To School advertising, sales and stuff! When I walk through aisles of new backpacks and lunch boxes, I can’t help but catch a little bit of the Back To School fever.
When I was younger, say junior high school age, I distinctly remember being really excited to start school in the fall. Starting school, for me, meant new school clothes and the possibility of new friends or a new adventure. I particularly remember starting the 7th grade. I moved to a new school so I was faced with the prospect of finding new friends or surviving junior high alone. I started school with the idea of slightly reinventing myself. My Back To School wardrobe that year was a little more mature and a little bit different than anything I’d ever picked before – or, at least, I thought so. I loaded up on knee-high socks that year. At the time, I thought I was ROCKING. I have since learned that knee-high socks in Utah in August generally amount to sweaty torture. In addition to all my wardrobe dilemmas, I was tackling all the nuances of junior high school that all 7th graders face. For example, picking out SEVEN classes. From those classes, I had a seemingly huge variety from which to choose – languages, crafts, arts, drama, etc. So, long story short – the prospect of making all these decisions was exciting to me and that made starting school exciting.
My junior high years are long behind me now. But, school has been at least a small portion of a lot of those years since. School will probably continue to be a part of my life for many years to come – considering the fact that it takes me four times longer to finish anything than other “normal” people. But, I digress. My point is that, even though I’m kind of “old hat” at the school game now, I am still surprisingly excited to start classes here soon. Call me crazy. In fact, in a week or two, I’ll look at this post and I’ll be calling myself crazy. At that time, I expect to be bogged down with homework and really dreading going to my Philosophy class once a week… Crazy probably won’t begin to describe my brain at that time or any time between September and December. However, right now, I am still excited about starting school.
I find myself wondering why. I mean, I no longer get myself a Back To School wardrobe (although maybe I should – what a good excuse to buy new clothes!). I haven’t really established any wonderful, long-lasting friendships as a result of school in quite a few years. Anymore, school is just another thing for me to stuff in my schedule and an AWESOME opportunity to spend a lot of money! Yet I’m excited anyway and I still don’t know why…
It’s Back To School time. This probably isn’t too much of announcement to most of you. If you’ve set foot in a Target or Wal-mart lately, then you were probably blasted with all sorts of Back To School advertising, sales and stuff! When I walk through aisles of new backpacks and lunch boxes, I can’t help but catch a little bit of the Back To School fever.
When I was younger, say junior high school age, I distinctly remember being really excited to start school in the fall. Starting school, for me, meant new school clothes and the possibility of new friends or a new adventure. I particularly remember starting the 7th grade. I moved to a new school so I was faced with the prospect of finding new friends or surviving junior high alone. I started school with the idea of slightly reinventing myself. My Back To School wardrobe that year was a little more mature and a little bit different than anything I’d ever picked before – or, at least, I thought so. I loaded up on knee-high socks that year. At the time, I thought I was ROCKING. I have since learned that knee-high socks in Utah in August generally amount to sweaty torture. In addition to all my wardrobe dilemmas, I was tackling all the nuances of junior high school that all 7th graders face. For example, picking out SEVEN classes. From those classes, I had a seemingly huge variety from which to choose – languages, crafts, arts, drama, etc. So, long story short – the prospect of making all these decisions was exciting to me and that made starting school exciting.
My junior high years are long behind me now. But, school has been at least a small portion of a lot of those years since. School will probably continue to be a part of my life for many years to come – considering the fact that it takes me four times longer to finish anything than other “normal” people. But, I digress. My point is that, even though I’m kind of “old hat” at the school game now, I am still surprisingly excited to start classes here soon. Call me crazy. In fact, in a week or two, I’ll look at this post and I’ll be calling myself crazy. At that time, I expect to be bogged down with homework and really dreading going to my Philosophy class once a week… Crazy probably won’t begin to describe my brain at that time or any time between September and December. However, right now, I am still excited about starting school.
I find myself wondering why. I mean, I no longer get myself a Back To School wardrobe (although maybe I should – what a good excuse to buy new clothes!). I haven’t really established any wonderful, long-lasting friendships as a result of school in quite a few years. Anymore, school is just another thing for me to stuff in my schedule and an AWESOME opportunity to spend a lot of money! Yet I’m excited anyway and I still don’t know why…
Monday, August 10, 2009
I CAN DO IT
I had an awesome running weekend. For one, I did it two days in a row. Let me tell you that if you know of my love/hate relationship with running, you'd see why I'd feel the need to brag. For two, I pushed myself farther than I ever have! I arrived home from both runs feeling heartily accomplished.
And this feeling was in no way affected by the Superheroes running at Liberty Park! Props to these folks. I swear, the ladies and gentlemen who were cruising right past me were taking a break from their regular day-to-day activities, to include saving the world. The Flash is a regular - he's that guy whom I see twice during my one loop around the park. Wonder Woman also makes frequent appearances. She's the one who comes up from behind me and motors on by, as if winged. And let's not forget Superman! He's the one who rescues me halfway around and carries me home... Oh wait, I made that one up. No one but me carries me home. And that is perfectly fine.
Honestly, what a freaking inspiration! I mean, it doesn't really make me run any faster. I wave from the cheap seats as these mega-athletes go flying by me (and then again when they've gone home, showered, changed and are driving to dinner...) But, it does make me think twice the next time I'm close to chickening out.
And this feeling was in no way affected by the Superheroes running at Liberty Park! Props to these folks. I swear, the ladies and gentlemen who were cruising right past me were taking a break from their regular day-to-day activities, to include saving the world. The Flash is a regular - he's that guy whom I see twice during my one loop around the park. Wonder Woman also makes frequent appearances. She's the one who comes up from behind me and motors on by, as if winged. And let's not forget Superman! He's the one who rescues me halfway around and carries me home... Oh wait, I made that one up. No one but me carries me home. And that is perfectly fine.
Honestly, what a freaking inspiration! I mean, it doesn't really make me run any faster. I wave from the cheap seats as these mega-athletes go flying by me (and then again when they've gone home, showered, changed and are driving to dinner...) But, it does make me think twice the next time I'm close to chickening out.
Personal Enhancement
And not that kind...
No, this is the process where I try to grow as a person. I would describe myself as an avid reader. However, I do read a bunch of crap - to be bluntly honest. Not that I don't love my books all the same. My favorites are murder mysteries, romances and, most especially, when the two are combined! So, not surprisingly, my favorite authors tend to include Nora Roberts (also JD Robb), Heather Graham, Linda Howard, Judith McNaught, Patricia Cornwell...you get the picture. I appreciate all of these books. They're an excellent escape for me. 99% of the time, I can dive right in and read cover to cover. A blizzard outside? No way! But I think anyone who knows anything about these novels knows that they aren't really the cream of the literary crop. So, as much as I love my stories, I try to branch out and read something new.
Approximately one out of every ten books, I move toward a different genre. This has proven to be a great formula for me. It keeps my regular stories fresh and it lets me experience other types of writing. Sources for finding such reads are few and far between, but I seem to manage anyhow. My latest find came from the Salt Lake County Library staff picks. I've used this list before and found it helpful. It's not updated frequently though, so I can only use it every so often. This time, I was drawn to a novel titled The Crying Tree, by Naseem Rakha. I read only the first sentence or two of the synopsis and found myself intrigued. Usually, I can tell just that quickly. I checked out a copy from my local library (a wonderful location...but more about that some other time).
Like I haven't been able to do in a while, I dove right into this book. The best description I can think of is heart-wrenching. The story is really too complex for a synopsis - especially by someone so limited as myself - but here I go... The story follows a close-knit family of four, originally from a small town in Illinois. Their story begins with a move that uproots the family from everything they've ever known and brings them to yet another small town in Oregon. When tragic events befall the family, the reader becomes involved in the breakdown of the family. Rakha keeps the reader involved in this horribly sensitive story easily, by moving seamlessly throughout time - back and forth, as if you yourself are living day to day, struck by horrible memories.
My own life has been somewhat sheltered from death and tragedy. Though what I have experienced echoed many of the sentiments that Rakha wove throughout her tale. The desperation, emptiness and anger that emote throughout the story are described so well that you might think you were feeling these things yourself. Then, when any character experiences personal growth or happiness, the reader can't help but to be buoyed by these feelings - however transient.
Needless to say, this book impressed me. I was astounded by Rakha's ability to approach such sensitive subject matter. The author's intelligence and sensitivity are evident in the way she handcrafted her characters and built their story. Though I'd consider the novel a difficult read and not to be undertaken lightly, I'd recommend it to all.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Pain is beauty!
I have finally realized that brains will get you nowhere. It's all about good looks, ladies (and any gentlemen who might be interested). Should I share how I came to the realization? OKAY!
I added a fun component to my workout routine last night. Dance Body Beautiful, the workout DVD by Dancing with the Stars alum Lisa Rinna. And boy, I could learn to love looking like that lady! So, I started the DVD as soon as I got home and turned into a DANCING FOOL. I was shaking and sweating and having a wonderful time! Come 30 minutes into the session, my feet started to hurt. It was akin to someone holding the balls of my feet to a bonfire. Seriously. I tried to move so that my dance steps took place on the heavenly cool of my tile, but I still had to wander onto the carpet. Every time my feet touched the carpet, it was like walking on hot coals. Why would such a tragic event befall me? I was doing my best to shake my bootie and keeping in shape. Look at the good things I was doing for my body!!
I WASN'T WEARING SHOES. After so many pivots and sashays across the carpet, I had basically rubbed my feet raw. Walking is a bit of a chore today. I have blisters the size of quarters on the balls of my feet.
I would like to ask why they didn't post the instruction: "Please wear shoes while using this workout video." But I won't. I despise when people don't use their common sense and put their thinking caps on. I sure won't stoop to that level myself. But, I obviously demonstrated the size of my brain throughout this whole debacle. It's a good thing that I really enjoyed Dance Body Beautiful. At least I'll still have my beauty...just ignore the soles of my feet.
I added a fun component to my workout routine last night. Dance Body Beautiful, the workout DVD by Dancing with the Stars alum Lisa Rinna. And boy, I could learn to love looking like that lady! So, I started the DVD as soon as I got home and turned into a DANCING FOOL. I was shaking and sweating and having a wonderful time! Come 30 minutes into the session, my feet started to hurt. It was akin to someone holding the balls of my feet to a bonfire. Seriously. I tried to move so that my dance steps took place on the heavenly cool of my tile, but I still had to wander onto the carpet. Every time my feet touched the carpet, it was like walking on hot coals. Why would such a tragic event befall me? I was doing my best to shake my bootie and keeping in shape. Look at the good things I was doing for my body!!
I WASN'T WEARING SHOES. After so many pivots and sashays across the carpet, I had basically rubbed my feet raw. Walking is a bit of a chore today. I have blisters the size of quarters on the balls of my feet.
I would like to ask why they didn't post the instruction: "Please wear shoes while using this workout video." But I won't. I despise when people don't use their common sense and put their thinking caps on. I sure won't stoop to that level myself. But, I obviously demonstrated the size of my brain throughout this whole debacle. It's a good thing that I really enjoyed Dance Body Beautiful. At least I'll still have my beauty...just ignore the soles of my feet.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)