Random Thoughts

I have noticed over the past several days that I benefit from reading the blogs of many other people (like here, here and here - for example) and I have really slacked off on keeping up on my own. The thought occurred to me again this afternoon, as I was reading through lots of drivel on the internet (did you know that there is LOTS of drivel to be found on the internet???). Today, it didn't take me long to recognize at least one of the reasons behind the major shift in my blogging activity: I no longer have any ideas that I think are fun/funny/creative/entertaining. I used to be struck down in the middle of the day (or the middle of the night...occasionally, in the middle of the grocery store) by an inspiration. It was like something would click and Ta-da, I had a blog post!

That hasn't happened for a while now. And it really bums me out because I've been learning about blogging lately. Plus, I've been learning some other cool things that could be applied in this case. But I have nothing to write about! I feel as if I am experiencing a ginormous writing block.

As an example...I just thought for about 45 seconds about what word I could use to describe the size of my writing block. Words that instantly came to mind (please ignore their inappropriateness for this situation - I didn't actually use these words, afterall!): aggregate, major and huge. I am so distressed because a year ago, "ginormous" would have been the first word to spring into my brain! Not the last.

So, Reader, I apologize for the huge blog drought. I obviously need to start in on some yoga or meditation or walks through the park to help get my creative juices flowing again. I will say that I have experienced a near-fatal decline in my consumption of cupcakes from Mini Cupcake. I intend to remedy that as soon as possible. Maybe my writer's block is just a too-large sugar reduction? We shall see, we shall see...

Time to catch up

Yeah, 2 months later and the "catch-up" blog turns into a novel...a Twilight-sized one. So, sorry, but catch up is actually a bit of a misnomer.

I got a New Job. I just reread my last post and it involved some frustration with my not-so-good boss at my old job. I am thankful for not having to work with him and his disorganized, weird self anymore. New Job is a lot different from old job. It involves quite a bit more brainpower and a lot less sandwich-making. Really, a win-win situation!

PLUS, New Job is awesomely located in the heart of Downtown SLC. Okay, I have always been one of those people who claim that Salt Lake really has no downtown to speak of. I stand corrected. Yes, Salt Lake's downtown is small, but it's cool anyway. I can (and do) ride TRAX to work. I am very, very close to multiple bars and eating establishments. There are several coffee shops on the very same block. It rocks my socks. I was meant to work in this type of area. And when Toasters (the sandwich shoppe just downstairs) has their loudspeaker on, I like to pretend that I am living in NYC. A stretch, I know...but it's as close as I will ever get to living in Manhattan.

My Blackberry (I know, I know...I tried to un-technologize myself and ended up just making it worse) broke yesterday. So now I am really and truly un-technologized. My computer broke a little while ago, so I've been a bit adrift anyway. But now I am completely without computer-y type devices, till Friday anyway. It's odd and not just a little unsettling!

Trying my patience

Yep, I'm trying on some patience for size. It's an experiment I am continuously attempting (see here and here and, in a roundabout way, here). I began (again) yesterday. Things were going pretty smoothly until I got to work. Then, I was reminded that there are some folks who don't have much of a work ethic and there are some folks who are weird, somewhat inappropriate and, at times, jerk-ish.

Then, I came home to find a LIVE COCKROACH. This "little buddy" is a novel addition to my collection of DEAD COCKROACHES. Yes, I have a small collection of them - the warm weather draws them to my basement like moths to a flame.

But, guess what? It's ALL GOOD. I found something to make it better. Girl Scout Cookies! They rock. Plus, sure does make me feel better to complain in this arena. Thanks, Internet, for listening. LYLAS.

Think Spring???

For the past several days, I have convinced myself that Spring will visit Utah if only Utah's females will make it known that Spring is Welcome! It is a bit of a "If you build it...they will come" philosophy, applied to the changing of the seasons. I easily convinced myself that it would take only a nice pedicure, shaving of the legs more often than once monthly, and an application of spray-on/sunless tan then BOOM! Spring would appear and stay for good! My toenails are painted a very chipper purple (complete with the fun nail jewels I bought in a fit of feminity), I have shaved approximately two times a week for the past two weeks and, I even purchased a new bottle of sunless tanner, which I've also been using faithfully.

I should have known better! The philosophy of preparing for the things for which you are wishing hasn't really worked for me in the past. In the instances where it has actually worked, it's been a lot slower than a three or four day change. Why would a move to warmth and sun be any different? I finally came to this realization when the temperature dropped again this afternoon. Things really solidified when I read the National Weather Service's "Winter Storm Alert", cautioning drivers against wet roads to come and advising all to build extra time into their morning commute. Those things simply do not happen in Spring or Summer.

So, it's obviously not to be. But, now that I've finally gotten around to painting, shaving and tanning, I'm pretty happy with the results. So, even if Spring is going to take its sweet time getting to Utah, I'm not going to abandon those girl-ish rituals that generally accompany its arrival.

Wowsa - this radio thing is FOR REAL!

Over halfway through the semester, I am now pictured and called-by-name on the Globe Radio website. I expect that the addition of my photo to the radio's website will send droves of listeners (droves, I say) to the website, anxiously clammoring to listen to my program.

An update to the radio show... Please feel free to send me email with requests and any other feedback! Radio email to be directed to: globeradio3@gmail.com.

Thank you for listening! It's a fun ride, that's for sure.

Don't forget, tune in: Mondays, 3:00p - 4:00p MST

Beyond Time for a Resolution Update!

Wow. When I originally wrote my post about New Year's Resolutions (see here), I had some lofty ideas about posting (often!!) regarding my status and how things on each resolution were progressing.

So much for that wonderful idea! But, here I am posting, if not often, with a status update. I felt it important to post now because I've finally had some identifiable changes! I've listed the original resolutions to remind you (and me...) of where this lovely journey started:

Jesse's Official 2010 New Year's Resolutions
Train for and complete a half-marathon

The "training" portion of this resolution is officially complete. I just ran my last "training" run for my first half-marathon! The race itself takes place this Saturday. I am nervous/anxious/excited/almost-relieved to be running. The training portion has been a little bit of a rough road with some unexpected bumps, but not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. I am hoping that the race experience is very similar. So far, I would say that there is a pretty good chance that I'd run another half-marathon someday. But my favorite development, by far, of this resolution has been the connections I've been able to make because of this goal! Just recently, I have found two other people who are also running their first half-marathon this year. I also found another person who has run several and will be running another in just a few weeks. All of these discoveries were made during my American Sign Language class. It's given the four of us a fun conversation topic - now that we know how to talk about running. :)

Work on technologically "un-tethering" myself

So, take the satisfaction and happiness with the half-marathon goal...this goal is the exact opposite! Well, maybe not the exact opposite. I have been more successful with ignoring my phone. That was my true intention behind this resolution, though I had other, less-altruistic intentions as well. Those haven't been quite so successful - though maybe I should take that as a sign to be a little less self-involved. Off tangent, back on track. So, while I have been better at detaching myself from my cell phone, I still feel a huge hole in my soul where my Blackberry used to live. It's very likely that I'll be replacing my current POS cell phone with a Blackberry or some other SmartPhone at some point in the near future. But, hopefully, I will have learned to leave it alone sometimes.

Have new neighbors moving in soon (I think)...be nice and neighborly to them

I do have new neighbors. I'm not exactly sure what I think of them yet, as they've only been in residence for about two weeks. But, I forced myself to extend a welcome. I made two loaves of bread last night: 1 for my house (been out for a while...) and 1 for their house. When I went over to their side to take them my offering, they didn't answer the door. Still, in my desire to complete my mission, I left the bread and a nice note by the door. I really hope they don't think I'm weird and/or trying to poison them. I'm NOT trying to poison you and I really save my weirdness for the people who are really close to me - Promise! I found it to be a good sign that the bread and note were no longer outside the door this morning. So, someone is getting some good out of it.

CHILLAX...stop stressing so much

Gah. Is it too late to take this one back??? The only times I seem to be able to enjoy any success with this goal is when I have a drink (or ten) in my hand. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be??? Maybe I should be on Prozac???

So, all in all, I am seeing some small changes in the way I run my life. Of course, if I were to set my New Year's Resolutions today, they might be a little different. But I am pretty happy with what I've achieved because of the current Resolutions in place!

Au Super-Naturel

Blame this post on Ghost Whisperer. This is currently one of my favorite shows and not just because I love most of Melinda's (Jennifer Love Hewitt) wardrobe...

I self-identify as a pragmatist. How so? Well, for our purposes, let's discuss my beliefs (or lack thereof) in things 'other-worldly': ghosts, mutants, basically the supernatural. I cannot remember a time when I believed in ghosts. Even at that age when ghosts and haunted houses are really cool (I think that this time period spans over ages 11-18 or so), I never bought into any of it. I have always firmly believed that once you die, you're a lump in the ground or a pile of ash...whichever method you choose. You don't stand in the middle of the street and haunt passing cars; you don't remain in your childhood home and scare away tenants; etc. I also have always thought that so-called psychics, mediums, etc. are carnival acts. Not much there beyond smoke and mirrors and a lot of people who want to believe.

For a long time, it never even occurred to me to question any of these things. Just the way things are, right? Now I've been watching Ghost Whisperer marathon-style (this is the way I really like to watch TV shows...wait for them to come out on DVD and then rent multiple seasons at a time via Netflix). Add this TV show to the pile of "supernatural" romance novels (Kay Hooper series, for example), "mutant" movies (X-Men anyone?) and assorted other-worldly, pop-culture phenomena and PRESTO...you have a lady who is rethinking her perspective.

I still don't think any of these things exist. I don't think there are people out there who can talk to ghosts and I don't think there are men who look like Hugh Jackman and have blade-like claws, among other things. But I think the monumental shift is the fact that maybe I want to believe in some of these things. I want to believe that there are superheroes out there who will come and save the day.

Also, feel free to chalk up the wandering nature of the rest of this post to two facts: 1) my mp3 player died not even halfway through my 5 mile run this morning, so I've already been doing a lot of thinking today; 2) my one class for the day was cancelled...so I have all day to chatter.