Another year.
One of my favorite things about this time of year is the reflection. When thinking about all that has happened in 2008, it's hard to believe it all fit into 365 days.
There are many things that happened this year that have changed my life in some way, things I will never forget...
the birth of my niece Lilly Anna
the passing of my beloved dog Orville
attending the SCBWI National writing conference
starting this blog
applying for grad school
running a half marathon
the election of Barack Obama...
My old friends at The Today Show put together several "year in review" pieces. Check out The Year in Video, and all you pop culture junkies like me will enjoy this one as well. Of course there are dozens, so check them out and reminisce about 2008.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Happy New Year
I love the holidays as much as the next guy. Possibly more. I start up the Christmas music and drag out the decorations the day after Thanksgiving. I take great joy in wrapping presents, making my Christmas cards, and delivering poinsettias. It makes me feel all warm and nostalgic.
But come December 26, I'm officially over it.
Perhaps it's because I get so involved and carried away that post-Santa I can't stand the sight of another tube of wrapping paper. I get so buried in bows and presents and ornaments that the rest of my life withers away from neglect (notice the mass amount of blogging I did this month).
So, on this December 28th, I start the new year a little early. It's a new bright and shiny day. Time to remember the rest of my life, pick up where I left off and start anew.
And today I turn my focus to a new task. I am applying to the Vermont College of Fine Arts, in hopes of earning an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Let me tell you how much trust I have in you, because that's really hard for me to put out there. Now it's real.
But I'm taking a leap of faith. Faith in myself. Faith in what will be, will be.
Wish me luck.
But come December 26, I'm officially over it.
Perhaps it's because I get so involved and carried away that post-Santa I can't stand the sight of another tube of wrapping paper. I get so buried in bows and presents and ornaments that the rest of my life withers away from neglect (notice the mass amount of blogging I did this month).
So, on this December 28th, I start the new year a little early. It's a new bright and shiny day. Time to remember the rest of my life, pick up where I left off and start anew.
And today I turn my focus to a new task. I am applying to the Vermont College of Fine Arts, in hopes of earning an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Let me tell you how much trust I have in you, because that's really hard for me to put out there. Now it's real.
But I'm taking a leap of faith. Faith in myself. Faith in what will be, will be.
Wish me luck.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Merry Xmas from Louie
Hi readers. Christina is in full holiday mode, and so I'm guest blogging for her this week. I'm Louie.How's everyone doing? Personally, I'm exhausted! Between the parties, and shopping, and traveling the holidays can be rough, huh? Christmas came just in time because I was down to the bottom of the drawer on the holiday outfits! Whew! But this outfit is very fetching, don't you think? I like it. Except for the jingle bells. They can be a bit annoying. Jingle. JinGle. JiNGlE. Ugh! Sometimes I can't take it. Don't mind the few chewed, I mean non-jingly ones. They had it coming.
Anyway, my job was to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. We hope it was a time of family, sugar, excess, and all the best stuff. Oh and joy, love, and peace, yeah, that's good too. But no jingle bells.
Happy, happy Xmas to all!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Where was I going with this...? Oh right, it's my birthday!
Side note: First, can I just say, Woo hoo! Mr. Cox and his disgusting turkey and cranberry sandwiches go DOWN! Thanks for your support everyone. A new thought provoking poll will be up soon. Anyway, moving on...
So, in two days I will be turning 29. It's pretty cool, I guess. I'm not upset about being closer to 30. I'm kind of excited about it. It's an accomplished age. A full blown adult. Still, it is weird cruising on down the road of life and not feeling different than you did when you were 17. (See my Generation Gap posting for more about that idea.) My mom has always told me that who she sees in the mirror is not really who she sees herself as. Her image of herself is about 28, and she's surprised almost every time she sees a 53 year old looking back at her. I could see that happening to me.
To jump to a different, yet relevant point, I'm thinking of climbing on the iPhone bandwagon and getting one when my Sprint contract is up in January. The iPhone. Now, while it's not completely mind-boggling on the surface, because we are totally desensitized at this point, think about the iPhone for just a minute. Think about all that it can do. Think about the technology that we currently have. It becomes mind-boggling when you think back to high school and how you waited around at home until your friends called you on the house phone-the phone you shared with your whole family. If you left before talking with that friend, you simply didn't see them that night. You got directions to where you were going or-dare I say it- you used a MAP. You planned parties and sent out actual paper invitations. Your answering machine recorded onto a tape. You watched commercials, or went to the bathroom in the interim and then literally ran back to the TV when your show came back on. You used a phone book. You'd never even heard of email, much less understood why a person needed it. You had photo albums with many unfortunate-eyes-closed-pictures on the pages. A mouse was a rodent. Blockbuster was king. And a busy signal was common.
So, while I don't feel like much time has passed, look how much has. I think that my generation will be one that sees some of the biggest changes in technology and lifestyle. It will be truly amazing to see my life through 50 year old eyes, or even 80. My children will grow up completely unable to imagine what life was like when I was little. Given the previous list, it will sound like we didn't even have running water. 1979 will sound archaic- all the way back in the 1900's! If I live to see 2079 and tell stories to my great-grandchildren at my 100th birthday, I'll tell them about the year I turned 29, and my very first iPhone. Lord knows Apple will have taken over the planet by then. My first iPhone will be like my grandpa's model A Ford...
Wait, how'd this post wander so far away...? I'm turning 29. Happy Birthday to me!
So, in two days I will be turning 29. It's pretty cool, I guess. I'm not upset about being closer to 30. I'm kind of excited about it. It's an accomplished age. A full blown adult. Still, it is weird cruising on down the road of life and not feeling different than you did when you were 17. (See my Generation Gap posting for more about that idea.) My mom has always told me that who she sees in the mirror is not really who she sees herself as. Her image of herself is about 28, and she's surprised almost every time she sees a 53 year old looking back at her. I could see that happening to me.
To jump to a different, yet relevant point, I'm thinking of climbing on the iPhone bandwagon and getting one when my Sprint contract is up in January. The iPhone. Now, while it's not completely mind-boggling on the surface, because we are totally desensitized at this point, think about the iPhone for just a minute. Think about all that it can do. Think about the technology that we currently have. It becomes mind-boggling when you think back to high school and how you waited around at home until your friends called you on the house phone-the phone you shared with your whole family. If you left before talking with that friend, you simply didn't see them that night. You got directions to where you were going or-dare I say it- you used a MAP. You planned parties and sent out actual paper invitations. Your answering machine recorded onto a tape. You watched commercials, or went to the bathroom in the interim and then literally ran back to the TV when your show came back on. You used a phone book. You'd never even heard of email, much less understood why a person needed it. You had photo albums with many unfortunate-eyes-closed-pictures on the pages. A mouse was a rodent. Blockbuster was king. And a busy signal was common.
So, while I don't feel like much time has passed, look how much has. I think that my generation will be one that sees some of the biggest changes in technology and lifestyle. It will be truly amazing to see my life through 50 year old eyes, or even 80. My children will grow up completely unable to imagine what life was like when I was little. Given the previous list, it will sound like we didn't even have running water. 1979 will sound archaic- all the way back in the 1900's! If I live to see 2079 and tell stories to my great-grandchildren at my 100th birthday, I'll tell them about the year I turned 29, and my very first iPhone. Lord knows Apple will have taken over the planet by then. My first iPhone will be like my grandpa's model A Ford...
Wait, how'd this post wander so far away...? I'm turning 29. Happy Birthday to me!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Just breathe
I've read that the simpler your life is, the more peace and happiness you find.
Also, I've been having this thing lately where I feel like I can't take a full breath. Kinda freaks me out. Hmmm...wonder if these two things are related.
My aunt left yesterday for three months in India. She and my uncle go every winter and meditate for 30 days. On Christmas day she will be meditating. When I was younger I thought my aunt was effing crazy. Weird. Bizarre. Who. Does. That? But having completed my own 10 day meditation courses, I'm wondering if she has the right idea.
When you're at a meditation course, you basically step off the planet for a bit. Being still and quiet is your only obligation. The day before she left, my aunt emailed me and said she was "ready to go...life is complex here."
Do you ever wonder what people did before modern civilizations? Forget cell phones and computers and lightning fast communication. Think small villages or farming communities. What did they do? They talked, and sang songs, made things with their own hands, and sat on their porches looking at the view in front of them and thought. Simple. Peaceful.
I sometimes feel like we humans have progressed and evolved so much, we've left ourselves behind. I wonder if we are really equipped to live in a system like we've created. It's fast. It's obligatory. It's constant over-stimulation. When do we breathe?
Notice that in my top 10-can't-live-withouts I have my phone, my computer, the Internet, my blow dryer! Those things aren't going away anytime soon. I love my technology, she says as she blogs away. But really, this breathing thing is bothering me...
Well, anyhoo, as I was sleeping walking my way through feeding the dogs this morning at 5 am, this commercial broke through the fog. I laughed out loud. A lot. And I appreciated it so much, I thought I would share. In the crazy, fast, over-stimulated, holiday decorated day that it is, take a second to laugh...and breathe. I know I enjoyed it.
Also, I've been having this thing lately where I feel like I can't take a full breath. Kinda freaks me out. Hmmm...wonder if these two things are related.
My aunt left yesterday for three months in India. She and my uncle go every winter and meditate for 30 days. On Christmas day she will be meditating. When I was younger I thought my aunt was effing crazy. Weird. Bizarre. Who. Does. That? But having completed my own 10 day meditation courses, I'm wondering if she has the right idea.
When you're at a meditation course, you basically step off the planet for a bit. Being still and quiet is your only obligation. The day before she left, my aunt emailed me and said she was "ready to go...life is complex here."
Do you ever wonder what people did before modern civilizations? Forget cell phones and computers and lightning fast communication. Think small villages or farming communities. What did they do? They talked, and sang songs, made things with their own hands, and sat on their porches looking at the view in front of them and thought. Simple. Peaceful.
I sometimes feel like we humans have progressed and evolved so much, we've left ourselves behind. I wonder if we are really equipped to live in a system like we've created. It's fast. It's obligatory. It's constant over-stimulation. When do we breathe?
Notice that in my top 10-can't-live-withouts I have my phone, my computer, the Internet, my blow dryer! Those things aren't going away anytime soon. I love my technology, she says as she blogs away. But really, this breathing thing is bothering me...
Well, anyhoo, as I was sleeping walking my way through feeding the dogs this morning at 5 am, this commercial broke through the fog. I laughed out loud. A lot. And I appreciated it so much, I thought I would share. In the crazy, fast, over-stimulated, holiday decorated day that it is, take a second to laugh...and breathe. I know I enjoyed it.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Give thanks
Buddha said, gratitude is the road to enlightenment. 
It's daily work of course, to recognize all that you have to be grateful for. It is very easy to get caught up in the morning rush hour, the annoying coworker, the cup of coffee you dropped down the stairs on your way out the door. But really, make a point to remember the big picture. It puts things in perspective.
I feel very lucky to have landed in the life I did. I was born in America in a time when women have equal opportunity and rights. I am (knock on wood) healthy. I have a family who raised me with love, paid for dance lessons, and put me through college. I was fortunate enough to find the love of my life very early. I have precious little beagles, and scads of friends and family who love and support me. I truly have a great life. And I tell myself that everyday.
This time of year, my kids at school always do projects declaring what they are thankful for. Inevitably it is a list of: my cat, my PS3, my bike, ice cream. And to a 7-year-old who hasn't yet realized "the big picture," those are the most important things in their lives. And why shouldn't they be?
So I was thinking, what might my short-and-sweet-list be? Aside from my good fortune and the people/animals in my life, these are the things I couldn't live without:
(In order of importance, believe it or not)
1. chap stick- simple I know, but seriously, I could not live in Denver and be without chap stick at any time
2. my phone
3. books
4. my laptop-especially the Internet
5. dark chocolate
6. lotion- see #1
7. soy milk
8. sunshiny days
9. blow dryer
10. music
Though I know it sounds odd to say, I give thanks for my blow dryer, I would look like a drown rat most of the time with out it. Priorities people.
Happy Thanksgiving!
P.S. for those of you paying attention... Starbucks would be #11!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Rantings of an Addict
I’m not sure how other people’s work bathrooms look, but at my school we post various articles or motivational quotes on the walls. Last week, this is what I found posted. Check it out. I’ll wait.
So just let me respond.
First, Ms. Kristie Leong, M.D., stick to medical journals, because this little witty attempt at journalism, we addicts do not find humorous. Rather annoying actually. We are not “closet addicts.” Clearly you don’t know any true Starbucks patrons. We proudly carry our venti Starbucks cups into work every morning. And yes, the first glimpse of that sweet green sign in a foreign country makes our heart skip a beat. And no, it is not about the “fashionable Starbucks cup.” It is so much more… ahh, so much more.
1. Admit you’re an addict
Um, yea, we know that already…
2. Tell yourself it’s just coffee
Hold up! That is going too far. This statement, my friend, squashes all credibility you might have had. Starbucks coffee is not “just coffee.” It is the highest quality, freshest beans you can find blah-di-blah-di-blah, and besides, I have a personal theory it is laced with crack. Seriously it is Crackbucks. No one has ever used the phrase, “Oh, I go to Starbucks for the Wi-Fi.” No, we go for the crack. It is NOT just coffee.
3. Do the math
So, here’s the thing Kristie. This cliché is tired. Is that the best you’ve got? We KNOW how much cash we drink in a month. Ok, we know. But do you really want to start down that road? Shall we start calculating how much Americans spend on wants vs. needs? While we’re at it, let’s tally up how much is spent at happy hours. I don’t hear anyone railing against happy hours. Or maybe we could all start walking to work rather than spend money on gas. Oh, and forget going out to lunch, or tic tacs for that matter. I don’t think any of us would rather go to Belize than buy the $4.00 drink that makes our daily lives happy. Personally, I’ll take 365 caffeinated=happier days over 10 in Belize (where there probably isn’t even a Starbucks…). Because, don’t get me wrong, all of the above listed changes are great ones, if you’re looking to save money. But this is not your point Kristie. Your title isn’t “How to save money for a trip to Belize.” And finally, most addicts go straight for the crack: Venti drip. Very cheap. Darn, I guess that argument holds no water, or coffee, now…
4. Do it yourself
And here, we find the root: Corporate America. Well, for now I’m not going to touch that one. But again, maybe your title should have been, “I hate major corporations…”
Anyhoo, back to “do it yourself.” Here is where I can explain the love affair we addicts have with Starbucks. Let me start by telling you that I have been sober for over a year now. Sadly, my hyper-acidic stomach and I could no longer agree to disagree on my coffee addiction. My stomach won. Last October, I quit coffee. I’m still mourning the loss. Seriously. Everyday. I’m not exaggerating. For a while I thought Starbucks and I were no more. And that is when I was faced head-on with my Starbucks addiction. It’s not the caffeine (though the crackbucks is a serious drug to get over), it’s not the simple black, white, and green cup, it’s not the predictability of the store or perfect grande-skim-misto-with-sugar-free-vanilla-syrup, it’s not the reliable morning (or mid-afternoon, or 9pm) pick-me-up, or the stellar customer service, or the familiar smell when you walk in the door, or the fact that you are within spitting distance from a store at any given moment. It. Is. All. Of. Those. Things. Starbucks is a reliable friend that never disappoints. It’s a romantic experience, start to finish. It is an absolute addiction. The experience cannot be matched at Peaberry, Peet’s, or at home. Period.
5. Consider the calorie saving
Again, the addicts go straight for the crack. We don’t let milk and sugar get in the way. We may enjoy a great cream-laden beverage like everyone else. But we also don’t want to weigh 300 pounds by the end of the year. Since, let’s face it, this is a daily thing, we save our calories for the once a season specialty drinks like the Pumpkin Spice or Cinnamon Dolce lattes. (Seriously, I’m tearing up just thinking about those past loves.) Which brings me back to my personal confessions: I have since found a new drink to love at Starbucks. The green-tea-soy-latte has no crack, but the experience is pretty close. 160 calories.
And thank you to Kristie Leong, M.D. for letting me abuse you throughout this post. I’m not usually so fired up. But seriously, don’t mess with Starbucks.
So just let me respond.
First, Ms. Kristie Leong, M.D., stick to medical journals, because this little witty attempt at journalism, we addicts do not find humorous. Rather annoying actually. We are not “closet addicts.” Clearly you don’t know any true Starbucks patrons. We proudly carry our venti Starbucks cups into work every morning. And yes, the first glimpse of that sweet green sign in a foreign country makes our heart skip a beat. And no, it is not about the “fashionable Starbucks cup.” It is so much more… ahh, so much more.
1. Admit you’re an addict
Um, yea, we know that already…
2. Tell yourself it’s just coffee
Hold up! That is going too far. This statement, my friend, squashes all credibility you might have had. Starbucks coffee is not “just coffee.” It is the highest quality, freshest beans you can find blah-di-blah-di-blah, and besides, I have a personal theory it is laced with crack. Seriously it is Crackbucks. No one has ever used the phrase, “Oh, I go to Starbucks for the Wi-Fi.” No, we go for the crack. It is NOT just coffee.
3. Do the math
So, here’s the thing Kristie. This cliché is tired. Is that the best you’ve got? We KNOW how much cash we drink in a month. Ok, we know. But do you really want to start down that road? Shall we start calculating how much Americans spend on wants vs. needs? While we’re at it, let’s tally up how much is spent at happy hours. I don’t hear anyone railing against happy hours. Or maybe we could all start walking to work rather than spend money on gas. Oh, and forget going out to lunch, or tic tacs for that matter. I don’t think any of us would rather go to Belize than buy the $4.00 drink that makes our daily lives happy. Personally, I’ll take 365 caffeinated=happier days over 10 in Belize (where there probably isn’t even a Starbucks…). Because, don’t get me wrong, all of the above listed changes are great ones, if you’re looking to save money. But this is not your point Kristie. Your title isn’t “How to save money for a trip to Belize.” And finally, most addicts go straight for the crack: Venti drip. Very cheap. Darn, I guess that argument holds no water, or coffee, now…
4. Do it yourself
And here, we find the root: Corporate America. Well, for now I’m not going to touch that one. But again, maybe your title should have been, “I hate major corporations…”
Anyhoo, back to “do it yourself.” Here is where I can explain the love affair we addicts have with Starbucks. Let me start by telling you that I have been sober for over a year now. Sadly, my hyper-acidic stomach and I could no longer agree to disagree on my coffee addiction. My stomach won. Last October, I quit coffee. I’m still mourning the loss. Seriously. Everyday. I’m not exaggerating. For a while I thought Starbucks and I were no more. And that is when I was faced head-on with my Starbucks addiction. It’s not the caffeine (though the crackbucks is a serious drug to get over), it’s not the simple black, white, and green cup, it’s not the predictability of the store or perfect grande-skim-misto-with-sugar-free-vanilla-syrup, it’s not the reliable morning (or mid-afternoon, or 9pm) pick-me-up, or the stellar customer service, or the familiar smell when you walk in the door, or the fact that you are within spitting distance from a store at any given moment. It. Is. All. Of. Those. Things. Starbucks is a reliable friend that never disappoints. It’s a romantic experience, start to finish. It is an absolute addiction. The experience cannot be matched at Peaberry, Peet’s, or at home. Period.
5. Consider the calorie saving
Again, the addicts go straight for the crack. We don’t let milk and sugar get in the way. We may enjoy a great cream-laden beverage like everyone else. But we also don’t want to weigh 300 pounds by the end of the year. Since, let’s face it, this is a daily thing, we save our calories for the once a season specialty drinks like the Pumpkin Spice or Cinnamon Dolce lattes. (Seriously, I’m tearing up just thinking about those past loves.) Which brings me back to my personal confessions: I have since found a new drink to love at Starbucks. The green-tea-soy-latte has no crack, but the experience is pretty close. 160 calories.
And thank you to Kristie Leong, M.D. for letting me abuse you throughout this post. I’m not usually so fired up. But seriously, don’t mess with Starbucks.
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