In honor of my (gulp) birthday being just around the corner, i thought it fitting to pause for a moment and reflect on life and the past year. "It has gone by so fast," as they say. Or in saved by the bell terms, "it seems like only yesterday we started..." Yes, i do get sentimental on these annual momentous occasions. (although, my cat mia isnt letting me get too sentimental, as she is meowing to get my attention so i'll play with her... "in a second, little one") Back to reflecting... What new insights did i have? How did i grow and change? Any "firsts"?? (food poisioning comes to mind! oh, and of course, joining my bloggy bloggy friends in the blogging community)
Truth be told, this is my "dreaded" birthday year. In talking with friends, it seems that many of us have an age which we have defined in our minds as "that age" which will separate us from "the old days" and bring us into "an older stage of life." The actual age is different for everyone and well, most of us are not ready for it when it comes knocking on our door. That's me this year. And tonight, as i try desperately to hold on to my current year, which has suited me well, i know that my only option is to surrender to destiny's knock, open the door graciously, and well, be a good host to this new phase. (glad i tidied up!)
I know that "i'm young," that "i have my whole life ahead of me," that i'll look back at this post in one year, five years, fifty years and smile at how melodramatic i was (and all of those other sayings we hear "the older generation" pass down to us - which we will inevitably pass down to the next generation). But darnet, it's my birthday, and not just any birthday but my "dreaded" birthday, and i'll be how i want to be and say what i want to say! (now how's that for dramatic??)
They say a watched pot never boils... perhaps if i get one of those going, i will be able to beat time at its own game! (or i'll just end up staring at a pot of water for a really, really long time. Not really my idea of birthday fun.)
Fine. I surrender! Bring on the birthday!! :)
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
walmart update
My college's fight song was introduced during my first week as an incoming freshman. There i stood, along with the other newbies, in elkins auditorium, singing this tune over and over and over again. We sang it at least five times. For most of us, who were all about our new school, ready to create lasting friendships and great memories on this campus, this was a little cheesy, but fun nonetheless. For my much more cynical college friend, who didn't exactly "take to the campus culture," i imagine that this was probably the first moment he questioned his college choice ("group sing-alongs?? what the...??"). :)
The final word in the song is "victory," sung "vic-tor-eeeee!," and the "eeeee!" practically jumps up an entire octave from the preceding note. As we all struggled to hold on to the words and figure out the notes (sheet music would have been helpful), it was virtually impossible to stay on key thus causing the song to end, well, on a bad note. And even to this day, i still haven't figured that note out.
As i have transitioned away from college life, this fight song has stayed with me and on rare occasions, the "vic-tor-eeeee!" sound pops into consciousness. This happened a couple of weeks ago when i heard the news - that walmart had dropped the case against the woman i blogged about on march 29th. Thank goodness! Now, I would be naive if i thought that walmart's change of heart had to do with a recent visit to see the wizard. There were indications that thousands had blogged about and petitioned to boycott walmart as a result of this case. Were those at walmart who changed their minds then most likely looking out for their own interests? Um...yes. But sometimes i believe we have to take what we can get, focus on this woman and her family who have finally been given the justice they deserve, and be excited about that. SO...
My congratulations, well-wishes, and prayers of thankfulness go out to this family!
And here's a real loud "vic-tor-eeeee!" to you!
The final word in the song is "victory," sung "vic-tor-eeeee!," and the "eeeee!" practically jumps up an entire octave from the preceding note. As we all struggled to hold on to the words and figure out the notes (sheet music would have been helpful), it was virtually impossible to stay on key thus causing the song to end, well, on a bad note. And even to this day, i still haven't figured that note out.
As i have transitioned away from college life, this fight song has stayed with me and on rare occasions, the "vic-tor-eeeee!" sound pops into consciousness. This happened a couple of weeks ago when i heard the news - that walmart had dropped the case against the woman i blogged about on march 29th. Thank goodness! Now, I would be naive if i thought that walmart's change of heart had to do with a recent visit to see the wizard. There were indications that thousands had blogged about and petitioned to boycott walmart as a result of this case. Were those at walmart who changed their minds then most likely looking out for their own interests? Um...yes. But sometimes i believe we have to take what we can get, focus on this woman and her family who have finally been given the justice they deserve, and be excited about that. SO...
My congratulations, well-wishes, and prayers of thankfulness go out to this family!
And here's a real loud "vic-tor-eeeee!" to you!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
we didn't start the fire!
Tonight, while watching one of my singer/songwriter friends rock the house (acoustic guitar style), i was nudged by a friend at the table to take a look at the sweater of this sweet senior citizen who arrived midway through the set. (Note: my friend's music is relevant to this generation! The senior crowd was there to see the following performer rock the house - cello style.) This sweater was one that immediately triggered the word "b-dazzled" in my mind. You know, the rhinestones, multiple colors, excessive shine. Her shine was arranged in the shape of three crowns. I looked over and couldn't help but smile. You know when a really posh person can "pull off" something quite atrocious? Well i realized that this senior (and well, most seniors) can pull off this kind of sweater! She rocked it - sweet old lady style! Not many in my circle could pull this off, but she did. I also realized that there will come a day when i too sport the b-dazzle sweater. And i hope to "own it" in the same way this lady did.
Several minutes later, the same friend who pointed out mrs. b-dazzle's sweatshirt indicated to them that a napkin was illuminating from their senior table - fire style! The senior gentleman (mr. fire) looked down at these starting flames quite taken aback. My friend grabbed a glass of water and poured it on the table. The fire was out. (whew!) The three seniors (mrs. b-dazzle, mr. fire, and mrs. oblivious) turned around to our table, thanked my friend, and expressed to us their surprise at this event. "We had no idea!" "We were so focused on the performer, we didn't see the flames!" "We did not see that at all!"
So yes, the greatest generation certainly has wisdom to offer. They have earned their right to wear tacky sweaters and speak out at inappropriate times during church. And i'll be darned if i try to take these rights away from them! (shoot, i'll do all i can to be assured that these rights will still be in place when it's time for me to cash in my birthday candles.) But we, my generation not only didn't start the fire; we helped put the fire out!
the singer/songwriter mentioned in this post is katie arnold. She rocks! (katie arnold style) Check her out at www.myspace.com/katiearnoldmusic.
Several minutes later, the same friend who pointed out mrs. b-dazzle's sweatshirt indicated to them that a napkin was illuminating from their senior table - fire style! The senior gentleman (mr. fire) looked down at these starting flames quite taken aback. My friend grabbed a glass of water and poured it on the table. The fire was out. (whew!) The three seniors (mrs. b-dazzle, mr. fire, and mrs. oblivious) turned around to our table, thanked my friend, and expressed to us their surprise at this event. "We had no idea!" "We were so focused on the performer, we didn't see the flames!" "We did not see that at all!"
So yes, the greatest generation certainly has wisdom to offer. They have earned their right to wear tacky sweaters and speak out at inappropriate times during church. And i'll be darned if i try to take these rights away from them! (shoot, i'll do all i can to be assured that these rights will still be in place when it's time for me to cash in my birthday candles.) But we, my generation not only didn't start the fire; we helped put the fire out!
the singer/songwriter mentioned in this post is katie arnold. She rocks! (katie arnold style) Check her out at www.myspace.com/katiearnoldmusic.
mamma mia!
Today marks the unofficial fourth birthday of my darling cat, mia! Happy Birthday Sweet One! Why "unofficial?" you may ask. Well, allow me to provide you with the answer...
her story:
Mia spent the first two years (roughly) of her life in the bronx (what, what!!). She was a bronx baby. Grew up on the mean streets. Apparently developed such prodigious street smarts that she was even too much for her adopted sibling to handle! Since she and "mr. how could you not love your adorable sister?!? cat" apparently battled it out more times than their owner would have preferred, the owner made the choice (and clearly adorable, sweet, charming, hilarious had no impact on the decision) to seek out a new home for mia. Said owner was my old roommate's co-worker at the time. So my roommate anna received the mass email looking for those interested in adopting mia. Anna, also a fan of cats, and i considered the possibility of bringing mia into the big city to live with us. After giving it some thought we decided that we would proceed with the adoption! This was about two years ago. When the owner brought mia to us, we asked about mia's birthday. Her response "um, it was sometime around now, two years ago." (mostly helpful information, mostly...but that would have to do.) Thus, mia's unofficial birthday is today!
After the drop-off, mia was frightened and hid under my bed for two days. Attempting to gently coax her out did nothing, so, at the suggestion of my mom, i used the ole' tough love tactic and pulled her out against her will, assuring her that i was nice and that all was well. She quickly made the adjustment after that. (thanks mom!) When anna and i were no longer roommates, it was evident then that i would take mia with me. Mia has been such a joy to have in my life. She's adorable! (to back up this statement, see pics below)
her story:
Mia spent the first two years (roughly) of her life in the bronx (what, what!!). She was a bronx baby. Grew up on the mean streets. Apparently developed such prodigious street smarts that she was even too much for her adopted sibling to handle! Since she and "mr. how could you not love your adorable sister?!? cat" apparently battled it out more times than their owner would have preferred, the owner made the choice (and clearly adorable, sweet, charming, hilarious had no impact on the decision) to seek out a new home for mia. Said owner was my old roommate's co-worker at the time. So my roommate anna received the mass email looking for those interested in adopting mia. Anna, also a fan of cats, and i considered the possibility of bringing mia into the big city to live with us. After giving it some thought we decided that we would proceed with the adoption! This was about two years ago. When the owner brought mia to us, we asked about mia's birthday. Her response "um, it was sometime around now, two years ago." (mostly helpful information, mostly...but that would have to do.) Thus, mia's unofficial birthday is today!
After the drop-off, mia was frightened and hid under my bed for two days. Attempting to gently coax her out did nothing, so, at the suggestion of my mom, i used the ole' tough love tactic and pulled her out against her will, assuring her that i was nice and that all was well. She quickly made the adjustment after that. (thanks mom!) When anna and i were no longer roommates, it was evident then that i would take mia with me. Mia has been such a joy to have in my life. She's adorable! (to back up this statement, see pics below)
precious!
like any girl, she's very protective of shoes
making my bed is cause for celebration
putting my clothes away is cause for a good afternoon nap
Happy Birthday Mia!!
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