for what it's worth...

I am not sure if any of you have received the emails directing the boycott of "The Golden Compass" or not...I honestly just recently heard of it. I would suggest reading the Snopes.com entry here before continuing on with my blog.

My biggest concern with any kind of boycott is that it usually has the direct opposite effect on the subject of the boycott than the opposing side intended. Here, the movie is gaining TONS of publicity and word of mouth. If you don't want people to know about something...why talk about it? Anyways...

This generated some interesting feelings in me. While I would not say I agree with the author's intent, I really find it fascinating (and not a little bit sad) that the first instinct of Christians is to be afraid of it and to immediately say that their children should be sheltered from it. So many parents expect their 6 year old to make professions of faith in Jesus and get "saved" at a very young age, to me indicating that they have a great amount of confidence in their child's decision making abilities. What 6 year old actually understands what faith, religion, life/death is all about? Maybe that is why the parents don't want the kids to be exposed to something anti-god or anti-religion. They realize that children CAN be influenced by other sources. One of the things that I think is so amazing about personal faith is that it SHOULD be seasoned by all of your life experiences. Anything that resonates as TRUE to you, should be incorporated into your idea of how things work. Now, am I saying that we should send our children to see this movie and hope they all come out as atheists? No, that isn't what I am saying. BUT...I think a parent should have a relationship with their child that allows for discourse about the subject. Only showing someone one side can lead to backlash and misunderstanding (see the Crusades, Spanish Inquisition, etc etc). Assuming that YOUR way is the ONLY way and that there is an absolute truth is not only, in my opinion, naive...but I think it is inherently dangerous.

I go back to my experience in vacation bible school when I was very young. Alot of what many churches sell to the masses involves much "faith like a child". Just believing. Well, in reality...you can't always fall back on that. God (if you choose to believe in Him) gave us these amazing things called brains. They are very functional if you decide to use them in the manner for which they were designed. Well, when I was a kid I asked a question to the assistant pastor to which his response was simply "you can't ask that question." To this day, if he had just said "I don't know", I wouldn't have this nagging feeling that THAT response is what this is all about. "You can't pose that scenario". Don't give kids the OPTION of being exposed to another idea and possibly believing it over what YOU believe.

I have no idea if the movie is any good. I have no idea if the books are good. That isn't the point. Actually, now I am not sure my point (still not clearly outlined) is valid. sigh.

As with anything, people get worked up about stuff. It always amazes me how quickly the "church" can rally against some things and ignore others completely. (lots between the lines there)

this shit rocks!

Blistex Lip Infusion.
I don't know why...maybe it has a liquified form of crack in it and it has instant addictive properties...but this IS crack for your lips.
ROCK ON!

think of it as personality dialysis...

Taking a few minutes out of my day to comment on things I find interesting :0)

~ I disassembled my desk at work - well, sorta. I removed the drawer directly under the center portion (for pens, etc). I can actually turn my chair and stuff now. Yay me! Sadly, in the process, I got some bits of desk schrapnel in my eye. bummer.

~ Red, Hot & Blue has kickass baked potatoes. MMMM MMMM MMMM But, you will burp the BBQ up all day. BLECHK...mmm brisket! hahah

~ apparently having a couple of free hours, a pumpkin carving kit, and a wild hair to try and impress your boyfriend can win you all sorts of compliments on otherwise unknown pumpkin carving skills. Now that I know how to impress people and make friends, I think I will make a new Jack O Lantern tonight :)

~ I need to finish importing all of my music on to my laptop. STAT.

~ I like my moo cards. But so far, I haven't found anyone to give them to. *insert Becky's sad face*

~ people who argue with me over stuff that really is pretty simple, clear and evident...well, that just gives me the red-ass (as LK would say). Things do not have to be that tough or complex. It just doesn't. Keep. It. Simple. Stupid! (and don't argue with me about stuff...I usually win...)

~ Aside from the teen angsty sound, Ben Kweller's songs make me smile. "I like your sundress...."

~ Things to do: clean. put up clothes. carve punkin. make dinner. (oy! dinner...what to make, what to make, what to make...hmmm.......if swiss steak didn't take so damn long, I would make that. might have to try and make that next week in the crock pot. goodness. doesn't have to be fancy tho...what about...hmm...empanadas are way too much work...tacos sound good tho....)

train o' thought....

music is so incredibly powerful ~ at different moments, songs have an otherworldly effect on me ~ sometimes they break my heart ~ sometimes they strengthen my resolve ~ sometimes they elate me and take me to a land of bliss or pure comedic hilarity ~
occasionally, you will listen to a song while something extraordinarily mundane (hahah) is going on...and it seems to be in sync :) right now, it makes me want to bite on the stem of a rose and dance the tango........

The dirty dried water droplets have left fooprints on my window at work...it looks like the spots on a fish I saw at MoMo's. hmmm

men who don't know me, but insist on calling me "hon" or "darling" irritate the fuck out of me

why wasn't this crap organized? oy!

things I have to remember

There are the simple "to do" items: get DoubleDown's nail clippers, swiffer thingie, etc

There are also the personal goals and milestones I set for myself "remember what you are aiming for here!"

And then there are the things I have to remember that sometimes I just lose sight of. To my parents, whether I am 12 or 52, I will always be the baby. I am the youngest. While my parents are very proud of me and support my independent nature, they also hold to some belief structures that I simply don't agree with. Sometimes, my ideas and their beliefs clash. Luckily, my family has a great respect for each other and support and love definitely supercede fights and arguments. However, a tangible level of disappointment is there when I decide to follow my own compass and it doesn't match with their plan for my life. A silent sadness kind of envelopes me. It isn't so heavy that my heart pulls me toward something inconsistent with who I am, but no one wants to let their parents down...even if they know the decision made was true to who they are and where they want to go.

Even when this situation comes up, my parents are always very supportive of who I am and consistently make efforts to let me know they love me. So...it's really just a matter of handling the awkwardness for a while. Family is the most important thing to me, and I am extremely lucky and blessed to be in this one.

Tuesday Greatness...

~ It was cool outside this morning...I think I could almost smell fall in the air. Made me happy. This is my favorite time of year. There is a tangible energy that floats about in the atmosphere. Crisp, cool, earthy. I am definitely an autumn baby.

~ I like having a window view in my new office. Now if I could just get the A/C under control ;)

~ My muscles are sore. I guess I worked as hard as it felt last night in yoga. I love that class though. I feel thoroughly worn out, stretched out and wringed out by the time I leave. It's a good feeling.

~ New Favorite past time - coming up with new lyrics to the Boomer Sooner fight song. :)

"I couldn't find my keys the other day...."

"and I just found them...in the freezer."

Seems like the past few weeks my head has been really, insanely loopy. I can blame it on a myriad of things, but the reality of it is...sometimes life just throws stuff at you and you can't process all of it in an easy to consume package.

Don't get me wrong, many of the things that have my head all in a mess are GOOD things. Great things, even. That doesn't mean my cerebral cortex isn't in a constant state of flux and kinda wants to simplify where possible.

The next few months - probably the rest of my life - will be very busy. I like staying busy and doing as much as I can...but I need to make sure my energy is relatively focused and not bouncing around like 6 year olds in a bounce house.

Checklists will help. Paying off that money toward my credit will help. Getting back to yoga will help. Eating better will help. Getting comfortable in the new work environment will help.

Need to go to the dentist for a cleaning ~ need to make a hair appointment with Larry Hervey to get my locks snipped and loved on ~ have a someone's upcoming birthday to think about ~

collected from years past...

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

whooooo do you love?

"me or the thought of me...me or the thought of me?" - John Mayer

Today has been an interesting day. Aside from the absolute chilliness of my office (which now contains a nice view out a window at a tree and the Jefferson Bank building), I really like the new digs. Although the folks in my old office were very nice and I miss them, the employees over here are super nice too. The drive is SOOOO much easier and requires much less gas and time. RELIEF, I tell you!! My fingers and my nose are cold. I had to borrow Rosie's sweater jacket to keep me from completely freezing to my chair. I even made a cup of coffee and drank the WHOLE thing in an attempt to keep my core temperature up. Of course, it was 1/8 sugar, 1/8 cream and the rest coffee...but it works. :)

This weekend is shaping up to be another winner. Tonight, Mike and I will ring in the new hockey season at the Dallas Stars' home opener against the Boston Bruins. I am SO excited! Even though there are better seats to be had, I am also very jazzed that we got Darin's tickets...I love those seats. Know the people, love the people, love the sight lines. Goodness abounds. Tomorrow morning, we are going to go ride at Boulder Park again. I realllllllly like this trail. It is alot of fun for me and I feel pretty confident riding out there. I might try a couple of the red sections...we'll see. tee hee Saturday night - Blue Man Group at the AAC. This should be alot of fun. Mike has never seen them - this will be my fourth time. YAY! What an incredible show. I can't wait. Sunday - not sure what we are gonna do on Sunday, but if things work out, I really want to go to Spin Class.

Thing that bums me out: The Marine Mud Run was rescheduled and the location moved.
:( The weekend they chose just happens to coincide with the Rockledge Rumble and the Bacchus Babes will be hosting the Twin Coves Aid Station...so I am out on the Mud Run. Our theme this year is gonna be great. I love the Rumble :)

Don't go changin'....

As an outdoorsy type girl, there have been those occasions where changing clothes outside has been a necessity. While I do possess a certain amount of modesty (I don't run around naked as a jay bird just because I feel like it!), sometimes you have to just throw caution to the wind and hide behind your car door while you change out of work clothes and into some trail running attire in a parking lot. Many of you know the predicament of which I speak. Usually, one can change without any sort of issue. Occasionally, you can feel a bit awkward, silly even, at the thought of someone catching a glimpse of some exposed flesh. There are some rare individuals who balk at, or rather, become infuriated at the idea of a person changing their clothing in a public space - possibly in view of children. I ran into such a person recently while parked at a local trailhead that backed up to a private residence. I carefully chose a spot that looked like it was not only far enough away from the road as to avoid any passers-by from catching a peek of my shimmeringly pale ass, but I also tried to make sure that the area I changed in was guarded by trees and bushes so as not to offend the local residents. After looking around to make sure there were no possible "victims", I proceeded to start my disrobing process. Unfortunately, there must have been a view available to an older woman who proceeded to yell and chastise me saying in a very loud, obnoxious voice.."You can be observed!". Various forms of apologies proceeded from my mouth, but sadly all were overwhelmed by her constant rants of "You are a visitor here, but we have to live here" and "there are children around". If she had known me personally, she would have known that the last thing on my mind was to go and strip down in front of a minor...but alas. After continuing to try to let her know I was unaware of any possible viewing access, I again apologized and yet she continued on with a "next time find another place to change or the police will be called". Now, I can understand someone not wanting to see a stranger's bare ass...there have been several times I wished I could have just looked a different direction at a certain time, but a simple "excuse me, could you please change somewhere else?" might have been a little more diplomatic. I mean, this spot is often used by runners, bikers, etc to park and meet and occasionally when needed, to change. This woman used no tact, in fact, berated me as loudly and rudely as possible for something that in all seriousness was completely innocuous. I am a pretty mindful and considerate person, but she really pissed me off. I did succeed in changing (on the other side of the car), but she continued to stand near her fence and glare through the trees and bushes (because it truly was NOT a clear view) at the group of girls I was meeting for our Monday evening run. Numerous thoughts ran through my head, none of which were very friendly, but I opted to take the higher road and didn't yell out the carefully thought out obscenities I had structured into beautifully poetic hollerations. :)

Note to self, Grapevine folks don't like to see booty...so Hog better steer clear of the area for the next naked hash!

and the winner is...

After much deliberation, stress and worry. I have chosen the car that will carry me through the next 5 years (and hopefully beyond).

Ta-Da.....


The image above shows the color I got and everything. It is a sweet little ride. Cost effective too (both in price and gas mileage). I am pretty happy. Will pick it up on Thur. WOOT.