Since it is my dad's birthday, I am re-evaluating my life--which I usually do on people's birthdays. I've decided to follow the theory of "You can't love someone else until you love yourself," and I have set out some new goals, or late New Year's Resolutions, to help me start to accomplish this task.
1. Take time for myself--at least 5 minutes every day. Whether it is just enjoying a cup of coffee, taking a mental break, or writing a blog, I need a few minutes to devote to me.
2. I want to make a list of one thing I like about myself each day, and I would like to write a journal entry of something I want to improve upon or something I have noticed about myself.
3. I would like to get involved in writing fiction again.
4. Focus on a regular exercise schedule again. I have been sort of on one, but I have had a foot injury and really need to suck it up and get over being a wimp about it.
5. I need to stop taking everything personally and being overly sensitive. This is a tough one. And #6 goes with it.
6. I need to know that my opinions are worthy, and I need to speak up when I am upset about something rather than kitchen sink it.
7. I need to figure out how the hell to accomplish #5 and #6.
8. I want to look into a volunteer opportunity; I need to give something back to humanity... as Miss America and cheesy as that sounds.
9. I want something S and I can look forward to each month. Something to mark on the calendar.
10. I also want to plan something, at least once a month, with my mom and dad, separately.
11. I want to take the pups for a walk or do something special with them once a week.
12. I want to read, at least 30 minutes a day, from a book, whether it be fiction, self-improvement, or historical.
13. I want to find a hobby, like organizing my photos.
14. I want to go through the junk mail and try to keep the house up more.
15. I would like to keep a book of quotes that I like.
16. I want to face reality, regain some confidence, and like who I am.
So, there they are. If they follow normal resolutions, I should have messed them up in a couple days, a week tops. Hopefully, since they are March resolutions, they will last longer.
I know they sound corny, but, you know, we all need a little corn in our lives.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Wish Lists
You know how Amazon has a Wish List? Don't you wish people did, too. Seriously. You create a Wish List of all the things you want people to know, but you can't tell them. Or you just create a list in general.
For example, "Wish List of My Future." I want kids by 25, a house in Connecticut, the house must have 3 bedrooms. I want a husband how knows how to unicycle and a white dog with black spots named Barney. There. Those are the key things. If your goals do not meet mine, you need not apply.
This list could also spawn other lists. Just think of it: Things I Wish My Boss Knew, Things that Turn Me On, Things I Wish You Would Do for Me, Things I Actually Want for Christmas. (Well, for some people that last one already exists.)
Then there are the negative lists: Why I Do Not Like Your Family, What Not to Do After Sex, Things You Do That Aggravate Me. Oh, the possibilities.
And the best part? There would be an online index of the lists in a little computer that people could just plug into our USB port on our wrist or something. (We can't risk taping such valuable information to our clothes; it could get lost. It could also lead to embarrassment, "Hey, I, uh, found this list on the ground. Is it yours? Do you like playing Mortal Kombat as part of foreplay?" No, that would not be a good thing.
It would have to be a computer. A mini computer with a list of all our lists. No dialogue. No secrets. Just pure, unbridled bluntness. You just plug in, and it's all right there. Who each of us is. All of it. Right there. In our wrist. Or somewhere.
*inhales*
For example, "Wish List of My Future." I want kids by 25, a house in Connecticut, the house must have 3 bedrooms. I want a husband how knows how to unicycle and a white dog with black spots named Barney. There. Those are the key things. If your goals do not meet mine, you need not apply.
This list could also spawn other lists. Just think of it: Things I Wish My Boss Knew, Things that Turn Me On, Things I Wish You Would Do for Me, Things I Actually Want for Christmas. (Well, for some people that last one already exists.)
Then there are the negative lists: Why I Do Not Like Your Family, What Not to Do After Sex, Things You Do That Aggravate Me. Oh, the possibilities.
And the best part? There would be an online index of the lists in a little computer that people could just plug into our USB port on our wrist or something. (We can't risk taping such valuable information to our clothes; it could get lost. It could also lead to embarrassment, "Hey, I, uh, found this list on the ground. Is it yours? Do you like playing Mortal Kombat as part of foreplay?" No, that would not be a good thing.
It would have to be a computer. A mini computer with a list of all our lists. No dialogue. No secrets. Just pure, unbridled bluntness. You just plug in, and it's all right there. Who each of us is. All of it. Right there. In our wrist. Or somewhere.
*inhales*
Friday, March 6, 2009
Obamas Give Crappy Gifts
Have some class. Have some decency. You represent the United States of America.
As a Democrat, I read this article and just shook my head. I know that we are having tough financial times in this country and Obama has a lot on his plate--and he has already done a few good things in office--but when the Prime Minister of another country comes to visit, know enough to know that you need to bestow upon him and his family some decent gifts. It's called manners. Even if our nation is struggling, hold your head up high and put on a show; it's not like the government can't afford it. I realize that the Obamas give their daughters like $1-$2 a week as an allowance, while the Obamas treat themselves to huge, Wednesday night gala dinner parties. (I wonder if the girls will be benefiting from a stimulus package?) I also know that the girls either get a birthday party or presents, while at the same time their parents dress them in designer clothes. Paradoxical, but I digress. If you want to raise your children to value the dollar, while it still has some value, fine. But when you represent this nation to the world, show a little class, please. And if you don't know what you are doing, have enough balls to ask someone before you embarrass our country, which is already being looked down upon internationally.
Could this be being blown out of proportion? Probably.
Am I still annoyed? Completely.
Further reading
As a Democrat, I read this article and just shook my head. I know that we are having tough financial times in this country and Obama has a lot on his plate--and he has already done a few good things in office--but when the Prime Minister of another country comes to visit, know enough to know that you need to bestow upon him and his family some decent gifts. It's called manners. Even if our nation is struggling, hold your head up high and put on a show; it's not like the government can't afford it. I realize that the Obamas give their daughters like $1-$2 a week as an allowance, while the Obamas treat themselves to huge, Wednesday night gala dinner parties. (I wonder if the girls will be benefiting from a stimulus package?) I also know that the girls either get a birthday party or presents, while at the same time their parents dress them in designer clothes. Paradoxical, but I digress. If you want to raise your children to value the dollar, while it still has some value, fine. But when you represent this nation to the world, show a little class, please. And if you don't know what you are doing, have enough balls to ask someone before you embarrass our country, which is already being looked down upon internationally.
Could this be being blown out of proportion? Probably.
Am I still annoyed? Completely.
Further reading
Sunday, March 1, 2009
First Time
I totally went to my first hockey game Friday night. It was awesome! I really loved it. I went with my dad and S. I had never gone to a game (of any kind) before. (Well, once in high school my girlfriend and I bought tickets from a scalper for a U of M hockey game, but I don't remember it.) Anyway, I had a great time. We were in the first row, right up against the glass. The first time a puck hit the glass, we all jumped a foot. The best part was when the players would slam up against the glass right in front of us. At first I didn't know what to do, but then, once I got into it, I really enjoyed it. The weirdest part was that there was no commentary, like on TV. I was totally thrown about that one. The dog from Marley & Me was there, because of a Dog Show in Detroit. And there was the cutest Pee Wee Playoff thing with these tiny kids in all this padding; they could barely move. In the end, we had fun, we ate in the Olympia Club, the Wings won, and I like hockey all the more. I also like that I have a special memory with my dad and S.
(I will write more about this in my journal... and maybe post it here later.)
FYI: We ended up on TV--and probably on the Jumbotron-like thing. *Ugh* My dad and I were clearly on, but S... well, S was behind a pole. My mom taped it and then two people at work made it a point to say that they saw us...
When you care enough...
to send the very best, you send a Hallmark. When you really want to tell your loved ones you care, you get life insurance--or so the ad says. Actually, it is a good idea. And this advertisement really got me. It's probably because S and I are talking about life insurance now that it spoke to me more so than normal, but I just thought I would share it.
I just like it. And I like that he started the conversation.
I just like it. And I like that he started the conversation.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
I love dogs
Seriously. My pups now are great. They make me laugh, they make me cry, they make me tired, they make me "human." If you've loved a dog, I think you will know what I mean. There is a sign I see in catalogs that says, "There's no greater joy in life than a puppy licking your face." I have to agree. One of the happiest moments in my life was when a friend surprised me by having me lay down on her kitchen floor, shut my eyes, and then released about 8 puppies from a room in her house. They were so small and fluffy. They were all jumping on me and licking at my face, ears, and nostrils. And while I could have done without a Puppy Chow and feces scented tongue up my nose, it was a moment I will never forget. It was: joy. And, really, that moment is often remembered as my "happy place." (Yes, I have a "happy place.")
However--and being a total dog person, mind you--I saw the puppy at the cute "Puppy of the Day" link at the bottom of my blog this morning. Don't get me wrong, I would still love it, but...
AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!
I jumped.
I mean, I adopted one of my dogs because someone said he was ugly. Wait, make that two of them. Still, this little one is, uh, to quote a Seinfeld episode, "breath-taking." And it's glowing alien eyes, uh, "breath-taking" as well? Poor puppy. And poor me. I think I am going to be attacked in my dreams tonight by a glowing-eyed rat ball.
Still, if no one else would adopt him, I would.
Maybe.
However--and being a total dog person, mind you--I saw the puppy at the cute "Puppy of the Day" link at the bottom of my blog this morning. Don't get me wrong, I would still love it, but...
AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!
I jumped.
I mean, I adopted one of my dogs because someone said he was ugly. Wait, make that two of them. Still, this little one is, uh, to quote a Seinfeld episode, "breath-taking." And it's glowing alien eyes, uh, "breath-taking" as well? Poor puppy. And poor me. I think I am going to be attacked in my dreams tonight by a glowing-eyed rat ball.
Still, if no one else would adopt him, I would.
Maybe.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Words of Love for Valentine's Day
...or as I like to call it VD.
I just think it's ironic and humorous.
We are supposed to celebrate Valentine's Day tomorrow, but S completely surprised me today. I've known for a long time that he really doesn't give flowers, and he hasn't given any to me before, but he brought home 2 dozen stunning pink roses with 2 extra gorgeous red ones--to symbolize us--mixed in with them. I was speechless. And giddy. I love flowers and wanted them more than anything, but I didn't let myself think about them because I didn't think I would get any. He has no idea how happy he made me.
But, I am getting off track.
I've been pondering something as I am sorting through the 7 cards I bought for S for Valentine's: the wording the cards is interesting. I sift through them all in the store, spend a ton of money, and then get home and re-sift in an attempt to find the ones that say what I feel, because, of course, I can't say what I feel on my own. There is a distinct difference in the sentimental cards, though: the Me Card vs. the You Card.
The Me is the card centered on the person giving it, while the You is focused on the person receiving the card. It is pretty easy to distinguish between the two as the Me features lots of "I"s and "Me"s and the You sports, you guessed it, a bunch of "You"s. On some occasions card, shoppers can find a card--the prized card--that is the right blend of the Me and the You. It is a rare find indeed. And when you see it, you buy it, because it is "perfect." You may not know why; it just is. What you don't realize is that it is the Me/You blend.
Here's the problem with cards. It's the Me card. Too much of the Me can strike people funny. I mean, if you are giving a card to someone as a gift of sorts, you don't want the gift to be about you even if it says what you want or feel exactly. For example, as a birthday gift joke, I usually wrap up a couple used dog toys, from the dogs, for my parents on their birthday, just like a child might give a parent his or her favorite toy as a gift. It means, "I love you so much that I am willing to share my favorite thing with you." It is inherently sweet--from a child. Take it to the next level, though. "Honey, I just got you Madden 2009" or "Look, Sweetie, here's that new snow blower!" Yes, a wife or girlfriend may benefit from these things, but are they really focused on her? Let's see how this applies to cards:
Card #1
Loving you
means many things to me...
It means knowing
I have someone to rely on,
confide in, and trust...
it means knowing I have someone
who will share in my laughter,
my thoughts, and even
my disappointments...
But mostly it means,
that I always
have something
to be happy about...
because as long as we're together
the world
looks wonderful to me. --Robin St. John
Card #2
What is it about you?
Is it the warmth in your smile?
The way you can make
hours of conversation
seem like minutes?
Or is it the way
you look at me
that sees right through
to my heart?
Whatever it is,
It is something really wonderful--
because you are--
and it's something
that just feels
so right.
Happy Valentine's Day.
So, figure which is which? I think you did. So I am not giving you the answer. It can be tough, though, because sometimes there is a little of each with an overall skewing one way or the other. You just have to weigh them. As for me, I like both cards; obviously, or I would not have bought them as "potentials." If I got either, I would be happy. See, the Me doesn't bother me. In fact, I am a Me giver. However, I am acutely aware of the You card. It whispers to me, "Don't give him the Me; focus on the You." See, I think S probably likes the You better. It is focused on just him, and I think with his personality he would appreciate that style more.
So, I have searched for the rare diamond in the rough, the blended card, the one that says how he makes me feel and the one that says how wonderful he is. I have found two of them. Neither is perfect, and the first might be a bit too Me-like, but they are getting there. A little bit of Me and a little bit of You. I don't know which one to pick yet. I think the second one. While it is a bit focused and heavy on the Me at first, it has a nice blending and aftertaste of You--not unlike how we all start our relationships. It is a compromise. And a relationship does need to be about compromise.
Maybe I have made up my mind after all.
Card A
I always hoped
it was true--
that there is someone in the world
for each one of us to love.
After we met,
I just knew somehow
that you'd be the one for me.
I saw it in the way
you made me happy
whenever I was with you
and in the way you
could make me smile,
even when I didn't
really feel like smiling.
I saw it in the kindness
of your eyes,
the generosity of your spirit...
in the was we accept
each other's differences
and support
each other's dreams.
Over time,
I have come to see
that you complete me--
that our relationship
has helped me become
a better person.
I know that life
truly blessed me
when I found you,
and I promise
always to cherish
our once-in-a-lifetime love. --Emily Larkin
Card B
I'll always stand by you
as your lover, as your friend
and as your soul mate...
because there's nowhere else
I'd rather be.
Oh, I have lots of selfish reasons--
like how easy it is to be at your side
where life is never too scary,
where the future
is something we make together,
and where I simply adore
showing off to the world that you're mine.
But mostly, I'll stand by you
so you'll know that you're never alone,
that I believe in your dreams
and your choices,
and so that you'll know the strength
and comfort of my unconditional love.
I'll always stand by you
because I love you.
It's as simple as that. --S. Summers
I just think it's ironic and humorous.
We are supposed to celebrate Valentine's Day tomorrow, but S completely surprised me today. I've known for a long time that he really doesn't give flowers, and he hasn't given any to me before, but he brought home 2 dozen stunning pink roses with 2 extra gorgeous red ones--to symbolize us--mixed in with them. I was speechless. And giddy. I love flowers and wanted them more than anything, but I didn't let myself think about them because I didn't think I would get any. He has no idea how happy he made me.
But, I am getting off track.
I've been pondering something as I am sorting through the 7 cards I bought for S for Valentine's: the wording the cards is interesting. I sift through them all in the store, spend a ton of money, and then get home and re-sift in an attempt to find the ones that say what I feel, because, of course, I can't say what I feel on my own. There is a distinct difference in the sentimental cards, though: the Me Card vs. the You Card.
The Me is the card centered on the person giving it, while the You is focused on the person receiving the card. It is pretty easy to distinguish between the two as the Me features lots of "I"s and "Me"s and the You sports, you guessed it, a bunch of "You"s. On some occasions card, shoppers can find a card--the prized card--that is the right blend of the Me and the You. It is a rare find indeed. And when you see it, you buy it, because it is "perfect." You may not know why; it just is. What you don't realize is that it is the Me/You blend.
Here's the problem with cards. It's the Me card. Too much of the Me can strike people funny. I mean, if you are giving a card to someone as a gift of sorts, you don't want the gift to be about you even if it says what you want or feel exactly. For example, as a birthday gift joke, I usually wrap up a couple used dog toys, from the dogs, for my parents on their birthday, just like a child might give a parent his or her favorite toy as a gift. It means, "I love you so much that I am willing to share my favorite thing with you." It is inherently sweet--from a child. Take it to the next level, though. "Honey, I just got you Madden 2009" or "Look, Sweetie, here's that new snow blower!" Yes, a wife or girlfriend may benefit from these things, but are they really focused on her? Let's see how this applies to cards:
Card #1
Loving you
means many things to me...
It means knowing
I have someone to rely on,
confide in, and trust...
it means knowing I have someone
who will share in my laughter,
my thoughts, and even
my disappointments...
But mostly it means,
that I always
have something
to be happy about...
because as long as we're together
the world
looks wonderful to me. --Robin St. John
Card #2
What is it about you?
Is it the warmth in your smile?
The way you can make
hours of conversation
seem like minutes?
Or is it the way
you look at me
that sees right through
to my heart?
Whatever it is,
It is something really wonderful--
because you are--
and it's something
that just feels
so right.
Happy Valentine's Day.
So, figure which is which? I think you did. So I am not giving you the answer. It can be tough, though, because sometimes there is a little of each with an overall skewing one way or the other. You just have to weigh them. As for me, I like both cards; obviously, or I would not have bought them as "potentials." If I got either, I would be happy. See, the Me doesn't bother me. In fact, I am a Me giver. However, I am acutely aware of the You card. It whispers to me, "Don't give him the Me; focus on the You." See, I think S probably likes the You better. It is focused on just him, and I think with his personality he would appreciate that style more.
So, I have searched for the rare diamond in the rough, the blended card, the one that says how he makes me feel and the one that says how wonderful he is. I have found two of them. Neither is perfect, and the first might be a bit too Me-like, but they are getting there. A little bit of Me and a little bit of You. I don't know which one to pick yet. I think the second one. While it is a bit focused and heavy on the Me at first, it has a nice blending and aftertaste of You--not unlike how we all start our relationships. It is a compromise. And a relationship does need to be about compromise.
Maybe I have made up my mind after all.
Card A
I always hoped
it was true--
that there is someone in the world
for each one of us to love.
After we met,
I just knew somehow
that you'd be the one for me.
I saw it in the way
you made me happy
whenever I was with you
and in the way you
could make me smile,
even when I didn't
really feel like smiling.
I saw it in the kindness
of your eyes,
the generosity of your spirit...
in the was we accept
each other's differences
and support
each other's dreams.
Over time,
I have come to see
that you complete me--
that our relationship
has helped me become
a better person.
I know that life
truly blessed me
when I found you,
and I promise
always to cherish
our once-in-a-lifetime love. --Emily Larkin
Card B
I'll always stand by you
as your lover, as your friend
and as your soul mate...
because there's nowhere else
I'd rather be.
Oh, I have lots of selfish reasons--
like how easy it is to be at your side
where life is never too scary,
where the future
is something we make together,
and where I simply adore
showing off to the world that you're mine.
But mostly, I'll stand by you
so you'll know that you're never alone,
that I believe in your dreams
and your choices,
and so that you'll know the strength
and comfort of my unconditional love.
I'll always stand by you
because I love you.
It's as simple as that. --S. Summers
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