need my sleep

I had a dream last night that I was back at Carleton, living with my best friend Jamie and dating Zac Effron (who played on the Carleton basketball team in my dream). I am thinking that my friends who only claim to need six or less hours of sleep a night, do not have as wonderful of dreams as I do and therefore do not enjoy sleep as much as I do. Ah, Zac!

lists

I had a friend make a comment to me about one of my postings that I thought was weird. They told me that they don't like to make lists for an odd reason, "I don't like creating lists of things I would like to do because there is a chance I would exclude something I didn't know I would enjoy doing."

That doesn't make sense to me. Because it isn't like I would ever pass up on a great new opportunity that came my way simply because it wasn't already on a list of things that I wanted to do. The lists of things I want to do are not rigid rules to follow, they are mere guidelines to point me on my way when I start to get lost and think, "What do I want to do with my life?" That's why I enjoy revisiting those lists, because it is fun to see how the things I have wanted to do have changed as I have gotten older and tried other things.

But they did make another suggest that I liked, which was to make a list of the amazing things that happened to me this year that were not on the list.

It has been quite a year for me- this time last year I was packing up my rat infested apartment! A lot has happened and a lot has changed.

2009 in review (but in no particular order):

1. I was practically attacked by a rat. Though no actual physical contact was made, he was definitely charging me in a very bull-like manner until I started screaming my head off and he veered off into the kitchen.

2. I started playing volleyball again and realized how much I absolutely love the game and how much fun it is to play when your team doesn't consist of a bunch of snotty teenaged girls.

3. I started going on nightly walks (or at least a couple of times a week) with my sister where we opened up and communicated and shared like we never had before.

4. I took a seven month (much needed) break from dating. And loved it.

5. I painted my room. But more importantly I created a space for myself.

6. I flew first class.

7. I fell in love. Glad to know my heart is still capable of that. Past boyfriends haven't ruined me permanently!

8. I watched a sunset slip down over the Grand Canyon.

9. I traveled. It's been a long time since I've traveled and I have missed it. Once you get the travel bug in you, it is a disease that doesn't go away. I'd been itching to travel. This past year I went to Texas, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Minnesota.

10. I discovered Peter Lik's photography. Which kind of blew my mind and made me really excited. It's sort of like if you had never heard of Da Vinci and then one day stumbled across his works. Not that his works are similar to his in any way, I guess what I am trying to say is that it is fun when you randomly (while stumbling around a Las Vegas casino) stumble upon a true master. Check him out. And buy me one of his limited edition prints! http://www.peterlik.com/

11. I got laser hair removal done which has made my life so much happier/easier/ less hairy.

12. I lost a couple of my regular clients (not dead, they just stopped coming) and dealt with it.

13. I started playing tennis and was reminded of what it is like to be a beginner at something.

14. I attempted pole dancing and was reminded of what it is like to be AWFUL at something.

15. I joined a book club where I met a slew of terrific, intelligent women.

16. I have really opened myself and shared myself with a lot more people. Took chances at getting hurt.

What is funny about number 16 is how it is true, but not necessarily true for this blog. I still hold back a lot on this blog. For example, I am willing to tell you that I fell in love this year but not willing to go into the details. And I'm not willing to delve into the past and the things that made me wonder if I would ever fall in love again. But anything you want to know about me making an ass out of myself at pole dancing class, I will gladly tell ya!

This list is impossible. I give up. How can I create a list of all the things that happened to me this year? Way too many things! There were big things like moving back to the suburbs and learning to love it. And small things like the time the woman on the street in Vegas told my boyfriend that he was lucky to be with me because I was pretty and "had a black woman's ass!"

So many moments. So many memories. Time to stop blogging and go make some more!

misspellings

One of the pet peeves of my best friend is when restaurants and advertisements use misspelled words purposefully. For example, Taco Bell invites young ones to join the "Kidz Klub." As Jamie said, how are kids expected to learn how to spell when they see these misspelled words everywhere?

It's a valid point. While I am willing to overlook misspellings and grammar mistakes in friendly emails and text messages, I am a firm believer that things that are sent out to mass groups of people should be proof read and spell checked.

Therefore, I was a little bit disturbed at an ad I saw on the el the other day. It is about students having an option when it comes to what Chicago school they attend.

Let me repeat that, it is about them having a choice in which SCHOOL (where they go to learn proper English and grammar!) they attend.

The girl in this poster has a choice. Hopefully it is the choice to not go to the same school as whatever school the ad genius who came up with this poster went to where they obviously didn't teach them that "i" is always capitalized, especially when it is the beginning of a sentence!

video FAIL!

I've never wanted to cry so much in my life!

Strange things always happen to me when I'm on the el- but only when I am alone. If I ride with someone the journey is always dull and boring, nothing out of the ordinary. (That's not a comment on the friends that I am riding with, by the way!)

So today I was thrilled because when seven little local urchins got on the el (sans parents) and proceeded to demonstrate their gymnastic skills, I had my new iphone (with video capability) ready to capture all of their antics so that I could show you that I don't make this stuff up.

But what I just realized as I plugged in my phone to upload the video is that since I got a phone call in the middle of taking that video, that the video didn't save!

It was so awesome too! These kids must have been part of the Jesse White Tumblers. They would grab the bars on either side of the aisle fling their bodies in the air and do front and back flips. They used that el car like a jungle gym. And they were good! Part of me wanted to yell at them and part of me wanted to join them! Come on! Admit it! You are tempted to swing on those bars and poles from time to time!

Alas, I have no video to show you. You would have been impressed. Damn it! I really wish I had that video! Grrrrrrr!

resolutions

With the new year comes new resolutions. I really only have one resolution that I am making. That is to stop procrastinating.

It's kind of a big one. But such a good one! Case in point, I just put away the Nativity that we put up for Christmas. Packing it up and putting it away sucks. Big time. Especially because it then requires lugging a bunch of heavy boxes up two long flights of curvy stairs to the attic. But I did it. It took a long time. But now it is done. And I don't have it hanging over my head.

Life is better when you don't procrastinate. I need to keep reminding myself of that.

to do revisited

I was revisiting my "To Do" List, the very first post I ever made on this blog, to see how many things I have managed to accomplish so far.

#5- get Lasik eye surgery

Done and done. One of the best things I have ever done. It's true though, I do sort of take my awesome 20/20 vision for granted now.

#24- hang out with Ellen Degeneres

I went and saw her at the Chicago Theater. We were together in the same building- does that count as hanging out? Okay, not really. I will keep this one on the list.

#25- floss at least four times a week (cuz let's be realistic, it's not gonna happen daily)

I am pretty darn good at this!

#31- beat Dakota's top score on Scramble (this is actually attainable, I realize that beating June will never happen)

Ah, that was a good day.

#37- forgive my ex-boyfriend

Okay, I am still working on this but have made tremendous progress.

#38- see my Pookie at least once a year

Just saw her last week! And it was wonderful so I plan on definitely continuing!

#43- start a blog

Well, duh.

#44- keep writing my pen pals until I am old and gray

So far, so good.

#46- get a (consistent) killer serve in volleyball

Okay, so it may not be "killer" but it is consistent which is amazing since I used to be an AWFUL server and now it is totally a piece of cake.

#59- overcome my fears (of drowning, being smashed on the coral or being eaten by a shark) and learn to surf

So I learned to surf in Lake Michigan where I did not have to worry about sharks or coral but the point is that I learned to surf!

#73- forgive myself for all the stupid things that I have done/mistakes that I have made

Again, maybe not completely there but have made lots of progress.

#78- write my grandma a letter every month

I don't keep track of exact days but we have a good pretty steady communication going.

#79- get rid of half my possessions

Not half, but many, many bags and boxes full were given to good will this year!

#82- learn to do a really cool magic trick that I can impress drunk people with when I'm out at the bars

I know a sweet card trick now! And a sweet coloring book trick- which really impresses three and four year olds!

I thought that "riding first class in an airplane" was on that list. It had been on one of my lists at some point. I finally did that this year. And it was great. I highly recommend it. Did you know that you get to check two bags for free? And that they come out first at baggage claim? And even if you aren't served a meal that you still get sun chips and Twix and bananas? First class rocks. I have been spoiled.

So the list of things I have done really isn't that impressive. What I am more impressed with is the mental and emotional growth that I've done. That's a lot harder to check off on a list. How do you quantify something like "be happier" or "be more at peace"? I can't give you concrete evidence, but I am in a better place now than I was a year ago and that, my friends, is a very good thing.

New Year, New Pics

So one of the things that I have been piss-poor about is having photos in my blog. I do think that they add something to all the other blogs I read and so in this new year I vow to add more photos. I already try to take more photos (though I still don't take nearly enough!) but I try to take at least three photos a day- of anything that strikes my fancy. What I think is interesting about taking random photos during the day is that it gives people insight into how I think. Two people can walk down the same street and notice totally different things. Sharing with you the photos that I take can give you a taste of what I notice and how I think and see the world. These are not in the order that I want but it seems like a lot of work to put them in the correct order (I promised to add photos, not to not be lazy!) so we will just have to deal with them as is.

This is one of the Tiger Woods' ads in the airport. I don't know if this was made before or after his scandal but I like to think that it was made before and now takes on lots of new meaning and irony!

This is a picture of me and my Pookie! This is my best friend Jamie who just happens to work at the art museum that I was visiting this week. She is one of those rare people that I can not see for years and then see again and it seems like we were never apart!

Christmas with the Beckers. Nothing like a little booze and euchre to celebrate Christ's birthday! On the plus side, it is precisely because we do do things like play games and maybe drink a little that our family gatherings go from being a chore to being quite fun.

This is my new Yoda doll that I got for Christmas. Every time I look at him it makes me smile. Plus he is going to fit in so nicely with the Star Wars room that I am going to make someday.

This is my nephew Beck. I don't know where the fake mustache came from but there are few things funnier than a fake mustache on a six year old.

It may seem a little irreverent but it is nice to know that we could find some smiles and laughter in the midst of the sadness of my Grandma's wake.

Ella, me and Lily at the zoo. They obviously get their awesome taste in hats from me!

I love personalized license plates in general but this one that I found on a Smart Car at Target was one of the best I have seen in a long time.

This is a little bit ridiculous.

A girl and her moose. I try to be discreet when taking pictures of other people on the El but it can be hard because there are just so many good people to take pictures of! I saw her when I was coming home after a long day. It made me smile.

Hello, Grand Canyon! I find there is something about spreading your arms open like this and taking a deep breath that really opens up your mind and soul so that you can appreciate where you are.

These are from a book that we have floating around in the break room at work. I believe the book is called "What your pets do while you're at work." Very random. But kind of funny.

Anyways, that is my story. Expect lots more pictures to come during the coming year. Maybe not quite as random as this. Then again, maybe just as random as this.