I didn't really give the band Starfucker (or STRFKR for the faint of heart) a good listen until this year. I had heard them on KEXP from time to time, but then our friend Derek came to town and took Jacob to their concert. Jacob called me later that evening and said I would have absolutely loved them. Alas, I was at home with a baby - as I have said in the past, being able to just go out to shows any day of the week is the only thing I miss about pre-baby life.
Anyway, I listed to them the next day and Jacob was right! I absolutely loved them so much, in fact, that they practically immediately ousted the Black Keys from their long-standing rank in my top three favorite bands (which, if you are curious, now consists of My Morning Jacket, Manu Chao and Starfucker in no particular order....they are all so different from eachother it is hard to actually rank them as 1st, 2nd and 3rd.)
I love this band becuase they can just perk up your mood so fast! Practically all of their songs are full of pep and jolly goodness that you can't help but LOVE them. I find it impossible to keep a bad mood when I hear any of their songs thus, they are good to have around. I got the chance to see them at The Branx earlier this year. Unfortunately there were TWO opening bands before them and it was getting so late by the time they finally got on stage that I think we missed more than half of their set, not becuase we were too tired to stick around (we are in our oldy-moldy 30s now, you know) but becuase Roman was with a sitter and we always have this sense of guilt about someone having to watch him too late. It was great while it lasted though.
In the immortal words of LeVar Burton - "but don't take my word for it" - check 'em out for yourself! And I really hope you do!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_l9ZMUWd68 (Myke Ptyson. Makes me want to dance a little and it is one of my favorite things in life when bands use hand clapping as an instrument)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCRSpOF4JJg (Holly - my favorite of theirs next to Myke Ptyson)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krgbdZnqIpo (Boy Toy - another get up and dance-er)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UodDJEE49V0 (Girls Just Want to Have Fun - yes, that one. I love this song more than I ever did before becuase of this version)
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
Who Needs a Drink?
Raise your hand if you are feeling absolutely deflated these days from all the horribleness. I know I am. I'm emotionally/mentally exhausted from all of the bad news this week. My heart is so shattered for the parents, families, friends, first responders, etc., who had to endure what they endured today in Connecticut.
How do we even begin to make things better? What has gone wrong? If we were to correctly idenfity the underlying problems, would our country even be willing to work together and come to agreement to remedy things?
P.S. - I've said it before and I'll say it again, I believe the internet plays no small part in all of this.
How do we even begin to make things better? What has gone wrong? If we were to correctly idenfity the underlying problems, would our country even be willing to work together and come to agreement to remedy things?
P.S. - I've said it before and I'll say it again, I believe the internet plays no small part in all of this.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Roman: The Best First-Born EVER!
Happy 2nd birthday to my baby boy!!!! I remember thinking when Roman hit about six to nine months that time was going by too fast and that I was going to miss him at that age so much. While time has flown by, the older my boy gets, the more fun we have. I honestly don't miss the earlier months like I thought I would. He just has more and more personality all the time and it gets better and better! To see his mind work and expand and learn is just incredible. His memory amazes me all the time and he already is a jokester (boy does he have Jacob's personality in practically every way!).
Anyway, to celebrate his second birthday, we took him on The Polar Express train ride at Hood River this past weekend. SUCH a fun time (but it won't be an annual event by any means...that would definitely take the excitement and wonder out of it). One of the funniest parts of the evening was when Santa got onto our train car and everyone claps and cheers and is excited and then there is Roman, who starts crying and saying "No thank you. No thank you." to having to visit with Santa (he came around, though, after he saw the other kids surviving the encounter)
His actual birthday was a mellow event - dinner and presents. But dinner was pancakes and bacon, which is probably his favorite food (that and when we were asking him what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday, he said pancakes - great! Dinner and birthday "cake" all in one!)
Some photos of the occasion:
Anyway, to celebrate his second birthday, we took him on The Polar Express train ride at Hood River this past weekend. SUCH a fun time (but it won't be an annual event by any means...that would definitely take the excitement and wonder out of it). One of the funniest parts of the evening was when Santa got onto our train car and everyone claps and cheers and is excited and then there is Roman, who starts crying and saying "No thank you. No thank you." to having to visit with Santa (he came around, though, after he saw the other kids surviving the encounter)
His actual birthday was a mellow event - dinner and presents. But dinner was pancakes and bacon, which is probably his favorite food (that and when we were asking him what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday, he said pancakes - great! Dinner and birthday "cake" all in one!)
Some photos of the occasion:
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| The golden ticket! |
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| He loved getting the silver jingle bell from Santa. |
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| I guess you aren't so scary after all, Santa! |
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| Of course, he got a tractor from us. |
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| Jacob took the day off from work to hang out with Roman on his birthday :) The went to Powell's and Voodoo Donuts and rode the MAX and went to the nickel arcade and ate pizza! |
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| His pancakes cake! Four pancakes, whip cream, a candle and a tractor for the topper. We added raspberries and blueberries after he blew out the candle. |
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| Yes, he did bite off part of the candle. "bite the candle" and "yummy candle." |
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| One of the best family photos we've gotten in awhile :) |
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Summer: Are We There Yet?
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am really beginning to crave summer. The desire for natural warmth, light and Vitamin D is hitting me kind of early this year. Heck, it hasn’t even snowed and we’ve only just put up all of our Christmas decorations….the tree is lit and lovely and twirling away, and it is really fun to see Roman get excited about all of the Christmas lights every where we go (“beautifullllll,” he says. Love him!!).
BUT, today is sunshiney and I WANT SUMMER!
I get the craving every year, and I actually really like when it happens. It makes me want to super extra deep clean my house (compounded with all of the nesting that has accompanied this pregnancy, you’d thing my house would be meticulous, but not so much. I can’t keep up and it’s driving me nuts!). It makes me want to eat only fruit and vegetables and wholly nourish myself in the best ways possible. It makes me want to exercise, which isn’t exactly easy in my current state, but at least it makes me get out and walk more often). Finally, it puts me in the best mood ever when I start to crave summer, which is a great alternative to the SAD so many are prone to this time of year, myself included.
Okay, so only, like, 182.5 days until summer! I guess some pictures will have to do for now...
BUT, today is sunshiney and I WANT SUMMER!
I get the craving every year, and I actually really like when it happens. It makes me want to super extra deep clean my house (compounded with all of the nesting that has accompanied this pregnancy, you’d thing my house would be meticulous, but not so much. I can’t keep up and it’s driving me nuts!). It makes me want to eat only fruit and vegetables and wholly nourish myself in the best ways possible. It makes me want to exercise, which isn’t exactly easy in my current state, but at least it makes me get out and walk more often). Finally, it puts me in the best mood ever when I start to crave summer, which is a great alternative to the SAD so many are prone to this time of year, myself included.
Okay, so only, like, 182.5 days until summer! I guess some pictures will have to do for now...
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Pregnancy 2.0
I thought a change from my usual music and ranting posts might be in order for once.
In a few days I will begin in my third trimester of pregnancy. Week 28 of 40 (ish) (or 7 months, if you prefer months over weeks, and I do). I can't believe how quickly time has gone by this time around. It didn't drag on the first time or anything but it is flying by this time.
We know we are having a boy. Or a girl.
Like last time, I haven't had any food cravings or aversions but my nose is a little more sensitive to car exhaust. The one weird craving that I had was to listen to 80s bands such as The Cure and The Clash. Best craving ever....I never knew what I was missing! I never had the slightest interest in listening to pretty much any music from the 80s and, in fact, would just change the channel when it came on. Besides the baby itself, the other best gift this pregnancy has given me is a respect and appreciation for some truly awesome music. And it was most definitely a craving. I absolutely HAD to hear the song "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds, and it all went from there. What the hell kind of music lover was I before this?
Unlike last time, I had a few weeks of nausea but thankfully never actually threw up. I just had a general feeling of barfyness all day a few days a week for about 4-6 weeks.
Leg cramps - check, but so far not quite as frequently as round one.
Heartburn - nothing like last time. So far maybe just once or twice.
I began show much quicker this time around, which I have heard is very common after your first pregnancy. Jacob and I are both amazed every day at how ginormous my tummy is.
Praise the Lord, not a stretch mark in sight and no more spider veins in my legs than I had last time (which, happily, went away after Roman was born and I am hopeful they will go away this time as well. however, if genetics are any indicator, I might be in for it. Sorry about your legs, mom).
TMI alert - I'm not nearly as, shall we say, frisky this time. Sorry for all your wasted efforts, Jacob. I bet he was so excited for my second trimester to roll around, thinking it would be like last time. He swears that we are having a girl because of this difference (but a friend of mine who has a son recently told me she was the same way, so there goes that theory).
I am thankful that just like last time, it has been an easygoing process. It's just getting harder to do things like get out of bed and bend over to tie my shoes or put on my socks. To get out of bed, sometimes I have to rock a little from side to side to gain some momentum. :)
I love feeling all of the kicking and movement and it is fun to see my belly move around.
Nesting started really early this time and I've really enjoyed all of the amped-up domesticness (that must be a sign that it's a girl too because girls are more into cooking and cleaning. Right?). I'm usually pretty domestic, but like I said, this is domestic skills on steroids!
We're getting very excited for Baby Wright II's arrival. We might finally have our names picked out (don't ask. I won't tell you what the are). I'm not sure how we are going to manage two young kids, and it is going to be extra tough over the next year because Jacob is also working on his masters degree and we both work full time, but we are ready to take it on!!!
We keep telling Roman there is a baby in mommy's tummy and I think he is starting to understand. He's going to be an awesome older brother....after the initial loathing and jealousy wears off, of course.
Roman wants to be in the picture too.
Must be a boy! (ignore the glowing boobs)
This one will have to do. Almost 28 weeks/7 months.
In a few days I will begin in my third trimester of pregnancy. Week 28 of 40 (ish) (or 7 months, if you prefer months over weeks, and I do). I can't believe how quickly time has gone by this time around. It didn't drag on the first time or anything but it is flying by this time.
We know we are having a boy. Or a girl.
Like last time, I haven't had any food cravings or aversions but my nose is a little more sensitive to car exhaust. The one weird craving that I had was to listen to 80s bands such as The Cure and The Clash. Best craving ever....I never knew what I was missing! I never had the slightest interest in listening to pretty much any music from the 80s and, in fact, would just change the channel when it came on. Besides the baby itself, the other best gift this pregnancy has given me is a respect and appreciation for some truly awesome music. And it was most definitely a craving. I absolutely HAD to hear the song "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds, and it all went from there. What the hell kind of music lover was I before this?
Unlike last time, I had a few weeks of nausea but thankfully never actually threw up. I just had a general feeling of barfyness all day a few days a week for about 4-6 weeks.
Leg cramps - check, but so far not quite as frequently as round one.
Heartburn - nothing like last time. So far maybe just once or twice.
I began show much quicker this time around, which I have heard is very common after your first pregnancy. Jacob and I are both amazed every day at how ginormous my tummy is.
Praise the Lord, not a stretch mark in sight and no more spider veins in my legs than I had last time (which, happily, went away after Roman was born and I am hopeful they will go away this time as well. however, if genetics are any indicator, I might be in for it. Sorry about your legs, mom).
TMI alert - I'm not nearly as, shall we say, frisky this time. Sorry for all your wasted efforts, Jacob. I bet he was so excited for my second trimester to roll around, thinking it would be like last time. He swears that we are having a girl because of this difference (but a friend of mine who has a son recently told me she was the same way, so there goes that theory).
I am thankful that just like last time, it has been an easygoing process. It's just getting harder to do things like get out of bed and bend over to tie my shoes or put on my socks. To get out of bed, sometimes I have to rock a little from side to side to gain some momentum. :)
I love feeling all of the kicking and movement and it is fun to see my belly move around.
Nesting started really early this time and I've really enjoyed all of the amped-up domesticness (that must be a sign that it's a girl too because girls are more into cooking and cleaning. Right?). I'm usually pretty domestic, but like I said, this is domestic skills on steroids!
We're getting very excited for Baby Wright II's arrival. We might finally have our names picked out (don't ask. I won't tell you what the are). I'm not sure how we are going to manage two young kids, and it is going to be extra tough over the next year because Jacob is also working on his masters degree and we both work full time, but we are ready to take it on!!!
We keep telling Roman there is a baby in mommy's tummy and I think he is starting to understand. He's going to be an awesome older brother....after the initial loathing and jealousy wears off, of course.
Roman wants to be in the picture too.
Must be a boy! (ignore the glowing boobs)
This one will have to do. Almost 28 weeks/7 months.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Road Rage Monday!
Dear Lady in front of me on Mill Plain:
You don't need to slow down so early. You don't need to accelerate so slowly. You don't need to be going slower than the drivers in the right lane if you are in the left lane. You DEFINITELY DO need to get over when the person behind you has to resort to honking and flashing their lights at you. People like you give me a spike in blood pressure. I am sure it is my own issue and not yours, but still, be courteous and GET THE FRICK OVER! You don't belong in the left lane. You had plenty of room to get over but I did not, otherwise I would have passed you a lot earlier than I did.
Go back home to your four cats.
Hate,
Sally
You don't need to slow down so early. You don't need to accelerate so slowly. You don't need to be going slower than the drivers in the right lane if you are in the left lane. You DEFINITELY DO need to get over when the person behind you has to resort to honking and flashing their lights at you. People like you give me a spike in blood pressure. I am sure it is my own issue and not yours, but still, be courteous and GET THE FRICK OVER! You don't belong in the left lane. You had plenty of room to get over but I did not, otherwise I would have passed you a lot earlier than I did.
Go back home to your four cats.
Hate,
Sally
Friday, October 12, 2012
Watch Out, World!
Sally is in total bitch-mode. So while I’m here, I may as well revel in it for awhile. Ready? Here goes!
Eff you, politics. I hate you. I hate the slander and lies, I hate the littering of signs all over the road side and people’s yards, I hate that millions and millions of dollars are spent on campaigning. I hate that our government is so divided and broken. I hate that there are so many people who go only by party lines. I hate how much time is wasted by a politician telling me what their opponent hasn’t done/isn’t doing. I don’t care. Instead, tell me what you are going to do to fix the problems. Tell me more about your plans than your opinion of your opponent. Roseanne Barr for President!!! Man, I seriously love her.
I hate that there are still people out there who spend any iota of time or resources to see that certain rights be reserved only for certain people. Really? There are still people who don’t think that all human beings deserve the same rights? I can’t wait until the judgmental are judged.
Speaking of judgmental – am I the only person in the WORLD who doesn’t think Jessica Biel is good looking? I wouldn’t even consider her cute. Why does no one else see this? (Confidential to Justin Timberlake - you could do SO much better. Have you met my friend Wendy? You two would make a good match)
I hate all other drivers on the road. Especially the ones who are texting or talking on the phone while they drive. I can’t believe there are people who still do this even though we hear all the time about the horrible (and SO preventable) accidents this causes.
Speaking of preventable causes of death – really, smokers?
I can’t believe the shelf life that Reality TV has had. I hate reality TV and find it ludicrous that is it even called Reality TV because of all of the people I know none of them have lives that are, IN REALITY, that fucked up. Maybe watching that stuff just makes people feel better about their own lives. But really, there are better ways to go about feeling good about oneself. (That said, I am guilty as charged for watching One Tree Hill and really enjoying it. I know it isn’t reality TV, but shows like that are just as bad).
Aah - I feel better. In the words of Calvin "nothing helps a bad mood like spreading it around."
Eff you, politics. I hate you. I hate the slander and lies, I hate the littering of signs all over the road side and people’s yards, I hate that millions and millions of dollars are spent on campaigning. I hate that our government is so divided and broken. I hate that there are so many people who go only by party lines. I hate how much time is wasted by a politician telling me what their opponent hasn’t done/isn’t doing. I don’t care. Instead, tell me what you are going to do to fix the problems. Tell me more about your plans than your opinion of your opponent. Roseanne Barr for President!!! Man, I seriously love her.
I hate that there are still people out there who spend any iota of time or resources to see that certain rights be reserved only for certain people. Really? There are still people who don’t think that all human beings deserve the same rights? I can’t wait until the judgmental are judged.
Speaking of judgmental – am I the only person in the WORLD who doesn’t think Jessica Biel is good looking? I wouldn’t even consider her cute. Why does no one else see this? (Confidential to Justin Timberlake - you could do SO much better. Have you met my friend Wendy? You two would make a good match)
I hate all other drivers on the road. Especially the ones who are texting or talking on the phone while they drive. I can’t believe there are people who still do this even though we hear all the time about the horrible (and SO preventable) accidents this causes.
Speaking of preventable causes of death – really, smokers?
I can’t believe the shelf life that Reality TV has had. I hate reality TV and find it ludicrous that is it even called Reality TV because of all of the people I know none of them have lives that are, IN REALITY, that fucked up. Maybe watching that stuff just makes people feel better about their own lives. But really, there are better ways to go about feeling good about oneself. (That said, I am guilty as charged for watching One Tree Hill and really enjoying it. I know it isn’t reality TV, but shows like that are just as bad).
Aah - I feel better. In the words of Calvin "nothing helps a bad mood like spreading it around."
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Electric Feel
Man, I can't get enough of this song! Definitely my song of the day, month, year, whatever (even if it is a few years old). These guys...this song....yowza!! The video might not be to your liking, but it's totally dorky/rugged/sexy/awesome and I love it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmZexg8sxyk
By the way, it's "Electric Feel" by MGMT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmZexg8sxyk
By the way, it's "Electric Feel" by MGMT
Friday, September 28, 2012
My iPod is happy it is Friday too!
I think my iPod knows when it is Friday and knows just how glorious of a thing Friday is. It always plays the best, most chipper music on Fridays and I smile and sing all the way to work. That's a great way to start preparing for the weekend.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
"My Name is Sue. How Do You Do? Now You're Gonna DIE!"
I just made my own day! (With the help of the interweb, I guess)
I have to admit that I had never heard anything about “A Boy Named Sue” until spring of 2000. I was in college and was sitting on a couch in a common area reading a book when a friend of mine (who I also had a teensy crush on) came up and randomly just started reading to me the words to “A Boy Named Sue” off of a piece of paper. When he finished I said “What was that? A Shel Silverstein poem?” and he said “No, it’s Johnny Cash!”
Well, it sounds like it could have been a Shel Silverstein poem.
Guess what I just now found out, more than 12 years later? IT WAS WRITTEN BY SHEL SILVERSTEIN! I KNEW it!
I’ve told that story to a couple of people, and none of them ever said to me “well, it was written by Shel Silverstein.” Everyone just assumes it was Johnny Cash.
I am a huge fan of Mr. Silverstein. I love reading his books to Roman and I’ve read them all so many times myself. When you hear him sing, you can tell that he is a Johnny Cash fan, so I love that they seemed to have a mutual admiration for one another.
I’m so happy right now :)
I have to admit that I had never heard anything about “A Boy Named Sue” until spring of 2000. I was in college and was sitting on a couch in a common area reading a book when a friend of mine (who I also had a teensy crush on) came up and randomly just started reading to me the words to “A Boy Named Sue” off of a piece of paper. When he finished I said “What was that? A Shel Silverstein poem?” and he said “No, it’s Johnny Cash!”
Well, it sounds like it could have been a Shel Silverstein poem.
Guess what I just now found out, more than 12 years later? IT WAS WRITTEN BY SHEL SILVERSTEIN! I KNEW it!
I’ve told that story to a couple of people, and none of them ever said to me “well, it was written by Shel Silverstein.” Everyone just assumes it was Johnny Cash.
I am a huge fan of Mr. Silverstein. I love reading his books to Roman and I’ve read them all so many times myself. When you hear him sing, you can tell that he is a Johnny Cash fan, so I love that they seemed to have a mutual admiration for one another.
I’m so happy right now :)
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
What the hell kind of music lover am I?
One thing in my life I have always prided myself on is my taste in and appreciation for music. I can differientate good music versus run-of-the-mill junk from a mile away. I think it comes off as snobbery to some people, and it's a fine line between ignorance and pretentiousness when I say I don't listen to Top 40 or know who certain A-Listers are. I'm sorry I didn't know who Justin Bieber was for a long time. I'm sorry I thought Lady Gaga was just Christina Aguilera going by a different name.
So anyway, I love music. LOVE it. I have it on all the time. I love going to concerts and buying records and CDs as opposed to downloading music. I'd spend hours in a record store if I could. A big thrill for me is getting these artifacts signed by the musicians at concerts, and since the music I like is generally under the radar, it is pretty easy to meet the bands becuase the venues are small. I always want to raise awareness to everyone that there is WAY better stuff out there than what you are hearing on the radio. One thing I really long for is more friends who love music like I do and want to go to concerts and talk about awesome bands. But I don't think most people care about it as much as I do.
So on to the point. As much as I love music, I have always been a big hater of the 80s culture and most 80s music. However, one CRAZY pregnancy craving (not really, but maybe!) I had a week or two ago was to hear "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds - 80s to the core. I wanted to listen to it so bad I thought I'd burst. So I went on Pandora and typed in The Clash (why didn't I just type in Simple Minds? Who knows, but it's good I didn't).
OH HOLY SHA-MOLY! Have my ears been up my ass all this time?!?! I knew The Ramones and the Clash and The Cure and The Pixie were good bands and I've always appreciated them more or less from afar, I just never gave them the time of day to really listen to them because I didn't want to hear 80s music. Boy have I been missing out all this time! And I have been listening to it almost non-stop lately, like I am trying to make up for lost time. I'm kind of embarrassed that I wasn't into this stuff all along. I feel like the people who "discover" bands years after people like me had already been listening to them (basically, the whole world) (and that's usually about the time I stop listening to those bands, sadly. I don't know why. It's stupid.)
I feel that my loverage of music is now completely legitimized. It has even renewed my vigor for some of the music that has kind of become dusty in my collection, like Modest Mouse and T-Rex and the Doves.
Dear 80s music, I love you*
*restrictions apply
So anyway, I love music. LOVE it. I have it on all the time. I love going to concerts and buying records and CDs as opposed to downloading music. I'd spend hours in a record store if I could. A big thrill for me is getting these artifacts signed by the musicians at concerts, and since the music I like is generally under the radar, it is pretty easy to meet the bands becuase the venues are small. I always want to raise awareness to everyone that there is WAY better stuff out there than what you are hearing on the radio. One thing I really long for is more friends who love music like I do and want to go to concerts and talk about awesome bands. But I don't think most people care about it as much as I do.
So on to the point. As much as I love music, I have always been a big hater of the 80s culture and most 80s music. However, one CRAZY pregnancy craving (not really, but maybe!) I had a week or two ago was to hear "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds - 80s to the core. I wanted to listen to it so bad I thought I'd burst. So I went on Pandora and typed in The Clash (why didn't I just type in Simple Minds? Who knows, but it's good I didn't).
OH HOLY SHA-MOLY! Have my ears been up my ass all this time?!?! I knew The Ramones and the Clash and The Cure and The Pixie were good bands and I've always appreciated them more or less from afar, I just never gave them the time of day to really listen to them because I didn't want to hear 80s music. Boy have I been missing out all this time! And I have been listening to it almost non-stop lately, like I am trying to make up for lost time. I'm kind of embarrassed that I wasn't into this stuff all along. I feel like the people who "discover" bands years after people like me had already been listening to them (basically, the whole world) (and that's usually about the time I stop listening to those bands, sadly. I don't know why. It's stupid.)
I feel that my loverage of music is now completely legitimized. It has even renewed my vigor for some of the music that has kind of become dusty in my collection, like Modest Mouse and T-Rex and the Doves.
Dear 80s music, I love you*
*restrictions apply
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Round II
So the time has come for us to start considering our next move in family planning. For most of my adult life, I was not sold on the idea of having kids. I was really enjoying life as just Jacob and Sally. We could go to shows during the week and stay out as late as we wanted and it was no issue (this is probably the one and only thing I miss about pre-baby life). We could get out of the house quickly and easily and without much fuss. We could sleep in on weekends! But then the ripe old age of 29 rolled around and we had a decision to make. We weren't getting any younger and we needed to figure out if later on down the road we might feel regret at not raising children. That same year, our baby boy, Roman, was born.
What an amazing joy he is. I cannot believe how lucky we are with him. He is so happy and funny and full of character and is an incredible blessing. (Almost) everything he does or says puts a smile on my face. And I stop to think from time to time about how if we had decided to have children any earlier, we'd have someone totally and completely different from Roman. If I hadn't called Jacob in from gardening that very second on that early spring day for a little romp in the hay, well, again, we'd have someone totally different making joyful noises around our house. It's almost too much to think about. And I wouldn't want anyone other than Roman. That God sure knows what He's doing! Wait for it....wait for it.............perfection! What a nice thought.
But I'm not really here to talk about Roman. As I mentioned at the start, we're talking about child number two.
The above excerpt is the first half of a blog I wrote more than a month ago and then saved as a draft until I felt the time was right to send it out into the world wide interweb. Below is the second half of the same blog.
And I really want to adopt.
Even when I didn't want kids, I always thought adoption was an amazing thing. At that point it was something that, should I ever decide I wanted kids, that's how I would do it. Obviously, and thankfully, Round One didn't go that route. But now I am starting to do some research. Tomorrow, I will go to the library to pick up my reserved copy of Adoption for Dummies, and I will read it, and I will prayerfully consider if adoption really is the next step in increasing the Wright Family. If it isn't, that is fine too. I am happy to have my own babies. I just think about how many children are already out there, waiting to be adopted and welcomed into a family of their own for the rest of their lives!!
Again, if this doesn't work out for us, I will be okay with that. For now, I am just excited to really start researching the process. It's always nice to have something to look forward to.
I put a lot of consideration into that blog post and took quite a bit of time to write it. The very next day, I found out that our family is, in fact, expanding. Three tests confirm that I am pregnant. Three because I just couldn't possibly believe the first two could be accurate. I was on birth control. (Side note, I take back every time I opened my big mouth to say that I thought people who got pregnant while on birth control just weren't using it right. Because believe me, I was using it right).
I felt such shock the first several weeks that it was hard for me to get excited about it. It wasn't until last Friday, when I had my first prenatal appointment and they brought in a portable ultrasound machine and I saw the blob that is our baby and its little heart beating that I felt real joy about this turn of events. It was a big lesson for me about how our timing for ourselves isn't always God's timing for us, and he pretty much wins every time.
I'm excited for Roman to be a brother :)
What an amazing joy he is. I cannot believe how lucky we are with him. He is so happy and funny and full of character and is an incredible blessing. (Almost) everything he does or says puts a smile on my face. And I stop to think from time to time about how if we had decided to have children any earlier, we'd have someone totally and completely different from Roman. If I hadn't called Jacob in from gardening that very second on that early spring day for a little romp in the hay, well, again, we'd have someone totally different making joyful noises around our house. It's almost too much to think about. And I wouldn't want anyone other than Roman. That God sure knows what He's doing! Wait for it....wait for it.............perfection! What a nice thought.
But I'm not really here to talk about Roman. As I mentioned at the start, we're talking about child number two.
The above excerpt is the first half of a blog I wrote more than a month ago and then saved as a draft until I felt the time was right to send it out into the world wide interweb. Below is the second half of the same blog.
And I really want to adopt.
Even when I didn't want kids, I always thought adoption was an amazing thing. At that point it was something that, should I ever decide I wanted kids, that's how I would do it. Obviously, and thankfully, Round One didn't go that route. But now I am starting to do some research. Tomorrow, I will go to the library to pick up my reserved copy of Adoption for Dummies, and I will read it, and I will prayerfully consider if adoption really is the next step in increasing the Wright Family. If it isn't, that is fine too. I am happy to have my own babies. I just think about how many children are already out there, waiting to be adopted and welcomed into a family of their own for the rest of their lives!!
Again, if this doesn't work out for us, I will be okay with that. For now, I am just excited to really start researching the process. It's always nice to have something to look forward to.
I put a lot of consideration into that blog post and took quite a bit of time to write it. The very next day, I found out that our family is, in fact, expanding. Three tests confirm that I am pregnant. Three because I just couldn't possibly believe the first two could be accurate. I was on birth control. (Side note, I take back every time I opened my big mouth to say that I thought people who got pregnant while on birth control just weren't using it right. Because believe me, I was using it right).
I felt such shock the first several weeks that it was hard for me to get excited about it. It wasn't until last Friday, when I had my first prenatal appointment and they brought in a portable ultrasound machine and I saw the blob that is our baby and its little heart beating that I felt real joy about this turn of events. It was a big lesson for me about how our timing for ourselves isn't always God's timing for us, and he pretty much wins every time.
I'm excited for Roman to be a brother :)
Friday, June 1, 2012
Heroes are my hero.
"Then he worked his way up the bar, calmly taking life after life from the people seated there or scrambling for cover. One man tried to stop him.
Grabbing the only weapons at hand — bar stools — he tossed them at the gunman, even as the man aimed at him, Seattle Assistant Police Chief Jim Pugel said Thursday after reviewing harrowing surveillance video of the massacre. The tactic created enough of a delay in the shooting that two or three other customers were able to bolt out the door to safety.
"My brother died in the World Trade Center," the man later told Seattle police, who did not release his name but provided an account of the interview. After his brother's death, he said, he resolved that if something like this ever happened, "I would never hide under a table."
The Seattle Times late Thursday identified the man as Lawrence Adams, 56."
I read this in an article this morning regarding the shooting in Seattle earlier this week. Then I read it again. And again. It brought tears to my eyes. I've been following this story pretty closely since it happend relatively nearby to us, and I have so many friends and family members up there. The whole thing is horrible and it has again made me stop and wonder why people are so screwed up today (and then I have to remind myself that NOTHING is new under the sun. This stuff has been going on since the dawn of time, but, once again, because of the combined forces of the media and the interweb, it seems like there is so much more going on becuse we hear about it quickly and more frequently than we did in the "dark ages." I kind of miss those days).
ANYWAY, That last paragraph got me. What an amazing resolution. What a great way to live and, in turn, probably help others to live has this man did here! Can you imagine what things would be like if we were all this brave? I am such a coward about so many things that I'm afraid I'd be one of the ones hiding under the table. But you never know your own strength until you are tested, I guess (I hope I'm never tested like that, though).
Lawrence Adams, thank you for being a hero. You make me, and I'm sure others, want to be a stronger, better person.
Grabbing the only weapons at hand — bar stools — he tossed them at the gunman, even as the man aimed at him, Seattle Assistant Police Chief Jim Pugel said Thursday after reviewing harrowing surveillance video of the massacre. The tactic created enough of a delay in the shooting that two or three other customers were able to bolt out the door to safety.
"My brother died in the World Trade Center," the man later told Seattle police, who did not release his name but provided an account of the interview. After his brother's death, he said, he resolved that if something like this ever happened, "I would never hide under a table."
The Seattle Times late Thursday identified the man as Lawrence Adams, 56."
I read this in an article this morning regarding the shooting in Seattle earlier this week. Then I read it again. And again. It brought tears to my eyes. I've been following this story pretty closely since it happend relatively nearby to us, and I have so many friends and family members up there. The whole thing is horrible and it has again made me stop and wonder why people are so screwed up today (and then I have to remind myself that NOTHING is new under the sun. This stuff has been going on since the dawn of time, but, once again, because of the combined forces of the media and the interweb, it seems like there is so much more going on becuse we hear about it quickly and more frequently than we did in the "dark ages." I kind of miss those days).
ANYWAY, That last paragraph got me. What an amazing resolution. What a great way to live and, in turn, probably help others to live has this man did here! Can you imagine what things would be like if we were all this brave? I am such a coward about so many things that I'm afraid I'd be one of the ones hiding under the table. But you never know your own strength until you are tested, I guess (I hope I'm never tested like that, though).
Lawrence Adams, thank you for being a hero. You make me, and I'm sure others, want to be a stronger, better person.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Shooting at a Mountain of Dirt - Great Song Lyrics for your Ponderation
"We were shooting at a mountain of dirt / well nothing was broken and nothing was hurt / but I probably really should have been at work / but when my free time's gone / will you promise me this / that you'll please bury me with it." Bury Me With It by Modest Mouse. - I love the imagery of wasting your time, doing something you want to do (doing something like shooting at a mountain of dirt!) instead of doing something you should be doing. We all need to waste more time. Which leads me to one of my favorite quotes (who said it, I don't know): 'You don't truly get to know someone until you deliberately waste time with them.'
"Everybody knows that somethings wrong, but nobody knows what's going on" - Lonely Day by Phantom Planet. - I think that pretty much sums up our world as we know it right now.
"I'm amazed at the lack of evolution. I'm amazed at the lack of faith. I'm amazed at the love we're rejecting. I'm amazed that we accepted this place" - I'm Amazed by My Morning Jacket. I love all of the lyrics to this song. It really is amazing what we are willing to settle for instead of reaching for what we really deserve and really want and doing things that could really make life awesome.
"He is jealous for me / loves like a hurricane / I am a tree/bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.....if grace is an ocean we're all sinking" - How He Loves by David Crowder. I love these images of God and the amount of his love and grace for us. I'm not a big Christian music fan, but this song give me the chills every time I hear it. His grace is so amazing and abundant (which is why I struggle with the concept of Hell, which is another story for later).
"There's nothing else / just remember to fall in love / there's nothing else." Swoon by The Chemical Brothers. Yep.
"What's the point of knocking me down? Everyone knows I'm already good on the ground." Bird Flu by M.I.A. I don't know a woman who is tougher than M.I.A., and I think these lyrics are a great demonstration of that. I'm of the assumption it the second part of the quote has dual meaning, too. :)
"....just as I'm thinking about repairing it some little friends come along with some two-string, one-string, no-string guitars (hey guys, wanna jam?)...." Back Porch by The Presidents of the United States of America. This might just be my all-time favorite song lyric.
"Do you realize that you have the most beautiful face/do you realize we're floating in space / do you realize that happiness makes you cry / do you realize that everyone you know someday will die / and instead of saying all of your goodbyes let them know you realize that life goes fast, it's hard to make the good things last / you realize the sun doesn't go down / it's just an illusion caused by the world spinning 'round." Do You Realize? by The Flaming Lips. This song is always a good reminder to me to not waste my time worrying about death....it's going to happen no matter how much I may fret about it, so I should stop worrying and make the very best of life while my loved ones and I are all still here! Also, this is mine and Jacob's song.
Something's coming, sky is purple / dogs are hounding to themselves / Days are changing with the weather / like a riptide come rip us away. Earthquake Weather by Beck. I love Beck. He's one of my favorite musicians. This song (as well as the entire Sea Change album of his) however, make me feel nervous and uncomfortable. I love the title Earthquake Weather, but as soon as the song starts I get anxious. I can't not listen to it, though, because I love the song just the same.
We like you / This is a game already won / the time has come / stop trying. Stop Trying by Sia. Basically, anyone worth having in your life will like you just as you are. It shouldn't be a lot of work to be friends with someone....they should like you, and you should like them, without having to try.
"Everybody knows that somethings wrong, but nobody knows what's going on" - Lonely Day by Phantom Planet. - I think that pretty much sums up our world as we know it right now.
"I'm amazed at the lack of evolution. I'm amazed at the lack of faith. I'm amazed at the love we're rejecting. I'm amazed that we accepted this place" - I'm Amazed by My Morning Jacket. I love all of the lyrics to this song. It really is amazing what we are willing to settle for instead of reaching for what we really deserve and really want and doing things that could really make life awesome.
"He is jealous for me / loves like a hurricane / I am a tree/bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.....if grace is an ocean we're all sinking" - How He Loves by David Crowder. I love these images of God and the amount of his love and grace for us. I'm not a big Christian music fan, but this song give me the chills every time I hear it. His grace is so amazing and abundant (which is why I struggle with the concept of Hell, which is another story for later).
"There's nothing else / just remember to fall in love / there's nothing else." Swoon by The Chemical Brothers. Yep.
"What's the point of knocking me down? Everyone knows I'm already good on the ground." Bird Flu by M.I.A. I don't know a woman who is tougher than M.I.A., and I think these lyrics are a great demonstration of that. I'm of the assumption it the second part of the quote has dual meaning, too. :)
"....just as I'm thinking about repairing it some little friends come along with some two-string, one-string, no-string guitars (hey guys, wanna jam?)...." Back Porch by The Presidents of the United States of America. This might just be my all-time favorite song lyric.
"Do you realize that you have the most beautiful face/do you realize we're floating in space / do you realize that happiness makes you cry / do you realize that everyone you know someday will die / and instead of saying all of your goodbyes let them know you realize that life goes fast, it's hard to make the good things last / you realize the sun doesn't go down / it's just an illusion caused by the world spinning 'round." Do You Realize? by The Flaming Lips. This song is always a good reminder to me to not waste my time worrying about death....it's going to happen no matter how much I may fret about it, so I should stop worrying and make the very best of life while my loved ones and I are all still here! Also, this is mine and Jacob's song.
Something's coming, sky is purple / dogs are hounding to themselves / Days are changing with the weather / like a riptide come rip us away. Earthquake Weather by Beck. I love Beck. He's one of my favorite musicians. This song (as well as the entire Sea Change album of his) however, make me feel nervous and uncomfortable. I love the title Earthquake Weather, but as soon as the song starts I get anxious. I can't not listen to it, though, because I love the song just the same.
We like you / This is a game already won / the time has come / stop trying. Stop Trying by Sia. Basically, anyone worth having in your life will like you just as you are. It shouldn't be a lot of work to be friends with someone....they should like you, and you should like them, without having to try.
Monday, May 21, 2012
I Love Lists! 10 Celebrities I Should Be Friends With! Annnnnd....GO!
1. Parker Posey! Because what one sassy bitch needs is another sassy bitch for some sassy-bitch competition. Plus, she’s who I’d have play me in a movie.
2. Jason Schwartzman! Not only is he a great actor, but he’s also a drummer! Yes please!
3. Jeremy Clarkson! Who in the whole wide world is cooler than this guy (except for Steve McQueen, probably)?
4. Jim James! He is an amazing musician and is crazy in his cape-coat.
5. Gael Garcia Bernal! For obvious reasons.
6. Kristin Wiig! Because she’s a freekin’ hoot! And everyone could use more laughter in their lives.
7. John Goodman! Probably the one I’d most want to have as a friend. I adore John Goodman.
8. Steve Buscemi! The best actor of our time.
9. Christopher Walken! Say what you will about him being creepy. The man is brilliant.
10. Anthony Bourdain! See my comments regarding Parker Posey.
2. Jason Schwartzman! Not only is he a great actor, but he’s also a drummer! Yes please!
3. Jeremy Clarkson! Who in the whole wide world is cooler than this guy (except for Steve McQueen, probably)?
4. Jim James! He is an amazing musician and is crazy in his cape-coat.
5. Gael Garcia Bernal! For obvious reasons.
6. Kristin Wiig! Because she’s a freekin’ hoot! And everyone could use more laughter in their lives.
7. John Goodman! Probably the one I’d most want to have as a friend. I adore John Goodman.
8. Steve Buscemi! The best actor of our time.
9. Christopher Walken! Say what you will about him being creepy. The man is brilliant.
10. Anthony Bourdain! See my comments regarding Parker Posey.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Conundrums
I love the word Conundrum. Here are a few conundrums in my life:
I don't like Coldplay all that much, but I love the song Violet Hill so much that I usually will play it at least twice in a row when it comes up on my iPod.
Conversely, I love Jimi Hendrix and think he is one of the most amazing musicians of all time, but I almost always skip over his songs when they come up on my iPod.
I don't like grapes or anything artificially grape flavored, but I love me some wine!
I don't particularly like the kind of music genre of the band Red Fang, but they have THE BEST music videos. So funny. Check one out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuRKRFjm-HA
I absolutely love to cook, but most of the time it really doesn't turn out that great.
Tomatoes = Yum! Ketchup = Yuck!
I love hot weather and would love to live in a tropical climate, but my body can't actually handle the sun. I have to reapply SPF 45 or greater on at least an hourly basis and it's best if I just wear long sleeves outside. I crave the sunshine but am forever bound to the shade.
During the week, I will happily take a nap in my car on my lunch hour instead of getting stuff done that I need to be getting done on my lunch hour (errands, etc), but on the weekends, no matter how tired I might be, I can't bring myself to be that restful because I feel like I am wasting time and need to get things done.
I am very much a "do what you want to do, live how you want to live, believe what you want to believe" kind of person, but I have the very strong opinion that birth control should be required until potential parents meet certain criteria (not necessarily financially). There should also be a limit on how many babies one can have. Do you really need more than three? No, you don't. (That said, I do love my nieces and nephews who are born after child #3 in a family...and I have a lot of them and many more to come....but still.) If I didn't think it would be so distasteful of me to do so, I'd love to give a few in-laws a piece of my mind about it.
Hippies doing drugs couldn't bother me in the least. White trash doing drugs whips me into a frenzy and I'm very judgmental about it.
Okay, so some of these are more just contradictions, but I think that contradictions and conundrums are pretty similar.
The end.
I don't like Coldplay all that much, but I love the song Violet Hill so much that I usually will play it at least twice in a row when it comes up on my iPod.
Conversely, I love Jimi Hendrix and think he is one of the most amazing musicians of all time, but I almost always skip over his songs when they come up on my iPod.
I don't like grapes or anything artificially grape flavored, but I love me some wine!
I don't particularly like the kind of music genre of the band Red Fang, but they have THE BEST music videos. So funny. Check one out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuRKRFjm-HA
I absolutely love to cook, but most of the time it really doesn't turn out that great.
Tomatoes = Yum! Ketchup = Yuck!
I love hot weather and would love to live in a tropical climate, but my body can't actually handle the sun. I have to reapply SPF 45 or greater on at least an hourly basis and it's best if I just wear long sleeves outside. I crave the sunshine but am forever bound to the shade.
During the week, I will happily take a nap in my car on my lunch hour instead of getting stuff done that I need to be getting done on my lunch hour (errands, etc), but on the weekends, no matter how tired I might be, I can't bring myself to be that restful because I feel like I am wasting time and need to get things done.
I am very much a "do what you want to do, live how you want to live, believe what you want to believe" kind of person, but I have the very strong opinion that birth control should be required until potential parents meet certain criteria (not necessarily financially). There should also be a limit on how many babies one can have. Do you really need more than three? No, you don't. (That said, I do love my nieces and nephews who are born after child #3 in a family...and I have a lot of them and many more to come....but still.) If I didn't think it would be so distasteful of me to do so, I'd love to give a few in-laws a piece of my mind about it.
Hippies doing drugs couldn't bother me in the least. White trash doing drugs whips me into a frenzy and I'm very judgmental about it.
Okay, so some of these are more just contradictions, but I think that contradictions and conundrums are pretty similar.
The end.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
To Quote Brak Exactly, "To Quote Wally Exactly, Here's Some Stuff That I Like:"
A very brief overview of some stuff that I like (I am sure similar posts will follow....)
- Driving with the windows down instead of using the A/C
- Positive Vibrations on KEXP
- My very handsome hubby
- All this sunshine!
- Warm mornings
- "This is your captain speaking. Next stop is whenever. Just be, like, 'stop.'"
- Free coffee at Dutch Bros.
- The palm trees in my yard
- The chickens in my yard
- The adorable naked Roman running around my yard
- Pineapple upside down cake. ("Why's it upside down? WHY'S IT UPSIDE DOWN??")
- The hot, hot heat (the actual hot, hot heat, not the band Hot, Hot Heat, which I am sure is a perfectly fine band, I just don't know them well enough to add them to this list)
- "Hey Beaver, what was that sound?" "Gee dad, I don't know. I think it was some sort of noise." - Leave it to Beaver. One of the best quotes ever.
- Wearing a watch
- I've had this twitch on my cheek all morning...I'll like it when that's gone
- The Tin Shed. I was so happy to go there for breakfast for Mother's Day
- Believe it or not, I love it when Roman wakes me up at 6:30 in the morning on the weekends (but I won't like it if you quote this back to me when I complain about it later)
- I will REALLY like it the day my neighbors across the street move away. Someday....
- Music from the mid 90s, especially 1995
- Fireflies
- Music in general. Music is an incredible thing....it's amazing what it can do
- I like wine
- I like to check the mail. It's my favorite chore.
- Line-dried clothes - the smell and the crunchy feel
- Really green trees against a really dark (as in stormy) sky, especially if the sun is also shining on the other side of the sky
- Baseball games on the radio
- Cabooses
- "rif-raff" and "toodaloo" and "ruckus" "lady friend"
- I've taken up jogging in the last month or so and have been doing better at it than I ever have before. I like that.
- The very satisfied/relieving feeling that comes after sneezing
- Grilling
- Dirty feet at the end of a warm and productive day
- Payday!
- QuickBooks
- Mid-Century Modern
- Tiki
- My job. Which I should probably get cracking at.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Knowledge is Power? Not in This Case....
For someone who has a journalism degree, I sure hate the media. I mean really, really hate.
I think people in general are more afraid now than they were before this interweb era. Every day I look at sites like MSN and Yahoo! and every day I tell myself that I'm not going to read the news anymore. No matter which site you go to, they have nothing good to say. But somehow, they keep sucking me in.
They report on such things as a girl who is being attacked by some flesh-eating parasite that she contracted while going ziplining on a vacation. Now I bet tons of people who had "go ziplining" on their "bucket lists" are going to be too afraid to go, even though this was most likely the rarest of cases and it was just her bad luck.
I just wish more people would use their power for good. Everyone I talk to likes to read good news, and I think good news sells too, not just bad news. I think more and more people are getting frustrated with the media fuleing the fire and giving bad people more ideas on how they can be even worse. All of the knowledge I now have from the crap the media gives to me has not made me more powerful. It has made me more afraid and thus feeling more weak. Why is the media okay with this? If I were a news anchor, I'd want to go home and kill myself every single day after reporting the news.
Maybe this is me just being my pessimistic self, but even if it is, to you, dear Media, I give a giant EFF YOU for making everyones lives more miserable. Now you sit there and think about what you've done.
Thus endith my rant for today.
I think people in general are more afraid now than they were before this interweb era. Every day I look at sites like MSN and Yahoo! and every day I tell myself that I'm not going to read the news anymore. No matter which site you go to, they have nothing good to say. But somehow, they keep sucking me in.
They report on such things as a girl who is being attacked by some flesh-eating parasite that she contracted while going ziplining on a vacation. Now I bet tons of people who had "go ziplining" on their "bucket lists" are going to be too afraid to go, even though this was most likely the rarest of cases and it was just her bad luck.
I just wish more people would use their power for good. Everyone I talk to likes to read good news, and I think good news sells too, not just bad news. I think more and more people are getting frustrated with the media fuleing the fire and giving bad people more ideas on how they can be even worse. All of the knowledge I now have from the crap the media gives to me has not made me more powerful. It has made me more afraid and thus feeling more weak. Why is the media okay with this? If I were a news anchor, I'd want to go home and kill myself every single day after reporting the news.
Maybe this is me just being my pessimistic self, but even if it is, to you, dear Media, I give a giant EFF YOU for making everyones lives more miserable. Now you sit there and think about what you've done.
Thus endith my rant for today.
Friday, May 4, 2012
10 Albums That Have Shaped Me, For Better or For Worse.
3. Buena Vista Social Club, “Buena Vista Social Club” – makes me feel nostalgic for something I’ve never known.
4. Zero7 “The Garden” – Zero7 was the best band I ever serendipitously discovered, and this was the album I bought when it happened. And it is signed by Sia, whom I love. Thank you, Bumbershoot, for searching backpacks for beer when going to the main stage to see Kanye West. If we hadn’t been so unwilling to dump out our contraband, I’d never have seen Zero7. Side note, I couldn’t care less about Kanye West. I appreciate his talent, but I’d never seek out his music (except for Love Lockdown. That’s a great song). And I’d always choose beer over Kanye West.
5. The Flaming Lips, “The Soft Bulletin” – For me and Jacob, it marks the start of a beautiful relationship. Especially the song about bugs.
6. Fiona Apple, “When the Pawn…” - Brings back pleasant memories I am unwilling to divulge. Not that they are something I shouldn’t divulge, it’s just nice to have some things all to yourself.
7. My Morning Jacket, “Evil Urges” – It serves as a perfect reminder that even if you hated an album the first time around, give it another chance. There’s nothing wrong with a band experimenting a little and it could turn out to be one of your favorite albums after all. Yes indeedy!
8. The String Cheese Incident, “Carnival 99” – because on a sunny day, there is nothing better than a jam band.
9. Lee “Scratch” Perry & The Upsetters, “Super Ape” and “Return of the Super Ape” – because on a sunny day, there is nothing better than reggae. (P.S. I know…I am cheating here because this is two albums. But they are by the same folks and practically have the same name and one album has some songs I love and the other album has other songs I love. So too bad.)
10. Bjork, “Post” - This album represents the greatness that was the music of 1995, which is my all-time favorite year of music. And I think it takes a good ear to really recognize and appreciate the immense talent that is Bjork.
11. Upon receiving the news, almost literally the second I finished my list, that Adam “MCA” Yauch of the Beastie Boys died, I have deemed it necessary to add a number 11. I love the Beastie Boys. I have so many fond memories that float to the surface when I hear so many of their songs. So for my number 11. (with a bullet), the entry is The Beastie Boys, “Hello Nasty” – plus the song “Sabotage” – Wendy, I hope that brings back as awesome memories for you as it does for me!
Friday, April 20, 2012
Goodbye, Hello
I kissed Facebook goodbye this week.
Leading up to the deletion, I was surprised at how big of a decision it felt to be. There were so many people that I was in touch with from my past, family included, that I wouldn't have been in touch with otherwise and, sadly, would lose contact with if I deleted the account. But it felt like the right thing to do. I posted my email address in a final status update and said I was outta there. Most of the objections came from folks who were sad they wouldn't have updates on Roman anymore (it is true, that once a child is in the picture, the people who gave life to that child suddenly doesn't exist quite as much anymore. Totally worth it, though. I love you, Roman). Sorry folks...keeping Facebook just so you can see pictures of Roman isn't enough for me. I'm not that good at posing updated pictures anyway.
So I gathered the email addresses of people I really did not want to lose contact with, saved pictures I had been tagged in that weren't mine originally, and that was that. Once I confirmed that I did indeed wish to end it all, everything felt so anticlimactic.
Oh....that wasn't so bad. Huh....I feel pretty good.
Suddenly, the responsibility of knowing where dinner group is this week isn't mine anymore. JACOB will have to be the one to step up to the bat on that one!
Suddenly, I'm not seeing a bunch of religious/political/general-opinion-crap-that-I-don't-want-to-hear-about status updates!!
Suddenly, I have one less Big Brother creepily tracking my every single move!!!
One strange thing I will admit to, though, is when something happens or I think of something and my next thought is "ooh, that'll be a great status update." (Gawd, how ridiculous! But it's totally true that we do that!) It's okay...that phantom limb will be gone in a few weeks, I suspect.
In the meantime, I will get back to what I was doing during Lent and actually being more thoughtful and deliberate in communicating with people. I WILL keep writing letters! (E-mails too, because sometimes it's just quicker and not everything requires a hand-written letter.) Who doesn't love to get a piece of actual mail, even if it is just someone who wants to say hello. Who knows, maybe I'll get good at actually getting together with my friends once in awhile too.
So goodbye Facebookland, hello real life!
Leading up to the deletion, I was surprised at how big of a decision it felt to be. There were so many people that I was in touch with from my past, family included, that I wouldn't have been in touch with otherwise and, sadly, would lose contact with if I deleted the account. But it felt like the right thing to do. I posted my email address in a final status update and said I was outta there. Most of the objections came from folks who were sad they wouldn't have updates on Roman anymore (it is true, that once a child is in the picture, the people who gave life to that child suddenly doesn't exist quite as much anymore. Totally worth it, though. I love you, Roman). Sorry folks...keeping Facebook just so you can see pictures of Roman isn't enough for me. I'm not that good at posing updated pictures anyway.
So I gathered the email addresses of people I really did not want to lose contact with, saved pictures I had been tagged in that weren't mine originally, and that was that. Once I confirmed that I did indeed wish to end it all, everything felt so anticlimactic.
Oh....that wasn't so bad. Huh....I feel pretty good.
Suddenly, the responsibility of knowing where dinner group is this week isn't mine anymore. JACOB will have to be the one to step up to the bat on that one!
Suddenly, I'm not seeing a bunch of religious/political/general-opinion-crap-that-I-don't-want-to-hear-about status updates!!
Suddenly, I have one less Big Brother creepily tracking my every single move!!!
One strange thing I will admit to, though, is when something happens or I think of something and my next thought is "ooh, that'll be a great status update." (Gawd, how ridiculous! But it's totally true that we do that!) It's okay...that phantom limb will be gone in a few weeks, I suspect.
In the meantime, I will get back to what I was doing during Lent and actually being more thoughtful and deliberate in communicating with people. I WILL keep writing letters! (E-mails too, because sometimes it's just quicker and not everything requires a hand-written letter.) Who doesn't love to get a piece of actual mail, even if it is just someone who wants to say hello. Who knows, maybe I'll get good at actually getting together with my friends once in awhile too.
So goodbye Facebookland, hello real life!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Hobbies - Part II
Gosh, almost exactly two years to the date later, I FINALLY have some hobbies! Hip-hip-hooray! And seriously, it did take this long to figure something out.
So first off, we are raising chickens now. Yep, we have jumped on the urban farming bandwagon. Right now, we have four baby chickens living in a kiddie pool in our living room! They are kind of in their ugly phase right now, where their cute, soft fuzz is giving way to feathers. Their tushy feathers are growing in now as well. I suppose this would be the equivalent to the awkward puberty, hair-growing-in-strange-places (but, you know...feathers), acne-riddled junior high phase we all so fondly remember. But maybe without all the angst. Anyway, we are raising the chickens for the eggs, not so much for the meat. Roman (that's the baby I had since the last time I posted on here. He is now almost a year and a half) is pretty interested in the chicks. I think it'll be a fun chore for him when he is a little bit older - gathering up the eggs every day. I think he'll learn a lot from it.
The second task I have taken upon myself is to make some of my own household products, like cleaning supplies and soap. I wanted to make our household more self-sufficient and less of the problem. I am trying to get rid of some of the toxins we use regularly in our house to "clean" it. It is amazing what you can do with natural, non-poisonous stuff (not that you should eat or drink any of what I am making). Lemon juice! Vinegar! Baking soda! Along these same lines, we'll be planting our garden very soon and I am looking forward to it! We didn't do it last year and I missed the fresh and free produce. I am excited to tend to it and put a lot of time and care into it.
The other thing I have been doing is making my own cards (greeting, not playing). I did this once before, actually. When I graduated from college, I made all of my own announcements/grad party invites by cutting things I liked out of magazines and newspapers (pictures, one-liners, fun facts, etc) and mod-podging them onto card stock. Everyone got a different card and it was really fun! The last few months, it has practically been an obsession for me, cutting things out of papers and magazines for future use. I love it. And then I slap them on to cardstock and away they go! During the season of Lent this year, I gave up Facebook again and instead wrote people actual letters, using the cards I made. It was fun to pick out which card from my stockpile I thought the recipient would most appreciate. Making these cards has been a really FUN hobby for me. And some of the pictures that I found that I REALLY liked and wanted to keep for myself I just taped into a journal :) You know...like Pinterest, but REAL.
Anyway, I am really glad to have found some real, actual hobbies! It feels really good and accomplishing to have these. And I think that they are all worthwhile and beneficial. Hooray for hobbies!
So first off, we are raising chickens now. Yep, we have jumped on the urban farming bandwagon. Right now, we have four baby chickens living in a kiddie pool in our living room! They are kind of in their ugly phase right now, where their cute, soft fuzz is giving way to feathers. Their tushy feathers are growing in now as well. I suppose this would be the equivalent to the awkward puberty, hair-growing-in-strange-places (but, you know...feathers), acne-riddled junior high phase we all so fondly remember. But maybe without all the angst. Anyway, we are raising the chickens for the eggs, not so much for the meat. Roman (that's the baby I had since the last time I posted on here. He is now almost a year and a half) is pretty interested in the chicks. I think it'll be a fun chore for him when he is a little bit older - gathering up the eggs every day. I think he'll learn a lot from it.
The second task I have taken upon myself is to make some of my own household products, like cleaning supplies and soap. I wanted to make our household more self-sufficient and less of the problem. I am trying to get rid of some of the toxins we use regularly in our house to "clean" it. It is amazing what you can do with natural, non-poisonous stuff (not that you should eat or drink any of what I am making). Lemon juice! Vinegar! Baking soda! Along these same lines, we'll be planting our garden very soon and I am looking forward to it! We didn't do it last year and I missed the fresh and free produce. I am excited to tend to it and put a lot of time and care into it.
The other thing I have been doing is making my own cards (greeting, not playing). I did this once before, actually. When I graduated from college, I made all of my own announcements/grad party invites by cutting things I liked out of magazines and newspapers (pictures, one-liners, fun facts, etc) and mod-podging them onto card stock. Everyone got a different card and it was really fun! The last few months, it has practically been an obsession for me, cutting things out of papers and magazines for future use. I love it. And then I slap them on to cardstock and away they go! During the season of Lent this year, I gave up Facebook again and instead wrote people actual letters, using the cards I made. It was fun to pick out which card from my stockpile I thought the recipient would most appreciate. Making these cards has been a really FUN hobby for me. And some of the pictures that I found that I REALLY liked and wanted to keep for myself I just taped into a journal :) You know...like Pinterest, but REAL.
Anyway, I am really glad to have found some real, actual hobbies! It feels really good and accomplishing to have these. And I think that they are all worthwhile and beneficial. Hooray for hobbies!
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