Thursday, June 23, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Let's Get this over with, shall we?
No BIG surprise that it has been a couple months since my last post. I had ideas for the "poultry slam" topic, I swear I did, but time got away from me again, as time always does. I cannot say I had as many stories to offer as Episode 3 of this American Life but then again, how much can a person talk/write about poultry? I like chicken, it tastes good. Dark meat is my favorite. That's all I've got. Seriously though, my son and I did have a plan to enter the Peeps Diorama contest around Easter time. Yes this is a real thing, see for yourself: http://twincities.upickem.net/engine/Welcome.aspx?contestid=27999. It sounded like a fun project and would have transfered well to the poultry themed post (peeps=baby chicks). BUT we could not agree on the theme for the diorama. He wanted to do a scene from Thriller, I thought perhaps a scene from Harry Potter titled Harry Peeper would be more clever. Eventually the deadline passed and we concluded that we should have created a scene from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and called it Puffy the Peep Slayer. Instead my son wrote a story called Puffy the Peep Slayer in which the main character, Puffy, slays the evil Peeps with a toothpick. The Peeps are evil because their sugar-coated outside is the source of tooth decay for children all over the world. What is more evil than cavities? We are currently looking for a publisher.
I was also going to mention the story my sister told me after she watched "Food Inc" for a health class in college. She described a scene in which chickens were being killed and she swore you could hear them screaming "ow, ow, ow" repeatedly. I remember thinking she was a freakin' nut job and wondering if she smoked a joint before viewing the documentary but then I watched it. It's clear they are shrieking for obvious reasons but I know, as well as most people, that chickens can't speak so yeah, I'm pretty sure my sister was high...or her instructor was a hard core vegan who planted this thought in the minds of her impressionable class. Although, after watching "Food Inc" I really didn't want to eat meat, of any kind, ever again. I found I could not quit cold turkey (pun totally intended) and even though I still enjoy feasting on flesh, I feel guilty EVERY time I do now.
But seriously, folliers, this shit is messed up:
Last but not least, check out http://poultrykeeper.com/ and join other poultry enthusiasts, if that's what you're into.
Until next time, Folliers, may the fowl be with you....
I was also going to mention the story my sister told me after she watched "Food Inc" for a health class in college. She described a scene in which chickens were being killed and she swore you could hear them screaming "ow, ow, ow" repeatedly. I remember thinking she was a freakin' nut job and wondering if she smoked a joint before viewing the documentary but then I watched it. It's clear they are shrieking for obvious reasons but I know, as well as most people, that chickens can't speak so yeah, I'm pretty sure my sister was high...or her instructor was a hard core vegan who planted this thought in the minds of her impressionable class. Although, after watching "Food Inc" I really didn't want to eat meat, of any kind, ever again. I found I could not quit cold turkey (pun totally intended) and even though I still enjoy feasting on flesh, I feel guilty EVERY time I do now.
But seriously, folliers, this shit is messed up:
Until next time, Folliers, may the fowl be with you....
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
In the Springtime of My Voodoo
It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!
~Mark Twain
Am I turning into one of those annoying people that places a quote before EVERY post? Maybe. Do the titles of my posts usually reference a song some may have never heard of? Maybe but if you don't listen to good music, that is not my fault.
This is not a post in relation to a This American Life topic. I'm still pondering what exactly, if anything, I have to say about poultry, which is the next topic in their archives. No folliers, this is a "because I felt the need to write" post. Because my hope is someone somewhere enjoys the way I organize my words.
I'm feeling quite optimistic at the moment and I like it. I like it a lot. Perhaps it's because it's FINALLY Spring or because I'm starting a new job on Monday, April 4th or because I have the next 4 days to do things I've been putting off all Winter, such as having my dog groomed, washing my car, getting a pedicure, etc. I'm just going to savor this moment because I'm sure, come Monday morning, I'll be a nervous wreck. Usually the crippling fear of failure sets in EVERY time I get a new job and I doubt myself before I even begin. Which brings me to an interesting post titled The Fun of Failure I read recently on the blog Yes and Yes. It offers a different perspective on the fear of failure and I truly felt better after reading it. This blog is rapidly becoming one of my faves.
What other not so interesting things have I been doing since my last post? Glad you asked (although, you may wish you hadn't).
Currently reading:
With contributors like Stephen Colbert, Nick Hornby, Will Forte and Dan Savage, you can't go wrong.
Currently obsessed with:
Yes, I know I'm about 15 years late but I started watching Buff the Vampire Slayer earlier this year and I AM HOOKED. I like style of the creator Joss Whedon. And I've been following the terrible acting of Sarah Michelle Gellar since she was on the TV series Swans Crossing in the early 90s. I am just about to start season 5 of Buffy. I have to say though, I enjoyed the first 3 seasons the most thus far. Once they go to college (and Angel and Cordelia are gone), the show loses something. BUT I am not a quitter and plan to watch all the way through season 7. Then I'll probably watch the spin off show Angel too.
Not a fan of vampires, demons and the like? Perhaps you've heard of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, also by Joss Whedon. It's available on Netflix and I highly recommend it. Especially if you're a fan of Neil Patrick Harris (who isn't??).
Shopping sites I've been perusing (besides Ebay):
Lulus
ModCloth
Both offer fashion at an affordable price. Also, here's a blog to reference for outfit ideas: What I Wore. I absolutely loaf it.
That's all for today, Folliers...Time to start season 5!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Small-scale Sin or Something Like it...
That which we call sin in others is experiment for us.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Experience," Essays, 1844
Time to blow the dust off this blog, eh? No I did not forget the challenge I presented to myself in my last entry but thanks for asking. I’ve been mulling it over since I last wrote. The topic, as decided by the This American Life archives, is small-scale sin. I’ve thought of the many angles I could “report” on this topic. Have I committed what some may believe to be “small-scale sin”? I am human, am I not? But I do not wish to incriminate myself in any way so that viewpoint was out. I tried free-writing in an attempt to answer the question “Is there such a thing as small-scale sin”? Unfortunately I began writing it on a day that I was struggling with the side effects of very little sleep and too much tea. The result was something that could very well be mistaken for a transcript of an interview with Charlie Sheen. I tried to salvage something (ANYTHING) from it but found it hard to stay on topic and not get side tracked by the issues I have with organized religion. The only part that actually pertained to the specific topic, besides the quote that precedes this entry, was the question “Who decides the scale of the sin committed?”
At last, I turned to my 7 year old son. A boy that has no formal training on the subject. A boy who, until recently, referred to any cross that he’d see as the letter “t”. As in: “Mom, why is that lady wearing a T around her neck?” Somewhere the Religious Right is gasping (along with a few family members, I’m sure). My son is a very intelligent young man, he just hasn’t had a continued dose of bible serum pumped in him for the past 7 years and I’m okay with that. Somehow, he has still managed to learn about God through friends, reading books on the subject, television and asking his parents various questions.
Moving back to the topic: one day, on the way home from picking him up from school, I asked him if he knew what the word “sin” meant. He said he’d heard it before but wasn’t sure. I explained to him what “some people” believe it to be and the potential consequences of the sinner’s actions. He thought about it for a moment and then spoke aloud, but not to me. From the back seat I heard, “Dear God, I promise to clean my room. And also, God, I am sorry for not respecting my parents.”
*******
Things I've enjoyed that pertain to this topic:
For your listening pleasure: This American Life: Small Scale Sin
Read it:
Both hilarious and informative
I also recommend:
Specifically, the play titled "No Exit"
~Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Experience," Essays, 1844
Time to blow the dust off this blog, eh? No I did not forget the challenge I presented to myself in my last entry but thanks for asking. I’ve been mulling it over since I last wrote. The topic, as decided by the This American Life archives, is small-scale sin. I’ve thought of the many angles I could “report” on this topic. Have I committed what some may believe to be “small-scale sin”? I am human, am I not? But I do not wish to incriminate myself in any way so that viewpoint was out. I tried free-writing in an attempt to answer the question “Is there such a thing as small-scale sin”? Unfortunately I began writing it on a day that I was struggling with the side effects of very little sleep and too much tea. The result was something that could very well be mistaken for a transcript of an interview with Charlie Sheen. I tried to salvage something (ANYTHING) from it but found it hard to stay on topic and not get side tracked by the issues I have with organized religion. The only part that actually pertained to the specific topic, besides the quote that precedes this entry, was the question “Who decides the scale of the sin committed?”
At last, I turned to my 7 year old son. A boy that has no formal training on the subject. A boy who, until recently, referred to any cross that he’d see as the letter “t”. As in: “Mom, why is that lady wearing a T around her neck?” Somewhere the Religious Right is gasping (along with a few family members, I’m sure). My son is a very intelligent young man, he just hasn’t had a continued dose of bible serum pumped in him for the past 7 years and I’m okay with that. Somehow, he has still managed to learn about God through friends, reading books on the subject, television and asking his parents various questions.
Moving back to the topic: one day, on the way home from picking him up from school, I asked him if he knew what the word “sin” meant. He said he’d heard it before but wasn’t sure. I explained to him what “some people” believe it to be and the potential consequences of the sinner’s actions. He thought about it for a moment and then spoke aloud, but not to me. From the back seat I heard, “Dear God, I promise to clean my room. And also, God, I am sorry for not respecting my parents.”
*******
Things I've enjoyed that pertain to this topic:
For your listening pleasure: This American Life: Small Scale Sin
Read it:
Both hilarious and informative
I also recommend:
Specifically, the play titled "No Exit"
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
New Beginnings: My American Life
Ok, so I know you’ve heard this speech from me before. Yeah, yeah, I know, it’s been almost 2 months and not a blog in sight. I am just as disappointed as you are. I cannot even tell you what I have been doing. First came the holidays, then my birthday, followed by a blur of uneventful days. I looked back at my calendar to see what I had scheduled for the month of January and this is what I found:
January 15th: Haircut – If you’re wondering where, why it’s only the best salon in Mankato – Raydiance http://www.raydiancesalon.com/
January 27th: Anniversary – yes that’s right, I put a reminder for my wedding anniversary on my calendar. This was done after I kept getting the date wrong (for some reason I kept thinking it was the 25th) and had to resort to looking at a photo album where our wedding date is engraved on the front. It’s been six years; you’d think I’d know by now. This event was celebrated at one of my fave restaurants in Mankato, Pappa George Restaurant & Bar.
January 28th: I had a reminder on my calendar to get my driver’s license renewed. This day was devastating, not only because I was reminded once again that I am getting older, but I also had to have my picture taken (my previous pic was soooo good). Do you realize how hard it is to get a good DL pic? I have since received my new one in the mail and I seriously look like a man. I had to check to make sure they didn’t actually put the letter M under Sex.
Before this turns into a page from Bridget Jones’ diary (too late), I’d like to get to the meaning of the title of this blog entry. I’ve decided I need to challenge myself more when it comes to writing. I thought starting a blog would do that but then I ran into the problem of not having much to write about. Well, friends, family, countrymen, I’ve found something that may work. Three words: This American Life. I am a HUGE fan of the radio show and of Ira Glass. As you may know, each week they choose a theme and report on stories that tie into that theme. Well I’ve decided to start a This American Life blog challenge. Challenge accepted! As of late, while I’m working I have been going through the archives and listening to past episodes on their website. My plan is to start from the first theme listed in the archives and go from there. Coincidentally, the first show is titled New Beginnings. I decided that my last blog entry could fall into that category as can this entry. I’m will try my best to have a new entry every week but would eventually like to reach a point where I’m blogging daily. We’ll see how it goes as some of the themes may prove to be a little challenging to come up with subject matter for. This is where family and friends come in as I may need to interview people for their stories if I am unable to pull from my own life.
In college I had the luxury of a professor giving me ideas and themes to ignite a writing spark. I was amazed at what came out of some very basic ideas, words, and themes. I’m hoping to recreate that with this challenge. I feel that I’ve been so busy with the day to day things that I’ve neglected the one thing I’ve been passionate about all my life: writing. I’ve made so many excuses as to why I am not doing it more that I’ve run out of excuses. I figure I can either look back and fret over all the “wrong” choices I made that have brought me to the undesirable job I am now working, or I can move forward and remind myself “it’s never too late”.
I am inspired daily by my seven year old son, whose wild imagination continues to amaze me with each story he writes and picture he draws. Even his journal entries are a delight as they enable me to see the world through his eyes. He writes more often than I do!
Let the blogging begin…
January 15th: Haircut – If you’re wondering where, why it’s only the best salon in Mankato – Raydiance http://www.raydiancesalon.com/
January 27th: Anniversary – yes that’s right, I put a reminder for my wedding anniversary on my calendar. This was done after I kept getting the date wrong (for some reason I kept thinking it was the 25th) and had to resort to looking at a photo album where our wedding date is engraved on the front. It’s been six years; you’d think I’d know by now. This event was celebrated at one of my fave restaurants in Mankato, Pappa George Restaurant & Bar.
January 28th: I had a reminder on my calendar to get my driver’s license renewed. This day was devastating, not only because I was reminded once again that I am getting older, but I also had to have my picture taken (my previous pic was soooo good). Do you realize how hard it is to get a good DL pic? I have since received my new one in the mail and I seriously look like a man. I had to check to make sure they didn’t actually put the letter M under Sex.
Before this turns into a page from Bridget Jones’ diary (too late), I’d like to get to the meaning of the title of this blog entry. I’ve decided I need to challenge myself more when it comes to writing. I thought starting a blog would do that but then I ran into the problem of not having much to write about. Well, friends, family, countrymen, I’ve found something that may work. Three words: This American Life. I am a HUGE fan of the radio show and of Ira Glass. As you may know, each week they choose a theme and report on stories that tie into that theme. Well I’ve decided to start a This American Life blog challenge. Challenge accepted! As of late, while I’m working I have been going through the archives and listening to past episodes on their website. My plan is to start from the first theme listed in the archives and go from there. Coincidentally, the first show is titled New Beginnings. I decided that my last blog entry could fall into that category as can this entry. I’m will try my best to have a new entry every week but would eventually like to reach a point where I’m blogging daily. We’ll see how it goes as some of the themes may prove to be a little challenging to come up with subject matter for. This is where family and friends come in as I may need to interview people for their stories if I am unable to pull from my own life.
In college I had the luxury of a professor giving me ideas and themes to ignite a writing spark. I was amazed at what came out of some very basic ideas, words, and themes. I’m hoping to recreate that with this challenge. I feel that I’ve been so busy with the day to day things that I’ve neglected the one thing I’ve been passionate about all my life: writing. I’ve made so many excuses as to why I am not doing it more that I’ve run out of excuses. I figure I can either look back and fret over all the “wrong” choices I made that have brought me to the undesirable job I am now working, or I can move forward and remind myself “it’s never too late”.
I am inspired daily by my seven year old son, whose wild imagination continues to amaze me with each story he writes and picture he draws. Even his journal entries are a delight as they enable me to see the world through his eyes. He writes more often than I do!
Let the blogging begin…
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
It's that Time of Year Again...
Ugh. Things I can be sure of this time of year: I will be swimming in a post Christmas funk, semi-dreading the end of another year in which I accomplished nothing spectacular and sweating the fact that I will soon be turning another year older. Why oh why must it be this way? I begin questioning all the decisions I've made in my life and wondering why, every year at this time, I seem to always feel the same way. It's like I've spent the entire year walking a long lap only to end right where I began. Oh sure there are a few changes. I notice a few more wrinkles, pluck a couple gray hairs, and watch as my son grows faster than a sea monkey. I can rarely find any accomplishments to take comfort in and the year begins covered in a sheet of melancholy (and snow).
At the onset of my end of the year crisis, I always reach for the same book. Whether I read it cover to cover or the occasional chapter or three, it has become an essential item to jumpstart the force that drives me. Although it is listed under "Self-Help", an area of the book store I don't often frequent for fear someone I know may see me, it is not your ordinary self-help book (yes I have read one or two). When I think of the term self-help, I think of the SNL character Stuart Smalley sitting in front of his mirror, telling his reflection "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me". Daily affirmations have never worked for me, mostly because I find someway to discredit them. That is the way my brain works. Apparently it likes to play devil's advocate with itself. Anway, back to the book. It is titled Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem by Gloria Steinem. Do not be discouraged by the title, rather, look at the authors name. Hello, it's Gloria freakin' Steinem. Credibility right there.
This book was first published in the early 90's and became a #1 national bestseller. I purchased it sometime around 2001-2002 for a Women Studies class I took in college. We were required to read some of the chapters but, at the time, I don't think I really absorbed the information. I knew who Gloria Steinem was from readings in other Women Studies classes but at that time in my life, I was so focused on looking at the outside forces that had and were continuing to affect my life rather than analyzing myself and my own behaviors. It wasn't until about 5 years ago that I actually read the entire book and felt that I actually learned things about myself and the people in my life. As I said, I have read "self-help" books before, even went to therapy for a while, but this book is different. Rather than advice, she shares stories about herself and others, history and research she has done or read about. It's an educational and comforting read. A book that should be required reading for everyone, women AND men.
The reason I find myself picking it up at least once a year (if not more) is to remind myself that (to steal a quote from the book) "We create much of the outer world from within ourselves". As weeks and months pass, I seem to lose site of this fact. It's hard to unlearn bad habits (most of which we adopt at an early age) and to retrain your brain to take a different path every time it's faced with unforeseen obstacles. So when I look ahead at a new year filled with the same struggles, it can be a bit daunting. I figure the more I read the book, the more I learn and unlearn, the more likely I am to change my way of thinking so that one day, hopefully in the near future, I can feel as if I am continuing on the journey instead of reliving it.
At the onset of my end of the year crisis, I always reach for the same book. Whether I read it cover to cover or the occasional chapter or three, it has become an essential item to jumpstart the force that drives me. Although it is listed under "Self-Help", an area of the book store I don't often frequent for fear someone I know may see me, it is not your ordinary self-help book (yes I have read one or two). When I think of the term self-help, I think of the SNL character Stuart Smalley sitting in front of his mirror, telling his reflection "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me". Daily affirmations have never worked for me, mostly because I find someway to discredit them. That is the way my brain works. Apparently it likes to play devil's advocate with itself. Anway, back to the book. It is titled Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem by Gloria Steinem. Do not be discouraged by the title, rather, look at the authors name. Hello, it's Gloria freakin' Steinem. Credibility right there.
This book was first published in the early 90's and became a #1 national bestseller. I purchased it sometime around 2001-2002 for a Women Studies class I took in college. We were required to read some of the chapters but, at the time, I don't think I really absorbed the information. I knew who Gloria Steinem was from readings in other Women Studies classes but at that time in my life, I was so focused on looking at the outside forces that had and were continuing to affect my life rather than analyzing myself and my own behaviors. It wasn't until about 5 years ago that I actually read the entire book and felt that I actually learned things about myself and the people in my life. As I said, I have read "self-help" books before, even went to therapy for a while, but this book is different. Rather than advice, she shares stories about herself and others, history and research she has done or read about. It's an educational and comforting read. A book that should be required reading for everyone, women AND men.
The reason I find myself picking it up at least once a year (if not more) is to remind myself that (to steal a quote from the book) "We create much of the outer world from within ourselves". As weeks and months pass, I seem to lose site of this fact. It's hard to unlearn bad habits (most of which we adopt at an early age) and to retrain your brain to take a different path every time it's faced with unforeseen obstacles. So when I look ahead at a new year filled with the same struggles, it can be a bit daunting. I figure the more I read the book, the more I learn and unlearn, the more likely I am to change my way of thinking so that one day, hopefully in the near future, I can feel as if I am continuing on the journey instead of reliving it.
Monday, December 6, 2010
3 Months Later....
Soooo much for my resolution to write more on my blog. It's been 3 months...3 MONTHS!! It feels like 3 days since my last entry. What the hell have I been doing? Well, let's see, I started a new job (not interesting enough to talk about), celebrated Halloween, went to two shows (Trampled by Turtles and Roma Di Luna), celebrated Thanksgiving and I am currently caught in the Christmas current and trying to keep my head above water. I LOVE Christmas but it is exhausting and when it's over, I have to admit, it is a relief.
As I was saying, I had the pleasure of seeing Trampled by Turtles perform at the Kato Ballroom in October and it was an amazing show. If you want to buy a CD (good x-mas gift!) that does not disappoint in any way, buy Palomino. MY. GOD. It is musical bliss. I can be having the absolute worst day and all I have to do is listen to the song Victory and I am instantly elated.
I'm not sure what the deal is with me being a drunk magnet but when I am at concert that serves alcohol, if there is an obnoxious drunk person (and there always is) they are right next to me, falling on me, stepping on my feet and spilling beer on me. If this was a blog entry that focused soley on this show, I would have titled it Trampled by Drunk Chicks. Luckily, half way through the show a nice young man let me take his spot by the stage so I was able to snap a few sweet shots and enjoy the show without being doused in alcohol.
In November I went to the Coffee Hag to see Roma Di Luna perform as part of the 89.3 The Current Road Trip. The entire band was not there but Alexei and Channy Moon Casselle (the husband and wife duo that started the group) were enough to captivate the audience. The voice that comes out of Channy seems other worldly. It's beautiful and moving and I don't think I've heard another like it, ever. I've been a fan ever since I heard These Tears Ain't Mine but nothing compares to seeing them perform live. The chemistry between Alexei and Channy was apparent while they were performing and when they were answering questions and giving the crowd some background info on how they got started.
I was so mesmerized by Roma Di Luna's performance that after the show, I forgot to go meet Jill Riley and Steve Seel and tell them how much I adore them and the Current and how they make my mornings at work bearable.
As I was saying, I had the pleasure of seeing Trampled by Turtles perform at the Kato Ballroom in October and it was an amazing show. If you want to buy a CD (good x-mas gift!) that does not disappoint in any way, buy Palomino. MY. GOD. It is musical bliss. I can be having the absolute worst day and all I have to do is listen to the song Victory and I am instantly elated.
 |
| Trampled by Turtles at the Kato Ballroom |
In November I went to the Coffee Hag to see Roma Di Luna perform as part of the 89.3 The Current Road Trip. The entire band was not there but Alexei and Channy Moon Casselle (the husband and wife duo that started the group) were enough to captivate the audience. The voice that comes out of Channy seems other worldly. It's beautiful and moving and I don't think I've heard another like it, ever. I've been a fan ever since I heard These Tears Ain't Mine but nothing compares to seeing them perform live. The chemistry between Alexei and Channy was apparent while they were performing and when they were answering questions and giving the crowd some background info on how they got started.
 |
| Alexi and Channy from Roma Di Luna performing at the Coffee Hag |
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