January rolls around and I start to smell the first scents of spring. Cherry blossoms begin to show and the sky's dismal grey only rears it's ugly head 5 days a week instead of 7. My mood lifts as I anticipate the weather changes and then it hits me - January is also review season.
As much as I try to block it out the remainder of the year, it still comes back. So when the emails started piling up from peers and my manager that entailed all the things I would need to do in order to complete my reviews, my mood deflated again.
I had a three hour timeframe blocked off so I could focus directly on the reviews. I started with my own and knocked that out in 30 minutes (a new record). Then I moved on to my boss'. I went through all the proper channels, sorted through all the proper documents and I felt good about my essays. But as I tried to move onto my peer reviews I realized that I made the catastrophic mistake of sending my boss's review TO MY BOSS!
It was supposed to go to his boss in the name of anonymity but due to an error I could not foresee, it went directly into the lion's den.
Over the course of the next 45 minutes, I scrambled to correct the mistake but to no avail. As my final option, I waited outside my boss's office and nearly tackled him as he exited a meeting. After explaining my situation, I followed him to his desk and watching him return the review to my mailbox and then delete it from his.
I'm sure there's still a way for him to bring that back up on his desktop and it's only a matter of time before he finds sneaky ways to undermine my efforts here until one day I am let go. And all because of the stupid review season!
Damnit! I hate January!!!
January 31, 2007
January 30, 2007
Mud Bay Information
I was reading through an almanac that a local pet store, Mud Bay sent out last week. I learned a few things about cats and dogs and thought I'd share.
-Whiskers : Most people know that a cat's whiskers help them sense shifting air currents and the distance of objects but cats also have sensitive carpal hairs on the backs of their front wrists, which help with the reflex that allows them to land on their feet. Dogs have vibrissae too, but it is believed that they do not provide information in the same way that cat whiskers do.
-When a domestic cat goes after mice, about one in three gets results.
- Dogs and cats have a special anatomical feature immediately behind the retina. Composed of a layer of reflective cells, it's called the tapetum lucidum. It collects scattered light and focuses it back to the photoreceptive cells of the retina, thus increasing the dog's light gathering ability by 40%. When light hits the dog or cat's eyes at night and you see red, what you're actually seeing is the tapetum lucidum.
- Taking care of dogs' and cat's teeth and gums can actually contribute to extending their lifespans. When plaque and tartar cause infection and bleeding gums, harmful bacteria enter the bloodstream and can gradually damage the heart, kidneys and liver.
- Dogs smile, but only to people, never to other dogs, because they're copying our human smile. Some breeds, like the Samoyed, are predisposed to smile, and are referred to as "smiley dogs".
- Over 10 different government agencies regulate the pet food industry, but none guarantees that what's on the label is actually what's in the bag (or can) of food. Ultimately, the quality of the food depends upon the integrity of the manufacturer.
- Have a dog who rolls around in the mud? Dogs try to mask their scent with something completely non threatening like a cow pie or a dead fish. As they sneak up on unsuspecting prey, they may imagine a the deer thinking, "Oh, it's just a rotten pile of poo getting closer and closer." Alternatively, a subordinate dog temporarily gains status in the pack when the other dogs stop what they're doing to give her attention, by sniffing her stinky necklace. Dogs in human families are also subordinate, and when they roll in stinkiness, we give them the extended attention of a bath. Finally, dogs get a lot of information from scent. Rolling in smelly stuff may be a way for a dog to take notes, and bring news back to the pack, such as the location of potential food or types of prey.
- A recent Northwestern University study indicates that dogs and people can help each other lose weight. Three groups were compared: people-only, dogs-only, and dogs-with-their-people. Participants in each group were given diet and exercise plans based on body mass index. Results indicate that human-dog teams are more likely to stick with a weight-loss program. 80% of the dogs-and-people group completed the study. Completion rates for other groups were much lower. Participants said that it's simply more fun to exercise with their dogs.
- According to a 2001 study, single people who adopted dogs showed a significant reduction in their blood pressure.
- A 1995 study indicates that both cat and dog owners have less occasion to visit the doctor than people who do not own animals(8% less for dog owners and 12% less for those with cats).
- There's data to indicate that cat and dog owners are less depressed, more able to recover from serious illness, and more likely to have meaningful social relationships than those who have no animals in their lives.
- Children benefit from pets. They are less likely to develop allergies, and tend to be more meotionally stable.
- The average lifespan for an indoor cat is 15 years versus 5 years for a cat that goes outdoors.
- Cats have a Jacobson's organ, also called a vomeronasal organ, above the roof of their mouth, that helps in the detection of scents. Occasionally, you'll see a cat with a gaping mouth, looking like he's just smelled bad cheese. This behavior is called a Flehmen response, and is used to circulate air between the nose and mouth, stimulating the Jacobson's organ.
- When a cat rubs her face on you or other objects (an activity known as 'bunting'), she is leaving scent markers.
-An average dog is capable of distinguishing among more than 200 spoken words. So, even though dogs can't verbalize, it's perlects fair to say that they understand our language. Consider this: a human baby at 13 months can pick out about 100 words.
- Purring is generated by the buildup and sudden release of pressure as a cat's glottis opens and closes, resulting in a rapid separations of the vocal folds that generates the wonderful, soothing sound. The muscles that move the glottis are driven by a neural oscillator that cycles every 30-40 milliseconds.
- Dogs eye color can be either brown or blue while a cat can have shades of yellow, gold, green or blue.
-Whiskers : Most people know that a cat's whiskers help them sense shifting air currents and the distance of objects but cats also have sensitive carpal hairs on the backs of their front wrists, which help with the reflex that allows them to land on their feet. Dogs have vibrissae too, but it is believed that they do not provide information in the same way that cat whiskers do.
-When a domestic cat goes after mice, about one in three gets results.
- Dogs and cats have a special anatomical feature immediately behind the retina. Composed of a layer of reflective cells, it's called the tapetum lucidum. It collects scattered light and focuses it back to the photoreceptive cells of the retina, thus increasing the dog's light gathering ability by 40%. When light hits the dog or cat's eyes at night and you see red, what you're actually seeing is the tapetum lucidum.
- Taking care of dogs' and cat's teeth and gums can actually contribute to extending their lifespans. When plaque and tartar cause infection and bleeding gums, harmful bacteria enter the bloodstream and can gradually damage the heart, kidneys and liver.
- Dogs smile, but only to people, never to other dogs, because they're copying our human smile. Some breeds, like the Samoyed, are predisposed to smile, and are referred to as "smiley dogs".
- Over 10 different government agencies regulate the pet food industry, but none guarantees that what's on the label is actually what's in the bag (or can) of food. Ultimately, the quality of the food depends upon the integrity of the manufacturer.
- Have a dog who rolls around in the mud? Dogs try to mask their scent with something completely non threatening like a cow pie or a dead fish. As they sneak up on unsuspecting prey, they may imagine a the deer thinking, "Oh, it's just a rotten pile of poo getting closer and closer." Alternatively, a subordinate dog temporarily gains status in the pack when the other dogs stop what they're doing to give her attention, by sniffing her stinky necklace. Dogs in human families are also subordinate, and when they roll in stinkiness, we give them the extended attention of a bath. Finally, dogs get a lot of information from scent. Rolling in smelly stuff may be a way for a dog to take notes, and bring news back to the pack, such as the location of potential food or types of prey.
- A recent Northwestern University study indicates that dogs and people can help each other lose weight. Three groups were compared: people-only, dogs-only, and dogs-with-their-people. Participants in each group were given diet and exercise plans based on body mass index. Results indicate that human-dog teams are more likely to stick with a weight-loss program. 80% of the dogs-and-people group completed the study. Completion rates for other groups were much lower. Participants said that it's simply more fun to exercise with their dogs.
- According to a 2001 study, single people who adopted dogs showed a significant reduction in their blood pressure.
- A 1995 study indicates that both cat and dog owners have less occasion to visit the doctor than people who do not own animals(8% less for dog owners and 12% less for those with cats).
- There's data to indicate that cat and dog owners are less depressed, more able to recover from serious illness, and more likely to have meaningful social relationships than those who have no animals in their lives.
- Children benefit from pets. They are less likely to develop allergies, and tend to be more meotionally stable.
- The average lifespan for an indoor cat is 15 years versus 5 years for a cat that goes outdoors.
- Cats have a Jacobson's organ, also called a vomeronasal organ, above the roof of their mouth, that helps in the detection of scents. Occasionally, you'll see a cat with a gaping mouth, looking like he's just smelled bad cheese. This behavior is called a Flehmen response, and is used to circulate air between the nose and mouth, stimulating the Jacobson's organ.
- When a cat rubs her face on you or other objects (an activity known as 'bunting'), she is leaving scent markers.
-An average dog is capable of distinguishing among more than 200 spoken words. So, even though dogs can't verbalize, it's perlects fair to say that they understand our language. Consider this: a human baby at 13 months can pick out about 100 words.
- Purring is generated by the buildup and sudden release of pressure as a cat's glottis opens and closes, resulting in a rapid separations of the vocal folds that generates the wonderful, soothing sound. The muscles that move the glottis are driven by a neural oscillator that cycles every 30-40 milliseconds.
- Dogs eye color can be either brown or blue while a cat can have shades of yellow, gold, green or blue.
January 29, 2007
The New Introvert
I have always been an extrovert. To the point where I sometimes wish I would shut up. Being the youngest of 6 children, I blame it on my ranking. It was my way of trying to prove to everyone that even though my mom (to this day) calls me by my older sister's name, I am an individual.
Being an extrovert (in my case) requires a certain social capability. You have to enjoy other people's company and be entertaining enough to attract some as well. This has never been a problem for me. I would much rather be in a social setting than sitting at home. It really didn't matter what I did - as long as I had a fun story to tell later. (Now I'm starting to wonder if that's actually the writer in me, but I digress.)
But in the last few years since marrying Logic I've seen that for him, being alone can be just as fun. Logic is the epitomy of an introvert. He would rather spend the night at home than out in public anyday. It pains him to be social and after many attempts at trying to 'teach' him, I have claimed defeat. It was when I raised my white flag that I discovered I would have to choose - either I spend less time with him and go do my own thing, or I learn to enjoy his rituals of camping out in the house all weekend.
I decided to compromise. But it wasn't until recently that I learned to be okay with that. Always trying to improve upon the good thing that I am (heehee), I decided to try and figure out why I wasn't allowing myself to enjoy the alone time that I had available to me. Was I afraid to spend time in my head? Worried that I would bore myself? I'm not sure. But whatever fear I had, it was way off.
For the past few months I've focused a lot of energy on learning to be okay with myself. Just myself. And I've learned that: I enjoy reading memoirs, writing soothes me, exercise is vital for my mental-health and that I'm not so left-wing-liberal as I thought I was (although, I'm still pretty left-wing-liberal). Once I finally took some time to figure out what all the introverted hype was about, I started to learn things about myself. Things that were muffled by the crowds I used to consume my time in.
I still consider myself an extrovert. Mostly because when I do find myself in the company of others, I can't shut up. But I also learned that there is an introvert living inside me - wanting to read, write and ride my bike all at the same time.
Being an extrovert (in my case) requires a certain social capability. You have to enjoy other people's company and be entertaining enough to attract some as well. This has never been a problem for me. I would much rather be in a social setting than sitting at home. It really didn't matter what I did - as long as I had a fun story to tell later. (Now I'm starting to wonder if that's actually the writer in me, but I digress.)
But in the last few years since marrying Logic I've seen that for him, being alone can be just as fun. Logic is the epitomy of an introvert. He would rather spend the night at home than out in public anyday. It pains him to be social and after many attempts at trying to 'teach' him, I have claimed defeat. It was when I raised my white flag that I discovered I would have to choose - either I spend less time with him and go do my own thing, or I learn to enjoy his rituals of camping out in the house all weekend.
I decided to compromise. But it wasn't until recently that I learned to be okay with that. Always trying to improve upon the good thing that I am (heehee), I decided to try and figure out why I wasn't allowing myself to enjoy the alone time that I had available to me. Was I afraid to spend time in my head? Worried that I would bore myself? I'm not sure. But whatever fear I had, it was way off.
For the past few months I've focused a lot of energy on learning to be okay with myself. Just myself. And I've learned that: I enjoy reading memoirs, writing soothes me, exercise is vital for my mental-health and that I'm not so left-wing-liberal as I thought I was (although, I'm still pretty left-wing-liberal). Once I finally took some time to figure out what all the introverted hype was about, I started to learn things about myself. Things that were muffled by the crowds I used to consume my time in.
I still consider myself an extrovert. Mostly because when I do find myself in the company of others, I can't shut up. But I also learned that there is an introvert living inside me - wanting to read, write and ride my bike all at the same time.
January 23, 2007
Kegger
It was a Friday night and I was working at Pizza Hut. It was my lucky night because I was assigned to clean the bathrooms. This might not sound lucky to you, but whoever was assigned to clean the bathrooms was also the first to go home. This meant I was going to have a Friday night and beer money.
I finished work around 9:00 and rushed over to Bridget's house. We finished primping and began our Montana-esque ritual of cruising Main Street to see who was out and where the party was.
We met up with Trent who was on his way out to Slim's ranch and hopped into the cab of his truck. As we drove down the highway we took in the fresh spring air and sang to Clay Walker's "This Woman and This Man".
After the twenty minute drive and a long jaunt down a gravel road, we made our way through a grove of trees and onto an open plain with a fire in the distance. As our sight adjusted, shadows engulfed the landscape almost as much as empty beer cans.
When we reached the party Trent sauntered over to his friends, all wearing shit-kickers and wranglers topped off with large-rimmed hats, Bridget made her way to a group of guys and I rushed over to the kegs.
The next few hours were a blur of keg stands and dancing. At one point I decided to relieve myself behind a truck so I hopped up on the edge of the bumper and took care of business. It wasn't until I jumped back down that I found myself right in the middle of a cow pie. I slipped through pie after pie and ended up with cow shit in my hair, in my pants and up my back. Not knowing what to do, I stood off in the distance trying to formulate a plan. Seeing a towel in the back of a random truck, I quickly grabbed it and tried to clean up.
With unwarranted confidence I rejoined the group only to find I had done a lousy job of wiping off. So after a few goodbye's, Trent and Bridget piled me into his truck and drove me home.
As soon as we got back to Bridget's house I immediately took a shower and borrowed some clothes. And instead of reliving the ordeal in the morning by having to explain what happened and wash clothes, I instead chose to throw everything away.
As quickly as a hang-over and a trip to the dumpster, the evidence of my embarrassing night was gone. And luckily, the party goers were as drunk as I had been, so the story was never brought up again.
But I sometimes look back on that night when I'm having a rough day and think to myself "at least I'm not covered in cow shit."
I finished work around 9:00 and rushed over to Bridget's house. We finished primping and began our Montana-esque ritual of cruising Main Street to see who was out and where the party was.
We met up with Trent who was on his way out to Slim's ranch and hopped into the cab of his truck. As we drove down the highway we took in the fresh spring air and sang to Clay Walker's "This Woman and This Man".
After the twenty minute drive and a long jaunt down a gravel road, we made our way through a grove of trees and onto an open plain with a fire in the distance. As our sight adjusted, shadows engulfed the landscape almost as much as empty beer cans.
When we reached the party Trent sauntered over to his friends, all wearing shit-kickers and wranglers topped off with large-rimmed hats, Bridget made her way to a group of guys and I rushed over to the kegs.
The next few hours were a blur of keg stands and dancing. At one point I decided to relieve myself behind a truck so I hopped up on the edge of the bumper and took care of business. It wasn't until I jumped back down that I found myself right in the middle of a cow pie. I slipped through pie after pie and ended up with cow shit in my hair, in my pants and up my back. Not knowing what to do, I stood off in the distance trying to formulate a plan. Seeing a towel in the back of a random truck, I quickly grabbed it and tried to clean up.
With unwarranted confidence I rejoined the group only to find I had done a lousy job of wiping off. So after a few goodbye's, Trent and Bridget piled me into his truck and drove me home.
As soon as we got back to Bridget's house I immediately took a shower and borrowed some clothes. And instead of reliving the ordeal in the morning by having to explain what happened and wash clothes, I instead chose to throw everything away.
As quickly as a hang-over and a trip to the dumpster, the evidence of my embarrassing night was gone. And luckily, the party goers were as drunk as I had been, so the story was never brought up again.
But I sometimes look back on that night when I'm having a rough day and think to myself "at least I'm not covered in cow shit."
January 22, 2007
Space
When I was young(er) I used to dream of the big city. My first glimpse was when my family visited my sister Jill in Bakersfield, California. I didn't know any better, so I was impressed (heehee). She had so many friends, fun plans and all the modern conveniences of a mall. The image she reflected made it impossible for a 7 year old girl from small-town Idaho to settle for country life.
As I grew up, I was constantly compared to Jill and I considered it a compliment. I wanted to emulate Jill down to the last detail of being a California girl. But when the time came to move out of my parents house, all the signs pointed to Portland.
Still a big city, I was content. I made friends, had fun plans and even worked at a mall. But after a year Logic got sick and I chose to move closer to him and his family. Two years and a remission later, we moved to Jacksonville, Florida together. We both worked in restaurants and lived the night life that is required in that field. Friends, check. Fun plans, check. Mall, check. Jacksonville had everything I thought I needed in a city. That naive opinion lasted about a year. Logic and I soon became aware of the cultural differences that we had been oblivious to before. Realizing that racism is still alive and well in the South was the largest shock of all. That was something we continued to have a problem with until the day we moved (and after). But there were other things about Jacksonville that we grew tired of. Our friends were casual friends who were around when drinks were prevalent but were conveniently absent when we needed support. Those fun plans we had all the time were wearing thin. The superficiality of our lifestyle became lonely and we soon realized how important family was to us. So once Logic graduated college, we packed up our bags and our cats and got as far away as we could. Seattle, Washington.
Seattle was the opposite of Jacksonville. Not only on the map, but in mentality and lifestyle. It was the largest city in all of the Northwest so we figured we wouldn't be giving up our big city dreams and yet we'd be able to spend more time with family and make closer, better friends.
We settled in to an apartment 2 miles from my brother Tom. And my high school friend was also nearby. We lived the next 2 years with a smirk on our faces. Thinking we'd figured it all out. Friends, check. Fun plans, check. A mall, check. Living closer to family, check.
But as time wore on we discovered that the friends who were most important to us were still too far away. And those fun plans weren't as fun without them. And don't even get me started on the mall. If I lived the rest of my life and never had to go into another mall I'd be content.
Somewhere along the way, the big city lost it's appeal. It slowly turned into streets crawling with strangers, towering buildings that block my sunlight, and a constant reminder that our lives weren't going to have the significance we want them to without much sacrifice. Less friends, less family.
So as Oprah would say, I've come full circle. I've now lived in The Big City for 7 years and I'm starting to think the lucky number 7 is how I should leave it.
As I grew up, I was constantly compared to Jill and I considered it a compliment. I wanted to emulate Jill down to the last detail of being a California girl. But when the time came to move out of my parents house, all the signs pointed to Portland.
Still a big city, I was content. I made friends, had fun plans and even worked at a mall. But after a year Logic got sick and I chose to move closer to him and his family. Two years and a remission later, we moved to Jacksonville, Florida together. We both worked in restaurants and lived the night life that is required in that field. Friends, check. Fun plans, check. Mall, check. Jacksonville had everything I thought I needed in a city. That naive opinion lasted about a year. Logic and I soon became aware of the cultural differences that we had been oblivious to before. Realizing that racism is still alive and well in the South was the largest shock of all. That was something we continued to have a problem with until the day we moved (and after). But there were other things about Jacksonville that we grew tired of. Our friends were casual friends who were around when drinks were prevalent but were conveniently absent when we needed support. Those fun plans we had all the time were wearing thin. The superficiality of our lifestyle became lonely and we soon realized how important family was to us. So once Logic graduated college, we packed up our bags and our cats and got as far away as we could. Seattle, Washington.
Seattle was the opposite of Jacksonville. Not only on the map, but in mentality and lifestyle. It was the largest city in all of the Northwest so we figured we wouldn't be giving up our big city dreams and yet we'd be able to spend more time with family and make closer, better friends.
We settled in to an apartment 2 miles from my brother Tom. And my high school friend was also nearby. We lived the next 2 years with a smirk on our faces. Thinking we'd figured it all out. Friends, check. Fun plans, check. A mall, check. Living closer to family, check.
But as time wore on we discovered that the friends who were most important to us were still too far away. And those fun plans weren't as fun without them. And don't even get me started on the mall. If I lived the rest of my life and never had to go into another mall I'd be content.
Somewhere along the way, the big city lost it's appeal. It slowly turned into streets crawling with strangers, towering buildings that block my sunlight, and a constant reminder that our lives weren't going to have the significance we want them to without much sacrifice. Less friends, less family.
So as Oprah would say, I've come full circle. I've now lived in The Big City for 7 years and I'm starting to think the lucky number 7 is how I should leave it.
January 18, 2007
Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History
This is a quote from Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. I read it in a book by Maria Shriver and it got me thinking about the women who didn't behave well, and for whom I am very grateful.
The topic reminded me of my friend's blog. Uppity Rib has a section called "Hall of Femme" and it seems appropriate to link to that. Enjoy.
The topic reminded me of my friend's blog. Uppity Rib has a section called "Hall of Femme" and it seems appropriate to link to that. Enjoy.
Snoqualmie Falls
This is a picture I took from above Snoqualmie Falls last weekend. You can't see it in this picture, but it's snowing. It was absolutely beautiful to see everything covered in white.
January 17, 2007
For Anyone Who Is Engaged
 |
Questions Couples Should Ask (Or Wish They Had) Before Marrying
Relationship experts report that too many couples fail to ask each other critical questions before marrying. Here are a few key ones that couples should consider asking:
1) Have we discussed whether or not to have children, and if the answer is yes, who is going to be the primary care giver?
2) Do we have a clear idea of each other’s financial obligations and goals, and do our ideas about spending and saving mesh?
3) Have we discussed our expectations for how the household will be maintained, and are we in agreement on who will manage the chores?
4) Have we fully disclosed our health histories, both physical and mental?
5) Is my partner affectionate to the degree that I expect?
6) Can we comfortably and openly discuss our sexual needs, preferences and fears?
7) Will there be a television in the bedroom?
8) Do we truly listen to each other and fairly consider one another’s ideas and complaints?
9) Have we reached a clear understanding of each other’s spiritual beliefs and needs, and have we discussed when and how our children will be exposed to religious/moral education?
10) Do we like and respect each other’s friends?
11) Do we value and respect each other’s parents, and is either of us concerned about whether the parents will interfere with the relationship?
12) What does my family do that annoys you?
13) Are there some things that you and I are NOT prepared to give up in the marriage?
14) If one of us were to be offered a career opportunity in a location far from the other’s family, are we prepared to move?
15) Does each of us feel fully confident in the other’s commitment to the marriage and believe that the bond can survive whatever challenges we may face?
January 12, 2007
"Christian Activists Blast O'Brien Sketch"
Life Decisions International (LDI), a Washington DC-based group that has attempted to organize boycotts against companies that contribute to Planned Parenthood, has lashed out at the broadcast networks for allowing "programming that blatantly mocks Christianity." The group wasted no time denouncing Wednesday night/Thursday morning's episode of Late Night With Conan O'Brien, in which the host introduced a new character, "the homophobic country-western singer," who sang: "Oh I love you Jesus / But only as a friend. / You touched my heart but I hope / That's where the touchin' ends. / You're always lookin' over me / When I need a higher power. / But you better look at somethin' else / When I'm in the shower." In a statement, LDI President Douglas R. Scott, Jr. said, "The idea that anyone would think about the Son of God in this way is simply appalling. The inferences that permeate the song are utterly disgusting." Likewise, last month Scott fired off a letter to CBS after an episode of Two and a Half Men, in which the Charlie Sheen character sang to the melody of Joy to the World: "Joy to the world / I'm getting laid / I'm getting laid tonight. / We'll light the Yule log / Deck the halls / And then we'll play / Some jingle balls." Scott said at the time that the song could be retitled "Joy to Fornication," adding, "CBS has allowed a song about the most precious, sacred and significant moment in history to be turned into a song about having sex outside of marriage."
Where does the first amendment come into play? And why do Christians believe they are always the target? Some people have their heads so far up their ass that they don't see the humor in anything!~ article from contactmusic.com
WP
Last weekend was one of the most relaxing of my life.
Logic and I met up with Kenny and Mel and spent the weekend in a cabin on the lake at Willamette Pass.
Typically, I love to ski. But last weekend I chose quality time with Mel in the cabin over the slopes. We played Oh Shit and Cranium and even went for two snowshoe expeditions.
It was wonderful to be in the company of true friends and to be surrounded by such natural beauty. I can't wait to do it again next year.
January 11, 2007
Blink
This week has been interesting. I haven't been overly busy, but my mind has been. I apologize for my quick posts, but my brain has been otherwise occupied.
Today I'm listening to the audiobook Blink. It's keeping me entertained and I'm learning a lot about the subconscious.
Due to a phrase Malcolm Gladwell uses ("The Warren G Harding Error", which means he attributes Harding's success and popularity to his commanding physical appearance and deep gravelly speaking voice) I learned that Harding was suspected of being involved in the KKK.
Just a random little nugget for you...
Okay, back to my book.
Today I'm listening to the audiobook Blink. It's keeping me entertained and I'm learning a lot about the subconscious.
Due to a phrase Malcolm Gladwell uses ("The Warren G Harding Error", which means he attributes Harding's success and popularity to his commanding physical appearance and deep gravelly speaking voice) I learned that Harding was suspected of being involved in the KKK.
Just a random little nugget for you...
Okay, back to my book.
January 10, 2007
What's Your Real Age?
If you're up for it, here's the questionaire.
~As a 27 year old, I was pleased to learn my real age is 23.9!!
~As a 27 year old, I was pleased to learn my real age is 23.9!!
January 09, 2007
Brain Waves
The song "What You Soul Sings" by Massive Attack triggered something in my brain that made me think of a newscast on msnbc.com from a few months back. It was a health related story regarding brainwaves and how your brain makes it's own music that, once discovered, can be used to calm you down or energize you.
After watching that story, I wondered if people are prone to liking certain types of music because it is similar to the music your brain makes? What do you think?
After watching that story, I wondered if people are prone to liking certain types of music because it is similar to the music your brain makes? What do you think?
Stream of Consciousness
I want to move.
I want to live someplace with sunshine. I
want to be near family.
I want to be near friends.
What if moving doesn't make me happy?
What if I get there and find myself in the same predicament I'm in now?
I'll at least be near family and friends.
I'll have a house.
I'll have the freedom to go on vacations to places other than where my family lives.
I can feel safe again.
I can find my happiness there.
And if worse comes to worse, I can move again.
I don't want to move again.
I want to find a place that I can grow roots.
A place where I can plant a lilac tree.
And have a deck that overlooks the greenery.
I want to know that if I run out of change the day before payday I can go to my in-law's for dinner.
I don't want to sit in my condo every night and watch t.v. anymore.
I'm perpetuating the cycle of loneliness.
I want to live someplace with sunshine. I
want to be near family.
I want to be near friends.
What if moving doesn't make me happy?
What if I get there and find myself in the same predicament I'm in now?
I'll at least be near family and friends.
I'll have a house.
I'll have the freedom to go on vacations to places other than where my family lives.
I can feel safe again.
I can find my happiness there.
And if worse comes to worse, I can move again.
I don't want to move again.
I want to find a place that I can grow roots.
A place where I can plant a lilac tree.
And have a deck that overlooks the greenery.
I want to know that if I run out of change the day before payday I can go to my in-law's for dinner.
I don't want to sit in my condo every night and watch t.v. anymore.
I'm perpetuating the cycle of loneliness.
January 08, 2007
January 03, 2007
Leaving My Childhood Behind
After high school I spent the majority of my summer in Lewistown. Having said that, I don't remember most of it. But as the summer came to an end, my parents drove me 7 hours Northwest to Kalispell where I would spend the next 2 weeks babysitting my nieces and sharing some quality sister-time with Laurie. It was my farewell trip.
Spending time with Laurie was something I'd become accustomed to. Afterall, I'd spent the last 5 summers at her house. Helping her with Kinlie and Hanna, being lazy, jogging, working odd jobs, watching entirely too much MTV and appreciating time away from my parents. At the end of the summer, my parents would drive back up to get me and I'd be on my way home just in time for the next school year.
But this year was different. September rolled around, and my parents drove back up from Lewistown to see me off. They would leave me at the gates of the Missoula airport and I would be on my way. I would land in Portland and be greeted by another sister, Paige.
My life before me, I was so full of excitement and anticipation.
Spending time with Laurie was something I'd become accustomed to. Afterall, I'd spent the last 5 summers at her house. Helping her with Kinlie and Hanna, being lazy, jogging, working odd jobs, watching entirely too much MTV and appreciating time away from my parents. At the end of the summer, my parents would drive back up to get me and I'd be on my way home just in time for the next school year.
But this year was different. September rolled around, and my parents drove back up from Lewistown to see me off. They would leave me at the gates of the Missoula airport and I would be on my way. I would land in Portland and be greeted by another sister, Paige.
My life before me, I was so full of excitement and anticipation.
David Bach's Live Rich Factor
I found this article by David Bach and wanted to pass it along. David is an inspiration to me, having written multiple books on investing and even coming to my work to talk. I hope you enjoy these questions and find them to be a helpful way to kick off your new year with a bang.
Five Principles for Happiness in 2007
Make a list of all your personal and financial if-onlys. For example, "If only I had saved more money. If only I hadn't quit that job. If only I hadn't taken the job I have." You get the idea.
After reading the list aloud to yourself, get rid of it. Let it all go by literally burning the list (safely). Now you're ready for a fresh start in 2007 -- a new beginning.
Principle 2: Get Connected with Your Truth
I suggest writing your (honest) answers to the following questions in a new journal for the new year:
- What makes you happy at work?
- What makes you happy at home?
- What makes you happy with your friends and family?
- What makes you happy when you're by yourself?
- What do you love to do?
- What would you do with your life today if you weren't afraid of failure?
- What's not working in your life?
- What are you currently doing that prevents you from experiencing joy?
- What's working in your life?
- Who's not working in your life?
- Who in your life is subtracting value from and adding misery to it?
- Can you fix any of these relationships, or should you let them go from your life?
- What relationships are working in your life?
- If we were getting together one year from today, what would have to happen for you to be able to tell me that you now have more joy in your life?
- What's the single most important thing you've learned about yourself as a result of answering these questions?
You'll find that by putting your answers down on paper, they'll become clear more quickly and the actions you need to take more obvious and easier to initiate.
Principle 3: Stop Judging Yourself
Be nicer to yourself in 2007. Many people talk to themselves in a way they would never accept from a stranger, friend, or loved one. If this describes you, try stopping the negative conversations you have with yourself immediately.
For one week, simply commit to saying "stop it" when you think a negative thought about yourself. If you're in the habit of saying negative things to yourself, you'll find this is one of the most difficult exercises you'll ever do. Carry a notepad with you and make a mark each time you catch yourself thinking negatively. You'll find that as the days go by, your negative thinking can quickly be reduced.
Principle 4: Stop Judging Others
It's hard to be joyful when you're always judging others. In fact, it's close to impossible. Judging others creates a huge amount of stress in our lives. It affects our marriages and our relationships with our kids as well as the way we relate to friends, co-workers, and society in general.
We're not here to judge one another.
The next time you find yourself upset at someone or some situation, catch yourself and ask, "Are you judging?" Judging others is often an unconscious habit. But it's a habit that can be changed the moment you decide to stop doing it.
Principle 5 : Pursue Fun with a Vengeance
It's OK to pursue fun. It's what children do. My greatest joy these days is the simple pleasure of playing with my three-year-old son, Jack.
This holiday season with Jack taught me the simple power of pursuing fun -- again and again. What was fun for Jack this Christmas? It turns out it wasn't the Big Wheel that my wife, Michelle, and I stayed up so late building on Christmas Eve. And it wasn't the Star Wars Lego toy (although he was pretty excited about that).
Instead, what Jack found the most fun was a new game I made up to keep him entertained. The game was called Geronimo -- and it involved Jack jumping from the bed onto a stack of pillows yelling "Geronimo!" This silly little game ended up bringing us both hours of fun. The price of the game: nothing. The fun: priceless. And the laughs? Endless.
Why do we stop pursing fun as we get older? Fun shouldn't be squeezed into a few weeks of vacation each year. And it shouldn't be squeezed into the last chapter of your life when you "get to" retire. Fun deserves to be a part of your life now -- in 2007.
But fun doesn't just happen. You have to make it a priority in your life or it'll go missing. Life's too short to not have it.
So here's to a fun, happy, and healthy New Year. Cheers!
~ this post courtosy of yahoo.comJanuary 02, 2007
Break Time
I have been a little down at work lately. And after a long talk with Logic last night, I've decided to try and change some things. Things within my day that might make a difference in my attitude. For one, I never take a break. Not sure why, but I never get around to leaving my desk. So I am choosing to not only leave my desk twice a day, but to also go outside - regardless of the weather.
I guess you could call this a New Years resolution, although an odd one. Who resolves to leave their work desk more?
Anyway, today being the first day of the rest of my life, I promptly got off my ass at 10:00 this morning and did a loop around the block. At 3:00 I stepped outside for the same loop when I was suddenly compelled to call my sister and brighten her day.
I dialed her number, and as soon as she answered the phone I broke in with the reason for my call. I kept things short and sweet. Only taking enough time to give her 2 reasons why I love her. She nearly started crying. I reminded her this was to cheer her up and then requested she call someone else and do the same thing.
It was a pretty great break. Maybe I'll do the same for someone else tomorrow.
I guess you could call this a New Years resolution, although an odd one. Who resolves to leave their work desk more?
Anyway, today being the first day of the rest of my life, I promptly got off my ass at 10:00 this morning and did a loop around the block. At 3:00 I stepped outside for the same loop when I was suddenly compelled to call my sister and brighten her day.
I dialed her number, and as soon as she answered the phone I broke in with the reason for my call. I kept things short and sweet. Only taking enough time to give her 2 reasons why I love her. She nearly started crying. I reminded her this was to cheer her up and then requested she call someone else and do the same thing.
It was a pretty great break. Maybe I'll do the same for someone else tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)