I started writing blogs because I love writing, yes. But I specifically started a blog because I would think of things throughout the day, attempt to come to conclusion and, in doing so, would sink deeper and deeper into an inner monologue. Never to be found again.
Here lies Lexx.
...Well... where she would lie, had she not been eaten by her own brain.
This situation could have been more naturally/instinctively remedied, had there been a willing ear for conversation. I did not have that option for the better part of my recent years. Not from lack of people, but from lack of people I cared to hold conversation with/who cared to converse about the things I was thinking about. So the less I spoke, the more I needed this blog. To a certain point.
The irony is that when I finally found someone I loved conversing with, the conversation only lead to more thinking, more idea sprouting, more topics. Cut to me, at my laptop again.
Being left to my own devices, I need this blog in lieu of verbal human interaction. But I am almost certain the blog entries became more interesting (even if only to me) as I fed my brain with vibrant interchange. It's relieving knowing I can have both electronic and organic dialogue.
Friday, January 25, 2019
Media Vomit
Recently at "other job", I mentioned to a co-worker that I "couldn't believe [certain movie] was out on dvd already". Now of course
a. this is shallow, and, to some, horrifyingly boring conversation
b. I don't have - and haven't had - cable for a while
c. I really don't watch a lot of netflix/hulu
d. I try to read and write instead of spending lots and lots of time on social media
so there are plenty of reasons why the aforementioned statement would be useless to say. I am basically cut off from the world of entertainment. Even the books I read are typically of an older collection (nothing cool and precious like Shakespeare, just dusty content of irrelevance from fiction writers of mere decades ago). But I am glad I said it and here's why:
Co-worker I was sharing my intensely profound realization with replied with something I found interesting. She said that she was just reading an article about how our collective concept of time is being skewed due to the aggressive influx of media. She mentioned that new memes being put out were averaging at a quarterly rate in their early days. Now (or whenever the article was originally written) it is closer to a weekly basis. In response, naturally, our greater media marketing (people in charge of selling the general public entertainment like movies) has upped their time-frame-game and is creating and dispensing at a much faster rate.
It has been argued that due to the increased rate of production, this media, these movies, are now "shit". How could they be good, right? It's the whole argument of quality over quantity. Which, of course, is subjective and also one does not necessarily have to forgo one for the other, but as a general rule, if you focus on one, it very typically effects the other in the end result. An argument to this could easily be that these people, who say these things/have the aforementioned opinion on the current entertainment being flung at them, are very typically of my age group/older. Is it possible that we don't like the "noise" being played on the radio because we have aged our way out of this generation? At least enough to separate our collective taste on media?
Regardless of whether or not you particularly care for the specifics, this media binge is happening. It makes me consider the future; will it continue to be like this? Marketing/Advertising is already more aggressive/active/pursuant than ever before, and why would there be an end in sight? They're making money, and they want to make more. The competition is so fierce that there are (allegedly) businesses that are tapping into personal phones, laptops, assorted electronics to better-study the greater population and to dig into us as individuals and seek us out so we, as the consumer, do not even have time to seek. Picture a television - with a commercial for your favorite snack - chasing you down the street as you make your way to the grocery store. Or better yet; you were just out for a jog, saw this thing chasing you (or while scrolling through instagram) and suddenly got a craving. Now you're going to the grocery store.
What I am trying to get at is: I really wouldn't see a decision taking place to end this active production behavior. I feel as though it would have to end because of some forced tragedy-result that there was no getting out of. In the same way I envision our dollar-value going: we raise minimum wage at breakneck speed with no end in sight (because everybody wants more money) and don't think that's going to effect us all long-term? It's a slippery slope, my friend. And I expect that raising our minimum wage, raising our prices - and, in doing such, devaluing our currency - will only lead to more vacuum/space/opportunity for the destitute masses to grow. You have a dollar? well, great, you need about ninety-nine more of those for that can of peas you've been eyeing. But be careful, you'll need a can opener! I think I saw one advertised on the latest predatorial screen.
I have gone adrift.
Whether the future of movies is to be as cynical or a great entertainment curve is on its way, I know not. All I know is that I am very interested and very curious.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Rituals
A very powerful word to someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
related words:
procedure
habit
formality
custom
protocol
"Ritual", "Ceremony", "Routine". These are a few of my favorite things. ♬♬♬
All joking aside, I reach for these three terms so often within my daily verse, written word and private thought. I love these words. They are beautiful, but not particularly so. I love them because of their immense usefulness. The intention of the terms.
*puts fingertips to mouth and makes kissing sound while releasing phalanges in a delicate explosion*
Today I am writing about "ritual" because I was assessing how I go through my day. When I eat my meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) I typically make a ritual out of it; I take my time and eat with intention. I play music. Same thing when I clean up after myself and put dishes/clothes/things away. Same thing with my showers. Same thing when I write. Similar thing when I set up my space at my admin job. It really got me thinking -
How do I have time for anything?
I think finding beauty in the mundane is a great skill to have. I think it is one of the factors that aid in my typical contentedness. I am, however, beginning to wonder if I am going overboard. I talk about balance a lot, perhaps I should be making a conscious effort to apply balance to my ritualistic tendencies.
Related thought:
When you practice gratitude and appreciate (nearly) everything, even the smallest, simplest thing (action, gesture, item, thought) will seem like a gift. An event. A coffee becomes a special treat. Sitting to read. Running into a loved one. Wearing your favorite boots. When you see these everyday occurrences as remarkable - as apposed to the general masses, only considering an extravagantly priced dinner, outfit, trip, car to be "treating oneself" - there are so many more "treats" that are attainable. Which naturally leads to the likelihood to be greater and greater that one of these treats will find its way to you. And before you know it, everything becomes a special treat. So by practicing gratitude, are you, by your own law, overindulging? Which is affiliated with taking everything for granted? Irony?
rit·u·al
/ˈriCH(o͞o)əl/
noun
- 1.a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order.
"the role of ritual in religion"
related words:
procedure
habit
formality
custom
protocol
"Ritual", "Ceremony", "Routine". These are a few of my favorite things. ♬♬♬
All joking aside, I reach for these three terms so often within my daily verse, written word and private thought. I love these words. They are beautiful, but not particularly so. I love them because of their immense usefulness. The intention of the terms.
*puts fingertips to mouth and makes kissing sound while releasing phalanges in a delicate explosion*
Today I am writing about "ritual" because I was assessing how I go through my day. When I eat my meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) I typically make a ritual out of it; I take my time and eat with intention. I play music. Same thing when I clean up after myself and put dishes/clothes/things away. Same thing with my showers. Same thing when I write. Similar thing when I set up my space at my admin job. It really got me thinking -
How do I have time for anything?
I think finding beauty in the mundane is a great skill to have. I think it is one of the factors that aid in my typical contentedness. I am, however, beginning to wonder if I am going overboard. I talk about balance a lot, perhaps I should be making a conscious effort to apply balance to my ritualistic tendencies.
Related thought:
When you practice gratitude and appreciate (nearly) everything, even the smallest, simplest thing (action, gesture, item, thought) will seem like a gift. An event. A coffee becomes a special treat. Sitting to read. Running into a loved one. Wearing your favorite boots. When you see these everyday occurrences as remarkable - as apposed to the general masses, only considering an extravagantly priced dinner, outfit, trip, car to be "treating oneself" - there are so many more "treats" that are attainable. Which naturally leads to the likelihood to be greater and greater that one of these treats will find its way to you. And before you know it, everything becomes a special treat. So by practicing gratitude, are you, by your own law, overindulging? Which is affiliated with taking everything for granted? Irony?
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Gillette Commercial
Normally I do not discuss such current events in my piddly little blog - I think it is akin to making the main character in an otherwise timeless novel call someone on their cell phone. Not that I claim to be timeless, but I just think it has a big impact on how shallowly you read the following. It pulls the reader out. A mass of people can suddenly relate less. Unsavory.
However, I have been given the gift of time, and I have a thought about something, and that - for better or for worse - IS the formula of my entries. So here goes.
I watched the ad. I found it on my own, watched it on my own, and refused to read the comments below. I have barely heard an entire comprehensible assessment of this ad, and as such I was able to make my own assessment. My immediate thought was that it was a sweet sentiment. Like those tragic commercials I will hear on the radio about how you can "be a hero in a child's life" by praising them for "at least one thing they did right".
Have you ever heard of a better time for contraception? Who needs to be told this? Who are these commercials for? At any rate.
My next thought was something to the effect of "well that was an odd topic for a razor company to take on". But! Then I remembered PSA's from my childhood, from the stars of Full House on being kind. From Friends on drug abuse. From the Cosby Show on unwanted touching.
...
My point is that if some regular person posts a video on facebook about women's rights, you are likely to scroll past that individual because you do not know their face. You do not care about them, not really, anyway. Why should you pause your scroll for them? Especially with so many people posting so many opinions on every little topic, most of which you have no use for. NOW. If you swap that regular person for, say, Lady Gaga. Tom Hanks. The stars from GoT (an odd choice, but hear me out), you will stop. You will at least stop to read the title. Maybe catch a bit of the caption. Maybe even decide to listen to the whole thing. Maybe even decide to...
CARE.
So, with that in mind, I suppose I came to the conclusion that it is not that odd. Not odd at all, even. Celebrities and brands have an incredible opportunity to take stands for things. Right or Wrong. We will listen. We are listening right now. And most of them are getting handsomely paid for whatever work they're doing, which gives them even further opportunity to take action. Having said that, I will say, in the interest of covering all ground and keeping in my realistic views, this topic-taking-on was not likely out of the kindness of Gillette's collective hearts. It is more likely that Gillette was feeling threatened by the impending doom of $5 razor club and ensembles of the like. Brilliant marketing. I mean, at the end of the day... we are talking about Gillette more now than before they created this ad. At least I know I am.
Final thought: This commercial was about men treating men & women (everyone) better, and it was not about equal rights in the specific way of seeing men & women as the same creatures. I feel as though we sway so clumsily between the two with our personal opinions.
However, I have been given the gift of time, and I have a thought about something, and that - for better or for worse - IS the formula of my entries. So here goes.
I watched the ad. I found it on my own, watched it on my own, and refused to read the comments below. I have barely heard an entire comprehensible assessment of this ad, and as such I was able to make my own assessment. My immediate thought was that it was a sweet sentiment. Like those tragic commercials I will hear on the radio about how you can "be a hero in a child's life" by praising them for "at least one thing they did right".
Have you ever heard of a better time for contraception? Who needs to be told this? Who are these commercials for? At any rate.
My next thought was something to the effect of "well that was an odd topic for a razor company to take on". But! Then I remembered PSA's from my childhood, from the stars of Full House on being kind. From Friends on drug abuse. From the Cosby Show on unwanted touching.
...
My point is that if some regular person posts a video on facebook about women's rights, you are likely to scroll past that individual because you do not know their face. You do not care about them, not really, anyway. Why should you pause your scroll for them? Especially with so many people posting so many opinions on every little topic, most of which you have no use for. NOW. If you swap that regular person for, say, Lady Gaga. Tom Hanks. The stars from GoT (an odd choice, but hear me out), you will stop. You will at least stop to read the title. Maybe catch a bit of the caption. Maybe even decide to listen to the whole thing. Maybe even decide to...
CARE.
So, with that in mind, I suppose I came to the conclusion that it is not that odd. Not odd at all, even. Celebrities and brands have an incredible opportunity to take stands for things. Right or Wrong. We will listen. We are listening right now. And most of them are getting handsomely paid for whatever work they're doing, which gives them even further opportunity to take action. Having said that, I will say, in the interest of covering all ground and keeping in my realistic views, this topic-taking-on was not likely out of the kindness of Gillette's collective hearts. It is more likely that Gillette was feeling threatened by the impending doom of $5 razor club and ensembles of the like. Brilliant marketing. I mean, at the end of the day... we are talking about Gillette more now than before they created this ad. At least I know I am.
Final thought: This commercial was about men treating men & women (everyone) better, and it was not about equal rights in the specific way of seeing men & women as the same creatures. I feel as though we sway so clumsily between the two with our personal opinions.
Alone Time at Work
My job (the one that I consider to be my "main job") is an office/admin job and I typically spend the better part of my shift alone. I like being mostly alone at work; I am not stressed by others' energies/inputs/constant need to share, I am not stressed by them taking the time that could be used toward getting things done. If I need to do something, I do it. There is one less obstacle in my way.
Being alone at my job also allows me to truly take pleasure in other interactions. Purposeful interactions, meaningful ones. I can actually focus on the conversations/communications/interplay. How often have you had just the most draining day at work, you've come home, where your loved ones are, and thought:
"I swear to God, if one more person talks to me."
Why is this important to realize? Because, in my opinion, an immense contribution to the value of my life comes from the interactions I choose to have with the people I respect/love/care about. You lose so much from the experience if you start out drained from those meaningless communications from, say, your retail job. Your restaurant job. Your customer service job.
In my opinion, work should be work. Ideally, I would be able to get in, do my job, get out when I'm done and get paid the same wage as if I had dragged my feet and been less efficient. The problem with this (or at least a problem with this) is that there are certain jobs/positions that necessitate otherwise. Shops that demand your 8 hours a day, on the off-chance a customer will come in. These jobs are typically not very physically grueling, and in turn are very taxing on one's mind.
I digress.
The perks of the job that allows you alone time do not stop there; even things like errands become more enjoyable. Exciting, even. Grocery shopping is immediately less painful, as you have not had to "deal with people" all day. So when a stranger says something to you about the weather in passing, you don't instantly want to give them a dirty, desperate look and tell them to please leave you alone. Of course, I suppose, that could be the danger of having the alone-time-job; you may be destined to become these chatty Kathies, and as such the bane of others' existence. At the grocery store, the library, even the neighbor who says things like "mowin' yer lawn, eh?". I guess, as with most things, balance here is key.
Being alone at my job also allows me to truly take pleasure in other interactions. Purposeful interactions, meaningful ones. I can actually focus on the conversations/communications/interplay. How often have you had just the most draining day at work, you've come home, where your loved ones are, and thought:
"I swear to God, if one more person talks to me."
Why is this important to realize? Because, in my opinion, an immense contribution to the value of my life comes from the interactions I choose to have with the people I respect/love/care about. You lose so much from the experience if you start out drained from those meaningless communications from, say, your retail job. Your restaurant job. Your customer service job.
In my opinion, work should be work. Ideally, I would be able to get in, do my job, get out when I'm done and get paid the same wage as if I had dragged my feet and been less efficient. The problem with this (or at least a problem with this) is that there are certain jobs/positions that necessitate otherwise. Shops that demand your 8 hours a day, on the off-chance a customer will come in. These jobs are typically not very physically grueling, and in turn are very taxing on one's mind.
I digress.
The perks of the job that allows you alone time do not stop there; even things like errands become more enjoyable. Exciting, even. Grocery shopping is immediately less painful, as you have not had to "deal with people" all day. So when a stranger says something to you about the weather in passing, you don't instantly want to give them a dirty, desperate look and tell them to please leave you alone. Of course, I suppose, that could be the danger of having the alone-time-job; you may be destined to become these chatty Kathies, and as such the bane of others' existence. At the grocery store, the library, even the neighbor who says things like "mowin' yer lawn, eh?". I guess, as with most things, balance here is key.
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Quirky Job
I'm going to tell you something;
My professional life has become a book.
This book was written by an individual who really must be from England or Ireland. American authors just don't typically have this amount of quirk in their writings. Think character-based, think subtle but quick, silly humor, think Vicar of Dibley meets Waking Ned Devine.
I am a twenty, maybe thirty-something with all the usual relatable nonsense about my life not being in order. But only "not quite" being in order. Not the kind of not-in-order that a real life is ("Why won't he ask me out??" *womp womp* queue laugh track). And upon re-entering my old stomping grounds, I manage to casually meet up with an old friend who sends me to interview for this frame-shop in town (a sure godsend, as I am sans employment from leaving the old town where my long-term boyfriend and I just broke up). After surely having some kind of lukewarm mishap ("It shrunk?? But this was the sweater I was going to wear at the interview!"), I get through the interview and get the job.
Here's the good stuff:
* We're open Tuesday-Friday.
* I work in the downtown area of a community-strong little town. I am friends with plenty of people who frequent/work/picket/are involved in multiple organizations on this block.
* My boss/owner and the head framer are brother and sister. 50's. They are adorable. They lightly quarrel, as siblings do.
* Boss is ex-psychiatrist, helping me work through life stuff in the way that only ex-psychiatrists do. Also delivers hot toddies to me on the day I call out sick.
* Head framer is just shy of an art historian's degree and listens to NPR while sharing with me the most interesting fact-based stories about the first French mouldings, the next great politician and Depeche Mode.
* Landlord is patient, kind and comes down to ask us about the heaters.
* There is a man, let's call him Joe, who comes in on Wednesdays and Fridays to sweep, mop, etc... is older, very straight and is of few words.
* Upstairs tenant is older (not sure how old) gay gentleman artist who is brilliant and hates others' works, for the most part. We all have suspicions he is an actual genius. Loves conversation. Holds grudges.
* Joe and tenant are bosom buddies and essentially family. Spend holidays together, do errands together etc...
There could be a scene beginning with Head Framer cursing at the radio (politics), something about the picketers outside (more politics) and then, to break the tension, I drop my mess of filing all over the floor after attempting to ferry too many at once. I think I'm onto something.
Of course, there is my other part-time job to consider; the record store I work at as a lazy clerk. But that's more a Nick Hornby novel.
My professional life has become a book.
This book was written by an individual who really must be from England or Ireland. American authors just don't typically have this amount of quirk in their writings. Think character-based, think subtle but quick, silly humor, think Vicar of Dibley meets Waking Ned Devine.
I am a twenty, maybe thirty-something with all the usual relatable nonsense about my life not being in order. But only "not quite" being in order. Not the kind of not-in-order that a real life is ("Why won't he ask me out??" *womp womp* queue laugh track). And upon re-entering my old stomping grounds, I manage to casually meet up with an old friend who sends me to interview for this frame-shop in town (a sure godsend, as I am sans employment from leaving the old town where my long-term boyfriend and I just broke up). After surely having some kind of lukewarm mishap ("It shrunk?? But this was the sweater I was going to wear at the interview!"), I get through the interview and get the job.
Here's the good stuff:
* We're open Tuesday-Friday.
* I work in the downtown area of a community-strong little town. I am friends with plenty of people who frequent/work/picket/are involved in multiple organizations on this block.
* My boss/owner and the head framer are brother and sister. 50's. They are adorable. They lightly quarrel, as siblings do.
* Boss is ex-psychiatrist, helping me work through life stuff in the way that only ex-psychiatrists do. Also delivers hot toddies to me on the day I call out sick.
* Head framer is just shy of an art historian's degree and listens to NPR while sharing with me the most interesting fact-based stories about the first French mouldings, the next great politician and Depeche Mode.
* Landlord is patient, kind and comes down to ask us about the heaters.
* There is a man, let's call him Joe, who comes in on Wednesdays and Fridays to sweep, mop, etc... is older, very straight and is of few words.
* Upstairs tenant is older (not sure how old) gay gentleman artist who is brilliant and hates others' works, for the most part. We all have suspicions he is an actual genius. Loves conversation. Holds grudges.
* Joe and tenant are bosom buddies and essentially family. Spend holidays together, do errands together etc...
There could be a scene beginning with Head Framer cursing at the radio (politics), something about the picketers outside (more politics) and then, to break the tension, I drop my mess of filing all over the floor after attempting to ferry too many at once. I think I'm onto something.
Of course, there is my other part-time job to consider; the record store I work at as a lazy clerk. But that's more a Nick Hornby novel.
Friday, January 4, 2019
Tradition
I asked for a writing prompt today, as I am experiencing the exciting combination of starving for the keyboard and having run absolutely dry of innovation. I was given:
"the value of tradition".
So here goes.
When I was younger I took tradition for granted and even resented it, at times. Now whether you feel tradition is good or bad or even have a hard time being so black and white about it, I feel as though nothing should be taken for granted.
Must have been around the holidays when I first learned the term; my mother could have been explaining something to the effect of why we "had to go to Gram's again" (poor woman). I think that if not all, at least some children - one time or another - have felt overwhelmed by family events. It's outside the comfort zone of home, deadlines are making your typically-lovely parents a bit crusty and there are seemingly hoards of tall masses forcing you to eat strange foods while making the earth positively buzz with the baritone of their collective voice. Plus it usually smells different there, and if that's not enough to set the mood, I don't know what is.
I was obviously one of the aforementioned children. I was miserable! Why so loud? Why so much? Why am I SO TIIIIRED. This was a nightmare. Why would anyone do this to themselves? Especially adults! Adults can go to bed whenever they want and eat whatever they want; surely the pinnacle of the making one's own mind, and yet here they were. Without fail. Every. Damn. Year. All I wanted was to simply go home and be around my sister (who was often loud, but in an exciting, pleasant way and in a controlled, familiar environment).
Some traditions, or even traditional thinking, is harmful. I won't get into these because I feel as though we all have some examples already floating around in our heads (how uninteresting to write about). Having said that, I will say that I believe that other traditions have been very helpful, if not at large, then at least to me, specifically. They helped me get a better grasp on social queues and behavior in a way that I would not have been able to learn from reading a book. They taught me patience. They taught me compassion. Routine/how much I liked routine/found comfort in it. Celebration. Obligation. Empathy; to be able to see through another's eyes, if only for a moment when I realized that we see some friends or family members because they do not have as socially busy lives as we do, leaving them yearning for connection in such a way. These times also helped me learn about some things I was interested in and wanted to learn more about. Things that I no longer practiced in the modern world and, as such, would have never come across/even known about if I were to just pedal my own way through my life. You don't know what you don't know.
I think that the concept of tradition is much like the concept of elders; they can be very cool, interesting, useful, lovely, and they can also be jagged old gits who have far surpassed their use in the modern world. I don't think that we should always respect them. I think that we should assess them individually. (Pardon the frankness. I will likely feel this way about my peers someday when we are all elders.)
I was actually thinking about my favorite holiday memories recently: eating steak-umms, instant mashed potatoes and eggnog while watching the Boris Karloff version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas with my sister. Staying up so late with my mother one Christmas that we made it to the next morning, only to take a drive together over to a superstore and gather a mass of holiday accoutrements. These personal favorites all come from tossing tradition out the window. I think this best showcases the concept of balance; I am most comfortable in routine, but sometimes I want adventure/excitement/a change/a treat. Is there value in tradition? Absolutely. And there's also value in ignoring it and even creating your own.
definition credit to google dictionary
"the value of tradition".
So here goes.
tra·di·tion
/trəˈdiSH(ə)n/
noun
- 1.the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way.
When I was younger I took tradition for granted and even resented it, at times. Now whether you feel tradition is good or bad or even have a hard time being so black and white about it, I feel as though nothing should be taken for granted.
Must have been around the holidays when I first learned the term; my mother could have been explaining something to the effect of why we "had to go to Gram's again" (poor woman). I think that if not all, at least some children - one time or another - have felt overwhelmed by family events. It's outside the comfort zone of home, deadlines are making your typically-lovely parents a bit crusty and there are seemingly hoards of tall masses forcing you to eat strange foods while making the earth positively buzz with the baritone of their collective voice. Plus it usually smells different there, and if that's not enough to set the mood, I don't know what is.
I was obviously one of the aforementioned children. I was miserable! Why so loud? Why so much? Why am I SO TIIIIRED. This was a nightmare. Why would anyone do this to themselves? Especially adults! Adults can go to bed whenever they want and eat whatever they want; surely the pinnacle of the making one's own mind, and yet here they were. Without fail. Every. Damn. Year. All I wanted was to simply go home and be around my sister (who was often loud, but in an exciting, pleasant way and in a controlled, familiar environment).
Some traditions, or even traditional thinking, is harmful. I won't get into these because I feel as though we all have some examples already floating around in our heads (how uninteresting to write about). Having said that, I will say that I believe that other traditions have been very helpful, if not at large, then at least to me, specifically. They helped me get a better grasp on social queues and behavior in a way that I would not have been able to learn from reading a book. They taught me patience. They taught me compassion. Routine/how much I liked routine/found comfort in it. Celebration. Obligation. Empathy; to be able to see through another's eyes, if only for a moment when I realized that we see some friends or family members because they do not have as socially busy lives as we do, leaving them yearning for connection in such a way. These times also helped me learn about some things I was interested in and wanted to learn more about. Things that I no longer practiced in the modern world and, as such, would have never come across/even known about if I were to just pedal my own way through my life. You don't know what you don't know.
I think that the concept of tradition is much like the concept of elders; they can be very cool, interesting, useful, lovely, and they can also be jagged old gits who have far surpassed their use in the modern world. I don't think that we should always respect them. I think that we should assess them individually. (Pardon the frankness. I will likely feel this way about my peers someday when we are all elders.)
I was actually thinking about my favorite holiday memories recently: eating steak-umms, instant mashed potatoes and eggnog while watching the Boris Karloff version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas with my sister. Staying up so late with my mother one Christmas that we made it to the next morning, only to take a drive together over to a superstore and gather a mass of holiday accoutrements. These personal favorites all come from tossing tradition out the window. I think this best showcases the concept of balance; I am most comfortable in routine, but sometimes I want adventure/excitement/a change/a treat. Is there value in tradition? Absolutely. And there's also value in ignoring it and even creating your own.
definition credit to google dictionary
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Beating the Winter Blues
This blog will likely serve as a reminder to myself more than a profound and/or thought-provoking entry. If it helps someone else, all the better.
I have always been a bit too sensitive to the weather: in the warm weather, I feel as though I am reborn and in the extreme cold I feel as if I might just die. If not the wind whipping through me, the bitter cold making me miserable and getting me sick, the ice turning my casual gait into more of a penguin-like shuffle (sudden lack of dignity - oh the humanity), it will be the shrinking window in which I can see the Sun that kills me. It's tougher to leave the house - hell, it's tougher to leave my bed! I try and do my due-diligence and take my daily D-Vitamin chewable, stretch and head off to the gym, eat happy foods and visit the tanning salon (ahh, sweet warmth). But sometimes this isn't enough. And I don't know that I will ever learn what will, in fact, solidly be enough to get me through an entire winter. But! Here are a few things that I have learned make quite a difference:
1. Migrate
Obviously this is for the few of us that can manage this. Things will hold the majority back, whether it be finances, not being able to miss a day at work, family, responsibilities, what have you. I personally have only been able to head to Florida once in my life, and just for a week, but boy! Was it worth it. You can't control the weather, but you certainly can hide from it and get a little reprieve once and a while.
2. Music
I have been known to get in my fair share of music ruts - listening to the same old favorites for months at a time - and this is fine, sometimes. But when the seasonal depression hits you like a sack of potatoes, you've got to fight back with new, powerful ammunition. New songs. Killer beats. Fun drum lines and excellent guitar solos. Often times I think about venturing into some new tunes, but my immediate feeling of being overwhelmed stops me dead in my tracks. The best way I have found to get some fresh jams on the playlist is to pick a category you like on a free music playing app and decide on an uplifting version of it. New music, under a category you like (don't roll the dice too much in your fragile state; you're likely to abandon the whole idea) and it's sure to make your day a little more positive. (I like a station called Sunshine Indie Pop.) As you listen, you can even make a youtube playlist for yourself of your absolute favorites to turn those really horrible freezy mornings into productive, kick-ass days.
3. Projects
Again this is provided you can afford the time. If you are an artist (creating art, music, written word, etc...), set time aside specifically for this act. Start out with once a week, maybe, and if you like it you can always double/triple-down. (I typically bake/cook or write.) If you're handy - or have been meaning to learn to be - you can get around to that time-consuming DIY home improvement project you've been meaning to get to. Accomplishing little (or larger) projects will get those endorphins going.
4. Exercise
When is this not good for you (provided you don't overwhelm yourself and get heat-stroke or something)? You don't have to pay your local gym a monthly membership fee if the thought of leaving your house in the bitter cold gives you nausea. Go for a run, a walk, stretch, learn yoga, checkout youtube and find something that works for you and for free. Not having any savings at the end of the season will not help your frosty state. And you'll likely want some extra fun money for when the weather turns and your friends come out of their caves.
5. Read
Books, magazines, newspapers, cereal boxes - read them all! If you are like me and even less likely to take part in social activity when the driving weather gets sketchy, your mind will not be as active as in the warmer months. You will have less sunshiney dynamics to play off of and your poor little brain will starve in a way. If you simply cannot get into reading, I suggest adding puzzle games to your daily routine. Grab the sodoku, crosswords or word searches and get to work.
Do your best while the weather is doing its worst, future-me! There are better times ahead and more adventures to be had.
I have always been a bit too sensitive to the weather: in the warm weather, I feel as though I am reborn and in the extreme cold I feel as if I might just die. If not the wind whipping through me, the bitter cold making me miserable and getting me sick, the ice turning my casual gait into more of a penguin-like shuffle (sudden lack of dignity - oh the humanity), it will be the shrinking window in which I can see the Sun that kills me. It's tougher to leave the house - hell, it's tougher to leave my bed! I try and do my due-diligence and take my daily D-Vitamin chewable, stretch and head off to the gym, eat happy foods and visit the tanning salon (ahh, sweet warmth). But sometimes this isn't enough. And I don't know that I will ever learn what will, in fact, solidly be enough to get me through an entire winter. But! Here are a few things that I have learned make quite a difference:
1. Migrate
Obviously this is for the few of us that can manage this. Things will hold the majority back, whether it be finances, not being able to miss a day at work, family, responsibilities, what have you. I personally have only been able to head to Florida once in my life, and just for a week, but boy! Was it worth it. You can't control the weather, but you certainly can hide from it and get a little reprieve once and a while.
2. Music
I have been known to get in my fair share of music ruts - listening to the same old favorites for months at a time - and this is fine, sometimes. But when the seasonal depression hits you like a sack of potatoes, you've got to fight back with new, powerful ammunition. New songs. Killer beats. Fun drum lines and excellent guitar solos. Often times I think about venturing into some new tunes, but my immediate feeling of being overwhelmed stops me dead in my tracks. The best way I have found to get some fresh jams on the playlist is to pick a category you like on a free music playing app and decide on an uplifting version of it. New music, under a category you like (don't roll the dice too much in your fragile state; you're likely to abandon the whole idea) and it's sure to make your day a little more positive. (I like a station called Sunshine Indie Pop.) As you listen, you can even make a youtube playlist for yourself of your absolute favorites to turn those really horrible freezy mornings into productive, kick-ass days.
3. Projects
Again this is provided you can afford the time. If you are an artist (creating art, music, written word, etc...), set time aside specifically for this act. Start out with once a week, maybe, and if you like it you can always double/triple-down. (I typically bake/cook or write.) If you're handy - or have been meaning to learn to be - you can get around to that time-consuming DIY home improvement project you've been meaning to get to. Accomplishing little (or larger) projects will get those endorphins going.
4. Exercise
When is this not good for you (provided you don't overwhelm yourself and get heat-stroke or something)? You don't have to pay your local gym a monthly membership fee if the thought of leaving your house in the bitter cold gives you nausea. Go for a run, a walk, stretch, learn yoga, checkout youtube and find something that works for you and for free. Not having any savings at the end of the season will not help your frosty state. And you'll likely want some extra fun money for when the weather turns and your friends come out of their caves.
5. Read
Books, magazines, newspapers, cereal boxes - read them all! If you are like me and even less likely to take part in social activity when the driving weather gets sketchy, your mind will not be as active as in the warmer months. You will have less sunshiney dynamics to play off of and your poor little brain will starve in a way. If you simply cannot get into reading, I suggest adding puzzle games to your daily routine. Grab the sodoku, crosswords or word searches and get to work.
Do your best while the weather is doing its worst, future-me! There are better times ahead and more adventures to be had.
New Year: 2019
I had a fabulous New Year's Eve and I hope you did, too.
Every year my biggest goals involve travel. Ever since I saw Auntie Mame on TCM, I have placed travel under the category of glamorous. And ever since I have found the anchors of my musical taste and read my first Hornby book, I have felt as though I would feel more complete if I could just get to London.
Here's the deal: I'm petrified of traveling alone.
I know, I know, people have done it before. Women have done it before. Students backpack through Europe, for Pete's sake, but alas, I am not as brave. I wish I was! I don't like the idea of having to rely on others for enjoyment/contentment/accomplishment. I relish being independent and courageous. This move, however, eludes me.
The older I get, the more I start to realize how lovely it is to travel and how lovely it is to be home. After living in different places/states and traveling to different places/states for fun, I can certainly come to the conclusion that I am better for it. Catching a Flyers game in Phili, a concert in DC, vacationing in a houseboat in Florida... But the only places I have traveled to solo were places in Maine (including the Southern Maine mill town I lived in for a year), New Hampshire and Massachusetts (where I was only traveling to get to my then-boyfriend). If only I were the type of person who could travel alone. It's not the language barriers that scare me (if I were to visit, say, France), it's just the fact that I don't trust myself. To get to the airport on time, to board the correct plane, to find my B&B, to trek the strange streets safely. And then, of course, we have the added fun of being a small young woman, terrified of the male public for one reason or another (forget walking alone at night... anywhere).
How do people do it? They must have so much confidence. They must be so easily clever. I wonder if they know what they have. Whatever it is they do have, I am completely jealous. Perhaps there will come a day when I am strong enough, but I am nearly 30 and... nothing yet. We shall see.
Every year my biggest goals involve travel. Ever since I saw Auntie Mame on TCM, I have placed travel under the category of glamorous. And ever since I have found the anchors of my musical taste and read my first Hornby book, I have felt as though I would feel more complete if I could just get to London.
Here's the deal: I'm petrified of traveling alone.
I know, I know, people have done it before. Women have done it before. Students backpack through Europe, for Pete's sake, but alas, I am not as brave. I wish I was! I don't like the idea of having to rely on others for enjoyment/contentment/accomplishment. I relish being independent and courageous. This move, however, eludes me.
The older I get, the more I start to realize how lovely it is to travel and how lovely it is to be home. After living in different places/states and traveling to different places/states for fun, I can certainly come to the conclusion that I am better for it. Catching a Flyers game in Phili, a concert in DC, vacationing in a houseboat in Florida... But the only places I have traveled to solo were places in Maine (including the Southern Maine mill town I lived in for a year), New Hampshire and Massachusetts (where I was only traveling to get to my then-boyfriend). If only I were the type of person who could travel alone. It's not the language barriers that scare me (if I were to visit, say, France), it's just the fact that I don't trust myself. To get to the airport on time, to board the correct plane, to find my B&B, to trek the strange streets safely. And then, of course, we have the added fun of being a small young woman, terrified of the male public for one reason or another (forget walking alone at night... anywhere).
How do people do it? They must have so much confidence. They must be so easily clever. I wonder if they know what they have. Whatever it is they do have, I am completely jealous. Perhaps there will come a day when I am strong enough, but I am nearly 30 and... nothing yet. We shall see.
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