Just taking a few minutes to reflect on the last day of the year before I go off to a New Year's Eve Party. I hope that everyone has a safe and happy evening. I also hope that most of you go into 2006 with a positive outlook both about yourself and others. Be true to yourself and give yourself the credit that you deserve.
The last two weeks of this year have taught me alot about myself and the strengths of the people around me. I hate to loosely quote Joan Didion's recent masterpiece since I know that I am not even worthy enough to look at the flame let alone hold it, but these last few weeks have been days of "magical thinking for me". A time to truly evaluate what is important to me and my importance to others. And for the first time in a long time, possibly ever, I have been able to accomplish this without feeling the need to hide behind shields or false personas that I felt were necessary for survival. Overall, it has been both a oddly humbling and empowering experience. I come away knowing that without quality friends, none of this would've been possible.
Well, I am off to go have some laughs and cheer. Nothing but the best to you all!
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Friday, December 30, 2005
Training Starts tomorrow....
After recovering from Big Blue's loss on Wednesday night (nice officiating Sun Belt refs!) I am starting to get into the right frame of mind once again to start marathon training. I desperately need to get back into shape considering that since Columbus I have been mostly pigging out and running 2-3 miles. I believe this also has also effected my attitude and motivation level poorly. I have found myself to be more irritable and sad. Defiantly not good for me or those around me!
Tomorrow morning Jen and I are running 10 in Rocky River. I told her that we need to go slow since this is the longest run by far that I have done since the marathon. If my shoes and lungs hold up, I should be good to relax and have some fun on New Year's Eve!
Tomorrow morning Jen and I are running 10 in Rocky River. I told her that we need to go slow since this is the longest run by far that I have done since the marathon. If my shoes and lungs hold up, I should be good to relax and have some fun on New Year's Eve!
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Loving Gordon Lightfoot & True Love Lasts Forever...
Okay, I heard Gordon as I was driving home yesterday and he put me at ease, like he usually does. Just thought I would share his goodness with the rest of you since I am quite the fan...
If you could read my mind
If you could read my mind love
What a tale my thoughts could tell
Just like an old time movie
’bout a ghost from a wishin’ well
In a castle dark or a fortress strong
With chains upon my feet
You know that ghost is me
And I will never be set free
As long as I’m a ghost that you can’t see
If I could read your mind love
What a tale your thoughts could tell
Just like a paperback novel
The kind that drugstores sell
When you reach the part where the heartaches come
The hero would be me
But heroes often fail
And you won’t read that book again
Because the ending’s just too hard to take
I’d walk away like a movie star
Who gets burned in a three way script
Enter number two
A movie queen to play the scene
Of bringing all the good things out in me
But for now love, let’s be real
I never thought I could act this way
And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it
I don’t know where we went wrong
But the feelin’s gone
And I just can’t get it back
If you could read my mind love
What a tale my thoughts could tell
Just like an old time movie
’bout a ghost from a wishin’ well
In a castle dark or a fortress strong
With chains upon my feet
But stories always end
And if you read between the lines
You’ll know that I’m just tryin’ to understand
The feelin’s that you lack
I never thought I could feel this way
And I’ve got to say that I just to get it
I don’t know where we went wrong
But the feelin’s gone
And I just can’t get it back
If you could read my mind
If you could read my mind love
What a tale my thoughts could tell
Just like an old time movie
’bout a ghost from a wishin’ well
In a castle dark or a fortress strong
With chains upon my feet
You know that ghost is me
And I will never be set free
As long as I’m a ghost that you can’t see
If I could read your mind love
What a tale your thoughts could tell
Just like a paperback novel
The kind that drugstores sell
When you reach the part where the heartaches come
The hero would be me
But heroes often fail
And you won’t read that book again
Because the ending’s just too hard to take
I’d walk away like a movie star
Who gets burned in a three way script
Enter number two
A movie queen to play the scene
Of bringing all the good things out in me
But for now love, let’s be real
I never thought I could act this way
And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it
I don’t know where we went wrong
But the feelin’s gone
And I just can’t get it back
If you could read my mind love
What a tale my thoughts could tell
Just like an old time movie
’bout a ghost from a wishin’ well
In a castle dark or a fortress strong
With chains upon my feet
But stories always end
And if you read between the lines
You’ll know that I’m just tryin’ to understand
The feelin’s that you lack
I never thought I could feel this way
And I’ve got to say that I just to get it
I don’t know where we went wrong
But the feelin’s gone
And I just can’t get it back
Monday, December 26, 2005
Enjoying the Falling of the Holidays...
I must say that I am enjoying this year how Christmas fell on a Sunday. It seems like in years past when the holiday landed smack during the week I was so thrown off. I quite enjoyed having this Monday off in observation of the holiday. Hooray that the stock market was closed. I guess bad news for those of you on the bank side since you had to come into work today.
Today was a pretty good day. Well, besides me having yet another car incident. Can I go throw at least 6 months without a scratch of ding? I am still wondering if that is a possibility for me... On the plus side, I got to enjoy breakfast with my friends. I learned of engagements over the holidays and that Lisa has a black belt in karate. I have to admit that at first I thought she was joking but upon learning the truth I think that it is best that I always stay on her good side. I think that I would have a difficult enough time fighting with someone that lacked martial arts skills. Did not have the ambition to tackle the mall today but I did get in a 2.5 mile run (still enjoying the low mileage before marathon training starts up again and hopefully my mental sanity returns again) and enjoyed dinner with an Old friend. It sucked because I had to make good on the Michigan vs. Ohio State game bet that I lost but the quality conversation made it a good trade off.
Today was a pretty good day. Well, besides me having yet another car incident. Can I go throw at least 6 months without a scratch of ding? I am still wondering if that is a possibility for me... On the plus side, I got to enjoy breakfast with my friends. I learned of engagements over the holidays and that Lisa has a black belt in karate. I have to admit that at first I thought she was joking but upon learning the truth I think that it is best that I always stay on her good side. I think that I would have a difficult enough time fighting with someone that lacked martial arts skills. Did not have the ambition to tackle the mall today but I did get in a 2.5 mile run (still enjoying the low mileage before marathon training starts up again and hopefully my mental sanity returns again) and enjoyed dinner with an Old friend. It sucked because I had to make good on the Michigan vs. Ohio State game bet that I lost but the quality conversation made it a good trade off.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
T'Was The Night Before Christmas.....
Last night, I, like many other Americans engaged in the traditional family style Christmas Eve motions. Most ate too much, some drank too much as we exchanged gifts and griped about jobs and gas bills. I took comfort in knowing that another year had passed but that my uncle's perverted sense of humor had stayed intact.
Of course, it would not quite be the holiday season without my gramps asking his customary, "So when you getting married?" and a new for Christmas 2005 jab by my step grandma of "Looks like your gaining a little weight." as she playful patted my stomach immediately following an awkward hug. Ahhh, the holiday. And for one brief second I tinkered with the possibility of looking them both in the eyes and saying, "Well, I was going to wait till after the holidays but the good news is that I am getting married next month because I am soon expecting a child with my (insert whichever race or ethnicity makes them the most uncomfortable) lover. The ceremony will be small and the reception will probably be at a Local VFW Hall; we are thinking buffet style." But then, before I could eloquently delivery my speech, reason got the better of me and I gracefully left to meet up with Rob.
Spending the evening with a close bud (both the beer and the friend) was a good way to end the eve. However, it was a little more complicated attempting to find a bar that was open on Christmas Eve. At last, we saw the neon "Open" sign of The Jigsaw. We were pleased with this. We came pretty close to throwing the towel in and going to The Crazy Horse. However, after this week, I don't think that seeing boobs in my face was going to solve anything or make me feel comfortable (similar to the uncomfortability issues that I know have developed with Paninis, fresh onions and the passenger seats of Eclipses). Beers were shared among friends. Well, many groups of friends, actually, since the bar seemed to be packed with other escapees flocking to seek solace from family togetherness. We talked about life. We talked about the good and the bad and the most important of all, finding a way to put one foot in front of the other and move forward. All in all, not a bad night....
Of course, it would not quite be the holiday season without my gramps asking his customary, "So when you getting married?" and a new for Christmas 2005 jab by my step grandma of "Looks like your gaining a little weight." as she playful patted my stomach immediately following an awkward hug. Ahhh, the holiday. And for one brief second I tinkered with the possibility of looking them both in the eyes and saying, "Well, I was going to wait till after the holidays but the good news is that I am getting married next month because I am soon expecting a child with my (insert whichever race or ethnicity makes them the most uncomfortable) lover. The ceremony will be small and the reception will probably be at a Local VFW Hall; we are thinking buffet style." But then, before I could eloquently delivery my speech, reason got the better of me and I gracefully left to meet up with Rob.
Spending the evening with a close bud (both the beer and the friend) was a good way to end the eve. However, it was a little more complicated attempting to find a bar that was open on Christmas Eve. At last, we saw the neon "Open" sign of The Jigsaw. We were pleased with this. We came pretty close to throwing the towel in and going to The Crazy Horse. However, after this week, I don't think that seeing boobs in my face was going to solve anything or make me feel comfortable (similar to the uncomfortability issues that I know have developed with Paninis, fresh onions and the passenger seats of Eclipses). Beers were shared among friends. Well, many groups of friends, actually, since the bar seemed to be packed with other escapees flocking to seek solace from family togetherness. We talked about life. We talked about the good and the bad and the most important of all, finding a way to put one foot in front of the other and move forward. All in all, not a bad night....
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Would you take a "do over"?
What if you were given the chance to take back a certain moment that happened? More specifically, would you take back a brief moment where words were exchanged? What if these words were the truth but that the truth could change dynamics of a specific relationship forever?
It has become common advice of the wise that honesty is the best policy, hands down. But what if some forms of honesty go against the grains? Everyone has had these moments were the truth has flown freely. Those times that work against the Adam Ant lyric of "When the words unspoken..... get caught in your throat." Maybe you were drunk and did not care until the sobering light of day the next morning, maybe it was done in anger or frustration, or maybe it was done as a darting race to a car as the engine was running - done as a last minute act of desperation in order to throw a life preserver to something that you knew was going to sink without action from you.
Any thoughts? Would you use the "do over" or would you just let life go on after the fact?
It has become common advice of the wise that honesty is the best policy, hands down. But what if some forms of honesty go against the grains? Everyone has had these moments were the truth has flown freely. Those times that work against the Adam Ant lyric of "When the words unspoken..... get caught in your throat." Maybe you were drunk and did not care until the sobering light of day the next morning, maybe it was done in anger or frustration, or maybe it was done as a darting race to a car as the engine was running - done as a last minute act of desperation in order to throw a life preserver to something that you knew was going to sink without action from you.
Any thoughts? Would you use the "do over" or would you just let life go on after the fact?
Monday, December 19, 2005
An Open Letter To My Students...
This is what I read to my students tonight as we dined on pizza (see, who said I am not a nice teacher?), discussed grades on the final exams and passed back their last essays of the semester.
Dear Class-
As some of you already know from our preclass or after class discussions, I was asked/begged to teach this class four days prior to the start of the fall semester. At the time that I received the phone call from Tri-C, I was in the process of moving and getting trained for new duties at work. Needless to say, this was a very stressful time in my life and chaining myself to my laptop for an entire weekend in order to structure some type of workable syllabus and lesson plans for at least the first few classes did not seem like such an appealing choice. However, I knew that I wanted to teach and if this was to be my chance I was going to take this as a sign ( I was still not sure if it was a good sign, though) and I agreed to take on this teaching assignment. After I hung up the phone I darting to my manager's desk to make sure I could cut out for a few hours the next day in order to have the quickest cram session imaginable with the English Department Head, collect the texts for the class and try to keep as calm as possible despite the rapidness of all the events around me. Oh, and did I mention that I was also slowly wrapping my mind around the reality that this was an 8:00-10:40pm class M&W meaning that my social life as well as my sleep requirements would have to take a heavy hit.
Looking out across this room tonight at all of you, I am so glad that I chose to accept the challenge of teaching this class. Over the semester I have had the wonderful opportunity to see so many of you grow as writers and critical thinkers. I realize that this is not the easiest class to attend due to the graveyard shift time slot but all of you, well, most of you, have made the commitment and thrived in this class. I applaud those of you that are juggling family obligations and full-time jobs.
My hope was not that you come away loving English Composition. If you have, that is great but I also know that you are probably lying through your teeth. My hope is that you come away as being a better writer, reader and more most importantly, a better overall student. I know that I have become a better teacher because of all of you. If you ever need anything you have my email and phone number. Hopefully, we can catch up again in another class at Tri-C (I am keeping my fingers crossed because I am pretty low on the seniority list currently as "adjunct faculty") but if we never meet again, thank you for being such quality students. I wish you the best of luck in all of your endeavors.
Dear Class-
As some of you already know from our preclass or after class discussions, I was asked/begged to teach this class four days prior to the start of the fall semester. At the time that I received the phone call from Tri-C, I was in the process of moving and getting trained for new duties at work. Needless to say, this was a very stressful time in my life and chaining myself to my laptop for an entire weekend in order to structure some type of workable syllabus and lesson plans for at least the first few classes did not seem like such an appealing choice. However, I knew that I wanted to teach and if this was to be my chance I was going to take this as a sign ( I was still not sure if it was a good sign, though) and I agreed to take on this teaching assignment. After I hung up the phone I darting to my manager's desk to make sure I could cut out for a few hours the next day in order to have the quickest cram session imaginable with the English Department Head, collect the texts for the class and try to keep as calm as possible despite the rapidness of all the events around me. Oh, and did I mention that I was also slowly wrapping my mind around the reality that this was an 8:00-10:40pm class M&W meaning that my social life as well as my sleep requirements would have to take a heavy hit.
Looking out across this room tonight at all of you, I am so glad that I chose to accept the challenge of teaching this class. Over the semester I have had the wonderful opportunity to see so many of you grow as writers and critical thinkers. I realize that this is not the easiest class to attend due to the graveyard shift time slot but all of you, well, most of you, have made the commitment and thrived in this class. I applaud those of you that are juggling family obligations and full-time jobs.
My hope was not that you come away loving English Composition. If you have, that is great but I also know that you are probably lying through your teeth. My hope is that you come away as being a better writer, reader and more most importantly, a better overall student. I know that I have become a better teacher because of all of you. If you ever need anything you have my email and phone number. Hopefully, we can catch up again in another class at Tri-C (I am keeping my fingers crossed because I am pretty low on the seniority list currently as "adjunct faculty") but if we never meet again, thank you for being such quality students. I wish you the best of luck in all of your endeavors.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Parents of, Friends with and Married to the Craziest of All Athletes....
Okay, recently I have had a few suggestions that I should write a post concerning running. This is probably because for the past few years it has consumed so much of my life. I guess it is pretty bad when most of my recent "vacations" have involved running 26.2 miles. Also, I know that many of my running friends were itchin for a good place to give their input. : )
The question that I want to propose is how do those that do not run cope with being close to a runner? Do they learn to simply accept their obsession or do they choose to just submit and take up running as well? I mention this last option because Mike, my old college roommate Becky's husband, took up running about a year and a half ago. We always make joked that the reason that he did so was so that they could actually spend time together since due to their complex schedules, sitting down to have a quality conversation was not an option. It is funny because both parties have admitted that this theory is true and in fact, running long 20 milers has helped both their training and their marital relationship.
On the other hand, I have noticed many parents, spouses and friends of avid runners choosing to be their runners biggest fan. I have noticed them getting up in the wee hours of the morning to hold warmups as their runner heads to the starting of a marathon. I have also noticed them darting through city streets just to catch a brief glimpse of their runner and then sometimes with little recognition, these people have listened to the many post race complaints of soreness.
The question that I ask is why and how do these people keep doing it? Is it simply a form of unconditional love or is it coming to the conclusion that the desire to run is too great to change and too complex to comprehend?
The question that I want to propose is how do those that do not run cope with being close to a runner? Do they learn to simply accept their obsession or do they choose to just submit and take up running as well? I mention this last option because Mike, my old college roommate Becky's husband, took up running about a year and a half ago. We always make joked that the reason that he did so was so that they could actually spend time together since due to their complex schedules, sitting down to have a quality conversation was not an option. It is funny because both parties have admitted that this theory is true and in fact, running long 20 milers has helped both their training and their marital relationship.
On the other hand, I have noticed many parents, spouses and friends of avid runners choosing to be their runners biggest fan. I have noticed them getting up in the wee hours of the morning to hold warmups as their runner heads to the starting of a marathon. I have also noticed them darting through city streets just to catch a brief glimpse of their runner and then sometimes with little recognition, these people have listened to the many post race complaints of soreness.
The question that I ask is why and how do these people keep doing it? Is it simply a form of unconditional love or is it coming to the conclusion that the desire to run is too great to change and too complex to comprehend?
Thursday, December 15, 2005
The Universal Misconception That The Flu Shot Makes You invincible
Well, last night/early this morning I finally fell victim to sickness. I thought I made a deal with the powers that be that I would not get ill till after grades were due but such is not the case. I am hoping that it is just a 24 hr bug since I am starting to feel better (minus the trips to the bathroom every hour, on the hour and the cold sweats).
I've already called the office twice today (well, actually 3 times, but me b.s.ing with Dahler does not count). I am not sure if that translates into me being very dedicated to my job or that I am just suffering from adult paranoia. I am hoping for the first. Any who, I hope all is well with everyone else. I am off to chug more Pepto...
I've already called the office twice today (well, actually 3 times, but me b.s.ing with Dahler does not count). I am not sure if that translates into me being very dedicated to my job or that I am just suffering from adult paranoia. I am hoping for the first. Any who, I hope all is well with everyone else. I am off to chug more Pepto...
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
The Casual Oscars
Around this time of year I always start to get excited. No, not because of the holidays looming in the near horizon (I am more of a Halloween fan anyway. I know, my Catholic parents are still guessing on what went wrong here) but because I know the major movie awards are coming soon. Today, the nominations for The Golden Globes were announced, or as I like to call them "The Casual Oscars". You know, the more laid back, casual fitting award ceremony that always finds a way to tightly wrap up in time for the 11:00 news.
Disappointingly, there are a lot of nominated movies that are still on my must see list. At only 26 I am already longing for the days of retirement when I can attend senior discounted matinee movies! Also, it is sometimes difficult for me to entice my friends to see any of the "indi" films. They think I am strange. Well, I guess they do have a valid argument.
I see that Brokeback Mountain is up for quite a few. Excellent. I am very eager to see this one and still pissed that it is being released so slowly to "select cities". I know that speed will pick up in February after the Oscar noms. come out but it really is sad when you see how far our society still has to come. I have read many of the reviews and I know that Monique (my "indi" buddy) and I are anxiously awaiting its arrival somewhere relatively close to Cleveland. Thumbs up to Heath Ledger. I guess the fourth time really is a charm after three recent flops. Also, still going sight unseen, I am going to give an ovation to Michelle Williams (still holding onto her sash as being the only Dawson's Creek alum that has viable acting talent). Lets face it, I am assuming that she is going to shine in this one because plain and simple: she does a bang up job with gay films! She stood her ground in If These Walls Could Talk 2 and had a minor but believable part in But I'm a Cheerleader I am eager to see how she treats the role of playing a beard to her real life hottie husband. Sorry, you have to admit, Heath and Jake got the rugged good looks quality down to a sport. Grrrr!!! Sorry, no matter how professional I wanted this to sound I had to add a little girlish lust in there!
I see Joaquin Phoenix got a golden nom. Enjoyed Walk The Line mainly because of Reese Witherspoon's portrayal of June Carter. Can she make a bad movie? Even when you want to hate her in fluff parts it is impossible because she just encompasses the character so well. I am hoping that a win at The Globes leads her up to the stage out the Oscars. I still think she was unappreciated with her knockout performance in Vanity Fair . Getting back to Phoenix, sorry, but all I kept noticing was him sweating throughout the movie. His bad boy, drug infested image also doesn't help his cause with The Foreign Press. In addition, wasn't the big year for autobiographical movies last year? Sorry, in my opinion, one year late and a few Kilos short. If Spacey and Kline did not even get nominated last year for playing Darin and Porter and I am hoping the Phoenix will not be so lucky.
Okay, I know this is posting is about movies but I just have to do a shot out to Mary-Louise Parker. I admit it, I might be her biggest fan. So graceful and professional in everything that she does. I am a bit biased though. She could probably just be doing a toothpaste or dish soap commercial and I would want to give her a statuette. I have only seen bits and pieces of Weeds during its premier season (damn you Showtime for being so pricey)! But she she made my laugh, think and stay in constant awe. I am hoping the she can break the strangle hold that the Desperate Housewives' foursome has on the category.
Disappointingly, there are a lot of nominated movies that are still on my must see list. At only 26 I am already longing for the days of retirement when I can attend senior discounted matinee movies! Also, it is sometimes difficult for me to entice my friends to see any of the "indi" films. They think I am strange. Well, I guess they do have a valid argument.
I see that Brokeback Mountain is up for quite a few. Excellent. I am very eager to see this one and still pissed that it is being released so slowly to "select cities". I know that speed will pick up in February after the Oscar noms. come out but it really is sad when you see how far our society still has to come. I have read many of the reviews and I know that Monique (my "indi" buddy) and I are anxiously awaiting its arrival somewhere relatively close to Cleveland. Thumbs up to Heath Ledger. I guess the fourth time really is a charm after three recent flops. Also, still going sight unseen, I am going to give an ovation to Michelle Williams (still holding onto her sash as being the only Dawson's Creek alum that has viable acting talent). Lets face it, I am assuming that she is going to shine in this one because plain and simple: she does a bang up job with gay films! She stood her ground in If These Walls Could Talk 2 and had a minor but believable part in But I'm a Cheerleader I am eager to see how she treats the role of playing a beard to her real life hottie husband. Sorry, you have to admit, Heath and Jake got the rugged good looks quality down to a sport. Grrrr!!! Sorry, no matter how professional I wanted this to sound I had to add a little girlish lust in there!
I see Joaquin Phoenix got a golden nom. Enjoyed Walk The Line mainly because of Reese Witherspoon's portrayal of June Carter. Can she make a bad movie? Even when you want to hate her in fluff parts it is impossible because she just encompasses the character so well. I am hoping that a win at The Globes leads her up to the stage out the Oscars. I still think she was unappreciated with her knockout performance in Vanity Fair . Getting back to Phoenix, sorry, but all I kept noticing was him sweating throughout the movie. His bad boy, drug infested image also doesn't help his cause with The Foreign Press. In addition, wasn't the big year for autobiographical movies last year? Sorry, in my opinion, one year late and a few Kilos short. If Spacey and Kline did not even get nominated last year for playing Darin and Porter and I am hoping the Phoenix will not be so lucky.
Okay, I know this is posting is about movies but I just have to do a shot out to Mary-Louise Parker. I admit it, I might be her biggest fan. So graceful and professional in everything that she does. I am a bit biased though. She could probably just be doing a toothpaste or dish soap commercial and I would want to give her a statuette. I have only seen bits and pieces of Weeds during its premier season (damn you Showtime for being so pricey)! But she she made my laugh, think and stay in constant awe. I am hoping the she can break the strangle hold that the Desperate Housewives' foursome has on the category.
"Daylight fading, come and waste another year. All the anger and the eloquence are bleeding into fear"
Sweet heavens, I love The Counting Crows! Okay, maybe it is because someone asked me yesterday what my plans were for New Year's Eve or possibly it could be that I was periodically catching VH1's "The Best Year Ever" this weekend (by the way, check it out while you can; other than "Arrested Development", there are few other shows out now that make me cry from laughing so hard) but whatever the case, I got into that nostalgic feeling of looking back on 2005 as 2006 begins to "put its hand upon my shoulder".
In following through with this sentimental bliss, I decided to have my students freewrite last night on what they have learned from 2005. After a few grunts from the class I to decided that it might be good for me to also compile my thoughts on 2005. In addition, I think my students appreciated that I to had to suffer through the classic text book end of the semester assignment. The basic format was the lessons I learned, the items that were reinforced this year and the actions that I know to do differently in 2006 (fingers crossed). So here is my list, I know it will grow as my mind wanders throughout the days closing in on December 31st. Feel free to add any of your comments or tips that you have learned from braving yet another year...
There are people you can’t live with and some people you can’t live without. If you are lucky enough to find a person that encompasses both of those traits, never let them go. You will most likely regret it if you do.
There is no excuse for bad manners. Period
Never attempt to have a serious discussion or an argument when intoxicated.
Show gratitude because you know how good it feels when people do it to you.
Email is a good thing because it makes communication easier but it is a bad thing because tone can be easily misunderstood.
Seeing someone cry in front of you is one of the most beautiful and humbling experiences.
Sometimes my students can teach me more than I can teach them.
My brother will have to find something new to tease me about now that the never ending thesis is complete at last! Love ya Jimbo!
It is okay if my friends don’t like the same things that I do and vice versa. Difference should be embraced and not exiled. Jenn, you will constantly have to pound this into my head!
Try to be on time because life won’t wait for you.
Be more organized or it will kick you’re a$$ in the end! Alicia, I am all ears, bestow on me your wisdom of order!
Try to get more sleep.
It is okay to take some time off from running. It makes you appreciate it more.
Sometimes sacrifices pay off. It did this year in Columbus. Jen and Lynn, thanks for helping me to get there!
A made bed looks better than an unmade bed and it only takes a minute or so.
The harder you work, the luckier that you get.
James Blunt, you hit the nail on the head. I just wish that it did not cost me so much money and time to figure out what you so smoothly put into a song.
No one likes a mean or crabby drunk. God bless my friends that tolerate it!
Sometimes you can't solve someone's problems and sometimes they just don't want you to be the person to do it.
A shiny master's degree does not equate to maturity.
If you are going take drastic action, be prepared for a drastic and possibly unfavorable outcome.
It’s okay to break down in front of my friends.
The truth is sometimes a hard the thing to say and accept.
I am more blessed than cursed. Despite what I might think on Mondays!
Some people might find the qualities that you consider to be endearing quite annoying.
I have to stop taking Michigan vs. Ohio State football games so serious (this one will be tough).
There are some things that you just can’t change in others and there are also some things that people can’t change in you. Just accept it and move on.
Sometimes I have to listen to Bowie more, “Ch –ch-changes ---Turn and face the strain…..”
I need to have more patience when driving.
Country music is not the enemy that I once believed it to be. Hey, a year ago that would’ve been impossible for me to say!
I need to become a better cook and it is okay for my friends to mock the microwavable grilled cheese.
Communication is a two way street but sometimes one of the roads can just be temporarily under construction.
In following through with this sentimental bliss, I decided to have my students freewrite last night on what they have learned from 2005. After a few grunts from the class I to decided that it might be good for me to also compile my thoughts on 2005. In addition, I think my students appreciated that I to had to suffer through the classic text book end of the semester assignment. The basic format was the lessons I learned, the items that were reinforced this year and the actions that I know to do differently in 2006 (fingers crossed). So here is my list, I know it will grow as my mind wanders throughout the days closing in on December 31st. Feel free to add any of your comments or tips that you have learned from braving yet another year...
There are people you can’t live with and some people you can’t live without. If you are lucky enough to find a person that encompasses both of those traits, never let them go. You will most likely regret it if you do.
There is no excuse for bad manners. Period
Never attempt to have a serious discussion or an argument when intoxicated.
Show gratitude because you know how good it feels when people do it to you.
Email is a good thing because it makes communication easier but it is a bad thing because tone can be easily misunderstood.
Seeing someone cry in front of you is one of the most beautiful and humbling experiences.
Sometimes my students can teach me more than I can teach them.
My brother will have to find something new to tease me about now that the never ending thesis is complete at last! Love ya Jimbo!
It is okay if my friends don’t like the same things that I do and vice versa. Difference should be embraced and not exiled. Jenn, you will constantly have to pound this into my head!
Try to be on time because life won’t wait for you.
Be more organized or it will kick you’re a$$ in the end! Alicia, I am all ears, bestow on me your wisdom of order!
Try to get more sleep.
It is okay to take some time off from running. It makes you appreciate it more.
Sometimes sacrifices pay off. It did this year in Columbus. Jen and Lynn, thanks for helping me to get there!
A made bed looks better than an unmade bed and it only takes a minute or so.
The harder you work, the luckier that you get.
James Blunt, you hit the nail on the head. I just wish that it did not cost me so much money and time to figure out what you so smoothly put into a song.
No one likes a mean or crabby drunk. God bless my friends that tolerate it!
Sometimes you can't solve someone's problems and sometimes they just don't want you to be the person to do it.
A shiny master's degree does not equate to maturity.
If you are going take drastic action, be prepared for a drastic and possibly unfavorable outcome.
It’s okay to break down in front of my friends.
The truth is sometimes a hard the thing to say and accept.
I am more blessed than cursed. Despite what I might think on Mondays!
Some people might find the qualities that you consider to be endearing quite annoying.
I have to stop taking Michigan vs. Ohio State football games so serious (this one will be tough).
There are some things that you just can’t change in others and there are also some things that people can’t change in you. Just accept it and move on.
Sometimes I have to listen to Bowie more, “Ch –ch-changes ---Turn and face the strain…..”
I need to have more patience when driving.
Country music is not the enemy that I once believed it to be. Hey, a year ago that would’ve been impossible for me to say!
I need to become a better cook and it is okay for my friends to mock the microwavable grilled cheese.
Communication is a two way street but sometimes one of the roads can just be temporarily under construction.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Banned From Any Type Of Organized Gaming?
Everyone seems to know one of them.... Those select few that suck the fun out of sharing a casual trivia board game among friends. Typically, this person is viewed as the know it all pain in the a$$ who loudly voices their opinions (even if completely wrong) and tends to demean those that do not know an answer that the pain in the a$$ considers to be simple knowledge. We hate people like this and many of us hope never to become them because their annoyances are so great and near impossible to tune out.
Well, my friends, I must admit that I became one of those, shall I call trivia game a$$holes, this past Saturday. Sure I can blame it on the screwdriver (the drink, not the tool - although that would've made my play a bit more interesting) in hand or my inability to get over previous miscommunication, but I sadly became the cancer of recreational game night.
Can I be rehabilitated? Even though I apologized, in retrospect, is there any penance that I should still perform? How can I avoid future instances of this inconvenience for my friends? Any suggestions? Feel free to shoot them out. The trivia game's a$$hole ears' are wide open.....
Well, my friends, I must admit that I became one of those, shall I call trivia game a$$holes, this past Saturday. Sure I can blame it on the screwdriver (the drink, not the tool - although that would've made my play a bit more interesting) in hand or my inability to get over previous miscommunication, but I sadly became the cancer of recreational game night.
Can I be rehabilitated? Even though I apologized, in retrospect, is there any penance that I should still perform? How can I avoid future instances of this inconvenience for my friends? Any suggestions? Feel free to shoot them out. The trivia game's a$$hole ears' are wide open.....
Friday, December 09, 2005
Five Years Ago I was.....
Not quite accepting the fact that I would be graduating in a few brief months and have to join "the real world". Although, I was able to delay this a little more after I graduated by working at the pharmacy, coaching and taking grad school classes. Ahh, those good old days of mismatched but not full time responsibilities! Getting into crazy water throwing fights with my roomies (Jen, Becky & Holly). I sure miss those nightly high/low point discussions that we used to have before bed and my goal to be the last roommate in bed! I believe that I spent a great majority of my free time camped out on Holly & Jen's couch - listening to Travis. Still agonizing over my decision to read "Overfill" for my SCE presentation. We all missed hanging out at the track house (I can't believe it is a parking lot now!) and wished we could've left with it still standing. Applying to grad schools, getting accepted, getting denied, getting ripped off. Getting kicks out of imitating lunch lady Nancy. Prepping the Sable for the journey back home to good old Parma for Christmas break.
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