Chill Baby, Baby, Chill!

This morning I had a thought. Why do people waste energy retaliating, being mean, etc? Because someone has done you wrong doesn't mean you have to crush them - or am I just Mr. Nice Guy?  I live by the concept of turning the other cheek. If that doesn't always do the trick, then I turn my back on the offenders and walk away.  I hate expending energy on things that are fundamentally not important. An eye for an eye is not my M.O.  I'm not a religious person.  I don't know Bible verses as well as I know 80s Top 40 music. What I do know is that the law of the universe is, "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction".  I know that living by the idea of "Treat people the way you would like to be treated".  I don't think it gets much simpler than that.

I also had other thoughts such as - I need to just chill and not care so much.  Why?  Simply stated, everything happens for a reason. With or without my direct influence or expectations. So living in those serendipitous moments is what makes life exciting.

Now, although I've said all of that, it doesn't make it any easier to live like that. hahaha

1. Today I FINALLY received my Oprah's Lifeclass journal.  It's a nice little journal.  I thought it might have questions to answer in it but it didn't. Oh well, I'm glad I finally received it!
2. I'm glad that I got quite a bit done today at work.  The big event is just around the corner and I hope to have everything settled by the end of next week.
3. Receiving not one but two compliments on how I chose to wear my jeans today made me smile. All I did was cuff them up about 3 inches because I bought them too long. Who knew I was being a fashionista?
4. Being able to process specific situations in my life today felt good.  To allow myself a little peace of mind made me feel better. We all have a choice. Reminds me of one of my favorite songs by India.Arie. Okay, so maybe my Chi is still a little out of whack hahaha Certainly not blue - maybe aquamarine? Teal?
5. It's a relatively quite night tonight, which is quite nice. As I was browsing through India.Arie videos on YouTube, I remembered that I loved her cover of Don Henley's, "The Heart of the Matter" and the theme of the song is all about forgiveness - which is kind of what I was referring to at the start of the blog.   This guy does a great cover of the song - Gavin Beach. I love listening to new talent, on YouTube no less!! Here's another great cover of Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" by him. And I LOVE Tracy Chapman!

I think tomorrow will be an India.Arie day. Her Love and Relationships, Vol. 1 album is one of my favorites because it is well-written and has a great theme that is created by the tracklisting. There's not one song on the album that I don't like and it's very uplifting, positive, and reflective.

Water Heater Heaven.

It's funny how things happen in life.  Today I needed a new water heater. I knew this day was coming - I had only hoped that it would hold out another month or two.  I guess it couldn't go on living this way and after 25 years of service it passed on to water heater heaven. Now I just have to lay it to rest as my wallet gives birth to a new one and birthin' water heaters is NOT cheap!

Here are some other funny (and not as financially draining) things that happened today.

1. A friend of mind decided that she would post pictures she had scanned onto Facebook.  Well, I didn't mind too much. It definitely gave me a lot of laughs. I loved strolling down memory lane.  She says there are more to come, too.  Scary - but it's like a train wreck. You just can't bare NOT to watch. Flashback with me to the late 90s, early 00s with the pictures below.
2. I laughed the hardest tonight I was thinking that VG would say he were most like "Samantha Jones" from Sex and the City.  I probably woke my roommate up because I was laughing so hard. I love a good belly laugh!
3. IKEA was packed today. I guess everyone is still off (like I am).  I got an amazing deal on a desk lamp. Only $5.99 AND it came with the light bulb.  You can't beat that with a stick!
4. When I was at Home Depot trying to buy a water heater, I asked the sales guy how much delivery and installation usually ran.  When he told me it was $350, I couldn't help but laugh.  Laughter helps me relax from shock. I was definitely shocked at that amount considering it was more than the water heater.  It's important that you find humor is challenging times.  I love that I am able to do that.
5. I love that I now have a date for not only tomorrow night but also Sunday. Great idea, VG. I wish I had thought of it.  I'll take care of that next time! hahahaha :0) Great way to kick off 2012!

I'm guessing this was from some formal dance. It's truly a shame that I don't remember. hahaha

What I remember about this photo is that I LOVED this shirt. I had gotten it at Walmart.
Oh, and I'm drinking beer from a shoe. That's just what we did. Don't ask why. hahahaha

Spring break 2000? We were all grad students and went to NYC. I remember it being
crazy cold some days.  We had a blast though. WV - VA - MD - NJ - NYC all in a week.

Whoa! Who is this girl? LOL I remember don't remember - but clearly I knew her.
Graduate School was some awesomely good times!

The Honey Badger Don't Care!

This morning I discovered "Randall".  He's a narrator of nature videos and other random fun clips.  It reminds me of the game we played in the fraternity house when we were bored called, "Mute TV".  At any rate, it was a great way to start my day - laughing!

1. If you didn't know anything about the honey badger - know this. The honey badger don't care.  He don't give a shit. hahaha The videos (some of them) from Randall are hilarious. Check out these two:  The Nastyass Honey Badger, Jem and Crown Eagles are Nasty Bwahahaha!
2. While walking the dog late this afternoon on a new path, an older man walked by, smiled and said, "hi." Now I know that's not anything unusual to some but I think it's really nice.  It's nice to have a stranger smile and say hi to you acknowledges your presence in the world.
3. I haven't watched X Factor much this season but I did watch the finale.  I'm so happy that Melanie won.  She sings this song like the champ she is!  CHECK IT OUT!
4. Sara surprised me with some delicious cookies she made for me as a Christmas gift. This is a good thing and bad thing. The bad thing is that I've eaten most of the cookies already. hahahaha
5. The Governor told us all to have a Merry Christmas and allowed us to leave work at 3PM today. That's one good reason to like him. That's all I'll say about that since I try to keep this blog uplifting and positive. hahahaha

Broccoli Does a Body Good

Today I woke up with two things I wanted. 1. I wanted to continue to sleep. 2. I wanted to eat roasted broccoli. I did accomplish one of those things that were on my list. I managed to get through the day okay.

1. Well, I roasted that broccoli and it was delicious.  A nice way to close out the day.  I could think of other ways that are just as good if not better.. lol
2. I made it to the gym after a short hiatus (I haven't been since 12/10/11).  I was able to run even longer today.  I need to stop taking so much time between runs because my progress would probably be a lot better.  At any rate, I am lovin' that I ran over 3 miles!
3. Was that our University President wearing a homecoming button at the announcement of his successor this morning?  Why yes, it was!  That's awesome that Dr. Merten was wearing the homecoming button that I produced.
4. Speaking of University Presidents, I'm lovin' that we have a young president coming on board AND one whose first language is Spanish. Welcome, Dr. Cabrera!
5. I love, love , love that my housemate is gone for a few days.  It has reminded me of the serenity I once had when I wasn't renting out a room in my house and it was always peaceful.

In a Flash!

I'm going to make this post SUPER FAST - I'm really tired and it's just been one of those days where finding the things I loved about the day is challenging. I know I can find the things.. I just don't feel like being very verbose.

1. My housemate is going to military drill this weekend, so that's good news for me. WOOT WOOT!
2. I made plans for tonight to do something in DC this weekend.  Always hoping for the best.
3. I got paid in cash for some bracelets that I made for someone in my office.
4. An Etsy buyer of mine left me some great feedback, " Exactly what I wanted! Seller even let me tweak design a bit. Very fast delivery."  It doesn't get much better than that one!
5. You just gotta love $20 Off coupons when you ONLY have to spend $20 to redeem it! I'm hoping for new pants.

Yesterday. Busy, But Fun.

I was supposed to start my 30 days of Crafting yesterday and time just got away from me. I also wasn't able to rattle off a blog entry yesterday.  It's all good though. There are worst things that could happen. I'll make up for lost time tomorrow because I will do three projects! If you want to follow the adventure - check me out here: http://mantasticcrafts.blogspot.com/

1. Planning for my crafting adventures I rolled into Michael's and found some items on clearance.  I will have to say, one of my concerns about this challenge on making a craft item each day was the money aspect.  Well, I'm happy to report that I picked up about 5 days worth of projects for less that $20! I love a good deal.
2. Dinner at Sweet Water Tavern. YUM!  Good food!
3. When I got home tonight, I saw that the kitchen has continuously remained clean. No dishes in the sink or filth on the counter top. I love that someone decided to keep things tidy (that someone being my housemate).
4. A student said to me, "You've been working out a lot, huh?" and I replied, "Yeah I have." She then said, "Oh yeah, I can tell. Good job!"  That was two comments within less than 24 hours about this.  I guess the running is doing what I had hoped it would do.  VIVA LA EXERCISE!
5. I can sense the slowing down of the school year as we approach the holidays.  I am so very excited to chill the heck out for a while. Should I take an extra week off work?  I have a ton of vacation days. Hmmm... I love having these kind of options.

The Day just "Float"ed on By

Day two in NYC yielded new experiences - one including an "ok" $50 meal for Thanksgiving... yeah.. not too thrilled about that one but there are other things that I loved about the day.  So, here we go!

1. I FINALLY got to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Check that off my Bucket List! YES!!
2. Getting some awesome pictures of the parade just made my day.  It was definitely a different vibe seeing it in person and I got lots of great pictures of the floats. I will say that it DID feel like any other parade in all honesty - but it was something I always wanted to do and I am loving that I did do it.
3. We went to Greenwich Village for dinner and went to a couple of bars.  One bar was the historic Stonewall Inn. It was cool to be in such a historic venue.
4. After the parade I got a much needed nap.  It was good to recharge after being up so early for the parade.
5. I love that I have cool friends who just want everyone to be happy.  I appreciate that.

What Do You Choose?

There's something to be said about investing in your own life.  Investing in your own happiness. Investing in your own ability to be at your best.  Today I had a conversation with someone I was dating that needed to be had - on a particular day when I saw a documentary called "Happy". The documentary is about how people in the world choose to be/are/are not happy.  How can you truly ever be happy when you're not your authentic self? The unhappiness always seems to spill out and manifest in other ways.  Sometimes we compensate with buying "things", making "things", eating "things", drinking "things", fixing "things", growing "things", smoking "things", etc. You get the idea.  In this situation someone gave up so that they could avoid the real "things" in their life.  It's sad that they don't have the courage to be "happy" - even when their happiness had to be veiled in discretion.

I wish nothing but the best for them while they embark on their journey to self-acceptance and loving themselves enough to be "happy".

With that said - while it may seem difficult to pull from the days events to find some happiness - I can. I choose to be happy.

1. Today I saw the inspiring and moving documentary, "Happy".  I love how it resonated with me and in a way, prepared me for the conversation that I had tonight.
2. I made someone's day when I brought them some chocolate! 
3. A blog writer contacted me today about interviewing me and some team members about being male crafters/sellers on Etsy.  I do the interview on Monday. How cool is that?
4. I talked to one of my brothers today.  We don't talk often but when we do it's pretty cool. I'd like to think that if we lived near one another we'd be closer. This goes for both brothers. hahaha As we get older it's like we put aside age differences in lieu of just general things in common. Today I learned that he always wanted to travel in an RV and see different things in the US like Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone Park, and the Grand Canyon.  Guess what? I do too!  We might have to make this happen!
5. Watching Private Practice tonight gave me two things I loved.  The storyline and the three songs they played from the new Mary J. Blige album.  Three great ballads on the show! "Need Someone" "Living Proof" and "Empty Prayers"
6. In further reflection, I loved my maturity in the situation tonight. I acknowledge that the only thing I can change is how I react to things in my life.
7. I loved how the different lessons I've learned over the years and by participating in Oprah's Lifeclass has really had a major impact on how I navigate through life. One of the lessons is expressed by Randy Pausch.
8. It's amazing how many more things I can list today as opposed to any other day.

Happy - A Documentary Trailer from Wadi Rum Films on Vimeo.

What's Simple is True?

1. As simple as it is - that York Peppermint Patty was THE BOMB! LOVED IT!
2. I ordered a sample yesterday and it arrived today.  Less that 24 hours!  AMAZING! Oh and I loved the sample and we will be ordering the items of our office.
3. Brainstorming ideas in a meeting today was great. Everyone was working toward a solution and it went really well.  
4. I think I'm falling back in love with Grey's Anatomy this season. Tonight's episode was sooo good and dramatic.  WHOA!
5. I love that my 60 pound dog love's to lay next to me with his head on my lap.

Peace.

1. "If you want something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done." I love this quote.
2. Brainstorming an idea for a t-shirt designed helped us to come up with a FANTASTIC looking shirt. I love bringing creative minds together!
3. Mmm... homemade guacamole!  It's a little spicy but delicious just the same!
4. I read about some craft projects today that I liked a lot.  I think I might try making a couple things.
5. I love that I just feel at peace with things tonight.  No matter what happens - I'm okay with it.

What's in Your Bucket?

1. Wegman's Carrot Cake.  AMAZINGLY GOOD!  I'm not a fan of raisins but this cake was so book that I ate it with the raisins in it!
2. I love how there's always a solution to your dilemma. Yeah, it sounds so simple, doesn't it?  Sometimes the solution isn't what you want but today... the solution worked out to my liking!  I thought I was going to have to refund a buyers money because I didn't have what I needed to complete the order. Well, after a day of thinking and a visit to two stores that ended without the item, I realized I always had what I needed at home. I just needed to look for it. I love how that can be applied to so many things. You've always had what you needed - you just had to look for it.  Wow.
3. I went to the gym even with me being tired. I felt great afterward. Now I feel exhausted which means I'll get to sleep really well. That's something I really love!
4. Family Guy and The Cleveland Show is a good escape from reality. I love the randomness of these shows.
5. I loved this item in the picture.  The Bucket List. I think I may make something like this. Found it on Pinterest.com.  What's on your bucket list?  

Pollyanna Prowess

The day started off rough - Lots of knee pain from running and body aches from bowling and running but it's turned out to be a pretty good day.  How could it not when you always look for the positive things in life that surround you?  I guess I've fully channeled "Pollyanna". 

1. Today I said farewell to a good friend at work.  Luckily she's not leaving the area though, so we can still hang out. I'm definitely looking forward to kickin' it with her in DC! I may not like the fact that she's leaving but I love the reason she is.  She is being FEARLESS and I love it!
2. LOL, watching American Horror Story tonight and a line from Jessica Lange's character cracked me up. She is a mess! LOL "Christ on a stick... " They can pretty much say whatever they want on FX.
3. Paisano's Pizza - that's some DAMN GOOD PIZZA (and they make a good salad, too).
4. I had a great conversation tonight and I'm liking what became of it. Good stuff! (big grin)
5. I love the lyricism of Burt Bacharach. I guess that makes me "old school". hahaha I listened to his music on my way home from work.

Empire State of Mind

They say the city never sleeps but I sure as hell did!  Maybe someone slipped me an Ambien! LOL

1. While in Chelsea, I was by the Apple Store and saw the memorial for Steve Jobs (Apple Co-Founder).  I loved that it was done so organically with Post-it Notes and apples with a bite taken out of them.   
   
2. Had lunch at a great Thai restaurant in Chinatown called Pongsri Thai Restaurant  on 106 Bayard Street. Check it out! Great prices, too!
3. We walked over to the World Trade Center Area.  The new buildings look amazing.  There was a museum/shop there that had some moving displays.
4. I had my first Century 21 experience.  It's a store that has name brand clothing at a discount.  I lucked out and found a nice wool driving hat for only $10!!  Good buy!
5. Walking through a park in Chinatown, we saw how awesome the Asian community is there.  They were all older (50s and up) and sitting at tables playing card games, checkers and other games. They also sat on benches playing music and watching their grandchildren.  It was an awesome sight to see.

Taking Chances

1.
2. Lots of people on campus seemed to be smiling and happy and that makes me happy.
3. My roommates dad is visiting from Russia and gave me a bottle of TRUE Russian Vodka.  How cool is that? Of course I can't read Russian, but I can make out some of the words. Oh, and the word "vodka" in Russian pretty much looks like BODKA - although the D is a character that looks like an artsy Roman Numeral II or the PI symbol.
4. I got a nice message from a couple of people today that made me smile.
5. Dexter on X Factor sang the hell out of "This is a Man's World".  He's homeless and hopeful.  I'm glad he's getting a shot at getting himself back on his feet.  I love when people are given second chances.

The Weather Outside

1. Today one of the nicest women on campus took me out for drinks and dinner with her and her boyfriend to thank me for being so nice and writing a letter on her behalf. It was a nice time and it was great getting to know them outside of work.
2. I loved the way the sunset looked tonight. The stormy looking clouds were a deep, purplish gray with an almost fuchsia color highlighting the undulating clouds.
3. Totally enjoyed a series of messages I received throughout the day. 
4. I gave a presentation today and it looked as though everyone enjoyed hearing what I had to say - it even raised questions.  I guess I really do know what I’m talkin’ about! LOL
5. I loved how the temperature dropped today. Just not ready for it to drop too much further.