I always get annoyed with the little "inspirational" quotes that say things such as "You can do anything" or "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?". For one thing, the first one is wrong and the second one is ridiculous because there will always be failure. It's part of the process.
And yet... I've found myself asking these questions more and more. What would I do if I thought I could start from scratch? What would I do if I had the resources to pursue the dreams I've held in the back of my mind for god knows how long?
What would you do? Would you stay where you are? Would you get a new job? Go back to school? Give up and go live in an artists' commune? Is it possible to reach dreams when it's painful even just to think about them?
Monday, February 13, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
StrengthsFinder 2.0
I'm at that point in my life where I'm out of college, but not yet in an established 'career'. Lately, I've been thinking about personal development and really trying to work with my natural talents. So many people go through life not fully living and get to the end only to wonder "what did I do with my life?"
I don't want to be one of those people. I don't want to reach my 50s only to wake-up to a cookie cutter life in Suburbia. That's the sort of thing that gives me nightmares. I want to be one that lives life to the fullest no matter where I am. I want to be able to say that I helped others and gave all I had.
Abbie Hoffman said that he'd lost faith in the newer generations because they were more concerned with money rather than important things like values, passion, and revolution. It's true. It's sad. And it took me a long time to be able to admit that even to myself. I did what I was 'supposed to do' because it was supposed to make me financially stable, not because it makes me happy or it fulfills me as a person. It's just so saddening to think of the time and money (there it is again!) I've wasted on things that are just pulling me down.
As I said before, I'm trying to get to the point where I actually like myself and like what I'm doing with the talents I've been given. That being said, I'm recommending a great resource. "StrengthsFinder 2.0" is, in it's most basic form, a book put out by Gallup Press (yes, that Gallup) based on their research over the years in strengths/talents. I'm going through the material in a six-week course with a local group. Included in the book is an access code so that you can complete the assessment online. After completing the assessment, I was pretty surprised to see what my strengths and talents are, but at the same it seemed like they 'fit'. I'm really excited about what this will actually do for me and, not only my personal career development, but also my life overall.
At this point, something's gotta give.
I don't want to be one of those people. I don't want to reach my 50s only to wake-up to a cookie cutter life in Suburbia. That's the sort of thing that gives me nightmares. I want to be one that lives life to the fullest no matter where I am. I want to be able to say that I helped others and gave all I had.
Abbie Hoffman said that he'd lost faith in the newer generations because they were more concerned with money rather than important things like values, passion, and revolution. It's true. It's sad. And it took me a long time to be able to admit that even to myself. I did what I was 'supposed to do' because it was supposed to make me financially stable, not because it makes me happy or it fulfills me as a person. It's just so saddening to think of the time and money (there it is again!) I've wasted on things that are just pulling me down.
As I said before, I'm trying to get to the point where I actually like myself and like what I'm doing with the talents I've been given. That being said, I'm recommending a great resource. "StrengthsFinder 2.0" is, in it's most basic form, a book put out by Gallup Press (yes, that Gallup) based on their research over the years in strengths/talents. I'm going through the material in a six-week course with a local group. Included in the book is an access code so that you can complete the assessment online. After completing the assessment, I was pretty surprised to see what my strengths and talents are, but at the same it seemed like they 'fit'. I'm really excited about what this will actually do for me and, not only my personal career development, but also my life overall.
At this point, something's gotta give.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Susan G Komen? Never Have, Never Will
There has been a lot of discussion flying around the past few days thanks to Susan G Komen withdrawing funding from Planned Parenthood for breast exams. Whether or not you agree with this act is of no concern to me. However, since it is a hot topic these days, I thought I'd share about why I never have and never will support the Susan G Komen foundation.
When I first heard of Susan G Komen, I was a little bemused, but overall optimistic about their impact on American society for cancer awareness. A few years later, it was getting to the point of annoyance. All the pink, all the ribbons, all the walks and for what? We haven't seen a drastic reduction in breast cancer cases (walk for what cure?). I asked a friend and breast cancer survivor where she would want funds to go to help someone diagnosed with breast cancer. The answer? Hands down, the American Cancer Society. Plus (and this has been my beef from day one), why are we churning out millions of dollars to a foundation that neither seriously funds research nor helps with the causes for far more common cancers.
The Susan G Komen Foundation is a hyped up publicity campaign fueled by scads of pink ribbons, survivors, and grieving families. I admire what they at least said they were trying to do in the beginning, but actions speak louder than words. A great post about what Susan G Komen actually does with their funding can be found here (plus a lot of comments from a lot of people with too much time on their hands).
When I first heard of Susan G Komen, I was a little bemused, but overall optimistic about their impact on American society for cancer awareness. A few years later, it was getting to the point of annoyance. All the pink, all the ribbons, all the walks and for what? We haven't seen a drastic reduction in breast cancer cases (walk for what cure?). I asked a friend and breast cancer survivor where she would want funds to go to help someone diagnosed with breast cancer. The answer? Hands down, the American Cancer Society. Plus (and this has been my beef from day one), why are we churning out millions of dollars to a foundation that neither seriously funds research nor helps with the causes for far more common cancers.
The Susan G Komen Foundation is a hyped up publicity campaign fueled by scads of pink ribbons, survivors, and grieving families. I admire what they at least said they were trying to do in the beginning, but actions speak louder than words. A great post about what Susan G Komen actually does with their funding can be found here (plus a lot of comments from a lot of people with too much time on their hands).
Monday, January 30, 2012
Food Insecurity
I have become increasingly aware of the growing problem of food insecurity and hunger in America. "Food security" for a household means access by all members at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life. There are so many misconceptions about who goes hungry and why. Hunger and food insecurity are more common than we think. One in five American children does not have access to enough food. Sixty-five percent of American adults report that they had been hungry but did not eat because they could not afford enough food. The US spends $90 billion a year to combat the effects of
food insecurity. $10 billion could eliminate hunger in the US. It
certainly makes you think.
- Is there a time when you've gone without food (even just a meal) so that your kids won't go hungry?
- Have you ever skipped a meal in order to make sure you have money to pay the bills?
- How can we provide food to the people in our communities?
- What can we do to help out?
Vegetarian or Just Queasy?
I don't ever want to be one of those people who eats meat day in and day out, but flips out at the sight of a bone. I have always said that if you can't handle the fact that it is meat (i.e., bones, butchering, etc.) then you shouldn't eat it. It is meat, people. There's no bones about it (haha, no pun intended!). Lately I've found myself leaning farther and farther away from eating meat. Not so much out of ethical reasons (though there are plenty of those to go vegetarian), but mostly just because the thought of eating meat makes me queasy.
What's your favorite vegetarian meal (whether you are one or not)? What are your reasons to be or not to be a vegetarian? Is it a struggle or a breeze?
What's your favorite vegetarian meal (whether you are one or not)? What are your reasons to be or not to be a vegetarian? Is it a struggle or a breeze?
Saturday, January 21, 2012
"Making Mirrors" by Gotye, Review
Review originally posted here.
Belgian-born Aussie Gotye (born Wouter de Backer), started his music career as the drummer of Downstares, a band formed with three of his friends during high school. When his band broke up he started sampling old records as a musical outlet. I almost think that this is truly what makes him a great artist. He takes something old, odd, or even commonplace, and reforms it into something completely new and fresh.
Belgian-born Aussie Gotye (born Wouter de Backer), started his music career as the drummer of Downstares, a band formed with three of his friends during high school. When his band broke up he started sampling old records as a musical outlet. I almost think that this is truly what makes him a great artist. He takes something old, odd, or even commonplace, and reforms it into something completely new and fresh.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Happy Birthday to Me!
In honor of this auspicious occasion, I'm posting an excerpt from my favorite birthday book of all time...
"Happy Birthday to You!" by Dr. Seuss.
Seriously. This is one of the best books ever written. Not only was Dr. Seuss whimsical and influential (teaching young children iambic pentameter is pretty good if you ask me), but his books are often based on real events or they have great messages to them.
One thing that I like about this bit from the book is that's it's not today's message of "everyone's the same, equal, winners, etc." it's more about celebrating individuality and that you are who you were meant to be. A great message to any young kid, and one that the adults need to remember as well. Thanks, Dr. Seuss!
If we didn't have birthdays, you wouldn't be you.
If you'd never been born, well then what would you do?
If you'd never been born, well then what would you be?
You might be a fish! Or a toad in a tree!
You might be a doorknob! Or three baked potatoes!
You might be a bag full of hard green tomatoes.
Or worse than all that... Why, you might be a WASN'T!
A Wasn't has no fun at all. No, he doesn't.
A Wasn't just isn't. He just isn't present.
But you... You ARE YOU! And, now isn't that pleasant!
Shout loud at the top of your voice, "I AM I!
ME!
I am I!
And I may not know why
But I know that I like it.
Three cheers! I AM I!
"Happy Birthday to You!" by Dr. Seuss.
Seriously. This is one of the best books ever written. Not only was Dr. Seuss whimsical and influential (teaching young children iambic pentameter is pretty good if you ask me), but his books are often based on real events or they have great messages to them.
One thing that I like about this bit from the book is that's it's not today's message of "everyone's the same, equal, winners, etc." it's more about celebrating individuality and that you are who you were meant to be. A great message to any young kid, and one that the adults need to remember as well. Thanks, Dr. Seuss!
If we didn't have birthdays, you wouldn't be you.
If you'd never been born, well then what would you do?
If you'd never been born, well then what would you be?
You might be a fish! Or a toad in a tree!
You might be a doorknob! Or three baked potatoes!
You might be a bag full of hard green tomatoes.
Or worse than all that... Why, you might be a WASN'T!
A Wasn't has no fun at all. No, he doesn't.
A Wasn't just isn't. He just isn't present.
But you... You ARE YOU! And, now isn't that pleasant!
Shout loud at the top of your voice, "I AM I!
ME!
I am I!
And I may not know why
But I know that I like it.
Three cheers! I AM I!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Resolute. Kind of.
Resolutions, resolutions... This is supposed to be the day where we all sit down, think about how shitty the previous year has been and make unrealistic goals we will only work at until about January 27th. It's a time-honored tradition, it is.
I have taken a break from resolutions for several years (at least). The best reasoning to this is that it was just another thing that my psyche could latch on to and beat the shit out of me over. So not worth it. This year, however... I want to give it a go. Here are my top three resolutions that I will try to keep in order to make me a more sane and happy person.
All will be well
Even after all the promises you've broken to yourself
All will be well
You may ask me how but only time will tell
Happy New Year.
I have taken a break from resolutions for several years (at least). The best reasoning to this is that it was just another thing that my psyche could latch on to and beat the shit out of me over. So not worth it. This year, however... I want to give it a go. Here are my top three resolutions that I will try to keep in order to make me a more sane and happy person.
- Do things for myself to please myself
- Go after what I want
- Learn to love myself
All will be well
Even after all the promises you've broken to yourself
All will be well
You may ask me how but only time will tell
Happy New Year.
Friday, December 30, 2011
The Goat Rodeo Sessions (Review)
A "goat rodeo", according to Urban Dictionary, is "about the most polite term used by aviation people (and others in higher risk situations) to describe a scenario that requires about 100 things to go right at once if you intend to walk away from it." Fortunately, not only did everything "go right at once", but it almost seems as if stars aligned. That good is the new collaboration album from Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, and Chris Thile, titled "The Goat Rodeo Sessions". There are also two great vocal guest performances by Aoife O'Donovan.
This album has been on my wishlist thanks to a bit of a Christ Thile musical crush and it certainly didn't disappoint. Thile has grown up since his Nickel Creek days. He's eclipsed Sean and Sara Watkins and come into his own. The showboating we remember from Nickel Creek and his solo career is still there, but there is so much substance to this album that it's hard to compare them.
I've long admired Edgar Meyer as an incredibly versatile musician. His bass-playing brings foundation, quirk, and playfulness at the same time to the quartet. I don't know much of Duncan, but he holds his own and grabs the spotlight, no doubt. Ma is, as always, a solid, glittering rock of a musician and an artist. Was he ever a diamond "in the rough"? For inattentive listeners, Ma's performance may blend in more than the others, but it really seems to be the mortar holding things together. It is oddly most noticeable when it's absent.
The Goat Rodeo Sessions is equal parts nostalgic, frantic, and ecstatic. It's a great, whirling, windy ride of gorgeous melodies, tight harmonies and tangible camaraderie. Goat Rodeo has surpassed genre boundaries (which is no small feat) and brought us an incredible work of art. In the words of Stuart Duncan, "It's bound to work. It's just music." It's as simple as that, and deliciously more complicated at the same time.
This album has been on my wishlist thanks to a bit of a Christ Thile musical crush and it certainly didn't disappoint. Thile has grown up since his Nickel Creek days. He's eclipsed Sean and Sara Watkins and come into his own. The showboating we remember from Nickel Creek and his solo career is still there, but there is so much substance to this album that it's hard to compare them.
I've long admired Edgar Meyer as an incredibly versatile musician. His bass-playing brings foundation, quirk, and playfulness at the same time to the quartet. I don't know much of Duncan, but he holds his own and grabs the spotlight, no doubt. Ma is, as always, a solid, glittering rock of a musician and an artist. Was he ever a diamond "in the rough"? For inattentive listeners, Ma's performance may blend in more than the others, but it really seems to be the mortar holding things together. It is oddly most noticeable when it's absent.
The Goat Rodeo Sessions is equal parts nostalgic, frantic, and ecstatic. It's a great, whirling, windy ride of gorgeous melodies, tight harmonies and tangible camaraderie. Goat Rodeo has surpassed genre boundaries (which is no small feat) and brought us an incredible work of art. In the words of Stuart Duncan, "It's bound to work. It's just music." It's as simple as that, and deliciously more complicated at the same time.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Last Day
Well, today is my last day off until the New Year! That sounds so much more dramatic than the four days that it is. I'm spending the time with my grandparents. We're watching Rick Steve's "Italy's Cities" (again) and there is a constant batter about Italy's "greatness" floating through this house.
Really I'm just killing time until I get to see the "little kids". The "little kids" actually aren't so little any more. They're my three youngest siblings and they range from 14 to 20. Even though they're older, it seems like they'll always be the "little kids" in my mind. Regardless, they're pretty awesome.
Really I'm just killing time until I get to see the "little kids". The "little kids" actually aren't so little any more. They're my three youngest siblings and they range from 14 to 20. Even though they're older, it seems like they'll always be the "little kids" in my mind. Regardless, they're pretty awesome.
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| Great steampunk chic ring I got for Christmas |
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