But Wait... There's More!

StrengthsFinder 2.0

2012-02-05T19:16:00.001-05:00

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.

Susan G Komen? Never Have, Never Will

2012-02-02T14:08:00.003-05:00

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).

Food Insecurity

2012-01-30T14:39:00.001-05:00

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?

2012-01-30T14:27:00.000-05:00

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?

"Making Mirrors" by Gotye, Review

2012-01-21T23:26:00.001-05:00

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.

I liked Gotye before I knew who he was. I first heard his work when "Learnalilgivinanlovin" was included on 2009's Whip It soundtrack. His span of musical style between that and Making Mirrors is such that I didn't even make the connection until noting the name. "Hey, that sounds familiar..." Yep, it was him again.

He classifies his music as alt-pop, but he really kind of defies genre. Thanks to the sampling that got him started as a solo artist, several of the tracks on Making Mirrors will give you the best kind of musical déjà vu. On "I Feel Better" I can hear snippets of Carole King; the beginning of "In Your Light" reminds me of Paul Simon's guitar sound. "State of the Art" sounds like a cross between snythpop, electronica, and a bossa nova. It sounds so sweet and simple, but "Somebody That I Used to Know" (feat. Kimbra) has a great quirky and soulful quality about it that I just love.

The lyrics are great. They alternate between the profound, the playful and the painful. The most lighthearted lyrics on the album are on "State of the Art" where we get to hear Gotye's loving reverence for his Lowery Cotillion D-575, a home organ gifted to him by his parents, which is featured prominently on the track. Lyrically, Eyes Wide Open is a post-apocalyptic musical call, entreating the listener to rethink the values we've come to consider as central to our existence, asking that people realize what they're doing before it's too late. "Somebody That I Used to Know" (feat. Kimbra) is a heartfelt break-up song that just makes you want to listen to it over and over again and mourn the loss of the relationship with them.

Overall, the album is fresh, deep, and innovative. He combines strong, mellow vocals a la James Taylor with the kind of creativity and insight we've come to associate with incredible freewheeling artists like Imogen Heap. Gotye is what I've been waiting for in a world where the majority of chart toppers lack substance, musically and lyrically.

Happy Birthday to Me!

2012-01-17T13:50:00.000-05:00

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!

Resolute. Kind of.

2011-12-31T18:45:00.002-05:00

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.

Do things for myself to please myself
Go after what I want
Learn to love myself

I posted the lyrics to this song way back in January 2010. It's been a long time, but the words still ring true.

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.

The Goat Rodeo Sessions (Review)

2011-12-30T22:20:00.001-05:00

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.

Last Day

2011-12-26T15:32:00.000-05:00

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.

Great steampunk chic ring I got for Christmas

I-I'll H-Have A Green Christmas!

2011-12-25T12:26:00.000-05:00

We have... NO snow! Just a teeny bit excited about that. While as a kid I loved the idea of a White Christmas, I also didn't have to deal with shoveling snow, scraping cars, or the heating bill. Now I couldn't be happier when I can still see the green grass.

Had a wonderful Christmas Eve with my family. We all went over to my Aunt's for her annual Christmas Eve party (calamari and conchigliere with clams, alongside pierogis and stuffed cabbage are traditional). After the party, I accompanied my grandparents to midnight mass.

We slept in a little this morning and exchanged gifts this morning over a delicious breakfast casserole that Grandma and I put together yesterday afternoon. Now, we're enjoying a little bit of "Rick Steve's Italy" (one of my gifts to them) before we go to another Aunt's for Christmas dinner with the rest of the family.

Happy Holidays.

(By the way, the title was me mocking Elvis' "Blue Christmas")

I Hate the Holidays

2011-12-21T18:18:00.001-05:00

Well, I’m back to my normal self. Apparently yesterday was the breaking point of the annual “try-to-ruin-her-holiday-spirit” game. All it takes is one imbecile driving an SUV, or a woman who can't stop complaining about line length, or over-sugared kiddies screaming their little heads off in public. I’m fed up. Fed up with the materialism, the excessive sweets, rich foods, and greediness. I’m just done. I can’t win. I can’t maintain a plastic holiday cheer smile for one more freakin’ day.

Call me a Grinch, I don’t care. My current plan is to hunker down in my mini-bunker of an apartment and ignore the world until January 2. Any one feel led to share their Y2K rations? C’mon, you know if you saved those up you’re still trying to get rid of them now. I promise not to steal all the toys and the roast beast from Whoville.

Student Loan Sorrows

2011-12-18T15:03:00.001-05:00

I have my BA and I'm pretty proud of it. I loved my school experience and I think I'm a better person for it. However, lately I've been wondering if it's worth it. I'm not working in my field and now it appears I took out student loans for nothing as I'm not using it in anyway.

At 18 years old, I knew nothing about finance. I didn't even fully realize what it meant to take out loans and to repay all of that money. Now I sit here and I'm pinching pennies and scrimping to make ends meet thanks to those stupid decisions almost ten years ago.

What about you? Did you take out student loans? Are you working in your field? Either way, was it worth it in your opinion? What would you have done differently?

Waiting for Sanity ...I mean Santa.

2011-12-13T13:50:00.001-05:00

As a kid, Christmas couldn't come soon enough. As soon as Thanksgiving had passed (and I mean that quite literally --think Black Friday morning), we were begging to bring the decorations out and get a tree to put up and decorate. Overkill, much? Yeah, just maybe.

Now it's not so much waiting for the event, the decorating, or the food as it is waiting for the time off of work. Even in a job you love, the time between NOW (whenever that maybe) and THEN (the mystical time off of work for a holiday) is i-n-c-r-e-d-i-b-l-y long. Not even I'm-a-twelve-year-old-kid-who-can't-wait-to-die-of-asphyxiation-thanks-to-a-pine-allergy incredibly long. It's like the time is moving so slowly that it feels like we're almost moving back in time.

Happy Holidays and (to all you working folks) hang in there. A day off is coming soon.

Low, Low, Low

2011-12-11T17:08:00.001-05:00

Do you ever just have those days where nothing seems right? Whatever you do, see, hear, say, think is just a millstone tied around your neck. I hate these days. I just feel so low and nothing can shake me from it.

These are the days I feel my isolation the most. Even though I've been here for two years, and it seems like I've been here forever, I live a pretty solitary existence. Being surrounded by people is never a remedy for loneliness. It doesn't matter that I live near my family or have people I hang out with occasionally.

I miss having people that I can just be myself with. Everything about my life right now feels like an act: work, family, friends, maybe even my writing? Not necessarily in a bad way, but it really is. OK, let me take that back. In almost every way this is a bad thing. I hate that I have to pretend to be someone else in order to live life in peace.

A couple years back, I challenged myself to be honest with every person I encountered. You know what? People don't want the truth. They want to see something that matches up with their belief system all wrapped up in a boring box with a bow on top. God forbid we step outside the box or except people the way they are.

Urgh. Can you tell I'm a little fed up?

Why Charlie Brown's Tree is My Favorite

2011-12-06T13:54:00.001-05:00

It really is. I know it sounds cheesy, but I like it for the sentiment. A cheap twig on a wooden stand that was put up in the spirit of love and giving means more than the tallest, most beautiful tree anyone could ever dream up.

When it comes to decorating for the holidays, I favor simplicity over everything else. The tree doesn't need to be weighed down with 50 pounds of ornaments. No themed pillows, throws, or wall hangings for me. A simple tree decorated with things that remind me of the good things, a basket of pinecones, a stack of gifts waiting for their recipients, and a cup of cider? I'm all set.

I've had to scale back it's easy to forget that this time of year is not about materialism, receiving gifts, and feeling the license to indulge. It's about people you love, giving, and goodwill.

Shoot me now. I'm sounding sappy!

Ch-ch-ch-changes

2011-12-04T18:01:00.001-05:00

I was recently encouraged to take stock of who I was and who I've become. I've made and gone through some pretty drastic changes the past few years. In some ways, I'm just more of who I am. Things I've never allowed myself to experience or feel, things I've been burying away for too long. It's like a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders and just allowed me to breathe.

I thought only in black and white. Now I can see the shades of grey.
I was religious. Now I'm spiritual.
I was dependent. Now I'm independent.
I was blind. Now I can think for myself.

I can't say that my life now is easy, but it's definitely my own and that makes it all worth it.

WinterFest 2011

2011-11-27T14:58:00.001-05:00

Happy Holidays!

I usually try to limit the holiday posts to one or two around the week of, but I wanted to post some of the pictures from last night's tree-lighting in downtown Cleveland.

WinterFest is an annual event the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Downtown Cleveland lights up with holiday spirit and lights alike. Free carriage rides around the city, local product fairs, music, entertainment and more. The tree-lighting ceremony is a lot of fun for all ages.

Every year, my extended family all get several rooms with windows facing Public Square. It provides a great view, plus a place to rest between the running around.

On a different note, I just passed my fourth year blogging anniversary! My first post was published on November 18th, 2007. A lot has happened since then and a lot has changed and I am still here writing away.

I Caved.

2011-11-26T12:25:00.001-05:00

No, I didn't overeat at Thanksgiving. I didn't bake cookies or break out the eggnog....

But the holiday music has started. Oy vey. This is the worst it's been in a long time. Usually I can hold off until a couple weeks before. This year, it all went downhill as soon as a friend mentioned that the music was already on the radio. So I started listening to that. Then I went out and bought a couple albums. Not one, but TWO holiday albums. Damn you, Target and your sales on seasonal music.

Here's hoping I'm not completely sick of the holidays by the time Christmas and New Year's roll around!

Thankful Much?

2011-11-24T10:12:00.001-05:00

Things I'm thankful for:

...a roof over my head
...my little hole-in-the-wall apartment
...a car to drive
...for food to eat, today and every other day of the year
...being with family today
...being able to pay my bills
...great friends

Credit for this photo

Gifts That Give Back

2011-11-20T18:34:00.001-05:00

I am, historically, a very difficult person to buy for. I am picky and hard to please and I often lose sight of the things that really matter. This year, to facilitate the gift-giving, my siblings and I all made wishlists on Amazon that the rest of us can work off. I put a good amount of items on there, canvassing a wide price range. As I look over this list of stuff that I want, I am hit with the realization that I really don't need it. Oh, don't get me wrong, I want it. I really do. But do I need it?

Sometimes I forget the impact that a small amount of money can have when put to the best use. Ten dollars here may buy an album or a coffee mug, but $10 overseas in a third world country can do a helluva lot more good. With this in mind, and trying to continue on the path toward becoming a better person, I added a few more 'gifts' to my wishlist. Here are a few of my favorite organizations and their gifts.

OXFAM
For those of you that don't know, Oxfam is an organization that is fighting poverty and social injustice around the world. They've been around for almost 70 years and they also have some great gifts listed for the holidays. Some of my favorites:

$12 for Seeds - "This gift is a unique investment in rural communities. Each pack is a reserve of native seeds that ensure that there are plenty for the next planting season and that traditional seed varieties are not lost. Protect native crops and feed the hungry with this fruitful gift."

$12 for Soap - "For many of us, a bar of soap is a staple by the sink. For others, a bar of soap can save a life. Soap can stop the spread of disease or keep a child healthy. This gift supplies a community with 20 pounds of multipurpose soap. So, help families lather up!

$90 for Human Rights Training - "This gift allows three community members to participate in a training program that will help educate them about human rights and equality. The program helps women speak up in their communities and educates men about the importance of women's roles as leaders, citizens, and breadwinners."

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Amnesty International is known across the globe as an organization that strives to protect human rights. They work on everything from attempting to free political prisoners to ending torture and campaigning for the rights of refugees. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Amnesty International store go to protecting human rights. Some of my favorites:

$14.20 Joie de Vivre Holiday Cards (purchased through goodcausegreetings.com) - 10% of the proceeds go to Amnesty International.

$30 Binh Minh Loop Scarf - "Binh Minh is Vietnamese for morning sun, and this collective in Northern Vietnam is just a few kilometers from the South China Sea, a spectacular vantage point from which to welcome the sun each and every morning. It is here the collective of 20 families operates 25 looms and can weave up to 5,000 shawls and scarves a month. Binh Minh uses only local Vietnam raised silk in all of its hand spun yarns.

$14.98 Putumayo Presents Cuba - I love the Putumayo albums. Great music and a great cause. "The music of Cuba developed from a unique set of historical and social circumstances. African slaves, brought to work on the Spanish sugar plantations, soon outnumbered the European colonists... Most of the songs on this collection are a style called son, (lit. "sound") one of the most popular and influential Cuban musical forms. Migrating musicians brought son west to Havana in the 1920s, where it exploded in popularity."

HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
Heifer International is a great organization which is attempting to combat hunger and poverty in a sustainable way. I first found out about this organization as a senior in college and I can't believe I didn't know about them before. Another great thing that they do is encouraging the recipients of the gift to "pass it on" by either giving someone the animal produce, or one of the animals, some of the seeds, etc. A gift that keeps on giving? I'm in! Some of my favorites:

$20 for Ducks - "In Xiang Qian, China, ducks are as much as tripling some families' incomes. People like Zonglin Zhou began with a starter flock of ducklings, and now they manage hundreds of ducks that enable them to send their children to school and offer them secure futures - and help others achieve the same success through Passing on the Gift."

$20 for Chicks - "A good hen can lay up to 200 eggs a year - plenty to eat, share or sell. With Heifer recipients' commitment to pass on the offspring and training, the exponential impact of adding chickens to communities in poverty is truly a model that helps end hunger and poverty.Because chickens require little space and can thrive on readily available food scraps, families can make money from the birds without spending much.In Tanzania, Omari and Kulwa were struggling to raise a family on just 50 cents a day. Now, through passing on the gift, all of the children in their village are going to school."

Thanks for reading! And (a little early I know, but) happy holidays!

Long Journey Home

2011-11-15T09:50:00.001-05:00

That is my attempt at a very sappy title. Basically, it means I'm on my way home after a long vacation. Looking forward to getting back to my apartment and my family.

The last few days of my vacation were spent a) cleaning, b) sleeping, and c) stressing out about life in general. Sometimes I wonder if life is worth it. Sometimes I wonder if I ever should've done all the things I did: go to college, leave Michigan, move to Cleveland, etc. But at the same time I look at that and realize that I wouldn't be who I am today without those decisions, whether I can categorize them as "good" or bad".

In other news, I'd like to point you all to a great, funny post. Nat is one of my best friends and I always appreciate her humor and honesty. Her post really got me thinking. When is a blog not self-centered? Even if I say I'm doing it for another reason nominally, it really is all about me. Who doesn't thrill to see the comments, likes, "+1"'s, or other feedback? Who doesn't write in order to get a response or to portray a certain image of themselves?

The problem with blogging is that it's so easy to portray myself how I see"me". It's so easy to avoid criticism or criticize without consequence when you're blogging. I say this because I myself am guilty of it. There are things that I say on my blog that I would never have the opportunity to say outside of my blog. I would like to state that while I say this, I am in no way saying that blogs, social networks, and other online media sites are hindering our social nature. On the contrary, I believe it is just another stage of social communication evolution that we will work through.

Happy Tuesday!

Allison (another best friend!), myself, and Nat

The Importance of Self and Well-Being

2011-11-09T20:35:00.000-05:00

Throughout the past couple years, I've had to learn some hard lessons. One thing that I'm learning more and more is the need to know yourself and do what is best for yourself.

For a long time, I thought that that was a selfish concept. I assumed that to care about yourself was a self-centered mission and that those who did were self-serving and uncaring toward others. Little did I know. While it is a good and gracious thing to put others before yourself, I've learned that there is a big difference between taking care of myself and being a self-serving brat. Here are a few of the things I've learned:

1) Taking on extra work isn't always helpful to someone else, and it definitely isn't helpful to me.
Giving up my personal time and money, and taking on more stress for someone who doesn't care is not worth it. While I never want to be the person who is never willing to help, I need to learn to say "no" now and again.

2) There is only so much time
I need to learn to treasure the time that I have. It sounds kind of morbid, but so many people spend their lives working towards material things and completely miss the beauty of life. "Wake up and smell the roses" sounds so cliche, but it's appropriate.

3) There has to be a balance

I cannot sufficiently take care of others if I don't take care of myself first. I need to make sure that I am whole before I try to help anyone else. The Dalai Lama was once asked what surprised him most: "Man, because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then he dies having never really lived."

That Dalai Lama really sums up my current outlook on life right now. Or what I'm trying to adopt as my outlook on life. There is so much truth in that statement. I want to learn to live, and not to waste the time and the life that I have.

Mussels Aioli

2011-11-04T23:18:00.000-04:00

Enjoying some time off with some great friends! Tonight's dinner was wine-steamed mussels with aioli over pasta. Good stuff.

In a food processor, combine garlic, dijon mustard, olive oil (about a cup), S&P, two egg yolks, and lemon juice. Steam mussels in white wine with garlic cloves.

Serve mussels and aioli over pasta. Mmmm... enjoy. :)

Less is More

2011-11-02T06:45:00.002-04:00

Seriously.

I've been getting everything around my apartment cleaned up so I can go out of town guilt-free and come back to little work. One thing that's struck me as I attempt to scrub down kitchens and bathrooms and reorganize closets is that having a lot of "stuff" really gets in the way. Why do I need eight sets of silverware if there's only me and I rarely have friends over? Why do I have a closet full of clothes I never wear?

My newest resolution is to just have less. I'm downsizing the silverware -having too much of it is just an excuse not to wash dishes (not having a dishwasher makes this even moreso). I'm nagging up my clothes for Goodwill. I am a five minute walk from a Goodwill and as I pretty much wear variations on the same thing every day, I don't need all this extra stuff.

The American culture is more and more looking for gratification through stuff, stuff, and more stuff. According to our advertising-centric culture, if we have no happiness, we should be able to go out and buy some. The new car, the new clothes, that "must-have" pair of shoes, it's all just a gimmick.

Being Labeled

2011-10-10T20:13:00.000-04:00

If there's one thing I hate it's being labeled as one thing or the other. People are so diverse and dynamic, why can't we just accept that everyone has a little bit of everything in them?

I'm so done with being called "this" or "that" or having my words twisted because I'm "such-and-such a way". It's such a load of bull.

Good night and good luck. You're going to need it.

Follow Up: Pruning the Facebook Weed

2011-10-09T18:04:00.001-04:00

OK, I will admit that I might've made some mistakes. Or not so much mistakes as misjudgments.

I have been trying to make my Facebook less of an addiction ("How many friends/comments/likes can I get?") and more of a communication tool. Because of this, I went through and deleted about 100 of my Facebook friends. I based the deletions on a number of things. Mostly, the last time I had interactions with the person (whether it was me contacting them or vice versa, comments on posts, pictures, etc.) Basically, I tried to make a judgement on whether this person truly wanted to maintain contact or I was just another notch on their virtual bedpost.

Most people, I feel I made the right decision. Without a doubt. However, there are a few people that I ended up inadvertently offending. I'm not sure whether to contact them directly or just leave it alone since I've already made the situation awkward. So, I decided to write it all out here. I'm sorry if I offended. I really didn't mean anything by it.

Going forward, I'll try not to make the same mistakes again. Thanks for your time.

LUSH Products

2011-08-23T17:36:00.001-04:00

I love LUSH. I really do and I know I've talked about this before. Really, though, they're fantastic. I ran out of shampoo recently. I use a combo of their solid and liquid shampoo and it's done wonders for my greasy hair.

Granted, that being said, their stuff is a bit of a price jump when you're used to the main commercial brands.

If your concern is for lowering your environmental impact and getting away from all the harsh chemicals, LUSH is the way to go. I've used a number of their products, but here's what I got today.

"Up You Gets" - This emotibomb is fantastic! Emotibombs are aromatherapy for the shower. "Up You Gets" is a full of citrusy goodness to wake up in the morning.

"Stepping Stone" - Great food product full of citrus, cocoa butter and pumice. I love the smell of this.

"Squeaky Green" - First time trying this shampoo bar. I've used Karma Komba and Seanik before, but this one is a newbie to me. It is made with rosemary, nettle and tea tree and it is supposed to do wonders for oily hair. Fingers crossed!

"Jungle" - I tend to avoid most conditioners because they leave my already greasy hair even worse. I do like "Veganese" which is one of their best sellers, but it's more on the expensive side. The shampoo bars usually last a bit longer and this one can even double as a shaving cream. It's full of the creaminess of avocados and bananas, coupled with passionfruit and kumquat.
Picture (clockwise from top): Jungle, Stepping Stone, Squeaky Green, Up You Gets

Pruning the Facebook Weed

2011-08-04T23:27:00.003-04:00

I love Facebook. I truly do. It's enabled me to stay in touch with friends I haven't seen in years, it let's me see what's on their minds, what they're up to and what they're excited (or depressed, depending on the friend) about.

It is all that and a bowl of applesauce. However, it feels like it is just out of hand. Now I'm no Facebook All-Star. At my highest I had about 290 "friends" listed. Granted, I only spoke with about 50 of those, and probably only 10 on a regular basis. Most people I had just ended up hiding from my newsfeed anyway.

Which brings me to my main point: what is the purpose of Facebook when your numbers get that high? I look at people with 600+ friends and wonder why they do it and how. I just went through and "un-friended" approximately 100 people. Why? Because it just seems stupid to me. I was adding "friends" only to make the number go up. There was no desire to stay in touch, no fervent hope to rekindle old friendships. Just wanted to have another notch in my platonic bedpost. Now I have a modest 200-ish and wish I could cut it down even more. There are people on that I never interact with and really have no desire to do so and the only reason they're staying there is because I know it will be a bigger hassle than it's worth.

During this latest stage of the ongoing Facebook purge, I also went through and changed the majority of my privacy settings. I was surprised by how much I had unwittingly left open to the public. Granted, it was mostly my photos (available to "everyone" to see? Eek!) and also a few other sections -who knew the default was for any of your networks to see your information? Ouch. Anyway, it's done. I've still got a number of lists set-up to manage privacy and control what select groups can see, but it will be so much simpler now.

On that note, I'm headed out. Happy (almost) Friday!

#Insomnia

2011-08-03T00:39:00.001-04:00

Why is that whenever I need to stay awake, I'm struggling to keep my eyes open and whenever I should be asleep I find myself wide awake? Like now, for instance. I've actually been trying to fall asleep since 9:30pm this evening. Three hours I'm still here and the mind is going a mile a minute.

Granted, I've got stuff on my mind. Decisions to make, options to weigh, etc. Things as trivial as "What am I going to do for lunch tomorrow?" and "Should I stay in my current lease for another year?" to the more life-altering "Where do I see me in five (or ten or fifteen) years and how do I get there?"

Well, here goes another try at this sleep thing. Bonne nuit.

Wicked Green Things

2011-07-31T13:24:00.000-04:00

...My New Skates!

Yes. Yes, they are ridiculously bright. However, they are mine! Yay! Got these on Thursday. Due to my schedule, I've been able to try them a whopping one time since I got them.

"What Is Patriotism?"

2011-07-30T13:36:00.000-04:00

I usually try not to include quotes as the majority of my posts, but I came across Emma Goldman's speech titled "What is Patriotism?" some time ago and was greatly impressed by what I read. The core values of my America are ones I wish the whole world could embrace (including those of my nation). Freedoms of speech, of religion, of independent thought.

In this speech, given in 1908, Ms. Goldman expresses what I've been trying to put into words for a number of years and always come up short on.

____________

What is patriotism? Is it love of one's birthplace, the place of childhood's recollections and hopes, dreams and aspirations? Is it the place where, in childlike naiveté, we would watch the passing clouds, and wonder why we, too, could not float so swiftly? The place where we would count the milliard glittering stars, terror-stricken lest each one "an eye should be," piercing the very depths of our little souls? Is it the place where we would listen to the music of the birds and long to have wings to fly, even as they, to distant lands? Or is it the place where we would sit on Mother's knee, enraptured by tales of great deeds and conquests? In short, is it love for the spot, every inch representing dear and precious recollections of a happy, joyous and playful childhood?

If that were patriotism, few American men of today would be called upon to be patriotic, since the place of play has been turned into factory, mill, and mine, while deepening sounds of machinery have replaced the music of the birds. No longer can we hear the tales of great deeds, for the stories our mothers tell today are but those of sorrow, tears and grief.

What, then, is patriotism? "Patriotism, sir, is the last resort of scoundrels," said Dr. Samuel Johnson. Leo Tolstoy, the greatest anti-patriot of our time, defines patriotism as the principle that will justify the training of wholesale murderers; a trade that requires better equipment in the exercise of man-killing than the making of such necessities as shoes, clothing, and houses; a trade that guarantees better returns and greater glory than that of the honest workingman.

Indeed, conceit, arrogance and egotism are the essentials of patriotism. Let me illustrate. Patriotism assumes that our globe is divided into little spots, each one surrounded by an iron gate. Those who have had the fortune of being born on some particular spot consider themselves nobler, better, grander, more intelligent than those living beings inhabiting any other spot. It is, therefore, the duty of everyone living on that chosen spot to fight, kill and die in the attempt to impose his superiority upon all the others.

The inhabitants of the other spots reason in like manner, of course, with the result that from early infancy the mind of the child is provided with blood-curdling stories about the Germans, the French, the Italians, Russians, etc. When the child has reached manhood he is thoroughly saturated with the belief that he is chosen by the Lord himself to defend his country against the attack or invasion of any foreigner. It is for that purpose that we are clamoring for a greater army and navy, more battleships and ammunition.

An army and navy represent the people's toys. To make them more attractive and acceptable, hundreds and thousands of dollars are being spent for the display of toys. That was the purpose of the American government in equipping a fleet and sending it along the Pacific coast, that every American citizen should be made to feel the pride and glory of the United States.

The city of San Francisco spent one hundred thousand dollars for the entertainment of the fleet; Los Angeles, sixty thousand; Seattle and Tacoma, about one hundred thousand. Yes, two hundred and sixty thousand dollars were spent on fireworks, theater parties, and revelries, at a time when men, women, and children through the breadth and length of the country were starving in the streets; when thousands of unemployed were ready to sell their labor at any price.

What could not have been accomplished with such an enormous sum? But instead of bread and shelter, the children of those cities were taken to see the fleet, that it may remain, as one newspaper said, "a lasting memory for the child." A wonderful thing to remember, is it not? The implements of civilized slaughter. If the mind of the child is poisoned with such memories, what hope is there for a true realization of human brotherhood?

We Americans claim to be a peace-loving people. We hate bloodshed; we are opposed to violence. Yet we go into spasms of joy over the possibility of projecting dynamite bombs from flying machines upon helpless citizens. We are ready to hang, electrocute, or lynch anyone, who, from economic necessity, will risk his own life in the attempt upon that of some industrial magnate. Yet our hearts swell with pride at the thought that America is becoming the most powerful nation on earth, and that she will eventually plant her iron foot on the necks of all other nations.

Such is the logic of patriotism.

Thinking men and women the world over are beginning to realize that patriotism is too narrow and limited a conception to meet the necessities of our time. The centralization of power has brought into being an international feeling of solidarity among the oppressed nations of the world; a solidarity which represents a greater harmony of interests between the workingman of America and his brothers abroad than between the American miner and his exploiting compatriot; a solidarity which fears not foreign invasion, because it is bringing all the workers to the point when they will say to their masters, "Go and do your own killing. We have done it long enough for you."

The proletariat of Europe has realized the great force of that solidarity and has, as a result, inaugurated a war against patriotism and its bloody specter, militarism. Thousands of men fill the prisons of France, Germany, Russia and the Scandinavian countries because they dared to defy the ancient superstition.

America will have to follow suit. The spirit of militarism has already permeated all walks of life. Indeed, I am convinced that militarism is a greater danger here than anywhere else, because of the many bribes capitalism holds out to those whom it wishes to destroy.

The beginning has already been made in the schools. Children are trained in military tactics, the glory of military achievements extolled in the curriculum, and the youthful mind perverted to suit the government. Further, the youth of the country is appealed to in glaring posters to join the Army and the Navy. "A fine chance to see the world!" cries the governmental huckster. Thus innocent boys are morally shanghaied into patriotism, and the military Moloch strides conquering through the nation.

When we have undermined the patriotic lie, we shall have cleared the path for the great structure where all shall be united into a universal brotherhood -- a truly free society.

RIP Amy Winehouse

2011-07-25T13:54:00.001-04:00

I just have to say it. I don't care who you are, what your opinion is of Amy Winehouse, her music or her lifestyle, it's still sad and upsetting that a great musician, and (more importantly) a human being is gone. She was troubled, yes, but she deserves the same dignity that any other individual does.

Someone told me today that they didn't think it was sad because it was her choice. Wait. So if someone dies a certain way or lives their life in a manner you don't agree with, you think her death is 'justified' or less sad than another person's? I've said it before and I will say it again: Death is just mindless, thoughtless pain.

I, for one, loved her music. I still love it. (Listening to "Back to Black" while on my lunch break). I found her distinctive voice, in-your-face lyrics and neo-soul sound a breath of fresh air. I loved her style, her audacity, and her honesty.

I am extremely saddened, not only by the loss of this incredible, if haunted, woman, but also by the things people say with flippancy or ignorance.

For a great quasi-eulogy, visit Russell Brand's website and read his entry titled "For Amy".

Skating on Saturday

2011-07-24T16:01:00.000-04:00

First time back on skates in about four months. I was forbidden to skate by my podiatrist because of a genetic foot problem. Well, she forbade me to skate until a) my foot healed, and b) I got new skates (she said that the reason my foot problems were aggravated was because my skates were too small). I knew that my skates were small, but kept hoping that they would stretch out and fit like a glove. Well, more like they fit like a vice.

So, my new skates are on order... Yay! If all goes as planned and they fit well, I should be getting them this coming Thursday. See below for a picture of the awesomeness.

Yes, these babies are green. Lime green. But I am super excited to see them and give them a try.

Skated yesterday for the first time ever on concrete. A different experience, to be sure. After skating on a rink for so long, the rough surface of the concrete felt like it was filing my teeth down. After a brief adjustment period, it seemed to get all right and I even managed to get up the courage to adventure outside of the 'safe zone' my mind had designated as the roundabout at the park. Anyway, the skating on concrete is a step I've been needing to take for a while. Going to the rink four times a week was just too expensive. Paying the price of gas for four hour and a half round trips each week, plus at least $5 entrance to the rink every time was getting insane and my wallet was feeling the pressure. So, finding a decent place to skate (for free!) is a welcome addition.

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead

2011-07-24T12:48:00.001-04:00

Watching Joe Cross' documentary "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead". It mainly follows the filmmaker and his journey toward good health. His actions may seem extreme to some. Cross goes on a "Juice Fast" (Pure, fresh mostly-veggie, some-fruit juice) for 60-days to get his life back on track. At the beginning of the documentary, Cross is overweight and extremely ill and he decides some serious lifestyle changes are in order. The juice fast requires a) one juicer, b) lots and lots of fresh veggies (according to Cross' calculations, the average juice fast costs about $420 a month), and c) a shitload of will power. For two months, Cross doesn't eat anything; only drinks fresh juice, no matter where he goes and what he does.

It does sound extreme, but it definitely works. The transformation is incredible, both superficially and from a health standpoint. He ends up eliminating an illness that plagued him for years with the new lifestyle changes.

An inspiration toward healthy living to be sure, but a little unrealistic for those of use that can't afford the price.

When In Rome

2011-07-17T23:06:00.000-04:00

Starring Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel

I didn't want to like "When In Rome". I am a notorious anti-fan of the Romantic Comedy genre. I find that for the majority it's overrated, overdone, and creates all sorts of false expectations about things like the ideal partner, how life in general is supposed to happen, what it takes to be happy, and (most importantly) how life is never complete without that 'special someone'.

The film opens with Kristen Bell portrayed as a talented, but unfulfilled, lonely and jaded art curator. It attempts to be unique. Through a series of events, Bell's character finds herself in Rome, drunkenly picking coins out of the Fontana di Amore (which, ironically enough, doesn't even exist, but is supposedly based on the Fontana di Trevi). "We wait our whole lives for some perfect guy to come in and sweep us off our feet. Well, guess what? He's not coming! Each one of you [the coins] is a desperate wish for love that is never going to come true." Needless to say, through a lot of shenanigans and hijinks, Bell and Duhamel end up falling into each other's arms and it's all hunky dory at the end of the movie.

What I liked about it: The comedy. This is actually what got "When In Rome" some of its worst reviews. Rotten Tomatoes says "A pair of young, attractive leads can't overcome When in Rome's reliance on unfunny gags and threadbare rom-com clichés." On that same site, it has an overall rating of 3.4/10. For some reason, what they hated the most is exactly what I liked. Maybe it's because I am so regularly against the rom-com genre that I enjoyed the cheesy slapstick that much more.

What I didn't like: Exactly what you'd expect. The schmaltz. I don't do sappy and I don't condone the overabundance of films ending with the happy couple metaphorically or literally riding off into the sunset to a happily-ever-after. It's overdone. It's cheesy. And it's causing hell for a lot of women who don't have the self-reliance to realize that reality is not a Nora Ephron movie.

"Ingredients" vs. "Food, Inc."

2011-07-10T23:14:00.000-04:00

Don't get me wrong, I actually love both of these films. I feel like they both do a great job of highlighting different sides of our food industry. However, I feel like they would be most appreciated if watched together.

Food, Inc. does a great job of highlighting or exposing the growing processes of plants and living conditions of animals. I feel like every time I watch it, it reinforces my opinion of the mainstream food industry. Food, Inc. strikes me as a cry of outrage. Good and called for, but outraged just the same.

Ingredients, on the other hand, is a great look at the brighter side of food. It showcases all the good things that are happening in food. Whether it's the changing opinions of the public, moving away from mass-produced and -transported and locally grown produce or the great programs being set up to get fresh, healthy foods to people in food deserts.

I don't want to say much more as I'd much rather have you watch them and form your opinions, so I'll leave it there.

Best Eats

2011-07-10T16:27:00.004-04:00

So, lately I've been thinking about all the great (and mostly undiscovered) great restaurants in the area. I love discovering new places with great food, sharing them with other people, and exploring different part of the city

Big Al's -- Big Al's is a small, unassuming diner in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Again, it doesn't look like much, but their food is fantastic. They've been featured on the Food Network, as has their corned beef hash, which is amazing. Fresh peppers, onions, and potatoes with a light, surprisingly-non-greasy corned beef, topped with light fluffy eggs. Mmmm.

Corned Beef Hash, anyone?

Aladdin's Bakery -- Often mistaken for the well-known Aladdin's Eateries, Aladdin's Bakery is a gem. I love their chicken shwarma wrap and their spinach pita pie is delicious.

B Spot -- Admittedly, this isn't exactly a hole-in-the-wall. Michael Symon's burger joint The B Spot has great burgers, drinks, and atmosphere. He's got a burger for every taste. There's even a vegetarian burger and -in Symon's typical pork-loving way- it's called the "Why???" and they will add bacon to it free of charge. Things to try: The Lola Burger (burger, fried egg, pickled red onion, bacon, cheddar and mayo), Lola Fries (shoestring fries with rosemary and sea salt), and the Stadium Style Brat (bratwurst, carmelized onions, stadium mustard).

Lola Burgers and Lola Fries

Presti's -- Opened in 1903 in Little Italy, this place is a Cleveland classic. I love coming down to Little Italy for a late weekend breakfast. Muffin and mochas anyone? They've got incredible pastries, delicious gelato, and a fantastic lunch counter. The artichoke pizza is to die for.

Mocha and Mocha Muffin. Photo Credit goes to my sister, Gina

North Union Farmers' Market at Shaker Square -- One of my favorite Saturday morning traditions is heading over to the farmers' market, picking up some fresh, local veggies and getting a crepe. Crepes are only $4 and the proceeds go to support the farmers' market. You get your choice of fruit (usually bananas or some seasonal fruit) and spread (jam or Nutella) and all cooked to perfection.

Blueberries and raspberry jam. Photo credit goes to my sister, Ellie.

Last, but not least: The Happy Dog. Talk about a niche market. They serve only hot dogs and tater tots. For $5 you get your choice of a quarter pound hot dog or a vegan italian sausage and you can add an unlimited amount of toppings. I highly suggest the combo of chipotle ketchup, brazilian chimichurri, a fried egg, fresh tomatoes, carmelized onions, a pickle spear, and a slice of brie.

Bon apetit!

Twitter

2011-07-10T02:36:00.000-04:00

...and stepping into the 21st Century. The blog's got a bit of a facelift and there's even a new Twitter account that updates automatically through an RSS Feed thanks to Twitterfeed.

Also looking to get a new name for the blog, but really not sure which way to go. All of my previous titles (as well as the current one) have been pretty snooty, aloof, or self-righteous. I'm in the market for a new name.

Anyway, let me know what you think of the newish look!

Lost: Human Connection

2011-07-07T14:09:00.000-04:00

A few months ago, I made the leap and got a 'grown-up phone' with a data plan. It may have been the worst decision I have ever made. The reasons that follow are why I've become so convinced:

1) Bills -- It's ridiculously expensive. $79.99 a month for unlimited data, unlimited texting, and minimum minutes (450). Granted, I do get a 10% discount which helps a little, but really? $80??? Not counting fees and taxes?

2) Facebook -- As you may remember, I took a Facebook Fast a while back. This new phone and plan has completely negated and positive outcome of that effort. Yes, I realize that if I had a little more self-control this would not be an issue. However, a part of self control is knowing your limits. Apparently, my limit is a data plan. I have wasted so much time on Facebook and YouTube.

3) Losing the Human Connection? Heck, I've lost it. I find myself playing on the phone (Angry Birds, anyone?) instead of engaging with the people around me. After a long day at work, it is too easy to fall into the pattern of Facebook check, "wordswithfriends", Angry Birds, YouTube, and then to bed. At least with an unlimited texting plan I was forced to actually interact with people for entertainment.

4) Bills -- This really needs to be said again. $80/month? Pffft.

5) Is it really necessary? -- The only things this new phone and plan have done is make me poorer and more reliant on GPS.

So, after much ado, I think I am going to buy a refurbished non-smart phone and switch back to my old plan. It was half the price and half the trouble, too. Maybe I'll actually be able to make it between paychecks after the switch.

What do you think? Is the data plan worth it for you? Do you find yourself wasting more time because of fingertip-access to Facebook, YouTube, etc?

Solstice and Fundraising

2011-06-26T18:40:00.001-04:00

Ah! Such an awesome weekend! Well, in all reality I should say such an awesome Saturday night (if a very long one).

6pm Saturday -- Fundraiser for Mia at Memphis Station. Hung out with friends, had a few drinks, raised a huge chunk of change, and all before nine o'clock at night! I am still on a high from this. It is great to see people band together to take care of one of their own and exceed expectations at every turn. Cinnette and Freddy, if you're reading this: Congratulations! You are both amazing and all your hard work paid off in a huge way!

10pm Saturday -- Summer Solstice 2011 and the Cleveland Museum of Art. This was fantastic. High energy, great atmosphere, incredible art and fantastic music! If you want to see a bit of the party (if you can ignore the horrible audio) click below. It really was amazing. It was a perfect end to the night. I can't even explain how cool it was.

Got home around 2am, fell into bed at 2:30am and then woke up at 6am (damn internal alarm clock) and have been up and exhausted, but happy since. Happy Solstice, all! Here's to a beautiful, fun-filled summer!

Next to Normal

2011-06-19T18:24:00.000-04:00

Wow. Got to see Next to Normal today.

Raw.

Amazing.

Real.
Impressive.
Visceral.

One of the best musicals I've seen all season. While I like all the light-hearted and/or fantastical stuff of musicals like Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, and even Shrek, there is just something about the very real, raw subject of reality. For those of you that don't know, Next to Normal recently won a Tony Award and Alice Ripley (who plays 'Diana') was awarded best actor in a musical. It is about the struggles of a family dealing with psychological issues (mostly bipolar disorder) and family life dysfunction.

When watching Next to Normal and other productions in a similar vein (Rent, Garden State, Ordinary People all come to mind), what I have to start asking myself is "If dysfunction is everyday, what then is normal?"

Anyway, Next to Normal was amazing. I sniffled (okay, cried) through most of it. Most of the time, what I appreciate most about shows like Next to Normal is their honesty and, while I do appreciate it, sometimes it hits just a little too close to home.

Had a great weekend hanging out with E. She came to visit and we all got to hang out at the CSA, the farmers' market, the art museum, and even an Indians' game. Go Tribe! Back in first. :)

Sunny Saturday

2011-06-12T16:02:00.000-04:00

This past Saturday (err, yesterday) was awesome. First I got my hair cut (Thank you, Crazy Mullets!), then met up with LD to catch the very end of Parade the Circle. Wandered around in the beautiful sunshine, enjoying the live music, and the coming together of a fantastic community. It was a gorgeous day and it was wonderful to just get out and be among people. After Parade the Circle, we headed over to Little Italy for some gelato.

Mmm... Spumoni Gelato! (And, yes, I made a mess...)

After Parade the circle and gelato, I headed to the Wolstein Center to watch some roller derby. There is nothing like a good derby bout to finish off the day. Granted, it would be even better if I was actually playing, but beggars can't be choosers, eh?

Staycation: Heather's Visit!

2011-06-06T19:23:00.000-04:00

So during my Spectacular Staycation, my wonderful friend, Heather, came to visit and hang out with me. We hadn't seen each other in around two years, so it was great to catch up with her! Here are some of the pictures from her visit. We went to the art museum, Little Italy, the city greenhouse (free and beautiful!), the farmers' market, the BSpot, and engaged in some just general wandering. It was awesome.

The Best Staycation Ever

2011-06-06T07:48:00.000-04:00

Where did I go for my vacation? Nowhere. Money's tight, but a vacation was definitely needed, so I decided to take the ever-increasingly-popular 'staycation'. I had my vacation time and I was going to have fun, damn it. And I did. It was a great relaxed and fun week, even if I don't have pictures from me being sunburned on some remote beach or lost in a foreign city.

Staycation started on Friday, May 27th, with Heather's arrival. I had an awesome weekend catching up with her. We talked, we visited museums, we stopped for lunch at Presti's in Little Italy, played video games, watched movies, and pretty much laughed the whole weekend. She headed out Sunday evening. Headed to a friend's family's barbecue on Sunday night, then spent the day with my family on Monday. Come Tuesday, I told my family I was working all week, told my coworkers I was headed out of the country and pretty much ignored the cell phone for the rest of the week.

Pictures and more anecdotes to come.

Vacation Time!

2011-05-30T18:02:00.002-04:00

So, tomorrow starts the first vacation I've had in over a year and a half (probably two years, really). I am so super excited. It is definitely time for some relaxation, rejuvenation, and reevaluation. I've got high hopes for this time. I've told pretty much no one where I'm going because I want to separate myself and just have some time to be on my own and think and relax.

In other news, the fundraisers for Mia are well under way. We're doing our best to get the word out and get people involved in helping this sweet little girl and her family out. If you can print off and put up some flyers in your area, let me know and I'll be happy to email you the documents so we can increase the impact. Also, if anyone in the Cleveland area has connections to newspapers, TV stations, or other media outlets, we are trying to get their attention to get some more coverage for Mia.

So, most of you probably read about my Facebook Fast. It was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made. I kept myself from updating my status for two months. The first two weeks were the hardest, but after stepping back and realizing how disconnected I had become because of Facebook, it was really an eye-opener and it helped me to reevaluate. I'm not off of Facebook entirely, but I've definitely cut down on my posts and (most importantly) the amount of inane statuses I was posting.