In my effort to "not" do some things, I realized that I have to keep in mind what I do want in life and make sure I'm staying focused. I realized I was losing focus when I found myself becoming jealous of someone that received something that I had purposefully turned down months earlier. It's not what I wanted, and yet, I still got jealous? I have a long ways to go in life.
Especially when it comes to my job, I have to remember that I made a choice back in graduate school to not be my job. I had some really great professors, but I also saw how many of them seemed to have no life beyond the profession. Some of them had wise life lessons to share, but some of them seemed so focused on the job that it made it hard for us as students, as if we were expected to be just like them. I want to be the best I can be at my job, I still intellectually really like my field, and I love the kids and families I get to work with. However, that will never be what defines me. I'm glad that people that don't know me from work assume I do something completely different for a living. The services I provide to others at work are a blessing, but that is not the extent of the service I want to provide to the world. I have much to learn from others in other realms of life, and I want to experience more than my "job" ambition can allow. I say "no" to focus on my ultimate goals, but I have to remind myself of that.
Just to revisit my "goals" for this year of intentionality (in case you didn't read my comeback blog post), here they are, in addition to some others that I had, but didn't originally post.
1. Read at least 3 books that I already own/have but have never read. What kind of person owns books they've never read? Me.
2. Co-write some songs. Everything I've written in the last few years has been solo. I'm grateful that I've built up a body of work, but I want to learn how to write with different voices. Who wants to join me?!
3. Try or do something new every day.
4. Listen to and if possible, begin audio recording people's stories. All kinds.
5. Have lunch/tea with someone fun at least once a month.
6. Give something to someone(s) at least once a week. Tangible items, time, service, money, whatever.
7. Pray for others more than myself.
8. Be a consultant for 4 Norwex parties this year. I sell Norwex? Technically yes. I do love and use the products and would be happy to tell you about them. I don't know how to sell anything or to promote a business, really.
9. Plan out my continuing education for work and learn about things beyond my current/past experiences.
I'm not doing too bad with most of these things. I'm on my way at least! The lenten season is helping my prayer life intentionality and I got to hear a short snippet of a new person's story the other night, though I didn't get to record it. We happened to go to the Brick and heard a band the other night that happened to be really inspiring. A girl by the name of Kalyn leads a band called Wheelchair Sports Camp. It was just her, her drummer (who was stellar), and a trumpet player (with various pedals). They rocked. She rapped. I bought one of her albums. I talked with her briefly afterwards and asked her how she got started. She said she had been rapping since she was a kid with a friend of hers, and then after a while she broke out on her own with what is now her current band. They collaborate with a bunch of other people and had a more "major" tour in 2012. She remembered just a few hours out of Kansas City that she left her computer with her programmed beats back in Denver, so she had to just roll with it live. They were really good. Just to warn you, her music is not kid friendly and may not be your cup of tea, but her raps are both whimsical and self-aware, innocent and explicit. I want to find out more about her story.
On a completely unrelated note, I scored some solid black LuLaRoe leggings this month. Seriously, I did! I'm also now more regularly flossing my teeth. That may gross some of you out, but my childhood dentist didn't emphasize flossing and I never got in the habit of it as a kid. Dental/gum health, y'all. I've also been really blessed and surprised by the encouragement and generosity of some not-so-well known people at my church recently who've spoken encouraging words to me and donated to Compassion's Water of Life program after hearing me share some information with kids at church. Pretty awesome. Don't take water and being able to drink out of the faucet for granted, y'all. World Water Day is March 22nd. #awareness
#saynotosayyes #goals
Tuesday, March 07, 2017
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Trying to "not"...
I've had a couple of discussions with co-workers lately about why the word "not" is one of the "core vocabulary" words on some of the speech generating device programs we utilize. I was given an answer today about the research that indicates that "not" is a word that is among the most frequently used in the English language. I think it's hard to teach kids with low-level communication skills what "not" means (as opposed to "no," for instance), but I will say that I as an adult need to get better about some "not"s.
I am doing better about "not" being on my phone first thing in the mornings and once I get in bed. Ever since I pledged that on my blog a few weeks ago, I've almost always stuck with it, and I think it's made me sleep more soundly, and helped me get the dishes done in the morning :)
I need to "not" try to take on the agenda for the day/week without praying about it first. I became really overwhelmed today with work and things I need to get done, and I essentially had to "not" do anything else until I took some deep breaths and prayed, for those that I felt led to pray for and for myself. I carry burdens that I don't have to bear but I tend to only really say things to God once I'm worn and not when I start my day. That needs to change.
I am "not" good at saying "no" to things. Part of my personality type is that I tend to feel an intense sense of personal responsibility for things and often think no one else can handle things, so I say "yes" when I shouldn't. I am self aware about this and am better in a lot of ways than I used to be, but similar to the above scenario, I need to "not" take on what I could let go or not see as my responsibility alone.
I did "not" blog for the last couple of weeks, number one because I didn't have a lot to say, but also because I didn't want my blogging "goal" to dictate my life. I didn't want to say "yes" to something for the sake of saying yes or allowing "obligation" to drive my actions.
As I write this, I feel the need to "not" write much more, so I will cut this off. What things do you "not" need to do? Feel free to go ahead and "not" do them :)
Do, however, love people well, write/play music, hang out with friends/family, read books, watch movies, and be present in your life. I'll do my best to do the same. Also, embrace this because it's kind of awesome, though I always preferred Jon over Joey.
I am doing better about "not" being on my phone first thing in the mornings and once I get in bed. Ever since I pledged that on my blog a few weeks ago, I've almost always stuck with it, and I think it's made me sleep more soundly, and helped me get the dishes done in the morning :)
I need to "not" try to take on the agenda for the day/week without praying about it first. I became really overwhelmed today with work and things I need to get done, and I essentially had to "not" do anything else until I took some deep breaths and prayed, for those that I felt led to pray for and for myself. I carry burdens that I don't have to bear but I tend to only really say things to God once I'm worn and not when I start my day. That needs to change.
I am "not" good at saying "no" to things. Part of my personality type is that I tend to feel an intense sense of personal responsibility for things and often think no one else can handle things, so I say "yes" when I shouldn't. I am self aware about this and am better in a lot of ways than I used to be, but similar to the above scenario, I need to "not" take on what I could let go or not see as my responsibility alone.
I did "not" blog for the last couple of weeks, number one because I didn't have a lot to say, but also because I didn't want my blogging "goal" to dictate my life. I didn't want to say "yes" to something for the sake of saying yes or allowing "obligation" to drive my actions.
As I write this, I feel the need to "not" write much more, so I will cut this off. What things do you "not" need to do? Feel free to go ahead and "not" do them :)
Do, however, love people well, write/play music, hang out with friends/family, read books, watch movies, and be present in your life. I'll do my best to do the same. Also, embrace this because it's kind of awesome, though I always preferred Jon over Joey.
Thursday, February 02, 2017
Groundhog Day
Bill Murray. This guy. Groundhog Day is on repeat on AMC since it's well, Groundhog Day. I like this movie and am glad that I'm watching it on the day of the actual event. We may not get to live every day over and over again to get it "right" or make it "better," but we can become better every day as individuals and as a community as we learn (assuming we want to do such a thing). I have to remind myself that it's not about perfection - just about learning and doing the best with what I've learned. If someone payed me a thousand dollars for a piano lesson though, I'd have to admit, I'd too kick out whatever kiddo I was teaching at the time and teach Bill Murray instead :) I'd teach him to bend his fingers properly, though (that whole perfection thing). 
I decided today that I'm going to write a few notes to some people in my life that I think have good work/life boundaries and balance. I've noticed some people that seem to do well about not engaging in the drama that often ensues in life, and I need to be better about letting those people know that I recognize that and appreciate that in them. Even though today was relatively small in the drama department, I felt the little things made me want to go home and go to bed rather than press on (I pressed on by the way). My attitude wasn't always the best. I needed to check myself before I wrecked myself. I'm hoping showing appreciation and gratitude towards people will help.On a plus side, yesterday at work, I got to be The Flash. I decided that I couldn't smile in my superhero selfie, hence the weird look on my face. I got to fight storm troopers, some sort of sand man from a Lego video game, and other villains with "Captain America" (not pictured for privacy reasons). Some days you're a superhero, and other days you need to get over your bad attitude and just be grateful instead of trying to save everything.
One thing that will not put anyone on the right path of learning and living are culottes. They're available at Target. Fashion has taken a downhill trend. Culottes and shirts that tie in the front did NOT need to resurface. I also saw a southwestern pancho in a store yesterday. Not ever okay.
In closing, make a dance video, y'all. Come on! I'm obviously not an inspiration to your dancing skills, but I'll leave you with a Groundhog Day quote, "Today is tomorrow. It happened. You're here." Live like you're here. And dance.
Thursday, January 26, 2017
That one time I got a little political (and danced!)...
I didn't go to the women's march this last weekend. I had a lot of friends that did (men, women, straight, gay, transgender, black, white, Jewish, Christian) and I have some friends that have expressed why they didn't and wouldn't want to go. I heard people ask what it was really about in the first place, and I imagine with so many different people there, it meant different things for different people. Still, I can respect that so many people let their voices be heard and did so peacefully, at least here in KC, and from what I could see from my marching friends in Denver and Washington. Was everyone kind? I know they weren't. But remember all of those different people there? One person's story is not another's and one person's behavior doesn't always reflect a whole group. This is true for everyone. Those in favor of the march, those opposed, and those indifferent.
I'm a person that doesn't really subscribe to any one political belief. I'm somewhere in the middle and can't figure out where or if I really want to belong to a certain category of politics. I know that I care about people, and also care about freedom. I think fiscal responsibility is a good thing, but I also think that what is fiscally responsible for individuals or families may not be what's best for a whole group of people, say an entire state or country. I like peace, those that listen, and those that stand up for what they think is right. I will not deny that my experiences living abroad have shaped my view on globalization and that I care what my friends and others abroad think and care about. I don't believe compromise is a dirty word. Because of what I do for a living, I care about health care, education, and support for those with special needs. I believe in life and the quality of life: of infants, toddlers, children, teens, adults, mothers, fathers, the elderly, criminals, the sick, the lonely, the poor, the rich, the oppressed, natives, immigrants, the misunderstood, the weak, and the strong. Everyone is someone worth fighting for (but sometimes I have to remind myself of that), and no one experience is exactly like another. Just because something hasn't affected me personally doesn't mean it ceases to be a problem for those that it affects, and it doesn't mean that others shouldn't have a choice or a voice when it comes to what is best for them. I care about facts and science very much, but I know that feelings can be a bigger driving force at times. Clear communication is important, and I care very much about how well systems/organizations work. I'm conservative when it comes to my own personal choices but liberal when it comes to others. I hope and pray that I can become more liberal in love, grace, and compassion while being disciplined, self-aware, and seeking wisdom and discernment.
As for what I did do this weekend: on Saturday we served the people of greater KC by participating in Faithwork through our church. Micah and I packed boxes of needed household goods selected by families that are trying to get a new start in the community. That afternoon, after going to a celebration lunch for some missions partners, I went to Walgreens to pick up my birth control prescription, which under my current insurance plan, is free. I got to drive my car some, but also took public transportation. I got to spend time in a house that we own. I walked by myself freely all the way through downtown Kansas City, and didn't feel afraid, wasn't accosted, or questioned by anyone. I have the internet and a computer I can type this on. As far as I know, this post won't be censored. I am privileged. I have opportunities. Not everyone has the same as I. Some of these opportunities I worked for, but some of them were given to me through no work of my own. Hashtag recognize.
On a lighter note, I'm having fun working on a song with my friend David, I have a coffee date with a friend planned for next week, and I have another song-writing friend lined up to work with in February. Fun stuff :) My friends David, Justin, and others (aka Smokey James and the Avalanche) also submitted a video/song for the NPR Tiny Desk Contest. You can find that above or find my idea for a response video here (where the dancing comes in). Please, please, please, consider making your own #thisismyavalanche dance response video. I've gotten some likes and laughs on mine but it was meant to inspire others to dance to Love's Curse as well. DO IT! You'll be glad you did!
Another fun note? This is my 100th blog post on this site. It's taken years and a lot of time off to get there, but it's happened. Happy 100th, blog. And happy day to you, readers. Get to dancin' (or commenting if you so choose!).
I'm a person that doesn't really subscribe to any one political belief. I'm somewhere in the middle and can't figure out where or if I really want to belong to a certain category of politics. I know that I care about people, and also care about freedom. I think fiscal responsibility is a good thing, but I also think that what is fiscally responsible for individuals or families may not be what's best for a whole group of people, say an entire state or country. I like peace, those that listen, and those that stand up for what they think is right. I will not deny that my experiences living abroad have shaped my view on globalization and that I care what my friends and others abroad think and care about. I don't believe compromise is a dirty word. Because of what I do for a living, I care about health care, education, and support for those with special needs. I believe in life and the quality of life: of infants, toddlers, children, teens, adults, mothers, fathers, the elderly, criminals, the sick, the lonely, the poor, the rich, the oppressed, natives, immigrants, the misunderstood, the weak, and the strong. Everyone is someone worth fighting for (but sometimes I have to remind myself of that), and no one experience is exactly like another. Just because something hasn't affected me personally doesn't mean it ceases to be a problem for those that it affects, and it doesn't mean that others shouldn't have a choice or a voice when it comes to what is best for them. I care about facts and science very much, but I know that feelings can be a bigger driving force at times. Clear communication is important, and I care very much about how well systems/organizations work. I'm conservative when it comes to my own personal choices but liberal when it comes to others. I hope and pray that I can become more liberal in love, grace, and compassion while being disciplined, self-aware, and seeking wisdom and discernment.
As for what I did do this weekend: on Saturday we served the people of greater KC by participating in Faithwork through our church. Micah and I packed boxes of needed household goods selected by families that are trying to get a new start in the community. That afternoon, after going to a celebration lunch for some missions partners, I went to Walgreens to pick up my birth control prescription, which under my current insurance plan, is free. I got to drive my car some, but also took public transportation. I got to spend time in a house that we own. I walked by myself freely all the way through downtown Kansas City, and didn't feel afraid, wasn't accosted, or questioned by anyone. I have the internet and a computer I can type this on. As far as I know, this post won't be censored. I am privileged. I have opportunities. Not everyone has the same as I. Some of these opportunities I worked for, but some of them were given to me through no work of my own. Hashtag recognize.
Another fun note? This is my 100th blog post on this site. It's taken years and a lot of time off to get there, but it's happened. Happy 100th, blog. And happy day to you, readers. Get to dancin' (or commenting if you so choose!).
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
one, little, big, giant thing
I'm a Speech-Language Pathologist and I work with kids. I get to hear some pretty hilarious stuff on a daily basis as a result. Today, I got to hear about why a girl's sister didn't get proposed to on NYE because she "passed out when she got home" that night. Huh. Informative. I also got to listen to a young girl explain a trip she just took, which included "one, little, big, giant thing" (her words). As funny as that phrase was, and how accurately it describes that young person, I realized that it was a pretty good description of how I blow things out of proportion.
I first came to understand that I worry excessively about time when I first lived in Thailand. I went from working full-time to not having a job, being single to being married, and living in the U.S. to living abroad. I had a lot of newness in my life, but the not-working part may have been the hardest part looking back. After a while I would find myself panicking mid-day that I didn't have the house all clean or the groceries bought and I was afraid I wasn't going to have it done by the time Micah got home from work. I honestly spent hours worrying when I either could've just done the work already or at least calmed down and realized that I had plenty of time. I was trying to live up to imaginary expectations that I had set for myself and I was convinced I wasn't going to live up to them. To top it all off, I was fine. Every day. I had plenty of time. Every day. And I would forget that. Every day.
Fast forward to now, and I still forget. I may not always have the anxiety I did then, but sometimes that one, little thing becomes and big, giant thing and I panic that I can't get everything done I need to do. It was days like today that I'm reminded yet again that I will have enough time for what needs to happen today. And tomorrow, and the next day. I was worried that I wouldn't have enough time to get my house cleaned and food cooked for a friend to come over tomorrow night. So, I cooked/prepared some food this morning before I left for work in a hurry. When I was busy worrying (and working) today though, a commitment I thought I'd have tonight got switched to Thursday. This gave me a whole night of time. Plus, I found out I get to leave work a half-hour earlier than typical tomorrow. Already more time for tomorrow too.
Speaking of tomorrow, I'm getting my hair cut during my break at work, and I get to start trying my hand at co-writing some of those songs I set a goal for (with said friend coming for dinner). I may be really bad at this, but I've got to start somewhere. And who knows? Maybe this song will turn into one, little, big, giant thing.
My flowers from last week have died, but my dreams have not. Intentionally :) Of course, I was really bad at caring for those flowers. Irises suck up water quickly - I had no idea.
I first came to understand that I worry excessively about time when I first lived in Thailand. I went from working full-time to not having a job, being single to being married, and living in the U.S. to living abroad. I had a lot of newness in my life, but the not-working part may have been the hardest part looking back. After a while I would find myself panicking mid-day that I didn't have the house all clean or the groceries bought and I was afraid I wasn't going to have it done by the time Micah got home from work. I honestly spent hours worrying when I either could've just done the work already or at least calmed down and realized that I had plenty of time. I was trying to live up to imaginary expectations that I had set for myself and I was convinced I wasn't going to live up to them. To top it all off, I was fine. Every day. I had plenty of time. Every day. And I would forget that. Every day.
Fast forward to now, and I still forget. I may not always have the anxiety I did then, but sometimes that one, little thing becomes and big, giant thing and I panic that I can't get everything done I need to do. It was days like today that I'm reminded yet again that I will have enough time for what needs to happen today. And tomorrow, and the next day. I was worried that I wouldn't have enough time to get my house cleaned and food cooked for a friend to come over tomorrow night. So, I cooked/prepared some food this morning before I left for work in a hurry. When I was busy worrying (and working) today though, a commitment I thought I'd have tonight got switched to Thursday. This gave me a whole night of time. Plus, I found out I get to leave work a half-hour earlier than typical tomorrow. Already more time for tomorrow too.
Speaking of tomorrow, I'm getting my hair cut during my break at work, and I get to start trying my hand at co-writing some of those songs I set a goal for (with said friend coming for dinner). I may be really bad at this, but I've got to start somewhere. And who knows? Maybe this song will turn into one, little, big, giant thing.
My flowers from last week have died, but my dreams have not. Intentionally :) Of course, I was really bad at caring for those flowers. Irises suck up water quickly - I had no idea.
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
I Bought Myself Flowers feat. Salt 'N' Pepa (feat. En Vogue)
The other morning I looked down to see how many steps I had on my Fitbit, and I had 711. When 711 doesn't make me think of the numerous 7-Elevens in Bangkok, it makes me think of Salt 'N' Pepa (feat. En Vogue)'s tune Whatta Man. I'll let you recall the bit about 7-Eleven from the song.
Now.
I'll wait.
Start singing...
"like 7-Eleven and yes it's me that he's always choosin', with him I'm never losin' and he knows that my name is not Susan." That song. You remember it. No one's ever mistaken my name for Susan, though. SHAYlin, Shuh-LINN, Shaylene, Shannon, and of course Shao-lin, but not Susan. It's one thing not to know or remember how to pronounce my name, but Shannon? I didn't just add extra sounds and letters into my name for fun. Shannon's a perfectly fine name, but that's not what I said. Good times.
Anyhow, I mention that because I enjoyed brushing my teeth to that song that morning. Intentionally. I've done a bit better about this intentional thing since my last post, but of course it probably helps that there's been less laundry and road trips since then. In an effort to try and do something new every day, it's been more about intentionally making every day different. That's involved (among several other things), trying to plan out my continuing education for the year, creating a new Facebook group (for another work goal I have this year), getting new tires for my car (it appears as if this will be a snowy winter), and today? buying myself flowers at Trader Joe's. They make me smile.
One of the coolest things that's happened though is that I prayed for a person who I've been too critical about. On the same day I prayed, I had several positive interactions with that person and my outlook softened. Tangible answers. Pretty cool.
Next week I get to start trying to write music with a friend, I've reiterated my book reading goal to a few other people (which means it's going to happen, right?), and I've gotten to give a coffee-loving friend a Starbucks gift card. I've also just gotten things done. A big part of that is my effort to not be on my phone once I've laid down in bed, and not to check my phone at all until after being awake for 30 minutes (and out of bed). When I'm not preoccupied with emails and Facebook posts that can wait, I get the dishes done. I floss my teeth. I make Micah lunch for the day. I stop worrying and mentally complaining about things as much. I realize the world still goes on without me immediately knowing what happened during our nighttime hours. Try it. I recommend it.
How are you living with purpose/intention? How can I encourage you? Do I need to buy you flowers? What is your favorite Salt 'N' Pepa or En Vogue song? Who would you "feat." if you were in a band? Did you notice my "feat." within a "feat." title? All important questions. Well, all questions. You can answer them in a comment :)
Now.
I'll wait.
Start singing...
"like 7-Eleven and yes it's me that he's always choosin', with him I'm never losin' and he knows that my name is not Susan." That song. You remember it. No one's ever mistaken my name for Susan, though. SHAYlin, Shuh-LINN, Shaylene, Shannon, and of course Shao-lin, but not Susan. It's one thing not to know or remember how to pronounce my name, but Shannon? I didn't just add extra sounds and letters into my name for fun. Shannon's a perfectly fine name, but that's not what I said. Good times.
Anyhow, I mention that because I enjoyed brushing my teeth to that song that morning. Intentionally. I've done a bit better about this intentional thing since my last post, but of course it probably helps that there's been less laundry and road trips since then. In an effort to try and do something new every day, it's been more about intentionally making every day different. That's involved (among several other things), trying to plan out my continuing education for the year, creating a new Facebook group (for another work goal I have this year), getting new tires for my car (it appears as if this will be a snowy winter), and today? buying myself flowers at Trader Joe's. They make me smile.
One of the coolest things that's happened though is that I prayed for a person who I've been too critical about. On the same day I prayed, I had several positive interactions with that person and my outlook softened. Tangible answers. Pretty cool.
Next week I get to start trying to write music with a friend, I've reiterated my book reading goal to a few other people (which means it's going to happen, right?), and I've gotten to give a coffee-loving friend a Starbucks gift card. I've also just gotten things done. A big part of that is my effort to not be on my phone once I've laid down in bed, and not to check my phone at all until after being awake for 30 minutes (and out of bed). When I'm not preoccupied with emails and Facebook posts that can wait, I get the dishes done. I floss my teeth. I make Micah lunch for the day. I stop worrying and mentally complaining about things as much. I realize the world still goes on without me immediately knowing what happened during our nighttime hours. Try it. I recommend it.
How are you living with purpose/intention? How can I encourage you? Do I need to buy you flowers? What is your favorite Salt 'N' Pepa or En Vogue song? Who would you "feat." if you were in a band? Did you notice my "feat." within a "feat." title? All important questions. Well, all questions. You can answer them in a comment :)
Monday, January 02, 2017
Trying this ol' thing again
I used to blog a fair amount, say 10 years ago. I even had another blog about my adventures in Thailand for a brief minute. I look back and laugh at it now. Mostly because I used to be funny. You can read all of it in my archives there, and here. It will probably scare those of you that didn't know me when. This being said, I've at least for now decided to start it up again. This time, with a purpose. I'm sure I'll still be hilarious though, right?
A friend asked me a few days ago how she could support me and/or pray for me this year, and after thinking about it, I decided she could support me by asking me how I'm doing at being intentional. I want to be intentional about doing new things, embracing change, loving people, serving people, creating, and trying to follow Jesus. Lofty goals, and 2 days into 2017, I'm already failing. #needsomegrace I'll explain my shortcomings, but I also thought I'd share my sub-goals for this year. Not resolutions, but some things I'd like to do under the umbrella of being intentional.
1. Read at least 3 books that I already own/have but have never read. What kind of person owns books they've never read? Me.
2. Co-write some songs. Everything I've written in the last few years has been solo. I'm grateful that I've built up a body of work, but I want to learn how to write with different voices. Who wants to join me?!
3. Try or do something new every day.
4. Listen to and if possible, begin audio recording people's stories. All kinds.
5. Have lunch/tea with someone fun at least once a month.
6. Give something to someone(s) at least once a week. Tangible items, time, service, money, whatever.
7. Pray for others more than myself.
Ways I've succeeded in this? Yesterday (Jan. 1st), I drank my first cup of Fruity Black Tea with Bergamot Oil from Kim. It was really good and I look forward to having many more cups! Today (Jan. 2nd), I wore my new LulaRoe leggings for the first time, listened to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours album while I worked out (the combination was new), ate some of a cheeseball my coworker Kara made, and I wrote this post.
Ways I've failed already? Yesterday, Micah decided we'd drive home from OKC via Tulsa and up through Missouri (instead of through Kansas). I should've embraced it as something "new." I, however, had a bad attitude when driving through Joplin, Missouri and it took me a while to get out of my funk (Micah can attest to this). Today? Micah did some loads of laundry while I was at work. Instead of being grateful, I got critical about some technicalities when everything was perfectly fine. Not so intentionally loving, eh? Being married is like holding up a mirror, y'all.
This is going to be an interesting year! Join me! What do you want to be intentional about?
A friend asked me a few days ago how she could support me and/or pray for me this year, and after thinking about it, I decided she could support me by asking me how I'm doing at being intentional. I want to be intentional about doing new things, embracing change, loving people, serving people, creating, and trying to follow Jesus. Lofty goals, and 2 days into 2017, I'm already failing. #needsomegrace I'll explain my shortcomings, but I also thought I'd share my sub-goals for this year. Not resolutions, but some things I'd like to do under the umbrella of being intentional.
1. Read at least 3 books that I already own/have but have never read. What kind of person owns books they've never read? Me.
2. Co-write some songs. Everything I've written in the last few years has been solo. I'm grateful that I've built up a body of work, but I want to learn how to write with different voices. Who wants to join me?!
3. Try or do something new every day.
4. Listen to and if possible, begin audio recording people's stories. All kinds.
5. Have lunch/tea with someone fun at least once a month.
6. Give something to someone(s) at least once a week. Tangible items, time, service, money, whatever.
7. Pray for others more than myself.
Ways I've succeeded in this? Yesterday (Jan. 1st), I drank my first cup of Fruity Black Tea with Bergamot Oil from Kim. It was really good and I look forward to having many more cups! Today (Jan. 2nd), I wore my new LulaRoe leggings for the first time, listened to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours album while I worked out (the combination was new), ate some of a cheeseball my coworker Kara made, and I wrote this post.
Ways I've failed already? Yesterday, Micah decided we'd drive home from OKC via Tulsa and up through Missouri (instead of through Kansas). I should've embraced it as something "new." I, however, had a bad attitude when driving through Joplin, Missouri and it took me a while to get out of my funk (Micah can attest to this). Today? Micah did some loads of laundry while I was at work. Instead of being grateful, I got critical about some technicalities when everything was perfectly fine. Not so intentionally loving, eh? Being married is like holding up a mirror, y'all.
This is going to be an interesting year! Join me! What do you want to be intentional about?
Monday, May 25, 2009
where giving the middle finger is apparently a sign of affection
an odd post on memorial day, particularly considering that my last post was on mlk day and actually had something to do with the holiday. this one does not. it does however have to do with an experience from this weekend...friday night, may 22nd, 2009.
also known as the night i paid too much for concert tickets (thank you ticketmaster inconvenience fee), i went to the first "buzz under the stars" concert at city market. i really wanted to see anberlin and alkaline trio (two very different bands) which both were great. no lazer light shows (it was still daytime then anyway) - they played their music, actually sang, and rocked the faces off the people who didn't come to see them. i would've liked to have seen both of them play way longer than their allotted times and in smaller venues, but there will be other times in my life for that...
while alkaline was playing, an older fellow (who i'm sure has seen a few great concerts in his day, and was in major need of a dentist) approached me and asked me about one of my tattoos. the conversation went a little something like this:
man: "so my friend and i were talking. 'becoming.' now is that in reference to the song by pantera or to silence of the lambs?"
me: "um, neither actually. it just has personal significance."
man: "what's the significance?"
me: "well it's just in reference to me becoming more of the person i want to be in life."
man: "all right. what do you want to be?"
me: "well, i have a job and everything - it's really just about the process of me growing as a person. it's not about pantera or silence of the lambs. besides - i can't even watch horror movies because they freak me out."
man: "silence of the lambs is not a horror movie. that's real life. there are some f***ed up people in this world."
me: (laughing) "yeah, i guess there is. i still don't like watching those movies though."
man: "but you gotta tell me that you f***ing love pantera."
me: "um, i like pantera."
man: "that band is awesome. (his friend came up behind him - a short, stout fellow that looked like he'd belong at the beach - he didn't speak and was a little socially awkward) well you had me and my friend fooled then with that 'becoming!' not about pantera or silence of the lambs dude. well you have a good night. nice talking to you. hey, do you smoke weed?"
me: "no i don't, sorry."
man: "okay then. well you have a good night."
me: "thanks, you too."
love it.
since i wasn't in to the other bands there that night, most of the night was really spent people watching. it was a pretty fantastic environment for that. while the used was playing (or as the band announced themselves, "the f***ing used" - which i thought was rather redundant of them) my friend maya and i stood back with the less, well, with the older and wiser crowd and had a hay day observing everyone around us between the porta-potties and beer stations. during taking back sunday (whose music i don't mind, but were NOT good live - the lead singer cannot sing (or at least didn't demonstrate it that night) and sounded to be honest, like a dying cat - he's in great need of some good vocal hygiene says the speech pathologist in me), maya and i sat on the curb, and oh did the array of personalities and lifestyles pass before our eyes. mom jeans mixed with teenie-bopper texters, to the over 40 crowd that probably just paid a lot of money to hang out and drink $5 miller lite. the extreme overabundance of "that guy" wearing the band t-shirt that they probably just bought at the merch table, to the tall lanky teenage white guy with glasses wearing a "crunk state university" shirt. the group of people that i think thought they were vampires that came out after the sun went down, walked very slowly in a small group and sported lots of corsets and long black capes, to the middle aged couple that looked they they had just gotten done with a 10 mile run, but probably were out moshing with kids (they were chugging and bathing in the water out of the pump by the porta-johns).
i love diversity.
the offspring was the "headliner" band of the night - i did feel obliged to stay for part of their show, and we lasted through probably 5 songs. i didn't think i was well-versed with their repertoire, until they started playing. i guess i hadn't realized number one, how long they've actually been around, and number 2, how they've basically made a living creating a bunch of would-be one-hit-wonders. the lead singer's voice is quite memorable, i'll give 'em that. i'm not going to say that some songs didn't take me back to yesteryear, but there were also songs (aka pretty fly for a white guy) that i didn't really need to re-live. no one REALLY does.
in reference to my title and in conclusion... i found it odd when i believe alkaline was playing that there was one guy that kept flipping them the bird instead of applauding. i couldn't figure out if that was a good thing or if he hated the band until the used started playing. it's quite a sight seeing thousands of people simultaneously extending their middle fingers in approval; still, unless provoked (as the masses were), is it really a good idea to do that sort of thing out of context? i guess i'll that leave that decision up to you. you like this post? you hate my guts? flip me the bird. that way your bases are covered.
post. script. if you're really curious about the pantera reference, i'll let you investigate that on your own. i did, and well, if that would've been what my tat was in reference to, those of you that know me would probably be very concerned right now. the thoughts and lyrics of pantera are not indicative of this blog author. listener discretion is advised. however, the fact that said man above thought that was my inspiration makes me way more badass (or maybe just more of an ass) than i actually am. not gonna lie - i kind of felt a little more awesome. perceptions are crazy things...
also known as the night i paid too much for concert tickets (thank you ticketmaster inconvenience fee), i went to the first "buzz under the stars" concert at city market. i really wanted to see anberlin and alkaline trio (two very different bands) which both were great. no lazer light shows (it was still daytime then anyway) - they played their music, actually sang, and rocked the faces off the people who didn't come to see them. i would've liked to have seen both of them play way longer than their allotted times and in smaller venues, but there will be other times in my life for that...
while alkaline was playing, an older fellow (who i'm sure has seen a few great concerts in his day, and was in major need of a dentist) approached me and asked me about one of my tattoos. the conversation went a little something like this:
man: "so my friend and i were talking. 'becoming.' now is that in reference to the song by pantera or to silence of the lambs?"
me: "um, neither actually. it just has personal significance."
man: "what's the significance?"
me: "well it's just in reference to me becoming more of the person i want to be in life."
man: "all right. what do you want to be?"
me: "well, i have a job and everything - it's really just about the process of me growing as a person. it's not about pantera or silence of the lambs. besides - i can't even watch horror movies because they freak me out."
man: "silence of the lambs is not a horror movie. that's real life. there are some f***ed up people in this world."
me: (laughing) "yeah, i guess there is. i still don't like watching those movies though."
man: "but you gotta tell me that you f***ing love pantera."
me: "um, i like pantera."
man: "that band is awesome. (his friend came up behind him - a short, stout fellow that looked like he'd belong at the beach - he didn't speak and was a little socially awkward) well you had me and my friend fooled then with that 'becoming!' not about pantera or silence of the lambs dude. well you have a good night. nice talking to you. hey, do you smoke weed?"
me: "no i don't, sorry."
man: "okay then. well you have a good night."
me: "thanks, you too."
love it.
since i wasn't in to the other bands there that night, most of the night was really spent people watching. it was a pretty fantastic environment for that. while the used was playing (or as the band announced themselves, "the f***ing used" - which i thought was rather redundant of them) my friend maya and i stood back with the less, well, with the older and wiser crowd and had a hay day observing everyone around us between the porta-potties and beer stations. during taking back sunday (whose music i don't mind, but were NOT good live - the lead singer cannot sing (or at least didn't demonstrate it that night) and sounded to be honest, like a dying cat - he's in great need of some good vocal hygiene says the speech pathologist in me), maya and i sat on the curb, and oh did the array of personalities and lifestyles pass before our eyes. mom jeans mixed with teenie-bopper texters, to the over 40 crowd that probably just paid a lot of money to hang out and drink $5 miller lite. the extreme overabundance of "that guy" wearing the band t-shirt that they probably just bought at the merch table, to the tall lanky teenage white guy with glasses wearing a "crunk state university" shirt. the group of people that i think thought they were vampires that came out after the sun went down, walked very slowly in a small group and sported lots of corsets and long black capes, to the middle aged couple that looked they they had just gotten done with a 10 mile run, but probably were out moshing with kids (they were chugging and bathing in the water out of the pump by the porta-johns).
i love diversity.
the offspring was the "headliner" band of the night - i did feel obliged to stay for part of their show, and we lasted through probably 5 songs. i didn't think i was well-versed with their repertoire, until they started playing. i guess i hadn't realized number one, how long they've actually been around, and number 2, how they've basically made a living creating a bunch of would-be one-hit-wonders. the lead singer's voice is quite memorable, i'll give 'em that. i'm not going to say that some songs didn't take me back to yesteryear, but there were also songs (aka pretty fly for a white guy) that i didn't really need to re-live. no one REALLY does.
in reference to my title and in conclusion... i found it odd when i believe alkaline was playing that there was one guy that kept flipping them the bird instead of applauding. i couldn't figure out if that was a good thing or if he hated the band until the used started playing. it's quite a sight seeing thousands of people simultaneously extending their middle fingers in approval; still, unless provoked (as the masses were), is it really a good idea to do that sort of thing out of context? i guess i'll that leave that decision up to you. you like this post? you hate my guts? flip me the bird. that way your bases are covered.
post. script. if you're really curious about the pantera reference, i'll let you investigate that on your own. i did, and well, if that would've been what my tat was in reference to, those of you that know me would probably be very concerned right now. the thoughts and lyrics of pantera are not indicative of this blog author. listener discretion is advised. however, the fact that said man above thought that was my inspiration makes me way more badass (or maybe just more of an ass) than i actually am. not gonna lie - i kind of felt a little more awesome. perceptions are crazy things...
Monday, January 19, 2009
dream
With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:
My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,
From every mountainside, let freedom ring!
And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.
*pictures taken today from murals in the 31st and troost area kc,mo
Sunday, January 11, 2009
an alarming story
i was listening to "this american life" on my way to church this morning and heard a captivating and yet alarming story. listen to "babies buying babies" and see what you think... my how this world will stop at nothing to embrace the familiar and reject that which is "other," even when it involves something as seemingly trivial as baby dolls.
p.s. after reading/listening to everything else on this author's website, i'm kind of obsessed with her. elna baker could be my first "new favorite thing" of 2009.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Sushi I ate, I went on a date, I met a girl named Kate in 2008
I thought about trying to make an alphabetical list of words/phrases that described my year and rhymed with 2008, but I quickly realized that would not have been enjoyable to read, or for that matter, create (ooh – that’s a good word though… *rethinks original decision, and then comes back to reality*). No one would want to read about how I did not fish with bait, how I moved a crate, or how I didn’t really get irate (except for that one time where I almost did). Still, I am going to write the say goodbye to ’08, say hello to ’09 blog post, because well, there’s a time of year to do that sort of thing, and that time is now. That’s reason and um, rhyme enough.
I had good intentions of trying to change my blog up this year and ask questions on it rather than just type my nonsense. Apparently questions extending beyond the ever-perplexing “Shalinn or Shaolin” bits don’t fly with you people. That’s okay though – I’m not bitter or anything… Side note – I’ll likely resume the whole fortune cookie vs. fortune kookie thing later – I’m obviously just not good at keeping up with the whole updating the blog thing. I blame that on my return journey back to facebook. That, and triangles. Don’t worry though; I have another stellar blog contest to embark upon. You’re gonna love it. Aside, complete…. Anyway, here’s some high and lowlights of the year that was… last year. I won’t make you answer any questions, I promise.
*My family said goodbye to my 106-year-old great-grandmother on January 17th of this year. She would’ve been 107 today actually. I’m sure she’d have something to say about the current financial state of the world, the fact that I’m still single, and that we’ve got a new president (yeah!)
*I continued the match.com journey for a brief stint and met a wonderful guy. Circumstances and life as it happens left us as friends. I didn’t know that I could feel so honored by someone voluntarily turning off the television to talk to me. He's taught me more than he may ever know.
*Leaving one job, interviewing and taking another one. I am happier now with what I am doing and perhaps what that may lead to in the future. I’ve gotten to see improvement in the lives of children and in some ways have gotten to see more clearly the circumstances that can work against them. It’s not fair, but is perhaps a greater opportunity for triumph.
*The Mexicants. Maya and I finally made it happen after over a year of talking about it. It’s fun and life-giving and one of these days we’ll perform our own music…and move beyond Grandview, MO (hopefully).
*Time off from work can rejuvenate a person and help them realize what other opportunities are available to them. I’m so grateful that I got to take the time to work with the wonderful children at Christ Church during VBS and at Christmas. They were wonderful and inspired me with their sweet hearts. Plus, they sang awesome. Getting back to teaching piano lessons was the right decision for me – my students remind me why I love music and why I love seeing people discover what they’re capable of. I literally sleep better at night because of this last summer.
*Obama. I took part in my first political campaign this year by volunteering and contributing. I’ve never watched as much news coverage as I did this year, and I never thought I could talk politics with people, especially people I didn’t know, but I did. What a growing experience it was for me to see what people in this city are passionate about and to see how things played out. I can only hope that no matter what happens from this point forward, people will start to care about something other than themselves. If we’re lucky, the U.S. can hopefully lead the way….and with any luck, listen and learn.
*London. Seriously. Need I say more? I got to go to London. I loved everything about it and can’t wait to go back to Europe.
*Weddings…oh my. I’ve seen some of my very best friends from past and present get married or engaged this year. Lots of sweet babies have been born (and created!) too, including the sweet baby I found out about last night ☺. I can’t wait to be aunt Shalinn (not biologically, mind you)!
*On a sadder, different note, I’ve seen more than one friend tragically lose their fathers, seen those I care about be abused, seen dreams and expectations shattered, seen illness and injury plague friends and family, and seen hearts break, including my own. I’ve seen people that won’t get out of their own way, and seen people that don’t realize who they really are and all that they could become in light of that. But perhaps the greatest tragedy is that of seeing the lonely not knowing they are loved, and me knowing that I can’t or in some cases don’t love them like I should or like I wish I could.
Well, New Year’s day is quickly coming to an end and I’ve written and re-written this last paragraph a gazillion times now, though no would know that since I decided to scrap it all just now. Bottom line, the word “I” was in it too much, and that just won’t do. This world is not about me or what I think or what I know or what I’ve learned this last year anymore than in previous years. And yet we’re all in this world here together where there’s beauty and tragedy and love to be found and experienced. Oh that Moulin Rouge line – the greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return. Let yourself be loved and love, even when it’s hard (on both fronts). Thanks for the grace you’ve extended to me this year readers… Happy 2009.
I had good intentions of trying to change my blog up this year and ask questions on it rather than just type my nonsense. Apparently questions extending beyond the ever-perplexing “Shalinn or Shaolin” bits don’t fly with you people. That’s okay though – I’m not bitter or anything… Side note – I’ll likely resume the whole fortune cookie vs. fortune kookie thing later – I’m obviously just not good at keeping up with the whole updating the blog thing. I blame that on my return journey back to facebook. That, and triangles. Don’t worry though; I have another stellar blog contest to embark upon. You’re gonna love it. Aside, complete…. Anyway, here’s some high and lowlights of the year that was… last year. I won’t make you answer any questions, I promise.
*My family said goodbye to my 106-year-old great-grandmother on January 17th of this year. She would’ve been 107 today actually. I’m sure she’d have something to say about the current financial state of the world, the fact that I’m still single, and that we’ve got a new president (yeah!)
*I continued the match.com journey for a brief stint and met a wonderful guy. Circumstances and life as it happens left us as friends. I didn’t know that I could feel so honored by someone voluntarily turning off the television to talk to me. He's taught me more than he may ever know.
*Leaving one job, interviewing and taking another one. I am happier now with what I am doing and perhaps what that may lead to in the future. I’ve gotten to see improvement in the lives of children and in some ways have gotten to see more clearly the circumstances that can work against them. It’s not fair, but is perhaps a greater opportunity for triumph.
*The Mexicants. Maya and I finally made it happen after over a year of talking about it. It’s fun and life-giving and one of these days we’ll perform our own music…and move beyond Grandview, MO (hopefully).
*Time off from work can rejuvenate a person and help them realize what other opportunities are available to them. I’m so grateful that I got to take the time to work with the wonderful children at Christ Church during VBS and at Christmas. They were wonderful and inspired me with their sweet hearts. Plus, they sang awesome. Getting back to teaching piano lessons was the right decision for me – my students remind me why I love music and why I love seeing people discover what they’re capable of. I literally sleep better at night because of this last summer.
*Obama. I took part in my first political campaign this year by volunteering and contributing. I’ve never watched as much news coverage as I did this year, and I never thought I could talk politics with people, especially people I didn’t know, but I did. What a growing experience it was for me to see what people in this city are passionate about and to see how things played out. I can only hope that no matter what happens from this point forward, people will start to care about something other than themselves. If we’re lucky, the U.S. can hopefully lead the way….and with any luck, listen and learn.
*London. Seriously. Need I say more? I got to go to London. I loved everything about it and can’t wait to go back to Europe.
*Weddings…oh my. I’ve seen some of my very best friends from past and present get married or engaged this year. Lots of sweet babies have been born (and created!) too, including the sweet baby I found out about last night ☺. I can’t wait to be aunt Shalinn (not biologically, mind you)!
*On a sadder, different note, I’ve seen more than one friend tragically lose their fathers, seen those I care about be abused, seen dreams and expectations shattered, seen illness and injury plague friends and family, and seen hearts break, including my own. I’ve seen people that won’t get out of their own way, and seen people that don’t realize who they really are and all that they could become in light of that. But perhaps the greatest tragedy is that of seeing the lonely not knowing they are loved, and me knowing that I can’t or in some cases don’t love them like I should or like I wish I could.
Well, New Year’s day is quickly coming to an end and I’ve written and re-written this last paragraph a gazillion times now, though no would know that since I decided to scrap it all just now. Bottom line, the word “I” was in it too much, and that just won’t do. This world is not about me or what I think or what I know or what I’ve learned this last year anymore than in previous years. And yet we’re all in this world here together where there’s beauty and tragedy and love to be found and experienced. Oh that Moulin Rouge line – the greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return. Let yourself be loved and love, even when it’s hard (on both fronts). Thanks for the grace you’ve extended to me this year readers… Happy 2009.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
even joe the plumber can easily vote for entry number 4
so i've noticed that the enthusiasm for this fine game has quickly diminished. still, don't let the man get you down. remember, in this economic crisis, you have nothing to lose by making this vote. you will not lose any money by voting in this shal vs. shao election. in fact, it could be the best decision you will ever make. or at least the best decision you've made all day. no bailouts necessary.
fortune number 4:
"An enjoyable vacation is awaiting you near the mountains."
shalinn or shaolin? you decide.
Friday, October 10, 2008
entry number 3
Sorry it's taken me a week to post again. Keep guessing - some of you have increased your point totals; congratulations on getting one step closer to the prize package!
Fortune number 3:
"New horizons will be revealed sooner than you think."
Shalinn or Shaolin? Take your guess!
Thursday, October 02, 2008
entry number 2
Thanks to all of you who have wagered a guess on entry number 1. I'm not going to tell those of you that have answered if you are correct/incorrect just yet, but I will tell you that some of you earned at least 1 point, and there are some of you who were awarded no points. May God have mercy on your soul.
Here's your next shot!
Fortune number 2:
"You will have much to be thankful for in the coming year."
Shalinn or Shaolin? Take your guess!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
entry number 1
So back by popular demand, I'm exploring my long lost "roots" from winter 2006, and creating yet another bloggame (pronounced BLAHgame thank you very much). Due to the insane popularity of "Dove or No Dove," I now bring you "Shalinn or Shaolin," a mind boggling game which invites to wager a guess as to whether or not the "fortune" you read below is written by me (Shalinn) or the "wisdom" of an actual fortune cookie (Shaolin). Simply leave a comment with your guess and be sure to check back every few days or so for updates. Like last time, I will be tallying the score and offering the winner a FABulous prize package, so go for the gold as if you were in Beijing! I think I'm going to wait to provide the answers until the end of the game, so encourage your friends and enemies to join in the fun!
Fortune number 1:
"Next week, green is a lucky color for you."
Extra bonus option - guess whether the lucky numbers are Shalinn or Shaolin:
11 12 25 37 40 42
FYI: I'm waving to you in my picture - not just showing off my stubby little hand!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Indescribable X
Three words. Skateboard Big Air.
For those of you that don't know, I'm a huge X Games fan. It's a serious love. I think I started watching them on ESPN2 during X Games 2 (it's now X Games 14 and has moved "up" to ESPN and ABC - I like to think of myself as being ahead of my time, which is really ridiculous). Especially growing up in a small town where riding tractors and combines were the norm instead of skateboards and BMX bikes, not many people knew of my love then, and most would not have understood why I thought it was awesome. It makes a lot of sense to me now knowing the person I've become, but I'm already tired of writing about myself in this post so I will desist.
The inspiration for this post actually comes from the amazing skateboarders I just watched in Big Air. Last year I was watching the competition as Jake Brown had the fall that ESPN replayed a gazillion times over and scared the crap out of me every time. A nearly 50 foot fall from which he got up and walked away. Incredible.
As if that weren't enough, this year's competition was even more impressive. First of all, Jake Brown was back in the competition this year. In his first competition run back, lays down a clean run (his first of a few) and ends up with a bronze. Amazing enough, but dude. There is not much more determination than that of Danny Way. This guy does a huge flip over the big ramp and then gets over 20 feet of air on the next trick, only to drop his board, clip both his feet on the edge of the ramp on his way down and bite it hard. Not as far of a fall as Brown's last year, but equally as scary, as any fall is. Get this though - after falling and limping off (with help) and appearing as if he was in intense pain, Way goes to the med group, gets checked out, and tells them that he's going back out not just to do one run, but to finish out the next 3 runs he has left. He tells the ESPN correspondent that he feels like his foot is broken and his shoulder and back are in intense pain, and the next thing you know, he's on his board heading back to the top of the ramp on the elevator. He then proceeds to do the exact same run that he just fell on, and land it clean. It was CRAZYass and though I usually don't use this vernacular on a regular basis, it was tight. How anyone has determination and ability like that is beyond anything I could ever imagine for myself. But it didn't end there. Way goes out and finishes out his next two runs, his last of which was clean and put him in first place. He reported that his entire body was in pain and he could barely walk, but he went for every last minute of it. He may not have been saving lives or anything, but for what he could do within his broken body on a skateboard, he did. I probably shouldn't be shocked - I mean the guy did mess up his ankle and then jump over the Great Wall of China. Still, I know that I have never pushed myself to my limits like that.
Bob Burnquist (who I've watched for years at X Games) ended up with the gold after his final run which resulted in a huge 360 with a blind landing, landing a squat position - he was fighting so hard even though he could've easily settled for silver. Back to back wins for him. Even with his excitement, he gets off his skateboard, hugs Way, and is moved to tears by Danny Way's courage (they're also good friends and are in a band together). It doesn't start off any better than this. I think part of what I love about this whole thing is that everyone is impressed with what the other guy is doing or did.
As I write, there isn't video available yet to post from the competition, but I'll get it on here when I can.
I'll be out of town tomorrow night for a very worthy cause, but look forward to seeing what I've missed and what's yet to come. Although it was on my list of things to do in my lifetime, I think that I've just forwarded it close to the top. I'm going to proclaim it. I'll be there in Los Angeles for X Games 15 watching it live. Who's coming with me?!
For those of you that don't know, I'm a huge X Games fan. It's a serious love. I think I started watching them on ESPN2 during X Games 2 (it's now X Games 14 and has moved "up" to ESPN and ABC - I like to think of myself as being ahead of my time, which is really ridiculous). Especially growing up in a small town where riding tractors and combines were the norm instead of skateboards and BMX bikes, not many people knew of my love then, and most would not have understood why I thought it was awesome. It makes a lot of sense to me now knowing the person I've become, but I'm already tired of writing about myself in this post so I will desist.
The inspiration for this post actually comes from the amazing skateboarders I just watched in Big Air. Last year I was watching the competition as Jake Brown had the fall that ESPN replayed a gazillion times over and scared the crap out of me every time. A nearly 50 foot fall from which he got up and walked away. Incredible.
As if that weren't enough, this year's competition was even more impressive. First of all, Jake Brown was back in the competition this year. In his first competition run back, lays down a clean run (his first of a few) and ends up with a bronze. Amazing enough, but dude. There is not much more determination than that of Danny Way. This guy does a huge flip over the big ramp and then gets over 20 feet of air on the next trick, only to drop his board, clip both his feet on the edge of the ramp on his way down and bite it hard. Not as far of a fall as Brown's last year, but equally as scary, as any fall is. Get this though - after falling and limping off (with help) and appearing as if he was in intense pain, Way goes to the med group, gets checked out, and tells them that he's going back out not just to do one run, but to finish out the next 3 runs he has left. He tells the ESPN correspondent that he feels like his foot is broken and his shoulder and back are in intense pain, and the next thing you know, he's on his board heading back to the top of the ramp on the elevator. He then proceeds to do the exact same run that he just fell on, and land it clean. It was CRAZYass and though I usually don't use this vernacular on a regular basis, it was tight. How anyone has determination and ability like that is beyond anything I could ever imagine for myself. But it didn't end there. Way goes out and finishes out his next two runs, his last of which was clean and put him in first place. He reported that his entire body was in pain and he could barely walk, but he went for every last minute of it. He may not have been saving lives or anything, but for what he could do within his broken body on a skateboard, he did. I probably shouldn't be shocked - I mean the guy did mess up his ankle and then jump over the Great Wall of China. Still, I know that I have never pushed myself to my limits like that.
Bob Burnquist (who I've watched for years at X Games) ended up with the gold after his final run which resulted in a huge 360 with a blind landing, landing a squat position - he was fighting so hard even though he could've easily settled for silver. Back to back wins for him. Even with his excitement, he gets off his skateboard, hugs Way, and is moved to tears by Danny Way's courage (they're also good friends and are in a band together). It doesn't start off any better than this. I think part of what I love about this whole thing is that everyone is impressed with what the other guy is doing or did.
As I write, there isn't video available yet to post from the competition, but I'll get it on here when I can.
I'll be out of town tomorrow night for a very worthy cause, but look forward to seeing what I've missed and what's yet to come. Although it was on my list of things to do in my lifetime, I think that I've just forwarded it close to the top. I'm going to proclaim it. I'll be there in Los Angeles for X Games 15 watching it live. Who's coming with me?!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
an affair to remember
kim and becca have a list. a summer "to do" list. it's summer "to do" list. and i helped. i helped them check two things off on one night, last night. it was their first twofer. it took our threesome to have a twofer.
the night started off by us all going to nkc, just across the bridge to a little (what we thought was going to be a) hole in the wall bar called denim and diamonds. if that title doesn't scare you, you're a stronger man/woman than i because i was a little frightened. i should not judge - but the website? not exactly high tech. i'm not an overly webby gal, and i learned enough java script independently during my college office job to create it. plus, i don't even like country music - i'm a country gal that happily resides in the city. the black clothing i frequently wear does not have fringe attached and my boots are stiletto and worn only in the winter with non-butt lengthening jeans. i at one time did live on a farm, and i did receive a pair of roper boots in 6th grade for christmas, with which my grandma accompanied a white button-down shirt with iron-on "country" appliques with a puff paint lining. i'm pretty sure my cousin and i only wore those miraculous shirts in the picture that my grandma took of us right after she gave them to us. she meant well i'm sure.
moving on, it was ladies night and the feeling's right. oh what a night. two bucks for us to get in, and fi'ty cent drinks. i'm totally down with drinking bud light if it costs me ye ol' half dollar. we went at 7:30 for line dancing lessons (the actual "list" activity), were surprised that we weren't the only ones there, and learned a nice little cha cha cha heel toe scootin' dance and a fast little hoppity hop number. not the official titles of the dances, but work with me here. in all reality, we did the few dances we knew and totally worked up a sweat, but spent most of our evening people watching. let me tell you, this was a very worthwhile activity. let me utilize an old nkotb tune to tell you about the merriment.
step one - we can have lots of fun.
watching the sweet old men dancers that were at least 80 years old and way better than we were at line dancing. so cute.
watching that guy in the plaid shirt that was dragged there by his girlfriend. what a trooper - he was really trying hard.
step two - there's so much we can do.
like watch people visit the "jail." we assumed this "jail" was a substantial amount of space that an entire party of people could fit in if they wanted to rent it for a special occasion. not so. it was available for birthdays or "special events" which was a loose term really. seven people visited the one to two person jail in a matter of a few hours. the likelihood that there were that many people celebrating their birth at denim and diamonds was about as likely as the applebee's employees actually believing that the entire volleyball team had birthdays on the same day. if you wanted to do shots from in between another person's legs and feel somebody up, that apparently sufficed as a "special event." the shots were your dessert, and everyone staring at you as the sirens went off and the sheriff (complete with sheriff leather vest and gold badge) drug you over to hold onto the jail bars to be frisked was your serenade. good times call for alcohol and scandalous public displays of lewdness (pdls). at least that's what i always say.
step three - it's just you and me.
and the "celebrities" that we met at the bar. a man referring to himself as will ferrell introduced us to the supposed john cusack who would be "buying us all drinks all night long." considering that drinks for us were 50 cents a pop, it was not exactly impressive. "will" told us that he'd make sure we had a 2 dollar tab at the bar waiting for us. *insert faux swoon* we also met the supposed chris cagle (some country singer i guess? not to be confused with the "kegel" of the kegel exercises - i'm not gonna lie; that's the only cagle i had ever heard of).
step four - i can give you more.
more tube tops (which were actually in short supply surprisingly), more mom jeans (and not just any mom jeans, but ladies in mom jeans dancing on a pole for everyone to watch. and not just ladies pole dancing in mom jeans, but men putting dollar bills in the pockets of the mom jeans on the ladies pole dancing), more cowboy hats, belt buckles, and handlebar mustaches (any combo of two became known as the "double decker;" those with all three were referred to as the "trifecta"), and more random people that i was not expecting to see at a place like that (such as the guy in the hawaiian shirt and sandals, and the pseudo-preppy guys in polos who surprisingly knew a lot of dances, and the occasional rockers who made me feel less out of place)
step five - don't you know that the time has arrived.
for the country music to take a crazy-ass turn into hip hop. to see many of the same (predominately caucasian) dancers go from two-stepping to "neon moon" to rubbin' up and down to "get low" within 1 second was a little cuckoo. three hip hop songs (two of which weren't really even danceable) in the middle of a country hoe down. ho down, hoe down. either one i suppose. two mom jeans ladies in the middle of the dance floor were quite disturbing as they recited all of the lil' jon lyrics and danced a dance that i'm sure they thought was a good idea, but i'm writing about them now, so they're famous in their own right i suppose.
all this said, i think we might be visiting that place again on ladies night. not my type of music or idea of a good fashion show, but my two-steppin' grandparents would be proud. i figure any place that would play "i like my women just a little on the trashy side" should make me feel comfortable. it means the bar is set low. get low.
oh, and we came back to my place (well, my aunt and uncle's place - house sitting is awesome) and made mojitos. check number two on their list. and all i could say was, "hello."
the night started off by us all going to nkc, just across the bridge to a little (what we thought was going to be a) hole in the wall bar called denim and diamonds. if that title doesn't scare you, you're a stronger man/woman than i because i was a little frightened. i should not judge - but the website? not exactly high tech. i'm not an overly webby gal, and i learned enough java script independently during my college office job to create it. plus, i don't even like country music - i'm a country gal that happily resides in the city. the black clothing i frequently wear does not have fringe attached and my boots are stiletto and worn only in the winter with non-butt lengthening jeans. i at one time did live on a farm, and i did receive a pair of roper boots in 6th grade for christmas, with which my grandma accompanied a white button-down shirt with iron-on "country" appliques with a puff paint lining. i'm pretty sure my cousin and i only wore those miraculous shirts in the picture that my grandma took of us right after she gave them to us. she meant well i'm sure.
moving on, it was ladies night and the feeling's right. oh what a night. two bucks for us to get in, and fi'ty cent drinks. i'm totally down with drinking bud light if it costs me ye ol' half dollar. we went at 7:30 for line dancing lessons (the actual "list" activity), were surprised that we weren't the only ones there, and learned a nice little cha cha cha heel toe scootin' dance and a fast little hoppity hop number. not the official titles of the dances, but work with me here. in all reality, we did the few dances we knew and totally worked up a sweat, but spent most of our evening people watching. let me tell you, this was a very worthwhile activity. let me utilize an old nkotb tune to tell you about the merriment.
step one - we can have lots of fun.
watching the sweet old men dancers that were at least 80 years old and way better than we were at line dancing. so cute.
watching that guy in the plaid shirt that was dragged there by his girlfriend. what a trooper - he was really trying hard.
step two - there's so much we can do.
like watch people visit the "jail." we assumed this "jail" was a substantial amount of space that an entire party of people could fit in if they wanted to rent it for a special occasion. not so. it was available for birthdays or "special events" which was a loose term really. seven people visited the one to two person jail in a matter of a few hours. the likelihood that there were that many people celebrating their birth at denim and diamonds was about as likely as the applebee's employees actually believing that the entire volleyball team had birthdays on the same day. if you wanted to do shots from in between another person's legs and feel somebody up, that apparently sufficed as a "special event." the shots were your dessert, and everyone staring at you as the sirens went off and the sheriff (complete with sheriff leather vest and gold badge) drug you over to hold onto the jail bars to be frisked was your serenade. good times call for alcohol and scandalous public displays of lewdness (pdls). at least that's what i always say.
step three - it's just you and me.
and the "celebrities" that we met at the bar. a man referring to himself as will ferrell introduced us to the supposed john cusack who would be "buying us all drinks all night long." considering that drinks for us were 50 cents a pop, it was not exactly impressive. "will" told us that he'd make sure we had a 2 dollar tab at the bar waiting for us. *insert faux swoon* we also met the supposed chris cagle (some country singer i guess? not to be confused with the "kegel" of the kegel exercises - i'm not gonna lie; that's the only cagle i had ever heard of).
step four - i can give you more.
more tube tops (which were actually in short supply surprisingly), more mom jeans (and not just any mom jeans, but ladies in mom jeans dancing on a pole for everyone to watch. and not just ladies pole dancing in mom jeans, but men putting dollar bills in the pockets of the mom jeans on the ladies pole dancing), more cowboy hats, belt buckles, and handlebar mustaches (any combo of two became known as the "double decker;" those with all three were referred to as the "trifecta"), and more random people that i was not expecting to see at a place like that (such as the guy in the hawaiian shirt and sandals, and the pseudo-preppy guys in polos who surprisingly knew a lot of dances, and the occasional rockers who made me feel less out of place)
step five - don't you know that the time has arrived.
for the country music to take a crazy-ass turn into hip hop. to see many of the same (predominately caucasian) dancers go from two-stepping to "neon moon" to rubbin' up and down to "get low" within 1 second was a little cuckoo. three hip hop songs (two of which weren't really even danceable) in the middle of a country hoe down. ho down, hoe down. either one i suppose. two mom jeans ladies in the middle of the dance floor were quite disturbing as they recited all of the lil' jon lyrics and danced a dance that i'm sure they thought was a good idea, but i'm writing about them now, so they're famous in their own right i suppose.
all this said, i think we might be visiting that place again on ladies night. not my type of music or idea of a good fashion show, but my two-steppin' grandparents would be proud. i figure any place that would play "i like my women just a little on the trashy side" should make me feel comfortable. it means the bar is set low. get low.
oh, and we came back to my place (well, my aunt and uncle's place - house sitting is awesome) and made mojitos. check number two on their list. and all i could say was, "hello."
Thursday, February 14, 2008
valen what?
maybe it's because i'm a speech-language therapist, or because i work in an urban school district, but i've found it nearly impossible to find any child that doesn't think today is valentiMe's day. even though it bothers me, i'm to the point that i don't even correct them anymore.
this being said however,
i hope your valentimes are happy times.
(and for those of you that know me personally, please re-read the statement above with a voice much like that of eddie murphy's donkey character in shrek. that's my favorite way to say it.)
this being said however,
i hope your valentimes are happy times.
(and for those of you that know me personally, please re-read the statement above with a voice much like that of eddie murphy's donkey character in shrek. that's my favorite way to say it.)
Monday, February 04, 2008
u2
One love
One blood
One life
You got to do what you should
One life
With each other
Sisters
Brothers
One life
But we're not the same
We get to
Carry each other
One blood
One life
You got to do what you should
One life
With each other
Sisters
Brothers
One life
But we're not the same
We get to
Carry each other
Sunday, January 20, 2008
life's about people
i have had the priviledge of knowing 6 of my 8 great-grandparents in my lifetime which is pretty amazing. perhaps the most amazing to me was my 106-year-old granny who passed away this last thursday. as part of a project in graduate school several years ago, i got to do an interview with her which revealed all sorts of interesting things that almost no one in my family knew. for instance - my grandfather was not the first person to propose marriage to her - he was just the first she said "yes" to (i think there were either 2 or 3 proposals prior, and one during her engagement). she had a college degree which was quite progressive in my opinion for a woman in the 1920s. she admittedly dated a guy for a long time just because he was a good dancer, and she continued to date guys while she was engaged to grandpa (he was away in medical school and he gave her permission to date. crazy!) my grandma had a strong faith in God, loved kentucky fried chicken and mcdonald's french fries, and knew more about current events, the stock market, and politics than i do. oh, and she watched dr. phil. pretty hilarious. i had always hoped that she would live to see me get married or at least get to meet my future husband - she was always asking me if i was dating someone (and she warned me not to get involved with doctors that were married - she saw something about it on dr. phil). that didn't happen obviously, but i figure that she was a pretty independent woman both before and after marriage (she outlived her husband by over 20 years and didn't even receive part-time nursing care until a couple years ago), so i like to think that she would be okay with my stage of life. even though her body gave out on her, her mind was solid until her passing. oh to be so fortunate... she was a gift.
question for this week (feel free to answer the other questions as well - i'm not giving up folks!): who has been a person that has inspired you?
question for this week (feel free to answer the other questions as well - i'm not giving up folks!): who has been a person that has inspired you?
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