sevens all around...

Because I am occasionally a people pleaser, I've decided to take my friend April's suggestion that I complete the following. And here we are:

7 Things

7 Things I Want to Do Before I Die:
- Return to Europe
- Teach college
- Write a book (and yes, at this point, finishing my thesis would count)
- Balance my checkbook
- Grow old gracefully
- Fall madly and deeply in love with the right person
- Be content with my life exactly as it is

7 Things I Can Do:
- Laugh at myself
- Find the bright side
- Praise my Creator
- Love unconditionally
- Appreciate the wisdom of children
- Eat ice cream any minute of the day
- Rationalize and justify almost any impulse buy

7 Things I Can't Do:
- Whistle on a consistent basis
- Get my laundry under control
- Give up hope
- Keep groceries stocked
- Eat spinach
- Go a day without music
- Reach high places without a ladder

7 Things That Attract Me to the Opposite Sex:
- Shared faith
- Sense of humor
- Quick wit and intelligence
- Musical ability
- Being pursued
- Playful eyes and smile
- Personal authenticity

7 Things I Say Most Often:
- Crap!
- Well....
- So....
- That's awesome!
- Oy with the poodles already!
- Okay....
- Who, me??

7 Celebrity Crushes:
- George Clooney (I joke that he's my Hollywood husband)
- Luke Wilson (way better than Owen any day of the week)
- Brad Pitt (before that whole Angelina scandal)
- That guy from Coyote Ugly (not that I'm endorsing that film)
- Zach Braff (proof that humor trumps looks)
- John Mayer (I like musicians, sue me)
- Scott Patterson (aka: Luke Danes on Gilmore Girls)

thoughtful musings

It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinions; it is easy in solitude to live after your own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude. -- R. W. Emerson....Self-Reliance, 1841

boo

You know what music video really annoys me right now? That stupid multi-part series from R. Kelly. I'm all about my ghetto funk jams. But this one wears me out! It's even more irritating as R. Kelly is performing the whole series on the Music Video Awards. Let me end as I started this post: boooooooo!

Marky Mark

So the preacher at my church is Mark. Let me start by saying, I LOVE HIM! He totally cracks me up. Today, whilst eating lunch with some of the staff, Mark shares that he wants to take his teenage son camping to see if he likes it or not before investing in a good tent...so naturally, he asked Doug (the adult ed. and involvement minister....aka: Mr. Boy Scouts of America himself) if he could borrow one. Mark then gets off on a jag about how "camping" is a cuss word to his wife and daughter. In order to illustrate his point a little further, he uses it in the following manner: "You son of a camper!" I don't know if this translates as well to someone who a) wasn't there, b) doesn't know Mark, or c) both a and b. But let me tell you, I laughed a good hearty laugh over it.

time for some spice!

i decided it'd been too long since i'd changed my template...so enjoy the new look. who knows how long i'll keep it. and yes, this is the most exciting thing i've done today. i know you're jealous!

hmm

So I was thinking recently in some quiet time with my Father that He is really awesome and His plan for my life is perfect. Now I typically think this on a regular basis, but there are those beautiful ah-ha moments when the light goes off in my head and I not only believe it, but I KNOW it to my core in a way that is so profound and complete that there is no room to question, speculate, or doubt. And that's kind of where I've been residing lately. Can I tell you how incredible that is?!

It overwhelms me that our Creator took time to make me and didn't stop there, because he also takes the time to love me, to forgive me, to discipline me, to continually mold me so that I am more like Him. ME. He does that for ME! I don't deserve it and could never even try...but He knew that from the beginning and was willing to have a go with me anyway.

And what's even better is the knowledge that He'll never leave me, He'll never forsake me, and He is working for my good because I love Him. He has a plan for me. A whole, long, thought-out plan that I can actually accomplish because He's going to help me. Out of the billions of people on this planet, God is taking time out of his busy day for me. He doesn't even have to check His Palm Pilot or pencil me in on His day planner. He thinks I'm that special.

Anyway, that's just something I was thinking about and wanted to share.

Caring Sisters

This is one of the many lovely gifts I received from my Caring Sister at church. She knows me so well....

vanity schmanity

I'm an opinionated person and despite the general fluff I post on this blog for entertainment's sake, there are plenty of other things I ponder and discuss with others. One such thing is this new breed of men and women who have opted against drinking and drugging and instead select a new drug of choice: the euphoria of an ego boost.

I think it's fairly safe to generalize that most people enjoy a good compliment. And even further, the knowledge that someone finds you attractive or might be interested in you provides a higher level of personal satisfaction and positive self-concept. There's nothing wrong with that. Where this gets a bit twisted is when people toy with and manipulate others in order to achieve this self-esteem "high."

I saw an episode of Kept on VH1, a new contest-based "reality show" on which men vie for the opportunity to be Jerry Hall's "kept man." These guys have signed up for this vanity show of their own volition. But I still am quite intrigued by the whole situation.

What are your thoughts?

a mighty wind is blowin'...

Wow...today was a day unlike many others. I was in the midst of a crazy afternoon. I had about a million errands to run for work. One was a stop at Sam's Club where I had to purchase an enormous amount of food and beverage for a cookout tomorrow. That is the scene for this most unfortunate event: the Sam's Club parking lot.

I was minding my own business as I was unloading my flatbed cart full of stuff into my car. And then it happened -- a mighty wind came blowing by and decided it needed to take my skirt up with it! Horror! And then it turned hilarious as I turned around and saw that not one but two Hare Krishna guys had the misfortune of walking by just in time to catch the 3pm showing of...well...me.

I'm not sure what Hare Krishna would be doing at Sam's other than perhaps buying flowers in bulk. Last I checked, our local Sam's didn't stock hand drums or tambourines. Since their bright orange robes looked brand-spanking-new and kinda itchy, maybe they wanted some Tide and Downy to do some laundry. I don't know. But what I do know is that whatever was on their list, they got more than their wholesale membership bargained for today.

Interesting Quiz

I wasn't going to do another quiz for awhile, but Stacey had this one on her blog so of course I had to take it. And the results were fairly interesting. I'm not sure why it makes me sound like a charming hooker, but....


Your Existing Situation
Works well in cooperation with others. Needs a personal life of mutual understanding and freedom from discord.

Your Stress Sources
Feels that life has far more to offer and that there are still important things to be achieved--that life must be experienced to the fullest. As a result, she pursues her objectives with a fierce intensity that will not let go of things. Becomes deeply involved and runs the risk of being unable to view things with sufficient objectivity, or calmly enough; is therefore in danger of becoming agitated and of exhausting her nervous energy. Cannot leave things alone and feels she can only be at peace when she has finally reached her goal.

Your Restrained Characteristics
The situation is preventing her from establishing herself, but she feels she must make the best of things as they are.
Circumstances force her to compromise and to forgo some pleasures for the time being. Capable of achieving physical satisfaction through sexual activity.

Your Desired Objective
Wants interesting and exciting things to happen. Able to make herself well-liked by her obvious interest and by the very openness of her charm. Over-imaginative and given to fantasy or day-dreaming.

Your Actual Problem
Has a fear that she might be prevented from achieving the things she wants. This leads her to employ great personal charm in her dealings with others, hoping that this will make it easier for her to reach her objectives.