Ok, I already failed. I said I would start Saturday, and it is now Monday. We must start by keeping the promises we make to ourselves. I'm sure someone wise once said that. Whatever, get over it.
LIFE: As I mentioned, I'm back in Chicago now. Officially. My sainted parents helped me move into my beautiful new apartment in eclectic Lincoln Square that I will be sharing with two of my dearest friends. Pretty much everything is put in its place, and there are only a few boxes to be emptied and tossed. It's nice to feel settled once more. I also started back at Chicago Apartment Finders, one of those rare corporate jobs that allows me the freedom I need in my "career," while not being a restaurant. I don't do service. Mostly because I'm really, really bad at it. Not the friendly, warm, inviting part, but the actual putting in orders and getting them out in a relaxed, yet timely manner part. This really is an ideal job for me, and the commute is super easy on my favorite of all Els, the Brown one. Life is.....Good!
CAREER: I've got an audition for Avenue Q set up for next weekend. Super excited about that. Plus, I've been browsing at work, and have four submissions to do with my time off tomorrow. Hopefully by the end of the week I will have four more auditions set up in the next month. Let's do this, Chicago.
POLITICS: The GOP candidates are terrifying. TERRIFYING.
FOOD: Haven't really had time to "cook" anything but turkey sandwiches in the last two days, but I did enjoy some tasty Greek cuisine at Melanthios on Broadway last night. Excellent flaming cheese. I've been doing some recipe browsing and am excited to start playing in my beautiful new kitchen.
WEIGHT-LOSS: Well, I stayed in my calorie limit yesterday, plan to today, and I'm taking a yoga class tomorrow night with Kate that should jump-start my drive for working out again. If it doesn't kill me from being so terribly out of practice, that is.
SELF: I've discovered, in the process of moving, what an organized little adult I've become. I thoroughly enjoy making my bed and finding a spot for every little thing. My mother, I'm sure, is fainting from disbelief. Now, if only I could discover the desire to hang pictures/mirrors/towel racks/etc. If you would like to assist me in this, please don't hesitate.
Mostly, I'm just thrilled to be back, starting new adventures and finding new routines. I feel like a healthier happier person (regardless of the extra lbs), so I'm ready to tackle any and everything. And....
Away. We. Go.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
about New Beginnings
Seems like I'm always "starting again" on this thing. Maybe it doesn't matter how long of a break you take, so long as you come back? Yeah, we'll go with that.
It's been a whirlwind of a half-year, folks. I moved "homes" four times (number five is this Saturday, back to Chicago), went through a break-up, found some more of "me" in Colorado, added four shows to my resume in my favorite theatre and community, spent a luxurious six weeks in my parents' home in Des Moines, and gained about 10 pounds. Most of these things have in some way influenced me for the better. I'll give you one guess which (10) didn't......
So, here I am again, vowing to be more consistent and diligent, and feeling like this might actually be the one that sticks. As I mentioned, I'm moving back to Chicago to a beautiful three bedroom in Lincoln Square with my even more beautiful friends Christina and Beth. I've decided that I'm going to be utilizing this space as an outlet for my journeys in my everyday life, career, politics, cooking, weight-loss, spirituality and self-discovery. I'll plan on giving a quick update on each topic EVERY DAY. Starting Saturday, obviously. I'm far too busy to try to handle that now. And if you think I'm trying to exercise and eat well in my last few days at home, you're out of your mind.
Wish me luck, and away we go!
xoxo
It's been a whirlwind of a half-year, folks. I moved "homes" four times (number five is this Saturday, back to Chicago), went through a break-up, found some more of "me" in Colorado, added four shows to my resume in my favorite theatre and community, spent a luxurious six weeks in my parents' home in Des Moines, and gained about 10 pounds. Most of these things have in some way influenced me for the better. I'll give you one guess which (10) didn't......
So, here I am again, vowing to be more consistent and diligent, and feeling like this might actually be the one that sticks. As I mentioned, I'm moving back to Chicago to a beautiful three bedroom in Lincoln Square with my even more beautiful friends Christina and Beth. I've decided that I'm going to be utilizing this space as an outlet for my journeys in my everyday life, career, politics, cooking, weight-loss, spirituality and self-discovery. I'll plan on giving a quick update on each topic EVERY DAY. Starting Saturday, obviously. I'm far too busy to try to handle that now. And if you think I'm trying to exercise and eat well in my last few days at home, you're out of your mind.
Wish me luck, and away we go!
xoxo
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
about Lent
I am not a Catholic. Nowadays, I'm not even a church-goer. I was raised in an incredibly accepting, liberal Episcopalian church where I was encouraged to challenge accepted doctrines and think for myself when it comes to Christianity and spirituality in general. (Shout out to St. Andrew's of Des Moines) As a result, I consider my current relationship with God(de), Mother Earth, Buddha, Allah, whichever name you subscribe to to be pretty rock solid. I subscribe to Jesus the Hippie-Christ's teachings about compassion toward my fellow humans and the world. Considering my own interpretation of things is pretty loosie-goosie liberal, it may come as a shock that I have decided, for the first time since, oh, going through confirmation, to give something up for Lent.
I'm taking the 40-day challenge like most of the giver-uppers of the world: As an opportunity to change a habit I've adopted for my hopeful betterment. Now, I suppose that's a fairly selfish way of looking at things considering what a total giver Jesus was. Maybe our Lenten fasts would be better directed at the less fortunate. Giving the $3 a day you spend on morning coffee to a charity of your choice, perhaps. Well, in my case, just letting that $3 a day sit in my charity-case of a bank account.
I guess my point is, whether it's counting calories (which I've also vowed to give up NOT doing), admonishing Facebook, or ridding your vocabulary of curse words, if it takes a little push from religious guilt (or inspiration from a cool peace-and-love prophet) to make you work a little harder, so be it. As I count my calories and brew my own coffee, I send all of you the best of luck in your own life-changes. May we continue them well past our 40 days.
I'm taking the 40-day challenge like most of the giver-uppers of the world: As an opportunity to change a habit I've adopted for my hopeful betterment. Now, I suppose that's a fairly selfish way of looking at things considering what a total giver Jesus was. Maybe our Lenten fasts would be better directed at the less fortunate. Giving the $3 a day you spend on morning coffee to a charity of your choice, perhaps. Well, in my case, just letting that $3 a day sit in my charity-case of a bank account.
I guess my point is, whether it's counting calories (which I've also vowed to give up NOT doing), admonishing Facebook, or ridding your vocabulary of curse words, if it takes a little push from religious guilt (or inspiration from a cool peace-and-love prophet) to make you work a little harder, so be it. As I count my calories and brew my own coffee, I send all of you the best of luck in your own life-changes. May we continue them well past our 40 days.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
about turning 24.....
I turn 24 tomorrow. I realize this isn't the most "monumental" of ages one turns in a lifetime, but it's a new year nonetheless. I thought, in celebration, I would post 24 pieces of wisdom I've gained in the last 24 years. I hope you enjoy, whoever you are.
1. No matter where life takes you, and no matter how happy and successful you are there, you will always miss "home." I'm talking to you, Des Moines.
2. Even though college wasn't all that long ago, and you aren't nearly as busy and stressed out now as you were when you were there, your ability to consume the amounts of alcohol you did in a week in college goes away once you step off the stage with your diploma in hand. And you will spend the rest of your life (I assume) wondering how the hell you ever did it.
3. The baristas at Starbucks are the most genuinely friendly people in the customer service industry. Just you TRY to be grumpy when they've memorized your drink order and work schedule and always use your name when they wish you a Happy Wednesday.
4. Sometimes, you should just eat pizza.
5. Your girlfriends are the best people in the world.
6. Sometimes, the only person you want is your Mommy. And she's the greatest.
7. You will never beat your boyfriend at Mario. Especially when it's really more "his" generation's game.
8. If you have big brothers, they'll never stop protecting you. Or teasing you.
9. Being an Auntie is wonderful.
10. You cannot control your feelings. Embrace the bad days. Hug 'em hard.
11. You CAN control your reactions. Think before you speak. Or act.
12. Shit happens. We almost always come out stronger on the other end.
13. It takes more strength to forgive than to resent.
14. Sometimes you will have no money. Negative money. Zilch...........................................it sucks....................................that's all I got for that one.
15. Sometimes you have the best audition in the world, and the director doesn't even look up from their table. Chances are, the next one will.
16. The Beatles are always right.
17. Your dad is always the greatest guy in the whole wide world.
18. Sometimes you don't work out, eat too much, and gain a few pounds. The only thing you can do is smile, and then do the opposite of those things. Beating yourself up is not an effective diet and exercise program.
19. Relationships are hard. Love is incredible.
20. Your political convictions are strong. Those with opposite views have convictions that are just as strong. The liberal ones are usually correct.*
21. There is no bad mood a viewing of Titanic, Pride and Prejudice, Love Actually, Anchorman or You've Got Mail can't correct. (different movies for different moods, you see)
22. If you've been to London, you will ALWAYS think about when you will go back.
23. We are never done learning. Every day, person, experience is an education. And you don't have to take loans out for the school of life! But one of your lessons will include budgeting around your student loan debt....
24. The world is scary. War, terrorism, natural disasters, global warming, diseases, Republicans*, lions and tigers and bears OH MY. Chances are, you won't be the one to cure cancer, end all destruction, and figure out a way to halt global warming in its tracks. "All you need is love," and, as I mentioned in #16, the Beatles are always right. Random acts of kindness and love can make all the difference. And you should start by loving yourself.
*Blanket statements about political parties are usually a bad idea, but, come on. They're trying to redefine rape, keep people who are in love from getting married, and fire justices for UPHOLDING the Constitution. Forgive me for being a little bitter. I'm gonna love you extra hard and hope you learn how to do the same for YOUR neighbors, Glenn Beck and friends.
Thanks for indulging me, whoever you are. Here's to the year of 24!!
Monday, January 24, 2011
about guns...
I try very hard not to use the word "hate." In my opinion, hate is what is destroying the world, so throwing the word around casually is just not a good idea.
However, I hate, despise, and detest with every fiber of my being, guns. My hate has risen in the last few weeks when gun-related tragedies and deaths seem to have taken over the news.
I respect a hunter's right to a gun for their sport and non-human killing, as long as they are heavily licensed and their guns are heavily protected when not in their own safe hands.
The second amendment, much like many passages in the Bible, was put in the Constitution when the times were different, and we had to make rules about situations that just don't apply anymore, i.e. the need for an active militia. Hello, it's just NOT necessary anymore. I know people will disagree, "if we had a militia, we could take these crazies out once and for all; I have a right to protect my family; blah blah blah." And I've heard the "Guns don't kill people, people kill people" argument so many times I could vomit. You're right. But it's a lot easier to kill with a gun than with, say, a taser.
I know I blogged in the fall about making a little more love in the world, and here I am yapping about it again. Love is so much stronger than hate, and it could kick the shit out of your stupid little rifle. I really dislike that we feel the need to arm ourselves in order to "feel safe." I can't imagine anything that would make me feel less safe. I wish I could bake a cake filled with sunshine and rainbows that I could shove in every barrel of every gun and smear it on every wire or liquid that could be constructed into an explosive device and they would be completely devoid of anything useful in the destruction or death of any man, woman, child, institution, building, etc. and we would have NO CHOICE but to turn to each other with open arms and say, I love you. I don't know how, but I believe in the strength of humanity, and I believe in our ability to wake up and change one day. And I hope it happens in my lifetime.
However, I hate, despise, and detest with every fiber of my being, guns. My hate has risen in the last few weeks when gun-related tragedies and deaths seem to have taken over the news.
I respect a hunter's right to a gun for their sport and non-human killing, as long as they are heavily licensed and their guns are heavily protected when not in their own safe hands.
The second amendment, much like many passages in the Bible, was put in the Constitution when the times were different, and we had to make rules about situations that just don't apply anymore, i.e. the need for an active militia. Hello, it's just NOT necessary anymore. I know people will disagree, "if we had a militia, we could take these crazies out once and for all; I have a right to protect my family; blah blah blah." And I've heard the "Guns don't kill people, people kill people" argument so many times I could vomit. You're right. But it's a lot easier to kill with a gun than with, say, a taser.
I know I blogged in the fall about making a little more love in the world, and here I am yapping about it again. Love is so much stronger than hate, and it could kick the shit out of your stupid little rifle. I really dislike that we feel the need to arm ourselves in order to "feel safe." I can't imagine anything that would make me feel less safe. I wish I could bake a cake filled with sunshine and rainbows that I could shove in every barrel of every gun and smear it on every wire or liquid that could be constructed into an explosive device and they would be completely devoid of anything useful in the destruction or death of any man, woman, child, institution, building, etc. and we would have NO CHOICE but to turn to each other with open arms and say, I love you. I don't know how, but I believe in the strength of humanity, and I believe in our ability to wake up and change one day. And I hope it happens in my lifetime.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
about being right...
Sometimes, it really sucks. Sometimes, you'd give anything to just be wrong, because then you can shake it off, crack it up to petty jealousy and move on. The implications of right, i.e. the pain, the anger, the inadequate explanations, and the ultimate destruction of something you put so much hope and faith into, are pretty heartbreaking.
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