Once again I feel old, but funnily, not as old as I did last year.
No it's not my birthday (at least not for another 21 days). It was my daughter's on the 20th of April. And she is officially a teenager, 13. Yes, I'm late writing about it, but we're still recovering. She had her friends over for a costume party (dress as your favorite anime character) where they danced and sang karaoke, and ate...a lot, no body image issues with these girls!
I have to say the best part of the party was at the beginning; a conversation with my brother.
Bro: Where you going?
Me (as I'm putting on socks and shoes): Away from here.
Bro: For the whole party?
Me: Yep.
Bro: Why?!
Me: There's going to be fourteen 13-year-old girls here. I do NOT want to be around for THAT!!
Bro (with stunned and scared look on his face): Me neither. Can I come?
I started laughing so hard at this point, he knew that I was joking with him. But really, I wish I had the camera in my hand to catch that look. It was priceless!
Now I have a picture of the Birthday Girl somewhere around here.....
Oh well, I'll add it in as soon as I find it.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Poke the mind and wake it up...
Some of the things I do to pull myself out of feeling down is to try and force my mind to think about "Truth" of things. In other words I turn to philosophy. Quite often this allows me to see how others view the world (at large and small). When someone says that they are depressed or experience something bad that happens in their life, there is usually an outpouring of others who fall into (in my opinion) three categories, those who empathize, those who had experienced the same thing and know what you are/have experienced, and those who like to play 'one-up-manship'.
Most people I know fall under the first two categories, and I just don't play with the third group. (No worries my fine readers; none of you fall under the third group)
However, in trying to discover My Truth, I have found that I need to understand others. This is a great ability for Arbitrators and Strategists; and the bane of my existence. It can be quite difficult for me to form my own opinion when I understand where and how the other side thinks. (And no end of a source of amusement for hubby. "Where do you want to eat tonight?" Also his downfall..."How about that new place where no one speaks English. We can order by pointing.")
Now expanding the mind can sometimes be fun. Just think back to when you hung out with friends and all the fun, weird and serious questions you asked each other. Now as all my friends have moved away (and you KNOW who you are...you deserters! :) ), those late nights and early mornings don't happen so much anymore. (I've tried it with my daughter, but she thinks I'm weird.)
So I'm bringing the questions here, to my blogging friends, the ones I, for the most part, have not met in person. I won't set a specific day to ask questions, but one will pop up every now and then, in a not so regular basis. You can leave a short answer or a long novel in the comments field, or answer it on your own blog (just remember to leave a reminder here so I can pop over and have a look). There is no right or wrong answer, just answer in Your Truth. All I ask is there be no flaming of another's answer, because what is the truth for me quite probably is not your Truth.
Now in honor of Heros starting back up for it's final episodes of the season, today (yeah! ooo, I hope it's not on at the same time as Drive. Weeeeee! It's not!!!!), I give you this question:
If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one ability or quality, what would it be?
My answer...
Understand the true motive that drives a person. Not just myself, but others as well. I thnk that once you know and understand the truth of someone, it makes it that much easier to get along with them.
Wouldn't that be the true path to globalization?
Most people I know fall under the first two categories, and I just don't play with the third group. (No worries my fine readers; none of you fall under the third group)
However, in trying to discover My Truth, I have found that I need to understand others. This is a great ability for Arbitrators and Strategists; and the bane of my existence. It can be quite difficult for me to form my own opinion when I understand where and how the other side thinks. (And no end of a source of amusement for hubby. "Where do you want to eat tonight?" Also his downfall..."How about that new place where no one speaks English. We can order by pointing.")
Now expanding the mind can sometimes be fun. Just think back to when you hung out with friends and all the fun, weird and serious questions you asked each other. Now as all my friends have moved away (and you KNOW who you are...you deserters! :) ), those late nights and early mornings don't happen so much anymore. (I've tried it with my daughter, but she thinks I'm weird.)
So I'm bringing the questions here, to my blogging friends, the ones I, for the most part, have not met in person. I won't set a specific day to ask questions, but one will pop up every now and then, in a not so regular basis. You can leave a short answer or a long novel in the comments field, or answer it on your own blog (just remember to leave a reminder here so I can pop over and have a look). There is no right or wrong answer, just answer in Your Truth. All I ask is there be no flaming of another's answer, because what is the truth for me quite probably is not your Truth.
Now in honor of Heros starting back up for it's final episodes of the season, today (yeah! ooo, I hope it's not on at the same time as Drive. Weeeeee! It's not!!!!), I give you this question:
If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one ability or quality, what would it be?
My answer...
Understand the true motive that drives a person. Not just myself, but others as well. I thnk that once you know and understand the truth of someone, it makes it that much easier to get along with them.
Wouldn't that be the true path to globalization?
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
I promise...I'm still living...
My seasonal depression is hit a lot harder than usual this year. As I don't want to inflict my pain on others, I've been leaving the blog blank. The stitching has been suffering too, so no pictures of those to share.
I have been reading in place of stitching and have actually run across a couple of books that I can't believe I haven't read before (believe me, I'm VERY shocked).
The first is "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. (See Amazon for the editorial review. I'd just repeat the same thing here.) Now the reason I probably didn't read earlier is because I had to read "The Fountainhead" in High School, and as a general rule in HS, if I was forced to read it as part of the curriculum, I automatically hated it. No reason, other than I was a stubborn-headed smart-ass; and we won't even get into my answers to the symbolism of "The Great Gatsby". Let's just say the the most heard comment from my teachers was "Lisa, your smart. If you'd just apply that knowledge for good..."
Yes, I was the one who ended a research paper with the sentences, "This whole paper as plagiarized from "XXX" because you gave me a failing grade on the paper where I voiced my own opinion and cited works you had never heard or read before. I'm interested in seeing what grade I get for this piece of tripe." I would like to note here that I DO NOT condone plagiarism and have never done so again. I was just being an ass at the time; which is still not a good reason. Side note #2: Is it plagiarism when you have the permission of the original creator of a research paper to copy it for this purpose? Either way, it was cheatign and I should have gotten a ZERO on it.
I got a "B". I don't know if its because the teacher liked it, or because she didn't want me in her class again. She obviously did NOT read the whole thing.
Back to Ayn Rand. As I like "Atlas Shrugged", I am older and in a different frame of mind and can appreciate the struggles of those in the novel, I'm thinking I may need to revisit "Fountainhead". For those who like reading and have not read either of these, if size of the novel is a deciding factor, start with "The Fountainhead" and it's 720 pages, compared to the 1200 pages that is "Atlas Shrugged".
Quite honestly, I picked up "Atlas" for the shear size. I have a tendency to browse libraries and bookstores and pick up the biggest book I can find to read, without know anything about the author. I've only been burned a couple if times.
Why do I go for the bigun's? I read quickly. For example, I read "Little Women" in 3 days. When I was 11.
The other book I've read recently in "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert A. Heinlein (Amazon link). Another on my "I'm shocked I haven't read this before" list. My husband had bought solely that it was Heinlein and he liked "Starship Troopers". (so did I, but that's another story) After reading "Stranger...", I find I'm going to have to read it again. I found myself more amused by his grandstanding on religion, than paying attention to the story. Not to say I don't know the story; I just need to reread to catch the nuances.
On the movie front, i got to see "Peaceful Warrior" and loved it. It's based on Dan Millman's book "Way of the Peaceful Warrior". Now a swear I've read the book before, but it's not on our shelves, so I have 1) not read it or 2) borrowed it from someone else. I'm thinking it's #2. I'll know for sure once I get a hold of copy and read it (again?). Even if you've never read the book, the movie was very good. Very inspiring. I'm not sure if it has released nationally yet (hubby had gotten free tickets and we had to drive to another town to see it...4 towns over), but check it out at http://www.thepeacefulwarriormovie.com/ . I would have paid full price to see it. Probably still will if I can find it in a theater again, definitely something my daughter needs to see.
If anyone would like to discuss/debate the above books or any other's I have read (I'll start posting them as i read them), or heck even recommend books, feel free to start something in the comments.
I have been reading in place of stitching and have actually run across a couple of books that I can't believe I haven't read before (believe me, I'm VERY shocked).
The first is "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. (See Amazon for the editorial review. I'd just repeat the same thing here.) Now the reason I probably didn't read earlier is because I had to read "The Fountainhead" in High School, and as a general rule in HS, if I was forced to read it as part of the curriculum, I automatically hated it. No reason, other than I was a stubborn-headed smart-ass; and we won't even get into my answers to the symbolism of "The Great Gatsby". Let's just say the the most heard comment from my teachers was "Lisa, your smart. If you'd just apply that knowledge for good..."
Yes, I was the one who ended a research paper with the sentences, "This whole paper as plagiarized from "XXX" because you gave me a failing grade on the paper where I voiced my own opinion and cited works you had never heard or read before. I'm interested in seeing what grade I get for this piece of tripe." I would like to note here that I DO NOT condone plagiarism and have never done so again. I was just being an ass at the time; which is still not a good reason. Side note #2: Is it plagiarism when you have the permission of the original creator of a research paper to copy it for this purpose? Either way, it was cheatign and I should have gotten a ZERO on it.
I got a "B". I don't know if its because the teacher liked it, or because she didn't want me in her class again. She obviously did NOT read the whole thing.
Back to Ayn Rand. As I like "Atlas Shrugged", I am older and in a different frame of mind and can appreciate the struggles of those in the novel, I'm thinking I may need to revisit "Fountainhead". For those who like reading and have not read either of these, if size of the novel is a deciding factor, start with "The Fountainhead" and it's 720 pages, compared to the 1200 pages that is "Atlas Shrugged".
Quite honestly, I picked up "Atlas" for the shear size. I have a tendency to browse libraries and bookstores and pick up the biggest book I can find to read, without know anything about the author. I've only been burned a couple if times.
Why do I go for the bigun's? I read quickly. For example, I read "Little Women" in 3 days. When I was 11.
The other book I've read recently in "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert A. Heinlein (Amazon link). Another on my "I'm shocked I haven't read this before" list. My husband had bought solely that it was Heinlein and he liked "Starship Troopers". (so did I, but that's another story) After reading "Stranger...", I find I'm going to have to read it again. I found myself more amused by his grandstanding on religion, than paying attention to the story. Not to say I don't know the story; I just need to reread to catch the nuances.
On the movie front, i got to see "Peaceful Warrior" and loved it. It's based on Dan Millman's book "Way of the Peaceful Warrior". Now a swear I've read the book before, but it's not on our shelves, so I have 1) not read it or 2) borrowed it from someone else. I'm thinking it's #2. I'll know for sure once I get a hold of copy and read it (again?). Even if you've never read the book, the movie was very good. Very inspiring. I'm not sure if it has released nationally yet (hubby had gotten free tickets and we had to drive to another town to see it...4 towns over), but check it out at http://www.thepeacefulwarriormovie.com/ . I would have paid full price to see it. Probably still will if I can find it in a theater again, definitely something my daughter needs to see.
If anyone would like to discuss/debate the above books or any other's I have read (I'll start posting them as i read them), or heck even recommend books, feel free to start something in the comments.
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