I Shall Not…
Posted on December 30, 2007 - Filed Under brain farts, resolutions
It’s that time again - the dreaded New Year’s resolutions. Promises we make to ourselves with the hope that we will somehow improve our lives, ourselves, our worlds. Personally, I’ve always hated the concept that a new calender year should somehow morph us into people who we aren’t.
So, instead of resolutions, I’ve come up with a list of shall nots that I will not be doing this year:
- I shall not go on a diet or resolve to remake my body in any way designed to raise my self esteem or self worth, rather I will celebrate who I am and how I look, cellulite and all.
- I shall not quit any bad habits but rather dispose of the guilt I suffer from partaking in them.
- I shall not be more positive, happier, kinder or nicer but rather will continue to be myself - speak and express my real and genuine feelings, opinions and ideas.
- I shall not force myself to complete incomplete projects but rather savor whatever time I can spend on them and the creativity they excite.
- I shall not plan or prepare for the futher whether emotionally or financially, but rather I will live in the present building my future one moment at a time.
- I shall not get organized, catagorized or sanitized, but rather I will embrace my stacks of magazines, toppling tower of books, endless scraps of paper with notes & ideas and name the dust bunnies who live under my bed.
- I shall not eat right, cut out fat, sugar, carbs or any other foodstuff that caresses my tastebuds but rather I will enjoy my food more, savoring every morsel and thank God for my bounty.
- I shall not take stock of my life and determine all of the many things that require change and improvement but rather will accept myself for the unique and infinitely flawed human being that I am.
- I shall not get a better job with more money and benefits but rather find work that satisfies and rewards me and does not ask for my soul if I do not want to give it.
- I shall not endeavor to make a difference because I know that I already do, as do all of us, simply by being who we are.
- I shall not seek to find someone special, go on blind dates or be party to any other ploy designed to find me a mate but rather find the specialness in everyone I meet.
- But most of all, I shall not regret any mistakes, missteps or failures but rather treasure the lessons that they teach me.
That’s my list, what’s yours?
Have a happy new year, celebrate, be safe, be happy.
WC
Timeless
Posted on December 30, 2007 - Filed Under I love movies!, classics, favorites, writing
One of the things that made this Christmas so wonderful for me was that I received a dvd of one of my all time favorite movies, To Kill a Mockingbird. Though admittedly, I hadn’t seen it for many, many years, it always remained in my heart as a story that was timeless and whose lessons could never die.
Last night, I popped it into the dvd player and sat back to re-experience this wonderful story. I’m sure most of you have seen it or have read the book - and I’m not going to detail the plot here but I wanted to just reiterate what really good fiction does.
Quite simply, it speaks to life. It is real. It immerses you in its world and does not release you until the story is told and sometimes holds you long after the story is done. The characters somehow endear themselves to you and become part of your lexicon and soul’s self. At least for me, that is what this story does.
Scout, who is the narrator and from whose point of view the story is told - is the classic tomboy, free thinking, irrepressible and an unassuming hero who sees the world through a special and wonderful way. Her brother, Jem, is Scout’s confidant, protector and best friend. Atticus, Scout’s father, is her hero, a constant source of suprise and wonder to her. None of these characters make any attempt to be anything other than what they are - they just are. They all make you believe that being who you are is the best thing you could be and that living a life of value and community means something.
You cannot read this story and walk away unchanged. You cannot see this movie and feel the same as you did before you watched it. Personally, I wouldn’t want to. Secretly, I always wanted to be Scout. To have her courage and pluck - her own world view. And maybe in some small way I have - I hope so.
Good fiction, owns you - and really it shouldn’t be any other way.
WC
Maxine is my Hero
Posted on December 29, 2007 - Filed Under Humor, Just For Fun, brain farts
Last night my sister and I were sitting in the den and I said to her, I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle to keep me alive. That would be no quality of life at all. If that ever happens, just pull the plug.
So she got up, unplugged the computer, and threw out my wine.
She’s such a bitch.
(H.T. to my sister, Kat. WC)
Kosovo Karaoke
Posted on December 28, 2007 - Filed Under Humor, brain farts, cool cats, our troops
You’ve gotta love these guys - out in the middle of no-man’s land and they come up with a Beach Boy parody. I got a good chuckle out of this, hope you do too. WC
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/smlrSYiYd_o&rel=1]
Lessons Learned
Posted on December 27, 2007 - Filed Under Dear Readers..., breathe, joy
During these last few weeks, my mind has decluttered, my jaw has unclenched and I’ve been able to see a few things - or maybe realize a few things. And possibly understand what people mean when they talk about lessons that life presents for one to learn. It’s been nice to get to know myself again and this few weeks has been more than getting some much needed rest.
I’ve learned that
- I’m not a morning person. Even though I tend to wake up early, I’m only good for coffee and reading until about ten o’clock. No wonder I always groaned when the alarm went off.
- I don’t like being the boss, which is not to say I don’t like being in charge. But being the boss is that horrible crappy job of being between the workers and the owners and it’s terrible. No one likes you, everyone protests what you want them to do and in the end you can’t save people from themselves, despite the fact that that is what you were hired to do.
- I don’t like stress. While this seems obvious, no likes stress, right? Well, I used to think that I did. In fact, I believed that I thrived on it - controversy, being on the edge, pushing the envelope, all that exciting stuff really got my blood and adrenaline pumping. What I didn’t realize is that it was eating me up too. It isn’t actually exciting to live a life filled with conflict and opposition, it’s debilitating.
- A long walk cures just about anything. Put a pair of sneakers on my feet and leash up the doggie and we’re ready. I’ve been forcing myself to walk everyday since I started my ‘vacation’. And despite my grumpy voice protesting its head off and trying to keep me sitting on my fat arse, I somehow manage to get out there each morning. After about 10 minutes, my muscles stop protesting, my breathing regulates and my mind declutters. I start to see what’s all around me, feel the fresh air on my face, in my lungs and the sunshine dancing along my shoulders and it feels good to be alive. Just to be alive.
- Life is too short to be unhappy. Period. It’s a waste of time and energy to live an unhappy life and there is no good reason to do it. Not for friends, family or anyone. No one is served by being a martyr. If you’re in a bad situation, get out of it - it won’t get any better and no one will appreciate your sticking it out and suffering in their behalf.
- Money doesn’t matter all that much to me. I only need it for the things that I need, which isn’t much. It’s better to make less money and be happy in your work, with a heart and mind at peace than it is to have to practically kill yourself to have lots of money so you can have lots of things. Who needs things?
- I have my own pace and rhthym. I don’t like to hurry or to hit the ground running. I like to wake up the way a flower opens to the sun, slowly and deliberately. I want to see the day that is unfolding in front of me, not rush past it in my race to get to somewhere that I can see nothing but the next task to be done.
- I like myself. I really didn’t know that and maybe I didn’t believe that. But I know it now.
- I am truly loved. Again something I didn’t know or believe- but now I do
I suppose I could go on and on, as things like this tend to do so but I’ll leave it here. How about you, what have you learned lately?
Annie
Can You Actually Get Drunk on Food?
Posted on December 26, 2007 - Filed Under Holiday, Just For Fun, brain farts, dining experience, i'm hungry
Well, I don’t know about you guys, but my answer to that question is, ah..yeah!
I’m afraid we all just try to cram to much joy into too few days this time of year. I actually was quite careful not to eat too much. But when you go to all the parties, plus dig into all the gifts of cookies and treats, via your friendly postman, I guess you’re kidding yourself about watching what you eat.
Not only did I eat, but man did I cook. Yesterday, while preparing the final (hopefully) holiday feat I realized I was dog-tired and I couldn’t figure out why. Then I realized I’d been cooking for a week. First, was all the baking for the postman, my mechanics, the neighbors and so on. Then I made a huge pan of sweet pertater scuffle for Erin’s Christmas party, then the vat of beef veggie soup for Zelda’s Christmas Eve party, which takes two days because you have to do the roast first and since the pot was essentially the size of my sink, I couldn’t cook it up the night before, so up at the crack of dawn. The hilarious thing was trying to fit it into my car in a position that wouldn’t slosh it all over the leather seats on my way to Zelda’s. The next challenge was getting it out of the car and carrying it to Zelda’s front door without throwing my back out. Soup is heavy. Who knew?
Then, once I gained entrance into Zelda’s house, I had the terrible realization that since Zelda doesn’t cook, I had slicing, dicing, chopping and plating to do, which was another hour or so. And finally, on Christmas day, the traditional ham dinner with pie and scalloped potatoes and biscuits and, and, and… Cripes, no wonder I was ready for a nap by noon.
In fact, I’m still in my jammies, sucking down coffee and thinking that I’ll spend the day in bed, reading, unless that’s too exhausting then I’ll just stay in bed. 
And the food, oh the food, was just so yummy, I had to ‘try’ a little bit of everything. From sweet potater scuffle to the homemade fudge Debbie sent me, to chocolate covered Macadamia’s, tea cookies, brownies, turkey, ham, roast beef. I even managed a couple of gulps of wine.
Can you pass the carb blockers, please? Oh and I’ll have a double alka-seltzer while you’re at it. This morning I woke up and felt positively hungover. No lie.
Of course, I’ll vow never to do it again, only to repeat it next year.
But, it’s hard to complain. Lots of food, lots of friends and just a really good time. From all the presents given and recieved, phone calls and Instant Messaging with friends I don’t get to talk to enough to classic movies watched by the light of Christmas trees and fireplaces. It was all good. All good.
Hope you all had a great time too.
Annie
All Is Calm
Posted on December 24, 2007 - Filed Under Christmas, Dear Readers..., good wishes
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m pretty Christmas-ed out, as far as Christmas posts go.
Tomorrow is the big day and we’ll rip open packages given to us by those we love as they will the ones we have bestowed. We’ll settle in for a big meal, probably too big, but oh so tasty and possibly a Christmas movie or two. If it’s cold enough, maybe we’ll even get a fire going.
But mostly, we’ll give thanks for all the blessings in our lives - family, friends, snow-sprinkled nights, laughter and love. And prayers will go out to those far away who can’t be at our holiday table and whom we keep in our hearts.
I have to say that this year has been the most peaceful Christmas I have ever had in my life. Not because I don’t have a million things to do, because I have, nor because I’m not cooking up a storm, because I am - honestly, I don’t know why I feel as I do. I only know that I don’t have that horrible aniticipation, obsession, gift-craving, joy-forcing, monster wearing my skin this year. And you know what? It feels good.
I hope that every Christmas I have in the future feels just as this one does, calm, peaceful and filled with love and goodwill. And I wish for all of you the very same.
Love,
Annie
Hahahaha hohoho
Posted on December 23, 2007 - Filed Under Humor, Just For Fun, brain farts
(H.T. to Ger for sending these along. WC)
A Heartfelt Thanks
Posted on December 21, 2007 - Filed Under Christmas, Dear Readers...
I just wanted to take a minute and thank everybody who exchanged cards with me this year. As you can see, I got a delightful mix of some of the cutest cards you ever saw.
I really enjoyed this tiny little foray out of the virtual world and into the ‘real’ world, into your real worlds. The little notes written inside, seeing what your handwriting looks like, the type of card you sent - all these things told me a little bit more about who you are.
There is nothing lovlier than getting a card in the mail from a friend and with each arrival I felt a little pang of excitement and joy.
I love you guys and I’m so glad we did this.
Thanks Nikki, Marie, Jennifer, Kimmie, Moe, Di, Simonne, Christine, Gracie, Carrie, Marie, Daisies, and everybody whose card is yet to land in my mailbox.
Merry Christmas, my friends.
Love,
Annie
The Peeves of Christmas
Posted on December 20, 2007 - Filed Under Christmas, Just For Fun, brain farts
Okay, I admit it, I stole this idea from my buddy Christine over at All the Elbows - but it was such a good idea I couldn’t resist.
My pet peeves about Christmas in no particular order:
1. The dang secret santa/kris kringle gift exchange at work. You always end up with the one person you either despise or have absolutely nothing in common with - or the person who drew your name thought a harmonica and pencil was appropriate.
2. People/Organizations that use Christmas to get money from you. Like this time of the year means you should have that extra money to give. I’m all for charities and give to quite a few - but the smarmy ones really irk me.
3. Renaming Christmas to ‘holiday’ - holiday shows, holiday specials, holiday sales, holiday catalogues, holiday cards. It’s Christmas for pity sake, if you utter the word you won’t be struck by lightning. Or maybe you should be - could knock some sense into you.
4. Also, people who are offended by Christmas. Offended? Are you kidding me? Really? I mean, how in the name of anything could it offend you? I’m not offended by others’ religious holidays - Hanukah, Kwanza, Passover, Yom Kippur, Summer Soltice, Winter Festival, Dance of the Faery Druid Day. Why should my (or anyone else for that matter) celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ offend you? Get over it and get a life.
5. How the media always forecasts doom and gloom for the Holiday shopping season. Like the earth is going to open up and swallow us whole if the percentage doesn’t rise.
6. The deer in the headlights you get from most retail employees when you say, “Merry Christmas” it’s as though they’ve lost their ability to speak or just forgot English or something. So far as I know it’s not against the law (yet).
7. People who want to bah-humbug all over my Christmas cheer. I mean, look if you don’t believe or don’t celebrate, it’s fine with me, but don’t give me the look, like you just frech kissed a lemon - or warn me about running up my credit cards. Take your crochety attitude and put it up your own ass, okay? That’s all I’m saying.
8. People who arent grateful for whatever gift they might get. Especially kids. I have friends who have a very spoiled daughter. Last year, I went to their home on Christmas morning for some coffee and conversation - most of which was about how tacky some gifts this child received were - and how her father had the audacity to get her the wrong iPod type gizmo and he was most certainly going to have to back to the store and exchange it for the real deal. What made it worse was that the mom was egging the kid on. Criminy. Somebody cared enough about you to go out and buy you something, wrap it up with ribbons and bows and gave it with love - don’t go dumping on them. Just not cool, not cool at all.
9. Lowfat eggnog. Are you frickin’ kidding me?
10. Those weird little snack gift boxes that some places sell. They always look cheesy and so tiny. I’d be embarrassed to send that sort of thing to someone. Unless they were an elf or something.
11. Soy anything for Christmas dinner. It’s a bean! A bean I tell you!
12. Christmas earrings - you know the kind, they light up or talk or sing jingle bells. They just annoy the heck out of me and I dont’ know why. Of course, I love the reindeer ears and singing Christmas cards, so who am I to criticize the jewelry?
13. People who get bummed out, mad, sad, annoyed, or otherwise unfriendly on Christmas day. Look, so you don’t have any money, the turkey burned and you didn’t that heart shaped diamond pendant you wanted - so what? It’s Christmas, it’s supposed to be fun and joyful. Save the other stuff for the other 364 days a year, there’s always time for it then.
14. Russell Stover candies. God, they make the worst candy on the planet and at Christmas time they throw that junk in a red box and think people won’t know it’s the same crappy candy. Give me a candy cane any day over that junk.
15. Perfect Christmas’s. I know, that sounds a little strange but when I was a kid my Mom would drive herself crazy trying to create the perfect Christmas, from the food to the gifts, to the warm fuzzy feelings we were all supposed to have - she never got it and it always hurt her. The best Christmas’s are the ones where everything goes wrong and yet, somehow you manage to have a great day and feel the love to you, from you and from everywhere. It’s about the love, people, honest.
That’s all I’ve got, feel free to add to the list.
WC
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