My brother shared this site with me:
My favorite piece of artwork:
Awesome.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Falcor in the Sky
I looked into the sky and did a double-take. Because there in the clouds was Falcor. You know, the dragon-type creature from The Neverending Story. The dragon that carries you to your dreams. The cloud I saw was the spitten image of Falcor. Seriously.
Look, it's not like I'd just seen the movie. I haven't watched it in ages. But if you'd seen the same cloud, you would have known that it was Falcor, too. Or at least his twin brother.
So there I was, a 28-year-old, staring at the Falcor cloud until it morphed back into just a cloud, wondering what my Dream is. Where would Falcor take me?
Would I ride on his back to the Vatican and my dream vacation? Would I take my kids with me? Probably not. But certainly I'd want Rob there. Rob wasn't with me right then, though. So I'd first make Falcor take me to Rob. And then maybe the two of us would just ride on his back to a lazy meadow filled with wild flowers and we'd all bask in the golden sunlight. For one commitment-free day. Skip the Vatican; I'll take a quiet day.
That's time away. But is it my Dream?
I don't have too many dreams, is the problem. I have nothing that I want to accomplish before I die. I have places I would love to go (Hawaii, the Vatican, Alaska, Glacier National Park), and things I would love to do (write a children's book, play soccer until I'm ancient, work at a nursery (the kind for plants)). I can think of things I want to own (a killer tent, lots more books). I can imagine the Tamra I want to be when I'm 75 years old, and the financial situation I want to have. I know that I want my children to be happy and successful in life, and I want my husband to feel fulfilled in his work. But these aren't Dreams. They're simply what I'm working towards. Ever so slowly.
It might sound cliche, but I truly am blessed. I have so much to be grateful for. And I can't come up with one thing that I'd like to have that I don't already have. ... Well, maybe I'd like my mortgage paid off. Okay. That's a good one. Excellent: Falcor can pay off my mortgage.
And then we'll go chill in the meadow.
Look, it's not like I'd just seen the movie. I haven't watched it in ages. But if you'd seen the same cloud, you would have known that it was Falcor, too. Or at least his twin brother.
So there I was, a 28-year-old, staring at the Falcor cloud until it morphed back into just a cloud, wondering what my Dream is. Where would Falcor take me?
Would I ride on his back to the Vatican and my dream vacation? Would I take my kids with me? Probably not. But certainly I'd want Rob there. Rob wasn't with me right then, though. So I'd first make Falcor take me to Rob. And then maybe the two of us would just ride on his back to a lazy meadow filled with wild flowers and we'd all bask in the golden sunlight. For one commitment-free day. Skip the Vatican; I'll take a quiet day.
That's time away. But is it my Dream?
I don't have too many dreams, is the problem. I have nothing that I want to accomplish before I die. I have places I would love to go (Hawaii, the Vatican, Alaska, Glacier National Park), and things I would love to do (write a children's book, play soccer until I'm ancient, work at a nursery (the kind for plants)). I can think of things I want to own (a killer tent, lots more books). I can imagine the Tamra I want to be when I'm 75 years old, and the financial situation I want to have. I know that I want my children to be happy and successful in life, and I want my husband to feel fulfilled in his work. But these aren't Dreams. They're simply what I'm working towards. Ever so slowly.
It might sound cliche, but I truly am blessed. I have so much to be grateful for. And I can't come up with one thing that I'd like to have that I don't already have. ... Well, maybe I'd like my mortgage paid off. Okay. That's a good one. Excellent: Falcor can pay off my mortgage.
And then we'll go chill in the meadow.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Simple Living
I was driving in the car on my way home from Toledo and a very enjoyable visit with my in-laws. During the last two days I had been able to let go of some of my everyday stresses and worries. I read a book called Affluenza, all about living a simpler life to bring clarity and peace to your soul. And it rang true to me. Having already started the process of simplification about two years ago and making baby steps of progress ever since, I have seen the promised seedlings of peace and clarity.
And it has made me want more. For fun I search through my life, digging for what I can simplify. What I can de-junk and not miss. What stores I don't have to visit, clothes I don't need to buy. How I can cut back on a consumerist lifestyle and not feel the sting of sacrifice. What activities I can omit without feeling deprived.
During the last 2 years of Baby-Step Simplification, I have watched less TV and read more books, spent less money and found more security, stopped dreaming about exotic vacations and started hiking through the woods near my home.
Do I want to go all crazy with this? No. I don't. I don't want to be the person who won't get internet because I'm "simplifying my life." (I lose too many connections with family and friends if I give up internet.) And I don't want to be the person who won't drive 2 hours to a family event because I've cut gasoline out of my budget. (Family is important and family events are, too.)
But I also don't want to be that 45-year-old who can't figure out how I acquired $40,000 in credit card debt because I couldn't cut anything out (that trip to Hawaii was "deserved," that sound system was a "reward," and that monthly cable bill was "neccessary").
And it's not all about the money. It's about the peace and clarity.
Having spent the last two days re-connecting with this idea, I felt more peaceful and calm than I had for a while. I spoke to my children in kinder, gentler, and quieter tones. They responded in the same peaceful manner. I smiled as I thought about what wonderful examples children can be. Really, if I follow their lead, I would be less stressed, more filled with wonder, and living a simpler life. I would be a better person. Just like that guy who lived 2000 years ago said.
And it has made me want more. For fun I search through my life, digging for what I can simplify. What I can de-junk and not miss. What stores I don't have to visit, clothes I don't need to buy. How I can cut back on a consumerist lifestyle and not feel the sting of sacrifice. What activities I can omit without feeling deprived.
During the last 2 years of Baby-Step Simplification, I have watched less TV and read more books, spent less money and found more security, stopped dreaming about exotic vacations and started hiking through the woods near my home.
Do I want to go all crazy with this? No. I don't. I don't want to be the person who won't get internet because I'm "simplifying my life." (I lose too many connections with family and friends if I give up internet.) And I don't want to be the person who won't drive 2 hours to a family event because I've cut gasoline out of my budget. (Family is important and family events are, too.)
But I also don't want to be that 45-year-old who can't figure out how I acquired $40,000 in credit card debt because I couldn't cut anything out (that trip to Hawaii was "deserved," that sound system was a "reward," and that monthly cable bill was "neccessary").
And it's not all about the money. It's about the peace and clarity.
Having spent the last two days re-connecting with this idea, I felt more peaceful and calm than I had for a while. I spoke to my children in kinder, gentler, and quieter tones. They responded in the same peaceful manner. I smiled as I thought about what wonderful examples children can be. Really, if I follow their lead, I would be less stressed, more filled with wonder, and living a simpler life. I would be a better person. Just like that guy who lived 2000 years ago said.
Google is Taking Over the World!
Elijah figured out how to install a Google tool bar. I don't WANT a Google tool bar. ...
Elijah isn't an internet tech or anything. Not only is he just 5 years old, he doesn't spend much time on-line, and he spends zero time on sites other than pbskids.org and barbie.com. He isn't the kid that trial and errors until he figures out how to get what he wants. He's the kid that asks and waits for me to answer. But during that 2 minutes of wait time he clicks lots of buttons, just to cure his boredom (a habit I'm trying to break him of by threatening severe cyber punishments). Hence he changes the location of my Start button and bar about once a month.
What I'm saying is that if it's so easy to install a Google tool bar that my 5-year-old button clicker can do it, I have 2 conclusions:
1. Any adult that can't figure it out is retarded.
2. It's too easy to install.
Elijah isn't an internet tech or anything. Not only is he just 5 years old, he doesn't spend much time on-line, and he spends zero time on sites other than pbskids.org and barbie.com. He isn't the kid that trial and errors until he figures out how to get what he wants. He's the kid that asks and waits for me to answer. But during that 2 minutes of wait time he clicks lots of buttons, just to cure his boredom (a habit I'm trying to break him of by threatening severe cyber punishments). Hence he changes the location of my Start button and bar about once a month.
What I'm saying is that if it's so easy to install a Google tool bar that my 5-year-old button clicker can do it, I have 2 conclusions:
1. Any adult that can't figure it out is retarded.
2. It's too easy to install.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Eagles
I was driving to the library today and got in a left-hand turn lane behind a black SUV. It had a window sticker--you know, the kind that has a soccer ball with the number 12 in the middle and "Katie" written around the edge. This window sticker was for a High School, I assume. The mascot was an eagle (an elegant choice for a mascot) sort of cartoonized, looking half fierce, and half regal. As fierce and regal as a cartoonized eagle can be.
But what got me was the juxtaposition of this eagle and the name of the high school: Our Lady of Grace. It didn't say Our Lady of Grace High School. Just: Our Lady of Grace.
Our Lady of Grace ... Eagles!
laid out in a circle around the cartoon eagle.
I started trying to think of the feelings that "Our Lady of Grace" brought to mind: peace, holiness, respect, reverence.
And then Eagles!
It just didn't work for me. I wish I'd had a camera.
But what got me was the juxtaposition of this eagle and the name of the high school: Our Lady of Grace. It didn't say Our Lady of Grace High School. Just: Our Lady of Grace.
Our Lady of Grace ... Eagles!
laid out in a circle around the cartoon eagle.
I started trying to think of the feelings that "Our Lady of Grace" brought to mind: peace, holiness, respect, reverence.
And then Eagles!
It just didn't work for me. I wish I'd had a camera.
Friday, June 5, 2009
All We Gotta Do
That genius Hugh Laurie song. This might be my favorite song ever! (Okay, maybe not. But it's hilarious!)
A Garden Series Intro
day lilies, circa 2007 I think a lot about my garden. Cause I love it. And it's pretty.
And I think about how a garden is such a good analogy for our lives. I know this is an overused analogy (and I mean SO overused), but there's a reason for that: it works. Consider with me, quickly, these things and how they apply to our lives:
* Gardens are living, growing things. They have a pulse, so to speak.
* They are a long-term project. Anyone growing a garden expecting to see every desired result tomorrow is going to be greatly disappointed.
*Lots of things that we try in a garden fail. But lots of things work. And sometimes it surprises us which is which.
*Gardens take work, sustained effort, patience, an admiration of beauty, and a little bit of a sense of humor.
There are more things I've thought of. And there are more things I think of all the time. So, I'd like to introduce my newest (as in, I just thought of this idea 2 minutes ago) series: A Garden Series. Where I re-say lots of lovely trite things that someone else has already said, I'm sure. But it could be fun.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
I'm in Love with Steffi Graf
While looking for a gem of a song by Hugh Laurie (who is something of a comedian, and a good one to boot), I found this other song:
Which got me re-interested in tennis. I looked up Steffi Graf on wikipedia. She's widely hailed as the best women's singles player of all time and has accomplished things that no other tennis player has, male or female. For instance:
"In 1988, Graf became the first and to date only player to achieve the "Golden Slam" by winning all four Grand Slam singles titles and the Olympic gold medal in the same year."
She won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, second only to Margaret Court (I had to look her up. She was also legendary). Steffi's the only player to have won each of the Grand Slam titles at least 4 times each.
That's crazy good.
This got me thinking about how good it really is. I started looking up women's tennis players that I know. How good are they?
Martina Hingis - 5 Grand Slam singles titles
(She's retired now, since she's an ancient 29 years old and because, oh, she flunked a drug test.)
Venus Williams - 7 Grand Slam singles titles
Serena Williams - 10 Grand Slam singles titles
(Which means that both Williams COMBINED haven't won as many as Steffi.)
Jennifer Capriati - 3 Grand Slam singles titles
Monica Seles - 9 Grand Slam singles titles
How about some of the oldies?
Martina Navratilova - 18 Grand Slam singles titles
Billie Jean King - 12 Grand Slam singles titles
Chris Evert - 18 Grand Slam singles titles
Margaret Court - 24 Grand Slam singles titles
Some of these players are better at doubles, like Billie Jean King. And Court won 62 Grand Slam titles, total, when you add in the doubles titles.
Main point of this post (besides that Steffi Graf is amazing): I love tennis. For my birthday I told Rob that I want to watch part of the French Open with him. The men's singles finals are Sunday from 9 - 2 ET. Which is precisely when I'm at church. I thought for a second about skipping church to watch the finals. It's my birthday, after all. ... But I can't do it. ... Maybe I'll just be "sick" on Sunday. ... Or maybe we'll just watch the women's singles semifinals from 9 - 12 ET on Saturday.
(A note on Steffi Graf and Monica Seles. In the song, Hugh alludes to Günter Parche, who is the man who stabbed Monica Seles because he was obsessed with Steffi. I just think it's funny that when articles talk about Günter Parche, they have to say he was the "deranged fan" who stabbed Seles. As if we wouldn't have gathered that he was deranged if they hadn't spelled it out for us. As if we might wonder if he was an Ethics Professor who just logically thought it would make the most sense for Steffi's career. ... Of COURSE he was deranged. He STABBED Monica Seles!)
Which got me re-interested in tennis. I looked up Steffi Graf on wikipedia. She's widely hailed as the best women's singles player of all time and has accomplished things that no other tennis player has, male or female. For instance:
"In 1988, Graf became the first and to date only player to achieve the "Golden Slam" by winning all four Grand Slam singles titles and the Olympic gold medal in the same year."
She won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, second only to Margaret Court (I had to look her up. She was also legendary). Steffi's the only player to have won each of the Grand Slam titles at least 4 times each.
That's crazy good.
This got me thinking about how good it really is. I started looking up women's tennis players that I know. How good are they?
Martina Hingis - 5 Grand Slam singles titles
(She's retired now, since she's an ancient 29 years old and because, oh, she flunked a drug test.)
Venus Williams - 7 Grand Slam singles titles
Serena Williams - 10 Grand Slam singles titles
(Which means that both Williams COMBINED haven't won as many as Steffi.)
Jennifer Capriati - 3 Grand Slam singles titles
Monica Seles - 9 Grand Slam singles titles
How about some of the oldies?
Martina Navratilova - 18 Grand Slam singles titles
Billie Jean King - 12 Grand Slam singles titles
Chris Evert - 18 Grand Slam singles titles
Margaret Court - 24 Grand Slam singles titles
Some of these players are better at doubles, like Billie Jean King. And Court won 62 Grand Slam titles, total, when you add in the doubles titles.
Main point of this post (besides that Steffi Graf is amazing): I love tennis. For my birthday I told Rob that I want to watch part of the French Open with him. The men's singles finals are Sunday from 9 - 2 ET. Which is precisely when I'm at church. I thought for a second about skipping church to watch the finals. It's my birthday, after all. ... But I can't do it. ... Maybe I'll just be "sick" on Sunday. ... Or maybe we'll just watch the women's singles semifinals from 9 - 12 ET on Saturday.
(A note on Steffi Graf and Monica Seles. In the song, Hugh alludes to Günter Parche, who is the man who stabbed Monica Seles because he was obsessed with Steffi. I just think it's funny that when articles talk about Günter Parche, they have to say he was the "deranged fan" who stabbed Seles. As if we wouldn't have gathered that he was deranged if they hadn't spelled it out for us. As if we might wonder if he was an Ethics Professor who just logically thought it would make the most sense for Steffi's career. ... Of COURSE he was deranged. He STABBED Monica Seles!)
Monday, June 1, 2009
Random Complaints
A list of complaints that no one cares about:
Complaint #1
The NES Adventures of Link (the sequel to Legend of Zelda) is WAY too hard. And who thought of the set up? I die 3 times and then have to start again from the castle that houses a sleeping Zelda? Lameness. I want to burn the game, or kill the creators. Either one (or both).
Complaint #2
Let's talk Pokemon Advanced Battle. I don't have a problem with the show. I mean, I think it's stupid with the "action-packed" battles where really they don't animate anything, they just let the announcer and the spectators give the exciting details, like, "And Bubble-wart charges towards Ginger Snap so fast that it's nearly impossible to animate, but trust me, it's exciting!", but whatever.
My main problem with the show is the theme song. It's jazzy and spunky and kids love it. It makes you want to go beat bad guys! All that is not the problem. The problem is the words:
"Oh oh oh I'm unbeatable
...
They can never win
But they sure can try
Oh oh oh I'm unbeatable
Pokemon (advanced battle)
Oh oh oh I'm undefeatable"
Have you ever watched the show? Do you know how often Ash (the main character) loses battles? All the time. So I figure the words should be something like this:
"Oh oh oh I wish I was unbeatable
...
They can win half the time
But I still have my pride!
Oh oh oh I win every other match
Pokemon (advanced battle)
Oh oh oh I wish I was unbeatable"
And that would be more accurate.
That's all my complaints for the moment. They were festering inside me for weeks, so thank you for letting me lay them out for you. I feel better.
Complaint #1
The NES Adventures of Link (the sequel to Legend of Zelda) is WAY too hard. And who thought of the set up? I die 3 times and then have to start again from the castle that houses a sleeping Zelda? Lameness. I want to burn the game, or kill the creators. Either one (or both).
Complaint #2
Let's talk Pokemon Advanced Battle. I don't have a problem with the show. I mean, I think it's stupid with the "action-packed" battles where really they don't animate anything, they just let the announcer and the spectators give the exciting details, like, "And Bubble-wart charges towards Ginger Snap so fast that it's nearly impossible to animate, but trust me, it's exciting!", but whatever.
My main problem with the show is the theme song. It's jazzy and spunky and kids love it. It makes you want to go beat bad guys! All that is not the problem. The problem is the words:
"Oh oh oh I'm unbeatable
...
They can never win
But they sure can try
Oh oh oh I'm unbeatable
Pokemon (advanced battle)
Oh oh oh I'm undefeatable"
Have you ever watched the show? Do you know how often Ash (the main character) loses battles? All the time. So I figure the words should be something like this:
"Oh oh oh I wish I was unbeatable
...
They can win half the time
But I still have my pride!
Oh oh oh I win every other match
Pokemon (advanced battle)
Oh oh oh I wish I was unbeatable"
And that would be more accurate.
That's all my complaints for the moment. They were festering inside me for weeks, so thank you for letting me lay them out for you. I feel better.
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