Round two...
Question: Which would you prefer: a wild turbulent life filled with joy, sorrow, passion and adventure - intoxicating successes and stunning setbacks; or a happy, secure, predictable life surrounded by friends and family without such wide swings of fortune and mood?
Answer: It may just be my mood today, but I think I'd choose the happy, secure and predictable life. Part of me (like most people, I imagine) would like to feel that they experienced life to the fullest and that in the end, it was a fabulous life. Sometimes I get really caught up in that idea of "living life to the fullest." It sounds like a good plan. And no doubt - I envy people that can pick up and leave the comfort and security of day-to-day life for a new adventure, but I'm just not sure I'm one of them. I have several friends who do just that. They fall in love and move across the country (or world) to be with the object of their affection, they study abroad for a year or so, they quit their jobs and move around with no real idea of where they'll live or how they'll pay the bills. Such a refreshing concept to me - yet absolutely terrifying. Does that mean I'm not living life to the fullest? I'm not sure. I guess part of me does, but part of me is quite content to keep going the way I'm going. I like knowing what's coming next, where I'm spending the night, how much money will be deposited into my account on payday. What gives me real joy is actually the simple stuff. Spending time with friends and family, getting the job done, arts and crafts on my coffee table (just looking at the mess I've made tonight...), and knowing that I'm living independently.
That being said - I think it would definitely do me some good to incorporate some spontaneity into my life. (Hehe - even that sounded like planning it in...) Last time I was reading a personality book (yes, I do that from time to time - I love gaining more insight to my personality) it said that I should just go to the airport one day and hop on a plane. No pre-purchased ticket, no definite destination in mind. Just hop a flight. The idea exhilarates me and seems foolish at the same time. Would I do it? Probably. Though I think I'd enjoy it more with a friend.
Maybe that'll be my next adventure - once these freaking conferences are over for work.
In the meantime - what do you guys think? Better to be a free spirit and go anyway the wind blows or are you happier to live the day-to-day? Ideas for ways to keep from thinking that you're not living life to the fullest?
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Noah-Noah-Balboa
This is my buddy, Noah (aka Noah-Noah-Balboa).
Pic 1: Noah just after his baptism yesterday with his doting aunts.
Pic 2: Getting ready for the big party with his god-mother, Renee!
Pic 3: About ten minutes into the party (12 hours without a nap will do that to a kid!)
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
A question from the Book of Questions
In an effort to spend at least a little time writing each week (as I feel I'm quickly losing my ability to write coherent sentences), I'm going to try to answer a few questions from my handy "Book of Questions." Feel free to let me know your answers as well.
Today's question: If you could have free, unlimited service for five years from an extremely good cook, chauffeur, housekeeper, masseuse, or personal secretary, which would you choose?
My answer: I can truly see the benefits of each, but I guess that's the point, right?
As I just finished my dinner of frozen tortellini with prego sauce and a bud light - I can definitely see having a personal cook. It would probably be a lot healthier for me anyway. :-) That being said, I really enjoy cooking (well maybe more baking), so that might be hard for me to turn over to someone else. Plus they'd have to cook things I like and as my big brother would be quick to point out - I'm a bit picky.
A chauffeur... hmmm, I wasn't immediately attracted to this one - but then I thought - if I had a personal chauffeur does that mean I could get rid of my car (and therefore my car payments?) If so, that might make it worth it. Add in not having to deal with finding a parking spot in the city and, yeah, I'm liking that one more and more....
As for housekeepers - I live in a small, one bedroom apartment. Keeping it clean should not be a problem in the slightest. But, alas, I just don't keep after it the way I should. I keep a cleaner place than I could when I lived with two boys - but there's still much more that could be done. And I do LOVE a clean place. If someone would just clean up all the cat hair my dear Maverick leaves around that would probably be a wonderful help.
Masseuse? I do get a nasty-tight neck and back when I get stressed out. And this is probably the only one that I actually pay for now and again currently. When life has you down - there's nothing quite like a good massage...
One thing I'm sure I don't need is a personal secretary. My life is just not that hectic. Now, if someone wants to come to work with me and do all the stuff I don't want to do or don't have time to do - well that's a different story - but in my personal life - just not an issue.
So, which to choose??? Guess you really can't go wrong - any would be a step-up for me, right?
Why can't I just find a guy that fulfills many of these roles? There's gotta be a guy out there who would be happy to drive me around, cook me a decent meal now and again and give me a massage in the evenings.... C'mon all you people out there - you must know someone.... :-)
No? Well, then I guess I'll take the cook.
Today's question: If you could have free, unlimited service for five years from an extremely good cook, chauffeur, housekeeper, masseuse, or personal secretary, which would you choose?
My answer: I can truly see the benefits of each, but I guess that's the point, right?
As I just finished my dinner of frozen tortellini with prego sauce and a bud light - I can definitely see having a personal cook. It would probably be a lot healthier for me anyway. :-) That being said, I really enjoy cooking (well maybe more baking), so that might be hard for me to turn over to someone else. Plus they'd have to cook things I like and as my big brother would be quick to point out - I'm a bit picky.
A chauffeur... hmmm, I wasn't immediately attracted to this one - but then I thought - if I had a personal chauffeur does that mean I could get rid of my car (and therefore my car payments?) If so, that might make it worth it. Add in not having to deal with finding a parking spot in the city and, yeah, I'm liking that one more and more....
As for housekeepers - I live in a small, one bedroom apartment. Keeping it clean should not be a problem in the slightest. But, alas, I just don't keep after it the way I should. I keep a cleaner place than I could when I lived with two boys - but there's still much more that could be done. And I do LOVE a clean place. If someone would just clean up all the cat hair my dear Maverick leaves around that would probably be a wonderful help.
Masseuse? I do get a nasty-tight neck and back when I get stressed out. And this is probably the only one that I actually pay for now and again currently. When life has you down - there's nothing quite like a good massage...
One thing I'm sure I don't need is a personal secretary. My life is just not that hectic. Now, if someone wants to come to work with me and do all the stuff I don't want to do or don't have time to do - well that's a different story - but in my personal life - just not an issue.
So, which to choose??? Guess you really can't go wrong - any would be a step-up for me, right?
Why can't I just find a guy that fulfills many of these roles? There's gotta be a guy out there who would be happy to drive me around, cook me a decent meal now and again and give me a massage in the evenings.... C'mon all you people out there - you must know someone.... :-)
No? Well, then I guess I'll take the cook.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Thursday, August 11, 2005
So you want to know what I'm listening to...
So, my cousin has tagged me. From what I gather in the blogging world, this means it's my turn to respond to a question that's been put out there.
I'm not a believer in chain letters (and I just don't know that many people who blog) so I'm not going to continue the chain, but I'll give in to telling you what's frequenting my CD players these days. (That's right - I haven't moved into the MP3 thing yet.)
1. Still the Night- BoDeans
2. Best I've Ever Had - Gary Allan
3. Right Where I Need to Be - Gary Allan
4. When Will I Be Loved - Linda Ronstadt (?)
5. Go Where You Want to Go
6. Eight Days a Week - Beatles
7. Welcome to My Life - Simple Plan
8. All You Need is Love - Beatles
9. You Don't Know a Thing About Me - Gary Allan
10. Can't Do It Today - Gary Allan
The clear winner - Gary Allan of course. I must admit, I can listen to his CDs over and over again. And with work going the way it is these days - I can use the serene, happy effect it has on me.
I'm not a believer in chain letters (and I just don't know that many people who blog) so I'm not going to continue the chain, but I'll give in to telling you what's frequenting my CD players these days. (That's right - I haven't moved into the MP3 thing yet.)
1. Still the Night- BoDeans
2. Best I've Ever Had - Gary Allan
3. Right Where I Need to Be - Gary Allan
4. When Will I Be Loved - Linda Ronstadt (?)
5. Go Where You Want to Go
6. Eight Days a Week - Beatles
7. Welcome to My Life - Simple Plan
8. All You Need is Love - Beatles
9. You Don't Know a Thing About Me - Gary Allan
10. Can't Do It Today - Gary Allan
The clear winner - Gary Allan of course. I must admit, I can listen to his CDs over and over again. And with work going the way it is these days - I can use the serene, happy effect it has on me.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
The good, the bad, and the ugly
Today's annoyances...
1. Some friend of my neighbors hitting on me just outside my front door as I went to retrieve my laundry.
2. The guy who sat down in the middle seat between me and someone else on the bus and proceeded to slouch down and spread his legs apart as far as he could - making me and the guy on his other side be even more crunched.
3. The people who refuse to climb those apparently scary steps to the back of the bus. C'mon people - you see the 70 people waiting at the bus stop - could you MOVE TO THE BACK?!!!
4. Watching the Cubs lose... again.
5. Neighbors smoking outside my windows so I don't want to open them up.
6. The Navy Pier band that only did Dave Matthews Band covers. BORING.
Today's joys...
1. Being able to walk to the corner store for milk this morning instead of having to get in the car.
2. The little girl sitting near me on the bus who was having a great time with her mini-magnadoodle.
3. Enjoying the Navy Pier Fireworks with friends.
4. Eating dinner at Giordanos.
5. Having my check book balance perfectly on the first try.
6. Getting an email from my graphic designer at work to let me know that the print piece that has to be at the printer's first thing monday morning is ready to go.
7. Hearing that my sister-in-law accepted a new job that she's really excited about.
8. Sleeping in until 9:30am.
9. The beautiful weather.
10. My cat curling up on my lap for a nice nap.
And once again - the good outweighs the bad! Helps to keep things in perspective.
1. Some friend of my neighbors hitting on me just outside my front door as I went to retrieve my laundry.
2. The guy who sat down in the middle seat between me and someone else on the bus and proceeded to slouch down and spread his legs apart as far as he could - making me and the guy on his other side be even more crunched.
3. The people who refuse to climb those apparently scary steps to the back of the bus. C'mon people - you see the 70 people waiting at the bus stop - could you MOVE TO THE BACK?!!!
4. Watching the Cubs lose... again.
5. Neighbors smoking outside my windows so I don't want to open them up.
6. The Navy Pier band that only did Dave Matthews Band covers. BORING.
Today's joys...
1. Being able to walk to the corner store for milk this morning instead of having to get in the car.
2. The little girl sitting near me on the bus who was having a great time with her mini-magnadoodle.
3. Enjoying the Navy Pier Fireworks with friends.
4. Eating dinner at Giordanos.
5. Having my check book balance perfectly on the first try.
6. Getting an email from my graphic designer at work to let me know that the print piece that has to be at the printer's first thing monday morning is ready to go.
7. Hearing that my sister-in-law accepted a new job that she's really excited about.
8. Sleeping in until 9:30am.
9. The beautiful weather.
10. My cat curling up on my lap for a nice nap.
And once again - the good outweighs the bad! Helps to keep things in perspective.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Oh, the great Garden State
It just amazes me how rude people truely are in New Jersey. And, yes, of course that's a huge generalization and not everyone in New Jersey sucks, but I sure met my fair share in the 2.5 days I was there. Doesn't make me very happy that I'm holding one of my work conferences there, but what are you going to do.... I can't even count the number of times I had to swerve to miss idiots that decided stop signs didn't apply to them at intersections. And even then did I get an apologetic hand-wave or even a slightly stunned look of "what was I thinking?" Nope - just nasty glares and some nice hand gestures.
While I had a great time at the beach and spending time with Carl and Kathleen, I can't say I was sad to be leaving the great Garden State. And after waiting through several delays I was definitely more than ready to get out there. So once we finally got up in the air I decided popping a movie into the computer was a must. It cracks me up to watch movies on planes because it just seems like the person sitting next to you can absolutely not help the fact that they're watching the movie over your shoulder. Not that I mind in the slightest, but everytime I'd get the feeling the guy next to me was looking at the screen, I'd glance over and he'd jerk his head the other direction. Hehehe.
Ahhh, glad to be home!
While I had a great time at the beach and spending time with Carl and Kathleen, I can't say I was sad to be leaving the great Garden State. And after waiting through several delays I was definitely more than ready to get out there. So once we finally got up in the air I decided popping a movie into the computer was a must. It cracks me up to watch movies on planes because it just seems like the person sitting next to you can absolutely not help the fact that they're watching the movie over your shoulder. Not that I mind in the slightest, but everytime I'd get the feeling the guy next to me was looking at the screen, I'd glance over and he'd jerk his head the other direction. Hehehe.
Ahhh, glad to be home!
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