Friday Random

-Sammy learned how to play go fish and candyland this week. "Let the games begin!" Ha! I loved family game nights growing up and am actually pretty excited that he's old enough to start playing with us.

-I haven't use my dryer in three weeks. I'm loving my clothesline this year.

-Isaac's father's day present is on its way. We're both excited about it. To the point that I'm positive it'll have its own post when it gets here.

-My cute niece graduated from high school this week. It's always a trip when one of nieces / nephews graduates or gets married, but this one hurt a little. They were living just down the street from my parents (and me) when she was born, the month I started my senior year in high school. Wow. I have a feeling they all are going to start getting a little weirder.

-We had the most glorious thunderstorm on Tuesday night. At one point the lightning was popping every couple of seconds and the thunder rumbled without discernible pause for a good 20 minutes. I missed it all, though, since I was trying to get Sammy to go to sleep during it all. Sad.

-Ring of the week:
I'm trying to think of how many and what combo of colors to order this in. Ideas?

-Song of the week:

(everybody hurts, REM - I really wanted to find a good clip of my favorite REM song, Try Not To Breathe, but couldn't. That's ok...this one will do nicely.)

(Or we could go with this one, my second favorite. man on the moon, REM)

Every Second of the Night...I Live Another Life

I had one of those dreams last night. You know the kind: you wake up, aren't sure of who you are, where you are or if what you spent the last however many hours living was real. I mean, you know it wasn't REAL because who hops onto the back of a nearly broken scooter with someone and then drives INTO a thunderstorm at five miles an hour as the climax of a scene? Right. No one. But it still takes you a few minutes to wrap your head around all that happened and orient yourself to your surroundings. Then, only then, do you start the inevitable descent into, "yeah, but what did it mean" thinking.

So. I'm sitting here, going through my draft folder trying to blog and my mind keeps replaying that dream. It was detailed and elaborate and just...well, grand. It was a grand dream. Maybe I should write it down and try to sell it. Isn't that how all the New York Best Selling writers are doing it these days?

Take On Me

Occasionally things happen while blogging that make you take a step back and reexamine what you are doing and why. I've had that opportunity lately, especially with my sister moving her blog private. Here's what I've come up with.

1. I'm ok, from a stranger's perspective, with what I put out there.

Blogs are funny things. You pick and choose what to show family and friends and, of course, the random strangers that happen by. I try to be fair in my assessment of life. It's not all happy, but it certainly isn't all tragic. I try to get in a good dose of everything just to keep it real, but I also keep in mind that anyone can read what I post and post according to that comfort level.

2. I have incredibly supportive family and friends who truly know me, get me and understand what and why I'm posting.

I love knowing that when something gets me down or frustrated or something comes from left field trying to upset my world, I have the most supportive friends and family who know the real me. It's a great way to keep everyone updated and at the same time, get feedback. Invaluable.

3. There will always be the people out there who disapprove of something I say, but that shouldn't stop me from saying it.

I love that Isaac reminds me of this often. It's the same pep talk he gives me before I send out any articles or stories for print as well. It's been my biggest stumbling block to writing since I just want everyone to love it. I know they won't and I'm learning to be ok with that.

4. If the above TRULY disapprove, there's a pretty little red X they can hit and move along.

I'm pretty sure that should just be a life lesson.

5. While I may adjust my focus and pictures and stories as I see fit (and am comfortable with) as my life evolves, doing so shouldn't be a reflection of any outside influence.

I think this one sum up my thoughts nicely. My life, my stories, my blog. When you start writing dependent on who's reading, it's a good time to refocus the whys and whats you are doing.

It's been a good exercise to reflect on what I'm doing with this blog. I've made a few changes, though nothing major, and have come to the conclusion that I'm good; I'm comfortable with what I've put out there and will continue to simply write. I just wish all reality checks could be this painless!

Because I Have No Shame, vol 18

I started coloring my hair when I left for college. I mostly stay in the auburn family, but it has been every shade of red known to man: including a lovely magenta shade I had while in Oregon. I rarely go lighter, but have recently started digging having both blond and red highlights in my rusty red hair.

The first time I ever tried blond highlights, I did them at home. With my roommates. The night before my first trip to New York in 1999. It could have been bad, but in the end, I don't think you could even tell!


Thank heavens I pay someone to do this, now...


Right before we went to see Jekyll & Hyde, my FAVORITE show.


Did I say I highlighted my hair blond? Yeah, you totally can't tell...