Get Your GroupOn!

I just found out about the best site ever! I signed up a week ago, and everyday I've gotten a "coupon" for something to do in Boston - huge discounts at restaurants, salon services, today is even for yoga classes.

It's available in a bunch of cities, check it out!

http://www.groupon.com/boston/

I Knew It!

I'm not cynical - far from it. I'm also not an "I told you so!" kind of person. But something just happened that is so perfect, so funny, and I feel fine saying, "See?! I told you so!"

As a follow up to my previous entry, The Etiquette of Social Pleasantries" I have to fill you in on the conversation (or maybe lack there of!) that just transpired with the said doorman.

Me: "Hello!"

Doorman: "How are you today?"

Me: "I'm good thanks!" Period. Done. End of statement. No question in return. Finished.

Doorman: "I'm grrrreat thank you."

I didn't ask. I didn't not ask on purpose, I just didn't ask, because I didn't feel like it. Well, doorman responded anyway! See?! It's routine, it's expected, it's what he says to everyone! I bet you he isn't great. I bet you he's unhappy with his job, maybe even with life - that's why he's just on repeat! Poor guy....

Although I didn't mean for the entry into my apartment building to become an experiment in social behavior, it kind of became one. And I'd like to say that my theory proved true!

Quote for Today...

"Enjoy yourself. It's later then you think."

Engraving on a random bench by the Charles...

The Etiquette of Social Pleasantries...

Doorman: "How are you today?"

Me: "I'm good thanks, how are you?"

Doorman: "I'm grrrreat" (imagine an underly enthusiastic tone despite the amount of "r's"

Me: "I'm glad"

Doorman: "Have a grrrreat day!" (now imagine an even LESS enthusiastic tone, coupled with a complete lack of genuine meaning, and a sense that the same statement has been made at least 50 times within the last two hours.)

Call me cynical, but I would rather forego all conversation together, rather then involve myself in something lacking so much actual emotion and concern. These few statements were so scripted by what we're "supposed" to say to each other. It's in his job description to make nice with the building residents - but nothing about our 30 second exchange of words was nice. Even the smile was fake! Now, I'm not asking for said doorman to take a care about what is really happening in my life - but he could at least change up his script, and maybe, on a good day, add a bit of authenticity to his otherwise monotone statements.

I had a very enlightening conversation with one of my best friends, about a year ago now. We were discussing this very topic, and how when someone asks "how are you" - they very rarely want you to respond with the honest truth. When the question "how are you" is asked, the questioning person expects a short, easy to respond, socially excepted answer "fine thanks, you?"

What if we rearranged the script? What if someone said "How are you?" And I responded with something like "Oh, I'm crumbling on the inside" (I'm not, this is just an example). Or, "I'm totally overworked, overstressed, need to lose 10 lbs, and miserable." What if someone actually gave an honest reply rather then the anticipated answer?

Maybe we'd all learn a little bit more then we'd like to, but we'd also be more aware of how we answer questions, and also, when and how we ask them.

Be genuine in your social question and answer sessions - even if it's just adding a nice smile. Chances are you and your conversation partner will both get more out of it.

"I'm much to young to feel, this damn old." You said it Garth. Country songs always tell the truth. They may be a little dramatic sometimes, but they always seem to get it right, whether we want to admit it or not.

I read a couple years ago, that as adults, we tend to reach our "physical peak" at 25. I guess that was pretty accurate, because here I am 26 and I feel the pain. A night of drinking wreaks havoc on my body for the next 24 hours, I'm stiff when I wake up in the morning, and I can't reach my toes when I bend over - not without a little work.

And now, it's my back. Without being able to put a trigger to my sudden onset of pain, I did something to my lower back that caused me to spend the entire day, flat on my back, using ice, and excessive amounts of Advil for the past 8 hours. I've gotten up and walked a little bit around my apartment, I've done gentle stretching, and I've posted notes around my living room and kitchen that say "My back is healing. My back is ok" (if you're confused, read The Secret.)

Despite the fact that my back is throbbing, I have faith it'll feel a little better tomorrow. And being home all day today gave me the privilege of watching the sun come up and later transition into a beautiful sunset. My apartment turned a beautiful gold color for about 3 minutes, that I wouldn't have gotten to see if I weren't here.

Ice. Stretch. Breathe. Ice. Stretch. Breathe. Ice. Stretch. Breath.... Advil.

A Lesson on Ladybugs....

I was cleaning the windows of my apartment this morning, and noticed a small ladybug on the screen in my bedroom. As I moved to clean the large, picture window in my living room, I noticed two more. Intrigued by the fact that there were three ladybugs so close to each other, I looked a little harder outside - only to find several more flying around.

This got me thinking about ladybugs, and whether a grouping of them "means something" to which I then turn to the trusty internet to find out.

I might not be so interested, but ladybugs have always had a role in my life. My Mom always called me "Love Bug" as a kid (and still does sometimes...) - characterizing a Love Bug with ladybugs. She gave me small stuffed animals, often put ladybug stickers on cards she sent.

When I was in the 4th grade, my family got a puppy that we eventually decided to name Lady. Primarily because she always sat with her front paws crossed. Her nickname quickly became Ladybug - for no other reason then the fact that it just rolled off the tongue. (We put Lady to sleep a few years ago, but her picture is above...)

So after seeing this swarm of ladybugs outside my window, and after doing a little research, I come to find the following:

1. The Ladybug has a short life cycle, therefore, it teaches us "to release worries and enjoy our lives to the fullest."

2. A ladybug is seen as a messenger of promise, fearless, and bringing joy.

3. "When the ladybug appears, it is telling us to get our of our own way and allow the great spirit to enter our lives."

Call it corny, but I find meaning in everything. And after reading up on ladybugs and their perceived meaning, I think I treasure them even more. I hope the little pack of them stays near my window for awhile...

http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Love-Ladybugs/141399

Crowns and Classic Fu Manchu...

We all have that weird family member. The one who know one really understands and avoids at all cost during family get togethers. The cliche cast of characters consist of overbearing Aunts, Grandmothers who make us ugly sweaters or disgusting "treats". Maybe it's a manic sibling, or an annoying cousin with an annoyingly perfect life.

For me, it's an Uncle. And he's just straight up weird. At my cousins' wedding a few years back, the man rocked a legit fu man chu mustache. I'm talking skinny and long, with a little curl at the end... it was gross. And weird. And my poor cousin will forever have that image in her wedding pictures. If it was done out of humor, that would be one thing, but this guy grew it because he actually thought it looked good.

I'm sure my Uncle has a number of fine qualities about him. I, however, choose not to find them because I rarely come face to face with him. Living on opposite sides of the country also helps quite a bit.

The Uncle of whom I speaking, just spent a few days with my dad and other Uncle. The three brothers went "elk hunting" in Colorado. Luckily for the elk, it was hot out, and the hard work of climbing a mountain at 9,000 feet everyday proved too much of a challenge for three 60 something brothers. Thus, their 9 day trip was cut down to a grand total of 3 days.

I checked my email last night and found a short, yet hysterical email from my dad. While I don't necessarily like the idea of hunting, I have to say the potential sacrifice of an animal or two may have been worth it just so I could have heard this from my dad: "Your Uncle managed to find a Burger King crown and wore it hunting. But I made it go away."

Ummm.... I'm sorry but what?! A crown from Burger King?

I don't like to judge. So I won't. If you knew my Uncle, you'd see the hilarity of that. But since you don't, just imagine it... A 60 year old man, with a creepy mustache and an even creepier cardboard crown on his head, yielding a huge gun while climbing a mountain in camouflage. Awesome. Rock on Uncle.

I Needed My Sandwich Standby

Sometimes I have a day when I just need an extra peanut butter and honey sandwich. That's my sandwich of choice by the way. I have my Mom to thank for introducing me to the wonderful blend of crunchy, salty, peanuts, mixed with sweet and creamy honey.

I had that sandwich as a kid, I had that blend on Ritz crackers as an after school snack, and I still have that sandwich on a day like today. A day that I need a little comfort, a little rest, and a little taste of something familiar.

I've been doing a lot of cooking lately, in fact, I just bought a food processor/blender which I've definitely been having fun with. I've made strawberry smoothies for breakfast, I made a butternut squash soup featuring finely diced apples and onions - quite delicious. I've also bought crushed tomatoes for a homemade tomato sauce, and an oversized can of black beans to make a spicy bean dip.

I love to cook and try new foods, but when there aren't too many stable things in life right now, it's nice to know that my standby of peanut butter and honey never fails me.

SG26

My Jigsaw Life

For years, I had all my pieces except one. Fabulous friends, a job that I loved, family that supported all my decisions, and an amazing apartment in the city. Everything was there, fitting so perfectly together, just waiting for that last piece of the puzzle to uncover itself – the man. The boyfriend. The partner who could “complete me” – or complete my life puzzle.

He hasn’t showed up yet– not the perfect fit anyway. And it’s not for lack of trying. I’ve given a variety of pieces a whirl - some with an edge, some a little too smooth, one that had so many angles the thought of making it fit drove me to a panic attack. Maybe he's hiding in another box.

It struck me the other day, as I was thinking about my life, the missing male piece, and the way my pieces are laid out now, how much our existence is similar to a jigsaw puzzle. All the aspects that make up our lives – love, work, friends, family, traveling, dreams, reality – everything needs to get placed together in a certain way to make it all fit. And fit well.

I think about one of those puzzles I had as a kid, three quarters made up by sky – countless pieces of blue that fit together in someway. And how many pieces needed to be tried before finding just the right one. Some came close, and I’d try to make it work, but I always knew it when I found it. The process was often frustrating for me – the challenge of putting something so big together, having to try so many pieces (my lack of patience didn’t, and to this day doesn’t help me). But when I was able to finally finish it off, find the next connecting piece, I always felt a sense of accomplishment and elation.

Jigsaw puzzles take a long time to complete. Some sit on tables for weeks, months even, with the framework in place, but the middle yet to be constructed. And every so often, the builder goes back, and tries a new piece in a new place with a new attitude. Sometimes it fits, sometimes it doesn’t.

I think we all have a life puzzle. Today, at age 26, mine looks like this: a solid border constructed with pieces scattered in an organized, yet chaotic groupings on the inside. Divided into jobs, friends, places I want to go, and bills I need to pay. I look at each day, trying to fit a few pieces together – my patience still lacking, but I’m working on that too. I’ll keep trying new pieces, building off my edge, and have faith that with a little work, everything will begin to fit –even the ones that are still missing.

Meet Some Girl

Some Girl decided that it was time for a change. Time for a new challenge, a new adventure, a new passion. Some Girl committed to her decision, left her job, and took a leap of faith. Not knowing what would be the "next big thing", unsure of what the future would hold, and relying on her gut instinct, Some Girl left stability behind, to wander a winding path, in search of Some Thing...

Here, you and I both, will get to hear about Some Girl... and follow the adventures, exploration, and emotion of the unknown.

SG26