Lent began today, and like many of my fellow Catholics, I went to church and got my ashes. As the Lenten season begins, I ponder my penance...I am going to follow through Lent with the aid of my "Little Black Book," a daily meditation. This is something new for me, but I'm looking forward to it, especially to see if I can truly read it each day, and not have to play catch up. My usual penance of "giving up" something still applies as well:
No Macaronni and Cheese
No Soft Drinks
No Chocolate
No Fast Food
No Alcohol
Really and truly, most of these should be eliminated from every day life, regardless of the season, but like the sinner, I falter. One year, I broke two of my penances on the same day, so I just went whole hog and ate/did everything on my list. This year, I am going to box up everything forbodden and store it away until Easter. Typically I would not go to such lengths, but after my failed "Candy Marathon" at Christmastime, my pantry is overloaded with chocolate squares, marshmallows, graham crackers, cookies, and the like. I figure if I can't eat it, then it's not going to take up space where there could be food that I CAN eat. :)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Finding a Footing
Book Club Mondays (on Tuesday)
Till We Have Faces Pages 1-36
Location: Step Mill at Red's.
Time: 30 Minutes
The last time I read a book for an assignment, I was in high school. And I always procrastinated until the end, forcing myself to read hundreds of pages over a mere weekend. Not much has changed in 10 years, I find. I have ample time on my hands these days, but could not muster the energy to pick up the book "Till We Have Faces" by C.S. Lewis. A very similar sentiment that I'm experiencing with the gym. Today I decided to put an end to both. So for 30 minutes I climbed the Step Mill set on intervals, which is definately the best machine ever made, for it's sole purpose is ass-kicking. I managed to read 36 pages, and those 30 minutes breezed by. I may be on to something here!
One thing that I remember well from assigned reading in high school was that I always had a knack for skipping over all the major plot points and only pulling from the book the "theme" or "characterization" or any of those other literary terms that English teachers go gaga over. What they, and I, could never understand was how was it that I could be spot on with all of these seeminly difficult concepts, but I could never remember who did what to whom and when!
That being said, I don't remember a whole lot about the plot specific points in the first 36 pages. I am a huge fan of historical fiction, and this novel does read in a very similar manner to many of Phillipa Gregory's works. I find myself transported to some time long ago, reading a story seemingly based on the story of the ugly duckling, at least in it's early pages. Probably not the case, but I my overactive imagination has a habit of replacing the main character with myself, acting out all of the scenes in my own head. Maybe that's why I'm grossly dissappointed when I've read the book before seeing the movie!
Till We Have Faces Pages 1-36
Location: Step Mill at Red's.
Time: 30 Minutes
The last time I read a book for an assignment, I was in high school. And I always procrastinated until the end, forcing myself to read hundreds of pages over a mere weekend. Not much has changed in 10 years, I find. I have ample time on my hands these days, but could not muster the energy to pick up the book "Till We Have Faces" by C.S. Lewis. A very similar sentiment that I'm experiencing with the gym. Today I decided to put an end to both. So for 30 minutes I climbed the Step Mill set on intervals, which is definately the best machine ever made, for it's sole purpose is ass-kicking. I managed to read 36 pages, and those 30 minutes breezed by. I may be on to something here!
One thing that I remember well from assigned reading in high school was that I always had a knack for skipping over all the major plot points and only pulling from the book the "theme" or "characterization" or any of those other literary terms that English teachers go gaga over. What they, and I, could never understand was how was it that I could be spot on with all of these seeminly difficult concepts, but I could never remember who did what to whom and when!
That being said, I don't remember a whole lot about the plot specific points in the first 36 pages. I am a huge fan of historical fiction, and this novel does read in a very similar manner to many of Phillipa Gregory's works. I find myself transported to some time long ago, reading a story seemingly based on the story of the ugly duckling, at least in it's early pages. Probably not the case, but I my overactive imagination has a habit of replacing the main character with myself, acting out all of the scenes in my own head. Maybe that's why I'm grossly dissappointed when I've read the book before seeing the movie!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Don't Eat the Macaroni
I lost my job. A week ago. Damn Economy. The company that I worked for had decided to suspend development of the architectural territory indefinitely. And between us, I don't think that they are doing too well residentially, from what I've been told. Whatever the case, I now have no job, and aside from the debt that I had going into this job, I now have to cover an additional $800 a month for car, gas, and insurance. Eek! And on top of all that, my refinance of the house is completely out of the question, since I now have no income. I'm afraid to revisit my budget and determine, at minimum, how much I need to cover bills each month. Because I know what that number is, and it's not pretty.
This is the second time in less than two years that I'm facing unemployment. Neither were my fault. Last time, though, building was at a high and I was able to sustain on private client business. This time, not so good. And I just do not have the energy to do it all again. I want to crawl into a hole and not come out until all this is over with. But I know that can't happen. I must face this head on. But I really have no idea, no clue, what's available.
When I told one of my closest friends what happened, she sent me the sweetest little note, with the funniest and truest of sentiments. Don't eat the macaroni. Last time I lost my job and settled into this funk, I ate Kraft Macaroni and Cheese nearly every day for four months. It was my comfort food. It was my vice. And it was cheap. But, it resulted in over 20 pounds attaching itself to every part of my body. Which lead to even more of a funk. Now, I'm faced with the same scenario and she tells me, "Don't eat the macaroni." Too late. In the last week I've gone through three boxes. And no gym time. No tennis time. Just wallow in self-pity time. Each day I say that I'm going to the gym, but it doesn't happen.
So, today, I'm going to the gym. And if not, it's Whole-Grain, so doesn't that count for something?
This is the second time in less than two years that I'm facing unemployment. Neither were my fault. Last time, though, building was at a high and I was able to sustain on private client business. This time, not so good. And I just do not have the energy to do it all again. I want to crawl into a hole and not come out until all this is over with. But I know that can't happen. I must face this head on. But I really have no idea, no clue, what's available.
When I told one of my closest friends what happened, she sent me the sweetest little note, with the funniest and truest of sentiments. Don't eat the macaroni. Last time I lost my job and settled into this funk, I ate Kraft Macaroni and Cheese nearly every day for four months. It was my comfort food. It was my vice. And it was cheap. But, it resulted in over 20 pounds attaching itself to every part of my body. Which lead to even more of a funk. Now, I'm faced with the same scenario and she tells me, "Don't eat the macaroni." Too late. In the last week I've gone through three boxes. And no gym time. No tennis time. Just wallow in self-pity time. Each day I say that I'm going to the gym, but it doesn't happen.
So, today, I'm going to the gym. And if not, it's Whole-Grain, so doesn't that count for something?
Why didn't I think of this before?
So I was driving to New Orleans a couple days ago for a meeting and I started thinking about my most dreaded day of the year. Valentine's Day. Now I know that I have already ranted on this topic, but for some reason I just can't shake it. It's widely known that, save for the unemployment and all that crumbles around me, my heart is happy these days. Maybe for the first time in a very long time I experience Valentine's Day in such rare form. With a happy heart I mean, not unemployed. Yes, I have mentioned that we have plans, and he has told me that there are a couple surprises built in, at which point I sat on his stomach until he got the hint that I don't do surprises very well, not on February 14th. :)
My first REAL Valentine's Day (aside from the candy and cards in elementary school) was in 1998, and with him I shared the next 4. His gift to me was a dozen white carnations and a balloon. And I was heartbroken. Don't really know why, don't really even know what I expected. Not even 10 years later. But whatever hype about the sentimentality and romanticism portrayed on this one day was not met, in my eyes. So why do I hate Valentine's Day? Because I've never had a good one. The hype is irrational, it's expected, so I avoid it. It's easier just to bitch.
I know this isn't some grand revelation, but it makes me feel better, just acknowledging it.
My first REAL Valentine's Day (aside from the candy and cards in elementary school) was in 1998, and with him I shared the next 4. His gift to me was a dozen white carnations and a balloon. And I was heartbroken. Don't really know why, don't really even know what I expected. Not even 10 years later. But whatever hype about the sentimentality and romanticism portrayed on this one day was not met, in my eyes. So why do I hate Valentine's Day? Because I've never had a good one. The hype is irrational, it's expected, so I avoid it. It's easier just to bitch.
I know this isn't some grand revelation, but it makes me feel better, just acknowledging it.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Ranting in a Whisper
If I said that I was looking forward to Valentine's Day, would you believe me? Nah, I didn't think so. I am actually looking forward to the day, strange as it may seem. This year I'm "In Like" again, though he is fully aware of my feelings on the day. I'm sure he's more relieved than anything. He is exempt from being measured against all the other schmucks out there in the quest for "Most Romantic." Although we are totally preying on the simple mindedness of the masses when we made our plans. This year the "Most Romantic Day of the Year" falls on a Saturday, livening the possibilities of the day and nearly ensuring that, even in these tough times, restaurants will be packed to the gills. Because EVERYONE must show the world how much they are in Love. Or Like, as the case may be.
We are going to see the Rodin exhibit at a local museum--thinking that most people will be too preoccupied to go view several large chunks of bronze. I'm sure that even our timid excursions will be wrought with traffic and those on furious chase for roses. That evening we will prepare dinner at home, a menu similar to that of our first "date"-which is as sentimental as I'll get-and then to follow up with that little bit of whimsy, we'll be completely ironic and go to the theater to see "He's Just Not That into You." Hehe. But that's it. No gifts, no cards, and no flowers. The only difference for that day versus any other is that we're going to a museum. Which we have only from Jan 25-April 19 to view the exhibit, so hopefully February 14 will be the least crowded of the days.
We are going to see the Rodin exhibit at a local museum--thinking that most people will be too preoccupied to go view several large chunks of bronze. I'm sure that even our timid excursions will be wrought with traffic and those on furious chase for roses. That evening we will prepare dinner at home, a menu similar to that of our first "date"-which is as sentimental as I'll get-and then to follow up with that little bit of whimsy, we'll be completely ironic and go to the theater to see "He's Just Not That into You." Hehe. But that's it. No gifts, no cards, and no flowers. The only difference for that day versus any other is that we're going to a museum. Which we have only from Jan 25-April 19 to view the exhibit, so hopefully February 14 will be the least crowded of the days.
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