weekly writing assignment

I have been a little lax lately with MamaKat's assignments. But lucky for me, this week's assignment coincides with a post I had planned for tomorrow. So all I had to do was move it back a day.

Several years ago, I was sitting down to write my annual Christmas letter and I just couldn't do it! I was in a pissy mood from a pissy year and everything I wrote sounded pissy. Then, when I tried to be more positive, I ended up overcompensating and sounding like a lunatic.

In my desperation to put something on paper, I decided to write a top ten list, and the
TOP TEN THINGS I LEARNED THIS YEAR was born. Here's this year's:

(and yes, I do tend to share too much in my Xmas correspondence. That's why people love me.)

Hello Everyone!

Well, 2008 has flown by and once again it is December. I’m still in Massachusetts, still at the same job, and still living in the Garaje Mahal. On the surface, it may seem like not much has changed since last year. But lots of subtle shifts add up to lots of change. And lots of lessons learned. So cuddle up by the fire and get ready for:

THE TOP 10 THINGS I LEARNED IN 2008

1) I WOULD MAKE A HORRIBLE MOBSTER
This should be a no-brainer. I can’t even watch mafia movies because they upset me too much. Casino, Goodfellas, the Godfather: couldn’t watch ‘em because of the violence. Yet, I still had this fantasy that I had a tough side. I let go of that fantasy this year. I could never whack somebody when I can’t even bring myself to kill a rooster. Oh, I hate him!

2) DO NOT EAT DAIRY BEFORE RUNNING A MARATHON
In 2000, I learned not to eat too much fruit before a marathon. I thought I would be safe with dairy at Myrtle Beach. Nope, not so much. Marathons, to me, embody “running” in every sense of the word. Next time -- pasta?

But, there may be no next time for marathons, because:

3) I LOVE TRIATHLONS
In May 2008, I ran a sprint tri in Hyannis and my outlook on life changed forever. Ever felt like you have been overtaken by forces greater than yourself? That’s how I feel about my infatuation with triathlons. (Though I will never do an Ironman. Let’s not get too carried away) In 2009, I plan on doing a half Ironman, though. (No dairy before hand)

4) DO NOT TAKE VITAMINS BEFORE BED
I thought I would try to be a little more health conscious this year, with the above obsession and all. Trying to eat healthy and taking vitamins. Right before bed. I had pretty much resigned to driving myself to the emergency room at 3:00am after about 2 weeks of intense nocturnal heartburn. Then I spied the vitamin bottle. (Oh.) Since I changed the vitamin schedule, I only wake up when the rooster decides I do.

5) I AM POSSESSED BY THE STENCH OF SATAN
This came as a complete surprise. I thought I was possessed only by goodness and light. But on a trip to Montreal in October, I went on a “haunted tour“ and I learned that Satan smells like…eggs. I thought it was just my love of salads and broccoli that caused this smell to follow me around so. Turns out, the devil lives in my colon! Anyone know a young priest and an old priest?

6) ALL GUYS HARBOR A PRINCESS LEIA FANTASY
This Halloween, I went out to a bar with some friends dressed as Princess Leia. It’s amazing how may pick up lines can be generated that include light sabers, “the force“, or a play on the name Princess Leia. It was a long night. Lesson learned.

7) THIS YEAR, I LEARNED HOW TO WALK IN HEELS!
Yeah, most girls master that one by age 13. Not me. But this year, I figured out that sneaker sizes and heel sizes are DIFFERENT! I couldn’t walk in heels because they kept falling off my feet! All I had to do was buy a smaller size. Better late than never. I feel so grown up!

8) CRASHING EVENTS IS FUN!
Prior to this year, I had crashed weddings, bar-b-ques, birthdays, a Thanksgiving dinner, and a company Christmas party where I knew nobody (except the entertainment). This year, I took it to a whole new level by crashing not one, but two separate high school reunions to schools I did not attend for years I did not graduate. I think crashing may be my new thing. Maybe I’ll get a movie deal out of it.

9) THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FEMALE “WINGMAN”
Long story. Just trust me on this one.

10) LOVE HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH MEETING ANOTHER PERSON AND MUCH TO DO WITH EMBRACING LIFE

Let’s just say: life is good and love is bountiful.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYBODY! AND HAPPY 2009!

Addictions

How did it get to be December 29th and I almost forgot to post this month's addictions? (Probably the same way it got to be December 29th and I looked at the corner of my windshield on the way to work and noticed that I forgot to get a new inspection sticker. I don't have time before Jan 1st because of my long work days. I am banking on the idea that cops will have their hands too full with all the New Years tomfoolery (excellent word, eh?) to bother with an expired inspection sticker. I'll take care of that on Friday) But, I will take care of the addictions TODAY.

And be sure to check out Brazen from whom I stole the addiction idea.

In December, I was addicted to:

WALNUTS AND CRANBERRIES
I bought a big bag of walnuts and a package of dried cranberries and I have been eating them in absolutely everything! Oatmeal in the morning. Check. Turkey sandwich for lunch. Check. Salad at dinner. Check. Even a peanut butter sandwich in infinitely better with walnuts and cranberries sprinked in.

EGGNOG
After my unfortunate eggnog incident earlier in the month, I got over it and decided to drink as much of this stuff as possible before it went away.

SCENTED CANDLES
Just because.

TOM HANKS MOVIES
Seriously, have there been more Tom Hanks movies on TV in December than ....ever??? I think there is an underground movement to replace Ralphie from "A Christmas Story" as the face of Christmas with Tom Hanks. Of course, I watched them all. Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, Cast Away, I even watched Bachelor Party!
(Incidently, even though it's supposed to be funny, I always get a little teary eyed when Ralphie snaps and beats up the bully. What a bad week he must have had to make him spew out all that profanity! I know exactly how he feels. I DO think its funny, though, that Ralphie's mom just walks off and leaves the other kid bleeding in the snow. Oh well.)

FLANNEL JAMMIE PANTS
It's a good thing, too. Since my birthday is in December, I always get about 5 pair of flannel jammie pants for my birthday. Not to mention scarves, fleece vests, warm socks, and bathrobes. I could open a spa!

JUST IN UNDER THE WIRE!

The Artist's Way

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to see Julia Cameron speak at a holistic health conference. At the time, I had never heard of her. I went to the conference to see Deepak Chopra. But several people I knew had recommended going to see her speak.

She was, in a word, magical. I think it was fitting that the room in which she was speaking was, in fact, and old church. To just listen to her speak and look at the sun shining in through stained glass windows...magic.

To anyone not familiar with Julia Cameron, she is an author, screenwriter and poet amongst other things. But her true spark of genius, her passion, if you will, is her workshops to teach creativity. Most of us feel that creativity is something you're either born with or not. But Julia feels that creativity is something we all have, but have learned to repress. Her workshops go through a series of exercises aimed at rediscovering the creative spark we have learned to snuff.

SHe also has a number of books that mimic her workshops. I have, in the past, started the 12 week program in her book, The Artist's Way, but have never really gotten through. I think I got to week 9 a few times.

Anyway, I am going to open the book again in 2009. And to motivate myself, I'm going to dedicate one day per week on the blog to the Artist's Way. (It's like paying to go to a gym, where I HAVE to exercise to get my money's worth. Now the pressure is on since I have made the goal public. I HAVE to finish)

Plus, it might be nice to share the creative journey with other creative folks out there. What do you all do to ignite the creative spark?

One of the most useful monthly goals I had in 2008 was getting rid of one thing every day for one month. It wasn't just the act of purging, it was the process of truly looking at my stuff, deciding what was important for me, and consciously deciding what I needed and what I didn't. Far from feeling like I lost 30 things, I instead felt like I gained space, clarity, and control in my apartment, my mind, and my life.

In 2009, I decided to take it one step further. I am striving to get rid of one thing every day for a year. It seems daunting, but I think once I get started, it'll be fairly easy. (Or, I hope)

It just seems like we all have so much STUFF. Even someone like myself, who regularly purges and tries to live simply, accummulates way more that he/she needs.

This is especially evident around the holidays. My sister in law started a tradition where her kids fill a box with toys they have outgrown or just don't play with anymore. They leave it out on Christmas Eve for Santa to pick up and redistribute the toys to other kids who will enjoy them more. It's a start. Then, there's J, who on December 26 was going through the plethora of matchbox cars that her 2 year old son had received as gifts from various people. She was removing all the cars made in China, since he tends to put the cars in his mouth and she's fearful of lead paint. SHe had seperated the cars into piles and was looking on the internet to determine their safety: "are toys from Malaysia safe? How about Japan?" She looked up at me and said: "You know, it would be so much easier if he got a lot fewer, higher quality cars. I feel bad taking them away, but really, he doesn't need all this."

That's the other side of the coin. In 2008, I had also said I was going to buy myself things that I just never buy for myself. I was successful a few months (high quality sheets, a nice bike) but then I just stopped. It just didn't seem like I should be buying things to treat myself when I was already drowning in stuff. Buying and purging could go hand and hand, though. Get rid of the stuff I don't need, and replace with one or two high quality items that I will really use and enjoy.

So on a weekly basis, in blogfest 2009, I will be documenting my progress in the journey to simplify my life. Wish me luch

Holiday Safety Tip

Holiday Safety Tip From My 10 Year Old Neice:

"Whenever you ride a skateboard, you should make sure to wear

elbow pads, knee pads, a helmet, and Chuck Taylors."

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Today is December 22nd. The one year anniversary of my bloggie. (And the first day the sun stays out a little longer each day)

When I started this journey a year ago, I really was just looking for a way to document a year of self discovery and growth. I wasn't sure if I wanted to share it with anyone. I wasn't sure if it was the stupidest idea I'd ever had. I wasn't sure I'd continue beyond my first entry.

Now, a year later, I find that both the blog and my life have taken off in directions I never could have predicted. I've fallen in love with triathlons, gotten a work certification I didn't think I would, and started venturing out with friends instead of hibernating every weekend. In blog world, I met people whom I now consider friends and sounding boards. I've understood completely different points of view from my own, laughed, cried, hoped, and celebrated along with people thousands of miles away from me.

Mostly, I achieved the one BIG goal I had wanted to accomplish this year: I found my way back to ME. I feel more like myself than I have in a long time, and I think blogging has a lot to do with this.

Over the next year, I'm planning on making some changes to my bloggie. Many are flagrant rip offs from other blogs I've read out there. (I hope that's ok) Some are just ideas that have been floating around in my head for a while. Overall, I envision specific themes for specific days with more room for participation from readers out there. To this point, I haven't put much thought or effort into customizing the blog template at all. Hopefully, that'll change as well. As well as more pictures and embellishments.

What won't change are the monthly goals, the push for self growth, and the snippets of sarcasm and humor.

Lots of plans, lots of expectations. Lots of excitement to see where things go next year. Come along, won't you?

AGE TO WOMEN IS LIKE KRYPTONITE TO SUPERMAN ---Kathy Lette


This week, I've been coming to terms with the fact that on Monday, I turned 39. THIRTY NINE! Thirty nine is tough because it is one year away from being WICKED OLD. It's not like turning 30 when you're only old in a teenager's mind. It's one year away from 40. Which is really, truly old.

The forties: when insecure men trade in the mini van for a sports car and get an ill-advised diamond stud in their ear. The forties: when insecure women botox and lift their faces until they resemble platypuses from outer space. The forties: when unfit men and women start having bypass surgeries and routine endoscopies. When if you are fit and bad-ass enough to make it to the Olympics, everyone assumes you are on more steroids than a race horse. That's one year away!

Generally, I'm not one of those people who have mini-breakdowns on my birthday. It's only a number, after all. The only other time I ever had a problem was when I turned 35. And that was the newspaper's fault.

I had been perusing an article that was discussing a new trend among clothing manufacturers: they were recognizing that if you didn't want to wear low riders with a thong and a baby tee, there wasn't much else out there unless you wanted to resemble a librarian. Since I had recently been on a clothing excursion and couldn't find jeans that would contain more than 50% of my pelvis or a Tshirt that didn't ride up to rib cage level if I lifted my hands up, I was in full agreement with this article. It's about time those clothing manufacturers woke up! It's about time they started targeting women "between 35 and 45". The problem was the title of the article: "Clothing manufacturers target middle aged women."

MIDDLE AGE???? I believe I stopped breathing for a full 90 seconds before I hyperventilated myself into a full fledged conniption. Then I cried for the rest of the day. (Ok, not really)

This time around, there's no newspaper article, just that number, looming on the horizon. And the thought of being WICKED OLD.

Then, on Saturday, I saw a beautiful sight. I saw the GQ magazine with the picture on Jennifer Aniston on the cover. Jennifer Aniston and the striped tie. She's 39. Almost 40.

If that's what 39 looks like, then I'm okay with that.