A Rave... not the dancing kind.

Yesterday's word of the day was dauntless(ly). Wha ha ha ha! Such power is mine! ...Oh no, what if I lose this power!?

So as you may or may not know, Pixelscopic (the company that I work for sometimes and the guys who are my friends) got back this evening from PAX. They debuted their game (currently in development) Delver's Drop there. And I just wanted to say how flipping amazing they are.

PAX went really well. Ryan just came by (I was checking in on his house/saving his mail from Hurricane Isaac) and he told me a few stories about it... and I'm just full to bursting with pride and positive thoughts and excitement for them.

They work really hard, those guys.

First, they work on the video games that pay the bills (like the Moshi Monster games I've worked on.) And then on top of that, whenever they can find a free moment, they work on their own games. And "a free moment" normally means ridiculous hours or staying up all night or missing out on family time.

Yes, it helps that they are all so talented at what they do, but that doesn't lessen the crazy amount of work they are putting in. I so admire/respect how relentlessly they push towards their real goal while constantly having to be sidetracked by "paying" projects.

Now eventually they are going to get a game or two finished that they've developed from start to finish. I have no doubt that they will be insanely successful and make millions (at which time they should totally hire me as their permanent copy-writer.) There is not a doubt in my mind that fame and fortune await them, and I'm just proud and happy to be able to say that they are my friends. That I knew them when. That I'm totally a fangirl.

Sweet story:

A father sent Ryan a message. His little girl was at PAX and got one of their buttons. She put it on her hat, but then she lost her hat at PAX. The little girl was very upset by the loss of her button with the rogue character on it, so her dad asked if he could buy a button from them. Ryan is planning on sending a signed print of the character as well as all of the buttons.

Yes, the self-same buttons I now have copies of gracing my laptop bag.

Seriously.

Seriously.

I don't understand how you could be nemesis with people like that. *coughKaracough*

Great Limerick, Part 2

You may have noticed that Kara's limerick didn't make the cut two days ago. This is because she drug a frowned upon inside joke into it-- one that I don't really want burned into the internet for all time.

But this morning she woke me up to say goodbye and had three limericks for me, bringing her limerick total up to four (She does so hate to be out-done.) ;)

So here are Kara's *real* limericks:

You change every person you meet
by being yourself- oh so sweet.
I was a real bitch,
now my life is so rich.
The gospel is spread by your feet!

You challenge me to be ... "nice"
for my sin, you oft' pay the price.
You share all you own,
righteous seeds you have sown, ((and great costumes!))
of loving you, moms don't think twice.

I am who I am, 'cause you are who you are.
In every relationship you raise the bar.
I win when you win.
We're closer than kin.
We'll be bff's always- no distance too far.

Great Limerick!

I like to think that "Great Limerick!" is something that we will now say when shocked- like how Dr. Brown says "Great Scott!" in Back to the Future.


So today I was woken up by a phone call from Kara... yes.... it was noon. A girl can sleep as late as she wants on her birthday! I actually missed the first call, but then I called her right back and I'm glad I did, because she told me that she had good and bad news...

The good news is she got a job in Philly. The bad news is she has training that starts August 14th and so can't come back for the friend-a-versary like we planned... but the other good news was... *KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!* And there she was! It was really exciting. I ran downstairs like it was Christmas.

So last Friday, Kara actually came up with the idea that I should have people write me limericks for my birthday...

Best. Idea. Ever.

And now I will share with you some of the greats from today:

A birthday rhyme for my friend Renée
Of her beauty I can't fully convey
She has nails with a map
and bakes desserts in a snap
We will buy her bestsellers someday.
-Natalie

Our friend Renée always bakes
Lots of pies, lots of cookies and cakes
Cause we just can't say no
to her treats made from dough
we're all getting fat, goodness sakes!
- Bill

There's this girl that I know named Renée
She has to have Starbucks each day
White Peppermint Mocha
To start up her mot'a
Now up way too late she will stay
-Lissa

This one has a bit of meter issues, but it's too great not to share:

Surfing facebook on my cellular phone
while sitting here on my porcelain throne.
DING-A-LING-A-LING! Tagged in a post.
Jessie has summoned a limerick for Renée, the host!
WOW! What's that smell? Was it my own?

Anyways, back to the topic of the day.
Renée, sit back, relax and enjoy what I have to say.
No funny business, stinky socks, or rotten fish.
Just a heartfelt, warm birthday wish!
For all those you hold dear to send love your way!

Glancing through posts both new and old,
I wanted to see what all you had been told.
What I realized was almost everyone's downfall!
Hardly anyone can follow directions at all!
Most gave a quick reply, but a few broke the mold!

So on your special day, and a limerick you request,
I issue you this, but a simple test:
Who is lovely and caring and sweeter than sweet?
Who can bake amazing cookies that'll never be beat?
If you guessed Renée, you're correct! She's one of the best!

-Mike

My birthday wishes are lame
Just a simple "Happy Birthday!"--all the same
But I figured "Why not?"
"I'll give this a shot"
"and pen a birthday limerick for Renée"

In no time the first line was written
The standard "Once was a girl..."--I was smitten
Then came line two
And quickly I was through
Limericks are difficult.
Happy Birthday!

-Joe

There once was a girl named, Renée

Who's name happened to rhyme with "bidet"

She so hated the term

That she threatened to burn

Any who uttered it on her birthday

*pause* *deep breath*

So.. there was a fellow, name of Ryan

In imminent danger of fryin'

So to save his skin

He pleaded this then:

(deadpan voice)

"Happy birthday Renée... please don't kill me"

-Burrell (whose name is also Ryan but that's confusing, so I call him Burrell)

Helpful and personable, she will plan an event

Bring people together, not one she resents

but the é in her name is a fake

so you'll think she is French by mistake

(in a crazy French accent)

'cause it gives her excuses to speak in accents.

-Ryan

And then I think the piece dé resistance* (also penned by Ryan)

Renée, Renée, fabulous she

witty and charming, open-handed and free

Her only downfall

-if she has one at all

Is trying to make me watch that stupid show, Glee

I so enjoyed this birthday limerick extravaganza. I love my friends and I love laughing and I love all the wonderful compliments being written down so I can refer to them over and over. 

Kara says next year is sonnets... but she does have a tendency to take things a bit over the top.

*the piece dé resistance says "stupid" for parental controls.... (like literally for the parentals who read this.... Ryan has strong feelings towards against Glee. -- so much that he just made me change it when I said "towards" because (direct quote) "I'm not 'toward' Glee in any way.") 

Beautiful Things

We now return you to your regularly scheduled, non-emo blog.

Wanna see something amazing? Watch this video.

That guy is from Springfield. What an incredible spirit.

He's one of those people I feel like I've seen a lot but never actually met... but then again he might just have that kind of face. I wish I actually knew him, rather than him being a friend of a friend of a friend.

In entirely unrelated news: there is a Snow Biz a block and a half away from my apartment! You should come visit me and we should take a stroll.

Yeah... that's really all I have for today.

So I think you should take some time to enjoy this song with a lyric video that someone worked very hard on... and then stuck some candles in.

I have two side

I saw on some tv talk show today that they have a laser treatment that erases cellulite. (Not the fat, but the whole dimpling ripply skin yuckiness)

It's expensive but in the two years since they've started doing it no one has had the cellulite come back. Of course, no one knows any of the long term health effects from it either, but they seem to be minimal. Apparently the laser cuts the collagen that is pulling the skin down for the dimples and then melts the fat cells so they smooth out underneath the skin. There is bruising and swelling for a few weeks and you should take the day after off work, but that's basically it. How weird is that!?!

Lasers are amazing.

But we may have already known that.

OK we did. If Star Wars and Star Trek have taught us nothing else, they've taught us that lasers are awesome.

Come on. Light sabers and phasers?? Those are *so* lasers! If you put them on their lowest setting they'd probably get rid of your cellulite, too.

The other day I mentioned to a friend that when I'm working I get up and out of the house in 30 minutes (or less) and he was surprised cause I "seem like the type of girl who would have to get up at 5 AM to be somewhere at 7AM."

First, I try to avoid having to be anywhere at 7AM... that's just unhealthy. :)

Actually, it was a rather nice compliment, though I don't think he was thinking of it that way necessarily...

It would be easy to construe the comment as "You seem really high-maintenance." But Nathan always assured me that I might well be "the least high-maintenance girl ever."

So here's how I'm choosing to interpret the comment: "You are an hour and a half prettier than most girls."

I think this is a hilarious idea. I'd like to measure beauty by time.

"Sunday mornings I look one-hour while most days I just try for a fifteen-minutes."

"I have this bag since Russia." ***

Ok, I might be a little high-maintenance.  Nathan was admittedly biased.

For instance, I'm not into camping. I happen to really like electricity and mattresses and indoor plumbing.

But an air mattress on the back deck? Totally. I'd love that.

Oooooh, or this. I'd go camping if it were like this:

***Oh My Goodness!!! So, a long time ago in college someone found this website for a guy who called himself "Ill Mitch" and so many jokes rose up from this website, most notedly Kara and I telling each other, "I have this bag since Russia." It was a caption on one of his pictures that we loved because (as you may be aware) Russia isn't a time. We still say this to each other from time to time. Well, I just looked him up and it's all still there... Go here, and feast your eyes on the glory of Ill Mitch. Also take a moment to listen to his most glorious of raps, "Fast and Danger"

If you can listen to the whole thing I'll be mondo impressed, but you should at least try to make it to the first "chorus."

"I have two side. One happy. One anger. You can ask a stranger. My board is fast and danger."

I'm almost sure he isn't for real... but I will say this. I think Ill Mitch and Debbie the E-Harmony Cat Girl might be soulmates.

Search your feelings. You know it to be true.

Wand and House

So last Wednesday we had writing group and somehow got on the subject of Harry Potter houses.

And one of the boys brought up Pottermore.

And I thought, "Yeah, Pottermore. I should check that out."

So I did. 

My wand is Cedar and Unicorn Hair, 11 inches, Pliant

Here's what they have to say about that

The unicorn hair core:

Unicorn hair generally produces the most consistent magic, and is least subject to fluctuations and blockages. Wands with unicorn cores are generally the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts. They are the most faithful of all wands, and usually remain strongly attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch or wizard.
Minor disadvantages of unicorn hair are that they do not make the most powerful wands (although the wand wood may compensate) and that they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may 'die' and need replacing.

And here's what they have to say about the cedar encasement: (which I was pleased about just because I love the smell.)

Whenever I meet one who carries a cedar wand, I find strength of character and unusual loyalty. My father, Gervaise Ollivander, used always to say, ‘you will never fool the cedar carrier,’ and I agree: the cedar wand finds its perfect home where there is perspicacity and perception. I would go further than my father, however, in saying that I have never yet met the owner of a cedar wand whom I would care to cross, especially if harm is done to those of whom they are fond. The witch or wizard who is well-matched with cedar carries the potential to be a frightening adversary, which often comes as a shock to those who have thoughtlessly challenged them.

 Dude... that's actually a highly impressive summation of my character.

Also I discovered I'm in Ravenclaw-- I've long suspected such. The prefect message that welcomed me told me, "Well done on becoming a member of the cleverest, quirkiest and most interesting house at Hogwarts."

Yes, my favorite descriptor word of myself *is* quirky.

As a demonstration of my "perspicacity and perception," tonight I was talking to someone (keep in mind this was before I got my wand and my house assignment.) He said, "I watched some old cartoons on Netflix." and I responded, "What cartoons? If you say ReBoot, 500 points to Ravenclaw."

Yeah he was totally watching ReBoot.

Brains or just eerily talented? You be the judge.

Afraid to Believe

I got great news today. They want to publish my one-act in the Moon City Review 2012!

It's such good news that I almost don't trust it. What if someone somewhere just hit the wrong button? It's all electronic now... it wouldn't be that hard to send an accidental acceptance when you meant to send a refusal.

How sad is it that I find myself suspicious of good news?

I was excited for a few hours and then I just started thinking, "What if it's a mistake?" The only other person I know who was accepted, was accepted over a month ago. Why the long delay between now and then?

50 people liked my status on facebook... what if I have to go back and tell them it was all just a misclick?

I hate looking the fool so much that I almost regret telling people so quickly. I don't want to look foolish and I really really hate feeling pitied.

Pitied or patronized. Either reaction make me want to punch someone/thing.

And if this is all some cruel joke the universe is playing on me... *shakes fist in the general direction of the universe*

Dang, I'm not a pessimist, normally... but I've mentioned before how often it feels like if I want something really and truly then I can't have it.

Now I've just admitted to the world that I really and truly wanted MCR to publish one of my pieces.

It's the first thing I ever tried to get published and I really wanted it to be used. It's that huge first step and it starts the very slow process of getting my name into the world... and I *wanted* it.... so I thought for sure it wouldn't happen. And the passing of the deadline I expected to hear from them by just confirmed it all in my head.

So this feels like it's not possible.

It's exceedingly weird that I should be so good at trusting in God with the hard stuff life's thrown at me, but afraid to trust in Him that the good things are actually good and not just another sneaky way to try and crush my spirits. I've learned how to rejoice in sorrow... but how do you rejoice in rejoicing? How can you ever know it's not all going to come crashing out from under you? The mountains are a lot easier to fall off of than rock bottom.

I realize how very strange I sound right now... I feel like for the first time I've uncovered a place where this journey has dinged me up a bit... where the process hasn't refined me, but added a weakness. How ironic that in learning to stand tall through the valleys I've become afraid to fly in the heights.

I'd like to propose a toast.

Well I wrote an annoyed blog. It was kinda long.... and totally obscure... and kinda passive-aggressive.

I think we all have a streak of the passive aggressive in us... but it's important to quash it when we can.

So this is me attempting to quash it.

So instead I'm going to give you some non-passive, non-aggressive statements... Things that I think, but I don't think you can say often enough. So, *raises a glass* here's to you guys.

Kara is hilarious. And she always knows exactly what to say to me- even when she doesn't know what to say. She's always honest with me and she has great hair.

Melissa is totally gorgeous. She giggles at really random things which I love and she's really great at listening to a problem before making any judgements. (She chose her profession wisely.)

Katie is an incredible hostess. She likes making people feel welcome and she's good at it. Also she does surprise random things for others, just because she knows that they will like them.

Jonny is so humble. He's willing to take the blame in situations that aren't his fault and when he is in the wrong his apologies are sincere. He'd also do just about anything for a friend if they asked him.

Josh is so incredibly friendly. I wish I had the ease and comfort with strangers that Josh has. He's fearless and he, too, would do anything he could to help someone.

The best word to describe Bill is congenial. Bill is not one you will catch unhappy for long. He just has a buoyancy of spirit that pulls him up-- and in turn the people around him. He also knows every song lyric ever written...and every internet meme.

And these are just a few of the amazing people I know (and it doesn't even begin to touch on the ones I'm related to.) There are lots more... far more than I can even attempt to name... because I would invariably leave someone off who was important and deserves to be mentioned.

So here's to you. I think you're great.

Prthanks.

Tomorrow I'm going to a pancake fundraiser for one of the nurses of 5W... at least I think she's a nurse... It doesn't really matter. She works on 5 West, she took care of my husband and she's battling breast cancer. Good enough for me.

I'm getting up at 7:00 to do this... ok probably 7:30. Still, that's early for me.

Oh did I tell you my hours changed? I now start work at 10 rather than 9. It's amazing what an hour will do for you. I feel so much better rested waking up at 9/9:30 than I did at 8/8:30. It's just that much closer to my natural sleep schedule I think.

So I wrote that at around 5 in the afternoon (sometimes I write blog posts a long time before I post them. Shhhhhh don't tell!)

Then I got distracted... by dinner I think? Then I watched the Joplin Extreme Makeover Home Edition, which was really great. and then Kara came over and we talked for...  well she came over around 8:30 or so... and she just left at 2.... so like 5 and a half hours... I love talking to Kara. I don't know why God has given her a calling to move away from me. I don't doubt it, I just dislike it.

I make up for it in my head by assuming that she will use me as an illustration of awesome things in like 85% of her sermons so if I ever come visit her church on a Sunday I will be a walking celebrity.

(What does that even mean, Renée??? As opposed to all the wheelchair-bound celebrities, who are just rampant? Can't get rid of those guys, they are way too excited about having a wheelchair to play in! British GPS says, "Blimey, you've just gone on a bit of a ramble now, 'aven't ya? Don' know 'ow you are gonna recovah from that one, mate. Best tell a story, give em an illustration-like. Off you go now.)

This is how I imagine it going- We'll run into someone in the church hallway and I'll say, "Hi, I'm Renée! I'm a good friend of Kara's."

And people will stop as they are reaching their hand out to shake mine and they will say, "Did you say, Renée?"

And I'll smile confusedly because their hand is frozen in the air and they aren't shaking my proffered hand, and say, "Yes."

And then they will get a look of wonder and awe on their face, grab my hand, and shake it very enthusiastically and they will say, "I've heard so many stories but I never thought I'd have a chance to actually meet you in person. It's such a pleasure!"

And I will smile and be very polite and chat with them a few minutes longer.

Then I will get the heck out of Philadelphia because Kara has WAY oversold me.

How is "proffered" even a word. You know what it means? It means offered. Wait. So you add a "pr" to a word and it still means the same thing?? That's Prediculous! Preposterous!  oooh wait maybe I can just say, "That's Eposterous!"

I have yet to tell Kara that her advertisement of me as the second greatest human who ever lived is how I'm reconciling her leaving. I kept thinking about it tonight but I never worked it around to that. So I guess this is me telling her.

Kara, I know in my heart that I'm awesome. Your calling is simple- tell the world about Jesus (and how awesome I am.)

Prthanks.

Pictures of awesome

In case you were wondering, Pioneer Woman's brisket is awesome. We had it for dinner and it was soooo tasty.

Other awesome things:

Train sets - doesn't matter if you are 3 or 58 or somewhere in between.

iPads

Digital coloring pages sent to your e-mail from the ipad and your 6-year-old niece.

Pretty nail polish that you order online.

Netflix episodes

Christmas present movies

Family gatherings that last a week and extended family gatherings that start tomorrow.

(Ok, so that picture of a family gathering is like 17 cousins short or something.... and like 10 years ago.) I don't have a recent one available. The youngest one is the only one who's a different height now, so it pretty well counts.

No, really, Dovie (2nd on left) probably still is that tall.

Also awesome- Having someone in the family shorter than I am to tease.

Not about knee highs

It's strange.

You spend an entire day sitting around watching TV show episodes with your spouse and you have this cute funny story about that one time you nerded out together.

You spend the same day by yourself and you just feel kinda pathetic.

The knee high socks are probably not helping my self image, but my feet and legs sure have stayed toasty.

What happened to my life? It's like a piece of fabric that got caught in a vacuum and I can't get it out... and even if I do turn off the vacuum, the fabric is going to be grease-coated and dirty and all stretched out. Nothing like what it was supposed to be.

Yeah, I think this has turned into one of those pity party blogs.  Sorry. That's not cool.

In other news- recognizing a fake anti-virus before it hacks your whole system and then using a system restore to make sure the problem is eradicated without the help of a single tech genius?

Awesome.

And so is finally coming up with a name for the One Act you wrote months ago.

Awesome

I've checked out the Book of Awesome from the library... well technically this one is "the Book of Even More Awesome"... but the first one is on hold, too.  I really love these books in no small part because they remind me of the small things in life that really are quite wonderful.

and because the author, Neil Pasricha says this in his forward, 

There will be times in your life you’re tossed down the well, too. There will be times you’ll cry yourself to sleep, with twists in your stomach, with holes in your heart. You may wonder if it’s all worth it and you may think that it ain’t. You may wonder if you can handle it or you may beg for restraint. 

But when bad news washes over you and when the pain sponges and soaks in, I really hope you feel like you’ve always got two big choices: 

1. You can swish and swirl in gloom and doom forever, or 

2. You can grieve and face the future with newly sober eyes 

Sure, life has dealt me some blows in the couple years I’ve been writing about awesome things. There was the mindnumbing loneliness of moving to a brand new nowhere town, the broken heart of a broken marriage, and the searing waves of regret when a friend took his own life. 

But I’m lucky because I’ve had a way out for the past two years. I’ve had a secret pill to swallow, a magic potion to swirl, and a bubbly cauldron to sip from every time I felt down or felt black or felt blue. And I hope you know that remedy and I hope you feel it too.

And then he goes and lists awesome things... like peeling the glue off the back of a credit card... or a baby falling asleep on you... or watching cream go into coffee... seriously that one really is awesome.

Or today when I put in a new pair of contacts and suddenly because of this little flimsy piece of plastic *that I put in my EYES* I have 20/20 vision. Seriously.  Contacts are *awesome.*

Side note, how did anyone do anything before there were glasses??? Are there even still people who don't need glasses to see? (and who haven't had Lasik?) I wonder.

It all comes back to looking at things again... changing your perspective.  It's really hard to see the awesome in life when you are looking through your jaded eyes... but if you can remove the filter and look at someone with fresh eyes- like it's the first time... What would you see if you hadn't seen it before? ...What new thing could you uncover if you didn't have any preconceived notions? In the fantasy books the time when a magic user has the greatest potential is when they don't know what the rules are, so they don't know what "can't" be done. But if we can do that in our own lives, after we already know the rules.... If we can train our eyes to look at something as though it was the first time... if we can look not through the lens of ourselves but through the lens of a stranger... there is a lot in this world to be amazed by. There is a lot of awesome.

I know, I know it's becoming a bit of a mantra with me but I have to say it again...

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”- Roald Dahl

I wish I could explain, but even with all my words I lack the ability to really pin it down, but this is why I believe in God. Because just as sure as there are so many things in this world that are awesome, there is a God who created them and is so much more awesome that it's beyond comprehension... and so we only get little moments... like staring into a coffee cup with cream in it... or being loved by another human being... or discovering a secret hidden in that most unlikely place.

There is a God because there is hope

because there is "magic"

because there is love.

It's awesome.

How to be best friends

I got to see the lovely Kara a bit more today than I usually do. I saw her (and the darling Bolt) over my lunch break and then I went running errands with her - which turned into running errands, getting supper, and then getting ice cream. What can I say? Kara and I like to up the ante. It was really nice. Babies need a lot of time, so I've not gotten to hang out with my bestest friend for a while, so tonight was just fabulous.

Kara has decided to take the idea of guest blogging seriously- which is fine, I don't mind letting her have my soap box every once in a while. She has come up with two ideas, one of which I am unqualified to share and the other of which she has graciously told me that I can use... and I think I shall because it's very much along the lines of where my mind is going of late.

Kara and I are best friends... I wrote a blog post all about her once upon a simpler time. I was a different person then, but our friendship was/is the same. Well, this evening Kara was talking about her blog ideas and she said, "I think we need to share with the world one of the secrets to being best friends."

Naturally I asked, "And what is that?"

And she said, "We enjoy our relationship... and we enjoy talking about it. Like we talk about how great of friends we are, and how much we love that we are best friends and how such and such is why we are best friends. I don't see many other people do that."

And I said, "You are absolutely right." (In fact I'm pretty sure Kara has hit on one of the theories of communication, but unfortunately I can't remember at all which theory it is. It's akin to group think and has something to do with positive regard...)

**btw Communication Theory might be right under an art history class as something that I think all people should have to take. It's stupid to make every college graduate take a public speaking course when not all people need to speak publicly- but everyone has to communicate effectively.**

Anyway, what Kara said is true and as soon as she said that I realized it's something that Nathan and I used to do, too. I'm not really a compare-er, but when it comes to relationships... especially my close relationships I firmly believe that they are special and I say so. With Kara it comes out after she's said exactly the right thing to validate my feelings or she's made a joke that only the two of us would really find funny. And it sounds something like, "See, that's why your my best friend." or "Thank you for knowing that upset me." or even just, "You're my best friend, Copper." Kara says things like "That's why we are besties!" too. (I've yet to come to terms with "besties") Though, oftentimes she expresses it a bit more dramatically (aka more fun-ly) by making bold statements about how we could be a sitcom or start the "Real Housewives of Springfield", or by writing beautiful book inscriptions or touching e-mailed sentiments. But both of us recognize our friendship and affirm it to the other and in the process that cements our relationship that much tighter.

Nathan and I did something similar. We both thought the other person was great, and having a relationship that was rooted in a strong friendship, we talked about it. We talked about how strong our marriage was. I told him how happy I was to be married to him. He asked me to marry him about once every week or two from the moment we got engaged. I would always respond either "You already asked me that" or just "yes", while we were engaged and once we were married I would say, "I already did, silly!"

He would reply somewhere along the lines of, "Oh yeah! That was the best idea I ever had." and I would agree. We talked at length about how special we thought our relationship was. Not because no one had ever had a relationship like ours, (many have!) but because that type of relationship is something to be cherished no matter how many exist in the world. And I think that made us stronger.

It's a fine line to walk. I've tried the same relationship admiration with other people and only succeeded in freaking them out or making them think that I am needy, which isn't actually even all that true. And I've had people come on too strong with me and assume a closeness that I wasn't quite feeling... and to be honest there have been times when I ran from it as hard as I could. You have to be honest, sincere, and (especially at first) vulnerable.... but if you can manage to sync up and sincerely begin to point out the places and moments in your relationships where you and the other person just hit it off... and if they can reciprocate. I think it's one of the keys to having a friendship that passes the test of time. Even if it takes a while to get there... I think it's important. (And if it's the right person, it might even accelerate the friendship.)

Maybe it's all just me... Maybe the reason why Kara and I and Nathan and I hit it off so well is that we all come from the same positive regard boat... but I don't think so. I think it runs more deeply than that. People want to be special. And they want to be a part of something beyond the ordinary to make them feel special... and I think sometimes just putting a spotlight on the small things starts to make the big picture shine as well.

So Kara... did I do it justice? Were you gonna talk about some other aspect of relationship admiration? I feel like this is a huge well that I only pulled one bucket of water from and there is so much more, but it's getting onto 1:30 and my laptop battery is dying a slow death and this blog is already getting rather epic. So for now I leave it at that... perhaps I'll pull some more buckets at a later date.

Two videos, two pictures and a sundry of topics.

Yesterday I hit 20,000 views. This makes me happy. 20,000. I don't advertise my blog... I don't really know how, except by word of mouth, and honestly one can never be sure that someone is going to find my meanderings that interesting. So I'm not a blog pusher, except that I post it to my facebook everyday, but honestly I think that's more a matter of convenience for all my friends (and family) who read, but can't figure out the whole idea of crazy-go-nuts subscription thing. So 20,000 blog views is kinda awesome, cause it means I've managed to make some of youse into faithful readers, be it by my sarcasm,

What? Me? Sarcasm?

my inherent adorableness,

I took a break from reading to write this blog post... it's only 12:38 AM.

Or just the fact that you can really relate to me, since you are also so spectacularly uncoordinated that "bicycle crunches" are more than your poor brain can comprehend.

In case you don't know, this is a bicycle crunch:

It's not exactly rocket science... except it kinda is... for me. Seriously... I can't teach my brain how to do them. 

Anyway, your talent for ab workouts aside, I appreciate what 20,000 views means...  That 20,000 times someone has found something of enough worth to at least bother to click on.

Having a macbook means that I have a greater propensity to show you pictures... of myself. Yeah, I'm cool like that... but I straightened my hair today. I haven't seen my hair straight since February. Add to that I was rocking out one of my hair extensions and that's reason enough to post it on here... especially since I didn't see nearly enough people to justify how flipping bad-a I looked.

See what I mean? I'm too cool for school.

I've reached such a new level of cool that I've surprised even myself.

 Plus, I'm used to having someone to show off my experimentations in style to and now I don't have that so I just pretend like everyone (including those poor boys who are kind enough to pretend) at game night really are interested in what I've done with my fingernail polish, and that you all at just dying to see what I look like with snap-in extensions. Best thing about snap in extensions?? I can choose what color based on how much I do or do not want to stand out.

and also my outfit.

So this kid on The Glee Project is from Northern Ireland, and sounds like it... and I'm reminded yet again that I looove accents. Alas, this boy is too young for me to swoon over, though I totally would if he were about 10 years older. But at one point one of the other kids says she "ain't never seen a leprechaun dance like that." Ok, granted that's a really funny thing to say but... like... is this an ok thing to say? Seems like it at leas has the potential to be a slur... but I've also seen it all over the internet, so the internet apparently doesn't find it offensive... do the people of Northern Ireland? Do I got any homeboys in the North who can tell me?? Andy, do you read my blog? Do you know or can you use your connections to find out??

*L* there is a real test. Let's see if this question actually does get to Andy (who's got a girlfriend in NI and is moving there) without me bringing it up to him in person... It's like a really hightech game of telephone... which may or may not have a direct line!

In other news, there is this youtube series that is really hilarious... it's called "My Drunk Kitchen." It's not for the faint of heart as there is both drinking and hilarious...and swearing... (the word "hilarious" there was a typo that should have been "swearing," thus making the "both" make much more sense, but the typo struck me as funny so I just left it and then added swearing.) Anyway, for those of you brave enough to face down inebriation and intermittent cursing there is some comedic gold in there.

After watching a few episodes I find myself mimicking her... I think it's because I think she is so funny. And her sense of timing is something I would love to pick up somehow. 

Speaking of timing, I should go to bed... the Good Lord wants me up bright and early... meaning, you know, before noon.

Cleaning Log: Stardate: [-28] 05225.00

Google has a stardate calendar you can add to your "friends" calendars.  Capt. Picard would be so proud of me. What? I'm not a nerd.... nooooooo, not at all. Hey, listen- to some guy somewhere out there I'm a dream-goddess of a girl spoken of only in hushed and reverent tones. I play video games, I understand and enjoy Star Trek (at least Next Gen) *and* Star Wars, I like to cook and bake and take care of people, I'm relatively low maintenance and totally laid back. Not to mention I'm smart, pretty, and mothers seem to like me. I'm the stuff of myth and legend!

Anyway.... I was about to start my cleaning log before the stardate sidetracked me...

My shower/tub is as clean as it's ever been, and my books are all arranged on my shelves....

I have a fresh batch of cold brewed coffee in the fridge just waiting to lavish my mouth with iced coffee happiness in the morning, and I actually worked out today. (Yeah, that never happens.)

My desk is cleaned off... at least the workspace part and I've realized I have a lot of stuff I want to get rid of...

Plenty of filing yet to be done, but the bookshelves in my bedroom look like they are meant to have cleaned tops! ...I haven't attempted to tackle the kitchen... or the floors.... Ach the floors of every room really need cleaning... sweeping, mopping, what some people call "vacuuming" but I just call sweeping again...

Oh and did I mention I found a 10 dollar gift card? And did I mention it has my insurance agent's face on it? The same guy who called me a few weeks back to give his condolences, he gave us a gift card, apparently.  And if he did it was like at this time *last year.* I didn't have a clue this thing existed... I really do live in a fog sometimes...

Lots and lots left to do so not so many deep ponderings today. You know, since I'm normally so chock full of 'em.

K.... tired... after a long day of getting stuff done... going to go to bed now... love you, all.

The Post of Awesome

I had a good day running around with friends. I so prefer doing things to not doing things... and doing things with people? Sign me up.

Yesterday I went to Barnes and Noble and found a book called "The Book of Awesome." They are things that are funny or clever, or really just awesome... (Please note that this is awesome as used in popular vernacular, not awesome as in inspiring awe (an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful, or the like.) You can get a feel for what the book is like by visiting the blog of awesome.  I really like the idea of cataloging the little things... It's kinda like playing the glad game.... (Yes, that is from Polly. What can I say? I love that movie.) It just gives you a nice perspective. Like remembering how nice it was when your parents posted your achievements on the fridge (or took them to show your grandma, ya know, however your childhood rolled.) Or how great airborne hugs are (Hugs where one person is lifted off the ground), or rainbows, or little kids' art. I feel like we all need to be reminded of these little kinds of awesomes that happen all around us.

Airborne hugs... those really are awesome, aren't they?!?

Well, it's 1:30 and I gots church in the morning, so I should get to bed.

But I will leave you with this awesome thing:

Thousands of bouncy balls

Once when I was in church camp the dean bought a thousand or more bouncy balls in several different colors. Then he told us he had a surprise, took all the campers into the chapel, closed all the windows and doors and he and the rest of the staff  picked up boxes of balls (that we couldn't see inside of) and then all at once they threw them. There was some sort of game that we were doing in which we had to get as many of the balls gathered up as we could (per team) and I think the colors were worth different amounts of points, but I will never forget how much fun it was to suddenly be in the midst of a hailstorm of bouncy balls and the bedlam that took place as 60 campers or so tried to catch and gather all the balls bouncing everywhere. It was great. Check out this you-tube video to get an idea of how great it was.