The Underdog

There are so many ways that we beat ourselves up... I did this wrong or said that wrong and while I could make a list for you right now, I'd rather tell you about a self-quality I can't help but like.

Today I was thinking about... well actually I don't remember (but for some reason I still feel the need to struggle through this post). Anyway, I was thinking about something and as always, I couldn't help but hope the underdog of that scenario comes out on top.

It doesn't matter if it's something obvious like football when I root for the less popular team of the two, or something just in my head like my slightly-subconscious need for the less popular: yellow-gold jewelry, green tea (believe me, it wasn't popular among my peeps when I started drinking it in high school). I'm not super-different from others, but I'm just drawn to some things because to me, they are the underdog.

These thoughts have probably been rooted from an early age when my mother would consistently take my friend's side as I told her about an argument. Didn't matter what it was about, she would have comments that eluded to me being wrong. "Why did you say that? Don't act like that." And lets not forget the eye roll ((OMG... I'm just now realizing my eye roll is strictly a hand-me-down from my mother)).

To get back on track here, I see myself doing this same (less extreme) eluding whenever the people are telling me about their disagreements with others. For me, it seems more like trying to see both sides of the story and giving the best advice possible, but sometimes (especially in the case of my hubby), it can seem like I'm not taking his side (no matter wife, as any good wife should ;).

All in all, it's something I like about myself. I think I could make a good counselor and someday I might try to pursue that career path, but for now, I'll happily settle for having a quality I admire in myself. Go Underdogs!

The Power of a Good Romantic Comedy

I watched "You've Got Mail" tonight and it made me wish for something whimsical and magical to happen.

So much of day-to-day life is chaotic and though we plan days of fun, it's almost too much pressure. Make sure you fit all the fun into your day trip or your week of vacation because come Monday, it'll be back to groceries, cooking, cleaning, and a job you don't exactly jump up-and-down for.

Yes, I feel the need to express my regret for my last statement by telling you all I am grateful to have a job and I know many others have it worse, but why should I apologize for wanting more - for wanting to live everyday doing something I truly enjoy?

Life slowed down in this movie... just two people doing what they love and falling in love. It's just nice to stop for a moment and daydream.

It's not often that I watch a girlie movie these days. I rarely have a moment to myself and when with the hubby, we compromise. If he was to watch a romantic comedy with me though, it would mean I'd have to watch a horror movie in return and that is a no-go! So, we stick to the action/drama and all is good.

My point is that in watching this simple and beautiful movie, I've realized I've somehow forgotten what giddy love feels like. And not just that, but basking in that brisk autumn air or taking a walk in fresh fallen snow... letting the summer sun warm my skin without wondering what I'll make for dinner.

I am so in-love with my husband and he does romance me, but I guess I'm just so caught up in the next thing I need to get done that I don't stop and give enough appreciative thought to the kiss, or the breakfast he made for me... even just the genuineness in his voice when he tells me he loves me. I can blame it on the work day and trying to be that typical woman who feels she should accomplish it all, but really... there is no good excuse. I just need to make time slow down and breath in the little things.

Here's to giving it a good shot... and to watching more inspirational romantic comedies!

-J

If you need a dose of ridiculousness.

Then watch and read this.

http://gawker.com/5936050/republican-senate-nominee-explains-that-women-dont-really-get-pregnant-from-legitimate-rape


I don't think I need to comment any further.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

As a college instructor, I tend to dish out a lot of advice—whether it’s career, ethical, life, journalism or course related.

Hopefully, some students walk away with at least one decent piece of advice while others, most likely, are not listening.

All of the giving has made me think about advice that I’ve got. Honestly, only one stands out and I have no idea who gave it to me or when it was given.

It goes like so:

“What’s the worst they are going to say? No?”

For me, this is the best advice I could have ever gotten. I’m always worried about bothering people or being in the way. And seriously, what’s the worst that could happen?

I’m not afraid of the big N-O, I’ve just always worried about making people mad or looking like a jerk.

In my carrier, you can’t worry about that.

As a journalist/ photojournalist you’re going to get looked at like you’re selling dead kittens, get told no constantly, yelled at, ignored… the list goes on. I even had someone run away from me once. Yes, run!

You have to be made of steal and you have to laugh it off. You can’t take it personally and you can’t let yourself get jaded about people.

Yet, to this day, if I have to make a cold call or walk into a place unannounced and ask if I cant take pictures, I get a tight feeling in my chest. Sometimes I even procrastinate before getting on with it.  I don’t know why or if it will ever go away.

In the end, I always pull the Band-Aid and it never hurts as bad as I thought it would. Because, what’s the worst they’re going to say? No?

-Steph

A Short Picture Book

Once upon a time there was a kitten named Pippen.Pippen was sweet and cuddly.

As Pippen grew older, she become more and more playful.

One day, and for many days, a big bad wolf teased Pippen so much that she became mean and nasty. She is now known as "That B."

Just as every other time her mother tried to walk through the living room, Pippen rolled around and began to grab at her mother's feet.

To avoid getting grabbed and bitten by Pippen, her mother took a small leap and *BAM* -- ended up smashing her leg on Pippen's window seat.

Now Pippen's mother is left with a big, painful purple bruise on her leg.

And while you may think "That B," Pippen's mother is actually contemplating smashing a bolted, heavy peice of wood into the big bad wolf's leg.








Moral: Watch where you're going when trying to get away from attack cat, and don't allow your husband to torture said attack cat; it just makes her more nasty.


Julia

The 'Lady' Upstairs

Never have I considered coming to an age when I would be referred to as 'lady.' I look in the mirror and while I'm painfully aware that tiny wrinkles are starting to form around my eyes and saggy skin around my jaw, I still see a young girl. I feel energetic most days and don't dress like I'm 50. I am young as far as years-of-life go! The real youngsters don't agree.

The first time it occurred was when an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old moved into the apartment below me and my husband. I don't remember exactly what I heard them saying, but I was definitely referred to as 'the lady upstairs.' My face looked like this:  =-0

I told my husband - 'I'm the lady upstairs!!' He just laughed at my shock and horror.

The second time was when I was driving down the street. I was heading to pick up my husband from his grandmother's house and while attempting not to hit two young people who were driving past me on a quad, one yelled 'Come onn lady!' Guess I was driving too slow...

So it's official. When I walk past the strapping young men at the mall, and I think they are probably checking out my hot, young bod (lol), they are actually thinking 'What is wrong with this lady?' This realization wont stop me from exercising, buying fashionable clothes and using wrinkle cream to prolong feeling young! Okay, I haven't gotten to the wrinkle cream stage yet, but if I'm called lady by a stranger again, it might just happen.

Julia

Time heals all wounds. Should it?

I’m sitting in my favorite coffee shop with the purpose of a very sad attempt at being productive. I’m, of course, eaves dropping and people watching instead of working.

A man and a woman near to me are sitting across from each other having a conversation, staring deeply into one another’s eyes, not drifting away for a second.  The intensity of their eye contact can only lead me to assume that there is a mutual attraction.

“I just need time before I can let myself get that close again. I need time to heal,” the man said.  Head nod. Fake smile. Pessimistic laugh.

Okay, now I’ll never get work done.

Obviously, I don’t know the circumstances, but that statement is surely powerful—cliché as well. At least once in our lives, we have said or will say something similar.

As Cheryl Crow belts out how she’s leaving Las Vegas over the stereo speakers I can only think of one thing.

Should time heal all wounds?

I look at the pair in the coffee shop and all I think is, “Get over it!” He cares about her or he wouldn’t have agreed to meet, on neutral territory, for coffee—another cliché.

Gosh just kiss her already! “Love” heals all wounds!

That’s a lie.

I have loved and I have had my heartbroken. I have even forgiven when I should not have. The ship had already sailed. The book rental was past due. If I stayed any longer,  I would not have healed no matter how much I loved. Walking away definitely made things better for everyone.

Back to time.

What if you need more time than the other? The other can’t wait any longer and when you realize you’re all healed up, it’s too late?  Then you need more time to heal all over again. Gosh, this is starting to sound like a romantic comedy.

The term is circumstantial. For love, you will heal the more removed your are from a situation.  You heal because you don’t have to think about that person anymore.  Just like Cheryl Crow leaving and starting anew in her song.

However, if that situation comes back to haunt you, no matter how many years removed, you’ll always feel a twinge of something. It will drudge up feelings you thought disappeared over time. 

It might not hurt as bad and it might not even bother you, but the scars are still there.  And those scars might open.

Perhaps they should. If you've been hurt to the point where you voice that you need time, then you should learn something from it. 

These two are definitely into each other. Maybe they’re no good for each other. It could be a poisonous relationship. In that case, they don’t need to heal their feelings for each other, they need to move along.

It’s okay to heal, not to forget.

  

-s