Eat Pray Love... blah, blah, bl...

For months and months and months, I looked over this book in bookstores. It was in the front of the bookstore that I frequented, and I would look at with ambivalence. I just didn't want to read. People were on radio talkshows and tv's talking about how it changed their lives and still I wanted nothing to do with it. A few months went by and I heard that it would be turned into a movie. I love movies, so I figured I would see it, but there was no way I would spend even a day trying to read it. Some time later, I heard that Julia Roberts would be playing the lead. That got my attention. I love her work. I have watched every movie that she has made. It is sort of like Sex and the city for me... I will watch her even if I think the movie will be bad. Anyway, they have done great by adding Julia because now I want to read the book before i go see the movie.

I was in a state of awe as I watched the trailer. It is the epitome of letting go and living for you. A year of nothing but exploring, soul searching,eating, and of course falling in love seems like it would be beyond wonderful. It seems insightful and encouraging. Telling you to take time to deal with you, to find an appetite for life, and to do it now. The whole soul searching is interesting to me though, because sometimes it takes a minute to know that something should be taken into account. How do you know for sure that something matters? Yeah, the old saying don't take anything for granted comes to mind, but we all know that we take stuff for granted everfy day. I've been trying these last couple of months to really live in the moment. To be aware of everything when it's happening and to know that you are aware is invigorating. I'm sure I've missed things though.

Take a look if you haven't seen the trailor. I can't wait to experience the journey.



Here is another version.

Do People Still Skate? For Real??

Back in the day, I went skating all the time. Friday Night with my best outfit on, which by the way was probably too fitted to skate in. I had a car, so I didn't have to get dropped off like some of my friends. That meant that I could go for a root beer float or an oreo blizzard afterwards. A few lucky friends would be able to ride home with me, but I wasn't trying to load my down with the entourage of people that were official back seat riders. Going to the rink was about the only time in my teenage years that I tried to be on time. Everyone wanted to get there as soon as possible in order to have the maximum amount of time to flirt, skate, eat, play video games, and dance when the DJ announced that skates needed to come off for the next hour or so. It was extremely exciting from start to finish. That is if you had at least 2 friends to hang with. Like everything else in high school, cliques were everywhere in the skating rink. Yes, it makes life difficult and wonderful to be a part of a clique, but that's just the way it always seems to be. You just can't get away from them.

Anyway, I was brought back into reality last Friday when my mom and younger cousin wanted to go skating. Last time they came to Tally (4th of July - 2009), I didn't look for the skating rink because...hmmm. because I just didn't. This time I wasn't going to be able to ignore the constant request to find a rink. So, Friday night we ventured to unchartered territory. I was dreading the toddlers and teenagers, but I was pretty sure it would be completely empty because people don't skate anymore. So I thought anyway. Unfortunately for me they were all there along with young adults and some oldies. It seems to me that nothing is age appropriate anymore. Everything is sort of one size fits all. There were quite a few people there. There were People renting the traditional pair of roller skates or the newer of version of rollerblades. They didn't have those to rent when I was high school. You had to bing your own and some rinks wouldn't allow you to bring in street skates. They supposedly scratched the floor. Some were sitting in the food court area eating and watching their friends or children go round and round. I decided to sit on the carpet covered seats that surrounded that actual rink. I wanted a front row seat. I was thrown that so many people were there.

I had the same feelings I did last friday that I had 10+ years ago. Watching the pros and the amateurs was great. I prefer watching the people who do tricks and move to the beat of the random songs that are played, but watching a great fall is equally entertaining as long as no one gets hurt. There was one guy that I could not keep my eyes off for the duration of the night. He was a smooth criminal for sure. It was as if he owned the floor and the ridiculous amount of chaos around him was not there. He flowed or better yet glided arund the floor rocking and swaying and spinning and lifting and doing what he did so beautifully that I had to tell myself to stop staring before he dicided I was creeper. It was great watching him though. I remember being able to command attention like that on the floor. I think men are slightly smoother than women because they don't have big bottoms and boobies to control, but I could dance and skate great enough to be asked to roll with groups and do special tricks with the best of them.

I had a great time and plan to test my abilities sometime soon. I wonder if it's just like riding a bike. Once you learn, you always know how. I don't want to have bruises at my age. Skating would not be a valid excuse if my face is all busted up. I recorded some skating throughout the night that I will upload as soon as i convert the file. The video was kind of dark because the lights were low, so I recorded on negative. Bare with it... There are a few falls, some average skating, kids going really fast, the smooth criminal skating slower than anyone else, etc.

•No Privacy Allowed•

It was just for fun when I first started. Wait, it still is so that isn't what I meant. I meant... my enjoyment of it has increased tremendously, so it is becoming a part of my life. It crosses my mind more than twice a day and I usually satisfy my curiosity at least once. Most of the time, I am disappointed because of no new advancements, but sometimes... every few days, my face lights up and my lips spread from ear to ear because the appearance has changed. There are additions and that means I can spend an unspecified amount of time flowing in the land of the living. Regardless of how much I pretend it isn't ridiculous to go back everyday, spend 5 min or 90 perusing things that only enhance the random information section of my brain... Deep down I know, I know that it is not not ridiculous. Yes, i meant to write it that way. But in my defense... uhhh... in my defense, They say (whoever they are) that learning something is better than learning nothing. Ok, you caught me, I just made that up, but it sounded good in my head. I doubt that many people will argue with me anyway.

Skipping thoughts...

I have always been a pretty private person about... well, everything. Call it being careful or paranoid. Whatever works for you, but it is just a part if who am I. Something that makes me feel protected. From what? Pain, misery, catastrophic events. That's what. The downside is that it can be a little tiring at times when deciding what to tell, who to tell, when to tell, how to tell, blah, blah, blah. When in doubt, don't. That's what I say. That's what I do. Fortunately or unfortunately, there are very few times when I am doubt. Anyway, the point is that I never tell all. I only tell what is necessary to move to the immediate next step and most likely it its the abridged version.

My thoughts in the second paragraph are difficult to live up to while having the thoughts in the first paragraph. I guess that doesn't really make sense without telling you what has become a part of my life. That is if you haven't figured it out already. Blogging. I have really come to enjoy it. I journal, so I'm good with reflection and not keeping things in. But there is just something about blogging... There is a lot about it that is so inviting to me. I wasn't to do it all the time, but i haven't been able to put my all into it because of my privacy clause.

Thoughts on the title...

My enjoyment of blogging and my need for privacy don't work well together. Whenever I pick up my pen, I mean tap on a keyboard, I filter... a lot. I write just enough to get my thought out, but not enough to let it all hang out. Like now, I'm saying that I haven't been telling all, but not saying specifically what I withheld. Here's a thought... I want to delete my filter...for blogging, not for life.

I've been debating this for about a month and have decided that I can't do it... on this blog... because I know you all. And... even if you don't come to my site as much as I go to yours, there is always that chance that you might. I can't risk you being able to blackmail me about anything. Sorry.

BUT.... Yes, there is a but. I can if I creasy another blog. I feel bad... ummm... no... trader-ish to do that, but it is my only option to truly feel free enough to write it all. People i don't know, who don't know the people I know, the things i do, the way I live. It's perfect. I go to strangers blogs pretty often and it's kind of voyeuristic, but it's also pretty great. I only know them by what they tell me. They are creating a world for me and who knows how many others. A world that doesn't necessarily change ours, but that may motivate and/or humor us as individuals.

I created a template about 2 weeks ago For my new blog and haven't gone back to edit the layout or write anything. It's almost like I'm waiting for the RIGHT thing to write, which is exactly why I started it, so I wouldn't wait. So I wouldn't filter. So I would put it all out there. So, What the crap am I waiting on?

Whenever I begin this journey, I will occasionally reflect on it here. I won't give the title or the url or the exact details, but I will be honest about what it's like to write freely about whatever, whenever, however.

I leave you with this...

Don't hold it in... Whatever it is. Happiness, sadness, confusion, excitement, contentment, craziness... Get it out in a way that satisfies you. Although, a few secrets never hu...uhhh, that's not true so I'm not going to write it.

~Reel Moments~

Julie and Julia

Julie Powell: I can write a blog. I have thoughts too.

The first of a few....

It is finally time for me to post about the wonderful summer that i've been having. This summer has been like no other for mutliple reasons. This post is dedicated to all those who love traveling.

My first adventure of the summer was to Tampa. Nothing new really. I've been there a few times for a few different reasons. This trip was different though. It was for me and no one else. It was a time for me to chill out and enjoy some of the things I enjoyed like good food and gambling. I also planned on doing a little sight seeing.

I made a friend. I can't quite remember her name, but she's my friend. We sat at the same machines for probably 5 hours. I ate the same meal 4 times because it tasted so good to me... Philly Cheesesteak, Fries, and a Strawberry Shake. MMMmmmm




I played until my eyes rolled in the back of my head.

I was only planning on staying for 1 night, but 1 thing led to another and I ended up staying for 3 days. It was wonderful not having anything holding me back or bringing me back. I stayed at the Hard Rock my first night with a free night stay. The rooms were really cozy and wonderful even though I only saw it to sleep.

The next to nights, I stayed in the place below. It definitely wasn't the Hard Rock, but it had air conditioning, running water, cable, and coffee in the makeshift lobby. What more could a girl ask for? It was only about 4 minutes from the casino and the strip, so I was good to go.

Tampa was great, but it came to an end when I thought about how much money I could spend if I stayed... Goodbye Tampa.

On to My next trip...

The Plane:

My Asian friend and I. He decided to take a little nap and lean on the window, although that is better than him leaning on me as he was earlier on the flight.

To be cont'd...

small town feel, BIG city taste

IA few weeks ago, a friend mentioned that there was a new addition to tallahassee. A place that was said to be one of a kind and that would leave you wanting to return over and over again. My goodness, the reviews are right. I drove to the parking lot after a quick conversation about breakfast and remembering that Adam said it existed. I was just about to pass it, most likely on our way to somewhere common, and decided why not try a new place. Skepticism arose as i saw the small space it occupied and the few people it held, but thought what the heck. The decor is a little lacking of of of anything, but I very much enjoyed the nice high dining room-like glazed wooden tables. There isn't that much mite to look at other than a counter for the register, the typical drink stations, part of the kitchen, and a wonderful view of parked cars overlooked by non-blooming trees. It is very clean though, and that gets more than a view anyday.

We looked over the 2 sided menu for what seemed like 30 minutes. They serve everything on the menu during all open hours, which is from 6am - 3om. We went for breakfast and that is what we ordered. By golly, it was some of the best breakfast I've had. Light, fluffy, perfectly fried beignets, cheese grits that must be from another world that specializes in them, eggs that were not cooked a second too little or too long, french bread that makes your tongue dance a little jig as a result of the soft, flaky, ridiculously buttery taste, and a perfect cup of joe to top it off.

I'm not sure if the pictures do these items justice, but know that I have found a little place of happiness in Tally and I intend to show my gratitude over and over again. Btw, everything is super cheap....grits, eggs, french bread, beignets, and coffee didn't even hit 10 bucks.

Be sure to look forward to the waitresses that have inherited the name Angelette in Angelette's cajun cafe. They are very nice, some more friendly than others, but not rude in the least. Ask about their family heritage and starting the restaurant if you get a chance.

This was also the first thing I did excluding sleep after returning from a wonderful journey of indulgence. Very nice welcome back. Now on to a crazy amount of picture sorting in order to limit the amount of pages, yes pages, of my next post. I took around 1200 or so pictures while traveling and less than a hundred are bad. I am excited to go through them to live it all over again.

I intended to do it, I swear.

I had every intention of posting about the first half of my super vacation last night. Fortunately for me, I was still in New York, which meant there were still things to see and do. I am currently in transit and prefer to read nightlight ( a parody of twilight) or Uncommon Justice than post. The plan is to post a least 1 more time before I head back to land of the free of anything I want to do. I'm not sure what the days ahead will bring, but hopefully it will include some posting.

It's a bird, It's a plane, It's vacation lady.

This last month has been a smorgasbord of day trips, weekend trips, and week trips. I couldn't have asked for anything more. It was a time for me to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, however I wanted... and that is exactly what I did. I stayed an extra day when I woke up and decided I wasn't ready to go. I ate the same thing three times in a row because itwas great and I didn't have to worry about accommodating anyone else. I sat and did nothing because I didn't feel like doing anything else and ended up listening to women interview for a waitress position and answer questions about whether or not they would be comfortable in practically nothing. The other questions were typical for a hospitality position. The statements those half dressed teeny bobbers were giving as answers were outrageous. I mean really ridiculous... Things like "Of couse I can... like... be nice to people", or " hospitality is a way to get people to buy what you want. I can be sexy and sell anything", or "Are you serious about only being able to wear 1 inch heels?" It was very entertaining. I will be on the look out for interviews when I need a laugh.

Anyway, let's just say that so far, things have been great. I will be venturing north to a place where life is what you make it, and some times what it makes you. The hustle and bustle of people doing, getting, finding, giving... Tons of movement, excitement, discomfort, love, second chances, reunions, new friendships, great food, plenty of coffee, and so so much more. To have all that ay my fingertips after being deprived of the wonderful craziness for so long would be just what the doctor ordered. And that is exactly why I am headed to the Big Apple for a much needed rendezvous. homeland in a few days. I am headed to New York. For Real though, I would choose New York as my homeland if I could. No, I don't want to denounce my heritage, but there is something about calling yourself a New Yorker. It is as if you some almighty force to be reckoned with. I'm not sure if I would acquire anymore power than I have now, but I know for sure that I would acquire a whole new sense of enjoyment for life.

Side Note: I wrote this prior to getting to new. I just forgot to post it. I am in New York now and will be writing about my adventures in the days to come.

~Reel Moments~

New York, I Love You

Dean: I'm telling you right now British women do not age well. Eight years ago she was a luscious treat, you know, she probably looked like, you know, Baby Spice, now she could look like... Jonathan: Old Spice.