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.

Better Late Than Never.

This is a little late, but you know what they say...

I would like to give props to Mike on winning the blog challenge. He was a first timer and took the gold. There was doubt flowing in the air before the challenge began because he was going to blog about video games. There are various levels of game enjoyment within the group, but Mike is by far the biggest video gamer.

To my surprise, his posts were thoughtful and entertaining. Some more so than others, but that's okay. I don't really care how long a post is...I want to feel something when I read it, especially if it is for pleasure. I guess that is the greatness of hobbies.When you really enjoy something, you can express it in more ways than one, and it usually comes across as nothing less than pure love. So Mike, great job on becoming blog champion.

I was awarded a few subcategory awards that I am stoked about. Most Supportive Blogger and Most Universal Blog. Thanks for the votes guys and gals.

I assume there will be a challenge next year. I am in if there is, but I am relieving myself of all coordinator duties. 2 years was enough for me.

Later.

Updates***

Updates on the Blog Challenge Page....

It's Trendy - 2010 Blog-A-Day in May Winners

Enjoy

1st and last summer...

About A week ago, I walked out of house to be welcomed by a bloom. I waspretty shocked as I had no idea that anything remotely pretty occupied the such of dirt at the bottom of my stairs beside my walkway. I was intrigued, so I took a picture.

I assumed it would be no more than a poor excuse for a mini garden causing me to destroy it in the coming days. I also realized that this is the first summer I've spent in my house, which is why I had no recollection of the bloom. The next few days were spent stalking this bloom. Every time I left the house, I would stop to admire it and take a photo. I didn't know why i was taking the pictures...i just took them.

Anyway, the bloom that had turned into a beautiful ugly flower brought something different to my life. An appreciation...or at least something like it. I will put it out there that I hate nature. The bugs, heat, and unknown are just too much for me. However, this flower has ben growing with no help from me and I guess you could say that I was the owner. I have developed a sense off pride for it...... although not enough to make me want to help it in any way.

The beauty of the blooming process is that it can signify quite a few things in life that are there one second and not the next... or vice versa. Adolescence to adulthood. Single to involved. Stable to uncertain. Day dream to reality. Loving it to hating it... and so so much more.

I think the flower knows that it had done what it was supposed to do for me and it has begun to descend into the depths of flower heaven... or I've gone crazy and the flowers grow and die every year like clockwork. I'm going to go with the former.This will be the last summer that I will see my little bloom grow as i will not be the owner off this space next year. Maybe someone else will be inclined to nurture it.

Where are they now?

It's time for the dreaded high school reunion. I'm really not sure why everyone always says that the reunion is the last thing they want to do. I was actually looking forward to it... okay maybe not looking forward to it, but at least not dreading it. The people excited to go to reunions are usually the ones that in high school thought they were the big stuff and delusionally believe the same thing today. Others may include people that have completely transforned in appearance, personality or potential. I guess there are also people that want to go just to hang out, but they've gotta be scarce....right?

My thoughts on reunions have changed over the years even without me conciously evaluating it. I only know that now because i am aware of my opinion, whereas before i was not. the collection of ms being equal to being stuck and not in a good way is probably what has shaped my opinion of reunions. Going back even for a couple days could mean so kuch and so littlw. I was pretty horrible at keeping in touch with my fellow classmates, with the exception of a few that went to undergrad with me for at least half the time. I was one of a few that got away. For whatever reason, a lot of them stayed in my hometown continuing school, getting a trade, working wherever, producing, marrying, and living life as they know it. Most of that was not in the cards for me... especially not in MS. I have no true judgements on them though. In my mind, some may have given up or taking the path most traveled, but i don't know their stories. Because of that, i don't think about them. My mom always said don't say anything if you have nothing nice to say.

Umfortunately, the circumstances are pushing me to do the opposite. To not only think about them, but to do it under a microscope. How are they? What are they doing? How did they do it? Who are they dating? Why are they dating them? How many people since high school? Single, married, divorced, widowed? Hetero, homo? What's next? Alive or not? Stayed home, traveled the world? It could be really exhausting ro answer the billions of questions. Lucky or us, facebook has made it extremely easy to do from the privacy of wherever you want. Facebook is also something that i reuning the idea of reunions. You go to them to catch up with people you haven't seen in 10, 20, 30+ years. Not anymore. Now, we know almost everything about almost everyone before sending in registration forms. Yes, it is still great to see people, but the excitement of the unknown was snatched from under us without us knowing how valuable it was until it was gone.

Yesterday, i spoke with an old friend from high school. Typical "we found each other" story for today.... Casually asked about each other over the years to mutual friends. No one knows anything or maybe just that they are doing ok. Both continue living life not knowing or not caring what the other is doing. Finally 10 years later, contact is made by someone suggesting you two become facebook friends. A few pokes, messages, and chat conversations later and phone numbers have been exchanged as if no time has passed. I found out that this friend had been in a car accident a while and is completely paralized on one side. He has been in a recovery facility for 3 years and still countimg the days. His day consist of therapy and whatever he wants to do between the walls of his living arrangements. I felt pity and sadness, with a side of graciousness... for me. I want to be happy that he survived, but 'm not sure if he is.

I have a couple of friends that have passed on for various reasons and I'm perplexed as to which situation is better... or worse. Being alive and paralyzed or being dead (that's a harsh word) and not... anything. Verdicts still out.

All that in mind, it makes me want to go to the reunion just a tad bit more to just see how people are doing...
but I guess not enough. I will not be going. That's why we have facebook. :l

*****Sending happy thoughts into the universe for my old friend.*****

Premier Experience

At first glance, this place looks like an insurance company or some type of legit office building to me.

As I was searching for the gym today, I realized I was wrong. The office building is actually a big monster size gym, which is rightfully named Premier. I had already built up my pessimistic attitude about joining after looking at the membership fees online, but figured I could go once as a $7 guest and then be on my way to $14.99 a month no contract membership to Gold's.

Upon arrival, I played find Regina with the checkin trainer. You know when you are walking somewhere and someone is headed straight towards you and you both move to the same side 3 or 10 times at the same time until you both decide to be completely still at the same time... It was a little like that except a plant was our barrier. Anywho... I filled out some papers and off we went to the, insert word of your choice, world of yoga.

I own a yoga mat. Bought it for my Wii. Used it a few times. Forgot it when I decide to do real live yoga. So, i'm stuck with a used mat or the sweaty hardwood floor.
The instructor is ready to begin after everyone is situated with knee pads, butt pads, and yoga mats. We do typical poses like sun salutations and half Moon. Lunges and stretches and planks and more strechets and look behind you and dog walk it too the left and find your, insert word i couldn't understand that i think means center, and splits and downward facing dog and and and...

And then one last twist stretch 50 minutes later, which i do quite often at home to pop my back. It makes me feel like this.

Then she instructs us to lie back and close our eyes. The music that was faint before is now donging in my ear...in my body. I try to tune it out and just relax. Somehow those dongs become pieces of my life...time, memories, plans, nonplans... I try to block it out once stumore, but no luck. I have become one with the dongs, so I enbrace them and every thought that accompanies them. I hear something...maybe not...well...what...open your eyes, what is going on....what...oh, she wants us to get up... WTC. Ok, fine.

UMMMMMMMMM. This is how I feel.

I have also re-entered the noisy world with clanging weigts, shoes beating up the ground, and random murmurs of conversation. Please bring the dongs back.

And it is over. She bids us a good night. I feel cheated and I haven't even paid my $7.

5 laps on the track to reverse the thumping that feet is doing on the ground as my knees wobble tremble sporadically. A quick tour to the locker room to gawk at the sauna and steam room. I Tlthink those are the right names for the different rooms. It's hotter than, insert word of your choice again,in both. Then outside to watch the waves as 2 young white men provide us with a whole diffeeent experience.

Boy 1: Go FSU. I was wearing an FSU tshirt.
Me: WOO
Boy 2: Go Noles
Boy 1: Come get in.
Us: No, we are headed home.
Boy 1: I need a partner.
Me: You have one. I point to boy 2.
Boy 2: You got me... smiles at boy 1
Boy 1: I don't like swimming with gay people.
Her (puts arm around me): We're together.
Them: ?%#%& huh?
Boy 1: Well, what if we all swim together?
Me: Where are your parents? How old are you? Like 5?
Boy 1: 5... I'm 17.
Boy 2 (in a slower voice): I'm 17 too.
Me: 17 is like 5 to me.
The rest of the talking is done by them as we laugh histerically like schoolgirls secretly flattered and mortified at the same time and eventually leave the pool area.

Boy 1: I know how to treat my woman. My dad taught me to go for older women. The water is getting cold. I need you to get in to heat it up. Come on, get in.
Boy 2: Yeah, it's cold.

We exit the building after I pay my $7. I no longer feel cheated. I definitely had a Premier experience.

~Reel Moments~

Something New (2006)

Edmond McQueen (Earl Billings): The point is, love is an adventure, Kenya. It's not a decision you make for others. It's a decision you make from your heart. Anyway, the boy's just white, he ain't a martian.

Sommore: But I ain't never dated a white man before. Not that I'm not attracted to white men. Oh, cause there's some fine looking white men in here. But my only problem with the white man is that ya'll don't know how to break up with a woman. I watch the crime channel. You date him, you come up missin', don't cha? Everybody be looking for you. You be chopped up in the freezer in the sandwich bags, with a barbeque sign on your head.