And the World Keeps Spinning...

One of the coolest sites I've ever come across in cyberspace: The Human Clock.

Immobile Mobility and the Summer of '09

It’s been almost a month and I’ve neglected one of my closest companions, the written word. Perhaps I have been too occupied with the summer air, the last few weeks of jacket-free weather and the sun peeking through my window shade, blinding me with its light.

When I run into someone I know during these months, they tend to ask me, “Haven’t you taken advantage of your time off?” While I haven’t been anywhere physically, I have to say, this has been the most productive time I’ve ever had in my life thus far. Among the concerts, baseball games, walks in the park and nights in the city, the greatest thing I’ve gained this summer is time – sorting out the past, living in the present and celebrating the future.

One of the most grueling tasks that I've started this year was clearing up the attic. My parents have been asking me for years to toss whatever I don't need up there, as I have a few large containers, numerous bags, and stacks of magazines dating back to the early 90’s. With every issue I browsed through, every letter and journal I read from elementary through high school, college, and post-college, I was reminded of the girl I used to be. It was great to re-visit old memories, but at the same time, it reminded me of how important it was to move on.

Looking at the countless bags of my past sitting in my kitchen floor, I realized that I was doing something that I should have done a long time ago – rid myself of it. I never understood why I felt the need to archive every moment of my life. Perhaps I thought that I’ll be able to re-live those times by looking at an old movie stub, greeting card or the handwritten note. What I’ve come to realize is that these moments will never happen again - it was time to toss the baggage once and for all.

A little under three decades of my life..there’s eight more where these came from.

Maybe I could have done some traveling, far from the sounds of New York, filling up my passport along the way – and I'm sure that's in my near future. For now, I'm going to opt for laughing with my family and good friends, being myself and appreciating the fact that I'm able to do so. Now that I'm finding myself putting on socks instead of flip flops, winding up my car windows without turning on the AC, and bidding the summer of 2009 a nostalgic farewell, I’m perfectly content as to where I am at this very moment: Happy.

One of the many highlights of the summer, our first family reunion.

Press Play

It’s 1:45am and in another one of my feeble attempts to get back into my regular sleeping pattern, I began to organize my CD collection. If you know me, most of my discs aren’t in their correct cases. In fact, I can almost guarantee that if you open a Dave Matthews album that I presently own, you’ll probably find Jay-Z where the DMB disc should be.

One of my many leaning CD towers

I digress. In my rummaging through the dusty covers, wrinkled jackets, and plastic cases, among discs of the past, I found many unlabeled discs that I made for either myself or copies of music that I made for someone else. Aware that I’m one of very few people who even bother to purchase or listen to CDs anymore, I place the undocumented pieces of my past into my CD player and pressed play. Here were artists I haven’t heard in years, memories that I put on my musical backburner, and most importantly, people who have since then faded from my life, or in some cases, still around.

Therefore my friends, I encourage you to take a journey into your own musical past. Listen to an artist that takes you back to that awkward house party, a good friend, or lost love. It’ll not only serve as a reminder of where you’ve been, but also, how far you’ve come.

A Word From Our Non-Sponsor

If you're a writer, you probably like to read. As a blogger, I like to read...other blogs.

Here's a post from one of my favorite musicians, John Mayer. Hate him or love him, the man has a way with words:

http://www.johnmayer.com/blog/john/200806

Doggone It!

I love Snuggies. And I love dogs. But this is going way too far:

Shiver Me Timbers!!!

Ahoy there, mateys!

Avast, National Speak Like a Pirate Day is September 19th! All in favor, say AYE:

How To Talk Like a Pirate


Don't be a lily-livered scallywag!!! Arrrrrgh!!!

Definition of a Nerd

Nerd (pronounced /ˈnɜrd/) is a term often bearing a derogatory connotation or stereotype, that refers to a person who passionately pursues intellectual activities, esoteric knowledge, or other obscure interests rather than engaging in more social or popular activities. Therefore, a nerd is often excluded from physical activity and considered a loner by peers or will tend to associate with like-minded people (Source: www.m-w.com)

I never thought of myself as a nerd growing up. In fact, I never really believed in labels. I didn't even know that people were categorized into ethnicities until a classmate told me that I smelled like curry in the seventh grade and I asked my mother, "Why?? We had burgers last night!" What the...because I'm brown, I'm being judged?!? I always smell like sunshine...curry hater.

While my peers were into sports, the latest trends, the opposite sex (or the same sex, in some cases), I was perfectly happy drawing that turtle found in the back of Be-Bop magazine, desperately trying to win that contest, which, to my dismay, later found out was a scam. I maxed out my library card, taking out 25 books at a time, wore jungle print shorts with a shirt that shouted "COOL" on it, declaring to the world that I was cool.

Tippy, the turtle :sigh:

Fast forward about twenty years later and thinking about it now, I haven't changed much. I'm still into painting, reading, and I even rocked a bright blue t-shirt that read "I Love Geeks" for a while (I was a nerd for Halloween during the year I bought it...'nuff said) The difference is, I'm not oblivious anymore, and I'm prepared to share it with my like-minded people...

So, here I plan on posting my random interests and observations.

May the force be with you.

Me. Giving myself bunny ears.