Cottage Girl's Rants

"What's so funny about peace love and understanding?"

The title of this post is the first thing that popped into my head, and sort of relates to my little rant. I've been away from this blog for waaay too long. I will try and post as often as inspiration allows.

I just experienced the redemptive power of what listening to music can do for me. I was always such a music freak and bought the latest and greatest album of my favorite bands. But I think all of that changed as I got older and music became something you downloaded instead of touched among the racks at the local music store which are now obsolete (except for the small sections at Barnes & Noble or Borders). Where's the anticipated rockin' album cover and liner notes with lyrics? What happened to vinyl and the scratchy sound of the needle as it was lifted to replay that favorite song over and over again? I'll tell you what happened...technology, and the need for making everything as small, convenient and portable as possible. But I laugh in the face of those iPods and MP3 players (eventhough I have succumbed to them) because I still own the stereo my parents bought for me on my 18th birthday! AND, I still have every coveted album I spent babysitting money on and Saturday afternoons sifting through the racks at my local record shop to buy.

I'm not trying to live in the past or sound like a crochety old lady, but there was a thrill in the anticipation of my 15 year old self acquiring the new Cure or Billy Idol album. Now the music buying experience is intangible and just a click away from a download on my computer. The last song I purchased on iTunes was "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars. It is such an uplifting and loving song, "When I see your face/there's not a thing that I would change/ 'cause you're amazing just the way you are." I wish someone had written those words to me. The power of a song is so great that it can change my entire mood.

So I used my 21st century muscles, and I downloaded that song, and I danced and sang along with as much passion and joy as I did when I was a mere teenager listening to the Ramones or Culture Club, and without a clue as to what the future had in store for my music.

Happy New Year!

Now that it's a new year, I would like to say that I'll be posting more here, but who knows. We'll see how I feel.

Did you realize that today is 0102 2010? Reads the same backwards. Pretty neat.

No resolutions to list, I just plan to focus more on being present and realizing some things I'd like for my life. It's time to get serious about all of it.

May this new year bring you every good thing.

What's Up?

I've been a very bad blogger this year. I guess I've lost my blogging mojo. I still love reading all the blogs in my blog roll though; I guess I've just been busy with other life stuff.

Let's see...I've been at my job now for 10 months and it's been a roller coaster ride. I'm finally feeling settled in, but honestly, I don't like it. It is a repetitive type of job and I feel like a robot some days. If I could just do something worthwhile that was fulfilling...anytime I complain about it though, people say to me, "Don't quit your job, you are lucky to be working these days." Yeah, I get it, but that doesn't mean I can't find something to make me happy, does it?

In any case, I'm looking forward to doing some big things for my life in the next few months, what those big things are, I haven't yet decided, but a significant birthday is around the corner and I want to celebrate it HUGELY!

Any ideas?

I'm Still Here

I know I haven't posted in a looong time, but I've been busy working and contemplating life. I am in the process of either quitting my job and looking for a new one, or on the verge of quitting. It gets harder and harder to stay there with every passing day.

What would you do if you were in a horrible job which caused you to feel physically ill and emotionally unwell? Considering the economy, would you stay or go? Is your health more important, and do you think it would be possible to find a new source of employment?

I'm not sure how much longer I can take it. Seriously.

*******

On a brighter note, my nephew and his new puppy are in town for a visit. The dog will not do his business outside, and has managed to do it in several rooms of the house. He hasn't been trained in a crate at night, and my 13 year old nephew is training him. Not easy for anyone, especially a kid. I hope the crate works...the dog's already smelled up two carpets.

********

Summer is finally here and beautiful sunny blue sky days with it. June was a total wash out with rain just about every day. I'm hoping to get in some fun vacation weekends before it's over. This is the time of year I long for, and I don't want it to pass by before I get to enjoy it.

I hope you all are having a wonderful summer.

Observations While Driving

1. Two landscapers eating their lunch on the steps of a crypt in the cemetery where they were working. It just seemed so comical to me. These two guys who keep the cemetery looking nice and neat (for the living), taking a lunch break, and the only place to sit is on the steps of a huge, granite family crypt.

2. A big yellow lab sitting on the top step at the front entrance to his house. It was right out of a movie scene. He was kind of draped over the step with his head resting on his paws. He perked up when I drove by. It was just one of those perfect moments, and made me smile.

3. Noticing the empty storefronts. There has always been one or two shops that are vacant, but in past years they'd usually be rented by a toy store or a restaurant. Not these days. Even on the posh Main Street there are at least four empty stores. I drive by them each morning on the way to work. It's kind of sad to see, but I know it's probably worse in other cities and towns across the country.

4. While some stores remain vacant, I've also noticed a new crop of businesses that have opened. An Italian restaurant, a fancy baby/home decor store, new mega shoe store (yay!), and a cupcake bakery! I hear the cupcakes cost $3.50 each! What are they made with to cost that much?

Have You Lost Weight?

He's an interesting dilemma you don't often hear about. I'm a thin person, and I want to gain weight.

Back in the fall of 2008, I decided it would be a good idea to start exercising regularly for cardio health. I did not need to lose weight, just wanted to be healthier and perhaps feel better overall. I started walking on the treadmill about 30 minutes a day (I know, not that big of a workout). This was going well and I was feeling good. Then I noticed that I was losing weight and not gaining it back. Now, I'm only 5'1" - a petite woman, and I've always been thin and healthy. But when you're already wearing the smallest size pants you can find and still buy from the women's clothing section, and said pants can't be worn without a belt, you're losing too much weight.

It pissed me off. Nothing fits me. And before people start getting all up in my face for complaining about being thin, I just want to say that skinny people have their weight issues too.

I started a new job back in January, and not a week goes by that someone doesn't comment on my weight. People seem to think that if you are skinny, it's okay to comment. I know why they do it, because they aren't thin. Most of the people I work with are overweight. I get it. So, when they make their comments, I understand from where it comes, but I also get sick of hearing it.

Yesterday, I was at a party and a woman who knows me asked me if I'd lost weight. Now, this is a person whom I probably see a handful of times in a year, and she noticed I'd gotten thinner. I told her the story about working out, etc. Then I said, "Yeah, people at work are always commenting on my weight." and she apologized and said she should have been more sensitive about it. She is a very sweet person and I wasn't mad at all.

Just because someone, me, is thin, it doesn't give everyone else free reign to comment on my weight. I have an entire wardrobe of clothes going to waste because I can't fit into them, and I'd like to gain back the 6-8 pounds I lost in order to wear them again. Again, I know this may not seem like a big deal to those of you who are trying to lose weight, but it's a big deal to me.

And, next time you see someone who is skinny or seems a bit underweight, don't assume they want to hear your comments about "how thin you are" because we don't. I'd never go up to an overweight person and say, "Gee, looks like you gained weight today - what are you up to, 200-250 lbs?"

Thanks.

It's My Party

Today is my birthday, and I'm trying to get the most out of this week to celebrate it. I just returned from a nice meal at a fun Italian restaurant that was packed for a Wednesday night. I guess people know good food. Had espresso creme brule for dessert - yum!

I also received a happy birthday serenade over the phone from my friend and some very nice gifts. Although I had to work today (I usually try and get the day off, but since I started a new job, I'm on six months probation with no vacation), the day flew by and I got a lot of calls to wish me a happy day. My friends and family are great!

If today is anyone else's birthday out in Blogland, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, TOO!

Mr. President

Our new President.

 

Got MLK?

In remembrance and celebration of Dr. Marting Luther King, Jr. It's a shame he isn't alive today to witness the inauguration of Barack Obama. In essence, he paved the way for it to happen.

Jon Stewart Is My Hero

I love Jon Stewart.

The guy is too damn funny. I love his sense of humor. I relate to it.

Check him out online if you can't watch the show on cable tv.