What a Crazy Random Happenstance

"Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha… Ah-ha-ha-ah-ah-ah-ah-ahhhhh… So that’s, you know, coming along. I'm working with a vocal coach. Strengthening the... AH! A lot of guys ignore the laugh and that's about standards."

So, Dr. Horrible was on the CW tuesday night....first time I've seen it on TV, though I've stalked it many a time on Youtube.com.  Seriously, this is a ridiculously fabulous creation by, none other than Joss Whedon.  You know, the creator of Buffy, Angel, and Firefly.  Not to mention, Dollhouse and Serenity. And let's not forget a little film he wrote and directed called, The Avengers.  Little known fact: Joss Whedon also co-wrote Toy Story.  (thank you, Wikipedia,  for this nugget, which I then source checked to IMDB.)

If you're asking what the heck is Dr. Horrible....we may no longer be able to be friends....but, since I'm in a good mood, I'm going to look on the bright side and note that you are expanding your horizons.  So, read on.

Dr. Horrible, also known as Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, is a musical tragicomedy that was released as a web series in three parts.  It was written and produced during the writer's strike in 2008.  The web series was written by writer/director Joss Whedon, his brothers Zack Whedon (a television writer) and Jed Whedon (a composer), and writer/actress Maurissa Tancharoen.  The idea behind this project was to create a small and inexpensive, though professionally done, series that could circumvent the issues being protested during the writer's strike.  The series stars NPH, Felicia Day, and Nathan Fillion.  

The web series tells the story of Dr. Horrible (NHP) and his nemesis Captain Hammer (Fillion) and their shared loved interest, Penny (Day).  There are some twists and turns, enter Bad Horse, the Thoroughbred of Sin and the leader of the Evil League of Evil.  Personally, I didn't think I'd like the story cause I originally thought it was ridiculous and stupid.  But it really wasn't, it just wasn't what I was used to watching on TV.  So, I gave it a shot.  If you can get the typical TV stereotypes out of your mind, then you should be able to enjoy it.  

Dr. Horrible, well he's not so horrible.  He's kinda this socially inept guy who can't talk to his lady love, Penny, even while doing laundry.  Captain Hammer is a bit pompous.  Really though, he is kinda lovable. He's even got this fabulous fan club.  All in all, the story has value: there is always a price to pay for the thing you want the most.    There are also some great take away phrases: "the status is not quo" and "what a crazy random happenstance" being just two of them.

Oh and did I mention there was music involved?! Seriously, the music makes the series.  I've put my favorite videos/music below for your listening pleasure.

Enter Bad Horse:

So they say:

I Cannot Believe My Eyes:

Slipping:

The Coffee Dilemma

I quit drinking coffee around February of this year.  I stopped drinking coffee mainly because I was trying to save the money I spent on it every day.  I also hated the jittery feelings I got if I didn't eat enough when I drank it.  Add jittery to anxious and stressed and you don't have a pleasant Rita.

A lot of people thought I was nuts to do this smack in the middle of busy season and even my boss had to nerve to say "You aren't pregnant are you?" Umm no, I wasn't pregnant, I just wanted to do something good for my body.  I can tell you, I felt like a different person after I stopped drinking coffee.

I was able to get out a bed faster and get started on work with a clear head earlier in the day.  I wasn't grouchy, didn't get withdrawal headaches, or have the jitters.  I even started running during the week again.  It was the boost my body needed.

 All in all, it worked out really well.  That is, until the rainy weather started to hang over MA in late September and early October.  I started to drag.  I missed the sun.  I started having a hard time getting out of bed again.  I was dragging in the pre-dawn and when the sun wasn't shining.  I couldn't get started at work.  It was then that I realized I am really affected by sunlight and I use coffee to compensate for the natural boost I'm missing.  

So what to do.....

Well, thankfully the National Sleep Foundation partnered with Phillips and created the Wake-Up Light.

Starting half an hour before your set wake up time, the Wake-up Light gradually fills your room with bright light like a rising sun emitting natural light. The light gently prepares your body for waking up while you are still asleep. So, if the wake up time is set at 7 am, the light will gradually get stronger starting at 6:30. At 7 am the light will have reached its highest level, which you can then adjust to your personal preference.

I'm getting one.....I think it might help... ALOT.  I'm sure I'll be drinking coffee from now until February,  but at least I can get out of bed without being a zombie.....Then I can go and kick the coffee habit again!

Magic.

As most of you saw on my FB wall, Paul talked me into playing Magic.  Now, most times I don't give in to certain things Paul says I'll like.  I don't play Warhammer or D&D, though in concept, I think I will like them.  I don't play these games as, usually, I have a short attention span.  I can only focus on things I find fun, but don't have too much invested in, for about an hour...two at the max.  So these games are just a bit too much for me.  I'll play Arkham Horror and I've even given World of Warcraft a try.  These, I can handle.   The main reason I decided to try to play Magic is not only because Paul likes the game, but because my niece and nephew do too.  If I can spend time with them, I'm all for it.  So, I gave it a shot.

Paul got me the Avacyn Restored deck, which is pictured below.  It's a green and white deck and has some pretty awesome angels in it.  

Now, not knowing what the heck was going on, I sorted and read through the deck.  Symbols and words and all these +1s did NOT make any sense to me.  I started to have this feeling that I wouldn't like the game cause I couldn't understand it.  Boy, was I wrong!  

Paul sat down with my last night and we played an open hand game.  I wasn't used to resetting characters each hand so in my head I kept trying to total up the damage done and then tried to convince Paul I had beaten three of his creatures.  Thankfully, he's patient with me and explained again and again that I had to do it in one shot, not over a few different hands.  I also kept forgetting the whole summoning sickness thing and obviously I didn't have haste (see i'm learning the lingo), so I kept attacking with a creature that just entered the battlefield and then have to pull them back and deal with being embarrassed that I couldn't remember the rules. 

I didn't believe Paul before, but there is definitely some strategy involved.  In the end, I think I caught on rather quickly as I beat Paul. Yeay for Rita! It's something I'd play again as I actually enjoyed myself.  

WWJBD...What Would Jed Bartlet Do

I must admit that I did not watch the debate last week.  Instead, I read about it all across both my Facebook and Twitter feed.  I also might have read a little something on CNN.com.  It appears that Mitt Romney walked all over President Obama.  

As many of you might know, I'm not really into politics.  The only time I engage in any sort of political debate/talk is when my Dad goads me into defending President Obama.  I find that when I do start to read about politics, I have this overwhelming hope or wish that Jed Bartlet was President.  Clearly, I know the West Wing was a television show and that our own government does NOT run that smoothly or funnily.  Regardless, however, I think we can all learn a bit from our friend Jed Bartlett and his Wondercrat staff.

Let's start with this: with regard to all untruthiness being thrown about, Mrs. Landingham would demand President Obama give her the numbers, the same as she demanded of President Bartlett in "Two Cathedrals."  

Let's get down to the bottom of the unemployment rate, job creation graph, and how much a "tax cut" is going to cost the average working person.  Let's talk about it in real numbers.  Let's talk about it in a simpler way: am I going to be able to afford my rent and groceries?  If my husband gets laid off, do I have to get another job just to cover our health care costs?

On education:
Regardless of whether you are a Democrat or Republican, we should be able to agree that our children need good, quality education.  The only way our country succeeds is if we have an educated electorate.  Thomas Jefferson was of the idea that  "whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government."  Sam Seaborn realized the need for stellar education a long time ago:

 Sam Seaborn: Mallory, education is the silver bullet. Education is everything. We don't need little                 changes, we need gigantic, monumental changes. Schools should be palaces. The competition for the best teachers should be fierce. They should be making six-figure salaries. Schools should be incredibly expensive for government and absolutely free of charge to its citizens, just like national defense. That's my position. I just haven't figured out how to do it yet. 

Well, folks, our public education system is pretty terrible and families are having a harder and harder time affording private higher education which outdoes public education almost everywhere. Kids can't borrow the funds from their parents anymore.  Those funds were eaten up in the market crash, or used to keep a family afloat when a parent lost a job.  The government should be making it a bit easier to go to college as without a college degree you can't do much in our county. Do you agree?

And what about the spirit of bipartisanship? 
I see political parties being a check on one another, just as there is a check on each branch of government.  Political parties were NOT intended obstruct nearly every bill or act the other party bring to the table.  It seems to me that what is happening today with our current election is damn close to what happened when the Speaker of the House, Jeff Haffley, went up against President Bartlet.  Haffley drew a line in the sand that ended in the near-total shut down of the government.  President Bartlett didn't back down and he got the government back on track.  

It's also damn close to what happened when Glen Allen Walken, became acting President during Zoe's kidnapping.  Walken attempted to undo most of what President Bartlett had done during his term.  Is this really good for the country?  Didn't seem that way in the TV show, doesn't seem that way in real life. 

My thinking is this: be a check on the opposite party, but DO NOT put the cost of your actions on the American people.  Don't make life harder for us just because a bill, a bill that could do some actual good, was sponsored/written by the other side.  Let's not play chicken with the livelihood of the American people.

I'll end this piece with a quote from the Avengers:

Steve Rogers: The uniform? Aren't the stars and stripes a little...old fashioned?
Agent Phil Coulson: Everything that's happening, the things that are about to come to light, people might just need a little old fashioned.

Let's remember that our country was founded on the idea that all men are created equal and that no one should be subject to a tyrannical government.  It should be a government by the people and for the people, not those who have the deepest pockets.  Maybe each and every one of us should reread the document that assured our development as a free country and remember what the stars and stripes mean to us.

Declaration of Independence

What I Do at Work

Since I haven't had any ideas for a good post (promise rainbow cake post will come soon), I thought I would share what a typical day at the office is for me.  Below is what I get to research and write about, though it may not be on a daily basis.  Have fun and don't fall asleep!

Recharacterizing an IRA Conversion

The IRS does not offer many “mulligans”, however, one is available with regard to Roth IRA conversions.  For individuals eligible to invest in a Roth IRA, you can transfer assets from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA by utilizing a conversion.  A conversion is a taxable event during which funds are distributed from a traditional IRA and rolled into a Roth IRA either directly or within 60 days of distribution.  Taxes are due on the value of pretax contributions and any earnings. The IRS allows individuals to “undo” the conversion by recharacterizing the converted funds back to a traditional IRA, thereby pulling the funds out of taxable status and according the individual a lower tax liability.

A Roth IRA is an individual retirement vehicle that allows individuals to set aside after-tax dollars.  Earnings on contributions are not subject to income tax as long as you hold the account for at least 5 years and you are at least 59 ½.  There is an early withdrawal fee of approximately 10% if you withdraw the money before 59 ½ and without a qualified reason.  Be aware that if the distribution is not considered “qualified,” it is also subject to tax.  Unlike a traditional IRA or 401(k), there are no required distributions.   The principal restriction of a Roth IRA is the AGI income limitation that excludes high-earning individuals.

A Roth IRA is traditionally limited to individuals who make less than the AGI limit prescribed by the IRS in a certain year.  For single filers, the AGI limit was $107,000 in 2011 and $110,000 in 2012; and for married filers, $169,000 in 2011 and $173,000 in 2012. In general, individuals are taxed (at current rates) on the entire amount converted, as these monies are moving from a pre-tax vehicle to a post-tax vehicle.   However, the IRS allowed anyone who made a conversion in 2010 to defer income from 2010 and split the tax burden between 2011 and 2012.  This exception was because, for one year only, the IRS made Roth conversions available to everyone, regardless of their AGI. (Note that the rule was changed for 2010 only and the traditional rules are back in place for any subsequent year, barring an act of Congress.)

An individual’s tax liability is determined based on the value as of the date of the conversion.  If possible you should project the value in order to make sure there are available funds to pay the tax liability.  Individuals should also consider if the value of the conversion will put them into another tax bracket, which would result in a much higher than desired tax liability.  A conversion can also increase taxes on Social Security and affect the premium you pay for Medicare Part B, or it can trigger alternative minimum tax (AMT) rules.  If you did not consider the above or did, but intervening events land you in a less than ideal spot after making the conversion, or if you just want to, the IRS allows you to “take back” or recharacterize part of the conversion.   Recharacterizations of IRA conversions are available to anyone.  

To recharacterize either all or part of the Roth conversion, you will need to transfer the recharacterized amounts to a new or existing traditional IRA via a trustee-to-trustee transfer.  The IRS does not allow you to transfer the amount back into the plan from which they were originally distributed and the funds must pass from one financial institution to another or change accounts via an intra-institution transfer; the funds cannot enter your hands.  You also cannot reconvert the amount recharacterized to the same or another Roth IRA until the later of 30 days after the recharacterization, or the year following the year of the rollover or conversion.  However, this waiting period does not apply to amounts other than the ones you recharacterized.  The deadline for recharacterizing a Roth conversion is your tax-filing deadline plus extensions.  If you file the tax return on time (generally by April 15), you receive an automatic six-month extension, which means your deadline to recharacterize a 2011 contribution is October 15, 2012.  You must report the recharacterization on your tax return as directed by Form 8606 and its instructions. Practice note:  the recharacterization of a contribution is not treated as a rollover for purposes of the one-year waiting period.

For more information, you should speak to your financial advisor or tax preparer and review IRS Publication 590 and the Form 8606.

Greetings Traveller!

As you might have recently seen on my fb wall, I've lost my husband, yet again, to Borderlands 2.  I remember losing him to the first Borderlands but I also remember being a bit intrigued by the game, that doesn't happen very often.

The world created in the game, Pandora, was unique, the characters were intriguing, and I wasn't completely pissed off when it was on my tv.  So far, A++.  In Borderlands 2, Pandora seems more alive.  There are more people, more places and it isn't do desolate.

Per the Borderlands 2 website, Borderlands 2 follows the story of four new Vault Hunters as they fight to free Pandora from the clutches of Handsome Jack, the brilliant, charismatic, and utterly despicable CEO of the Hyperion Corporation.   Players will fight across the whole of Pandora to stop Jack from awakening an ancient alien evil known only as "the Warrior." Their quest will bring them into contact with some familiar faces from the old game – most notably, the original four Vault Hunters: Roland, Lilith, Brick and Mordecai. They, along with some brand new characters, will help players defeat Jack, destroy the Warrior, and save Pandora.

Borderlands 2 doesn't appear to recreate the original game but make the weak parts better.  How would I know this, you ask?  Well, my husband doesn't appear to run his commando off cliffs or into mountains as much.  I've also noticed he's not running through the game as he normally would.  He's taking the time to stop and explore....which means my tv is occupied for longer by this game, unfortunately.

The multi-player seems to be the best part of the game though.  My husband and his friends seem to get sucked in for hours riding in their nuke launching commandos and heading into battle with ridiculous weapons.   I also hear and (somehow) laugh at a lot of what Claptrap has to say.

All in all, I don't hate it and it makes my husband laugh like a little girl... so it's awesome!

You should check out their web-site here.

What Makes Me Go Awwww...

Last night, before I headed off to my Advil induced sleep I was stumbling on Firefox and I came across the cutest pictures of a joey and wombat sharing a pouch. 

 Now, if you know me well, you know I LOVE wombats...I think they're just so freakin' adorable!  Well, this morning I did some digging and I found out these two were rescued by an organization called Wild About Wildlife.  They were formed after the horrible Black Saturday bushfires that burned across Victoria, Australia in 2009.  Over 2,000 houses were lost and 173 people died as a result of these fires. 

But not only human beings were affected by that fire, scores of animals lost their "homes" that day as well.  Many of us in the US remember this picture that ran in our news.  It still breaks my heart but, at the same time, gives me hope that there are people out there who want to protect and help animals.

The great people at Wild About Wildlife took in those orphaned or injured animals and worked to rehabilitate them so they could be released back into the wild.  Though the fires were back in 2009, their journey has not stopped as they continue to care for injured roos who have been caught in fences or hit by cars and other orphaned/injured wombats, birds and bats.

My favorite has to be Peggy the wombat.  She's got a new playpen as she's becoming more active at night. You can check out a video of her antics on their Facebook page.

There are also some great pictures of wombats DJ and JoJo, which can't help but make you smile. I mean, don't you think Monty would love these two as play mates?

They've got quite the number of residents at the sanctuary and could absolutely use our help.  Please check out their Facebook page and you'll see all these wonderful photos there as they absolutely do not belong to me, though I wish they did.

What speaks to me the most about these pictures and about the work Wild for Wildlife does is that this type of work is the one thing I could do in life that would be absolutely perfect for me.  I think I'm a good lawyer but really I would LOVE to do animal rescue as I think it would make me the happiest in life.  But, I've got student loans and other bills to pay, so I guess I'll have to do it on the side!

Renaissance Faire

Last Saturday Paul and I got to watch Luke and Cecelia and we decided to head to the NY Renaissance Faire. My sister and Brother-in-Law introduced me to the Faire when I was in high school and I loved it.  I even dressed up!  The people were great, the shows were fun, and who doesn't like snacking on a turkey leg!

So, even though the kids had already been we decided to go back as Paul had never been the Faire in NY.  We had gone to King Richard's Faire a number of years ago and honestly, I wan't too impressed.  Having been to the NY one, my expectations were set fairly high.  Needless to say, I was disappointed.  The shops weren't great, the entertainment seemed kinda dull and the food was meh.  With that in mind, I just knew Paul would have a blast.  He wasn't disappointed.

We ladies started out by getting new head garlands as the boys had already donned their kilts and capes.

We walked around and saw all the wears for sale, we even tried on some hats.

Meet Samurai Jack

Finally, we started getting to the interesting and truly renaissance faire - St. George's Dragon Orphanage.  Although Luke and Celia wanted one, our rule was they could get anything that wouldn't hurt/maim people and wasn't alive.  They were not please by this limitation.

There was awesome photobombing to be had at the knife throwers show:

All in all we had a really great day.  We walked around for over 5 hours and not once were we bored.  Then it was off to Bartaco for a ridiculous dinner and then finally, we all got to collapse at home with Monty and Sparky.  There may have even been some magic played. Huzzah!

What Do You Do With It?

The other day, I thought to myself....I haven't written anything in awhile.  How sad it that?  I enjoy writing.  I think when you're not enjoying life, it's really hard to find something good to write about.  Things have changed, however.  

I'm coming off a two week hiatus where I saw my family, relaxed, cleaned my house, and tried to get my life back in order.  But as I've told a few of you, I'm struggling with what to do with the feelings I hated feeling but can't seem to get rid of.   I wasn't sure if I'd make it through each day without exploding and now all of a sudden I'm completely fine.

My first reaction was that it hasn't been long enough and I don't have enough distance.  But is that really the case?  Can you truly forget those feelings of pain, hate, and self doubt?  I'm not sure you can.  I've still got those feels from bad break ups in college, the pain of losing friends along the road, and I remember the self doubt I felt every single day of law school.  So what to do?

Honestly, I want to scream at the top of my lungs at those who made me feel that way.  I don't think I want them to feel like how I felt as I don't wish that on anyone.  I just want them to know once and for all how they made me feel.  As a person. As a human being.  As someone's daughter.

What I'll take away from this and maybe this is what I'm going to do with it is never EVER make anyone feel how I felt.  Everyday I will try to make someone smile.  I will try to help and I will teach.  I won't let anyone struggle.  Cause that's who I am.  Well, that's who I was and who I hope to be again. I found the following on Pinterest and I hope to follow them:

If this how I put those feelings to rest, I'm better for it.  For once, something good will come out of anger and self doubt.

JCCC3: Gettin' my flippy-floppies ready

The first thing that popped into my head today was this: I cannot wait to go on vacation. In February. on JCCC3. Nerds rejoice!

We will be sailing on the Freedom of the Seas to the Bahamas, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.  

Last year's cruise was phenomenal and we met the greatest people.  So excited to see them on JCCC3!! Table for 6, anyone??

Our shipboard activities include the following:

• Q&A session with Jonathan and the other performers
• Dedicated, 24-hour tabletop gaming space and info center for competing, scrabbling, delving, magicking and gathering, Analog Tweeting, and a central hub for information/planning (with wipeboards and pens and stuff!) What’s more, this year’s shipboard Conference Center is more than twice as large as last year’s!
• The return of JoCo Karaoke and NoCo Karaoke (a.k.a. Karaoke Regular)
• Movie Night Strikes Back: Movie Harder
• 3rd Annual Paul F. Tompkins Memorial Moustache Formal and Fezstravaganza: an evening of formal wear (optional but recommended), fezzes (optional but recommended) and moustaches (optional; provided)
• A Dance with Daquiris: A Song of Ice and Alcohol shove-off complimentary cocktail hour for EVERYONE
• Trilogies Always End Poorly farewell complimentary cocktail hour for EVERYONE

The entertainment that has been booked so far includes:

Jonathan Coulton

The Doubleclicks

John Hodgman

Zoë Keating

Randall Munroe

Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett (from Rifftrax)

Paul and Storm

Mike Phirman

David Rees

Wil Wheaton 

Personally, I can't wait till we get to the Bahamas and I can get off the boat, get handed a towel, and relax on the beach. :o) 

I'd also like to at least get on one excursion this trip.  I've picked this one:

Castaway Shipwreck and Snorkel

If this looks interesting to you, you should come! It's really the best time, especially for the Geek- Adjacent Wife.  Maybe I'll get to fist bump Wil Wheaton again! 

That reminds me: I've got to get to work on my fez....

 

 

Shoes make me happy. I'm superficial. Whatever

What's one of my biggest vices? Shoes.  

I <3 shoes.  

I don't discriminate either.  I love heels and flip flops and sandals and platforms.  It is hard for me to walk out of DSW with fewer than 2 pair.  I've always had a collection of shoes under my desk at work, in my car, and then the pile at home.  For quite sometime now we've had a rule in our house that if I bring a pair of shoes into the house, I have to get rid of a pair.  If I don't choose said garbage pair before I wear the new ones, Paul gets to decide what pair get's trashed.  Slightly ridiculous if you ask me.....I just find other places to hide them hehe

This is only part of the collection :o) I figure what else do I have to spend my money on?  They make me happy, I get compliments when I where them...so yea, whatever :o) If you are going to be my friend, you have to like shoes.

I've also got some of my dream shoes below...someday, when I make my first million- I will buy these and they will be mine. The avenger shoes I will get before the cruise...mark my words!

My 30th

I'm 30.  I turned the BIG 3-0 at home with my husband....it was just what I wanted.  He got me beautiful hydrogen atom earrings (as seen in the Watchmen) and made a delicious strawberry cake with butter cream frosting, from scratch! It was perfect!

I also wanted to celebrate turning 30 surrounded by my Marist friends and family. So a party was thrown!  I spent the night talking with people I hadn't seen in months and it was lovely.  I <3 my Maristers+.

I haven't had a birthday party since I turned 16 as I dislike the attention and also, something always seems to go wrong.  I thought, however, I needed some *celebration* in my life.  I needed laughter and smiles and good friends.  That's exactly what I got.

Caption:

"Joey: Okay, buddy-boy. Here it is: You hide my clothes, I'm wearing everything you own.
Chandler: Oh my God! That is so not the opposite of taking somebody's underwear!
Joey: Look at me - I'm Chandler! Could I *be* wearing any more clothes? Maybe if I wasn't going commando!
Chandler: Ugh UGH!
Joey: Phew! I tell you, it's hot with all this stuff on. I better not do any - you know - lunges!"

 I also got a great surprise: my sister, my brother-in-law, my niece and nephew all surprised me by making an appearance.  They weren't supposed to be back from their vacation from Florida, but they came back and surprised the crap out of me.  It was amazing!

and of course there were shenanigans!

So, a HUGE thanks to my Mom & Dad for throwing the bash!! A HUGE thank you to the friends and family there!

Now to plan the next celebration with my work and law school crew!

We Are Going To Make It Through This Year If It Kills Us

Yep.  We are.  You know I'm talking about you.  We're in this together and we'll get out together.  We've worked too hard and come too far to be stuck here, in this rut.  We are better than this.  We are worth more than this. We will survive this.

I'm reminded of a story I heard in law school:

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling.

It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. 

Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me what you see.”

“Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its richness and savored its aroma.

The daughter then asked, “What does it mean, mother?”

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity – boiling water. Each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

“Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?”

 
Change: this is my daily mantra.  It gets me up out of bed in the morning and keeps me moving through the day.  I try to change the place I'm at, though most times it's futile. I'm not really sure when I switched into survival mode, but, here I am; here we are.  I am thankful for the amazing girls I have around me, for their support, and their help.  I know, without a doubt, we will all be alright in the end. 

If you'd ever like to hear the real story, just ask me...I will surely tell you.  You prolly know most of it, it's just not something I'm ready to give away to the web as I'm not truly out of the situation yet.  Trust me, you'll know the minute it happens, though.

We are coffee beans, ladies! Let's make a change for ourselves! xoxo

The Greater Implications

I guess you might say that I'm having an attack of conscience or that I got swift kick in the ass delivered by reality.  Here's what happened:

I worked until midnight last night and had a cab take me all the way home instead of my usual place, the train station as I was too tired to drive.  As such, I left my car parked overnight.  When I returned to get it this morning, the driver's side window was busted and my gps and a few other items were missing.  Bollocks.  Total bollocks.  I called the transit police, called the insurance company. Blah. blah. 

Come to find out that I'm a few days late on my auto insurance payment because I haven't checked my personal email since Wednesday.  Thankfully, the nice people at Progressive told me there's a grace period, which I fell into. So, I'm not totally shit out of luck.  Obviously, I paid what was due and even pre-paid next month as it's guaranteed that I'll forget.  Paul was nice enough to drive my car home and give me his car so I could blow off some steam and get my nails done.  You all know how they looked during the week.... a total wreck thanks to my nervous picking.

So, there I am at the salon and I get a call from the transit cops.  Now, at this point I've talked to the MBTA Transit Police several times already as I come to find out, I'm one of 5 cars that were broken into last night.  Anywho, the lovely office calls me back to let me now that my registration has expired.  I shriek out, "WHAT?!" She tells me it expired in January and that I should keep track of these things.  She also let me know she's put a note in the system that she's talked to me and that if I'm found driving the car without updating my registration, I'll most likely be arrested.  Needless to say, I immediately got on-line to try to re-register my car.  Many server errors later, turns out I'll have to take care of it on Monday.  The same day I've got to get the window fixed.  The same day the project that kept me at work till midnight is due. hmmmm....

You're probably thinking, "Jeez Rita, get your shit together."  I'm right there with you.  I did some reflecting while having a few beers and during a run  today.  Here's what I came up with: it's sucks that my car got broken into but, there are much greater implications that have resulted from this misfortune.

My train of thought went something like this: If I didn't just take a cab straight home, this wouldn't have happened.  If I drove into work, this wouldn't have happened.  If I had just left work at a normal time, this wouldn't have happened.  If I hadn't been given a project at 5:30 on a Friday that I had to stay and finish cause if I didn't my other weekend work would get screwed up, this wouldn't have happened.  If I had known there was a deadline, I would've gotten the work done earlier and this wouldn't have happened.  You're seeing a theme here right?  Yea, I did too.  It's work. 

Now, don't get me wrong, everyone works.  We have to.  I've got bills just like you do.  I have rent and student student loans to pay.  Here's the thing, I'm so consumed at work that my personal life falls to the side.  I cannot tell you the last time I've paid a bill on time.  I've set up reminders.  I've asked for email alerts.  Inevitably, the alarm or reminder dings when I'm in the middle of a conference call or when I'm knee deep in an analysis.  So, the alarm falls to the wayside.  It's pathetic.

Also had another moment of clarity today.  If I had taken the cab to the train station last night, I could've walked into my car being broken into.  The police told me it happened around 12:30am, just the time I would've been getting to the station.  God only knows what would've happened. God was truly watching last night.

Back to the reality check.  Another thing happened today that I think was part of some scripted plan.  I was reading a book called Once We Were Brothers, very very good by the way, and I came upon this explanation of the main characters life:

"Is she happy working at Jenkins and Fairchild, because I don't get the feeling she is."

"No, she's not.  She and Mickey were doing some terrific public interest work.  Stuff to be proud of.  Jenkins is an institutional firm representing large corporate interests.  Very unsatisfying for Cat."

"So, why does she stay there?"

"You know how it is - you get up every day, put your shoes on and go to work.  She's well paid, enjoys the esteem of her colleagues, and has enough work to keep her conscious from reminding her how empty her soul is....."


enough work to keep her conscious from reminding her how empty her soul is.....

Holy fuck did that resonate.  Is that what I'm doing?  Please say it ain't so.

It kinda is.  Am I getting satisfaction from the work I'm doing?  Not really.  I've got moments where I'm learning, but it's not something I would have expected me to be doing.  Don't get me wrong, I do my job well.  I put in over and above a 100%, but it's not fulfilling.  I meed deadlines so I don't get yelled at.  I get balance sheets to balance, reconciliations to tie out.  But meh, I could leave it. The comic Savage Chicken describes my situation so well:

Well, this is where I am.  I'm formulating a plan.  This isn't life.  For the foreseeable future I will be out running as that's one of the activities that reminds me I'm not just a desk jockey.  I'll be calling you friends to catch up, as you are a ridiculously important part of my life I've neglected.  I'll be out in the sun more often.  I'll be eating dinner with my Husband on a daily basis.

Just know that if you're in a similar situation,  I 100% get where you are coming from. We can change this.

Who I Am

I am Marie and Mary's granddaughter.
I didn't get to meet either of my grandfathers.
I'm 29.
I was always the tallest in my grade in grammar school.
I look exactly like my father.
I used to have bleach blond curly hair.
I am a sister.
I am a god-mother.
I love being outside.
I love the ocean.
I'm a rower.
I'm a crossfitter.
I am too nice.
I own too many shoes.
I don't speak up for myself enough.
I've got a ridiculous memory.
I'm a lawyer.
I run.
I eat everything.
I love good food.
I hate the rain.
I love flip flops, even in the winter.
I have a fur baby.
I'm a skier.
I hate heights.
I am a little OCD at times.
I totally eavesdrop into other people's conversations.
I love to people watch.
I talk about my wedding like it was yesterday.
I'm terrible at answering my phone.
I totally text while driving.
I'm not afraid to die.
I know there is a heaven.
I think you can talk to God anytime, anywhere.
I can't draw for shit.
I love being around water.
I'm doing Tough Mudder.
I've got tattoos.
I drink too much coffee.
I love any baby animal.
I'd love to be a sommelier in my next life.
I love cheese.
I am fiercely proud of my family.
I miss the Hudson.
I miss my Marist Family.
I <3 Elvis
I bowl.
I'm usually social chair anywhere that I work.
I read like crazy.
I buy ridiculous jewelry.
I wish I had blue eyes.
I am a wife.
I want to be a mother.
I love getting dressed up.
I love lounging on the couch.
I love eating my husband's cooking.
I hate putting away the silverware.
I don't spend enough time with my dog.
I don't get outside enough.

I'm not sure that's everything, but it's a start.

I AM a soul and I HAVE a body

The prolific writer C. S. Lewis one wrote "You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body." I saw this quoted on a pendant on Etsy the other day and it stuck with me. I rolled it around in my head for a few days and after a drink with a friend during which he said "you're quiet, this isn't like you" I finally gave it some serious thought.

Here's what I came up with. My soul isn't happy. Neither is my body, if I'm being completely honest. It isn't because I'm unhappy, per se; it's because I'm not nurturing and enriching my soul. I'm not doing what I love on a daily basis. I honestly don't have the time. That's pathetic and I realize that.

I thrive on being around people. I thrive on making other people happy, by having a good time, sharing stories, eating, walking on the beach, giving hugs, petting dogs, laughing. I listen. I talk. I run. I eat. I lay in the sun. But right now, I'm not doing any of that.

That's got to change.

I've got to make my soul happy again.

So what to do? I've started calling friends more often. Making plans for dinner and drinks. I've gotten outside and have started running again. My life on this earth is too short to let a day pass me by. 

What makes your soul happy?

A First

I think the movie was better than the book.

Wait, what!?

Yeah. Hunger Games, the movie, was better than Hunger Games, the book. Here's why.

If you've read the book (books is more likely) you know Katniss has had it rough. Her family lives in the Seam, her father died when she was young, her mother had a mental break and checked out for a bit, and oh, right....she volunteered for the hunger games to save Prim. Now, don't get me wrong, hard times and difficulties build a character, but do they have to make her whiny and unaware? No. No, they don't.

Here's my gripe with Katniss: I get it you don't trust people, you've been burned many times, blah, blah. Is it so difficult to think of the repercussions your actions have, though? You clearly are not a dumb person/character, Katniss. Put the pieces together! You're actions have repercussions! Don't you see? You're a cog in a treasonous machine, you're purpose on this planet has changed entirely. You're no longer the girl who supports your family in the Seam, you're the 'girl on fire' who incites riots!

The movie Katniss, gets this. She's not oblivious. She knew what she was doing when she put flowers on Rue, when she gave the signal. She sure as hell knew what pressing the game makers with the nightlock would do. Katniss Everdeen in the movie is the worthy figurehead of the rebellion and I hope it stays that way.

The other reason I like the movie so much more than the book is because we get to see other perspectives.  We get to see how awkward Gale feels when he sees Katniss kiss Peeta in the arena.  There's obviously more than friendship therefor him.  The game makers are just as I pictured them in my imagination and it was great to see them on screen manipulating the arena.  The best had to be seeing the interaction with President Snow and Seneca Crane regarding the 'underdog'. Its clear, there is no hope in the games, there is now chance for an underdog to win....it's just another way the Capitol owns your ass.

Here's my advice: read the books by Suzanne Collins and then go see the movie. The you get to decide.  Maybe you'll think I'm completely off my rocker; maybe not. 

Songs....and the people/places they bring to mind

I'm sure you've experienced this before: a certain song comes on the radio or your ipod and you're immediately think of another time and place and maybe the person/people you were with.  It happens to me almost daily.  I find it's akin to taking down a photo album and thumbing through the pages.  Apparently I am not alone is this as scientists (Schulkind, Hennis, and Rubin) did a series of experiments in 1999 and ddocumented experiences from both college students and older adults.  What the found was that a song would evoke a general recollection - a memory for a life period such as high school, or college, or dating that certain someone from long ago. Other times, songs brought to mind specific recollections of particular events. They've termed this recollection Music-Evoked Nostalgia. 

For me, this just doesn't occur with music; it happens with books as well.  Every time I pick up the first three Harry Potter books, I'm transported back to my trip to Australia the summer after high school.  I remember the sun shining through the window of the tour bus onto the pages of my book as we passed through the outback.  I remember identifying so strongly to Harry's want for an actual family when I was homesick and just wanted to be home.

I don't think it's odd for me to experience any of this given that I've got a ridiculous incidental memory.

Here are some songs that bring to mind certain people and events.  If they apply to you, you should already know. 

Sweet baby James
Pictures
The First Cut is the Deepest
I'm walking Away
Come What May
Wonderful Tonight
Starry Night
Tupelo Honey
I've got Friends in Low Places

Youth of A Nation - listened to this when I pulled my PR 2k with Amanda
Toxic - heard this every day on the bus to and from rowing in Clemson
Carolina in my Mind - always listened to this leading up to spring break
Give it to her - Our getting ready to go out song, Junior year
Chop Suey - CRASH B prep
Birdhouse in your Soul - Beaches in RI