I like to shop. I enjoy spending afternoons at the bookstore, cutting out of work early to check out sales at Macy’s, and browsing house wares at my favorite home décor shops. And although I love all these things, nothing plagues me with fear and trepidation like shopping for bras.
So a few weeks ago I took a deep breath, hopped in my car, and set out on Mission: Brapossible.
It’s not that I hate bras. Sure, nothing feels better than slipping out of my boob cradler after a long day at work, but overall I don’t mind wearing a bra. Bras are meant to be functional, compliment a cute pair of undies, and even assist in foreplay. I don’t have beef with brassieres.
What I hate is trying them on. I hate waltzing through the store clasping 87 mammary snugglers. I hate locking myself in a fitting room, stripping down, hooking, and un-hooking myself into a series of bras. I have my method down to a science, so there’s not much shifting that needs to happen, but there are so many things I would rather do than examine how my back appears in a strapless demi-cup. What’s even better is that many stores have adopted a sort of bra-whisperer philosophy. Now, I have a sales associate camped outside of the fitting room door, asking me every five seconds if I need any help. I have to repeatedly turn down offers for bra fittings from girls with names like Bailey and Gracie-Kate.
Back to the mission.
Last week, I entered the fitting room with no fewer than 20 bras. I have lost a bit of weight in the past few months, so I knew I may have to go down a size. What I did not expect to happen though, was to experience such a gross reduction in boobie tissue.
“Boobs!?!?!” I cried. “Where have you gone?”
I was met only with silence.
It’s not that I’m sad that my boobs are diminishing. It’s just weird. I’m used to looking for bra sizes with double letter values. I’m accustomed upgrading my shirt size because I can’t get my actual size over my ta-tas. I’ve grown tired of the way my cleavage peeks out from even the most modest of dresses.
But no longer. Now, I need padding, push-ups, and bras with titles like “The Balconette.” Gone are the days searching the racks for a hard to find girth/cup combo. I feel somewhat normal. And even though my breasts are running the risk of becoming ittie-bitties, I’m ok with it. Because it may just mean that the rest of me will follow.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Mitten Meanderings
Maybe it’s the commercials showing vast expanses of blue water, cherry trees, and smiling faces. Perhaps it’s the countless “Great Lakes” license I’ve seen the past few weeks. Or maybe it’s been the string of impossibly hot weather that commenced on Nashville before summer even started. Whatever it is, I am jonesin for summertime in Michigan.
I miss waking up to cool temperatures, and being able to dine outside in the evening without feeling the prick of perspiration. I miss needing a sweatshirt on cool nights, even when it was August. I miss breezy weekends in the sun, complete with surprise sunburns because I was lured into a false sense of security by the cooler temperatures.
I miss ice cream parlors. Real ice cream parlors with names the The Taystee Freeze, Ice Cream Junction, and The Grill and Chill. No homogenized, sterile, brightly lit, marble slab-with-all-the-fixins conglomerate. I want to slurp a hand dipped chocolate-covered vanilla cone while sitting on a weathered picnic table. Watch people come to the window in ill-fitting summer garb and order banana splits. Play the batting cages until the sun sets. And not to mention the ice cream flavors. Where is my Mooney’s Blue Moon? Tell me where I can find real Superman ice cream, and I will spend the rest of my days trying to avoid dripping pink, yellow, and blue drops on my clothes.
And what about the water? What about never being more than an hour’s drive away from a real lake? Not the man made stuff, with built-in grades and two feet of sand shoveled in from some foreign county. I’m talking sand dunes, light houses, and drop-offs that make you scream for your mommy. How I miss the stretches of time spent water skiing, fishing, and soaking up sun from my spot on the boat. How I crave dipping my toes in the water from the edge of the dock.
I miss getting in the car and heading to Pine Knob (sorry, I refuse to call it the DTE Energy something-or-other) for some amazing outdoor music. Where are the shows at The Fillmore, The Shelter, Saint Andrews, or the Royal Oak Theater? Gone are the days of sprawling out on a blanket at Meadowbrook Music Festival.
I’m craving YaYa’s chicken, Boston Coolers from Halo Burger, and mostaccioli al forno from Italia Gardens. I would love to pick-up a Reuben from Oliver T’s and an iced coffee at Tim Horton’s for lunch. I miss happy hours at Damon’s, Grand Blanc Inn, and Blackstone’s. Hell, I’d even settle for a coney at Angelo’s right now.
I know that in a little while, I’ll be back for a visit. And I’ll get my fix, and realize that I’ve spent a month romanticizing all of the things that I was so used to before. I’ll come back to the sultriness of the south and be ok for a few more months. Then, I’ll start missing Christmastime in the Midwest.
Help me, help me, help me sail away
Well, give me two good reasons why I oughta stay
Cause I love to live so pleasantly
Live this life of luxury
Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon
I miss waking up to cool temperatures, and being able to dine outside in the evening without feeling the prick of perspiration. I miss needing a sweatshirt on cool nights, even when it was August. I miss breezy weekends in the sun, complete with surprise sunburns because I was lured into a false sense of security by the cooler temperatures.
I miss ice cream parlors. Real ice cream parlors with names the The Taystee Freeze, Ice Cream Junction, and The Grill and Chill. No homogenized, sterile, brightly lit, marble slab-with-all-the-fixins conglomerate. I want to slurp a hand dipped chocolate-covered vanilla cone while sitting on a weathered picnic table. Watch people come to the window in ill-fitting summer garb and order banana splits. Play the batting cages until the sun sets. And not to mention the ice cream flavors. Where is my Mooney’s Blue Moon? Tell me where I can find real Superman ice cream, and I will spend the rest of my days trying to avoid dripping pink, yellow, and blue drops on my clothes.
And what about the water? What about never being more than an hour’s drive away from a real lake? Not the man made stuff, with built-in grades and two feet of sand shoveled in from some foreign county. I’m talking sand dunes, light houses, and drop-offs that make you scream for your mommy. How I miss the stretches of time spent water skiing, fishing, and soaking up sun from my spot on the boat. How I crave dipping my toes in the water from the edge of the dock.
I miss getting in the car and heading to Pine Knob (sorry, I refuse to call it the DTE Energy something-or-other) for some amazing outdoor music. Where are the shows at The Fillmore, The Shelter, Saint Andrews, or the Royal Oak Theater? Gone are the days of sprawling out on a blanket at Meadowbrook Music Festival.
I’m craving YaYa’s chicken, Boston Coolers from Halo Burger, and mostaccioli al forno from Italia Gardens. I would love to pick-up a Reuben from Oliver T’s and an iced coffee at Tim Horton’s for lunch. I miss happy hours at Damon’s, Grand Blanc Inn, and Blackstone’s. Hell, I’d even settle for a coney at Angelo’s right now.
I know that in a little while, I’ll be back for a visit. And I’ll get my fix, and realize that I’ve spent a month romanticizing all of the things that I was so used to before. I’ll come back to the sultriness of the south and be ok for a few more months. Then, I’ll start missing Christmastime in the Midwest.
Help me, help me, help me sail away
Well, give me two good reasons why I oughta stay
Cause I love to live so pleasantly
Live this life of luxury
Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Losing It, Part I
I have been meaning to blog about The Biggest Loser television show for some time now. I have struggled to organize my feelings about this program in a constructive manner, so I have just sat back, and read what far more articulate bloggers have had to say. However, when I saw that Jillian Michaels now has her very own reality fat-hater show, I could stay quiet no longer.
I first, have to own up to a bit of hypocrisy. Right now, a coworker and I are running a Biggest Loser contest at our workplace. I have also purchased and/or rented various Biggest Loser products: cookbooks, exercise DVDs, etc. I have watched the show on a few occasions in the past, but I usually get too angry to sit through an entire season. I have a strong desire to improve my health, and have been healthfully and diligently working on my weight loss through the past year or so. I’m not knocking the desire or attempt to lose weight – I just want to make that clear.
I’ve always wondered what happened to Biggest Loser contestants after their time at the ranch had expired. I rounded up a couple where-are-they-now articles, and was interested to see that many contestants were not able to sustain their weight loss. In fact, most of the featured contestants gained back at least half of the weight they had lost. Sort of makes me wonder how successful the “scream til they drop” technique works in the long term.
Then yesterday, I came across this post over at Body Love Wellness. I remember watching Kai Hibbard a few years back, and found her to be funny and witty, and somewhat of a kindred spirit. I was really sad and disappointed to hear that she had developed an eating disorder. I was not surprised, however, that the show was so cutthroat behind the scenes.
I think what bothers me is that The Biggest Loser has turned into a resource for folks trying to fight the fat, myself included. And what makes me particularly sad is that the show promotes a really ugly approach to taking care of oneself. Most of the professionals I have consulted with regarding weight loss (nutritionists, psychologists, physicians) have all advocated weight loss that is slow-yet-steady. And more importantly, they've advocated treating myself well. Based on what Kai Hibbard has shared, it appears that Biggest Loser producers and consultants have taken a different approach. From what I can tell, this method has not proven successful beyond a few minutes.
All of this leads me to further question why we're OK with this. I'm continuing this post into a Part II, but I think there is a deeper issue at play. Why are we willing to accept and even delight over a form of abuse inflicted upon others?
I first, have to own up to a bit of hypocrisy. Right now, a coworker and I are running a Biggest Loser contest at our workplace. I have also purchased and/or rented various Biggest Loser products: cookbooks, exercise DVDs, etc. I have watched the show on a few occasions in the past, but I usually get too angry to sit through an entire season. I have a strong desire to improve my health, and have been healthfully and diligently working on my weight loss through the past year or so. I’m not knocking the desire or attempt to lose weight – I just want to make that clear.
I’ve always wondered what happened to Biggest Loser contestants after their time at the ranch had expired. I rounded up a couple where-are-they-now articles, and was interested to see that many contestants were not able to sustain their weight loss. In fact, most of the featured contestants gained back at least half of the weight they had lost. Sort of makes me wonder how successful the “scream til they drop” technique works in the long term.
Then yesterday, I came across this post over at Body Love Wellness. I remember watching Kai Hibbard a few years back, and found her to be funny and witty, and somewhat of a kindred spirit. I was really sad and disappointed to hear that she had developed an eating disorder. I was not surprised, however, that the show was so cutthroat behind the scenes.
I think what bothers me is that The Biggest Loser has turned into a resource for folks trying to fight the fat, myself included. And what makes me particularly sad is that the show promotes a really ugly approach to taking care of oneself. Most of the professionals I have consulted with regarding weight loss (nutritionists, psychologists, physicians) have all advocated weight loss that is slow-yet-steady. And more importantly, they've advocated treating myself well. Based on what Kai Hibbard has shared, it appears that Biggest Loser producers and consultants have taken a different approach. From what I can tell, this method has not proven successful beyond a few minutes.
All of this leads me to further question why we're OK with this. I'm continuing this post into a Part II, but I think there is a deeper issue at play. Why are we willing to accept and even delight over a form of abuse inflicted upon others?
Losing It, Part II
I had the pleasure of catching about fifteen minutes of Losing it With Jillian this week. I wasn’t able to watch much more than that, so I promptly turned the channel to something more appropriate, like the second season of Friday Night Lights. But I digress. Losing it With Jillian is aptly titled, as watching the show makes a person want to climb the bell tower. The show is more of what you’ve seen of Jillian. Insults, screaming, and a healthy dose of death threats, compliments of Ms. Michaels. In the episode I watched, a mother was humiliated in front of her children. She cried, begged to for breaks, and eventually pushed her huffing, puffing, red-faced self to complete Jillian’s odd combination of exercises. I have seen Jillian perform the same “technique” on Biggest Loser contestants. She treats them like cattle, reminds them of how close they are to dying, and screams and them for falling off treadmills and not being able to lift inordinately heavy weights. All for their own good though, because deep-down she cares very deeply for the fatties.
I then stumbled upon this entry over at fatshionista.com. Now, I don’t necessarily agree with all of Lesley’s opinions, but I appreciate that she articulates herself well, and provides substantial back-up to her arguments. But what shocked me the most about her entry, was the video she posted of Jillian Michael’s hot mic faux-pas during an interview. I think it is a true testimony to her intentions behind the verbal abuse she serves up weekly on The Biggest Loser. Michaels, like many others, views fat people as a sort of non-people. And I believe that Lesley hit the nail on the head when she says :
All of this is not to highlight what a horrible person Jillian Michaels is. She's playing a character, and obviously has filled a spot where there was demand for her type of character. There are a million Jillians in the world today, but I suppose this Jillian has made herself a mascot, in more than one way. The point of this exists in a challenge I have with myself. To talk to myself and treat myself the way I would if I were training The Biggest Loser contestants. To stop being so judgmental of other women of substance. To start questioning the mistreatment of all people, not just in cases where it's socially acceptable to do so.
I then stumbled upon this entry over at fatshionista.com. Now, I don’t necessarily agree with all of Lesley’s opinions, but I appreciate that she articulates herself well, and provides substantial back-up to her arguments. But what shocked me the most about her entry, was the video she posted of Jillian Michael’s hot mic faux-pas during an interview. I think it is a true testimony to her intentions behind the verbal abuse she serves up weekly on The Biggest Loser. Michaels, like many others, views fat people as a sort of non-people. And I believe that Lesley hit the nail on the head when she says :
The real kicker for me is that a few years ago, I would have seen nothing wrong with Michaels' (or anyone else for that matter) treatment of overweight people. Fat acceptance is something I struggle with, even now. In some ways I do believe that I don't deserve to have a certain amount of success, money, healthy relationships, or love. That I deserve to be treated like a second-rate citizen. And it's not Jillian Michaels' fault that I feel this way; this issue is far more deeply rooted and systemic than some flash-in-the-pan trendster trainer. But I do think that shows like Michaels' perpetuate the emotion many overweight people already feel. The reason there is no backlash towards this type of behavior, is in my opinion, because people don't see anything wrong with it - regardless of what their size may be. There's something so devastatingly wrong about this, but I recognize that I contribute to the problem.It’s not simply Michaels’ fat-hatin’ that bugs me, nor is it her penchant for yelling. My problem is that her methods of engaging and motivating her clients is frighteningly close to a relationship which in any other context we would call abusive. Working off the two clips above exclusively — two clips I chose pretty much at random from a multitude of possibilities — I can make this case. For one, Michaels dehumanizes the fat people she works with (”They’re not like normal people”, “half-dead”). She seems to think the brains of fat people have been compromised such that they can only respond to repetitive screaming, not unlike wayward cattle. She makes threats, not just to their physical safety, but to their very lives (”The only way you’re coming off this damn treadmill is if you die on it”). Her abuse is calculated to break her clients down until they weep, and even then she doesn’t let up. She is unpredictable, with a vicious and quick temper, and is apathetic toward (if not gratified by) her clients’ discomfort, be it physical or emotional. There’s even elements of codependency in there, as it’s only when the fat people in question behave as instructed that her mood might change and they may receive some encouragement or support, which is only meted out in doses small enough to keep them craving more. And before any of this happens, the people she trains must first be convinced that they cannot possibly survive without her, that their lives prior to this introduction were worthless, their bodies but hollow shells — or, in this case, shells filled with soulless fat.
All of this is not to highlight what a horrible person Jillian Michaels is. She's playing a character, and obviously has filled a spot where there was demand for her type of character. There are a million Jillians in the world today, but I suppose this Jillian has made herself a mascot, in more than one way. The point of this exists in a challenge I have with myself. To talk to myself and treat myself the way I would if I were training The Biggest Loser contestants. To stop being so judgmental of other women of substance. To start questioning the mistreatment of all people, not just in cases where it's socially acceptable to do so.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
…And See How That Goes
I’ve always enjoyed Sarah Silverman. She’s equal parts crass, witty, vulnerable, offensive, and intelligent. And if you asked the William, he’d add hot to the list.
I recently ran across this CNNOpinion interview with Sarah, where she discusses fat jokes.
According to Sarah:
"I don't really care for like, fat jokes about women, specifically, because I feel that we live in a society where fat men deserve love, and fat women do not deserve love -- at least in white America. And so I feel like that's an ugly thing, and it doesn't make me laugh."
Silverman’s perspective did two things to me. First, it hit really close to home. I realize that in allowing myself to feel undeserving of love, I contribute to a larger, societal issue. It’s something I feel challenged to fix every day, and it’s affects every relationship I have. Secondly, it reinforced the feeling I have about fat jokes. Don’t get me wrong – I can laugh at fat jokes. It’s not that I’m so sensitive that I can’t see how making fun of fat people is funny. However, it may be that same sensitivity that keeps me from thinking most fat jokes are funny enough to laugh at. To me, they usually seem cheap and unimaginative. It doesn’t require much insight or creativity to point out physical characteristics to others. And for similar reasons, I don’t like jokes about skinny people.
I hear a lot of overweight women make fun of themselves, in an attempt to be funny. And while I realize that this is likely just a defense mechanism, it really bothers me. Not only does it make others uncomfortable, I’m not sure that it doesn’t just perpetuate thoughts of negative self-worth. Having the ability to make fun of myself is important, but I have to draw the line at calling myself names, or referencing my body using negative terminology and overused stereotypes.
Sarah has gained a few more cool points in my book. Not that she needed any…
I recently ran across this CNNOpinion interview with Sarah, where she discusses fat jokes.
According to Sarah:
"I don't really care for like, fat jokes about women, specifically, because I feel that we live in a society where fat men deserve love, and fat women do not deserve love -- at least in white America. And so I feel like that's an ugly thing, and it doesn't make me laugh."
Silverman’s perspective did two things to me. First, it hit really close to home. I realize that in allowing myself to feel undeserving of love, I contribute to a larger, societal issue. It’s something I feel challenged to fix every day, and it’s affects every relationship I have. Secondly, it reinforced the feeling I have about fat jokes. Don’t get me wrong – I can laugh at fat jokes. It’s not that I’m so sensitive that I can’t see how making fun of fat people is funny. However, it may be that same sensitivity that keeps me from thinking most fat jokes are funny enough to laugh at. To me, they usually seem cheap and unimaginative. It doesn’t require much insight or creativity to point out physical characteristics to others. And for similar reasons, I don’t like jokes about skinny people.
I hear a lot of overweight women make fun of themselves, in an attempt to be funny. And while I realize that this is likely just a defense mechanism, it really bothers me. Not only does it make others uncomfortable, I’m not sure that it doesn’t just perpetuate thoughts of negative self-worth. Having the ability to make fun of myself is important, but I have to draw the line at calling myself names, or referencing my body using negative terminology and overused stereotypes.
Sarah has gained a few more cool points in my book. Not that she needed any…
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Good Side of Down
Today, I was involved in a mid-day meeting where lunch was served. The choices allowed for some healthy decision making, so I loaded a plate up with veggie wraps and fruit. As I was enjoying my lunch, a women who works with me scrunched up her nose and squinted in the direction of my lunch.
"Ohhhh, look at you! You're being so good!"
My initial reaction was to find a nice spot in the middle of her forehead for which to place the heel of shoe. The fear of termination and/or jail time prevented me from proceeding with that plan, so instead I just stewed about it.
I'm being good, huh? And I suppose being bad would mean that I had chips instead of fruit, and maybe a cookie for dessert. How about two cookies? What if all I ate for lunch was chips and cookies and more chips, followed by a gallon-size swig of Coca-Cola? Would that make me really, really, really bad?
Eating fruit does not make one a good person. Having a cookie does not make one a bad person. Bad people punch little kids in the face. Bad people deface property, kick puppies, make fun of disabled people, or become republicans. Bad people are not bad because they eat cookies. I'm so tired of this constant measure of food's placement on the axis of evil. Pizza? Bad. Quinoa? Good! Pizza and quinoa? Uhhhh...
All of this scalability, this balance of good vs. evil that we all spew does not help. It doesn't. It makes people feel unnecessary shame and guilt. It makes people treat themselves poorly in the name of health. It makes people feel like they can't leave their houses for a meal. And that, really is bad.
I am just as guilty of this good/bad mentality. It's something I think of every day, with every morsel I decide to swallow. But I vow to try my damnedest not to place that on another person. Because no one is bad because of the things they choose to eat. Unless you're a cannibal, and even that's negotiable.
I constantly challenge myself to reshape the way I think when it comes to food. Part of what I have struggled with in regards to disordered eating stems from people in my life telling me that what I was eating was good or bad. Starting with my grandmother and moving all the way to my nutritionist in college, it's ingrained in me to associate feeling poor about myself with what I am eating at that time. And that's no way for anyone to feel - good, bad, or ugly.
"Ohhhh, look at you! You're being so good!"
My initial reaction was to find a nice spot in the middle of her forehead for which to place the heel of shoe. The fear of termination and/or jail time prevented me from proceeding with that plan, so instead I just stewed about it.
I'm being good, huh? And I suppose being bad would mean that I had chips instead of fruit, and maybe a cookie for dessert. How about two cookies? What if all I ate for lunch was chips and cookies and more chips, followed by a gallon-size swig of Coca-Cola? Would that make me really, really, really bad?
Eating fruit does not make one a good person. Having a cookie does not make one a bad person. Bad people punch little kids in the face. Bad people deface property, kick puppies, make fun of disabled people, or become republicans. Bad people are not bad because they eat cookies. I'm so tired of this constant measure of food's placement on the axis of evil. Pizza? Bad. Quinoa? Good! Pizza and quinoa? Uhhhh...
All of this scalability, this balance of good vs. evil that we all spew does not help. It doesn't. It makes people feel unnecessary shame and guilt. It makes people treat themselves poorly in the name of health. It makes people feel like they can't leave their houses for a meal. And that, really is bad.
I am just as guilty of this good/bad mentality. It's something I think of every day, with every morsel I decide to swallow. But I vow to try my damnedest not to place that on another person. Because no one is bad because of the things they choose to eat. Unless you're a cannibal, and even that's negotiable.
I constantly challenge myself to reshape the way I think when it comes to food. Part of what I have struggled with in regards to disordered eating stems from people in my life telling me that what I was eating was good or bad. Starting with my grandmother and moving all the way to my nutritionist in college, it's ingrained in me to associate feeling poor about myself with what I am eating at that time. And that's no way for anyone to feel - good, bad, or ugly.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The Pandora Affect
Over the past few weeks, I’ve really been delving into some reading and movies discussing the topic of eating disorders. Since disordered eating is something I struggle with daily, I sometimes find myself searching for answers as to the why and how this all started for me. Aside from this, I also have something called PCOS, which is an acronym for a disease that affects my insulin levels, weight fluctuations, and my ability to ovulate. I’ve been researching a lot into the causes behind PCOS. Most theories seem to put PCOS as the cause of all symptoms related to disease, but there are some schools of thought that believe that obesity can actually cause PCOS.
As I delve into my research, I can only find one recurring theme. That all of this talk of insulin resistance, disordered eating, depression, and a litany of other unattractive symptoms just makes me feel badly about myself. And subsequently triggers me to fall back into dangerous habits. And I hate that.
So, I find myself feeling very stuck in all of this. I want to feel better. I want to manage my PCOS so that not every day feels like an uphill battle. I want to normalize my eating so that the prospect of eating out doesn’t incite a tightening in my chest. I want to be able to discover what I can do to better myself without sending myself into a tailspin of anxiety.
How do I find answers without opening up a new set of questions?
As I delve into my research, I can only find one recurring theme. That all of this talk of insulin resistance, disordered eating, depression, and a litany of other unattractive symptoms just makes me feel badly about myself. And subsequently triggers me to fall back into dangerous habits. And I hate that.
So, I find myself feeling very stuck in all of this. I want to feel better. I want to manage my PCOS so that not every day feels like an uphill battle. I want to normalize my eating so that the prospect of eating out doesn’t incite a tightening in my chest. I want to be able to discover what I can do to better myself without sending myself into a tailspin of anxiety.
How do I find answers without opening up a new set of questions?
Friday, January 8, 2010
Wealthy Successors Have No Regard
Dear People With Whom I Work:
Prosperity and posterity are not words that are interchangeable. They have have vastly different meanings, despite sharing a similar phonetic pronunciation. Using these words in exchange for one another makes you sounds silly, and can sometimes negate other fundamental concepts you are trying to relay.
Additionally, the word "irregardless" has no true meaning. Yes, this "word" has been added to Webster's dictionary, but only because your educators and mother failed you in a horrible way.
Therefore, the next time you choose to use any of these words as described, do not be surprised by my glazed-over expression. I'm just visiting my happy place.
Sincerely,
Your Considerably Underpaid Co-worker
Prosperity and posterity are not words that are interchangeable. They have have vastly different meanings, despite sharing a similar phonetic pronunciation. Using these words in exchange for one another makes you sounds silly, and can sometimes negate other fundamental concepts you are trying to relay.
Additionally, the word "irregardless" has no true meaning. Yes, this "word" has been added to Webster's dictionary, but only because your educators and mother failed you in a horrible way.
Therefore, the next time you choose to use any of these words as described, do not be surprised by my glazed-over expression. I'm just visiting my happy place.
Sincerely,
Your Considerably Underpaid Co-worker
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Adjusting
I have been playing with a 2009 review blog for the past week or so, but haven't produced anything that didn't sound somehow whiny and narcissistic at the same time. So, instead I found this survey on another blog, and decided this might be a better way to summarize the past 365 days. Happy New Year!
1.What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Walked into a flooded house. And then moved the bare essentials out in about 45 minutes.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I did. I'm not a huge fan of resolutions, because I feel like life doesn't necessarily work in a sort of set goal, meet goal pattern. So I've started to make year-end goals instead of resolving to change myself in some prolific way.
3.Did anyone close to you give birth?
Only if co-workers count.
4.Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.
5.What countries did you visit?
Canada!
6.What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A specific vision for my professional future.
7.What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
No dates really stand out. I had some special adventures with my bestie, and some very trying times personally.
8.What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Losing a whole dress size worth of weight.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nah.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A new trench coat, and it was a steal. I get complimented every time I wear it.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Hmmm, that's a tough one. I have to say that I am so proud of my parents. Their marriage was tested this year, and they have come out of it pretty strong.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
All of the "celebrity" parents who made seemingly selfish and money-driven decisions instead of thinking of their children. Jon, Kate, Balloon Boy Dad, etc.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills, bills, bills. And a travel.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
That William and I started our podcast. It's been a great tool for us to just relax and talk to each other. I also feel like we challenge each other to pursue creative endeavors.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Michael Jackson's This is It.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Hmmm. I would say right now, I am happier overall. But I am much more guarded now than I was at the beginning of 2009.
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner!
c) richer or poorer? Ugh.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercising. I often sacrificed Emily Health Time to working.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Working. Whining.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent Christmas with my family. The WHOLE family.
21. How many one-night stands?
17. Just kidding. Zero.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office and 30 Rock stand out right now.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No. I am trying to work on some of the negative feelings I still have for people who have wronged me.
24. What was the best book you read?
As cheesy as this sounds, the last Harry Potter book. I saved it as long as could, and finally read it a few months ago.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Adele.
26. What did you want and get?
A Wii! And a white noise machine. I am thankful for family and friends who love me.
27. What did you want and not get?
Inner peace.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Up In The Air and Julie & Julie were my two standouts.
29. What did you do on your birthday?
I spent it in San Francisco, with the person I love the most.
30.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Professional growth, along with a better paycheck.
31. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Justin Timberlake
32. What political issue stirred you the most?
Healthcare reform.
33. Who did you miss?
My family.
34. Who was the best new person you met?
Although I already knew this person before 2009, I gained a wonderful new mentor in a manager I had last year.
35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009?
That forgiveness isn't a weakness. And that I can weather a lot more than I thought I could.
36. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"And children don't grow up; our bodies get bigger but our hearts get torn up."
All-in-all, I am happy to kiss 2009 goodbye. Although I know that life doesn't work in plotted, 365-day spans of time, I feel a certain amount of re-energization with the arrival of 2010.
Cheers.
1.What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Walked into a flooded house. And then moved the bare essentials out in about 45 minutes.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I did. I'm not a huge fan of resolutions, because I feel like life doesn't necessarily work in a sort of set goal, meet goal pattern. So I've started to make year-end goals instead of resolving to change myself in some prolific way.
3.Did anyone close to you give birth?
Only if co-workers count.
4.Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.
5.What countries did you visit?
Canada!
6.What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A specific vision for my professional future.
7.What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
No dates really stand out. I had some special adventures with my bestie, and some very trying times personally.
8.What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Losing a whole dress size worth of weight.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nah.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A new trench coat, and it was a steal. I get complimented every time I wear it.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Hmmm, that's a tough one. I have to say that I am so proud of my parents. Their marriage was tested this year, and they have come out of it pretty strong.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
All of the "celebrity" parents who made seemingly selfish and money-driven decisions instead of thinking of their children. Jon, Kate, Balloon Boy Dad, etc.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills, bills, bills. And a travel.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
That William and I started our podcast. It's been a great tool for us to just relax and talk to each other. I also feel like we challenge each other to pursue creative endeavors.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Michael Jackson's This is It.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Hmmm. I would say right now, I am happier overall. But I am much more guarded now than I was at the beginning of 2009.
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner!
c) richer or poorer? Ugh.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercising. I often sacrificed Emily Health Time to working.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Working. Whining.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent Christmas with my family. The WHOLE family.
21. How many one-night stands?
17. Just kidding. Zero.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office and 30 Rock stand out right now.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No. I am trying to work on some of the negative feelings I still have for people who have wronged me.
24. What was the best book you read?
As cheesy as this sounds, the last Harry Potter book. I saved it as long as could, and finally read it a few months ago.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Adele.
26. What did you want and get?
A Wii! And a white noise machine. I am thankful for family and friends who love me.
27. What did you want and not get?
Inner peace.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Up In The Air and Julie & Julie were my two standouts.
29. What did you do on your birthday?
I spent it in San Francisco, with the person I love the most.
30.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Professional growth, along with a better paycheck.
31. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Justin Timberlake
32. What political issue stirred you the most?
Healthcare reform.
33. Who did you miss?
My family.
34. Who was the best new person you met?
Although I already knew this person before 2009, I gained a wonderful new mentor in a manager I had last year.
35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009?
That forgiveness isn't a weakness. And that I can weather a lot more than I thought I could.
36. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"And children don't grow up; our bodies get bigger but our hearts get torn up."
All-in-all, I am happy to kiss 2009 goodbye. Although I know that life doesn't work in plotted, 365-day spans of time, I feel a certain amount of re-energization with the arrival of 2010.
Cheers.
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