Yeah, Really.

I was never one for school, and didn’t take it very seriously until later in life. Truth is, I finally received my bachelors degree in my 30’s. I wish I could do it all over again. Not only would I be an excellent student, but there are so many experiences that I missed out on. Sure, I had fun in the drama club, but only because pretending to be someone else was appealing to me.

One thing I missed out on was a lot of classic books. I missed out on reading many books that people are forced to in school. A while back I promised myself that I would read as many classics that I could. I’m reminded of this by the passing of Salinger this week; I read Catcher in the Rye about five years ago and was blown away by it. Since then I’ve read The Divine Comedy, The Picture of Dorian Gray, tons of Poe, and a smattering of Mark Twain, just to name a few.  I’ve always loved to read, and I get a lot out of these books.

A week ago I was catching up on my podcasts and caught an episode of Fresh Air that had one of the last interviews with Frank McCourt, the author of Angela’s Ashes. It am almost done with it, and I have to say it is one of the most heart wrenching, fascinating, uplifting, horribly sad and terribly hopeful books that I’ve ever read. The book is his memoir about growing up in abject poverty in Ireland and coming to America to make a success of himself. Today, as I was reading the book on the train, I had tears in my eyes. This is easily one of the most moving books I have ever read.

I’m moved by the book because I see parallels in my life. I grew up poor, saw much tragedy in my life, and I grew out of these surroundings to make something of myself. I’m not rich, famous, or have any real talent to speak of. I do, on the other hand, have a stable life, a good job, family, freinds, and a future, things that when I was growing up I thought I’d never have.

Anyway, I can’t recommend this book highly enough. If a dirt poor Irish kid with no shoes on his feet can come to America and become successful, than I think any of us can be anything we want to. Are we all lucky to have our blessings, even a few? Aye, ‘tis.

According to Expedia, I can get round trip air fare, a hotel, and a car for a weekend in Chicago for around $300. Hmmm… I am seriously considering this.

What are the details of the Chicago tweetup? dates, name of bar, ect? It looks like all kinds of all peeps are going. I may have to give this some serious thought.

misscook:

I worked out. I actually did A LOT of weight training today, which I despise. I just get so bored doing it, but I know it’s an essential part of getting fit so I pushed through.

I was also less hungry today, though that might have something to do with the wicked stomachache I’ve had all day.

Thanks to all of you for you support in this. I now have extra incentive to lose some major poundage before the Chicago tweetup in April since I’ve decided I’m going.

That’s right, bitches. My sweet ass is gracing Chicago with its presence. Hope to see you all there!

Excellent! Keep it up! Man, I’d love to hit one of these tweetups. You would think that there would be one in a major metropolitan city, like, oh, I don’t know.. NEW YORK perhaps?!?

chiclet:

pvaras:

I’ve been home sick for the past three days. Sore throat, aches and pains, and congested. I have not touched Twitter, Tumblr, or even did much web browsing. I feel so out of the loop.

On the plus side, I have been watching the wackiest documentaries on Netflix and catching lots of NPR. So there’s that, oh, and I’m totally growing a beard.

Hope you feel better. My Honey is just getting on the better side of the flu. He is probably on day five or six. It sounds like you have the same thing. Plenty of fluids and rest is best. (big hugs)

Thanks Hon. Hopefully I’m on the tail end of this myself. I’ve been permanantly laid up on my couch, taking swigs of Nyquil like it’s a bottle of Jager. I’m hopeing to be back in the office tomorrow. Hope hubs feels better! *hugs back*

I’ve been home sick for the past three days. Sore throat, aches and pains, and congested. I have not touched Twitter, Tumblr, or even did much web browsing. I feel so out of the loop.

On the plus side, I have been watching the wackiest documentaries on Netflix and catching lots of NPR. So there’s that, oh, and I’m totally growing a beard.

misscook:

And it sucks just as much as I remember.

The terror I feel about being seen in that bridesmaid dress sparked my ambition to do something about my weight. But in reality, I’m not happy with myself. I need to get healthy.

So I’m making minor changes. Working out a few times a week. Cutting portion sizes. I find that if I try to overhaul my whole routine at once, the chances of me sticking to it are zilch. I also know that going on a restrictive diet like the Atkins or South Beach will not work for me. I don’t have the willpower, and I love food. Eliminating my favorite foods would just make me miserable, so I’m going to work on portion control first.

Now if I can just stick to it …

God, I hate being so cliche, but you can do it. I’m going on week four of my diet tomorrow, and while I don’t have a story of miraculous loss, what I can tell you is that it gets easier. Pretty soon you’ll be used to the change in diet, and the exercisewill be easier. Don’t be discouraged after day one. Do what I do, once a week try on your goal pants. They will be less tight every week. Then once you’ve made some headway, celebrate with a fucking Twinkies feast.

chiclet:

pvaras:

It’s Friday. I should be psyched, but I’m totally ambivalent. This week was far from my worst, with no one major thing taking it down. However, like a dog with fleas, it’s not one huge thing that makes life suck, it’s lots of little things.

• Work issue is somewhat resolved. I’m still getting weird vibes from the co-worker, to the point where it’s comical. I’m taking this far worse than I should, but I’m just like that.
• Heard from a childhood friend this week, someone that I have not spoken to in around 25 years. While it was cool to talk to her, it totally brought me back to a bad place in my life, one where Mom was on drugs, we had no money, food was scarce, and i was decidedly unpopular. So, um, thanks, nice talking to ya?
• In my wild youth I ran around with a bad crowd. I finally came to my senses and left this terrible crowd for a far less scary one. One person in this terrible crowd did something really horrible after I stopped hanging out with him (which I knew about), but found out this week that the state is exacting it’s revenge on this really bad person. I don’t miss him, and he deserves what he’s getting; it’s just strange to know that I know/knew someone in this situation.
• I lost a really personal, really nice, really expensive watch. Fuck.
• I’m getting sick. Fuck fucking fucker.
• I have to work on Sunday. FUCKING SHIT
• Oh, and for the really trivial shit, I lost a couple of followers on Twitter.

On the plus side, I have a really cool group of people that I can bitch to. You guys read my blather and I can feel your support with each heart you click. Thanks guys.

Ok, I’m going home now.

I’m sorry you’re having such a crummy week. Was hoping you’d find your watch. Hope you feel better. Big hugs and big love, Wanda

I have the Metro North people going through the lost and found at Grand Central, maybe I’ll get lucky. I still have hope. Thanks Wanda, you’re awesome :-)

It’s Friday. I should be psyched, but I’m totally ambivalent. This week was far from my worst, with no one major thing taking it down. However, like a dog with fleas, it’s not one huge thing that makes life suck, it’s lots of little things.

• Work issue is somewhat resolved. I’m still getting weird vibes from the co-worker, to the point where it’s comical. I’m taking this far worse than I should, but I’m just like that.
• Heard from a childhood friend this week, someone that I have not spoken to in around 25 years. While it was cool to talk to her, it totally brought me back to a bad place in my life, one where Mom was on drugs, we had no money, food was scarce, and i was decidedly unpopular. So, um, thanks, nice talking to ya?
• In my wild youth I ran around with a bad crowd. I finally came to my senses and left this terrible crowd for a far less scary one. One person in this terrible crowd did something really horrible after I stopped hanging out with him (which I knew about), but found out this week that the state is exacting it’s revenge on this really bad person. I don’t miss him, and he deserves what he’s getting; it’s just strange to know that I know/knew someone in this situation.
• I lost a really personal, really nice, really expensive watch. Fuck.
• I’m getting sick. Fuck fucking fucker.
• I have to work on Sunday. FUCKING SHIT
• Oh, and for the really trivial shit, I lost a couple of followers on Twitter.

On the plus side, I have a really cool group of people that I can bitch to. You guys read my blather and I can feel your support with each heart you click. Thanks guys.

Ok, I’m going home now.

I just have to vent. I had planned on writing a really moving piece about speaking with a childhood friend yesterday, and coming face to face with a really unhappy childhood. However, I’m bummed today and just need to jot a few things down:

1. Having issues with a co-worker. I’m only one person and can juggle so many things at once before things start to slip. Ok, my BOSS isn’t even sure why I’m spreading myself so thin to help; please just accept the small amount that I can help with. My only motivation is to help, and the only person getting screwed here is me.

2. I’m tired of being tired. During the week I commute fours hours a day, and work eight or nine hours. I know I just had a long break during Christmas, but really. I think I just need a weekend of being a zombie to recover.

3. I’ve been dieting and working out since the beginning of the month, and it’s hit me that I let myself go for too long and I’m wildly out of shape and I’m the heaviest I’ve ever been in my life. I’m working on it, but it makes me sad that I became so complacent.

4. Need. To. Get. Laid.

I understand that, in the grand scheme of things, this has little to no importance. However, I had to share this with, you, my friends. Ladies and gents, my first tweet to make the Favstar leader board. I’d like to thank the Academy.

“Satan issues statement, says he is in no way responsible for the earthquake. He does, however, take full responsibility for Pat Robertson”.