I'm Baaaa-aaaack!

I'm sure many of you thought I fell off the blogosphere. Well, I did for a while. You see, I've been preoccupied with my new-found unemployment. Because of the current economic climate, I was laid off from my job at the beginning of October. Working in real estate law when the real estate market is still in a decline is tricky, at best. Unfortunately, I had the least seniority so I was the one sacraficed. Such is life.

For the first couple of weeks I found myself in a slump of sorts. I slept until almost 9-10am and didn't get out that much. I started cooking meals from scratch and tried my hand at painting. I'm a good cook and a bad painter. The three pieces I turned out looked like a fifth grader did them. I'm not sure if it's my lack of creativity or inspiration. I searched for jobs for hours, and rarely did I find any I was interested in, or I was either under- or over-qualified. Plus, the added stress of not having a car made it difficult to look for anything outside the loop. Not that I want to commute to work, I was very spoiled. I had the perfect setup of not needing a car when I worked, lived and schooled within a 3-block radius. Something will come up. I've got my finances in good shape...no real worries so far.

I turned 30 about 2 weeks ago and I'm still waiting for someone to ask me how old I am and give me the blank stare like they can't believe how young I look. Hehe. I've never actually said, "I'm 30." I don't know how it will make me feel, but I'm looking forward to my 30's. I'm still young enough to have a good time and old enough to not make stupid decisions. 30 sounds good to me.

Since I have so much time on my hands, my grades are excellent. And, with three weeks of class left, I'm confident I'll pull a 4.0 for the semester. Next semester I may pick it up a little and take 9 hours. We'll see.

Oh yeah, my boyfriend has been amazingly supportive throughout this ordeal. He rocks my face off.

Mid-Week Mind Wander #6

View from the living room of our new loft.

Have you ever arrived at a point in your life where you have nothing to complain about?

We have arrived...

Mid-Week Mind Wander #5

Why is that trees, grass, general foliage, etc., hate me from September until whenever everything green dies? An upside to living among so much pavement and glass is that I don't have to deal with such an assault on my immune system. However, I have to say it's much tamer in Texas than it was in Northwest Arkansas. Look at all those trees!

Old Main at the University of Arkansas

It really is a very beautiful place to live and I do miss it from time-to-time (especially all my people), but damnit those trees attacked me as soon as they started turning colors. And, right a the beginning of football season! LAME. Good thing I don't have a car because I can't see anything through these watery eyes. I look liked I've just smoked a bowl.

Ah-choo!

Divin' on a Thursday Night

Since moving to Texas from Arkansas a little over a year ago, I've found it challenging to find girls to hang out with that aren't full of drama and nonsense. Over the past few months, I've befriended several very awesome chicks. Last night, one of those cool cats and I (and a good friend of hers, whom I think is the bee's knees too) went out to Café Brazil for some eats and then down the block to July Alley, a rad dive bar in the heart of Deep Ellum. We discovered they had a rockabilly band playing that night. (I heart rockabilly big time.) No cover, which is kind of sweet for us but not so much for the bands. But hell, it's Deep Ellum and whatever it takes to revive it. I hope they got free beer. We left before they played, but we're old and I was tired (Dave and I were in bed by 10:30...no lie), plus we'd stayed out late hashing the evening before.

I have a special place in my heart for July Alley. Dave and I went there on our second date while we were waiting for Elm Street Tattoo to open so I could get inked again. Plus, it has $2.25 Ziegenbock...on tap. We live downtown, so it's just over a mile to this jewel. We should take the bus down there more often. It's a great little place with an eclectic mix of people to watch and talk to...I dig it and my new-found divas.

Move! You're blocking my close-up!

Leslie says hi to Dave

It's so simple...

Lately, I've been a little concerned, and frankly irritated, about some drama surrounding (but not directly including) me. I had a detailed blog written about compassion, kindness and judgment; something to help cleanse me of my agitation and to aid me in my quest to stop judging others so harshly myself. I deleted it as soon as I came across this...

"This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness." -His Holiness the Dalai Lama

I am not a religious person and I guess you could put me into the category of agnostic. However, this message touched me. It's something I needed to remind me of my own life philosophy that has been my constant for a long time and that is, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." It's a very simple, near childlike point of view, but it's effective and I'm a much happier, more fulfilled person as a result of following it.

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most profound.

Mid-Week Mind Wander #4

Why, in a senior-level college course, does the professor take 2 hours to go over the 7-page syllabus?

I hope all of us can, in fact, read and follow instructions properly by this point. Is it necessary to hold our hands and explain every facet of your policies and curriculum? I could've actually learned quite a lot in that 2-hour waste of time.

GO.

Updates Abound: A List

I have many (a few) updates. I will convey them in the most efficient and Type A way I know, a list (you all know how much I love lists):

1. I am still afoot. And, even though I heart not having a car, I know I must procure one at some point in the very near future. Mind you, my GAP insurance company is still "processing" my claim. My accident was over two months ago; get off the pot SafeGuard. When it's finally wrapped up in the next week or two and my auto loan is paid off completely, I will diligently start looking. My dad and uncle have been scouring car auctions in Texarkana, but there is very little to be had. I'm very anti-car payment because of the minimal amount of driving I have to do. I work, live and school within a 4-block radius. It's rad. But, I can't find anything I can pay cash for that isn't junk. I don't have that much cash to throw at it. Financing appears to be a must. Bleh. Even though I do enjoy having such a fine-looking chauffeur, I want to go shoe shopping.

2. Saturday is moving day, of sorts. I'm about 99% finished packing, just some crystal left in the kitchen to bubble wrap and a few other things. It will be tight for a couple of weeks before the new place is ready, but will be worth it. Literally, half of the new space is floor-to-ceiling windows and a truly amazing view of downtown. This will be a remarkable and wonderful adventure for us both. A stock the bar party will ensue probably sometime in October. Write that down. (Side note: The Dallas Public Library (8 stories of literary orgasm) is about 3 blocks from the new loft.)

3. Yesterday was my first day of class. I'm in love with school all over again. This is going to be a bad ass program and I feel like I'm going to do really well. I've been in the legal industry for 8 years, and that will only help me along. As luck would have it, it's the only ABA approved program in DFW and it's 3 blocks from my office and new loft. Word. It's retarded cheap, so I'm able to pay cash for everything, including books. Hello, tax write off. 30 hours to go.

4. My knee is still giving me trouble. I twisted it about a month ago on a hash trail when I tumbled down a hill. The hill won. I didn't take care of it properly for the first week because it didn't feel injured after a day or two, and it's just gotten steadily worse ever since. After sitting in class for 2 hours last night, sans brace, I was walking to the train and a horrible hot-needle pain was assaulting my calf. I made it home, barely, and collapsed on the bed. I couldn't help but cry. It hurt. Dave put some ice on it, poured me a Stella and nuked the pizza he'd saved for me for dinner. All better. (Side note: My attempt at running, not walking, the Oktoberfest 5K in September and Race for the Cure 5K in October may be compromised. Sad face.)

5. Football season is upon us. Yes! Dave and I are going to the Arkansas v. A&M game at the new Cowboy Stadium in October. One of my dearest and her husband will also be coming down from Arkansas for the big game. It will be a highlight of this football season, for sure, and probably the only Arkansas game I'm going to be able to attend. Unfortunately, he and I had a deal that whomever secured tickets to this game first got to decide which side we were to be seated. Guess who got the tickets first? Yeah, not me. Guess where we're sitting? Yeah, not on my side. However, I will still be decked out in my Razorback garb whilst sitting among throngs of A&M fans. Please, please let us not suck. Please.

6. I'll be 30 in a couple months. We'll talk about that later.

Embodiment

Incredibly random memorexing...

Camping...just the two of us.

NYE 2005

We like(d) to dance on top of bars (same bar...)

Very old school (same bar, some years earlier...)

My sister and I on her birthday...we'd had a bit of hookah

Best vacation EVAR...I heart Mexico.

At the races...I won $60! Mama got a new pair of shoes!

Sister's birthday at the hookah bar

I'm from the country, what?

Invasion of Arkansas in DFW

At a Renaissance Festival wedding

Its Gotta Be Your Bull

This piece was retrieved from The Huffington Post. I couldn't resist reposting it here, lest anyone might miss it. Enjoy.


"Sarah Palin's Most Cringe-Worthy Moments: You Choose The Worst"
The Huffington Post
July 15, 2009
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/13/sarah-palins-most-cringe_n_230502.html

With Sarah Palin's resignation still ringing in our ears, we thought we'd take you back through a few of her most cringe-worthy moments of the past few years...

Sarah Doesn't Know What a VP Does
On July 31, 2008 Larry Kudlow interviewed Sarah Palin about a probe into an alleged scandal and asked her if she was interested in becoming John McCain's running mate. She replied: "But as for that VP talk all the time, I’ll tell you, I still can’t answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the VP does everyday?"

Sarah Can't Name Any Newspapers Or Magazines She Reads
On September 29, 2008 CBS aired one of the many parts of an interview Katie Couric did with Sarah Palin. In this particular installment, Couric asked "what newspapers and magazines did [she] regularly read..." and Palin responded by saying: "I've read most of them, again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media." Couric pushed further asking "what ones specifically?" and Pain said, "Umm... all of them. Any of them that have been in front of me over all these years."

Sarah Can't Name Any SCOTUS Cases Besides Roe V. Wade
It only got worse for Palin from there. A couple days later Couric showed another segment of the interview in which she asked which decision, other than Roe V. Wade, Palin disagreed with. Sarah responded: "Well, let's see. There's --of course --in the great history of America rulings there have been rulings, there's never going to be absolute consensus by every American. And there are -- those issues, again, like Roe v Wade where I believe are best held on a state level and addressed there. So you know -- going through the history of America, there would be others but--"

Sarah Winks Her Way Through The VP Debate
On October 2, 2008 Palin faced off against Joe Biden in their first (and only) VP debate. She said several hilarious things, but her winking is what most of us still remember and what gave Rich Lowry of the National Review "little starburts," most likely in his pants.

Sarah Gets Booed At A Hockey Game
On October 11, 2008 Sarah "I'm a hockey mom" Palin appeared at a Flyers game to drop the ceremonial first puck and was greeted by resounding "boos" from the crowd.

Sarah Still Doesn't Know What A VP Does
On October 20, 2008 Sarah was interviewed by an NBC affiliate in Colorado, which passed on a question from a local third grader who wanted to know about what the Vice President does. Palin answered: "[T]hey’re in charge of the U.S. Senate so if they want to they can really get in there with the senators and make a lot of good policy changes that will make life better for Brandon and his family and his classroom." Which is blatantly untrue.

Sarah Falls For A Prank Call From "Nicolas Sarkozy"
On November 1, 2008 Palin unwittingly took a call from a Canadian comedian posing as the French president. The fake Sarkozy suggested the pair go hunting together saying, "I just love killing those animals. Mmm, mmm, take away life, that is so fun." She responded, saying, "Well, I think we could have a lot of fun together while we're getting work done. We can kill two birds with one stone that way." The comedian went on to say his wife is "so hot in bed" and tell Palin that Bruni has written a song for her called "Du rouge a levres sur une cochonne" aka "Lipstick on a Pig."

Sarah Thinks Afghanistan Is Next Door To U.S.
On October 5, 2008 Sarah Palin called Afghanistan “our neighboring country” during a speech to U.S. soldiers who must have thought, "This is what we're fighting for?"

Sarah Claims New Hampshire Is Part Of The "Great Northwest"
On October 15, 2008 Palin gave a speech in the Granite state and said, "I like being here," she told the crowd in Laconia, "because it seems like here and in our last rally too -- other parts around this great Northwest -- here in New Hampshire you just get it." The crowd was understandably confused.

Sarah Gives McCain/Palin Stump Speech After Election Is Over
On November 13, 2008 Palin gave a speech that Jonathan Martin called "perplexing" and "jarring," because it was basically an old stump speech she gave a million times before she lost the election. Jonathan Capehart told MSNBC's David Shuster, "I watched her entire speech, and I had to remind myself that the election was a week ago, and this was not a McCain/Palin rally. Everything you heard at a McCain/Palin rally since she was selected as the Vice Presidential nominee since September, and even down to the same rhetoric was in that speech."

Sarah's Resignation Speech Is The Most Confusing Of Her Career
On July 3, 2009 Sarah Palin announced that she would resign from the office of the governor, giving some a sigh of relief and late-night comedians a heart-attack. The speech was a little crazy: There was something about a fish and sports and a lot about politics and not quitting but then quitting. It was more confusing than when she explained politics to that 3rd grader.

Sarah Says "Department Of Law" Protects The President
When Palin resigned she said that fighting unjust ethics complaints was immobilizing her. "I'm not going to let Alaskans go through a year of stymied, paralyzed administration and not getting anything done," she said. Someone asked how she would run the country if these accusations could stop her from running the state and Palin responded that the "department of law" protects the president. There's no such thing in the White House.

Mid-Week Mind Wander #3

My mind is full of haziness due to the fabulous pain killers the doctor gave me after my car accident on Monday. My mind is wandering to all kinds of far off places. One such wandering consisted of Harx, a 4-year old boy named Conner (not my nephew), Conner's summer-time cold, and his pediatrician. Don't ask...I have no idea. It was very strange indeed. That's the latest drug-induced dream that is the result of the dude that ran the redlight, evidenced below. It may be time to trade. Seriously, the DART is looking better and better. It's dangerous business driving around in this city. Crazy bastards.

Mid-Week Mind Wander #2.5

What do you think of dudes that wear pink shirts? Douche or daring?

GO.

Mid-Week Mind Wander #2

Evidently, there's a bible study group of co-workers that meets in an empty office across from mine every Wednesday at noon. They must've been kicked out of their previous meeting place, because this is a new phenomenon. They call some chick and put her on speakerphone and they all pray and chant, etc. Hell, they may perform ritual sacrifices for all I know.

What's interesting is the people that go into this room. I never would have thought some of them would take a whole hour from their day to study the bible with co-workers. And, it's almost like they're sneaking in. It's bizarre. I know half these people were drunk at last year's holiday party and the other half are notorious gossips. It's like they're saying, "I'm a Christian, but I'm not a nut about it!"

So, I'm wondering...

Let's say I'm a Bahá'í and I want to meditate and pray, as is the Bahá'ís form of worship, at the office during lunch. How would that be perceived?

GO.

Mexico Memorexed

I do enjoy memorexing the significant (and not-so-significant) moments of my life. Having just returned from Mexico where my obsession came in handy, I thought a slideshow blog of our vacation would be more entertaining than me writing about it. Prepare yourself for more shared memories on this blog in the future. It may be a new theme.

SPF 50 x 8 days on Milky-White Skin

Deep Thoughts by The Physicist

Tequila Sunset

True Happiness Captured

Jugo de Naranja con Ron, Por Favor

Thank you, Sir, May I Have Another

Pre-Vacation Mishaps

Mishap #1:
On Monday I got a spa pedicure. Yum. My feet were so happy and bright. I don't normally wear bright polish, it's usually a very dark red or black. But, I was feeling particularly cheerful when I went in to get my pedicure. When I got home with my jolly new pedicured feet, we took the tags off the new luggage. I dropped one of the parcels on my foot and totally smudge the big toe. I'm talking major gash in the polish. I became a little unhinged and needed to be talked back from the ledge. I know the ladies will understand. Fortunately, by some stroke of bizarre luck, I just happen to have the exact color polish in my collection. Someone said, "I told you so," under his breath...

Mishap #2:
This morning, I dropped my relatively new, Physician's Formula blush color palette on the bathroom floor. A hair got caught in the lid, and as I was gingerly trying to pull it out...BAM! I saw some pieces on the floor and thought it wasn't a total loss, just a few cracks maybe. Hopefully. I didn't see the compact, it was hiding behind the door. I shut the door and there it was. Lying there pitifully on the floor with a thousand tiny, powdery blocks of color surrounding it. I stared at it, sighed, and walked off to get the broom and dust pan. PF rocks my face off, but I basically just shredded $15 by dropping it. Lame. Since we're leaving at 4am to catch our flight, it looks like I'll be going to CVS down the block to pick up some more at lunch. Unfortunately, I'm downtown and the price for anything downtown is premium. My vehicle is at my place for the duration of our vacation, so there is no escape.

Tonight, we will have a couple of rum drinks on the patio to relax. Let's try not to spill it, eh?

P.S. I managed to get all my vacation gear into ONE suitcase and am only taking 6 pairs of shoes. Thank you, thank you.

Mid-Week Mind Wander #1

What would you do if, after eating your weight in salad, you spilled your delicious, Splenda-sweetened (Whenever possible I prefer to to eat, not drink, my calories, unless it's beer/wine.) Jason's Deli iced tea in the elevator?

You're on your way up to the 37th floor, mind you, with no supplies with which to remedy the situation you've created with your clumsiness. Good job.

GO.

It's Bright In Here

Sometimes, if you 86 the rose-colored glasses for long enough, you can step outside yourself and take in your life from the outside; perhaps as another would see it. When I was married, I would do this frequently. I knew my ex was a total phony and a completely selfish being. He didn't do anything for anyone unless there was something to gain, even if it was just praise. Even though I could see right through his nonsense, I was silent. This silence was deafening over time and I learned I can only take in so much bullshit before I come unhinged. It's toxic. If you swallow enough piles of it, it will make you sick. Hence, of course, why I am now unmarried.

Now, as I lower the rims, I see a new image coming into focus and, unlike before, I like what I see. Back then, when someone would ask me how I was doing, I would simply tell the white lie we all tell and answer with a polite, "fine, thank you." Now, when someone asks me how I'm doing, I can honestly answer, "great," with a sincere smile. It's a rare moment when one can say they truly have no complaints in life. Think about it. To be sure, I am not speaking of the occassional road rage, of which I am notoriously guilty, or the stressful day at work. I'm speaking of incandescent happiness and contentment within every element of your life. I can say emphatically that, yes, I have arrived. It's the land of the emotionally-mature, and it's a nice place to visit. Perhaps I'll stay a while. Or forever.

Take a step outside. Take off the glasses. Who colors your world so brightly just by being in it? Friend...lover...parent...child? Whomever it is, relish and appreciate them, because this is it.

Sex on the Beach

The drink...gaw. And, they make a mean one in Mexico. I've been there several times, and since we share a mad love for the beach, we've decided to take a trip down south in a few short (long) weeks. We are both in serious need of a vacation, so eight days in the sand will be our reality not soon enough. Brilliant.

Cozumel, Mexico

The Womb is a Powerful Weapon

I was listening to NPR the other morning during my blissful commute on 75S into downtown, when I heard a most fascinating piece of journalism gold. Normally, Morning Edition is generally full of pleasant stories regarding Palestinian/Israeli conflict on the Gaza Strip or how much the Dow has dropped in the last 38 seconds. However, this morning something a bit more disturbing was reported regarding a relatively new movement (at least to the mainstream) of evangelical Christians called "The Quiverfull Movement." Now, like most Fundamental Christian movements, it's way over the top in interpretating the verses of the Bible. These people base their lives on the following Bible verse:

"Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." -Psalm 127

That's all fine and good. However, they take this a step further and indoctrinate the following lifestyle:

"Quiverfull women accept as many children as God gives them as a demonstration of their radical faith and obedience as well as a means to advance his kingdom: winning the country for Christ by having more children than their adversaries. This self-proclaimed “patriarchy” movement, which likely numbers in the tens of thousands but which is growing exponentially, bases its arguments on Psalm 127: “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They shall not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.” Quiverfull women commonly give birth to families of eight, 10 and 12 children, or more. "

Nancy Campbell, a leader of this movement (which I think is an oxymoron in this realm) and author of Be Fruitful and Multiply, has a remarkable point of view regarding the reason these women consider it their sacred duty to have so many children:

"The womb is such a powerful weapon; it's a weapon against the enemy. We look across the Islamic world and we see that they are outnumbering us in their family size, and they are in many places and many countries taking over those nations, without a jihad, just by multiplication."

Freaking seriously? I'm pretty sure God would not want you using your uterus as a weapon of warfare in His name. I'm going to go ahead and bet that He gave you that useful piece of equipment for reproduction, not to take over the world, but to keep the human race going indefinitely. I'm just sayin, I'd rather use my goodies for good rather than evil. It's a personal choice. Not a good place for violence.

The Duggar family, based in Tontitown, Arkansas (yes, I'm from Arkansas...ha. ha.), is a perfect example of this movement. What kind of a woman wants to be pregnant 95% of the time from 1985-present? Seriously.

An excerpt from an article by author Kathryn Joyce, who also wrote Quiverfull: Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement, said:

"In 1985, homeschooling leader Mary Pride wrote a foundational text for Quiverfull, "The Way Home: Beyond Feminism, Back to Reality." The book argued that family planning is a slippery slope, creating a “contraceptive mentality” that leads to abortion, and that feminism is incompatible with Christianity. As an antidote, Pride told Christians to reject women's liberation in exchange for the principles of submissive wifehood and prolific stay-at-home motherhood. The core ideology was a direct contradiction of Roe v. Wade: Women's bodies and lives did not belong to them, but to God and his plans for Christian revival."

How can any woman that has seen the struggles and oppressions past generations of women have fought, and died for, have this point of view? Does Mary Pride have the right to vote? Yes. Does she have the right to own land? Yes, I believe she does. Does she have the right to publish a book in her own name? Yep. Can she do basically anything she wants without having a husband? Absolutely. With so many rights and liberties afforded her that took hundreds years to achieve, how can any woman backslide into such an outdated and tyrannical belief? It's nonsensical and pisses me off. See you at Planned Parenthood.

Ginger Spice

JD: Ginger Spice is in his mom's office and she keeps yelling at him to stop singing. But he won't stop because he can't stop. If I don't laugh out loud, I'm going to die.

MJ: DO NOT laugh out loud! Dude, what the hell is he singing?

JD: Does it matter? But I will say this: he's a soprano. I may have swallowed my tongue.

MJ: That's because his berries dropped but they heard mommy dearest and said "No Way!" and she scared them back up! So much for not laughing out loud. People are staring.

I found this blog that I drafted in September, but never posted. I truly miss being hysterical and inappropriate with my hetero-life mate.

Northwest Arkansas Crime Report

Feb. 19

2:59 p.m. A woman at 2110 W. Walnut St. reported a purse stolen from an unlocked vehicle with money, driver's license and credit cards in it.

4:53 p.m. A student in Lot 56 reported her vehicle broken into and her purse stolen.

7:45 p.m. A student in Lot 67 reported her vehicle broken into and her purse stolen.

Friggin seriously, WTF is wrong with you ladies? Take your bag or put it in the trunk.

Feb. 20

5:36 p.m. A caller at Buddy's Home Furnishings, 2877 W. Walnut St., reported a theft.

5:40 p.m. A caller at Buddy's Home Furnishings, 2877 W. Walnut St., reported a customer rented two TVs and pawned them.

Buddy is having a helluva a day.

2:01 p.m. A staff member reported a backpack stolen from a vehicle while it was parked in Lot 52 with the windows down.

Self-inflicted…roll your windows up you lazy bastard. And, again, with the hiding of the bag.

10:26 a.m. A caller at Springdale High School, 1103 W. Emma Ave., reported a student arguing with his mother's ex-husband.

I ain't gotta listen to you, you is not my diddy!

All-Consuming, Inconvenient Love

Yes, please...

Good morning, on July 7

Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us - I can live only wholly with you or not at all - Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits - Yes, unhappily it must be so - You will be the more contained since you know my fidelity to you. No one else can ever possess my heart - never - never - Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves. And yet my life in V is now a wretched life - Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men - At my age I need a steady, quiet life - can that be so in our connection? My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day - therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once - Be calm, only by a calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together - Be calm - love me - today - yesterday - what tearful longings for you - you - you - my life - my all - farewell. Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.

ever thine
ever mine
ever ours

Ludwig Van Beethoven

Ambitions...squared

So, in addition to me picking up the guitar, I've decided to wrap up some more schooling. Yes, I know it's hard to believe but I'm tired of having enough extra hours for two associates, or one bachelor and a half-associate, but never being able to put all these classes together and make a compilation that entitles me to a degree. Since I've been in the legal industry for 8 years, it only makes sense now to either go for the gusto and get either (a) a law degree or (b) get a paralegal degree.

I choose B. Seriously, did you think I would choose law school? Ew. No offense to all the rad attorneys I know, of course. But, ew.

I found a college about 3 blocks from my office that offers a paralegal degree program and evening classes for those "working adults" like me. Sweet. Two of the best parts about this decision is (1) the cost is $41 per credit hour (I am totally paying cash for these classes), and (2) I only need 42 hours to complete the degree requirements. I could be done in 3 semesters and a summer if I really knock it out.

I'll be starting this summer or fall. Wish me luck!

Ambitions

I had my very first guitar lesson last night. I'm totally hooked. I really enjoyed trying to play and when I finally managed to get the 5-note scale down, it felt like I'd just composed the greatest song ever. It sounded absurdly horrible, but I will improve with time and practice. I feel sorry for my neighbors already. I'm on the prowl for an acoustic guitar, preferably gently used. I've perused craigslist, but haven't found one that I like just yet. Perhaps I'll go to some thrift stores this weekend and see what I can find.

Wayne is a good teacher. Encouraging and patient, which is exactly what I'll need during this process.

So long, 2008

2008 was an incredibly busy/sad/happy/fulfilling/scary/fun/good/reflective year for me. I believe something noteworthy (for me, anyway) happened in almost every month of 2008. Let's see...

January - One of my nearest and dearest had her first baby. He turns 1 year old today. Happy Birthday, Scouty Mac!

February - My sister and I drove to Hot Springs to surprise our dad on his birthday. It was the best surprise ever and someday we'll do it again.

March - I went to KC for my sister's birthday, wherein we treated ourselves to a day at the spa. Fabulous.

April - Celebrated my 2-year wedding anniversary and attended a welcome home party for my ex-husband's good friend returning from Iraq for the second time.

May - My brother, Darius, came home on leave from Guam and I finally got to meet his new wife, Shai.

June - Separated from my ex-husband.

July - Moved to McKinney and landed a sweet job within a week.

August - It was effing hot this month in Texas. I did nothing but work and sweat. But, I did write a slew of political comentary regarding the upcoming presidential primaries.

September - Divorce finalized. That was a sad day. No matter how right you think you are about your decision, I wouldn't wish this feeling on anyone.

October - Moved into Dallas proper. Big city. Holy crap. And, Monica and Holly came to visit and we went to The Impressionists exhibit at the Kimball Art Museum.

November - Turned 29...yeah yeah yeah.

December - Casey/Tina/Mike came down for a visit and we had a bad ass time. It was 75+ all weekend...rad.

I've learned a great deal in the past year, but the most important lesson I've learned is to listen to my gut. It's almost always right. Whether it's telling me I'm hungry or to run screaming in the other direction away from that guy I agreed to go on a second date with, I need to listen to it. It knows. My heart gets in the way of what my gut tells me, and that's been my problem for years. For now, my heart is locked away for safe-keeping and whenever someone worthy steps up, then my gut will tell me that it's ok to let my heart out to play. Happy new year...welcome, 2009.