Negative Forty-Two

What does one do when they are house-bound by the frigid temperatures? Go outside and take pictures of course. I call these "Ice & Organics". 

Gutter Ice

Buddha Fingers

Cables & Ice

Six Days In

It's Monday, January 6th and I'm already disappointed with the world. Well, let me clarify, the world of Facebook. Let me be even more specific, the Facebook complainers. I understand posting about life events that are stressful and scary and wishing they didn't happen, of course. But for those who generalize that life sucks, work sucks, the weather sucks, my favorite sports team sucks topped off with the cherry of comments, "FML" (fuck my life) and that the year, being only 6 days old, totally sucks is a gross exaggeration. 

Maybe I'm too optimistic but since 2014 hasn't had time to "go south" on me yet, I find myself still happily drunk with the new year's optimistic buzz. I'm working on making changes both internally and externally, and am returning to doing things that make me happy but I recognize that the complaining habits of others may die hard. So, to help you guys out, the nay-sayers, the pessimists, the "all too happy to complain" complainers, below are 5 tools to help you have an awesome 2014!

1) Get a self help book. Here's one: "Get a Life That Doesn't Suck". This book gets a 5 star rating after all, and it even assures you that, "Life can really suck. But it doesn't have to. With the help of esteemed consultant and coach Michelle DeAngelis, life can really rock. DeAngelis serves up a combination of street-smart wisdom and cheerful irreverence as she shows readers how to enjoy the "ride of their lives," regardless of the roadblocks...".

2) Helping others is one of the best ways to make you feel better about yourself. If you are reading this, I'm assuming that you are not hungry, nor homeless, and are not too impoverished since you're connected to the Internet. So, why don't you help out someone who is? Check out the Volunteers of America website and lend a hand. 

3) Science has proven that just 20 minutes of walking can help elevate your mood. And, since I'm assuming you have all your appendages and can do anything you want, I'm suggesting you get off your butt and do it. Move. Do something. Do anything. Go to the gym, go for a walk, get outside and just feel better. And remember, there are people with far less (physically) than you, that do more than you. So what's your excuse?

4) Get some sleep! See, I'm not asking for much, just go to bed! It was found that, "sleep-deprived people fail to recall pleasant memories, yet recall gloomy memories just fine.". I love my Sleep Number bed, and highly recommend it. To sweeten the pot, you'll be excited to know that they (Sleep Number) are currently offering the lowest prices of the season, AND 18 month interest free financing! Please let them know I've sent you their way because I'd love to earn referral gift cards, and ultimately deal with a happier version of you!

5) Smile! And not one of those fake smiles, either. Rather, I'm asking you to think about something that makes you happy and genuinely smile. I know, I know, I might be asking for the impossible here. But come on, there has to be a childhood memory, a trip or vacation that sparks a fond memory that you can smile about? Don't have anything to be happy about? Really? Not even pushing your sister down the stairs as a youngster? Fine. Take a look at this little guy below. He (or she) is definitely wishing you a happy and positive 2014!

 

Black & Snow

Saving Mr. Banks

"Saving Mr. Banks" is the back story to the making of the Disney film adaptation, "Mary Poppins". The movie primarily focuses on the tumultuous relationship between Walt Disney himself, and Mary Poppins' author, P. L. Travers. As the movie progresses, it is portrayed that Travers warms to Disney and seemingly, enjoys the end result of their working together. Viewers leave "Saving Mr. Banks" with that "warm fuzzy" feeling that is trademark, Walt Disney.

In real life, Travers was reported to dislike  Disney's overly saccharin version of Mary Poppins, as well as Disney himself. But yet, here we are "Disney-fied" into believing a better version of the truth. Ever the business man, Walt made Mary Poppins the way he wanted the film made, does that make him a pompous ass, or a marketing genius? Does the selling of the rights make Travers a sell-out, or a woman doing what she had to do to survive financially? 

The truth is, we all fight our own inner battles, and ultimately end up doing what it takes to survive. We do what we think is best given the current situation and the information we have at hand in that very moment. Disney may have empathized with Travers' viewpoints at some point in time, but the fact is, he had a business to run and a movie to make. Travers on the other hand, may have wished she never sold the rights to Mary, but the fact is, it left her a millionaire who never had to worry about money again. 

Regardless of their thoughts or inner battles the, obvious, end result of their decisions has left the world with one of the most beloved movies of all time. With that said, was either person wrong in their history making choices? Didn't the world unfold just as it should have? Is the world better off having a dreamer and an imagination-genius at the helm of it's happiness? Or are we better off with realists like Travers who was once quoted as having said, "...sorrow lies like a heartbeat behind everything I have written.", guiding our truths? Ultimately, isn't it up to us to see what's presented, do our own research and come to our own conclusions about life, and the stories it presents to us? 

As a Mary Poppins fan I love the 1964 movie, I was amazed by the stage production, and even own my very own parrot-head umbrella. "Saving Mr. Banks" added another layer of love and more so, an understanding to the productions for me and I highly recommend you see it! And at the end of the movie if you're not sure what to think, or much less what to say, just remember the one word to say when you have nothing to say at all, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Yes Woman

I love the 2008 movie, "Yes Man". If you haven't seen it, the lead Carl, played by Jim Carrey, "reluctantly promises to stop being a "No Man" and vows to answer "Yes!" to every opportunity, request or invitation that presents itself...".

Following suit, most recently I've said "yes" to a new job opportunity, dinner invitations, Google Chrome (a true life changer!), a basketball game, and a musical. Less tangible, I've said "yes" to a positive new year, meeting new people, and good health. While I won't take my "yeses" to Carl's extreme in the movie, I will continue to (safely) say yes to opportunities that float my way! 

Tird's Day 1: No Ferrets

Read the prologue to my Thursday, "Tird's Day" posts here.

Tird's Day 1: No Ferrets

My post college roommate and I moved into an apartment that didn't allow ferrets. I mention this, because it’s the catalyst that would lead to what would be 14 years of crazy cat antics to come. In the 90’s ferrets were very popular house-hold pets, but were banned from many apartments due to their “smell”. I can tell you, my kid never smelled. I made sure of that. But, despite my hygienic critter,  the “law” was the law. No ferrets. Sacrificing my pet for freedom, I made the choice to leave my parent’s home without my beloved pet, Rugrat.   

Naturally, it didn't take long before I missed her. And I’m guessing I must have mentioned that fact more than a few times because the next thing I knew, my roommate and I individually owned pet mice. They were a far cry and poor substitute from my wallet and leather-goods stealing ferret, but they were something with fur at least. The mice proved to be low maintenance and very entertaining. The entertainment factor was at it’s all time high when I would take one out of its cage and let it run loose into our kitchen. Catching the roommate off guard every time, I happily giggled at her sudden gasps, momentary freak outs and random swear words at the thought that the mice had gotten loose. It was usually at my peak of laughter when I’d get a finger-shaking, and some type of commentary about what an ass I was. But what can I say? I was young! (Who am I kidding, I would still pull this type of prank today.)

Despite her possible frustration with my mouse “freedom to exercise” program, she loved them just as much as I did. The mice were well taken care of and provided for thanks to our local shops. After visiting a nearby pet shop to collect mouse-supplies one day, my roommate came home and reported, “They have a really cool cat there!”. She was super excited to share this detail with me, and to this day, I’m not sure why. I didn't like cats and surely didn't want to own one. "Cats suck", I remember thinking.

365 Page Book

~ Today is the first blank page of a 365 page book (or blog in my case). 

Write a good one. ~

Well it's here! The new year is upon us and it's time to write a new book! 2013 was a great novel for me, but facing forward, I'm excited to see how the sequel, "2014" will turn out - hence, the resurrection of this blog. Today's chapter focuses on mind, body and soul, although not necessarily in that order. 

Page one of 2014 started off with a New Year's day 5K walk. It was way too snowy and slippery for me to run, but I did squeak out a few short jogs along parts of the pathway. While I tried hard to remember that I was doing something great for my body, I couldn't help but curse the falling snow. The relentless, blustery winds made my quads and butt feel like that block of mystery freezer-burned food that you just found in the back of your Frigidaire from months ago, and still can't identify.  But I digress. As people, the dedicated runners, passed me I giggled appreciating their efforts and festive outfits, as there wasn't much else to look at in the perpetual white-out. With that said, I did manage to snap the photo below, believing it to be the most interesting site on the trail. 

"Ice Water"

After the 5K, a hot shower, and warm bowl of soup, I headed out to a local museum. At the visiting Disney Archive exhibit, I learned a lot about Walt and the humble beginnings of what is now the Disney emporium. The exhibit housed a wide-range of illustrations, re-created illustrator desks, props, costumes, and video footage. While I was soaking up an education, I also found myself soul-inspired. 

The fact that Disney started off small, with just a mouse, reminded me of my own dreams and brought to mind a Nelson Mandela quote. "One cannot be prepared for something while secretly believing it will not happen".  The pairing of the mouse and quote reminded my soul that it is okay to dream bigger than imagined, and more so, to believe that those dreams can actually come true. 

 "...it was all started by a mouse." - Walt Disney 

In addition to the mouse and the quote, I searched for something more tangible in the gift shop that I could take home with me for inspiration, but I didn't find one. Instead, I found the words below, which were far better. I took this picture believing that these are some of the best things to focus on in the new year! 

2014 Wishes

As this post comes to a close, and my cup of peppermint tea is empty, I'm thankful for the opportunity to write another page in my book. My body is thankful for the miles I walked, my mind is grateful for the knowledge received, and my soul is blessed with the inspiration gathered. I consider today, a great beginning, of yet another chapter. 

What does your first page look like?