you go girl!

Sad that this video is 17 years old, and things are likely worse now than they were... But what an inspiration on a day when I really needed it!

birthday fun

My birthday is coming up this week. I'll be 31. Last year, I threw a big birthday party for myself and invited friends and family from all over to join me. It was fun, and I felt very loved just by the number of people that drove distances in awful weather. But I also was reminded that I am an introvert at heart, and prefer to be in smaller groups where I can feel like I really connected with people.

This year was the exact opposite of last year. Friday night I went out with a great friend, for dinner, shopping, and a movie. We had great fun - especially since most of our connecting recently has been in a work context.

Then Saturday I headed out to my parents' place, where I think I had officially my smallest birthday party yet. I blew out the candles with just my mom and my dad present. Since we were celebrating early, my mom hadn't had time to get my gift yet, so there weren't any gifts to open. And still, I couldn't have felt more special.

I don't remember many occasions in my childhood (ie, before I left home) that I got quality time with both my parents and no one else. My mom went to the trouble of baking a cake even though she couldn't eat it. My dad and I got to talk guitar (the lessons are going well enough that I was excited to show him what I've learned) and we all watched a few hilarious youtube videos... And we have photographic evidence of me crying from laughing so hard. Something about blowing out the candles - I don't remember what - got us all laughing so hard I couldn't stop.

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for a great evening... It felt good to come home.

funny with a cause

Big Daddy Tazz came to our little town on Wednesday to do his thing - making people laugh. The event was to raise awareness of mental illness, which is Tazz's "cause." He had us laughing about his suicide attempts, his bi-polar diagnosis, and his son's ADD. I know, sounds a little lacking in taste, but we were laughing so hard we had sore bellies and sore cheeks later. He encourages people to talk about these things by making them funny, you see.

I've seen Tazz perform before at a couple of different venues, and on TV. This particular time he was only performing for about 80 people, and I think his act still gets better every time. Afterwards he had a bit of a Q & A for those that wanted to ask him questions about his experiences. I was struck by how this is a person who, like Nick from the previous post, has learned to use his personal challenges to make other people's lives better. He responded to all the questions with humour, respect, and a gentle manner that made it feel like all questions were good questions. You could sense that he'd worked really hard to get where he is, and that he didn't take it for granted. In fact he talked about some of the struggles he still has, and how making other people laugh is a form of medication for him. So thanks, Tazz, for an evening of inspired laughter... and for saying my singing was "phenomenal." ;-)

Finishing Strong

When you think you've got it pretty rough, watch this for a little inspiration. Thanks, Bev, for the forward.


And for a more "holy" version...


There's lots more on Youtube if you want it. Just search for Nick Vujicic.

hope

I learned how to set my VCR on the morning of January 20, 2009. Yep. I've had the thing for 8 years, and I've never used it to tape anything. Until now. Mr. President, here's hoping you live up to the expectations. The world is watching.

Right Where I Need to Be

Hmmmm... over a month since my last post. Ya. Sorry about that.

Ever feel like the universe is speaking to you? Like all signs are pointing to go, and there's nothing to do but seize the opportunity in front of you? Last month I heard about some beginner guitar classes happening in my community. Group adult classes, guitars provided, once-a-week, for a reasonable length of time, at a reasonable price (ie, low commitment required).

Now, if I had an official "Life List" or "Bucket List" as some call it, learning to play guitar would be on it...near the top, actually. But the hold up has been that "guitar" isn't high enough up my list of upcoming somewhat-major purchases to warrant having been purchased yet. So the "guitars provided" bit was what clinched it for me. So I signed up.

And I've been excited about it ever since. But we had our first lesson tonight, and ... I'm even more excited now! It came pretty easily, which I attribute mostly to my background in music. But I knew I was right where I needed to be when one of the songs the instructor had us start learning was one of my favorite songs - and one that I've had to have other people play for me when I've performed it. Turns out, it can be played with only 3 chords... not like the recording exactly, mind you, but it got me way more excited about the idea of practicing in between lessons! Okay, Universe, I get it already!! I'll buy a guitar!! :-)

But until I get time to shop around a little, anyone got one I could borrow?? ;-)

TOO Funny!!!

A video from Funnyordie.com.... Thanks TF for sharing. I LOVE IT.

"Prop 8 - The Musical" starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, and many more... by Jack Black