A while back my fella mentioned a movie he had paused on during some bored late night channel surfing. Idiocracy, featuring Luke Wilson and Maya Rudolph (on an unrelated note, who else REALLY wants to see Away We Go?). In the movie the characters are part of a government "hibernation" program in which they wind up sleeping for 500 years, only to awaken and find an America that has grown stunningly and ridiculously stupid.
The movie isn't great, but the point is uncomfortably...probable. Part of my job in the Office of Financial Aid involves reading written appeals submitted by students who have been placed on financial aid suspension, mostly due to some truly miserable grade point averages. I'm usually horrified by the writing skills I encounter from students who have acquired well above freshman standing. Students who graduated from high school. Students who passed freshman comp. Who is passing these students? And what's going to happen when they get into the real world? How will they cope?
Well, based on Pizza Hut's apparent new plan to re-brand...just fine. It's hoped that this new design will appeal to the "texting generation." Or, you know, the generation who can't bother with the time to write things out.
See for yourself and tell me what you think...
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
one hurtin' pup.
It's a little bit alarming how stealthily and sneakily your youth can get away from you. Not to say that I'm OLD. I'm not, especially by modern standards. But here, in this no man's land between college graduation and full blown adulthood, with PTA and retirement plans and kitchen renovations and such...that's where your youth seems to find the perfect environment to make a break for it. Why am I writing this today? Well, mainly because I woke up unable to trek much further than the distance from my bed to my couch due to back pain, and find myself home from work, trying to figure out whether said back pain is the result of playing tug with my dog or from being certain that I could tote my heavy load of groceries in one trip rather than two. And also, incidentally, trying to decide which of those causes would be more pathetic. I'm prone to blaming it on the dog.
Anyway. Perhaps you don't acutely notice the signs because mentally, you still FEEL young. I do. Yes, I want those adult things, and some of them I already have. But I still FEEL like Katie at Ole Miss, who goes to rock shows and eats out with friends and plans vacation trips and gets excited about something new and cute to wear to the Grove (though thankfully, that something no longer involves quite as much effort or sparkle as it did in undergrad). But lately, in a personal world where I've gotten a little more reality than I'd like, I've started to slowly grow aware of some things that are missing...things that used to be givens for me. I can no longer spring up from an Indian style position on the floor. Just one extra beer or glass of wine can suddenly lead to a massive hangover...and that one extra is tacked on to an overall tally that is CONSIDERABLY diminished from my undergrad or law school days. A day at work in shoes that aren't super comfy or supremely broken in leads to unavoidable pain by 5 p.m., and even a day out at Double Decker in flat sandals leaves me with sore ankles and calves. And a late night out for a concert or gathering on a week night? Yeah. If it means that I'll be showing up at work on less than six hours of sleep, it's probably not going to happen.
When I look at all of these little signs amassed together, it's shocking. The only conclusion I can reach is that I've let myself get old. I've LET these things slip away, or build up, or what have you. I've eased into an everyday life where I am so sedentary and such a procrastinator that these things are inevitable. I guess the good news is that a lot of this "youth" can be reclaimed. I know many people much older than I am who don't seem to have all these issues. They walk, they eat healthy, they play tennis, they do yoga. I may never be able to work with 100% productivity on less than six hours of sleep ever again, and that's OK. But I'm not going to accept the fact that I'm just too old to enjoy a long day walking around at a festival.
So the question becomes...where to start?
Anyway. Perhaps you don't acutely notice the signs because mentally, you still FEEL young. I do. Yes, I want those adult things, and some of them I already have. But I still FEEL like Katie at Ole Miss, who goes to rock shows and eats out with friends and plans vacation trips and gets excited about something new and cute to wear to the Grove (though thankfully, that something no longer involves quite as much effort or sparkle as it did in undergrad). But lately, in a personal world where I've gotten a little more reality than I'd like, I've started to slowly grow aware of some things that are missing...things that used to be givens for me. I can no longer spring up from an Indian style position on the floor. Just one extra beer or glass of wine can suddenly lead to a massive hangover...and that one extra is tacked on to an overall tally that is CONSIDERABLY diminished from my undergrad or law school days. A day at work in shoes that aren't super comfy or supremely broken in leads to unavoidable pain by 5 p.m., and even a day out at Double Decker in flat sandals leaves me with sore ankles and calves. And a late night out for a concert or gathering on a week night? Yeah. If it means that I'll be showing up at work on less than six hours of sleep, it's probably not going to happen.
When I look at all of these little signs amassed together, it's shocking. The only conclusion I can reach is that I've let myself get old. I've LET these things slip away, or build up, or what have you. I've eased into an everyday life where I am so sedentary and such a procrastinator that these things are inevitable. I guess the good news is that a lot of this "youth" can be reclaimed. I know many people much older than I am who don't seem to have all these issues. They walk, they eat healthy, they play tennis, they do yoga. I may never be able to work with 100% productivity on less than six hours of sleep ever again, and that's OK. But I'm not going to accept the fact that I'm just too old to enjoy a long day walking around at a festival.
So the question becomes...where to start?
Saturday, June 13, 2009
too many good things.
Oxford continues to draw in absolutely fantastic opportunities for entertainment. And I LOVE David Sedaris. Of course I do. So why am I not just blathering on about how GREAT it will be to see him live? Because there's another thing that I really, really, truly love. And that's Ole Miss Football. Which poses a problem, since October 10th in Oxford, Mississippi will not just revolve around an Evening with David Sedaris, but also around the Ole Miss-Alabama football game. Which is, as of yet, to be announced time-wise. In a perfect world, the game will be at one p.m., followed by dinner and a couple of (celebratory, I desperately hope) drinks in the Grove, and then a nice stroll down to the Ford Center for a a belly full of laughs. In reality...well, some people are going to have a tough decision to make. And something tells me (I'm so sorry, David) that if that's the case...I'll be hawking two David Sedaris tickets. Hey, we all have our priorities.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
oxford cravings.
Oxford has no shortage of amazing restaurants. You can't throw a rock around here without hitting a restaurant that's been featured on the Food Network, in Southern Living, the New York Times, etc., etc. There are so many, in fact, that living here can begin to make one forget what it's like to experience a real craving...that need for something that you can't get and can't get out of your head.
In the spirit of enjoying life to its fullest, I've been thinking about particular dishes in Oxford that I just can't live without (and thankfully, don't have to). Here are some old and new dishes around town I adore and highly recommend that you try:
Ginger scone- Bottletree Bakery
Veggie Pizza- Newk's
Cheeseburger- Handy Andy
Muffaletta- City Grocery
Green Tea Ice Cream with Tempura Fried Bananas- Two Stick
Fish Tacos- El Milagro
Green Curry- Bangkok Thai
Uptown- Bottletree Bakery
Hot and Sour Soup- Two Stick
Ajax Salad- Ajax Diner
Big Bad Breakfast Plate- Big Bad Breakfast
Filet Special (regardless of what it is)- Yocona River Inn (come back soon, Yocona!)
Shrimp and Grits- City Grocery
Sausage and Cheese Plate- Taylor Grocery
What would you add to the list? Anything you'd dispute?
In the spirit of enjoying life to its fullest, I've been thinking about particular dishes in Oxford that I just can't live without (and thankfully, don't have to). Here are some old and new dishes around town I adore and highly recommend that you try:
Ginger scone- Bottletree Bakery
Veggie Pizza- Newk's
Cheeseburger- Handy Andy
Muffaletta- City Grocery
Green Tea Ice Cream with Tempura Fried Bananas- Two Stick
Fish Tacos- El Milagro
Green Curry- Bangkok Thai
Uptown- Bottletree Bakery
Hot and Sour Soup- Two Stick
Ajax Salad- Ajax Diner
Big Bad Breakfast Plate- Big Bad Breakfast
Filet Special (regardless of what it is)- Yocona River Inn (come back soon, Yocona!)
Shrimp and Grits- City Grocery
Sausage and Cheese Plate- Taylor Grocery
What would you add to the list? Anything you'd dispute?
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
long time, no write. lots of life.
I've had a lot of ups in the past few months. Enough, I guess, that I've been negligent when it comes to boring people with my writing. I've also had a couple of major downs. Downs are bad, and I won't go into the details of mine. I will say that inevitably, those downs suddenly bring the ups sharply back into focus. I take so many things in my life for granted...a job I actually love, a beautiful and hilarious niece. A boy who dedicates himself to me, ME of all people, and makes me believe every now and then that I'm the most phenomenal girl in the world. A wonderful, shaggy, unruly dog who fills my hum-drum day-to-day with laughter and cuddling and amazement, and family that are always, always there and who GET me even when they don't. Friends who are intense, funny, oh so smart, passionate, a little nuts, and who keep me afloat and inspire me continuously. And a faith that can get awfully shaky sometimes but that never ever seems to let me abandon it, no matter how hard I try.
The other night a friend and I were talking about one of these recent major downs, and also about faith questions, and also about how the subject of one of the recent downs had this fierce and uncanny ability to squeeze every last drop of life from every detail he encountered. He also managed to find the time and energy to document most of it. I'm going to do my best to do the same.
The other night a friend and I were talking about one of these recent major downs, and also about faith questions, and also about how the subject of one of the recent downs had this fierce and uncanny ability to squeeze every last drop of life from every detail he encountered. He also managed to find the time and energy to document most of it. I'm going to do my best to do the same.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Six Interesting Things...
Lisa tagged me to do this blog. However, as I am new(ish) or perhaps just not popular enough in the blogging world, I don't exactly have six people to tag...so I'll just fulfill my obligation to write down six interesting things about myself and leave it at that.
1. I'm an aspiring domestic goddess, but so far failing at it miserably. I read Domino magazine religiously. I regularly peruse the home offerings online at various website and compose fantasy wish lists. I daydream about elaborate dinner party menus, guest rooms and baths full of luxurious amenities, and entertaining in my fabulous, quirky, chic but comfortable home. I compose mental lists of in depth cleaning tasks to accomplish and convince myself that it will be truly enjoyable to accomplish them after work with a nice soundtrack and a glass of wine. Every now and then I make a little bit of headway...but too often I find myself doing what I'm doing tonight. I plant myself on my couch with my laptop or a magazine and try to ignore the many things I could and should be doing. I really hate to think of myself as a dirty person, but I'm realizing that in my own space I'm entirely too lazy. Hmm...New Year's resolution perhaps...
2. Next fall I'll be starting work on my third degree. Yikes! I have a Bachelor's Degree in English and a Juris Doctorate, both from Ole Miss. I've always sort of had Higher Education Administration on the brain, and even before getting my current job as a financial aid advisor I'd contemplated pursuing advanced degrees in the field. It seems a little like divine guidance then that employees of Ole Miss can take up to two classes a semester (one during business hours) free of charge. It also seems divine that with job experience in the field, a law degree can be substituted for a masters. Thus I will likely be starting my pursuit of a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration next fall. My home may not look as impressive as I'd like, but my office wall sure will!
3. My boyfriend is six years younger than I am. Yeah. I'm not particularly over-enthused about sharing this one, but I know it is indeed an interesting fact about me. I'd always thought of myself as someone who required an older guy for things to work. Instead I'm discovering that I am significantly less emotionally mature than my 23 year old fella. He definitely arrived on the scene as something great when I least expected it...but also something entirely different than what I anticipated expecting. Hah.
4. I'm a collection of stereotypes. During the course of my life I've been a goody goody, a nerd, a jockette, a prep, a sorority girl, a hipster, and a professional. Do I necessarily feel that I've REALLY been these people? Not exactly. But I do know that I've participated willingly in things that have led others to think that I've been one or more of them. Church camps, honors colleges, basketball teams, the Greek system, indie music shows, and now webinars and seminars and staff meetings. You have to wonder if we all wind up as rag tag collections of all the things we've been and are...
5. I have a scarf addiction. If the weather and the situation in ANY way permit it, I'll find a way to incorporate a scarf into my outfit. It's gotten to the point where I literally just feel more natural while wearing one.
6. The above fact might make more sense when one considers how ridiculously cold natured I am. I spend the majority of the winter with cold feet and a cold nose. Meh.
1. I'm an aspiring domestic goddess, but so far failing at it miserably. I read Domino magazine religiously. I regularly peruse the home offerings online at various website and compose fantasy wish lists. I daydream about elaborate dinner party menus, guest rooms and baths full of luxurious amenities, and entertaining in my fabulous, quirky, chic but comfortable home. I compose mental lists of in depth cleaning tasks to accomplish and convince myself that it will be truly enjoyable to accomplish them after work with a nice soundtrack and a glass of wine. Every now and then I make a little bit of headway...but too often I find myself doing what I'm doing tonight. I plant myself on my couch with my laptop or a magazine and try to ignore the many things I could and should be doing. I really hate to think of myself as a dirty person, but I'm realizing that in my own space I'm entirely too lazy. Hmm...New Year's resolution perhaps...
2. Next fall I'll be starting work on my third degree. Yikes! I have a Bachelor's Degree in English and a Juris Doctorate, both from Ole Miss. I've always sort of had Higher Education Administration on the brain, and even before getting my current job as a financial aid advisor I'd contemplated pursuing advanced degrees in the field. It seems a little like divine guidance then that employees of Ole Miss can take up to two classes a semester (one during business hours) free of charge. It also seems divine that with job experience in the field, a law degree can be substituted for a masters. Thus I will likely be starting my pursuit of a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration next fall. My home may not look as impressive as I'd like, but my office wall sure will!
3. My boyfriend is six years younger than I am. Yeah. I'm not particularly over-enthused about sharing this one, but I know it is indeed an interesting fact about me. I'd always thought of myself as someone who required an older guy for things to work. Instead I'm discovering that I am significantly less emotionally mature than my 23 year old fella. He definitely arrived on the scene as something great when I least expected it...but also something entirely different than what I anticipated expecting. Hah.
4. I'm a collection of stereotypes. During the course of my life I've been a goody goody, a nerd, a jockette, a prep, a sorority girl, a hipster, and a professional. Do I necessarily feel that I've REALLY been these people? Not exactly. But I do know that I've participated willingly in things that have led others to think that I've been one or more of them. Church camps, honors colleges, basketball teams, the Greek system, indie music shows, and now webinars and seminars and staff meetings. You have to wonder if we all wind up as rag tag collections of all the things we've been and are...
5. I have a scarf addiction. If the weather and the situation in ANY way permit it, I'll find a way to incorporate a scarf into my outfit. It's gotten to the point where I literally just feel more natural while wearing one.
6. The above fact might make more sense when one considers how ridiculously cold natured I am. I spend the majority of the winter with cold feet and a cold nose. Meh.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Dear Santa...Part Two.
4. Little Birch Jewelry Stand. I currently have jewelry tangled in every available nook and cranny, so finding and carefully untangling that one particular necklace can sometimes turn into an extended exercise in patience. This stand would look artistic and graceful on a dresser or bathroom vanity even without jewelry, but I think it would be delightfully quirky, bohemian, and, gasp, FUNCTIONAL dripping with all of my necklaces and bracelets.
5. Bodum Chambord French Press. I gave my Mom one for Christmas last year, and while it doesn't come out for use on a weekly basis, it always feels a little luxurious when it does. French press coffee just tastes richer. Maybe it's just the fact that using one reminds me of dinners at Yocona...oh, and at last weekend's freezing Ole Miss/ULM game, we discovered that toting a French Press, an electric burner, and a tea kettle to the Grove makes a steaming hot cup of coffee and Bailey's a perfect and surprisingly easy game day drink.
6. Domino Magazine. I'm addicted. Pure and simple. More great home ideas and products than you can shake a stick at. Giving a magazine subscription seems like something of a dud gift at first, but getting something in the mail each month for a year that provides you with a few minutes of relaxed entertainment before bed is a truly great thing. And while you're on the Domino website, check out the super cool online Deco File tool.
More to come...
5. Bodum Chambord French Press. I gave my Mom one for Christmas last year, and while it doesn't come out for use on a weekly basis, it always feels a little luxurious when it does. French press coffee just tastes richer. Maybe it's just the fact that using one reminds me of dinners at Yocona...oh, and at last weekend's freezing Ole Miss/ULM game, we discovered that toting a French Press, an electric burner, and a tea kettle to the Grove makes a steaming hot cup of coffee and Bailey's a perfect and surprisingly easy game day drink.
6. Domino Magazine. I'm addicted. Pure and simple. More great home ideas and products than you can shake a stick at. Giving a magazine subscription seems like something of a dud gift at first, but getting something in the mail each month for a year that provides you with a few minutes of relaxed entertainment before bed is a truly great thing. And while you're on the Domino website, check out the super cool online Deco File tool.
More to come...
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