Robo Boogie? Affirmative.

Since several of my posts lately have been on the intense side, I thought it would appropriate to lighten the mood a bit with the following video:



I watched this video a while ago and recently revisited the YouTube version. The more I watch, the funnier I find it. I especially enjoy the binary solo. Hint: if this is your first experience with Flight of the Conchords, you might need to watch twice to fully appreciate the humor.

Oh, how I love YouTube. And the source of instant laughter and fun it provides at any given time. This large cup of black coffee I'm drinking before I head off to work is also pretty great. Ahh, its gonna be a good day...

The Best Policy

I am pretty sure all things are better when they are honest. Pretty much any form of creativity... Art. Music. Dance. Theater. Writing. Humor. Think about it. I know all my favorite comedians are the ones who you listen to and then turn to your friends and say, "That is so true!" Take Dane Cook for example. His funniest jokes are funny because they are true. People really are obsessed with car accidents. And when a guy sneaks up behind you to dance with you at a bar you really do look at your friends for indications of his appearance.

The same thing goes for dance routines. The best ones are the ones in which the dancers and choreographers make you truly believe the story of the piece. Otherwise its just a bunch of connected movements that mean nothing except that the person is technically trained. Boring and bland if you ask me.

Movies too are best when honest. The movies that move me the most are the ones where you see the characters going through whatever their personal struggle is. Everyone is not okay all of the time, and in movies like Garden State, or Into the Wild, you get to see first hand and experience the characters' personal battles.

Its the same deal when it comes to relationships, be it a friendship or romantic relationship. I don't know about everyone else, but I say cut through all the bulls**t and give me the truth. I can handle it. I like to believe my true friends are completely honest with me. I mentioned this once already but a good example of this is the other day when I turned to Holly and asked how my bangs looked. Instead of lying, she said, "No comment." I find this type of honestly hilarious and refreshing. I would have felt cheated if she had said in a sugary sweet voice, "Oh, they look super!" I would have probably seen through her crap anyways, so its best to just be straight with me. I can handle it. I swear.

I realize this claim could be debated and that everyone might not agree. Ignorance could be bliss, you might say. But to that I'd say what about when something slips and someones finds out they've been being lied to? That is a terrible feeling. Feeling betrayed, like you'd been kept in the dark unnecessarily. People assuming you weren't strong enough to handle the truth. Bah! I say, I can handle anything okay? So bring it on...

Finally, it is exceedingly important to be honest about where you are. If you aren't honest about that, how are you ever going to be aware if you need to change. This doesn't mean you have to be honest with everyone about whats going on with you, but at the very least you should be honest with yourself. Even if it makes you feel a bit dysfunctional. It happens to the best of us, so don't fret.

It seems that my new favorite philosopher Henry David would agree with me, as he has said:

"Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth." - Henry David Thoreau

At first glance, I wasn't sure if I agreed with this quote. I mean, I'd give up money and fame is exchange for truth, but not love. But then I rethought this. I would probably take truth over love, because love without truth isn't worth much anyway.

I suppose this blog is my best attempt at a honest portrayal of myself. I'm not claiming that it is a great creative masterpiece or anything like that, but at least its better than if I wasn't honest; say, if I just wrote things that I thought would make people like me. And honestly, its easier this way, that is, to be myself. At least those who stick around will know the true me, and not some pseudo version. And who knows, maybe reading this will one day give someone some type of insight into their own honesty. I honestly don't know... but maybe.

Happy Father's Day (a little late)

Like many of the posts I've started recently, this one has been in the works for a while now and I just hadn't gotten it right. Father's day probably would have been the perfect time to post it, but my slacker self even let that day slip on by. Oh well, better late than never, right? Here comes the overly mushy (I'll try to keep it under control) and hopefully somewhat humorous tribute to my dad.

[insert scanned version of tattered old high school black and white headshot here]

One of the reasons this took me so long to write this, is that there really is so much I could say and I was unsure of where to focus my efforts. I could talk about how wise my dad is, or how much of a support he has been in throughout my life, or how much I admire his philosophy on life, but before I talk about any of that, I'd like tell one of my favorite stories about him (one of many, trust me) that simultaneously demonstrates several of the above. Note: I have told this story quite a bit so I apologize if you've already heard it.

Picture a Friday night at Waterford Kettering high school. The lights are brighting beaming onto the slightly worn field and the concrete stands. The Kettering Captains are suited up to play... well, some team thats likely to give them a good beating (sorry guys). The skies are dark, threatening rain. I am standing down on the track with the dance team and like any 'I'm-a-cool-kid' high schooler, nonchalantly glancing into the stands to see if my parents had arrived yet. I did not have to look too hard, for I soon spot them walking across the front of the student section to the family section. Upon seeing them, I sigh a very dramatic teenage girl sigh but soon after, I give in to the humor of the situation and burst out laughing. Then I poke one of my team members and say, "Just in case you were wondering where my parents are, my dad has done something to help you out. Yes, thats right, that is him wearing the bright yellow rain suit."

Dad, I hope you enjoyed that story for the millionth time, and I hope you are happy with your decision to wear that stunning piece of attire (I'm sure you are). I love that story because it actually could be considered symbolic. It really demonstrates both his support of me and the fact that he isn't very concerned with what people think, and isn't afraid to stand out in a crowd. Learning from his example has helped me strive to think in that same way.

That being said, if you are trying to stereotype him into some weird dad stereotype, I would probably advise you not to waste your brainpower. If there is anyone who probably would not fit any stereotype very well, it is my dad. He's pretty dang unique and although he might fit a few stereotyped features (physics intellectual, says-mildly-inappropriate things-to-your-friends, meditation man, weird eater), the amalgamation of these features would be quite hard to fit into some standardized mold.

So, its pretty clear that my dad is a character, and he has certainly taught me to do my own thing regardless of what I think others might be thinking, but that really is just the beginning. I want to take this opportunity to thank my dad for being an unwavering source of support. He has always been there to give me non-judgemental and level-headed advice and then watches as I make my own decisions. I like to think I have acquired some level of tolerance and understanding for others' actions from him.

I also think that more than anyone else, my dad has taught me to make the best of any situation. A great example of this is in yet another story, but this one is a little less funny. My dad went on a 10 day solo backpacking trip in California. On the 4th day of his trip, he slipped on an ice patch, fell and broke his rib, and collapsed one of his lungs. I'm pretty sure that if this happened to me, I would freak out and cry hysterically. Then I would probablyyell for help until my other lung collapsed. But my dad did none of these idiotic things. Amazingly, he picked himself up and hiked all the way back out. Four days later, he made it back to civilization and was taken to a hospital from where he called the family.

The first thing I thought about when I heard about his injury was how sad he must be that his trip was cut short and made significantly more painful. I mean, it was something he had been planning and looking forward to for months and he spent half of it walking around with a broken rib, one lung, and a gigantic backpack on. On the contrary, though, he seemed upbeat and optimistic and when I asked him if he was sad that his trip changed he said, "Not at all. It was a really cool experience."

At the time, and maybe at first glance, this comment seems kinda crazy. How could anyone call this experience cool? But as my dad so often says, and as I am finally realizing "Life's experiences are what we have. They are everything and nothing at the same time." More recently, in a time where several of my life events are slightly less than ideal, this philosophy becomes very useful and I have been able to learn to take some good out of fairly objectively bad events.

Although I always believed what my dad was saying before, I never truly understood them. More recently though, many of the lessons my dad was trying to teach me throughout my life are finally starting to sink in. You really shouldn't worry much about what others think because ultimately, it is your life to do with it what you wish. And life's experiences are all that we have, so making the best of every situation and seeing the positives will lead to greater happiness. And thats what life is about, right?

To end, I would like to wish my dad a great trip. He is going out west in a few weeks and will be visiting my very favorite place out west, the narrows in Zion National Park (see picture). My dad and I hiked up the narrows when our family visited in 2000 and it was one of the coolest hikes I've ever been on. The weather was perfect for half-walking/half-floating and playing around in the water and it stands out in my mind as one of my favorite times I've had with my dad. Although we wont be visiting together, we will both be going on our own adventures in the next few weeks so here is to making the most of whatever types of experiences we might encounter.

SYTYCD Weeks 1 & 2: My Expert Opinion

I don't really get into television shows very easily. In fact, even shows that I considered "my shows" recently haven't really captured my interest. For example, although I really like Grey's Anatomy, I missed it several times this season without much thought - I just found better things to do. However, ever since I watched Season 3 of So You Think You Can Dance, I've been anxiously awaiting Season 4, and it is finally here!

Last week the good stuff started, as the Top 20 dancers performed on the Hollywood stage. I was thoroughly impressed with several of the routines, however, the 'Off to War' number danced by Katee and Josh, choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon D'Umo was simply amazing and stood alone as the best routine of the evening.



I am absolutely obsessed with this dance, to a point where I think I might have a problem. I've been watching it over and over on our DVR and the fact that I now know it is on YouTube might be problematic for my productivity at work. They dance with such emotion and passion and each time I watch I become completely convinced that they are deeply in love and Josh really is going to have to go to war. On top of that, they make it look so completely effortless, even when performing moves like the one where Katee looks as if she is lifting Josh from the floor to a standing position. I'm pretty sure they are invisible strings attached to him, I mean, how the heck else could he do that?!

Unfortunately, Week 2's routines was not quite as impressive overall. However, there were still several great ones. Kherington and Twitch performed a breathtaking Viennese Waltz to secure my favorite routine of the night. Notably, Katee and Josh maintained their status as my favorite couple with a super-cute-and-fun Broadway routine.

Kherington & Twitch - Week 2 (Viennese Waltz)


Katee & Josh - Week 2 (Broadway)


So far, its been a pretty fun season, and even though I will miss the next 2 weeks because I'll be in the Netherlands, I'll look forward to the SYTYCD marathon I'll be conducting with my DVR upon my return! I just hope my favorite couple can meet the high expectations I (and many others, most likely) now have for them.

'an honest verse of longing or simple song of hope'

I literally have 11 posts that are still in draft form that I cannot seem to complete. So clearly, writer's block is still present. Therefore, in effort to post something (anything!), here are some lyrics and the video for my current favorite song.

Enjoy. (I particularly like the fawn in the video).

Bright Eyes - Bowl of Oranges
The rain, it started tapping on the window near my bed. There was a loophole in my dreaming,
so I got out of it. And to my surprise my eyes were wide and already open.
Just my nightstand and my dresser where those nightmares had just been.
So I dressed myself and left then, out into the gray streets.
But everything seemed different and completely new to me.
The sky, the trees, houses, buildings, even my own body.
And each person I encountered, I couldn't wait to meet.
I came upon a doctor who appeared in quite poor health.
I said "{I am terribly sorry but} there is nothing I can do for you
{that} you can't do for yourself."
He said "Oh yes you can. Just hold my hand. I think that would help."
So I sat with him a while and then I asked him how he felt.
He said, "I think I'm cured. No, in fact, I'm sure.
Thank you Stranger, for your therapeutic smile."
So that is how I learned the lesson that everyone is alone.
And your eyes must do some raining if you are ever going to grow.
But when crying don't help and you can't compose yourself.
It is best to compose a poem, an honest verse of longing or simple song of hope.
That is why I'm singing...
Baby don't worry cause now I got your back. And every time you feel like crying,
I'm gonna try and make you laugh. And if I can't, if it just hurts too bad,
then we will wait for it to pass and I will keep you company
through those days so long and black.
And we'll keep working on the problem we know we'll never solve
Of Love's uneven remainders, our lives are fractions of a whole.
But if the world could remain within a frame like a painting on a wall.
Then I think we would see the beauty.
Then we would stand staring in awe at our still lives posed like a bowl of oranges,
like a story told by the fault lines and the soil.

Hiatus Explanation

Writer's block is a very frustrating thing.

The fact that I haven't posted anything in over a week is potentially indicative of a few things:

1) I am simply too busy to sit at a computer and type;
2) My ever-present thoughts are not complete and therefore, lay stagnant, drafted and unfinished in my 'edit posts' section;
3) The complete thoughts that I do have I am hesitant to post, as I constantly struggle with what is appropriate and not appropriate to post on a public blog.

All of the above are reasons (to varying degrees) for this frustrating blockage (doesn't that word just make you think of some type of gross medical blockage? gross. me too but I couldn't think of a better word, hence, the purpose of this entire post).

So lets review them. I finished up my first year of graduate school on Monday and went to the Jersey Shore right afterwards, so lack of time was somewhat of a factor in this 'blog post hiatus.' However, there have been times when I've been even busier with schoolwork and other things, yet I would still find time to write, because I enjoyed the break it provided. Therefore, #1 can't account for too much...

In reality, I'm pretty sure the most influential reason for my lack of posting is a combination of reasons #2 and #3 above. That is, my inability to express what I want to express. And then, even if I can put it into words, my subsequent hesitation about whether expressing those thoughts are appropriate.

The thing that makes this so frustrating, is that writing has become a really big part of my life in the past few months and not being able to do it drives me crazy. Writing has become an outlet for emotions, a way of creative expression, a source of some clarity and a huge amount of reflection. I guess you could say its been somewhat of a port in the storm for me lately. Therefore, during times like this past week, when I am not able to take solace in this newfound hobby, I find myself extremely frustrated.

So, in an effort to re-claim my port in the storm, I am writing this post. I think any type of artistic expression, or maybe just anything at all, is at its best when it is honest. Thus, this post is my best attempt to be honest about my struggle, in hopes that it will spark additional creativity in the near future.

Given all of that, all I really have to say is this:

I am not sure what to say. Lately, finding the right words has been a constant struggle. And I'm not sure when that will change. But... I'll keep you posted.

Happy Birthday Amanda!!

Even though I have a statistics final in a few hours, I really need to take a moment to say an official HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my friend Amanda! As Amanda would say, she has become an old lady today, the big 2-3! I just hope that even though for the first time she is working on her birthday (at her real person job, as she would say), she still has a GREAT day, and fills herself with lots of cake.

Amanda and I lived on the same floor in the dorms (good ol' Wilson West!) but didn't really become close until we both made the Pom Team at the end of our sophomore years. From that point on we had several great nights, often that ended with pictures of us making very flattering faces (a few examples posted).

I really miss having someone like Amanda to pre-drink with before pom parties, to make crazy faces with, and to take pictures with celebrities with (e.g., with Willie the can man, the notorious can-collecting man that could always be found wandering East Lansing, above). I went on facebook to look for some good pictures to post and found that there are 90 pictures of the two of us! Not too shabby! So I posted some of my favorites here including: 1) Us in our amazing Halloween costumes senior year, 2) Amanda getting ready before the 'pink party,' clearly the best kind of party for this dashing red-head, 3) Two pictures of us at Rick's on our last night out in East Lansing, one of which is with Willie the can man, who I am pretty sure was and probably still is in LOVE with Amanda, 4) Us at the Auto Show spelling out M-I-S (Michigan International Speedway) which was completely unneccessary and elicted many stares, and finally 5) Us performing our final pom pon scavenger hunt routine (yes, I am walking a girl who is pretending to be a lamb; yes, we did proceed to forget most of the routine; and sadly, no, we did not win).

So, I think all of this sums up pretty well me and Amanda's friendship. What else could you ever want besides crazy outfits, laughter, and hideous faces? Nothing, if you ask me. I'm strangely comfortable with it.

I wont get sappy and emotional here. Amanda and I don't roll that way too often. ;) All I will say is that she is a GREAT friend and I miss her presence in my life like a pom pon girl misses her ability to do a great toe-touch. Amanda, have a fabulous day! You deserve it!

Eagles and strong winds

Life is funny sometimes. Just when I thought I had been hit at all possible angles in terms of things in my life that had changed, I get this random poke from an angle I hadn't even considered. I guess someone just wants to keep me on my toes. Maybe this is part of some type of training. Am I being unknowingly trained in the art of unagi (a state of total awareness, according to Ross on FRIENDS)? Are the pokes and prods from all angles teaching me to always be aware and cautious of my surroundings? Hmm, perhaps...

The good thing is, the more I am able to work through these various things I am hit with, the more I feel able to take on whatever life might throw at me. Even though its hard pushing against strong winds like this, my stamina is noticeably increasing, and I am pretty sure I could push through even stronger winds, if need be.

On that note, here's to hoping that the storm will soon blow over, but knowing that if it doesn't, we can continue to live our lives to the best of our ability amidst it.

"Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm."

"Celebrate your success and stand strong when adversity hits, for when the storm clouds come in, the eagles soar while the small birds take cover."

I love you dearly, my friend. You know who you are... ;)

John Madden Counterpart

I was just watching an international track meet on TV and was taken aback by the amazing insight of one of the announcers. He was talking about the winner of the women's 200m and said, "One of her greatest strengths is her speed. She runs the 200m at almost the same pace as the 100m."

No kidding. You mean to tell me that people who run at fast speeds do well in sprint race? Wow, its a good thing the announcer was there to explain that to me. I mean, I really would have been pretty lost otherwise. Phew.

I don't mean to completely discredit this announcer. Granted, it was one of the only comments I heard him say and its possible that all the rest were brilliant, perhaps even witty. I do realize it wouldn't be easy to come up with insightful things to say about sports all the time. But honestly, until you can come up with something somewhat intelligent, it might be best for this guy and other announcers (cough, John Madden) to just keep their mouths shut and let us watch the sport in silence. Or better yet, try writing possible comments down and reading them over before blurting them out.

Just a suggestion.

My favorite ab workout ever...

...hands down, is having Holly and Andi visit for 5 days. It was probably the most I've laughed since Holly, Lindsay and Caitlin visited, and thats saying a lot since I tend to laugh a LOT on a daily basis.

I swear its like a constant crunch. Joke! Joke! Joke! bleh! blehh! blahh! (Source: FRIENDS). Its pretty amazing when you have a group of people who are so close that they are constantly feeding off each others comments and laughing non-stop. I swear I am constantly amazed by how much fun we can have doing absolutely nothing (e.g., waiting in the parking lot of a CVS to find out if the Phillies game was going to resume).

What are some of these hilarious comments? Well, lets see... I asked Holly how my bangs looked and she said, "no comment." Holly sent several inappropriate text messages to various recipients (I would disclose these messages if I didn't think the internet police would come and ban my blog). Andi told Holly and I that no amount of lip gloss would make us look pretty. And Holly yelled at boys passing by our car in a very ladylike manner (e.g., "HEY! HEY BOYS! IS THE GAME CANCELLED?!") of which was fully ignored (I wonder why?).

I think true friends are ones who bring out the best in you. And apparently, the best of me, Andi, and Holly is a state of constantly making fun and berading each other. Whilst, of course, laughing NON STOP.

Side note: Did anyone else notice Andi's pom/dance side slicked arm position in this picture? Andi, when I look at this picture, why do I get the feeling that you are going to perform our old 'I get so lonely' routine at any moment? As much as I would have LOVED to see you perform that routine in addition to the Broadway ones you did perform later that night at the bar (e.g., One singular sensation; New York New York), I'm not sure the soldier stance is necessary... Unless of course you would like to switch from our usual roles and have me give you commands this time (e.g., A-ten-hut! About, face!). For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, honestly, you are probably better off not knowing... ;)