Nothing Good Happens After 2 A.M.

"Nothing good happens after 2 A.M." was the theme of a recent episode of How I Met Your Mother, and it was hilarious. That was just one opinion, however. Ted's opinion. Well, Ted's mother's opinion to be exact. The other opinion was "Legendary moments happen after 2 A.M," and Barney believes that.

They're both right to some degree, but I'd have to go with Ted on this one. If you're out at 2 A.M., just go home. What do you think?

Eating Trends

I've recently noticed a trend when I eat out with friends. I'm usually known as a slow eater. This isn't always the case, though! I'm usually the last one to finish my entree, but the first to finish my dessert. This was the case tonight. I had the best bananas foster ever. The waitress made it at tableside as well, making the experience very entertaining. Wow, that was delicious!

Mixing Bowl

... and I'm not talking about the wonderful U.S. I'm talking about Williams-Sonoma style. I finally brought you home where you belong. We're going to make wonderful cakes, muffins, and bread together. So begins a new chapter in my life...

Coldstone Creamery

It's not even halfway through the month, and I've already hit my Coldstone quota! It was so worth it.

It's Still My Year

Dog: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982

Man’s best friend should forget past setbacks and seize the day. Fortune favors the brave Dog who seeks opportunities and possibilities. Keep a keen eye on finances and encourage other members of your “pack” to share your ambitions. Your natural loyalty and honesty will win new friends and closer relationships.

So, how much of that is true so far?
1. Man's best friend?
lol... so many things I can say here. Let's just start with I don't want to be the best friend forever.
2. Forget past setbacks and seize the day?
I think that has to do with attitude. I've been fine in this department. I'm going to try to keep things into perspective while I'm out into the real world, which tends to dampen people's spirits at times.
3. Seeks opportunities and possibilities?
That's what I'm doing at work.
4. Keep a keen eye on finances?
I probably need some work on this, but I'm saving most of my money. Saving to pay for my loans!
5. New friends and closer relationships?
I think this is definitely true, and I couldn't ask for a better year for this to happen. I've made some great new friends here who have made my moving transition much easier to cope with. On the flip side, I have become a lot closer to friends that now live too far away.

Wouldn't it be cool if...

The crowd at one side of Boone Pickens yelled, "ORRRRANGE!"

... and the other side yelled, "CHICKEN!!!!!"

Spring Forward

Spring forward totally threw me off today. I guess that's why we have Sundays to adjust. Lazy Sundays are the best!... oh, and I saw a bunny on Friday night. That was way cool.

Bowling

I haven't quite figured out bowling yet. I just want to break 100. Is that too much to ask for?

Bueno is Better than Good

So, I drove back to Tulsa this weekend thinking, "I've got to get a potato burrito from Bueno this weekend. I've got to get a potato burrito from Bueno this weekend... " for 4 hours. Well, not quite 4 hours, but the moral of the story is that I didn't! Now, the memories of this potato burrito that I fell in love with 6 years ago are haunting me.

I broke down and decided to stop by Taco Bell for its "equivalent" potato burrito (since there's no Taco Bueno in this whole city that takes up 2 states!!!). I drive up to the drive thru:

Taco Beller: Welcome to Taco Bell. What can I get for you today?
Me: I'd like a crunchy burrito, please.
Taco Beller: A what?
Me: (showing a hint of angst) A crunchy burrito.
Taco Beller: A supreme burrito?
Me: No! A crunchy burrito or maybe you call it a potato burrito here too. (a pause) ::sigh:: Do you have anything with potatoes in it?
Taco Beller: No.
Me: Okay. I'd like a bean and cheese burrito. That's it. Thank you. :(

Home

There's something about going home. Home is like a retreat from the world. It's a place I can recenter myself and a way I can recalibrate to who I am again before going back to the daily grind of life. A trip home makes me appreciate the simple adventures and helps me focus on what I need to do. Sometimes all the motivation I need comes from home.

If time is money, why are you just sitting there?

How a person spends their spare time determines the kind of person they are. What they do for entertainment reflects their personality, character, motivation, and so much more. The entertainment industry is constantly evolving, and what traps are you falling into? I wonder sometimes if everyone has taken it too far. From bungee jumping to bug eating, I wonder if people have really exhausted the traditional methods of entertainment and turned to such bizarre adventures.

Of course, it is good for new ideas to circulate and for people to try new things, but what about the simple entertainments? I think people have a habit of going out ALL THE TIME. People go out to eat, see movies, and drink... all the time. Sometimes is fine, but when I meet someone who enjoys the simple things, like reading or art or building, the person stands out of the crowd in my mind. It shows a determination in self-improvement.

I'm still having this battle. It's so easy and tempting to agree to go out with the buddies, even though I may have a great book waiting for me at home. I just have to remind myself of the pros and cons. How will going out improve myself? In my experience, nights out on the town are fleeting, but literature is something that will stick in my mind for the better.

Superman Wears Jack Bauer Pajamas

I rarely play video games, but the new 24 video game peaked my interest after I read the following review:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/fun.games/03/13/24/index.html

Just when I think I had enough of that show, I fall back into its trap.

I love you, koala

Who said you couldn't buy love? I took him from the San Diego Zoo.

Beauty Tips for Women

This is one of Audrey Hepburn's favorite poems, and I personally think she has good taste in poetry:

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

-Sam Levenson

I'm Where the Bunnies Roam

Where was I? At the bunny slopes, of course! It's difficult to believe, but I went skiing right here in Missouri. Here's a picture of the slopes (the bunny slope is on the right and the more advanced slope is on the left):

It's snow from a machine, but it works. No good for building a snowman, though. Skiing is a must try. I finally understand how people can become so involved with the sport. It's quite a free feeling going down the slope. I do admit that trying to stand up from a fall on skis can be really challenging, but here's a picture when I was actually standing.

The group I went with was so incredibly helpful, and that made all the difference. I would definitely go again.

Sunny Day

The season is changing! It's nice to get home from work and still see the sun.

Zumba is Back!

Zumba was awesome at the Colvin. I thought I'd have to resort to cheesy zumba videos (shown above) when I moved to KC, but no, no I was wrong! Thank goodness. I saw an article in the newspaper discussing the growing popularity of zumba, and the article advertised some locations that had zumba classes. Now, it's time to check them out! Yay!

I'll Buy Your Tickets

Death Cab For Cutie is playing at the Cain's in Tulsa on April 1st. It's already sold out! They're also sold out in St. Louis and Omaha, and I would make the drive to see them too. Bummer. I'm going to listen to their cd now.

A Lost Art

A co-worker asked me what I've been doing in Kansas City. He's an older man, and I thought he wanted to make sure I've been keeping myself busy and not sitting at home bored. I had the typical answer, "Oh, I played poker with some friends... I've just been hanging out." That's the answer people usually expect and are satisfied with. He gave me a strange look, almost a disapproving one. He segued through some of his personal experiences. By the end of my conversation with him, I understood why he had that reaction. He was suggesting I spend my time wiser than I have been.

His appreciation of Vietnamese art led him to a life lesson epiphany. There's a saying in Vietnamese, "Cam Ky Thi Hoa" (this is without the accent marks, of course). In English, it roughly translates into, "Music Strategy Academics Art." Usually, a series of four wall panels of scenes expresses this saying, for example:
The first panel would have an image of an old guitar.
The second panel would have an image of a chess board.
The third panel would have an image of a book, and
the fourth panel would have an image of a sculpture.

He said that he had always enjoyed that piece of art and its message. The panels showed the aspects of a well-rounded person.

Later in life, he saw a similar series of four wall panels conveying the same message. Instead:
The first panel showed an image of a couple playing instruments with eachother.
The second panel showed the couple playing chess with one another.
The third panel showed the couple reading poetry to one another, and
the fourth panel showed the woman painting while the man was sculpting.

At that point, he realized that life is more rewarding with a mate, and those four panels describes interests a couple should share in order to grow together. The panels represent topics that offer endless exploration that challenge the couple and allows them to learn from each other. Another insight he expressed was that no other people were incorporated into those scenes. This suggests that once the right two people find eachother with those similar interests, the opinions of others become obsolete.

My initial thought was, "Now, how in the world can I find a guy like that? That sounds like I'm looking for a Renaissance Man, and I can't even find one that remembers my birthday." Then I realized that I haven't even developed all those aspects. My co-worker was indirectly suggesting I should spend my time developing those skills, and furthermore, find someone who can share my love of music, critical reasoning, academics, and art.

This was a prime example of stopping to smell the roses. I wonder what happened to that in this world sometimes. Appreciation is a lost art. Rarely do I see someone at the museum truly focused on a painting or a sculpture or a photograph. Most just walk around slowly, walk out, and say they went to the museum. It takes time, reading, thinking, and connecting with the work of art to appreciate it. I'm not saying I do that, but it's something I need to improve about myself.

You Complete Me

...I'm talking about the internet. I finally got cable tv and HIGH-SPEED internet hooked up. I must say, life is great again.