Giving Thanks

It's that time of year. My favorite time of year. The holidays: when I really appreciate friends and family and there is just that feeling in the air of something special. I love putting up the Christmas Tree, decorations, holiday parties.

In honor of Thanksgiving here are some of the things I am thankful for this year:

- Health (of myself and those close to me). We're all here for another year together and that is no small feat.

-A job. It's tough enough economic times and I'm glad I'm still holding on. Even if it's barely.

-Friends. I have so many great ones and I never take them for granted. There is nothing better than good times with good friends. Even if we can't stay out so late anymore.

-Family. I'm grateful for mine. They are fantastic. I don't know what I would do without them. This includes being thankful for my mom's cooking, my dad's sappiness, my brother's constant insults.

-Life. I'm thankful for every piece of my life, good or bad. For my apartment, my car, for change. For lessons I've learned. I'm thankful for being given opportunities at every turn. Even if they don't pan out to anything, it's still living.

-Whiskey. We all know why. The poison I need to get shit done.

-Making out. It wouldn't be me without saying it.

-Music. I'm so thankful that music keeps getting made. The soundtrack of my life, well where do you even start? It's amazing to me how creative some people are. Songs keep me moving, cheer me up, get me down. I don't know what I would do if there were no music. (Side note- check out the DJ band Girl Talk- simply amazing what they do with hip hop and 80's music. Mashup heaven!!)

-Dreams. They keep me believing beyond what is reality. I don't even know if that makes sense.

I think that's all I have for now. As I think about it, maybe there will be a part II to this post. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I got worms!

I'm so embarassed. I'm ashamed. I feel so dirty. I got worms!

Okay seriously, I did get a worm virus today through Facebook and for the first time I was a bit paranoid about my own internet security. I think it'll be okay ultimately, but it freaked me out for a few minutes. That's what I get for opening a message that says something like "Wow- the whole internet will see this video". I'm like a kid in a candy store. I get so suckered in that I'm just like oooh, let me click on that. Next thing you know, you have a little worm crawling around and your computer starts crashing. Fun times.

Exciting first week of my 30's- Obama in the White House! Hell yeah bitches! Holla!! It feels great to be part of an era and to be alive during a time like this. I'm not expecting him to be perfect. In fact I can probably guarantee he will not live up to people's expectations in one way or another, but he is also a symbol for all of us. I don't think he'll be a shitshow like Bush. Of course not, I voted for him and I have full faith. But I know somewhere down the line people will question their decision at the first sign of trouble. We have to keep our faith and know that he's going to do his best but it will take time. He's not going to fix this mess the first week or month. Probably not even the first year of his presidency. It'll happen. Patience.

I finally unpacked all of my trinkets at work (well mostly all). I whittled all of my sentimental belongings down to one box. I thought my days of being such a pack rat were over but I guess not. I am settled into my new desk area and things are starting to feel normal again. I have no new embarassing or awkward elevator incidents to report.

I've been trying to write poetry again. It's been awhile since I've picked up any vibes. I needed to be inspired and I guess I have been lately. I think my poetry is more like song lyrics. Maybe I should be a song writer.

Turning 30 I've noticed some things starting to show my age. I have horrible carpal tunnel in my right hand. It's hard to type, click a mouse, clean, even text message. I need to get it checked but it is on my list of doctor's appointments to make. Yes, a list. Like an old lady.

And I think I'm going through some hormonal changes. I have always had a problem with sweating a lot. I say I sweat like a man. Fine. I accept it. But lately it has gotten so much worse. I walk around with those oil blotting papers in my purse at all times and constantly have them stuck to my face. What are my options? Botox on the horizon? Freeze up all those sweat glands? I have no idea. I'm trying to deal but it's not very attractive.

Busy weekend on the horizon. Plenty to do and a do-or-die game of football this Sunday. Either we go big or go home. For reals.

I leave you with my newest musical pics this week. Jams I'm loving:

No Other Love- by John Legend featuring Estelle. Number one, it's got a kick ass reggae beat to it. Number two- it's Estelle. Get to know that name. Everything she touches is gold. She's amazing.

Woman Like a Man- by Damien Rice. It's one of those B-Side tracks. It's a little raunchy but that's what I love about it.

9 Crimes- Also by Damien Rice. He is just amazing. He has a way of conveying all those thoughts you have about love and life in such a poetic and real way. I love him. All the right, the wrong, the tortured. He just gets it.

Everybody Knows- by Ryan Adams. Not Bryan Adams. Ryan Adams.

Peace out, have a great weekend!!!!!

Turning 30 and a stupid Election story

I have made it through to 30. Here I am! Nothing different about that. My birthday was a success in all the ways it could be. I got to spend time with family and friends and finally wear my party dress that I've been waiting a year to wear. I went to Medieval Times and felt like a kid again, my voice hoarse from chanting "FINISH HIM!!!". I spent a lot of time at the Brooklyn Inn afterwards just having drinks, being silly, and shooting the shit. It was a pretty mellow evening but it fit just right.

I finally scraped myself up out of bed on Sunday to make it to football, which we lost AGAIN, and that was sad.

Yesterday we moved offices. It's weird being in a different space but I guess in no time it'll be like home again. It's funny because I have boxes full of little toys and props that used to live on my desk and now there is no room for them. I don't know where they will go.

That brings me to today. Election Day. It's a big one. The news this morning was showing out of control lines at the polls which is making me worried for when I go after work. I'm also feeling really anxious about what the future holds after this election. The world will be a different place tomorrow, for better or worse is yet to be determined.

This morning I got into the new building and barely caught the elevator up. The doors were closing as I got there but the man inside just happened to see me and opened up the doors again. I stepped on and we started chit chatting and he said to me "Today is going to be an interesting day" to which I responded "Oh well we just moved in on the 8th floor...does something special happen on Tuesdays?" and he responded with something about the election. And ladies and gentleman, I am a MORON. I tried to recover from that one but it was difficult. It's not that I don't care about the election but I've pushed it off in my head to be something that I am doing after work. So I wasn't really thinking about it before work.

And also maybe it would have been more on my mind had I not been screwed yet again by the MTA today. It seems that at least once a week I am at the mercy of these fuckers who can't seem to run a train on time. I don't understand how they stay in business. Service is terrible. I can't even think straight. How was I supposed to focus on who is running the country next when I can't even make it to work on time? I really want to have a tourette's style rant on the MTA right now but I am going to reel it in. They suck. I even left early today and still managed to get here 15 minutes late.

Tomorrow...we wait for tomorrow.