These Fads are Over - Part 1

So here I am again after a long break, for which I have absolutely no excuse.

Today's topic: "These Fads are Over, Part 1"

1. Leggings as pants. This fad is over.
Thank you to one of my theater friends for pointing me towards an enlightening article about this not-so-hot trend that has even been (wait for it...) GROWING. I apologize to all of those currently sporting hot pink, lacy, and/or zebra-striped leggings as you read, but there is no need. To quote, "if you are hot, it is distracting," and "if you're not, it is disgusting." I will agree with the author in that they are entirely acceptable under long sweaters, minis (but not too mini, please!) and some dresses with some boots. That's all.

2. Cougars (yes, you). Your fad is over.
No thanks to reality tv and the publishing world, the women that roar are only making noise for themselves. I don't think you're cool because your growling mate is 20 years younger than you and could be your cub. The term "cougar" in itself implies that you run around seeking attention and preen in the corner when you're not. I'm not interested in watching you preen, sorry.

Packing for Experiences

I am astounded at myself because I have only just started packing for a trip coming up on Saturday that I have been anticipating since I left last year - the annual family camping trip in Maine. Normally I would have my bags zippered, my mix cds in their cases with articulate and colorful labels, and my grocery list itemized by category for easy shopping upon arrival.

This year, however, I did not cross one thing off my list until 11 pm last night. Mostly because the lengthy stay of some out-of-state family members pushed off my list-making. And then an email graced my office inbox yesterday, nothing in the body, only a subject line reading "4 days." Thankfully I knew it was my cousin and not some creepy follower of The Ring. But I was thrown into motion and can think of nothing else now but seeing the level of my duffel bag rise.

Why is packing almost as fun as the trip itself? I throw a stack of shirts on the bed and sit for an hour contemplating which tank top will produce the most "wow"s at first sight, which sweatshirt will retain the most sand, which t-shirt I'll take off in the canoe when I want the sun on my shoulders? I can't think logically because I'm not packing for weather but for experiences.

Which is why I will never be a light packer. And why I don't fully understand how someone can backpack across Europe with one bag. Don't they yearn for a certain skirt when they stand before the Parthenon? Don't they wish they had packed that fluttering dress as they grace the bottom of the Spanish Steps?

I'm leaving the office shortly. I think I will stop at CVS and buy some travel-size Dove shampoos so my hair will smell exactly right when I get in my car Saturday morning and begin my week of experiences.

Reluctance and Respect

Recently I was emailing one of my professors and wanted to tell her what I was up to and where I landed after my four magnificent years of exceptional education.

And I thought to myself, what would she think of me now? I have a great job that I like and don't plan on leaving in 2009 anyway, but it's not at all what I set out to do when I first graced the studious halls and stages dripping with creativity. Theater, I said. That's it. That's all there is, that's what I love and want to do forever. People actually get paid to stand on a stage and pour out their heart?

So I guess I discovered that there is more than one "right way" to go. I found something else that I'm good at, and I'm putting it to the test. The magnetic bond between myself and my job is still building, not quite there yet as it was in theater, but I could see it taking off within a couple of years. If you're good at something and people notice, why shouldn't you pursue it, right?

I'm not going to say that I'm reluctant to say what I do, because that's not true. I'm proud of where I ended up. But sometimes I do wonder what would have happened if I had catapulted myself into NYC or LA and just tried to make it work. Scary, yes. Regrettable? Probably not. But I like it here. Even if I am playing it safe. Then again, maybe the risk is what makes things interesting. If I can find the risks in the day-to-day and continually take them and come out on top, that's just as rewarding. It's still a goal, still something to reach toward.

I don't think I will be winning any Tony awards soon but I will be winning my own respect, and that's more important than shiny gold statues on the mantel.

Symmetry and Stupidity

Perfect design doesn't have to be symmetrical.

What is the world's obsession with symmetry?

I used to be a follower of symmetry too. Occasionally I think I am developing OCD because I still have the tendency to want everything perfectly aligned, perfectly planned, perfectly calculated, and I'll tell you, it's not all it's cracked up to be!

This morning I came to the office and sat down at 8:27. Naturally I couldn't start focusing until exactly 8:30, so I started making a to-do list. Two things got scratched out and I had to make a new list on a new post-it so there wouldn't be any ugly scratch marks. But by then, it was 8:34, so I had to wait another 6 minutes to start being productive. What a weirdo.

So that's not really symmetry, but my point is that if we all just stopped for a second and thought about why we need things to align and why I can't begin working until the time is a multiple of ten, we would see that these things don't have to be!

We CAN go and paint in big bold strokes that don't work together.

We CAN wear mismatched socks. In fact, I know a few people who already do this.

We CAN start tackling a big project even if it is not perfectly planned out.

And sometimes things work out.

Creating Habits

I always hear that if you set aside time each day to do something it will become a habit.

For me, I have found it to be...

• very true for writing.
• somewhat true for cleaning my room.
• definitely not true for avoiding sugar and coffee.

But to get back to example one, I have to agree that writing every day makes me want to write more. I thought it would be the opposite and I'd get sick of it. I guess it depends on what you're putting aside time FOR. So, if you like making to-do lists and give yourself fifteen minutes each morning to organize your day and make a list, then you will do it. If you hate to work out, but block out an hour every day when you get home, grudgingly you will probably get used to it being part of your time.

Setting small goals is the key. Make yourself do something for three days straight and just focus on those three days, and see what happens on four.

I don't need a choreographer.

I just wanted to share that I found an entire section in On Demand devoted to learning music video dance moves. Why was this not brought to my attention before??
So basically this Friday I can be Britney, Justin, Pink, and about 30 other celebs by stealing their moves from these speedway-paced lessons. Look for me in the spotlight!

Also excited that that my band has a gig on my birthday in July...woohoo!! Maybe I'll do something crazy to celebrate.
Suggestions?

Muscle Memory

I am always amazed (though it happens so frequently I really shouldn't be) at how I can sit down at my keyboard for the first time in months and three songs come out! I'm sure there are scientific studies about how muscle memory works, but it's quite the feat. I mean, I haven't played these songs or touched the same keys in the same combination since the middle of winter and now something lets my hands fly around and suddenly there are three actual melodies in the air. I love it.

I got so excited about it that I revisited my days of piano lessons and broke out some of my sheet music to take advantage of my momentum, and what do you know? I busted through the whole of Piano - Grade One and moved on to relearning "Part of Your World." Don't give me that look, it's a great song and you all wish you could play and sing it at the same time! And now I'm progressing into Wicked. Lord save us all from Kelly's musical triumphs.