Tonight we headed over to Pint, a Chicago (Wicker Park specific) restaurant / bar. In honor of a returning friend who spent the majority of the last five years in Iraq, we felt a night out was warranted. In lieu of not being able to make any kind of definitive decision as a group, on individual decided for us. The decision? Pint for dinner and drinks.
Now, having previously visited this restaurant on three different occasions, I admittedly love the food. It's perfect bar food, a good bar / sports bar almost atmosphere, and has the option for outside seating when the weather is nice. It also has an upstair "loft" like area which helps take you away from the echoing noise of the downstairs. We, as a group of six who actually desired to speak to one another, chose the upstairs options.
The atmosphere and company were wonderful, the food almost perfect, but the service severely unfortunate. We sat unattended for almost twenty minutes because the waitress "just didn't even notice us!" Then, it took ten minutes to receive our first round of drinks after which she magically disappeared for another twenty. Now, I don't know about you, but I don't actually go to a restaurant when I'm not hungry thinking, "Gee, I'm not hungry, but I bet if I sat at a restaurant for almost an hour I probably would get hungry. Then I could order something!" ....mmmm, I don't think so. Needless to say, our patience started running low after being seated for about 45 min - 1hour without any food and close to no service.
Finally we flagged down the waitress, placed our order and drink re-orders, and then waited another 20 minutes for the food, which, as you would expect, came out on the "this is more cold than it is hot" side, my order was wrong, and another "rare" steak sandwich more like "medium-well". It's a pity, actually, because I truly do love the food, but after tonight, I'd be hard pressed to go back on my own accord.
So, overall? about a 6/10 for tonight. Maybe next time I'll just go around three and hope to be served by the time I'm hungry around six.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
2+2=2
No, you don't need to send me back to math class, because here, 2+2 really does equal 2. Two people, watched 2 different movies and unfortunately felt 2 different ways about them.
People? My boyfriend and myself.
Movies: The Lincoln Lawyer and The Expendables.
Repsonses: AMAZING! and WTF? Did we really just watch that?
First, The Lincoln Lawyer. Although our movie theater was packed, it sadly is not on the top 5 grossing films right now, and that's just a pity. This movie is INCREDIBLE! Matthew McConaughey delivers a top performance and is exquisite as a lawyer. He should play more. The cast is 5-star amazing, including Marisa Tomei, William H. Macy, and Josh Lucas. However, not only are the actors perfectly cast, but the story line never stops moving and surprising you. I was on my seat and enthralled the entire time. And I was actually nervous. I get nervous easily, granted, but it kept me in suspense the whole time. Absolutely. Must. See. And probably in theaters too. That big screen affect is extremely powerful.
Second and lastly, The Expendables. Now, it never really looked awe-inspiring even in trailer form, but when the hottest action movie actors are all in one film, it peaks your curiosity enough to at least Netflix/rent it. So that's what we did. Unfortunately, the real big-wigs were only mere cameos, and that was just disappointing. Sylvester Stallone was the only real big big hitter thoughout the entire movie, although Jason Statham also followed a close second, and was quite good for what he did. Disappointingly, though, I couldn't get past Stallone's obvious costmetic surgery. It was distracting and unfortunate. Yet, considering his age, that man still has some unbelievable muscle action going on. Wowza!
Unfortunately, again, the other two big-wigs that I was anticipating made less than a desirable cameo. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis all showed up for only one lousy scene the entire time. Looking back, though, I probably shouldn't be so upset. They appeared on screen with Sylvester Stallone, and the three-some confused my brain. Here are the three biggest stars of three different types of movies: Arnold for all his Arnold-ness and for the Terminator series and Total Recall, next to Stallone from Rocky and every other boxing movie imaginable basically, and then Willis is in all those psychological thrillers and Die Hard movies. My brain had no idea what kind of movie I was watching and it just resulted in brain pain. So, although the cameos were utterly unnecessary, I'm quite glad the scene was also short, because then my brain had a chance to recover.
Overall, two movies, two very different reviews. Stay away from the second unless you just want to watch men run around and blow stuff up with a very bad plot line. DEFINITELY, however, make a point of seeing the first. You won't regret it.
People? My boyfriend and myself.
Movies: The Lincoln Lawyer and The Expendables.
Repsonses: AMAZING! and WTF? Did we really just watch that?
First, The Lincoln Lawyer. Although our movie theater was packed, it sadly is not on the top 5 grossing films right now, and that's just a pity. This movie is INCREDIBLE! Matthew McConaughey delivers a top performance and is exquisite as a lawyer. He should play more. The cast is 5-star amazing, including Marisa Tomei, William H. Macy, and Josh Lucas. However, not only are the actors perfectly cast, but the story line never stops moving and surprising you. I was on my seat and enthralled the entire time. And I was actually nervous. I get nervous easily, granted, but it kept me in suspense the whole time. Absolutely. Must. See. And probably in theaters too. That big screen affect is extremely powerful.
Second and lastly, The Expendables. Now, it never really looked awe-inspiring even in trailer form, but when the hottest action movie actors are all in one film, it peaks your curiosity enough to at least Netflix/rent it. So that's what we did. Unfortunately, the real big-wigs were only mere cameos, and that was just disappointing. Sylvester Stallone was the only real big big hitter thoughout the entire movie, although Jason Statham also followed a close second, and was quite good for what he did. Disappointingly, though, I couldn't get past Stallone's obvious costmetic surgery. It was distracting and unfortunate. Yet, considering his age, that man still has some unbelievable muscle action going on. Wowza!
Unfortunately, again, the other two big-wigs that I was anticipating made less than a desirable cameo. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis all showed up for only one lousy scene the entire time. Looking back, though, I probably shouldn't be so upset. They appeared on screen with Sylvester Stallone, and the three-some confused my brain. Here are the three biggest stars of three different types of movies: Arnold for all his Arnold-ness and for the Terminator series and Total Recall, next to Stallone from Rocky and every other boxing movie imaginable basically, and then Willis is in all those psychological thrillers and Die Hard movies. My brain had no idea what kind of movie I was watching and it just resulted in brain pain. So, although the cameos were utterly unnecessary, I'm quite glad the scene was also short, because then my brain had a chance to recover.
Overall, two movies, two very different reviews. Stay away from the second unless you just want to watch men run around and blow stuff up with a very bad plot line. DEFINITELY, however, make a point of seeing the first. You won't regret it.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Making Our Meals "Epic"
Recently, my boyfriend introduced me to the "Epic Mealtime" videos on YouTube. Beware, these are not for the faint of heart, but if you are willing to watch what is basically a bunch of frat-guy like friends mega-sizing the Atkins diet, then these are for you. They make colossal meat statues, fast-food sushi rolls, and 30,000 calorie meals. And in every episode, they have BACON!
So, in honor of our own bacon obsession, we made our own "epic asparagus and bacon" dinner. And yes, it was epic. It wasn't calorie crazy, but it was absolutely incredible. It was organic asparagus, beef bacon (NOT regular pork bacon. Beef bacon is actually less greasy, drier, and had a richer bacon flavor. When cooking it around asparagus, it's actually the perfect option because the asparagus doesn't sit in oozing greasiness, which keeps the vegetable itself firm and crispy, just like it should be. For a side, we had Trader Joe's Rice Mac & Cheese (gluten-free!). DELISH! And super simple. Wrap asparagus in bacon, set oven to 350 and cook for 18-25 minutes, depending on the fat content of the bacon and the overall cooking of the oven.
Although I don't think this will appear on any "Epic Mealtime" episode, good food can be inspired anywhere. Mangia!
Although I don't think this will appear on any "Epic Mealtime" episode, good food can be inspired anywhere. Mangia!
Galleria of Amazing Food
This morning I ventured over to the Whole Foods in Lincoln Park Chicago for some food. Normally I go to Trader Joe's because it's really reasonable and my boyfriend and I are on budgets, but Whole Foods just has some food that we like better sometimes: think Nut Thins and Gluten Free pancake mix!
So, this morning, bright and early (aka 10am), I drove myself on over to the nearest Whole Foods and went shopping for our food for the week. I love the Whole Foods by me in the suburbs, so I couldn't wait to go. They even had free parking, which is a total plus, (although so does Trader Joe's), but, still, I was very excited.
Fast forward to actually walking into the Whole Foods. Oh My God. The place was like the mecca of all grocery stores and food courts combined. There were more aisles and pathways than I could count, sample stations, and everything looked beautiful. The fish section actually had whole fish on hand, which the one out by me definitely does not have and it was so cool to see! It reminded me of Europe!
The cheese station actually had whole wheels of cheese in shelves just waiting to be sliced, rows of delicious wine and even a wine bar!! They had a WINE BAR in the middle of this store! Actually, they had entire food stations throughout the whole building: a wine bar, a coffee shop, a pizza and sushi station, an "american fair" station, and then the standard salad bar, olive, soup and even trail mix station! I could have just eaten my way through the place and bought all my meals for the day, freshly prepared! And, in all reality, if I had taken my boyfriend with me we would have spent hours in there because he loves to look at everything in a store, even if it's not something we need!
But yes, here's to you, Whole Foods, for being an amazing indulgence for healthy and organic conscious gluttons. Now, where's my fork...
So, this morning, bright and early (aka 10am), I drove myself on over to the nearest Whole Foods and went shopping for our food for the week. I love the Whole Foods by me in the suburbs, so I couldn't wait to go. They even had free parking, which is a total plus, (although so does Trader Joe's), but, still, I was very excited.
Fast forward to actually walking into the Whole Foods. Oh My God. The place was like the mecca of all grocery stores and food courts combined. There were more aisles and pathways than I could count, sample stations, and everything looked beautiful. The fish section actually had whole fish on hand, which the one out by me definitely does not have and it was so cool to see! It reminded me of Europe!
The cheese station actually had whole wheels of cheese in shelves just waiting to be sliced, rows of delicious wine and even a wine bar!! They had a WINE BAR in the middle of this store! Actually, they had entire food stations throughout the whole building: a wine bar, a coffee shop, a pizza and sushi station, an "american fair" station, and then the standard salad bar, olive, soup and even trail mix station! I could have just eaten my way through the place and bought all my meals for the day, freshly prepared! And, in all reality, if I had taken my boyfriend with me we would have spent hours in there because he loves to look at everything in a store, even if it's not something we need!
But yes, here's to you, Whole Foods, for being an amazing indulgence for healthy and organic conscious gluttons. Now, where's my fork...
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Bored Yet?
I once had someone tell me, "The only reason you'll ever be bored is because you've chosen to be bored". Initially I blew off the advice as another "adult moral"-thing, but after 5 minutes of playing the annoyed victim, I thought about the statement. It's true. The only reason you'll ever have for being bored is that you've chosen to do so.
Okay, what does that look like? In class: hate the teacher or the topic? Actually pay attention and you might find you learned something, for one, or two, doodle, think about or enumerate the things you have to do and accomplish later, work through something that's been bothering you for a while to yourself, or write a poem or something. Don't get caught, granted, but it's an option. Your test later might not like you now, but hey, again, options. Bored at work? See previous advice.
But really, I"m not talking about school or work. I'm talking about life. How many times have you sat around at your house and thought "God, I'm SO BORED"?! There's nothing on TV, no one's home, you have nothing to do, etc. etc. Yeah yeah. Please. Complaining isn't going to help you, and you're bored because that's what you've decided to be. Want to get Un-Bored. GO. DO. SOMETHING! Get in your car and go to Barnes & Noble and just look around. Grab a book or a magazine and sit at a coffee shop. Grab pen and paper and go doodle outside or write something. Go visit your local humane society and look at the animals or walk through a park. Go peruse the aisle at the grocery store or the stores at the mall. Pick up the phone and call a friend you haven't talked to in a while. Play with your dog! Go clean or tidy up that "thing" you've been putting off forever. Just do something. Too easily we just write off our "free" time as boring because someone isn't demanding our time or making us do something and then we all act like blobs of goo without direction because we don't have someone mandating us to do something every minute of the day. You know, personal choice is sometimes a good thing, but hours of vegging in front of the TV for the third day in a row is not.
So the next time you're bored, remember, you have no one to blame but yourself.
Okay, what does that look like? In class: hate the teacher or the topic? Actually pay attention and you might find you learned something, for one, or two, doodle, think about or enumerate the things you have to do and accomplish later, work through something that's been bothering you for a while to yourself, or write a poem or something. Don't get caught, granted, but it's an option. Your test later might not like you now, but hey, again, options. Bored at work? See previous advice.
But really, I"m not talking about school or work. I'm talking about life. How many times have you sat around at your house and thought "God, I'm SO BORED"?! There's nothing on TV, no one's home, you have nothing to do, etc. etc. Yeah yeah. Please. Complaining isn't going to help you, and you're bored because that's what you've decided to be. Want to get Un-Bored. GO. DO. SOMETHING! Get in your car and go to Barnes & Noble and just look around. Grab a book or a magazine and sit at a coffee shop. Grab pen and paper and go doodle outside or write something. Go visit your local humane society and look at the animals or walk through a park. Go peruse the aisle at the grocery store or the stores at the mall. Pick up the phone and call a friend you haven't talked to in a while. Play with your dog! Go clean or tidy up that "thing" you've been putting off forever. Just do something. Too easily we just write off our "free" time as boring because someone isn't demanding our time or making us do something and then we all act like blobs of goo without direction because we don't have someone mandating us to do something every minute of the day. You know, personal choice is sometimes a good thing, but hours of vegging in front of the TV for the third day in a row is not.
So the next time you're bored, remember, you have no one to blame but yourself.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
No, People, Wendy's is NOT Natural!
Again, another shameless plug to Yahoo!news. I love that website and proudly (albeit pathetically at times) receive all my news information from this website. One of this morning's post was about how Wendy's "natural cut" fries are not actually natural. Well, duh! It's a fast food chain, but still, to satiate my curiosity, I read further.
The fact is, there are so many different toxic chemicals that Wendy's puts on their fries (and well, every other fast food chain for that matter) that it made my head hurt. Some of them include sodium acid pyrophosphate, dextrose, and even dimethylpolysiloxane. Now, if you can even pronounce any of those in the first place, kudos to you, but the point is that if you can't pronounce it, you probably shouldn't be eating it! Basically, those different chemicals are added to stop the potatoes from browning since they're fried before their frozen ands shipped to the stores where they are then refried. The last chemical is added to the frying oil to prevent it from foaming. Gross.
My friend, however, said it best. "If I'm going to Wendy's and looking for a healthy food option, that is my first problem." Touché. Best advice. STAY AWAY FROM FAST FOOD. Duh. Want to stop being fat and unhealthy? Don't eat crappy food. There is literally negative nutrition in that food and so you're just stupidly eating empty calories that will mess with your body. Dumb. Don't be dumb. Go buy something healthier. At the very least, if you're in the mood for a burger and fries, go to an actual restaurant. They're not going to be "healthy" healthy, but at least you have a better shot of it having at least some nutritional value.
The fact is, there are so many different toxic chemicals that Wendy's puts on their fries (and well, every other fast food chain for that matter) that it made my head hurt. Some of them include sodium acid pyrophosphate, dextrose, and even dimethylpolysiloxane. Now, if you can even pronounce any of those in the first place, kudos to you, but the point is that if you can't pronounce it, you probably shouldn't be eating it! Basically, those different chemicals are added to stop the potatoes from browning since they're fried before their frozen ands shipped to the stores where they are then refried. The last chemical is added to the frying oil to prevent it from foaming. Gross.
My friend, however, said it best. "If I'm going to Wendy's and looking for a healthy food option, that is my first problem." Touché. Best advice. STAY AWAY FROM FAST FOOD. Duh. Want to stop being fat and unhealthy? Don't eat crappy food. There is literally negative nutrition in that food and so you're just stupidly eating empty calories that will mess with your body. Dumb. Don't be dumb. Go buy something healthier. At the very least, if you're in the mood for a burger and fries, go to an actual restaurant. They're not going to be "healthy" healthy, but at least you have a better shot of it having at least some nutritional value.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
When Technology Should Go...
I listen to the John Tesh Radio Show during the weeknights. I love him and his "Intelligence for your Life" program. He has some truly wonderful ideas, introduces some great news and thought provoking realities, and generally helps to keep you more informed about life while you are on the go.
The other night, the topic of discussion was technology and our brains. According to multiple source, technology is actually making us stupider. Yes, I said it: STUPIDER. And for a number of reasons: multi-tasking gone wrong, reprogramming our brains, and general lack of entire thought proceses.
After listening to his show, I was appauled and decided to look for more evidence. The New York Times wrote and article about it, providing information to all three of the above listed categories.
Remember how you used to have to read an entire newspaper or book to find information, or have actual conversations with people to learn about them? The internet is ruining that for us and all the evolutionary / learned traits we have acquired as a result. For hundreds of years we trained our brains to recognize, sift-through, critique, and analyze the written word and general information. Now, we don't even look past the first page of Google (or, let's be real, the first three options really) when we search for something. If we can't find the answer instantaneously, we complain that it doesn't exist or that it's "too hard" or "not there". We stopped communicating with one another and resort to the safety on non face-to-face interaction or the art of conversation. Half of people growing up now can't even write legibly or read cursive because they're fingers are too glued to keyboards and iPad tablets. Literally, we are training ourselves to de-evolutionize and thereby training ourselves and our next generations to be STUPIDER!!!
I even heard of a school that gave every kindergardener an iPad. Why? What about the mere principles of hand-eye coordination, motor skills and learning to hold a pencil? Even the very premise of learning how to color inside the lines and trace letter with a pencil are skills that are so elementary and critically vital that our sudden and blind eagerness to jump into technology is going to back to bite us in butt so deeply that we will have gotten ourselves into a devistating hole from which there is truly not return. We are encouraging backward progress and all the while with a stupidly wide grin on our faces.
Someday, people will pay me the big bucks because technology will fail and I will be the only one of few who knows how to still write with pen and paper. Laugh for a second, but it will be a sad day when that time actually comes. And it might be here sooner than you think.
The other night, the topic of discussion was technology and our brains. According to multiple source, technology is actually making us stupider. Yes, I said it: STUPIDER. And for a number of reasons: multi-tasking gone wrong, reprogramming our brains, and general lack of entire thought proceses.
After listening to his show, I was appauled and decided to look for more evidence. The New York Times wrote and article about it, providing information to all three of the above listed categories.
Remember how you used to have to read an entire newspaper or book to find information, or have actual conversations with people to learn about them? The internet is ruining that for us and all the evolutionary / learned traits we have acquired as a result. For hundreds of years we trained our brains to recognize, sift-through, critique, and analyze the written word and general information. Now, we don't even look past the first page of Google (or, let's be real, the first three options really) when we search for something. If we can't find the answer instantaneously, we complain that it doesn't exist or that it's "too hard" or "not there". We stopped communicating with one another and resort to the safety on non face-to-face interaction or the art of conversation. Half of people growing up now can't even write legibly or read cursive because they're fingers are too glued to keyboards and iPad tablets. Literally, we are training ourselves to de-evolutionize and thereby training ourselves and our next generations to be STUPIDER!!!
I even heard of a school that gave every kindergardener an iPad. Why? What about the mere principles of hand-eye coordination, motor skills and learning to hold a pencil? Even the very premise of learning how to color inside the lines and trace letter with a pencil are skills that are so elementary and critically vital that our sudden and blind eagerness to jump into technology is going to back to bite us in butt so deeply that we will have gotten ourselves into a devistating hole from which there is truly not return. We are encouraging backward progress and all the while with a stupidly wide grin on our faces.
Someday, people will pay me the big bucks because technology will fail and I will be the only one of few who knows how to still write with pen and paper. Laugh for a second, but it will be a sad day when that time actually comes. And it might be here sooner than you think.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
A Sad Face for Today's Society
This weekend I marathoned That 70's Show on netflix. Sunday I found I needed some down, "veg" time and decided that marathoning that show would be the perfect soloution to some much needed brain check-out time. And it was...to a point.
I love that 70s show. It's the epitome of what society was at that point in history and, quite frankly, maybe exactly how things should be today. I watch the show and laugh because Red (the dad) is exactly how my family was...there were consequences for your actions, parents and adults were there to keep you from being complete and utter morons, and there were societal standards in dress, conduct, and gereral decorum.
When I sit and look at today's society, all I have to say is "yikes". Parents today want nothing to do with disciplining their kids and actually being "parents". Maybe they had Red as their parent when they were younger and remembered how much they wished they had more freedoms, but that doesn't mean the opposite extreme is parenting either. Don't want to be a parent? DON'T HAVE A KID.
Remember when you used to dress up to go do a nice dinner or even church and Sunday brunch? Now I attended a church event where people wore jeans and sandals. I went to dinner at Lawry's in Chicago (a NICE prime steakhouse...5 star kind of restaurant) where a teenage girl walked in in ugg boots and jeggings. I dress up in a cute skirt and dress shirt for work (remember I'm a teacher) and I get, "Gosh, you look so good. Why are you so dressed up?" So dressed up? Since when did a skirt and cute top become "so dressed up"?? Oh.....right...when it became acceptable to wear pajama jeans and go to the grocery store in Uggs, sweat pants with letters across the butt, and a sweatshirt. What has happened to our society?!
Standards have dropped. Seriously. We're not talking a little slack here and there, we're talking downright chaos and revolt. I'm not saying you have to dress to the nines or become a parent dictatorship or even return to 1800s gender roles, but I am saying that it's about time we took a seriously hard and critical look at our society and fixed it up. Caulk gun that shit back into place and then plaster it back together. Remember when please and thank you were expected not a surprise? Or when people held the doors for one another because that's just what you did to be nice? Where did that go?
So, dear America, WTF?! I'm going to go back and watch That 70's Show and laugh at all the appropriate points because it's ironic that social standards used to be a norm. Then I'll check into facebook and post a big "sad face" as my status showing my true feelings about what society has become to the 734 people I am clearly best friends with. Then I'll text and surf the web and IM chat with friends from the reclusive state of my home instead of actually going outside and enjoying the weather by playing a game with my friends, talking to the IN PERSON, and enjoying the fresh air. Aaaaah 2011.
I love that 70s show. It's the epitome of what society was at that point in history and, quite frankly, maybe exactly how things should be today. I watch the show and laugh because Red (the dad) is exactly how my family was...there were consequences for your actions, parents and adults were there to keep you from being complete and utter morons, and there were societal standards in dress, conduct, and gereral decorum.
When I sit and look at today's society, all I have to say is "yikes". Parents today want nothing to do with disciplining their kids and actually being "parents". Maybe they had Red as their parent when they were younger and remembered how much they wished they had more freedoms, but that doesn't mean the opposite extreme is parenting either. Don't want to be a parent? DON'T HAVE A KID.
Remember when you used to dress up to go do a nice dinner or even church and Sunday brunch? Now I attended a church event where people wore jeans and sandals. I went to dinner at Lawry's in Chicago (a NICE prime steakhouse...5 star kind of restaurant) where a teenage girl walked in in ugg boots and jeggings. I dress up in a cute skirt and dress shirt for work (remember I'm a teacher) and I get, "Gosh, you look so good. Why are you so dressed up?" So dressed up? Since when did a skirt and cute top become "so dressed up"?? Oh.....right...when it became acceptable to wear pajama jeans and go to the grocery store in Uggs, sweat pants with letters across the butt, and a sweatshirt. What has happened to our society?!
Standards have dropped. Seriously. We're not talking a little slack here and there, we're talking downright chaos and revolt. I'm not saying you have to dress to the nines or become a parent dictatorship or even return to 1800s gender roles, but I am saying that it's about time we took a seriously hard and critical look at our society and fixed it up. Caulk gun that shit back into place and then plaster it back together. Remember when please and thank you were expected not a surprise? Or when people held the doors for one another because that's just what you did to be nice? Where did that go?
So, dear America, WTF?! I'm going to go back and watch That 70's Show and laugh at all the appropriate points because it's ironic that social standards used to be a norm. Then I'll check into facebook and post a big "sad face" as my status showing my true feelings about what society has become to the 734 people I am clearly best friends with. Then I'll text and surf the web and IM chat with friends from the reclusive state of my home instead of actually going outside and enjoying the weather by playing a game with my friends, talking to the IN PERSON, and enjoying the fresh air. Aaaaah 2011.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Just 5 More Minutes....
While most of us love hitting our Snooze button hoping that that extra 5-10 minutes of sleep will keep the day from arriving or give us the extra "oomph" we need to be energized, these people don't need it. These people are naturally short sleepers - early to rise and the night owl all at once.
While studies are just now beginning on trying to learn what about their genes makes them different, this only pertains for an extremely small portion of the population: 1%-3%. And, although many people wish they could be that way or try to train themselves to function with little or just less sleep, changing your sleep patterns is not something you can do and learning to be a "short sleeper" is definitely out of the question. However, although it is a new area of study, researchers have already found that these people tend to be energetic, optimistic, full of energy, and generally fairly well accomplished. Maybe it's because they have extra time in the day or maybe it's just because that's part of their genetic makeup. We don't know yet, but we do know that they do exist.
So, next time you hit the "snooze" button, consider yourself a severe majority. If you are one of the few who don't need it, well, then, cheers. I will be looking forward to hearing my snooze button's radio for many more days to come.
So, next time you hit the "snooze" button, consider yourself a severe majority. If you are one of the few who don't need it, well, then, cheers. I will be looking forward to hearing my snooze button's radio for many more days to come.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Breaking New Ground
We grow up with adages and sayings and inspirational quotes and stories to follow. They're passed to us from young on, hoping to teach us lessons and spark hope and drive into us. Things like "If you fall down 7 times, stand up 8," (Chinese Proverb) or "When life throws you lemons, make lemonade" (and yes, I still remember that quote from Saved by the Bell, thank you Kelly). Otherwise, there are stories like The Little Engine that Could, or Oh, the Places You'll Go. Each of these may boast different pitches, but they're all humming the same tune: Change happens, and it's up to you to push through them and make your life what it will become.
Sometimes, it's a relationship ending, somethings its a move or even the death of a friend or family member, sometimes it's the loss of a job or the promise that the job you currently have just isn't going to cut it so you might as well find another. And, while adages and quotes are great, they only are good on paper. You need to actually kick yourself in the ass and pick yourself back up. The scariest part of moving forward is that you have to MOVE. The comfortable way will only provide you with more of the same, and clearly, since the "Same" is proving the reason you're in the dilemma in the first place, more of that "same" is stupid.
A word of caution, though. Change does not happen fast. Success is not felt immediately, and to measure the worth of your growth you must look to multiple outlets and not just one, or you will surely give up on your path and retreat to what you know and find comfortable. AKA, you will go backwards and never move out of your current situation.
Remember: "There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs." Time to get your walking shoes on.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Mad Men to Schedule Their Closing
I was hooked in Season One, in love by Season Two, and comforted in Season Three. I have missed Season Four as a result of moving and no longer purchasing cable and having a very tight schedule, but I hold the TV show Mad Men in as high a regard as I did when I watched it religiously on Sunday evenings. I love the feeling of the show, the costuming, the romantic feel of reliving a time period to which I was never privy, and watching their creative juices and arguments flow.
Today on yahoo!news (because, let's face it, that's really the only place I find my news anymore), they announced that the writer and the show's producers have announced the final date schedulings for the show. They have come to terms on show length, actor appearances and removals from the show, and overall integrity in going forward, and I think they make a good point. Not every show is destined to be The Simpsons, where they can continuously pull from new material and find ways to keep it from being monotonous. Some shows are like movies and books and have a definite "run length". If this company feels it's best to have only 6 (maybe 7) seasons, then more power to them. It's refreshing to see some people still know how to keep something a good thing and not spoil it.
I'm just sad to know I won't have another chance to audition in the meantime! :-)
Today on yahoo!news (because, let's face it, that's really the only place I find my news anymore), they announced that the writer and the show's producers have announced the final date schedulings for the show. They have come to terms on show length, actor appearances and removals from the show, and overall integrity in going forward, and I think they make a good point. Not every show is destined to be The Simpsons, where they can continuously pull from new material and find ways to keep it from being monotonous. Some shows are like movies and books and have a definite "run length". If this company feels it's best to have only 6 (maybe 7) seasons, then more power to them. It's refreshing to see some people still know how to keep something a good thing and not spoil it.
I'm just sad to know I won't have another chance to audition in the meantime! :-)
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