CLICK HERE FOR THOUSANDS OF FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES »

Thursday, June 12, 2008

The beauty of rock bottom (not to be confused with Rock Bottom) and other stuff

Not that you would ever think I'd write about a brewery chain...

One of the things my first college roommate and I had in common was the fear that whenever something good happened, something bad would naturally follow. It's like the cliche you hear about "waiting for the other shoe to drop."

That dear friend of mine eventually found a quote that muted her fear:
"If you believe in fate to your harm, believe it at least for your good." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

My experience was different. I just eventually realized that the bad stuff wasn't such a bad thing. While fear may have been part of my character, the failure to rebound, and rebound quickly, never was. My optimism is often unyielding, and I've always believed in working things out, talking things through and pressing up, basically. Plus, I have an incredible faith in God and strongly belive in prayer. So that's what I've always relied on.

But it's more than that. There's something beautiful about a breakdown. You're given a clean emotional slate. You learn who you can count on. Your strengths and weaknesses are more transparent. And it's always the beginning of the next great chapter in your life.

So don't fear the bottom of something. It's sometimes just the top of something else.

Can we discuss the Three Rivers Arts Festival, please?

It's gets an A+ for the art! But little else...

I'm not impressed with the musical line-up. Truth be told, I haven't been since Aimee Mann played at the Point. (And before that when NIJ played. Remember when NIJ used to play the Festival? Aw...) Even beyond that concert, it was one of the greatest days of my life, making the concert an even fonder memory, I suppose.

Oh, in addition to the Festival having the best displays/booths/vendors/artists this year, the chocolate-covered strawberries, once again, deserve an A+.

Pops and circumstance

Last evening, the class of 2008 graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School. Which meant that on my way to work, the ride was a little slower as parents and families lined Cedar Boulevard with cameras, congratulations and some crying.

The most touching moment that I witnessed as a passerby involved what looked like a father and daughter talking and then embracing. And as they hugged, he just closed his eyes and held on in a way that I think every girl wants her dad to hold onto her.

Beating deadlines

I'm 3/4 the way done with "Push," and it's only mid-June. My deadline was originally October. It's fair to say I'll beat that. The journal that accompanies it can't be done until the bambino arrives, but that's beyond my control. We're negotiating all of that and art at my September meeting, which I'm hoping turns into a little anniversary vacation for Lar and me.

I just can't believe I'm beating this deadline by this margin. It's one thing to meet a deadline. It's another to beat one.

But the work won't end. There will be edits. For sure.

I love being a writer.

Kennywood

So apparently it's mid-June, and the Woodalls (inlaws included) are going to Kennywood next week. I can't believe it's next week already. And I can't believe I get the work perks that I do.

We're so excited to see the kids' reactions to all the rides, though it will be a challenge just keeping Ty from running around all over the place! He's his own version of Speed Racer! You should see him!

Cienna is tall enough to ride a decent amount of the rides outside of Kiddieland as well, so that's exciting.

My favorite part of the whole thing is riding at night when everything is all lit-up. I've always loved that, as I've always loved Kennywood. It brings back so many great memories, and so many great memories are made there as well.

It's nice to go to other parks too--such as Cedar Point and Busch Gardens--but we're lucky to have such a great amusement park in our back yard. (OK, so it's really McKeesport's back yard, but whatever.)

Kool-Aid Nana

I went to my mom's on Tuesday to drop off Ty for his first overnight at Nana's ever. She had four other children on her porch--Cienna and three of her friends. Ty made five. And Nana loved it. She had the Kool-Aid (which is thankfully available sugar-free, and also free of aspartame) and popscicles (which are thankfully available sugar-free, and also free of aspartame) all ready, and a slip 'n slide was turned on in the back yard.

While I may have annoyed her most of my life, she definitely loves being a Nana!

Entourage

So Entourage is become a fall show, and I'm not happy about that. It was so great to have a great show on during the summer when TV usually offers things like..."Celebrity Circus," "So You Think You Can Dance," "I Survived a Japanese Game Show"...things like that.

One of my co-workers claims I should start watching "Weeds." Does anyone else watch that? Do you know if it's something I can just start watching, or do I need background first? Any summer TV suggestions?

2 comments:

Unknown said...

HI,
If those sugar-free deals contain "Splenda" (sucralose) or acesulfame, they are no good for your children either.

Expert on Splenda is at www.sweetposion.com--Dr. Hull says it is like drinking the contents of a swimming pool as it is made from a chlorinated carbon, not "real sugar."

And check out this private study on aspartame. Thanks for letting me post.

http://myaspartameexperiment.com

Joe Pontillo said...

I think I mentioned "Weeds" to you once or twice. I do recommend it. The first two seasons were awesome. The third season (last year's) kind of lost its way. You will probably be able to come into this fourth season without knowing much that came before it. Word is, the show is changing direction in a big way this season; practically a whole new experience. So we'll see how that goes.

Worse comes to worst, Netflix seasons one and two. Quite enjoyable.