All About Me via Song

This is really fun. The answer to each question must be a song title.

1. Favorite memory from childhood - "Our House" by Madness. Our house was always filled with people, love, laughter and fun. I had an amazing time growing up where I did.

2. Current state of mind - "Ball of Confusion" by Love & Rockets.

3. Place you would love to visit - "Spain" by The Stranglers AND "Hawaii" by Meiko.

4. Greatest achievement - "Love" by The Sundays. I have been extremely lucky to have experienced love in so many various forms. The men who have come (and gone) in my life have all taught me amazing lessons and given me great insight. And my family and friends teach my daily about the power of unconditional love and the influence it has on every aspect of my life.

5. Something you still want to do in life - "I Could Write a Book" by Harry Connick Jr. I love writing and hope to someday publish a novel or book of some sort.

6. Something you fear - "I Will Follow You into the Dark" by Death Cab for Cutie. As someone with a history of depression, my greatest fear is ever allowing myself to reach the lowest of lows again.

7. Something that annoys you - "Lie to Me" by Chris Isaak. Honesty is something I value greatly.

8. What attracts you to someone - "Green Eyes" by Coldplay. I am SUCH a sucker for guys with green eyes and dark hair.

9. Favorite person in your life - "Best Friend" by Down by Law. I have amazing friends, many of which are also family members.

10. Your weakness - "Brand New Shoes" by Paolo Nutini. Anyone who knows me well knows that shoes are my weakness. :)

11. Your strength - "Chances" by Athlete. I have learned that taking chances has lead me to some of my greatest experiences. I never say "never".

12. Attitude about love - "Runnin' Down a Dream" by Tom Petty. I feel like I'm always chasing love in some way. I'm ready for it to chase me.

13. Something you wish you could say to another - "Goodbye Baby and Amen" by Constantines. Although I keep thinking I'm over a certain guy, I don't think I truly am. And every time I hear this song I'm reminded that I need to just let him go.

14. Something you wish someone would say to you - "I Want You to Want Me" by Cheap Trick.

15. Your social life - "Wikked Lil' Grrrls" by Esthero. My girlfriends (and my guy friends who are considered 'one of the girls') keep me grounded and provide the support I need. Whether it's grabbing dinner, game nights, concerts, movies, or just hanging out, we always laugh and have a great time. I love my peeps!

BREAK!

As I was working today, one of my favorite Fugazi songs, Break, made its way through my ipod shuffle mix. It really struck me because I've been thinking this week about why we as human beings always find a way to make things SO complicated. For those who don't know the song, here are the lyrics:

'Break' by Fugazi

Can't ask for more so why unfulfilled
We take apart everthing we build
Had it right here but now it's gone
On and on
Break

Now, I love this song for many reasons. First of all, it's hard and fast, but has a great melody. But mostly, I love it because I relate so much to the lyrics...This could be my theme-song in life! But, I'm going to change that. I am pledging right here, right now, that I will no longer push away good things, overthink stupid little things that I can't control, or put expectations on others that I can't even live up to myself.

(If I slip on this, please call me out on it...I need a good kick to the butt every once in a while.)

Peace, out!

SO LONG, BUSH!

I am SO happy this day has finally arrived! Not only are we turning a new chapter in history by inaugurating the first black president, but we are FINALLY getting rid of George "Dubbya" Bush. Good Riddance!!! In honor of this momentous occasion, I'd like to give you all some deep thoughts to ponder. Enjoy!!

Bushisms - by George W. Bush

- "You work three jobs? ... Uniquely American, isn't it? I mean, that is fantastic that you're doing that." --to a divorced mother of three, Omaha, Nebraska, Feb. 4, 2005

- "Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?" --Florence, South Carolina, Jan. 11, 2000

- "People say, how can I help on this war against terror? How can I fight evil? You can do so by mentoring a child; by going into a shut-in's house and say I love you." --Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2002

- "I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office." --Washington, D.C., May 12, 2008

- "You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test." -Townsend, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2001

- "I am here to make an announcement that this Thursday, ticket counters and airplanes will fly out of Ronald Reagan Airport." --Washington, D.C., Oct. 3, 2001

- "I hear there's rumors on the Internets that we're going to have a draft." --presidential debate, St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 8, 2004

- "You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror." --interview with CBS News' Katie Couric, Sept. 6, 2006

- "They misunderestimated me." --Bentonville, Ark., Nov. 6, 2000

And my personal favorite...

- "There's an old saying in Tennessee -- I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee -- that says, fool me once, shame on --shame on you. Fool me -- you can't get fooled again." --Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002

Welcome, Obama!!! We've been waiting for you.

Griffin House

Last night I went to see Griffin House play a set at Kilby Court. I had never seen him live before, so I was happy he was playing such a small, intimate show. It actually turned out to be pretty packed, which he was totally stoked on. I love to see artists who are honestly grateful for the fact that people come to their shows and want to hear/see them. It was a fun night!

Thank you

It's so easy to get wrapped up in our personal lives and take things for granted...especially relationships. I have definitely been guilty of this the past month or so due to making some life-altering decisions. Just as I was pulling myself out of my hole and exerting more effort to connect with those I love, a flood of frustration bowled me over this week when I experienced a health setback. Of course, being down on the couch gave me too much time in my own head and I began to get annoyed with the lack of reciprocation being shown by some. I quickly kicked my own butt for even going there! As with my own life, no one ever really knows what others are going through or why they may pull back or become unavailable. So, rather than getting upset or sad over what I was selfishing feeling, I realized I should turn it around and use the experience to remind those I love and cherish how thankful I am for them.

Last night I put myself into 'action mode'. I spent the night dining, supporting and celebrating with different groups of friends. I walked in my door around 2am, kicked off my boots, hit 'shuffle' on my itunes and sat down to play with the dogs....and imagine my happiness when the first song to play was 'Kind & Generous' by Natalie Merchant. It was one of those moments in life when you sit back with a smile on your face and just take it in, realizing that nothing you put out is ever ignored or overlooked. Sitting on the floor of my dark dining room at that moment...that perfect moment...in my cute dress and tights, with Max pushing his way onto my lap, Fiona trying to kiss my ears, Cooper purring as I pulled his tail....I felt a complete sense of happiness and true appreciation for all I have in this life.

For those who don't know the song, here are the lyrics. Next time you listen to it, know that I dedicate it to you and thank you for being in my life.

Kind & Generous by Natalie Merchant

You've been so kind and generous
I don't know how you keep on giving
For your kindness
I'm in debt to you
For your selflessness,
my admiration
And for everything you've done
You know I'm bound...
I'm bound to thank you for it

You've been so kind and generous
I don't know how you keep on giving
For your kindness
I'm in debt to you
And I never could have come this far without you
So for everything you've done
You know I'm bound...
I'm bound to thank you for it

I want to thank you
For so many gifts
You gave with love and tenderness
I want to thank you
I want to thank you
For your generosity
The love and the honesty
That you gave me
I want to thank you
Show my gratitude
My love and my respect for you
I want to thank you
I want to...
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you

Message on my Starbucks cup

I was kicking myself for getting a mocha this morning, until I looked at the cup and read this:

"People need to see that, far from being an obstacle, the world's diversity of languages, religions and traditions is a great treasure, affording us precious opportunities to recognize ourselves in others." - Youssou N'Dour (Musician)

And so it begins...

"Why is Deb starting a blog??" Well, as some of you know, I often attend a weekly life skills class taught by two amazingly insightful women (Megan Sallito and her partner, Annabeth). This month they started a new Creativity series: Improv your life. Not IMPROVE your life, but IMPROV your life. Live in the moment. Take things as they come. Don't plan every aspect of your life. Leave yourself open to the unexpected and don't freak out when it confronts you. It has been a very interesting series so far and it has definitely made me realize many things about myself. First and foremost being that I've been starving my own creativity. I haven't been feeding my passions in life, which has left me feeling stagnant and antsy. I've been waiting for something 'new' to fall into my lap and turn my life around instead of creating my own happiness by doing the things I love. It's simple laziness on my part so I am taking this step to turn things around.

This blog will be my new daily outlet to express things I usually keep jumbled in my head....the things I push aside after being inspired, thinking "no one else will care". Well, that's a story I'm ready to kick to the curb. Whether or not anyone else ever reads my posts, I am going to put them out into the world.

So, enjoy...or don't. But if something I post does happen to affect you in some positive way, please pay it forward. Thanks!