I've decided that rather than coming up with any specific resolutions for 2011, I'm just going to resolve to take better care of my health. We only have one chance and one body and I want to take care of mine. I'm going to start by continuing my switch to using all natural and/or organic bath products. I'm going to continue this by also trying to eat more organic and natural foods when possible. I need to get back in the habit of exercising as well. I saw this every year but I'd really like to get in decent shape. I did a good job of regularly exercising most of last year but I've severely slacked. Time to pick that up.
I hope everyone has a happy and healthy new year. It's going to be a good one!
Showing posts with label new year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new year. Show all posts
Friday, December 31, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Blogging Fail
With the Christmas rush behind us, that means we can officially turn our attention to the impending new year and it's made me realize something: I have failed hardcore at blogging this year, especially the last few months. I did that awesome blog challenge in August but past that, diddly squat. If I did write something, it was me being sentimental and reflecting on the past or contemplating some big philosophical issue. Well, I assure you that next year I'll take more time to actually blog about things that people WANT to read about... and with greater frequency. I'll be writing a blog sharing my New Years resolutions soon but for now, it's time to recover and relax after the craziness of the past few days... All that family time takes a lot out of you! I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year) and is looking forward to many good things in the coming year!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Day 7: A song that reminds you of a certain event
FYI: I added the playlist that was on the first post to the right side of my blog. Have a listen to the songs I've been writing about!
I know this song has lot of special meaning to many people, but to me, "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan holds something different for me. Most people associate it with that sad puppy commercial, and let's be honest, I do too, but more than that it reminds me of something that happened when I was in 7th grade.
Every New Years since I was little, my family has had a tradition where we invite some family friends over and they spend a night or two here celebrating. The year I was in 7th grade was no exception. New Years day my friend, Tara, and I were up late watching TV when my brother came into the room and asked, "Joe, do you know Jessica Mayer at all?" I said that yes, I did just not very well. We had band and gym together, though, and her locker was right next to mine. I asked him why he wanted to know and he said he was just wondering so I brushed it off.
The next morning, I was playing Beyond Good and Evil on my Gamecube when my mom came into the room and told me to turn it off because she had something she needed to tell me. I asked if I could just pause it and she said that no, I needed to turn it off and come sit down at the kitchen table. I did as I was told and she began to tell me something that would change my life forever.
The night before, Jessica and her two sisters were driving to the bachelorette party for their brother's wedding when they were involved in a car accident. Jessica was killed instantly and her sisters did not survive much longer. This was my first real encounter with death. I had pets that had died in the past but this was the first time that a person I knew had died.
A few days later winter break ended and we returned to school, not knowing how everyone would be reacting. I came into school and everyone was tying white ribbon on the locks of their lockers and Jessica's locker had a picture of her up on it. People were sitting in the halls and classrooms talking to each other, crying, hugging... each one trying to make sense of what had happened. We talked about it in every class that day (except math... our math teacher still tried to teach us a lesson but we were honestly too upset to really comprehend it). Teachers cried. The one that has stuck with me most was my band teacher crying... Actually, pretty much everyone in that class cried. Some were just paralyzed and sat in silence. In gym, we just sat in groups and talked about what happened. None of us could believe that Jessica was really gone.
The moment that it really hit me the most was the end of the day when I went to my locker to get my things and head home. Normally, Jessica would be there smiling and ask me what homework we had but not today or ever again, for that matter. It was strange how something so little was what affected me the most. It really made me stop to think about the little things in life and how I shouldn't take anything, or anyone, for granted.
By now you're probably thinking, "Okay Joey, that's really sad but what does this have to do with the sad puppy song?" Well, I'm getting there. Don't get your panties in a bunch.
Fast forward a week or two. Jessica's funeral, my first funeral, had come and gone, with 90% of the 7th grade class along with most of the St. Anthony Middle School staff attending. It was now time for everyone's favorite awkward middle school event, the Friday night dance (or, the P.C. version that my middle school referred to it as, the "activity night"). You know that anything starting at 7 and ending at 11 is going to be a GOOD TIME especially when coupled with a bunch of hormonal pre-teens who were just discovering the magic of grinding.
During this dance, however, something different happened, something profound that's memory still lingers with me to this day. After the DJ got done playing "Get Low" or some other raunchy generic rap hit of 2003, he stopped the music and said, "Okay guys, we're going to slow it down for one song. We'd like to dedicate this song to Jessica Mayer. We'll never forget you, Jess." And he was right; we never have.
The song he played was "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan (bet you didn't see that one coming!!!). At first, everyone just kind of stared at each other. None of us knew what to do. Then, slowly, people began to sit down. Soon everyone was sitting down and many of them, including myself, were crying. I had never heard this song before but it seemed to so perfectly fit the situation we were in. It was encouraging to see everyone, even complete strangers who had never spoken to Jessica, being so respectful and mourning such a loss with us.
Now, every time I hear this song I am reminded of that cold January night and, more importantly, of what Jessica's death taught us all: Be grateful for the simple things because you never know when they'll be gone. Take the time to appreciate those around you, no matter how well you know them, because they may not be in your life much longer. And, most of all, live your life the way you want to, never wasting even a single day, because you never know when it'll all be over.
I know this song has lot of special meaning to many people, but to me, "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan holds something different for me. Most people associate it with that sad puppy commercial, and let's be honest, I do too, but more than that it reminds me of something that happened when I was in 7th grade.
Every New Years since I was little, my family has had a tradition where we invite some family friends over and they spend a night or two here celebrating. The year I was in 7th grade was no exception. New Years day my friend, Tara, and I were up late watching TV when my brother came into the room and asked, "Joe, do you know Jessica Mayer at all?" I said that yes, I did just not very well. We had band and gym together, though, and her locker was right next to mine. I asked him why he wanted to know and he said he was just wondering so I brushed it off.
The next morning, I was playing Beyond Good and Evil on my Gamecube when my mom came into the room and told me to turn it off because she had something she needed to tell me. I asked if I could just pause it and she said that no, I needed to turn it off and come sit down at the kitchen table. I did as I was told and she began to tell me something that would change my life forever.
The night before, Jessica and her two sisters were driving to the bachelorette party for their brother's wedding when they were involved in a car accident. Jessica was killed instantly and her sisters did not survive much longer. This was my first real encounter with death. I had pets that had died in the past but this was the first time that a person I knew had died.
A few days later winter break ended and we returned to school, not knowing how everyone would be reacting. I came into school and everyone was tying white ribbon on the locks of their lockers and Jessica's locker had a picture of her up on it. People were sitting in the halls and classrooms talking to each other, crying, hugging... each one trying to make sense of what had happened. We talked about it in every class that day (except math... our math teacher still tried to teach us a lesson but we were honestly too upset to really comprehend it). Teachers cried. The one that has stuck with me most was my band teacher crying... Actually, pretty much everyone in that class cried. Some were just paralyzed and sat in silence. In gym, we just sat in groups and talked about what happened. None of us could believe that Jessica was really gone.
The moment that it really hit me the most was the end of the day when I went to my locker to get my things and head home. Normally, Jessica would be there smiling and ask me what homework we had but not today or ever again, for that matter. It was strange how something so little was what affected me the most. It really made me stop to think about the little things in life and how I shouldn't take anything, or anyone, for granted.
By now you're probably thinking, "Okay Joey, that's really sad but what does this have to do with the sad puppy song?" Well, I'm getting there. Don't get your panties in a bunch.
Fast forward a week or two. Jessica's funeral, my first funeral, had come and gone, with 90% of the 7th grade class along with most of the St. Anthony Middle School staff attending. It was now time for everyone's favorite awkward middle school event, the Friday night dance (or, the P.C. version that my middle school referred to it as, the "activity night"). You know that anything starting at 7 and ending at 11 is going to be a GOOD TIME especially when coupled with a bunch of hormonal pre-teens who were just discovering the magic of grinding.
During this dance, however, something different happened, something profound that's memory still lingers with me to this day. After the DJ got done playing "Get Low" or some other raunchy generic rap hit of 2003, he stopped the music and said, "Okay guys, we're going to slow it down for one song. We'd like to dedicate this song to Jessica Mayer. We'll never forget you, Jess." And he was right; we never have.
The song he played was "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan (bet you didn't see that one coming!!!). At first, everyone just kind of stared at each other. None of us knew what to do. Then, slowly, people began to sit down. Soon everyone was sitting down and many of them, including myself, were crying. I had never heard this song before but it seemed to so perfectly fit the situation we were in. It was encouraging to see everyone, even complete strangers who had never spoken to Jessica, being so respectful and mourning such a loss with us.
Now, every time I hear this song I am reminded of that cold January night and, more importantly, of what Jessica's death taught us all: Be grateful for the simple things because you never know when they'll be gone. Take the time to appreciate those around you, no matter how well you know them, because they may not be in your life much longer. And, most of all, live your life the way you want to, never wasting even a single day, because you never know when it'll all be over.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Endings start with answers/New, you're so new
I suppose now that I'm a blogger, I feel obligated to write a blog detailing the last year of my life and what I hope will come from the next year... because you all care about what I do every waking second, right? Thought so.
While it seems like everyone seems to think 2009 was a big pile of elephant shit, I see it as quite the opposite: 2009 was freakin' great! It was the first year I don't remember ringing in the new year at midnight. No, not because I was shwasted but rather because I had gone to bed. Fourtunately, the lame start to the year was not an omen of what was to come. My second semester of kind of college was an eventful and stressful one. I learned a lot about how college REALLY is and met a lot of cool new people. Despite all the challenges, I pulled through. In June, I graduated high school (even though I had taken all my classes at the University of Minnesota my senior year). Seeing as I didn't walk in graduation or do any of the typical end of high school stuff, it kind of feels like it never really ended. A little part of me does regret that but to be honest I had moved on long before.
June and July were extremely eventful. I got to see Jenny Lewis front row. I got to see Metric front row and had my hand grabbed by Emily Haines (ZOMG my heart still races thinking about it). I rode a party bus for the first time. I had a luau/Michael Jackson dance tribute with friends the night MJ and Farrah died. And then, on July 5, 2009... the greatest day of my life: My first time seeing my favorite band live. It wasn't just any concert though. Ohhhhh lord no! I was with two of my favorite people, WAS FRONT ROW, touched GWEN STEFANI, met a ton of cool new people, had a picture of my tattoo taken by the tour club manager, and caught a guitar pick from Tom Dumont... How crazy is that?! The years of waiting were totally worth it. Looking back, it seems so surreal. I'm truly lucky to have been able to experience such a wonderful thing that most people will never get to.
Of course, the year wasn't perfect. In June I did something (well, someone... hehehe. Still haven't grown up!) that I really regret. August meant leaving for Purdue and that ended up not being the best period in my life. However, I've decided that the past is the past and it's time to look to the future!
I've never really made resolutions but it's a new year and a new decade so it's time for that to change. Thinking it over, there are a few things I'd like to change:
I need to spend less money. This is especially important if I want to be able to get an appartment near campus and a cat. So my first resolution is to cut down on unnecessary spending (Notice how I didn't say cut out... a guy's gotta have his vices mwahahahaha!)
I'm sick of having shitty Singles Awareness Days and other holidays that revolve around dating and reproduction and hormones and all that jazz. Seeing as I'm a realist and choose not to lie to myself, I probably won't find a lover anytime this year. Instead, I decided that come next year I'm going to start my life as a crazy cat man by getting my first cat... or two.
I tend to let people walk all over me. I never go after what I want. If someone catches my eye, I cower in fear or freeze up if I do make contact. In the words of the lovely and talented Gwen Stefani, "If you bore me then I'm comfortable. If you interest me I'm scared. My attraction paralyzes me, no courage to show my true colors that exist." Well, this year I'm going to stand up for myself. I'm going to be more outgoing. I'm going to get what I want. My second resolution is to grow a fucking spin.
I really need to get in shape. I'm not saying I'm a cow or anything, but really, all my sexy tattoos should be over rock hard muscles and should be complimented by abs of steel. I need to find a gym to go to. Not a ghetto one like Anytime Fitness, but a nice one... but also a cheap one. My third resolution is to get fit.
My fourth resolution is to bang as many mega hotties as possible.
Okay, that last one isn't real.
It is the dawn of the new year. I have no idea what trials and challenges, joys and fantastic times lay ahead but I shall make the best of it. Have a great year, everyone. Here's to 2010!
While it seems like everyone seems to think 2009 was a big pile of elephant shit, I see it as quite the opposite: 2009 was freakin' great! It was the first year I don't remember ringing in the new year at midnight. No, not because I was shwasted but rather because I had gone to bed. Fourtunately, the lame start to the year was not an omen of what was to come. My second semester of kind of college was an eventful and stressful one. I learned a lot about how college REALLY is and met a lot of cool new people. Despite all the challenges, I pulled through. In June, I graduated high school (even though I had taken all my classes at the University of Minnesota my senior year). Seeing as I didn't walk in graduation or do any of the typical end of high school stuff, it kind of feels like it never really ended. A little part of me does regret that but to be honest I had moved on long before.
June and July were extremely eventful. I got to see Jenny Lewis front row. I got to see Metric front row and had my hand grabbed by Emily Haines (ZOMG my heart still races thinking about it). I rode a party bus for the first time. I had a luau/Michael Jackson dance tribute with friends the night MJ and Farrah died. And then, on July 5, 2009... the greatest day of my life: My first time seeing my favorite band live. It wasn't just any concert though. Ohhhhh lord no! I was with two of my favorite people, WAS FRONT ROW, touched GWEN STEFANI, met a ton of cool new people, had a picture of my tattoo taken by the tour club manager, and caught a guitar pick from Tom Dumont... How crazy is that?! The years of waiting were totally worth it. Looking back, it seems so surreal. I'm truly lucky to have been able to experience such a wonderful thing that most people will never get to.
Of course, the year wasn't perfect. In June I did something (well, someone... hehehe. Still haven't grown up!) that I really regret. August meant leaving for Purdue and that ended up not being the best period in my life. However, I've decided that the past is the past and it's time to look to the future!
I've never really made resolutions but it's a new year and a new decade so it's time for that to change. Thinking it over, there are a few things I'd like to change:
I need to spend less money. This is especially important if I want to be able to get an appartment near campus and a cat. So my first resolution is to cut down on unnecessary spending (Notice how I didn't say cut out... a guy's gotta have his vices mwahahahaha!)
I'm sick of having shitty Singles Awareness Days and other holidays that revolve around dating and reproduction and hormones and all that jazz. Seeing as I'm a realist and choose not to lie to myself, I probably won't find a lover anytime this year. Instead, I decided that come next year I'm going to start my life as a crazy cat man by getting my first cat... or two.
I tend to let people walk all over me. I never go after what I want. If someone catches my eye, I cower in fear or freeze up if I do make contact. In the words of the lovely and talented Gwen Stefani, "If you bore me then I'm comfortable. If you interest me I'm scared. My attraction paralyzes me, no courage to show my true colors that exist." Well, this year I'm going to stand up for myself. I'm going to be more outgoing. I'm going to get what I want. My second resolution is to grow a fucking spin.
I really need to get in shape. I'm not saying I'm a cow or anything, but really, all my sexy tattoos should be over rock hard muscles and should be complimented by abs of steel. I need to find a gym to go to. Not a ghetto one like Anytime Fitness, but a nice one... but also a cheap one. My third resolution is to get fit.
My fourth resolution is to bang as many mega hotties as possible.
Okay, that last one isn't real.
It is the dawn of the new year. I have no idea what trials and challenges, joys and fantastic times lay ahead but I shall make the best of it. Have a great year, everyone. Here's to 2010!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)