Over Worked= Me

So, for the past couple weeks, I’ve been really over worked. Doing overtime most nights and so forth. I’m not complaining, it’s just really taking its toll on me.

On Saturday, I was feeling tired, and all together pretty crappy, but decided to venture out anyway. That night, I went to see, Asphalt Valentine, my friend’s band play! :)

Good show, fun times, but despite my better judgment I had a bit to drink. And yesterday, combined with a nasty hangover, I was sick.

I’m not down and out by any means, but I may be using one of those sick days that a wrote about a few weeks ago.

Also, my reader is getting super full; I’ve just been too drained to do much reading and/or commenting. In the next few days, I’m going to play catch up!

I hope everyone had a nice weekend! Do anything exciting?

And to my Canadian readers…Happy early Canada Day!

Good Chick Music ,and a Request

I'm listening to Jessie Baylin. Her debut album Firesight came out this week. She has a pretty unique voice; I really like her. :) Check her out!






Ok, now for the request. In keeping with the topic of music...I'm am putting together a, sort of, get up and go play list. What I mean is, music that will motivate me to go out and conquer the world, so to speak!
So I'm taking suggestions...let me know. What songs, or artists do you put on when you need a bit of strength to tackle life?

Why We Suck:AFeel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid

One of my favorite comedians, Denis Leary, has a book coming out in November. He has done stand-up albums, movies (some of which are pretty lame), and TV. Currently he writes, produces, and stars in the series Rescue Me.

Below is a promo video, where Denis explains what his book, Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid, is about.

I want you to watch, because it is pretty funny, but before you do here is a disclaimer.

The video you are about to watch, contains foul language, some crude humor, and is definitely not suitable for children.

Why Do Men Murder Their Wives?

So, I was sitting here wondering if I was going to post today. It’s not that I have a lack of ideas, creativity, or even motivation…I’m just worn out, and feeling kind of lazy. But then I was reading an article, and felt compelled to write about this topic.

Why do so many men murder their wives? The latest one who has been prosecuted can be read about here.

I know women murder their husbands too, but it seems men do it more often, or at least we hear about it more often.

These men can’t all be crazy. Can they?

I often wonder, if he wants out of the relationship, why doesn’t the husband just leave his wife.

Take it from me guys, a women would much rather deal with a broken heart…then a heart that is no longer beating.

Some may be in it for insurance money, but not all of them are. So what is it…I just can’t figure it out.

Has there been a rise in this lately, or is it just what the media is focused on?

I guess, for me, this topic sparks a lot of questions and speculation, but not a lot of answers.

World's Ugliest Dog

I love dogs, and the uglier they are the cuter they look, in my opinion. Let me introduce Gus...he was just awarded the ugliest dog in the world title! Way to go Gus! :)

Below is from an article I read here.

PETALUMA, Calif. | Gus the dog has three legs, one eye and no hair, except for a white tuft on the top of his head. He’s a real winner.

The Chinese crested won the World’s Ugliest Dog contest on Saturday at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Northern California.

His owner, Jeanenne Teed, brought Gus all the way from St. Petersburg, Fla., to compete for the dubious distinction

The Chinese crested breed is a popular choice in this annual contest. Last year’s champ, Elwood, was a Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix.

Gus’ owner won $500 and will be flown to New York to appear on “CBS This Morning.” The contest will be shown on the Animal Planet network in October.

Front Row Counting Crows Tickets!!! :)

This morning I woke up still sleepy, I couldn't find my glasses, and I barely made it to the shower, then I read about George Carlin's death. :(

He was an awesome comedian, and loved by many. I had an opportunity to go to one of his shows a couple years ago;he had a great stage presence. Go visit Malcolm for a wonderful post about Carlin.

On to happier things:

So, needless to say, things for me were shaping up to be pretty stereotypical for a Monday.

When I got to work, I remembered that tickets for the Counting Crows/ Maroon 5 show were going on sale at 10 am. I've been really excited about this show because the Counting Crows are one of my VERY favorite bands. I wrote about them here, earlier this year.

Anyway, long story short...there is no one I know that really likes these bands enough to go with me, especially at the $150 a ticket price.

So, I was going to settle, get seats on the lawn,and go with folks that really aren't too keen on seeing them to begin with.

Then I decided...screw it, and searched ticketmaster for one seat at the highest price. It came up with a ticket for front row center!!! :)

I bought it, and I will being going alone, and perfectly content about it, to see my favorite band!

I'm so excited I can't concentrate! :) The show is Oct 1!

Tell me about your concert experiences...have you ever gone alone? Have you ever had front row seats? Anything regarding concerts you've been to, or want to go to! I would love to know!

Or if you're not into live music, some aren't, that's ok too!:) ...then just congratulate me on my good fortune! :D

Aliens Again

I found this photo at Ruben Frosali's photo blog, Really Japan. This lovely little alien had his picture taken at an exhibition, in Japan, called The Science of Aliens. What an awesome pic! :)

Ruben's other pictures are great too! He is an Italian living in Tokyo, and he photographs what he sees and experiences. Check him out for some great photography!

Nerd

Nerd: Slang 1. A foolish, inept, or unattractive person. 2. A person who is single-minded or accomplished in scientific or technical pursuits but is felt to be socially inept.

Etymology: Perhaps after Nerd, a character in If I Ran the Zoo, by Theodor Seuss Geisel.

Word History: The word nerd, undefined but illustrated, first appeared in 1950 in Dr. Seuss's If I Ran the Zoo: “And then, just to show them, I'll sail to Ka-Troo And Bring Back an It-Kutch a Preep and a Proo A Nerkle a Nerd and a Seersucker, too!” (The nerd is a small humanoid creature looking comically angry, like a thin, cross Chester A. Arthur.)

Nerd next appears, with a gloss, in the February 10, 1957, issue of the Glasgow, Scotland, Sunday Mail in a regular column entitled “ABC for SQUARES”: “Nerd—a square, any explanation needed?” Many of the terms defined in this “ABC” are unmistakable Americanisms, such as hep, ick, and jazzy, as is the gloss “square,” the current meaning of nerd.

The third appearance of nerd in print is back in the United States in 1970 in Current Slang: “Nurd [sic], someone with objectionable habits or traits…. An uninteresting person, a ‘dud.’”

Authorities disagree on whether the two nerds—Dr. Seuss's small creature and the teenage slang term in the Glasgow Sunday Mail—are the same word. Some experts claim there is no semantic connection and the identity of the words is fortuitous. Others maintain that Dr. Seuss is the true originator of nerd and that the word nerd (“comically unpleasant creature”) was picked up by the five- and six-year-olds of 1950 and passed on to their older siblings, who by 1957, as teenagers, had restricted and specified the meaning to the most comically obnoxious creature of their own class, a “square.”

Your English lesson, today, provided by Bartleby.

Dinner Theaters, and a Meme

Have you ever been to a dinner theater? No, I don’t mean the type where a mystery needs to be solved while you eat. Although, I have heard those can be fun. I’m talking about a movie theater, in which you can order dinner, and eat it while you watch the movie.

Well, in my area I thought this type of theater was extinct.

There was one, I went to years ago, and it was a lot of fun, and at that time you could smoke inside, while watching the move, and eating dinner; which was a plus for me, back then, because I smoked. (an aside: kudos to myself…I quit cold turkey, and haven’t looked back for 4.5 years!)

Back to my point, so the one I went to has been gone for a long time, and I didn’t see anymore sprouting up, and just figured they didn’t make any money, no market for it etc.

Well, today I found out two things that made me happy!

1. There is a dinner theater in my area doing renovations, and it will be open mid-summer.

2. Also, I read an article, about the city, that said two more were opening, and some to follow, when the need arises, which they think it will.

Dinner, Drinks, and Movies all in one place! As you can see, again, it’s the little things. :)

So, tell me about your experiences with dinner theater…are there any in your area?

Now, a movie meme that I took from Jay at Cynical Bastard. I thought it was appropriate considering my post’s topic!

1. One movie that made you laugh: Wow…there are tons, but picking one. The 40 Year Old Virgin.

2. One movie that made you cry: Beaches

3. One movie you loved when you were a child: Poltergeist

4. One movie you've seen more than once: Star Wars: A New Hope

5. One movie you loved, but were embarrassed to admit it: I’m not embarrassed of any movie I’ve watched. It doesn’t matter to me what other people think of what I watch. (I’m just sayin’)

6. One movie you hated: Wing Commander

7. One movie that scared you: Fight Club (it freaked me out.)

8. One movie that bored you: 2010

9. One movie that made you happy: 50 First Dates

10. One movie that made you miserable: AI (Sad that the robot boy had to wait an eternity(literally) for his mommy)

11. One movie you thought would be great, but it wasn’t: Analyze That

12. One movie you weren't brave enough to see: I’m pretty brave-try me!

13. One movie character you've fallen in love with: Stitch from Lilo and Stitch :)

Everyone is tagged!

A Sick Day? ...Nah

This morning I almost did it…what I’ve been thinking about doing for a while now.

Riding the train in to work, most days, I’m compelled to skip my stop, continue on till the end of the line, go back again…into the city. But instead of going to work, and enduring another day of monotonous paper pushing, in this fantasy, I go to an art gallery, library, or just sit outside in a SUNNY park. (did I mention that I like sun?) Reading, writing, and taking pictures.

I feel best when I’m being creative, and having FUN. These things go hand in hand. Also, being able to use my mind, both critically, and abstractly helps a lot.

Despite, the fact that my job does not provide any of this…I know that for right now, I’m where I’m supposed to be.

Everyone needs to make money, right? The people here are nice, and creative too. Most of them are writers, in their spare time, and are pretty much in the same situation I’m in.

Oh, and yes, I could have used a sick day…they accrue really fast when you work for a university…but I’m saving them for…job interviews…because I won’t stop looking until I’ve found the right one. I know that it will pop up…as long as I keep looking! :)

Tuesday Laugh :D

Cary Grant & Nazareth make a good combo! :) LOL Watch!!!

Go Visit Lina

Lina from Wanna make a Memory is an amazing artist. She really puts her heart into her work.

This is her Leap print...I just got it in the mail the other day! :)

This piece really spoke to me; for me, it says, go for it...take risks...live life! That's what it is all about...if we just standstill waiting for life to come to us nothing will happen. :) But I digress.

Her other work is wonderful too! Check out Lina's Etsy shop...here you can view, and buy prints.

Screams

Screams

Screams echo through her head.
Sometimes muffled, never fading.
She surrounds them with music; unknowingly giving them new life.
Getting louder, they dance happily around her brain.

© 2008 Jessica-Thoughtful Reflections

Life Transitions...the DailyOM

Lauren recommended the DailyOM a few weeks back, I am now a daily visitor. I read this article yesterday and it spoke to me. I can -- I'm sure like many of you -- totally relate.
Life Transitions
The Death And Rebirth Of Self

Sometimes a part of us must die before another part can come to life. Even though this is a natural and necessary part of our growth, it is often painful or, if we don’t realize what’s happening, confusing and disorienting. In fact, confusion and disorientation are often the messengers that tell us a shift is taking place within us. These shifts happen throughout the lives of all humans, as we move from infancy to childhood to adolescence and beyond. With each transition from one phase to another, we find ourselves saying good-bye to an old friend, the identity that we formed in order to move through that particular time.

Sometimes we form these identities in relationships or jobs, and when we shift those areas of our life become unsettled. Usually, if we take the time to look into the changing surface of things, we will find that a shift is taking place within us. For example, we may go through one whole chapter of our lives creating a protective shell around ourselves because we need it in order to heal from some early trauma. One day, though, we may find ourselves feeling confined and restless, wanting to move outside the shelter we needed for so long; the new part of ourselves cannot be born within the confines of the shell our old self needed to survive.

We may feel a strange mixture of exhilaration and sadness as we say good-bye to a part of ourselves that is dying and make way for a whole new identity to emerge in its place. We may find inspiration in working with the image of an animal who molts or sheds in order to make way for new skin, fur, or feathers to emerge. For example, keeping a duck feather, or some other symbol of transformation, can remind us that death and rebirth are simply nature’s way of evolving. We can surrender to this process, letting go of our past self with great love and gratitude, and welcoming the new with an open mind and heart, ready for our next phase of life.

Do You Believe in Aliens?

I do. In my opinion, it would be arrogant to think that we are the only ones in the universe. That being said, I'm a little worried about when, or if we run into each other. We, on this planet, can't even get along...what's going to happen when we throw alien life forms into the mix?

Here is an except from an article I read today about a new telescope that is supposed to assist in finding aliens.

Perhaps ET is just a solar system away, and perhaps all we need is one more telescope to find him.

That's the hope, at least, of some scientists who say a new radio observatory being built in Europe may hold a chance of finding alien life beyond our planet.

The Low Frequency Array, or LOFAR, is a network of up to 25,000 small antennae being built in the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, France and the United Kingdom.

The distributed radio arrays will collectively scan the universe in the low radio frequency of light when they are completed in 2009.


Update-I thought this was funny! Below is part of my horoscope for today.

Are you meeting up with aliens -- of the interstellar variety, that is -- from the only planet populated by higher life forms who don't speak your language? No. You're not getting your point across (no matter how hard you try) because you're too distracted to concentrate on communication. Try writing out your first draft.

Wordless Wednesday

She Turns

She Turns

She turns around,
facing him, now
staring fixated, for a moment, on his features.

His, once stunningly clear, face seems contorted, and unfamiliar.

Moving forward, her eyes become wide,
hoping to find some sense of meaning.

His face, now blank, says nothing.

It’s over.

She turns around,
facing herself now
watching curiously, as her features slowly become defined.

Then recognition,
and a slight smile, as she continues ahead.

© Jessica-Thoughtful Reflections

My Own Little Bonnaroo

Today, I decided that I'm going to have my own little music festival, so to speak. I figured...just because Bonnaroo isn't happening for me...it doesn't mean I have to miss out on listening to, and finding new music. So I'm going down the list of all the artists preforming at the festival, and playing a song from each one. It is actually pretty fun. :)

Yuck

So, the other night I saw a couple of bumper stickers that I had never seen before. They were both on the same guy's truck. Both disturbed the crap out of me...that being said, I'm all for free speech; if we lose that we've got nothing.

One of them said Mel Gibson for President, and one said My Boss is a Jewish Terrorist.

Scary. In my opinion, this guy obviously has a lot of hate.

I'm not the type of girl that likes to pick fights, but if I met him on the side of the road...I would have a few choice words, for sure.




----------------
Now playing: Jimmy Eat World - The Middle
via FoxyTunes

Tickets to Bonnaroo

I'm not kidding. Does anyone need any tickets to Bonnaroo? Something has come up, and I can't go. :( I'm pretty sad about it, too. Time for a pity party...everyone is invited.

Today, It's the Little Things That keep Me Going

The warmth of newly finished copies in my hands.

The sun shining through my window. (I'm such a sucker for sunlight and warmth;I don't do well in the cold) Which reminds me that I still haven't ordered one of these.

The thought of watching Adam Sandler doing a bit of Mel Gibson bashing in his new movie- You Don't Mess with the Zohan. (Sorry to all of you Mel fans, but after he said that Jews have been responsible for all the wars in the world...I won't have anything to do with his work.)

Getting hit on by the Jeep Sales Man, who was ironically taking the train to work this morning. :) (Everyone needs a little flattery, right?)

My new "office mate, " who I was a little apprehensive about at first. It turns out...she is really cool, and it's uncanny how much we have in common.

Sometimes it's just the little things! :)

That Feeling

You know the feeling that comes after you eat a good filling meal, or perhaps, similarly, the feeling that arises on a Sunday afternoon.

Laziness, sleepiness, contentment.

Not total lack of energy, per se, but just enough to warrant curling up on the couch with a blanket, and a movie, or a book.

Well that's how I've been feeling for the past week. It's a good feeling, of course, but not when you have loads of work to do.

I may just have to give in, and give my self a little bit of chill time soon!

Dona Nobis Pacem

I believe that peace is easily achievable, with the perseverance of all.
One word will change the world--Acceptance.
When we can learn to accept our fellow man, we will all live in peace.

Jessica-Thoughtful Reflections




Mimi Writes....BlogBlast for Peace: A Revolution of Words~June 4, 2008

And She Was...

by Talking Heads is on repeat this week. I have always loved this song, but have just recently found out that it's about an acid trip. Makes sense when you watch the video. So, what do YOU have on repeat this week? I'm curious, let me know! :)

And She Was - Talking Heads

And she was lying in the grass
And she could hear the highway breathing
And she could see a nearby factory
She's making sure she is not dreaming
See the lights of a neighbor's house
Now she's starting to rise
Take a minute to concentrate
And she opens up her eyes

CHORUS:
The world was moving and she was right there with it (and she was)
The world was moving she was floating above it (and she was) and she was

And she was drifting through the backyard
And she was taking off her dress
And she was moving very slowly
Rising up above the earth
Moving into the universe
Drifting this way and that
Not touching ground at all
Up above the yard

CHORUS

She was glad about it... no doubt about it
She isn't sure where she's gone
No time to think about what to tell them
No time to think about what she's done
And she was

And she was looking at herself
And things were looking like a movie
She had a pleasant elevation
She's moving out in all directions

CHORUS

Joining the world of missing persons (and she was)
Missing enough to feel alright (and she was)

A Quote

"Stupid people should die from donut disease!" Glenn Beck

Not the most inspirational quote, but funny nonetheless! :)

Happy Monday!

It's June

Wow...I can't believe it is already June. Time passes so quickly...anyway...I have a few things today.
1. I'm participating in NaBloPoMo again this month.
2. I'm so excited about Bonnaroo; it is only two weeks away!! My tickets came in the mail this weekend. This is what they look like!!! :) So cool.

3. I bought Wii Fit, and it rocks!! I LOVE it! It's like having your own personal trainer in a box. I'm sure I'll have an entire post dedicated to its wonderfulness soon!

My First Blogging Award....YES! :)

Dawn at Twisted Sister nominated me for the Arte Y Pico award! Thanks Dawn. Ann at A Nice Place in the Sun nominated her. I love Dawn's blog....her writing always gets me thinking. Check her out!:)

About me she said, "Jessica provides interesting and informative content and her thoughts about the world around her."


The Rules:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

4. Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Arte y Pico” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

My Nominations are:

1. India from Here, There, Elsewhere...and More. Her blog is beautiful and inspirational. It covers, among other things, great pictures from all her travels.

2. Barbara from Writing from the Inside Out. Obvious choice here; Barbara's style is fun, thought provoking, and relatable all at the same time. She is a sweet person and it comes through, everyday, in her writing.

3. Niña from Dreamer's Haven. She uses her fantastic writing to examine her life, as well as life as it relates to all.

4. Lauren from Can You Be a Part of My Life. Lauren's blog is a must read. She shares, and voices her opinion on a wide variety of interesting topics. I seem to learn something new every time I visit.

5. Helena from Sanctimony. Helena is a well-polished writer; her posts give you a clear window into her life. And she takes amazing pictures!