By a dog. Saw this at work and started to cry. But totally worth it.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Jonsi - 3 minutes of unfettered joy
My new favorite song from Jonsi's solo album "Go" - Go Do.
Dance in your office. I dare you!
Dance in your office. I dare you!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Be Kind....
So many people these days get all up in each other's business, and forget that we are all human and could use a little understanding and forgiveness once in awhile.
Whatever bone you decide to pick with someone today, try to remember that perhaps they may be going through a difficult time and whatever you think they've done to you is more than likely just forgetfulness, ambivalence or misunderstanding. 9 times out of 10, it's not about you.
A friend emailed me this story, and while I usually try to keep my posts snappy and snarky, I felt that this story should be shared today:
"At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with
learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech
that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the
school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:
'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature
does, is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.
Where is the natural order of things in my son?'
The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who
was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to
realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other
people treat that child.' Then he told the following story:
Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were
playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew
that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as
a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would
give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting
much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said,
'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he
can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'
Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put
on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my
heart.. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs
but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in
the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic
just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved
to him from the stands.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run
was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to
win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was
all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat
properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the
plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting
winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob
the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and
Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly
towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground
ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over.
The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown
the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been
the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's
head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run o first! Run to first!' Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.
By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball. The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.
He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.
Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him
circled the bases toward home. All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay,
all the Way Shay' Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'
As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators,
were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'
Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero
who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.
'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his
face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and
humanity into this world'.
Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having
never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and
seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
Whatever bone you decide to pick with someone today, try to remember that perhaps they may be going through a difficult time and whatever you think they've done to you is more than likely just forgetfulness, ambivalence or misunderstanding. 9 times out of 10, it's not about you.
A friend emailed me this story, and while I usually try to keep my posts snappy and snarky, I felt that this story should be shared today:
"At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with
learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech
that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the
school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:
'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature
does, is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.
Where is the natural order of things in my son?'
The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who
was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to
realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other
people treat that child.' Then he told the following story:
Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were
playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew
that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as
a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would
give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting
much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said,
'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he
can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'
Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put
on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my
heart.. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs
but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in
the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic
just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved
to him from the stands.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run
was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to
win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was
all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat
properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the
plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting
winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob
the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and
Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly
towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground
ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over.
The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown
the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been
the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's
head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run o first! Run to first!' Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.
By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball. The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.
He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.
Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him
circled the bases toward home. All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay,
all the Way Shay' Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'
As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators,
were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'
Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero
who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.
'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his
face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and
humanity into this world'.
Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having
never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and
seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
Monday, April 26, 2010
The big jean debate
Is it worth it to spend $180 on a pair of designer jeans when you can purchase a stylish pair at your local Old Navy for a mere $29?
I think having one pair of designer jeans is okay - 7 For All Mankind or Citizens of Humanity hold up REALLY well, so you don't have to save them for a saucy night out with your fave Choo's - wear them whenever. But my preference is to have a few pairs of Old Navy's to lounge around in with my trusted kicks.
I think having one pair of designer jeans is okay - 7 For All Mankind or Citizens of Humanity hold up REALLY well, so you don't have to save them for a saucy night out with your fave Choo's - wear them whenever. But my preference is to have a few pairs of Old Navy's to lounge around in with my trusted kicks.
Friday, April 23, 2010
OMG, PMS, PMDD, NSFW
I've had the worst case of PMS or PMDD or WTF the last two days. TMI? Perhaps - if you think so, then stop reading now.
I get all pissy and paranoid when I am feeling this way, and tend to let my inner monologue loose like a plague. Yup - I sometimes actually vocalize my secret thoughts. Shame.
Jeezo, everything is pissing me off today. My Juicy Fruit is too tart. The rain is too wet. My random thoughts of Justin Bieber are too random.
I have a very decent weekend planned, save for my raging red river of demons that fly out of my mouth from time to time. She-devil that I am at the moment, I think it best to warn those I will be in contact with, in case they are the unfortunate target of my caustic and uncontrollable (but brief) rage-fest.
I'll be glad when my little mood is over - a girl can only take so much...
I get all pissy and paranoid when I am feeling this way, and tend to let my inner monologue loose like a plague. Yup - I sometimes actually vocalize my secret thoughts. Shame.
Jeezo, everything is pissing me off today. My Juicy Fruit is too tart. The rain is too wet. My random thoughts of Justin Bieber are too random.
I have a very decent weekend planned, save for my raging red river of demons that fly out of my mouth from time to time. She-devil that I am at the moment, I think it best to warn those I will be in contact with, in case they are the unfortunate target of my caustic and uncontrollable (but brief) rage-fest.
I'll be glad when my little mood is over - a girl can only take so much...
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Happy Birthday Oliver!
It's Oliver's 6th birthday today. Two years ago today, I went to the Humane Society and picked up my furry little love.
To celebrate, he got a new squeaky toy, some "chickie treats" (rawhide chews) and some Trader Joe treats.
I love my Oliver. Best boy in the world!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Shut down
SO. Last night I only got about 2.5 hours sleep.
No good story here. I went to bed at 11:00, woke up at 1:30 and could not shut my brain down. Sunday nights are usually a 4 hours night for me. This was weird.
I got to work at 7:45, full of energy. As the day progressed, I could feel discombobulation coming on, slowly, inching it's way into my brain.
Had a meeting at 11:00, during which I was finding it a tad bit difficult to focus.
Ate lunch at my desk while I worked - kept feeling sicker and sicker like I was going to throw up, but was still productive.
At about 1:30, it was pretty bad. I had to meet with Mid America Transplant Services to talk social media at 2:00, so I rallied.
When my coworker and I got there, the rep took us on a tour. I kept feeling lightheaded. Then she took us on a tour of the OR and labs downstairs. We got to see bone grafts. But I misheard and thought they were skin grafts. They looked like skin grafts.
My stomach was in no mood for what I thought I was seeing.
I started to get sweaty and felt faint. Trudged on.
The entire visit, which ended up being really productive and with the most pleasant people, lasted 1 1/2 hours, but felt like much less. ?? We got back to the office at 3:40, and decided to call it a day.
I went home, and proceeded to nap for 2.5 hours.
NAP. I NEVER nap after work. I never have. So this was serious tired, perhaps sickness.
Well, I just got up and feel a little better. Not 100%, as I still feel a little vomity, but I'm not longer dead tired.
It felt weird leaving so early, like I was cheating even though I worked an almost "full" day (minus 5 minutes).
I have a late class tonight, which I hope to get through and not get sick. At least I don't have to present. I'm taking crackers and Sprite with me, just in case.
No good story here. I went to bed at 11:00, woke up at 1:30 and could not shut my brain down. Sunday nights are usually a 4 hours night for me. This was weird.
I got to work at 7:45, full of energy. As the day progressed, I could feel discombobulation coming on, slowly, inching it's way into my brain.
Had a meeting at 11:00, during which I was finding it a tad bit difficult to focus.
Ate lunch at my desk while I worked - kept feeling sicker and sicker like I was going to throw up, but was still productive.
At about 1:30, it was pretty bad. I had to meet with Mid America Transplant Services to talk social media at 2:00, so I rallied.
When my coworker and I got there, the rep took us on a tour. I kept feeling lightheaded. Then she took us on a tour of the OR and labs downstairs. We got to see bone grafts. But I misheard and thought they were skin grafts. They looked like skin grafts.
My stomach was in no mood for what I thought I was seeing.
I started to get sweaty and felt faint. Trudged on.
The entire visit, which ended up being really productive and with the most pleasant people, lasted 1 1/2 hours, but felt like much less. ?? We got back to the office at 3:40, and decided to call it a day.
I went home, and proceeded to nap for 2.5 hours.
NAP. I NEVER nap after work. I never have. So this was serious tired, perhaps sickness.
Well, I just got up and feel a little better. Not 100%, as I still feel a little vomity, but I'm not longer dead tired.
It felt weird leaving so early, like I was cheating even though I worked an almost "full" day (minus 5 minutes).
I have a late class tonight, which I hope to get through and not get sick. At least I don't have to present. I'm taking crackers and Sprite with me, just in case.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
My sayings
In a recent conversation with a good friend, we discussed catch phrases we use in life, old and new. Some of mine are:
Mama like - to express a very high interest in someone/something(very old - from my college days)
Holy crap - to express amazement (somewhat new, resurrected from very old)
Really.... - to express disdain, judgement. When someone does something insane and you just have to comment.
Nutbird - what I call people who are annoying me
Sugar Hill - substitue for GD in public
Hey Bobby/Hey Whitney - what you call someone who acts like they're smoking crack
Mama like - to express a very high interest in someone/something(very old - from my college days)
Holy crap - to express amazement (somewhat new, resurrected from very old)
Really.... - to express disdain, judgement. When someone does something insane and you just have to comment.
Nutbird - what I call people who are annoying me
Sugar Hill - substitue for GD in public
Hey Bobby/Hey Whitney - what you call someone who acts like they're smoking crack
To (somewhat) quote LL...
Goin' back to blondie, blondie, blondie
Goin' back to blondie.....yes, I think so.
I'm banking on the "blondes have more fun" saying.
Pics forthcoming.
Goin' back to blondie.....yes, I think so.
I'm banking on the "blondes have more fun" saying.
Pics forthcoming.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Good day
Got a ton of work done - am waiting for a slick and funny video to render so that we can post on FB and our blog. My boss came up with a neat way to showcase the new Siteman/KSDK Race For The Cure hat.
RIP Malcolm McClaren - long live punk rock.
Class tonight - hopefully we get out early because I am beaucoup tired.
Here's a little diddy I chose to get me going. Enjoy.
RIP Malcolm McClaren - long live punk rock.
Class tonight - hopefully we get out early because I am beaucoup tired.
Here's a little diddy I chose to get me going. Enjoy.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
I'm listening to...
It's been a long time since I've listed my music fascinations. This is what my iPod is cracklin' with...
The Pack A.D.
X
The Ettes
Japandroids
Blur
Sun Volt
Willard Grant Conspiracy
Happy Mondays
Dead Weather
Air
The Pack A.D.
X
The Ettes
Japandroids
Blur
Sun Volt
Willard Grant Conspiracy
Happy Mondays
Dead Weather
Air
LouFest Lineup
Jeff Tweedy - right on.
Built To Spill - yeah.
She & Him - I'm on the fence with this one.
Should be a good weekend event.
Built To Spill - yeah.
She & Him - I'm on the fence with this one.
Should be a good weekend event.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Order one now...
My coworker Kathy turned me on to this....it's such a good deal, I may order some early for Christmas...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)