I embrace

the curveballs life throws my way, and am glad to be able to have the wherewithal to attempt to catch them.

This past week was an interesting one on many levels. New connections, reconnections, missed connections. Had good girl talk on Saturday night, laughed at the barbies, got hit on twice and had to be told about it...I am astute when it comes to my student's issues, but apparently I can't tell a question from a pick-up.

Saw K, it had been many years but seemed like no time had passed at all. Easily fell back into old habits which was fine by me. Looking forward to seeing what happens next. Smiley faces on my calendar. A girl can hope.

I'm finding as I study for my exit exam that I know more than I thought I did, which makes me feel better but will not sway me from my study habits. Can't be overconfident about this. It's gonna be a doozy, no matter how much I think I know.

After having a good convo with Mary, I am more settled in my decision about B. You can't force something that's not there & I knew this a month ago but halfway hoped for more. Missed my opportunity to end it this weekend, so will have to wait until he's back from VA on Friday. Meh - I hate being the breaker. BUT, not as much as the breakee.

I started running again after five weeks off, and it was good to get back at it. Since my Nike's were wearing down, I picked up some new kicks. Avia's - haven't run with this brand before, so far so good. 3 miles tonight, no pain. I've also recruited a couple friends to do the Frostbite series with me. I did it back in 2005, good (cold) times.



I also received my Keens Friday at work. $20 and supa comfy. Gotta love 6pm.com



October 9th cannot get here soon enough. Test will be over and my internship will be winding down so I can finally get down with my favorite time of year. Lot's on the agenda.

And I think Florence is in - warmer in December, better food.

Life is good.

It's a conundrum

Wrapped in an enigma.

The less personal time I have, the more apt I am to dedicate time to writing on my blog.

The more personal time I have, the more I ignore it.

So, because I am taking time to write tonight, this means that my classes have started up again.

I am counseling 22 students this semester. Actually, only in the next 8 weeks. They have to meet with me for 6 hours each. So, let's break this down for fun insanity's sake:

6 x 22 = 132 hours
132 hours/8 weeks = 16 hours a week

Jeebus. That's hardcore, on top of 2 classes, running two 12-hour therapy groups, work, running, biking and having a social life. Oh, and squeezing family in there as well.

Reading this makes me want to crawl under a rock.

The good news? I will be finished with my counseling hours, my groups, and one of my classes as of October 25th. Woot.

The even better news? I am scheduling a week-long vacation in November...it's been over a year since I've done so, and it's going to be worth the wait. Destination TBD, but I have some ideas.

Look for more blog posts to come - I've got some good stuff cookin', you won't want to miss out.

Best Of 2009 - Music

In looking at the various "Best Of 2009" lists, I've come to accept I am not the hipster I thought I was - well, according to Pitchfork, Spin, Magnet, NME and Rolling Stone.

However, I am pleased to say I have at least 40% of the albums listed on the various Top 50's. Here are a few of my top picks:

The xx: The xx
- this is a phenomenal album I was very recently turned on to. I was told to "turn down the lights and turn that one up" to experience maximum aural pleasure. Try not to listen alone - this is a sexy, velvety album that demands your partial attention (the rest of your attention should be focused on the person who's with you under the covers...)

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
- this is a fun album, light and progressive with an alternative feel. It does fall into the campy Vampire Weekend sound - it could be a soundtrack to a former youth you remember fondly, would like to repeat, and are constantly trying to recapture in your near-middle-age.

Dinosaur Jr.: Farm
- how could I resist this blast-group from my university past? The fact that they're still pushing out hits when they're pushing 45 makes me happy, and gives me less pause when I daydream about being a rock star at my age.

Royksopp: Junior
- it moves me. Nuff said.

Yo La Tengo: Popular Songs
- I respect a band that's easy, and Yo La puts out in a major way. They are on tour, and I am there...soon.

Crystal Stilts: Alight of Night
- I featured a video of this dirty genius machine earlier this year - grainy and highly melodic, and am pleased to say they made a few lists. Moody garage rock - their clips remind me of a Spits show I attended in a former life - loud, messy, hopelessly perfect. Hope to catch their show soon.

The Horrors: Primary Colors
- rock, through and through, with a hint of grime and goth. Again, a must see live band.

More lists later. I'm contemplating a "Top 10 Overrated Albums Picked By Snobbish Hipster Music Mags". Stay tuned.

Bliss

I just spent the last hour listening to Beck's "Sea Change" album from '02.

Wow.

I'd forgotten how lovely it is.

I remember when I first heard it - it was a cool autumn evening in 2002, and I was the passenger in a dark green Acura Legend, on a clandestine mission to the Venice Cafe. I was amazed when he told me it was Beck's new CD we were listening to, because it was so austere and melancholy. But it did the trick, and put me in a very open and receptive mood.

I believe that for the next three years that was my subliminal soundtrack. I used to wish I'd never heard it, or at least on that evening.

I Guess I'm Doing Fine now, because my Lonely Tears have subsided and I'm no longer a Lost Cause. At the End Of The Day, I realized it's All In Your Mind.

I've since made new memories to accompany this album.