I Wish I Knew What's Up

I feel that I am in the midst of a quarter-life crisis. Don't read that as I'm depressed that's not it at all, I'm all good in the mood department. I just feel stuck, like there just isn't really anything on the horizon for me.

It's actually really hard to put the feelings into words but here are some that come to mind: overwhelmed, under-funded, unappreciated and lost. I think that maybe a little change somewhere would help, like a vacation but I don't have the money to its an endless cycle.

Anywho I'm just thinking out loud and just trying to brainstorm things I could do or just pinpoint where this is all coming from. A classic coming of age tale..lol

Good News/Bad News: August 30th

Good News!: I was ahead of schedule and actually left early for work today and got there before 8!

Bad News: I didn't have to be there until 10:30

Good News!: Bachelor Pad was on tonight!
Bad News: I forgot to set the DVR

Good News!: Season 11 of Dancing with the Stars contestents were announced
Bad News: Did you see the picks?!(talk about diggin at the bottom)

Good News!: Farmer's Almanac released the winter predictions
Bad News: Cold and very snowy for the Midwest

New Goodies

You will start to notice something new below every post, it's the reaction section. This will help me make sure I'm keeping my people happy with my post content. If you have no opinion please just mark the "I read today's post" box so I know I had visitors today (since you don't leave comments and I know I have some Anonymous followers out there)

Today was a pretty lazy day. I took my brother to guitar lessons and then we went and saw Avatar in 3D (Sunday movies are kind of becoming our thing). This was my first 3D experience and it was pretty cool I'll admit, I don't know if it was worth the extra money you have to shell out  but it was cool. I've seen Avatar a few times on DVD but I never saw it in the theatre. It was re-released in theatres Friday with extended scenes that were pretty cool.

After our movie we grabbed some pizza (I think it's NiBo's new favorite?) They have delicious pizza and empanadas (today I had the raspberry cheesecake, delish! I had a roasted chicken one at the sweetcorn festival, delish also!) We didn't want to eat our ginourmous New York style sourdough sausage pizza in the car so we stopped off at the lake forest preserve on our way home for a picnic style pizza fest. [side note rant: I am so incredibly sick of mosquito's for the year I hope for a frost soon and they all die, then I guess it can warm up for a bit longer. I have no idea where these suckers are coming from I have Off'd myself anytime I venture out in fear of the blood sucking buttheads. But my feet are covered still and they itch soooo bad! I basically bathe my feet in Calamine lotion... ok I'm done back to the story] Before I exited the vehicle I made sure to douse myself in Off. So we sat at a picnic table scarfed our pizza in the great outdoors (clearly how pizza is supposed to be consumed). Then after we stuffed our faces to the fullest we decided screw the outdoors back in the A/C'd car, but still wanted to enjoy nature so we drove around in comfort and bug free around the lake to check out the view.

I have been to this area several times and on two occasions after experiencing this particular wildlife I asked aloud the same question.... "Look, are those real deer?!" Why do I ask this. I don't think they put up deer statues in the middle of the woods where deer live. I feel immediately stupid after asking but technically it's a legit question. It's not that often you just see deer hanging out on the golf course. It could be decoration to create the atmosphere right?! Well NiBo (my brother) was feeling daring and wanted to see how close he could get, I was curious too. My only preface was for him to be careful I don't want to explain this to mom, which has become our joke when he's about to do something stupid. But he got pretty close about 5ft I'd say. Clearly these are tame-ish deer, and they were all girls so he didn't have big scary buck running around. As we drove off the guys golfing rode right up to it in the golf cart and had a hard time shooing them off so I don't think there was any danger. But it was still fun.

Don't forget Monday night on the Bachelor Pad the new Dancing with the Starts contestants will be announced.

and one more little diddy.. TrueBlood you have disappointed me this season with your drawn out story line and no big drama or storylines and now I have to wait two weeks to see how this lame seasons ends... shame on you.

How Sweet It Is...

Last night my brother and I ventured out of town for the sweet corn festival in the neighboring big city. I'm not a fan of crowds and I really wish I could get over this. I don't know if it it the sheer number of people, how rude people in crowds seem to be, or the lack of my personal space that really gets me. I'll admit it did seem like a few less people than last year or at least the sweet corn line was way shorter. Last year we waited probably an hour in line to get some. This year I was able to walk right up thankfully. You get two ears of corn for a ticket ($1.00) and they are literally dripping with butter... YUM!

Our main purpose for trekking to the festival was to hear a band. You may remember previous posts when I talked about The Delta Kings. They were playing tonight on the main stage and the lead guitar player is my brothers guitar teacher. Since he isn't quite of age he can't get into any of the bars to hear them play (which is usually where they play). So when they happen to be playing elsewhere he usually wants to try and catch them.

The main attracting following The Delta Kings was Soul Asylum you may remember their early 90's hit "Runaway Train". I would have liked to have stayed for a bit to hear them but the little bro had finished his first full day at a new job he had to be up at gasp! 6:30 in the morning on a Saturday. Welcome to the real world bud! But we had fun, food, and corn on a Saturday night, what else can you ask for?

I need an NFL Team

Fall is fast approaching and that means crisp nights, farmers in the field and football. I usually only watch college football and the Super Bowl, I don't usually have a team that I will watch every game for. Notre Dame football is my team and I watch them religiously every Saturday in the fall. But I've never had an NFL team.

Baseball I'm a cubs fan, and I don't really know where it came from. No one in my family really follows sports. My dad will watch Nascar every weekend and I can sit and watch it sometimes but it just doesn't have the same feel as baseball or football (although I would say my favorite driver is Tony Stewart, I love a guy who will throw a few punches every now and again). As a Cubs fan I'm used to winning championships so for my NFL team I'd like to see some wins on the board.

This all really started while watching Hard Knocks: New York Jets Training camp on HBO. I like teams more I guess when I know a little more about them. I posed this question to my facebook friends and here are the results so far...Packers-2, Seahawks-1, Bears-4, Cowboys-2, Saints-1, Colts-1, and Dolphins-1.

I'm still pondering my choices. I might have to throw some love to the Broncos because my favorite ND quarterback plays for them now (as a trade from the Browns). And just because I live in Illinois doesn't necessarily mean I have to be a Bears fan (but it's a possibility) stay tuned, I'm sure you will all be on pins and needles awaiting my announcement.

What team are you cheering for this season and why?

Book vs. Movie and My Two Cents on Eat, Pray, Love

As I mentioned earlier I really like this book. Tonight was also a special book/movie review night. Double the fun!

Eat, Pray, Love is about the journey of the author and her travels to find happiness, faith, God and learn about herself. The book begins with her divorce and she realizes that she just isn't the person she used to be nor the person she particularly wants to be. We follow her to Italy (where she eats), India (where she prays) and Indonesia (where she finds love).

Book club tonight was a smaller crowd than usual and I agree with FM that it just had an off feeling to it. None the less it was a good discussion but I felt I censored myself because others had such strong dislike for the book. I still remained an active participant in the conversation. We also welcomed a new member (I know shocking). 3/7 people actually enjoyed the book, the others not so much. This was the first book that we have been so divided in opinions (which means we are growing). Book club just didn't have the same hooplah around it. ('Page Turner' was off her game tonight too)

After a quick/dinner discussion we headed off to the movie, we had a few sit the movie out. It's always interesting to see what gets left in a movie and what gets the boot. I'm a detail oriented person and I think that's why I'm let down by book to movie adaptations. When I read a book it really is the little things that stand out to me. I gave the movie a 3 (the book was a 4). I felt like there were small ah-ha moments in the book that were fairly significant to Elizabeth's journey and several of them were left out of the movie. Most of the page turners who didn't like the book enjoyed the movie. 'Old Lady' and I weren't as impressed. Even though the scenery in the book was amazing, I imagine that it in no way does it compare to the real thing.

Our October pick was also unveiled tonight. We shall be reading The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier. A spooky cover and good topic for an October Halloween month.

We also have our Page Turner Society one year anniversary approaching in November. We have a special selection method of the occasion. All of us will give a short description of a book of our choosing with the reasons we chose. Keeping it anonymous we will then select our favorite choice and the book with the most votes will win and be read for our one year anniversary.

You all know that I enjoy book club and if you aren't a part of one I highly recommend finding one. Make sure you have different people with different backgrounds because it's no fun when everyone thinks the same.

[I opted for saving my 20-something quarter life crisis story for later, it could get lengthy and I don't really know how to articulate it just yet, so hold tight it may or maynot be a future blog post]

Bookclub: Eat, Pray, Loved It.

Tonight is bookclub/movie night!

We will be dining out after work to discuss the book, eating at a different location that originally announced (I think 'Page Turner' wanted to make sure it was a place with some booze).  Then after the discussion/dinner we will venture over to the theatre to check out the movie (by the same name) starring Julia Roberts.

Rumblings so far (mini-discussions) was that most didn't enjoy this book. I actually honestly loved it and am going to give it a 4. From the beginning I have related to this book on so many levels. 'Page Turner' thinks that our younger members (me included) ".. have not lost yourself. You have not gone off the course you wanted your life on." I'm there right now and maybe not in the same sense as the author has but I've always felt older than what I am and have lived a fairly "grown up" life this far.

This actually ties in great with a story I came across via 20-Nothings that was featured in the New York times about 20 somethings and their "selfish" search to find themselves. This is could get wordy and is a bit deep for so soon this morning. It's intersting and I suggest you read it if you get the chance.

So check back later tonight or tomorrow to get the bookclub recap as well as why I related (and I think many others my age if they think about it) to this story. Happy Book Club Day to All!

Bad Simon!

You know how you think oh finally the day is getting good 3:30 is here and I'm outta this place, leaving em in my dust suckers this day if finally getting good.... today was not that day.

I walk my happy self out to the car thinking to myself it's a little warm was planning to go to the mall to use my Victoria Secret coupon in the car, turn the ignition... nada. WHAT WHAT WHAT?! I'm thinking I left something on, nope sure didn't. My car will beep buzz and hoot at you if you leave something on open or don't have the car all the way off. This was not my fault.

Luckily a midwest girl is always prepared had jumper cables in my car (brand new never been used, but there in case) none of the guys had any. A helpful friend game me a jump and on my happy way I went, confused none the less as to how your battery can go from juicy to nada in a single work shift.

So after a good 45 minute drive you think the battery would be charged and hope it was just a fluke. I had called ahead and had dad on hand to take a gander so straight to the 'rents I went. Car in park, ignition off, a hail mary and pray for a restart... Houston we have a problem. No go. Frustrated that Simon has once again let me down we run scenarios inside. Dad say "alternator" I hear ca-ching $$$. Or it could be just a worn out given up on life battery (hoping for choice B here).

Another jump and we are on our way to the family mechanic. Diagnostics ran and the alternator is charging (good news) check the batter yep, sure enough. It went all Harakiri on me, a noble death. Three years old and given up all ready.. shame.

Short story long: I got a new battery and am down on the cabbage again.. bad Simon. You've cost me my camera moo-lah. BAD SIMON! I still love you but let's not make this a habbit, if I give you more washes can we not be so selfish with the few dollars I have to my name. Thanks.

So needless to say I didn't have much time after work to catch up on Bachelor Pad, and no I didn't get any farther into Eat, Pray, Love. I'm a last minute girl, that's how I roll... don't judge. I work well under pressure.

Oprah Dreams, Can They Come True?

Oprah Winfrey walked into our living rooms in 1986, the year I was born :) So even though I haven't been watching from day 1 I'm still a fan.

This season will be a historic season of the Oprah Show, it is the farewell season. What will we do at 4:00 now if we don't have Oprah to laugh with or bawl our eyes out with?

Although I am just a youngin at the age of 24, it has honestly been on my bucket list for awhile to go to a taping of the Oprah Show and time is quickly running out to get that crossed off my list. Today they were taking reservations for September tapings, so I put me and two of my friends on a request to see a taping. We will know in 48 hours if we were lucky. I'm hoping luck is already on our side since it was by random chance I had a bored moment and hopped on to Oprah to see what life changing advice or heartwarming story I might happen upon and to my surprise today was the day the were taking requests (good sign right?)

Excitement was abuzz at the possibility of making it to a show.. what would be the topic, would we get free stuff or could we meet someone famous. We all hope that if we are to get tickets it's not one of those serious sad depressing please don't zoom in on my tears kind of show, but we'd be happy just to be there and say we were apart of the last season.

Of course if we do get the tix, we are praying for a Favorite Things show. I'm sure she'll be generous to all audiences on her final season right? Even if its just a can koozie with her name on it I'd be happy. Stay tuned for hopefully good news in the next few days. 'Old Lady' is also feverish with excitement, she put her requests in too. She even went so far as to condiser the morning taping when you have to gasp! be at Harpo studios at 7am (which would mean a butt crack of dawn wake up call or an overnight stay in Chi-town) Good Luck to all who are trying to be apart of history in September! :)

UPDATE: They don't. Not for September anyway. I'll keep trying for later months :(

Eat, Pray, Love: American Style

Hope you all have been thinking of your places and what you would want to find out about yourself and do... Here are mine.

Eat: The South, more specifically the New Orleans area. There is such a mixture of culture there to find and such a rich history and tradition. I think I would fit right at home in the South all the yummy southern food, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. While I'm there I can do all kinds of sight-seeing and learning of the cultures.

Pray: Colorado. How could you not pick the Rocky Mountains to set the scene for your spiritual journey. I've never been there but I would imagine that all you have to do is sit somewhere over looking one of the majestic panoramas there to know that some form of higher being has to exist. As I write that sentence I also think a place like the Grand Canyon would also evoke these kinds of feelings. Basically anywhere in America with a jaw dropping awe inspiring view would get the job done... I've just never been to Colorado and would love to go there and it's come up in several conversations as of late. Colorado you can find yourself in Nature by hiking and all kinds of other things.

Love: You really can't go somewhere and just say I want to fall in love here. Love has to happen on it's own, you can't force it. I don't think my love for a country boy in a Stetson hat, wranglers and cowboy boots is any secret to anyone that knows me.. throw in some chaps and I'm gone. So to find love I would trek to areas where these manly men like to hang. Oklahoma/Texas for the rodeo kind who raise cattle and live on ranch's and I'd go southern for the live in the country southern charm fellas. Why go for the cowboy/country man you ask? Well for a few reasons 1-um do you see that picture?! ok ok more importantly most raised in the country men are predominately hard working guys. They have a passion for something, know how to treat a lady and aren't afraid to get a little dirty ;)   But what do I know about love, it will happen when it happens and I'll keep waiting.

So there would be my journey across America to get the Eat, Pray, Love experience in our great Nation. Where did you guys go?