Some political/race-type rambles.

So, there's this case from Massachusetts regarding a black professor who was arrested for breaking into his own home. A lot of people who've read the news coverage regarding this have strong opinions about it. (And there are A LOT of people talking about it.)

Even the president has thrown his two cents in, which is unfortunate, because he doesn't actually know what exactly went down either.

People who think racism is rampant are up in arms. People who think all is well between whites and minorities are up in arms. I've read and heard some people point out that there are two sides to every story (and then go on to, for all tentative purposes, choose a side) -- I'm going to put my neck out here and point something out.

When two people/entities present their "side of the story" it is rarely what actually occured. There is often much more to it than that single event and there is often much left out (or added) to make their case stronger.

From all media accounts (which is all I can trust, as I'm not in Massachusetts to judge), there is a mistrust between the minority community and the Cambridge police force. I'm not saying that this particular occurrence actually had anything to do with race, but the mistrust is there... and it has been there for some time and that is a problem. It's not something that is easily combated, but steps should be taken to do just that.

Saying that someone is simply "pulling the race card" simplifies it far too much. Perhaps his man has heard of some of the injustices done to others (or maybe he has experienced it in another form or fashion). Perhaps the arrested man did overreact. However, if someone was accusing you of breaking into your own house, wouldn't you be a bit incredulous too? Wouldn't you feel it's a bit extreme that someone is arresting you for walking into your own home?

And as a police officer, if you were called to a reported burglary, wouldn't you want to do everything in your power to prevent it?

The situation might have gotten out of control simply because of a misunderstanding, but those previous suspicions or beliefs amplified a problem and made it larger than necessary.

So, yes. There are two sides to every story... but both sides rarely tell the whole truth. Just keep that in mind before you call someone else stupid, racist or insensitive for their veiws.

Confessions of a Shopaholic.

I have to say, this is one of the few times I thought the movie was better than the book and here's why:

While the movie is entirely unrealistic, (i.e. Everything's ok in the end and she snags the man) at least she has to sacrifice something to get there. In the movie, she gives up her wardrobe, even her green scarf. In the book, she gives up... nothing.

Though, I do like that Derek Smeath is not a slimy mean man who embarrasses her on TV. In that respect, the book is better.

Anyway... she doesn't give up ANYTHING in the book. She simply writes an actual piece of investigative journalism... and she IS a journalist... so she could have done that from the start. It just seems like she stumbled across a career lottery. The story ends with her ordering herself a treat. There was no moral of the story.

Yeah, so I'm slightly disappointed, but I still enjoyed Kinsella's writing style, so I'll read one of her books again. Maybe I won't be so disappointed if I'm not comparing it to a movie (which is completely different) the entire time.

I'm going back to Stephanie Plum now. Book 4 arrived in the mail Tuesday! I think I'll give "Jennifer Johnson Is Sick Of Being Single" a try after that. (Library-borrowing this one, because I've come to the conclusion that chick-lit is fun to read, but not worth an investment -- generally speaking.)

Do you guys have any suggestions? What book should I read? It doesn't have to be chick lit, in fact, I'd welcome a change in scenery. :)

Ok, ok. Work[out] in progress.

Between adjusting to a full-time work schedule and finding time to read and create (not to mention plain old boredom), my workouts have taken a nosedive.

I used to hit the gym before or after work and run the elliptical for 30-60 minutes. This burned anywhere from 300 calories (on a light day) to 650 calories on a kiss-ass day. Then I'd also throw in some strength training. I managed to lose about 15 lbs.

Well, I've put about 5-ish of those pounds back on. I've gotten lazy, but I'm also loving italian subs and cake right now. Needless to say, this cannot continue unchecked.

So, last night, I forced the Y upon myself. The plan was 3 10-minute sessions of cardio with strength training in between. I started with the elliptical because I figured I was most familiar with it. I was bored, did my 10 minutes and got off. I did some inclined sit-ups and seated leg presses and moved onto the stairmaster/elliptical hybrid thingy -- did about 10 minutes on there.

I did a chest press, some tricep pulldown type things and worked my inner and outer thighs.

The stationary bikes were next. Let me tell you what... I had to do about 20 minutes on those to do as much as 10 minutes on the other machines. Unless you are a true-blue beginner, I'd say these are a waste of time. Probably good for warm-ups -- not at all good for actual cardio burn.

Anyway, the weird thing was, the higher sitting bike made my left knee ache. It still hurts a little. It was weird.

I'm going to go back to the elliptical tomorrow. I'll do 10 minutes there, then 10 minutes trying out the row machine and another 10 on the elliptical. Or maybe I'll do those last 10 on the stairmaster/elliptical thingy.

Anyway you slice it, I'm not doing the bike. No way.

But, god, I'm so bored with it.

Very short book reviews.

... I finished two books! Go me!

I'm going to start Confessions of a Shopaholic tonight (or tomorrow, at work).

First book finished: "Gods Behaving Badly"

It was a good read. In all honesty, I probably know the Greek Gods and Goddesses better now than I did before the book. It was frivilous (but most of the ancient stories were frivolous too, in a way). I almost feel that this could be required reading for mythology classes because it does connect something that seems so old-school with modern life. It was silly and entertaining, but interesting as well. Not to mention, there was a lovely little love story thrown in there. We all know a love story never hurts anything.

Apollo is a little manslut. Aphrodite worked the phone-sex lines. Dionysus owned a nightclub and Hermes did everything no one else wanted to do. Oh, and Eros was a Christian. Things like that.

And they all lived in a decrepid, dirty building in London.

It's a great summer read. Light and breezy, I found it to be rather entertaining.

second book: "Girls of Riyadh"

I also liked this book. It was interesting to see how love (idealist and practical) was viewed from a non-American point of view. I'll say this much, love is complicated no matter where you go. It's a constant struggle between what makes your heart soar to the highest heights and what is the right, logical thing to do. I felt for most of the girls... I didn't really like Gamrah, but I could even feel a bit sorry for her. She seemed to be so helpless and it annoyed me at times, but I also know that I've felt hopeless too. So I couldn't hold it against her too much.

It was a good read for me, as a girl, because the narrator was very sure to make a point that she was not judging her friends. She felt they did nothing wrong. They were living the life every girl in Saudi Arabia struggled with (and really, girls everywhere struggle with the same basic problem when it comes down to it).

I wouldn't recommend the book to a dude, but I have already handed it to my mother. I think most girls/women can find something of worth -- some sort of wisdom -- in it.

a [lowercase] post.

things to avoid :: thinking.

because my thinking has inevitably led me to ponder things that were said to me. things that were not meant, or were at least exaggerated. i'd rather people not say anything to me if they're going to change their mind/feelings a day/week/month later. wishy-washy pisses me off, it seems.

that i feel stupid for thinking about it at all, but what can you do?

in other news, i have the weekend off and i have every intention of staying in bed late and finishing "gods behaving badly" by marie phillips. i also have a book waiting for me at the library, so i'll pick that up too. i'm doing nothing by sleeping, eating, reading and maybe some artsy stuff. i am going to lock myself away.

friday night, i might be hitting up the melting pot with allison. that will be both expensive and fun. we love our dates.

On Wednesday, I get off work at 2. I'm picking up my momma from work and we're gonna go to the PA state museum or whatever it's called. We needed something to do that doesn't cost money. It's only $3 to get in. I'll have to steer clear of the gift shop though. I know they have some cute things there.

Also, I'm in love with Joe Morrelli. Considering I am on a man haitus and he is a fictional character, I'm taking a break from the Stephanie Plum novels. Only a book or two break though. I've got "Gods Behaving Badly" to read and I put a book on hold from the local library. Then I'll go back to Stephanie (and Joe<3) for book 4 of the series.

I can't believe it's Monday already. I've decided to make baked ziti tonight. I'm going old school this week and making tuna noodle casserole, too. :) Not the ghetto version, the real way.

It amazes me how little I have to say lately. There's really not too much going on and I don't know whether I love this fact or hate it. Part of me wishes I had more to do, the other part thinks I'm nuts for thinking that because I'm constantly exhausted.

But life's too short! I want to do things... I just don't know what.

As for now, I have to balance my check book. I spent a bit of money this weekend. Mostly on good food, of course. That's how I roll. Forget designer clothes, I want bitchin' cheeseburgers and onion straws!

*gasp* Yay!

So tomorrow's adventure is Thai food at Bangkok Wok.
Well, first, Allison and I are watching "The Proposal." (We even have popcorn money!) THEEEEEN we're getting Thai.

She's never had Thai.
And I need Pad Thai.
I think Alli started an addiction.

After food, I'm coming home and working on my painting/mixed media piece so that I have something to update A girl and happenstance with... I don't want it to go stagnant, after all.

A new blog... hopefully about my journey to becoming a creative being again.

Check it here. I hope I don't neglect it. ;)

I had a [nightmare].

You were here. Then you left.
You didn't even say goodbye.

I called.
Something about Amanda.

I cried. I said "You just left? Without saying goodbye?"
I cried.

I cried and you said "So, can't we just be friends?"
I gasped. I cried harder and I said "Fine, you want to know everything? I'm going to tell you everything."

Then I started to spill my soul all over my front yard. I yelled and cried into the phone.
I wanted you. To be with you. To hear your and touch you everyday.
I was just about to get to the soul-wrenching part.
I was going to tell you I love you.

I woke up.

Perhaps Freud would tell me I needed closure.
But my conscious mind wasn't quite ready for it.

Well, I'm going to do this myself.
It's obvious that the universe is [and has been] telling me what I need to do, now I just need to do it.

I wish I could turn this into a novel. Maybe I could become a best seller.
Perhaps since you're stealing my dream space, I could at least steal your dream.

The DC Trip

Mothman
Originally uploaded by christina85

Ok, so I arrived in DC on Friday night. We decided to get beer. We hung out at the house & watched Fight Club since I had never seen it before. It was very weird... which was to be expected from a Palahnuik. We went to bed.

Well, I slept on the loveseat and I actually got a good night's sleep.

All the girls in the house are lovely.
Oh, and I was in love with the bathroom... maybe not the dirty shower curtain, but whatever. It wasn't disgusting, haha.

Anyway... Saturday we left the house around 11:30. I rode the Metro. This was quite an experience. I've never ridden a subway before -- The cars sway. I was not a huge fan and made a note of this for next time: bring dramamine.

We got off the metro and took a bus to shop in Georgetown. I spent way too much. It was fantastic. I spent approximately $20 on a few sheets of big paper at Paper-Source. (Hopefully I get a creative streak soon... on a day off so I can draw or paint on this. The paper is awesome and natural and it will be so much fun to work with.) I also bought a cute reusable bag that rolls up real small to fit in your purse. This will come in handy whenever I go shopping. No more plastic bags! Save the environment! GO GREEN!

Another highlight was this cute little used bookstore where I found an artist book on Egon Schiele.

OH, and if you're EVER in DC, you must must must find Raku and eat the Pad Thai. AMAZING. Seriously. I will eat there next time I visit.
There was also a yogurt place we stopped at... and I cannot remember what it was called for the life of me.

Let's see, what else happened? Oh, yes. LUSH!
I stumbled upon a Lush store in Georgetown. I said "Ohmygod, wehavetogoinhere." Both of us spent far too much on soapy products. It's so worth it though, my hair smelled delicious after I wiped Godiva all over it. I also love Karma and Sexy Peel something or other soap.

Anyway, until we were done shopping, most of the museums were closed, so we headed back to the house and we hung out again... went to a mall to grab some food and Noodles and Company (I love this place simply because they sell buttered noodles). Then we went back to the house and watched The Little Mermaid and discussed life in general.

I was up until 2 am. This is both unusual and awesome.

Sunday, I was awake at 6:45. The sun was beating in the window at me. It was lovely, but it was way too early. I couldn't fall back asleep, so I watched some news until someone else woke up. We went to get brunch with a few other people and I paid $18 for an omelet. It was a good omelet, but I'm pretty sure this purchase was the only shocker.

After being raped for an omelet, we hit up the Hirshhorn. I love modern art. Jasper Johns, Alberto Giacometti, Robert Rauschenberg, Alexander Calder, Sol Lewitt, Willem de Kooning, so many others. Oh, it was a mindgasm. I loved the fact that you can see imperfections in the actual artist pieces. It makes me feel better that it wasn't perfect... it only looks perfect in a textbook because they have to shrink it down.

The Hirshorn was fantastic.

I didn't take many photos while I was in DC. When I was at the Hirshhorn, I turned the camera on and all of the sudden my batteries were low. Besides, most of what I looked at was inside and there were museum workers everywhere! I didn't really feel like being chastised for taking photos. I wasn't sure of the policy.

After the Hirshhorn, we hit up Eastern Market. I found some cool little glass slides for my photographer of a father, but I think I appreciated them more than he did. Anyway, I kind of thought that make they'd make good coasters too. Useful art. By the time we got back to the house, it was time for me to hit the road.
It was a fantastic weekend. SO much fun and just what I needed.

This whole trip reminded me that life is only as fun, exciting and fulfilling as you make it.
Not a bad lesson learned for a two day trip. :)

PS: There were so many people everywhere! I felt so small town. No one makes eye contact or really interacts with anyone spontaneously. It was strange for me, as a small town girl, to be walking down a street and not smiling and greeting everyone I passed.

(click here for more p365 photos)