Blog-guilt

So lately, I've been feeling guilty for neglecting my blog. So today, I'm going to brush it off, get the cobwebs out of dear Bloggy's ears, and add my few cents to the day.

It is cold here today. Well, not cold by cold's standards--upper sixties and lower seventies are heaven in January, in this region. Or February. March. Often just a dream by the time we reach April. Perhaps we'll get there, by the end of May. But this summer has actually been warm, with temps in the nineties to one-hundreds, and I have been able to melt off the outer layer of ice that the last two winters bore. And now, I fear it's coming back.

But in other news--well. It's officially the last day of August. It's been a busy month for me, though not in every way I'd like. No writing was accomplished throughout this whole month, pretty much--well, not fictionally-speaking, and obviously very little here, as well. When the blog suffers, you know that other things must be going on. I've been training in to teach a new class, keeping busy at work. Trying to become a healthier person, too, by getting into a more regular work out schedule. And preparing to run about 5 miles in a marathon relay that I'm totally going to be terrible at. (Another topic for the future!) And now that it's about to be September, all sorts of new things are about to jump out, grab me by the scruff of my neck, shake me up a bit and demand my attention. All those little things we volunteer or (sometimes) are forced into really add up, you know?

But I promise, my dears--I hope it's okay with you all if I call you that? I'm running on just a few hours of sleep, here--I promise to be back. Because I have two reviews I'd like to share with you, one a book and one a movie. And because Bloggy is just purring so happily, now that I've allowed her to stretch out and get back into the social network.

Happy end of August to you. Enjoy the Kalends of September, which are soon to be upon us.

Yay, birthday!

This unicorn is wishing me a happy birthday!

So, today is my birthday, and I feel obligated to post something. Something quick and short.

I am a quarter of a century. I feel very old, although everyone scoffs at that idea. But today has been fantastic--so fantastic that I completely forgot I aged today!

What I did today:

*Took off work
*Slept in (but not too late--only till about 8:30)
*Exercised!
*Went out to eat with Mom, ate back what I worked off, I'm sure, with one fudge-topped, delicious Sundae. Which was free.
*Went shopping with Mom
*Had a fruit smoothie at McDonald's, because I've been thinking it actually looks good. (Shocking!) It really was!
*Came home and responded to the almost a hundred emails/facebook shout-outs.

Today has been great!

Of course, aside from my birth, August 9th has great historical significance. Not for good reasons, necessarily. I know it is the day the US dropped the Atomic bomb on Nagasaki. (Really, really sorry!)

A few other historical events, according to Historyorb.com and brainyhistory.com:
48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus and Pompey flees to Egypt. (Though this date may be off...)
1173 - Construction of the Tower of Pisa begins, and it takes two centuries to complete. (Sweet!)
1483 - Opening of the Sistine Chapel (Also sweet!)

1726 - Netherlands signs Covenant of Hannover 
1854 Henry David Thoreau publishes "Walden"
1930 Betty Boop debuts in Max Fleischer's animated cartoon Dizzy Dishes 
1950 Lusty Song wins Hambletonian  (At first, I thought this was a song. I don't know much about horses.)
1964 1st Rolling Stones concert in Netherlands  (Apparently, the Netherlands love August 9!)
1973 - USSR launches Mars 7
1992 - "Streetcar Named Desire" closes at Ethel Barrymore NYC after 137 performances

OK, so that's enough. Yeah, well, you get the point.

So, go have a piece of cake, or better yet (and my favorite), ice cream. It's for my birthday. And birthday calories don't count, you know?

PS--I love unicorns.

The meaning of success

I know this is dumb, but sometimes I just feel like I am unsuccessful. Maybe I hear about a friend who is going to be travelling; maybe I hear about this great job that just fits in with everything some other friend wants to do. I see other people socializing and having fun in other places...and I'm just back in my old neighborhood. Working on short stories I've barely even tried to publish. (I know, I need to work on that.)

OK. I know I shouldn't whine. I have many reasons to feel successful, and many reasons to feel lucky. Here are a few:

*I work in a museum (which is totally awesome, by the way).
*I am not traveling currently, but that doesn't mean I can't travel in the future.
*I have some wonderful friends, who are very supportive of me--even if they aren't right by.
*I have awesome friends who support my writing.
*I have been able to do some part time writing and editing, both of which are my passions.

When I graduated from high school, a friend of our family gave me a plaque with that whole bit entitled "Success." It's less of a poem and more of a guideline; but then, it's attributed to Emerson, but doesn't seem to necessarily have been written by him. Here's another site. (Is that irony, rearing its twisted head?) In any case--for those who may be feeling the unsuccessful blues--this is for you.

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

Harmonica.

Sometimes, I just wish I could play the harmonica like this guy. Or do something analagous--like write a best-selling book. Whatever.

This is totally awesome.