Flash Mob Tears

Why do flash mob videos, which seem to be a trend as of late, make me cry? Every.Single.Time. Even the ones that aren't "touching" for any reason in particular. I just start to tear up over and over again.


One of my friends posted one on Facebook today, which is where they seem to be cropping up lately. It didn't involve singing or incorporating the crowd, but even so it touched me.

So, what is it about this whole flash mob crazy that reduces me to a little girly man?

I think it's just that the news and media are often full of images of violence and destruction. You hear every day about human beings treating each other less than humanely. Whether it be at school, in the grocery store, or in our places of business, it seems people have somehow lost their compassion for their fellow man. Many days, I'm left wondering what this world is going to look like twenty years from now if we can't seem to be polite and friendly on a daily basis TODAY.

I think people nowadays don't engage as much with others, despite the increase in social media. It's like we are almost afraid to step out of our comfort zones, behind our computer screens, and really notice others in our environments. I don't mean our friends and family, I mean people working in stores and restaurants, strangers on the street, fellow grocery shoppers. It's easy to be jovial and friendly over the net, but what about face to face with the cashier bagging your food?

As we all go about our daily lives, we kind of keep our heads down and do our errands single mindedly. We worry about another's motives if they seem chatty with us, we fear we will be asked to reveal more than we wish, or that prying will ensue. Worse still, are we all just "too busy" and "pressed for time" that we don't even have that second to look into someone's eyes and make thirty seconds of small talk?

Enter the flash mob. People gather around, giving up whatever task they were so hurriedly doing, to watch and smile. They engage with others around them in awe at what they're witnessing. They enjoy a human connection that involves our most primal core entertainment of singing and dancing. It just seems for that brief moment in time that people let down their guard and just feel..........happy. How often do we do that in a crowd of others?

The negativity in the world can feel overwhelming at times. The flash mob, to me, is an example of how at the bottom of it all, we just need to gather together, hold hands and sing Kumbaya.

Well, and maybe let our backbones slide a little too!

Bloggy Stewing

I've been avoiding my blog the last few days, mostly because I'm stewing on something and I'm not sure how to put it into words. Heck, I don't even know if stewing is the right word.

Basically, Twitter is chock o'block full of bloggers. It seems everyone and their dog on there has a blog or wants to blog for someone else. There are giveaways galore and links to follow.

I'm new to Twitter, and when I decided to jump right in, I also started reading a bunch of blogs that interested me. While doing so, and coupled with tweets, I noticed many "Mom" sites asking for blog contributors. As I'm finally opening myself and my blog up to the world at large, I figured it might be a good time to get out there and throw my hat in a few rings.

However, I couldn't help but be kind of perplexed by it all. Part of that confusion comes from the fact that I'm really conscious of remaining true to who I am and my writing voice. The other part is, how can you get your voice out there if no one will give you the chance to do so?

Let me explain.

Many of these "Mom" sites want bloggers to write for them that have a large following. Now, I get that. They want people that can drive traffic and create buzz. Fair enough. I don't think that means you should rule someone out though that doesn't have that readership-yet. I know for me, I kept this blog private. I didn't want creepers following me or reading all about my business. You hear a lot of scary stuff on the net, and I was very leery of taking that chance. I kept my followers to my friends and family. Now, this is seemingly coming to bite me in the butt.

Here's the deal though, and basically what I've pitched, because it's what I'd like to be judged for anyways. I've asked that blogger employers just read my blog. If they don't like what I have to say or how I say it-fair enough. I just don't want to be written off because of a decision I made regarding security. Shouldn't they most be concerned by what and how I write above all else, anyways? I mean, sure, you could get a ton of people reading something hugely controversial but if you write horribly, does the message get lost in translation? It does for me. I have read many a blog (especially recently) where the topic is interesting, but I stop reading because of the grammar or spelling.

I think if anyone read through my blog from the beginning, well, they'd see I'm not afraid to say what's on my mind and I don't shy away from the tough topics. I'm no wallflower and I'm (unfortunately at times) very outspoken.

The other issue is, do I WANT my blog becoming full of ads and reviews and me trying to sell something or other to my followers? I can answer this one easily and honestly. Hell to the no. That's just not me. I'll tell you if I like a product, or if I got a great service. I have absolutely no issue with that. I'm NOT going to shamelessly promote something that I don't endorse, haven't tried, or don't believe in. Not gonna happen.

What it boils down to is what I've been keeping as my goal all along. That being the writing. I write because I love it. I write because I have a lot to say. If others want to hear that, fantastic. If a dialogue can come out of something that I've provoked? Even better. If someone likes my voice and wants me to bring that to their table-I'm in. I have to remain who I am and what I'm about, though. I'd love to have a ton of followers and to have people enjoying what I write-of course I would! I can't change who I am to get there, or I guess "won't" is more applicable.

So, I've avoided my blog as I've been kind of down thinking about all of this and what it means in terms of my writing goals and dreams. The blogs I love to read are the ones that are real, where the person puts it all out there and amazes me with their openness. I'm putting it out there. It may close even more doors for me.

I'm hoping that maybe it will open the ones I WANT to walk through, instead.

Talking Me Down From The Ledge

I had a bit of a breakdown the other day.

I was supposed to weigh in on Monday and totally forgot with all of the running around we had to do. I forgot again on Tuesday. Finally, on Wednesday, after already drinking my smoothie, I stepped on the scale.

This, after eating clean and exercising for two weeks.

I was shocked and horrified to see that the scale had not moved one iota. Frantic now, I took my measurements. They were also the same.

Tears in my eyes, I took to email and Twitter and reached out to friends, mostly just to commiserate, but also to get some encouragement. In that moment, I was about to eat a whole bag of cookies since really, what did it all matter???

Luckily for me, I know some pretty great people.

Right away, comments and emails started flying about just keeping the focus. There were reminders that the goal is to be healthy and strong, not "skinny." I had friends keep me in balance by checking if I was feeling good, if I was eating well, if I was feeling better about myself in general. I was doing and feeling all of those things.

Many, many, many individuals told me simply to throw the scale out and not worry about the "number." My very wise friend told me that the number on that scale might never feel enough and that it may lead to constant self-loathing if I never quite reach it.

I had a good cry and let myself feel the frustration. I MAY have cursed my crappy genetics once again.

Then, I had a huge salad for lunch and laced up my sneakers.

I'm so glad I reached out, as cheesy as that may seem. My eating is so tied to emotion that it can easily go awry when I'm down. My friends and tweeps and family all did just what I had hoped they would; they supported me and refocused me and gave me a kick in the pants. They helped me get my mind back on track to health, not numbers or vanity.

So, I'm plugging away and feeling determined. I know I have to be accountable to myself and it really all boils down to me. However, I also know that having a support network of people in your corner, truly rooting for you and wishing for the best for you, is also of utmost importance and gives me strength to carry on.

So, thanks. I appreciate you all more than I can express. I will also likely be calling on you all again, and again, and again.

I hope you're up for it, as well!

Spelling Epidemic?

I'm not sure how to point out the extreme obvious here without sounding like a total jerk but the fact is, we all know the subject I'm about to discuss is a widespread phenomenon.

Why can't people spell? No, seriously.

I'm not saying I'm perfect. I'm not saying that spellcheck hasn't saved my butt more than once. There are, for some reason, certain words that even though I KNOW how to spell them correctly, I still don't. Every time. Accommodate is one of them. (thanks spellcheck!)

It's more apparent on something like Facebook where a status isn't checked. I'm not talking about iPhone auto corrects(which are hilarious!) or missing a word because you're typing too fast. Nope, I mean downright bad, horrible, horrific spelling.

Bad spelling doesn't play favourites either. I've seen my niece and her teenage friends struck by the curse(frankly I'm surprised they know how to spell at ALL what with texting shorthand being the norm.) I've seen people my age and up hit with the sickness of being unable to spell their way out of a paper bag.

I have to admit, there are some people that I can't even read their status updates because I have NO CLUE what they are even trying to say. Really, it's THAT bad. Every second word is an error. If I see "lose" spelled "loose" one more time, I may crack and be taken away. What's even more scary? Some of these people are teachers. Please, please, please don't be teaching MY children.

Have we forgotten how to spell because of the internet? IS it due to the shorthand we've all adopted to send faster texts, and to keep our Tweets short and sweet? Or is spelling not taught as fervently in school anymore? I remember having weekly spelling tests, some were quite long with many words to learn. My youngest still has these, but my eldest? I can't remember the last time she was tested for spelling.

I'd hate to think that we've all just accepted that it's okay to not care about how things are spelled. Then again, I read something that said that in 50 years, no one will be able to read or write the current English because of shorthand that will replace it. That scares the beejeezus out of me.

I'm a HUGE Shakespeare fan-will it be translated to "Where 4 r u?"

Shudder.

Day In The Life

Ah, Monday.

It's the day that my husband typically doesn't work, so I kinda love it for so many reasons. I don't think he feels the same, though, because many of those reasons involve errands and running around. The part I heart? NO KIDS to make the tasks thirteen hours longer than they need to be.

We started the day with a leisurely morning and my hubs drove the kids to school. He hightailed it back to get me, and we dropped our furry kid off for her first day at doggy daycare. Don't mock me.

After the pup was safely playing with her new sweatered and vested poochy pals, (seriously dog owners? Not kind!) my husband remembered he had a gift certificate for a seafood place on the waterfront! Lunch out? Even better, for free? Hallelujah! The good news is that it's heavenly to get that time to just chat with my husband as adults about adult topics. The bad news is, Mondays are my worst day for staying on track in the eating and exercising category. I totally blame him.

I stayed pretty healthy, choosing a seafood bouillabase chock full of shrimp, tomatoes, haddock, scallops and mussels. It was delish! We shared a dessert, but I promise I only had a few bites and left it to him!

After lunch it was already time to pick up Poochy McPoocherson and the kiddos. Apparently the pup did great for her first day, though the handlers said she is "submissive and timid." Clearly they have her mixed up with some other adorable raggamuffin doodle.

I made a quick dinner of homemade chicken fingers and potato wedges, served with salad, and then it was off to meet a new friend for coffee at Starbucks.

I'm not a Starbucks frequenter, and man that menu is confusing to me. I quizzed my husband before I left regarding the "sizes" so I wouldn't look like (well, MORE like) a total dweeb. We both had the Skinny Caramel Macchiato, which wasn't high in calories. Yay! We sat chatting nonstop for an hour, and I could have sat there all night!

Alas, real life beckoned us both with kids needing pick ups and bedtimes and homework. Back to reality!

I didn't get my run in (again, I blame my husband) so I'm off to do that today. I need to fit my 3x in for this week, since last week I was struck by some flu bug that had me tired beyond belief.

The rest of my week is looking JUST as exciting-don't worry! :)

Do My Clothes Define Me?

I was confronted last week by a weird exchange that led me to start questioning what I kind of already surmised. That being, we are judged everyday by the items we choose to put on our backs.

In this case, it was what I put on my feet.

I love Converse shoes. I guess they are called Chuck Taylors now or All Stars. However, back in the day, they were just Converse. I like them for the way they look, primarily. I've liked them since I was in high school, and have owned pairs since then in various colours. Yes, they are comfy too and easy to slip on and off. They look hip and funky to me, though. That's the draw. They just aesthetically appeal.

However, the other day, someone commented, "Hey, nice kicks!" I just nodded a thanks. They then went on to ask me what music I was into and what bands, being in a band themselves.

Umm?? Top 40?

Guess that's not the answer most Converse wearing chicks give? I am pretty sure dude was highly disappointed. Do only edgy, alternative loving people wear Converse? I mean, I'm an almost 40 year old Mom, too. Am I not cool enough, in general, to wear these sneakers?

That led me to thinking that to the outside world, concepts and opinions about our persons are formed by the image we present by our clothing. As I primarily wear jeans, hoodies and Converse, the image must be of cougar trying to be hip? Ex-hipster? I'm not really either of those things. When I was growing up, I was more a "prep" (the label of the day) wearing Tretorns, tapered Levi's cords and jeans and anything Benetton or Esprit I could get my hands on. Well, or my Mom's wallet on. I just like my Converse. The same way as others just like their Doc Marten's, to this day. What does that say about THEM?

It must really trip people out to see me with my Converse and my Coach purse. I wonder what they think about that dichotomy!

I'm Gonna Be A Lab Rat

My friend from highschool (who is an Engineer by the way) has decided that she wants to stay home with her three kids, as she feels that it's important time that she won't be able to get back, and best for them. She'd also, however, like to make a little money and have a side project or goal to work towards. Well, you know, like besides the goal of raising moral, productive, kind members of society.

She started using Arbonne a few years back and noticed a huge change in her skin, for the better. As a firm believer in the product, and as an Engineer that likes tricky stuff like science and chemicals, she has now decided to sell it and highly endorses it.

I've never used Arbonne. I'm not really a makeup kind of gal. I mean, I WEAR makeup and I wash my face, but I usually go to Walmart or the drugstore and am a devotee of Cover Girl or Maybelline or whatever is on sale. While all my friends are over at MAC and Clinique, I'm content with my Cetaphil and Revlon. It's how I roll. My skin is uber sensitive, and I have allergies, so when I find something that doesn't give me hives or cause a reaction-I stick with it.

Lately though, since I moved to this new province, my skin is plagued by dryness. I've never had flaky skin like I do here. I live in a wind tunnel apparently, so that may have something to do with it too. On top of the dryness, I've been breaking out like a teenager. It's a really attractive look. I've tried everything going and when I moisturize, I end up breaking out. If I DON'T moisturize, I can peel my face off one layer at a time. Not. Fun.

So, my friend asked if I'd like to try some samples for free and see if Arbonne's natural ingredients and gentle formulations make any difference in my now problematic countenance. Turn down free stuff? Uh ya, no. Of course I said yes.

She thought maybe the Arbonne Clear Advantage line would be best for me, but didn't have any samples of that. Instead, she sent me their new FC5 line for oily/combination skin. I have enough to test it for a week, with daily use. She also sent two shades of lip tint, a bronzer, a hair mask and some primer. I started off with the FC5 last night and today applied the moisturizer, along with the makeup.

I'll let you know by week's end how I rate the product, if I'll be purchasing, and if I've noticed subtle or grand changes in my skin.

Do any of you use Arbonne? Have you tried it? What are your experiences?