Wisdom: Mitch Hedberg

Etsy

Are you familiar with Mitch Hedberg? He's one of favorite comedians, and I'm so bummed that he's not around to continue with his humor. I have a few of his cd's and they play randomly on my ipod. It's such a jolt to go from a song to one of his stand up bits like this:

No matter how many times I've heard his jokes, they always make me laugh. Something about them is so satisfying. I went through a big stand up comedy phase around nine years ago. I devoured all the specials I could find on tv, and I desperately wanted to go see some live performances but at that age I just couldn't afford it. If only youtube was around, I would have spent too many hours watching all the stand up clips I could find. I remember when, in high school, I realized I could find stand up on napster (yes, I said napster). Who did I download first? Well, Bill Cosby of course.

One thing about comedians that I really admire is the way they analyze the world around them. I like to joke that I'm a bit pattern obsessed, and I am, and I think it makes for interesting observations of my day to day interactions. When I watch stand up, I notice that the comedians I most enjoy are the ones who comment on those daily interactions and notice the quirkiness in some of our patterns.

Do you have any comedians you can't get enough of? I'm always on the lookout for more laughter, send 'em over!

Wisdom: The Doctor

I really identify with this quote. Sometimes I try to be more realistic and less hopeful, but that just brings me down. I think my natural state is just to believe the best will happen, and work towards that ideal. Sometimes it works in my favor, other times I feel like a fool, but I rather like being a dreamer now and again. 

Wisdom: The Doctor

This makes me think. It's so true. Life is so much more faceted than we are led to believe. But, without the darkness, would you appreciate the light?

I have to say, I have many days where I just despise being an adult. The responsibility can make me so anxious and stressed. But the responsibility is just one side effect. I have to remember to savor all those crazy, wonderful days spent how ever I chose with whomever I like.

I used to drive to work and get a little smattering of joy from thinking that I could just take a different exit and drive to Monterey, that the only thing in my way was my sincere desire to see my students. I never did it, but I could! That always made me smile.

Wisdom: The Doctor

I'm always trying to find new tv shows to watch streaming on netflix. We don't have a traditional tv setup, but a common hulu and netflix combo. We recently started watching Dr. Who, mostly because we love the show Community and they poke fun at Dr. Who quite a bit. I love it. 

Both shows are very goofy and strange. Dr. Who is especially quirky. But not as quirky as the people who adore the show. Whoa. I love fandoms, little social niches, and this show seems to have quite the following, just check out tumblr or pinterest. 

I'm not quite there yet...but The Doctor says some interesting stuff.

Soccer

Do you watch soccer? We are big soccer fans here, I am mostly by proxy. I do enjoy watching the sport, though I honestly love anything where a crowd cheers in unison for a joined purpose. I love the hope and the dismay of sporting events, the way the crowd reacts together and laughs together. The feeling of anxiety as you sit on the literal edge of your hardly cozy seats, weather be damned, waiting for the score to lean in your teams favor, and when it does, oh when it does, I do stand proud, pound my fist into the air and high five anyone around that feels the same way, and usually that is a lot of high fives.

This year,

Happy New Year!

Hope you had a great new year!

This past year was not my favorite and I'm ready for a new one. I usually love a good goal, you know, a resolution or unrealistic expectations for our future selves. Last year, I decided to delve into the world of unprocessed food and learn as much as I could handle about real foods. I learned a lot and went a bit crazy about making things from scratch for a while, but I ended the year thinking that balance is key and realizing, yet again, that I truly adore cooking. I also realized that I missed good old sugar and flour baking during my whole unprocessed craze. What is it about mixing up some dough and watching it do its thing that brings my soul some peace? 

 This year I want to focus on health and well being, this year I'm going to find the salamanders in life.

What are your hopes and dreams for 2013?

Let me explain the salamanders bit..



When I was little, my sister and I were helping our dad with a task in the front yard. I can't recall what, but we were in the garden out front, under the large loquat tree, when we saw something strange and shiny, glistening in the shadows. Two little salamanders sat squirming in a corner of the moist garden. We were so stinkin' excited to see those little creatures. I've always had an affinity for amphibians and, frankly, any small animals that I could get my grubby little hands on. Those tiny surprises delighted us for days as we talked about how they wiggled and wriggled.

Just a few days ago, I was at my aunt's house letting our wily pooches play when she pulled back a rain soaked outdoor rug and ta-da! Salamanders! I was instantly seven years old again and enthralled with the creatures. I picked them up and moved them to a moist but safe location, far from the dogs playful pouncing.

See what I mean, I want to find the salamanders in life this year. I want to be surprised, enthralled and excited to discover small things hidden unlikely places.

Happy New Year!

you know you're ready

Ready for the weekend! 

niche

A few years ago, I watched a documentary on ferret owners. And then I watched one on synchronized swimming competitions. I've since seen shows about storage containers, I've read crazy knitting blogs and I've visited hobby shops and bike shops and all sorts of strange and specifics shops and here's what I have concluded, if you haven't found your niche, your little enclave of similar minded people all driven toward the same specific way to spend their free time, then you aren't trying hard enough.