2010: The Year of the Me Monster

It's amazing that moving 700 miles away from everything familiar and comfortable makes you reevaluate everything, things that you thought were just fundamentally who you were.

Exhibit A. NEVER have I been active, never. I was the kid in high school that would barely run the mile in time to not fail in PE CLASS. I had accepted the fact that I’m just not an active person, and now I'm training to run a 1/2 marathon. I didn’t start running because I was bored, trying to lose weight, or trying to begin my career as a marathon runner. I realized that I often played it safe, and didn't try for things that might lead to failure. I really wanted something that was going to be a challenge every day, and something that I push myself to do. As seen by my pep talks that I give myself during my 7:30 am Saturday runs, this is doing just that. Funny thing is that I feel better than I have in a long time. This challenge/accomplishment thing has really shifted my perspective of what I'm capable of doing. It's an exciting feeling.

Exhibit B. I've been giving thought to this whole "nice guys (girls) finish last." I really think there is truth to the theory. Not because the rest of the world is mean and like to beat up on nice people, but because nice people give up too much control in exchange for a relationship. This often leads to the “nice girl/guy” to be taken for granted. Allow me to explain.

Feel free to disagree here, but I'd say that in friendship and relationships that I tend to be a "nice girl." (Though both of you have seen my temper at times). Anyway, I think that I place such high value on relationships, people, and what they add to my life that I'm willing to sacrifice things that I need in a relationship just to keep the other person in my life. Now, this sounds kind of pathetic, and it's not supposed to. I allow others to negotiate the terms of our relationship while withholding some of my needs or preferences to keep the peace. What? You want to hang out with some other person for 3 months, and then come back to be BFF with me? Sure, we'll forget that whole 3 months of crappy friendship ever happened. So my thoughts are that nice guys/girls can still be the nice person, invest all they want into relationships and love people all they want, but they have to take charge and make sure that they are helping to negotiate the terms and rules of relationships. In the end, I think it will make the other parties respect and appreciate them even more.

Anyway! New life, new leaf! I've decided to start making a conscious effort to take charge of my life and my relationships. I'm nervous just thinking about it.

So there you go, those are my 2010 changes thus far...and I hope you've enjoyed the ramblings that normally stay in my head.

Party of One

Hey blog! I don’t have much to update you on other than the stupid details of my life, so get excited. Theme of the month: I’m single and my life isn’t headed anywhere awesome. Now, don’t assume I’m super Debbie Downer about either of these things. It’s just a theme and I’m trying to work it out.

We had our family vacation a few weeks ago and that was a lot of fun. Mass chaos + sun + goodbyes = Amy’s worst nightmare. But it was good to see everyone and see Forest’s kids one last time. They’ve grown up so much in the last year and are real, operating kids. (I’m a real boy!) Here’s a picture of the some of the oil we enjoyed:

Um, so the best part of being the youngest of 5 kids is that you are the last single one in the family. It’s a spot that earns you the foldout couch with the kids, back seat in a crowded van, a chair at the kids’ table, and out of the making-plans loop because it’s just me, so why would I care what we do. I think it just hit me the second night on the couch with Caleb and Josiah, when Caleb kicked me in the face, that I am single and it’s not working out for me.

You know what else makes me feel really single… buying Just-for-One frozen veggies. I get home and my broccoli and cheese one just has 2 of the 4 single trays. I guess they realized that I wouldn’t make it to the third meal in my lame life. It’s cool, Walmart, just rub it in. Maybe they should just make a “Hey, I live alone!” aisle in the very front of the store for all to see, featuring half loaves of bread, individual vegetables servings, 1/4 gallon milk, 2 scoops of ice cream and small cans of fruits. Hopefully I would run into some of you on that aisle and not feel so alone.

As for the “my life is going nowhere” part -- I think we all know about my job situation, so we don’t have to elaborate. But it’s just added to my life confusion of where I should be and when. So I’ll keep you posted and let you know if I have any great epiphanies about how to be an adult.

Things that cheer me up:

1) I got an old camera from my parents’ house while I was at home. I asked if I could steal it to find out if they make film for it still. It’s a Kodak Brownie Bull’s-Eye and I did find some film for it, one color and one black and white. So it’s loaded with the color and we’re ready to go. It belonged to our grad school mascot and my great-aunt, Aunt Maline.

2) Found out from Melissa yesterday that I got into Artwalk 2010 (September 10-11). Thanks for letting me know, MJ! I’ll be in the same place as last year and evidently they have cleared out the building, so I’ll be in there with 8 other people. I already know someone that has the same address, so that’s cool.

3) I'm starting my Mixed Media art class at Sammy U tonight. I told MJ yesterday that I feel like it's a community college class, and that I WILL start up my own study group and pick on the improv comedy class kids. I just hope we have an Abed in the group. I take that back; I hope I am Abed. I'm kinda nervous about the class, but that's good for me, because it means I'll be doing something outside my comfort zone. You might be saying, "But isn't this your comfort zone?" Yes, but alone. I've never done this in front of or with other people, so we'll see how it goes.

Alright, back to responsible life,

akschell

I don't know much....but I know I love you

...and that may beeee alll I neeed to knoooow.

I hope you enjoyed my song. What? You better know this song. I linked a really dramatic live version. enjoy. I hope Melissa's future husband wears a denim cut off vest like that. Amy, yours will wear jorts.

SO. I survived family visit...and I'm pretty sure they had a good time, which means my tour guide skills are getting better. By the time you ladies visit, we'll be in good shape. I will ask that you wear your walking shoes though :) MawMaw didn't. Photos for you to treasure forever.

I started training for the Chicago 1/2 marathon this week. It's kicking my butt, but I'm excited about the challenge. September 12th...here I come.

We started our summer residencies this week. We had 2 days of workshops to start the program...which was less than exciting. Client meeting tomorrow, so I'm starting to get excited.

Currently reading: The Tipping Point

Most Recent CD purchase: The Swell Season (they're playing here july 22nd. think i'm going)

I've been trying to spend time outside to enjoy my 4 months of sunny, warm weather, but the humidity is turning my hair into effing cotton ball hair. noooooooo bueno. so, Ashley will be single 4 life living in Chicago with her cotton ball hair, so I call flower girl at both of your weddings :)

Not much else to report. I'm glad to see that life is continuing as usual in B'ham. Melissa doesn't answer OR return phone calls, Amy is enjoying time with Sophie...the usual :)

Miss you!

don't fret...it's Friday!

hello and happy Friday to you all! as P (exlamation point) ink would say, I'm ready to get this party started. and by party, I mean weekend. I'm heading to St. Simons to see the fam and to celebrate Mama Jordan's birthday. I haven't been home since Christmas, so I'm excited to spend a few days there (and have some time off work)! some things I hope we'll do: hit up the beach, make mom drink a margarita, hear some music at the local coffeehouse, go to a restaurant where they do something embarrassing in order to make you feel special on your birthday. something I know for a fact my mom and I will do: go to Jacksonville to see Brandi Carlile in concert! ooooooooooooo OOOOOOOOOOOO! I'm very pumped to see her again, but I'm really excited my mom is getting to see her perform live for the first time with me. I've turned her into a pretty big fan, so it should be a pretty awesome time.

I hope Amy has blogged about our trip to Decatur, because it was pretty spectacular. uncle Bob and aunt Mary are by far two of the coolest people I've ever met. very good times last weekend. I think we need to make a trip back there soon, visit with them and catch a show at Eddie's Attic. I've always wanted to see a concert there, so, let's do that! I'm going to work the merch table for the 3 out of Tenn show at WorkPlay on 6/13...Trent Dabbs, Andrew Belle and Andy Davis. kind of random, but I saw a tweet that they needed help, and I replied. sell some t-shirts, listen to some music, I can deal with that.

In other news, I hear that McDonald's recalled 12 million Shrek glasses. so, sadly, y'all are gonna have to get those out your mouth. well, that's all from me for now. y'all have a fantastic weekend! Ash, I'm glad you'll be done with classes for a while! and I think that means akschell and I will be visiting soon!

lata,
mj

Not your mom's house.

Hey, blog. Long time, no see…sorry about that. It’s been a crazy few weeks, but I think things are starting to settle down. This past weekend, we went to Decatur to visit my aunt and uncle and to see the local Decatur Arts Festival. She wanted me to scope it out for a possible venue for my stuff, so we went. It was great weather and we had a good time with them. I bought this from the hands of Kreg Yingst:
It’ll go up next to my Alex Leopold piece in my office. It looks a lot like this one:

Seven minutes after pulling in their drive, my uncle had a spread of cider and cheese ready for us. Don’t miss it, seven. Out of control, and that’s how the rest of the time was, just ask Melissa. Visited a restaurant my sister had recommended from her trip to Decatur, Leon's. It was a pretty special trip-- got a burger with salad and great fries. Sort of like a FLIP place but more homey and housed in an old refurbished service station downtown. Then Sunday we were off to Lawrenceville for a wedding outside and of course it started raining/sprinkling during the ceremony. This is what I was busy doing afterwards:
Got back late Sunday and got right back in the car Monday morning for a 6-hour lovely journey to LaTech in Ruston, LA for work. Came back on Tuesday just in time to start my summer internship of Sophie Care. That’s right, for the next 2 months, it’s me and the Sophs. Don’t be jealous.

After I pick up the last roll of pictures today, I’ll post some of the latest and greatest photos from my grandfather’s camera. Ashley, I have a good one of you and Bella, so get excited. Oh also, check out Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. It’s my newest purchase and was suggested by my aunt. They are pretty great. Oh snapfish, we haven't talked about LOST. I'll have to show y'all some pictures from the sweet party we had, fully decorated house and LOST food. I'll save it for next time! BW!

Brittney's Life is a Circus, but Mine is a Goat Show

PHEW! Well, buckle up ladies.

I was just talking to my dad, and I said, "Ya know, I keep thinking that things will eventually get easier and less dramatic as I get older, but then I do crazy things like move to Chicago, or decide to end a relationship after 8 months." It's so true.

You girls know life has been a goat show, which I guess I can only say, it's a good way to end my 25th year with a bang? It started with a quarter pounder and drinks on the patio of Little Savannah, which I don't think any of us liked them.

Life isn't getting any easier and I have yet to be able to navigate it gracefully. However, I will say that I think I've learned to roll with the punches, learn from my mistakes, and enjoy every day just a little more.

It's like a cold winter here has made me appreciate the warm sunshine of spring exponentially more. Tough times and rough weeks always make you appreciate the blessings you have in life.

I'm convinced that I'm blessed to have the best friends in the world...and a pretty stinkin' awesome family.

Update: I'll be doing a summer residency with a company called ReachMD that is based here in the Chicago area. I'm really looking forward to it. The project description looks like I will develop a lot of the skills I want to develop over the summer so I'm pumped.

I can't believe that May is already here and I'm almost 26. I'm OK with it. I'm not old.

You both should check out the Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons CD. really great. You should also look into the Away We Go soundtrack. I need new music suggestions, so send 'em on over.

Thanks for the package again. It has literally made my week. I loved the break up CD. Especially that this song made the cut.

I think the rest of May is going to be a whirlwind of school work and playing outside (if it'll ever get warm again).

Miss you guys! Make wise choices!

Ashley

like that friend who only calls on your birthday...

it's no secret that I've been very neglectful of this blog (kind of like that friend who only calls on your birthday). a legitimate reason for this is that my internet connection has been uber sporadic lately. I would love to complain about that, but I steal the internets so I don't think I can do that without sounding like that guy referenced in Liar Liar who was robbing that lady, fell through her skylight, landed on a knife, and then he decided to sue her and won lots of money. I digress, but what a fun movie that was.

so to sum up, I'm not sure how far back I should go to fill you in on what's been going on in my life. I will say that things have been going pretty well. I finally got to go to Charleston with my mom and Allison last month, which was a blast. that city has something about it, and I really loved it. we went on a tour of homes along the battery, and middle school Melissa (who wanted to be a realtor) was really loving that. we had some pretty fantatstic meals, saw some great art galleries and toured some really beautiful churches. I'll post some pics when I have a little bit more time.

SUBJECT CHANGE: we have our second to last softball game tonight. please wish us luck. this is most likely our best chance at winning tonight. if not, we can at least have a sno-cone at the eeeeend of the gaaaaaame! well, or an adult beverage.

I'm thinking about getting a second job pretty soon. I don't want to lose my free time, but I want to actually be able to start saving money, so I think it's time to suck it up. even though a second job might actually suck it up. any suggestions on what I should do?

FINAL SENTENCES: I've been sorting through a ton of my old CDs recently. some of the more embarrasing ones include: O-Town, Coyote Ugly soundtrack, Hanson Christmas CD, Will Smith's Big Willy Style and Joey McIntyre's Stay the Same. I'll be honest with you though, I was really pumped to listen to a few select songs from those albums. I'm about to pre-order Jennifer Knapp's new album Letting Go, coming out May 11. I hadn't listened to her older stuff in a really long time, but I'm pretty excited about the new album. I recorded Stone To the River (if that's the correct title) at her show at WorkPlay and have been listening to it a lot lately. powerful voice and lyrics...

I have harvested nothing by tearing through you/I try and I try and I try as I do/I've bloodied my fists trying to keep my own plans/oh the damage I've done to my fellow man.

alright, I promise I will increase the frequency of my posts. I'm also trying to eat more fruits and veggies, so keep me accountable with that too. it'll make my mom happy, and I know you all love her.

as Gladys says: keep on keepin' on,
mj