The other day, I was thinking about how my blog has changed over the 3.5 years I've been posting on it. After I moved to Annapolis, I started blogging on xanga as a daily webjournal type of thing to keep my friends and family updated in lieu of mass emails. I posted almost daily on what I had been up to, etc. Over the next 2 years, as I discovered that more and more people were reading my blog, I became blog-prideful and starting writing insightful and deep blogs of my thoughts and opinions. That only lasted a little while...my thoughts and opinions don't change too often so I never had anything new to write! I also had a lot of free time at work to blog...until March of 2007 when I started my current job. My blog posting fell off at that point, and hasn't really picked up much since. In October of '07, I switched my blogging platform to Blogger, which I like much better.
I think I'm writing this just to explain to my readers (and myself) why I don't blog too often. I'm hoping to change that- I realized that I haven't been blogging much about what I've been doing recently...even though it's all very interesting and very fun! I'd like to take this blog back to its roots a bit and post about the things I am doing in my life...and less about my thoughts on life. I think those will come along for the ride too...but sometimes I feel so pressured to blog about something significant and meaningful. Also, since I am the Google-Stalking queen, I know how easy it is to find people you know through googling organizations and activities. So, few names will be listed here.
What has been taking up most of my evening time recently is rehearsing for a Gilbert & Sullivan opera up in Baltimore. I am having a great time with most of the music and with the people. I feel a bit like a "real" singer since we actually have to memorize the music. I've been wandering around during the day with my cheat sheets mumbling words. I'm sure my co-workers are a bit confused! Really though, memorization comes very easily to me, so I dont' expect it to be a problem.
The drive to Baltimore gets a bit old, but thankfully my friend SP is singing too, so we carpool together. It's made for some fun conversations and A LOT of debriefing after rehearsals. But, since that's what we do best (debriefing), it's to be expected. There is a bit of dance involved in this show, as well as a big heavy costume. I went out and bought a pair of character shoes last weekend- since this is the second time I've needed a pair I decided to bite the bullet and buy some. Thankfully, they are very comfy. We begin staging the opera on Friday, so I'll be interested to see how that works. The whole experience is a learning one for me, and I'm enjoying myself immensely so far.
My other major commitment of the summer is triathlon training. I've mentioned it before...but I really didn't know quite the commitment that this training involves! I've joined a swim class, I bike twice a week, and run one or twice a week. If I follow my plan properly, I'm exercising 5 days a week! This has involved some lunchtime treadmill or bike time which I don't love...but I've got to get something in even on days that I have rehearsal. I write more about exercise on my running blog, so you can go there for more info.
I have managed to squeeze in a little hang-out time with friends...but I'm sure some feel like I've abandoned them! I promise I'll be back around soon...
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Intellectual Stimulation
My last year in Spartanburg before I moved to Annapolis, my main complaint in life was that I was bored. I didn't feel stimulated at all- in my job, my social life, my spiritual life, and particularly not in my intellectual life. It seemed that I was getting "stupider" by the day...I felt like I was stuck in some stagnant room that I just couldn't leave! My brain was shriveling up from lack of use and stimulation.
I've written about the 4 things I need in my life to maintain balance- spiritual fulfillment, athletic fulfillment, musical fulfillment, and intellectual fulfillment. Moving to Annapolis quickly satisfied the first three when I joined a community chorus, a running club, and found a good church. My job was fairly challenging, but not what I would call "intellectually stimulating". Before I fell into my busy social life, I was reading a lot of books on topics ranging from theology to spy novels. In the past 2 years or so, my reading time has been reduced dramatically. Yet, I don't feel that my intellectual needs are not being met.
This makes me wonder what has changed since I established intellectual fulfillment as a need in my life. Have my standards for intellectual fulfillment changed? I'm not sure. My job is more challenging, but not in an academic way....moreso in technical matters. Problem-solving and such. Part of me worries that as I move farther and farther from my time in the realm of academia, my capacity for creative, global thought is diminishing. In college, I was always asking the hard questions of life and I loved gathering more and more knowledge, often abstract, impractical knowledge.
I think and hope that maybe I'm just growing into a mature adult. The thirst for intellectual knowledge that I had in college has decreased- but I've learned so many practical things that help me along in life. Since my other 3 needs are being met, I think both my job and my social life provide the intellectual stimulation that I need. While a part of me misses my young, idealist quest for answers, I'd much rather be sitting on the back deck with friends and a glass of wine discussing politics, the state of the world, and spiritual matters than sitting on the steps of Old Main devouring a book. And that, I hope, is a sign of maturity.
I've written about the 4 things I need in my life to maintain balance- spiritual fulfillment, athletic fulfillment, musical fulfillment, and intellectual fulfillment. Moving to Annapolis quickly satisfied the first three when I joined a community chorus, a running club, and found a good church. My job was fairly challenging, but not what I would call "intellectually stimulating". Before I fell into my busy social life, I was reading a lot of books on topics ranging from theology to spy novels. In the past 2 years or so, my reading time has been reduced dramatically. Yet, I don't feel that my intellectual needs are not being met.
This makes me wonder what has changed since I established intellectual fulfillment as a need in my life. Have my standards for intellectual fulfillment changed? I'm not sure. My job is more challenging, but not in an academic way....moreso in technical matters. Problem-solving and such. Part of me worries that as I move farther and farther from my time in the realm of academia, my capacity for creative, global thought is diminishing. In college, I was always asking the hard questions of life and I loved gathering more and more knowledge, often abstract, impractical knowledge.
I think and hope that maybe I'm just growing into a mature adult. The thirst for intellectual knowledge that I had in college has decreased- but I've learned so many practical things that help me along in life. Since my other 3 needs are being met, I think both my job and my social life provide the intellectual stimulation that I need. While a part of me misses my young, idealist quest for answers, I'd much rather be sitting on the back deck with friends and a glass of wine discussing politics, the state of the world, and spiritual matters than sitting on the steps of Old Main devouring a book. And that, I hope, is a sign of maturity.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Sleep
As many people have found in their lives, sleep can be quite a mystery. Why do we have a hard time sleeping when we are exhausted? How can too much sleep make us tired during the day? Why are dreams so strange?
Anyway, I've been thinking about sleep a lot recently- mostly because my sleep patterns have been a bit out of the ordinary for me in the past few weeks. Over the past few years, I've gotten into a pretty consistent 11 PM-7 AM sleep schedule. When that is interupted, I tend to struggle (as an aside- I know my mommy friends are laughing right now when I talk about interupted sleep...yes, yes, I know if I have kids I'll wish for the days that getting only 6 hours of sleep makes me exausted...but for now as a single gal with few responsibilities, I've got to comment on it!). Monday night, I was up late after rehearsal chatting. Then Tuesday night, I was exhausted from going all day, running 4 miles, and having a 2 hour rehearsal. I managed to get into bed early, but couldn't fall asleep! It was terrible- Wednesday became such an exhausting day for me! Thankfully, last night I slept like a rock.
I just find it interesting that I used to survive on 6 hours a night or less...and be fine. Now, one night of 6 hours throws me off for days! I experienced the same thing at our Users' Conference 2 weeks ago.
When I sleep, I also have super-vivid dreams. They can be quite entertaining, and quite disturbing. I find many desires and fears revealed in my dreams. Which makes sense because dreams are supposedly our subconcious minds communicating with our conscious minds.
So there you have it- what's been on my brain for the past few days....Sleep. :)
Anyway, I've been thinking about sleep a lot recently- mostly because my sleep patterns have been a bit out of the ordinary for me in the past few weeks. Over the past few years, I've gotten into a pretty consistent 11 PM-7 AM sleep schedule. When that is interupted, I tend to struggle (as an aside- I know my mommy friends are laughing right now when I talk about interupted sleep...yes, yes, I know if I have kids I'll wish for the days that getting only 6 hours of sleep makes me exausted...but for now as a single gal with few responsibilities, I've got to comment on it!). Monday night, I was up late after rehearsal chatting. Then Tuesday night, I was exhausted from going all day, running 4 miles, and having a 2 hour rehearsal. I managed to get into bed early, but couldn't fall asleep! It was terrible- Wednesday became such an exhausting day for me! Thankfully, last night I slept like a rock.
I just find it interesting that I used to survive on 6 hours a night or less...and be fine. Now, one night of 6 hours throws me off for days! I experienced the same thing at our Users' Conference 2 weeks ago.
When I sleep, I also have super-vivid dreams. They can be quite entertaining, and quite disturbing. I find many desires and fears revealed in my dreams. Which makes sense because dreams are supposedly our subconcious minds communicating with our conscious minds.
So there you have it- what's been on my brain for the past few days....Sleep. :)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Early Summer
Signs that it's almost summer (and certainly feels like it outside!):
-I've switched to iced coffee in the morning. As much as I love my morning cup of coffee, I just can't bring myself to have a hot drink when it's warm in my room and I'm about to blow dry my hair. Last year, I found a great cold-brewed iced coffee recipe in the New York Times. Deliciously cool. :)
-My long, pink terry robe has been exchanged for its short, white counterpart.
-Summer bedding (white and light blue flowers) is on my bed.
-I'm walking around with a permanent glistening sheen on my face. No amount of powder can make this go away...so I simply embrace it as "glowing skin".
-Walking outside feels like getting hit by a wall of someone's hot, sticky breath.
-I only have the desire to drink beer or cold white wine. Red wine and martinis are out.
-I'm wrapped up in my blanket at the office more frequently since the thermostat gets set to 60 in the summer. No wonder I never completely acclimate to the heat...
-The very last thing I want to do is go run. Even on the treadmill at my office in the cool, air-conditoned gym.
-Our visitor, the kitty cat, thinks that this is the best time of year to snuggle.
-I have a strong desire to have appetizers at the Severn Inn.
-I've switched to iced coffee in the morning. As much as I love my morning cup of coffee, I just can't bring myself to have a hot drink when it's warm in my room and I'm about to blow dry my hair. Last year, I found a great cold-brewed iced coffee recipe in the New York Times. Deliciously cool. :)
-My long, pink terry robe has been exchanged for its short, white counterpart.
-Summer bedding (white and light blue flowers) is on my bed.
-I'm walking around with a permanent glistening sheen on my face. No amount of powder can make this go away...so I simply embrace it as "glowing skin".
-Walking outside feels like getting hit by a wall of someone's hot, sticky breath.
-I only have the desire to drink beer or cold white wine. Red wine and martinis are out.
-I'm wrapped up in my blanket at the office more frequently since the thermostat gets set to 60 in the summer. No wonder I never completely acclimate to the heat...
-The very last thing I want to do is go run. Even on the treadmill at my office in the cool, air-conditoned gym.
-Our visitor, the kitty cat, thinks that this is the best time of year to snuggle.
-I have a strong desire to have appetizers at the Severn Inn.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Hot, a Little Tired, and Quite Busy
While I know the "official" start to summer is a few weeks off (well... the summer solstice, that is), it sure feels like summer has reached Annapolis! We've been sweltering in crazy heat and humidity! I spend some of Saturday outside at a wine and food tasting, and it was HOT! I had two swigs of water for every swig of wine. :) We finally turned the AC on at our house, but it's still quite steamy on the top level (where my bedroom is). I may have to make a trip to sleep in the basement soon...
Last week at my company's conference was really fun. I stayed out way too late, but had a good time. I may write more about it later, but here are a few funny highlights:
-One of the British guys falling into the fountain
-My manager getting knocked off her barstool by a drunk coworker
-Lots of dancing
-A bar that reminded me of scenes from Coyote Ugly
-Crazy clients
-My coworker being asked on the Metro if she was pregnant (she had her bag in front of her!)
All in all it was a fun week. I'm still trying to catch up on sleep though!
I start rehearsals for a summer opera production tonight. I'm looking forward to it, even though it involves some very long days! I had to pack 3 meals to bring to work with me today!
Last week at my company's conference was really fun. I stayed out way too late, but had a good time. I may write more about it later, but here are a few funny highlights:
-One of the British guys falling into the fountain
-My manager getting knocked off her barstool by a drunk coworker
-Lots of dancing
-A bar that reminded me of scenes from Coyote Ugly
-Crazy clients
-My coworker being asked on the Metro if she was pregnant (she had her bag in front of her!)
All in all it was a fun week. I'm still trying to catch up on sleep though!
I start rehearsals for a summer opera production tonight. I'm looking forward to it, even though it involves some very long days! I had to pack 3 meals to bring to work with me today!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Ritzy
As of tomorrow, I'll be in DC for the week. It's my company's Users' Conference, and I'll be training clients most of the day on Wednesday. The conference is at the Ritz-Carlton in downtown DC. Last year, we got to stay at the Ritz...but this year, because of cost, we'll be slumming in the DC Marriott across the street. :) I am mostly disappointed that we aren't staying at the Ritz because their shampoo, conditioner, etc is Bvgalri White Tea- which is my summer scent. Maybe I can befriend a maid at the Ritz and see if I can snag some freebies...
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