Let's Party

Spring is nature's way of saying, "let's Party!"

~ Quote Robin Williams

New Chapter

It is exciting, scary, and exhilarating to be on the edge of a new chapter in life. It is crazy to think that one decision that you make can affect your whole life from the people you meet to the opportunities that arise to the challenges that present themselves. I am eager to learn how this next chapter will shape my future, bring new people in my life, and challenge me in ways that I have never been challenged.

I am an indecisive person to a fault and it is so liberating to finally make a decision for myself without hemming and hawing how this decision will affect anyone else, if it is the right decision, if it is the perfect timing... I have definitely figured out recently that there is no good time. Life is not going to stop and wait for you to make up your mind, so jump in head first and get yours. When things don't necessary go the way you thought they would or how you want, you need to live for yourself by bettering yourself. I have made the decision to not only better myself, but to finally make a decision that is mine.

Photo found http://www.flickr.com/photos/noflickr/2840049899/

Odd Job #1

So here begins the list of odd jobs, which I am sure there will be many more in the future. Last night I was a bar promotions person for a certain vodka and beer. I know what you are thinking. It was money and I needed validation that I could still make some, even if I felt silly, old, and way out of place. So with a check in my hand today, I know I still have the ability to make it and have a pretty funny story because of it.

So let me set the stage, it was a bar that I have been to before in Newport, not one that I frequent or feel that comfortable at, so I tell myself, "whatever I am an adult I can do this." When I got there, there were maybe 15 people at the bar, MAYBE. Not good considering I am supposed to be passing out samples of two different vodka drinks draining two bottles of vodka by the end of the night. Problem: A) These people are going to hate me harassing them all night, "Try this awesome shot. No clue what's in it, but its free and there is no one else here, so you have to.", B) I am going to get them wasted beyond it being fun, and C) The more people there, the less I actually have to do to talk to people. Crap. So I pretend to be busy going through the box of freebies I get to hand out, read the note from the liquor distributor 45 times (a raffle, shot passing, and handing out t-shirts seems like an impossible feat, something I have never done before) until I get the nerve to ask the bartender to mix up some shots. Ugh, so I begin....Mind you I have worked in a restaurant/bar, maybe I am just out of practice?

An image comes to mind of a picture of me when I was about 5 peaking from behind my mother's legs. I am shy. Used to be painfully shy. After the first round, I was realized it is not that bad. Don't get me wrong, it is not fun, but it could really be much worse. And the bar gets a little more busy, MAYBE 25 people now. All questionably 21.

Ironically as I am thinking, "is this really it for me?," a "kid," he really looked about 12 and if I was from RI, would have thought I had babysat him at some point (sorry tangent), asks me, "How did you get this awesome job?" Me "Oh, it just fell into my lap." Him "It's a really cool job. Do you think I could get a job like this?" Me "Um, yeah. You can really do anything you set your mind to." (I was not trying to be a smart ass. I just did not know what to say and did not anticipate that question at all.) The conversation then took the typical RI turn. And I am going to add this because I think it is just funny and I am pretty thankful I am not 20 years old any more. He asks me, "Are you a local?" Me "Yeah, I am from Narragansett." Him "Ugh, you are from the woods!" Seriously Rhode Island, are two bridges that scary? I hate to inform you, there is a big bad world out there. Rhode Island is a blip in the grand scheme of things and this "kid" doesn't leave Aquidneck Island. Oh well.

So there goes my liquor promotion career. Let's hope I don't have to do that again soon. Cannot wait to see what the next odd job will be.

Thanks Google image search for your shot photo....

Oh and.... Happy Friday!

Today I am Thankful

Today I am thankful for my fabulous friends. When your thoughts are heavy and outlook dim, sometimes all it takes is a dinner with friends. And of course Seven Moon's Sushi.

Amanda

Ginny & Me

If you're alone, I'll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I'll just be me.

~Author Unknown

Quick, Escape

Who would have known that one day later, I would find a Rhode Island Monthly Magazine in my mailbox with the big headline, "Quick, Escape." There are 10 fabulous and inexpensive New England getaways.

Ok, I read the article and there are maybe four good ones, but worth the read for new suggestions. The four that are worth mentioning are Brewster, MA, Olgunquit, ME, North Conway, NH (also recommended by a friend), and Cambridge, MA. The same friend that recommended North Conway also reminded me of Block Island, which would be awesome to explore during the day on a random Monday, when all the drunkards (I have been one - not passing judgement) are not invading the beaches. So now I just need to decide which one to start with....

Image at LivingEtc.com

Day Tripping

So the title may be deceiving, I am still on the 75 and sunny plan. It is an idea to brighten my weeks and feed the need to go away and see the world. Although it would be amazing to sit in that cafe in Paris or work on that farm in Ireland, it isn't always feasible so instead why not explore the world in close proximity? That is where day tripping comes in. Once a week I hope to find an adventure in a town, city, turnoff the highway within driving distance from me. New England really has come crazy, interesting places and I look forward to taking advantage. Here are some of the places that I have always wanted to see what the hype was actually all about.

1. Woodstock, CT - maybe just cuz the name

2. Mystic, CT - maybe just cuz of the movie

3. Portsmouth, NH - been there but want to see more

4. Provincetown, MA - enough said

5. Plymouth, MA

6. Nantucket / Martha's Vineyard

7. Cape Ann, MA

8. Burlington, VT - Magic Hat Brewery :)

9. Portland, ME - kind of far

10. White Mountain Nation Forest, NH - hiking

I think that is probably good enough for now. Oh wait, I cannot leave out Boston. The Red Sox season is on the horizon and I would like to go up without tickets and see where that takes me.

P.S. Picture via portsouthnh.com

Je T'aime

Today I daydream about sitting at a cafe in Paris starting with a cappuccino and staying all the way through the afternoon ending with a glass of wine. I would read, write, and watch the people passing by all day. Spring in Paris would be ideal, especially on a chilly Monday. Some day I will be able to check this off my list.

P.S. Picture via Google Search

Emotionalism

The Old Guitarist - Pablo Picasso

I have always been very sensitive and not just the kind that cries at sappy movies, but it seems to be the go to emotion whether I choose it or not. I cry when I am happy, nervous, frustrated, angry, hurt, sad...I could go on. For so long it has been the one thing that I fear and hate most about myself. I fear that it will creep out in the most inappropriate times, like some place far out of my comfort zone with the people I don't trust. I hate the way it affects my relationships and the fact that it makes me appear weak.


I have always been much better at writing things down then talking face to face. It seems to take some of the emotion out it; no that's not true, maybe it is that it depersonalizes the judgement that comes from my words. You can write something down and don't have to necessarily face the person reading it; therefore, less likely to be emotional about it.

I have always wondered what it would be like to be able to stop myself from crying forever, well that's an exaggeration, but far less. To be able to show my feelings constructively, to use my words to express my emotions instead of tears. I have gotten better at it, but it will always be a work in progress. I want those close to me to understand I am just as uncomfortable with my crying as they are, if not more uncomfortable. I replay the moments again and again, wondering how I can actually say what I need to and not be chocked up with tears. As I go through trying to figure out how I can reel in my emotions, I do know that I sadly wear my heart on my sleeve, but that I gladly show people my emotions ALWAYS. I promise to work on how it is I express those emotions.

Too Funny!

http://news.gotgame.com/everything-is-amazing-nobody-is-happy/29317/

Team Aniston!

Alright so I admit I am Team Aniston, but I just watched the movie "Changling" and can say that I do like Angelina Jolie, some times. That movie was absolutely incredible. It is amazing to see what mothers will and can go through for the love of their young. I can only hope that I experience that love some day in my life. So there are now a few of Jolie's movies I do like, "Girl Interrupted," "A Mighty Heart," and "Bone Collector." I just have a problem with the cheating and/or infidelity, sorry.


Another movie that I saw a while ago, but has left a lasting impression is "Revolutionary Road." It is definitely a thought provoking movie. Life is far too short for what ifs. As hard as it is to follow your dreams, some times they are impossible to deny. Inhibitions and fear are often what prevent us from taking that step toward what we dream. This year I hope to not let fear to get the best of me.

(Movie posters from Netflix)

Good Bye Winter...Hopefully

Today being the last day of winter and of course it is raining, cold, and dark; I wanted to say that although it was long and we got a ton of snow, winter gets a bad rap. This winter I tried to embrace the snow with some positivity, although difficult when shoveling my entire driveway, I feel that I was somewhat successful. I actually bought a pair of skis, well they were kind of a gift, took a ski vacation up north, AND enjoyed skiing. I am not close to calling myself a good skier, but I can say that I made it down some pretty hard trails without falling and not fearing for my life. I also made it to NYC to see the tree and watch a Broadway play. I lit and enjoyed a fire in my fireplace without burning the house down. All in all I think I had a pretty good winter.

(Cannon Mt., New Hampshire)

On the other hand, I am sooo ready to say good bye to winter. Yesterday the weather was much more spring like and I was able to take advantage with a walk to Rome Point. It is a great place to take a dog to the beach, apparently see seals (I didn't yesterday), and catch starfish (once found 6). If nothing else it is a symbolic time for growth and new beginnings and one step closer to the short New England summer.

(Rome Point, RI)

75 an Sunny

Today begins the first day of sobriety until Memorial Day. It is something that I have thought about for a while as just a healthy decision and to change things up. Sadly I don't think I have taken much time off of drinking since I started, so I thought now is the right time. Lists of things to do have been made, a theme song picked, and I am excited to explore. Here are some of the things to keep busy and look forward to:



1. Hiking - Napa Tree Point, Long Pond-Ell Pond, Ben Utter Trail, Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, Walkabout Trail.
2. Music - Narrow Rivers in Fall River
3. Zip Lines and Canopy Tours in New Hampshire
4. Revolution Soccer Game
5. Make a coffee table


Theme Song: 75 and Sunny by Ryan Montbleau Band

"I had a bad night
a night so bad i thought i was king of the world
and i drank til daylight
i mean i never stopped once til my hands finally fell
and i fought my daytime self with a mighty douse of hey look at the night time me
i never do win that battle, but i fight it over and over and over and over it seems


and i saw an old man smilin on a park bench feedin the pigeons
my head was spinnin as my young body ached i wished for an old man vision
and i watched the way he moved slow serene and lucky to be alive
and i thought to myself i'm never gonna make it that far with too many nights like last night

and i rather be 75 and sunny
than acting like i was 17 and freezing again
i rather be up early in the morning than up late at night erasin memories where i have been
or to be thru at 52 someday stone faced and bleary eyed
you better believe i'm lookin for the moment but my moments growin bigger by and by"

Just a little bit of the song.

New Ambition

With my life open like a book, I keep thinking "Why not?" Why don't I go do something crazy because I have the time? I am not sure what is keeping me back. Maybe it is I am afraid to do it alone, that I am afraid I will absolutely hate it when I do it, or maybe it is just the fear that I will love it and never want to look back.

The one adventure I keep getting drawn to is WWOOF. This is a volunteer organization (World Wide Opportunity on Organic Farms) that is kind of like a work share program. Basically you find a farm/family/location that you would like to visit/work on/experience, buy a plane ticket and work on whatever your host has for you for 4 - 5 days and then have the rest of the week to explore. Your host provides you with lodging and food.

So where would I go? Obviously Ireland. It would check two things off my list of things I have always wanted to do 1) go to Ireland and 2) work on a farm. I think it really would be a great opportunity to meet new people, learn more than staying at hotel on vacation, and be something utterly awesome. So why haven't I don't this already?

Here is the website if you would like to check it out: http://www.wwoof.org/

Hiking Less Traveled

This weekend we stumbled upon a very cool hiking spot in Tiverton. It is called Eight Rod Farm, which is a 418 acre former dairy farm in Tiverton. It is located off of Route 77 and 8 Rod Way. It is eerily reminiscent of a horror film with abandoned barns, houses, stables, and milking stations. Walking up the path was deceiving as it opened to a field and my first thought was "this is it?," but on further investigation it turned out to be a really cool spot. It appears that the people on the farm and in the houses just seemed to pick up and leave or so my imagination would like to think. I have been searching for history on the farm, but have come up unsuccessful. I highly recommend checking it out and wish I had brought my camera. I will be heading back there, but definitely not alone. I am always open to new hiking spots, so if you know of any good ones let me know.

Camping

Along with the spring fever theme of yesterday, I really want to organize an all girls camping trip this summer. I think it would be a fun, inexpensive way for a big group to together and just be girls. Last spring I went all the way up to Bar Harbor, ME. It was beautiful, but kind of far away. There has to be other camping areas closer that are just as pretty and can lend a background like the picture above. I think it probably is best to just pick a date and send it out to whomever is interested. If anyone knows of any good camping places, let me know.
image via lily & jae clothing p.s. I will make sure to pack my sundress and heels :)

Close but so far away

So I have some serious spring fever. I am sick to death of wearing jackets, pulling on socks, and zipping up my boots. I have gotten to the point where I just look in my closet and cringe. It is time for spring. I need some nice weather to break out a cute sundress, flip flops, or comfy tank. March and April always seem such a tease with a gorgeous day stuck between brutal cold. This is where I would rather be today.

Creative Inspiration

As you all know, I have had much more free time lately. With this has come some desperate need to get back that creative edge that I had so long ago. I dearly love all things arts and crafts from drawing to painting to even wrapping presents. It is quite embarrassing, but I feel the need to reach back into my left brain and get down to business. I don't have the distraction of a tireless job that gives me nothing, so here's to no more excuses.



I have lately been obsessed with learning to sew, which I broke out the sewing machine and have had zero luck with it. I have also been surrounded my whole life with women that knit. My mom has recently taken to the art and I am completely in awe of the things she can make. I may just have to get her to teach me. (Not sure how that is going to go over.)



So I am thinking this outlet will help me share my pursuit of all things crafty, as well as the bumps in the road, inspirations, and crazy ideas that seem to flood my mind on a daily basis.