Day 05 — A Favorite Quote

It's getting old, huh? Me saying, "I can't just pick one!" Here's another verse in that song. But I'll actually play by the rules today and just give you ONE.

I know. Mark your calendars. Miracles are happening.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
Theodore Roosevelt

Simple, right? Yes.

And yet, I find that I struggle to do this everyday. Sometimes I just want to roll over and be defeated so I don't have to fight anymore. Sometimes I want someone else to take the reins so I can just enjoy the ride. Sometimes I simply forget.

There were times that I had stepped up and let myself be counted. Times that I have taken control and did what was necessary and right. Some of the most difficult days of my life I had to repeat that quote to myself just to get through. Times I actually lived this mantra. Daily. I had to. Survival was dependent on it.

When I was a single mom nursing a newborn trying to decide what to do with my life.

Having to swallow my pride and accept WIC, food stamps and Medicaid so that my son could get a decent start in life.

Having to hold my head up while I sat in state agency waiting rooms so that I could meet with an overworked, underpaid social worker jaded by the caseload piling up on his/her desk and the injustices by those milking the system rather than trying to get out and earn a living. I wanted to believe I was better than all "those people," but the truth of the matter was that I was one of them. At least for the time being.

Yes, I'll accept that Pell Grant so I can get a college education.

I don't want to cash another food stamp, but I will so that I can feed my child.

Yes. I'll stay up another night to finish another pointless English paper for a TA who doesn't really give a damn, just so that I can get the credit hours necessary for my degree plan.

Yes. I'll go to college in the morning, work in the afternoon, then mother a teething infant/colicky baby/sick child during the night. Because that's what I have to do.

Yes. I'll accept that job that pays a few thousand dollars more than my current position even though I've got the best, most understanding and flexible boss (EVER!) and I'll be working for someone who couldn't give a rat's ass about me, my situation or my talents. Living paycheck to paycheck is getting tougher now that I have to pay a daycare.

I sound bitter. I'm not.

Those were the facts at the time. That was the hand I was dealt. I didn't know it was supposed to be as difficult as it sounds. I just did what I had to do, with what I had, where I was. And I wouldn't have had it any other way.

When I got pregnant at 19, the option to give my baby up for adoption was there. I just couldn't choose it. I didn't want to. I wanted to see it through and raise my child. I was lucky that I had a support system, my parents and friends to help me along the way. I COULDN'T have done it without them babysitting, allowing me to make mistakes, encouraging me along the way and overall just helping me hold on to my sanity.

It wasn't all bad. Don't get me wrong. I LOVED raising Joshua. I loved watching him grow and learn and explore and question and dream. I hated seeing him get hurt or feel like he was failing at something or just going through the awkward stages of puberty and hormones. I was proud of every milestone he achieved from learning to tie his shoes to watching him get his high school diploma. I miss being part of his day-to-day life now that he's off living it up at college. I pray every day that I've done my job as mother well enough that he has the confidence, strength, courage, ambition, perseverance he needs to succeed on his own, in his own ways. I'm pretty sure he's fine. People keep telling me what a good kid he is. I tend to believe them. (wink!)

I still find myself applying that quote in my life today, but on a much smaller scale. I kinda wish that I was using it for grander purposes...like curing cancer, feeding the world, housing the homeless. But for now, I'm taking a break. Enjoying the fruits of my labor, so to speak.

Day 04 — A Favorite Book

See? I didn't lie. I KNEW I wouldn't be consistent!

This one is gonna be a toughie for me. Not that I don't like to read. I actually go through reading spurts...I won't read for months and then all of a sudden I'll pick up a book and devour it in a few hours or a few days and move on to the next one. Repeat the process for about a month or 6 books, whichever comes first and then I'll stop until the next spurt hits.

I have about 20 books sitting in my library that I've purchased (pre-eReader) and have yet to read. I'm waiting for the next spurt. Or vacation. (Six weeks and counting...but that's another post entirely!)

And here's another thing. I read a lot of crap. I know I do. I should be reading novels that inspire people. I should probably read the books that take the national bestseller lists by storm. The ones that Oprah recommends in her book club. Eh. Notsomuch. I also don't read Twilight. Not that I'm opposed. I've just never been so inclined. I haven't read a romance novel in decades. I find them so ridiculous and so deeply fictitious that there should be a whole new classification for them. I find I often get bored with novels that have too much flourish and flowery detail. Get to the point already. (I'm one to talk, huh? LOL Pot, kettle, black...)

I read spy novels and forensic thrillers. Boy books. I know. Weird. 'Cause I'm all about the pink. And sparkly. Maybe this is my way to balance things out. Yin to yang. Black to white. Frogs, snails and puppy dog tails to the sugar, spice and everything nice. You get the picture.

So, the last book I read was "The American Assassin" by Vince Flynn, and I read it on my Kindle. I've been known to read a lot of Patricia Cornwell and Michael Crichton (RIP). I've also delved into Jeffrey Deaver, Ted Bell and James Rollins. The last of which is somewhat like Crichton in that there is always some weird scientific phenomena that moves the plot along. I used to read Stephen King, V.C. Andrews and Anne Rice in junior high. Haven't read them since. Isn't that strange? It seems strange to me especially since I was never a goth. Ha!

But as for favorite books, I reach back to classics like "Pride and Prejudice" or "The Old Man and the Sea". Talk about flourish and flowery detail! What a contradiction to my normal reading habits. Again...maybe it goes back to balance. Maybe that's why I limit my reading of that ilk...I tend to get lost in the details.

There are several books that most people are forced to read when they're in school that I haven't read. One such title, "The Catcher in the Rye." Others include "Great Expectations," "The Great Gatsby," and "A Tale of Two Cities". I've seen the movies, never read the books. Sad, huh? How did I get through high school English without having to read those?? I have no idea. I've added them to my reading bucket list. Is there such a thing? There is now. Oh, and funnily enough, I'm curious to read "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks"...fascinating, tragic, and highly acclaimed. I know there are several more such books that I should read.

I'll be curious to hear your suggestions of things to add.

Day 03 — A Favorite TV Show

I actually have an answer for this one. I have more than one, per usual, but I'm going to format this post pretty much like my friend MK did, with my own little additional info. It'll be pretty confessorial in tone because I'm going to reveal that I watch way too much TV. Oh wait, you KNEW that. Well, let's just get it all out there then...

I could write about all the shows I watched growing up like The Love Boat, The Cosby Show, Diff'rent Strokes, Family Ties, The Facts of Life, The Jeffersons, All in the Family and the like, but I'm going to try and stay with current shows.

Shows I will stop to watch...regardless of if I should be doing something more important:
Strictly Come Dancing - This is the original version, the one the States bought and turned into Dancing With the Pseudo-Famous, er I mean Dancing with the Stars. I like the British version MUCH better. Ask me about it over a cocktail, and I'll rave about the costumes...the hosts...the little extra show called It Takes Two. I'm ridiculous. Love me regardless. Please?
Big Love - Seriously. I know it's not reality TV, but I am sucked into this tale of LDS vs. Mormon Polygamists like a furball in a Dyson. You may have your "Real Housewives of...", I'll take Barbara, Nikki and Margene.
American Idol - I'm back, good and bad. I wanted to see if this season could pull it out of its mire. So far, so good. Randy still gets on my nerves a bit. Steven can sometimes be a bit creepy rather than rock-and-roll. J-Lo is on the road to becoming OVER-commercial, I swear she's endorsing everything these days. On the another note, I secretly want to interview Ryan Seacrest. I think he may be this generation's Dick Clark. I know he's aspiring to be.

Shows I currently DVR:
Survivor - I still can't get enough of the group dynamics that play out in this show. I'm a sucker for the social game. I think I could totally outwit, outlast and outplay in that portion. It's the physical and the survival parts where I would well and truly suck. There's no way I could deal with the bugs, snakes, and other creepy crawlies out there (contestants like Russell included).
House - The cranky-Vicodin-popping-rehab-returning Dr. House is as annoying as he is brilliant. Like me. Less the Vicodin-popping-rehab-returning and doctor bits.
CSI, Law and Order, NCIS, Criminal Minds, and all their spin-offs - I know it's sad. But it's true. I watch 'em all. Procedural drama? I'm there.
The Walking Dead - Okay, so not currently DVR'd since the season is over, but we'll be watching when it returns.

Other BRITISH Shows I watch regularly; I'd blame my husband, but I know better. I'm really the culprit:
EastEnders - The only soap opera I've been hooked on in twenty years. I used to watch American ones when I was a teen, but stopped and never looked back. (Ok. So. This one I can blame K for...I wouldn't be as involved if I didn't have him to gossip with about it!)
Live at the Apollo - Best of British humor right now.
Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow - Comedians that are about to make it big...or still trying to...

Really. There are so many others that I haven't listed here. You'd really be surprised at the amount of television viewing I do. But honestly, I'm only watching TV from about 730-1030pm every night with an occasional 3-4 hours a week during the daytime hours while I'm ironing or doing other things around the house. Max 25 hours a week? Is that bad? LOL

Oh, but my absolute favorite the last few years...even more than Lost, or 24, or any of the other shows I watched religiously....it ABSOLUTELY has to be Dexter. I might have to find a support group. I'm rooting for the serial killer. There's something wrong with that, right? Every season I say the writers won't do as well as the last season, and, so far, every season they have. Season 4, the one with John Lithgow, has to be the best one IMHO. I already can't wait for the next season...

Day 02 - A Favorite Movie

"Life isn't like in the movies. Life... is much harder." ~ Said by Alfredo, in Cinema Paradiso

As a self-proclaimed cinephile, movies have always been "The Great Escape" for me. (See what I did there?) Again, singling out a favorite is difficult because movies, as with music, are mood-dependent in my world. And I'm fickle. And I keep adding new ones with every year that passes because, luckily, good ones still keep being made, albeit fewer and farther between. I'm still on a never-ending mission to see all the movies that made AFI's Top 100 list, which is proving to be difficult since it keeps evolving over time.

I've loved going to the movies since I was young. I especially loved going to movie theaters on base because before they showed the feature film they always played the national anthem. The GI's would promptly get to their feet and stand at attention and, of course, the civilians followed suit. I remember missing that little reminder of patriotism and love for our country when I started visiting "regular" movie theaters, those not on-base.

Even though I love retreating to our in-home theater, I sometimes miss watching the huge blockbusters at a local cinema. The palpable excitement of 100+ patrons looking forward to the movie hyped by months of movie trailers and critics' reviews sitting next to you is as addictive as the popcorn. I do still venture out occasionally, but unfortunately, more often than not I'm reminded immediately that common courtesy is not pro forma among the gen pop.

Some of the best things about watching movies at home are curling up in my pj's under a soft fleece blankie (yes, we each have one), eating whatever snacks I want without taking out a small loan first, and being able to cheer/yelp when startled/laugh/snort/weep or even doze as the latest rental plays out.

Those of you who've known me longer than five minutes will know that I love a gangster movie. I can't help it. I know they're dark. And violent. And filled with obscenities. Not unlike my own life. Ha! I kid! Actually, they are so far removed from my own life that I think that's why I'm drawn to them. To think how many movies were and are made about La Cosa Nostra and the like is pretty ridiculous, but it also proves that I'm not the only one intrigued by it. Chalk it up as yet another of my strange addictions.

Some of my favorites include:

• The Godfather - the epitome of the gangster genre
  
• The Shawshank Redemption - more people should watch it
  
• Rear Window - CLASSIC Hitchcock
  
• The Little Mermaid - Where DID I put my banded, bulbous snarfblatt?
  
• Steel Magnolias - Some of my oft-used quotes come from this movie.
  
• Broadcast News - "Okay, I'll meet you at the place near the thing where we went that time." I find myself saying similar stuff DAILY. It drives my friends and family crazy, I'm sure. Now I'm divulging where it started. **Quick digression: I've had several conversations over the years that closely resemble that line of dialogue from Broadcast News. One in particular was when I was with a friend and SHE said to me something along the lines of, "Remember that night when we watched that film and the guy went running through the thing?" I totally knew what she was talking about. That's what friends are for. I took it as an accomplishment that I someone I knew was finally communicating like me. My work here is done.
• The Birdcage - Agador Spartacus is ALWAYS a pick me up when I need a giggle.
  
• Tommy Boy - Stupid humor = guilty pleasure. "That. Was. AWESOME!"
• All About Eve - "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night."
• To Sir, With Love -"I believe one should fight for what one believes. Provided one is absolutely sure one is absolutely right."
• Memento and Inception - Christopher Nolan, your brilliance amazes me.
  

But if I had to choose ONE, that I had to watch over and over for the rest of my life, it would have to be...

Can I get back to you on that??

Day 01 — A Favorite Song

Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything. ~ Plato

I am not lucky enough to be musically talented. But I am lucky enough to be surrounded by music daily. I am appreciative of it. I am moved, rejuvenated and entranced by it. I am hopelessly addicted to it.

To choose only one favorite song seems an impossible feat. Music evokes memories, dreams, and regrets even. I can be transported in an instant to a time and place in my past when I hear particular songs. If I hear the Carpenters, especially "Top of the World", I'm a small child singing at the top of my lungs riding in the back seat of the car driving through northern California.

If I hear ANY 80's music, I'm immediately back in junior high and high school. I remember when "Freakazoid" wa a song by Midnight Star before it was a cartoon character. I also remember getting my groove on at junior high dances at the youth center on the AF base where we lived at the time. If I hear Journey, I'm in that youth center playing pool. Def Leppard's "Love Bites" brings me directly back to senior prom while "Pour Some Sugar on Me" sends me to Chem II class. When in Rome's "The Promise" finds me working late nights at the grocery store bakery cleaning sheet pans, proofers and ovens.

Ironically, I remember road trips through the Texas panhandle when I hear "Anchorage" by Michelle Shocked.

Certain hymns remind me of my parents; "Open Our Eyes, Lord" reminds me of my dad and "Here I Am, Lord" reminds me of my mom. That particular song also reminds me of my time as a missionary in Mexico. A friend of mine had "Here I Am, Lord" played during her wedding mass and I was reduced to tears when I heard the first few bars of music. Embarrassing, and yet unavoidable.

If I hear Veggie Tales or Backstreet Boys, I'm immediately reminded of dancing around the living room in my small apartment in Euless when my son was a lot younger. These days he's constantly telling me to listen to this indie band, or rapper, or soulful ingenue that happens to be a friend of a friend. And I'd have it no other way. Music feeds my soul.

"For Once In My Life" makes me giddy as I remember dancing with my husband on our wedding day. "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone" plays in my head in his voice as he sings it to me when he's missing me. Whether it's because I've been away on travels or he's just been down the road at the office.

But I'm telling you all now, and someone better speak up if they don't hear it, on the day of my funeral at some point I want all of you to hear "In My Life" by The Beatles. And then, when you're down at the pub raising glasses and sharing war stories about me, be sure to sing "Phenomena" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs at the top of your lungs followed by KC and the Sunshine Band's "Boogie Shoes." In other words, make it a party!

Borrowed a Borrowed Borrow from a Borrower

Isn't it funny how if you use any word over and over again in any or all of its forms it starts to look incorrectly spelled??

So, over at Martin Randomness, they've started a blog challenge without even knowing they challenged me. I don't promise that I will do all of these within 30 days. I may double up on some in order to make the deadline. But I can almost guarantee that I will not do one a day for 30 days. My mind wanders. I let random into my brain to play too many times. I get distracted by shiny things. And cupcakes. (I'm craving some now, but fighting the urge to bake them. I have too many pastries in my kitchen at the moment as it is!)

So here's the list. Feel free to borrow it as well. You KNOW I'll be heading to your blog if you do just to see what your answers are.

Day 01 — A favorite song
Day 02 — A favorite movie 

Day 03 — A favorite TV show

Day 04 — A favorite book
Day 05 — A favorite quote 

Day 06 — A fun fact about me

Day 07 — A favorite photo

Day 08 — Something I crave 

Day 09 — Pet peeves

Day 10 — A photo of me taken over ten years ago 

Day 11 — A photo of me taken recently 

Day 12 — Something I bought recently 

Day 13 — Something I want to buy

Day 14 — An old photo 

Day 15 — My celebrity crush 

Day 16 — A favorite food

Day 17 — A photo of my family

Day 18 — A baby photo

Day 19 — A fun memory 

Day 20 — A hobby of mine

Day 21 — A favorite recipe 

Day 22 — A favorite joke

Day 23 — A video 

Day 24 — A travel story 

Day 25 — A favorite photo

Day 26 — A funny (true) story

Day 27 — A child I love

Day 28 — A place I love 

Day 29 — A person I love 

Day 30 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days