hazy stars

Birthday Disco

Friday June 13th marks an important landmark in my life. It is my birthday (spooky) and I will be turning a quarter of a century. I also share my birthday with the Olsen twins and my good friend Richard (who is sadly moving to Cleveland in the near future).

In honor of our birthdays, my friend Tim created a rather hilarious video at a website called JibJab. Since the video is not offensive, I have decided to post it on my blog. Enjoy! (I almost peed my pants).

Don't send a lame eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

Eight Random Things

My friend and local blogger, Tim Eby, tagged me for this:

• Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
• People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules.
• At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
• Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog (feel free to choose to ignore this)

So here we go, final countdown style:

8. I've ran the Olympic torch. Right place, right time. In 2002, I was home for only 5 days over Christmas. My friend's father was a big wig for GM, one of the major sponsors of the Salt Lake City Olympics. Typically, torch runners go through a nomination and voting process. Two of the runners for Albany could not make it and my friend's dad was tasked with finding replacements. My mother ended up purchasing the torch I ran with and to this day I still have my full uniform and torch.

7. I'm obsessed with wearing a watch. There is never a moment I do not have a watch on. I shower, sleep, swim -- everything with a watch on. And I always wear my watches on the wrong [the right] hand.

6. I take a Chlorella supplement every day. I may not take my multi vitamin or vitamin C every day - but I always take my Chlorella. I'm not positive what it actually is doing for me, but I insist on taking it like clockwork.

5. Almost every night, I fall asleep listening to Edith Piaf. I've been obsessed with her since we learned about her in my high school French class. I'm in love with the film "La Vie En Rose," a beautifully dramatic portrait of Edith Piaf's tragic life story.

4. My eye lashes are so blonde they are completely transparent. If I do not wear mascara, it is hard to even notice that have any eye lashes.

3. At my greatest peak in the weight room, I was able to do 8 full straight-arm pull-ups and 20 full dips. In 2002 I received the Buckeye Power Club award for excellence in the weight room for my varsity sport. At that point I could put up 50lb dumbbells on the bench press as well as clean 120 lbs. For a girl my size, that is not too shabby.

2.  Unlike almost every female in the whole world, I own very very little jewelry -- and only a few "real" pieces. My most expensive hobby/ habit is buying high-end designer make-up. I have more lipgloss and mascara than almost anyone I've ever met.

And drum roll please ...

1. I've never been in a serious relationship. In fact, I've only been in one "official" relationship of only a few months -- 3 of which were mostly long distance. And technically, I don't really date either. Romantic relationships have never ranked high on my priority list, actually they have never made the list to begin with. In school, I was always preoccupied with sports, school, organizations and friends. It isn't necessarily a commitment issue, since I'm able to commit to many things. If anything, it is probably a fear of intimacy -- the root of which I'm unaware.

And there you have it -- 8 random things about yours truly.

Now for the tagging: Nate Riggs, Daniel Fox,  John Ross, Artie Isaac, Keith Morris, Rachel Rubin, Marko Begovik, Josh Grossman -TAG YOU'RE IT!

Valentines Day Vertigo

It may not come as a shock to most, but I'm quite an odd child.

In high school I developed a preoccupation with Alfred Hitchock and, what some may call an obsession, with his movie Vertigo. I regret in saying that I've not yet seen all of Hitchcock's movies. Yet, out of the many I have seen, Vertigo has always stood out as my favorite. When I first saw Vertigo, it was still the era of the VCR. Being an established Hitchcock fan, I knew ahead of time that the movie was going to be played on the AMC channel. So I hooked up the VCR with a blank tape to record the movie. And thus, the obsession began.

Now, it is no secret, if you know me well, that I belong in a different era. I'm in love with old classic movies, musicals, and all things Broadway. Shakespeare is my favorite playwright. I can swing dance, waltz, and even rock the polka. I prefer to listen to Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, and Ella and the like.

Cary Grant, Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and both Audrys make my world go round.

Back when I wanted to [maybe still want to) be an actress, I fantasized about being one of Hitchock's infamous blondes.

And so, what better way to spend the Devil's holiday --I mean Valentine's Day-- than watching one of my all-time favorite movies on the big screen in 70mm film? In high school I watched a special on AMC about Hitchcock and his obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Personally, I think many psychologists would have to redefine the term obsessive compulsive after meeting Hitchcock. From set design, to lines, to costumes, to set and actor placement -- EVERYTHING was choreographed to a "T".

The most peculiar thing to learn was how anal Hitchcock was about costumes. He hand picked everyone wardrobe for all of his films. The entire wardrobe for Vertigo was meticulously planned for. It was Hitchcock who taught me the power of certain colors with blondes. It is no secret that Hitchcock loved blondes. He was a sort of student of fashion, preoccupied with pairing his blondes with the proper colors to fir the precise mood of each scene. He believed blondes looked their best in black, and then white -- and that gray drowned them out.

After knowing this, can you see the method in my madness?

What color am I wearing today? What color do I wear every day?

Black, of course.

The Quintessential Stalker

Recently, I've given myself the tagline: "The Quintessential Stalker."

Why? A new hobby of mine is Internet "stalking." And I'm getting really good at it.

According to Dictionary.com:

STALK v. stalked, stalk·ing, stalks

1. To pursue by tracking stealthily.
2. To follow or observe (a person) persistently, especially out of obsession or derangement.
3. To go through (an area) in pursuit of prey or quarry.

What interests me the most is how many people are completely fine, if not flattered or excited, with my stalking of them.

What I do should not be confused with cyberstalking, which is a crime. Wikipedia defines a cyberstalker as,

"Cyberstalking is the use of the Internet or other electronic means to stalk someone. It has been defined as the use of information and communications technology, particularly the Internet, by an individual or group of individuals, to harass another individual, group of individuals, or organization. The behavior includes false accusations, monitoring, the transmission of threats, identity theft, damage to data or equipment, the solicitation of minors for sexual purposes, and any form of persistent offensive behaviour. The harassment must be such that a reasonable person, in possession of the same information, would regard it as sufficient to cause another reasonable person distress."

My real fascination with the Internet is how seemingly unacceptable behaviors in the real world are completely acceptable, if not encouraged, in the interactive realm. In the people world, following others and watching them without their awareness is plain old creepy. On the Internet, however, it is a different story. I can visit people's profiles of social networks repeatedly -- reading everything they write, following their interactive footprint. And they have no idea, but it is ok. In a way, people demand it. Why else would someone create a public website, profile, or blog -- broadcasting themself to the world, if they did not want people to "watch" them?

There is even an application called Twitter that allows you to "follow" people as well as have people "follow" you. It is pretty much a stalking tool. On the street I would be creeped out by 20 people following me, but on the Internet I think it is kind of neat.

It is definately strange to observe the behaviors of people on and off the Internet. I'm completely baffled by the power of the Internet to connect people. It is a powerful tool.

Readers, take heed. I am the quintessential stalker, and I know what you did last night.

My New Baby

My brand new baby has finally gone live.

I present to you all my new blog:

THE COLUMBUS BEER WENCH

Cheers!

I Sit on a Ball

For some time now, I've been sitting on exercise physio ball at work. (As if my co-workers didn't think I was strange enough already).

Why do I sit on this huge ball all day?

At first, it was an experiment. I've read many articles about schools that replaced chairs with balls as well as articles suggesting desk workers to switch out the chair for balls. Once upon a time I bought a huge ball from Target with the intention to use it at home but, out of sheer laziness, never did. So I had this huge ball just taking up space in my little bedroom, until something sparked and I brought it to work.

And now I love it. So much, in fact, that I bring it everywhere in the agency with me, even to meetings. It is the "Kid Sister" or "My Buddy" equivalent of my twenties. "My Ball, My Ball. Wherever he goes, I go too. My Ball, My Ball and me." (Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about."

What are the benefits? My posture is tremendously better. Is it directly related the ball or a placebo effect? Doesn't matter because, regardless, my posture is excellent. My core is also stronger. No, I do not have a six pack. My diet would never allow such a thing. But, I can tell you that my lower back is stronger, hence the postural improvement.

The ball is a great stress reliever. When I get anxious or excited, the ball is a great way to rid myself of tension or excess energy, just by bouncing around.

The other day I rolled my ball over a tack. I was a huge travesty. I tried glue and tape, but alas, I had to let the ball go to ball heaven. I could not last one day in a chair. I went right out the next night and bought another ball from Target. At 11$ a pop, it is a solid purchasing decision.

I love love love my ball.

Now, I’m not the only one at my agency who sits on a ball. Through my inspiration, our president, Artie Isaac, has also decided to forgo the chair for a ball. He even wrote a blog about it. Today, he was caught using it to bowl for umbrellas. Does your job sound this fun? Maybe you should get a ball too!

Many websites promote the use of physio balls for their health benefits. I recently found a site that lists the following ten reasons for replacing a desk chair with a physio ball:

1. Forces proper spine alignment.
2. Causes you to frequently change positions.
3. Fitness is at your fingertips.
4. Improve your balance.
5. Get that 6-pack you’ve been wanting
6. Improves your circulation.
7. You’ll feel more energetic.
8. More movement during the day = more calories burnt.
9. Really cheap.
10. C’mon, its fun! Who doesn’t like the idea of bouncing around on an exercise ball all day?

I challenge you to sit on a ball as well. Why? Pick a reason.

Mine? It’s fun. And different.

It’s fun being different.

Listen Up Boys

All my life I have been fighting to get into the hypothetical boys club.

When I was in Elementary school, I was the fastest kid on the playground. I had the fastest mile time and kicked serious butt on field day. I did not bother trying to play with the girls. Instead, I organized massive capture the flag and tag games, in which I used to taunt the boys - and subsequently kick their butts.

In my early swimming day, I was faster than the boys. In fact, even in high school I was faster than all but one boy on my school's varsity swim team.

My father raised me like the son he never had. I started watching football at a very young age and learned everything I could about the sport and about Ohio State. I can throw a better spiral than most of the boys I know.

I grew up climbing trees and refused to wear dresses or skirts until I was nearly in high school.

I drink big boy beer. Love hops and big rich IPA's.

I've played intramural ice hockey.

When I was 10, my neighbor who had been living across the street from me for 3 years saw me in a dress and said, "Why are you wearing a dress? Are you a girl?" ... to which I said, "Yes" and she responded, "Oh, I always thought you were a boy."

I played Peter Pan in 4th grade.

My Halloween costumes consisted of Robin Hood and Dracula.

I love action-packed, super violent flicks.

When it comes down to it, I can talk the walk and walk the walk better than most boys. BUT STILL, I am not allowed to play in the boys club.

Yeah, I have a very small feminine side. I like to look nice and all that jazz. But I know many men who spend more time grooming themselves than I do.

Last night, I watched a guy pitch an idea for an exclusive gentleman's club to other guys. He visions having an old school cigar and scotch hangout for men to escape away from the world of women.

And I know exactly what that exclusivity does. It lets men get together with other men to do "manly" things like smoke cigars and get drunk on single malt liquors, which is a breeding ground for business deals and plans to continue male dominance in the world.

I asked if I could get in the club. Flat out DENIED.

Listen, boys. I get the whole old fashioned idea. But I'm tired of fighting the boys club.

I'm just as big, just as strong, and just as fast. If not bigger, stronger, and faster. (Definately smarter).

If this thing happens, you better believe I will infiltrate it.

Yellow Dot in the Sky

On the way to work a familiar, yet unrecognizable, object in the sky obstructed my view.

After shielding my eyes from its blinding brilliance, I finally realized that it was the sun.

Welcome back old friend. How I've missed you.

If only it was here to stay, but true to the nature of this town, I doubt it will.

And so I retreat back into the gloomy darkness of Seasonal Affect Disorder. How... SAD. (Get it? Ok, so I made a lame psychology joke. Shoot me.)

On an unrelated, yet related, note -- today I stumbled across a rather interesting quote:

"There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence transform a yellow spot into the sun." -Pablo Picasso

This quote vaguely reminds me of my friend Daniel Fox, the genius behind SKREENED. Last night, in a breath of fresh air, I had the pleasure of spending some intellectual time with Daniel and mutual friend Ryan Morgan, the genius behind BRILLIANT. (Or should I say the brilliance behind Brilliant?). Three of us shared some heavy, yet enlightening psycho babble.

For some, the world is black and white. It can easily be broken down into its two-dimensional parts. The sun is yellow. The sun is a circle. Therefore, the sun is a yellow circle. Basic logic. Information in, information out. Things either are or they are not. There is no in-between, no room for creativity. Things are EXACTLY as they seem.

For others, the world is an unlimited spectrum of colors. The world is multi-dimensional. A yellow circle is not just a yellow circle. It is a burning ball of fire shooting rays of brilliant light throughout the atmosphere. Anything is possible. If it can be dreamt, it can be done. Nothing is as it seems.

We all are the painters of our lives. It is our choice whether we wish to transform the sun to a yellow spot or transform a yellow spot into the sun. What will you choose?

And as for me? Well, expect my yellow spot to transform into the most amazingly brilliant and radiant star in the Earth's sky.

"Ransom Notes" Campaign Cancelled

After only 2 weeks of face time, The Child Study Center at New York University has terminated its advertising campaign aimed at raising awareness of children’s mental and neurological disorders. The pro bono campaign, created by the advertising agency BBDO, used ransom notes containing ominous messages constructed of newspaper clippings. Each ransom note addressed the effects of critical psychological disorders afflicting today's children. You can see more on my previous blog, We Have YOUR Child.

The ads received an extremely negative reaction from many angry parents and mental health advocates. They feel that the ads reinforced negative stereotypes. Hardworking, caring parents felt the ads insinuated they were not doing enough to help their children.

Despite negative publicity, Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, the Child Study Center’s founder and director, does not think any ground has been lost. In fact he is optimistic about the success of the short-lived campaign.

In an article in the NY Times he commented, “It’s the first time that the issue of children’s mental health has gotten national attention without being precipitated by a shooting at a high school or college."

I'm rather disappointed the campaign did not last any longer. In fact, I was hoping to see the ads while visiting NYC over the holidays. Unfortunately, they had already been cancelled. I still maintain that the campaign was brilliant. This is coming from someone who has suffered from severe depression (one of the illnesses addressed in the campaign). On top of that, I studied psychology as well as taught special education summer school. I think this experience establishes my credibility to critique the campaign.

These psychological and neurological disorders are real. They are severe illnesses. Ignoring them is detrimental to the health and happiness of the children. The objective of the campaign was not to insult anyone. It was merely to raise awareness about an issue that most often goes ignored.

Negative attention. Positive attention. People took notice. That is what matters.

My People Collection

Almost everyone collects something. Stamps and coins are old favorites. Movies. Boardgames. Shoes. Cars. If you can name it, I bet someone collects it.

I collect people. I also collect knowledge. Lucky for me, they are strongly correlated. The more (intelligent) people I collect, the more knowledge I recieve. Works for me.

Knowledge is a result of learning and understanding information.

For myself, learning happens in two ways. Information can either be self-taught or teacher-taught. Knowledge, expertise, and experience make the most excellent teachers. As much as I love to teach myself, I most often prefer to play the student. Learning from others is vital to my knowledge development. This is why people are very important to me. Hence my people collection.

While learning can come from others, understanding always comes from within.

People are excellent learning tools. The knowledge of others never ceases to amaze me. My mission is to surround myself everyday with intelligent people who can teach me intelligent things.

My own intelligence comes from two sources: nature and nurture. I'm both a product of my genes and of my environment. My DNA is only the foundation, though. Naturally, it is critical to have a strong foundation. BUT the foundation is useless unless it is built upon.

In my endless pursuit of knowledge, surrounding myself with intelligent people is imperitive.

My collection requirements? I require all my people to have the "I" attributes: Intelligent. Interesting. Inspirational. Is that too much to ask for?

On a side note. I refer to my people collection as my Knights of the Round Table. (This in no way implies grandiosity. I do not think I'm King Arthur).

What do you collect?