Opening Pandora's Box

Pandora: the greatest creation ever. The Music Genome Project that far surpasses any genome sequencing of any mammalian species. I love that Pandora gives me just what I need, a whole lotta music lovin. Surprises with every song it plays for me. I will have to admit that the "Tom Petty" station I created has been quite a great mix of rock that actually gives you the Petty feel with every tune.

The Top 5 Reasons "Tom Petty" is a great station:

1. "Have Love Will Travel" Tom Petty

2. "Betterman" Pearl Jam

3. "Little Miss Can't be Wrong" Spin Doctors

4. "Over the Hills and Far Away" Led Zeppelin

5. "Honey Bee" Tom Petty

Yes, the first 5 songs that came on my station today. Also among the likes are Fleetwood Mac and Eric Clapton.

Check it out. Make a station dedicated to your favorite artist and you will not be disappointed.

Run for the Fallen

I was watching CBS news this evening when an amazing story came on. The story of a group of runners who have dedicated themselves to run one mile for every soldier who has been killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. They started their journey on June 14, 2008 and will run from Fort Irwin, CA to Arlington National Cemetery averaging just over 50 miles a day.

Wow. I found this to unbelievable. A group of people so motivated by the loved ones they have lost. If only everyone could find something to motivate them to do anything. I wish the route was going through Michigan, because I would run right along with them. The next time life lets you down, stop and be thankful for the good that you do have in your life. And remember those runners crossing the country...

Check out the website: Run for the Fallen

Choices

Well if you know me at all, you'll know I'm a huge Nicholas Sparks fan. I am in the middle of reading "The Choice" (about a year after it came into print, but hey! I've been busy...) I came to a part in chapter 9 that I want to share. At this point, Gabby (lead female character) is laying on the beach talking to Stephanie (Travis's, main male character, sister):

Gabby: "Then you really don't know me, do you?"
After a moment, Stephanie rolled over to face her. "Yes," she
said. "I do." She couldn't hide the challenge in her tone.
"Okay, how about this? You're a good girl and always have been, but deep down, you think there's more to life than always following the rules, and there's a part of you that craves the unknown. If you're honest with yourself, Travis (or insert your own male here) is part of that. You're selective when it comes to sex, but once you commit to someone, the standards you would normally hold yourself to go out the window. You think you'll marry your boyfriend, but can't help but wonder why you don't have a ring on your finger yet. You love your family, but you wanted to make your own decisions about who you become, which is why you live here. Even so, you worry your choices will earn your family's disapproval. How am I doing so far?"

Later Stephanie says: "I just inserted your 'amazingly personal experiences' into pretty much every woman who ever lived.... But it's pretty amazing, huh? It always amazes me that once you cut through the clutter, people are pretty much the same. Especially through adolescence and early adulthood. For the most part, people go through the same experiences and think the same things, but somehow no one ever escapes the belief that his experience is unique in every conceivable way."

After reading this I was wondering if this really was a fiction novel. I know I'm not alone when I say that I've had to make some choices in the past few months that make me think. I wonder what the outcomes will be, the people who will be affected, and if they will make me unique or not. Or, even worse, are they making me more like everyone else? Choices come in all forms- big, small, important, inconsequential. The one thing that really matters though is if you yourself are satisfied with the choices that you make.


Pick up "The Choice," a comfy couch and enjoy!

Independence Day

In the spirit of our country's independence, I want to congratulate women for their independence as well. No, I am not a feminist or a lobbyist for the women's liberal movement. I'm not a pessimist or an optimist either. I'm a realist.

The reality of it is that women can be successful and do a man's job just as well. I can't imagine being part of a generation where women were meant to be barefoot in the kitchen with a baby on their hip.

Independence is one of the most valuable traits a woman can possess and I love to say that I am an independent woman as well.

Not sure where this inspiration came from, but get used to my random thoughts... there are many more to come!

The World Spins Madly

I was listening to my iPod today while I was doing various things at work and one of MY songs came on.
"World Spins Madly On" by The Weepies

I don't know what it is about this song, but everytime I hear it I start to think.

Read these lyrics:

Woke up and wished that I was dead
With an aching in my head
I lay motionless in bed
I thought of you and where you'd gone
and let the world spin madly on

Everything that I said I'd do
Like make the world brand new
And take the time for you
I just got lost and slept right through the dawn
And the world spins madly on

I let the day go by
I always say goodbye
I watch the stars from my window sill
The whole world is moving and I'm standing still

Woke up and wished that I was dead
With an aching in my head
I lay motionless in bed
The night is here and the day is gone
And the world spins madly on

I thought of you and where you'd gone
And the world spins madly on.

Despite the "woke up and wished that I was dead" line, the rest of this song really hits me hard sometimes. We get so wrapped up in our jobs, school, relationships that we lose sight of what is really important. Deadlines and sales goals and school grades are just numbers. Are the consequences so horrible if you don't make them?

The world starts spinning so fast, everything is blurry then you find yourself dizzy searching for something to hold onto. Who ever really slows down though? We all say we should take a vacation or a day off, but we can't even find 5 minutes to call a friend to say hello.

Everything that I said I'd do, take the time for you... I got lost and have slept right through dawn. Sometimes I say I will, but never do. I let the days go by but always find myself standing still.

Its hard to not let the world spin madly on....