Inspiration: The John Hughes Method

I got to work early (7:20am) this morning, not feeling so good at all (regular but more agitated sinus stuff and puffy, leaky eyes - ugh, gross! and the often tired feeling - you know).

I restarted my computer (again), signed into my email (crappy, MS Outlook as my client) and then hunted down Guster on the Internet to get me through the day.

A co-worker, Whitney, told me about John Hughes passing a couple of days ago (or was that yesterday? the days are running together...I don't know). Yeah, I'm not that aware of the world around me at present. I didn't even know that John Hughes passed away. (HELLO! Major film maker of our time!) So, I couldn't resist the temptation to read what Guster had posted about John Hughes (referral to a blog) on their Twitter account; and, I find that I have to do the same because it's pretty great.

Never forget that you can inspire one person [it makes a big difference] and it only take one person to inspire you [it makes a big difference].

To my family and friends (who are often family to me), thank you for always inspiring me.

Love Always,
Juliet

Lazy Sunday

Well, I've got a lot to do and not an ounce of interest or motivation to do these tasks. Heh.

So, I turned the television on (yeah, major vice) and came across a movie that I haven't seeen in the longest time and really like: Instinct. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128278/)

I suggest that you watch it. :)

Many Thanks

I have the best friends. I'm so lucky.

In particular as of late, three of my friends helped to move my life out of my parent's place into my new place (which I'm still moving into and am not living in yet - that's another story). The Saturday that we moved my furniture, boxes and disorganized mess was a sweltering, humid and hot August morning and afternoon, luckily before the inevitable summer mid-afternoon shower came. Many thanks to Stephan, Renee and Alexis for their help in my move.

I honestly do not know what I would have done without you guys.

Because You've Been Asking...

...for the list of random things that I know, prefer and recommend in Savannah, my friends, I now offer it to you (to the right of my blog entries). I'll do my best to keep it up-to-date and full of the information that is contained in my business card holder and my crazy brain.

Always feel free to ask me though. You never know when you need a shoe repair person, the best massage therapist in town, a great hair dresser, a nice restaurant for you and a friend, the best florist in town (everyone loves flowers) or the hidden spots on Tybee Island that are must-experiences.

Enjoy!

Love Always,
J.

More Emoticons, Please

So Skype is great and all, but aren't there times when you want to have more emoticons than Skype offers (even the "secret ones")? Well, I do.

Here's the beginning of my list (only b/c I can't seem to remember the long list that I wrote down..somewhere):

• hifive
• smelly / stinky
• smack / slap
• hang out (with)
• whistle

Please feel free to add to it. I'm hoping one day, we'll have more Skype emoticons to choose from. =)

Living Well

"If you're not prepared to be wrong, you will never come up with anything original"
-Ken Robinson

Sometimes I Still Act Like A Child...

http://tomatonation.com/?p=838

Yep. Awesome. Simply awesome.

But, yeah, I'm still a child in some ways *blush*....Working to change that now. Yep!

Another Smart Comment from Kara

A great quote that I can't forget: "but they aren't the 'warm and cuddly' kind of fuzzy. More of the 'alarmingly charged with electricity' fuzzy." - Kara

Rodrigo and Gabriela

I didn't want to forget about these guys, so I'm using my blog as a reminder tool and a sharing tool. ;-) You should listen. They're very good.

Addicted to: http://www.myspace.com/rodrigoygabriela

Awesome phrase of the day: Premium HFS(tm)

Thanks, Kevin =)

"Coffee Shop" by Landon Pigg

LOVING this song. Wonderfully beautiful, Landon Pigg.

Coffee Shop
Landon Pigg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQO7IUrqXqY

I think that possibly, maybe I'm falling for you.
Yes there's a chance that I've fallen quite hard over you.
I've seen the paths that your eyes wander down,
I want to come too.

I think that possibly, maybe I'm falling for you

No one understands me, quite like you do,
Through all of the shadowy corners of me.

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop
I love so much.
All of the while, I never knew.
I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop
I love so much.
All of the while, I never knew.

I think that possibly, maybe I'm falling for you.
Yes there's a chance that I've fallen quite hard over you.

I've seen the waters that make your eyes shine,
Now I'm shining too.

Because, oh because,
I've fallen quite hard over you.

If I didn't know you, I'd rather not know.
If I couldn't have you, I'd rather be alone.

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop
I love so much.
All of the while, I never knew.
I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop
I love so much.
All of the while, I never knew.

All of the while, all of the while,
And it's you.

You Sure Today Isn't Monday? ; - )

So, today i didn't lock myself in the bathroom at work (yep, I've done that before), but i did drop Chapstick out of my pocket while using the restroom, bend over to pick it up and scare myself by accidentally flushing the toilet using the back of my arm.

Today's Clever Comment:

"If you are writing the clearest, truest words you can find and doing the best you can to understand and communicate, this will shine on paper like its own little lighthouse. Lighthouses don't go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining."
--Anne Lamott


Today's "I Am Choosing to Change the Myself and the World Around Me Through My Actions" Thought:


http://www.r-word.org/


I am one who says 'retarded' quite often in my daily conversations amongst friends -- I always used to think about the impact of this word but must admit that I don't very often anymore, if at all (and thereby my use of the word has significantly increased). I certainly don't intend offense to any particular individual or intend to promote the use of this unfortunately per versed and twisted word; but, I can't control the meaning of the word. It is what it is, it does effect people negatively - all of us, regardless of our mental abilities - and there are more precise words in our language(s) to describe what we truly mean.

What can I control? My use of it and my choice to use more accurate words.


I pledge and support the elimination of the derogatory use of the r-word from everyday speech and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.

Before I Forget...

I need to post this link to something precious because I don't ever want to forget about it. Thanks to Kevin Lawver, again. =)

A Change in My Life and The Little Prince

Life is such a precious gift.

As much as I would like to think that I live my life to its fullest capacity, I know that I don't. As much as I have moments in life (usually funerals and memorials) that slap me back into reality and promptly remind me of the fact that our time on this place we call Earth is incredibly short and only has the significance that we designate it, if we allow it to affect us, I fear that the affect of these moments is short-lived...too short-lived.

I find myself in tears as write this post....Ben Tassinari, an amazing individual (who I cannot say that I had the honor of knowing personally but can say that I had the honor of hearing him and the Bates College Deansmen sing at my high school in 1998) passed away on April 28, 2007, certainly before he should have. As soon as I confirmed the truth of what I read at the beginning of a YouTube video, I found that I was overcome with tears and with great sorrow. I felt an incredible loss, not for myself but for the many people who were loved by Ben and those who dearly loved him. Admittedly though, up until this evening, I still had thoughts and hope that I would magically somehow be able to see those particular Deansmen again one day, two individuals specifically (Ben, one of them)....an idealistic and silly dream that started in a young girl that continues to amuse the now woman. So much for that one.

I had the joy to see his grand smile and to hear his once-in-a-lifetime voice (and the unmistakable genuine energy that accompanies a personality like him) at one point in my entire life -- a voice that told you he was an endearing, adventerous, gentle, affectionate, life-loving, people-adoring human being, and he could undoubtedly stop a room if he wanted to (but he didn't want to outshine others unless the moment called for it, as his Deansmen performances did). He's someone whose eyes and spirit touched you immediately upon meeting his. Simply put: He's an amazing person, but these words fail to do him justice. I know that.

I'll never forget him -- his name, his face, his voice, his spirit....He's just someone who is what I call "a unique." They're rare in this world. And, he certainly was. One just knows it.

I don't mean to focus on him, especially since it's not my place to describe someone I never really knew (I will leave that to his family, friends and other loves ones); but, I do want to honor him, his joyous life, and I need to make a point. Who am I to speak of someone I never knew? [Besides, have you ever known me to speak briefly about anyone or anything before? Ok, maybe when pressed to do it, but no, not as a general rule. Back to the point now....(giggles)]

Despite the fact that I am deeply impacted by Ben's passing, the simultaneously heartbreaking and inspiring words of his friends and loved ones, and his voice trailing at the end of the songs I'm listening to off of the Internet and off of the Introne CD (1997) that I have, I also know that I will likely very soon take life's fleeting time for granted. I certainly don't want to nor do I mean to, but I admittedly get wrapped up in the silly things we (the collective "we" humans here) have managed to claim as "important!" in our lives. Yep. That's me......Human.

I suppose that through this post, I hope to provide others with inspiration (I know, I need to work on my pitch a little. Point taken.), and I hope to have it serve as a more frequent reminder (than the voice inside your head) to have that "joie de vivre" and to not let the cautious voice always rule your desire to enjoy life's fantastically beautiful and exuberant moments.

I hope the best for you in your endeavors throughout your lifetime, and I send you my love and my support.

Always,
Juliet
-----------------------------
"And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye. "
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

"Grown-ups never understand anything for themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them."
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Needed: Fun at Work

I've been thinking about how I feel about work lately. I don't have the most positive outlook and was thinking about the need for a bit more fun in our work days and work environment. Came across this and thought I should share for those of you seeking fun at your job!

Rolling on the Floor Laughing

Ok, I've been at work since 7:00 this morning. I deserve a break. And what's better than this (thanks to Kevin, again).

Now, some (ok, most) are rough, but if it isn't you, it's funny. (sorry to those individuals who are involved. i mean, wow)

Well, I embeded the video of Joaquin Phoenix on Letterman, but it's located in the wrong place on my blog site. Yet another reason I need to learn HTML...oh boo hiss. I'll add it to my lifetime to-do list. ;-)

Painful Problems with a Human System

"Problems With the National Foster Care System
Over 500,000 children are in our nation's foster care system. 20,000 plus will "age out" this year due to failures of the system. Each of us have a responsibility to aid these chikdren in becoming responsible, productive adults in our communities."
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/25350/problems_with_the_national_foster_care.html

So, I was flipping through the t.v. channels a few minutes ago, which is rather common for me to do late at night as my brain begins to slow down, my fingers move across my keyboard taking me to various websites and what not, and I actually go in and out of listening to those infomercials (eek!). Well, there was an advertisement for an upcoming movie (probably something on Lifetime, to be honest), and it was delving into the life of a particular soon-to-be 18 year-old male who is currently in the foster care system and how his release into the world outside of the system affects his life (and those around him). Needless to say, I had to find out for myself what the current faults in this system are and what we (I) can do -- if anything -- about it. So, this is today's post. Let's learn together and do what we can as we can to make a difference for the 200,000+ children in this country who have not had the privileged life that most of us have led and will likely continue to lead.

Friends and Loved Ones: I send you my best and know that I care greatly about you. Thank you for influencing who I am (and who I will continue to be) and for making my life worthwhile. =)

Love Always,
Juliet

Toward the Sky

Toward the Sky
Originally uploaded by flickriffic

I love this picture. I loved this day. It was a perfect day (high 60's, low 70's) in Savannah, GA, immediately outside the front door of my parent's home. Just perfect. It makes you want to grab your favorite lay-in-the-park blanket, grab the book you're in the middle of reading, grab your iPod (or not, if you prefer to hear the wind rustling the trees and the trees shifting their limbs weight in response), and curl up or sprawl out on your blanket outside on the cool, green grass -- Doesn't it?

Yeah, and did I mention that this was a mid-January day? Uh huh. (You Northerners and Mid-westerners are a bit jealous right now. But, don't fret. You have the gloriously, beautiful natural occurrence of snow.)

It's amazing beauty, for sure. Enjoy this tiny and insufficient captured moment in time.

Drinky Too Muchy, Speaky Too Little #2

Aaaaaaaaand I can't put a link into my blog right. Embarrassing. (shh. don't tell anyone. ha!)

(the video is at the top of my blog page...fun times. But hey, at least it's there and you can watch it.)

Amy Franck - If you read this at some point, please show me how to imbed the uTube video like you did in one of your posts. I can't believe it won't work for me. I'm missing something simple (and beginning to feel simple myself). Thanks, mylove! :)

Drinky Too Muchy, Speaky Too Little

Today has been a bit of a pain in the ass. That is until Kevin suggested that I watch this uTube Video of Joaquin Phoenix on Letterman's show.

I'd Write More If I Made The Time...

Again, I haven't been here in a while. I'm progressing in the direction of being more like a friend and co-worker, and his wife, the Lawvers...because I take so much pleasure in reading their blog, imagining myself in their shoes in the situations they describe and think (with some hope) that someone out there might take pleasure in reading what I have to write. You never know.

I was sick for most of last week, working pretty hard the week before that, there was another week of work and the production of The Merry Widow somewhere in there....Life.

So, one of the highlights of my day today - in addition to 2 co-worker's creative creations in developing "The Greatest Shits List" - was Microsoft Outlook dissing itself. Check it out:

Yep - It threw itself (the 2nd email) into my Spam Box. Hahahaha! How smart. I figured if it was "smart" enough to do that, I'd be smart enough not to read it.

Gotta run...More work.

Have a great night.

And know that wherever you are, if you're a friend to me, I'm thinking about you dearly, I miss you, I send you my best and my love.

Always,
J.

So, I haven't been here in a while. Sorry about that. Life has been hectic. Work, little sleep and The Merry Widow rehearsals (we're in "tech week" right now). I promise to finish those holiday cards (hahah), mail off my presents (ohgoodness), and call my friends (I swear I love you!). Ugh. I'm not being a good friend or thoughtful person right now.

Buuuuut, until that day rolls around (T minus 7-10 days), here's something to make you laugh your ass off (thanks to Kevin Lawver):

Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTXG2uKNLIw to view what I'm talking about.

And, what about this for one of the best responses EVER to Microsoft's amazing ad:

"from a review of the songsmith commercial: 'In 2009, even the lamest cultural contributions have some kind of underlying self-awareness. Like, even the people who work for Bill O’Reilly, or the SkyMall catalog, are aware that what they work on sucks. But a job’s a job and they probably find a way to have fun with it (especially at the SkyMall catalog.) So that’s why this REAL commercial for Microsoft’s new Songsmith software (you sing at it and it creates horrible musak to accompany you) is completely insane. Not only is it apparently earnest and not a parody, self- or otherwise, it seems like it comes from a bizarro parallel universe where irony was never discovered. It’s like Microsoft found some kind of home-schooling Christian commune in the woods and hired them to make their commercial.' "