Government Shutdown?

I have chosen to stop watching mainstream TV because it actually drives me crazy. I am amazed at the amount of ignorance, fabricated drama, lies and ridiculousness I see when I do turn on the TV. I know it's all about money and ratings but I still don't have to like it. Something I have noticed and was thinking about it is the threat of Government Shutdown.

Anytime a decision has to be made on Capital Hill, no one wants to make a decision. We all know which "side" they are on and what their decision will be, so why does everything have to "shutdown"? If the government shuts down does that mean I get to stop paying taxes, do I have to go to work, will the electricity go out? This whole "shutdown drama" seems a bit far fetched and dramatic. If the government shuts down do all the political officials get laid off- If so I vote for a shut down!

I'm confused as to why every non-decision turns into a shut down. I read about it but it does not hold enough water to be that dramatic. I am sure if the government were to shut down I will still have to pay my bills and go to work and eat. So all you clowns on capital hill, you really need to take leadership courses or classes on how to make decisions.

Holiday Blues- I think it's the parties!

Every November I "gear" up for the Holidays!  I figure how I am going to decorate my house inside and out.  I try to change things up every 2 years or so to keep things fresh.

Each Christmas I anticipate amazing things happening around the holidays.  I don't know exactly why I do, but there it is?  The Christmas Shows on Lifetime and Hallmark channel, suck you into other peoples turmoil and then boost your happiness when they find love again.  That always puts me into the Christmas spirit and builds my excitement.

The decorating, which I find fun and other people see as a chore, becomes the stage for my dramatic play and the sappy Christmas songs enhance the scene- I roll around in all the Christmas joy.  The Christmas Parties is where the story will begin and my sparkly outfit will attract the attention of some amazing man who will join me on my next adventure.   I can't get enough, I am bursting with anticipation.

In a blur, December screams by!   I always have a very enjoyable time, I think.  I get to see all my friends here in Colorado and in Minnesota.  I spend quality time with the family.

But in my holiday dream, I land on my feet and realize nothing ever really changes.  The parties were fun, my friends are still great and interesting, I always get wonderful gifts.  But I don't get the "remember the Christmas of 2010, that was a doosey".

I am sure many people would like it that way, the grass is always greener philosophy.  But for me, something interesting, off the normal trek, would be awesome.  I love surprises but that rarely happens. The good news is that I never loose that enthusiasm for what might come!

After all the craziness of December, Jan hits and I am left with no parties and working out only- seriously, no wonder I and many other people are depressed.  We might have to change that!

On Fire I Got the Wire

I decided to get braces.  I know I am not a teenager, but I never had them and thought it would be a great idea.  They hurt. They are annoying.  I am forever pulling my top lip over the braces- it annoys my family-I think that's funny that they are annoyed.

I have to carry a purse now, never did before but the tooth brush, tooth paste, flossers, tooth picks and wax need to be at my beck and call!  I do hope people will tell me when I have a chunk of food in my teeth-my dignity needs some assistance.

Sometimes I feel vain for having them because they are merely cosmetic.  Have you noticed that everyone has wonderfully straight teeth?  I want some as well!

I feel like lying to people when they ask why, "well I was doing this photo shoot for Ski Magazine and I launched this cliff, I stuck the landing but proceeded to nick a rock under the blanket of snow and took a face plant and knocked all my teeth out!"  It sounds better than I want nice teeth.

My braces only have to be on for 6 or so months-everyone tells me my dentist is lying-that's impossible! "I had braces for 3 years and my mouth was filled with metal for all my teen years"  6  months that's what he is saying!  I like him.

It is tough to smile with these braces on because the brackets razor off the skin on the inside of my mouth every time I do that.  It hasn't really stopped me except, I don't have to laugh at people who are not funny but I feel obligated to gafaw because it's awkward.  This way I don't laugh and have an excuse!

I didn't realize working out would dry out my braces and my mouth.  I have to constantly splash water in there to keep from coughing and the teeth sticking to the braces.  Great, I look like a women with the white man's overbite- super attractive.

By the way you can "make out" with braces on.  FYI!

My affinity for where I went to College. College of St Benedict

It was Homecoming this last weekend in Collegeville, Minnesota.  St John's University and College of St. Benedict.  It's two separate, but equal schools, that are considered one experience.  One for the women and one for the men.  It was such and incredible experience and the older I get and the more people I meet, I realize how special College of St Benedict and St. John's University really are.

I am third generation "Bennie" and I hope my nieces will feel the draw like my sister and brother did.    When I tell people here in Vail that I am making a special trip home to my College reunion they look at me very confused?  Who does that?  Not many people.  Most people went to large universities and only have a few, if any friends that they went to college with.  I, however have many friends I went to college with many years ago.  So going to homecoming is a way to see people I have not seen in a while.  Although, I don't have daily conversations with many of these friends, we are still friends- that's the way it works.

There is this unwritten code that if you attended school here, you are different.  Anyone else who attended, is somehow connected to you, whether you know them or not.  It's just that way.  We have a high regard for alumnae and alumni.  So going to homecoming to see the ladies and the guys is not unusual- it's normal. I wear my college gear all the time and it only gives me the opportunity to meet more people who are Bennies and Johnnies.

For me to drive to Denver on a weekend to have a picnic with a bunch of people, I don't know, who went to College of St. Benedict and St. John's University may seem strange to a lot of people.  I am completely comfortable with it and I am not alone.  I am assured to recognize someone- which I did.

The bond this place creates with it's students is amazing!  I forgot how much I liked a lot of people I went to college with so many years ago. I look forward to the next event.

Mountain Bike Ride on Vail Mountain

Each time I ride up Vail Mountain, I get to see wildlife in it's element.  I think that I am developing a relationship with one deer in particular.  She seems to see me coming, steps out on the trail, says hi, and then steps back into the woods.  It's interesting that She hangs around the river but does not prance off when she hears me.  I wonder if anyone else is having this same experience.

I like riding on the mountain because for the most part it is quiet.  You have a few maintenance cars that drive by and a handful of bikers but that seems to be the traffic.

As much as I ride my bike, crazy athlete type I am not.  Those types of people are prevelant here in the mountains.  Most people can "wiz" by me going up the mountain.  I don't have enough time in my life to ride 3-4 hours a day.  Other things catch my attention.

Biking alone is preferable because I can set my own pace, enjoy the scenery and stop if I need to.  Taking a break here and there helps get me to chair 10. 

I like that I am seeing progress in how far I can ride and the length of time it is now taking.  Shorter rides feel like they are not enough of a workout.  I never thought I would make that statement!  That's a little scary.  These results would never have come from a gym.  Thank goodness that I live here.

Thinking about the novel that I am writing while I trudge up the mountain has been helpful to keep me going.  I think about that instead of how tired and bored I am.  Works perfectly.  

Stress Perspectives from Hiking Vail Mountain on Sunday

I am amazed at how quickly the peacefulness of a mountain hike or a day at the lake can be stripped from you, as your enter back into your life.

It's such a struggle to recall that experience when the stress, that sent you searching, is still there.  I always hope I can hang onto those feelings and channel the memory.  The further I get into life, worry seeps into my mind and body.  Stress consumes my thoughts and worries of work, money and relationships grasp me tightly.  So tightly, I have trouble recalling the moment.

It's lucky for me, I live in a place, where I can reach outside my door and find it again.  Sometimes, I lose my peacefulness and it takes time to remember where it was lost and where it can be found again.

There is nothing more powerful than restoring the soul by talking a walk under a canopy of trees, with the river flowing beside you and your breath keeping time with it. 

Sitting on a fallen tree looking around, hearing quiet movement, pulls that stress right out and carves out some mental perspective.

I just wish I could hold on to that feeling more often.  I will keep trying to find that moment and that memory and hold it closer to my soul to block that stress. 

New Additions to my blog

Just wanted to give everyone the heads up that I am going to make some additions to my site to include Book Reviews, Movie Reviews, Rants and fun websites- hopefully more funny than not.

I hope you enjoy these additions, I think they will be a lot of fun to write and hopefully Read.

If you have any suggestions please feel free to post a comment.