Christmas Spirit

My friends Kate and Kate both sent me this survey in one way or another. So, I am following in their merry footsteps (blogsteps?)!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I typically use wrapping paper, but I think I’m going to get creative this year and be GREEN! I’ve got some fabric scraps and such that will make beautiful, reusable packaging!

2. Real tree or artificial? My parents have two (!) artificial, pre-lit trees. This seems to be the way to go. I’m guessing that when I do move out, I’ll decorate a houseplant or something.

3. When do you put up the tree? After Thanksgiving…when my mom can talk my dad into it (isn’t that how it always is?!).

4. When do you take the tree down? After the new year, or once Tom has knocked down all our ornaments.

5. Do you like eggnog? I could take it or leave it…

6. Favorite gift received as a child? The snowboard I got in 8th grade (and still have). It’s sweeeeet.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My parents and grandparents. They seem to have EVERYTHING already!

8. Easiest person to buy for? Zach (the bf) cause he “hints” at things all year long.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Mom does

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I don’t do either. Last year, I mailed, but I haven’t done it this year and probably won’t.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A tri-fold picture frame that fell apart within a month! UGH! I tried to fix it so many times!

12. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Dad’s lasagna! Soooo good!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I try and start “early.” I’m pretty much done now. I did most of my shopping online this year because so many retailers were offering free shipping.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No…I’ve given stuff away, but not as a gift…more like a donation.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cookies, candy and JUNK!

16. Lights on the tree? For sure!

17. Favorite Christmas song? I love them all…last night, I was singing a sweet mash-up of Christmas tunes to Thomas the Christmas Cat. He looooved it!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I usually stay home for Christmas and travel for the new year.

19. Angel on the tree top or a star? I could go either way.

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We celebrate on both days, so we open both days

Merry Christmas! And, if you don’t celebrate Christmas, I hope you have a great end of December!

Happy New Year, too!

Book Review: Call of the Wild

Last night, I finished Jack London’s “Call of the Wild.” It was great, to say the least. London did an amazing job of giving the main character, a dog called Buck, human qualities without losing his animal instincts (one of the main themes of the book). Buck’s journey is riveting, and the reader gets attached to each character he meets along the way. Emotions run rampant throughout the book: love, hate, anger, joy, affection, pain and loss.

Each scene is beautifully described and the emotions of the animals speak clearly to the reader, who will no doubt cringe at ever challenge Buck faces and breathe a sigh of relief when he overcomes. London’s knowledge of the dog-sledding community is so great that he was able to portray the humans and animals with great detail to make them real to the reader.

The underlying mythical quality to the story puts the book in it’s place in history, and is a great read for young adults and older adults. I am eager to read more of London’s work.

Look what I can do!

I’ve been working hard on my physical yoga practice. We’ve been studying inversions in my teacher training for about a month now, and until Saturday, I was not able to kick my legs up to the wall in Salamba Sirsasana (supported headstand). Right before my attempt on Saturday, I shared with my fellow teacher that I usually go into the pose with the attitude that I can’t do it, but I should try anyway. This time, though, I told myself that I can do it and I will do it…and, I did it!

I was able to stay up for much longer than I thought, and I even practiced taking each foot away from the wall to balance in the pose all on my own. In time, I am confident I’ll be able to do the pose without the wall! I am so proud of myself. I wanted to share this story as inspiration for anyone who has a hurdle in their life that needs jumping over. Once you face your fear and get over your self-given limitations, you will ask yourself how you could have doubted yourself.

Keep believing in yourself!

The Gunshy and Big Science at The Hideout, Chicago

On Friday night, my friends Joe, Kate and I went to see The Gunshy and Big Science play at The Hideout. I wasn’t sure what to expect from either act, nor had I been to the bar/venue before, so the whole evening was a grand adventure for me.

The Hideout was a cute little place nestled in an industrial area. A grand portrait of President-elect Obama graced the entrance, and this assured me I’d like the place. The bar was crowded (apparently we got there right on time, when they opened the venue area). $3.50 domestic bottles…not too shabby (I’m sure I could have gotten a Hams cheaper, but I splurged a bit). The venue was great. A girl standing nearby our table (score!) described the ambiance provided by strings of Christmas lights as “magical.” I’d agree. It was nice and cozy, perfect lighting for an old, nostalgic bar.

The Gunshy opened with a start. We knew from the moment we heard the trumpet tuning, we were in for a good show. Their upbeat anthems were reminiscent of the Mighty Mighty Bostones, whom I wouldn’t say I’m a fan of, but I appreciate their style. Overall, they played a good show, lots of boppin’ in our seats!

After a short break, Big Science took the stage. They’re style is best described by my friend Penny as, “The National meets The Killers.” I will say, again, that these aren’t my favorite bands, but, again, I enjoyed the original set. We picked up Big Sciences debut album for a mere $2 (score!), and I’m enjoying the sound now.

It’s always great to see local musicians, especially those with great stage presence and original material. Bravo to both bands! I hope that someday I can say I saw them before they made it big.

Journalists Need a Piece of the Pie

Every day, it seems there’s new news of publishing companies laying off chunks of their workforce. Today, I stumbled upon this article by Mark I. Pinsky for The New Republic. In it, Pinsky suggest that along with his New Deal inspired infrastructure plan, President-elect Barack Obama should reinstitute the Federal Writers Project.

The revamped project would give jobs to writers and historians and give them the opportunity to record the state of things today. It would keep the industry afloat and serve as a means to cover topics not included in mainstream media.

Pinksy writes, “This time, the FWP could begin by documenting the ground-level impact of the Great Recession; chronicling the transition to a green economy; or capturing the experiences of the thousands of immigrants who are changing the American complexion. Like the original FWP, the new version would focus in particular on those segments of society largely ignored by commercial and even public media. At the same time, the multimedia fruits of this research would be open-sourced to all media, as well as to academics. As an example, oral history as a discipline has made great strides in the past 70 years, and with the development of video techniques, the forum of the Internet could make these multi-media interviews widely available to schools and scholars, as well as to average Americans.”

Though this idea may be rather pie-in-the-sky because most of the attention in this depression has been on the financial and auto industries, I think Pinksy’s article did a wonderful job at using the U.S.’s past experiences to suggest a possible solution for today’s media.

What would your story be?

Book Review: Eat Pray Love

So, I must be living under a rock because I only recently picked up Elizabeth Gilbert’s brilliant memoir “Eat Pray Love.” The story of Gilbert’s year spent traveling through Italy, India and Indonesia is told with such honesty, humor and insight. Even though Gilbert’s journey followed a severe depression and divorce (things I’ve not experienced in life), I found myself identifying with her many times throughout the book. Gilbert’s words inspire me to be independent, seek my true self and be happy. I especially liked her insight into meditation, and I have used many of her techniques in my own practice already. (Thanks so much for that!)

It wasn’t until I finished the book, that I visited Gilbert’s web site. There, she answers questions about the book and gives an update on her life since returning to the U.S. What I found most intriguing, though, was her Thoughts on Writing. As a big-time writer, Gilbert is undoubtedly asked to give advice to those wishing to turn their story into a masterpiece the likes of Gilbert’s. Her words were so inspiring to me and others, I’m sure. Here, I will share some her insights that touched me most (note: most of these tips are very much linked to spiritual practice…it all comes around in the end!).

I believe that – if you are serious about a life of writing, or indeed about any creative form of expression – that you should take on this work like a holy calling.

“Hey – somebody has to write all those stories: why not me?”

As for discipline – it’s important, but sort of over-rated. The more important virtue for a writer, I believe, is self-forgiveness. Because your writing will always disappoint you. Your laziness will always disappoint you.

You must find another reason to work, other than the desire for success or recognition. It must come from another place.

All these insights can be applied to any kind of work, really. I think that it is most important that you make sure to act with purpose in every thing you do. This is the way to reach happiness and be at peace with your self.