My Driver's License expires this weekend, so today I was responsible and coupled in a visit to the DMV with a Dr.'s Appointment, so that I can continue to drive zipcars, get through airport security, and go to 21+ establishments.
The last time I got a new license, I was a year away from turning 21, so this is the first time that my license appropriately reflects my status as a grown up and is horizontal rather than vertical.
The picture is a lot better too. Unlike passport photos, in which you are not allowed to smile, and always look terrible, you have a chance at taking a decent license picture.
The last time I went to get a new license however, I could have cared less. It was August, so the summer weather had just hit that point where it stops being fun, and becomes instead that unbearable, sweltering humidity, mixed with thunderstorms and rain showers that rather than cooling the day down, just make everything wet. As a result, my hair was slicked up, makeup would have run right off my face so I wasn't wearing any, basically I looked like a real prize.
On top of that, I had just had my heart really broken for the first time, and leaving the self indulgent routine of eating ice-cream in bed while listening to Aimmee Mann, to instead venture outdoors with all the happy people wasn't high on my list of Things I'd Like to Do.
But, I dragged myself out of my apartment, and hopped a bus to downtown Pittsburgh to go to the DMV anyways. The DMV in downtown, is next to impossible to find. In fact, I wouldn't have found it (I was still using a flip phone then), except that I ran into a co-worker who was able to give me directions. By the time I found the building and was standing in line in the un-airconditioned, crowded, DMV, I was in less than a good mood.
They finally called my name to have my picture taken, I sat down in front of the camera, and looked at the sticker, the guy told me to look at.
I didn't smile, didn't care what I looked like, I just wanted this whole stupid license ordeal to be over with so I could go back to my dramatic self-pity party.
He snapped the camera. The picture showed up on the screen. I looked at it and shrugged. The DMV guy looked at it. He paused.
"Maybe, we try that again," he said, "You can smile you know..."
When the guy taking pictures at the DMV tells you to re-take the picture, you know it must be truly awful. So I smiled a pathetic-fake smile, and that's how I ended up with a license that made me cringe every time I had to bring it out.
It was kind of satisfying today, watching the woman punch holes into that old license, while handing me my shiny new one.
My real life.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Let Them Eat Cake
I have the honor of co-chairing the Midwife Center's Annual fundraiser this year, with my event-planning partner in crime Regina.
We were volunteering at a Midwife Center event last night, and decided to create a video invitation to the event.
I hope you can join us on Saturday, May 7! It really is a great event.
We were volunteering at a Midwife Center event last night, and decided to create a video invitation to the event.
I hope you can join us on Saturday, May 7! It really is a great event.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
A Night at the Opera
Last night my sister and I went to the Pittsburgh Opera Company's production of Turnadot. It was awesome. The costumes and sets were beautiful, the music was awesome, the Benedum center was sold out. Opera is very not dead.
Discussion during the intermission after the first act:
Me - "The thing I love about Opera is how fast everything moves. There's going to be an execution! Father I've found you after so many years! I love her!"
Sister - "Seriously. She smells good! I'm going to marry her!"
(reading program) "and in act 3! She kills herself to save his life, and he's all, oh thanks, I'm gonna go make out with this other chick now."
Discussion during the intermission after the first act:
Me - "The thing I love about Opera is how fast everything moves. There's going to be an execution! Father I've found you after so many years! I love her!"
Sister - "Seriously. She smells good! I'm going to marry her!"
(reading program) "and in act 3! She kills herself to save his life, and he's all, oh thanks, I'm gonna go make out with this other chick now."
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Movie Night
Me- "Also, I rented a movie for tonight."
Precisely- (with skepticism) "what is it?"
Me- "It's called Never Let Me Go. It's based on a book I read a couple years ago. Its about these students at a boarding school in England, only they're actually clones who get their vital organs harvested."
Precisely- ::blinks:: "Perfect."
Precisely- (with skepticism) "what is it?"
Me- "It's called Never Let Me Go. It's based on a book I read a couple years ago. Its about these students at a boarding school in England, only they're actually clones who get their vital organs harvested."
Precisely- ::blinks:: "Perfect."
Monday, March 21, 2011
Run Baby Run
I was 19 when I ran my first 5k. Basically an adult.
One of the things I remember noticing were how many kids there were running that race. Up until then running races had seemed completely beyond my capability. After that first 5k however, I was hooked, and continued increasing the length and frequency of the races I'd enter until I ran the Philly marathon last fall.
I could go on and on and on about how much I love running, but that's not what this post is about. This post, is about a program called Girls on the Run. Girls on the run is an international running program for girls in 3rd-5th grade. For three months the girls meet twice a week to run, and the program culminates with a 5k race. In addition to running we discuss issues like self-esteem, peer pressure, and healthy living habits.
I've wanted to get involved with this program for a while, and this spring, was finally able to work it into my schedule, so I am an assistant coach. It is so. much. fun.
For one thing, now that I don't babysit anymore, I am hardly ever around children. My friends aren't having kids yet, I don't teach, and it's dawned on me that it's very strange how I am completely detached from an entire segment of the population.
Secondly, I had forgotten how little 8-10 year olds are. They are adorable. And still at that age where they're goofy, and nice to one another, and it breaks my heart to think that in a couple of years they'll turn into mean girls. (I think they'll come out on the other side of puberty just fine though.)
Third, getting to share my love of running with these girls is awesome, and it's also so cool that they're getting introduced to running in a 5k already. I wouldn't have changed the fact that I was singing 6 hours a week at 10, but I would have certainly preferred Girls on the Run to intramural soccer, and it would have been cool to begin my love affair with running earlier in life.
Spending time with these girls helps to put things in perspective as well. Last week we discussed emotions. At one point during the conversation one of girls was talking and said "...I mean, because most people are really happy and content, so..." She continued talking, but I don't think any of us coaches heard the rest of her point. We were totally fixated on the statement "most people are really happy and content." She said it so surely, like it was an obvious statement.
How awesome, for that to be your view of the world, and how awful that it isn't more true. We are so good at making our own problems, when really we should be the happy content people these kids think we are.
One of the things I remember noticing were how many kids there were running that race. Up until then running races had seemed completely beyond my capability. After that first 5k however, I was hooked, and continued increasing the length and frequency of the races I'd enter until I ran the Philly marathon last fall.
I could go on and on and on about how much I love running, but that's not what this post is about. This post, is about a program called Girls on the Run. Girls on the run is an international running program for girls in 3rd-5th grade. For three months the girls meet twice a week to run, and the program culminates with a 5k race. In addition to running we discuss issues like self-esteem, peer pressure, and healthy living habits.
I've wanted to get involved with this program for a while, and this spring, was finally able to work it into my schedule, so I am an assistant coach. It is so. much. fun.
For one thing, now that I don't babysit anymore, I am hardly ever around children. My friends aren't having kids yet, I don't teach, and it's dawned on me that it's very strange how I am completely detached from an entire segment of the population.
Secondly, I had forgotten how little 8-10 year olds are. They are adorable. And still at that age where they're goofy, and nice to one another, and it breaks my heart to think that in a couple of years they'll turn into mean girls. (I think they'll come out on the other side of puberty just fine though.)
Third, getting to share my love of running with these girls is awesome, and it's also so cool that they're getting introduced to running in a 5k already. I wouldn't have changed the fact that I was singing 6 hours a week at 10, but I would have certainly preferred Girls on the Run to intramural soccer, and it would have been cool to begin my love affair with running earlier in life.
Spending time with these girls helps to put things in perspective as well. Last week we discussed emotions. At one point during the conversation one of girls was talking and said "...I mean, because most people are really happy and content, so..." She continued talking, but I don't think any of us coaches heard the rest of her point. We were totally fixated on the statement "most people are really happy and content." She said it so surely, like it was an obvious statement.
How awesome, for that to be your view of the world, and how awful that it isn't more true. We are so good at making our own problems, when really we should be the happy content people these kids think we are.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Today in my Coaching Session...
Me: I have my whole life to settle! Why start now?
My Coach: I think that might be my favorite quote of the week.
I win!
P.S. - I think anyone can benefit from working with a coach, but especially if your a twenty something, do it. It's totally worth the investment, and has been awesome.
My Coach: I think that might be my favorite quote of the week.
I win!
P.S. - I think anyone can benefit from working with a coach, but especially if your a twenty something, do it. It's totally worth the investment, and has been awesome.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Advice on Dating
So I might be in dating hibernation mode right now, but that doesn't mean I can't offer unsolicited dating advice to the internet.
The following was actually a response to a friend after she emailed me to tell me she was going on a date and was super excited and nervous. Then another friend who read my response told me I should make it a blog post - and here we are!
Because dating is fun, but sometimes it can be hard, and really it's something that I think we should all do more of.
- Relax and have fun and don't put pressure on it just cause it's a date.
- Any time you need new conversation filler - just ask questions - people love to talk about themselves.
- Wear something you feel comfortable in, nothing is more distracting than sitting on a date concentrating on the fact that your shoes hurt, something is too tight, or fidgeting with an ill fitting piece of clothing
- Don't check your cell phone unless you have to.
- Laugh at his jokes. (but only if they're funny)
- Utilize the forearm touch
- Offer to pay, but if he declines, offer to pay for the tip
- If you're having a good time - keep the date going, suggest after dinner drinks, or coffee, or something
- If you had fun, and want to see him again, say so.
- If, at the end of the night you want to kiss, don't be too shy to initiate it. Or just tell him to initiate it. (Guys can be real wimps about that.)
The following was actually a response to a friend after she emailed me to tell me she was going on a date and was super excited and nervous. Then another friend who read my response told me I should make it a blog post - and here we are!
Because dating is fun, but sometimes it can be hard, and really it's something that I think we should all do more of.
- Relax and have fun and don't put pressure on it just cause it's a date.
- Any time you need new conversation filler - just ask questions - people love to talk about themselves.
- Wear something you feel comfortable in, nothing is more distracting than sitting on a date concentrating on the fact that your shoes hurt, something is too tight, or fidgeting with an ill fitting piece of clothing
- Don't check your cell phone unless you have to.
- Laugh at his jokes. (but only if they're funny)
- Utilize the forearm touch
- Offer to pay, but if he declines, offer to pay for the tip
- If you're having a good time - keep the date going, suggest after dinner drinks, or coffee, or something
- If you had fun, and want to see him again, say so.
- If, at the end of the night you want to kiss, don't be too shy to initiate it. Or just tell him to initiate it. (Guys can be real wimps about that.)
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