+1 Hour

So, I'm going to make a conscious effort to blog regularly this week. I actually enjoy doing it, so I hate that I've been slacking, but I've just had a lot going on - in my head more than anything.

Today we got an extra hour of sleep, which was awesome. I didn't sleep an extra hour, but I like that I got up at a decent hour for the first time in a while. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to get an extra hour built into every day. I'm sure it would eventually become the norm and I'd fill it without even thinking, but it sounds so appealing. It's kind of like the way I feel like I have gained all this time when a meeting at work gets canceled. Anyway, because of the time change, I'm feeling sleepy especially early tonight, which I also consider a positive.

Even though I'm not supposed to be reading while I'm engulfed in my book-writing shenanigans, I have been periodically reading portions of a book about being grateful. It got me thinking a lot about gratitude, so I want to mention a few things that make me feel grateful today:
-Having heat as it starts to get cold
-Good food
-Laughing at random things
-My family

I saw a musical on Friday night at Emory (with ES). It was called "Pippin: His Life and Times." Someone I know from the theatre, Robby, played the role of Pippin. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was completely blown away by the musical. It hit home for several different reasons, and I'm really, really glad I went. Hooray for Pippin! I am grateful for Pippin!

Well, I'm going to spend some time on my book before I get too tired to be productive. Sweet dreams!

Hmmmmmph

I am blanking on what to even say. I think that means that I'm either tired or that my life is uneventful.

Congrats to me for working out. I got up and exercised before work. I consider this a pretty big feat since I ended up backing out on Monday. I did about 30 minutes of cardio this morning, so I felt pretty accomplished before I headed to work.

I ate Willy's for lunch with the Tuesday crew.

Well, I went by the lab today to get some bloodwork done and to pick up my new 24-hour urine collection jug. Doesn't it seem like I get blood drawn every five seconds? It sure does to me. Today only took two sticks, so that was relieving. It was funny because they were all like, "Oooh, it's 'Dotson.'" I am a Laboratory Celebrity - a Celaboratory. Hey, that's close to "celebratory." Anyway, the endocrinologist saw some abnormal levels on previous my lab tests, so I was doing a few repeats today to make sure I'm screwed up.

I took a journey to Publix tonight. I got more of my new favorite thing - CHERRIES! Last week I was in a meeting and people were eating an unusual-looking fruit. Coincidentally, people had been eating them at the hospital meeting a few weeks ago, and I meant to Google images of fruit so I could figure out what they were. Well, it turns out they were cherries! I tried one and LOVED THEM! I got some when we were down at the beach and got a big ol' bag tonight. I think I could get carried away. CHERRIED AWAY! Can you see my enthusiasm?

There was a drunk guy in the Publix parking lot. He stumbled out of the liquor store and was cussing about how Applebee's wouldn't serve him (it's in the same shopping center). For one of few times in my life, I was glad I looked like a pre-teen because he didn't try to ask me to get him alcohol. However, he did look at me and give me a friendly smile and greeting. He actually seemed like a really caring person. It kind of made me sad. He was a good-looking, 50-something man and it just made me want to learn about him. I'm well aware that interviewing him would not have been a good idea, but it just kinda made me wonder about his story. The words "his story" are basically "history." Do you think there's a connection?

Okay, this is what happens when my day wasn't eventful. I just ramble about random things and pretty much let you in on the thoughts inside my head.

Happy Wednesday almost!

One last thing - The Bachelorette season finale was last night. She was down to Prince Charming and Prince Not-Quite-As-Charming-But-More-Real. I was really hoping the latter would win, but he didn't. I really admired him because, having lost his mom less than two years ago, he was really focused on quality of time versus quantity. I think that's very important.

That was my last hoorah for the night.

The clock on the wall

I'm at home and in my own bed. Sometimes I forget how much I love my own bed until I go without it. I'm getting ready to try for an early night's sleep since it's back-to-work tomorrow. I'm not sure why I've been having sleeping problems lately. I feel like my mind has been going faster than usual; it's probably just trying to keep up with everything. Usually I'm a champion at sleeping, so I'm assuming the last week has been a fluke.

The beach is a great place for thinking. There were a lot of things on my mind, including what I want to do next. When I say "next," I'm not even really sure what I mean. I was just kinda thinking of what's up on the agenda, and I feel like I'm on the verge of some exciting things. I know I sound really vague and borderline nutty, but I just feel very appreciative of life right now.

When I got home tonight, I noticed that the main clock on the wall downstairs had stopped. It was simply ticking the same second over and over again, and it kinda reiterated all of the things I was thinking throughout the weekend. Time isn't standing still, but I often feel like I am.

Tomorrow I have rehearsal at 7:00 p.m. and will then come home and cry at the Bachelorette season finale. I'm in Thursday's show, so I'll be looking forward to that all week. It looks like a group has pre-purchased 70 tickets, so that should be a fun show. AWESOME!

Time for bed. I'm going to get up and exercise before work. I haven't exercised in an entire week. I can't tell you the last time I went so long between workouts. PUMP UP THE JAM!

It was 1980-something

Well, I am tired and really shouldn't be writing this. I am up way later than planned. I had every intention of getting in bed before 10:00 p.m., but I was up trying to finalize some roommate stuff. Now I don't even feel sleepy...

Today was a pretty good day. It's kind of weird not having Drew's Crew to talk about anymore. I remember last year that I experienced some post-walk funk because of the rush I get raising money for the CF Foundation. Well, I guess I can still talk about Drew's Crew because I got two $100 donations today, as well as an envelope with $358 from a good friend who couldn't make it to the walk. If I'm adding things up correctly, this will all total to be more than $21,300. I can't wait to see the total continue to rise! I mean, it's over, but donations can still come in and I won't refuse them when they do! Logistically I couldn't refuse them if I wanted to, but I was being expressive.

I exercised today, and it felt GOOD! I ran on the treadmill for about a mile. Then I hopped on the elliptical for a little while, and ended with another bout on the treadmill. It totaled to be more than 40 minutes of exercise (about 44), so I'm glad. The whole being-up-late thing is sort of interfering with the plan I had to exercise tomorrow morning. However, I think I'm still going to do it because tomorrow's a big day and I could use the good start...

RANDOMIZATION THURSDAY!!!! I have to be at Emory by 8:00 a.m., so that's pretty stinkin' early. However, I'm just looking forward to it. The photographer is going to come and it should be a good time! I'm interested to see what my PFTs are. I have been feeling a tiny bit funky for the last two weeks(ish), so I have no idea what to expect PFT-wise. Only time will tell...

Speaking of, 'only time will tell' is probably a good thing for me to remember right now. Of the things in my life that aren't quite what I would like, they really are all things that ought to be corrected with time. Sometimes I wish time could be sped up so that change wasn't so difficult and life lessons didn't take so long, but oh well... How ironic. Lately I have been so focused on there not being enough time, yet today I'm proposing the idea of fast-forwarding time. This is one of life's many complexities that I love!

Today I was thinking about my book, mainly because of an inspiring message I received. I need to quit talking/thinking and start doing/writing. The darn thing isn't going to write itself.

I've got a show to do tomorrow. Good night!

Let me tell you a story called...

"Where has all the time gone?"

That's the only reference I'm going to make to being short on time in this post.

Yesterday was a day full of wondrous Emory-related events. I worked at a classical concert and at the Corpus Cordis Aureum reception, which is the group of Emory alumni that graduated at least 50 years ago. It was interesting noting the differences between the new graduates and the CCA graduates. The new graduates refused to wait in short lines at the block party, while the CCA folks waited several times as long and never even made a remark about it. While this isn't a direct reference to the thing I said I wasn't going to reference earlier, it's neat how waiting seems irrelevant when you're 80 years old. I could stand to exemplify some of that patience more in my day-to-day life. There's no need to be in such a stinkin' hurry all the time.

This morning I got up a few minutes before 4:00 a.m. to get ready for commencement. Thankfully, although it was cold outside, the weather cooperated and the rain held off until later in the day. Arnold Schwarzenegger delivered the commencement address and, I've got to admit, he was pretty funny. Inspiring? Umm, not so much. Entertaining? Yes! He literally went through all of the lines folks would want him to say, including "Hasta la vista, baby," "It's not a tumor," "I'll be back," etc. He was good-humored about the whole thing. Although he attempted, there wasn't a very moving message, but it was enjoyable to watch, so I didn't mind.

I got home a little before lunchtime. Since it's my wonderful sister's birthday, I treated her to lunch at our favorite, El Toro. I ate quickly and came home and worked for a while until I just couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. I knocked a few more things out and then headed downtown to rehearsal. Traffic was an absolute nightmare, but I was surprised to arrive only six minutes late. We worked on Oscars, which was fun.

My SC joint is literally killing me. I think I need to call el doctor tomorrow. I sound like such a hypochondriac in these posts sometimes.

Tomorrow is the big day! I have study-related appointments at 7:50 and 8:30 a.m., so it's gonna be another lengthy day. Then, off to work to knock things out until it's time to get ready for the show. Tickets have been pouring in left and right, so I am getting very excited. I think my doctor is going to be there as well, so that's awesome news! Although a few donations haven't posted online yet, Drew's Crew exceeded $16K today. I AM READY TO PUMP YOU UP!

Big wheels keep on turnin'

Well, I still want to blabber about what I mentioned earlier - TIME.

I am kind of stressed out lately. Actually, saying 'kind of' is an understatement. I am extremely stressed out. I was thinking through the upcoming weekends today and realized that I don't have a free weekend until at least the end of June, but more likely July. That's a long time. This weekend is Emory's commencement, next weekend is the walk/a concert, the next weekend is a wedding/a concert, and the list goes on and on... I'm just really trying to think of when I might catch a break.

Now, don't get me wrong - I am enjoying myself - but I am just feeling so burnt out. It's difficult for me to keep up with this busy pace and maintain my health at the same time. I should gain back some time when the upcoming improv benefit for the CF Foundation and the walk pass, but I'm still going to be pretty busy.

My plan for tomorrow is to get to work by 7:00 or 7:30 a.m., then possibly arrive home by 5:00 p.m. or maybe a little later. We have late rehearsal tomorrow night, so I'd like to get to come home and relax for a bit, even though it will involve a lot of driving. Then I'll head to rehearsal at 9:00 p.m. and get home just before 11:30 p.m. What a day!

I am really just using this to think through the day, so pardon the boredom of it.

Tiiiiiiiiiiiiime

Good grief, where does the time go? I swear time is getting lesser and lesser by the day.

Yesterday I slept in until 11:00 a.m. Now, given the fact that I'm complaining about having no time, I realize that wasn't exactly an effective use of my Saturday morning. However, I wouldn't have felt compelled to sleep that late if I wasn't completely exhausted, so I'm just listening to my body. Then I headed over to the gym and exercised for a bit. I did 20 minutes on the elliptical and 12 on the treadmill. It was a good start to the day!

Then I hurriedly showered and got ready and met my friend DH for lunch. We were going to go to Hudson Grille, but apparently it closed or something, so we went to Taco Mac instead. Wooo! Aside from her coming to my improv show last Thursday, we hadn't really talked in YEARS, so that was a lot of fun. I love catching up with relatable people!

I then decided that I needed to go get groceries since it had been probably close to a month. I am really not good at fulfilling my basic needs when I have next to no free time. I realize that my basic needs should come first, but dang, it's tough. I just went into Target (the SUPER kind!) and got some stuff. I had a hard time because I wanted to get home quickly and dodge the rain, so I just arbitrarily grabbed healthyish stuff, plus a few things like shampoo, etc. Consider it true if it's written here - I really want to start eating healthier. Not for vanity's sake, but because I know I don't have good eating habits and I used to feel much more energized when I ate such a variety. Granted, at that time, my only concerns were being in high school and making smoothies, but I felt healthier nutrition-wise. So, that's a goal of mine.

I put groceries up, laid down for a bit, then realized it was time to head out to my crew shift at the theatre. I stopped by Starbucks at the way (See? Thinking I can drink my energy?) and got an iced vanilla latte. I got down to the theatre and trained a newby on suggestions and worked the camera during the show. The shows were a lot of fun to watch and, even though I was out late, I enjoyed myself!

Now I'm getting ready to go watch the kids perform at the theatre - well, the youths and teens. It should be a lot of fun. I'm getting lunch beforehand. YAY!

THIS POST WAS POINTLESS!

Bite me

I have had some weeeeeird dreams lately - some good, some bad. I usually don't have bad dreams, but I've had several over the last few weeks. I had a dream a week or two ago that a penguin was biting my arm. It literally would not let go of my arm and I was yelling and trying to shake it off. It was a very tiny penguin, by the way. Then it kind of reminded me that I've had several dreams about my arm getting bitten in the last sixth months. The penguin dream caused me to remember the others.

I looked up what it means to be bitten: To dream that you are being bitten represents your vulnerability regarding some unresolved issues or emotions. You may be pestered by a problem or obstacle. The dream may also be a metaphor indicating that you have bitten off more than you can chew. Perhaps you have too much to handle.

Story of my life = burning the candle from both ends.

Then I looked up what a penguin means: To see a penguin in your dream signifies that your problems are not as serious as you may think. It serves as a reminder for you to keep your cool and remain level-headed. Alternatively, a penguin seen in your dream suggests that you are being weighed down by your emotions or by a negative situation. You need to find some balance and inner harmony.

So, individually, I think biting off more than I can chew is an accurate assessment. And, I think I need to find some balance and inner harmony. I'm not exactly sure how the two combine to make sense and my mind can't even begin to comprehend, but they make sense separately.

While that's an unusual dream, it's not nearly as bad as the dream I had Wednesday night. I was driving to work on roads that were unfamiliar. A few cop cars whipped out of nowhere, cops got old, and signaled for me to get down - that a gunman was on the loose. I stopped my car in the middle of an intersection and balled myself up down at the foot of the driver's side to hide. The gunman came up to my window and we made eye contact. He pointed the gun at me. However, he decided instead that he would somehow put a match to the gas tank and start the car. I woke up right as he was doing this and before the car exploded with me inside of it.

At least that's not disturbing... Oh, wait. I'm not sure what it all means, but it definitely implies that there are some negative things floating around inside.

Lunch was fun today. We got to talk about my favorite things: LIFE and PHILOSOPHY. WOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!

Today I found out that next Thursday's improv show is a private mainstage show. Needless to say, I was a little bummed because I was hoping to be in the show next week since I was on crew this week. The bright side of it, though, is that we don't have rehearsal on Monday, and Wednesday is canceled, too, due to another private show. As much as a part of me is disappointed because I love improv, I am relieved to have bought some time back into my week. After all, that's what I've been battling lately. Time and penguins.

Two things that I recently discovered I love: Haribo Happy Colas and Tostitos Hint of Lime chips.

Oh, and the title 'Bite me' was in reference to the dreams, although it developed a second meaning. When I went to post this, there was some kind of error and I lost everything but the first paragraph, so I've tried to remember what I said (which is hard when it's worthless babble). If this doesn't post, someone from Blogger is getting hurt.

One of those days

Today was one of those days. It was one of those days where, no matter what I did, I couldn't get in a good mood. Maybe it was the fact that it was Monday, that I was tired, that the weather was dreary, that the holiday stress is upon me... I don't know. But all I can say is that I am so happy to be in this bed of mine ready to hit the hay.

Well, I have yet to do any Christmas shopping and I realize that in two hours it will only be ten days away. I'm not sure where the time has gone, but it seems like I've lived in a vacuum all year; the time escapes me and I can't seem to track it down. While I enjoy the holidays, I also find them particularly draining. There's so much preparation to do, things to wrap up at work, etc.

I haven't yet decided what days I'm going to take off for the rest of the year. I was toying with the idea of not taking off any - We get off the 24th, 25th, 31st, and 1st. However, I think I'm going to go absolutely insane if I don't do something more. I may try to telecommute a bit since my typical telecommute day (Friday) falls on two of the vacation days.

Today was our division-wide holiday party. I wasn't sure what to expect, so I can't really say whether or not it met my expectations. I was hoping there might be some adult beverages and what not, but what can I say... the budget doesn't support it. Blaaaaaaaaaaah.

Well, I had improv tonight and, after the events of the day, you can imagine that I wasn't exactly in the mood to try to entertain. In fact, if I could have done anything, I would have come home and been antisocial, probably falling asleep by 8:00 p.m. However, I toughed it out and, in summation, I didn't perform as horrendously as I thought I could.

Time to finally do what I've been dreaming of all day.....SLEEP. Tomorrow will definitely be better than today. Pessimistic Patty signing off.

Holy rejuvenation

I am just smiling on the inside today. I want to laugh at everything.

Yesterday was incredible. The writing class I went to was literally life-changing. Holy. Mack. Er. Al. I can't even explain it, so I won't try. Just know that I am really excited and woke up feeling like a changed person. Part of me wonders if subliminal messages were playing throughout the duration of the class, but, whatever the case, it worked. WOOOHOOOO! Mark yesterday in your day planner, children.

So, I heard an interesting thing yesterday - "The longer it takes you to do anything, the more screwed up it's going to be." I've never really thought about things that way, but it totally makes sense. I heard, "Think about it - If it took me fourteen months to make a cake, would you really want a piece of it?" For some reason that makes me laugh uncontrollably. How true is that, though? Sometimes people think the amount of time put into something makes it better, but the length of time is irrelevant.

Anyway, I ate some Jell-O this morning. SIDE NOTE.

Tomorrow I have off work and am going to a wedding. Weddings are always interesting to me. It should be fun, and I'm looking forward to it.

Well, have a swell day, and don't bake a fourteen-month cake.