A quick thought...

I have to say...I think I like my haircut better in real life than I do in the pictures...

New 'do

Yes, I'm being cheesy in the second picture. I'm also trying to get used to having bangs - it's been a whole 3 hours or so. I've NEVER had bangs before, so this is new for me.

I decided - why not? Might as well try something new, right? I figured if I didn't end up liking it, I could always grow them out. I think I like it, but I have to get used to it. I really like the color, but I don't think the picture does it justice at all.

So, if you see me this week, and I'm blowing air up to see if my bangs move....yeah, that means I haven't gotten used to them yet!

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished...

I had a feeling over the weekend that this week might not be so great. So far, I'm stressed, tired, and have a cold that's just taken over my head. All of that on top of fitting five days worth of work into four (well, it's probably more like six days worth).

I read this article earlier this week in the New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/books/14dumb.html?em&ex=1203656400&en=1788b6496c6c468b&ei=5087%0A

I'm still dumbfounded at how American culture rewards good looks, money and fame as "success". Now, I'm no Bill Gates or rocket scientist, but I like to think that I'm fairly knowledgeable about the world.

The other part of me thinks that these people who are "dumb", like Kellie Pickler or that Jessica Simpson, might be acting dumb in order to get attention. I mean, would they get nearly as much attention speaking intelligently about the presidential election as they would be saying "Is Chicken of the Sea tuna or chicken?"

I'm starting to think there's an endless cycle to this - kids grow up seeing everything in popular culture and society as one way, but you can't shelter them from it. Especially with all the societal pressures of our world today.

Currently Listening: Sober by Kelly Clarkson

A little behind...

I feel like I'm not doing very well in my book list for the year. I'm halfway through two books right now, and have been reading them for awhile.

However, I was at the library today, and I felt compelled to write about this. I was in the library today, picking up some holds, and I overheard this son and his mother. The boy wanted to get MORE books, and the mom wouldn't let him. I was slightly confused. I would want my kids to want more books, but this mom was very adamant that her son only get 3 books. I mean, I know there's a limit on how many books can be checked out at a time, but it's certainly a lot more than 3 (I think it's about 30!)

If the kids want books, let them have them!!!

A Random Rambling?

This morning on my way to work, I started thinking about how there are some men out there that bully women around, and I suppose that it’s a good day to think about that, because it’s V-Day. I always look at today as being more of a day to bring awareness to stopping violence against women and girls around the world.

Well, I think that I started thinking about why some men feel they need to be so intimidating. Is it because they are so threatened by a smart woman? Do they feel as though in order to be masculine they must berate anything feminine? Is it because they grow up in a culture that glorifies women as sex objects and nothing else?

Why is it when a man is assertive to get what he wants, it’s a good thing, but when a woman is assertive, she’s a bitch? There are all these questions that I have, and they all come back to society. If we start changing how our children are brought up in society, then maybe we’d have a chance. The problem is, everything is based on how much money is made, and sex and sexist things sell. It’s shoved in our face all the time – watch TV for one hour, and you’ll see.

Now that I have posed all these questions, I am off to go do some other things.


Currently Reading: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Maybe I'll start something new...

I've always wanted to review books - probably because it would allow me to read most of the time for work....lol. So, over the weekend, I thought maybe I would start reviewing some of the books I've read. I have to work on it, but I think I might just do that. Watch for them in the future.

I drove back to Lansing from Muskegon tonight. Getting out of Muskegon and Ottawa counties was awful. There was a lot of blowing snow, and visibility was low. The worst part was when people would pass, and it would throw up even more snow. Luckily, I made it back alright, but I was worried about trying to make the commute. I didn't want to try in the morning, because I really didn't want to drive with a bunch of other people on the road with low visibility.

I didn't mean to write about this, but I just tuned into the Grammys, and Alicia Keys performed her song, No One. I LOVE this song. And not only is she a fantastic singer, but she's an amazing artist. To top off the performance, John Mayer joined her on stage. What an awesome performance.


Currently Listening: As I Am by Alicia Keys

A Personal Critique

So, while I've been mostly at home all weekend, I got to thinking (in between watching The Wire, and finishing The Golden Compass). I'm not a super easy person to pin down. I have quite a few different interests, as I'm sure anyone who reads this knows.

If you were to ask me about my favorite kind of music, I couldn't pick one. It depends on the day for me. My iPod is the best thing I've ever received because it allows me to have a lot of music that I like, lots of different genres, and I can shuffle them, so I never know what's coming up. What is my favorite type of book to read? Again, I like a wide variety of books (non-fiction, fantasy, children's, chick lit, fiction).

Sometimes I think I'm eclectic. Sometimes I think I just know random facts, trivia, and things no one else quite knows. I just feel like a sponge sometimes. Really, some of the things I absorb are insane.

I'm not sure there are many people that wouldn't be surprised to find out at least one of these things: that I've seen Limp Bizkit in concert (and somehow ended up in the mosh pit), have met Salman Rushdie, totally love Keith Urban, am really into scrapbooking, STILL listen to N'Sync, love doing community service, wish I had grown up in the 60's, and watch football every weekend.

And that's just the half of it! I know, I know, I'm quite the nerd!

Currently Reading: Man Gone Down by Michael Thomas

Am I too ambitious?

I have all these things I want to do. I'm feeling a little productive this weekend - watching DVDs and reading. I've started watching the first season of "The Wire" and I'm loving it. Hopefully, I'll get through a little more tonight.

But then I was thinking about my reading list. I have a list of 50 books to read this year. Since it was the end of the month, I was looking back at how much I read in January. It turned out to be 4 books, and 3 of them were on my list. I'm almost done with another one now, but that's not on my list either! So, at this rate, I'm not doing so hot on the list. I keep hearing about new books, buying other books, wanting to read new authors, and I'm just a plain bookworm!!! Maybe I bit off more than I can chew with this challenge??


Currently reading: Almost finished with The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman AND Man Gone Down by Michael Thomas