Jewmanda,
I remember hearing and instantly loving Incubus' "Pardon Me," and specifically I remember thinking how freaking ancient I would be when I turned 23. Well, I'm less than three months away from being 28. Screw you, Brandon Boyd. Actually, well... anyway, I'll just leave that there. :)
So I still pretty much love Incubus. They aren't as consistent as they used to be, and I think my tastes have matured, but the aforementioned "Dig" shows they still really have it. I also think one of their more recent songs, "Promises, Promises," is quite good, and it's less than a year old I think.
This is a questionable music video, though.
As you mentioned, "Warning" has stood the test of time well- the lyric "I suggest we learn to love ourselves before it's made illegal" speaks to me loud and clear.
As far as Incubus memories are concerned, I've actually seen them in concert more than once, and each time they've been really good. I used to listen to "I Miss You" and pretend it related to me, and seeing them in concert only made me do it more. The opening band one of the times I saw them was 30 Seconds to Mars- further proving my life long obsession with the television show My So-Called Life.
Before I leave the world of Incubus, I leave you with two songs:
1) "Megalomaniac." This is... political Incubus. I don't like political Incubus nearly as much, but this song resonates as a car sing along fun time. Singing "You're no fucking Elvis!" never gets old!
2) "The Warmth." I think this counts as my all time favorite Incubus song. The lyrics are sorta cheesy, I know, but the rebellious teen in me always loved the lyric "Don't let the world bring you down; not everyone here is that fucked up and cold." I like that concept because oftentimes we forget that after a bad day or three. We forget that most of the people in our lives aren't awful.
Okay, this game was fun, and at some point I'm going to return the favor back at ya! Oooh... who to pick?!
-Brndn
Monday, February 27, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Bark Twice if You're in Milwaukee
Brabdnon,
I'm glad you were able to come away with something from Forks Over Knives. I had a feeling you would; I find it hard not too when faced with so much amazing information! And I agree, you should definitely show that film to your parents when the time is right. (Atkins is some crazy shit, man.) Since you've posted your entry, we've talked a couple of times about vegan stuff, and you already know that you can ask me any vegan questions or ask for tips or suggestions or resources. I've gotcha covered like a jimmy hat!
A part of me wanted to address self-confidence / self-esteem, but I'd like to stray away from the serious subject matter we've been on lately. Maybe that's partly because you and I have been swapping Anchorman quotes for the last half hour, but it's also because I thought of some songs recently and it led me to come up with a game we should play on our blog here from time to time. I call it: Hey, Remember This?
So, it's common fact that you and I are both appreciators of pop hits from the '90s and early 2000s. I think it would be fun if we randomly played Hey, Remember This? and share photos, songs, or video clips of memorable songs or moments from our favorite decades.
What initially sparked this for me? Well, I will ask you this...
Hey, Remember Incubus?
Holy balls, I used to LOVE Incubus. I thought Brandon Boyd was such hot stuff with his wavy long hair, beating that bongo and dancing around shirtless.
I remember when this song first came out on the radio. I believe I was in 10th grade. Whenever it came on, we'd blast this in my friend's parents' Saab, and then my friend taped it off the radio, so we played it on the TAPE DECK. (God, we're old.)
And then this song came out while I was dating my first real boyfriend ("real" meaning we dated for longer than a couple of weeks and did more than hold hands). And when you're 16, this may as well be the most romantic song ever, even though it doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
I vaguely remember them performing that song when I saw them in Tampa in 11th grade. They opened for the Deftones and I actually dozed off while the Deftones were playing. (I wasn't much of a fan.)
And then, on the flip side, we have this song, which my 17-years-old-self identified with perfectly when that first boyfriend broke up with me after he went away to work at some summer camp out of state. (And I wouldn't be surprised if this ended up on a sappy mixed tape at some point in my life.)
And don't even get me started on this one:
Oh, dramatic teenage heartbreak!
When Morning View came out, "11AM" was one of my favorite tracks off that album, but now I can't stand it.
I'm also BEYOND OVER "Drive."
I do, however, still love "Warning."
And that is the first time I have EVER watched the video for "Warning." WTF? That chick is scary.
I'm pretty sure you told me you like "Dig." Even though Incubus songs haven't given me tingles in many years, I like it pretty well, too.
What are your Incubus memories?
- manderz
I'm glad you were able to come away with something from Forks Over Knives. I had a feeling you would; I find it hard not too when faced with so much amazing information! And I agree, you should definitely show that film to your parents when the time is right. (Atkins is some crazy shit, man.) Since you've posted your entry, we've talked a couple of times about vegan stuff, and you already know that you can ask me any vegan questions or ask for tips or suggestions or resources. I've gotcha covered like a jimmy hat!
A part of me wanted to address self-confidence / self-esteem, but I'd like to stray away from the serious subject matter we've been on lately. Maybe that's partly because you and I have been swapping Anchorman quotes for the last half hour, but it's also because I thought of some songs recently and it led me to come up with a game we should play on our blog here from time to time. I call it: Hey, Remember This?
So, it's common fact that you and I are both appreciators of pop hits from the '90s and early 2000s. I think it would be fun if we randomly played Hey, Remember This? and share photos, songs, or video clips of memorable songs or moments from our favorite decades.
What initially sparked this for me? Well, I will ask you this...
Hey, Remember Incubus?
Holy balls, I used to LOVE Incubus. I thought Brandon Boyd was such hot stuff with his wavy long hair, beating that bongo and dancing around shirtless.
I remember when this song first came out on the radio. I believe I was in 10th grade. Whenever it came on, we'd blast this in my friend's parents' Saab, and then my friend taped it off the radio, so we played it on the TAPE DECK. (God, we're old.)
And then this song came out while I was dating my first real boyfriend ("real" meaning we dated for longer than a couple of weeks and did more than hold hands). And when you're 16, this may as well be the most romantic song ever, even though it doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
I vaguely remember them performing that song when I saw them in Tampa in 11th grade. They opened for the Deftones and I actually dozed off while the Deftones were playing. (I wasn't much of a fan.)
And then, on the flip side, we have this song, which my 17-years-old-self identified with perfectly when that first boyfriend broke up with me after he went away to work at some summer camp out of state. (And I wouldn't be surprised if this ended up on a sappy mixed tape at some point in my life.)
And don't even get me started on this one:
Oh, dramatic teenage heartbreak!
When Morning View came out, "11AM" was one of my favorite tracks off that album, but now I can't stand it.
I'm also BEYOND OVER "Drive."
I do, however, still love "Warning."
And that is the first time I have EVER watched the video for "Warning." WTF? That chick is scary.
I'm pretty sure you told me you like "Dig." Even though Incubus songs haven't given me tingles in many years, I like it pretty well, too.
What are your Incubus memories?
- manderz
Monday, February 20, 2012
They get what they want, and they never want it again
Flo-manda,
I have always had a... let's call it unique... relationship with food. Growing up I didn't think about how much I ate or what I was eating (what kid does?), but I can remember my grandmother telling me all the time that I wasn't eating because I was hungry, I was eating because I was bored. I really resented it at the time, but as I've aged I realize she was right.
At what point in my life, or in any of our lives, did I start finding food as an acceptable alternative to doing anything else when bored? Food is inherently satisfying; our bodies are designed to love food. I guess it was an essential pleasure in that way, and I can't find another way to think of food. It's fucking delicious. I love eating.
I also have a past of resenting the way fat people are portrayed in the media. I still have this resentment. We're often dehumanized, reduced to negative stereotypes, and rarely portrayed as full, lively characters. I have spent much of my life working to reduce that stereotype- to be that full, lively character. There's a young adult book I read last year called Looks by Madeline George that's about a fat girl, and I remember this scene where she got really upset, ran to the woods with a backpack full of junk food, and shoved it all down her gullet. I was livid about this scene when I first read the book. It reinforced the stereotype that all fat kids shove rice krispie treats down their throats when upset. And, moreover, run away to the woods to do so. Because such an act would be shameful if done in one's living room. I've reflected about this scene since, and I'm much less bothered by it than I was initially. How many times have I emotionally ate? Fuck, all the damn time. And I've sure as hell snuck food at night, or any other time. I remember eating hand fulls of chips in my parents' pantry as quietly as possible so they wouldn't hear me in the living room. The real issue I have with the media's portrayal of fat people is that I'm terrified that those people really aren't stereotypes. That those people are me. And I sure as hell don't want to be those people. And I don't see myself as those people; I truly don't believe my future involves me eating hand fulls of Doritos in the pantry.
I started eating better and exercising because I wanted to meet someone and fall in love with someone, and, well, that's hard to do as a fat dude. People judge me because of my fat, but I have to be honest with myself and remember that I'm not attracted to fat people either. If I weren't me, I sure as hell would not be attracted to me. That's the thing that made me so happy for you when you described how you've become so in love with your body. I cannot fathom thinking I look good. That's some serious self-confidence shit I've got to get over. Once I love myself, someone else can love me too.
So this all stems from the fact that, this morning, I watched the aforementioned Forks Over Knives. I enjoyed it quite a lot. I wouldn't say I had a critical eye while watching it, but I needed to be convinced. Now, you know me, I don't eat a ton of meat anyway, but I was skeptical of the idea that a plant based diet would actually reverse disease. I wanted to be convinced of it in comparison to what would simply be a low fat/low calorie diet. I don't know if I was ever given that conviction in total, but it certainly made a compelling argument. And, like any documentary, there's a bias; the filmmakers want us to feel a certain way about the subject in question. And, of course, they should do that. It's what makes good films, especially documentaries. I had two main thoughts while watching it and after watching it:
1) It wouldn't be all that much of a stretch for me to do this. Like I said, I don't really eat a lot of meat anyway- essentially I'd have to eat things that weren't chicken. The part that would likely be the hardest would be cutting out diary- I do love cheese. I've been eating less of it recently because of the diet I've been on, but I know I'd have to work to do that. I am not saying I'm going to go completely vegan; I don't think that's necessary for me. But there's no reason I can't focus on doing better with eating this whole food/plant based diet. Without knowing it, much of my diet this year has already encompassed this. For instance, I was already planning on making these for dinner at some point this week, and it wouldn't be at all difficult to veganize them by using vegan "cheese" or just omitting it altogether. I'll be honest, I'll be using the vegan cheese. I know I've had some vegan "cheese" before and it was... fine... but I think that's just something to accept. And the positives clearly outweigh the negatives.
I actually have to give you some more credit, aside from simply being a badass human being and an awesome friend. Before you came around I didn't really consider my diet at all. I sort of liked cooking, but I didn't really consider what I was eating. Just hanging out with you made me actually consider it, and I like to think that, generally speaking, I'm a pretty healthy cook when I'm cooking at home. So thanks for that, lady!
2) I thought of my parents, especially my mother, the entire time I watched this. My parents are attempting the Atkins diet for the second time (that I know of) right now, and I know they just spent a shit ton of money on food for it. My mom's been reading up on it, and dad's ready to jump in. As you know my mom suffers from Systemic Mastocytosis. She takes an incredible amount of medicine for it, and she doesn't take an incredible amount of medicine for it that she could take because they spend an incredible amount of money on the incredible amount of medicine she does take.
Does it seem to easy to simply suggest to my mother to become vegan?
I don't think she'd do it, although I remember you saying you didn't think your father would be swayed by the film either and he was. And I know money is tight for them, as it is for me, and considering they just spent this crazy amount of money on Atkins friendly groceries, I'm hesitant to approach them immediately. But, really, the time is now, right? I don't know- I'll have to think on this some more.
Anyway, I really enjoyed the film because, if anything, it made me think a lot. And that's always a good thing.
Here's to less jelly to jiggle in my future,
nodnarB
I have always had a... let's call it unique... relationship with food. Growing up I didn't think about how much I ate or what I was eating (what kid does?), but I can remember my grandmother telling me all the time that I wasn't eating because I was hungry, I was eating because I was bored. I really resented it at the time, but as I've aged I realize she was right.
At what point in my life, or in any of our lives, did I start finding food as an acceptable alternative to doing anything else when bored? Food is inherently satisfying; our bodies are designed to love food. I guess it was an essential pleasure in that way, and I can't find another way to think of food. It's fucking delicious. I love eating.
I also have a past of resenting the way fat people are portrayed in the media. I still have this resentment. We're often dehumanized, reduced to negative stereotypes, and rarely portrayed as full, lively characters. I have spent much of my life working to reduce that stereotype- to be that full, lively character. There's a young adult book I read last year called Looks by Madeline George that's about a fat girl, and I remember this scene where she got really upset, ran to the woods with a backpack full of junk food, and shoved it all down her gullet. I was livid about this scene when I first read the book. It reinforced the stereotype that all fat kids shove rice krispie treats down their throats when upset. And, moreover, run away to the woods to do so. Because such an act would be shameful if done in one's living room. I've reflected about this scene since, and I'm much less bothered by it than I was initially. How many times have I emotionally ate? Fuck, all the damn time. And I've sure as hell snuck food at night, or any other time. I remember eating hand fulls of chips in my parents' pantry as quietly as possible so they wouldn't hear me in the living room. The real issue I have with the media's portrayal of fat people is that I'm terrified that those people really aren't stereotypes. That those people are me. And I sure as hell don't want to be those people. And I don't see myself as those people; I truly don't believe my future involves me eating hand fulls of Doritos in the pantry.
I started eating better and exercising because I wanted to meet someone and fall in love with someone, and, well, that's hard to do as a fat dude. People judge me because of my fat, but I have to be honest with myself and remember that I'm not attracted to fat people either. If I weren't me, I sure as hell would not be attracted to me. That's the thing that made me so happy for you when you described how you've become so in love with your body. I cannot fathom thinking I look good. That's some serious self-confidence shit I've got to get over. Once I love myself, someone else can love me too.
So this all stems from the fact that, this morning, I watched the aforementioned Forks Over Knives. I enjoyed it quite a lot. I wouldn't say I had a critical eye while watching it, but I needed to be convinced. Now, you know me, I don't eat a ton of meat anyway, but I was skeptical of the idea that a plant based diet would actually reverse disease. I wanted to be convinced of it in comparison to what would simply be a low fat/low calorie diet. I don't know if I was ever given that conviction in total, but it certainly made a compelling argument. And, like any documentary, there's a bias; the filmmakers want us to feel a certain way about the subject in question. And, of course, they should do that. It's what makes good films, especially documentaries. I had two main thoughts while watching it and after watching it:
1) It wouldn't be all that much of a stretch for me to do this. Like I said, I don't really eat a lot of meat anyway- essentially I'd have to eat things that weren't chicken. The part that would likely be the hardest would be cutting out diary- I do love cheese. I've been eating less of it recently because of the diet I've been on, but I know I'd have to work to do that. I am not saying I'm going to go completely vegan; I don't think that's necessary for me. But there's no reason I can't focus on doing better with eating this whole food/plant based diet. Without knowing it, much of my diet this year has already encompassed this. For instance, I was already planning on making these for dinner at some point this week, and it wouldn't be at all difficult to veganize them by using vegan "cheese" or just omitting it altogether. I'll be honest, I'll be using the vegan cheese. I know I've had some vegan "cheese" before and it was... fine... but I think that's just something to accept. And the positives clearly outweigh the negatives.
I actually have to give you some more credit, aside from simply being a badass human being and an awesome friend. Before you came around I didn't really consider my diet at all. I sort of liked cooking, but I didn't really consider what I was eating. Just hanging out with you made me actually consider it, and I like to think that, generally speaking, I'm a pretty healthy cook when I'm cooking at home. So thanks for that, lady!
2) I thought of my parents, especially my mother, the entire time I watched this. My parents are attempting the Atkins diet for the second time (that I know of) right now, and I know they just spent a shit ton of money on food for it. My mom's been reading up on it, and dad's ready to jump in. As you know my mom suffers from Systemic Mastocytosis. She takes an incredible amount of medicine for it, and she doesn't take an incredible amount of medicine for it that she could take because they spend an incredible amount of money on the incredible amount of medicine she does take.
Does it seem to easy to simply suggest to my mother to become vegan?
I don't think she'd do it, although I remember you saying you didn't think your father would be swayed by the film either and he was. And I know money is tight for them, as it is for me, and considering they just spent this crazy amount of money on Atkins friendly groceries, I'm hesitant to approach them immediately. But, really, the time is now, right? I don't know- I'll have to think on this some more.
Anyway, I really enjoyed the film because, if anything, it made me think a lot. And that's always a good thing.
Here's to less jelly to jiggle in my future,
nodnarB
Friday, February 17, 2012
Eat Yer Veggies
Dearest Brandon,
I'm so glad I can help you exhale.
I want to congratulate you on your recent weight loss! It makes me so happy to know that you are taking strides to improve your health. That being said, I want to plug a film for you. Yes, it's about a vegan diet, but this movie has seriously motivated so many people to clean up their diets and their lives, they've lost lots of weight, reversed some of their medical problems, and gotten off medication.
It's called Forks Over Knives and it's streaming on Netflix.
Let me make it very clear that this is not an animal rights documentary. There is NO footage of factory farms, slaughterhouses, or the like. It is a documentary on the amazing benefits of a plant-based diet, focusing strictly on facts and studies and SCIENCE. It's actually a very interesting film. We screened it at VegFest to standing room only. I also sent a copy of this DVD to my father and he actually watched the whole thing and is currently making changes in his diet (which is HUGE for my overweight father with a plethora of diet-related health problems, including diabetes and high blood pressure). My friend watched it with her husband (who cooks like Paula Deen, not kidding) and even THEY are making changes. I've met at least a dozen people at random places and events who have told me they've gone vegan because of this movie, that it changed their lives, and they've never felt better. And these are people who, upon first meeting them, I NEVER would have pegged as being vegan.
I'm not sharing this with you in the hopes of "turning you vegan" or anything like that. I'm sharing it with you because there is a lot of amazing information in that film, and if you even made a few changes (even doing Meatless Mondays, for example), you would reap some benefits. I share this with you because I care about you and I don't want you to get crazy-sick and suffer. I share because I care.
I hope that you'll watch it.
To your health and continued exhalation (shoop shoop),
amanda
I'm so glad I can help you exhale.
I want to congratulate you on your recent weight loss! It makes me so happy to know that you are taking strides to improve your health. That being said, I want to plug a film for you. Yes, it's about a vegan diet, but this movie has seriously motivated so many people to clean up their diets and their lives, they've lost lots of weight, reversed some of their medical problems, and gotten off medication.
It's called Forks Over Knives and it's streaming on Netflix.
Let me make it very clear that this is not an animal rights documentary. There is NO footage of factory farms, slaughterhouses, or the like. It is a documentary on the amazing benefits of a plant-based diet, focusing strictly on facts and studies and SCIENCE. It's actually a very interesting film. We screened it at VegFest to standing room only. I also sent a copy of this DVD to my father and he actually watched the whole thing and is currently making changes in his diet (which is HUGE for my overweight father with a plethora of diet-related health problems, including diabetes and high blood pressure). My friend watched it with her husband (who cooks like Paula Deen, not kidding) and even THEY are making changes. I've met at least a dozen people at random places and events who have told me they've gone vegan because of this movie, that it changed their lives, and they've never felt better. And these are people who, upon first meeting them, I NEVER would have pegged as being vegan.
I'm not sharing this with you in the hopes of "turning you vegan" or anything like that. I'm sharing it with you because there is a lot of amazing information in that film, and if you even made a few changes (even doing Meatless Mondays, for example), you would reap some benefits. I share this with you because I care about you and I don't want you to get crazy-sick and suffer. I share because I care.
I hope that you'll watch it.
To your health and continued exhalation (shoop shoop),
amanda
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Shoop. Shoop. Shoop. Shoo-ba-doop.
Blamanda,
Since Whitney Houston died, I have had nothing but her songs stuck in my head. This is likely due to the fact that I added my faves of her songs to my Spotify, and she is now the 7th most popular artist on my last.fm profile. All from one intense week of Whitney joy. The song I referenced in the title, "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" is an example of one of those songs I unreasonably loved a lot as a kid.
It wasn't like I related to it at all. I also remember thinking she looked like a cocker spaniel in the music video for it. Whatever. Suddenly, though, as an adult, I connect with the line 'When you've got friends to wish you well, you'll find a point when you exhale."
True. You, Amanda, help me exhale.
You mentioned getting okay with your body in your last entry and... I dream of getting there. As of yesterday, I've lost 16 pounds, and I have so, so far to go. It's exciting to have lost so much already, but it's daunting to know I still have so much work to do. Today, for the first time, a random person, a former student actually, said "You've lost weight!" after not having seen me for a couple of months. It felt incredible, and it was a necessary boost. I'm at a difficult portion of my regimen where, when I tried it before, I gave up. I haven't given up yet. And I know you'll help me get there. And can I say how glad I am that you've found such wonderful acceptance of yourself? God, you're so freaking awesome! To realize that about oneself is almost impossible. Or at least it feels that way sometimes. We need that outside affirmation. That outside affirmation from someone who will also make out with us. So, here's to us finding that special person to put their tongue in our mouths!
We've been getting awfully serious around here? Let me use the following word to lighten the mood:
Cups.
BYYYEEEEE!
Brandon
It wasn't like I related to it at all. I also remember thinking she looked like a cocker spaniel in the music video for it. Whatever. Suddenly, though, as an adult, I connect with the line 'When you've got friends to wish you well, you'll find a point when you exhale."
True. You, Amanda, help me exhale.
You mentioned getting okay with your body in your last entry and... I dream of getting there. As of yesterday, I've lost 16 pounds, and I have so, so far to go. It's exciting to have lost so much already, but it's daunting to know I still have so much work to do. Today, for the first time, a random person, a former student actually, said "You've lost weight!" after not having seen me for a couple of months. It felt incredible, and it was a necessary boost. I'm at a difficult portion of my regimen where, when I tried it before, I gave up. I haven't given up yet. And I know you'll help me get there. And can I say how glad I am that you've found such wonderful acceptance of yourself? God, you're so freaking awesome! To realize that about oneself is almost impossible. Or at least it feels that way sometimes. We need that outside affirmation. That outside affirmation from someone who will also make out with us. So, here's to us finding that special person to put their tongue in our mouths!
We've been getting awfully serious around here? Let me use the following word to lighten the mood:
Cups.
BYYYEEEEE!
Brandon
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Let's Cut the Shit
Pretty, you say? More like FREAKING GORGEOUS!
And you know what? For the first time ever, I honestly do believe that I am gorgeous.
Gasp!
Yep -- You read it right. I am a female in my late-20s, and I officially like myself and my body. This is a fairly new realization and outlook, one that only formed when I moved from Missouri to Florida, but I like it. It feels really good to like myself.
How did this happen? It all started when I threw myself into the great unknown and moved solo to Florida. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone over a year ago (a comfort zone that, at the time, was not that comfortable, anyway) made me realize some really amazing things about myself.
I am resourceful. I am determined.
I am smart, talented, and a quick learner.
I am outgoing, charming and witty as hell, and personable.
I am strong and brave, stronger and braver than I ever, EVER knew.
(Gosh, that all sounds like something straight out of a cover letter for a job inquiry.)
I amazed myself with how I formed my new Florida life.
And then came the body acceptance. After hating my body for 15 years, I started to truly appreciate my body. It's amazing how when things start falling into place, when life gets better, everything else gets better, too. I rang in 2011 with belly dance classes for the first time ever, and it truly made a difference in my self-esteem. I was pretty clumsy at first (naturally), but suddenly I was moving muscles I didn't know I had, I was truly embracing the curves of my body, and I was physically challenging myself in a totally new way. Suddenly, there was a sassy sway to my walk and I stood a little taller. It was an amazing feeling.
And then I got into a car accident, and that was a game changer. Suddenly, I was aware of OTHER muscles I didn't know I had, suddenly I was feeling a brand new pain, suddenly I had a new challenge ahead of me. But I persevered. I learned a lot about my body through physical therapy, and I appreciated my body even MORE. Unfortunately, my injury forced me out of belly dance indefinitely, but I have yet to forget or lose the amazing feelings that came from those classes, that came from those movements.
I've missed belly dancing tremendously and often found myself craving it, but I found a new physical outlet that doesn't trigger my injury: hula hooping. This is a newer venture - I bought myself a hoop for Christmas. The hoop has helped me appreciate my curves again. I love the feel of the hoop whipping around my waist, I love that a sharp push of my hip keeps it from falling, I love the simultaneous turning of my hips, my body, and the hoop. It's not the same as belly dance, but it still brings my focus to all the positive features of my body, and it's a fun challenge, and something I can do while jamming to top pop hits of '90s.
Working in child care has also highlighted some great things about my body. My wide hips are perfect for carrying little ones, my lap is comforting, my hugs can heal, my reflexes are actually pretty quick.
When I fell into love long-distance, I found myself being loved and appreciated and desired for exactly who I am, for my personality, for all of my strengths and weaknesses, for my words and intelligence. And even though it didn't work out, I needed that from a man, to know that what I was made of was not only enough, but the best of me.
I share this with you, Brandon, not only because you are a treasured friend, but also because I feel that you can relate to much of what I've said. Not so much the neck injury, belly dance, and hula hooping parts, but the parts about finding and accepting and loving yourself.
You have always accepted me, and I will always accept you.
Here's to love in all forms and all directions, especially the love that points inward,
amanda
And you know what? For the first time ever, I honestly do believe that I am gorgeous.
Gasp!
Yep -- You read it right. I am a female in my late-20s, and I officially like myself and my body. This is a fairly new realization and outlook, one that only formed when I moved from Missouri to Florida, but I like it. It feels really good to like myself.
How did this happen? It all started when I threw myself into the great unknown and moved solo to Florida. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone over a year ago (a comfort zone that, at the time, was not that comfortable, anyway) made me realize some really amazing things about myself.
I am resourceful. I am determined.
I am smart, talented, and a quick learner.
I am outgoing, charming and witty as hell, and personable.
I am strong and brave, stronger and braver than I ever, EVER knew.
(Gosh, that all sounds like something straight out of a cover letter for a job inquiry.)
I amazed myself with how I formed my new Florida life.
And then came the body acceptance. After hating my body for 15 years, I started to truly appreciate my body. It's amazing how when things start falling into place, when life gets better, everything else gets better, too. I rang in 2011 with belly dance classes for the first time ever, and it truly made a difference in my self-esteem. I was pretty clumsy at first (naturally), but suddenly I was moving muscles I didn't know I had, I was truly embracing the curves of my body, and I was physically challenging myself in a totally new way. Suddenly, there was a sassy sway to my walk and I stood a little taller. It was an amazing feeling.
And then I got into a car accident, and that was a game changer. Suddenly, I was aware of OTHER muscles I didn't know I had, suddenly I was feeling a brand new pain, suddenly I had a new challenge ahead of me. But I persevered. I learned a lot about my body through physical therapy, and I appreciated my body even MORE. Unfortunately, my injury forced me out of belly dance indefinitely, but I have yet to forget or lose the amazing feelings that came from those classes, that came from those movements.
I've missed belly dancing tremendously and often found myself craving it, but I found a new physical outlet that doesn't trigger my injury: hula hooping. This is a newer venture - I bought myself a hoop for Christmas. The hoop has helped me appreciate my curves again. I love the feel of the hoop whipping around my waist, I love that a sharp push of my hip keeps it from falling, I love the simultaneous turning of my hips, my body, and the hoop. It's not the same as belly dance, but it still brings my focus to all the positive features of my body, and it's a fun challenge, and something I can do while jamming to top pop hits of '90s.
Working in child care has also highlighted some great things about my body. My wide hips are perfect for carrying little ones, my lap is comforting, my hugs can heal, my reflexes are actually pretty quick.
When I fell into love long-distance, I found myself being loved and appreciated and desired for exactly who I am, for my personality, for all of my strengths and weaknesses, for my words and intelligence. And even though it didn't work out, I needed that from a man, to know that what I was made of was not only enough, but the best of me.
I share this with you, Brandon, not only because you are a treasured friend, but also because I feel that you can relate to much of what I've said. Not so much the neck injury, belly dance, and hula hooping parts, but the parts about finding and accepting and loving yourself.
You have always accepted me, and I will always accept you.
Here's to love in all forms and all directions, especially the love that points inward,
amanda
Wait For It
Amanda,
I hope your Valentine's hard cider hasn't left you too headache-y today. I'm pretty sure you don't get hangovers like crazy anyway, and, well, it's just hard cider. You can't handle some hard cider? You can't handle shit.
So the list of things you appreciate about me was heartwarming and lovely. I really am fascinated by asparagus pee- what's the deal with that? Asparagus tastes so good going in (and smells sumptuous), but when you pee after eating it the smell is like a rotten diaper. Okay, I'm being hyperbolic. It's not that bad, but it's pretty awful. What happens between mouth and urethra that causes this?! And asparagus is a solid food- shouldn't it also make poop smell weird too? Wait... poop already smells bad. Nevermind.
I think you should know that, as I write this, Mariah Carey's cover of Journey's "Open Arms" came up at random on my Spotify. How could our love be sooooo... blind?
I should make a list of things I appreciate about you also, but the list would be endless. Instead, I'll just say that I know you'd never leave my side. A forever friend. We're solid as a rock. And hilarious. And pretty as shit. Damnit, we're pretty. Seriously.
I'll leave you with this today:
I cannot begin to explain how hard I laughed at this. As the title says, you really do have to wait for it, but... the end is so worth it. I'll never sing "Someone Like You" alone in my car quite the same way again.
Love you, boo,
Brandon
I hope your Valentine's hard cider hasn't left you too headache-y today. I'm pretty sure you don't get hangovers like crazy anyway, and, well, it's just hard cider. You can't handle some hard cider? You can't handle shit.
So the list of things you appreciate about me was heartwarming and lovely. I really am fascinated by asparagus pee- what's the deal with that? Asparagus tastes so good going in (and smells sumptuous), but when you pee after eating it the smell is like a rotten diaper. Okay, I'm being hyperbolic. It's not that bad, but it's pretty awful. What happens between mouth and urethra that causes this?! And asparagus is a solid food- shouldn't it also make poop smell weird too? Wait... poop already smells bad. Nevermind.
I think you should know that, as I write this, Mariah Carey's cover of Journey's "Open Arms" came up at random on my Spotify. How could our love be sooooo... blind?
I should make a list of things I appreciate about you also, but the list would be endless. Instead, I'll just say that I know you'd never leave my side. A forever friend. We're solid as a rock. And hilarious. And pretty as shit. Damnit, we're pretty. Seriously.
I'll leave you with this today:
I cannot begin to explain how hard I laughed at this. As the title says, you really do have to wait for it, but... the end is so worth it. I'll never sing "Someone Like You" alone in my car quite the same way again.
Love you, boo,
Brandon
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Your Herp is My Derp
Dear Brandon,
I don't know how I feel about you sharing that picture on the world wide interwebs, but I'm also halfway through my second cider and I just don't give a care. (See what I did there? I censored myself. I very easily could have said that I don't give a shit or a fuck or a nutsack or a scrotum, but I fucking censored myself. You know, in case your prim and proper mother decides to read this shit.)
Moving on... It's Valentine's Day, at least for another half hour, so I'm going to make you be mybitch valentine. This means I should say some mushy stuff about and to you, so here's what I can muster up, on the spot.
* I count you as one of my closest friends. There are a very select few people that I label as such. This makes you an instant awesome head. (A what?!)
* You are the reason I love Robyn so much. And for that, I will always be thankful. (But you are still her #1 fan. Hands down. No contest.)
* You sing to me on my voicemail. You are the only one who does that.
* You also sing to me LIVE! on the phone, and I also appreciate that.
* You appreciate my misheard lyrics, puns, crass fucking language, and other crazy antics.
* We share a love of '90s pop hits. I don't know anyone else who appreciates that generation's music the way you do, nor do I know ANYONE ELSE who remembers so many lyrics from such hits. (You, sir, have a gift. A GIFT!!!)
* You laughed a lot when I said "up to my tits," and that made me laugh a lot, too.
* And really, your laugh is great!
* And speaking of laughing, I love the way we can run a joke into the ground, AND BEYOND.
* You're fascinated by asparagus pee, and that is amusing.
* You're passionate about the written word, and about fostering that love in today's youth, which is also totally awesome.
* You've kept in touch with me better than anyone else back in ol' STJOMO. Not that I ever doubted we would lose touch, but the fact that our friendship has remained so strong and current (for lack of a better word) means so very much to me. This blog is further proof of our rock steady friendship. [Enter whatever No Doubt song you wish from that album] One day we'll get that podcast goin'!
So, there ya go. Happy Valentime's!
I don't know how I feel about you sharing that picture on the world wide interwebs, but I'm also halfway through my second cider and I just don't give a care. (See what I did there? I censored myself. I very easily could have said that I don't give a shit or a fuck or a nutsack or a scrotum, but I fucking censored myself. You know, in case your prim and proper mother decides to read this shit.)
Moving on... It's Valentine's Day, at least for another half hour, so I'm going to make you be my
* I count you as one of my closest friends. There are a very select few people that I label as such. This makes you an instant awesome head. (A what?!)
* You are the reason I love Robyn so much. And for that, I will always be thankful. (But you are still her #1 fan. Hands down. No contest.)
* You sing to me on my voicemail. You are the only one who does that.
* You also sing to me LIVE! on the phone, and I also appreciate that.
* You appreciate my misheard lyrics, puns, crass fucking language, and other crazy antics.
* We share a love of '90s pop hits. I don't know anyone else who appreciates that generation's music the way you do, nor do I know ANYONE ELSE who remembers so many lyrics from such hits. (You, sir, have a gift. A GIFT!!!)
* You laughed a lot when I said "up to my tits," and that made me laugh a lot, too.
* And really, your laugh is great!
* And speaking of laughing, I love the way we can run a joke into the ground, AND BEYOND.
* You're fascinated by asparagus pee, and that is amusing.
* You're passionate about the written word, and about fostering that love in today's youth, which is also totally awesome.
* You've kept in touch with me better than anyone else back in ol' STJOMO. Not that I ever doubted we would lose touch, but the fact that our friendship has remained so strong and current (for lack of a better word) means so very much to me. This blog is further proof of our rock steady friendship. [Enter whatever No Doubt song you wish from that album] One day we'll get that podcast goin'!
So, there ya go. Happy Valentime's!
Up To Your Tits
Amanda,
I cannot begin to express how much I appreciate the following photo you sent me tonight:
I cannot begin to express how much I appreciate the following photo you sent me tonight:
Caption: Hurrrr! It's fuckin' Valentine's Day! What the fuck ever!!!!!!
So I know you are already writing like seventy five blogs. In fact, when I proposed this idea to you, you said you were already "up to my tits" in blogs. I, of course, love your work with Hungry Vegan Traveler, but now you're all big time and writing for OTHER people. How the hell did you get so important? Was it that other people saw this picture? I know I would hire you to write for me if I saw it.
This is my 24,834th attempt at a blog, and I think writing it together will work. Why? Because we're hilarious. I swear, sometimes when we talk I think "If people only understood our excellence!" Now is our opportunity. This will be our chance for the world to discover our greatness.
So, I know that you are currently tit-deep in blogs, but I hope this not only helps keep us close, but opens up both of us to some new writing audiences. Good luck! Godspeed!
Derp,
Brandon
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