Category Archives: Songs that influence my life

I heart music – yes, yes I do!! And I have Valentine’s Day Plans already!!!!

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Want to know another one of my deal breakers?  Music.  If a guy doesn’t have a nice appreciation for indie and hip-hop – that could very well be a deal breaker.  I don’t know why but music speaks to me.  I feel it.  It moves me.

There are a few ways into my heart

Music is definitely one of them.  My family and dogs are another.  Imagination is the third.  And the last?  Probably humor.  I LOVE to laugh!!!

OH BUT HERE IS MY BIG NEWS!!!!!  :)  :)  :)

I’ve decided that this upcoming Valentine’s Day is going to be a VERY special day.  I have plans ALREADY!!!  I’m so excited!!!!  I’ve been thinking about it for days.  Want to know who my Valentine is this year?

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Yes, it’s true.  I have a Valentine and she LOVES me.  She told me so.  Of course I need to get permission from her parental units ;) but if everything goes according to my new plan – I should be set to babysit.  AND GUESS WHAT??  I’ve already decided that no matter what boyz are in my life for Valentines – if he can’t make room for this little girl in our V-Day plans then he isn’t the guy for me.  :)

I love being an aunt.  Love, love, la-UVVVV it!!!!  My two nieces and one nephew mean the world to me.  They’re always in my heart and never far from my mind.  Whenever I’m a little down and out – I watch videos of them and it makes me smile – EVERY time.  Hearts, love, adoration. I am very, very, VERY lucky that my brothers’ children are in my life.

Anyway … I found this song over at GoldenBloggen – a kickin’ music blog.  I fell in love with it …. Glory Box by Portishead (and mom you might actually like this song despite the band name sounding a little scary. oxoxox  but you’ll like the next one even better – I think…)

And I love this one EVEN MORE!!!!  Seriously I heart The XX – HEART THEM!!!!!

Tim Tams, Jib Jabs, NaNoWriMo, and the Monster Mash

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I think I may as well start off with my plea to PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote for me at http://www.sam-e.com/job/profile/560 and if you are feeling particularly kind – tell your coworkers or friends to take the TWO SECONDS to vote too.  :)  I’m starting out 2 weeks late – but I only have to be in the top 50 to make it to the next round so I’m optimistic.  :)

Also – as promised before – get your blog readers to vote (as in vote and vote and vote *yay!*) and I’ll send you some Australian lollies.  :)  Mmmm … tim tams, zappos, fizzers, bounties, boosts – you name it – it’s yours.  :)

BIG WEEKEND NEWS :)

I’ve been so busy with school and getting over pharyngitis that I forgot to tell you all that Nicole from Girl from Mih-nee-soo-ta will be visiting this weekend.  It’s always fun to have blog meet-ups so that’s pretty cool.

Also – North Sydney has his son so guess who won’t be seeing him??  That’s right!  Me!  OH AND LOU IS IN TOWN!!!  YAY!!!!  I’m soooooooooo excited.  I get to catch up with her and @deeleea on Sunday in Manly.  CAN’T WAIT!!!

And lastly – you know how I have a photo blog?? 4, 5, 6… ELEVEN Petals Well…I originally posted this gem of a video THERE but since it’s not really REAL photography skillz  (though I SO took all of those face pics) … I’ve moved it over HERE so you can ALL enjoy this Halloween heaven sent bliss.  Cast – in order of appearance – Alexis, ny niece, theTooth, Me, ScottPete – it’s a regular old Daisy Family Delight!!  HAHAHAHAHA!  I laugh every single time I watch it.  Never gets old.

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

AAANNNDDD – anyone else doing National Novel Writing Month besides Pam from Reflections of a Neurotic Writer?? Let me know! :)  And click on her link cuz it’s a post with a cartoon about National Novel Writing Month that is SO FUNNY!!!

Orange Sky – Sand Storm – Bondi Beach and Part 5 :)

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Ok – so today is supposed to be my LAST 200 words about online communities but BEFORE we get to it (cuz I know you’re all like SUPER DUPER EXCITED about it) I want to show you what I woke up to this morning.

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CRRAAAZZZYYY!  I’ve seen the world glow before.  A bright moonlit night with snow all around makes for a stunning BRIGHT night.  But glowing red, orange and sometimes blood orange?  Today was a first.  Definitely a wow!

Ok so I’ve come to realize that online communities and our identities within online communities are complicated topics!!!  There’s no way we could really have a full blown conversation about it in only 200 words per pop.  But hey – it’s the effort that counts right?  :)  Thanks to the commentors (scoMan, dave, ebonyJewel and MattyMatt) for commenting!!!  It’s always great to hear others’ insight!!

And for those of you who I have no doubt WANTED to comment deep down in your heart (which is everyone else i.e MOM, TIM, ALEXIS, SCOTT and all of my other bloggy friends) thank you ALSO because life is more fun with family and bloggy friends!!!   :)  )  Oh and it’s not too late to throw in your 2 cents because I’ve decided to write my final paper in a different class on this topic.  :)

Down to bizness.

ONLINE COMMUNITIES – You and Me are a CommuniTY – part #5 – wrap up.

(btw anyone notice that I did part NUMBER 5 or part NUMBER 4? LOL I did it just to be silly.  I am fully aware, thank you, that it SHOULD be part 5 or just #5. hee hee)

I’ve decided that I am fascinated by this topic.  100%.  Our world is becoming more and more digital every day.  We move to online communities more and more every day.  Our selves, our identities, and our culture are all being impacted by this change.  And though I suppose our identities, cultures and selves always change, I think it’s important to recognize the significance of online avatars/identities and how this increase in control over image may affect our core definitions.

I took this opportunity to round up some (only 3 because most of them were dumb) quotes on self image.

1“The ”self-image” is the key to human personality and human behavior. Change the self image and you change the personality and the behavior.”
2“Our self image, strongly held, essentially determines what we become”

Maxwell Maltz quotes (US plastic surgeon, motivational author, and creator of the Psycho-Cybernetics, 1927-2003)
3“If you wake up at a different time, in a different place, could you wake up as a different person?”

Chuck Palahniuk quotes (American freelance Journalist, Satirist and Novelist. b.1961)

I suppose one interesting thing about networks and identities is they change with time.  As I meet and become connected with more people, my network grows.  As my connections meet and become connected with more people, my network grows.  As my identity is tried and tested with time, it evolves and takes stronger shape.  I don’t believe we can STOP a network or an identity.  We may take on new layers, new directions and new flavors, but the network around us and our identity (regardless of how many we choose to have) all overlap a bit with each other.  We can’t go backward – only forward.

Paradigm Shifts – Half-full cups sound better (plus pics plus sweet cover song)

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When I began this post I was going to title it “What I’m missing out on.” But then I stopped.

Yes – it’s true – I DID miss out on the family party shown below (pics courtesy of my older brother and father) but labeling it as “what I’m missing” makes it bittersweet.  And quite frankly – though I LOVE dark chocolate, I like my life to be a bit more on the sugary side. :)  So INSTEAD – let me show you what I have to look forward to in about 4.5 months.  :)

This Smile

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These Puppies

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My precious nieces

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Family Fun

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Bocce Ball

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Giggles and puppy play

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Unconditional Love

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That’s right – I have a whole lot of GOOD to look forward to – and although I may be missing out on some of it at the moment – it will be waiting for me when I finish here in Australia.

My adviser has been talking to me a lot about refocusing unconscious situational judgments.

I do it ALL of the time.  “Ooh – I missed out on that” instead of “Sweet! I can’t wait for next time!”  Or “Last semester SUCKED!” instead of “Last semester was a good growing experience.” AAANNNDDD I refer to 6 months ago as “when I was fat” when I only weighed 7lbs more than I do now!!  Problems??  I think so.

My adviser ALSO talked to me about learning to FEEL small emotions instead of rationalizing them away.

I’m the queen of logic.  Yes-sir-ee-bob! I sure am!  And guess what??

Emotions aren’t logical!!

So although I tease a lot about “hating” this or being “bugged” by that – I usually rationalize away my feelings and never take the time to ACCEPT that I feel this way.  It’s ok if this sounds confusing – it is.  :)  But the jist of it is that although I use exaggerated negative language to describe situations – I never actually ACKNOWLEDGE my feelings about the situation.  Of course exaggerations aren’t to be taking seriously and I never take my feelings that seriously either.

Anyway – I’m now working on this … and I’m just OVERJOYED about it.  ;)  HAHAHAHAHA!  teasing.

oh and I’m sorry if I haven’t commented for awhile!!  I am still a faithful reader to the people I follow – I just haven’t had time to comment. :)  I will be fixing this!!

Day 39-41
39/365 waiting for class

40/365 carpet in old teacher's college

41/365 - Rozelle - old mental hospital

Bleeding Love COVER by Mystery Jets – LOVE IT!!