Chronicler of Life's More Funny Events

In another off-kilter attempt to document some semblance of my life, I've now decided to catalog my top list of awkward, eventful, hilarious and painfully embarrassing encounters with the other kind. That is, the males of this planet. Can't wait to see how long this takes and if I ever get to the end of this list.

1. Everquest Marriage
2. "Serving Yourself" Shame
3. Ocean in Tennessee
4. Riboflavin
5. First Kiss
6. Giggling BJ
7. A Lake and a Hotel Room
8. Vegan Bush Lover
9. In a sock and out the window
10. Gag Reflex
11. Covert Pleasure
12. Baby, Gangsta Rap and Pearls
13. When YOU can't, Your mouth can
14. Charged, Repressed and Found Wanting
15. Performance Problems
16. Hit on You

Obviously what actually happened and what I remember are up for debate, however it is "herstory."

Hot Mess

I wonder if other people look at their friends every once and awhile just to see if anything has changed. Like looking at my group of friends that I hang out with, everyone is so unique and different. All are exceptional in their respective fields of geology, and all are exceptionally different. I'm going to assume that their uniqueness is what makes them tick, what makes them good scientists, good students, and essentially good friends. Everyone knows that the world is full of unique people, but I think it's the true eccentricities that make it to graduate school and into academia. I'm not sure what it is about "intellectuals", but I have the feeling that they are truely a breed of their own.

Here's a couple of case studies:
Val. Val. Wow, what to say, what to say. Val is probably one of the most complex people that I know. Originally meeting Val and getting to know her was painful. Painful probably to the point where I didn't really want to be around her. Actually I didn't even like her. She drove me NUTS. She doesn't know how to turn off. She's constantly on talk... except when she isn't. When Val doesn't want to talk, you will know. Aside from the constant garble that comes from her mouth, she is one of the most considerate, understanding people that you could ever hope to be your friend. She understands that everyone has their own needs, their own battles, their own fears. And she respects everyone for their own-ness. She's always got your back, you just have to get to "true" Val before you let her.

Mary was probably one of the most over-thought-out friends of mine. I was always wondering what made her tick, and all that. I have to thank Kayla for my friendship with Mary. I'm not sure exactly what it is about Kayla that she sees how awesome everyone is, but Kayla can see into peoples' hearts and minds. She finds true friends and true people and loves them. I don't know how she does it, but Kayla opened my eyes up to Mary. Initially I got the impression from Alex that she's a "weirdo" and lesbian. Both things, in context could have thrown me for a real loop, but Mary is nice enough and open enough that I figured, eh, why not? I'll make friends if she's cool, and won't if she's not. And she's becoming a better and better friend every day. We support each others' working out habits and swimming. I'm sure she has her own battles, fears and "no-go zones" to deal with. But she lets you know that you are welcome into her life. And being welcome, that's a beautiful thing too.

Taking a Stand

After careful contemplation of my life, I've realized that I do a lot of things so as to not piss other people off. I think I'd rather do things for me for awhile. I realize there is some guilt and responsibility with interacting with other people and I think I'd like to shake that up a bit. I know that I do a TON of things just for me, and I'd like to see how different that would be if I was purposely doing things ONLY for me for a week or two. And then switch it up. Do a LOT of things for other people. I don't want to do this to change relationships with my friends and family, but I think it would be cool to see exactly where I draw the line between doing things for others and doing things for me. I could even look at the short-term vs. long term desires. Some things good for me now probably won't be good for me in the future and some things bad for me now, may be good for me later in life. I guess it'll be an experiment in re-invention.

I think that it will also involve more thinking on my part. What is good for me right now? What isn't? What's my cost benefit? That's quite an analytical way to look at life. Maybe after I do all the thinking, I'll just do what comes to my head and intuitively do that. How different would my life be?

Emotionally Stable?

I can't decide if the longer I am in science, the weirder the people are, or the more aware I am of them. Almost all of my friends are on some sort of drug to help them out... depression, ADD, ADHD, OCD, eating disorders. It's insane. I mean, I've come to realize that I probably have obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. I was talking with Val today and realized that this trait is inherent in my personality and comes to a crux every time I am in high stress. Cleaning religiously, making schedules, lists, etc. Basically it's a way to control a situation. It's funny because low lying depression and super cleanliness are two of the 10 traits seen by these people. And those are the traits of mine that go crazy when I can't control any other part of my life. And now that I've sort of let obsessive cleanliness and organization go away for a little bit, I'm happier. I'm allowing myself to experience life at a less structured pace. And I think that's a good thing. I think I clean to maintain a semblance of order, which obviously is never going to work. The world is just a crazy jumble of disorder and life is contained chaos. I should just learn to thrive on that. I know I sound like I am rambling, but I actually feel a lot better about myself as time goes on. I'm slowly controlling my eating, which is DANG hard, but possibly possible. Baby steps. Baby steps for me are the way to go. Sudden action never really works out because I always want to jump back a little bit and re-test the water. Maybe that's what this year has been for me. A learning about myself, how to take care of myself and how to handle myself as an adult, capable of taking care of myself. Me me me! I think that's why me and relationships right now are so weird. I'm figuring out who I am and who fits in with me. And I should. I need to take the time to know me. Definitely before I try to be with someone else.

I've Got Your Back

I can't decide what type of human I am sometimes. For the most part I am a loyal friend, compassionate, quite independent and maybe lovable and cuddly. I try to stay in contact with friends, old boyfriends, etc. Whether it's from a curiosity standpoint or what, I don't really know. Yesterday, I got an email followed by a text from Steve. (A fairly recent ex) Of course I responded to it, and found myself getting invited to an impromptu Superbowl Sunday fiesta. I had been invited by Kevin (a possible, but highly improbable "love" interest). I had no desire to go hang out with Kevin. I think it has something to do with the fact that he doesn't challenge me at all. It's not really exciting. Which, in some respects is probably really good. No real arguments, fights, disagreements, etc. However, there's no challenge. And sadly, that is something I need. Without someone to challenge me, I basically turn into a brat, and that's no fun. But anyways... back to the superbowl party. I decided, heck, why not? It would be free food, a nice warm fireplace, good company and a chance to get some of my work done. All in all, not too shabby of a night. So I went. Food was good (for party food), the fireplace was perfect and I did get quite a bit of a dissertation read. Good times had by all :) So people started leaving, first Mike (eye candy), followed by Mylie, and then Taz got pissed off at the guys for teasing her about Sumir's sexual orientation (her fiance). Finally it was me, Kyle and Sarah (his gf from Georgia) and they soon left. Then it was just me, steve, his granola and the fireplace. We started talking... me about my issues with my advisor and steve about his... legal dilemma. Apparently a girl is accusing Steve of sexual assault and he may have to go to court to prove his innocence. And that just sucks. I just can't imagine Steve purposely hurting anyone like that. The only way anything resembling something like that happening would be if this girl didn't say to stop. The second she would have said stop, or quit it, or no, I know Steve would have backed off. He's too into mutual beneficial fun sex for it to be one sided. Besides the fact that he wouldn't ever assault someone. I just don't believe it. What is this girl thinking?

Sunday Madness

Well I must say, working out with the grad students on Sunday is a BLAST! Stephanie was too sick to make it, and Val forgot what time we were all meeting, but otherwise Gideon, Bess, Mary and myself had a kick-ass time. We played knockout for about an hour and I definitely felt as though I was breathing hard enough and was pretty fatigued. I only won twice, but overall, it was a great way to hang out, release some steam and laugh our butts off. We just have so much fun together, and it doesn't even really matter what it is. Yes, we are all quite competitive, but somehow, it doesn't get in the way too much. We do have our egos to worry about, but it's like we've all grown up and realize that everyone has faults and strengths and you just work with what you have. It's refreshing and lovely. I can't wait for next Sunday!

Shin Splints

Apparently people of all ages, mostly athletes will at one time or another get a sports injury. To that I say... inconceivable! It's like saying if you live life, you will get hurt. So I'm in the middle of deciding what to do with my shin splints. I've gotten tons of advice. Full rest. Take 3 days off, then go about life like nothing happened. Some rest, strengthening and going back to running once the pain is gone. SO now I can rehab my left shoulder, my left ankle and try to train for a half-marathon. Sort of disheartening huh? It also looks like my training guide is shot. I'm going to swim two days a week now. Serious abs workout on Monday, and then 20 minute segments on Wednesday and Friday. Tuesday's I'm going to try "the bike"... how dreadful does that sound? And Thursdays I'm going to climb and maybe do the elliptical(?). So not this Sunday, but next, I'll start running again. I'm just a little disheartened, but it's better to nip this in the bud now. That and once I start running again, it's NOT going to be outside. So I've got a lot to do eh? Just gotta try your best every day. Whatever your best is at that moment.