Livin At the Speed of Light

Friday I was up for 18 straight hours. Saturday night I closed down a bar. Sunday I had such a fierce workout I'm starting to notice very visual muscle definition around my abs. What a crazy weekend.

When you're an art columnist for a magazine and you're taking a Writing Arts Criticism course at the same time, you find yourself at a lot of arts and entertainment activities. Just this weekend alone I went to a contemporary dance performance, a modern art gallery, and I painted my own work of art at Painting With a Twist. I think I've been to more artsy events and galleries in the past 5 months than I have in the 4 years I've lived in PA. Also last weekend I was at an awesome concert in West Chester, PA. I saw Black Violin and got to meet them after the show. I bought one of their t-shirts and they signed it.

I'm starting to learn how to function properly with less than 8 hours of sleep. Between waking up due to loud noises in the apartment building and just having a jam packed schedule, I'm not getting 8+ hours. I cherish my sleep so much. However, I'm getting accustomed to 7 hours, which is still adequate according to the National Sleep Association and what not. I don't want to dip below 7 but if I can continue to function at this level, I won't complain.

Function is right. Between work, school, my new gym rat status, school events, magazine events, writing, writing writing and the occasional fun social event with friends...I'm running at the speed of light. I mean, Feb went by in a BLUR. But it was all good stuff. Being busy is good and I'm definitely happier when I've got a loaded plate. That and the fact I'm taking the gym seriously. I even workout on Tuesday nights after working late. Dedication.

Looks like it won't slow down anytime soon. Fortunately this weekend I will just be doing my GLP, or Gym, Laundry, Produce...but the following week I have dinner with one of my good friends, maybe the Flower show, and a few papers sprinkled in between. It is crazy but I love it.

Until next time...

It Is Tradition

I think at least 3 out of the 4 years I've had this blog, I've written a post on or about Valentine's Day. So, in keeping with the literary tradition, here we are.

We're all recovering from Winter Storm Pax, which completed inundated Philly with snow, sleet, ice, frozen rain...you name it. While walking to work I had to nearly wade through 5 inch deep slush puddles. The city is a mess. Snow, ice, limited parking, thick icy sidewalks are everywhere. Just this morning, there was a 50 car pileup on the Pennsylvania turnpike. So, I'm not sure how many people are in the lovey dovey mood. Most people are just sore from all the shoveling.

Alas it is Valentine's Day. Going with the adopted attitude "Love Hard and Love Fully," I'm here in a pink sweater with a purple bracelet. I had my cupid's choice donut this morning. My dad surprised me by mailing this hilarious singing Valentine's Day frog and a beautiful new watch to my work. That was really great. :-) I'm going to the gym after work because let's face it...I'm in love with City Fitness. Then I'm going to cook a delicious meal of fish and asparagus, drink some wine (already popped it in the fridge for tonight) and watch Valentine's Day in sweatpants. Sounds like a great day of love to me.

For me, it is not a single and alone kind of blues that makes me go into celebration overdrive on Valentine's Day. At least not this year. I think it is more this sort of knowledge that I can't have what I want. Perhaps also, a sort of resentment at the "be brave and tell someone you love them if you truly do" and "love prevails" attitudes. Because, no matter how glamorized those actions are, they often have disastrous consequences. The "don't give up on someone if you love them," philosophy is magnificently flawed. Love is a beautiful and wonderful thing, but it can also be crippling and damaging when you believe these tiresome mantras. It doesn't always work out and waiting and loving with everything you've got probably won't turn things around into the direction you hoped for. Just saying.

Love yourself first. Love hard and fully. Be mindful of your heart and don't let opportunities fly by because you're so fixated on not giving up on someone or even something.

Until next time....

I Write Things

Holy mother of February! Can't believe we're meeting so soon! It seems like yesterday that I was sitting in an art studio, drinking pink wine out of a stolen cup while trying to paint an exploding champagne bottle. However, that was 36 days ago. Sheesh.

Life continues to move at the speed of light. I hear that is what happens when you get older. You blink and 10 years have gone by or something along those lines. I'm gradually getting situated into my new routine. It is a bit difficult with bursts of snowstorms messing up my plans, but I'm trying to make it work. Looks like my gym evenings are typically Tuesday, Thursday, sometimes Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I have to work on meal planning though. Silly me thought I could live off my Super Bowl leftovers for a week. I did, sort of, but I was lacking key essential things such as more vegetables. I haven't had a green smoothie in about two weeks! Got to get back on that wagon. I haven't been eating badly, I just haven't been eating enough of the great for you stuff.

I'm grateful for a somewhat quiet weekend coming up. Lately it seems that I've got things popping left and right, and that holds true for the next couple weeks. Fortunately it is just a produce and homework kind of weekend with some gym and cleaning mixed in. Whew! Much needed.

Last night I went to my gym's member appreciation party. Which is hilarious because a) I really should have been at the gym instead and b) I've only been a member for less than a month and I'm already being "appreciated." Regardless, it was fun. They had an ice bar, an open bar, good music, the Olympics were on...all in all a good time. It was interesting, seeing the mix of people that were there. I even met a yoga instructor who double's as a magician's assistant and was even on America's Got Talent! Pretty cool.

Still writing. Got my column assignment tonight. I'm checking out an artist who draws little oil paintings on trashed soda and beer cans. I'm interested to see her work. This weekend I'm writing a review on "Philomena" (seriously one of the best movies I've ever seen) and a comedy article. Those two are for class but I can always shop that work out if I want. Got two out of three professors signed on for my comprehensive exams. One more to go! Then I schedule, sign and meet. I'm trying to take them the week before Easter.

I really need to write an essay about the PIT count and send it to Axis Philly, see what they have to say about that experience. Maybe I'll escape my lair for a bit this weekend and cozy up with some ice coffee at Starbucks. I suppose I could add that to the lax agenda of the weekend. I notice I'm making lists and agendas more in an effort to stay more organized. It seems to be working (duh) and I will probably continue this habit.

Happy Friday!

Until next time...