Monday, April 9, 2012
17. Share the gospel with a friend
Oh the joys I have too easily missed by not sharing the gospel more often with friends. I know not what God does in the hearts of others during those conversations, but he draws me closer to himself every time. And that is the joy I want others to know.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
87. Go to the Georgia Aquarium
Back in October I finally made it to the Georgia Aquarium. My parents and I spent the better part of a rainy day checking out the fishies, sharks, whales, and otters.
The contemplative parental units at the end of our lengthy tour:
22. Hand write and mail letters to 10 friends. Letters remaining: 10
I hadn't sent Christmas cards in a few years, and didn't feel like doing the newsletter update thing either. But when I was getting out my Christmas decorations and came across some cards I had picked up after Christmas last year, I decided to hand-write and send the 8 cards to friends.
So, 8 down, 2 to go!
So, 8 down, 2 to go!
67. Write and send a thank you note every week for a month
I still value the thank you note. I credit my family for this. My mother taught me to make them a (good) habit. My father emphasized an attitude of gratitude. My brother and sister have a gracious way with the written word. And my Grandfather still sends me a birthday card every year.
These days I confess I write more email thank-yous than handwritten ones, but I try to make time for handwritten ones when the occasion allows.
Christmas, birthday, changing jobs, etc. have all provided several opportunities for me to express some thanks this past month.
And while Crane is always a good idea (see this post: http://elaneymedia.com/2009/05/29/note-to-self/)
sometimes you can get by with options form World Market, Target, and even CVS.
My one rule: A true thank you note should never be written on a card printed with "Thank You" on it.
These days I confess I write more email thank-yous than handwritten ones, but I try to make time for handwritten ones when the occasion allows.
Christmas, birthday, changing jobs, etc. have all provided several opportunities for me to express some thanks this past month.
And while Crane is always a good idea (see this post: http://elaneymedia.com/2009/05/29/note-to-self/)
sometimes you can get by with options form World Market, Target, and even CVS.
My one rule: A true thank you note should never be written on a card printed with "Thank You" on it.
71. Revamp my budget
Bring on the fiscal responsibility!
I revamped my budget and updates my handy USAA spending plan. Now the tough part is just sticking to the budget!
I revamped my budget and updates my handy USAA spending plan. Now the tough part is just sticking to the budget!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
18. Clean out my inbox at work
True confession: I had kinda thought I might have a new job by the time this list ended when I created it, so it was sort of my plan all along to check this one off the first day of my new job.
Well, here we are, Jan 3, 2012 and it is my first day at my new job. And I cleaned out my inbox. I even created some subfolders in Outlook already. Crazy, I know.
Well, here we are, Jan 3, 2012 and it is my first day at my new job. And I cleaned out my inbox. I even created some subfolders in Outlook already. Crazy, I know.
Monday, December 19, 2011
79. Create a “favorites of 2011” playlist on my iTunes
What a difference a year makes. I now use Spotify to make my playlists. I will however, be purchasing the songs on this list that I don't already own to complete my "Favorites of 2011" list.
I did make a concerted effort to pay more attention to music this year and discover new artists (new to me at least). If you compare this list to last year's, I think you'll agree that I was pretty successful with that.
So, here is my 2011 list, in alphabetical order by the artist's name. Music can tell many a story, and this list kind of tells the story of my year, in part. My disclaimer: Not all songs were released in 2011. Just happens to be when I latched on to them.
If you have Spotify, just click here. If not, keep scrolling.
1. The Civil Wars - Poison and Wine
This duo is haunting. Got to see them live in Annapolis back in the summer. Fantastic.
2. The Decemberists - This is Why We Fight
This is a band I know about because of friends. Always fun when songs bring to mind specific people.
This band is from Knoxville, TN. First heard about them on Facebook from childhood friends who are very close to the band. They are a fanstastic modern southern rock band and are even better live than recorded. I have seen them twice in concert this year and continue to be a big fan. This song, to me, captures all their strengths.
4. Florence + The Machine - Shake It Out
I can't remember where I first heard this one. But it's a keeper. "I am done with my graceless heart."
5. Foster the People - Call it What You Want
After I had fallen victim to the catchy tune of "Pumped Up Kicks" a friend revealed to me that the song is about a kid shooting up his high school. And that's just not ok. But FTP is a talented band that writes catchy songs, so I wanted to include this one on the list. We'll see what happens to this group in the next couple of years...
6. Gabe Dixon Band - All Will Be Well
Not a new song, but one I really liked this year. A good reminder that all WILL be well. The great promise of the Gospel.
7. Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - Paris
One of my former bosses told me about Grace Potter & The Nocturnals after seeing them perform at Bonnaroo this year. I think this song is definitely their best, and the fact that it is quite different from the rest of the album is a little disappointing. Hoping for more of this type of stuff in the future!
8. Jason Gray - Remind Me Who I Am
Another Facebook discovery: Someone had posted this video and after playing it, I played it again, and again. Great truths in these lyrics and a easy one to get stuck in your head for all the right reasons. Also I'm really glad to have found another Christian music artist that I like.
9. Joanna Smith - Gettin Married
This was the first song I saved for this list back in the beginning of the year. It and the video are funny and definitely remind me of a few years ago when I was the singer's age - right out of college, everyone around me getting married, and I was secretly SO over it. So my attitude has changed (matured?) since then, but this song makes me sing along and smile every time.
10. LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem
What would a list like this be without a dance song? I spent a couple of days of a housesitting stint this summer trying to learn the dance. I had it for about a day, but haven't been able to perfect it. Get shufflin.
11. Locksley - The Whip
Another Facebook discovery - someone has posted a video of this song that I recognized from some commercial. (How's that for a sentence about our culture?) This band is like a modern-day Oneders and they fully buy into the whole shtick - short pants, slicked hair, and all. Another dance song.
12. The Naked and Famous - No Way
Found this one via a friend's Spotify playlist. Spotify has been a great way to discover new music. This video is weird.
13. Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel
Yes, this is another not-new song. But when you hear it done at a Karaoke bar at 2am, it sticks with you.
14. The Shins - New Slang
Another not new one, but this one is a great driving song.
15. Two Door Cinema Club - I Can Talk
Leave it to summer interns to introduce us old folks to new music. A friend's summer intern introduced her to Two Door Cinema Club, and I immediately liked it.
16. Young the Giant - 12 Fingers
Another artist found via Spotify. It was difficult to pick a favorite of theirs as I like several of them. So feel free to explore the entire album!
17. Rizzle Kicks - Down With The Trumpets
(Spotify listed them last because it didn't save the name correctly, in case you are OCD and thought that this messed up the alphabetical order.)
Introduced to this by a friend. Immediately loved it.
And there you have it! A year of good music, at least in my opinion :)
I did make a concerted effort to pay more attention to music this year and discover new artists (new to me at least). If you compare this list to last year's, I think you'll agree that I was pretty successful with that.
So, here is my 2011 list, in alphabetical order by the artist's name. Music can tell many a story, and this list kind of tells the story of my year, in part. My disclaimer: Not all songs were released in 2011. Just happens to be when I latched on to them.
If you have Spotify, just click here. If not, keep scrolling.
1. The Civil Wars - Poison and Wine
This duo is haunting. Got to see them live in Annapolis back in the summer. Fantastic.
2. The Decemberists - This is Why We Fight
This is a band I know about because of friends. Always fun when songs bring to mind specific people.
3. The Dirty Guv'nahs - Wide Awake
4. Florence + The Machine - Shake It Out
I can't remember where I first heard this one. But it's a keeper. "I am done with my graceless heart."
5. Foster the People - Call it What You Want
After I had fallen victim to the catchy tune of "Pumped Up Kicks" a friend revealed to me that the song is about a kid shooting up his high school. And that's just not ok. But FTP is a talented band that writes catchy songs, so I wanted to include this one on the list. We'll see what happens to this group in the next couple of years...
6. Gabe Dixon Band - All Will Be Well
Not a new song, but one I really liked this year. A good reminder that all WILL be well. The great promise of the Gospel.
7. Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - Paris
One of my former bosses told me about Grace Potter & The Nocturnals after seeing them perform at Bonnaroo this year. I think this song is definitely their best, and the fact that it is quite different from the rest of the album is a little disappointing. Hoping for more of this type of stuff in the future!
8. Jason Gray - Remind Me Who I Am
Another Facebook discovery: Someone had posted this video and after playing it, I played it again, and again. Great truths in these lyrics and a easy one to get stuck in your head for all the right reasons. Also I'm really glad to have found another Christian music artist that I like.
9. Joanna Smith - Gettin Married
This was the first song I saved for this list back in the beginning of the year. It and the video are funny and definitely remind me of a few years ago when I was the singer's age - right out of college, everyone around me getting married, and I was secretly SO over it. So my attitude has changed (matured?) since then, but this song makes me sing along and smile every time.
10. LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem
What would a list like this be without a dance song? I spent a couple of days of a housesitting stint this summer trying to learn the dance. I had it for about a day, but haven't been able to perfect it. Get shufflin.
11. Locksley - The Whip
Another Facebook discovery - someone has posted a video of this song that I recognized from some commercial. (How's that for a sentence about our culture?) This band is like a modern-day Oneders and they fully buy into the whole shtick - short pants, slicked hair, and all. Another dance song.
12. The Naked and Famous - No Way
Found this one via a friend's Spotify playlist. Spotify has been a great way to discover new music. This video is weird.
13. Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel
Yes, this is another not-new song. But when you hear it done at a Karaoke bar at 2am, it sticks with you.
14. The Shins - New Slang
Another not new one, but this one is a great driving song.
15. Two Door Cinema Club - I Can Talk
Leave it to summer interns to introduce us old folks to new music. A friend's summer intern introduced her to Two Door Cinema Club, and I immediately liked it.
16. Young the Giant - 12 Fingers
Another artist found via Spotify. It was difficult to pick a favorite of theirs as I like several of them. So feel free to explore the entire album!
17. Rizzle Kicks - Down With The Trumpets
(Spotify listed them last because it didn't save the name correctly, in case you are OCD and thought that this messed up the alphabetical order.)
Introduced to this by a friend. Immediately loved it.
And there you have it! A year of good music, at least in my opinion :)
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
11. Do a one week Facebook fast
Times I wanted to check FB the first day of the fast: 7
Times I dreamed about logging in to FB, thinking I had broken the fast: 3
Things I did instead of being on FB: Google+, Twitter, read more news, looked at magazines, slept, emailed people, updated this blog.
Day of the fast that I realized I am addicted to FB: 2
Day I definitively decided to streamline my FB page and account once this fast has ended: 6
Other observations: It is very difficult to avoid FB completely. Websites I visit show which of my friends "like" that page. Links on twitter go to facebook pages (but I avoided those b/c they are easily recognizable by their url). Articles I read show the number of "shares" on FB that article has had.
IT
IS
EVERYWHERE
And I am not ok with that. I think it has done some good and helpful things in its time, but it is SO far from what it originally was, and has pervaded our culture, our social interaction, and yes, even our minds, in such a way that is quite alarming.
So I'm choosing to back way off. And I say this with full realization that some of you are only reading this because you got to my blog from my FB page. But I don't care if that makes this hypocritical. These times they are a changin' and I'm going to respond to that by backing off of FB.
But not backing off of Twitter or Google+ so feel free to find me there. And no, I'm not removing the button below that allows you to share this on FB. Don't try to understand my decisions......
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
91. Learn how to cook artichokes
But this way sounds tasty, too. And I'm all about tasty. And these 30 second food/recipe videos from yummeo.
Such a pretty food.
55. Submit c/o 2001 contact info to WPS for alumni purposes
You know what happens when your friendmates* are willing to help you plan your high school reunion? They end up taking care of one of your 101 list items without even knowing it.
Excellent.
*for definition of this term, see the previous post
Excellent.
*for definition of this term, see the previous post
9. Plan and attend my 10th high school reunion
I pity all of you that did not graduate high school with me because I graduated with the best class of folks ever. I had my suspicions that this was true, but through this whole reunion process, it was confirmed.
These people hold a very dear place in my heart, and they always will. I felt like a proud parent (well, I guess proud class president would be more accurate) when, in the course of talking with various folks at our reunion this past weekend and catching up on life, it suddenly hit me how well they were doing. I always knew these kids were smart and were 'goin places' in life, but goodness, I was really humbled by this collection of Westminster alums. I was in the company of great minds, driven personalities, determined leaders, and kind hearts. It's so exciting and such a huge blessing to see everyone healthy, successful, and able to come together after a decade of life to spend time with one another.
Ok, ok I'm gushing, I admit it. But when you start a party at 5pm and at 11:30pm a large majority of folks are still talking and laughing together, I'd say the love might be somewhat mutual. Southern manners would've only carried that party til about 8. 11:30=true love. And that is coming from me - the one who moaned and groaned about having to plan a reunion and this time last year was not at all enthused. I am a class reunion convert.
Three of my classmates were a HUGE help in pulling this party off, and time after time during this planning process the kindness and enthusiasm of these friends and our classmates really impressed me. Which got me thinking. Can we come up with a new term for these old friends who were classmates and will continue to care about each others' lives? Friendmates? Clands? I'll keep tinkering....
So without further delay, you need to see this classy bunch. 18 of the 40 of us friendmates made it to the reunion, and I wish terribly that others in our class could have been there to share in the fun.
WPS Class of 2001 - I love ya!
These people hold a very dear place in my heart, and they always will. I felt like a proud parent (well, I guess proud class president would be more accurate) when, in the course of talking with various folks at our reunion this past weekend and catching up on life, it suddenly hit me how well they were doing. I always knew these kids were smart and were 'goin places' in life, but goodness, I was really humbled by this collection of Westminster alums. I was in the company of great minds, driven personalities, determined leaders, and kind hearts. It's so exciting and such a huge blessing to see everyone healthy, successful, and able to come together after a decade of life to spend time with one another.
Ok, ok I'm gushing, I admit it. But when you start a party at 5pm and at 11:30pm a large majority of folks are still talking and laughing together, I'd say the love might be somewhat mutual. Southern manners would've only carried that party til about 8. 11:30=true love. And that is coming from me - the one who moaned and groaned about having to plan a reunion and this time last year was not at all enthused. I am a class reunion convert.
Three of my classmates were a HUGE help in pulling this party off, and time after time during this planning process the kindness and enthusiasm of these friends and our classmates really impressed me. Which got me thinking. Can we come up with a new term for these old friends who were classmates and will continue to care about each others' lives? Friendmates? Clands? I'll keep tinkering....
So without further delay, you need to see this classy bunch. 18 of the 40 of us friendmates made it to the reunion, and I wish terribly that others in our class could have been there to share in the fun.
WPS Class of 2001 - I love ya!
Friday, September 30, 2011
44. Send a care package to my cousins at college
How many times in college did I go to the mailbox just hoping for something out of the ordinary? And how much was I encouraged by postcards from home, packages, cards from friends, etc.?
So I wanted to do this for my cousins.
Since I began this blog, the cousins that are in college has changed (!) and now my youngest cousins -- the babies that I held when I was in elementary school - are both in college, a year apart.
And because of the magic of Facebook, I can catch glimpses of their college adventures. Which can only be helped by sugar of assorted varieties and healthy servings of cousinly advice.
And I love that they both texted me upon arrival of their care packages. Ah, technology :)
Love my cousins!
Meet Olivia:
and Reese:
(don't they have cool names?)
So I wanted to do this for my cousins.
Since I began this blog, the cousins that are in college has changed (!) and now my youngest cousins -- the babies that I held when I was in elementary school - are both in college, a year apart.
And because of the magic of Facebook, I can catch glimpses of their college adventures. Which can only be helped by sugar of assorted varieties and healthy servings of cousinly advice.
And I love that they both texted me upon arrival of their care packages. Ah, technology :)
Love my cousins!
Meet Olivia:
and Reese:
(don't they have cool names?)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
4. Play bocce ball
Summertime and bocce go hand in hand. I know that now. It's a game that, like most things related to physical activity and coordination, I do not excel at doing, but still somehow enjoy.
I played a couple different times this summer and think that I'll add bocce to my repertoire of lawn games that I will gladly play whenever a good opportunity arises.
I played a couple different times this summer and think that I'll add bocce to my repertoire of lawn games that I will gladly play whenever a good opportunity arises.
1. Go back to Nashville for a visit
Well it's not quite London or the south of France
Or an Asian island or a second chance....
Those are some of the lyrics to a song called "Nashville" that I first heard about six months before I moved to Nashville back in 2005. That song's writer David Mead became one of the musicians I would become a fan of during my time there, and in true Nashville form, ended up hanging out on his porch one Saturday for a yard sale that wasn't his. Typical.
Anyway, my friend Emily and I semi-spontaneously decided to road trip to Nash-vegas for Labor Day weekend. We stopped in Knoxville on the way down to see The Dirty Guv'nahs perform a hometown show:
Amazingly fun band with a very dynamic lead singer who has some Jagger-esque moves on stage
But I digress. On to Nashville...You're a distant memory, you're an exit sign....
It had been four years since I had been back to Nashville and you know that weird mix of sensory memory and some other kind of memory that enables you to drive on auto pilot to work and suddenly think "how did I get here?" - well, I had that as soon as we got to town. Things were familiar but evasive. But it was good to be back.
We of course ate at my favorite restaurant where lunch for 3 people was only $15. And I showed Emily the appropriate amounts of downtown Nashville and Broadway, including my favorite honky tonk, Robert's Western World:
We also had a great time reconnecting (or just connecting I guess for Emily) with some of my friends in Nashville over meals. Lots of laughs and lots of catching up on life. My favorite times are always spent with a good mixture of both of those.
What I was so glad to come away with from the weekend was two-fold:
1) Even more of an appreciation for my friendship with Emily. She's a fantastic person, sister in Christ, and friend and a guaranteed good time even for hours in a car.
2) A new perspective on Nashville. I love that town and am glad I could see it with new eyes this trip. I am now even more thankful for the nearly 2 years I spent there and even though it wasn't a perfect fit, since God wanted me in Arlington, I can now see that the hardest things for me about being in Nashville would have been true wherever I had been. And David Mead's song, which has meant different things to me at different times over the past 6 years since I first heard it, took on yet another meaning for me because of this trip. Oh, Nashville. Your songwriters really are incredibly talented.
Going back to Nashville, thinking about the whole thing
Guess you gotta run sometimes
Maybe I'm a fast train rolling down the mountain
Watching all my life go by
Going back to Nashville, laughing at a bad break
What's the use in wondering why
Maybe I'm a storm front rolling through the valley
Tearing up a good July....
Saturday, July 30, 2011
65. Meet my next door neighbors
This 4th of July, my whole family was in town and we had a cookout at our building with some friends before heading out to watch fireworks. Of course homemade peach ice cream was on the menu, and while we were enjoying some, I noticed my next door neighbors were out in their backyard, so I walked over to the fence and offered them some ice cream. Matthew and Colleen (errr I think..I'm pretty terrible with names).
We exchanged "Happy 4th" greetings.
Nothing like good southern food to bring people together!
We exchanged "Happy 4th" greetings.
Nothing like good southern food to bring people together!
53. Host a game night
Just believe me on this one: Catch Phrase is the greatest game ever invented.
My Augusta friends and I will play for HOURS. I'm talking like 4 hours at a time. I have to admit, it sometimes brings out the worst in me - there is no other game in which I get more competitive or more bossy about rules.
But every time, EVERY TIME there are always laughs. And what more can you really ask for in a game?
So our Community Group did a "Men's Appreciation Night" a few weeks back - the females provided food and due to looming thunderstorms, decided to play a couple of lawn games, then move it inside for Catch Phrase.
It was such a good way to break down barriers and see people's personalities come through in different ways.
Such a great game.....wanna come over and play?
My Augusta friends and I will play for HOURS. I'm talking like 4 hours at a time. I have to admit, it sometimes brings out the worst in me - there is no other game in which I get more competitive or more bossy about rules.
But every time, EVERY TIME there are always laughs. And what more can you really ask for in a game?
So our Community Group did a "Men's Appreciation Night" a few weeks back - the females provided food and due to looming thunderstorms, decided to play a couple of lawn games, then move it inside for Catch Phrase.
It was such a good way to break down barriers and see people's personalities come through in different ways.
Such a great game.....wanna come over and play?
19. Go to a DC United game
Oooooh oooh hot summer nii-iights.
DC U-nite-ED! DC U-nite-ED!
A few weeks ago I got a group of my friends together to go to a DC United game at RFK. Upon our arrival, the parking attendants would not let us in the closest parking lot to the stadium, even though 3 or 4 cars just in front of us were allowed in.
So I drove past the parking attendant, and turned into the lot between two barricades. My friend Emily said from the backseat "Oh now there's another attendant running after your car."
I thought she was joking. She wasn't.
So when my car, full of 5 eager DC United (or at least soon to be) fans, pulled into a parking spot, and I saw a man in the standard parking attendant attire (orange vest, mini light saber) at my window, I simply rolled it down and the PR skills kicked in.
It also helped that he didn't speak much English. I may have taken advantage of that...
Him: No, no, exit!
Me: Oh, we're good here, thanks.
Him: He say no (referring to the first attendant that wouldn't let me into the lot.)
Me: Well, we'll just park here, it's fine.
Him: You have pass?
Me: Oh, sure here's my ticket. (I show him the generic pass they give you when you first enter and pay the $15 fee.
(He takes it, looks at it, hands it back.)
Him: No, no.....exit.
Me: (pulling the car forward a bit more, then putting it in park) Thanks, but I think we're good here. It's fine. We'll just park here.
he finally gave up and walked away...
There is a bit of my dad in me, what can I say....
So we enjoyed a toasty evening watching the Beautiful Sport and I decided that I should become a bigger United fan. But I haven't done a single thing about it since then save the email list I agreed to be put on...oh well.
DC U-nite-ED!
DC U-nite-ED! DC U-nite-ED!
A few weeks ago I got a group of my friends together to go to a DC United game at RFK. Upon our arrival, the parking attendants would not let us in the closest parking lot to the stadium, even though 3 or 4 cars just in front of us were allowed in.
So I drove past the parking attendant, and turned into the lot between two barricades. My friend Emily said from the backseat "Oh now there's another attendant running after your car."
I thought she was joking. She wasn't.
So when my car, full of 5 eager DC United (or at least soon to be) fans, pulled into a parking spot, and I saw a man in the standard parking attendant attire (orange vest, mini light saber) at my window, I simply rolled it down and the PR skills kicked in.
It also helped that he didn't speak much English. I may have taken advantage of that...
Him: No, no, exit!
Me: Oh, we're good here, thanks.
Him: He say no (referring to the first attendant that wouldn't let me into the lot.)
Me: Well, we'll just park here, it's fine.
Him: You have pass?
Me: Oh, sure here's my ticket. (I show him the generic pass they give you when you first enter and pay the $15 fee.
(He takes it, looks at it, hands it back.)
Him: No, no.....exit.
Me: (pulling the car forward a bit more, then putting it in park) Thanks, but I think we're good here. It's fine. We'll just park here.
he finally gave up and walked away...
There is a bit of my dad in me, what can I say....
So we enjoyed a toasty evening watching the Beautiful Sport and I decided that I should become a bigger United fan. But I haven't done a single thing about it since then save the email list I agreed to be put on...oh well.
DC U-nite-ED!
74. Make a list of movies I’ve wanted to see, and rent/watch them all
Body of Lies
Yes, another Leo movie. But this one is definitely not my favorite. Not even close. I felt more like I was watching Tom Cruise than Leo, and I think I have to blame that mostly on the writing and directing, because Leo doesn't typically overact as much as I felt he did in this one.
Basic plot: Leo is CIA working in Jordan and other areas of the MidEast trapping terrorists and working on American diplomacy with international leaders while fighting "the man" (Russell Crowe) who is back in his luxurious Northern Virginia life.
It has twists and turns in the plot that lots of other movies do, this time the setting just happens to be modern day terrorism. Meh, not impressed.
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