I'm about to leave to go to Charlotte for a few days. My sister's birthday is tomorrow, and it's not like I'm doing anything else terribly important.
Besides, she lives in Florida now for grad school, and if SHE can make it home, there's no reason I can't.
So that's where I'll be until Thursday.
Can't wait for some Rock Band on the big HD TV! Now that's how you do it.
Back later this week.
Laaaater,
-BG
Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Bees? Beads. Beads!?
This is one of my favorite clips from Arrested Development, one of my favorite shows. Hilarious. You can watch full episodes on hulu.com. Awesome.
Monday, April 20, 2009
How's it been five years already?
Back after the weekend. It was a good weekend. Friday was April 17, which marked the five-year anniversary of my grandmother passing away. I'm just going to warn you right now -- this is going to be a long entry. Makes me feel better to write.
My aunt was visiting for a few days because she was here recruiting a couple girls at the AAU basketball tournament in the area. I think she put it best when she said, "It's crazy because it hasn't seemed like five years, but I feel like I haven't seen her in 20."
You never truly get over the death of someone so close to you. You learn to live with it. You learn not to let it affect your daily life, but you never truly get over it. At least I haven't.
It's been eight and a half years since my grandfather died -- my dad's dad. He was the first person who I'd really consider to be a close family member who died. I never really knew the others in our family like that.
I still crack open a Rolling Rock (his favorite drink) twice a year for him -- on his birthday (April 28) and the day he passed away (Oct. 10). Now I crack open an ice cold can of Coke (Grandma Rosie's favorite drink) on her birthday and the day she passed away.
I've got a framed picture of her in the kitchen here -- it's where she'd want to be, no doubt about it. The first thing she did when you walked into her house was hug you. The second thing she did was offer you something to eat.
There was no turning her down. She was no taller than 4'10" and couldn't have weighed more than 90 lbs, but there was no denying her. She was a force of nature.
To see her was to know her first two passions: her family and food. You see, in an Italian family, food is love. And she cooked up enough love for many, many lifetimes.
To talk to her was to know her other three passions: Seton Hall women's basketball (her daughter Phyllis, my aunt, is the coach), New York Yankees baseball and New York Knicks basketball.
So many of my memories of her are tied with sports, and I am how I am with sports because of her, no doubt. Yelling at the television wasn't just accepted, it was expected. It's what we did. It's what we still do, and it all started with her. The insane passion my family has for sports is not something you can believe until you see it.
Only in my family did a Yankees' game constitute a family reunion. We'd all huddle around the table full of great food like lasagna and antipasto with the game on in the background. We'd yell at the television, we'd yell at each other and we all loved it.
She loved her sports. She was probably the only person in the Tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut who would watch a Knicks' game on television in prime time and then stay up until 3 a.m. just to watch the replay to argue with the refs again.
One of my earliest memories is of sitting in Walsh Gym as a toddler watching my aunt coach Seton Hall. Sitting next to my grandma chewing on some Wrigley's Spearmint gum because she knew I loved that the most, yelling at anything I could. I didn't know why. But Grandma was yelling at a guy named "Ref" so I was going to do the same. I don't even know at how many referees we screamed, "Go lose yourself."
Sunday afternoons were often spent on Seton Hall's campus watching the women's basketball games. But we wouldn't have it any other way.
We traveled to quite a few places to watch Aunt Phyllis and her team in the Big East conference tournaments. I remember that Sheraton Hotel in Hartford, Conn., with Grandma Rosie and Grandpa Pete, and how amazed I was at the crowd that was at the University of Connecticut for a women's basketball game.
I remember her coming over to baby-sit, which was really our code for playing cards (Go Fish was our favorite game), drinking lots of Coke and watching the Knicks until what was likely way past my bedtime.
Grandma Rosie helped teach her grandchildren to read with box scores in the Newark-Star Ledger. I knew Don Mattingly's batting average before I could spell most words.
I remember begging to go spend the night at my grandparents' house. That always meant a big bowl of canned, diced peaches, one of my favorite desserts, and lots of baseball on television.
Even right up until the end of her life, she was still all about sports. She went into the hospital at the end of March 2004, which was right around the same time as the start of baseball season. One of the only things she wanted in her hospital room was a radio so she could listen to Yankee games.
It was a whirlwind few weeks there at the end. Needless to say, we flew up to N.J. to see her in the hospital. I'll never forget spending that day in the hospital, seeing her in the critical care unit with the breathing machines that beeped and screamed every time she tried to cough.
But I'll also never forget the look of contentment on her face when she had her children and grandchildren around her bed, squeezing all our hands close to her.
We thought we were saying goodbye to her that day. But she somehow pulled through and lasted another few weeks. She kept improving. On April 16, I remember talking to my parents about how the doctors were talking about getting her out of critical care and into another room. She protested for her slippers and her robe, and we were making plans to modify my grandparents' house so she wouldn't have to climb stairs as much.
The next day she was gone -- a massive heart attack taking her so quickly she never knew it was there.
And that was that. Nothing's been the same since. I still expect her to walk down the stairs when we're at my grandparents' house. I still expect to see her sitting in the kitchen when I open the door for the first time. I probably always will.
It's been five years now, and soon, it'll be five more. That's the way it goes. Nothing to do but remember her and treasure when she appears in my dreams.
Anyway, if you read this far, major props to you. If you didn't, I don't blame you one bit. This entry was more for me than anything else. Next time, I'll update with happier material, don't worry!
Laaaater,
-BG
My aunt was visiting for a few days because she was here recruiting a couple girls at the AAU basketball tournament in the area. I think she put it best when she said, "It's crazy because it hasn't seemed like five years, but I feel like I haven't seen her in 20."
You never truly get over the death of someone so close to you. You learn to live with it. You learn not to let it affect your daily life, but you never truly get over it. At least I haven't.
It's been eight and a half years since my grandfather died -- my dad's dad. He was the first person who I'd really consider to be a close family member who died. I never really knew the others in our family like that.
I still crack open a Rolling Rock (his favorite drink) twice a year for him -- on his birthday (April 28) and the day he passed away (Oct. 10). Now I crack open an ice cold can of Coke (Grandma Rosie's favorite drink) on her birthday and the day she passed away.
I've got a framed picture of her in the kitchen here -- it's where she'd want to be, no doubt about it. The first thing she did when you walked into her house was hug you. The second thing she did was offer you something to eat.
There was no turning her down. She was no taller than 4'10" and couldn't have weighed more than 90 lbs, but there was no denying her. She was a force of nature.
To see her was to know her first two passions: her family and food. You see, in an Italian family, food is love. And she cooked up enough love for many, many lifetimes.
To talk to her was to know her other three passions: Seton Hall women's basketball (her daughter Phyllis, my aunt, is the coach), New York Yankees baseball and New York Knicks basketball.
So many of my memories of her are tied with sports, and I am how I am with sports because of her, no doubt. Yelling at the television wasn't just accepted, it was expected. It's what we did. It's what we still do, and it all started with her. The insane passion my family has for sports is not something you can believe until you see it.
Only in my family did a Yankees' game constitute a family reunion. We'd all huddle around the table full of great food like lasagna and antipasto with the game on in the background. We'd yell at the television, we'd yell at each other and we all loved it.
She loved her sports. She was probably the only person in the Tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut who would watch a Knicks' game on television in prime time and then stay up until 3 a.m. just to watch the replay to argue with the refs again.
One of my earliest memories is of sitting in Walsh Gym as a toddler watching my aunt coach Seton Hall. Sitting next to my grandma chewing on some Wrigley's Spearmint gum because she knew I loved that the most, yelling at anything I could. I didn't know why. But Grandma was yelling at a guy named "Ref" so I was going to do the same. I don't even know at how many referees we screamed, "Go lose yourself."
Sunday afternoons were often spent on Seton Hall's campus watching the women's basketball games. But we wouldn't have it any other way.
We traveled to quite a few places to watch Aunt Phyllis and her team in the Big East conference tournaments. I remember that Sheraton Hotel in Hartford, Conn., with Grandma Rosie and Grandpa Pete, and how amazed I was at the crowd that was at the University of Connecticut for a women's basketball game.
I remember her coming over to baby-sit, which was really our code for playing cards (Go Fish was our favorite game), drinking lots of Coke and watching the Knicks until what was likely way past my bedtime.
Grandma Rosie helped teach her grandchildren to read with box scores in the Newark-Star Ledger. I knew Don Mattingly's batting average before I could spell most words.
I remember begging to go spend the night at my grandparents' house. That always meant a big bowl of canned, diced peaches, one of my favorite desserts, and lots of baseball on television.
Even right up until the end of her life, she was still all about sports. She went into the hospital at the end of March 2004, which was right around the same time as the start of baseball season. One of the only things she wanted in her hospital room was a radio so she could listen to Yankee games.
It was a whirlwind few weeks there at the end. Needless to say, we flew up to N.J. to see her in the hospital. I'll never forget spending that day in the hospital, seeing her in the critical care unit with the breathing machines that beeped and screamed every time she tried to cough.
But I'll also never forget the look of contentment on her face when she had her children and grandchildren around her bed, squeezing all our hands close to her.
We thought we were saying goodbye to her that day. But she somehow pulled through and lasted another few weeks. She kept improving. On April 16, I remember talking to my parents about how the doctors were talking about getting her out of critical care and into another room. She protested for her slippers and her robe, and we were making plans to modify my grandparents' house so she wouldn't have to climb stairs as much.
The next day she was gone -- a massive heart attack taking her so quickly she never knew it was there.
And that was that. Nothing's been the same since. I still expect her to walk down the stairs when we're at my grandparents' house. I still expect to see her sitting in the kitchen when I open the door for the first time. I probably always will.
It's been five years now, and soon, it'll be five more. That's the way it goes. Nothing to do but remember her and treasure when she appears in my dreams.
Anyway, if you read this far, major props to you. If you didn't, I don't blame you one bit. This entry was more for me than anything else. Next time, I'll update with happier material, don't worry!
Laaaater,
-BG
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Whoops
I seem to have neglected my little Island in the Sun for a few days there. My bad guys. My bad.
See, the problem is I haven't really worked it into the "routine" just yet. And if you know me, you know how much I love routines. I find one that works, and I don't just stick with it -- I run it into the ground.
It takes an act of Congress to remove me from my routine.
I think it's a family thing. Change and my family don't get along too well. Lately, this has been my routine:
Wake up at 9.
Fart around on the Internet for an hour or so.
Take Allie for a three-mile walk around Shelley Lake.
Shower and lunch.
Work on the resume/look around for jobs/other unemployment related activities.
Play the drums/guitar.
Take Allie for a twoish-mile walk up the street.
Eat dinner.
Watch some TV.
Read and bed.
Try to contain your excitement. So yeah. I need to throw "blog" or "think about blog" into the routine. Maybe somewhere in the "Farting around on the Internet" stage of my day.
Another part of the problem is I didn't want this blog to be a lame "HERE'S WHAT I DID TODAY!!1" kind of blog. That's why I have the music posts, and the post from Anne's blog.
Any 8-year-old can start a diary about what they've done all day. But I'm an actual writer. I've been paid, professionally, for writing. So I wanted this to be an interesting, insightful, even funny(!) blog, rather than a step-by-step posting of my daily activities.
And I've struggled with ideas, mostly because all my functional brain activity has been devoted to thinking about jobs -- specifically, not having a job, how to go about procuring the next job, where the money is going to come from next month, etc.
On that front, my aunt (the basketball coach up north) is going to be in town recruiting at the end of this week. I'll go meet up with her and give her several hundred copies of my resume. She really does know the entire world, and if you're hoping to get hired in job markets like this, that's how to do it. So we'll see what happens.
I've noticed I start sentences with the word "so" quite a lot. Way more than I realized. That's strange.
Any ideas for interesting blog posts? I've got a couple, but I'm always open to suggestions.
Laaaater,
-BG
See, the problem is I haven't really worked it into the "routine" just yet. And if you know me, you know how much I love routines. I find one that works, and I don't just stick with it -- I run it into the ground.
It takes an act of Congress to remove me from my routine.
I think it's a family thing. Change and my family don't get along too well. Lately, this has been my routine:
Wake up at 9.
Fart around on the Internet for an hour or so.
Take Allie for a three-mile walk around Shelley Lake.
Shower and lunch.
Work on the resume/look around for jobs/other unemployment related activities.
Play the drums/guitar.
Take Allie for a twoish-mile walk up the street.
Eat dinner.
Watch some TV.
Read and bed.
Try to contain your excitement. So yeah. I need to throw "blog" or "think about blog" into the routine. Maybe somewhere in the "Farting around on the Internet" stage of my day.
Another part of the problem is I didn't want this blog to be a lame "HERE'S WHAT I DID TODAY!!1" kind of blog. That's why I have the music posts, and the post from Anne's blog.
Any 8-year-old can start a diary about what they've done all day. But I'm an actual writer. I've been paid, professionally, for writing. So I wanted this to be an interesting, insightful, even funny(!) blog, rather than a step-by-step posting of my daily activities.
And I've struggled with ideas, mostly because all my functional brain activity has been devoted to thinking about jobs -- specifically, not having a job, how to go about procuring the next job, where the money is going to come from next month, etc.
On that front, my aunt (the basketball coach up north) is going to be in town recruiting at the end of this week. I'll go meet up with her and give her several hundred copies of my resume. She really does know the entire world, and if you're hoping to get hired in job markets like this, that's how to do it. So we'll see what happens.
I've noticed I start sentences with the word "so" quite a lot. Way more than I realized. That's strange.
Any ideas for interesting blog posts? I've got a couple, but I'm always open to suggestions.
Laaaater,
-BG
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Cruelty-Free Eats in Raleigh
Not everyone is vegan or vegetarian, but we all pretty much know someone who is at this point. I'm sure anyone reading this knows Anne is vegan, and here are a few places we've found where she can get a good meal (read: not just a salad), and I can also eat very well.
From Anne's blog:
From Anne's blog:
Cruelty-Free Eats in Raleigh
The South is known for pulled pork barbecue, buttered biscuits, and deep fried everything. Becoming vegan in the fried chicken mecca of the world, I was nervous and a little intimidated by the thought of finding food in restaurants that I could eat. But I have come to realize that the Triangle offers tons of vegan and vegetarian-friendly options, if you know where to look. Many locally owned restaurants take advantage of NC farmers and mold their menus around fresh, local produce. With a substitution here and there, I’ve found it easy and delicious to eat vegan in Raleigh. Here are my top three restaurant picks:
1. Lilly’s Pizza, Five Points.
Ask me what my last meal would be and I would respond without hesitation, “Lilly’s pizza.” I’ll admit, I’m a pizza fanatic despite my nixing of animal products. It’s the one food I could not get off my mind when I decided to become vegan. When I heard that Lilly’s offers veganrella (it’s just what it sounds like) as a topping option, my eyes welled up with joyful tears. Ever since, Lilly’s has been a staple in my diet. They offer an abundance of super fresh toppings for their pies, and their menu also features calzones, pastas, and salads. They even have a vegan stromboli, stuffed with grilled tofu. My boyfriend, a half-Italian boy from New Jersey (and a self-proclaimed pizza snob) swears Lilly’s has some of the best pizza he’s ever tasted. The hole-in-the-wall pizza place has been continually awarded “Best in the Triangle” by The Independent. One warning: If you aren’t in the mood for close quarters, yelling servers, and thick smoke from the kitchen, call ahead and order for pickup. The place is always jam-packed, no matter what time of the day. Despite the crowd, it’s a fun place to eat. The eclectic decor and showcase of art from local artists will always keep you entertained while dining. Just go!
2. Irregardless Cafe, W. Morgan St. by Charlie Goodnight’s
Irregardless has been a Raleigh cornerstone for vegetarians long before I was born. Actually, my dad used to take my mom on dates there when he was a student at N.C. State in the seventies. When Irregardless opened its doors in 1975, it was a vegetarian-only restaurant. Since then, the owners have altered the menu to include fare for meat eaters as well. But, locally grown fruits and vegetables are still at the heart of the Irregardless experience. The owners take a trip to Raleigh’s farmer’s market daily to pick out fresh produce. The menu changes often, but always includes at least two or three vegan entrees. I am completely hooked on the portobello polenta. The portobello is grilled to give it a smokey, meaty taste, and the polenta is so smooth, it almost melts in your mouth. My mom and I had our Thanksgiving dinner at Irregardless last year. As usual, they offered a satisfying vegan alternative to the traditional turkey dinner: stuffed butternut squash with a fresh cranberry salad. And the desserts! I always save room for dessert when I go. So far, I’ve tried the vegan chocolate cake, the fresh blueberry crisp, and a vegan peach tart - all of which have been surprisingly delicious to not have used milk or eggs. Tables are tight, but the restaurant features live music nightly. If you are in Raleigh, it’s a must visit.
3. Solomon’s Mediterranean, Celebration at Six Forks
Greek food, and most Mediterranean food in general, is usually vegetarian and vegan-friendly. And when I want Greek, I always go to Solomon’s. Brian took me here after noticing a portobello pita wrap on the menu that he thought I would love. The mushroom is sliced and lightly breaded, drizzled with a generous helping of a sweet and tangy balsamic dressing, and wrapped in a warm pita stuffed with lettuce and tomato. The wrap quickly became one of my favorite meals. And of course, no Greek restaurant would be complete without my favorite appetizer - homemade tahini hummus with warm pita bread and olives. Mm-mm good.
I’m always on the look out for new, vegan-friendly restaurants to try, so if you have any tips, please let me know!
Next on my list to try: The Flying Biscuit, Cameron Village. My friend Danielle tipped me off that this popular restaurant in Cameron Village offers a variety of vegan options, including Tofu’N’Tater salad. And for those who are meat eaters, TFB specializes in non stop breakfast, and interesting entrees like Coca-Cola glazed salmon.
Don't touch me I'm a real live wire
I like these music posts. I don't know if the handful of you reading do, but I sure do. So, here are some more songs I'm into right now:
"Psycho Killer" by the Talking Heads
This could be the most boring Rock Band song ever. But damn if it isn't a sweet song to listen to. That bass line in the beginning...so simple, but so great. And this guy's got some vocal chords on him. Just a really cool song.
"Yellow Ledbetter" by Pearl Jam
No friggin' clue what Eddie Vedder is saying throughout most of the song (something about a box on the back?), but that guitar riff -- whew. Nicely done, Pearl Jam. Nicely done.
"Holiday in Spain" by Counting Crows
I wish there was a better version of this song on youtube. This one will have to do. Love it. I can sort of play this one on guitar. Winner of a song if I've ever heard one.
"San Dimas High School Football Rules" by The Ataris
What a fun song. Bonus points for the reference to Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure in the title of the song.
Enjoy.
"Psycho Killer" by the Talking Heads
This could be the most boring Rock Band song ever. But damn if it isn't a sweet song to listen to. That bass line in the beginning...so simple, but so great. And this guy's got some vocal chords on him. Just a really cool song.
"Yellow Ledbetter" by Pearl Jam
No friggin' clue what Eddie Vedder is saying throughout most of the song (something about a box on the back?), but that guitar riff -- whew. Nicely done, Pearl Jam. Nicely done.
"Holiday in Spain" by Counting Crows
I wish there was a better version of this song on youtube. This one will have to do. Love it. I can sort of play this one on guitar. Winner of a song if I've ever heard one.
"San Dimas High School Football Rules" by The Ataris
What a fun song. Bonus points for the reference to Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure in the title of the song.
Enjoy.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Home Alone
Days 1 and 2 of my inaugural unemployment odyssey are just about in the books. Not a whole lot of news to report.
Yesterday wasn't too bad. I was able to get some cleaning and straightening done around the house -- just a few things I'd been putting off because I was always too busy with work or getting ready for work or relaxing after work. Things look a bit nicer here, so that's always nice.
I'll need to file for unemployment next week and get that process going so I can get some money flowing in until I can find another job. The only problem is I can't earn more than $74 a week before my unemployment benefits are reduced.
I know they're just trying make it so you don't depend on UE solely, but damn guys, if I could find a job that paid close to what I was making before, I wouldn't need to file for UE. It's cool though. I'll figure it out.
For the first time in months -- maybe a year or so? -- I've picked up my guitar again. Not that I was ever really THAT good at it in the first place, but it's good fun. I know a handful of chords, and then there are the POWER CHORDS!
I've just got to rebuild the callouses on my fingers now. Good times. My only problem is this: I changed the strings on it a while back and ever since then, I can't get the damn thing to stay in tune for more than a few minutes. I have no idea. Still fun though. I've almost got "Day Tripper" down in its entirety (minus the solo, of course as I'm a terrible soloist).
I don't know -- I don't think I'm horrible at the guitar, considering I taught myself just as a side hobby seven or eight years ago. I never set out to become a guitar master or anything. I have fun with it, and I can figure out how to play the songs I like to listen to, which makes listening to them that much more enjoyable.
I also showed Anne how to play the intro to "Day Tripper." It's really not that complicated once you get over the intimidation of trying to play a Beatles' song. She's picking up on it pretty fast too.
So there you go. Two days out of work down, hopefully not too many more to go. But I know how that goes. I do miss my friends at work, so hopefully I will be seeing them again soon.
Yesterday wasn't too bad. I was able to get some cleaning and straightening done around the house -- just a few things I'd been putting off because I was always too busy with work or getting ready for work or relaxing after work. Things look a bit nicer here, so that's always nice.
I'll need to file for unemployment next week and get that process going so I can get some money flowing in until I can find another job. The only problem is I can't earn more than $74 a week before my unemployment benefits are reduced.
I know they're just trying make it so you don't depend on UE solely, but damn guys, if I could find a job that paid close to what I was making before, I wouldn't need to file for UE. It's cool though. I'll figure it out.
For the first time in months -- maybe a year or so? -- I've picked up my guitar again. Not that I was ever really THAT good at it in the first place, but it's good fun. I know a handful of chords, and then there are the POWER CHORDS!
I've just got to rebuild the callouses on my fingers now. Good times. My only problem is this: I changed the strings on it a while back and ever since then, I can't get the damn thing to stay in tune for more than a few minutes. I have no idea. Still fun though. I've almost got "Day Tripper" down in its entirety (minus the solo, of course as I'm a terrible soloist).
I don't know -- I don't think I'm horrible at the guitar, considering I taught myself just as a side hobby seven or eight years ago. I never set out to become a guitar master or anything. I have fun with it, and I can figure out how to play the songs I like to listen to, which makes listening to them that much more enjoyable.
I also showed Anne how to play the intro to "Day Tripper." It's really not that complicated once you get over the intimidation of trying to play a Beatles' song. She's picking up on it pretty fast too.
So there you go. Two days out of work down, hopefully not too many more to go. But I know how that goes. I do miss my friends at work, so hopefully I will be seeing them again soon.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Everything's Gonna Be All Right
Well, it would appear I've stumbled unwillingly upon quite a bit of spare time. No sense in keeping it a secret. The more people who know about it, the more chances of someone coming through in the clutch for me.
So today -- yes, on April Fools Day -- I was laid off from my job. Got called in to the boss's office and heard the whole "you know about how hard we've been hit with our budgets lately, and we've got to make a few cuts, and I'm sorry to say you're one of the people we have to let go."
And there it is.
Obviously, this is not my first choice for how the next several weeks/months would go. I've got a few ways I can look at things.
1. I can lay in my bed, cry and lament over my poor fortune, thereby making myself miserable and just giving myself a bad headache. Sound like fun to you? Me neither.
OR
2. I can have a few drinks, relax for the next day or two and jump in with both feet with a good attitude.
So I say this: shit's going to be the exact same if I'm feeling sorry for myself in bed or if I'm smiling with a drink in my hand.
I choose having a good attitude. And you know, yes, I've been better; but I've also been worse. No one died. I don't have children in college. I don't have a mortgage. I'm not in my mid-50s trying for a career change.
I'm 26 years old. I have a bachelor's degree in political science, a minor in journalism and a master's degree in communication. I've got a couple years experience writing for newspapers, and I've got a year and a quarter of PR agency work.
Like I said, this is obviously not my first choice for a course of events. But dammit, being hopeful and optimistic is not a vice. Let there be no doubt, I have my faults. But I don't consider a positive attitude to be among them.
Listen, this sucks hardcore -- no doubt about it. But I can either whine and bitch about it, or I can see it as an opportunity to do something different. I've been let go from a job I was contemplating leaving in the next year anyway, and I can try something different now. The job market sucks, I get that. I'll be calling in favors with everyone I know to try to get something. We'll see what happens.
I know this: I'd rather be facing this situation with an upbeat attitude than with depression. In the meantime, I'll file for unemployment tomorrow, figure out a part-time solution to make ends meet, and we'll see how it goes.
In the words of the immortal Bob Marley, "Everything's gonna be all right."
-BG
So today -- yes, on April Fools Day -- I was laid off from my job. Got called in to the boss's office and heard the whole "you know about how hard we've been hit with our budgets lately, and we've got to make a few cuts, and I'm sorry to say you're one of the people we have to let go."
And there it is.
Obviously, this is not my first choice for how the next several weeks/months would go. I've got a few ways I can look at things.
1. I can lay in my bed, cry and lament over my poor fortune, thereby making myself miserable and just giving myself a bad headache. Sound like fun to you? Me neither.
OR
2. I can have a few drinks, relax for the next day or two and jump in with both feet with a good attitude.
So I say this: shit's going to be the exact same if I'm feeling sorry for myself in bed or if I'm smiling with a drink in my hand.
I choose having a good attitude. And you know, yes, I've been better; but I've also been worse. No one died. I don't have children in college. I don't have a mortgage. I'm not in my mid-50s trying for a career change.
I'm 26 years old. I have a bachelor's degree in political science, a minor in journalism and a master's degree in communication. I've got a couple years experience writing for newspapers, and I've got a year and a quarter of PR agency work.
Like I said, this is obviously not my first choice for a course of events. But dammit, being hopeful and optimistic is not a vice. Let there be no doubt, I have my faults. But I don't consider a positive attitude to be among them.
Listen, this sucks hardcore -- no doubt about it. But I can either whine and bitch about it, or I can see it as an opportunity to do something different. I've been let go from a job I was contemplating leaving in the next year anyway, and I can try something different now. The job market sucks, I get that. I'll be calling in favors with everyone I know to try to get something. We'll see what happens.
I know this: I'd rather be facing this situation with an upbeat attitude than with depression. In the meantime, I'll file for unemployment tomorrow, figure out a part-time solution to make ends meet, and we'll see how it goes.
In the words of the immortal Bob Marley, "Everything's gonna be all right."
-BG
I'll be your whatever you want
A few songs I'm into right now:
"Cannonball" by The Breeders
The Breeders were formed by Kim Deal (bassist from the Pixies), and this is the song they're probably most-known-for in mainstream rock. Killer bass riff.
"Say It Ain't So" by Weezer
This song really needs no introduction. If you don't like this song, you're doing it wrong.
"Little Willy" by Sweet
I have absolutely no idea why this song entertains me so much. Anne said it sounds like it's from Barney and Friends or something. Well, shit. All I know is it's catchy as hell. Gotta love the ridiculous 70s outfits too.
"Somewhere in the Between" by Streetlight Manifesto
If this sounds like Catch 22 to you, that's because the lead singer of SM is Tomas Kalnoky, the guy who provided the distinctive vocals of what I consider to be Catch 22's glory days. In fact, if you're so inclined, you can check out SM's version of the album "Keasbey Nights," which is almost an exact reproduction of the kick-ass album of the same name by Catch 22 (back when Kalnoky was still with the band). Anyway, this song is great. Epic ska song.
"In My Life" by The Beatles
Without a doubt, my favorite Beatles' song. This song hit me hard when my grandfather died back in October 2000. It was the only song I cared to listen to for approximately two or three weeks surrounding the funeral. It's been almost a decade now, and time does wonders for the cooling and calming of emotions. But playing this song still takes me back to the long ride in the limo from my grandparents' condo to the synagogue and, eventually, to the cemetery. I still love the song. I was exceedingly pleased with myself about four years ago when I figured out I could play the basics of this song on the guitar. So good.
"Take on Me" by Reel Big Fish
Because a music post where I don't mention Reel Big Fish is just incomplete. This is one of my favorite songs they play, and here's a live video showing exactly why I love this band so much. Take the energy they play with in this song and multiply that by two hours, and that's a live RBF show. There's a reason I've seen these guys live eight times. Love the off-beat hi-hat to start the song -- this is also one of my favorite songs to play on my drums.
Well, I think that's a diverse-enough collection of music for now. Go forth and love these songs as I do.
-BG
"Cannonball" by The Breeders
The Breeders were formed by Kim Deal (bassist from the Pixies), and this is the song they're probably most-known-for in mainstream rock. Killer bass riff.
"Say It Ain't So" by Weezer
This song really needs no introduction. If you don't like this song, you're doing it wrong.
"Little Willy" by Sweet
I have absolutely no idea why this song entertains me so much. Anne said it sounds like it's from Barney and Friends or something. Well, shit. All I know is it's catchy as hell. Gotta love the ridiculous 70s outfits too.
"Somewhere in the Between" by Streetlight Manifesto
If this sounds like Catch 22 to you, that's because the lead singer of SM is Tomas Kalnoky, the guy who provided the distinctive vocals of what I consider to be Catch 22's glory days. In fact, if you're so inclined, you can check out SM's version of the album "Keasbey Nights," which is almost an exact reproduction of the kick-ass album of the same name by Catch 22 (back when Kalnoky was still with the band). Anyway, this song is great. Epic ska song.
"In My Life" by The Beatles
Without a doubt, my favorite Beatles' song. This song hit me hard when my grandfather died back in October 2000. It was the only song I cared to listen to for approximately two or three weeks surrounding the funeral. It's been almost a decade now, and time does wonders for the cooling and calming of emotions. But playing this song still takes me back to the long ride in the limo from my grandparents' condo to the synagogue and, eventually, to the cemetery. I still love the song. I was exceedingly pleased with myself about four years ago when I figured out I could play the basics of this song on the guitar. So good.
"Take on Me" by Reel Big Fish
Because a music post where I don't mention Reel Big Fish is just incomplete. This is one of my favorite songs they play, and here's a live video showing exactly why I love this band so much. Take the energy they play with in this song and multiply that by two hours, and that's a live RBF show. There's a reason I've seen these guys live eight times. Love the off-beat hi-hat to start the song -- this is also one of my favorite songs to play on my drums.
Well, I think that's a diverse-enough collection of music for now. Go forth and love these songs as I do.
-BG
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