by Melissa | Blog Post
This weekend is one I’m taking to do what I want, when I want, and how I want. *stomps foot*
This is not out of selfishness (wel, at least not bad selfishness); it is out need to renew and recharge. Many people think that August is an easy month for me at work. Why? One word: recess. However, this recess is not the one of our youth – swings, slides, and fresh air. This is a 5+ week stretch of long hours, lots of events, high-stress, eating crappily (if at all), not being able to sleep, and a lot of coffee.
In order to unwind after the last three-ish weeks, I started off last night by hanging out with some friends and having a couple of tasty beverages. The night included a lot of talking, randomness, and laughter – this is never a bad thing.
So far today, I’ve mowed the lawn and did some yardwork, did laundry, gave Scout a bath, and got a pedi. Now I’m relaxing on the couch with some iced tea after eating some quasi-breakfast tacos and watching Bones on Netflix. Will finish laundry at some point, and who knows maybe take a nap.
Tomorrow will be some more relaxing, a little bit of cooking, updating Quicken, cleaning my room, and probably more Netflix and reading. Maybe I’ll fit in some picture hanging, and I think I may have committed to playing softball tomorrow night.
I’m going to avoid thinking about work or the events of the prior week. I’m not going to ponder the pending mail and writing I have to do next week. I’m going to focus on things that make me happy, things that amuse me, things that an somewhat mindless.
Sometimes we all need to do this. You’ve got to listen to your body to know what you need. I’m doing just that, and it feels great.
I will end this post with a song – “Let your Light” by Ben Abraham. Enjoy.
by Melissa | Blog Post
Often times I get caught up in the major things going on in my life – work & volunteer stuff – which leads me to ignore some of the smaller things I need to take care of. These small things, while not requiring a ton of time or effort, are just as important to me and my life and deserve focus as well. These are the things that help keep me in balance. Help me have the reserves to deal with the major things, be focused, have energy and patience. Help me perform as best as I can and live up to my expectations.
This isn’t about being selfish or not fulfilling responsibilities. It is making sure you do what you need to do in order to do things for others and do what you need to do in the best, most efficient way possible. Yes, I know this sounds somewhat cliche, but to paraphrase someone I respect a lot – you’ve got to help yourself before you can help others.
What does this mean? If I say no to something or am more quiet and reserved than normal, I will feel bad, but sometimes I just have to take care of things. It is one thing that I struggle with, since I want to help others succeed and pitch in to do things that need to be done. But I can’t put too much weight on either side of the scale. I have to maintain the balance.
Sometimes maintaining the blanace means doing laundry, cleaning up around the house, or looking at my personal budget and updating Quicken. Other times it means vegging out and watching TV or reading. Even other times it means working late or attending meetings & events on nights or weekends. Basically – I try to make sure I don’t focus on any one area exclusively. Yes, there may be times where one part of my life needs more focus (i.e. the month of August at work or when thinking about a big purchase) but just have keep in mind how to restore the balance when possible.
Today, I’ve focused on work, volunteering and stuff around the house. Now it is time for vegging and watching TV and it feels so good and worth it.
Work hard. Play hard. Maintain the balance.
What do you do to maintain the balance in your life?
by Melissa | Blog Post, Take 5
As I’ve mentioned before, I love music. I love listening to it, I love playing it, I love being taken over by a melody, a chord, or lyrics. There are a few songs, however, that remind me of very specific things – a time, a location, a feeling. No matter where you are, or what you’re doing, a certain group of notes can trigger a response, a memory, and recollection of time gone by.
Here are five songs that do this for me.
1. “You’ve Got a Friend” – James Taylor
This song will forever remind me of my KAIROS retreat the spring of my junior year of high school. For those that don’t know, I went to a Catholic High School, and KAIROS was a 4 day retreat that students could go on their junior or senior year. I won’t got into details about the retreat, but it was an experience that impacts me until today. I may not be what someone would refer to as actively “religious” right now, but it doesn’t mean I don’t have my faith as a part of what drives me or guides me. This song was one that was used during the retreat and still reminds me of the experience and the people I shared it with.
2. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole
This song has a lot of memories attached to it, but most specifically it reminds me of the last time I saw each of my grandparents alive. They were two amazing people who instilled in me the love of travelling, service, and also allowed me to have a lot of great experiences that helped shape me into the person I am today. I often stop and wonder what they would say to me if they could see me today, and I know, deep down, they would be proud of me and proud of the adult I have become.
3. “Love Train” – The O’Jays
Duluth. April 23-25, 2010. This was the weekend where I had my first experience of the DFL endorsement process as a volunteer. It was my first cycle where I wasn’t working directly for a campaign, and I was able to do things that I wanted to. It was also my first big DFL “thing” after a year of big changes, some medical issues, and a lot of growth and soul searching. Plus, it reminds me of the fabulous team I worked with, and the great friends I made as a result of being on Team MAK. Plus, who can forget the epic floor demonstration? I saw people busting moves I would not have expected from them – EVER!
4. “Andrea Chenier”
During my junior year of college, we played a selection of music from this opera in Symphonic Band. However, the concert that we played this at wasn’t just any concert, it was guest conducted by the Conductor of the U.S. Marine Corps Band, Col. Tim Foley (who has since retired). This was a huge honor to have him at Marquette, directing our rag tag group of non-music majors on this complex piece. It was one moment in all of my musical career where I truly felt like a musician. I felt that it was more than just something that I did – it became very real. Our group came together that day and gave one of the best performances of my time at Marquette. It was an honor and a privelege, and I’m thankful to have been able to experience that moment.
5. “Hey Baby” – DJ Otzi
I heard this song while travelling in Australia in 2003 in a random club – in Brisbane or Sydney I believe. It made me laugh, since it was a song that I heard a lot as a result of pep band, and it’s just a random remix. When I returned back to the states, I would add it to party playlists and always be reminded of that trip. This trip to Australia not only caused me to fall in love with this beautiful country, but also inspired much of the research I did during grad school. There was just something about the people, the vibe, and the scenery that I loved. I actually was planning to return for my PhD, but my life plan took a slight detour in 2006. I hope to be able to visit again – perhaps for a bit longer of a stay – some day soon.
Words really can’t capture fully why or how these songs cause this reaction – they just do. I can only really explain what it reminds me of, but can’t figure out how to explain the more emotional part of the reaction. I had a discussion with someone along these lines earlier this week. The conclusions that music is simply inexplicable and that is the best way to explain music.
And with that, I suggest that you take time to enjoy some music and the memories and emotions they carry along with them. Good or bad, positive or negative, it will be worth it. Sometimes you just have to feel and remember.
by Melissa | Blog Post
Yesterday, I had to walk from my office to a friend’s house for a ride home due to what I will refer to as CARFAIL 2011. I ended up walking along the normal route that I drive to and from work each day. One thing that struck me about half-way into the mile long walk is how your perspective changes when you’re not in a car zooming by at 35 MPH.
I noticed small things like kids playing in the front yard of an apartment building – their laughter and joy rising above the din of the cars driving by. I noticed the details on some of the great old houses along the street, where people have worked to preserve the historic beauty and charm. I noticed the number of small buisnesses along the route, many bustling with customers and covering a wide variety of needs – including a Thai restaurant, a motorcycle shop, a music school, a youth hostel and a co-op.
I nodded hi to people as I walked by, each of us on our own journey, our own path, but recognizing we were both a part of this community. While I may have been in my own world with my thoughts and music, I was still taking in what was around me. This often happens while I am walking around my own neighborhood during walks with Scout.
I want to see what is going on around me – notice those small things that bring a smile to my face or remind me of something. I think I’m going to try to make it a point to go on more walks or ride my bike more places while the weather cooperates. It not only helps me connect with things around me, but also has the pesky side benefit of being good for me.
It’s amazing the things you notice when you slow down a bit and really look at what is going on around you. Something I need to do more of, and I’m looking forward to it.
by Melissa | Blog Post
First let’s start with some facts:
1. I am a Catholic and a DFLer.
2. I like live music.
3. I am very much opposed to this amendment (edit: I am referring to the constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in Minnesota), and will work to see it fail.
Recently, I saw a number of people RSVPing to an event on Facebook called “Just say NO to the Basilica Block Party”. Normally things like this don’t make me think twice – I usually know where I stand on an issue. However, this year I was planning on attending ths BBP for the first time as a part of a weekend of stuff to celebrate my 30th birthday and wondered if I needed to rethink these plans.
As I mentioned above, I really do not want the Constitution of the State of Minnesota (my adopted home) to include this amendment. It solves a “problem” that doesn’t exist – it is merely a ploy to gain some chits with a certain group of people who think banning gay marriage will solve all of the woes in society. SPOILER: Um, pretty sure that investing in our state and making some tweaks to our tax codes will do a lot more to create jobs, help solve the deficit, among other things.
Also, I have said before that I don’t understand why we need this amendment. My theory is that if you are threatened by someone else’s relationship, chances are the other relationship isn’t the problem. I think everyone should be able to be happy and loved, and have a formal union with someone they love and care about if they so choose. We are all different and unique and this fact makes us the same, so we should all have the same basic rights.
So what does this have to do with a concert?
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