Ponderings on growing up

I returned to the place of my higher education this past weekend. Over the weekend, I figured out that the people which I enjoyed spending time with were the people who were about to take the next step in their lives.

I sat around and visited with Katie. I wish we had more time to hang out and that I had read the chapters which were supposed to have discussed in our current book. I truely hope that Katie and I can be near enough to be able to meet up and have our wonderful talks. I miss her terribly.

Next, along with Katie, I viewed my brothers installation on sexual assault. I do have to say my brother is amazing. His progression as an artist can be seen in the different figures but the over all effect of the piece is amazing. I am so proud of him.

The rest of the day was spent celebrating Holly's impending marriage. The Platteville Winery was a nice surprise, despite the politics which seems to infiltrate everything these days. The wine was good and the company better. After the winery, nail polish, girly drinks, funny presents and cookies were the major components before dinner.

Dinner conversation turned to a touchy topic, the recent break up of two good friends. I realized how horrid woman can be to each other, myself included. The gossip wheel can take things and distort events and feelings. I hope most of those girls can realize how horrid the gossip wheel is and that once you are out in the 'real world' how small and insignificant your life is. Or how little people care next to their own problems. I realized how easy it is to slip back into the rotating wheel of gossip. 

Dancing, drinking and heels followed the eating of yummy, greasy pizza. Getting away from the suction of gossip, I got to know a sister of a friend who is amazing and fun. I was very happy to meet her. 

The night wore on and I realized my age, or is it just the lack of being able to stay up late and still be able to do everything the next day? We will just say that I am not made for staying up late with the college girls anymore. I guess that is what 5am will do to you. After walking home with a wonderful friend, and being too awake to tell myself sleeping on a couch will be a good thing, I drove back to my home with my love. 

As I slipt into bed and snuggled my love close, I realized I am glad I am done with college. I have a job I love, a man I am marring and love deeply, and a bright future. I do not regret the lessons I learned while I was in school. Nor do I regret the people I learned to love, accept and hate or the memories attached with those people. 

I know life may not always seem so bright as it does at this moment as the sun shines and the leaves bud from the maple tree outside my window, but I am confident that I will love growing up.

Brrrrr....I am so glad Spring is here

Spring brings so many new and beautiful beginnings. 2011 is no different, unless you are me, which you are not. Sorry. But 2011 brings so many new beginnings. We have an accepted offer on a house and hopefully will be closing in May, June carries the beginning of Summer and the beginning of my married life. Besides my wedding, there are three other friends starting their married life. But besides all these wonderfully amazing beginnings, winter still has a hold on the lands of Wisconsin. 34 degrees on april 20 is a great day. A great day to stay inside and dream about the warm days and the wonderful beginnings of spring.

A Bad Turn

The Wheel of Fortune...it is an interesting concept to think about. Times are good and times are bad. The Wheel turns and the cycle begins again. You are on top then you are rolling in the dust of life...This week was a low point for people I know. At the beginning, two good friends of mine broke up after a long rough patch. Early in the week a family I knew well when I was in middle and high school were accused and charged with child abuse. Around midweek a friend in college had a heart break. His sister died in a car accident. Life will get better as the wheel begins its climb towards the top. The climb is hard and getting over heart break and embarrassing realizations of your family will take time, but life will get better. RIP Megan Clift and my thoughts are with the children I grew up with.

Delay

As amazing as January was for reading, I have come to an almost stand still. I gained a full time job which decreased my time to read, as well as my ability to stay up past 9pm. No with wedding invitations to get out the door, I have found myself at a stand still...a delay in my yearly goal to read all the books I have not read but own. I am currently reading The Children's Book and I find that the even though I enjoy the book, it is slow and I cannot find myself reading much more then 10 pages before falling asleep. Now is the time for determination. I will finish this book, despite its lack of interest and rather lazy sunny sunday afternoon feel to it, I will finish it...but only after I finish my invitations...

Green Bay Packers

SUPER BOWL CHAMPS!!!


Go Pack Go! What a game. Hats off to the Steelers. As much as I loved the close game (probably only because we won) I could have used a bit less stress on the heart. But 'Gosh darn it, I'd do anyting for da Packers'. Way to go guys. The Lombardi Trophy is back home.

Image found from Google. I do not own.

Titanic and Byzanium

Who would have thought that the Cold War, radioactive elements and the Titanic would all be connected in some way or form? But they are in Raise the Titanic! I mostly picked up this book because I am fascinated by the Titanic. But the book written by Clive Cussler was written before the Titanic was actually discovered. In Raise the Titanic! radioactive material, Byzanium, is needed for a defense project by the US. The Russians figure out the super secret defense project and decide that since the Byzanium was found on Russian soil that the Byzanium belongs to Russia to use as they deemed worthy. But Dirk Pitt and NUMA will not allow that to happen. Sparing the total recap of the book, I loved it. A lot of the book was set up but I love the historical treasure hunt to find the location of the hidden item and the fact that the Titanic was involved was awesome. Not alot about the Titanic was actually discussed other then her miraculously perfect condition (considering being on the bottom of an ocean for 76 years and being struck by an iceberg) and that she wasn't found right below where she sunk. Totally intact, NUMA led by Pitt raised the Titanic and she is brought back to New York. The last few chapters when the Titanic finished her maiden voyage brought tears to my eyes. How awesome would that be if the Titanic would be able to be salvaged...awesome.

Pitt seemed less Dirk Pitt-ish then other books of the Dirk Pitt series I have read, except at the end. Since he is also a Titanic fanatic, maybe it was her presence that led Pitt to subdue his arrogant, womanizing behavior. But I enjoy reading about Pitt and he held his own and was pretty much amazing in the book. Cussler did a great job with this book and I love the forward discussing the discovery of the Titanic and how despite the similarities of Cussler's mind and the actual facts of the Titanic, Dirk Pitt was the first to see her. Amazing...

One of the most interesting books I have read. It may not be the best written or the next literary masterpiece but my fascination with the Titanic and the love of a good action adventure, not to mention the Cold War interest as well, makes this book awesome. I am top shelf-ing Raise the Titanic!.

Plays at the beginning of the blizzard

I love reading Shakespeare! So far I have read three comedies and one tragedy. I really like the comedies, but I feel I should read a tragedy I have little background in (I read Romeo and Juliet) and see what I think of them. Maybe Othello or Julius Cesare.

I really liked Taming the Shrew, it was a very interesting play to read. I can see why it is so controversial. I do not agree with women being submissive towards men, but as a comedy, Taming of the Shrew was funny. Upon completing Taming of the Shrew, I did a little research to figure out if Shakespeare really meant the play to be as anti-feminist as the play is or if more satirical in nature. Mixed reviews all the way around the board, from the little shallow research I did. I'm going to choose to take the view that the play is entertainment and meant to be funny rather then caring a message of whoever.

Let me know reasons to change my mind if you disagree. :) I love discussions on books!

Now I have done a very good job at reading the books I in my possession to cut down on the amount of unread books I own. Out of the 32 days of 2011, I have read 7 books and am in the process of reading three of them. One as a book club book (The Wings of a Falcon), one for my own knowledge (Idiots guide to Tarot) and the last as one step closer to my goal in 2011, (Raising the Titanic). Now to grab Raising the Titanic and a blanket and settle in for the blizzard which will cover the land in another 5-10 inches of snow. You got to love Wisconsin Winters.