Local Concerts

I really am a local music junkie. I love sitting in a small venue, and listen to the talents and love of others. A co-worker of mine is also a huge fan of the local scene in Boston, even a BIGGER fan than I. I know that might be hard to realize! But he told me about Josh Ritter playing at Club Passim in Dec! I missed his last concert a week ago, because Im lame and my concert-going, old roommate moved away and I would have had to actually make an effort to find someone to go with me. Such a lame reason. I can go to Antje Duvekot by myself, but for some reason that is totally different. . . .

Morale dilima. Ok, not really a morale as there is no right or wrong decision. But a decision none the less. Do I just buy one ticket (as it is $35, which is $20 more than Club Passim tickets are normally) and just enjoy the show with no hassle of finding someone to go? Or buy a second and try and be social? And Brian is like three days before. Again, do I buy one ticket or two?

I know. This really shouldnt be a big deal. But for some reason, Im starting to get self conscience of the independence spirit that I have always seemed to be ok with. I mean, really. I dont want to be single forever. I should make more of an effort to spend time with people. Men, in particular. But . . . Agghhh. I just dont know. I really do just really enjoy my music! Especially Brian and Josh! :) Yes, Yes. We are on first name basis.

Bad to Worse . . . In a matter of moments

Its really interesting to me on how life plays out. I have come to realize that I was in fact suppose to stay in Boston for another year. There have been many bitter sweet moments. And my job is one of the bitter ones.

I took on this new position as a Circ Manager for the m/s Paul Gauguin. I didnt realize that the team was struggling as much as it is, or else I probably wouldnt have agreed to it. But yesterday was just simply a bad day. After weeks of being treated horribly by the Exec over the team, yesterday was just no different. I had to sit in a finance meeting, and be harassed by the Exec. And I just found out that I didnt in fact receive the full salary increase that I should have three months ago. I cant find any proof of what I agreed to. I would not be putting myself in this place for only a $2000 increase. Hello, $40 increase on a paycheck for dreading to go into work, for being yelled and treated horribly by my supervisor and Exec member, for dealing with backbiting, deceiving co-workers. I think NOT! . . .

This position has actually taught/made me realize more about my self. 1) I am a task-oriented person. Give me actual, concrete items to do, and they are done in a timely, effective, correct manor. But give me general ideas of things I can "look" at or analyze, and I blog stalk all day. 2) I am very much a follower. Dont get me wrong, I wont follow someone off a cliff or to the gates of Hell. But I do mimic or adjust to the personalities and situations that I am placed in. I remember thinking that during my crowning years playing soccer, I would have off games. And those were usually when we played against teams that were worse than us. In this position, I work with people that are just par or even below par. Therefore, I work at or below par. AND I HATE THIS. I am not an at par below par employee.

Learning: surround myself with good, ethical, hardworking people. But when I do find myself in a bad situation, find ways to rise to the occasion.

Back to the bitter sweet reason for feeling like Boston is still where I should be:
-I have really had the oppurtunity to grow spiritually. But its that what trials are for!?!
-Spend time with my family. Not just James and his family, but my cousin and her family
-I have meet some really amazing people. People that I want to more emulate in my life
-Roommates that given me the oppurtunity to serve
-Calling that has made me leave my comfort zone
-wearing shorts and flip-flops in OCTOBER!

I am happy to still be in Boston. I am happy to know that the Lord loves me and truly can direct my life if I but let him. I am happy to be in the place I am right now, even though I might not exhibit that happiness at the current moment as I am sitting at work just wanting the day to be over!

Passing Time

There are many, many days that I just simply feel unmotivated at work. I find ways to look busy. Blog Stalking, Gchating, Facebook Stalking. Online Window Shopping, etc.

Today was alittle different as what I found to occupy my time involved laughing. (Ok, so maybe I found a few of these from blogstaulking. . . But anyways.) Not just a chuckle here or there. BUT out loud, the whole floor at work can hear, type laughter.

And here is why:

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/col/401268521.html

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/179435238.html

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/lax/184295834.html

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/phx/401138691.html

Beware. Some might be alittle voulgar. But I just couldnt stop laughing. I wish I had the writting skills like some of these talented souls.

ENJOY

Brian Webb

I never did mention a concert I went to a week ago. . .

I happened to check my myspace account. Shh, I know. Lame. But a while back I had commented on Brian Webbs Myspace page, simply saying "When are you playing here in Boston?" So, Brian ended up doing a concert on Sept 21 at this historical house in Jamaica Plains, MA (South Boston) and the guy in charge of the concert, sent me an email letting me know because of my comment on Brians page. . . Hope that made since. (Gosh, Im such a groupie)

So I emailed this dude right away, but it was still 3 days later. It was sold out, but that he would put me on the waiting list. After a day or so, I cleared the waitlist. I had asked for two tickets. So then I had to ask someone to go with me. Not wanting to ask a girl, unless it was a must, the wheels started rolling. As Brian Webb is one of my favorites, I couldnt just ask anyone. That might sound weird, but there is something about opening my music love to the world that doesnt sit easy with me. As I have become a fan of the music in a way that only Boston could have evoked in me, its hard for me to take just anyone. This is something that I learned after taking 15 people with me to Antje last year. . . . Needless to say, I ended up taking a friend that seemed to really like it. It was a very intimate concert. (ie 40 people in the living room of this old house. Once I walked in, Brian called me out by name, and we chatting for while before, during, and at intermission.) If Brian wasnt married, I would be all over that action! Hahah!

After the concert, we head over to JP Licks for ice cream. (For those not in Boston, JP Licks in one of the BEST ice cream places in town, and the JP stands for Jamaica Plains, the city that we were in.) We talked for awhile. . . .

Conclusion: A great way to spend a Friday Night! :)

Selflessness

I get emails from the Tabernacle Choir. I usually just delete them. But this week the title of the email caught my attention.

Selflessness as been something that I have really been trying to work on lately. I think it sparked with my renewed desire to be the person I really want to be. So I have reflecting on those people that I admire in my life, and what qualities do they have that I want to have. And one of the main ones that I have noticed is that of Selflessness. Therefore, this has been my focus of life within the past few weeks. What can I do for other? What can I share with others? etc.

So when I got this email, I was excited to see what they had to share. . . . Let me share a few of my favorite lines:

"Our greatest blessings and deepest joys always come from helping others, from opening our hearts to someone in need. Service is evidence of our love, but it can also be its catalyst. While it’s true that we serve those we love, it is equally true that we love those we serve."

"Selflessness is usually not manifest in grandiose, dramatic ways but in simple, day-to-day opportunities and interactions we see around us."

This was a great reminder to me of the Savor and His example for us to follow. As I have been striving to make Him apart of my daily thoughts and actions, I know that truly emulating Him comes from selflessness desires.

Birthday Weekend!

I tend to have extended Birthday-Days/Weeks! As much as I dont like all the attention, its nice to be able to have an excuse in this crazy busy time of life to get together with friends.

Thursday - Woken up by my roommate Brooke decorating my door and Singing me happy birthday at 645am. Then I got a call from my nephews Jack and Taylor. So CUTE! Worked 10+ hours. Gross. Than I went to dinner with Roommates Marian and Suzy, and then Kristy and Jen Flygare. I really appreciated that it was a small group. I went to my favorite Asian restaurant by my old house. All in all: Good day

Friday - Called in Sick. Come on, work a 10+ hour day of really annoying reporting type stuff on your birthday, its a given not to work the next! Instead, I did all those things that you just dont get to when the week is crazy busy, and the weekends are even crazier. It was great. Changed from summer to fall clothes. Watched some Netflix while cleaning the bathroon and the bedroom. Off to the Bank, Post Office, a Pedicure, car wash. Then I was off to a concert for my local folk artist, Brian Webb. It was such a great concert. Embarassingly enough, Brian knows my name, and pointed me out a few times during the concert. Oh well! There are worse things.

Saturday - Hartford. I went and spent the day with my brother and his family. They took me to Texas Roadhouse for my birthday Lunch! Love that place. And then I played with the boys for hours. We even went down to the land and saw how things are coming along. I really wished that I had a boyfriend that would want to go help him. It just makes such a different when there is help.

Sunday - Church. It was such a good Sacrament Meeting. I ended up hanging out with William Johnsons, 2 y/o of the other wards 1st Counselor during Sunday School. And Relief Society was really good. (Yes, you heard that right. I went to RS. Second time in the new ward!) Then I had dinner at my cousins. Suzy came too. It was rather amusing. Those boys are crazy fun. Then we headed off to a Fireside. It was a panel discussion with the Bishopric and wifes, and how to build solid relationships. . . . And then Party at my house. It was fun. And lots of people showed up. I really like my house for hosting parties. I think everyone enjoyed themselves too. Here are some pictures from that:

The roommates - Brooke Clayton, Suzy Richardson, Marian Clayton, and Me!

Brooke, Me, and Peter Stone. He brought the apartment a present, the best 90's hit mix ever!

We were all very surprised that the "HBS" boys showed up. (Harvard Business School) Robby, Brooke, Marian, Bill Edwards, Me, Alex Lowe.

2 of the 3 Dental School Boys. Brian Nelson, Me, and Mike Visser

A few of the the girls - Linda, Suzy, and Brenda Heaton

A few of the good ones! Jamie Wyatt, me, and Kristy Williams.

-- Note to self, dont let tall people take pictures, the angle is weird

What a great Weekend! Thanks to all those that made it possible!

Sept 20, 1984 "Cosby Show" premieres on NBC-TV

How appropriate that Cosby's premiere was on my birthday?! I love that show. Watch it often. Even now. Ask the roommates, its Tivo-ed!

Birthdays really arent my favorite day of the year. Something about it being at the beginning of the school year. Its a busy time of year. Friends are coming and going. Especially now in my life, friends are skattered across the country. But so far this one has been good. . . .