3 AM Philosophical Thinking

Why do things happen? Do they truly happen for a reason? Is it true that even the shittiest of situations have some sort of cosmic purpose? Is the fact that my camera broke a funny commentary on how I should stop and smell the roses rather than just snap a quick picture of them? Or was it simply a drunken mistake that will forever be hidden away in the abyss of alcohol-aided forgotten memories? This very question has been plaguing me for days. If everything happens for a reason, then why do good people die while evil people live to ripe old ages? Why did my dog Casey have to die when I was 8 years old? Was there a purpose in that my little head couldn't fathom? Or was it just simply because I happened to let him out right as a teenager in a red car sped by on his way to work? Earlier this week, I was laying on my bed thinking of all this and decided that everything doesn't have a reason. That everything happens out of pure coincidence and that humans only say it has a purpose out of fear of the unknown. We don't want to think that everything in the world just happens- we like to think that eventually things will work out in our favor, even if the destination is different than what we initially thought it would be. We also want to believe in something bigger than ourselves. Whether you believe in a god, or some other spiritual being, it really makes no difference. Humans just what to believe that the bad things that happen to them happen because a force greater than themselves is merging them onto the right path- their "destiny". So, basically, we say everything happens for a reason just to make ourselves feel better. But then, things keep happening this week that make me wonder if everything does happen for a reason. I would make a slight change in my plans, and something I didn't expect would happen. For example, my friend and I spontaneously decided to walk through the Oval the other day and I ended up seeing one of my friends that I hadn't seen in months. A small occurrence, but enjoyable nonetheless. Also, a few months ago, I was planning on switching jobs but then got sad news that my help was no longer needed. Although that hurt at the time, I don't harbor ill feelings, for I have met two good friends this quarter at my job, and chances are that I would not have met them other wise. Also, I was this close to not coming to OSU this year.  And it is because I did that I met some of the greatest people in my life, and had some of the best moments if my life so far. Is this all a fluke? Are our lives nothing but coincidence after coincidence? No one knows. But maybe it is possible that things always work out the way they are supposed to.

2011 in Retrospect

I've been wanting to blog for a really long time now, and I've finally stopped dicking around and decided to make a new post. I've been feeling quite reminiscent recently. It has been 2012 for over two weeks, but I still want to dedicate this post to 2011. It was an epic year, full of crazy experiences. It was the best year of my life.

Here's why:

I became an aunt for the second time! 

I transferred

In 2011, I decided that I no longer wished to go to Ashland University and decided to transfer to the Ohio State University. I miss my Ashland friends dearly, but transferring was the best decision I could have ever made. I've never felt so content with my life as I have here. I no longer feel like I'm missing out on something. And that means more than you can ever imagine.

I got my first real job

Sure, I work at a sub par campus dining establishment, but money is money.

I went to some kickass concerts

                              

Artists and bands I saw live:

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Twin Shadow

Crystal Castles

The Joy Formidable

Colbie Caillat

Jason Derulo

Matt Nathanson

Taio Cruz

Foster the People

Pitbull

Hot Chelle Rae 

Lady Gaga

...and I hope to see a shit ton more this year!

First Experiences

First flight, first baseball game, first time to Lake Erie, first time trying steak...the list goes on and on. I gained a lot of new experiences in 2011. I feel so accomplished.

   

 I got to see Joseph Gordon-Levitt in person!

To anyone who is not aware, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is pretty much my dream man. He's beautiful. I about died when I saw him in person this past November. I screamed like those girls who saw The Beatles when they first came out. And I have no shame.

I became friends with some great people

This year wouldn't have been what it was if it hadn't been for my friends. Whether they were from Ashland, Ohio State, or somewhere else, this year was filled with awesome people. It's hard to think that a year ago, I didn't even know some of the people who I now consider to be some of my best friends. It amazes me.

I went to New York City!

If I had to pick one highlight from 2011, it would actually be the last week of it. I was lucky enough to be able to spend Christmas and New Years in New York. It was my first time in the Big Apple, and I loved it so much. Times Square, Fifth Avenue, Central Park...there's just so many wonderful things there. I even got to experience Times Square on New Year's eve, which I would have never imagined that I'd get to do. I can't wait to go back. Because, basically, Ohio sucks miserably in comparison.

So yeah, 2011 basically just kicked all kinds of ass.

2012, you have a lot to live up to.

-tjms

18 January 2012

Summer: A Retrospective

Okay, so I'm just here shamelessly listening to Lizzie McGuire-era Hilary Duff (she reminds me of my childhood, alright?) after a two-hour long figuring-stuff-out session for the next school year, and I've been thinking to myself "Shit, man. I haven't blogged in a while." No time like the present (12:34 AM on Labor Day), so here we go.

Summer is winding down. If I had decided to return to Ashland, school would've started almost 2 weeks ago. I'm still at home, waking up whenever the hell I want to and generally being a lazy bum. By the time I'm actually in school and going to classes, working, and participating in whatever I decide to particapte in, the life I'm living now will sound like paradise. But right now, I gotta tell ya, I'm itching to get back to school. Structure is good.

I had made a previous post in April detailing my hopes and plans for the summer, which at that point, seemed like a beautiful dream just a bit out of my grasp. For this post, I'd like to go back to that post and see if I accomplished all I wanted to accomplish, as well as offer a few other details about my summer, which has been pretty dang kick-ass.

(First off, I said that I planned on getting a job. Yeah, that didn't work out so well. Let's cross our fingers for next summer!)

1. Go to concerts

I did go see Crystal Castles in August with my sister, which was so fun. They are crazy live. The whole thing was like a rave. Loud electronic beats, colorful strobe lights, and glow sticks made it feel like a huge dance party. And dance I did. I'd definitely see them again.


2. Grow my hair out

Beginning of summer...

End of summer!

I didn't cut my hair all summer! I AM VICTORIOUS!!!!

3. Exercise every day

Ha. Ahaha. Hahahahaha. Yeah... I did not do this.

4. Swim

I did do this! And swimming is exercise, right? *hopeful expression*  

5. Read

I read like 2.5 books. I fail.

6. Visit Ashland friends

I had the pleasure of seeing many of my Ashland friends this summer, and all experiences were quite fantastic.

Posing in Meredith's kitchen

First Indians game! Woot!

 

Enjoying the most foodgasmic brownies EVER, courtesy of Liz's mom



7. Catch up on music intake.

Most definitely did this! My ears are very happy.

8. Watch (500) Days of Summer.

I think I did this like the day after I got home from school.

9. Spend as much time with my niece and nephew as possible

:D

It makes my heart happy that I've got to see them both a whole bunch this summer. They're growing so fast, and I feel priviledged to get to spend time with two such cute, wonderful kids.

10. Do some soul-searching

This is an ongoing process, of course, but I fell like I've made progress this summer. I've gotten a lot of things sorted out, and I feel very happy and excited about the path I am walking on.

ALSO. Let me share a few things that made Summer '11 what it was:

Foster the People- "Pumped Up Kicks"

                                     

If I had a dollar for every time I listened to this song this summer, my students loans would be paid off. Seriously. And I'm still obsessed with it. I'm listening to it right now, in fact.

Runner-Up: "Super Bass" by Nicki Minaj

Bridesmaids

This movie was so hilarious. Melissa McCarthy made this movie, I tell ya. She's come a long way from being Lorelai Gilmore's sidekick. (Although I still see Sookie whenever I look at her).

The '90s are All-That on Teen Nick

Who woulda thunk that in 2011, I'd be able to watch Doug and Kenan & Kel? Whoever thought of this idea, I sincerely love you.

Columbus, Ohio

My future home and the capital of Ohio gave me some memorable times this summer. Whether in a good way (Crystal Castles @ Newport) or in an effing awful way (being towed and having to walk into the ghetto in order to retrieve my vehicle), or in a fashionable way (just got my first pair of Ray-Bans at Rag-O-Rama, hellz yeah!). Oh Columbus, I can't wait to be able to see more of what you have to offer. (By bus, of course, I don't trust Columbus parking any longer.)

Friends & Family

Not to be mushy, but what can I say? The best part about this summer was having awesome people to share it with.

Salutations, summer of 2011!

-tjms

5 September 2011

Forever Young

Yay, finally legal!
Photo credit: Meredith Liedtke

It recently dawned on me that I am eighteen years old. Yes, I've been this age since September of last year, but it really just clicked in my brain that I am no longer a child. I'm an adult. I can buy cigarettes and lottery tickets, and I can vote. And I no longer have to answer to my parents about everything I do.

Huh.

It feels like just yesterday that I was sitting on the couch watching Disney Channel eating Spaghettios. Now, I'm in college, taking part in the endless oh-so-joyful experience of job-searching, and I can watch R-rated movies.

Most of the time, being an adult is great- the liberating feeling of just being able to drive wherever I want to is thrilling. But being an adult has burdens too, you know? Searching for jobs sucks. Having to pay for gas sucks. Taking responsibility for your own actions sucks sometimes too.

One thing that I hate is that once you get to the age of eighteen, you're forced to act mature and serious A LOT. Don't get me wrong, maturity and seriousness definitely have a place in our society and should be used sometimes.

But other times, you just have to loosen up. Life is too damn short to be a stuffy, serious person who barely ever laughs and feels that everything in life needs to be approached soberly. And sometimes, by George, you've just got to act like a kid again.

Here are my tips for retaining your inner child:

1. Watch Nickelodeon and Disney Channel.
I'm proud yet occasionally embarrassed at the fact that I watch Nickelodeon and Disney Channel on a pretty regular basis. I don't enjoy small child fare- Yo Gabba Gabba is a bit trippy and weird and most shows are just repetitive and annoying- but iCarly, Good Luck Charlie, and Drake & Josh? Hells to the yes. These shows will make you laugh and you don't have to worry about sexual innuendos and cursing that would make it awkward if your parents were in the room with you.

2. Buy a Happy Meal.
It's a win-win, less food equals less harm to your waistline and you get a toy! What could be better?

3. Color.

Not gonna lie, I was so pumped when my friend
sent me this picture she colored for me in the mail.
Photo credit: Me

You know, coloring is very relaxing. Nothing calms you down from a rough, hectic day quite like a jumbo coloring book and some Crayolas (and if you really wanna be cool, get the 64 pack with the sharpener!) Color a nice picture of Winnie the Pooh and give it to a friend. I guarantee, you will put a smile on their face.

4. Dance and sing in a public place.
You know how kids don't give a crap about who sees them and how loud they're being? Yeah...do that once in a while. Just today, I broke out into the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song (iiiiiinnnnnn West Philadelphia, born and raised...) in Chipotle. Did people stare? Probably. Did I care? Nah.

5. Tell a corny joke.
Where is the best place to park a dog? In a barking lot! Commence the eye rolls and quiet snickering!

6. Watch a movie you liked when you were young.

Side note: Trunchbull used to scare the bajeezus out of me.
Photo credit: Glogster

Matilda is my personal favorite. I used to believe that I had special powers like Matilda, so I used to intensely stare at things and wave my finger in an attempt to move inanimate objects. Yeah, I was a little weird. And I'm damn proud of it!

7. Go to a playground.
My friends Katy, Meredith, and I just did this past weekend. We were a little big for most things, but when I get on a swing, I still feel like that 6 year old girl who felt like she was flying.

8. Go to the toy section of a store.

This is what happens when we go to Walmart at 1 AM.
Photo credit: Ryan Zalimeni

Kids these days have the coolest toys, I swear...

9. Act goofy!

It's a beautiful thing when you find people as weird as you are.
Photo credit: Me

Come on, let your freak flag fly! It's alright to act a little bonkers sometimes, that is what makes life interesting and fun!

10. Spend some time with a youngin.

Crazy kids.
Photo credit: Ramona Stansberry

I have a three year old nephew (who I love to pieces) and he teaches me about how to embrace my inner child every time I'm with him. Seeing him discover new things and be genuinely excited about life and new adventures is really beautiful and even inspiring. And when I play with him, I can feel myself regressing back to my own childhood, and I love every dang minute of it.

So, to whoever reads this, embrace your inner youngster. Go jump rope. Go build a sandcastle. Go watch The Lion King. You'll enjoy yourself, I promise.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'm gonna go make some Spaghettios and watch the Disney Channel.

-tjms
28 July 2011

There once was a man from Nantucket: A Bucket List of sorts

Hello there, people of Earth, Jupiter, and Nebraska!

(oh, let's be honest, if anyone reads this, they are most likely from Ohio)

Ok. So. I've been having trouble sleeping at night. Like, for real. Last night, I didn't fall asleep until like 4:30 AM. And then, an hour later, we had a thunderstorm with the loudest effing thunder I had ever heard. Needless to say, I woke up and wasn't the happiest camper.

But I haven't come here to bitch about my janky sleep patterns or moan about Ohio's bipolar weather.
Oh no. You see, these sleep-less times have inspired some deep thinking. Not "what is the meaning of life?" kinda deep, but deep nonetheless. Last night, I was thinking about things I'd like to do before I die. I'm stuck in the lovely town of Upper Sandusky this summer and all you can do in this damn town is dream of the things you're going to do and accomplish once you say "sayonara" to the corn fields, close-minded townfolk, and hot, stinky factories.

So this, my bloggy friends, is my bucket list- the things that I want to accomplish before I push up daisies.

See Radiohead live.

Everyone should have the chance to see their favorite band live. Radiohead has made such an impact on me and they will always be my favorite band no matter what. Thinking of seeing one of my personal heroes, Thom Yorke, as well as the rest of the band in person is so exciting. If I saw them live, I'd most likely pee my pants. Here's to hoping that they go on tour soon. (pleasepleaseplease!)

Live in California.

I have absolutely no intentions of staying in Ohio once I graduate college. My dreams belong in a place with more excitement.

Become a journalist.

Ideally, I'd write for a music magazine, such as Spin, Rolling Stone, or NME. That way, both of my passions would converge- writing and music.

Fall deeply in love.

I think I may want this more than anything else.

Learn to play the harmonica.

The world's most underappreciated instrument.

Learn to tap dance. 

Don't ask me why, but I've always wanted to learn this.

Backpack across the United Kingdom.

I'm an Anglophile who is more interested in English culture than American (seriously, better music, movies, and clothes). I can't wait to experience this place.

Write a screenplay.

I love movies. And I would love to become the next Wes Anderson, Darren Aronofsky, Cameron Crowe, or John Hughes, but I really want to write a screenplay featuring elements of my own life.

Read poetry aloud.

I would love to read poetry aloud, whether it's my own or by a poet I admire. Poetry is beautiful. 

Inspire someone to go vegetarian.

Becoming a vegetarian is one of the best decisions I've ever made. I would feel so good if I inspired someone to try a meatless lifestyle!

Get dreads.

What can I say? I'm a hippie at heart.

Go to Chuck E. Cheese's.

It was always a dream of mine to go to this fun eatery when I was a wee child, and I still want to go. Just goes to show you that a dream deferred doesn't just dry up like a raisin in the sun.

Pay off all of my debts.

 Oh college, you're taking all my money- real and borrowed. I can't wait to get rid of this debt.

Own a record shop near the beach.

Ultimate goal in life.

I will accomplish these things at one point in life.

Just watch me.

-tjms

2 July 2011

<3 !