One of my goals that I set at the start of the new year was to run a 5K. In late January, I registered for my first 5K and have been training ever since.
The 5K is this Saturday! My goal to run the entire thing without slowing will (hopefully) come to fruition! Hooray!
What I think I like best about this whole 5K/Mini Marathon (oh yes, someday I will get to 13 miles) is that not only is it good for me, but the registration money is going for a good cause. The IU Mini-Marathon/5K is the Circle of Life IU Mini. The money goes towards a scholarship fund for students who are cancer survivors.
Whenever it has seemed impossible to run that far without dying... (I have never, after all, been a runner... I actually despise it and stayed away from most physical activity until grad school...) I just think about the students who are pushing through school despite having cancer. That is more than I think I could handle.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Speaking of News
Now, THIS is news.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7967575.stm
You know what I thought at first? Oh look! An old man with turned up coat collar! Then later in the article, the guy who took the pic refers to the face maybe an old woman wearing a ruff.
OMG.
Old woman? Really?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7967575.stm
You know what I thought at first? Oh look! An old man with turned up coat collar! Then later in the article, the guy who took the pic refers to the face maybe an old woman wearing a ruff.
OMG.
Old woman? Really?
See what happens?
It should come as no surprise to anyone that I do not like George Bush, the younger. Therefore, take a stab at who I voted for this election.
Well, I have been avoiding reading the news for a couple days, just because it depresses me. Well, I went to read news today and what do I find???
That's right. NON-NEWS.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090305/pl_politico/19663
WHAT IS THIS!?!?! WELL THANK YOU YAHOO!
Who cares about a teleprompter? That is not news!
You know what is worse??? I actually read it. Why? Why did I read it? Now I am just angry, disoriented, and confused (which is what, I am assuming, Yahoo had in mind when posting this "news").
Even worse than that?
I blogged about it.
Well, I have been avoiding reading the news for a couple days, just because it depresses me. Well, I went to read news today and what do I find???
That's right. NON-NEWS.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090305/pl_politico/19663
WHAT IS THIS!?!?! WELL THANK YOU YAHOO!
Who cares about a teleprompter? That is not news!
You know what is worse??? I actually read it. Why? Why did I read it? Now I am just angry, disoriented, and confused (which is what, I am assuming, Yahoo had in mind when posting this "news").
Even worse than that?
I blogged about it.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Islamic Book Arts
On Friday, I took a day off and went to an exhibit here at the art museum on campus. The exhibit was on Islamic Book Arts.
It was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. There really is no professional way to put my reaction into one word, so that is as good as it will get, people.
They had everything from medieval texts from the beginnings of Islam all the way up to present works of art, one of which was a print from a campus artist that was a mirrored tulip done by marbling paper. I cannot even describe it.
I had seen gorgeous works of medieval genius in WMU's library collection, but the Lilly Library's collection, I am sorry (but also excited) to say, blew me away. The richness of the manuscripts they have is astounding. Just the covers of the books are enough to take your breath away. The pages were covered in Arabic text, which is beautiful in its own right, surrounded by delicate patterns and Persian designs. Some of the lines, you could tell, had been painted using a brush with just one or two hairs in it. If the book artist had simply exhaled incorrectly while working, his work would have been ruined! I had to wonder at one point what happened to the eyesight of the person who created the works?
There were also single leaves out of books with beautiful portraits of important people. One of them was so detailed that you could see each and every hair in his beard. It was almost creepy.
The Lilly Library also houses a collection of books published in the 1700s from one publisher that focuses on maps. The maps they had displayed were of the "New World." The differences in people's interpretation of the coasts of North and South America was comical but educational. One map showed California as an island, completely separate from N. America.
Most of the exhibition came from the Lilly Library. The Lilly received most (if not all) pieces from one or two donors. It is so exciting to me that someone spent all their lives collecting these things, then upon their death, rather than letting their kids (or grandkids) sell their collections, they had them donated to a large research library. If you saw these pieces, you would understand my excitement. These pieces belong to the public for viewing and research, they do not belong locked up in someones personal library, where only a few people can appreciate and enjoy them.
If you ever get the chance, you need to come down to the Lilly and take a look at what they have. Their collections are amazing!
It was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. There really is no professional way to put my reaction into one word, so that is as good as it will get, people.
They had everything from medieval texts from the beginnings of Islam all the way up to present works of art, one of which was a print from a campus artist that was a mirrored tulip done by marbling paper. I cannot even describe it.
I had seen gorgeous works of medieval genius in WMU's library collection, but the Lilly Library's collection, I am sorry (but also excited) to say, blew me away. The richness of the manuscripts they have is astounding. Just the covers of the books are enough to take your breath away. The pages were covered in Arabic text, which is beautiful in its own right, surrounded by delicate patterns and Persian designs. Some of the lines, you could tell, had been painted using a brush with just one or two hairs in it. If the book artist had simply exhaled incorrectly while working, his work would have been ruined! I had to wonder at one point what happened to the eyesight of the person who created the works?
There were also single leaves out of books with beautiful portraits of important people. One of them was so detailed that you could see each and every hair in his beard. It was almost creepy.
The Lilly Library also houses a collection of books published in the 1700s from one publisher that focuses on maps. The maps they had displayed were of the "New World." The differences in people's interpretation of the coasts of North and South America was comical but educational. One map showed California as an island, completely separate from N. America.
Most of the exhibition came from the Lilly Library. The Lilly received most (if not all) pieces from one or two donors. It is so exciting to me that someone spent all their lives collecting these things, then upon their death, rather than letting their kids (or grandkids) sell their collections, they had them donated to a large research library. If you saw these pieces, you would understand my excitement. These pieces belong to the public for viewing and research, they do not belong locked up in someones personal library, where only a few people can appreciate and enjoy them.
If you ever get the chance, you need to come down to the Lilly and take a look at what they have. Their collections are amazing!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Good Old Days
So, my mom forwarded this to me and it reminded me of when my grandparents would talk about the "good old days." It definitely sounds like one of those, "Damn Young Whipper Snappers" things, but when you read it, its totally true!
My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by. Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance, for Common Sense had served us all so well for so many generations.
Obituary:
Common Sense
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long a go lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having
> cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Aspirin, sun lotion or a band-aid to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself
from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
Author unknown
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Fridays are for...
Get this.
When you have a full-time job, there is this strange thing that happens. You earn what is called, "vacation time."
WHAT?
You mean to tell me that I can take a day off... not work... and...
GET PAID FOR IT.
Amazing.
So, because it is spring break and no one (and I mean no one - I have not seen a single student all day today) will miss me.
I am going to sleep in, eat a breakfast that will include bacon and eggs (a treat, I keep telling myself). Then I will go to campus, use a computer to pay a bill, and then *drumroll please* I am going with Peter to the art museum on campus. They are featuring an exhibition on Islamic Book Arts. I am PUMPED! Here is the website to check it out: http://www.iub.edu/~iuam/section.php?returnSection=special_exhibitions&navSection=current_exhibitions.
Yes, I realize it says it only runs until the 10th, but I read the Sunday paper and it was still going on for this week, so stop being a smarty pants.
After that, the world is my oyster. I may go get some more yarn to continue work on a blanket, but seriously, the day promises to be amazing.
When you have a full-time job, there is this strange thing that happens. You earn what is called, "vacation time."
WHAT?
You mean to tell me that I can take a day off... not work... and...
GET PAID FOR IT.
Amazing.
So, because it is spring break and no one (and I mean no one - I have not seen a single student all day today) will miss me.
I am going to sleep in, eat a breakfast that will include bacon and eggs (a treat, I keep telling myself). Then I will go to campus, use a computer to pay a bill, and then *drumroll please* I am going with Peter to the art museum on campus. They are featuring an exhibition on Islamic Book Arts. I am PUMPED! Here is the website to check it out: http://www.iub.edu/~iuam/section.php?returnSection=special_exhibitions&navSection=current_exhibitions.
Yes, I realize it says it only runs until the 10th, but I read the Sunday paper and it was still going on for this week, so stop being a smarty pants.
After that, the world is my oyster. I may go get some more yarn to continue work on a blanket, but seriously, the day promises to be amazing.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Power and Depression
No, I am not wanting power. And NO, I am not depressed. Read on.
I have been walking to work in the mornings, not just because the buses are running on a wacky schedule during spring break, but because it has been gorgeous out. I walk around 7:30 in the morning, so the sun is just beginning to rise over the trees, which washes the sky, trees, and everything around me in a really pretty pink and orange combo. Not only that, with the arrival of warmer weather, the bird population and literally exploded into song. At one point this morning, I had to stop, look around, and just listen. It took my breath away.
Yesterday, I decided to put my earbuds on and listen to my Ipod about half way to work. The song that came on was "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song" by The Flaming Lips. For me, just listening to the lyrics brought on a wave of mixed emotion. Here they are, for those who have no idea what I am talking about:
If you could blow up the world
With the flick of a switch
Would you do it?
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah)
If you could make everybody poor
Just so you could be rich
Would you do it?
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah)
If you could watch everybody work
While you just lay on your back
Would you do it?
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah)
If you could take all the love
Without giving any back
Would you do it?
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah)
And so we cannot know ourselves
Or what we'd really do
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you do?
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you do?
(No no no no, no no no no)
If you could make your own money
And then give it to everybody
Would you do it?
(No no no no, no no no no)
If you knew all the answers
And could give to the masses
Would you do it?
(No no no no, no no no no)
Are you crazy?
It's a very dangerous thing to do
Exactly what you want
Because you cannot know yourself,
Or what you'd really do
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you
Do do do do, do do do do [x2]
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah) [x10]
ahhhhhhhhhh...... (from third yeah yeah line to the last one)
To me, this song epitomizes why our nation, and the entire world for that matter, is in the mess that it is. I am not going to lay blame at any one doorstep in particular. In my mind, we are ALL to blame. Even if you did nothing wrong in particular, the fact that we all remained as ignorant and silent as possible makes us just as guilty as the people on Wall Street, lawmakers, banks, etc.
Moving on.
In the end, there were those who wanted to "lay on their backs" and watch everyone else work, rake in the dough for not doing much, then give nothing back. Money just does not magically appear. But somehow, we all thought that we could keep making money magically appear without working for it and that we could borrow above our means. Yet we were told that was okay. Ouch.
This brought something else to mind. On Monday, I finally caught up on the anchor wars going on between John Stewart and CNBC. For those of you who have not seen those episodes, CHECK THEM OUT! They are hilarious!
Essentially, John was right. There are people who HAD the power to stop all this before it started did nothing. Why??? Out of greed. They saw money to be made and ran for it. They must be held accountable, just as we all should.
There is something to be learned here. I know I have learned the value of having a savings account rather than running up huge credit bills and student loans.
There is a mistake I will not make again any time soon. I, literally, cannot afford to make that mistake again.
I have been walking to work in the mornings, not just because the buses are running on a wacky schedule during spring break, but because it has been gorgeous out. I walk around 7:30 in the morning, so the sun is just beginning to rise over the trees, which washes the sky, trees, and everything around me in a really pretty pink and orange combo. Not only that, with the arrival of warmer weather, the bird population and literally exploded into song. At one point this morning, I had to stop, look around, and just listen. It took my breath away.
Yesterday, I decided to put my earbuds on and listen to my Ipod about half way to work. The song that came on was "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song" by The Flaming Lips. For me, just listening to the lyrics brought on a wave of mixed emotion. Here they are, for those who have no idea what I am talking about:
If you could blow up the world
With the flick of a switch
Would you do it?
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah)
If you could make everybody poor
Just so you could be rich
Would you do it?
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah)
If you could watch everybody work
While you just lay on your back
Would you do it?
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah)
If you could take all the love
Without giving any back
Would you do it?
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah)
And so we cannot know ourselves
Or what we'd really do
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you do?
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you do?
(No no no no, no no no no)
If you could make your own money
And then give it to everybody
Would you do it?
(No no no no, no no no no)
If you knew all the answers
And could give to the masses
Would you do it?
(No no no no, no no no no)
Are you crazy?
It's a very dangerous thing to do
Exactly what you want
Because you cannot know yourself,
Or what you'd really do
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you
Do do do do, do do do do [x2]
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah) [x10]
ahhhhhhhhhh...... (from third yeah yeah line to the last one)
To me, this song epitomizes why our nation, and the entire world for that matter, is in the mess that it is. I am not going to lay blame at any one doorstep in particular. In my mind, we are ALL to blame. Even if you did nothing wrong in particular, the fact that we all remained as ignorant and silent as possible makes us just as guilty as the people on Wall Street, lawmakers, banks, etc.
Moving on.
In the end, there were those who wanted to "lay on their backs" and watch everyone else work, rake in the dough for not doing much, then give nothing back. Money just does not magically appear. But somehow, we all thought that we could keep making money magically appear without working for it and that we could borrow above our means. Yet we were told that was okay. Ouch.
This brought something else to mind. On Monday, I finally caught up on the anchor wars going on between John Stewart and CNBC. For those of you who have not seen those episodes, CHECK THEM OUT! They are hilarious!
Essentially, John was right. There are people who HAD the power to stop all this before it started did nothing. Why??? Out of greed. They saw money to be made and ran for it. They must be held accountable, just as we all should.
There is something to be learned here. I know I have learned the value of having a savings account rather than running up huge credit bills and student loans.
There is a mistake I will not make again any time soon. I, literally, cannot afford to make that mistake again.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Welcome!
Welcome to View from the Bottom!
There are many reasons why I created this blog. Not so that you are confused, though, I did not create it to impart great wisdom on anyone. Seriously. Great wisdom??? From me? Hilarious.
I love to comment (i.e. spread my awesome opinion) on social events of various kinds; news stories, environmental affairs, and politics mainly. I also love to comment on trends (really only those that bother me) and things that have happened to me during the day, so prepare yourself.
In the end, you are reading the thoughts of a 26-year-old living and working in Bloomington, IN at the University. I have lived in many different places, done many different things, and live under the delusion that everyone cares A LOT about what is going on in my life.
More to come soon...
There are many reasons why I created this blog. Not so that you are confused, though, I did not create it to impart great wisdom on anyone. Seriously. Great wisdom??? From me? Hilarious.
I love to comment (i.e. spread my awesome opinion) on social events of various kinds; news stories, environmental affairs, and politics mainly. I also love to comment on trends (really only those that bother me) and things that have happened to me during the day, so prepare yourself.
In the end, you are reading the thoughts of a 26-year-old living and working in Bloomington, IN at the University. I have lived in many different places, done many different things, and live under the delusion that everyone cares A LOT about what is going on in my life.
More to come soon...
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