The musical

Done: 81!

On Thursday I went to see Avenue Q. I had first heard of Avenue Q when I was visiting New York a few years ago- probably when it first came out. I remember reading about it in some guide and thinking it would probably be interesting to see a musical with puppets, but that half of a musical is the music and the other half of a musical is the acting and dancing and wouldn't puppets be bad at that? 

Then, one night, Tim and I went out with a friend and the guy she was seeing at the time. There was a piano and people were coming up and singing show tunes (and some Sinatra, I think). I wasn't fully aware of the music because it wasn't all familiar to me. And then the song "The Internet is for Porn" was sung by someone, which was totally hilarious. Then "It Sucks To Be Me" was also sung and my friend's guy said that it was music from Avenue Q. I was now more certain that I wanted to see this show even if there was no dancing because the music was probably worth it. 

I don't know how I ended up on a mailing list for musicals coming to town, but I am. When I saw Avenue Q was coming, I tried to rally some people from work to go. Some were interested, but not sure. In the end one other person from work went, but it ended up being on a night different from me. I called up a friend who I was pretty sure liked performance that wasn't entirely standard and pitched the show to her. She said she was interested and we went to buy tickets- too late to get tickets seated together.

Not sitting together was OK- we couldn't talk during the performance anyway- although it would have been nice to be together. I admit that I laughed a lot. And the warning about full puppet nudity was totally necessary- Even if they don't have bottom halves.

The first musical I saw was A Chorus Line. I was a younger teenager and I went with my Dad. I seem to remember someone singing about thinking they had gonorrhea. I just would like to thank my Dad for not saying anything to me during that time in the show. I would have died of embarrassment. I'd also like to say even at this age, I don't think I would have wanted either of my parents sitting next to me during the puppet nudity. Call me uptight if you will, but it's true.

This has to be one of the best goals I made. Now it is almost too bad that I achieved it so quickly! I suppose I don't have to have it as an official goal to be able to go to another musical, though. The only sad thing about it was the price. I would be going much more often if the price was better.  I don't get much say in the matter, though. 

Here's to one more down!

New Glasses

Done: 45 (ongoing), 32

Worked on: 55

Done better: 79 

I have now achieved number 32: get new glasses. I already mentioned that I had them coming and they were on back order. I picked them up on Saturday and got a few compliments already this week. As I picked up the glasses, one of the opticians kept telling me how "European" they were and that they were very "fashion forward." I'm feeling very special right now.

I got glasses when I was in fifth grade. I honestly don't remember if I was unhappy or not about it. The first two pairs or so were made of glass. I do remember that much. Eventually, I was talked into plastic, but I continue to think of having real glass glasses, although the weight of them would make them impractical. My vision isn't horrible, but they can't minimize glass the way they can plastic.

Ever since I got glasses, I have had glasses. People frequently ask me if I ever wanted contact lenses. The truth is that the idea of sticking myself in the eye daily really creeps me out. I've never wanted them. Happily, when the opthalmologist tested my eye moisture to see if I was a candidate for contact lenses (even though I didn't ask), my eyes were too dry. Please note that this test involved him sticking some piece of paper in my eye. That was enough for me not to want contact lenses if I had known what the test was before he did it.

My first nephew was born when I was 10 and had glasses. One day, he kept grabbing for my glasses and I kept telling him to stop and fixing the glasses on my face. My mother (not a glasses wearer until her 50's I think- and not a glasses wearer at that time) told me to just give the kid my glasses if he wanted to play with them. I don't think I need to tell anyone how that turned out, but I will. Immediately upon receiving them, he broke one of the arms right off. Well, in my pre-teen bitterness, I thought, that should show my mom, right? Now I need new glasses. Unfortunately for me, though, my mother and father went to Sears on their own and chose three pairs of glasses for me to choose from as a replacement. None of these were what I wanted. I am certain that my dislike of them all was apparent to the salesperson who offered to try to make them look a little more stylish. Perhaps it was around this time that I became a little less concerned with my appearance, at least the parts that I can't see readily myself. Bad haircut? It will grow out- besides I don't see it most of the day anyway. Oh wait, no- that wasn't until after Junior High at least.

I think I kept plastic frames all the way through college and then switched to metal. The health plan/eye plan at grad school was not that bad. Of course, my eyes got 20% worse the year I studied for my qualifying exams, but at least they've been stable ever since. In the wild, I may have been one of the first eaten, but then again, I wouldn't have spent hours every day trying to read all of German literature in a year. seriously. Just ask me about Barock- then again, please don't.

Hooray for new glasses! Now I am old enough and make my own money so that I don't have to pick from glasses someone else picks for me. I can also be fashion forward if I like. The only time I wish I didn't have glasses is when I exercise. On the whole, they don't end up being a problem, but still, it'd be nice. And then I have a weird geek desire to have prescription goggles. Mind you, I don't swim with any regularity, but I'm sure I could come up with a reason or two to wear them- perhaps while mixing hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, or something. I don't think that will ever officially go on a to-do list, though, the goggles- I don't know if the need to mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda will arise and so don't want to count it out. I just hope I haven't been so fashion forward that I overshot the mark and will have to buy new glasses in a year.

Ongoing completion and a secret goal

I tried a new recipe- actually half of a new recipe. It was spinach crepes with curried crab salad. I made the curried crab salad part and it was really good. I have all the ingredients to make the crepes, so I'll try those on a night where I have more time. For the people invited over on Saturday, I'll make the same salad, but with chicken (crab is kind of pricey) and a new vegetable soup recipe. I feel like I might be on a roll.

Today I went back for a full tae kwon do class. I walked in thinking I could step out if I needed to. I think if I knew I was going in for the full hour, I might not have actually gone. There is a new instructor, who helped me toward the end, but the main instructor came over before we started and asked me, "Are you taking a class?" "Yes!" I said. How could I slink out after such enthusiasm? Luckily, it wasn't cardio for the first half of class (that can be pretty brutal), so I stayed in and was partners with a guy who started after me and is now one level higher than me- actually, the level that it is my goal to achieve in this list. For some reason, I felt particularly good. We did some spinning stuff and usually I lose my balance at least once fairly spectacularly, but it didn't happen this time. I know I have a lot to work on with my balance, but I felt like progress was made.

I started taking these classes as a means of exercise. For a long time I went to the gym and lifted weights and rode the bike (and read while riding the bike). I liked keeping track of how much I could lift and pushing myself just a bit more. My shoulders always seemed particularly weak and, now after physical therapy, I understand why. Anyway, years ago, I started having some ankle pain and began cutting down on walking and just about anything that might aggravate it. I used to go to a gym downtown that was small, but seemed to attract more serious people. I was told the Bruins used that gym. I don't really know, but I loved that place. I had a personal trainer at least twice. When I told my boyfriend at the time what exercises I was doing, he was surprised I was doing such serious weightlifting.  Being able to pick up heavy things and seeing my muscles change appearance were great motivators to me. But once I began sitting on my butt more due to my ankle, that motivation began to waver and the gyms I had been  a member of were not inspiring me in the least. 

Eventually, after gaining enough weight, I realized I better deal with my ankle problem. After not getting an answer from medical doctors, I went to an acupuncturist, who cured it. It took a year to be pain free, but as it gradually got better, I was more and more encouraged. Now, I can say that my ankle may act up every once in a while, but doesn't hold me back. Early in my relationship with Tim, I had some pretty severe pain at times, although I never wanted to really admit how bad it was. Tim is a fast walker and I couldn't keep up. I think he was frustrated by this at times and my complaints about my ankle probably didn't sink in with him fully. The day I finally decided I needed to try fixing my ankle again was when he was walking behind me after getting out of the car and he commented on how I was limping. I denied I was limping (of course) while realizing as I said it that I was limping more than my usual. Limping was usual for me!? 

Once the acupuncturist had worked her magic and I could no longer blame the ankle for my acceptance of a more sedentary lifestyle, I tried to figure out what to do. The gym didn't cut it for me anymore, so maybe classes would. There is a ridiculous amount of yoga studios around here. I thought I would do that, but there is just something about it that really doesn't appeal. Do I really want to be able to pick my foot off of the ground when contorted into some pose? I met someone who had extremely good posture and who stood a little too close to me while talking who told me all about her dedication to yoga. I determined I would probably never be like this person and that I should find something else. 

Tim recommended martial arts. I am not one for confrontation on a regular basis. So, naturally, I went to a pilates class instead. I liked it, but it was expensive. Would I really go regularly? Was it really worth it? I visited a few martial arts studios and decided that steel fan form would kick ass. Well, not literally in my case, although it could. The studio was out of the way and, at first, I wouldn't have been able to make the beginner class, so I went with tae kwon do. As I threatened friends at work regularly that I would soon be able to kick them in the head (literally), I started to realize that if I am learning how to kick, maybe I would want to kick someone in the head. I watched a couple Olympic matches online and thought, maybe I could try fighting with a real person. Suddenly, my motivation was up. Yes, kicking someone (with a lot of padding) might really be fun. 

I had a hard time imagining myself as a black belt. I wasn't sure (and still am not sure) that I really have the dedication to get that far. The belt that is my goal now was the belt I had first wanted to get to. It is the end of beginner/beginning of intermediate level. In order to get it, I do have to spar. Sparring at this level is pretty much hopping around and getting in position to kick someone. At the higher levels, there is some more serious contact. If I hadn't stopped for physical therapy, I might be at that belt now, but I stopped and it was smart to do it. I am just getting back in and today at class I started to think harder about how far I would really want to go with this.

Now, my secret goal has to do with flexibility. Tied to the other high-section kick (that would be a kick to the head) goal is an increase in flexibility, balance, and strength to keep myself together through that. With help (i.e. the instructor holding on to my shoulder) I can do it, but I can't do it confidently or consistently alone. So, my secret goal is being able to touch my elbows to the floor during a particular stretch. This would indicate to me that I am getting closer. I know that I have gotten closer and closer over these past months and today I was so close, I was really excited. The instructors are really good. They take time with me and are very encouraging. Somehow, that isn't enough. Hearkening back to my desire to surpass myself, I think I needed an easily measurable goal to know that my body was changing (since I haven't lost enough weight to notice any change). I latched onto this one at some point without realizing how much it meant until tonight when I thought I would actually make it. I've also begun lifting weights there and I'm starting to feel that same spark as before. It is a small free weight room, but I like it because I am usually the only one there. I don't know how long it will take me to achieve the goals I officially set, but I have to say that I am feeling quite encouraged no matter what now.

March Roundup

Items in progress: 1, 2, 4, 6*, 10, 13, 24*, 25*, 26*, 28*, 29, 30, 39*, 59, 101

Items Completed: 6*, 24*, 25*, 26*, 28* , 34, 39*, 73, 86, 90

(* = ongoing)

Welcome to the post wherein I singlewhitefemale Anne's February round up. Here it is March already. Not having updated my list recently, I thought it might be a good time to do a little round up and report on my progress:

1-Pay off my car
In progress
2-Pay off the rest of my credit card debt
In progress - A couple more payments and I will have paid off my Visa!
3-Create a budget
4-Lose weight (I'll keep the actual amount to myself for now)
In progress, but not exactly quite as successful as I'd hoped. I've lost 3 pounds.
5-Join a gym & set up an exercise program
For now, I think this goal might actually be just to get into the habit of going walking regularly, before I invest more money into paying for a gym I'm not going to attend.
6-Collaborate with someone on a creative project
Ok, how could I forget this? I actually had to come back and update after this post was saved. I am collaborating with someone in even keeping this blog!!!
7-Exercise at least 3x a week (will be considered complete after 3 months of steady commitment to this)
8-Make an appointment with a personal trainer
9-Make a quilt
10-Complete January blogstravaganza
Not sure if I can legitimately call this one complete or not. I did try posting once a day for the month of January, howevever it did not quite pan out. I did, however, write just about every day, so from that standpoint it was a success.
11-Write 12 short stories, essays or poems in the next year (I.e. 1/month)
12-Finish the first draft of my mystery novel
13-Learn another language
I found an evening Spanish class that would fit the bill. Now I just need to get over my fear of being the only geezer and register.
14-Take a class
15-Join/start a writing group or take a writing class
16-Make something with my own hands once a month (craft project)
17-Join a choir or that music thingy from the "Keep PDX Weird" event
18-Learn 12 new songs on my violin in the next year (I.e. 1/month)
19-Get my bow rehaired
20-Clean out/organize my books
21-Make curtains for my bedroom
22-Go for a walk in a new park/trail at least once a month
23-Learn about wines
24-Try a new recipe once a month - Jan 08: Thai Pizza; Feb 08: West African Ground Nut Stew; Carribbean Black Beans with Orange Juice and Candied Ginger; March 08: Ziti with Sund-dried Tomato Cream
25 - Invite friends over for dinner once a month - Jan 08: Jenny & Jesus; Feb 08: - ; March 08: Paula (kinda - we ended up eating out)
26-Try a new restaurant once a month - Jan 08: Jim Dandy; Feb 08: Van Hanh; Mexican Restaurant on 122nd...can't remember the name, but it was good; March 08:
27-Make Stollen
28-Once a month, pick someone and buy them a gift/do something to make them happy for no reason at all: Jan 08 no one; Feb 08 - sent flowers to my mom; March 08 - Cadbury eggs for Mary (b/c they're her favorite and she was having a bad day)
29-Moisturize every day
This has, as usual, been kind of hit and miss.
30-Organize my recipes
In progress - Went through the biggest part of the mess yesterday and threw out the things I was never going to make and put the rest in binders. Need to buy some nicer binders and also go through magazines and pull out only the recipes I'm going to try and throw the rest away.
31-Study a new Tarot card each month
32-Go on a real vacation
Have no clue yet what I'm going to do with it, but I did ask for time off in May and September
33-Resume Wednesday activity schedule with Jen
Discussed doing something this week, then got sick. Will try to get back on track next week.
34-Spend a month as a vegetarian (in progress Feb08)
Successfully completed a month of meat free living. It worked out so well that I am continuing on.
35-Play my guitar more than once a year
36-Cut my diet coke consumption down to 1 a day (or better - none a day) and drink more water
37-Sign up for organic grocery delivery or foodshare
38-Study a new artist/composer each month
39-Go to a concert/play once a month
Jan 08: The Devil and Daniel Webster; Feb 08: Sweet Honey in the Rock; March 08: Corteo, Ladysmith Black Mambazo
40-Go to the Shakespeare festival in Ashland
41-Host a summer barbeque
42-Plan a trip to Europe
43-Renew my passport
44-Go through and get rid of CD's that need to be released into the wild
45-Go on another retreat
46-Visit the Oregon Trail museums I haven't yet visited
47-Read a poem each week
48-Read something in another language each week
49-Visit the East Coast
50-Write a handwritten letter to someone once a month
51-Meet a friend for coffee/drinks/whatever once a month
52-Regularly deposit money into savings
53-Take control of my 401k investments by taking a class/reading a book on investing
54-Call or e-mail friends at least once a week
55-Finish the photo wall
56-Take (or procure) a flattering picture of each of my friends for the wall 57-Attend a pow-wow
58-Make a dress
59-Clean out my closet (clothes AND shoes)
In progress - but barely
60-Buy new underthings and get rid of the old
61-Clean out the garage
62-Attend a pagan festival (Beltaine and/or some other)
63-Update my birthday list
64-Take pictures at events, gatherings, etc.
65-Go to the beach once a month in the sunny months
66-Visit Leavenworth
67-Paint my bedroom
68-Pull up the carpet in my bedroom
69-Paint the deck
70-Paint the front porch
71-Go on a road trip during the summer
72-Use my Entertainment book regularly, keep track of the savings & put them in a fun money jar
73-Buy and TAKE a daily vitamin
Purchased in Feb - have been taking for about two weeks
74-Learn to knit
75-Go camping
76-Get and update a new address book
77-Learn enough about photography to make my good pictures more than happy accidents
78-Go to a reading or lecture at least once a month
79-Participate in NaNoWriMo for real and following their rules
80-Join Amnesty International
81-Join The Humane Society (or some other animal organization)
82-Learn to make an origami crane
83-Run the whole way around the track
84-Go on December pilgrimage with Jenny R. and her family
85-Write something (journal, blog, whatever) every day
86-Buy a new ring as a reminder
Bought butterfly ring in Jan 08
87-Get a manicure
88-Treat myself to a spa day
89-Create an enticing reward system for every 10 pounds I lose
90-Get tickets for my mom to be able to see Cirque du Soleil
Saw Corteo with my mom on March 1
91-Read the Bible, Koran, Baghavad Gita
92-Buy a pair of comfortable athletic shoes
93-Visit a Buddhist temple
94-Learn yoga/take an exercise class
95-Plant a vegetable/herb garden
96-Make preserves
97-Research and make a list of fun summer festival outings
98-Make stepping stones for the garden
99-Go berry picking on Sauvie Island
100-Buy fresh cherries from the fruit loop when they are in season
101-Plan something fabulous for my birthday this year
In progress, but not feeling very motivated

The (not so) New Car

Things left to do: 94

Things worked on: 4,14,25,27

Things completed: 8

I am now the official owner of a car. Maybe it is a truck. An SUV. I can admit that, I think. 

I contacted someone about a class I'd like to take and found out, according to the public transportation website, that it would take me 2 hours from work to the class location. I said I'm planning on getting a car soon, so I'll be back in touch. Well, it turns out she was selling her car. I said I'd take a look because it was so cheap and then I decided it was a deal I couldn't really pass up. She sold it for less than its blue book value- so I am hoping that when I trade it in (when I am ready to take on a monthly payment), I will kind of be making money on the whole deal. In the meantime, I am the owner of a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Having waited until my mid-thirties to even own a car at all, I think I may be forgiven for a couple months of gas inefficiency.  The whole deal went so quickly and I am really just trusting her a lot on how good the jeep is- I'll take it in for a once over in the next week or so with a mechanic, but I saw the repair records and she did put a lot of money into it. I feel pretty confident it will be OK. Perhaps not perfect, but good for what I paid at least.

Of course I now have a car of my own for the first time ever. I got the insurance on Thursday and the plates on Friday- now what? I went for a massage on Saturday morning and it was great not to have to factor in 45 minutes to an hour for public transportation each way since I wouldn't be certain when the bus might come. It paid for itself then (OK- not quite). Saturday rained like crazy, so I didn't do any other driving until today, Sunday. I just came back from a shopping trip to get (as I told everyone I would do) a huge amount of kitty litter. How nice not to keep buying the expensive and packaging-wasteful small packages. Plus, I don't have to worry about this for two months or so now. In the glory of having so much space in the car, I decided to get my cat an inclined cardboard scratcher with a little dangly thing on the underside. Brilliant, I think. I made sure this was one of the first things I carried upstairs and laid before her. Of course, with cat nip on it, she began licking it. No scratching. I left the room and when I came back she had rolled herself all over this thing and was covered in brown dust- cardboard shards or cat nip- I'm not certain. I told her it was for scratching and she seemed to not care.

So, that is the completion of one more goal. It isn't anything like I expected it to be. I imagined getting a brand new gas efficient, zippy little car. In the end, it is much closer to the pick-up trucks I rode in as a kid (my dad's car was always a pick-up) and driving around, I imagined getting a pick-up truck instead of the zippy car. Nostalgia can be a powerful force- perhaps my time in the giant jeep will help me get over that for the sake of the environment.