stonecutters made them from stone...

So, I'm going to be a little bit musicy for a minute. In an effort not to pigeon hole myself into any blogging pigeon holes, I will write about food, music, clothes, myself and other stuff too. So, today I write about music.

My flavor of the month is Midlake. Yes, I don't really know what to say other than...it's good. You should totally listen to it. All of it. If they come to you, listen, live.

To the tune of these tunes (The album being "The Trials of Vanoccupanther") I've done amazing things! I've co-choreographed award winning contemporary dance routines with Mia Michaels, I've written a sequel to Cormac McCarthy's The Road (now a major motion picture, with soundtrack arranged by yours truly), and I've created an entire life size puppet show utilizing various forms of media.

I know, right?

Its been a long time since an album has completely and totally inspired me in some way, and this one does it. MMM...it just does it. I think this is what they mean when they talk about getting the creative juices flowing....whoever "they" is. So, thank you to Midlake and to my brain and soul for having a collective meeting of the minds. Now, if I could only get inspired to do real things.

The Best Things in Life are Free?

Today, one of my students wrote in his journal "Money makes people happy". As I was perusing the class and checking papers, I come across this student's writing and I say "Really, money makes people happy? But Sergio, you can't buy happiness." So, he says "I know that Ms. Barbee, but you can buy stuff and the stuff makes you happy. Like clothes, cars, video games, houses, and food to make you and your family have full bellies".

Touche, Sergio!

I don't know what's more troubling, the fact that tons of people would agree with Sergio, or the fact that I couldn't really think of anything to say to him.

Yes, shoulda-coulda-woulda.

I might have been fantasizing about a new pair of jeans...

Or maybe I might have said this:

Yes Sergio, money can buy you things. And yes, having these things can make you happy. But the happiness brought by those things is merely temporary. You are always going to want more clothes, cars, video games, houses and food. So, money never really permanently satisfies those wants. True happiness lies in relationships with others, contentment with oneself, and...

I'm still trying to figure out the rest...

Abs!

Yes, as in abdominal muscles.

Not only does one look great in a bikini when they have strong abs, but having strong abs actually has legitimate health benefits.

Strong abs= better posture, stronger legs, better breathing, aided digestion, excellent poos, lowered risk of heart disease and cancer, extra protection during athletic activities, back support, and general life happiness.

Yes, the general life happiness may come from having sick abs, but it still sounds good to me.

So, I have decided to add a daily ab regimen to my yoga practice! You can check out my hot bod in a few months.

Navasana (as demonstrated by teddy above)
&
bicycle style sit ups

I challenge you to do it too!

dyslexia or fruedian interpretation?

So, the other day I was at the gym and I saw this on my way out.

But, to me, it reads "Hug Sale". Before I even have time to think, I think "Wow! That's so nice, they're having a hug sale. I need some of those".

So, my question is: Can I not read?
OR
Do I need hugs?

Yes, I do mix up my right and my left, often. Very very often.

I am also accepting donations in the form of hugs at this time.

Birth Day Conundrum

So, today is Jason's birthday. But officially it's not until tomorrow. Not tomorrow as in March 1st, but tomorrow as in February 29th. Wait, but there is no February 29th!

This presents a problem. One much larger than the mere problem of people annoyingly asking upon receipt of this knowledge "Oh, so like...you're only 6 years old?" Ha ha, like he's never heard that one before. (Don't feel bad if you've ever said that to him, I definitely said it when we first met, it's impossible not to).

Anyway, the much bigger problem is when to celebrate the birthday.

Apparently, Jason grew up celebrating it on March 1st. The rationale being that his birthday is the day after February 28th, thus March 1. However, this seems absurd to me! Following this rule, his birthday is displaced to another month. He is no longer a February birthday person, now his birthday resides in March. Weird.

The other option, which I would prefer, is to celebrate the birthday on February 28th. This way his birthday remains the last day of February and we still honor the birthday month rules.

Am I right or am I right?

I guess this isn't such a bad problem to have, considering that every four years when we actually do get a February 29th, the birthday becomes that much more special.

So, maybe we really should just celebrate on the actual day, February 29th, thus making Jason only 7 years old at this time and making me, yes, married to a child.

I want...

I think part of Santosha is not wanting things or coveting thy things of others. But sometimes I can't help myself.

I want a hula hoop. I want to hoop.

I want to feel like a little girl again.

Carefree, I think little girls feel carefree, right?

Afternoon Delight

62 degrees. sunny. air.

I do love those rare February days in NC, before the spring pollen sets in and before winter is even over, when you get to experience the delight of a perfection.

I think its the surprise element that I love. You think: February, cold, dark, blah.

But not today. SURPRISE!

So we sat out side all day and drank things. We started with a delicious coffee platter pictured here:

Now, it's about time to move on to a different beverage of the colder more fizzy variety, which I won't name for fear of getting in trouble with my sponsors. I'll let you guess...

Perhaps a fire at sunset? Yes, please!

And yes, that's a trailer in the background.