Boredom

I never get bored any more. Which is kind of nice, I have to say. Some of the reasons are that I'm pretty busy. With work, family, church and friends, there's always someone/something clamoring for my time. You know how they say if you need something done, ask a busy person to do it? That's because you know that they're the ones that can't say "no". I have issues with saying that word. Which is often a problem.

But I digress. Though my busyness keeps me from sitting around at home with nothing to do, I'm saying I don't get bored even in those really boring meetings that we all feel obligated to have. I don't get bored in the car or when I'm standing in a ridiculously long line at the store. I don't get bored when I'm waiting for someone or for something to start. It's really quite nice. I find boredom quite boring.

Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a writer. I always had a story going in my head (and sometimes I even actually wrote it down). It wasnt until college, though, that I realized that I always had entertainment when I needed it. I got through many a boring class by writing stories in my head. It takes me about 3 seconds to lose myself in a swordfight or a car chase or, well, a kiss.

This can be a problem sometimes. Such as when a teacher called on me. Or when it's my turn in line, and I don't realize it because I'm in my own little world. It's caused a few embarrassing moments (except that I don't really get embarrassed - see my blog on that). But I don't mind that.

Keeps things interesting....as in, not boring.

Valentine's Day

Anyone who knows me knows that I've never been a fan of Valentine's Day. Seems to be a holiday focused on couples getting angry because someone forgot it and singles feeling miserable because they don't have anyone to fight with. (I don't know why I think this...my dad's always remembered to get my mom flowers.)

Most people figure that I don't like it because I'm single. Maybe they're right. I don't know. But I think it's because of the candy. It's a time for cheap chocolate and hard sugar. Blech.

The only redeeming factor of the day is that, once it's over, Easter candy comes out. Cadbury. Yum.

Of course, in the past few years, my big brother has made the day more enjoyable for me. He has been sending me flowers every year on Valentine's Day. What an awesome brother. I've included a picture of this year's bouquet - a gorgeous selection of lilies. They smell awesome.


Thanks, Brian. Love ya!

Embarrassment

I've always hated when someone asks me for my "most embarrassing moment." I think it's a stupid question, for a couple of reasons.

First of all, I have the worst memory in the world. The moment someone asks me to remember something, my mind goes blank. Not conducive to answering such questions.

Second of all, my embarrassing moments are seldom that embarrassing. It's usually a personal irritation, like I spelled something wrong in an important email, or I said something in anger that I would never say when in my right mind. See? Not really anything to get worked up about. And really, when someone asks for your most embarrassing moment, they're looking for a good laugh, right?

Not that I don't have a couple of good stories. But I don't really get embarrassed easily. I'm so clumsy that getting embarrassed about tripping or running into a wall would mean I'd be blushing all day long. I enjoy a joke too much to get embarrassed about one that's told at my expense. It's more fun to laugh instead.

The third reason I don't like the question is this: If it was really the most embarrassing thing I've ever been through, why on earth would I want to share it? So that I could be embarrassed all over again?

Of course, usually people share moments that were embarrassing at the time, and then just funny afterwards. But I wonder how many people have ever told their real most embarrassing moment. You know, the deep, dark secret...that time you did something and you still can't believe you acted that way?

Or maybe that's just me.

Music

I love music.

I thought about that today as I drove home from work with my CD player blasting in my car. It's good stuff. Music can change the mood of anything in seconds. I saw a special on TV once where they showed a part of the movie "Jaws" without music and then the same part with music. Not so suspenseful without the music. In fact, it was pretty hokey. Whoa! Big fish! You're gonna need a bigger boat.

Yeah, doesn't really work without John Williams in the background.

My brother used to quiz me in the car when we were listening to the radio. "Who's this?" he would ask every time a new song came on. I dreaded that question. I was usually wrong...when I could actually venture a guess without embarrassing myself too badly. I still don't know most of them, unless they're a song I really like. Then I have about a 50/50 chance of getting it right.

Here's the thing, though. I get songs stuck in my head like crazy. There is always a song in my head. And it's not always a song I like. Not fun at all. I'm pretty sure a person could go certifiably insane because they can't get a song out of their head. This is why I tend to be testy when someone starts singing one of "those" songs. You know, the ones that stick in EVERYONE's heads. Such as the "Song That Never Ends" or "It's a Small World" or...well, I actually don't want to think about any others. I could end up in an insane asylum.

This is also why I tend to listen to more ...uh, shall we say appropriate?... music on Saturdays. Because I know it'll stick with me through Sunday. Nothing like sitting through church with Coldplay in your head.

This is a serious condition. I now have the "Song That Never Ends" in my head. Call the men in the white jackets.