43

Today is my 43rd birthday and though any birthday is a cause for celebration, and the 43rd may not be monumental for most; it's HUGE for me!
When I was younger, having a day of celebration on my actual birthday sufficed. If I was having a party and it happened to be on a day other than my authentic birthday, I then managed to eek out 2 days of jubilation; and as I got older, my birthday festivities grew into "My birthday weekend" and even "My birthday week."  Then just the other night, a wonderful friend advised me that she literally celebrates her birthday for a month. Well wonderful friend and readers alike; this year I am doing one better... I am actually going to celebrate my birthday for A YEAR; and I am so hoping that you will rejoice right along with me...
Now I know that a YEAR of celebration may sound extremely excessive; so please allow me to explain further (as if I wouldn't...)
On March 4, 2009 I posted a blog called "100 Random Things About Me," and #14 was: My parents and paternal Grandfather all died at the age of 43 and that WON'T be me.  OK, the gasps were deafening; but not to worry; I AM FINE!  Rest assured that other than being overweight and suffering from an occasional anxiety attack; I am in perfect health and I have no intention or expectation that I will be leaving this planet any time soon; HOWEVER, following my usual make lemonade out of lemons philosophy; I believe this needs to be a year of recollection, reflection, observation, appreciation, and change; and I plan to do this right before your very eyes.

In my last post, "For A Cause;" I wrote "I've got something planned that you're NEVER going to believe."  And  I have to laugh (lovingly) at how many people guessed that my news was that I was pregnant. Shocking really;  but in a sense, I am giving birth; NOT to a child; but to a creation nonetheless.  So, here it is.  In celebration of my life and all that I need to acknowledge, appreciate and be thankful for;  I am pledging to post a blog EVERY day this year.  (And again the gasps abound...)  Now I know what you're thinking; "THIS coming form a woman who said she was going to post twice a week or AT LEAST a minimum of once a week and then disappeared for weeks and months at a time?"  And the answer is "YES!!"  THIS from The Queen of DELAYS.   THIS from The Queen of PROCRASTINATION.  THIS from The Queen of COMMITMENT, The Queen of KEEPING HER WORD!    Am I fallible?  Absolutely, but hey if Julie can do it; SO CAN I...  I   HAVE TO!!  So yes, for the next 366 days (gotta include making it to birthday 44 of course;)  I am going to endeavor to write a post a day.  They won't ALL be my usual narratives or lengthy storytelling; (though some will - wink,wink;)  but at the very least, I will write about something that I learned, enjoyed, or recalled that day.  I may pay tribute to one of my MANY extraordinary friends, or write about how I reacted differently in a situation that previously would have driven me up the wall.  I am going to do my best to learn to be a kinder person.  A more patient person.  A person who really DOESN'T sweat the small stuff.  A person who can find the silver lining and can recognize beauty in unlikely places and predicaments. Oh don't get me wrong;  I know that life isn't PERFECT; but it sure beats the alternative!!!  I know that you can't ALWAYS find a positive when there are circumstances that absolutely suck.  BUT, in the face of all of that, I want to be A person who made the MOST of a year in her life, didn't waste a minute.; and reminded you that Life Is Beautiful.  AND who knows; maybe once I'm done commemorating my 43rd year; and 366 posts; I'll actually have a book...

So there you have it. .. My big news!  I hope that you continue to join me on this BUMPY RIDE and grow along with me this year.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

Moved to Tears

There are several reasons why my blog is much longer than typical blogs. 1. I'm an overachiever - haha No, just kidding. 1. I don't post everyday or even on a regular basis, reasons being A) I don't have the luxury of time and B) and much more importantly; I won't/can't write about just anything. Believe it or not, I want my blog to matter in as much as I am giving you a good laugh, or provoking thought or sharing information and ideas that I your Queen of EVERYTHING, deem worthwhile for you. 2. I've got the gift of gab - OK, now you've probably forgotten why I'm listing reasons (I almost did - LOL) It was reasons my blog is typically so long. Right OK, so gift of gab. I write like I speak and no one has ever accused me of being short on words. OK I admit, I'm verbose. I am prone to the excess, hence, wordy blogs; however, I don't try to be wordy intentionally; I'm just trying to get my point across, and ya'know; this is how I roll. 3. HAHA - yes, of course I'm gonna keep going... Because I don't blog on a regular basis, I tend to combine multiple stories or experiences into one blog and surely this makes the blogs longer and exemplifies the whole theory of "The Bumpy Ride." For instance; if I cared less and didn't really have valuable information to share; this in and of itself could have been a blog; BUT you know me; I've only just begun AND I do have more to say - so let's round the curve and start going down the hill (well, not DOWNHILL I hope, but you know what I mean - hopefully. It's Bumpy Ride speak. My intro twisted and turned and climbed the hill and now i'm ready to head back down.)Gee, why are my blogs so long?? HMMMM...

OK, so as I previously stated, sometimes I HAVE to wait to blog until I know I have the PERFECT story for you. Just call me Queen of Anal Retentive; (but it's all for the greater good.) So, last night I experienced something that was so extraordinary, so profound; I knew that I had to share it with you. I would have typed the blog right then and there, but I had to get to bed so I could be up to work at 415; but I went to bed thinking about what I was going to write; and almost counted the minutes until I could sit down and tell this story.

Now I'm sad to say that my favorite hottie; Maks, is not on the new season of "Dancing with the Stars" yet I am watching it anyway. This season is actually full of "stars" that I enjoy. First, there's Steve Guttenberg. I've liked him forever. I LOVED him in "Diner," and he's always reminded me of this semi-boyfriend that I had in high school and college. Moving on, there's Marrissa Jaret Winokur - She's the original Tracy from the Broadway version of "Hairspray" for which she won a Tony. She's less than 5 feet tall and admittedly chubby and I love, love, love that she's out there in all her glory, doing her thing. She's got a ton of pep and energy and a real zest for life. She's a cancer survivor and just a little firecracker - Go Marissa GO!! Now, Penn Gillette and Adam Corolla are both contestants (though probably not for long;) and they both crack me up. Priscilla Presley looked a little scary to me at first but I think that's just her face. I was prepared not to like her; but I've got to give her props because she did great; as did Kristie Yamaguchi who was just amazing - SO graceful. Now last but CERTAINLY not least, was Marlee Matlin. Let me just say that I LOVE Marlee Matlin. She is sassy (which I'm a huge proponent of) classy, funny, fearless and inspiring. If any of you don't know - Marlee Matlin is a "profoundly deaf" actress who won an Oscar many moons ago for her performance in "Children of a Lesser God." She's been on "The West Wing," and more recently "The L Word," and now lucky us; she is on DWTS. She has said that she can't hear the music though sometimes if it's strong enough, she can hear the beat. She just follows her partner and watches his facial expressions and she says that is her music. She reads lips very well, but says that it's tiring, so she has an interpreter with her at all times and he signs the instructions after her partner gives them - OMG - SO much work!!
Well, let me tell you; I watched her dance and I was literally moved to tears. There was something about knowing that she couldn't hear the music that was just so powerful, so life affirming, so humbling, so compelling, and beautiful and motivating and brave. I'm not now, but I sure was then - SPEECHLESS! YES, me, Word Queen - SPEECHLESS!

Marlee Matlin's performance was the most brilliant and thought / emotion provoking performance that I have seen since Roberto Benigni in "Life is beautiful." It had the same exact effect on me. It taught me to take nothing for granted, see the beauty, that the only way to fail is not to try, to set an example for your children of all of the above AND that it's not what you say, but what you do. I KNOW that I SAY A LOT- but I'm hoping that in doing so, I am also DOING something.
Marlee's performance made me want to be a better person. To try harder - at EVERYTHING. To jump hurdles and seek challenges - because I CAN.
I can't encourage you enough to tune in to "Dancing with the Stars" and watch Marlee Matlin - I really believe that you will be glad you did.
If you did see her performance, or do watch next week, please leave a comment on this blog.

I know this wasn't my typical blog; but like I said earlier, I'm all for your greater good; and seriously, it just doesn't get better than this.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING