i no longer want to be tracing…

Do you ever get the feeling
that we started in the middle?
Or have you ever had the sense
that we’ve been lying just a little?
I mean come on,
it’s not like we’ve known ourselves that long.

And I can’t say I really blame you
for being bored with the beginning.
Always staring at the score
to figure out who’s barely winning.
But don’t you know
there is a reason strong moves slow.

And I’m okay,
if you’re okay with
wasting time.
But when you trace
you always see the bottom line.

We are tracing
I hope you know
We are tracing

And if you want to know the moment
I knew that I was still alone…
I found I’d never learned your number
I only stored it in my phone.
You’d think by now
I’d know the shape of calling home.

And I’m okay
if you’re okay with
wasting time.
But when you trace
you know you’ll always face that bottom line…

We are tracing.
I hope you know.
We are tracing.
We’re both alone.
We are tracing.
We are tracing.

Did you ever get the feeling
that we started in the middle?
Or did you ever have the sense
that we were lying just a little?
I mean come on
it’s not like we knew ourselves that long…

Veiques

I’m writing from Puerto Rico. For those who don’t know Chris gave me a plane ticket to Puerto Rico for Christmas. So here we are along with his mom and sister exploring an island.

It’s beautiful here. Seriously. I don’t much go for tropics…but this place is incredible. The beach is amazing. White sand met with the bluest ocean I’ve ever seen. All around you is green trees while you swim and the edge of the beach is lined with coconut trees. It’s simply the most beautiful set up I’ve ever seen. The water is warm and the waves are plenty although none too overwhelming. The water is so full of salt that it’s impossible not to float to the top. The only bad thing is I got burnt, well we all did. I seem to have sun blisters on my shoulders but it doesn’t take away from the awesomeness of red beach.

The house we are in is perfect. Although at first it seemed like a little shoddy, as a whole we’ve grown to love this place. No tv! None whatsoever. (although Chris and I have been cheating a bit and watching netflix on my iPhone at night). For a couple of media addicts like us one show a night is a sacrifice.

But this place is so lovely I don’t mind it. There is an awesome pool in the backyard and animals wandering all around. Roosters, chickens, iguanas and geckos roam the area and wild horses run from street to street.

I think I could live here. I’d miss my family loads but life seems to be so casual here. Do what you want when you want to and don’t do it if you don’t want to. How fortunate of a life that would be…no worry of time or thought…just literally living.

I will write soon with more detail but for tonight my eyes are too tired.

Giving thanks…

This blog first came to mind on Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, I had to work overnight on Thanksgiving. Working retail means the Friday after Thanksgiving is busy…no matter what other option may come your way. As I left my aunt’s to drive to my boyfriend’s house, I decided to reflect upon what I’m thankful for…actually thankful for. And then again on the way to work, I continued to make a list in my head. Although I cannot really remember what was on said list at the time, I think its important to make a list at the end of the year…and to reflect next year and see what changes and what stays the same.

So here goes. I’m thankful {for} (in no particular order):

1. My mom. Although often I am a jerk to her and we don’t get along, she is always there for me. She humors my constant questions and gives me answers to hush my anxiety.
2. My boyfriend Chris. He is really good to me. Not only does he give me great gifts (a trip to Puerto Rico) but he is genuinely good to me. He treats me well and doesn’t let any of the superficial things matter.
3. My nephews Brady and Riley. These two little boys bring me more joy and happiness than they could know. From Brady calls to say ‘Auntie Jamie, its raining outside’ to Riley does his raising the roof dance, these boys always know how to make me laugh and brighten up any day.
4. My sisters Jenn and Melissa. They help me often, and as we’ve gotten older we have grown a lot closer.
5. That I have a healthy grandmother. Although Nana is still recovering from her surgeries, I am happy to have her healthy and alive. She is 91 years old, and has 16 grandchilren (not counting spouses), 12 great grand children (with 2 on the way) and 1 great great grand child. She is loved by so many people. I am thankful that she has lived such a long life.
6. For my job…yes my job at Old Navy…in retail…yes my retail job. I’m thankful that even in this awful economy I have a way to make ends meet at a rather enjoyable job with some pretty awesome co-workers.
7. My college education, that was fully funded by my parents. I am so grateful to be able to go to a college where I could do my best, and love my four years. I am so lucky to live in a part of the country where people are expected to go to college, not a place where college is a luxury. I am also grateful that my parents fully funded my education. I’m not trying to be a snob here, but I see my fellow Gen Yer’s trying to pay their loans, and I realize how lucky I am. From tuition, to books, to room and board my parents footed the bill and I will FOREVER be indebted to them for that. Thanks mom and dad.
8. That I live a safe life. That I can do what I want without being scared.
9. That I have some great friends to support me.
10. That I have technology in my life.
11. That I know God and love him.
12. That I have food to eat and a place to sleep.
13. That I have psoriasis (sometimes). Although I’d love to wear short sleeves all the time, and to not have dry skin…but it has made me more compassionate for people. You can’t control being born with psoriasis, but you can control that effect it has on your life.
14. That I have talents and can utilize them.
15. And many more things…to be added later.

Waiting at the apple store

My MacBook is hurt! Sick! ill! A little broken I guess. When I put my laptop on my lap (funny huh?) it goes to sleep and I don’t know why. So here I sit at the genius bar while my computer gets tinkered with. At this point, it appears I’ve stumped the genius…

But I’m sure he will figure it out. Buying an Apple product means buying the best support system in the world. They will sit and tinker with your computer for hours (one time past close) to get your computer fixed…and it’s free! FREE! I guess it makes the blow of spending $1600 on a computer a little better. I don’t know any other computer company that allows you to go into the actual store and get your problems solved….

And there is no solution to my problem but it’s ok, isn’t a big deal. Or maybe it is fixed….we shall see.

Social Media just a Social Fad?

It pains me to think some people still think Social Media is just a going fad. It is mind blowing to think of the power social media has. Think about Twitter.

A few weeks ago, Gap announced their newest logo. This new design looked to most like it was made by a 10 year old using Microsoft Paint. Paint. That’s right, the little program we all played with at kids, a program with no design merit but with a lot of…fun. I tried to find a photo of the logo but its seemed to disappear…interesting. As soon as the logo was announced, it was a trending topic in Twitter. I learned about the redesign from a friend who is a designer. Within a week, millions of people had discussed their disinterest in this logo via Twitter, and this made it aware to the execs at Gap, the logo sucked. What did Gap do? They went right back to their long time logo, and everyone is happy again.

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, even Myspace have power over all of us, whether we believe it or not.

I spend my days on facebook, my nights on twitter…I have knowledge thrown at me constantly, and I wouldn’t change a thing…

Watch this video. Its interesting. I can’t recommend the book at the end, yet…I plan to pick it up tomorrow.

Baking cakes and taking names

Today I had the worst baking experience if my last year of baking escapades. I prepared a red velvet batter from scratch. I sifted the flour, whisked in the cocoa, mixed together the sugar and oil and added plenty of red food coloring. I decided it would be cute to make a giant cupcake instead of 24 average cupcakes because as they say in Texas, go big or go home. (after writing that I wonder…does anyone actually say that in Texas?) I did some research on batter measurement, prepared the silicone molds and filled them up. I placed them in the oven and sat down to an afternoon of the office, or so I thought. I realize half way through that I forgot to put both the baking soda and vinegar in the mix, two key aspects of the red velvet recipe. Batter was thrown, words were said and all I can say is I won’t be bringing red velvets to the get together tonight. Sorry Fred.

Hacked and Whacked

I’ve been hacked. Chris has taken over my blog, the last 3 posts are his…not mine, although I would like a present…

Something has been really bothering me lately. With the tax to film a movie in Massachusetts rather low, a lot of films and tv shows are based here. I, personally, love hearing the actors butcher the token Boston Accent (or what the rest of the country believes is the token Boston Accent) but one aspect of these entertainment ventures has begun to baffle me. The theme music.

It is rare for a movie/tv show based in Boston to have music that is no Irish based. Any Ben Affleck directed flick has the newest Dropkick Murphys’ album as the soundtrack. Even his most recent venture, The Town, opens with an Irish sounding diddy. The Departed, another great Boston based film, is promoted with ‘I’m Shippin’ Up to Boston’ by the Dropkick Murphys. I was also watching that new show, Rizzoli and Isles, which opens with an Irish sounding song today, and if you ever catch an episode of the greatest reality show ever, Lobsterman, you’ll hear a nice little Irish tune.

I understand that Boston has always had a large Irish population, and that’s totally cool. I just wonder why every show/movie places that Irish tone. I have no problem with it, of course, but as an Italian-American I must say, there are many different aspects of Boston.

But until then, I don’t mind a little Dropkick Murphys now and then, I’d sure love to see a movie with ‘The State of Massachusetts’ as the theme song!

What do you have to say Twitter?

SOMEBODY GIVE ME A JOB!!!!!

I wish Chris was not a jerk

He should have gotten me a present….. Day 1

I wish I got a present

I am sad, I did not get a present from Chris….. 😦