Once again, I have to ask: What, exactly, constitutes famous?
I have never wanted to be an actress, someone known worldwide for my looks or for the people I've dated (or even for the movie/television roles I've played, since that is what some actresses are known for). I've never dreamed of being a professional athlete, not because I wouldn't enjoy it, but simply because there was never a doubt in my mind that I didn't have what it takes to be a professional basketball player. I have absolutely NO interest in politics. I love to write, but I don't ever remember entertaining the thought that I might one day write novels known around the world.
But once upon a time, I harbored the dream of being a professional musician. Not Bono or Springsteen, not Carrie Underwood or Miranda Lambert, not Rob Thomas or Santana. No, I dreamed of being the next Wynton Marsalis. The next Chris Botti.
I never wanted to be someone that was immediately recognized by face or name, anywhere in the world. But to be recognized by the masters of the brass instruments, in the small world of brass virtuosos??
That, my friends, would have been the perfect completion to my musical experience. I still dream when I play my horn.....
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Day 13 – Are you a morning or night person?
One of the hardest things I have to do each day is get up to go to work. I am NOT a morning person! I sleep best between the hours of 6am-12noon. I am the most awake, aware, observant and active between the hours of 4pm-12midnight. Nothing I've done has managed to change that. I've always been that way.
This has its distince advantages and disadvantages.
At work, my boss is in the office from 6am-3pm. She gets more accomplished before noon. I work 8am-5pm, and get more accomplished after I get back from lunch. Between the two of us, we have a nice little system going.
When I'm traveling, I LOVE to drive at night. I'm awake, there's no sun trying to blind me, and there is little-to-no traffic on the roads. Plus, once I've been up all day, followed by all night, I'm running on adrenaline, and can usually stay up another 12 hours, completing the "day" cycle. That means that I don't lose any precious vacation time.
On the flip side, I often feel like a louse when I sleep until noon on my non-work days, b/c everyone else I know gets up at a more reasonable time. Plus, that schedule makes it hard to get errands completed, due to normal business hours.
There are definitely times I miss working nights!!! It really fit my schedule!
This has its distince advantages and disadvantages.
At work, my boss is in the office from 6am-3pm. She gets more accomplished before noon. I work 8am-5pm, and get more accomplished after I get back from lunch. Between the two of us, we have a nice little system going.
When I'm traveling, I LOVE to drive at night. I'm awake, there's no sun trying to blind me, and there is little-to-no traffic on the roads. Plus, once I've been up all day, followed by all night, I'm running on adrenaline, and can usually stay up another 12 hours, completing the "day" cycle. That means that I don't lose any precious vacation time.
On the flip side, I often feel like a louse when I sleep until noon on my non-work days, b/c everyone else I know gets up at a more reasonable time. Plus, that schedule makes it hard to get errands completed, due to normal business hours.
There are definitely times I miss working nights!!! It really fit my schedule!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Day 12 – Who do you live with?
I live with my mommy.
No, seriously. I do. I live in a 4-bedroom/2 bath house, with a kitchen, dining room, den, living room, front porch, back deck, and pool, all on 1.5 acres of land (mostly woods). I originally moved into the house with both my parents and my younger brother, some 11 years ago. Things went fairly smoothly. I was supposed to move to South Carolina in October 2005, but sadly, my father passed away in June. I decided to stick around a little longer. As the years have passed, I've continued to stay in order to help my mom. My younger brother has stayed, as well. He will be moving out this summer, in order to be closer to campus and his classes at UGA.
The situation is finally working out to where I believe I'm going to be able to move. I've got a house in mind. I've got a roommate for my mom in mind. Now, I just have to wait for everything to fall into place.
Until then, I'll enjoy being able to step off my porch and into a pool. I do love my pool.
No, seriously. I do. I live in a 4-bedroom/2 bath house, with a kitchen, dining room, den, living room, front porch, back deck, and pool, all on 1.5 acres of land (mostly woods). I originally moved into the house with both my parents and my younger brother, some 11 years ago. Things went fairly smoothly. I was supposed to move to South Carolina in October 2005, but sadly, my father passed away in June. I decided to stick around a little longer. As the years have passed, I've continued to stay in order to help my mom. My younger brother has stayed, as well. He will be moving out this summer, in order to be closer to campus and his classes at UGA.
The situation is finally working out to where I believe I'm going to be able to move. I've got a house in mind. I've got a roommate for my mom in mind. Now, I just have to wait for everything to fall into place.
Until then, I'll enjoy being able to step off my porch and into a pool. I do love my pool.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Day 11 – How many languages do you speak? What are they?
I speak Southern. It's supposedly a recognized form of English. I'm a big fan of the word "ya'll." Also, I've never met a word that ends in "g." I go huntin' and fishin' and muddin' and divin'. You may catch fish, but I ketch 'em. It's breakfast, dinner and supper. We don't have soda or pop, we have Coke (though I have enough Yankee in me to prefer Pepsi, most of the time).
I am as fluent in Pig-Latin as I am in English/Southern (sometimes more so), and I enjoy using it to confuse those few who don't know it (Op is another fun gibberish language I'm fairly good at).
I've studied Spanish, Latin, American Sign Language, and some French and German, but I cannot hold a conversation in any of them.
I can read music fluently (treble and bass clefs), which is as much a way of communicating as any spoken language is.
I am as fluent in Pig-Latin as I am in English/Southern (sometimes more so), and I enjoy using it to confuse those few who don't know it (Op is another fun gibberish language I'm fairly good at).
I've studied Spanish, Latin, American Sign Language, and some French and German, but I cannot hold a conversation in any of them.
I can read music fluently (treble and bass clefs), which is as much a way of communicating as any spoken language is.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Day 10 – Do you have a religion? What is it?
I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. It is a recognized religion, but most importantly, it is a way of life. I believe that it is only through his sacrifice that Jehovah God will include me in his future blessings. But it is more than accepting that Jesus died for my sins. It is living my life in recognition of that sacrifice. I don't always do a good job of it, but I try to live my life in imitation of Jesus Christ.
I was raised in a family of Witnesses, but I really didn't take religion (any religion) seriously until I was in my 20s. There were always the rules and morals and principles that I largely ignored (I dated a Marine - I can swear with the best of them), but there were also those that I was loath to break (drugs and sex). I really pushed the envelope sometimes, and yet I never truly crossed lines.
I continue, everyday, to struggle with honesty, respect, anger and self-control. I wish I was more loving, more generous, peacable, instead of being selfish and angry and picky. I suffer from depression and anxiety, and often find myself doubting God's ability to help me - or more, my ability to trust that God knows best, and to rely wholly on Him.
But on the good days, I know that I couldn't ask for anything more than what I have. I have the chance to continue to grow in love and knowledge for my heavenly Father, with the constant reminder that if He hadn't called me to Him, I wouldn't be where I am spiritually.
And if Jehovah God see something good in me, maybe I should try to see it myself.
I was raised in a family of Witnesses, but I really didn't take religion (any religion) seriously until I was in my 20s. There were always the rules and morals and principles that I largely ignored (I dated a Marine - I can swear with the best of them), but there were also those that I was loath to break (drugs and sex). I really pushed the envelope sometimes, and yet I never truly crossed lines.
I continue, everyday, to struggle with honesty, respect, anger and self-control. I wish I was more loving, more generous, peacable, instead of being selfish and angry and picky. I suffer from depression and anxiety, and often find myself doubting God's ability to help me - or more, my ability to trust that God knows best, and to rely wholly on Him.
But on the good days, I know that I couldn't ask for anything more than what I have. I have the chance to continue to grow in love and knowledge for my heavenly Father, with the constant reminder that if He hadn't called me to Him, I wouldn't be where I am spiritually.
And if Jehovah God see something good in me, maybe I should try to see it myself.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Day 9 – What are your hobbies?
I can see Alicia reading this, and just shaking her head, saying, "That girl has more hobbies....."
I blog, obviously. I've been writing - songs, poems, short stories, books - since I was about 12. It took me awhile to finally break into blogging, but now that I've done it, I'm hooked.
I am a certified scuba diver. I hike, run, bike, swim. I collect Monopoly games. I sing. I play trumpet, French horn, and guitar (a little piano, as well). Photography is both a hobby and a vocation. I travel every chance I get. I read, voraciously. I analyze movies and television shows the way English teachers analyze books (and then I blog about them). I go to sporting events - LOTS of sporting events. I'm active on numerous social networks.
OK, Ali, what have I forgotten????
I blog, obviously. I've been writing - songs, poems, short stories, books - since I was about 12. It took me awhile to finally break into blogging, but now that I've done it, I'm hooked.
I am a certified scuba diver. I hike, run, bike, swim. I collect Monopoly games. I sing. I play trumpet, French horn, and guitar (a little piano, as well). Photography is both a hobby and a vocation. I travel every chance I get. I read, voraciously. I analyze movies and television shows the way English teachers analyze books (and then I blog about them). I go to sporting events - LOTS of sporting events. I'm active on numerous social networks.
OK, Ali, what have I forgotten????
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Day 8 - How old are you? Do you like being the age you are?
I am 33. Honest-to-God truth. I'm not one of those people that is frightened by my age. Getting older doesn't bother me, so I see no point in hiding or lying about my age.
I've truly enjoyed being in my 30s. Hitting 30 gains you a modicum of respect from society. You can be just as dumb and immature as you were at 29, but turn that magic age of 30, and people actually tend to assume you've suddenly become almost respectable. I firmly believe in letting society continue to believe that, while I go on acting like a kid.
In truth, I don't feel like 33. Mentally and emotionally, I vacillate between feeling like I'm 18 and feeling like I'm about 21. That may not seem like a big difference, but it has to do with who I was at that time. At 18, I was a recent high school graduate, had a sort-of boyfriend, a limited part-time job and no car, and had absolutely no clue what I wanted to do with my life. At 21, I had a good job at Barnes & Noble, had recently kicked the so-called boyfriend to the curb for mutilating my heart and my self-confidence, had a good car, and had absolutely no clue what I wanted to do with my life. At 33, I have a great job at the University of Georgia, have mostly avoided members of the opposite sex (atleast in terms of romantic relationships), have my dream car, and have absolutely no clue what I want to do with my life - so you see, it's not much different from being 18 and 21. I may have more toys, but I still haven't figured out what my role in life is. I have ideas, but so far, they're not panning out.
If anything, I'd say the best part about being 33 is realizing that getting older doesn't mean finally reaching a point where you know what life is about. Life changes around every corner, and if you get up in the morning expecting those changes, it can be excited. Often frustrating, but always exciting.
In conclusion, I'd describe my age as this:
I'm still young enough to have fun and goof off and toss back a beer (or three) and get up and sing karaoke. But I'm mature enough to realize I don't know everything, and I allow myself to learn from my mistakes.
I've truly enjoyed being in my 30s. Hitting 30 gains you a modicum of respect from society. You can be just as dumb and immature as you were at 29, but turn that magic age of 30, and people actually tend to assume you've suddenly become almost respectable. I firmly believe in letting society continue to believe that, while I go on acting like a kid.
In truth, I don't feel like 33. Mentally and emotionally, I vacillate between feeling like I'm 18 and feeling like I'm about 21. That may not seem like a big difference, but it has to do with who I was at that time. At 18, I was a recent high school graduate, had a sort-of boyfriend, a limited part-time job and no car, and had absolutely no clue what I wanted to do with my life. At 21, I had a good job at Barnes & Noble, had recently kicked the so-called boyfriend to the curb for mutilating my heart and my self-confidence, had a good car, and had absolutely no clue what I wanted to do with my life. At 33, I have a great job at the University of Georgia, have mostly avoided members of the opposite sex (atleast in terms of romantic relationships), have my dream car, and have absolutely no clue what I want to do with my life - so you see, it's not much different from being 18 and 21. I may have more toys, but I still haven't figured out what my role in life is. I have ideas, but so far, they're not panning out.
If anything, I'd say the best part about being 33 is realizing that getting older doesn't mean finally reaching a point where you know what life is about. Life changes around every corner, and if you get up in the morning expecting those changes, it can be excited. Often frustrating, but always exciting.
In conclusion, I'd describe my age as this:
I'm still young enough to have fun and goof off and toss back a beer (or three) and get up and sing karaoke. But I'm mature enough to realize I don't know everything, and I allow myself to learn from my mistakes.
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Day 7 – Do you like sports? What are your favorite sport?
Everyone who knows me well is laughing at the questions. Do I like sports? Ha!
Over Thanksgiving 2011, I spent 4 days in Orlando at a college basketball tournament. I'll be going back again over Thanksgiving 2012.
In June 2012, I'll be attending major league baseball games at Nationals stadium in Washington, DC, and at Orioles Park at Camden Yard in Baltimore, MD.
I've been to major league baseball games in Atlanta (GO BRAVES!), Seattle, and Kansas City, and spring training games in Orlando (GO BRAVES!), and Sarasota. I travelled to North Port, FL, to watch my cousin pitch in high school, and will continue to travel to Orlando, FL, to watch him pitch in college.
I've gone to Greenville, SC, to watch teams from the NBA's Development League.
I spend my childhood going to Indiana State High School Basketball Sectionals each winter.
I've been to so many college football games that I have lost count of the number.
I went to USA v Norway baseball in the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.
I've seen minor league baseball games in Little Rock, AR, Indianapolis, IN, and Chattanooga, TN.
As a staff member at the University of Georgia, I've been to basketball and baseball games, tennis matches, and I work the PGA Nationwide tour golf tournament every May (First Aid tent just off the 2nd tee). I'll be hitting softball, soccer, swimming and football this year.
In 14 days, I'll be attending my first ever PBR event, the Atlanta Invitational.
In September, I hope to run my first 5K, at Disney.
I am a certified scuba diver.
My all-time, absolutely no-questions-asked, over-everything-else favorite sport, in the entire world, is basketball. I. Love. Basketball. Watching it, listening to it, analyzing it, playing it, coaching it, everything about it!! I simply love it.
So, what do you think? Do I like sports?
Over Thanksgiving 2011, I spent 4 days in Orlando at a college basketball tournament. I'll be going back again over Thanksgiving 2012.
In June 2012, I'll be attending major league baseball games at Nationals stadium in Washington, DC, and at Orioles Park at Camden Yard in Baltimore, MD.
I've been to major league baseball games in Atlanta (GO BRAVES!), Seattle, and Kansas City, and spring training games in Orlando (GO BRAVES!), and Sarasota. I travelled to North Port, FL, to watch my cousin pitch in high school, and will continue to travel to Orlando, FL, to watch him pitch in college.
I've gone to Greenville, SC, to watch teams from the NBA's Development League.
I spend my childhood going to Indiana State High School Basketball Sectionals each winter.
I've been to so many college football games that I have lost count of the number.
I went to USA v Norway baseball in the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.
I've seen minor league baseball games in Little Rock, AR, Indianapolis, IN, and Chattanooga, TN.
As a staff member at the University of Georgia, I've been to basketball and baseball games, tennis matches, and I work the PGA Nationwide tour golf tournament every May (First Aid tent just off the 2nd tee). I'll be hitting softball, soccer, swimming and football this year.
In 14 days, I'll be attending my first ever PBR event, the Atlanta Invitational.
In September, I hope to run my first 5K, at Disney.
I am a certified scuba diver.
My all-time, absolutely no-questions-asked, over-everything-else favorite sport, in the entire world, is basketball. I. Love. Basketball. Watching it, listening to it, analyzing it, playing it, coaching it, everything about it!! I simply love it.
So, what do you think? Do I like sports?
Friday, February 03, 2012
Day 6 – What do you do in your free time?
With this question, there is an implication that I have free time. I find that amusing.
My schedule:
Monday
work - 8am-5pm (home around 6pm)
supper and relax - 6-7pm
personal Bible study - 7-8pm
shower, get ready for bed - 8-9pm
in bed - somewhere between 9-10pm
Tuesday
work - 8am-5pm (home around 6pm)
supper and relax - 6-7pm
personal Bible study - 7-8pm
shower, get ready for bed - 8-9pm
in bed - somewhere between 9-10pm
Wednesday
work - 8am-5pm (home around 6pm)
supper and shower - 6-7pm
Bible meeting - 7-10pm
in bed - ASAP
Thursday
work - 8am-5pm (home around 6pm)
hike at campus lake - 5:30-6:30pm (home around 7pm)
supper and personal Bible study - 7-8pm
shower, get ready for bed - 8-9pm
in bed - somewhere between 9-10pm
Friday
work - 8am-5pm
gym workout - 5:30-6:30pm (home around 7pm)
suuper - 7pm
personal Bible study - 7:30-8:30pm
shower, get ready for bed - by 10pm
Saturday
public ministry/field service - 9am-12noon
Sunday
Bible meeting - 9:30am-12noon
For the next two months, I also have either an extra gym workout, or a fitness class, one other evening a week. After that program ends, photography school starts up again, and I'll be in class every Tuesday evening from 6-8pm, probably until August, when I graduate.
In March and August, I spend most weekend at photo shoots. There are other occasional and random shoots thrown in throughout the year, as well.
Now for the fun stuff:
Atleast once a month, I spend a weekend in South Carolina with my Bug and his family. I occasionally visit separately to do some hiking or scuba diving at one of the lakes/state parks in SC.
I make approximately 3 trips to Florida each year to visit family (and Walt Disney World). I try to attend several college and/or professional sporting events each year. This year, I'll be spending a weekend in Birmingham, AL, at an Indy car race. I love to hike and swim, and do both whenever I can find the time (swimming happens rather frequently in the warmer weather, when it's not dark when I get home from work). I enjoy reading, blogging, playing my trumpet, and do them as often as possible. I play a lot of Words With Friends.
In all honestly, I'm pretty boring.
My schedule:
Monday
work - 8am-5pm (home around 6pm)
supper and relax - 6-7pm
personal Bible study - 7-8pm
shower, get ready for bed - 8-9pm
in bed - somewhere between 9-10pm
Tuesday
work - 8am-5pm (home around 6pm)
supper and relax - 6-7pm
personal Bible study - 7-8pm
shower, get ready for bed - 8-9pm
in bed - somewhere between 9-10pm
Wednesday
work - 8am-5pm (home around 6pm)
supper and shower - 6-7pm
Bible meeting - 7-10pm
in bed - ASAP
Thursday
work - 8am-5pm (home around 6pm)
hike at campus lake - 5:30-6:30pm (home around 7pm)
supper and personal Bible study - 7-8pm
shower, get ready for bed - 8-9pm
in bed - somewhere between 9-10pm
Friday
work - 8am-5pm
gym workout - 5:30-6:30pm (home around 7pm)
suuper - 7pm
personal Bible study - 7:30-8:30pm
shower, get ready for bed - by 10pm
Saturday
public ministry/field service - 9am-12noon
Sunday
Bible meeting - 9:30am-12noon
For the next two months, I also have either an extra gym workout, or a fitness class, one other evening a week. After that program ends, photography school starts up again, and I'll be in class every Tuesday evening from 6-8pm, probably until August, when I graduate.
In March and August, I spend most weekend at photo shoots. There are other occasional and random shoots thrown in throughout the year, as well.
Now for the fun stuff:
Atleast once a month, I spend a weekend in South Carolina with my Bug and his family. I occasionally visit separately to do some hiking or scuba diving at one of the lakes/state parks in SC.
I make approximately 3 trips to Florida each year to visit family (and Walt Disney World). I try to attend several college and/or professional sporting events each year. This year, I'll be spending a weekend in Birmingham, AL, at an Indy car race. I love to hike and swim, and do both whenever I can find the time (swimming happens rather frequently in the warmer weather, when it's not dark when I get home from work). I enjoy reading, blogging, playing my trumpet, and do them as often as possible. I play a lot of Words With Friends.
In all honestly, I'm pretty boring.
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