Day 28 of 30 - Something that stresses you out

I suffer from clinical depression with associated anxiety, clinical adjustment disorder, and a lesser form of social anxiety.  It doesn't take much to stress me out.  However, over the past ten years, I have learned to recognize many of the symptoms that tell me I'm about to go over the edge into madness.  I've learned many of my triggers, and 90% of the time, I can remove myself from the situation before things get bad.  I also have a nice collection of drugs.  And I promise you, they're all legal.

All the above being said, there are certain things that are guaranteed to cause atleast minor stress, no matter how hard I try to just roll with it.

1. changes in schedules/plans - it's that whole clinical adjustment disorder.  I live through my calendar.  If I have something to do, it goes on the calendar.  I'm anal about my calendar.  Truthfully, it's more of a memory thing that a stress thing; if it's not on the calendar, I will probably forget about it.  However, though I'm not what you would call a social butterfly, I do stay fairly busy.  Changing something at the last minute could mean that I am no longer able to participate in said thing, or atleast am not available for a month or more.  Also, since my father died 6 years ago, I've become the one that tends to do most of the planning, for events that often include upwards of 15-20 family members.  My family is pretty laid-back, and they can change things on a whim.  When I've spent several months planning something, and it gets changed, I tend to react a bit strong.  Most of the time, I overreact, and most of the time, I know I'm overreacting.  The problem with severe anxiety is that even when you know you're making something out of nothing, you don't have the ability, atleast at that time, to get a handle on your emotions.  Now, on the flip side of this issue, if I'm at home, or even if I'm out visiting friends or family, and nothing was ever planned, I'm so laid back that you can barely force me to make a decision.

2. travel - I LOVE to travel!  Absolutely LOVE it!  This year, I'll make 5 total trips to Florida, as long as nothing changes (no need to reference above discussion on changes...fifth trip is not set in stone yet).  While the 2nd trip to Florida was unplanned, and was not for fun reasons (I attended my aunt's funeral), I did take advantage of the time there to get out to the beach, and to Starbucks, and got to spend some pretty enjoyable time with my extended family, many of whom I don't get to see regularly.  I've already been to South Carolina several times this year, with several more trips planned (and SC trips can pop up quite suddenly, so more could be added).  I may or may not be going to Tennessee to visit family.  Next year, I'll be going to Washington DC in June, a trip that has been in the works for well over a year.  We're already starting to plan a trip to New York for 2013.  There will also be many, MANY more trips to Florida and South Carolina (though hopefully sometime in there, a house in SC will magically appear, and I'll be moving there, which will mean that there will be trips to Florida and Georgia).  So, again, I LOVE to travel!  But it never fails - the night I leave for a trip, SOMETHING will go wrong.  It's been flat tires, dead batteries, missing dive gear, and many other things.  No matter how hard I try, something goes wrong.  And I have a panic attack, which inevitably makes us even later.  I have made a pact with myself regarding the upcoming Florida trip, which begins October 28.  I will be packed, and have as much of the car packed as possible on Thursday, so that when I get off of work on Friday, I only have to load a few things, pick up Mama, and hit the road.  I'll let you know how it goes.

3. crowds - see the first paragraph, where I mentioned social anxiety.  Added to that, I'm claustrophobic, a condition that causes stress, and gets worse when I get stress.  It's a horrid cycle.  LOUD crowds are even worse.  I've reached a point where I can exist in a crowd, if I have time to prepare myself, but loud crowds (for instance, at a party) are still very hard for me to handle.

4. stupid people - I won't explain this one, because I think most people understand and agree.

I'm sure there are many other things that stress me out, but I think that's enough for now.

Day 27 of 30 - Original picture of the city you live in

Well, as usual, I'm going to change it up a bit.  First of all, I'm a little unclear as to what the title is really asking for.  An original, as in a photo that was taken when the city was coming into existence?  Or an original, as in a photo that I originally took?  Either way, this photo is neither.  It's also not of the city I live in.  It's the city I work in.

I must first make it known that I stole this photo.  I don't know who actually took it, but I found it on Google.  Funny enough, the link Google provided with the photo took me to the official website of the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - the very college that I work for.  Hopefully, stealing the photo for the purpose of this blog will not result in termination of my employment.  I actually like this job sometimes.

So, for your viewing pleasure, here is one of the buildings on the University of Georgia's south campus (really more central campus, but there's no such thing as central campus at UGA - there's also no such thing as west campus, but's that's another story for another time).  Sitting sedately at the top of Ag Hill, in view of the Boyd Center, across from Geography, Chemistry and Biological Sciences, and just a hop, skip and jump away from Sanford Stadium is Conner Hall, the home of College's administrative offices.  Built originally in 1908, Conner was first named Agriculture Hall, a picture perfect addition to a school whose 1785 charter made it the first state-chartered University in the US, and a school that was, from the very beginning, set up as an agricultural college.  In 1923, Ag Hall was renamed Conner Hall, in honor of the representative responsible for the building of the Hall.  In 2008, UGA and College faculty, staff and students celebrated the Hall's 100th anniversary with Conner Crunch ice cream on the Hall's front lawn.



Conner Hall, c1908



Conner Hall, c2008

Day 25 - PutYour iPod on shuffle - first 10 songs

First of all, I do NOT have an iPod.  I do NOT have an iPhone, iPad, iMac, or any other iProduct.  It's not that I don't like Apple.  It's more, at this point, that I refuse to spend the kind of money that buying an Apple product requires.

I do, however, have Spotify (which is currently synced with my HTC Aria), and at this point, I feel that I need to say, THANK YOU, SPOTIFY GODS!  You rock!

And now.....let the shuffling begin.

1. Rascal Flatts "She Goes All The Way"
2. Cartel "Honestly"
3. Paul Peterson "My Dad"
4. Savage Garden "I Knew I Loved You"
5. John Mayer "No Such Thing"
6. Matt Nathanson (featuring Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, aka Sugarland) "Run"
7. Addicted "Dan Seals"
8. Herman's Hermits "I'm Henry VIII"
9. The Byrds "Turn, Turn, Turn"
10. Eric Johnson "Cliffs of Dover"
11. Brandi Carlisle "The Story"
12. P!nk "Raise Your Glass (Clean Version)"
13. New Kids on the Block "Tonight"
14. Boxcar Willie "King of the Road"
15. Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah"
16. Pam Tillis "Spilled Perfume"
17. Maroon 5 "Never Gonna Leave This Bed"
18. Emerson Drive "Moments"
19. Chris Young "Tomorrow"
20. Richard Marx "Now and Forever"
21. Jason Mraz "Please Don't Tell Her"
22. Alyssa Bonagura and Tyler Wilkinson "Killing Me"
23. Chely Wright "Shut Up and Drive"
24. Daron Norwood "My Girl Friday"
25. Plain White T's "Our Song"

There's an eclectic mix of tunes, if I've ever seen one.  All of the songs are fantastic, but I HIGHLY recommend numbers 6, 11, 18, 19, 22, and 25.

Day 26 of 30, part two - oh, you meant DREAM wedding!



The Disney Wedding Pavilion, Lake Buena Vista, FL




Bride and Groom Vinylmation



Classic decorations, with a touch of Disney

a coach fit for a Disney Princess 

a cake fit for a Disney Princess 

 bridal Mickey ears

a honeymoon on the Disney Dream

Day 26 of 30 - Dream Wedding

I'm going to skip around again.  Day 25 involves my mp3 player, which is currently at home, and probably not charged up.  I've been using my phone recently (Android, paired with the Spotify app, just rocks!), but after a recent update to my phone, I haven't had a chance to reinstall my Spotify account.  Therefore, I have no access to my lovely mix of music.  So....

My dream wedding.  Where do I start?  This is something I've long ago planned out.

Attendants: 5 (unless they decide they don't like me: Carol, Megan, Alicia, Erin, Jaimi)
Groomsmen: 5
Ushers: atleast 2
Flowergirl(s): TBD
Ringbearers: I can already tell you it will be Bug and Peanut (unless it is YEARS before I get married).



Cutaway Tux (formal before 6pm) - I prefer the slate tux w/grey pants




spring/summer wedding (groomsmen and ushers)
paisley (or other cool pattern) tie, yellow roses and purple pansies

 

fall/winter wedding (groomsmen and ushers)
paisley (or other pattern) tie, red roses and various pansies

 

groom's accessories (some shade of white)



my shoes



If cool ties are decided against, it will only be in favor of cool socks.





Day 24 of 30 - Something You've Learned

In 33 years on this earth, you'd think that I would have learned more lessons than I have, but sadly, this is not the case.  Too many times, I've let lessons and knowledge pass by the wayside, never to enter my thoughts again - or only to come back to me too late to do any good.  However, of the things I HAVE learned, certain ones stand out.

I've learned that I do a poor job of imitating my Savior, Christ Jesus.  On the flipside, I've also learned that God makes provisions for that, so my poor imitation is no reason to quit trying.  I hope to continue learning both of these lessons, on a daily basis, as long as Jehovah allows this system to continue.  The day I stop is the day someone needs to shoot me.

I've learned that growing old doesn't mean you've grown up.  Spend some time people watching.  You'll agree.

I've learned that a group's mentality is almost always led by the person with the WORST ideas.  Just turn on the news.  You'll probably agree with this, as well.  Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers.

I've learned that I really need to take things a day at a time.  First, goals are achieved slowly.  You can't win a marathon without taking the first step.  Second, the older I get, the faster time seems to fly.  Stop and take a picture of the rose today.  Tomorrow, it'll be past the blooming stage.

I've learned that the phrase "I'm sorry" as just as important in a relationship as the phrase "I love you."  Those two phrases can also be the most overused.  Take care when and how you use them.

I've learned that I can face my fears.  I've learned that I can conquer my fears.  But most importantly, I've learned that facing fears and conquering fears are not the same thing.  All fears can be faced.  Not all fears can be conquered.  Not as long as we live in this imperfect world.

I've learned that I'm selfish.  I've learned that I have a temper.  I've learned that I don't handle tooth/jaw pain very well.

Day 23 of 30 - Favorite Movie

I though about changing the subject of today's blog, since I discussed my favorite movies back on Day 7.  But instead, I decided to go with the EXACT subject, favorite MOVIE (singular).  That movie, again referenced on day 7, is Hoosiers.

Hoosiers was released in 1986, starring Gene Hackman as Coach Norman Dale, Barbara Hershey as Myra, Dennis Hopper as Shooter (the town drunk), and Sheb Wooley as Principal Cletus.  The movie follows the boys basketball team of fictional Hickory, Indiana, as they journey from the season's beginning to the state championship game.  Taking place during the 1951/1952 school year, the story is loosely based on the real-life Milan High 1953/1954 team out of Milan, Indiana.  Coach Dale's fiery courtside demeanor and no-nonsense attitude is loosely based on legendary college coach, Bobby Knight.  Jimmy Chitwood, one of the players, also has a loose basis is history.  Jimmy Chitwood is seen taking the final shot of the state championship game to bring the win home to the Hickory Huskers.  In real life, Bobby Plump took the final shot of the game to boost Milan over Muncie Central in 1954.

Having been raised by a tried-and-true Hoosier, I knew the story of Milan/Muncie Central before I could walk.  I still remember hearing that the movie Hoosiers was being made.  I fondly remember going to see it in the theater on opening weekend, and knowing even then that it would always be one of my favorites.

I am not the only person to think Hoosiers is a great movie.  Hoosiers is consistently rated as one of the best sports movies in history.  The American Film Institute (AFI) voted Hoosiers as #13 on it's 100 Years...100 Cheers list of most inspirational movies, and #4 in the sports genre in it's Ten Top Ten list. Hoosiers has also been selected by Library of Congress to be preserved in the US National Film Registry.  Coach Dale's locker room speech is also commonly played on the jumbotron at college sporting events (particularly baseball and football).

If you have not seen Hoosiers, pick it up from your local rental facilities, or put it on your Netflix queue.  You won't regret it.

Opening credits

Team arrives at State Championship facilities