Thing #13: Behind the Music

In my younger years, when I was first introduced to music television (or what was formerly “music” television), I watched, with great interest, musicians and family members of those musicians unravel their famous lives on a little show called Behind the Music. Aerosmith, Nsync, and Bon Jovi – all commemorated with their very own episodes of television goodness with 1 hour to explore the birth of lead singers, creation of the perfect bands, temporary demises caused by booze, drugs, and women, and reunion tours. It molds all interests – music, history, and idle gossip – into one fabulous hour.

And it’s returned.

Yesterday, between fitful after-work sleep, I listened as Pink (ne Alicia) all too carefully dissected her life story. The story begins with a drug-addicted and dealing 13-year-old and follows her to her rise as a Philadelphia club singer, to signed artist, to miserable famous person, to clean/semi-sober, un-separated current rock star (whose talents are as of yet, untested and largely unknown). I listened (kind of) intently as the images and sound clips passed on the screen.

I, for one, am happy to have my dose of Behind the Music again. It’s almost as righteous as MTV would be if they actually played an entire music video during daylight hours. Almost.

Thing #12: Waking up to exercise

It rarely seems like a good idea when the alarm goes off an hour or an hour and half before I actually have to be awake, especially on these precious weekend days when I hoard hours of sleep like a Springsteen fan might hoard sweaty guitar picks from concerts. But once I'm awake and moving, it seems genius.

Get the blood pumping before the day begins. Enjoy the burn. Burn some of the calories I'm going to eat regardless of the status of my physical fitness regimen. Spend time alone with my head before the noises of the day crowd out the voice that sometimes tries to give me guidance.

Waking up to exercise really is fantastic.

And though I've sworn off long runs in the morning (especially as the main means of half-marathon preparatory training), I still enjoy the early(ish) morning walk or jog or bike ride. It's refreshing.

Thing #11: Corn pudding

Drew has a teammate named Skeeter. Skeeter has a mom who makes corn pudding, corn pudding sent from God, or something akin to that. She's also delightfully entertaining and kind. I like her AND her corn pudding.

And for chatting with her today about Farmville's most recent crazy quadruple homicide and for her tasty corn pudding, I feel as though it must make my list of things to be happy about.

(and for the record, there have been countless things to be happy about in the last month, but I brain farted and completely forgot I had a blog. I guess those things'll happen.)

Thing #10: Being a tourist in your home town

I created an "End of Summer To-Do List," which includes randomness such as a bike ride down the entire boardwalk, skinny dipping, and other such nonsense. On this list was a little item known as the "be a tourist in your home town." Really, what the list said was to "shop" like a tourist. All summer, I've coveted a Virginia Beach t-shirt, the black one with neon splatters. I also realized that I needed a VB shot glass for my ever growing (and relatively unused) shot glass collection. So today, I took a very long walk (see the entry below about physical activity), and on the way back from the walk, I decided to do a little tourist shopping.

It was thrilling. In a "I just shopped at cheap stores where I feel slightly dirty" kind of way. I did find exactly what I wanted...a dolphin bottle opener (I previously was sadly lacking a bottle opener), a child's sized XL Virginia Beach t-shirt (cheaper!), a shot glass with flip flops and "Life's a Beach," and a VB sticker to put on my school cart.

It felt anonymous. It also reminded me that I'm glad to live here, not vacation here. Seriously sketch-tastic. Seriously.

Thing #9: Kids (and the things that make them happy)

On the aforementioned long walk, I happened to walk by a little kid playing with either his father or grandfather (who can really tell these days). Anyway, the kid, maybe 3, 3 and a half, was running from the water to his mom with something in his hand saying, "Look what I found, mom. Look what I found!"

For some reason, the joy in his voice and the expression of pure happiness on his face just about made me cry. It's hard not to accept the world as a beautiful place when seen through the eyes of a little kid seeing it for the first time.

And for that kid's wonder, I have to be happy. I have to know how blessed I am to live in a place where small wonders and discoveries can be shared freely and openly.

Thing #8: The Time Traveler's Wife

Delightful novel, and the original purpose of this post.

I read it quickly, energetically, and with purpose. It brought joy to my life, but it also caused me to ponder what would change if I too knew the future before I lived it. Or what would happen if I met myself at 6 on the street somewhere in San Diego. Those sorts of thoughts, inspired by reading, are always fantastic.

So here's to #8 - a good book that I enjoyed for fun.

Thing #7: Physical activity

It's good to remind yourself, occasionally, what your body can do.

Lift things that may be a bit, oh I don't know, heavy beyond your strength.

Run a little farther than you ran before. Don't die. See how it feels to have legs of Jell-O, burning lungs, sweaty shorts, and accomplishment.

Walk a long way. Just walk. Know that the car could have taken you there in about 1/10th of the time. Know that your healthier mentally and physically for doing so.

Ride your bike a bit further, with no real destination. Just let the sun beat on your back a little. Feel the breeze. Pedal a bit faster.

I did a few of these today. I took a walk from 63rd street back to my home nearly 40 blocks away. It felt...liberating I think is the word. The weather was beautiful, and it was fun to lip sync to the iPod music and slash on the edge of the water. Earlier, I took my bike down the boardwalk (I figure 6 miles of bike riding MUST be good for my soul and body). It was a lovely morning, and the breeze smelled perfectly of salt water and the early-going-beach-visitors' sunscreen. I feel better. Calmer. Happier.

It's nice to know I can. And that I did. Possibility and actuality meet.