Electronic Entertainment vs. Simplicity

Can you imagine a day without electronics?  

No checking the weather.  

No news.  

No status updates.

No taking pictures.

You will have to wear a watch.

It is my goal to have an electronic free day.  When I bring it up to the boy, he gives me the look of death.  He cannot fathom going a day without electronics.  What if someone tries to call?  What if Barack gets assassinated?  What if a piece of junk mail goes into my inbox?  What if a sports team scores some type of goal?  How will we ever know if these things happen?

My apartment is 700 square feet.  It’s small.  Really small.  But, dear reader, my little box is surrounded by electronics:

iPod - we have two

iPad - we have two

iPhone - we have two (well....actually we have three....a backup iPhone 3S just in case something happens to our iPhone 4S)

Macbook - we have two

TV - we have two (although one is not hooked up)

Playstation

Camera - we have two

Sometimes, I feel like I can’t get away from technology.  It’s a little annoying.  It’s a little overwhelming to have so many choices.  

Sometimes I crave simplicity.

Can you imagine????  

Simplicity!   (AH!)

No waiving your arm in a figure 8 - LIKE AN IDIOT - looking for a signal.  (Don’t act like you haven’t done it!!!)

No flipping through channels looking for a mindless show to watch.

No swapping devices to charge all of these devices with the same charger.

No checking your phone every 30 seconds.

I imagine a quieter day.  I imagine a more creative day.  I imagine, either, a cleaner apartment or spending more time outside.  Or, I’d sleep more.  Yes, maybe I’d sleep more.

I don’t know if this will ever happen, but it’s something I think about all the time.  But, in reality, I’m not sure that I can get away from electronics.  It may be a completely impractical goal.  Regardless, one day, I’ll try.  And, I’ll be sure to encourage the boy to give up the electronic dependence, a causality of our society.  I just wonder how long I’ll continue to receive the look of death.

How would you spend an electronic free day?  

Would you be lost?  

Would you be willing to try?  

Is a day without electronics realistic?

FEEDBACK PLEASE!

P.S.  I lied to you, dear reader.  We also have an extra flip phone too....you know...just in case our iPhone 4S dies and our backup iPhone 3S dies.  

Comfort Zones vs. Uncomfortable Discoveries

If you’ve read any part of my blog, you know that I love finding new activities in which to partake.  I love doing something that is completely new, something I’ve ever done (i.e. knitting or Farsi classes).  I honestly enjoy getting out into the world and exploring places, ideas, and people that are different than anything I’ve ever know.  Sometimes I have good experiences, and sometimes I don’t, but regardless, everything is an experience to grow from.

Getting outside of one’s comfort zone is difficult.  VERY DIFFICULT!  No one likes to feel uncomfortable or like they don’t belong.  No one wants to walk down a street and feel unsafe.  People, in general, are content to stay in their little bubble.  We go to work, come home, eat dinner, and waste a couple hours before we head to bed.  (I’m sure this is somewhat different if you have children, but for the most part I bet it’s mostly the same.)  

This is what we call normal.  “Normal” is going to work and straight coming home.  “Normal” is taking little Timmy to soccer on Saturday mornings.  “Normal” is watching mindless TV to pass the time before it’s jam-jam time.  (Sadly, “normal” is talking about mindless television at work the next day.)  For the most part, this is my normal too.  This is how I grew up.  This is what, I think, most people want to achieve.  (If “normal” is an accomplishment.....but that is another blog post.)

I like normal.  Normal feels stable to me - I know exactly what to expect.  And, as the avid planner I am, I would know exactly what dinner will taste like.  Yes, this is nice....to a point.  

But for me, I get so bored.  I honestly enjoy uncovering a new culture or treasure.  I think that getting outside of my 700 sq. ft apartment is the best thing I can do.  Not only do I learn about a world I probably would have never known existed, but I learn something about myself.  

What do YOU think?  Is finding a normal comfort zone better than endlessly exploring something else?  Can there be a happy balance?  What is “normal” to you?  Is “normal” an accomplishment?

The Best Burger in DC

Last night I ate the best burger in DC.  

BGR The Burger Joint

http://bgrtheburgerjoint.com/

I researched them online and glanced over the menu before my friend and I went in.  

Then, I walked into the restaurant.  The place is small and if you didn’t know what you were looking for, you would walk right by it.  

I walked in and the atmosphere totally took me by surprise.  The music was awesome and the decor was even better.  They have a sweet pop machine, that pours dozens of varieties of pop with just the push of a button.  I have never seen anything like it.  But, really, who needs a pop when you taste their double chocolate milkshake.  Seriously, it was DELICIOUS!

My friend was definitely in awe of this place.  The only thing he could say was, “The staff was passionate and musical.”  (Yes, that was the best quote I could get from him.  Pathetic, right!)

Passionate does not begin to describe the staff.  John was the first person I noticed at BGR.  He was so happy to see my friend and me, and he was way more excited when we told him we were first time customers.  

I didn’t order off the menu.  Instead I told John a few of the ingredients I wanted and he created an awesome burger for me.  All I wanted was pepper-jack cheese, avocado and onion.  (Hey, I’m not kissing anyone tonight, so stop judging me!)  When my food was cooked to order and perfectly ready, it looked amazing.  It was dripping was guacamole - what’s NOT to love about guacamole!  

Everything about my trip to BGR The Burger Joint was perfect.  Dupont Circle is a big place, but I’m so glad I didn’t walk past this little place.

Thanks, John!

Christian Grey, meet Mr. Darcy

From: Me

Subject: You suck, Christian Grey!!!

Date: Tonight

To: Christian Grey

I read Fifty Shades of Grey, where E. L. James created a terrible hero.  

Yes, I’m talking about you, Mr. Grey.  

You are not the literary hero I was expecting.  You may be wealthy and handsome, but you are a jerk.  You are selfish and cocky.  You think that money can be thrown at any situation to take control.  Sure, it worked with your 10+ submissives and Anastasia Steele, but it will not work with me.  

I will not fall for your over-reaching gestures.  You are a stalker.  You are creepy.  You might think that you are smooth and coy by secretly upgrading airline tickets, but in reality, your gestures make you a fraud.

Might I suggest, Sir, that you put down Thomas Hardy, and pick up Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.  

You could take some hints from Mr. Darcy.  He, too, sucks at capturing the essence of literary hero.  Mr. Darcy is everything you are not: spineless, quiet, and thoughtful.  (By “thoughtful” I do NOT mean “nice” and “considerate.”  I mean that he thinks through his decisions.)  Yet, the two of you share many qualities: attractive, prideful, wealthy, judgmental, and conceited.  You both have a strange idea of courtship.

If only Fitzwilliam Darcy and you could meet.  You both could take lessons from each other.  The two of you could, hopefully, merge into a true literary hero that a girl could love.  The reasons I cannot stand Mr. Darcy are juxtaposed in you, Sir.  Although, I’m sure the two of you would get along well.  You both have an overly polite demeanor, which I’m sure you would both appreciate.  

The male literary hero is a tricky business, Sir.  It takes an amazing character to be a hero, and you are NOT a hero of contemporary literature.  You, Christian Grey are not my idea of a dream guy, just like Mr. Darcy fails to deliver in Romantic expectation.  

Amber

CEO, Amber’s Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

6 month Check-Up

TODAY marks the 6 month anniversary of my blog.  It really is an exciting time for me.  As nerdy as this is, I’ve become completely obsessed with it.  I’m not sure why either - maybe it’s a good outlet, maybe it’s a way to keep me accountable of the way I spend my time, and maybe it’s a combination of all of this.  I mean, let’s be honest, I don’t post all that often.  Regardless, I love blogging.  I love looking for new ideas, and I love when people read and respond.  Thank you, dear reader, for paying attention and for caring enough to keep reading.

The past 6 months has been quite busy.  Here is a quick recap of what I’ve been doing:

• Graduated from University of Maryland (a life goal)
• Started a job
• Visited the National Portrait Gallery
• Played on a volleyball team
• Took a painting class
• Went to NYC with the boy
• Sent the boy off to Army training
• Started going to the gym
• Joined Weight Watchers
• Went to a lecture/book signing discussing the book Monticello, Slavery, and the Hemingses
• Had dozens of dinners with friends
• Visited Monticello
• Went hiking at Great Falls Park
• Took the GRE
• Attended a lecture on George Washington and Sally Fairfax
• Went to the boy’s fancy-smancy Army ball
• Quit going to the gym
• Took a knitting class
• Began learning Farsi
• Hiking at Carterock
• Went to a wedding in St. Louis and visited my sister/nieces in mid-Missouri
• Began a kickball team
• Began a touch football team
• Participated in Dining Out for DC
• Went to a Madeleine Albright speaking/book signing engagement
• Started going to the gym again
• Attended a meditation class

Hmmm.....I guess that’s about all.  I also tutor once a week, but I’ve been doing that for a while.

But, I’m not focusing on the past.  I’d rather look towards the future.  To be honest, I have no idea what’s happening in the next 6 months.  After my football and kickball seasons are over, I’m not sure how I’ll spend my time.  When my Farsi semester concludes, I’m not sure if I’ll take more classes.  Maybe I’ll take a writing class or maybe I’ll spend more time cooking.  Is graduate school calling my name?  Who knows!!!  What I do know is that I’m not stopping.  

I’m going to keep blogging.

I’m going to keep thinking critically.

I’m going to keep exploring.

I’m going to keep learning.

I’m going to continue loving life.

Thank you again for reading, dear reader.  You have made the last 6 months quite enjoyable.

Feel free to leave me a comment.  I welcome comments, criticism, or compliments.  I take everything you say quite seriously.  

Pride = Judgement

I have noticed recently that I’ve been judging people more and more lately.  Embarrassingly, I’ve been judging silently, mostly.  Yet, it’s more than just thinking someone’s clothes are silly or someone has made a ignorant comment.  Instead, I’m judging based on my own beliefs, actions, or decisions.  But the more I think about it, the more I think most judgements are based upon these three categories.  

I’ll offer a few, broadly based judgements that I have seen over and over.  Usually, but not in all cases, these judgments are flat.  Circumstances do not matter.  Diligent attention is not given.  Judgements are made at face value without considering the back-story.

     1.  Beliefs - My religious is x.  Your religion is y.  Therefore you are wrong.  

     2.  Actions - I go to the gym.  I maintain a certain body image.  You do not maintain the same standards I have set.  Therefore you are wrong.

     3.  Decisions - I have chosen to breast feed.  You don’t breast feed.  Therefore you are wrong.

I try to make calculated decisions in my life.  I try to think through consequences.  I think, in general, most people do the same things.  So if we are all making thoughtful decisions, why are we judging others???

Pride is one of the worst qualities one can have.  I think pride breeds judgement.  For the examples I listed above, I think people have pride in their decisions.  People are proud of their devotion to breast feed.  People are proud of their gym-made bodies.  People are proud of the religion they have chosen - assuming they choose their belief system and didn’t take the belief system fed to them as a child.....but that is another blog post for later.  

Another example I often see comes through the pride in one’s home.  Usually they take a concerted effort to keep their house clean, which I find a wonderful quality.  (I could probably learn lessons from these people.)  But pride in their home should not create judgement in another’s domestic skills.  

So what can I do to change?  How can I be a better person? 

First, STOP JUDGING PEOPLE WHO MAKE DIFFERENT CHOICES THAN WHAT I WOULD MAKE!!!!  

Second, contemplate a back story.  It is possible that an overweight person has major medical issues that prevents exercise.  Or maybe they are on a medicine that causes weight gain.  Regardless, you probably don’t know the real issues one carries, and you don’t have the right to start judging.

Third, accept that another’s decision is the best choice for them at that moment.  I am not a parent myself, but I have heard sooooo many judgments from friends who are parents.  Breast feeding is a huge issue.  So is education.  So is the working aspect of the parents.  It’s just amazing to me.  I don’t know why anyone cares if someone stays at home all day breast feeding and homeschooling.  It probably doesn’t involve you.  Then again, if a working parent chooses use formula and take their kid to a day-care, we should also accept this decision.

I have found that we are all just trying to survive.  We are all just trying to find our place in the world.  What we do NOT need is unnecessary judgement.  I welcome all constructive criticism, concern, and suggestions.  Seriously, I do.  What I do not accept is unfair judgement based what we believe we would do in that situation.  

So the next time you pass an obese person, think twice before making fun.  The next time you feel pride in your actions and judge those who make different choices, I simply ask that you think twice.  

What do you think???  Am I a complete idiot?  Am I the only one who silently judges based on the choice I would make?  

I sincerely welcome all comments, questions, concerns, and disagreements.  

Psycho-analyzing My Life

My quarter-life crisis is coming to a slow end, and I’m beginning to realize that, instead of resolving my issues, I’m learning to adapt and accept many areas of my life.  I’m learning to accept my place in the world and the choices I’ve made - although I REALLY struggle with that last part.  

In my attempt to analyze my life, I’m beginning to psycho-analyze my life as well.  In my last few blog posts, I’ve noticed that I keep coming back to the idea of happiness.  

I believe that I am responsible for my own happiness.  Only me.  Not you.  Not the boy.  Not my job.  ME!  

Because I am the only who impacts my morale, I constantly thinking about the variety of ways to improve myself.  The only problem is that I cannot make a decision to save my life!!!  Seriously.  I have no idea how people make proactive decisions.  For many people, I think they make reactive decisions based on life-changing circumstances.  For example, one may think, “I’m pregnant, so I’ll get married.”  or “He/she is cheating on me, so I’ll get a divorce.”  One may decide to move to Seattle because of a job opportunity, but how does one decide to move just because?  Or, do you stay in the same city that you’ve always lived in because that’s all you know?

One of my biggest fears, other than lactose-intolerance, is becoming stagnate in my own life.  I’m afraid of becoming comfortable.  I think that’s why I am constantly trying to change, think, read, travel, and engage in a multitude of activities with no generic theme.  I mean, I don’t think normal, content people taking a knitting class, go hiking, and attend a lecture on a Founding Father within weeks of each other.  Me, on the other hand, I thrive on this stuff!

I know I can’t be the only one who thinks about this stuff.....right.   RIGHT?!?!!?  

Sometimes though, it really feels like I’m the only one contemplating life.  I think that people often DO NOT analyze their life because they aren’t very happy but are putting on a facade.  It’s too uncomfortable to let the world know that we are unsatisfied or wish we would have made different choices.  Let’s face it, not many people are satisfied in their professional life and people clearly aren’t satisfied in their personal life or the divorce rate wouldn’t be so high.  So why do we all pretend that everything is so great?

All I know is that I constantly analyze my happiness, it’s roots, and it’s future.  I think about where I want to live and work.  I think about my future with my partner.  I think about my future regardless of my relationship status.  I think about growing and developing and learning and adapting.  

Who knows when and/or if I’ll make the big decisions: marriage, kids (AH!!!!), career, location, etc.   

But I’m pretty sure that I won’t stop thinking about these things.  

What do you think about???  Am I the only one analyzing life?  

Leave me a comment......