This is amazing!  You can't help but laugh not only at how scared people get, but also what a kick Ellen gets out of scaring people.  I love it.

Family: 

In human context, a family (from Latin: familia) is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children. Extended from the human "family unit" by biological-cultural affinity, marriage, economy, culture, tradition, honour, and friendship are concepts of family that are physical and metaphorical, or that grow increasingly inclusive extending to community, village, city, region, nationhood,global village and humanism.

Family on the mind today.  The little one that I've started with a husband and a cat.  The big one I have in North Carolina that fills up three households and then overflows into a couple of others, and is growing; those people that have raised me, or been raised alongside me.  The family that is sprinkled all over this country - some of whom I know well, others whom I don't.  This family I will see sporadically throughout the year, and am looking forward to seeing parts of very soon.  I'm also thinking about the family that I won't be seeing for the first time during Christmas, and how grateful I am for Christmas traditions to begin with my husband, yet how sad I am to miss out on traditions I've known all my life.


The family that is not biologically related to me but is, instead, considered, "family by choice."  Often those are the people that I think aren't related to me, but that relate the best to me.  They know me, they get me.  We're in each others lives in unique and special ways.  Some of these family members are in my life for the day-to-day, mundaneness of life, for which I'm grateful.  Others are thousands of miles and phone calls away, but feel like we haven't missed a second in each others lives.  For this, I'm also grateful.  

Family is so screwed up, but we wouldn't be anywhere without it.  

I love this movie so much.

[Testing the waters for trying to post something on a more regular basis.  I know it won't last for long, but I thought it might be fun.]

Random thought of the day: I'm in a tomboy phase, despite the fact that I was in a very feminine phase two weeks ago when I bought a new pair of high heels.  So, I wear bright red lipstick with my Chuck Taylor's, and I wear ripped jeans with my heels.  I believe this is the quintessential definition of "hipster." Well, crap, now I've done it.  I've officially succumbed to all that is Seattle.  A reference for you from Urban Dictionary:

Although "hipsterism" is really a state of mind, it is also often intertwined with distinct fashion sensibilities. Hipsters reject the culturally-ignorant attitudes of mainstream consumers, and are often be seen wearing vintage and thrift store inspired fashions, tight-fitting jeans, old-school sneakers, and sometimes thick rimmed glasses. Both hipster men and women sport similar androgynous hair styles that include combinations of messy shag cuts and asymmetric side-swept bangs. Such styles are often associated with the work of creative stylists at urban salons, and are usually too "edgy" for the culturally-sheltered mainstream consumer. The "effortless cool" urban bohemian look of a hipster is exemplified in Urban Outfitters and American Apparel ads which cater towards the hipster demographic. (Read more here).

There we have it.  Maybe that's why I'm so confused - because that's the "hipsterism" state of mind.

Quiet day at home.  Hearing the sounds of the city outside my apartment, grateful for where I live and who I live with.  Grateful for people who live near me, and grateful for some who live far.  Noticing the monochrome color scheme of the sky, the apartment buildings across the street, our apartment walls and carpet; grateful for colorful pillows.  For color (like the bright red lipstick I'm wearing on this quiet day at home).  For my cat who gets up from her nap across the room to come and nap next to me.  Grateful for sentimental trinkets and hot tea.  Grateful for this little blog and the people who have followed my life through it.

Shalom.

Miss Representation

Do it, ladies.

[I recommend viewing this in full screen.]

Miss Representation 8 min. Trailer 8/23/11 from Miss Representation on Vimeo.

NewVillager

I am so grateful for friends that recommend amazing music.  Especially when it comes with a video like this.

My professor, on the presence of evil in the therapeutic work:

You are not simply changing the way someone speaks.  You are not simply changing the way someone thinks or feels.  In that moment, you are fighting for someone’s soul.

 Through tears.


Is the work that we're doing making a difference?

Just another reason why Amy Poehler is amazing.  (Click the link on her name!)