Replay
I came home to over 1,000 posts in my Google Reader. Forgive me for very slowly making my way through all these posts. I intend to read every one of them (at least I say that now), but it might be some time before I work my way back. For now, here are a few posts that really stood out to me this week!
Harmonized! Way back in the days when I was dating, I was a pretty big advocate of match.com. In fact, I was one of the first people in my group of friends to give it a go. And I used the website for many years (before meeting Sweets through said website). Over those years, I considered and even dabbled in other dating websites (eHarmony, Yahoo Personals, JDate, to name a few). I only tried eHarmony once and vowed never to use it again. I hated how much control the eHarmony “system” had over my matches. And no matter how many people told me the eHarmony users were more serious about finding love, I just couldn’t get over giving up control of my own love life. Well, come to find out, eHarmony has very strong roots planted in the Christian fundamentalist movement and has a very anti-gay bias. Totally within their right, I guess, but it makes me that much more relieved I never paid for their services (because who the hell would they pair up this Jew-ish? girl?!?!?). {source: Alice’s Wonderland}
Salty! I have photography in my blood. Not of the professional kind. But, the serious amateur kind. Well, not even serious. Just amateur. My grandfather loved photography. When he was still living, we always had an ongoing debate about the merits of black +white photography versus color photography. My dad continued his reign by being our family photographer. And I have also grabbed onto a piece of that rope. I want to be better. I want to take a class (more on that in another post). I want to learn the ins and outs of my camera. In the meantime, I am always in awe of gorgeous photography. And Heidi took some beautiful snapshots while on a day trip with a friend. For me, the blue of the sky meeting the salt of the earth is awe-inspiring. The splashes of red, green and turquoise are icing on the cake. {source: heidikins}
Transformation! Years ago, I was busy all the time. Volunteering for a charity. Running my alumni club. Socializing like it was my last week alive (week in and week out). And then things came to a screeching halt. I put the brakes on big time. And focused on Sweets and our upcoming wedding and all our friends and family. The wedding was almost a year ago. And frankly, I’ve been feeling restless lately. I brought running back into my life by training for the half marathon and hope to keep that going strong this fall. I have a few other ideas I’m working out (note camera stuff above) and you’ll hear more about them in a proper post soon. It was therefore inspiring to read Doniree’s post about turning thoughts into action. That girl knows what she wants and is going after it with force! {source: doniree.com}
Legacy! This has been a sad week in the world of politics. The passing of Edward Kennedy signifies the passing of a historically significant political family. Not that the whole family is gone or forever out of the political spotlight. But, Edward Kennedy was the last of John Kennedy’s brothers to pass away. The end of an era. The media has reminded me of countless, memorable quotes, stated by Edward Kennedy. One of my favorites is: “We know the future will outlast all of us, but I believe that all of us will live on in the future we make.” It was only appropriate I read a similarly themed blog post the same day his death was announced. Makes us all think about what we are doing with our lives, no? {source: the brain}
Editor’s note: I sense a theme in the Replay posts that stood out to me this week. The whole idea of understanding what interests you in the world, pursuing things that allow you to explore those interests and hopefully leaving a little something behind for the world after you’re gone. I often feel this way after vacations and other major events. So much time and energy goes into planning and then enjoying them that there is a lull afterwards. A void, if you will. Clearly, it’s time for me to fill the post-Montana void.
August 28th, 2009 at 8:40 am
I love photography! Even if I’m not that good at it, but I just love snapping away. I took a class on how to use my DSLR camera and it did help. I think you would enjoy a photography class.
Did you see the responses on Alice’s post about eharmony? Makes me really wonder about some people…
August 28th, 2009 at 8:45 am
I enjoy these replays so much! Best of luck filling the post-vacation void. As you know, lately I am all about understanding what makes me happy and pursuing that. I do hope it leads to leaving things a little better.
August 28th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Great roundup this week! Love Alice’s post and Heidi’s photos especially.
August 28th, 2009 at 9:01 am
So I totally had a response written and then my computer crashed…
Event Letdown is one of my least favorite things I experience after weddings/parties/vacations/even finishing a graduate school class. It’s tough to deal with sometimes but I tend to occupy myself with working out and getting back into a social groove.
Something else to add to the list for 2010, of course: Writer’s Workshop =)
Happy Friday!
August 29th, 2009 at 10:12 am
I love your weekly replays -- you do the web searching for me so that I don’t have to. S C O R E!
August 30th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Welcome back! I know how you feel about having TONS of posts in your Reader. I’m currently trying to catch up on mine, as well.
I definitely think you should take a photography class. I loved all the ones I took in school, and they are definitely beneficial. I’ll be interested to know what you think of it!