Searching for Direction & Purpose in Life's Sea of Opportunities
Since Saturday was the first day of hurricane season, it seems like the perfect opportunity to recount an experience I had more than a decade ago. I was reminded of the event last year. As Hurricane Isaac approached the Louisiana coast last summer, I received an email from Tom asking if it all seemed familiar. Strangely… Continue reading Hurricane Memories
When I first went to college, I was sure that I was going to be a high school history teacher while I worked towards my PhD. That was my plan, and especially at that age, once I had a vision, the blinders went on: It became set in stone. During the summer between my junior… Continue reading Educational Leanings
My search for an exercise program that is challenging and doesn't hurt my knee ... or aggravate my elbow tendinitis ... or bore the daylights out of me continues. My latest attempt: Pilates. As probably doesn't surprise anyone, I fully researched Pilates studios before I took my first tentative steps. I read the reviews, and I found a perfect-for-me-on-paper… Continue reading Latest Exercise Adventure
Recently the senior rabbi of my synagogue recounted a “discussion” with his wife. Out of frustration at being corrected for something she had said, she countered with, “Why do you have to take words so literally?” His response must have added to the marital discord: “Because words have meaning.” As much as I could see… Continue reading Word Police
Growing up, Ma and Tom taught me a healthy way to perceive gambling: Go in with the attitude that you are spending money on entertainment, not winning or losing. Since you can't count on the win, it only makes sense to participate if the game itself is an enjoyable activity worth your hard earned dollars.… Continue reading Lottery Delight
Back when I was looking for work, I stumbled across an ad on Craigslist offering $200 for someone to take a biology exam for an Asian female, assuming they received a score in the 85-95% range. I laughed. It reminded me of a class project I did years ago. Between grad school attempts one and… Continue reading Substitute Student
When I went through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Academy final, I managed to secure a coveted incident command job. This meant that my admin skills were drawn upon for the good of the mission. It also meant that I didn't see what was going on outside as part of the actual mock disaster. I… Continue reading Volunteer Victim
When I was in elementary school, my best friend and I got the crazy idea to take part in the Walk for Mankind: a 30 kilometer walk that was a fundraiser for ... like I would know. In the months leading up to the walk, every recess we dutifully walked around the playground on the… Continue reading Walk for Mankind
All my long(ish) term readers out there know that I love canning and of my penchant for following prepper websites. One day, these circles collided. I was minding my own business, reading through my RSS feeds, when I learned something new: I could make my own pectin! [For the uninitiated, pectin is what makes jam… Continue reading Cooking with Apples
Yesterday was May Day, which is one of Ms. M's favorite holidays, thanks to its cheerful nature. While I have seen pictures of the May Pole Dance (and seen it performed on the television shows Mad Men and Midsomer Murders), I've never done it. (Isn't ElmFlake's photo awesome?!?!?) Dancing around the May Pole looks like a lot of fun,… Continue reading I May
Grown Up, Now What? 