9.29.09

• Wearing a suit feels awesome. Wearing a wash-and-wear "travel" suit: even better.

• Have you ever experienced something that you know, right then, will stick with you and become one of those golden "remember when," turning-point sort of memories? I had that feeling this week. I've never been so inspired by a wave.

• I would list all the great things that have come to mind recently about having your own place, but I think that might be letting you in a little too much. Just know that there are a lot ... even in the 'burbs.

• You never know what will help you find a new appreciation for something else. Be open-minded to that.

• It's illegal to place a student who is not fluent in English in a class for students with speech problems. It's not the same.

• You can never have too many friends. (That one's from Mommy.)

• I'm growing back into embracing the sitcominess of life. It never fails to happen. I often think you couldn't get a bigger laugh if someone wrote this stuff. (The movie of my life that plays continuously in my head is tragically funny more often than not, but I don't think it would fail to entertain.)

• USA Today reports that teens who don't have their "own" car are half as likely to get into a crash. (The gist of this article? If you're going to have kids, BE a parent.)

• "Pain beats regret every day of the week and twice on Sundays." Oh, Matthew McConaughey, I love you in spite of your cheesiness and laughably bad movies.

• I can't decide what I think of Rock Plaza Central (other than that it translates better live than on MySpace and that a couple of the members remind me of newspaper press room guys I've worked with). I think his voice might be too ... something ... (distracting?) to totally enjoy the great harmonies. Thoughts?

• People who try things – who choose to express themselves – even though they might not be ... good? ... at what they're doing make me smile. You know that the effort is genuine that way.

• I'll never have to hide again. I'll never have to deal with [insert annoyance here] again. I'll never have to _____ again. Fill in the blank for yourself. It'll feel good. Slap it on a Post-It if you have to. Everyone loves the well-executed use of office supplies. (At least I do ...)

• People are constantly evolving as they have new experiences, but it takes something clicking in a person's head and an honest realization on his/her part to really change. (And there's nothing wrong with changing – especially if it leads to better things.)

• Everything is so much more enjoyable and interesting once you stop being afraid of not having all the answers. Having the courage to ask questions – yep, even stupid ones – and to learn from the people around you makes life seem less mundane and predictable. But you can't be too cool for it, or it will never work right. You won't get anything out if it if you're wrapped up in your own image. You'll miss the lesson. Learn to be okay with looking ridiculous sometimes and deal with the rough spots with humor and grace. (I have a friend who swears by the humor and grace stuff. Works beautifully for her.)

• The most unpredictable things can make (or ruin) your day if you let them. Really, "iff" you let them. ("If and only if." My high school geometry teacher would be proud ...)

• Cats are smarter (better at getting attention, anyway) than most people give them credit for. Although, I don't know whether plopping down on top of a computer mouse counts as catching it.

(Note: If you're reading this as a Facebook note, check out the original "what I know now" blog post. There is a method to the rambling. Promise.)