Since When Is Content A Synonym For Happy?!

Earlier today I was talking to a co-worker, and we were doing the usual “how was your Christmas, got any big plans for NYE?” routine line of questioning. He then jokingly asked if I had any New Year’s resolutions and at the time I couldn’t think of any.

As the day went on I started thinking about a conversation I had with someone on Christmas Eve about life and being happy.  A good friend of mine sarcastically said that being happy and being content seemed to be one in the same these days. Naturally I found the comparison more than a little depressing.  This afternoon I found myself having lunch with the same person and we kind of continued that conversation, both trying to figure out what we were going to do with our lives.  The general consensus was that neither of us have a clue as to what we want to do, but we both know one thing for sure, we want to do what makes us happy.

Now doing what makes you happy seems like a great idea, but you can’t pay your mortgage with hopes and dreams and you can’t turn on the lights with a wink and a smile.  So there comes a point where doing what makes you happy needs to align with being able to maintain a certain standard of living. I’m fully aware that money doesn’t buy happiness but I’ve always said I’d rather be miserable in nice house than in a shack.

I have pretty much always walked the straight and narrow path and followed the yellow brick road that has been laid out of me. Anyone who knows me well knows that I’m a very practical and rational person and that I over analyze every option and scenario before coming to a final decision (most of the time). The one time in my life that I didn’t really think anything through was probably the first full year after I graduated from college, and that was probably the most fun I’ve ever had and the happiest I've ever been.

After being rejected from all eight, yes eight, Ph.D. programs I applied to and ending a four year relationship I decided to “find myself” between 2008 and 2009 and have a little fun and try not worry so much about everything. During that time I went skydiving (twice), took a few road trips to visit some old friends, went to multiple concerts and saw several of my favorite bands, hung out in Boston and Cape Cod for a while,took salsa dancing lessons, took up an amateur interest in photography and went to DC for Obama’s inauguration (No matter what your political stance is, everyone should try to attend at least one inaugural event in their lifetime b/c it was freaking awesome!). I also decided to get in my car and drive several hours to visit my best friend just to prove to her that I could get there faster going my way than the way that she went. Awful idea by the way, I somehow ended up at the airport in Raleigh, NC and added an extra hour to the drive.

I’m sure by now you’re wondering, what in the hell is this girl talking about? I said all of that to say this: my New Year’s resolution for 2012 is to do what makes me happy and I encourage everyone else to do the same. That doesn’t have to mean a career change, starting or ending a relationship, going back to school, or anything life altering. If traveling makes you happy, then get in your car and go somewhere. My plan for 2012 is to create a mini-bucket list and make sure I can check off everything by December 31, 2012. So far items on my bucket list include: take a road trip to somewhere I've never been, read more for enjoyment (making sure text books don't count), take up a new hobby (not exactly sure what that will be yet), spend more time with my friends, go to more sporting events (especially during baseball season!), spend more time outside, run a 10k (my goal of a half marathon this year was a bit over the top), and finally meet some of these babies my friends keep popping out! Seriously! I feel like some of these kids will be teenagers before I meet them if I don't start doing a better job of keeping in touch with people.

So in 2012 be prepared to read about my slow moving progress as I attempt to figure out what it is I'm doing with my life. This will either be incredibly entertaining or an epic failure, either way I'm looking forward to it!

High School Reunions Post Facebook? Seems A Little Pointless If You Ask Me

So, I'll never understand the point of a high school class reunion. Sure, I suppose it made sense for our parents' generation but today what is the point? Honestly? With Facebook, Twitter, and everything else we have access to, if I wanted to keep in touch with you, I would.

There are maybe 10 people I still talk to from high school that I'm still actual friends with, and a few of those people weren't even in my class.  The people that I went to high school that I actually care about keeping in touch with, well I talk to those people on a somewhat regular basis and even make an effort to get together with them a few times a year. Most of them are pictured above, but if I'm being honest, I don't keep in touch with everyone in that photo. There are some people that I enjoy seeing randomly out and about every now and then but in general, we've all parted ways and moved on.

As someone who lives in the same city that she graduated high school from, I don't see the appeal of a 10 year reunion. When I see someone I went to high school with in the grocery store, I've been known to go down a totally different aisle just to avoid an awkward conversation about the weather and what you've been doing for the past 8 years of your life (don't act like you've never done it). The truth is that if we cared enough we'd make more of an effort to keep in touch.

Now let's be honest for a moment. Let's just get down to the bare bones of it all. We will attend our high school reunion to see what the "cool" kids have done with their lives, find out who has gained weight, who has joined weight watchers, and who has just become a total screw up.  As someone who wasn't one of the "cool" kids, I must admit I would like to know the answers to some of these mysteries, but honestly the majority of these questions are answered on a daily basis on my Facebook news feed.

I realize this all probably sounds a bit rude or perhaps antisocial, but I'm not saying anything most of us haven't already thought about. If you're big on the idea of a 10 year reunion and if you've never seen Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, I encourage you to watch it. Then you'll understand where I'm coming from.

Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays

So, after careful consideration I've decided to start blogging. Not that I think my random thoughts are all that interesting, but this has been something I have considered doing for quite some time. The intention here is not to offend anyone, although I'm sure at some point that will happen. The content of this blog will contain only my thoughts and opinions and if at any point you find yourself offended, well then I suggest you stop reading.

For those of you who don't know, Windsor is my wonderfully awesome dog and I spend the majority of my free time with her. This means that yes, I do in fact talk to my dog. Hopefully some day modern veterinary medicine will allow us to be able to know what our pets are thinking/ feeling but until that time I'll continue to hold one-sided pointless conversations with Windsor as she stares at me with a blank look in her eyes, and then recount those "conversations" here.

If you're wondering what has finally driven me to begin blogging, and I seriously doubt you are, the answer is simple: my laziness! This year for Christmas my parents were kind enough to give me the gift of an Apple iPad. After hours of playing Words With Friends and Angry Birds, I thought I'd put this thing to a more productive use and share with the world my random thoughts. No need to thank me, it's my contribution to mankind.

So with all that being said, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, and enjoy because this is my gift to the world! (That was to be read with extreme sarcasm)