Weekly Exercise & Out of the Blue Dates.

The first part in the title is of course 'Weekly Exercise,' which pretty much entitles three times a week for an hour at the local YMCA(Young Men's Christian Association.) I've wanted to get into shape for a while now. But I lacked the self motivation before now to really do anything about it. But now that I have a membership I force myself to go for an hour every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. And I spend thirty minutes on the elliptical and then thirty minutes on the bike. Eventually I'll work up to the weights and other activities. But now since I am still warming my body up to the whole work out thing it's just the two. And believe me, right now those two are enough. They kick my butt every day.

But as a great movie once stated.

"Exercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy...."

Now I don't necessarily feel happy. But I feel better, I feel good, I'm more tired, but I feel good.

This post is mostly for the second part of the title. 'Out of the Blue Dates.'

So there was this guy in high school. I totally liked him, don't know if he knew that or not, but everyone else in the school knew. But anyway. So he liked all these other girls, even liked one of my friends at the time. But we were really good friends in high school. We talked all the time and we joked around a lot too.

After a while he stopped talking to me and totally started ignoring me. Blew me off completely. He also graduated a year earlier then I did. So I hardly saw him. And after he blew me off I took it as a major jerk action on his part. So to make matters short, I haven't talked to him in about two and a half years. (Yeah, I guess you could say I'm still a little bitter about the whole thing.)

So a couple days ago I get a random phone call from him and he asks me if I want to go see the mid-night showing of the new Mummy movie coming out. I eventually told him that I would go.

Now I am totally confused. Is he seriously that daft? I know we were good friends in high school and all. But after two and a half years and after how he treated me when we stopped talking. So I totally feel awkward about the situation.

Now, I don't know if this is technically supposed to be a 'date' or anything. But he's driving and paying. And according to one of my friends that's a date. I don't know if I consider it a date. But because I know how awkward it is going to be. I'm dragging her and her boyfriend along. Sort of as a double date thing.
I hate awkward situations. So I'm hoping with her there it wont be entirely all that awkward. Besides it's a mid-night showing so we'll all be sort of out of it anyway. And it's a free movie.

So I don't really know what I am supposed to expect from this tomorrow night. But we'll just see how things go I guess.

Explination behind the Ghost Hunters Vid.

So I started watching it a while back so I could watch all the seasons. Now I've caught up with the current season and I'm waiting for them to restart on Sep 3. I can't wait!

Do I really believe in ghosts and the paranormal? No, I don't really think so. But the show is kind of fun to watch. I'm very much like my mother in the fact that I like mysteries. And every 'case' they go on is like a mystery. Is the house haunted or is it all just normal things like loose floor boards or pipes banging against the wall? (I know I'm a geek right?)

But I think what really makes the show interesting is that unlike most Ghost Hunter groups. They go into these places to 'de-bunk' or 'disprove' a haunting. By trying to give them normal reasons like pipes banging or thin walls. And most of the time they say the house isn't haunted and it's all normal things.

But there is the occasional episode where they catch something on film or audio that they just can't explain otherwise. Like things moving on it's own when the only thing up there was the camera. Those clips are pretty cool to watch. Now I don't know if I believe in 'EVPs' or 'Electronic Voice Phenomenon' where they catch a voice on a voice recorder that wasn't heard by the human ear. But played back on the tape they can hear it. But as I said before I watch it because it's kind of fun.

The sense of the mystery gives me that sense of adrenaline rush and suspense. Which is also another reason why I like watching scary movies or this T.V show. It's just fun to be scared! (Family: No I am not giving you permission to try to scare me at every turn.)

Purpose

Dictionary.com defines the word 'purpose' as the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.

But to be honest there really isn't a purpose behind bringing up this word other then I'm in a thoughtful mood. Maybe it has something to do with the weather here in Arizona. It's hit monsoon season which brings in the storm clouds which blankets everything in a dull gray. With promising chances of rain later during the day. The water is nice, but mix it with the Arizona trade mark heat, and you get humidity. Fun all around. The rain is a nice change though.

And it's on days like this were I can stare out the window at the gloomy day and wonder if I'm happy with my lot in life? Or have I done everything that I should and am I living up to my 'purpose'? Only problem is, I'm not sure what my purpose really is at the moment. Not that I'm really expected to at twenty.

And I know I've messed up my life to where I'm struggling to fix it now in the future, I hate consequences. Like not taking the proper course with school and now struggling to get a GED because I didn't graduate. Hence the jobless bit of my life right now.

Another thing I am struggling with is deciding what to do with my life now that I have almost free reign over it (just need that GED). Which direction do I want to go other then up and out? I'm still deciding.

Thank heavens my family, especially my parents, are very supportive. And willing to back me up with whatever I do. So I count my blessings every day.

One of my possibilities that I can do with my life of course is Massage Therapy school, followed by physical therapy. Which I still might do in the future. Again, the only thing stopping me there is my GED. Working more toward it every day.

Another thing I can do is writing. I'm currently taking a writing course through the mail that I found online. I'm enjoying every assignment. I love writing which is why I do it. It allows me to express myself, my emotions, my thoughts and expressions on curtain subjects. Which is one of the many reasons I started a blog. I'll share with you all one thing that I learned about writing from my course. "Write for yourself." It doesn't matter what audience you are writing for. If you do not enjoy your own writing and the subject you are writing about. Then your reader's wont like it either. Yes you must write for the audience, but your first concern is writing for you.

Well, I've run out of things to say this time around. But I might be creating a second blog that is all dedicated to things that I have written for my course or things I have written for school. But I'm still thinking about it.

A Hopeless Romantic. (Contains Swear)

A cousin once called me a 'Romantic.' And me being the stubborn tom-boy that I am, I quickly refused the claim. Sure, I'm a girl and I like the romantic scene every once in a while like any other girl. But I was determined to hold onto the claim that although I like chick-flicks occasionally, I was still not a Romantic in every sense of the word.

For a long time, I went strong. I had found nothing to support my cousin's claim. I don't really enjoy make-up, or nail polish, or spending hours in the bathroom getting ready. Action, horror/suspense, Comedy, and the occasional chick-flick are movies that I like.

But, the more I thought about it over that time. The more I started to realize curtain things. Things that made me realize something about my self that I didn't want to admit too. 'Holy Crap I'm a Romantic. Damn It!'

Though I have to admit it's not really that surprising. When I spend most of my time studying or daydreaming about the medieval era that is a time of Knightly Chivalry. And Ireland, Scotland and England in Celtic Mythology. That whole time frame is swarming with easily reachable Romantic fantasy. How could I not be a Romantic?

I had the chance to go see a production of 'Romeo and Juliet' while I was in my last year of High School. Now that is almost the top of the romantic stories. Now I love Shakespeare. There isn't a Shakespearian play yet that I have seen that I haven't liked. And I've seen quite a few. Well this was a first for 'Romeo and Juliet'. Now before I always thought the play was a little silly. I thought the story behind it was a little lame and cheesy. But then I saw it, and of course I loved it. And of course it can get sappy, but I loved it.

I love stories about love that defies against the odds. Which is why I love 'Twilight'. Which is why I'll most likely read 'Weathering Heights' as my next read. I enjoy romantic parts in stories. And I don't mean sexually. I mean grow old together, flowers, special evenings, L-O-V-E.

Of course this has all got me thinking about how maybe this is all from some sad result by the fact that I have never had a boyfriend and therefore no one to treat me like that. And I want it. And I keep hearing about all the romantic, sweet things that my friends or cousins boyfriends have done for them and of course I get a little envious. I want that. I want someone to sweep me off my feet and surprise me with flowers or take me dancing (although I'm no good at it).

I am a Hopeless Romantic!

And I'm sure my cousin will be pleased that I have to admit it. Especially after I denied it for so long. But there you have it.

Shakespeare

If you've ever been 'Footloose' and 'Fancy Free',

If you've ever 'Thanked Someone From the Bottom of Your Heart',

If you've ever been left 'High and Dry';

If you ever took a test that you thought was 'A Piece of Cake';

If you've ever refused to 'Budge and Inch';

If you've ever been 'Tongue Tied'; 'A Tower of Strength', 'Hoodwinked' or 'In a Pickle';

If you've ever 'Knitted Your Brow', made 'A Virtue of Necessity', insisted on 'Fair-play', 'Slept Not One Wink', 'Stood on Ceremony', 'Laughed Yourself to Stitches', had 'Short Shift', 'Cold Comfort' or 'Too Much of a Good Thing'.

If you've ever 'Cleared out Bag and Baggage' because you thought it was 'High Time' and that is 'The Long and Short of it'.

If you've ever believed 'The Game is Up' and if it involves 'Your Own Flesh and Blood'.

If you ever 'Lie Low' til 'The Crack of Dawn' through 'Thick and Thin' because you 'Suspect Foul Play'.

If you've ever had 'Your Teeth set on Edge', 'With One Fell Swoop', without 'Rhyme or Reason'.

And finally, if you 'Bid Me Good Riddance' and 'Send me Packing'.

If you wish I was 'Dead as a Doornail', if you think I'm 'An Eyesore', 'A Laughing Stock', a 'Stone-Hearted villain', 'Bloody Minded' or 'A Blithering Idiot'.

Well then 'By Jove', 'Oh Lord', 'Tut Tut', 'For Goodness Sake', and my personal favorite, 'What the Dickens?'

It is 'All One to Me' even if it's 'Greek to you' for you are QUOTING SHAKESPREARE!

It Might Be True! Think About It.

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500's.

These are interesting....

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good in June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of 'carrying a bouquet when getting married'.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, 'Don't throw the baby out with the bath water'.

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (Mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying. 'It's raining cats and dogs'.

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how, 'canopy beds came into existence'.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other then dirt. That's where we get the saying, 'Dirt Poor'. The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on the floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance way to keep the thresh inside. Hence the saying, 'Thresh Hold'.

(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. That's where we get the rhyme, 'Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old'.

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could 'bring home the bacon'. They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and, 'chew the fat'.

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or, 'The upper crust'.

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whiskey. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of, 'Holding a wake'.

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 5 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a sting on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night, or, 'The graveyard shift'. To listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, 'Saved by the bell' or was considered, 'A dead ringer'.

And that's the truth... Now, who ever said History was boring!!!!

Messed Up, But So Funny!

The Following are entries to a contest by The Washington Post, in which respondents had to write a two-line romantic poem... except that the last line had to be as un-romantic as the first line was romantic.

Here is what some people sent in:

" My darling, my lover, my beautiful wife;
Marrying you screwed up my life."

"I see your face when I am dreaming,
That's why I always wake up screaming."

" Kind, intelligent, loving and hot;
This describes every thing you are not."

"Love may be beautiful, love may be bliss,
But I only slept with you because I was pissed."

"I thought that I could love no other,
that is, until I met your brother."

"Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you ~
but the roses are wilting, the violets are dead,
the sugar bowl is empty and so is your head."

"I want to feel your sweet embrace,
but don't take that paper bag off your face."

"I love your smile, your face, and your eyes.
Damn, I'm good at telling lies!"

"My love, you take my breath away.
What have you stepped in to smell this way?"

"My feelings for you no words can tell,
except for maybe, 'Go to hell.' "

"What inspired this amorous rhyme?
two parts vodka, one part lime."

Think these are funny? Think you can do better? Feel free to add your own submissions in the comment box. And I'll add the ones I like here.

Going Up.

Don't take the title wrong. My life is still in a rut, I'm still jobless, pretty much still outside any thing close to a social life, and still boyfriend less. (Family, please don't leave comments about my life choices on my blog in this post.)

No, what is going up is the Weather.

Now I love Arizona. I was born in Utah, moved to Arizona when I was eleven. And then grew up here. Arizona is great, at first I hated it, the weather was horrible it was brown and lets face it I miss the mountains and hills. But Arizona has grown on me and I love it.

Of course there is one thing that has problems. Arizona has crazy unnatural weather. In the winter there is no snow, in the autumn there is no colors on the leaves, (There's not leaves.) And the summer is just insane.

Well, Arizona has hit summer here. And that means the heat waves come rolling in. Three digits or more, reaching temperatures of 112 or higher for the past two weeks. And when all your family cars have no air conditioning, you don't want to go anywhere. And every one becomes a hermit in their own houses.

I'll I have to say is thank heavens for relatives who live across the street and has a pool.