What a sad day ...

While out sailing last night, I was taking some fun photos with my Polaroid camera. My friends informed me that they heard Polaroid was going to stop production on their cameras and film. I couldn't believe ears! I assumed that perhaps the rumor was only partly true and that the standard 600 film I was using would of course continue to be produced. I searched the web today to find that Polaroid made the announcement this past February! I'm honestly very sad now. I'm going to have to stock up on the film before it's all gone! As much as one can stock up I suppose - since film eventually expires :(

There are still arguments back and forth on whether or not this is actually going to happen. There is a plethora of instant film fanatics who are protesting such devastating news. There are those who are asking Fujifilm (and other companies) to take over the market that Polaroid wants to leave behind. There are tons of sites dedicated to the 'art' of the instant photo.

I was going to write some thoughts on what the classic polaroid photos mean to me, but I came across this site that simply says it all. SAVEPOLAROID. Take a gander down memory lane and let these folks express in their words, what a polaroid can mean to each of us.

Here's a fake polaroid of me sailing. This just can't compare to the real thing!

Sailing away!

In the Harbor! I sent this image from my phone and planned to blog more about the trip when I got home. However, Jami did such a lovely job of documenting it, I'll just send you to read her account.

Remember my search for soccer players?

So this morning I played soccer with a great group of people. LCC had started some pick-up soccer a while back and Adrian always told me to come. I had posted an ad on craigslist for anyone else interested and got three replies. Two of them showed up today! It was great! I love meeting new people, don't you?

It was not easy to play in the 80 degree heat though. I definitely need more water before hand next time. We played some four on four and everyone played really nicely together! If you're interested in joining us, please do!!

Here's to humor!

Thomas Jefferson once said, 'We should never judge a president by his age, only by his works.' And ever since he told me that, I stopped worrying.
- Ronald Reagan

inspiration

I made myself a new desktop wallpaper for inspiration. What do ya think?

End of the season...

Remember the end of high school? You were relieved the work was done, but you also had that instant feeling of something missing? At the end of every season, that's how I feel. A sigh of relief. And then a frown because you'll miss being a part of something. You'll miss the fun, and you'll miss the friends.

This time is a little sadder for me. Some of these kids have been on my team for two and three seasons. Next year they'll move up a division because of their ages. If Adrian and I decide to just continue to coach the same division at the YMCA, we won't get to keep working with those kids, and that makes me sad. I get attached to certain players. The ones who have such extraordinary potential to be great. Not just in the sport, but in life. I want to see how they grow up and who they become. I've grown to believe in them. I want to watch my belief be proved right. Does this make sense? Sometimes clarity is not my greatest strength.

My first thought is to wonder how I will be able to 'let go' of my own children when it isn't easy to let go of another's. Then it occurs to me that I will never have to let go of my kids this way. I'll never have to see them off wondering if I'll ever hear from them again. Granted, things like being sent to war may warrant such a question, but I mean in the sense that they won't be strangers. I will be able to follow their lives. I will see their success, and their failures. All the while believing in them. In fact, I actually look forward to sending them off into the world, mighty warriors they will be. I have such vision for my family. We will have great times together during 'practice' but the whole reason for practice is to be ready for the game. It's always exciting to me to watch my team go out and put to use all the lessons they've learned. I love it when one of them shows off some fancy footwork! It's the greatest when they score a goal after trying so hard and then they turn and look at the side lines for approval, "Did you see me Coach? I did it!" Priceless.

I've learned much this season and I've got some great memories to go with those lessons. Below is a photo of the prestigious plaque the Icebreakers presented me with. A lovely thank you and the signature of each spirited player. It will serve as a reminder of this spring. The photo above is the necklace Adrian and I gave to each player. Of course, we each have our own, too! I hope it will bring back wonderful memories to each kid for years to come. I know it will do that for me. One of my favorite pieces of neck wear is a simple basketball bead on a ball chain necklace that I got during 8th grade basketball. As I wonder what exactly it is I like about it so much, I fail to recall any real specific details about the season, but I know it affected me. My coach influenced me to believe in myself. He made it clear, that if we didn't believe in ourselves, we would never find success. The only one who can bring me down - is me.

I seem to have rambled a bit and just sorta regurgitated various thoughts without much order, but I wanted to share. All I have left to say, is that if you ever get the chance or opportunity to coach or mentor young people in any facet, please, PLEASE do it. If not for their sake, for your own.

Sounders!

Last night was so much fun! Here's a couple pictures of the team on the field with the Sounders! The game itself was very intense, but in the end there was no score on the board. Darn! There was quite a bit of blood though! I'm pretty sure one of the Miami guys broke his nose. What a bunch of drama kings. Every time someone got hurt it was like a death scene from a Shakespeare play. The kids also had tons of fun. During the half-time and at the end of the game, the stadium staff threw out mini-soccer balls and each kid was able to get one. Thank goodness! They were even able to get them signed by the players after the game. Plus, I heard the sweet sounds of little voices repeating lessons they had been taught this season! What? They were listening? One of the parents got a couple shots that I hope he emails to me, which I'll then add to this post.

**And here's those two other photos I mentioned above.**

service provider

I am currently a T-Mobile customer and have been for at least 6 years. For the past two years I've been using the Moto V360. Over the last week, I have been testing out Verizon Wireless and the Moto W755. The following is my review/comparison of each service and phone. *Let me first admit that I am a perfectionist who doesn't welcome change very often.*

T-Mobile Pros:

• I have been with this company since they were Voicestream and have good repoir with them.
• I am on a month to month cycle - meaning I can get out anytime without huge fees.
• They currently are gifting me an extra 50 minutes of airtime for being a loyal customer.
• TM uses SIM cards which means I can switch phones without needing to see a service rep. This is handy if my phone breaks (I can use my backup until I decide on a new phone) or if my battery dies when I really need to make a call (I can either use my backup if it's handy, or find someone with a SIM ready phone and borrow theirs without having to use their minutes).
• I have used this service while in Europe and know it to work great for making calls.
• I love the instant access to my 'minutes used' count and 'current balance' by just dialing #MIN# or #BAL#.
• Easy access to my account online. I can make payments, change my plan, or even upgrade my phone from any internet ready computer.
• I am able to purchase any SIM ready unlocked phone available on the market - I don't have to buy from TM directly. This means I can save money on new phones. In fact, that's how I bought my current phone. I really wanted it and TM had quit selling it.
  

T-Mobile Cons:

• I had outrages bills to my account when I came home from Europe and was slightly jerked around being told different things and had to settle for extra free rollover minutes as a settlement. I would have preferred the charges to have been removed.
• Service coverage. I give it a 7.5 out of 10. There are local areas that are difficult to get reception at.
• I've noticed over the years that TM has slowly pulled plan features from 'standard' plans and turned them into 'extras' that you have to purchase separately. I.e. they used to provide every customer with 50 free text messages with every plan. Disappointing.
  
• [i'm sure i'll think of something else to add later]

Verizon Pros:

• I have lots of family and friends on this network - no airtime usage to call them or for them to call me.
  
• I admit, it probably has better service coverage. BUT I've only had it a week.
• Online account access (though I'm not familiar with it) and phone book storage application.
• I would be on a family plan and save $30 a month (if we don't split the bill three ways).
• Instant access to 'minute count' though not as simple as TM's function. It teeters on being in the 'Cons' list actually.
• Plenty of local service reps if questions arise.

Verizon Cons:

• Verizon appears to be very controlling of what customers can do with their phones. Certain features are 'locked out' to force you to purchase more from them.
  
• They do NOT use SIM technology at all. I have to go to them for any change in phone. If my phone breaks and I can't afford a new one, I'm outta luck!
• I would be on a family plan and no longer have my own account to continue building credit with.
• I would be starting over from scratch building a new relationship with a new company.
• I can't say for certain that it's the service (it may be the phone) but the call audio comes across rather digital sounding. At times it's difficult to hear the caller.
  

the Icebreakers

Ladies and gentlemen! Put your hands together for the ...... icccccccccceeebreakers! So, here are the kids I've been working with over the past 10 weeks or so, minus three. This was the best shot I could get from them. Not exactly what I had imagined, but it works I suppose.

Polka Dots

She asked me if I thought the baby would prefer polka dots or stripes on the blankets. Does she know that this is a health class assignment? How am I supposed to answer that? Even if this was a real baby, it wouldn't know the difference between dots and stripes! I answer anyway.

"Stripes."

"Definitely polka dots."

Why does she even ask? Maybe I should break up with her. Why did I think signing up for this class with her was a good idea? This assignment is a joke. Somehow it's supposed to teach me that I'm not ready to be a parent. At what point did I ever claim that I want to have a child? I'm on their side! I wonder if we can give this doll up for adoption. There's plenty of girls in the class who think they're ready to be a parent who'll take it. Won't that prove that I learned my lesson? Man, I'm brilliant! I can be done with the assignment sooner and get an 'A'!

"Mrs. Brent, Dana & I want to give up our baby for adoption, so it can have a better life."

"WHAT?!" Dana's head whipped around so fast I thought the room actually spun. Maybe I should have told Dana the plan first.

"Charlie! We are NOT giving away our baby to some stranger! Forget it!"

Thankfully, Mrs. Brent wanted to explore the option more. "Now hold on a minute, Dana. I think Charlie should have a chance to make his case."

***********to be continued*******************

------------------------------
Prompts for this week:

1] Use this sentence as non-main character dialog in your story: "That was a good plan."

2] Write a story that takes place in a laundromat in the middle of the day.

3] Write a story with all animal characters - in the second person.

emails from Heaven?

Have you heard about this new service being offered? I read about it at Normal Rockstar's blog. The website describes it's service this way:

We have set up a system to send documents by the email, to the addresses you provide, 6 days after the "Rapture" of the Church. This occurs when 3 of our 5 team members scattered around the U.S fail to log in over a 3 day period. Another 3 days are given to fail safe any false triggering of the system.

So basically, you can leave a message for the unsaved to be sent after you've left. I think that'd be a little freaky! However, it got me thinking.... what would I want to say to those left behind if I am raptured (meaning, if I'm alive at the rapture)? Or even just after I die? With today's advanced technology, it's possible to send messages from the afterlife.

Since Blogger now allows you to pre-date your posts, I'm going to go ahead and write some messages that will only be posted if I am unable to re-date them to a future time. Meaning, if I die, am raptured, or perhaps am in a coma, I will still be a faithful blogger!

Did you see P.S. I love you? Just because I won't be here, doesn't mean I'll stop loving you all!

DAY ONE

Well, I did it. I started. Dad and I got to the gym about 7am and left at around 8:30am. Picked up a smoothie on the way home and then grabbed some scrambled eggs to finish off breakfast. Was feeling really good at that point in the day. Also was feeling very tired. So I went back to sleep. Got myself up around noon and had some leftovers. Chicken and fried cheese. Not good. But good, if you know what I mean. My goal for today is to eat six times, without worrying too much about what I eat. Once I'm used to that, I can throw in the mental challenge of figuring out what to eat. As of now, I'm at three glasses of water (out of ten) which is more than I general have in a day.

My training today was upper body focused - Back, Chest, Shoulders, Triceps, & Biceps. I ended up over-estimating some of the starting weights for a few of the exercises, and I actually under-estimated for the others. I think it was better to be under though. I ended up missing a couple exercises, but it wasn't too much of a big deal. I only needed to to 12 reps on each of them. I'd tell you what I can bench right now, but I'm not sure what the bar weighs..... :) It was sorta sad because I know I've been able to bench with weights in the past. No worries, just gives me something to look forward to. While waiting for dad to finish his workout, I walked the track and then shot some hoops. My arms were beginning to feel like jelly, so it felt a bit weird.

While working on my triceps, I overheard a couple of teenaged boys talking about dinosaurs and the bible. When they were resting between reps, I said hello and told them I overheard them. I offered them a set of Dr. Hovind's Creation Science Seminar DVDs. I told them how wonderful they were and they would answer the dinosaur question and so many more with hard science. I really didn't want to talk to those boys. But I felt like I should. One of them seemed to be trying to pursuade the other that 'just because dinosaurs aren't in the bible, doesn't mean God doesn't exist.' I thought he would be excited that someone would be on his side and give him a way to prove what he was saying. Of course, dinosaurs ARE in the bible, but I didn't want to come across like a know-it-all or something. They seemed to think I was offering them drugs or something, "Naw, I'm good" is what one of them said when I offered the DVDs. Maybe they thought I was hitting on them.....

I'm feeling stronger already! Grrrr!

"We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing.
Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action."
- Frank Tibolt

Happy Father's Day!

Well here he is, the man himself: my father. He's a simple guy. Loves to laugh. Loves to make other people laugh. He smiles like a child - full of joy. We are much alike, him and I. We both like to start things, and then 'put them away for another day'. We both like our gadgets. We think too much. We really love our naps. We even look alike.

The most important thing he could have ever done in my life as my father, was to introduce me to the Father. My dad taught me about God. He showed me the truth, and he has given me freedom. He has set an example for me, by always making time for the Lord. My dad makes mistakes, and messes up like the rest of us. He didn't mess up here though. He has stood strong. I am thankful for my dad.

My dad's the smartest guy,

And my dad's the bravest guy,

Andy my dad's the neatest guy,

It's positively so.

Maybe I'll introduce you,

Then you'll know that it's the truth,

That my dad,

My dad's the greatest guy you know!!

(Janeen Brady, My Dad)

Something's fishy.

I read this fish tale today and at the end, it struck me in the gut. Some Charleston, OR hooligans stole an 8ft wooden carving of Charlie the Tuna that was an icon of the community. After fearing capture, they decided to attempt to chop the statue into pieces and get rid of it. Long story, short, they were caught and apologized. Seems like a sad story. What really got to me what this:

The town of Charleston will celebrate Charlie’s life with a 1/8th km “creep and crawl” led by the Wild Women of Charleston at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, followed by his wake.

"Followed by his wake." Are they serious!? It almost makes me fuming mad. Every day, EVERY day thousands of unborn children are chopped into pieces in the name of choice. Why is there not a march held for each and every individual who is so brutally murdered this way? No one holds a wake for these little ones. How many of these "Wild Women" who will be leading this ridiculous march, are believers in 'choice' when it comes to abortion? How many of them will mourn the lost of a giant piece of wood and yet care nothing for a tiny human life who has suffered the same fate. What ugly hypocrisy. What a terrible grief my heart has felt. How much longer with this evil persist?

One more for the day.

Okay, you absolutely HAVE to read this blog entry from More Than Cake.

Fitness Update

I just wanted to let you all know, that you still have time to join me in the actually Challenge if you want. I'll be officially starting this coming Monday. You don't have to compete with others if you don't want to, you could just compete with yourself. In fact, that's pretty much what I'm doing. The Rules state that you must use at least one EAS supplement product during your 12-weeks to qualify for a prize. Well, at this point I can't exactly afford any of those products. Gaining my health back is the best prize anyway!

Tuesday Tales

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! In an attempt to improve our writing skills, Jami and I have decided to challenge one another to a weekly write off! We will each post 3 or so writing prompts on our blogs for the other to select from. Then we have one week to write a piece, no matter how long or short, and post it as the opener for the following weeks prompts. The only prize involved is the satisfaction of a completed piece (which is of course the prize most writers have learned to be satisfied with). We welcome any other interested parties to join in the fun and post a link to your finished piece in that weeks comments.

Okay, Jami. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to start a story with one of the following:

#1 - I stood starring through the train as it clicked past the platform and I thought to myself, "What in the world am I doing?"

#2 - "Three, two, one ..... hey!"

#3 - As I turned and walked away from him for the last time, he said, "Every ending is only the start of another beginning." He was right.

I took the Challenge...

...will you?

I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. Recently, I have be pondering the condition of my health. Getting back to the gym is a must. This afternoon, I decided to look up some info about getting into shape. It seems there's plenty of plans out there for folks looking to lose weight, which is wonderful for them! I found it more difficult to find workout strategies for someone like me, who's looking to actually gain weight - with the exception of those workouts meant for Bodybuilders. However, freakishly large arms isn't my goal. So what are my goals?

These are the areas I would like to improve:

• Strength.
• Endurance.
• Energy.
• Posture.
• Attitude.
• Mental alertness.

As I Googled away, I remembered a book I read when I worked at a smoothie bar. Body-for-LIFE by Bill Phillips was a great read. It was simple, made sense, and inspired. The book outlines a program that will fit anyone's goals. Whether losing weight, building muscle, or getting toned, it works for everyone. At the time, I didn't act on what I read because I didn't feel I needed to. I was also exposed to great information from the many health conscious patrons that I served. I asked questions of the ones who frequented the store and obviously were on a workout program. One of the customers had even scored well in a bodybuilding competition.

Naturally, I looked up the corresponding website and found information on the annual Challenge they offer people to participate in. The Challenge is a 12-week workout regimen that includes strength training, cardio training, and nutrition training. So I took it. I downloaded the information packet and record keeping forms, snapped a couple 'before' photos, and now I'm challenging YOU. I'm gonna need a LOT of hassling from my loving friends in order to make it through. I will need the most help with eating right and getting myself to the gym. I'm asking you, not to join me (though I'd love it if you did!), but to encourage me and push me. Call me and ask me how I'm doing, send me uplifting text messages or emails, send me goofy photos of bodybuilders with my head pasted on! Share healthy recipes that even I could make. Anything that you think will help motivate me. So there it is. Will you take my challenge?

Those of you who know me best, know that I'm a dreamer and can be totally psyched about something one day and then two days later I couldn't care less about it. Please help me stick to this! I actually don't WANT to post this entry because I know I will then be accountable. How many times have I stated my action plan for something and then failed to follow through? Way more than I'd like to admit.

As you grow older, you'll find the only things you regret are the things you didn't do.
~Zachary Scott

On a more inspiring note....

Go straight to the source on this one.

Just for laughs.

Click here for original publication.

Indian school names monkey god as its chairman

By BISWAJEET BANERJEE
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

LUCKNOW, India -- He's a revered Hindu monkey god. And now, he's the chairman of an Indian business school.

Hanuman, the popular god known for his strength and valor, has been named official chairman of the recently opened Sardar Bhagat Singh College of Technology and Management in northern India, a school official said Saturday.

The position comes with an incense-filled office, a desk and a laptop computer. Four chairs will be placed facing the empty seat reserved for the chairman and all visitors must enter the office barefoot, said Vivek Kangdi, the school's vice chairman.

"It is our belief that any job that has the blessings of Lord Hanuman is bound to be a success," said Kangdi.

All Hindus know that Hanuman can lift mountains and leap oceans, but ancient texts make no mention of his business acumen.

"When we were looking for a chairman for our institution, we scanned many big names in the field of technology and management. Ultimately, we settled for Lord Hanuman, as none was bigger than him," Kangdi said.

Hanuman is one of the most popular gods in the crowded pantheon of Hindu deities. His most famous feat, as described in the Hindu epic the Ramayana, was leading a monkey army to fight the demon King Ravana and rescue a kidnapped princess.

The Sardar Bhagat Singh College in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, awards bachelor's degrees in engineering and management. The school opened last year.

Seattle Sounders

Adrian and I thought it would be pretty cool to take our youth soccer team to a Sounders game before our season ended. The June 20th match against Miami is the one we picked. Neither of us have even been to a match before, so we thought it'd be pretty exciting to begin with. However, it turns out that we are apparently so cool a team that they want us to escort the Sounders onto the field before the game begins! Talk about a first time experience! Each kid will be matched with a player and they'll walk out onto the field together. I'm so thrilled! Anyway, I just wanted to share the fun news! Ta ta!

Thanks for pulling everything together Adrian!

Two Months

Well, it's June. I have successfully lived two months with no job. And by successfully, I mean, I have no debt. I've yet to generate any income over the past two months, unless you some how want to count my economic stimulus check. I recently posted an ad for photography services on Craig's List and am organizing somethings for a yard sale. I'm no where near an empty bank account, but obviously, I don't want to wait until I am to start making some deposits. SMRT.

Over the past 60 days I have considered different options for my future. Joining the circus was not one of them. Ultimately friends, I want to be a wife and then a mother. Seeing how this isn't a dream I can chase on my own, I am finding myself having to seek other options until this dream is closer to a reality. Unfortunately, it's like having to choose your second choice. Who wants that? Besides, I don't even know what my second choice is. That's the main frustration. Or maybe I do know what my second choice is, but I don't see how to chase it, so I ignore it. Either way, I seem to have a lack of direction.

If I don't figure it out soon though, perhaps one day you'll get a call from me with an offer for free tickets to see my performance at the circus when it's in town.