Kid's Stuff

Yesterday my parents went and saw Toy Story 3. My mom came home feeling very nostalgic. She started talking about old toys and things and eventually my sister brought the conversation to old blankets. Each of us growing up, myself and my two sisters, had something we'd carry around and sleep with as kids. My younger sister and I both had blankets and my older sister had a Winnie The Pooh pillow that my grandmother made her.

At some point in my life I didn't have the blanket anymore. My younger sister's original blanket was so beat up that it was nothing more than a short knot of fabric. My older sister still has her pillow to this day on her bed.

Tonight I found out my mom has both the knot and my old blanket up in her room. She brought them both down, both sealed in bags. According to my younger sister, at some point when I was a kid my mom decided I was too old for or old enough not to need a blanket anymore and took it from me. I apparently was incredibly upset, so much so that my younger sister has never forgotten this event. I, on the other hand, have no recollection of it ever occuring. I do not remember how old I was when I no longer had this in my life, and I don't remember under what circumstances it's removal happened.

It was definitely interesting seeing it again. It is a big more tattered than I remembered it being. They got it for me when I was just a new born and I can remember that at one time it could cover me completely. I know I had it in this house which I did not move into until I was 7. So this blanket was with me, almost daily, for over seven year, most likely closer to ten. Considering how my sister's looks, I'd say the few rips and wholes are minimal.

Did you have something like this when you were growing up? Maybe a toy or pillow, something that never left your side for a big part of your childhood?

Ears Are Ringing

It's been a few years since I came home from a concert with hearing difficulty. Tonight, after a very (definitely unnecessarily) loud concert with some of my friends as the headliners I walked out of the venue with my left ear ringing. Now, 2 hours later, I have lost almost all hearing in that ear. Man, this is incredibly annoying.

Off to bed. Tomorrow I want to talk about a package I received in the mail today. I am still blown away by this.

Money!

I got paid today. And so ends the ongoing saga of unintentionally volunteering for Drexel.

Fireworks or No Fireworks - Extra Innings Dilemma

Tonight I went to the Phillies game with my family and my relatives on my dad's side. It is a tradition we have had for a while now. My uncle works for Nova Care and thus has a company box. Every year near July 4th he gets the box for us for the fireworks game. Today was that day and, despite having seen amazing fireworks in Red Bank, NJ - I was really excited for these.

Unfortunately, the question mark that is Brad Lidge did not come through and the game was forced into extra innings. After no spark for 2 innings, I pulled the plug. It was almost 11. Typically, its a 30 minute interval between the end of the game and the start of the fireworks. The show itself lasts 20 minutes and then the traffic afterwards extends the 40 minute drive by a minimum of 20 minutes. I just didn't have it in me to stick it out. Two years ago the game went 14 innings and the fireworks started after 12:30. I am bummed, at least partially, that I did not stick it out. But I am sure I will be better off in the morning.

Just Haven't Felt It

Typically, if you ask me about music or movies, it's all serious. Yes, I am a bit of a snob when it comes to these things. I am not proud of this, albeit a good aspect of it is being aware of things past radio and chain movie theatres.

But, there is something to be said for those things, too. Something I have noticed recently is that I have no real interest in anything too involved or too heavy. The music I have been listening lately has been pretty much all pleasant, fun, laid back music. I haven't had on anything too somber or too noisy.

The same has been for watching movies and tv. I have not really had much interest in seeing movies like Greenburg. It's not that they're incredibly heavy, but even so there just has been a disinterest. Lately all I have been doing is watching Avatar: The Last Airbender, and the only movie I have seen in theatres recently is Toy Story 3.

Maybe its the summer, maybe its the 40 hr/wk job but something has drained me of my eagerness for these things. At the end of the day I just want things that don't require a terrible amount of effort on my end. Instead, I want to just relax and smile. Maybe once I adjust to my adult life or when this weather passes I will once again delve into these thing. For now, more kids shows and upbeat music for me.

Stay cool!

(Sometimes things don't need to be so big. Our copier from work is a monster and reminds me of something that may have been cutting edge in the 80s.)

Feeling OK with Feeling Old

Sometimes my blog title's end up looking like they could be the header to something really long and insightful. There is a lot that could be said about the signs of not being a teen anymore and how you are accepting of them or not.

Tonight, however, I am merely commenting on my early bed time. I remember when I was allowed to finally stay up after 9 pm, and then 10 pm, and then I didn't have a bed time. Years later, I find myself on the downward slope of that bell curve. No longer am I excited by the notion of a late night (at least not during the week). Instead, the idea of a late night is upsetting and exhausting to even think about.

Gone are the days of going out during the week, putting up with being a bit groggy at work, extended periods off, etc. Instead, at 22 (nearing 23) I find myself climbing in bed at 9:30 just to ensure that I don't feel like crawling back into bed, or under my desk, tomorrow afternoon.

(I have recently replaced my 22 inch tv with a 32 inch tv. No cables to hook it up to cable with, but with my PS3 connected to Netflix, I haven't seen a reason to. At least not before I finish this show.)

Long Weekends

Somehow long weekends are all but long enough when it comes down to how well rested you are going into the next week. Typically a long weekend means some sort of plans that happen to be a little more involved, have you a little more active, and leave you needing that extra day just to get back to base line.

Point and case - I woke up at 1 pm today. Sure it was after going to bed after 4 in which case thats only 9 hours, but if this had not been a long weekend, that kind of thing would not have happened.

Ultimately, the lesson I learned this time around was - no parties on your bonus day. What should have been a day of lounging and resting up for the return to work was spend at my Uncle's house for our family 4th of July party. By the time I got home I had about 2 hours until I wanted to be in bed. Note to future self: Take your extra day off and spend it on the couch!

(Here is the pillow case I kept referring to in my GO! blogs. I think it's pretty darn good)