Jaws + Educational Programming = Shark Week

As I spend my Sunday evening on the Facebook, updating and such, I couldn't help but notice the number of friends who have a status in anticipation of what's to come in the next week on the Discovery Channel...  Yes, ladies and gentleman, it's that time of year again, Shark Week has arrived.

Those who have dedicated their status to the cause tend to belong to the male population.  I would like to say that I do not think Shark Week is geared toward the opposite gender... I get the draw of it all.  I mean, I was a huge fan of the sharks featured in Finding Nemo... and in addition to their keen sense of humor,  they are extremely powerful (remember that story of the surfer girl who had her arm taken off in one bite? Craziness.).   I personally would never want to get in the way of a hungry shark... not really my ideal way to spend a day.  

(Side Note: I'm also a huge fan of the camp song, "baby shark."  And although it has nothing really to do with Shark Week, it does get me excited in a similar fashion.)

So, happy Shark Week, everyone!  Enjoy the celebration of all things shark! (At least, on The Discovery channel, that is...).

The Muddiest Show on Earth

Today, as you know is Wednesday.  This summer, that means it's softball game day, aka Jungle Cats day.  When I awoke this morning, the forecast was not positive - there was already a thunderstorm and the rest of the day was supposed to follow the trend.  In some respect, I was hoping for a game cancellation.  Not because I've had a negative experience with the team, more so because the one thing I hate about playing sports outside is playing in the rain and mud.  I had hoped the thunder would continue on to ensure game cancellation.  

Somehow, there was a 5 hour break in the thunder and lightning - and because of this gap, the Jungle Cats were to report to the field for our 6:15 game.  When we arrived to the field, we discovered that we really arrived to a giant mud pit.  The infield was basically in ruin, and when a step was taken, your foot would sink at least half an inch - maybe more.  Thankfully, our team was in good spirits and willing to get dirty for the cause.

It was the battle of the cats - Jungle Cats vs. Good News Kittens (side note: this team chose their name in reference to the saying "bad news bears." When I heard the name, my mind immediately jumped to Kitten Mittens.)  

For the past two weeks, I've been playing catcher for the team - last week we played a double header in the heat wave and this week, the mud pit.  Let's just say, I was not excited to catch this week - surrounding home plate was mud and directly behind, a giant puddle.  I play slow pitch softball... those pitches gotta bounce on the plate to count as a strike.  Throughout this game - there were multiple pitches that bounced in the puddle.  I emerged from each inning, with a little more mud splattered all over. At one point, I referenced that my clothes resembled that of a Jackson Pollock painting.  At first, I will admit, I was a bit apprehensive to getting dirty, but as the game progressed, myself and my teammates got into it.  At one point, my teammate slid into 2nd - we're pretty sure that mud went up his shorts.  It even began to rain again and we danced around a bit.  I guess I walk away from today enforcing the life lesson of Carpe Diem - seize the day.  Sure, conditions were not ideal, but you can't make that ruin your experience - there's always a positive.

Pogs... and Other Cool Fads of the 90s

Somehow, some way, I always am apart of a conversation that leads to talking about "remember whens..." we sit and talk about how the shows we grew up with in the early 90s were much more sophisticated than what we call TV today.  I mean, who wouldn't be a fan of "Clarissa Explains it All," "Blossom," "Boy Meets World," "Gummy Bears," "David the Gnome," and "Fragle Rock"... and the list is just getting started.  Maybe that means that my parents let me fill my mind with hours of television, but I also lived a dual life as a tomboy - so I think I spent it split 50/50 - half indoors and half climbing trees and riding my bike.  You don't believe I was a tomboy?  If you challenge me on this, I will have to show you a picture from 2nd grade - I had VERY short hair.  I'm not ashamed of those years, but man, did my mother convince me to have one ugly haircut.

I was at a work pot luck earlier this evening and somehow we started to talk about Pogs.  For those of you who never witnessed or played this ingenious game... let me explain.  Basically, you have circular cardboard disc with a design on the front, which was called a 'pog.'  Then, you had a circular metal disc, also with a design on the top called a 'slammer.'  My slammer had Winnie the Pooh and Tigger on it.  I thought I was so cool. The object of the game was to stack up your pogs face up and your friends' pogs into a stacked tower.  Then, you took turns to throw (slam) you slammer on the stack of pogs and hope to have the pogs land face down.  Those that landed face down on your turn became yours.  Whoever had the most pogs at the end was the winner.

Now, technically, you were supposed to play for keeps, but I never had the heart to do it.  Once someone won a pog that I just couldn't part ways with, I would shout out, "Hey, never mind, I'm not playing for keeps..."  And then someone would get mad at me, but then I wouldn't go home disappointed. I mean can you imagine going home empty handed?  It'd be like losing at poker in one hand, your chips are gone and you have no chance to win them back.

Although pogs I think were only a fad for a short time, it was a fad long enough for me to purchase a pog holder - a plastic cylinder container to tote my pogs safely to and from school.  It makes me think of the fads of today - nothing comes to mind of any game where they physically play with one another (yes, I understand kids still play sports, etc.  I'm talking fads here) - unless it's with an app.  My friends love the app 'Words with Friends' and I always get really annoyed when it is played silently while their opponent is in the same room.  Is that what we've come to?  Apps?  I mean, I am a smart phone owner and appreciate technology, but I think the art of the imagination is escaping us.  So, I say, let's bring pogs back, who's with me?

2011 - This is Your Year Harry Potter!

Ok, maybe I'm getting a day a head of myself, but I fear that tomorrow will be too busy for me to fully reflect on the big event... that's right, the last Harry Potter Flick comes out tomorrow (well, technically Friday) at Midnight!

And yes, it does seem a bit silly in some way to be in my mid-twenties and excited for the release of a movie in which the book is technically classified as "adolescent fiction."  It is important though, to remember that the Harry Potter series first became a smash hit when I was in 5th or 6th grade.  I'm sure my parents were pleasantly surprised that Christmas when I asked for the first three books on my gift list.  And ever since I've read those books, I've been hooked.  Hooked to the point where I've read each book at least twice (some much, much more).  Side note: I used to re-read every HP book in anticipation for the release of the newest installment.  And with the movies, I've typically read the book prior to the release.  So, I guess you would say I'm well versed in the HP series.

And as excited as I am for what's to magically (get it, magically?!) happen at midnight tomorrow, I can't help but be a bit nostalgic that it's come to an end.  I mean, Harry Potter books and movies will always exist, I'm well aware... But the anticipation of the newest movie or book has really come to an end.  Like my childhood really is over, I don't live in Neverland, and I really do have to grow up.  You know what I mean?

So now that I've brought the mood down a bit, I'll try to leave it on a positive note.  The Harry Potter series really helped me love reading.  I am so thankful to JK Rowling for creating a world that I love to escape to over and over again.  I'll be interested to see how generations after mine will respond to the HP series when I pass it along - I'm hoping they will be just as amazed and entranced.  And the best part about it for them - they can just read the series straight through without even stopping.  Now that's what I call a win-win situation.

And if that's not positive enough for you, check out this YouTube video of a Harry Potter song to the music from Broadway's The Book of Mormon - it pretty much made my day:

Google+

For the first time in a while, I felt elite, special, like I was apart of this secret club that you had to know the password to get in and if you didn't know, you got left out.  Yeah, I felt like this for a day.  Why did I get so excited?  Because those innovative folks at Google did it again - they created the newest social networking site - their answer to Facebook.  And it's called Google+.  

You may ask yourself, "How do I get to be apart of Google+?"  Well, the answer is, someone has to invite you.  The other day, I opened my Gmail to see the infamous invitation.  That evening, with one friend in my circle, we decided to "hang out" - which is the video chat option for Google+.  And although there are things like Skype or iChat, the neat thing about hanging out is that you can invite multiple people to chat with at once.  My friend was explaining to me that he had chatted with 5 other people at once - they shared YouTube videos (another feature - everyone can watch them together) and drank wine.  So although physically, they were alone, virtually they were not.  As my former qualitative research professor would put it, it's a new way of "doing being with" someone else.  And I'm totally OK with that.

Now that I'm a few days into this new social media site - I'm not sure how much I will use it for status updates - my Twitter has taken over that from my Facebook.  I do, however, love the hang out feature and will continue to navigate and learn the site.  And although I'm excited about it, I'm starting to feel that "elite-ness" wear off as many of my friends are starting to post via FB and Twitter that they are now apart of this new network.  It wore off even more when I met someone today who told me he knows someone at Google and got asked to join it very early.  He declined due to his lack of interest in social networking in general.  He definitely one UPed me on that one... 

The Farmer's Market

One of the things I love most about the warmer months is the ability to purchase fresh produce locally.  Now, for those of you out there who like to debate the eating organically vs. eating locally and which is better, I always argue that local is the way to go.  The energy used to bring the food to the market is substantially less that if you were to purchase an organic item that was grown in California, and also, because there was less travel time, local food items have a higher nutritional value because they were picked only hours before you go to the market.

Now that I'm off my "buy local" soapbox, I awoke this morning with the intention to go to the local farmer's market in Cathedral Square.  So, I hopped on my bike and made the ride downtown.  I really had a craving to purchase some veggies, so I was happy to see that green beans and snap peas were in season.  In addition, one stand was selling cherries, so naturally I had to buy some (nothing beats Michigan cherries, but they suffice).  In addition to the produce stands there were some bakery stands selling bread and other goods and there was even a stand selling homemade pasta.  You really could get all your shopping done in one trip.  And to relieve your stress afterward, you could make your way to the massage therapy stand.  I'm pretty sure there's no happy ending there, but I think it still would be a nice treat.  

So, all in all, it was a successful first trip to the market, and gave me a great starting point for the rest of the grocery shopping I completed today.  And one final thought... not only are farmer's markets a smart choice for you nutritionally, they are also a great way to support the local economy.  

Junglecat Fever

If Baseball is known as America's past time, what is softball then?  I remember growing up as a kid, my dad played on a softball team for his work.  Often times, he would bring my sister and I to his games - I can distinctly remember learning how to keep score, eating far too many sunflower seeds for my own good, and making friends with the elderly gentleman who was in charge of the book (and also supplied me with my sunflower seed stash).

It's been YEARS since I've actually played softball.  I would say that I've always been athletic, but this was never a sport I typically played.  Maybe it goes back to all those years playing tee-ball in my neighbor's backyard.  I never really got what it meant to 'tag up.'

When I accepted my job offer at Marquette, I was asked to join the staff softball team.  I responded with a yes, but warned that it's not my sport, but I'll play with a lot of heart.  Since I was out of the country, I missed our game last week, so tonight marked my first game (probably even of this century).  I warmed up with one of my teammates and felt ready if they needed me to play in the outfield.

For some reason, I thought it would be fairly simple to play.  Oh, was I wrong about that.  Not only was I mildly confused, I also walked away with some nasty injuries.  My teammate pulled a muscle, so I was put in the outfield.  The other team made a hit and it was coming right for me, I judged it was going to bounce and I had hoped that I could get it with my glove afterward.  I got it alright, right in the chest.  A large thud was heard throughout the field - those sitting on the bench even said they heard it.  I got moved to infield after that.  I have to say I was proud to make a play getting someone out on my time at 2nd base, but other than that, I really need to work on the fundamentals... like batting and picking up grounders, just as some examples.

And although my first game wasn't an MVP performance, I'm happy that I've joined the Junglecats - it's a wonderful way to connect with my fellow co-workers, even if that means I am sporting a huge bruise on my chest for the next few weeks, I will sport it proudly.

America's Birthday

Yes, I know I'm a day late, but shouldn't the 4th of July be celebrated in the hearts of American's every day?  And who really expects someone to blog on a national holiday.  I decided to enjoy my weekend instead.

To coincide with this lovely holiday, it also marked my first weekend of living in Milwaukee.  So, not only did I get to experience my first "Big Bang" (the fireworks were seriously an hour long), I also got my first taste of some Milwaukee night life.  After the fireworks had concluded, my friends took me to a place called Highbury.  Totally my kinda place - there were lots of hipsters and karaoke (perfect combination).  And was was even better was I got to perform to Queen's "Somebody to Love".  My dad would have been so proud.  This guy afterward came up to me and was like, "I really liked your rendition."  Which I responded with a "Thanks."  I was just singing karaoke - no intention of making it different than the great Freddie Mercury.

Not only was my weekend a lot of fun, but also, it's always neat to see how other American's show their pride and admiration for our country.  People set up around Lake Michigan at least 6 hours before the fireworks to get a good spot.  Others got together with friends and family to BBQ and play lawn games.  I guess it serves as a time to reconnect with the ones you care most about.

All in all, this past weekend marked a great celebration of our country and just an opportunity to relax and get to see a fun side to my new city.  America!

Going to the Airport

I've been traveling quite a bit these days, and have now safely arrived to my final destination of Milwaukee, WI to start my career.  Over the past few days, however, I have spent them primarily traveling somewhere - by boat, bus, plane, and automobile.  Throughout this time, I have made some observations and feel it necessary to speak primarily to my time at the airport.

We literally traveled 24 hours straight this past Thursday - starting with a flight from Athens to JFK, followed by a flight from JFK to Detroit, and finally Detroit to Grand Rapids.  The one positive I found on my flight from Athens to the States was that I had 10 hours to catch up on movies I had yet to see.  I started with the movie "Country Strong."  For those of you who do not know me, I hate country.  Often times, I tell my friends that it makes my ears bleed.  But, I happen to be a fan of Tim McGraw, Gweneth Paltrow and Gossip Girl (Leighton Meister is in the flick).  So, I gave it the good 'ol college try.  To be honest, I actually liked the film.  And the style of country portrayed in the flick didn't make my ears bleed - it was actually very melodic and pleasant.  Now, this doesn't mean I'm going to buy up every country album on iTunes.  I do, however, believe I have a greater appreciation for such a favorite American genre. (I then had time to watch 3 more movies - but that breakdown will come some other time - and don't judge - I had 10 hours to kill).

On our flight from Detroit to Grand Rapids, my sister and I were seated in what we like the call the 'First Class Extension.' AKA - our seats were located in the first row behind first class - leaving us exceptionally large leg room.  As we were waiting for all passengers to board, 2 families attempted to fit their strollers down the isles with no luck.  The first family had a couple to figure out the issue.  The 2nd was a mother traveling alone.  When she had difficulty, I offered to help (meaning I would fix the stroller and help take it to her seat).  She responded, 'Oh, yes, that'd be great.'  And handed me her baby.  Now, I don't know about you all, but I don't think I would hand my child over to a complete stranger.  Yes, I'm a trustworthy person, but how does that mother really know?  

Lastly, on that same flight, my sister and I had a 3rd seat in our row and it became occupied by a guy in his mid to late 20s.  This is what I like most about traveling - random conversations with people.  We talked about our careers, our travels, books, our hometown - all in a 30 minute flight.  We even exited the aircraft together and he made us wait for him near the drinking fountain so we could continue to walk together after he quenched his thirst.  Hilarious - we were instant friends.  OK, maybe not friends, but acquaintances.  Nevertheless, it served as a great way to end our 24 hours of traveling.  And thus, proves why I love the airport.  Never a dull moment that's for sure.