2007: The Year I Started Taking Pictures?

I've never been one to take pictures. I haven't even enjoyed having my picture taken!

But the stars must be aligning:
--Robbie and I got new phones for Christmas that have a camera!
--My friend Julie has inspired me by trying out Project 365.

I think I'm going to give it a try...one picture a day for a year.

2007 may turn out to be really interesting.

(Here's hoping these are more than New Year's Resolutions!)

2007: The Year I Wrote About...

My district manager gave me a Christmas gift today. It was a beautiful notebook with an amazing letter in it.

His letter said some really moving things, but the short of it is...he is encouraging me to write--to journal.

As I commit to working more faithfully on my blog, I'm sensing a cosmic theme here.

Hopefully all this writing will yield some benefit (and not just for me).

I'm watching Claymation Christmas!

What's your favorite Christmas show? Or Christmas commercial?

If you haven't seen it in a while, you might be able to watch it on this awesome site: The Christmas Spot! You can "Watch 101 Classic Christmas Videos Online."

I still haven't found any Hanukkah or Kwanzaa sites yet...I'll keep you posted.

(Thanks, Pop Candy!)

Church thoughts...

I had a great conversation today with a guy at work. We are in similar positions in the company, and have similar backgrounds as well--lots of church.

As we talked about our struggles to be part of the organized religion that had once been such a prominent part of our lives, I found myself talking again about what church could be...

Instead of a big black hole where you are compelled to throw your money, time and talents, I wish it were a launch pad to help you be a better family member and a better employee. Some people may say "that's what it is!" But this is not my experience right now.

I feel like the church wants me there more and more (which makes me want to be there less and less, despite the fact I still like a few people there). I want to be able to be more and more "present" at home and the office. That's where I can actually make a difference...rather than just serve as a pretty ornament in a museum with the name of an organized religion on the door.

I also surprised myself as I spoke about a passion for learning to harness the power of the media to change people's lives. I'm not talking about writing my own tv show or making my own film, necessarily. I'm just talking about helping people talk about all of the amazing, moving media that is being produced every day--the good, bad and the ugly. Anything that moves us or makes us feel anything could be used as a launch pad for dialogue about life.

And that--for myself--is a lot more interesting than anything else going on in organized religion.

Anyone else want to pull up the couch and watch a movie?

Why so fruitless?

I'm just posting today because I want to get into the habit of writing. Unfortunately, I don't feel like I have anything to write about...

Is it because I'm boring? Lazy? Because I watch too much mindless television?

In a conversation with one of my mentors this week, I heard myself actually say that I was still holding on to the hope of being "discovered." For what, I have no idea...I'm getting too old to be discovered for my youth, and I'm not sure what else I've got going on...which is reflected in my inability to write about anything today.

So I'm just posting to post. Rather like my just "existing to exist." My mentor said I should pursue something--anything--to keep myself from burning out at work. Ah, if only I could find something to pursue. I'm interested in everything, but nothing stands out enough to say, "Yes, that's what I want to do!"

So I guess I'll just post this and go watch some television. Sadly, I'm pretty sure the answer won't be there!

Wishing and working...

I'm working on my final paper for my next to last class in grad school. And I'm wishing that I were more excited about writing...

Not just writing my paper (although that would be great!) but writing in general. I really admire my friend Julie, she's definitely a writer by nature.

I would love to be able to write and express myself in a way that would be meaningful to myself and to others. So I ask myself...what if there is nothing in me that is meaningful to express? Is that why I can't write?

Is that why I don't update my blog more than once every few months?

If I believe that writing is so important, why can't I make myself do it?