fa la la la laughter

You know that urban legend about the car that drives behind you flashing their high beams all crazy-like that freaks you out so you plan evasive maneuvers and "escape" them only to find out that they were just trying to warn you about the psychopath hiding in your backseat? Well, I feel sorry for anyone that thinks they are going to hide in my backseat. Or my trunk (or whatever you call that area in the back of an SUV that is supposed to serve as a trunk but really isn't at all...). Why would I feel sorry for such a deranged human being, you ask? Because they'd have to listen to me sing all the way down the road!

I am such a shamelessly loud, terribly off-key, just plain embarrassing car singer. Its pretty much the only place I'll really sing because I'm that awful at it that I consider even singing in the shower to be somewhat rude. And I really do choose the worst music for someone who can't sing:

- Power ballads. Journey and Queen are my absolute favorites and if you know their songs at all, you know they are even difficult for those who know what they are doing.

- Country Pop. Hello Taylor Swift, I freaking love you. I will sing Tay-Tay allll day. I have also been known to crank up the volume for The Band Perry, because the female vocalists are the best. Which reminds me: Kacey Musgraves and her song Merry Go 'Round. Please watch, even if you don't really like country...I swear its not overly twangy and it is pretty darn catchy.


And finally...

-Christmas music. Partly because Christmas is awesome and partly because I know all the words to sooo many Christmas songs it just makes solo karaoke that much more fun. I love a good Christmas mix CD (yes, I still play CDs in my vehicle). This post is actually brought on by a CD of holiday songs my mom gave to me as I was leaving her house earlier...a lot of drivers on the freeway probably had a great laugh watching me rocking out while driving down the 10 tonight. You are welcome, people.

Do you sing in the car? Are you one of those lucky people blessed with a good singing voice that can sing anywhere you want? If so, I kind of hate you a little bit, just so you know.

"what makes you itch?"

One of my Facebook friends posted the following video on her wall today:


I highly suggest you take the few short minutes to watch for yourself, but the basic suggestion is that a person ought to consider what it is that they would do with their lives if money was no object, then do just that. Eventually, most passions turn to skills which can be used for profit, right?

So, I watched the video and found myself at a bit of a loss because I don't know what I would want to do if money was no object. I mean, if pressed, I can think of a long list of things I suppose I wouldn't mind doing:

- I would like to travel internationally and visit historical sites and famous works of art and try new foods and experience new cultures.
- I would love to snowboard more and push myself to advance and get good enough that there isn't a mountain out there I couldn't enjoy.
- I would like to take horseback riding lessons, dance lessons, learn new languages, take up an instrument, experiment with cooking, read the news regularly, finish all the unread books on my bookshelves, visit with family members.
- I would volunteer in my community, mentoring young people and learning from the experiences of the elderly.
- Eventually, I would like to adopt a child or two children or maybe even be a foster parent to give at least a couple people something good in such a messed up system.
- I would probably still go to law school... unburdened by financial considerations, I could choose a program that worked best for me regardless of cost of living in the area, length of time to complete school, or potential profit afterward.
- I would become more civically engaged. I might even get into politics. I would be a passionate and intelligent voice, free of corruption, for those that need it most--the people that work their asses off every day and yet still struggle to just survive.

I am sure there are a million more, but only the last two would even potentially be career paths for me. And to take either of those career paths, I feel like I'd have to give up almost the entire list of other things I put before them. Just the time investment alone for careers in law and politics is extraordinary.

It sure does give a person something to think about... What would you do if money was no object? Could you see yourself making a life out of your passion?

sometimes life gets a little messy

Image: courtesy of Google Images

You know I'm having a rough week if the top of my tube of toothpaste is a hot mess. I squeeze some toothpaste onto my toothbrush and cram it in my mouth, halfheartedly attempting to close the lid with one hand while walking away, completely ignorant to any stray bits of goo. When I feel in control of my life and I'm not hurrying through basic grooming, I will squeeze the tube from the bottom and clean up any bits of toothpaste that have the nerve to try and cling to the top of the tube. I really will, because it bugs me when the toothpaste gets all dried up around the cap and I can't close it properly and I end up with little dried bits of toothpaste in my mouth and... just... YUCK! 

I might go as far as to say that my overall mental state is easily judged by the condition of my toothpaste. I am not exactly sure how I feel about that, but it seems to be true. So, when I saw how messy my toothpaste was looking this morning, I scrambled to clean it before someone might see it and question my housekeeping abilities--or my mental health. 

Does a messy toothpaste tube bug you? What do you let go when you're having a stressful week?