StoryCorps

My friend Courtney and I did a really cool thing on Sunday - a StoryCorps interview! I heard that StoryCorps was in town and started thinking about how cool it would be to do an interview so I went online and signed up for one of the very few spots left. I am so very glad I did.

Courtney is one of the first people I met in Knoxville outside of work. We were both renting apartments in this older house that had been converted to apartments. Courtney has a great spirit and a contagious love of life and we became instant friends. We also came to bond over having a disability.

Courtney is one of those people with whom you are able to have really intense meaningful conversations and then the next minute fall out of your chair laughing at something. I love the time spent with her and my life is better because she has been in it. She has often said that we are old souls. That term definitely describes Courtney. She has a depth that most of us do not and a compassion for others that is unparalleled.

Since Courtney and I have been friends (since 2001!), we've both had to face our individual disability and limitations. She is one of the first people that I really felt I could talk to openly and honestly about my disability. I have a lot of people in my life that I can talk to about spina bifida, but there is something about knowing that the person you are talking to has been there. Maybe it's not spina bifida that she has experienced firsthand, but she knows what it is like to have your body fail you. And the fact that we share that feeling means that we can connect on a different level.

So, with the help of another friend, I came up with some questions to guide our StoryCorps interview. And it was really cool. Courtney has a great story and I'm glad some of it has been recorded.

Bitter, Party of One

Well, I haven't posted in, seriously, 5 months, so why not jump back in by being bitter...

I have a good life, a really good life. In the scheme of all the things that could be going on in my life, I have to say I'm pretty happy with what I have. Today, however, I'm BITTER. Well, maybe not BITTER, just bitter.

There's a singer/songwriter Ellis Paul that I love and he's actually playing in town this weekend! I was so excited to find out about the concert!! I even had a date with this guy (TWO dates in one weekend!!) a few weeks ago and I knew he would love my boy Ellis. Really - we had a super fun couple of dates and compared our love of James Taylor, which is a big deal if someone comes close to loving JT as much as I do. What was even more exciting was that the guy could PLAY James Taylor songs on his guitar. And sing! WHAT? All of these things and he was nice? Clearly, it was too much to ask for. Really, it was. Turned out to be a loser. But, I digress.

Anyway, I was all kinds of excited about introducing someone to Ellis Paul's music. And the possibility of having a date for the concert, not just begging my friends in the hopes that one of them would take pity on my obscure musical taste and agree to go with me. Alas, no stupid boy to go with me to the concert and no friends who have given into my pleading. Of course, I haven't really pleaded with many because I'm just bitter.

There's one person I know would go - the ex-boyfriend. But, given that he needs to stay the ex, I think it's best that I not ask him to go with me.

So. There you go. Bitter, Party of One. Ellis Paul, one ticket please. Yes, just one, thanks.

Real Simple

Real Simple's quote of the day:

The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.
―Leonardo da Vinci


REALLY??

Remembering

When you remember me,

it means that you have carried something of who I am with you,

that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are.

It means that you can summon me back to your mind

even though countless years and miles may stand between us.

It means that if we meet again,

You will know me.

It means that even after I die,

you can still see my face and hear my voice

and speak to me in your heart.

-Frederick Buechner

For my dear friend Chip. His birthday was April 19. He died November 4, 2006. He was one of the most amazing people I've ever met and he left me with so many gifts. And I will always remember him.

Some perspective

If you didn't see Oprah this week (which I didn't, but have a friend who did), you should definitely acquaint yourself with this blog. It's a heartbreaking story, but the author is fantastic and there's a lot of hope there too. And some sarcasm. And perhaps it's a bit irreverent at times. All in all, I think it sums up what life is about - birth, death, and a lot of stuff in between. Really, go here now. I'm only on July 2008, but it's so worth the read. And you may want to get a box of kleenex out too....

A Whole Lotta Nuthin'

I have become borderline obsessed with blogs. I have several that I follow and I get slightly irritated when there are no new posts each day for me to read! I mean, really, people? Don't you know that your blogs are the only things that save me from boredom at work? They are also what gives me a break from studying, or maybe I should say that I take a break from reading blogs and facebook to study. At any rate, many of you are regular posters so I thank you. The irony of my need to get regular blog updates is that I am not a daily blogger.

Lately, I've got nothing to blog about. I could revisit procrastination, because that seems to be what I am best at when it comes to school, but I already have too many posts about that subject.
So, in the absence of something funny or meaningful to say, you should go here. You can thank me later.

This little guy needs your help!

I read about this little guy, Jonah, here.



I think the amazing thing about this blogging world is that you really can touch a lot of people. I'm a sucker for anything about people, relationships, life, etc. I've always been fascinated by well, people. So when I see a post about a little newborn who needs prayers and healing thoughts, I get sucked in and read the whole blog. And now I'm passing this on to you all. Read about Jonah and send your healing thoughts to him and his family!