Is the Grass Always Greener?

So, I once used to look enviously upon "happy" couples, and married people and think it must be nice to "have somebody." Now as part of one of those "happy" couples all I can really say is that I miss the independence and simplicity of my single life. Yes, in some ways my life now is less complex for example I know what I am going on Friday/Saturday nights and with whom but in almost every other way coupledom is much more complicated.

For example, the simple act of buying and installing a ceiling fan. Before I would have gone to the store looked at the fans and picked one out I liked. The main problem would have been how to install it since as a single woman I have neither the arm strength nor the ladder required to put it up. But more than likely I would have called my sister or one of my friends and we would have put it up. More recently, a ceiling fan purchase for two rooms took a lot of negotiation on which fan matches, if it was too girly, how low to hang it, and what size fan was appropriate for the room. Then came the long process of installation in which I was talked to like someone who had never fixed or assembled something herself and ended with a big argument over if I had properly balanced the ceiling fan. I realize how silly this all sounds but it really does make me long for the good old days in which I was the sole dictator of what happened in my life. . . consensus can sometimes be painful and over-rated.

Now, there are also advantages. . .someone to take care of you when you are sick, to cook dinner when you are too tired. . .ect. Anyways it is much easier to see the pluses and minuses once you have been on both sides.

Long Absence. . .ENDS

So it has been quite a while since I had the mental/physical energy to blog. I have gone through so many changes in the last year of my life that I think I needed time to process the new person I am slowly becoming before I told the whole world about it. I guess maybe this change comes with age. . .since I am now in my thirties (yes, I know I am not old but I can slowly feel myself settling down a bit).

One major change in my life since last year has been my boyfriends move to Vegas and into my house. It is amazing how different a relationship becomes at close proximity. I have had relationships before where I practically lived with someone but not ones where I literally spent night and day with someone. It can sometimes be very tiring and difficult but I am beginning to think it is worth it. I only wish that he had friends here locally. . .then I would have a little more down time for me.

What Kind of A Country Are We?

What sort of a people and political system in the face of incident after incident of violence and loss continues to engage the problem in the same way? I cannot comprehend how in the face of the latest tragedy many in the pro-gun community could think more guns are an answer to the problem. We have tried the solution of arming ourselves to the teeth. . .it is the outcome of loose gun laws and a culture that solves problems with guns that has caused this disease. The idea that some have that arming teachers and university staff is as absurd as treating alcoholism with extra doses of alcohol.

I like many others over the past few days am shocked and saddened by the awful events at Virginia Tech. I like many others can't believe the enormous tragedy that has befallen the faculty and students on the Virginia Tech campus. But what is even more unbelievable to me is the way in which the pro gun lobby has reacted. Rather than being reasonable and looking for a compromise. They are actually proposing additional guns as a solution to this problem.

Prior to this tragedy a bill existed in the Nevada legislature that would have made it legal for teachers to carry guns on campus. The bill was nonsense and was going nowhere before this disaster. The sponsor of the bill has used this terrible event to capitalize politically and has been on both TV and radio claiming that more guns on campus could have prevented or minimized the incident.

NEVER MIND that most faculty members are not the type to own or know how to properly use guns.
NEVER MIND that we are not should we have to be law enforcement in addition to being counselors, babysitters, administrators, and the myriad of other jobs we are expected to do that have nothing to do with increasing knowledge.
NEVER MIND that guns in homes are more likely to result in accidentally shooting one of your own loved ones than an intruder.
NEVER MIND that faculty are people too and they too might have serious mental or emotional issues that could result in a similar tragedy.

Yeah. . .lets just all go get guns . . .I am sure I will feel much safer that the slightly senile professor who has the office down the hall from me is armed to the teeth.

Spring Cleaning and Shape-Up

So I have finally decided to shake off what ever funk I have been suffering from for the last couple of months. I actually didn't realize what a funk I had been in until I was in Italy on the trip of a lifetime and even then not over joyed. It wasn't so much that I have been sad lately just sort of sleep walking through my life. It doesn't make sense but we don't always get to pick how we feel. But I am done with all that now . . .I am finally awake and finally feeling myself and it is no longer the time to mope.

After all I finally have the job I have wanted for years, a great boyfriend, a nice place to live and generally other than just being a little too busy nothing to complain about.

Today, I woke up with a sense of purpose and drive I haven't felt in months. I really feel like spring is here and it is time to start fresh. I cleaned out my files, went for a run, cleaned house, and just enjoyed feeling like I was getting things long over due done.

Recovering from Roma

So I have finally returned home a few days later than scheduled thanks to US Airways and much, much more tired than I could have imagined. After almost a week, I feel like I am nursing a case of permanent jet lag.

Rome can be best summed up as a beautiful mess. It is over crowded, graffiti covered, noisy, dirty, and chaotic but it is unexpected, beautiful, awe inspiring, and unbelievably welcoming. The people although completely over whelmed with crowds and rude tourists for the most part are kind and gracious. They want to help and they want you to love their city as much as they do. They want you to enjoy the food and the wine. They want you to see and understand the rich culture and heritage.

But nothing runs on time. . .I got pick pocketed (nothing serious just a few items that didn't mean anything), and a very serious case of blistered feet. All and all I am happy I went. . .and I wish I had more time and energy to take it all in. I am both happy to be home and wishing it all wasn't so far away and so different from where I live.

Above is a collage of just a few of the hundreds of pictures took.

Chronic Singleton Goes International

No, I haven't suddenly signed some book deal or decided to move over seas. I am just taking a long needed vacation next week in the Eternal City of Rome. I am so excited not only because I have always wanted to go to Rome and that I love Europe but also it is the first time I have traveled internationally solo. My two previous trips were either with school or friends. I am so excited about setting my own priorities and schedule and not worrying about what anyone else wants to do.

I plan to take in many of the major sights but also to just simply wander around and enjoy meeting new people and experiencing new things. I can't wait to go and I can't wait to come back home and blog about it.

Falling Actually and Metaphorically

So I will admit it I finally fell pray to the charm and hype of Valentine's Day. I know my last post simply pouted about the need to conform to a specific day on which romance is prescribed and not spontaneous but sometimes things happen when you least expect it. My dear Valentine. . . keeps continually surprising me by his ability to overcome my worst moods, fears, and cynicism with patience and a sense of humor.

Despite a fairly disastrous actual Valentine's Day celebration where he still fairly new to my life cooked me a surprise dinner full of things I don't usually eat and wasn't particularly excited about, I think it is safe to say I am falling under his spell. He misses some of the details (like the fact that I don't eat pork) but always gets the main idea and takes difficulty with a great deal more grace than anyone I have ever met when wrong.

All this can be illustrated with my very first day of skiing ever. My Valentine's present from him was a day of skiing at a near by ski resort this past weekend. All those of you that know me in real life, know that I am not the most graceful person ever in fact I fall much closer to the other end of the spectrum. While somewhat athletic, I have struggled lately with bad knees and frustrations with my own physical limitations so I was more than a little worried about skiing.

The first run down the hill proved as disastrous as had feared with somewhere around a dozen crashes before making it to the bottom of the bunny slope. Granted some of these falls were intentional to avoid hitting the innocent children also learning to ski for the first time. He stayed with me the whole time and kept his cool despite me jokingly accusing him of "trying to kill me." By the fifth or sixth run down the hill, I was actually having a lot of fun. My "coach" kept telling me how great I was doing and never once lost his cool. By the end of the day my fear had faded and I knew how great it was to be supported by someone who really wanted me to succeed. He pushed me to keep going when I wanted to quit but without bullying me.

This guy . . .hmmm . . . how do I put this. . .is more than I expected and maybe just what I need.

St. Valentine's Day BLAHs

So it is that time of year again. . .yet another Valentine's Day. I don't really know what it is but I just can't seem to get into the spirit. All week this week I have woken up more tired than when I went to sleep and have barely been able to drag myself through an entire day. SO tonight I am supposed to all the sudden put on a big sappy grin and act romantic. . .just because the calendar says it is Valentine's Day. I'm sorry but it just ain't happening.

After two cups of coffee (which for me is usually enough to put me into orbit) and more sugar than is medically advisable I still don't have the energy. I just feel like wearing black and letting my own personal little rain cloud follow me around. . .I know I will put on a happy face if for no other reason than show but I really, really, really don't feel like it. I can't help but ask myself, Is this symptomatic of a lack of excitement for my boyfriend or simply just bad timing for a down energy week? I think it is simply the latter but all I know what I really want right now is a nap.

Baby Love

So on February 1st, I became an aunt again for the second time. My new nephew's name is Ryan and he has tons of dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He looks a little like my sister and a little like my brother in law.

I was again completely bowled over by how great it just felt to hold him while he slept. Apparently, I make a good nap place because he slept completely soundly for three hours which according to my sister was one of the longest uninterrupted periods of sleep in his very short life.

A Very Vegas Weekend

So like most locals I usually stay away from the "Strip" during my daily life in Vegas but when guests come to town you just "have" to go down there. This last weekend several of my East Coast friends were in town for a conference and two of them decided to renew their wedding vows after two and a half years of marriage in the Graceland Wedding Chapel (http://www.gracelandchapel.com/index.html). The very same chapel where Bon Jovi himself got married. Clearly, this was to be the social event of the season.

It was by far the silliest most fun wedding I have ever been to. The young Elvis decked out in his finest gold jacket walked the bride down the aisle singing Love Me Tender. Then preformed vows in which the bride had to promise to never step on the groom's Blue Suede Shoes and then serenaded the couple with All Shook Up mid vow renewal. The wedding processional was then led by Elvis singing A Little Less Conversation A Little More Action.