Revised Serenity Prayer

GOD, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the Wisdom to know it's me.

That stings a little, but I like this rendition of the Serenity prayer anyway. How often do I think that someone else needs to change their behavior or alter their attitude when it is I that need to step back and adjust my own heart.

Mental Post-it: Melanie, don't forget to read this prayer every day...

It Is Happening Again...

I have become the “expert” on a couple of new database programs here in the office, and it still makes me laugh. Let’s face facts:

(1) I’m not an expert, at all. I just happen to use these programs more than others because of my caseload.

(2) I happen to be a magnet for quirky programming issues which quickly become a puzzle and finally an education to me and the IT gang to get it working correctly, i.e. I’m that girl--the one that notices the problem, calls it in, and then gets asked how I got it to happen in the first place. So I repeat my problematic performance demonstration, and then they say: “We’ll have to get back to you on that..." It's a vicious cycle.

(3) I’m a learner, a novice, a wanna-be expert at something but NOT master of anything (other than the remote control in my own apartment. WOOHOO!!)

(4) See number 1.

And even with all of the above disclaimers and the repeated explanations to my co-workers about my ignorance, I still hear things said just around the corner from me. Things like: "Just ask Melanie about that. She’s the expert" or "Mel could discuss the parameters of that at our next meeting. She knows what she is doing..."

Ommmmm...do I have a say in this, at all? I mean being self-taught on a subject because it keeps crashing on you, does not mean that you are prepared to break it down and educate others. Is the new slogan of the day: Those that crash the system should teach it? I don't think so. And while I am glad that my cohorts have such confidence in me to solve a problem, I cringe at that “expert” terminology that gets thrown around. (See Accidental Brilliance)

Biker Girl Update

Saturday, I went for a long invigorating bike ride. I loved it!

Since there was a little jaunt there without a sidewalk or bike path, I risked it and rode my bike on the road. No, I didn't have my helmet on. I can still hear Becky yelling at me from last time. HA! Truth is that I did find my bike helmet, but I just couldn't wear it. I grew up riding everywhere without one, and I when I tried it on this weekend and walked around my apartment with it on, I started to feel claustrophobic, like it was choking me. So I left it home. At least I considered being smart, Becky!

I'm starting to rethink my whole "motorcyclists must wear helmets" mantra. I remember shaking my head in disappointment when Tony would show up for Bible study without his helmet. It just didn't seem safe, and it probably isn't, but I understand now why he likes to ride without the helmet. I suppose there is a difference between me riding (maybe?) 5-7 mph on a 5-speed bicycle vs. Tony going 90 mph on his Harley. AHEM! So maybe I still think helmets are smart for motorcyclists even though I get a few of the reasons why they dislike the helmets.

As for me, it feels wonderfully free to be zooming along with the sun and wind on my face. WAIT! Can I say zooming when I was only going the aforementioned 5-7 mph? HA! Anyway, it was fun, and I gotta do more of this.

To Live Forever

As an IMA volunteer, I like to get in to see the new exhibits promptly so that I can be informed about them and answer questions. Sadly because of my crazy summer, it took me a few weeks to get a chance to see the new To Live Forever. This is the traveling exhibit of Egyptian treasures from the Brooklyn Museum, and I would recommend that you spend the $12 per adult ticket from now until September 7th. It is a must-see, even if you aren't an Egyptian history fanatic like some.

Personally, I've loved anything ancient Egyptian since junior high. Not sure what started my fascination with the culture, but for a few years I read all I could about ancient Egypt, and I even considered archaeology as a prospective field of study. I think it was the realization that I might run into a spider or two on a dig that finished off those career plans. AHEM! Anyway I digress.

The IMA does not have a large Egyptian collection themselves. However, next time you are on the 2nd floor of the museum, head to the African galleries and just inside you will spot a standing sarcophagus (hard to miss), some jewelry and a few canopic jars that are on display regularly.

To Live Forever has over 100 objects to enjoy and is rather impressive. I'm sure it is nothing like touring the Valley of the Kings, but it was still pretty awesome...and spider-free. It was an incredible taste of ancient Egypt to this curious one who has yet to collect that Egypt stamp in her passport. If you are in the city, check it out.

I'm Sorry to Report...

But I had my third incident with the crickets this afternoon.

Let me set the scene for you. I was innocently pacing the floor in my apartment, chatting on my cell with my sister while trying to cool down after my overly-ambitious bike ride...I came back with a face the shade of a nice ripe red tomato. AHEM! I might have just overdone it a wee bit. Just a smidgen perhaps...

Anyway, it was at that moment that I spotted one of the alien residents hopping around in the dining room. Let me point out that this is day 13 after they sprayed my apartment inside and out. And yet, this was another healthy male who seemed quite happy and in his prime. I groaned, gave my sister the scoop and got off the phone to deal with yet another intruder. The broom method is still the best weapon in my ongoing cricket combat.

Now I know this is only the third cricket of the season in comparison to last year's bout of 49, but still I wonder...where are these crickets hiding, and more to the issue why are they coming in and HOW? I want to always play the hospitable hostess, but I'd really rather have more of a choice regarding the guest list.

I Am Not a Sports Nut by Any Stretch of the Imagination

And so that means I’m just in the wrong city.

Indianapolis has the Colts. Do you even want to know how much I hate football? It still bugs me that my Dad and 3 older brothers spend every major family holiday watching the TV and not spending time with their kids, the nieces and nephews, and the rest of the family. So maybe my hatred of the game isn’t so much directed at the sport as it is pointed at the way it makes my family behave. I actually went to a game once. No really, I did. It’s not so boring in person. And I used to go to high school football games in my home town, but that was just a social event if you know what I mean. I was one of those private school kids trying to fit into mainstream America, too.

Indianpolis has the Pacers and the Fever. I went to a Pacers game twice, I think. Sure, it’s fun in person, and I do understand the game more than football, but I find it boring on TV. I don’t consider myself a fan.

Indianapolis has 2 major race tracks: the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the O’Reilly Raceway Park. And where do I live? Smack dab in between the two of them. I can often hear the cars on one of the tracks between May and September, but I don’t mind that really. I’m just not a fan of the race track traffic. On big race weekends, I am often found huddled up on my couch the whole weekend. I do all my errands on Friday night so that I can stay home and relax. I wouldn’t call me a fan of racing, but I like it lots better than football.

Indianapolis has the NCAA Hall of Fame, the Indianapolis Ice minor league hockey (which I like), the Indianapolis Indians minor league baseball (which I love), and I'm sure there are other sports I am forgetting. You get the point. I'm in a haven for sports, and I couldn't care less. I get to maybe 1 or 2 Indians baseball games every year, and I'm fine with that. I just am not a big sports fan.

HOWEVER, every couple of years a global event takes place on this sphere we call earth, and suddenly the competitive girl in me reemerges, and I take an interest in all things sports. Yes, the Olympics are nearly here, and I am pretty darn excited! [I must be excited I actually said DARN! HA!] Now, I won't watch every event, but I'll be tracking it furiously online and on my AT&T U-Verse.

I love the spirit of the Olympics and the national pride that emerges. I like to root for the underdog, and I get swept up by the drama of the stories/lives portrayed. Stories about the male diver from Antartica who trains by diving off the glaciers into the brutally frigid waters in the subzero conditions of his frozen continent without a coach, or the female gymnast from Idaho that is still competing in these games despite the recent heartbreaking loss of her hamster, Gabriel. I just made those up, can you tell? Hmmmm...does anyone live in Antartica? I don't even think they are represented in the Olympics, which is sad really. But you know what I mean--they showcase these inspiring stories about people overcoming insurmountable odds to get to the competition--I'm a sucker for those. I catch myself tearing up just thinking about them.

Now, I probably won't start yelling at the TV like my brothers do during football season, but you just might catch me getting animated, agitated and anxious during the women's gymnastics. I have been known to argue with the announcers from time to time, which is why I'll probably be surfing the web for the results earlier in the day and then watching the replay in the evenings. I won't be biting off any more of my finger nails waiting for the results, thank-you-very-much. I also become a bit sentimental during the medal ceremonies, too. Somehow that doesn't get old for me. Seeing someone with national pride as they hear their national anthem--now that is pretty priceless.

Yes, I'll be cheering on my fellow Americans, the Israelis, the Brits, the Canadians and all the rest from the comfort of my living room. It's time for Mel to enjoy sports for 2 weeks again. WOOHOO!! It's Olympic time!!

I Have Slowly Become An Office Scrooge...

when it comes to pitch-ins. We have treat days for birthdays, holidays, company anniversaries for 5-10-15-20+ years, employees of the month, baby showers, wedding showers, the birth of new puppies, surviving an ingrown toenail, etc. OK, so I made the last couple up, but you get the drift. We have these soirees more than once a month. And it’s not that I don’t want to celebrate with these people. I think they deserve the recognition for their achievements, growing families, etc. It’s a special thing, and I can appreciate that, but...

1. I tire of having to bring in food all the time. It seems like there is always another celebration or party table in the works. They started planning the big Christmas luncheon pitch-in in early July. It’s always a lot of fun, but part of me dreads it all the same.

2. I don’t like having the temptation of delicious food sitting just down the hall from me. The cheesecake, cake donuts, banana bread, ice cream, donut holes, Swiss chocolates, pies, Hostess Twinkies, carrot cake, cream-filled donuts (did I mention donuts already?)--are you kidding me?? These items are sheer torture and a test of my determination. I’ve already blogged about how I don’t like it when one of my attorneys puts a box of Panera Bread bagels on my countertop for all to enjoy...well, it is also hard having tasty morsels placed anywhere nearby. Diet Girl has some will power, but let’s not forget, she is still just a human wearing a hypothetical mask and cape.

3. I want to know why is it that the office assistants, the low women on the totem pole, are always the ones relegated to bringing in treats. It’s like someone had a brilliant idea one day...I know, let’s have those that make the LEAST amount of money and work the MOST hours bring in the food. Seems totally logical, right? WRONG!!!

AHHHH HUMBUG!!!

All right, I’m done whining about this now. I’m going back for a second helping. GOTCHA! You didn’t really think I was going to do that, did you? Nah. Diet Girl brought in fresh fruit (courtesy of Marsh) and a nonfat yogurt fruit dip, and that is all Diet Girl is going to consume for breakfast. I am content...

Diet Girl Transforms into Biker Girl

I used to be quite the biker. I know, now all of you are trying to picture me with a black leather jacket and boots straddling a Harley. HA! NOT that kind of a biker. We’re talking a bicycle, such as a ten-speed. You know the thing with 2 skinny wheels and a wedgy seat. That was more my style.

I saved my babysitting and lawn-mowing money and bought a 12-speed bicycle probably before I started junior high. I can't remember exactly when, but my Dad took me up to the local Ace Hardware where I had my bike all picked out, and I forked over my life savings and road the bike home from the shop, all 3.5 blocks.

From then on, my bike and I were inseparable. I rode my bike all over town and then some. In fact, me, my sister and our friends Shelly, Curt and Topher were known for taking LONG bike rides to Lake Huron (about 11 or 12 miles roundtrip) or discovering new routes to get from here to there. Yes, even then I liked to have 15 different ways to get somewhere. I’m big on having escape routes, I guess.

One particular afternoon, we just started riding and decided to go to the lake and take a new road on the way back home. We went over 16 miles on our bikes that afternoon; however, our parents were not overly impressed with our exciting feat. We had forgotten to fill them in our all-day bike riding plans, and they were more than a little worried. Some days you don’t know where your bike will take you, I guess. Don’t know where that stamina and endurance went that allowed me to pedal so far all at once, but I’m sorry to say that I don’t have those same calves any more!

Now I’ve been talking about getting a bike again for a while now. There is a large city park about 3 miles from my house and a greenway with a bike path about 1.5 miles from me. But sadly, my old 12-speed is at home in my parents’ garage and in pretty bad shape. I told myself (aka Diet Girl) that once I lost 50 pounds or more, I would allow myself to get a new bike as a reward. I’ve lost 39.2 pounds so far, and I’m inching ever closer to the benchmark.

This past weekend, my sister Barbara brought me her 5-speed bike to borrow for the rest of the summer so that I could reacquaint myself with a bicycle and see if I really wanted to get one for myself. [Thanks, Sis!] So last night, I took her bike out for an initiation ride. I was slightly safe. I called Becky to tell her I was going on a bike ride, and I loaded up my cell phone and ID in an old camera bag and swung the strap over my neck. I couldn’t remember where my bicycle helmet was, and so I went without it, albeit with a stern lecture from the aforementioned friend Becky. And away I went.

What a workout! I’ve rediscovered some muscles I forgot I had, but I discovered that I’ve realy missed riding a bike. I can still feel the wind on my face as I pedal faster and faster and stand up on the bike from time to time. What a rush!

Yep, I think I’m gonna be a biker girl again. I just need to figure out how to get the bike in my car so that I can take it to some of the bike paths around the city. I know, the closest path is only 1.5 miles from me, but Diet Girl isn’t quite in shape yet, and while I could make it to the path all right, I’d collapse in a heap soon after. HA! But it's a start in the right direction.

Hmmmmmmm...maybe Lance Armstrong wouldn't mind dropping by to give me some personal tips? Come on, it could happen!!

Mamma Mia: Thank You for the Music

Last Friday night, Jessica, Becky and I had dinner and a movie and got to see the much-anticipated Mamma Mia. Now everybody knows that I love ABBA. I do, I do, I do, I do...and so naturally, you would think that I would enjoy the musical movie featuring LOTS of their original songs.

However, when friends have asked for my review of the film, I've been quietly responding, "I loved the music." And that is the truth, I really did. The music was excellent. Amanda Seyfried, who played Meryl Streep's daughter, had an incredible voice. Meryl Streep did all right. I like Meryl Streep, but I've seen her do lots better acting. Pierce Brosnan did all right, although he was just nice to look at. Ditto on Colin Firth. Christine Baranski surprised me with her voice, as did Julie Walters.

I liked some of the chemistry and interaction between the characters. I enjoyed trying to determine which song was coming up next based on the dialogue. I loved the beautiful Greek island location, and that romantic church on the hilltop was indescribably picturesque.

BUT I don't have much else that is good to say about the film. Call me a prude or what you will, but I just think that a constant barrage of sexual innuendo is tiring. It was trashy in some ways, and maybe I felt it more so because it was on the big screen. I left the theatre feeling a bit dirty and not at all refreshed or in my happy place like ABBA songs usually leave me.

I know ABBA's music is all about romance, sex and love. I get that. I knew I wasn't going to see another Jane Austen book brought to life on film, only with ABBA songs thrown in along the way. So I expected the film to be a bit oversexed, but not quite like this. I found it raunchy more like a Florida spring break movie. I think I was naively looking for something cleaner and brighter.

I kept looking for that nugget, that ounce of truth or wisdom that the main character is looking for, that moral that the film is striving to move the audience toward. Mamma Mia doesn't have that. Some would argue that the young girl's search for herself and her father(s) is just that -- that nugget or moral she is striving for. Or perhaps others would argue that as the film ends and the young girl and her boyfriend decide NOT to get married and instead travel the globe together, that she gained wisdom there by not just getting married because it was the thing to do. OK, maybe?!?, but it's still a hard sell for me. I guess in a perfect world, I wanted more.

Thank you for the music, but I liked little else.

Diet Girl Celebrates Her 4-Month Anniversary

CURRENT WEIGHT: Yeah, as if...
WEIGHT LOST: -39.2 pounds since April 1st
SIZES: Down 2 sizes
SPIRITS: High
NEW FAVORITE FOODS: (1) Meijer Baked Tortilla Chips with Taco Bell Mild Salsa (2 points per serving) and (2) Skinny Cow Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwiches (2 points per serving)
LAST DONUT CONSUMPTION: March 22, 2008 [sigh!]

As Diet Girl, I have officially been on Weight Watchers now for 4 months, and I'm ecstatic about the results. WOOHOO! It's been challenging at times, but I'm carrying on with it and keeping my head up.

I have a goal in mind, and no it's not one that will land me on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, thank-you-very-much. Realistically, I just want to get to a healthier place and be more active. I am already noticing a difference in my energy levels and in how I feel, and it is GREAT!

My sister has been a huge source of inspiration and encouragement to me. She is also on the Weight Watchers plan and is doing really well. In fact, she and I are going consignment shopping tomorrow in hopes that we can find some gently used clothing to wear for a few months before it is time to go shopping all over again. It's a fun problem to have, I suppose. But I've never been a real clothes horse or a die-hard shopper, and so it is quite an adjustment for me -- just knowing that I'm going to have to do this all over again in a month or two. UGH! It's sure worth it though.

Today, I'd like to thank my friends and family who have been so helpful and encouraging to me on this journey! I'm excited to have reached this 4-month anniversary and to be able to share this moment with you. THANK YOU!

Weight Watchers Monthly Plan: $16.95 per month
More frequent trips to the grocery store: $150.00 per month
Turning George Clooney's head: PRICELESS