We’ve all heard this before: What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Except: no. It’s not inherently or necessarily true. So many things that literally or figuratively try to kill us don’t leave us better or stronger. Cancer didn’t kill me. (Hooray!) Am I stronger? Certainly not physically. I trained with a trainer for several … Read more
This is the fourth time this has happened. One of my eyelashes is really long. Just one. I don’t know what makes this happen, but I get a disproportional amount of joy from my long eyelash. People try to pull it off to prevent it from falling into my eye, thinking it’s one that fell … Read more
The Climbing Daddy needed a run. I wanted to take pictures of some of the fantastic thunderheads we had that day. We went to a local park with small mountains/big rocks where he ran, I photographed, and we were both happy. (Thunderheads are big, puffy clouds that are common during monsoon season here.) I got … Read more
A law was passed in Oregon that students’ absences due to mental health issues can be excused. But until I looked it up and read about it, all I knew was that “mental health days” are now excused. Having a legit mental health issue and “taking a mental health day” are two very different things, … Read more
With most things, there’s a fine line between “not hardcore” and “too many excuses.” Setting a reasonable, realistic goal is critical in walking this line. For most people most of the time, “hardcore” is not the way to go. It’s not sustainable. If you’re in a situation where it’s critical to be all in and … Read more
The Climbing Daddy, The Kid, and I went to a Phoenix Mercury game over the weekend. It so happened that it was “Rock the Pink” night. I was not excited. They honored breast cancer survivors, which was nice, and every seat had a pink Rock the Pink rally towel on it. Pre-recorded interviews with some … Read more
I’ve been spending a little time each week taking pictures. I bought into an online photography class and get a 10- to 20-minute lesson each week with a homework assignment. So far, the explanations are good and sometimes help clarify things I didn’t realize I needed clarified. When I get farther into it, if still … Read more
On a podcast, a question was called in about self-image and body weight/shape. The answer included gratuitous use of the phrase “skinny bitch.” Can we please get rid of it? “Skinny” is a description of body. “Bitch” is a description of demeanor or personality. They are in no way connected. Some skinny women are bitches. … Read more
I mentioned in a previous post that I have a habit of making notes on my phone when I hear something that I want to remember for later: a book recommendation, a quote, a website, etc. But until recently, I didn’t credit the quotes in my notes because I foolishly believed that I would remember … Read more
I have a student who has been playing an instrument for a week. He came to class completely disheartened and said, “My uncle said I’m never going to be able to play this.” Don’t be that uncle. Of course the kid is struggling and sounds terrible right now. He’s been playing for a week. Instruments … Read more