i want to know more people like this guy!

Someone in my Facebook feed this morning shared this video of a fan at a Celtics game busting out into a fantastic dance. He exhibits the kind of enthusiasm I just LOVE! I wish I knew this guy in real life. This is brilliant. Brightened my whole day.

test...Instagram photo from yesterday

This is the first time I've tried sharing an Instagram photo on the blog. Yesterday's prompt was "window."

august break

I'm joining in on the lovely Susannah Conway's no-rules photo project, August Break.

Pause, look around you and shoot what you see. Live inside each moment. Pay attention to what’s there. If it’s the summer where you are it’s a lovely way to be present to the moments that will be gone before you know it. 

 That is right up my alley. Happy to be part of this one!

the drive to do things well

This morning on NPR's Morning Edition I listened to the talented Yuja Wang chat and giggle while she played portions of the famously difficult Piano Concerto No. 3 by Rachmaninov. The drive she'd had since childhood to play the piano this beautifully made me stop and think (and well up a bit):

"The first thing that really got me was [Mauricio] Pollini's recording of Chopin's etudes. I just really wanted to have the same sound. You know how girls really want a doll or a toy? I really wanted to play the way I wanted to play. So I was really working towards that."

"I really wanted to play the way I wanted to play." I love that. That is what you need to be able to do something so well.

up

Well. Today's my birthday, and so far it's a good one: 

• Scott gave me a Jawbone UP that I hope will help me become more active and aware of my decisions that affect my health.
• We got our tax refund, just in time to pay a big bill.
• I got the barbell set I ordered, so I can get a great workout today.
• I decided to take the day off work, because I can.
• I plan to get a massage, and maybe even a pedicure.
• Every few minutes I get a friendly message from someone on Facebook.

So I feel happy and grateful. Off to do my workout!

joyful laughter

This photo was taken almost three years ago while the four of us were out for dinner. I have no recollection what made them laugh so hard, but I get a rush of joy each time I see this photo of my girls looking so happy.

election day

On this election day, I'm grateful for my landline voicemail, which gets transcribed and sent to my email, so I don't have to answer the phone when it rings every 20 minutes with someone calling to exhort me to vote for their candidate. Not only do I get to quickly see who called and what they said when I don't answer, but most of the transcriptions are so hilariously messed up that I usually get a good laugh when I read them. Here is the one I just got:

"Orange remind you that. Hello, this is Ervin isn't a responsible leadership. I'm calling to remind you that today is election day, hey Ronnie, Heather Clinton heat America back on track we can't afford four more years of uncle I have president. Please vote for me and he hasn't called me for their response when we are not authorized by any any work you need me." 

Hey Ronnie...we can't afford four more years of uncle... Ohhh-kay. And I am wondering who this Heather Clinton is. 

Last Saturday I got one that said:

"We need leaders who will stand up for the bodies we share the rest of my lawyers for Bobby's vote for life, bowling for family both against Barack Obama." 

 I'm not sure why all my callers are so against Obama, but bowling for family doesn't sound too bad.