First of all, let me say this post was inspired by one written by a gutsy friend and fellow blogger, Sherry Aikens, and her post titled Facing Fears Being Vulnerable on Superexhausted. Sherry writes about all the things she's done in her life that have left her open to being hurt or taking risks. Wow! She is one gutsy lady.
Each year I try to make a New Year's resolution and every year I forget all about them within a few weeks. Someone suggested making a bucket list. Bucket list--oh no! not me! Yes, I admit, I don't have a bucket list. (I know, I am the only one right?) But life is too busy to write bucket lists! Better I just get up and do it! I've always love the sneaker company slogan "Just Do It!" because it is so... me. (more like if I took the time to write it down I'd chicken out, so I need to Just Do It! and the sooner the better!)
So I want to ask you, what have you done that involved taking a risk, trying something new, something out of your comfort zone? What do you have on your 'bucket list' of things to do that terrifies you the most?
At 50 I was laid off from a job doing medical research that I'd had for almost 20 years. As I looked for a new job I kept coming back to a job listing that had intrigued me--working for reality TV. I know, leap off the cliff right? Well at least if I failed I wouldn't smash into pieces at the bottom of the cliff! Nothing like going from something I know to something I know nothing about--but that's typical, sometimes making decisions that lack 'smarts' all because I want to try something new.
Amazingly enough it was a great job! At least while it lasted. Like many jobs my job was absorbed into someone else's job description, alas, because I really enjoyed it. Ah well, time to hunt for a new job again! At 55 I was once again looking for a job but didn't want to go back to Center City to the big research hospitals, so I snagged a job doing medical editing--a bit of everything I'd ever done. Once again, it lasted, until it didn't. So now, I blog. A lot. And I work with helping people with intellectual disabilities live independently. I zig, I zag, and yes, I guess you could say I do JUST DO IT!
A lot of my scary stuff is nothing to a lot of people. It's their everyday life, but for me, not so much. One thing that I was afraid to do... chemistry class. In high school I absolutely could not master balancing equations. Yet when I had to do it again in college a few years ago, it was a piece of cake. Why couldn't I do it before? Fear. Fear of failure was holding me back. When I couldn't master it the first few times I tried it, I let fear paralyze me. (See, as I said, not your usual 'bucket list.')
What else used to make me crazy? Driving in Philadelphia. Again, college forced me into facing that fear (I learned a lot of things in college that had nothing to do with getting a degree.) I was terrified of driving from my home in the suburbs through west Philadelphia and into Center City. Buses, people swerving in and out, bikes...all of it make me nuts, but nothing so much as those narrow lanes! Now I wonder why it ever bothered me. Again, nothing you would put on a bucket list, like skydiving, ballooning, bungee jumping, sailing around the world--but everyday scary stuff for me.
I'm old enough that I remember when I didn't know how to use a computer. (OK OK, stop holding your sides laughing at what a dinosaur I am!) But I was terrified of it. The darn thing jammed up everytime I tried to use it. Finally after hours of driving my coworkers crazy (thank you Chris, Rob) I figured it out. Ah! Finally! I refuse to become intimidated by a machine ever again!
What else is on my list of terrifying things? Navigating the subway systems, whether in NYC or Philadelphia, subways scare the beejesus out of me! I think it has to be with being enclosed underground (I will not be a happy corpse!) I had the same problem with scuba diving--as a child my dad took my brothers and my sister and I diving--I was sure I was going to be pressed into the sand at the bottom of the ocean! Of course obviously it didn't happen. You'd think that would have cured me of the fear--'fraid not...you still won't find me scuba diving though. But I may ease into the subway next year--stay tuned!
Yes, you won't find me making a bucket list, it would scare me to death. I think I'll go ahead and JUST DO IT! Before I chicken out--AGAIN! So I guess you could say 'just doing it' is my New Year's resolution for 2013.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Elk and Gorillas and The Fiscal Cliff
From Pinterest
A group of geese is called a gaggle, a group of swans is called a bank, a group of elk is called a gang, and a group of gorillas is called a congress. I guess that explains a great deal about our government doesn't it? Actually I'm not sure our legislators should be called a 'gang' or a 'congress' in D.C.
So do you think those gorillas in Washington can get their acts together so we don't go over the fiscal cliff? Contact your senator and congressperson today and tell them their future employment depends on their job performance. Face it, you or I have to complete tasks on time at work, why shouldn't they?
Les Misérables Is Coming To The Academy of Music January 2, 2013
Coming soon to the Academy of Music is Boublil & Schönberg's legendary musical, Les Misérables. But don't expect your usual Les Mis. This is Cameron Mackintosh's 25th anniversary production and it boasts "glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo."
The New York Times calls this Les Misérables 'an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish.' The London Times hails the new show 'a five star hit, astonishingly powerful.'
Sounds to me like it's time to get your tickets now. Les Misérables will be at the Academy of Music from January 2-January 13, 2013.
If you've never seen Les Mis this is the year to break the piggy bank and buy those tickets. If you are looking for a date night you'll never forget, take your significant other out for an evening at the Academy of Music to see this production that is breaking box office records. Enjoy.
**The writer received tickets to see Les Misérables as compensation for writing this post. The content was not influenced by said tickets and opinions are my own.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
2012 Charitable Donation Time
As the year end approaches have you sent out your charitable donations for 2012?
This year may I suggest donating to the March of Dimes? Through December 31, 2012, your $25 or more donation (up to $65,000) will be matched by PerkinElmer. PerkinElmer is committed to protecting the health of expectant mothers, babies and families and is proud to be a national supporter of March of Dimes NICU Family Support®.
It's that type of commitment that helps us have a healthier generation of babies. For more than 75 years, the March of Dimes "has funded research, partnered with medical experts, sought volunteers, provided training, and advocated for access to health care for mothers and babies." Please help them continue this tradition of excellence by giving today. Your donation, no matter how big or small will help them toward their goals. PerkinElmer will help as well.
March of Dimes, a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). Donations to March of Dimes are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Up to $65,000 will be doubled. Matched money does not count toward March of Babies incentives nor President's Society membership.
Sleep Hygiene-How to Get A Peaceful Night's Sleep
Sleep hygiene. No, this isn't about being sure your have clean sheets and pillowcases. Instead it is tips for getting a peaceful night's rest. Whether you're aging and need to get a better night's sleep or are trying to get your children to sleep, these tips will help you all.
Here are tips from the pros for how to get better sleep and a restful night.
Use a good quality mattress and pillow. Without these two products your body won't be comfortable and you will toss and turn all night long, never getting in to a deep sleep.
Keep you bedroom dark and quiet. No music, no TV, no lights, no phones.
Do something relaxing before bed like taking a warm bubble bath or reading a book(not one of Stephen King's thrillers!)
Keep the temperature of your room steady. Not too hot, not too cold--just right.
Try not to exercise in the three hours before you head to bed.
Avoid alcoholic beverages when trying to get to sleep.
Avoid caffeinated beverages in the late afternoon and early evening.
Avoid eating a large meal before bedtime.
If you need more information about sleep problems contact your sleep center at your local hospital. Many have cognitive behavioral sleep specialist who can work with you on your sleep problems. Some individuals may need a CPAP machine to help with sleep apnea or other issues. Or head over to the National Sleep Foundation (703-243-1697). Brochures on sleep issues can be ordered from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (630-737-9700.) Sleep is important--take the time to learn how to get the best night's rest you can from the experts.
Brides Against Breast Cancer Wedding Gown Sale Coming To Philadelphia
Photo from Brides Without Breast Cancer
Brides Without Breast Cancer comes to the Philadelphia area on January 4, 2013 at the Clarion Hotel Conference Center in Essington PA. Brides and designers both donate their dresses and the proceeds go to help fund programs for cancer patients and their families. Outreach and educational efforts during the "Tour of Gowns" bridal shows around the country help ensure that people impacted by cancer have the resources and information they need in their battle with cancer.
As a bride, this is a great opportunity to get your wedding gown at a discount price (savings up to 2585% while supporting a great cause. There are more than 1000 name brand and designer wedding gowns.
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Friday, December 28, 2012
The Forrest Theatre Host Jekyll and Hyde
This week at this Forrest Theatre Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde visit the city of Brotherly Love. The book and lyrics of Jekyll and Hyde is by Leslie Briccusse. Music and Co-conceiver Frank Wildhorn and Co-conceiver Stever Cuden characters attack the stage at the Forrest bringing the duality of Jekyll and Hyde to Philadelphia audiences.
The good doctor is played by Constantine Maroulis, best known to the majority of Americans as a finalist on American Idol, but he is also a Broadway veteran of shows like Rock of Ages and The Wedding Singer. Female leads are played by Emmy Award winner Deborah Cox as Lucy and Teal Wicks as Emma, the doctor's fiancée. Cox first appeared on Broadway in the lead role in Elton John and Tim Rice's musical, Aida. She is also a Grammy nominated and multi-platinum recording artist and film and television actress. Wicks is best known for her role in Wicked, where she played Elphaba in the Los Angeles Company of that show.
Should you invest in tickets for Jekyll and Hyde? Fans of Maroulis will buy tickets just to see his performance. And Cox (as well as her understudy Emmy Raver-Lampman who was playing the role the night we were there) are well worth the ticket price. Raver-Lampman as Lucy owned the stage, stealing the show from Maroulis, and showing the audience just how good a 'bad girl' can be. She steals Teal Wicks' thunder as Jekyll/Hyde's fiancée, although when the two sing together they can't be beat. This show is owned by the women in the cast. (Sorry Constantine, loved you in American Idol, but the ladies own the stage in J&H.)
The show was directed and choreographed by Jeff Calhoun who recently staged Disney's Newsies and he brings the same look and feel to J&H. Lighting by Jeff Croiter and Sound by Ken Travis are also reminiscent of Newsies. Anyone who has seen Newsies will recognize the work of these three as J&H progresses. (Not that this is a bad thing.)
The show is on it's way to Broadway, and hopefully they'll tighten up on the road. They missed a few opportunities to connect with their audience when a humorous line fell flat, but it's worth the ticket price just to hear Cox or River-Lampman as well as Teal Wicks sing. Some songs could use some work especially early in the show. Also of note, the chorus is Broadway ready, giving a tight and enjoyable performance every time they take the stage.
Fans of Cox/Raver-Lampman, Teal Wicks, and Maroulis will enjoy the show. Maroulis' fans will think he's been robbed by the ladies in the cast but it's worth it to see his transformation from Jekyll to Hyde.
**The author was provided with tickets as compensation for posting about Jekyll and Hyde's performances in Philadelphia. Any opinions are her own and have not been changed by the provision of tickets.
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