Jobs of Yesteryear

While "surfing the web" at work today I came across this article. This little dose of history will help you through your Monday morning for sure. It certainly made me appreciate my cozy desk job.


















                                                                     
But let me ask you, what's the flip side to all this technology? Have we lost sight of the little things in life? I think I might like to have someone read to me while I work. I might even like a switchboard operator to prank call me once in a while. To be fair I haven't completely lost touch with Yetsteryear. My parents are part of the less than half a percent who still have their milk delivered. I guess it's easy to see where my old soul comes from. It's a nice treat when I go home; I love few things more than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a glass of milk.

On a similar note, why so much interest in the faces, tools, and essentials of this Yesteryear? Why consign, why does vinyl sound so much better, why write an article about obsolete jobs from the past? Some of these obsoletes are irreplaceable. They assert a sort of quiet confidence. These forgotten obsoletes encompass the importance of patience and the necessity to slow down and appreciate the world around you. They urge you to forget about the world at your fingertips for a moment and appreciate what those fingertips are capable of. They're a bulky, rusted reminder of all things quaint.

Enjoy!

A Window Shopped Life.

The girls and I took a semi-spontaneous road trip to New York for the afternoon this past Wednesday. We left around 12:30, and came back around 11:00 that night. It was my second trip to "the big city." I had visited briefly in the middle of the night sometime last year to see the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Plaza and quickly tour Times Square.

First we ate at Café 71, on the West Side. It was a little crammed but the service was fast and the food was great. I had chicken cutlet with roasted red peppers, field greens, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese.


















                
 Then we began walking. While looking in the windows of every store we couldn't afford we started to imagine what it might be like to live here. I was worried there was too much industrialization. Tall buildings always make me feel blocked in like I'm on the set of a movie. However, I will give it to New York. They do a fine job incorporating little bits of greenery. All of the sidewalks featured mini-trees, and pansies, bushes, water fountains, etc. There was enough shrubberies growing to remind the city and myself that it is spring.

Central Park sincerely struck me, it's placement really is a beautiful asset to New York. I loved to see all walks of life stop to enjoy the beautiful day in the fast-paced place they call home.

              

In addition, New York's bright color schemes and intricate architecture make the entire experience unique. It's bursting with creativity. I can completely understand how the city inspires those who live there. Almost everywhere I turned my head made for a great painting.

                   
We ended our adventure by visiting a friend who dances near Broadway. She is interning at a studio and takes up to five dance classes a day while still managing school and work. Amazing. She, much like New York, never gets a break. I was happy to come home and simply sleep in a place where you can see the stars building free. Although I do think it is a nice place to visit, I'll continue window shopping my life elsewhere.

Spring Cleaning

                                                                             
Maywood Spring Cleaning began Tuesday, we stripped the couches of their covers, emptied the refrigerator, lazy-susan, and cabinets. We also swept, mopped, and cleaned both bathrooms. Took a break to danced a little. And even emptied the fireplace, opened some windows, and celebrated the warm weather.

Spring Cleaning Tips:
1. Never save it all for Spring Cleaning.
(Keep up with routine tidying all winter long.)
2. Always have some music.
(Make sure it's something upbeat, dancing while you work will make the process more bearable.)
3. Don't do it alone!
(You'll be overwhelmed and calling in reinforcements is not a sign of weakness. Try calling that lingering party guest, they've done their fair share of dirtying and won't mind helping you clean.)
4. Take breaks.
(Stop and think about what you want to clean next, have a bite to eat, five minute dance party, whatever. Just don't continue for hours on end, you'll become very cranky.)
5. Have something to look forward to at the end.
(Go out to dinner, go to a movie, just get out of the house you spent all day cleaning.)


Good luck!

  
A while back I was given the chance to meet an old friend all over again. I was floored by how much had changed and how much was still the same. Seeming like nothing more than a welcomed opportunity to recap the last six years, we were happy to share a few stories. I remember leaving our tiny exchange smiling ear to ear, anxious for the next encounter. Surely it came soon enough, and a few stories turned into a few hours and by the end of the month we had made a beautiful friendship.

A seemingly tiny accomplishment in the vast and changing world a friendship typically goes unrecognized. They're fleeting and fragile. They thrive on the care of not one but two people who must find a common ground sturdy enough to support the weight of themselves and such a seemingly tiny accomplishment. It isn't easy. They drift and split and crumble every day. They encompass a thousand tenses, times, and thoughts. A friendship does more for the soul than any other remedy here on earth. So it seems that in reality it wasn't a tiny occurance at all, but a monumental, life-altering gift carefully placed on my doorstep begging to be embraced.

My friend taught me to be wary of adventures. He warned me they'll come in disguise, like an ordinary day, or an old friend. He warned me to be careful not to miss them, or simply pass up the opportunity. Most importantly, he warned me that life, much like a friendship, is fleeting and fragile. It is for living. Unable to do anything now but take his advice and be thankful I met him when I did, I want to pass the advice onto you.

Be wary friend, life is for living.

new beginnings

because today is the first day of march, and because march means having a fresh start, i'm embracing the change that this season brings. normally i would resist any alteration to my comfortable life with ease but i found my open mind through nelly earlier today. no, not the bandaid wearing rapper, the nine week old golden retriever who seriously may be the sweetest dog i've ever met. i don't know a creature on earth who's heart wouldn't swell at the sight of this thing. she's so full of life, so eager to meet new people and explore new things i couldn't help but take a tip. this march i think i'll try to be more like little nelly and enjoy new beginnings to the fullest.