I’ve been following Matt Logelin’s blog for about six months now, and every time I click his link my heart sinks. I am overwhelmed by not only this man’s strength, but by his dedication and love for his daughter and his ability to rise to the occasion and be the best father he knows how to be. Only he doesn’t know how to be anything at this point. He is torn between losing one love of his life and gaining another, all in the course of two days. Two days that forever live in his memory as both the worst day and the best day ever.
It’s both humbling and inspiring to read his words, and I will let them do their own justice. I felt though, at the opening of the usually crazy shopping season, that maybe some people would be looking to possibly make a difference in other people’s lives instead of the usual retail insanity that takes place, and stories like Matt’s really tears at my heart strings. And if you don’t want to give directly to Matt and Madeline(why wouldn’t you?) he’s set up his own charity to help families faced with similar situations.
This holiday season is different from any that most of us have experienced in a lifetime. I wonder if in twenty years, when I look back, what will stick with me most: the gift certificate I got to spend at Sephora or the knowledge that $20 went to a little girl’s first Christmas. Did she have a Merry Christmas? I hope so. And I hope that maybe I had a little something to do with it.
If you are interested in learning more about Matt or Madeline, or their charity, go here.
I’m totally about to drop some astrology knowledge on your asses. I’m no fortune teller, nor am I a tarot card or palm reader or any of that shit. I’m not trying to get you to join any cult or anything. My ears perked up though when I overheard someone discussing their “Saturn Return” and I can honestly say I related to the conversation. I googled a bunch of keywords did some research, and the only reason I am sharing is because I am so there right now, and I’m hoping I’m not alone. So why not ask the internets? They’ll be honest, right?
I feel it necessary to point out that I am a Libra. Libras are also known as the Scales of Balance, basically meaning that we fucking hate it when there is conflict and imbalance in our lives. Our sign is also the only inaminate object of the Zodiac signs, meaning we are neither human nor animal, but dammit! things need to be in order. Anywho….
Apparently somewhere around every 29.5 years the planet Saturn orbits the sun, returning to the same place in the galaxy as when you were born. This happens between the ages of 27-30, 58-60, and 86-88. Did I tell you all I just turned 30? Yea. The “return of Saturn,” as it is called, brings with it an awful mix of challenge, significance, fear, reflection, doubt, prestige, hard lessons, order, confusion, and accomplishment. I mean, seriously? This is a Libra’s nightmare. This is my nightmare, and it’s happening.
Saturn comes to tell you whether or not you’re on the right path in life. If you’re not, Saturn will nag you until you realize you need to change it up. If you are, Saturn will encourage you to stay on the same path.
Need some proof?
Vincent Van Gogh, at age 30, decided to become a painter instead of a minister. Bill Rodgers marked the first of three consecutive Boston Marathon wins, and made the 1976 Olympic running team, all during the course of his Saturn Return.
The U.S. Census Bureau names its peak divorce years at 28-30. You all belong to Facebook, I’m sure most of your childhood friends (and probably you!) are married, having babies, buying houses, the whole nine. (Just want to say – Love you! Better you than me!) Some might be ending those commitments. Some might just be questioning them. So goes the Saturn Return.
One of my all-time faves, No Doubt, released an album entitled “Return of Saturn” around the same time Ms. Gwen Stefani turned 29. The song “New” in my opinion is in direct relation to her return of Saturn, as can be found in the lyrics. Need to read them? Here.
Another total girl crush of mine, Drew Barrymore, attributes her return of Saturn to the changes in her life on her infamous appearance on David Letterman. Yes, that episode. Where she flashed her tits. Don’t remember? Let me refresh:
So this is where I’m at. A total crossroads. Life (and Saturn) has decided to give me the ultimate mid-term exam. Where am I now? Where do I want to go? Am I on the path I’m supposed to be?
What the hell kinds of questions are these and who has the damn answers?? I’ve never passed a test without taking a look at the answer code! It’s not fair! I hate school!
I guess that’s the whole point. Grow the fuck up kid and take a long hard look at where you’re at. Where do you want to go? Who do you want to end up being? Saturn is here to kick your ass into high gear, to show you what you’re made of and show you how to get it. If you listen, awesome. If not, you’ll have another chance in about 29.5 years. But that’s a lot of time to waste.
Mr. Supersexy Brad Pitt was on Oprah today to promote his new flick, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. His co-star, Cate Blanchett, was also there. The movie actually looks pretty decent, but since it doesn’t come out until Christmas (which means I can’t illegally download it until at least February), I’ll probably forget about it by then. Regardless, I’ll never pass up a chance to look at Brad Pitt in HD. He’s beautiful.
The only problem was…
SNOOZE-FEST!!!!
How BORING?!? What happened to the edgy, hard-ass, Fight Club Brad Pitt? This guy was totally lame. He couldn’t even name a favorite food of his, saying something like, “I’m liking the Indian.” Or some shit. And while I guess I can see where he could get a little creeped out by the question the following fan asked, he shouldn’t be too surprised that she’s seen a photo of his forearm, seeing as he’s pictured weekly in every tabloid magazine ever. I mean, it’s cool to talk about picking hot dogs out of your kids’ vomit, but you don’t want to say anything about a tattoo on your arm? Really?
Don’t get me wrong. It’s Brad Pitt. He’s a legend. Hottest.Dude.Ever. But he’s all into his family and kids and friggin’ Angelina and for whatever reason it bored me to tears. And Ms. Cate wasn’t picking up any of the slack. Lame show. So whatever, Brad, I’m over you.
I saw this commercial on Sunday while watching football:
Here’s where I tell you I am a proud iPhone owner and am just totally a little obsessed with the app store that rolled out earlier this year. I have pages of apps on my phone, and am constantly searching for new ones to add. I usually find myself playing with them for a few days, only to purge them from the phone on Sundays and replace them with new finds. Nine times out of ten I’m downloading free games because, why not? It’s a rare thing nowadays to find something truly free. I mean, I had to buy the phone and all that jazz, but still. Free is good.
Anyway after I saw this commercial I grabbed my laptop to check out this UrbanSpoon, thinking that if it really did what the ad said it would, this invention may just be the answer to my prayers. You see, I am a Libra, and Libras are characteristically indecisive. Especially hungry Libras, because the hungrier we get, the more indecisive we become. So if you’ve ever gotten into a conversation like this with a Libra:
You: “Hey Libra, what do you want to do for dinner?”
Libra: “I don’t know, what do you want?”
You: “I could go for anything, what are you thinking?”
Libra: “I don’t really care either, whatever you want.”
You know what I’m talking about.
This app, my friends (!), is the best thing ever invented for this particular situation. Not only do you simply shake the phone to get a random restaurant in your neighborhood (or anywhere near you), you also get your slot machine fix to boot!
You need to check this out. UrbanSpoon for the iPhone. It shows you consumer ratings, location, contact information, articles and reviews from both users and major publications, and you can call the restaurant directly from the app. You can even lock each of the categories so you can search by neighborhood, cuisine, price, or all three. Genius! Invite your friends and share your faves!
If you like to eat, and are tired of the same old boring chinese food restaurant it’s worth the download. Besides, it’s FREE. Honestly, I swear. But once the word gets out I’m sure the developers will get hip to the idea that they could make some money with this thing, so get it while it’s hot. Here, go here. Now.
PS – If you don’t have an iPhone, sorry for the shameless plug. But seriously, you should think about getting one because they’re really cool. And stuff.
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