Thursday, 24 March 2011

Low Cheekbones

Hello out there, I'm sorry it's taken me so long to write again.
Sadly I have been unnecessarily busy with school. But that is not an excuse to let my blogging fall apart.

Anyways I've been thinking, and that's never good, about conversations. Now I don't mean about the weather, or how your sister is doing in Alaska, or that article in the paper that no one but you read. I'm talking meaningful, thought-inducing, clever, insightful, revealing conversation.

See I seem to have this gift. People love to tell me things, secrets, worries, ideas, feelings, sorrows, joys, humors, all of the above. Now I could never figure out why, especially since I have also been told that I can come off as intimidating. That's not the usual combo for these things. But never the less everyone I know loves to tell me things. No matter the topic, or level of secrecy. For a while I defined it as the principle that the always humorous character from NBC's "The Office", Dwight Schrute. Now Dwight attributes his ability to gain information from people to his low cheekbones (Season 6, Episode 2). Dwight explains that in low cheekbones trigger people to trust him, as he appears less threatening.

Is this really the case? It's possible. My cheekbones are pretty low. But what makes people to eager to confess all their thoughts to me? Don't get me wrong, I love helping people, and I have a fantastic understanding of the human condition when it comes to relationships. I'm flattered that people make me they're rock and that I have the opportunity to advise the people I care about. I love so many parts about how much people confide in me, and respect my opinion.

With that being said there is one thing that I don't love about my 'gift' if you will. I can't turn it off. With everyone expecting me to invest in their lives mine seems to fall through the cracks. It's causing me stress. Having so many people in need of my gift. The worst part is that you would expect the people you care about to understand that you can only handle so much, but I've set myself up for a bit more than I can handle.

My solution you ask? Well I'm only focusing on a few people at a time, and have tried to make my advice giving more of encouraging a skill set for the future. Giving ideas to those who ask for them that will keep them able to sustain the happiness I help them achieve. Wow that sounds proud, I don't mean to sound braggadocios. Also I have decided to make myself less available. I need a break from working on the troubles of other, and need to step up taking care of myself. I've recently become so overwhelmed that I struggle to sleep, and have all sorts of different stress symptoms. So as I focus on calming my nerves, I will be checking in. But for now I have a brand new episode of Grey's to watch.

Thank you for listening, and if you need some life advice, I'm here, with all my wisdom ;).

That's all for now.
Stay Peachy.

Saturday, 5 March 2011

A Letter to the late JFM may he rest in peace

Dearest Josh,

I miss you. But that is obvious. I hope you are well, and that you went in peace, without strife or burden. I think about you so much. What decisions you would be making if you were facing adulthood like the rest of us. What would you study and where? Still history and politics? Or would you have found a new passion?

I can barely imagine the effect it had on your family when you passed. Nothing meant more to you than them. You changed us all. If you didn't know that, you would have seen it when you left us. I know there is still damage from that, but I don't want you to feel bad for leaving us. Not at all. You left a perfect example of what it meant to be a friend, a confidant, a brother, a son, a student, an athlete, and everything in between. At an age when faith is hard to find in others you showed me what it meant to believe. I'm thankful to have known you.

When I switched schools you were the first one to reach out to me, the new girl. For that I will always be thankful. High school separated us all, but you managed to keep your ties to all of us. Status, and popularity didn't matter, friendship and connections, they were what mattered. You were never disrespectful, or rude, never fought, or ignored others. You always forgave, and understood. You were an angel of a boy. And a man before your time.

When we lost you I know I doubted my faith. And that wasn't right. How could I question God for taking you, when you were one of the greatest people I've ever met. I know now that your effect will always be in my heart. And I will continue to look for you in the people around me, because I know that you could have never completely left. Having you as an angel in heaven looking out for me puts me at ease. A part of my heart is forever with you. And I couldn't think of a better place for it.

Thank you for showing me what it means to be an extraordinary person. We will be reunited one day.

Thinking of you,
Katharine

Wednesday, 2 March 2011

Roommates

I know we've only just met but lets skip right to the good stuff.

I have two roommates. And when we decided to be roommates about a year ago we were beyond excited. We spent the following weeks glued to the Ikea website sitting side-by-side discussing decor, and parties, and playfully arguing about who would get what bedroom.

Now between those bliss-filled and the time we moved in we all had our doubts. Will I be able to live with her? We she pitch in willingly, or will it be like pulling teeth? Will she stink up the kitchen or the bathroom? Will she do the cleaning? Will she play her music that loud?

We moved in fearing the worst in each other, and found that our 4 months apart had been a breath of fresh air giving us the break we desperately needed. And things were good.

For a while.

Now I'm the kind of girl that likes to deal with problems. I'll say right to your face whats bothering me in hopes that together we can talk it out. I quickly learned that I am a rare breed.

The other two struggle to discuss anything. Sadly one of them (girl A) told the other (girl B) how she really feels about her while under the influence. This started the bad blood, which only thickened when some lies girl A had told came unraveled.

Now I'm guessing you're asking where I fit into this. Well I happen to be Switzerland in the house who's address happens to be WW3. This has given me a new appreciation for Switzerland. As the middle ground I get to listen to both parties complain about the other, without giving any personal opinions. I have suggested to both of them that they discuss their issues, but unfortunately nobody listens to Switzerland.

Despite my attempts to stay out the way I can't help but get caught up in the crossfire when I'm living in a war zone. The drama of living in the middle of this scenario has caused me to manifest my stress physically. I have had all sorts of stress induced illnesses. Not fun by any means. The worst part is that neither party realizes the affect this is having on me. But how could they, they're busy planning their next attack.

Luckily the straight shooter that I am is not letting this scenario continue. In two short months I'll be leaving this humble abode to make a new home at a cute townhouse across town, with 3 very different new roommates. You know your living situation is a mess when you ask yourself daily why you don't have a reality show on MTV. I could just see it now. "Life is Peachy" a dramatic show about the real life of a young woman dealing with interesting circumstances in unique ways. The ratings would grow themselves.

I miss the simple days of kindergarten. When your biggest issue was not getting a pudding cup in your lunch box that day. Too bad life can't stay that way. Now I have to deal with defusing bombs, walking tightropes, and hoping for surrender.

Now will they ever be able to be friends? Sadly since neither one of them is making the steps to reconciliation the answer would have to be no. Will I continue to be friends with them? One yes, and one maybe. It's hard to sit here between the two and not want to leave it all behind. But the idea of throwing away everything that has happened over the last 1.5 years is not something I can easily swallow. I really wish things didn't pan out the way they have. But it's not my place to attempt to fix a situation that doesn't directly involve me. Especially when emotions run so high. I would like to think that this could all settle out nicely, but I'm not delusional. If it were easy to fix it would be fine by now, but that is obviously not the case. And till these two months are up I'll be stuck in this warzone, wishing for a peace treaty.

I guess it's a good thing I look good in camouflage.

That's all for now.
Stay Peachy.

Jeans

Something struck me the other day.

How ridiculous is the acceptance of jeans. I mean in what other universe is it acceptable to walk around in blue pants everyday. And the versatility. Not only are they blue, a color which looks good on just about everyone, but they happen to be able to be transformed from a look for daytime to a look for a night out very easily.

Now I realize that they are not the only pants that are widely accepted as a staple of everyday wardrobe, but most other clothing of this sort (i.e. khakis) are usually a "neutral earth tone" as Stacy and Clinton would say. What other daily occurrence is as universal to every gender, age, race, and country? I personally can't think of one.

I'm not completely diluted in my thinking of the oddity of the universality of these blue denim pants we call 'jeans'. I realize they come in different colors, washes, and styles. But those can all be attributed to recent trends, and variation caused by popularity. What I really wonder is where the original jeans came from. Who wore them? Why were they dyed blue? Why did they catch on?

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't part of the herd of jeans wearing people out there, I am, and I love my real straight dark wash from the Gap. I'm just questioning where the origin of the pants we all love and wear so very frequently came from. And more importantly what would the blue clad world look like if they were say green, or yellow? Personally as someone who does not look good in yellow, I'm glad to have my good-old, trusty, blue jeans.

That's all for now.
Stay Peachy.

Tuesday, 1 March 2011

First Post

Well well well.

Hello there world wide web. It's nice to meet you.
Now I'm not going to start this like a typical first time blogger (despite that being the case) because me saying that no one will read this is setting myself up for disappointment.

This blog is dedicated to me bringing interesting things to attention. At least things that I think are interesting. Now your opinion, well that's the reason for you to have a blog. I'm not meaning to offend anyone by starting this, just using it as an outlet for creativity, and release if you will.

Now if this blog isn't for you don't read it. But if you're the slightest bit interested in my point of view, strap on your reading glasses, this may be a bumpy ride.

That's all for now.
Stay Peachy.