OK- it's official! My life has calmed down enough for me to be able to blog regularly again! I miss my blogfam terribly. Hopefully 68 hasn't replaced me; we have much sports talk to catch up on my friend. Get ready!
I know I promised the second update from my summer adventures and it will come; but I wanted to blog about something I was having conversation about today.
In relationships, once you have become comfortable with your significant other, their space and such, often the need for certain "formalities" goes out the window. Calling before you come over, asking permission to get something to drink, showering, even doing laundry. Long gone are the days of timid requests and cute questioning to be able to take advantage of that which you don't have. It's what I like to call "a sense of entitlement." You begin to feel that "what's mine is yours/yours is mine" mentality and assume that the other person has too.
But what if one person never had that entitlement sense to begin with? Not having it as in, they ask before they do anything. They assume nothing. They may know they don't have to call before they come over but they do anyway. Why? Out of a sense of respect for the other person's space. Not wanting to overstep boundaries. Making sure the other understands that all is appreciated and not taken for granted.
In relationships, is the feeling of entitlement OK? And if so, how far does it go? Are you allowed to say certain things, ask certain questions, or not say/do certain under the assumption that it's OK because you hold special privileges? Just because you have keys to your SO's house does that mean you can show up any time you want? I don't; I always call before I come over. And, I'll admit that I have access to the SO's spot.
I'm not wired to have this; I never have been. I was raised to ask, say please, never assume, and be appreciative of everything because nothing was or is owed to me. My best friend says that if you gave me dirt wrapped as a gift, I would open it and say "aww, this is the best dirt in the world!"
Should I feel bad that I'm not that way?
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Stop #1-Vegas
I promised to give an update.
Here it is.
So...stop #1 was Vegas, baby! I have to admit, I was geeked. I was a certified Vegas virgin and the thought of heading to sin city for a little fun in the sun (literally) intrigued me slightly. I didn't know what to expect. I've only been to the left coast twice in my 2? years on this earth. Both were to Cali so I was eager to have my "what happens in Vegas" experience.
Admittidly, it didn't quite happen like that.
I'll remind you that I was there for a fitness convention. For those of you who care, this is the mother of all conventions. Some of the biggest names in the industy show up these events. Every one from equipment companies and music organizations, to clothing and shoe vendors come to peddal their wares. It's a love nest for a fitness freak such as yours truly. I was in heaven.
Each day I had specfic classes that I had registered for prior to coming. Mind you, these are not all "sit down" classes. These are master versions of what you see in your everyday gyms/clubs. For example, I registered for a spin class one morning. Most spin classes run 60 minutes or so. Not ours. This is a room with 65 bikes and every single person on a bike is a fitness professional of some sort. So of course our instructors are more insane than we are. Wrap your mind around this: 6:40am (Vegas time) we're in this huge room with 65 people getting ready for a 90 minute spin class! Out of control. But we do it. The lights get dimmed, the music gets pumped and we start rolling. It's hot, sweaty and the bike seat is getting in my ass, but I love it. It's a sick obsession. I pedal like it's the last class I'll ever take. When it's all said and done, I'm dripping, probably 3-5lb lighter than I was when I started, and wearing a satified smile. I know, I know. I need help.
From there, I immediately grab my bag, and head off to a master kickboxing class. Yes, you heard right, kickboxing. This is my true love- if I could only teach one class the rest of my life, it would be this. Nothing gets me in the zone like this class. My master class was two hours long. We spent the first 25 minutes going over the basics; kicks, punches, blocks and a few combos. We spent the remaining 80 minutes actually kickboxing!! It was insane to say the least. I was dead tired, but I couldn't let the other folks around me defeat me. The mental influence is enough to keep you going for a solid 30 minutes. Every time I wanted to stop and sit down, I'd grab some water and get back in. Another 2-3lbs later, I was sweaty, happy I'd gained some new material to take back to my job and was off to my next class.
That was my life from Tuesday to Friday.
Back to back. Muscle definition classes. Stretcch classes. Pilates. Bosu clinics. Learning new equipment. Even in classes where we could sit and take notes, there would be 2-3 pieces of equipment for us to use in stages. We would work out, run to the side and grab our notepads to scribble down what we learned, throw back some water and then jump back in.
My body was so sore and tired at the end of every day I could barely make it to dinner.
I loved every minute of it.
It's official; I'm addicted.
Up next, stop#2---the QC aka-Charlotte, NC...aka...home of the Addict!
Here it is.
So...stop #1 was Vegas, baby! I have to admit, I was geeked. I was a certified Vegas virgin and the thought of heading to sin city for a little fun in the sun (literally) intrigued me slightly. I didn't know what to expect. I've only been to the left coast twice in my 2? years on this earth. Both were to Cali so I was eager to have my "what happens in Vegas" experience.
Admittidly, it didn't quite happen like that.
I'll remind you that I was there for a fitness convention. For those of you who care, this is the mother of all conventions. Some of the biggest names in the industy show up these events. Every one from equipment companies and music organizations, to clothing and shoe vendors come to peddal their wares. It's a love nest for a fitness freak such as yours truly. I was in heaven.
Each day I had specfic classes that I had registered for prior to coming. Mind you, these are not all "sit down" classes. These are master versions of what you see in your everyday gyms/clubs. For example, I registered for a spin class one morning. Most spin classes run 60 minutes or so. Not ours. This is a room with 65 bikes and every single person on a bike is a fitness professional of some sort. So of course our instructors are more insane than we are. Wrap your mind around this: 6:40am (Vegas time) we're in this huge room with 65 people getting ready for a 90 minute spin class! Out of control. But we do it. The lights get dimmed, the music gets pumped and we start rolling. It's hot, sweaty and the bike seat is getting in my ass, but I love it. It's a sick obsession. I pedal like it's the last class I'll ever take. When it's all said and done, I'm dripping, probably 3-5lb lighter than I was when I started, and wearing a satified smile. I know, I know. I need help.
From there, I immediately grab my bag, and head off to a master kickboxing class. Yes, you heard right, kickboxing. This is my true love- if I could only teach one class the rest of my life, it would be this. Nothing gets me in the zone like this class. My master class was two hours long. We spent the first 25 minutes going over the basics; kicks, punches, blocks and a few combos. We spent the remaining 80 minutes actually kickboxing!! It was insane to say the least. I was dead tired, but I couldn't let the other folks around me defeat me. The mental influence is enough to keep you going for a solid 30 minutes. Every time I wanted to stop and sit down, I'd grab some water and get back in. Another 2-3lbs later, I was sweaty, happy I'd gained some new material to take back to my job and was off to my next class.
That was my life from Tuesday to Friday.
Back to back. Muscle definition classes. Stretcch classes. Pilates. Bosu clinics. Learning new equipment. Even in classes where we could sit and take notes, there would be 2-3 pieces of equipment for us to use in stages. We would work out, run to the side and grab our notepads to scribble down what we learned, throw back some water and then jump back in.
My body was so sore and tired at the end of every day I could barely make it to dinner.
I loved every minute of it.
It's official; I'm addicted.
Up next, stop#2---the QC aka-Charlotte, NC...aka...home of the Addict!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Home, Sweet Home
So when your job says put your traveling pants on, you don't ask questions. You put them on and go.
That's been my story since July 7. As of today, I have only been in my apartment 8 days in the month of July.
Out of control.
I miss blogging terribly and have needed it, but the demands on my life have been such that I haven't had time (or energy) to focus my thoughts and communicate them properly.
The update is coming...I know I owe you. Vegas, Charlotte, then back to NC (Greensboro) for a wedding. This entire month has been spent on a plane, living out of my suitcase, checking in and out of hotels, eating out, working out, networking, drinking, and very little sleep.
I'm so happy to be able to sleep in my own bed; much like a crackhead when they have gotten their most recent high.
More to come!
That's been my story since July 7. As of today, I have only been in my apartment 8 days in the month of July.
Out of control.
I miss blogging terribly and have needed it, but the demands on my life have been such that I haven't had time (or energy) to focus my thoughts and communicate them properly.
The update is coming...I know I owe you. Vegas, Charlotte, then back to NC (Greensboro) for a wedding. This entire month has been spent on a plane, living out of my suitcase, checking in and out of hotels, eating out, working out, networking, drinking, and very little sleep.
I'm so happy to be able to sleep in my own bed; much like a crackhead when they have gotten their most recent high.
More to come!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Vegas, Baby!!
(Ok- this post was supposed to be up Monday, July 7. Pretend it's that day and enjoy!)
That's right!!! I'm off to Vegas! An addicts paradise, if you will. The lights, the sounds...I get excited just thinking about it!!
My real reason for going is for work. There is a fitness convention I'm attending and low and behold---this year's destination was Vegas! Don't get it twisted; I will be getting my cardiovascular on during the day as well as a few classes for my professional development. But you better believe that when night falls, I'm on the prowl. I'm a night owl any way, so I'm looking forward to having new things to stimulate my mind...
In addition to the convention, some other folks from work will be out there for various reasons; the mother of events for extreme sports will be making it's debut shortly so we have hella folks preparing for that. I also found out that one of my homegirls is out there covering poker and she told me she could get me in some parties!! Hello...? Partying with ballers who play poker? Where do I sign? Not sure what I'm in for, but it's all about the experience. Nobody parties like we do. (For those of you who don't know who we is....trust. We gets down for ours.)
The real kicker to all this is that at the end of my Vegas adventure, I'm headed home!!! Again for work, but we have offices in the QC as well. I'm there for a week, so I'll be sure to update you on my adventures. Dorothy said it...there's no place like home. And to top it off, I'm living on the mouse (Mickey, that is) for the next 2 weeks. I love my job.
That's the latest and the greatest with the me. Stay tuned!
That's right!!! I'm off to Vegas! An addicts paradise, if you will. The lights, the sounds...I get excited just thinking about it!!
My real reason for going is for work. There is a fitness convention I'm attending and low and behold---this year's destination was Vegas! Don't get it twisted; I will be getting my cardiovascular on during the day as well as a few classes for my professional development. But you better believe that when night falls, I'm on the prowl. I'm a night owl any way, so I'm looking forward to having new things to stimulate my mind...
In addition to the convention, some other folks from work will be out there for various reasons; the mother of events for extreme sports will be making it's debut shortly so we have hella folks preparing for that. I also found out that one of my homegirls is out there covering poker and she told me she could get me in some parties!! Hello...? Partying with ballers who play poker? Where do I sign? Not sure what I'm in for, but it's all about the experience. Nobody parties like we do. (For those of you who don't know who we is....trust. We gets down for ours.)
The real kicker to all this is that at the end of my Vegas adventure, I'm headed home!!! Again for work, but we have offices in the QC as well. I'm there for a week, so I'll be sure to update you on my adventures. Dorothy said it...there's no place like home. And to top it off, I'm living on the mouse (Mickey, that is) for the next 2 weeks. I love my job.
That's the latest and the greatest with the me. Stay tuned!
The Poll Question: Can Men and Women Truly be Platonic Without Attraction?
Well, can they?
The results:
7 said Absolutely.
9 thought Hell Naw!
5 voted Perhaps...
It's a question I often ask because I find the subject extremely thought-provoking. Not only the yes/no argument, but which gender responds on what side of the agument and why tickles my pickle even more.
*For those of you that voted, please stop by and comment as to why you took the stance you did. I'm very interested in your thoughts!!!!
Now, as far as the Addict is concerned, my vote is a combination of the "perhaps/hell naw" category.
I (want to) believe that men and women can be platonic; maintaining relationships with the opposite sex can be tricky. I have male friends with whom I hang out. We may grab drink, or catch dinner, and when it's over, it's over. I also have male friends of which I don't have their phone number, nor they mine. If I see them out, then it's all love, but neither party is pressed to be up under the other. I think the grey area (the "perhaps" end of my vote if you will) comes when there could be or is attraction on one or both parts. This takes away from the platonic nature of the relationship. Folks may not act on that attraction in fear of ruining the friendship so they keep quiet and keep their good thing. Or they may decide to put it out there and see what happens. What then?
The situation gets sticky-icky-icky when one/both parties have significant others but that's another post all together.
Now...for the "hell naw" side of my argument.
I once had a very good male friend (whom I will say that I was attracted to, but nothing ever came of it and now he's married) tell me that "no man is friends with a woman he isn't attracted to." He went on to say that men befriend women they find attractive purposely. This is in hopes that if something ever develops, it's not a question of attraction; just a question of how to proceed once it's out there.
So...if a man befriends a woman he's attracted to, are his actions truly genuine or is he just buying his time to fulfill alterior motives??? And what if she's not attracted to him? Is he just content living in his fantasy of what could be?? Fellas, don't think I'm just harping on you; this argument goes for women who befriend men they find titilating as well. In this case, I might lean more towards hell naw; if this is the case, if you're feeling froggy, leap! Might be a winner!
The results:
7 said Absolutely.
9 thought Hell Naw!
5 voted Perhaps...
It's a question I often ask because I find the subject extremely thought-provoking. Not only the yes/no argument, but which gender responds on what side of the agument and why tickles my pickle even more.
*For those of you that voted, please stop by and comment as to why you took the stance you did. I'm very interested in your thoughts!!!!
Now, as far as the Addict is concerned, my vote is a combination of the "perhaps/hell naw" category.
I (want to) believe that men and women can be platonic; maintaining relationships with the opposite sex can be tricky. I have male friends with whom I hang out. We may grab drink, or catch dinner, and when it's over, it's over. I also have male friends of which I don't have their phone number, nor they mine. If I see them out, then it's all love, but neither party is pressed to be up under the other. I think the grey area (the "perhaps" end of my vote if you will) comes when there could be or is attraction on one or both parts. This takes away from the platonic nature of the relationship. Folks may not act on that attraction in fear of ruining the friendship so they keep quiet and keep their good thing. Or they may decide to put it out there and see what happens. What then?
The situation gets sticky-icky-icky when one/both parties have significant others but that's another post all together.
Now...for the "hell naw" side of my argument.
I once had a very good male friend (whom I will say that I was attracted to, but nothing ever came of it and now he's married) tell me that "no man is friends with a woman he isn't attracted to." He went on to say that men befriend women they find attractive purposely. This is in hopes that if something ever develops, it's not a question of attraction; just a question of how to proceed once it's out there.
So...if a man befriends a woman he's attracted to, are his actions truly genuine or is he just buying his time to fulfill alterior motives??? And what if she's not attracted to him? Is he just content living in his fantasy of what could be?? Fellas, don't think I'm just harping on you; this argument goes for women who befriend men they find titilating as well. In this case, I might lean more towards hell naw; if this is the case, if you're feeling froggy, leap! Might be a winner!
No Internet!!?!
So...I'm traveling for work and the internet in my room is not working!!! They sent a tech up to try to fix it. He took one look at it (my computer and the connection) and promptly informed me that there was nothing he could do for me. WTF???
I'll spare the name of the hotel so as not to sway innocent minds, but you would think that a hotel of this quality would be able to manage repairing a simple internet connection. Apparently not.
Any way...lucky for you, I drafted several posts before I traveled. My plan was to post them upon my arrival and during the week. We all see how that worked out.
Stay tuned...post #1 to follow shortly.
Hope you guys are well!
I'll spare the name of the hotel so as not to sway innocent minds, but you would think that a hotel of this quality would be able to manage repairing a simple internet connection. Apparently not.
Any way...lucky for you, I drafted several posts before I traveled. My plan was to post them upon my arrival and during the week. We all see how that worked out.
Stay tuned...post #1 to follow shortly.
Hope you guys are well!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Thought-Provoking Question
Isn't it funny how we know there is something we should/need to do but instead of pulling the weeds from the flower bed, we water the whole bed hoping the weeds will die on their own?
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
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