Year (Thus Far) In Review

2010 = The Future

RIP to all those who lost and sacrificed their lives in the tragic and devastating 9/11 bombings.

This year is seemingly flying by. This is often said, but Spring was just here. Seriously. 

Give it up for another blistering, humid North Carolina summer, complete with flying insects that feasted upon my flesh. Ugg. 

April has been the most memorable month of the year for me. 

I have been at my current FT job for a little over a year now, and PT job for two years. 

Almost half of my high school graduating class is currently either married, engaged to be married, planning a wedding, parents, or....wishing they were back in high school. Haha. Yowza! 

Summer doesn't feel quite complete without splashing in some waves, tan lines (as thin as possible), and finding sand in the battery compartment of your digital camera. Awesome.

Birthdays are awesome and I've enjoyed every special one this year thus far!  

No one ever mentions that a lot of the "other fish in the sea" are also the equivalent of Spam of the sea. Tsk. 

Some people are like poppy seeds. They can sure make a bagel taste delicious, but then they get caught in your teeth and then it's just a polka dot party in your mouth.

Blogging has become a favorite hobby. :)

I was introduced to, and love SUSHI!! 

I have been randomly yelled at twice in the parking lot of my job. Hmmm. Once was blamed on the devil. Seriously? *Insert 5 strangers and an elevator here*. Also, I wasn't physically in my car either time so I guess my driving skills are still above par? Yowza!

Excuse me, I just tweeted. ;)

I worked with choreographer Mark Dendy, and performed at the NC Museum of Art re-opening. Cool!

I met a great, standup guy this fall. While he had a girlfriend, he more so served as a beacon of hope that there are good guys out there...who actually like their girlfriends. Go figure.

I saw 'Star Wars in Concert' this summer!! Friggin' amazing! :) 


In NFL news: Between injury, allegations of misconduct, dissension between him and his coach, and his future playing time now questioned, this has been a tough season for Brett Favre. In the past, the death of his father and his wife's breast cancer diagnosis were hurdles Brett had to get over during his career. He made it through those, and as a Brett Favre fan, I'm hoping he comes through this current season right side up. 


Temperature highs in the 80s in October are leaving me wondering if this winter is going to pack any kind of a punch. 


In social networking news: Despite the recent release of The Social Network, the story of the creation and rise of Facebook, by creator, Mark Zuckerberg, I believe Twitter usage numbers soar above those of its social networking predecessor. 

Irony: 'Dogs' (of the canine variety) are consistent, dependable, honest, and loving. If more men came this way, I'd have no problems at all.

Goodreads: For the Bookworm at Heart

I discovered Goodreads.com, a social network for readers, by happenstance while reading a graphic novel blog. The blogger's homepage had a Goodreads widget, and from there I dove right in and signed up. In addition to the usual posting of book titles you've read, are currently reading, and want to read, there are quizzes, trivia, giveaways, book clubs and groups, ways to connect with other readers all over the world, and a writer's corner for submitting your own personal work. I have already made some "friends" with similar reading interests, including one of my favorite authors! How awesome. You can adjust the frequency and type of notifications you receive about friends and authors you are following on such tidbits as blog posts, new "reading now" books, and the latest reviews. I have always had a crazy obsession with bookshelves. There is just something simplistically beautiful about the organized look of shelves brimming with colorful book spines and ornamented book stands. Goodreads provides a digital version of a bookshelf. It displays the covers of all the books in your library along with your reviews, ratings, dates of completion, and many other nifty things. My inner bookworm can sometimes barely contain the excitement of finding out about the latest or upcoming installment in a series by one of my favorite authors!

I utilize VisualBookshelf on Facebook, but it has no widget capability, and I very much want to display my adventures in reading on personal pages and other locations other than just Facebook. That seemed to involve installing another Facebook application, which I'm typically wary of, or creating a LivingSocial account. The account is all well and good, but Goodreads provides so much more in one easy click of a button. I highly recommend Goodreads. Even if you don't like to read as a hobby, you may be surprised at what peeks your interest when you see the assortment of books floating around. You can check out my GR profile by clicking the bottom button on my 'Kimster's Bookworm Corner' Goodreads widget on my homepage. Happy reading!

Poem of the Day (10/17)

Today I happily stumbled upon Edith Matilda Thomas' poem "The Deep-Sea Pearl". I find it absolutely moving and beautiful. The poem comes from Thomas' 1903 book of verses, The Dancers: And Other Legends and Lyrics. Being the Modern dancer that I am, I cannot wait to delve into the entire book. I look forward to reading her other works as well. Enjoy the poem.

Edith Matilda Thomas - "The Deep-Sea Pearl"

The love of my life came not 

As love unto others is cast; 

For mine was a secret wound--

But the wound grew a pearl, at last. 

The divers may come and go, 

The tides, they arise and fall;

The pearl in its shell lies sealed, 

And the Deep Sea covers all.

'Supernatural' Shorts (No Pun Intended)

Supernatural - Season 1, Episode 2: 'Wendigo'

"Sweetheart, I don't do shorts" ~Dean

Season 4, Episode 13: 'After School Special'

Ummm. Yeah. About that, Dean....
(hahaha)

Music of the Month (October Edition)

I am a lover of all types of music. I only, typically, avoid the sappy country songs, especially if the video and lyrics are of the cliché variety, and death metal. My love for music is also heightened because I like to utilize a variety of music, across the board, when I'm choreographing a Modern dance piece. Honestly, can anyone say that they don't listen to music at some point in their day? Probably not. Even if you're not intending to listen, your co-worker's radio is probably a bit too loud. Below I have listed my artist picks for October, and the respective song that is currently playing on my Mp3 player. Feel free to add your thoughts and picks. Happy listening!

• Sia - "My Love" (Absolutely breathtaking song with heartfelt lyrics.)

• Florence and the Machine - "Heavy in Your Arms" and "Halo" cover. (Her cover is so unique and funky. I love it!)

• This Mortal Coil - "Song to the Siren" (Such a beautiful and haunting melody.)

• The Script - "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" (The lyrics to this song are so beautiful; I love his voice. Talk about a grand gesture! Ha.)

• Pilot Speed - "Alright" (Another haunting melody, in my opinion, that you can't help but listen to over and over again.)

• Queensryche - "Silent Lucidity" (I first heard this song on Supernatural and it has stayed with me. The scene was absolutely heartbreaking. Beautiful song.)

• Billy McLaughlin - "Helms Place" (I actually performed a piece choreographed to this music. I love the tempo transitions and the instruments. It makes my heart dance.)

• Alicia Keys - "Where Do We Go From Here?" (This song is so smooth and real. Ms. Keys' voice is magnificent, as usual.) 

Bullying: School & Online Epidemics

Bullying in schools and online seem to have become more prevalent recently. Tragically, there has been a surge in teen suicide numbers due to anti-gay bullying in schools. I have read several tragic articles about the abuse and assaults on teens, and adults based on their appearance or sexual orientation, and articles about teens taking their own lives due to the ramifications of said abuse. No matter what a person's opinion is on the sexual orientation of another, that does not justify anyone having to endure any kind of torture or abuse, be it verbal and/or physical. Everyone has the right to live their own life. These attacks are deplorable and the attackers are cowards who, most often, group together to inflict torture to lone victims. 

With the popularity of social networking on the rise, cyber-bullying has also become more frequent. Cyber-bullying is often in the form of posting hateful comments about someone, or posting an unwitting victim's personal photos or videos online that circulate through schools and among peers, leaving the victim to deal with the horrifying aftermath. Once something is online, it is very hard to remove all traces and remnants of its existence. Often, many victims, whether straight or gay, young or older, do not reveal the incidents of bullying and abuse to authorities or school officials for fear that it may heighten the attacks.

It's sad to have experienced or know someone who has had to deal with bullying. I recently read one of Anderson Cooper's blog posts, which was a special to CNN entitled "Crystal Bowersox: 'Just Imagine...'". The piece was sad and moving. Crystal reveals years of horrible bullying and abuse she endured as a teen in school. Many may know Crystal as a performer from the ninth season of American Idol. I truly thank Crystal Bowersox for sharing her emotional story. I know it was not an easy thing to do, and even more so, not an easy thing, by any measure, to have experienced. The hellacious acts those she attended school with committed on her are heartbreaking. I hope other children who are experiencing this type of bullying are receiving the love and support they need to be strong and overcome it.
 
I encourage you to visit and read her story here:  "Crystal Bowersox: 'Just Imagine...'"