Translation Revelation

I speak conversational German, more or less. Even a lot of that has been forgotten over the past 4 years of disuse. So while surfing YouTube I ran across some interesting German Music videos and a few words I wasn't familiar with.

Without much thought I pulled up Beolingus (the best German-English/visa-versa online dictionary that I know of) and the translation of one of the words 'verdroschen' translated to a word that I'd never heard in my entire life: lambasted.

What the heck?! I tried to think of what it could mean... came up with some pretty silly stuff...

1. To burn Lambchops

2. To be lamb-like in personality

3. A long lost curse word that involves comparative genitalia.

Naw... it actually means to be severely whipped or berated.

The things you learn everyday.

A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss

It was the first phrase I learned in Japanese at the age of 7. Looking back I probably slaughtered the crap out of the little proverb, but hey it was fun.

Now it seems that I am living the life of that rolling stone. I have no time to settle long enough for the place that I'm living to grow on me. I am moving again, and no OPSEC won't let me tell you where Jex is taking me till we get there. This time I'm sure I'll get to see and experience more new things than this time.

Tomorrow I'll be packing and going through stuff. The next week or so I'll probably just have enough time to get online and check up on family, maybe watch an odd youtube video when I can't take the monotony any longer. Ha ha! When I get to my new place I'll fill ya in on the juicy details.

For now though I want to pass on something that I learned in Texas that really impressed me.

Cowboy Ethics:

1. Live each day with Courage
2. Take Pride in your Work
3. Always Finish what you Start
4. Do what has to be Done
5. Be Tough, but Fair
6. Keep your Word (promises)
7. Ride for the Brand (it means be Loyal to what you believe, serve, hold in esteem)
8. Talk Less, Say More
9. Remember, some things aren't for sale
10. Know Where to Draw the Line

We may never be Perfect, but we'll be Real.

Talking to Myself

Sometimes I feel like that is what I should call my blog.

Or I feel like not writing anymore, ever again, because if I'm just talking to myself I might as well just keep a paper diary.

Then I get a comment from my cousin (who I still kind of hero worship to a tiny degree) in an email or I read some one else's blog and think: "Hey I've got some good ideas too! I should blog about my thoughts and stuff..."

Then I get back to the place I lovingly (or disdainfully, I'm not sure it's a really strong emotion whatever it is) call 'Square One'. You know that place where you just slide back to start over because going forward doesn't look like it's going to get you much of anywhere. Yeah.

But that's okay. I guess. I'll keep blogging about the BLECK that is my life, at the very least it'll save me some therapist fees.

So, since I'm talking to myself I'm just going to ramble.

[RAMBLE!]

Today was a good day. Though I didn't eat healthy AT ALL and got frustrated with my man's glitter phobia (oh yes, it is possible). I got to watch the tail end of a Red Green episode. I'm pretty sure it's one of my favorite television shows of all time. Got to snuggle and wake up late. Ran around and got a new video game, made a sign for Terrace's play to embarrass her/make her happy, then we got to see her play Cinderella! She was super cute (okay so maybe super cute isn't the best thing to say about a buxom 26 year old woman, but it's a lot less awkward then what I was going to say). Then laughs.

Now my hubby (at 2:30 AM) is killing stuff on the PS3 while I navigate him from my place at GameFAQ's (and go back to my fanfiction when he doesn't need me).

I didn't really think about much today. It was a light and flaky kind of a day with a hint of butter flavor and honey. So no deep thoughts or questions or anything like that. Just a 12 year old's version of 'the best day ever!'

[/RAMBLE!]

The End

So I was inspired by someone... who I don't even know.

Being inspired by another makes me think of what is actually a 'true' inspiration. Something that creates itself from pretty much nothing. Like the Earth and the Universe; sometimes even mankind.

I watched the movie Inception and thought about the idea of true inspiration for all of 3 minutes before the plot of the movie erased most of that train of thought. But today, as I was inspired by another mid-twenties woman's words, I can't help but wonder what 'true' inspiration is and if it actually exists the way we think of it.

For example: When I was 13 I had this HUGE complex because despite my hip length auburn waves I had the body of a boy. Late bloomer as I was I didn't get anything resembling real boobs till I was 17. I'm still growing hips to this day. Anyways, I had this thing about hiding my imperfectness and hated shorts with a passion. But, damn if it doesn't get HOT in Texas. So I had this great Idea! I'd cut off a pair of pants just a few inches or so below my knees and wear that instead.

Feeling all proud of myself I soon realized that I was not the first to think of this solution. My grandmother (who was born in 1925) called them Pedal Pushers, my aunt (who survived been a 20 year old in the 60's) called them Highwaters, and the very next summer they came out in mass as something called Capri's.

To this day, ever now and again when I have nothing better to think about, I wonder if everything has already been thought of. Maybe all those lost thoughts are floating around in our genetic memories, or the ether, or whatever lingering things on this planet float in, only to land on one of us like a peculiar dandelion seed.

What is needed to make inspiration true? When I thought up my solution for shorts 10 years ago I felt truly self inspired.

All this brings to mind something that I've read a few times over the years: "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say: "Look! This is something new!"? It was here already, long ago, before our time."

Really, I don't mind not having a 'true' or a 'new' inspiration. Just being inspired feels me with an amazing feeling of possibility, hope, and purpose. In this case the pro's are worth the con's.

What do you think?

Learning curve

Like I stated in my previous post: I don't know much about Astrology. Just the jaunty little goof off here and there. So, when the whole Zodiac Change wave came sweeping over the interwebs (and even my husband's medical class) I tried to separate fact from fiction by going to 'sciencey' type sites and what not that I could find.

Then I sat down to research the different kinds of Zodiac and such. So there are all kinds of Zodiac: Chinese, Hindu, Sidereal, Tropic, the list goes on.

It was a lot of information about something that probably wasn't going to change much, if anything, about my life.

So, after a day or so of sifting through information, laughing my butt off at some of the resulting screams and panic attacks that this viral rumor had caused, and failing interest I found a link that one of my friend's posted on her FB account.

Here is a calmer version of the issue that might lead you so something closer to truth than everything else going on around the internet. Everything I've found leads me to believe that you've kind of got a choice in what Zodiac sign you want.

I'm not worried about it. But I like to know stuff.

Happy MLKing Day!

Zodiac, it's a killer

So I'm not really one to be all into the Zodiac sign thing. If anything I know a little about it just in case I'm ever asked. Now and again, when I'm bored or feeling goofy, I'd look up my horoscope or see a little book thing written about my start sign.

A part of me liked the idea of the planets alignment being a sign from a higher power as to what I should turn out like later in life. Or maybe a map of my Epic Destiny (pfft, if only). Nice thoughts that make for interesting story plots and fun day dreams.

Well today I just found out that all that Star Sign stuff got changed. Everything is now helter skelter to add a 13th sign. I wonder how many superstitious people are going to have a conniption fit over the 13th sign. Anyway good ol' lucky 13 a creepy old guy straddling a snake with a name that no one can pronounce: Ophiuchus.

First they take away Pluto's Planethood, NOW their messing with our Star Signs. I mean come on! There are cures that are needed for diseases and green energy alternatives and, I don't know hows about cleaning up our DNA because survival of the fittest doesn't apply in our society any more?! Leave the universe alone and deal with what's right in front of your noses you bored sciency people!!!!

Just in case you're curious here's the new list for Zodiac signs. It's pretty ridiculous in my opinion, not balanced at all.

Capricorn - Jan 20 to Feb 16
Aquarius - Feb 16 to Mar 11
Pisces - Mar 11 to Apr 18
Aries - Apr 18 to May 13
Taurus - May 13 to Jun 21
Gemini - Jun 21 to Jul 20
Cancer - Jul 20 to Aug 10
Leo - Aug 10 to Sep 16
Virgo - Sep 16 to Oct 30
Libra - Oct 30 to Nov 23
Scorpius - Nov 23 to Nov 29
Ophiuchus - Nov 29 to Dec 17
Sagittarius - Dec 17 to Jan 20

(HERE's the link if you want to check it out yourself)

So I looked up my new Star Sign (although I was plenty content with the scorpion, thank you very little). Libra, so I go from a scorpion to a pair of scales... and turn into a self centered sissy in place of a manipulative nympho. Huh.

*shrugs* I didn't really buy into it to begin with. But it was one of the things I didn't think would ever change and it did. So tell me what you guys think of this 21st century progress and what your Star Sign was and what it 'changed' to.

Waking Up

Noooo! Sun go back down!!!! I don't want to get out of my warm and cozy type bed.

Waking up is hard for me. Jex has even instated a rule that I cannot open my mouth to say anything other than 'yes' or 'no' for the first 15-20 minutes I'm awake. Some of my friends are the same way, we just are not morning people. Toss me into the middle of the night with a fork and a piece of cake in front of a good book any time. Toss me into the morning before 8 o'clock with a muffin and a list of things to do and I will eslpode. (yes I said 'esplode')

So I wondered if there was a cure for this personality trait? Or if it was just that a personality trait. See my father will always be a sarcastic punk, but he's learned to channel his sarcastic punkishness to suit situations and such. Being the total enemy of the Morning person is a little bit of a different challenge.

The Cure: changing one's hard wiring, possible or no?

My mom told me to eat certain things as soon as I woke up. Like fruit and yogurt.

Most people would just say: "Get to bed before 4 am, idjit."

So I went and asked Google if there were ways to fix that. I was actually surprised at the amount of self excellence improving blogs and bits on news sites.

Things like getting to bed early and changing routines were most common. One blog talked about rewarding yourself; I liked that idea.

If you're like me and need a little help with getting to bed and out of bed in a time zone that is more conducive to the life you lead I have a couple links.

Curiosity sated, I'm going back to bed.

Steve's Ideas

In the News

and Google has no shortage of Ideas if you'd like more.

Life as I know it

I have a few best friends. A lot more than I ever imagined I'd have as I stared out the window after a tantalizing day of homeschooling when I was 9.
One of them calls on a regular basis, seeing as how I sucketh at keeping in contact. And today she shared all the joys of being a car insurance sales woman and the things one comes across.
Like picking up the phone to a regular joe with the name of Bill Gates and wondering if you're dealing with a prank caller. Reigning in the intense urge to ask the J.F. Kennedy if he's actually a zombie. You know the usual.

Today we mostly complained about the lack of community in America. Banks, particularly bank of America and the old credit union on our base in Japan.
But I'd rather share the talk about the lack of community in America because it's something close to my heart.
You see, when you're a group of Americans trapped on a little base in the middle of a different country without much knowledge of the indigenous people, traditions, and language you tend to stick together. Even the butt-much in the apartment below you who's called the SP's (airforce cops) on you three times that year for being noisy will give you some cookies and wish you a Merry Christmas. There's clubs and planned activities and it's quite simple to find out what's going on in the area. We have an actual operator! (no wai!) Everyone goes to the Club for Sunday lunch buffet and there's a lot of social interaction with one another. One neighbor helps the other out and we're all one big, slightly sitcom like, happy community. Sure we have drama and episodes that are clear nightmares from time to time. But that comes with being human and neither completely good nor completely evil.

Coming back to America was really hard because that help wasn't there. I couldn't count how many times some one had said "hey any time you need me, call" only to need them and call and they're too busy or they were out with friends or something. Which is cool, people have lives, so I waited for the 'so maybe in 3 hours' or 'tomorrow at noon I can take you to the bank' or something affirming that they actually meant the statement "any time you need me" and never got it.
My friend has lived in her apartment for nearly 4 months. Being used to the literal welcome wagon that comes by when one first arrives in base housing overseas she kind of expected the neighbors to drop by, introduce themselves, and tell her where they usually parked so that she wouldn't be upset when some one 'took her spot'. Nothing fancy. I remember getting cookies and some homemade breakfast bread when we moved in to base housing in Germany; but that's definitely not the norm from what I understand. In any case 4 months after moving in she finally met 2 of her neighbors and only after she initiated the contact.
Which leads me to believe that most Americans suffer from what I call the unshism.
Unshism is the part of myself that leads me to believe that: If that person wanted to talk to me they'd talk to me. I'm not going to bother them with possible unwanted contact. Instead I'll just sit here enjoying my miserable lonely because all my friends insist on being more than 20 hours away from me (I love you guys!).
Further proof of this has popped up from time to time as I've lived in the U.S. for over 2 years now. I know I can't believe it either. And with the exception of the fantastically awesome people I met in college I've made 3 friends. To me it almost doesn't really count as 3 because they're all related (this includes marriage and impending marriage) so in reality they should accumulate to 1.

These little examples are just that, little examples. Stories like this lead me to wonder many things.

Old people still have that community spirit that comes out of the wood works on overseas bases. Which means to me that something about my parent's Generation and the one before them changed the face of America and gave a large chunk of the populace Unshism.
*shrugs* Who can tell really.
I just know that I miss it and want it back. Even if I have to be 'that crazy lady who's always giving out tiny loaves of fruity bread' which will hopefully be accompanied by 'but I know I can ask her for a cup a sugar or a couple eggs any time'.

A New Beginning

The New Year has come to us yet again and I already find myself in the same state as the year before.
I neglect my poor blog and don't seem to grasp that this is my chance to be/do better.
Really who actually believes they'll be better this time around? I'd like to. So, I'm going to try my hardest to be better this year. Convention be damned! I'm going to keep my resolutions!
I'm starting with three resolutions this year.
1. To memorize a book of the Bible. I'm still thinking Ecclesiastes or James, but a friend of mine (Mrs. Fox I love you!) suggested Jude. (^_^)
2. To be more active in every way (mentally, physically, spiritually). Please note that this a modest 'more' as in one step at a time not some great transformation.
3. Finally to finish what I start, even if it takes me forever and a half.

Question: New Years resolutions are an American tradition only, right?

Shameless Plug: I have another blog I started for the new year. It's all about my adventures (both win and fail) in gaming. If you're interested check it out. http://epicfailanoobstail.blogspot.com/