Girl Crush

So, I don't personally know Zooey Deschanel. So, I cannot say whether she and I would get along. I can't say! But I have this feeling that if we met we would be friends. Ride bikes, High five, dance to records, and bake. Create art, discuss books, and watch old movies while drinking hot chocolate. That is probably part of her charm, probably a million other people feel the same way. But I have to admit I have a definite girl crush on this girl right here.

It is a weird thing, this crush. I feel like we have so much in common so it seems narcissistic. I have watched and read some interviews with Zooey. I always answer interview questions for myself before I read the person's answers (I've done it forever. I don't know if I just want to be interviewed or if I am unconsciously preparing in some way.) Anyway, when I read  her answers, a large percentage was the same answer. And I have been told I am quirky, so my answers are usually weird. The answers are just enough the same and different to make me think we would have the most awesome time in the world. There is no celebrity who I desire to have autograph anything. If I were to meet a celebrity I would have a conversation, have coffee etc. That is why I wouldn't ever really want to meet her. I would never have that chance. And if I did it would probably be through some contest and she would just have to be nice and friendly and act like I was the greatest person on earth. Essentially, she would be paid to like me and that doesn't count. Wow, until I read what I just wrote I didn't realize how much of a crush I have. The really crazy thing was when people started telling me I remind them of her. I then wanted to deny the crush but I can't help it. I don't LOOK like her. But apparently I remind people of whatever their perception is of her. I take that as a compliment because I really really like my perception of her.This is me:

 This is the celebrity people tell me I LOOK like:

 

And I have to admit that I do. I've always wanted to meet a celebrity because I feel like they would be interesting. I want to see them as a person. I just wonder. I am not star obsessed because it distances you from your life and you live outside of your life and not in it. You wish and envy and that paralyzes action. Inaction irritates me. 

But my curiosity draws me toward some of them and I ponder what a meeting with them would be like and what goes on in their head. They are so analyzed. How do they remain themselves and do they ever get confused about who they actually are? Or do they have a clearer picture? Just wonder. Just wonder what they think of themselves and me. I love meeting new, interesting people. I'd like to ride bikes with Zooey Deschanel.

Baytown Little Theater-A Chorus Line 2-28-12

Recently, I was in a play title "A Chorus Line" at my local theater-The Baytown Little Theater. I have written a previous post lamenting the the lack of things to do in Baytown versus the array of things do in Houston. However, if there is nothing more in Baytown to do than the BLT they have certainly made up for it there.

When I arrived for the audition it had been quite some time since I had been in any sort of production. Even at the camp that I directed, I was the Camp Director and so I was not involved in anything but the direction of some of the skits. So, I was nervous. I didn't know what to expect, I didn't know how to dress, I didn't know anyone. I like to put myself in situations that make me nervous because they help me grow. However, I am also a chronic worrier and so leading up to a situation is the worst. I am also a self-examiner so after the fact I can be hard on myself too.

It is very possible in theater that everyone there can ignore you  because either they know each other or, oddly, many theater types are actually reserved. They can be people who are lively and animated on stage but introspective offstage. I was very obviously a newcomer, but I was enthusiastically greeted by the ladies handing out the audition forms and then greeted by one of the long-time actresses at the Baytown Little Theater. The fact that anyone reached out to me recommended this theater from the start.

As I was cast in the play, rehearsed, and eventually performed the play, my love for the Baytown Little Theater and the people there grew.

My favorite part of the experience was learning the choreography for A Chorus Line. A Chorus Line is a play about professional dancers who are auditioning for a spot in a chorus line. It is about their struggles growing up, love, and how we all desire to know our place in life and that our place is something meaningful and lasting. In a sense it is also about how acting and dancing, the stage in general, is a place where people who don't fit can fit somewhere, can lose themselves in the beauty of that art. But how fame is difficult and fleeting and knowing ourselves is important to moving on with life. People are important to who we are. Community is important. Not feeling alone.

Many plays have these themes running through them and that is why they strain our heart with empathy. Why we find them sadly beautiful. It is one of many reasons that I love the theater and being a part of it.

Why We Need to Fail

We only see our mistakes and everyone else's final product. That is why we feel like failures sometimes.

I watched the video below on a friend's Facebook page and loved it. I knew I did because it immediately made me want to write. I think our society- although we like to think that we value hard work- just wants instant success. The tendency to avoid failure also seems closely related to how people want rights and not responsibility.

If you do not watch the video, I will summarize for you:

The reasons why you need to fail:

1) Failing is required for learning
You build muscle by doing something a little out of your ability. To learn effectively you must make mistakes and pay attention to those mistakes.

2) Failing keeps you in the growth mindset
This is one of the points that excited me the most. A growth mindset believes that you can achieve something (a new skill, etc) by hard work. On the other hand, a fixed mindset believes people have innate talent and so outcome and  ability is based on that. So, someone who has a growth mindset will fail and think: "I need to work harder and I will get better at this." A fixed mindset will fail and think: "I am just not good at this." I plan on making sure to compliment my son by saying things like "You worked really hard on your throwing and look how well you've done!" Instead of: "You are a natural athlete!" I want to compliment his hard work and not his natural talent.

3) Failing reminds you that everything is just an experiment
When you experiment then you try things and discover. If it doesn't work, it was an experiment and not a failure. It doesn't mean that everyone's work is as good as another one's work. It is saying that experimenting can lead to great work because of a great discovery. If we are afraid of failing, then we stay in the same rut creatively, which seems an oxymoron anyway- "Creative" and "stuck in a rut" do not go together.
It reminds me of exercises in my acting class where we discover the meaning of the script by trying it a number of ways and doing odd things with it. Such as doing the play like we are 4 years old or like we are high. It may not work one way but you learn that it doesn't, or you discover something about the script you had not before. My acting teacher has said that actors don't like for people to see them in certain ways, they don't want people to see their ugly side, but we have to be able to display it.
 I like to cut up clothes and do new things to them. Sometimes I make a cut and think "whoops." It doesn't turn out like my original thought but it turns into something else that is cool. We are all perfectionist to some extent, we don't like for people to see us fail, but experimenting is a great way to break that paralysis.

I think this is totally exciting! If you know it is not only okay to fail but beneficial, then there is a freedom in that. And there is beauty in freedom.

Baytown Spots

So, I really miss Houston sometimes and when I say that I mean the area I grew up in which was a few minutes from the Heights/Montrose area. Which, if you are not from Houston, is the independent, antiquey, artsy, eclectic, multi-culrtural part of Houston.
 I now live in Baytown and struggle with the fact that probably 90 percent of the restaurants and stores are chains and not independent and also that there is not much variety. You can find five Mexican restaurants per block, I am pretty sure.
I also lived in Hitchcock, TX when I was a Camp Director at Camp Good News and it was even worse there. But both places I searched and discovered. So, this post is to let everyone know that I am going to share some of the spots I have found in Baytown, hopefully this will give these spots some recognition and maybe a few people will patronize the restaurants and (other spots) I have found more frequently or for the first time.
I hope more independent, interesting places pop up. As they do, I want to let people know. Someday, I want to open a coffee shop/record/bookstore/place that promotes the arts. Until I do (and I am sure after I do) I am going to share my finds. So, look out readers. I am going to tell you a little more about:


Antiques!
1) Goose Creek Emporium- (219 Defee)
Large store with quite a few booths. Price depends a lot on the booths. But you can find some good things there. The owner is a little rude. Found an antique door for $20 but only because I talked to the booth owner. Otherwise I bought a cute milk jug to hold my sponges and dish soap for $6 and I bought a Fossil Wallet for $5.

2) Jack's- (12 Defee)
Great people, really cute set-up, you can find some good things there, sometimes it can be expensive but you can bargain and there are definitely good finds price wise. Even if you don't find something you can afford they have the most things to wish for and the best aesthetic. I bought two end tables for $15 each. And really it was less because they didn't charge me tax since $30 was all I had.

MUST BE CLOSED NOW, I HAVE NOT SEEN IT OPEN IN AWHILE THOUGH IT IS NOT EMPTY.

3) Vera's- (N. Main between James and Sterling)
Vera loves to talk, the outside of her shop is really cute and she has some great things there. Pricing is here and there. You can bargain with her, just be prepared to talk. Don't look for records there though, they aren't in good shape. Bought 2 Gold bird wall decorations for $10 total.

4) Goose Creek Antiques- (Texas Avenue)
This is half antique store, half junk store, billed as antique store. The junk is in piles and some things are way overpriced and some things are a find. The antique half is overpriced. I have found it is most useful as far as the smaller things you might want to buy to decorate. 

Eats-

1) Rooster's -
Barbeque and all American, good food, but not excellent. Good service. But this is off one visit.

 2) Nara Thai- Go here! Great Thai food, so glad to have it in Baytown. 

Beats!

1) Revolution Records-
Disappointingly, this shop also sells adult paraphernalia and videos making it not appropriate for all ages and making it really awkward for me and for other females who feel like I do. Also, the records are overpriced and the selection is dissapointing, BUT Baytown does have a record store. 

2)

Treats!

1) *See "Drinks!" for CORKGRINDERS

2) Como En Mexico https://www.facebook.com/comoen.mexico.5?fref=ts

Ice cream

Reads!

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ENOUGH INTEREST TO KEEP A BOOK STORE ALIVE IN BAYTOWN. TWO HAVE CLOSED SINCE I HAVE MOVED HERE.


Drinks!
1) The Dirty Bay Beer Company-
Beautiful on the outside and the inside. Only been once. No craft beers, but otherwise a good selection. https://www.facebook.com/thedirtybay/?fref=ts

2) Corkgrinders- What I describe as one of the cool places we have in Baytown. There is non-Starbucks coffee, craft beer, open mic nights, and concerts. Yes. The decor is casual, cool, industrial. There is a shelf of books and games for customers to use. https://www.facebook.com/CorkGrinders/

Arts!

Baytown Little Theater- baytownlittletheater.org/
Quality theatrical productions in Baytown! Summer musicals are a must-see.

Lee College Theater Department-http://www.lee.edu/pac/
Quality theater in Baytown!

2) Corkgrinders-
Open mic poetry nights, open mic comedy, and local musicians. 

Thrift!

The Cookie Jar-
benefits the Women's Pregnancy Resource Center. Good stuff, organized, good cause, good prices.

Goodwill-
 Not independent, but the only non-independent one. Overpriced clothes. Decent priced housewares, shoes, belts, etc.


Consign!
1) Karen's Closet-
Mostly women's clothes, good prices, good finds


Here and There
1) Health Food Store on Baker-
Good selection, good prices.

2) Hall's Carpet Haus-
Quality work. They have installed vinyl in our Kitchen and bathroom, and refinished our wood floors. 

I Like

I like high fives. I want to give and receive some.

I like jumping around like a fool.

I like dancing anywhere...like a fool. I want to go dancing.

I like singing. It calms me when I am scared. It gives me a thrill when I am happy. I want to karaoke.

I like learning new things.

I like smashing things, but there are not many things to smash. At least that will not cost me a bit.

I like acting or performing in general, it gives me a feeling of being somewhere else and I can be anyone and I forget everything. I love it. It has been a long time since I have done it.

Back In the Day I Was All That and a Bag of Chips. Boo Ya!

SPOILER ALERT: There are pictures at the end!

I definitely wasn't all that and a bag of chips but I just HAD to use three terms from "back in the day" in my title. There were so many more I could have used. Like "what up, G"?" and "duh" or, better yet, "doy." Where did that one come from anyway?
I have definitely been on a 1990's kick lately and it might be because I am nearing 30. And, also, as I mentioned in a previous blog, people a decade younger or so don't know what I am talking about OR they don't realize we didn't have something they have now.
I have a story from just last week that is the perfect example, actually. My husband was telling a story about a homeless magician guy that did a card trick for him in a restaurant (this was about ten years ago). My husband was with some friends and the guy came up to Bobby and had him pick a card from an invisible deck, the guy walked out of the restaurant and didn't come back for a good ten minutes. Meanwhile, Bobby told his friends what the card was but they didn't leave the table during that time and the guy was not even inside the restaurant. The man comes back and pulls out the card Bobby was thinking of! Well, the boy he was telling this story to (who is about fifteen) says "maybe your friends texted him." Bobby and I looked at each other and we both realized the same thing, there was no such thing as texting then! It was funny. It just makes me think about the 90's and what was different then. It's late and I know I will leave out a ton of things but here is what comes to mind:

Hair:
Bowl Cut
Ceasar Cut
Shag Cut
Perms
Crimped hair
The Bob and bangs

Clothes:
Neon...
Then Grunge
Flannel
Hooded Shirts
Platform Shoes
Skorts
Leggings
Lots of layers and, wow, the patterns didn't go together
Shortalls
Wide leg pants
Baggy polos
Hats
Babydoll dresses
Chokers
I could go on...

Music:
Spice Girls
MC Hammer
Vanilla Ice
NKOTB
Smashing Pumpkins
The Cranberries

TV:
Fresh Prince
Family Matters
Full House
My So-called Life
Silver Spoons
Duck Tales
Tale Spin
Darkwing Duck
Tiny Toons
Rescue Rangers
Step by Step
Growing Pains
Family Ties
What was that one with girl that was a robot?
Which reminds me...ALF (he got on my nerves, though)
Too many shows

Toys:
Pogo ball
Pogs
Nintendo (just nintendo, no super, no whatever came after that...)

Movies:
Home Alone
Ninja Turtles
Edward Scissorhands
Hey...the FIRST Toy Story
Apollo 13
Aladdin
A League Of Their Own
Dumb and Dumber
Mighty Ducks
Father of the Bride

Slang or Lines:
Duh
Doy
Talk to the hand
Whatever!
Loser
Boo ya!
Aiight
Crunk
Don't even go there!
Jacked up
Oh snap
Score
Sweeet
Stylin'
Tight
Bra (as in, "bro" or "brother")

It is late and I need to quit but to top off the blog some pics of me in the 90's

You're welcome


I really do have on a fanny pack "Shoot, I know you just di-nt"

So sweet...

The grunge look, I loved hats...and does my hair look gold? Yeah, I dyed it with peroxide.

The grunge look again, hat again, Carmen might kill me. "I am slowly going crazy 1,2,3,4,5,6 switch, crazy going slowly am I 6,5,4,3,2,1 switch..."

And some 90's boys. "Ain't no thing but a chicken wing-is that G-money, bra?"

dc Talk - Heaven Bound

Here is the Heavenbound video mentioned in the previous blog. This is 1992, baby!

Lobster

So, we have realized that Tony, Evan, and Yun like to sleep until about noon on Saturdays. I realize what my dad thought when he would say that the whole day was wasted by then.

Bobby and I went to Cracker Barrel for a breakfast date, bought a wrench for a pipe we needed to unscrew, and bought curtains for the nursery. When we came home from all that it was only 10AM and, yes, the boys were still asleep. When they woke up, we let them lollygag around, then we decided to see what they might like to do today. It turned out that Tony really wanted to buy some Lobster-that is what he really wanted to do. We decided that they would definitely have it at Viet Hoa which is in the part of Houston that is kind of our version of China Town (Beltway 8 and Bellaire exit) and that they also might like to buy some snacks there. We had them tidy up their study room and then left for our day trip. Oh, I forgot to say that Tony was going to buy the Lobster, but he asked me to cook the Lobster. I haven't ever cooked Lobster.

Anyway, it was really interesting going to Viet Hoa. I couldn't read half of the labels but the boys came back with a cart full of groceries and told us what was gross and good (in their opinion) as we walked through the store. There were two aisles that were labeled "American Food" which was less room than they gave the fresh seafood. Not just fresh meat, fresh seafood. The store was huge. I also bought some stuff. I was able to read the sauce labels and that was what I was most interested in besides the noodles (for which I couldn't read the labels). I bought some ginger sauce, stir fry sauce, rice cooking wine, and sesame oil.

After our shopping trip, we took them to Bobby's favorite Sushi place called Oishii which is off of Richmond close to 59. I think they really enjoyed it. I think it is funny that I went out to eat and, yet, I was still going to be faced with cooking dinner tonight for Tony. Namely, Lobster which I had never done before. And I would be cleaning up afterwards. I generally feel like going out is worth it when I don't have to cook or clean. Hmmm.

I must note here that Tony could probably eat a horse each day. When people find out that we have three teenage boys to look after they comment on how much I must be feeding them. I say that my mom always said that Camille and I ate more than our brothers-which is true. I still hold to the fact that it isn't about gender. Our other two guys, Yun and Evan, eat pretty moderately, but Tony has an incredible appetite! In fact, this is a look at what Tony ate for dinner. We took them out to eat and Tony ate a regular size dinner at Oishii (6PM), we got home and while Tony was waiting for the Lobster to cook he ate a bowl of Raisan Bran Crunch (8PM), Tony then ate the Lobster with a side of white rice (9PM), after he ate his Lobster and rice he finished the night off with a banana.

Anyway, I thought you might like a visual of the Lobster than I got to cook. We bought them live and even though they were suffocating in a bag for a couple of hours, they managed to still wiggle a little showing us they were alive.




Here's a close-up
Here is Tony working hard to get to the meat
He enjoyed his Lobster and so I count the night as a success and hope that he sees God's love in my willingness to cook Lobster for him that night.