101 Things you Never wanted to Know

25. I am most definitely still "alive"

2010-01-09T17:44:00.002-05:00

It has been brought to my attention that a lack of blogging may in fact lead to assumptions or questions about ones mortality. I'd just like to point out that despite my lack of interaction in this blogging world I have been out in the "real" world doing things like working at 3 different jobs and trying to make it big in Hollywood.

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Peace to all you vivacious bloggers out there. I'm headed back to the land of the living dead.

24. I'm terribly un-motivated

2009-06-10T16:26:00.003-04:00

So I woke up today at 11:30am. I feel like I've been waking up at that time for weeks now. I need to start going to bed earlier again...man, I'm getting old. I have a cold again, but it's the first one since around my birthday I believe (that's a couple months, not bad...) and I'm loading up on vitamin C and feeling pretty decent. Sleep would help though, that is true.

In other news I'm thinking of walking to work today. I mean, I didn't go to the gym, and it seems like a reasonable idea...I only live about a 20min walk away...alright. I'll do it. Now that I have published that thought I can't back out of it.

In still MORE news, the new Harry Potter movie is coming out on the 15th. I'd like to go to opening night I think...and I think it would be hilarious fun to dress up. Who's in? Tonight I will begin reading books 1 & 2...perhaps even finishing them...they're pretty easy to get through.

Well. That's all for today :)
Happy procrastinating

23. Baking is for people with attention spans longer than 30 seconds

2009-05-28T10:59:00.002-04:00

I love baking. I think that the end product is even worth the mess. I've always loved baking. There's something about throwing together a bunch of random ingredients and coming out with something really tasty (or just moderately tasty) to share with friends (or horde for yourself as the case may be).

I have made some really tasty baked goods, but here is what I have learned about myself. I am generally focused....but for the most part I always miss something. Something simple like, "pre-mix dry ingredients and add pre-mixed wet ingredients to that mixture" or "don't overmix" <--something that I'm not sure that I will ever manage to figure out, or "bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees" I can almost guarantee that at least one batch of cookies will almost ALWAYS be burnt. WHY!?!?!?! I think it's because once I get to the results of that first batch, I lose focus.

SO. My baking...not always up to par. My solution usually includes a lot of chocolate chips and a cheese grater for the bottom of any burnt cookies. I think my NEW solution will be.....

FOLLOW THROUGH!!!!

Now, if you will excuse me, I baked cookies and muffins last night and the kitchen is still a disaster :D

22. I am a terrible blogger

2009-05-22T16:32:00.003-04:00

Hello to all of my loyal blog followers. Many of you have expressed to me that my infrequent blogging has left you wanting more, wanting to remove me from your rss and leave me in the interweb dust.....BEFORE you do that, let me update you and fill your need for more of moi :)

In one of my recent updates I told you about my new fun...running. Not from anyone in particular, in fact mostly I run to catch up to others...one of the most fun things I've done in the last couple of months is the 5k Race that I ran with a few friends. I ran it in about 37minutes (which I was pretty pleased with considering it was my first distance run). I'm running my second 5k in June on the 21st and I'm always looking for pals to run along with me :) So if you're interested you should come! 30 dollars to register and you get a free tech fibre t-shirt!!

http://www.runwaterloo.com/classic.html

Loves you all!!!
Alicia

21. Final day of birthday month...

2009-03-31T21:14:00.002-04:00

SO. This is it. Last day, last few hours.

Now, you would think that I would be depressed. Nah.
I Celebrated this last day with a yummy supper at Red Lobster (thanks to a gift certificate from gramma and papa), I had a great time at Medieval times and the Stampede and I loved seeing so many people that I have missed :)

Also, I realize that birthday month wasn't quite the blowout that I had intended it to be. Truth be told I ran out of bucks. :P That and working got in the way of partying. :P

Rest assured that there is still lots of time to celebrate with me. Because of my slacking I will extend birthday month until everyone has had their fill of partying with me :)

Let the offers begin :)

20. IT'S HERE!

2009-03-08T03:35:00.000-04:00

So, just like a small child...I LOVE my birthday.

It's here. :)

-Alicia

19. IT'S DAY 1 OF BIRTHDAY MONTH!!!!!

2009-03-01T23:10:00.001-05:00

SO, for those of you who are not "in the know" this is the first day of the most important and exciting month of the year...It's BIRTHDAY MONTH!

Best wishes to all of you who will be celebrating your own birthdays in this month!

For those of you who are looking for ways to join my celebrations, see the two "events" and feel free to call and suggest other sorts of celebrations! :)

DAY 1!!!!!!!

18. Birthday month is on the horizon

2009-02-20T14:19:00.002-05:00

What could be more exciting than BIRTHDAY MONTH? Not a lot...Maybe a winning lottery ticket...or a free vacation to somewhere hot....or a tax return that looks more LIKE a lottery ticket....

Well anyways. So, I am turning 25 this year. This may be the last time I broadcast my age, so enjoy it while it lasts, write it down and keep track of it yourselves. Because apparently after 25, sharing your age gets a little more uncomfortable.

So, once I am 25 I plan to take over the world. I will start with Medieval Times ON my actual birthday, and then go from there. If the search for a hot Knight is fruitless I will be moving on the following Saturday to find a hot Cowboy at the oh so sleazy Stampede Corral. Of course my plan for total world domination must include a good looking cowboy or knight. I wouldn't settle for any less. That's because it's BIRTHDAY MONTH!!!!!!

Anything can happen in Birthday month.... It's more exciting than Zombo.com as my friend Tim might say...

17. I'm running as fast as I can

2009-01-27T15:20:00.002-05:00

So, rest assured that if someone chased me for 4 laps of the track at the Y, I would at least be able to stay vertical and in motion for that entire time. Heck, if I tried I could probably even last longer...but that is something to be tested on another day...

It feels pretty tough to get myself motivated these days. Just in general. I feel like I'm getting more done, I'm working out every day (except my "day off") and I'm getting into a sort of schedule. HOWEVER, it's the things like dragging my ass into the gym every morning (or evening, depending on how long it takes me to convince myself to go in) or really digging in and finishing off the cleaning I need to do, or COMPLETING a check list for once, that really knocks me down.

I need some tips. I need some....something.

I need a vacation...

16. I don't want to get out of this chair.

2009-01-25T15:14:00.000-05:00

So, for many years I have known that my environment really shows what is going on inside of me. For example, in school, I would have a relatively neat (though never spotless) room for most of the semester, until exams or papers were due, or something was bothering me...and then the mess would pile up.

I'm really good at ignoring mess too. Or avoiding it, maybe that's a better word.

Last night I came home from a movie and was putting the finishing touches on my children's message when I walked into my room...it was like I hadn't really SEEN it before that moment. There were clothes piled shoulder high on a chair, my bed had a stack of stuff on it, the floor was still visible, but cluttered around the "walking paths" there was a mix of dirty laundry and things to be filed lying around and nothing had a place. Immediately I became overwhelmed and gave in to my sudden urge to just lie down.

So tonight I need to take care of my room. I realize that I'm not a "neat person" or an "organized person" but it would be nice to at least have a bit more order than I already do. I'll start with my room and then I'll move to my office, which (sans clothing) is in a pretty similar state.

Today I will not do a half-assed job. I will finish what I start.

This is the week of finishing well.

It's going to be a long week.

15. Another New Year....

2009-01-08T15:15:00.002-05:00

So, I know I'm a bit late for the official New Years post. I did that on purpose. Mostly because I think New Years is great, but it feels a bit "band-wagon"-ish. I suppose I should start thinking a bit about what this particular New Year will mean for me and perhaps setting some official goals so as to motivate myself to greatness?

Let it be known that I have no intention of having a "New Year's Resolution." That is not to say that I do not see the inherent value in setting goals at the top of the year, but I think that for the most part (sweeping generalization ahead) New Years Resolutions have a pretty bad rep. How many people each year make wide eyed promises to themselves and those around them and then forget about them entirely by March... I have been one of the many. As for those who can keep their resolutions, I am amazed. I have so much respect for those brave few. However, the pressure is too great, and I will not count myself among them.

So what does 2009 mean for me anyways?

Well first and foremost. This is my 25th year.

"AHHHHHH A QUARTER OF A CENTURY!!!!!!"

Moment over.

This means that I will be celebrating my birthday for an entire month this year, not just a measly week like some other years. I suppose my birthday celebrating will mostly still boil down to a week however, including some great partying and super awesomeness. (You may now make your way to the edge of your seats in preparation for your invites. :P Oh, and make sure to clear your March calendars).

Second. I am sick of being unhealthy. So I will be trying pretty hard this year to stop being such an idiot and start making good choices. (As I began last year with some success).

Third. I'd like to be even more intentional about my time. I'm starting to work on some scheduling stuff...like trying to maintain some sort of routine...shocking I know, but this whole doing whatever, whenever is getting old. Plus, Wal-Mart is no longer 24 hours, so what can I do at 2am? ? ?

Fourth. This one is two-parted. I think It's time for me to join a group of some sort, a regularly meeting group...AND/OR take a class/course about something I'm interested in....Who knows what I might choose....

Fifth. I will go to the dentist. (ew)

I think that's about it for my non-resolutions. Proclaiming them here does make them feel a bit more resolution-y, so we must not place too much on the certainty of ANY of them being completed....that would just be too much pressure....

Happy New Year all.
Hope you find something that makes you smile today :)

14. I'll be home for Christmas

2008-12-17T14:38:00.002-05:00

So. Upon much deliberation...

I have decided to go home for Christmas. I mean, I had been planning to for some time now...and then there was a bit of a wrench...but anyways. Now that I have "made my decision" I feel a bit better. I was feeling pretty low about missing all the fun. When the wrench "situation" came upon me I thought I would only be able to be home for the 25th and 26th...which is not enough time when you consider the drive there and back as well as how much I like my family...so, instead I will be home from the 23-26th. (I know...two more days...)

That is what being a grown up is all about...making decisions you don't like and getting the rough end of the deal...oh and being fairly seriously in debt up to ones eye balls. That's what I've heard anyways....

But look at the bright side, Ryan's gonna make 5 litres of Egg Nog! :)

13. My life is a series of neverending sob stories...here's another

2008-12-10T00:24:00.001-05:00

Day 1 Face vs. Baseboard heater
Originally uploaded by Alicia Becker

Alright. SO I thought I would include with this post one of the most UNflattering pictures I could....also to highlight the newest features on my face...note: enlarged nose with wall-burn and swollen lips.

Now, my nose is big enough as it is you say...well that's true...In order to tell the story of my nose I need to back things up a bit. So here it goes.

I've been sick for a little more than a week now...I've been coughing, had shortness of breath...read my last blog for more details.

Now... Sunday rolls around, by this time I've taken almost a whole bottle of Buckleys (in proper doses) and several Advil Cold and Sinus' I dragged my butt outta bed and went to church, had a great time at youth group (despite the medication wearing off about half an hour into a two hour long Killer Bunnies game) and then I drove home and collapsed on the couch for a few hours...under a big hot blanket.

Supper with the folks...ate a couple bites of pot pie...back to the blanket...then around 1:00am I started to get really hot...then there was some blurred vision and stumbling around followed by some nausea....(nope, blurred vision and stumbling did not seem to me good enough reasons to lay back down)

I stumbled into the bathroom and at 1:??am

***This is where time stops for me***

I woke up and became acutely aware of certain details...my nose was wet...and cold...and my face was pressed against something hard...and cold...I reached up to feel my nose and realized it was bleeding and that I was lying on the floor...I got myself up sobbing and sweating and feeling very confused and found my bed.

Then I did what any self respecting adult would do in a situation like that would do....I called for help... :) I am forever in Cheryl's debt.

I'm not sure EXACTLY what happened when I blacked out...somehow my face ended up in the corner behind the bathroom door...basically I did a face plant on the floor which may have included a face slide down the wall...I'm surprised I didn't break my nose...or blacken my eyes...

What ticks me off is that people all over, kids, teenagers and college kids pass out drunk all the time, and what do they have to show for it? A couple bruises and a hangover? I get SICK and pass out and I get...facial disfigurement! So it's worse than it looks I'm sure...I also bit a good chunk out of my cheek, mmmm.

So after the passing out and the continued rattling in my chest I decided to go to the walk-in clinic and get it checked out (my mom also told me it was a good idea)

...turns out I had "influenza" which triggered my childhood asthma...greaaaat....I wondered why I was craving puffers all week.... plus by the time I got to the clinic apparently my face was oozing puss because it was infected...greaaat....so I not only got two bloody expensive puffers...but I got some $20 cream for my face too! woot...

So here ends the sorrowful tale of pathetic Alicia and the swollen nose. Your pity is welcome...and monetary gifts are being accepted :P

Moral of the story: Listen to your mom. (and get your flu shot)

12. I have a number of significant illnesses

2008-12-02T11:18:00.002-05:00

So, don't you hate that person who is always talking about how sick they are and how many things that are wrong with them? Like you care right?

So, after I worked out on Friday morning I was short of breath all day and then on the weekend my chest started getting tight followed by a slight congestion and a yucky feeling in my tummy like a churning sort of thing...Yesterday my head started getting cloudy and my nose was running, I felt flushed and dizzy...so I caved and bought Cold FX...then LATER in the day I caved AGAIN and bought BUCKLEYS!!!!

Self diagnosis: I'm dying
Only cure: (more cowbell?) Perhaps a good looking fictional vampire could cross my path and take me out of my misery? No? Well, I'll keep reading anyways and see if there's a possibility there.

Until then. Buckleys it is...mmm tastes like I'm swallowing pine needles and menthol...oh wait, that's what it is...

11. Green is the new...oh whatever.

2008-11-12T16:30:00.002-05:00

So speaking of adventures in fooding.

I was browsing the interweb yesterday and I found a recipe for a smoothie...now, what you should know is, I have been on a health kick lately. I mean, I realize that most times these "kicks" are here and gone in a month, but I've been working out regularly for a little over a week and I'd really like to give this whole lifestyle change thing a go. So...smoothie.

The recipe called for SPINACH!

Okay, I like spinach, especially covered in butter and garlic...but of course, as a friend once pointed out, anything is good covered in garlic and butter.

So the spinach, because it is tasteless just turns the smoothie a pretty....or grimey looking...green colour. I also added half a banana, a whole apple (minus seeds and stem), a half cup of yogurt and a third of a cup of milk. Now, I don't love bananas...but the apples and the vanilla yogurt made this one for me. I would have to say on a scale of 1-10 in smoothie world, this one just for nutritional value alone would get a 9.2... no spinichy green taste, just apple and banana goodness. mmm....

SO TRY IT! GO GREEN!!!

10. I am not on my game

2008-11-07T13:12:00.003-05:00

So, remember back in school when you were constantly thinking, re-thinking and evaluating your views? You were learning and reading and understanding things that were new, and being pushed towards a better self?

School's out apparently, and so is my ability to dig in. I feel stagnant and underwhelmed...

I bought a book about making disciples in youth ministry yesterday. When I was in the store I read a half chapter and I thought to myself, "yes, this is what I need to read right now!" When I got back to home base and started digging in, I realized that it was another book like many others that I've read...I need some stretching. I need some practical knowledge too, I've lived in the theoretical for too long.

Fake it till you make it? What happens if you never make it? When is it okay to stop faking and own up to your shortcomings?

9. I am Tender...

2008-10-23T14:08:00.001-04:00

So, I live in a reality where I have a freezer full of different kinds of meat, most of which I am unsure of how to prepare. My parents recently purchased a new freezer and showed mercy to both of their impoverished children by sharing the wealth of frozen meat that they would otherwise have tossed. As a result I am attempting to not BUY meat....unless I need to. Which means some rather interesting meals.

Last night was an experimental one in the meat department. I grabbed a pork tenderloin, slightly freezer burnt, out of the deep freeze...and I called my mom. You see, normally I would first check the internet for some clues but my laptop finally kicked the can yesterday and I am without (broke...and laptopless...). So, mom says, "I have this great recipe...it has brown sugar and cayanne pepper" however, said recipe is nowhere to be found. Also within the course of the conversation she mentions to me that an aunt of mine, who also happens to be a greatcook roasts her pork tenderloin just covered in apples or apple sauce...You would think that would be enough clues to get me started...however, while all this is happening I flip to one of the dozens of cook books I have inherited which shows a recipe including soy sauce and honey...So. At this point I have nothing to loose. the meat will either go uncooked and unhappy, cooked and tasty OR cooked and uneaten....McDonalds is just down the road, so I begin my experimentations. Here is the recipe (keeping in mind that these are not exact measurements):

1 pork tenderloin
1/3 cup soy sauce
3 tbs honey
dash of cayanne
1 heaping tbs brown sugar
3 tbs viniger
dash of cinnimon
2 apples cubed
dehydrated onions
salt/pepper

In a shaker (or lidded container) place the soy sauce, honey, spices, brown sugar, onions and viniger. Shake. (not you, the container...) Place tenderloin IN slowcooker on low and add in the liquid.
So, I let the tenderloin cook sans apples for about an hour and a half in the slow cooker and then added in the cubed apples after I had tossed them in a bowl with some cinnamon, honey and cayanne....

then I let her cook for 4 hours (or so)

Experiment: SUCCESSFUL!!!

It was perfectly salted...none required, a bit sweet and sour. The apples/liquids made a great "sauce" and were really quite tasty! We ate it with smashed potatoes and veggies. mmm.

Would I experiment similarly again? YES! In fact, upon review, I think that the recipe could even use some squash or sweet potato added in the mix..mmm..

sorry no pictures...there wasn't enough left to document. :P

8. I am [a]mature.

2008-10-20T01:23:00.001-04:00

One too many
Originally uploaded by Alicia Becker

Dumb luck is my style of photography.
I'd love to learn more of the "rules" and perhaps get a camera worthy of being used for "artistic photography" but for now I like to screw around. Hence, Tim at the bottom of a glass.

Fall has provided a bunch of opportunity to do some picture taking. I should take advantage of it more often. Trip over to my Flickr page for some of the fall's harvest.

7. I remain pathetic....ly single

2008-10-16T14:02:00.000-04:00

Conversation #1
person #1: Hey. You have big boobs.
person #2: um....thanks [BLOCK]

Conversation #2
person #1: Hello, your profile looks really great!
person #2: Oh, thanks. How are you?
person #1: I'm great, what are you up to?
*****2 minutes passes********
person #1: Do you think that we could have sex?
person #2: *blank stare* [BLOCK]

Is this REALLY how online dating is?
If so, I am SOOOO not interested.
Seriously. I would rather be single for the rest of my life
(*gasp* take it back)
Men. Where ever you are.
Take note: STOP BEING DOUCHE BAGS!

In other news. I didn't get the job.

6. I am a bit misplaced...

2008-08-26T00:41:00.000-04:00

Where? Well that I'm not sure of. I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach lately...

It's the same feeling that I got when I was little and I was left behind at a wedding...I was too busy playing under a table with some friends I had met that night to realize that my entire family had left...my parents thought my aunt and uncle had me, my aunt and uncle thought my grandparents had me...lo and behold when everyone met at my aunts house I was nowhere to be found. Now, that's the side I always hear about. From my side it felt a bit like, crawling out from under the table, a fort, a sanctuary and scanning the room for just one familiar face and finding none. I'm sure many feelings rushed in, fear of being alone, excitement of being unsupervised, guilt of having hidden unintentionally, loneliness of being forgotten. I'm sure at that point I weighed my options, go back and continue playing, or search harder. There aren't really many options when you are under the age of ten. I don't remember what I did actually. I'm sure my family quickly realized that I was not with them and even more quickly came back to pick me up. They are not negligent, and never have been...but the feeling of being temporarily is what I do remember.

I used to have dreams about being lost. I think everyone does.

So what if I am lost now. For real lost. If I look at a map I can tell you exactly where I am. If I look back through journals and pictures, and hear the stories of my family and friends, I can tell you exactly where I've been. In this moment though, where am I? Who am i? If I scan my life are there familiar faces to rely on? Is the environment friendly? The moving forward scares me too. When you're lost you're supposed to stay put...Do I just stay here under the table and play a bit longer? Or do I stand up and search harder? Will someone just come in and rescue me from choosing at all?

I'm finding more and more that the option of waiting to be found or rescued is not based in reality.

So. I move. Slowly. And sometimes stop and turn around to hide under the table again.

5. I just can't stop talking about myself.

2008-06-05T00:26:00.000-04:00

I am proud. I am proud and selfish.
I can't help but think that I am worse off for it.
There is something in me that craves people's attention.
Unhealthily (if that is a word)
And really I know it's not something I need.
It's stupid really.

Part of being selfish is always finding a way to direct the conversation to yourself....

Person 1: I took a great class the other day, I really learned a lot about (fill in the blank). I think I'll go again.
Alicia: Wow. That's great. I've never taken that class. I should.

***official end of conversation***....Where do you go from there? Tips?

Or perhaps, and this is really something I think,
I really can't think of anything else to talk about but myself?
It's not that I think I'm that much better than ANYTHING else that could become a topic of conversation....
but really, the topic I know the very most about is myself.

Goal for the week: Find something interesting to talk about....that doesn't include myself....I'll have to google it.

In other news, I am going to Michigan this weekend to celebrate the joining of two close friends of mine. I'm very pleased that they're tying the knot...Should be a wild weekend. Lots of....PJs in public places??? Awkward. I think I'll stick with clothes. yep. :P

4. What if Dog was one of us...

2008-02-15T12:38:00.000-05:00

Okay, okay. It's been awhile. I have just been so busy with my unbelievably exciting life to post here. ha. oh wait.

So today, I'm in the laundry room putting in a couple of loads. There's a woman beside me who has about 3 washers going and she's lifting up the lids every two seconds (like a kid and a refrigerator...is the light still on?) Anyways. I'm in my very zen laundry place when suddenly out of nowhere comes the loudest and most terrible bark I have ever heard! I turn around to see this GIANT dog IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM!!! Granted, he was on a leash and his owner was with him (he was with the neurotic laundry lady) So I literally JUMP out of my skin, turn around with my hand on my chest and start shaking...the woman sees her lovely dog, says something sweet to him and then invites him over to take a sniff of me. WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM WOMAN!?!?!?!?!?!? Seriously. Did she know anything about me? Did she know for a fact that I was not absolutely terrified of dogs, gargantuan ones at that? I was so angry.

Public Service Announcement:
Part A. DON'T BRING YOUR FRICKEN DOGS INTO THE LAUNDRY ROOM
Part B. When someone looks terrified. Apologize and send the dog away. You idiot.

3. Old, new, whatever.

2008-01-08T14:32:00.000-05:00

Hey all.
So. It's a new year. It has been for just over a week now. I have to say, my new years celebrations were some of my favourite to date. Actually, thinking about those celebrations, and listening to everyone talk about getting married, having babies and all that gross stuff (she adds quickly to protect her pride and sense of self worth), has inspired me....

I think I'm going to host myself a bachelorette party.
I mean really. I am WAY more bachelorette than any of my soon to be married friends.
And I love having fun.
So? Are you single? A girl?
You're in.
ha ha.

On a completely different note. I was sitting here on this dreary day, all by myself at Collins, reading stupid magazines, and I found this great site listed in "Wish" magazine. Pretty soon this company called BotaniCALLS will be launching a system that you can attach(?) to your plants and when they need water or have been overwatered (etc) they will actually call you on the phone. The demos are HILARIOUS. Definitely check it out.

Peace.

2. I'm pretty okay at a lot of things.

2007-12-19T12:15:00.000-05:00

I can sing, but I'm no Alicia Keys
I can play guitar, but I can't play Jack Johnson
I am young and in ministry, but I'm no Rob Bell
I can write a decent blog, but I'm no Tim Grace (ha ha)
I am passionate about greening, but I'm no David Suzuki
I can drive my hot van, but I'm no Helio Castroneves
I like music, but I'm not some music critic
I am decent looking, I'm no Li Lo
I can cook a nice chicken stew from scratch, but I'm no Rachel Ray
I love movies, but I'm no Ebert
I can google with the best of them, but I'm no Bill Gates
I can plan a pretty good event, but I'm no Martha Stewart
I'm funny (looking), but I'm no Ellen Degenerous.

Point is. I am not particularly amazing at anything and I'm not particularly passionate about anything.

I used to be. I was very passionate about faith, and community, and youth. Don't get me wrong. I still think those things are important, but they have lost their lustre. Am I getting old and jaded?

Do any of those people I mentioned above feel particularly amazing at what they are doing? Or do their writers, make up artists, managers or the voices in their head do most of the work for them?

I'm not sure. For now I remain, your mediocre friend.

Peace

1. I am no longer "cool"

2007-12-06T14:44:00.000-05:00

The funny thing about my above statement is that it assumes that I once was cool. I mean, I used to think that I was cool...Well, there have definitely been "cool" moments anyways.

A couple that I can still remember:

1. being "friends" with about 85% of the people in my graduating class. (no, not like BFFs, but at least I knew them, and we talked)

2. Being on the road "rockstarism" (yes, I was on the road with a "Christian Rock Band" but that was cool to me then...plus we did some pretty cool stuff)

3. Bible College. I was even "popular" I would say I knew at least 85% of the student body pretty well...again, not BFF well, but I knew more about them than most of my high school friends.

4. Back when I knew what the hell I wanted to do with my life. Even my mom has started to blacklist me on the Christmas list. Her words: "You already graduated, you have a job, there's nothing else really interesting to tell people" So, now I'm a big loser who is in a job that they THOUGHT they wanted to do, being boring doing it.

5. When I was the cool new youth leader (the one with all the buzz, who had charisma and style, now my youth tell me all the time how very NOT cool I am...)

See, I guess in a way I need to mourn my coolness' exit a bit. Perhaps I have never been as cool as I thought I was...but even that little bit of cool deserves some consideration. On the other hand, I'm starting to be okay with it. It's like another portal has opened. Now that I'm not cool I get to be...mature? *sigh* that's not better.

But seriously. There's something about being cool that isn't all that great anyways. I just read this blog by a musician and fellow Youth Encounter guy Nate. I don't think we ever met while I was on the road, but his post meant something to me in the midst of my reflections on "cool" Take a look, it's called "God Save the Cool Kids"

If you're a loser like me, it might strike a chord. If not, chew on it anyways.