Xavierism

Bravo to Megyn Kelly!

Recollections

 

***Random Play

*Francesca Battistelli: My Paper Heart - Deluxe Edition

*Whitney Houston: I Look To You

*Matt Dusk: Two Shots

*Judith Owen: Here

*Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Read My Lips

*Will Young: The Hits

Great weekend. I kept to myself for the most part. I did enjoy a Saturday morning run and breakfast with friend, Lark. I attended early Mass on Sunday and returned home and meditated, prayed & spent time recollecting precious moments from my past. I sorted out boxes and boxes of old photographs, letters & cards.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 84th Academy Awards. I am happy that Meryl Streep took home the Oscar for the Best Actress for her role as the Iconic Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. I wasn't too fond with how the movie show cased the former leader as senile but Meryl was superb during Thatcher's peak years. I was quite happy to see that recognition was given to a woman that portrayed the Life of an amazing woman of the 20th Century. The Academy got it right this time!

I'm ready to start training for my next half marathon: Six Tunnels to the Hoover Dam Half Marathon. My right foot feels good. I'm so ready to prove to myself that I can run a better race after that last half marathon.

A close friend of the family passed away last weekend. This woman was part of my childhood memories. She had 3 children but I was close to the oldest daughter that was a year younger than myself. She was diagnosed with Cancer and after her long battle of illness, she was never quite the same. I had various conversations with her during the last of her years and she was simply tired. When I last visited with her, I didn't see the 73 year old woman but rather the young woman she was that I remembered during my grade school years. She was a strong and fierce woman. This served as a reminder that we are all apart of one another's lives.

This week I reconnected with former best friends during two very rough periods of my life. I'm so blessed to have these 4 people back in my life. Ann was a dear friend of mine just before I came out. We parted ways because she was engaged to her then boyfriend and didn't like our relationship. The three male friends became my best friends during the years I came out. They were there for and with me through the beginning of my 'gay' life. I don't know how I would have made it this far without them. Kim, Rodney & Harry were true gifts of friendships. Love or hate Facebook, it has the power to reconnect with the ones you've truly missed in your life.

I treasure the friendships I currently have and those I lost for one reason or another. Last Summer I was constantly praising three people for their friendship. Turns out I'm no longer friends with those three individuals. Sad but Life goes on. The blessings that resulted from those friendships were two people that are still in my Life - Patty & Arriana. I am thankful that my inner circle consists of the same friends as always. 2012 started off rocky but I feel the tide turning. I'm ready to get back on track and follow the detour so that I can get back on my path to this journey called Life.

Ben Rector recored an outstanding cover of Whitney Houston's ' I Wanna Dance with Somebody' on January 15th, 2012. This cover is special because he recorded this before the Woman with 'The Voice' passed away. He played all the instruments & sang the back up vocals. Love how musicans turn an amazing song and mold it into a song of their own. Hope you enjoy this cover as performed by Ben.

Simple Joys are all around us - they're like little treasures. Take a moment and search - you'll be surprised at what you'll find.

****CHEERS!****

Current Music: Judith Owen's Here

Current Mood: Wide Awake & Thankful for this Moment!

Empire State of Mind

State Farm's 9/11 New York Commercial

Banned US Commercial about The National Debt

 

Powerful!

Taking Back & Moving Forward!

Victory for Gov. Jan Brewer!  
Jan Brewer rides Arizona's immigration law to victory

Run Run!

***Random Play

*Corrinne May: Beautiful Seed

*The Script: Self Titled CD, The Script

*Natalie Merchant: Leave Your Sleep, Part II

*Rosie Gaines: Closer Than Close

*Matt York: Mine

*Sophie Ellis Bextor: Read My Lips

Trying and trying to write more without any success. I am running more with a great deal of success so I should definitely write about this. I'm actually at the point where I go to bed earlier and eager to wake up at 4:30am so I can be out the door for a run at 5am. I must be insane. Maybe, maybe. I remember back in my college days when I ran various 5 and 10Ks and a few half marathons. I ran to keep the weight off and keep up with my buddies. Soon as I completed college, I no longer ran and the weight returned. I've never been thin. At my heaviest, I was 265 pounds --- not a pretty picture. Since 2000, I have managed to keep my weight between 200 and 245. It wasn't until last year that I decided that enough was enough. I lost weight down to 180. Okay, I was at 175 due to a bad flu during the Summer. It was great to be sick and lost an easy 5 pounds. Yes, it was very Romy and Michelle but I loved it. Since July, I pulled a Lindsey Lohan -- fell off the weight training wagon and gained about 8 pounds. I am now at 183 pounds. Overall, I am happy. I know I'll lose down to my goal weight of 170.

The running part has taught me a great deal. I didn't feel energetic in the early mornings if I ate a heavy dinner late at night. I realized that I had to eat more veggies and salads. I learned that I had to cook and eat more of my own meals at home. With the money I saved, I was able to buy a whole new wardrobe -- suits, pants, dressy shirts, and shoes.

Willpower. Willpower. Willpower. I need to buy Willpower in cases at Costco and store it for those days I lack it. Although I need to plan ahead and push myself so that I don't fail. The running helps a great deal because I love the added energy and way my clothes feel. I gave away all of my bigger clothes. I can't go back to bad eating habits. I've come too far. Screw the emotional eating. I'm lovin' how Fabulous looks on me!

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Rosie Gaines' Closer I Want You (Inner City Blue)

Current Mood: Thrilled, Blessed, Happy, & Hungry!

Happy 4th of July!

Took this picture from our room at The Hollywood Historic Hotel during our stay in Hollywood last month.

God Bless America!

Scott Bown Wins!

I'm still excited and thrilled over Scott Brown's win in Massachusetts. I believe the tide is turning. I can sleep a little bit better at nights. Thank you to the voters of Massachusetts!

*****Cheers!*****

Haiti: Donate & Offer Hope

Jan 12: A man carries an injured child outside Hotel Villa Creole in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

How You can help the People of Haiti: Listings & Links to Organizations accepting Donations.

Please keep the People of Haiti in your prayers. Thank you.

Happy 4th of July, USA!

***Random Play
*Nichole Nordeman's Woven & Spun
*Trisha Yearwood's (Songbook) A Collection of Hits
*Oleta Adams: All The Love
*Patsy Moore: The Most Private Confessions of St. Clair
*Julia Fordham: That's Life
*Sade: Lovers Rock

First of all, thank you for the Birthday wishes, cards, emails, voice messages, and phone calls. I do appreciate the Love. Another year older but I feel like a kid surrounded with all the Love. Thank you.

It's great to see that The Statue of Liberty's Crown will be open again for the first time since September 11th, 2001. Such a beautiful Lady! I know that I take the little things for granted living here in this country. Freedom and liberties can not be taken for granted. I was quickly reminded of that while viewing coverage of the recent protests that took place in Iran. People all over this world desperately want to express themselves freely but instead live in fear. That's not living.

I salute those that have served and are currently serving in the US military. Conservatives, Liberals, Republicans, Democrats...we voice our opinions because we love our country. I'm blessed that we are able to stand up for our political choices & rights. May we always remember those that died for this country. Happy Birthday to the greatest country in the world!

Current Music: Oleta Adam's Sweet Side of Life
Current Mood: Blessed!