Awesome #4 - Going somewhere hot when your home is rather cold

There's something to the whole Seasonal Affective Disorder thing. Waking up and going to work when it's dark out, and then getting home when it's dark again, sure doesn't make you feel like you're having a worthwhile day. Indeed, you may not even see the light of day - and forget about getting your Vitamin D.

So when you get the chance to head off to somewhere warm & sunny, even if it's just for a few days or a week, it's a little like paradise. You're transported into a new world with warm breezes and the ocean and sunshine that you didn't even know you were missing this badly. Home is great, because it's home. But a vacation during the darkest & dreariest part of the year is awesome!!

The Appeal of 101 Short Stories

The Marc and Angel Hack Life website put together 101 Short Stories that Will Leave You Smiling, Crying and Thinking and posted it. They all come from http://makesmethink.com/ and they are pretty beautiful. Here's some of the ones that I read that stuck with me:


Today, while I was driving my grandfather to his doctor’s appointment, I complained about hitting 2 red lights in a row. My grandfather chuckled and said, “You always complain about the red lights, but you never celebrate the green ones.” MMT

Today, as my grandfather (a military doctor, war hero, and successful business owner) rested in his hospice bed, I asked him what his greatest life accomplishment was. He turned around, grabbed my grandmother’s hand, looked her in the eyes, and said, “Growing old with you.” MMT

Today, I was in an accident that left me with a gash on my forehead. The doctors wrapped a bandage around my head and said I have to keep it on all week. I hate wearing it. Two minutes ago my little brother walked into my room wearing a bandage on his head. My mom said he insisted that he didn’t want me to feel alone. MMT

Today, I interviewed a woman who is terminally ill. “So,” I tried to delicately ask, “What is it like to wake up every morning and know that you are dying?” “Well,” she responded, “What is it like to wake up every morning and pretend that you are not?” MMT

Awesome #3 - Snow lighting up the night sky

There's just something about a snowfall that makes a dark winter night light up with sparkles and glow. In the middle of the dreary season when days are so short, a fresh snow at night makes going outside a magical experience. Awesome!

Awesome #2 - Riding in a Limo

Having a driver is cool. Being able to sit facing your friends is cool. The mood lighting is cool. The rows of glasses, snifters, and flutes are cool. Stretching your legs out is cool. Looking out through tinted windows is cool. The view outside is cool. Getting out of one is cool!

Awesome #1 - Getting your hair washed by someone else

Inspired by http://1000awesomethings.com/

When you go to the hairdresser, and lean way back in the chair, rest your head against the sink, you prepare yourself for a treat! The water is the perrrrrfect temperature, and your hairdresser's fingers are magic. Nothing quite like having someone run their hands through your hair, massaging your scalp and getting all those pressure points on your skull. Ahhhhhhh - it's so great. :)

Top Movies of 2010

In no particular order, here are my top 7 movies of 2010:

1. Shutter Island - I LOVE it when a movie isn't predictable. And this one sure wasn't.

2. Hot Tub Time Machine - Yes, I said it. Admittedly, it was not a theatrical masterpiece, but it had me laughing. If you suspend your logic and expectations, you are in for a good time.

3. Inception - Never seen anything like it before. And I loved the ending.

4. Easy A - Clever. Teen movie, yes. But quite clever.

5. The Town - A little cheesy. But I liked it. Ben Affleck does well, I think.

6. The Fighter - Gotta admit it, I am a sucker for sports-movies. Oh, and also a sucker for "based on a true story" movies. So this one was extra good.

7. The Social Network - Perhaps my overall favourite, and the most surprising. Upon seeing the trailer and groaning "oh no, not a movie about Facebook," I succumbed to the good press and was incredibly entertained. Very intelligent dialogue.


Looking forward to some great movies in 2011...