Out With The Old, In With The New

Dear 2009,

Even though I happily proclaimed on this day one year ago "2009 is my year!", I knew by that I meant the hardest and most intense growth year of mine yet. (Kind of like when you have that feeling you're about to watch a train-wreck.) Well 09, you certainly proved to be just that difficult and then some. As dramatic as it might sound, there were a few points I really questioned whether I'd actually make it through to ring in 2010. 

Well here I am. 

Thanks for doing whatever you did to show me that indeed I can and will be able to handle anything that comes my way now. Even though I wouldn't tried to convince myself otherwise- I wouldn't have been able to hack it all before now. Thank you for that.

~Diane 

Dear 2010,

I am so, so totally ready. 

Bring it!

Time Stamp

Living in the past doesn't do us any good, but looking back in reflection is good for us all. I spent time today reading some things I wrote on this day one year ago in this notebook. I then promptly threw it in the dumpster outside my apt. Accept it all/own where you have been and what you've done, then toss it and move on. It's always motivating to be able to see how far you've come, humbling to see how far you still have to go and thrilling to think about all the things that are possible for tomorrow.

One year from today? We'll all be even faster, smarter, better than we've been this year. You've got to love that. It doesn't come easy but it's sure worth every ounce of blood, sweat and tears.

Here's to looking at yourself in the mirror and not running away. 

I'm Danika Patrick

Moving to different states, starting new jobs, next chapters, etc.- all mixed in with the holidays tends to put a wrench in the writing plans. Sorry to have disappeared. In my absence I have certainly collected lots of stories.

I'll tease you with a scene that might be in my book someday. I'm back to writing regularly again as of today too. Here's a story to start:

It's Christmas night, freezing and pouring rain. I am in the middle of nowhere and get to a friends house in the country. (They were gone for 2 days to see family.) It's pitch black about 8pm and I am alone. I tried to be a bad-ass and wheel up into their snow covered icy driveway. (Have I mentioned how much I hate the snow and cold weather? I mean hate it. LOATHE it. If I never saw a temperature below 75 again in my life I'd be happy.) Because I am more stubborn than an ox, even though I don't make it the first 3 times, I try for a fourth and then...yep. In the ditch I go. I get out and start pushing my car, in flip flops, in the snow and rain- soaked and laughing at myself because I knew damn well that I'd end up in the ditch but I tried anyway like an idiot. After realizing that unless I was going to suddenly become the Incredible Hulk, all 120lbs of me was probably NOT going to be able to push my car out alone. I got back in the car. Took a deep breath, channeled my inner Vermont, put my poor civic in reverse and burned that little thing out of that ditch like you read about.

I then left the car it in the middle of the road and walked in the house.

Merry Christmas to me. 

I love that I can appreciate these adventures and the fact that a year or two ago in this situation I would've been spitting and cursing. Now I sit here typing shaking my head and smirking. 

What's it all worth it if you can't laugh at yourself?

Thanks Lukie

Love the med-school schmegma couch, love the fun times and I actually somehow think it's cute and charming that you are always so effin late.

Here's to rookies and smiling through it all.

Lick It, Slam It, Suck It

That's what you do when you're leaving town and saying goodbye.

Here's to surprisingly amazing and unassuming friends.

Ugh. I hate tequila.

Dessert Trays At Holiday Office Parties

This was before we hosed the entire thing while having an argument as to why one person cannot make two cappuccinos at the same time. 

I love you dessert tray.

I Learned And Realized Today:

1.) I don't have breast cancer.

2.) I have the best auto insurance agent ever.

December 17th- you have really been something.

...Stay tuned for more on the above...

Just Pee And Exit Please

Should they really have to tape this up on a bathroom wall in a Doctor's office?

I always love the random hand-written signs like these in various public bathrooms. It seems a lot of humans are having quite the little parties with themselves in these places, stuffing things where they shouldn't, not understanding how to flush, locks the doors, etc. 

Entertaining.

Whatcha Thinkin'?

I saw this "Community Issues" board on the wall at a coffee shop in Vermont. I like it. What a great way for people to voice thoughts, concerns, opinions in a simple and peaceful way.

I think things like this should be up in every place of business or anywhere people interact. Wouldn't it be great if we could share information like this anonymously on a regular basis? Maybe we could all open our minds and see things from someone else's point of view a little bit easier that way...

Only 600 Teeth Were Broken In The Making Of This Video

Just as I was finishing up writing about how random friends and followers send me links to cool stuff, this one came in.

These guys are ridiculous. I mean, holy hours of practice and holy awesomeness. I will so never be this cool. Compared to these fearless dudes I still have my training wheels on!

It Takes A Village

I sometimes delay in getting posts up every single day, but it never means I have a lack of things to write about. I have pages and pages of random notes to self, newspaper articles, saved links in email folders and on and on. Some favorites in my stack of to write-abouts though, are the links friends and followers often send me. 

Here's a link just in from a friend on how to become a good writer. (We were talking about this last week.) I'm liking #2. Then this one he sent just for a funny. Love it.

Thanks chocolate and fried green tomato buddy. Can't wait for our shots of tequila. Keep 'em coming!

You're Creeping Me Out Sanny-Clause!

I don't think it'd take long for any of us to dig up a hilarious kid flaming out with Santa photo. We all have them. Until you find yours, check out Sketchy Santas, a blog chucked full of good ones. I especially love this one. This poor little girl is running for her life as this particular Santa looks on thinking; Mwahh-ahh-ahh....I'll get you my pretty!

The Christmas season wouldn't be complete without at least 90% of kids completely losing it and breaking out in tears dressed in their finest dresses and sweaters. Can you say photo op?

(I just had to scroll back to that one picture and can't stop laughing...)

My Kind Of Diet

I'm on more of a "live it" than a diet in life. It's just a whole lot more fun. So I have to run a few more miles, so be it. Here's a diet I'm a big fan of that I've just been reading about for all of you out there who think you can't have it all! Eating 6 cookies a day as part of the deal? Oh yeah, sign me up. Just throw a salad and a run or two in your week along with a few apples and you're healthy as all get-out.

Thanks Doc!

Hmmm...

It took me months and months after writing here to ever start listing "I write" when people asked what I did or what my hobbies were. I've never taken a writing class or thought that I could be a writer. What I have always thought though, is that I have seen so many amazing things, met so many incredible people and had far to many eye-opening adventures in my 31 years not to find a way to share them somehow. Why not just start babbling and hope some super-experienced official writer doesn't show up someday to rip me a new one about how I am a disgrace to "real" writers everywhere.

As of today- no one has come to rip me a new one yet.

Whew.

And so I babble...

One great lesson I've learned in fumbling through my words here is that no one really gives a hoot about me having a vocabulary that could reach the end of the earth or perfect punctuation. People want and like something they can actually relate to. I have had countless; "I can relate Di!" or "Me too!" It's such a treat because not only does it make me feel like- great, I'm not some crazy freak after all who's the only one who thinks/feels this, but other people think/feel it too! When I saw Malcolm Gladwell's latest book; "What The Dog Saw" and this quote of his- I thought it was perfect to share on the subject of relatability:

"Good writing does not succeed or fail on the strength of its ability to persuade. It succeeds or fails on the strength of its ability to engage you, make you think, to give you a glimpse into someone else's head."

Some of the best gifts I've received in my life are those experiences and people who make me stop and think; think differently and openly. I hope by me struggling to find my strengths, security and voice in my life and in this crazy world, then sharing them here with you- I've been able to make you think differently and openly about your life too.

Here's to things and people that make you stop and think.

"Oh Dear, Did I Break Wind?"

We love you Aunt Bethany.

I can't say I have ever been that person who watches movies over and over and over like some people, but this one? Oh yes. I have watched it twice in the past three days. (Channel flipping for background noise and I just can't help myself.) I still laugh my a** off through the whole movie. Of course National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation will probably play another 58 times before Santy comes, so don't worry if you haven't gotten your fix for the 2009 season yet. Just power on your TV and it will be there on just about every channel. I'd argue that this movie rivals all others on the funny. 

Here's to fruitcakes, full shitters, and family madness. Happy Holidays!

'Tis The Season

Somehow the "Oh my god- stop!" your friend Chelsea blurts after stuffing your face with the most amazing food ever is way more fun than just driving by a house like this yourself on a rainy Wednesday night in Richmond, VA.

Happy Holidays folks. Here's to the tacky light tour!

Seth And Amy Say It Best

I'm sitting in a coffee shop, which is often my office happily sipping a de-lish morning java and working away. I'm can't help but watch and listen to this professionally dressed attractive woman babbling and pacing on her cell phone. (Clearly she thinks she's either at a NASCAR race or surrounded by four of her own walls she's so loud.) I could care less (actually, I love it) considering this is a prime example of why I'll always have endless writing material. I'm all about people being able to do whatever the hell they want, when they want, however- as well-dressed and attractive this woman might be, she just looks like a complete obnoxious idiot. She is so "that guy." As the other people around us are having friendly chats with pals and work meeting with other physically present humans, they are shooting her looks of death. You know- that "Shut up before I smack you lady! I'm trying to relax and talk to someone here!" 

Boy is it entertaining to go in public. I could make a career out of just sitting in coffee shops studying people's behavior from the hours of 9 and 10am. Talk about writing material. 

Anyway, the point to all this is to see if anyone out there has a clue as to what goes through "that guys" head as he/she is cluelessly disturbing the peace of the other 65 people in a public place. (I'm laughing) All I can think of is the Saturday Night Live Weekend Update; Really?!? With Seth and Amy.

Dear Well-Dressed Lady,

Really?!?

We all can hear every word you're saying. We now know all of your business. Thanks. I was actually wondering which coworker of yours was pissing you off today and what time your next meeting is. (Yeah- not so much.) Well, I still have to say good for you for having the confidence to think you are so important you can be that disruptive to everyone else in a public place. Intrepid. I love it, I'm just not sure the others her quite appreciate it like I do- but go on with your bad-self. Just don't be surprised if someone throws their grande skinny peppermint mocha in your face.

Sassy Granola Bars

I saw these in a grocery store yesterday. I can't say I have really been itching to take photos of many boxes of granola bars  in my life (I mean really- how many granola bars are that thrilling) but I thought this one was brilliant.

On the subject of fun; Please tell me- why aren't more companies branding themselves like this? This is hilarious. I love it, and I hate apple granola bars- but I'd still buy them. Just because. 

The guy who thought this up deserves a raise.