Dichotomy

Many times I have been told how I am not the typical girl (not even quite sure if that is a compliment or an insult nowadays) Even if I pretend to know what some of the stereotypical girl traits or boy traits are, I really don't know what mold I would fit into. I am into cooking (can't get enough of the food network) I am also an avid HGTV watcher and am thrilled to decorate, redecorate, plan parties, & events. However, I would enjoy nothing more than a cold beer, some wings, and a football game on a Sunday afternoon. I am also into playing golf & watching mob movies. No this is not an online dating profile, but the point that I am trying to make is that a person can be into all different types of things, but that doesn't define them as a "tom boy" or a "prissy girl". Just because I can't go more than 2 weeks without a manicure doesn't mean that I can't hang at the local pool hall. So then is it our approach to life that determines our gender bias? If it is not our interests or extracurricular activities that decide if we are more masculine or feminine, it must be the way in which we interact with others, handle tough situations, approach work, deal with family, etc. In that respect then, the whole cursing like a sailor would probably fall under my non typical girl like traits. There is no calm cool collected female approach I have to a stressful situation. However, my interaction with others (may it be family or friends) is empathetic which is quite a feminine quality. So ladies and gentleman of the jury, I have no case to rest, seems as if whatever measures you would like to use on what makes a girl a chick and what makes a boy a guy, seems that there will always be this dichotomy of the X and the Y.

12 in 2012

I got an iPad for Christmas and decided I now have no excuse to not read. My biggest complaint was that I hated carrying around a book in my already overstuffed purse (life). So now that I have the ability to have many books available to me at the tap of a screen I set out on the mission: 12 books in 2012. In order to not feel inundated with this task I obviously decided to keep the pace of 1 book a month. As we close on January with "The Help" AND "New New Rules with Bill Maher", I bring on February with "Bossypants". Thus far I am not only ahead of the game plan by reading two books in the 1st month, but I am really enjoying the residual benefits that are coming along with this goal. I tend to watch TV less, I am reading more about reading (in the attempt to pick my next book for the following month), I am using the Internet less on my phone commuting from meetings on the train (and if anyone knows me I am constantly going over on my data plan because of my excessive web browsing) so using it less is definitely a good thing, and the most obvious benefit is that I am becoming more knowledgeable & well rounded.

The only negative ramification I am seeing to this is that when I am caught up in a book, not much else gets done. I set my Saturday plans to grocery shop, do laundry, clean the apartment and before I know it...its 5 pm and I am still laying in bed reading. So if there was a way to keep my activity up, but also have enough time to read, that would be ideal. Anyway I should stop writing and get my nose back in that book. Any suggestions are welcome & appreciated. Thanks & Happy Reading.

Flying High...{no not that kind of high}

I tend to disagree with the phrase "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery". I think it simply means you are a copy cat. You can not think for yourself so you are ripping off something I did well. What I do consider a sincere form of flattery, is asking for my help or opinion on something. I think it is the greatest compliment anyone can give me is to ask my opinion on something. It shows me that you value you my thoughts and perspective, that you respect my point of view enough to consider it for your said task.

Now having said that, many people ask for someone's opinion to blow smoke up their @$$ because they know that the person will feel included in the decision making process or they ask for the sake of asking, but have no actual intent of hearing what the person has to say or offer. Only if the request for help is genuine is it indicative of respect and regard, otherwise it can actually be insulting.

On the other hand, the icing for this cake of flattery is when the person asking for the help, opinion, or insight is some one you revere yourself. It can just feel like the ala mode to your apple pie. If someone you consider accomplished in their personal or professional lives deems you worthy of helping or discussing something with them, it is one of the best feelings in the world. You are undoubtly overwhelmed with a sense of pressure to perform or deliver a great opinion or insight on the matter, but the fact that some one you believe to not need much assistance and is usually offering guidance to others, has now done the same to you. This elation can only get better when your insight or opinion is implemented. If they put into motion your suggestions, they not only think of your insight as intelligent or beneficial, but so much so that it impacted the outcome. Seeing the fruits of your labor is rewarding, but seeing the joy your help has brought another makes you feel like you can fly.