Not So Hip(ster)

So Forbes recently came out with the list of the coolest places in America to live. Guess who's #1? That's right. Houston. Also on the list is my home town Fort Worth, as well as Austin and San Antonio, which still confuses me, but way to go Texas!!

After getting over the initial shock that Houston is cooler* than say Chicago or San Francisco (12 & 9 respectively) I began to think about what this means for me. There are more cool restaurants, more museums, more theaters, more amusements, more sport related activities than most places in America and they're all in my backyard. All I could think was "No wonder I'm broke!"- and I haven't even done or seen half the things this city has to offer. This fact is thanks in large part to the lovable hermit I live with, also known as Nick. While I'm bouncing off the walls to go and do at every free moment of everyday he enjoys the simplicity of "sitting on the couch holding hands" (his words, I swear). Initially this annoyed me because I thought that since, ya know, we live in this big city and all, we should maybe spend some time out in it. But over time, and as my schedule got busier- the one that I get paid to keep- spending the evening on the couch became not so bad.

Now, I'm not saying I've completely changed my ways and would choose sitting on the couch eating cold pizza over a reservation at Katsuya, but I definitely understand the draw. Fortunately, in the same time that Nick (and-my-too-comfortable-for-it's-own-good couch) has convinced me that a little time spent at home won't kill me; I, and my pleasantly social group of friends, have been able to bring around the hermit to spending time out in the elements. Also, I can't give Nick all the credit for making me more of a homebody as it also has a lot to do with the fact that I'm not made of money. As it seems, everything -ok almost everything- that makes Houston "cool" cost a buck or two and while they're all totally worth it I'm sure, a girl's got to stick to her budget, ya know?

Oxheart made #8 on Bon Appetit's Hot 10 New Restaurants in America

I guess don't know how the hipsters do it; eating at all the newest restaurants everyday, going to all the A-List Cocktail parties and gallery opening that I only dream of attending and seeming to never work. Like seriously, who funds that lifestyle and where can I find them- and are the over sized specs and better-than-you-attitude a necessity?? All in all, I'm finding that Houston really is a fun place to live and it's pretty hard to run out of things to do. I've got a list of new (to me) restaurants that I want to try, and it alone goes 30 deep. Combining that with all of the other entertaining factors of the city, it will be a while before I get bored. Especially at barely faster than a snails pace.



*This was based on immigration rate, unemployment rate,the median range is 33, the amount of restaurants and entertainment and a bunch of other stuff that's in the article linked above.

Olympian at Heart

         So another four years have passed and the Olympics are here again! It's the one time every 4 years that people actually care about sports like swimming, gymnastics or sand volleyball. It's a time for us as a nation to join together and feel pride in our country and in those who are lucky enough to represent us on this world's stage. I don't know if you're like me but I practically live for the Olympics and everything about it. It's like Christmas and the Fourth of July and the Super Bowl all rolled into one. Not only do I love watching the sporting events but I enjoy everything from the opening ceremonies to just seeing what all of the new venues look like. I can't say that I know why, but this year I have been more emotionally invested in the Olympics then I think I have ever been. Every win, every loss even, every shot of the nervous parent gives me a surge of emotion be it extreme joy or anxiety or sadness. I know that my emotions don't affect the outcome in any way, especially when most of what I'm watching happened 6 hours ago but I can't help but feel every part of the show. Even the commercials are getting me!

                                                                      (This is from one of the Proctor & Gamble commercials)
                                                                              "To Their Moms, They'll Always be Kids"

          Also, this year I have been interested following more sports than ever before. In addition to the obvious, swimming, gymnastics, volleyball and track, I've watched equestrian (one of my favs), rowing, kayaking, water polo and watching more everyday. (thank you internet for making this possible!) There's just something so inspiring about watching people living out their dreams; seeing all the hard work and all the sacrifices paying off for them. I honestly don't think there's anyone who wouldn't jump at the chance to be an Olympian if  the opportunity was offered to them. It's a dream for most of us, but for the lucky few (10,960 to be exact) it's a reality. Even when I was 11, I gave a speech to my 5th grade graduating class in which I assured everyone that when I grew up I would be an Olympic diver. Looking back it feels like one of those childhood dreams that everyone has- like being an astronaut or a fireman- but back then it felt very real.  It's so crazy to think that the Fierce Five are only a few years older than I was when I gave that speech and they actually achieved it.

        Since I am clearly not an Olympic athlete and show now signs of ever becoming one, I look up to the ones who do with respect and awe. In addition to accomplishing their life goal they are representing me and all the rest of us against the rest of the world. For me I don't get excited just about US teams and our victories but the victories of people from all over. Even though it was upsetting that South African swimmer Chad le Clos beat Phelps in the 200m butterfly, it was still so inspiring and heart warming to see him so overcome with joy on the medal stand and to see his dad celebrating and sharing that joy with him. Even though we're competing, I always feel like the Olympics brings us together. It gives us a chance to put the politics aside and focus on some friendly competition once in a while. I'm glad we still have a week or so left to cheer on new faces and old and watch history be made. As soon as London is over, I will already be looking forward to Rio 2016! USA! USA! USA!!

Responsible-ish

So as I have touched on already; in the proverbial book of my life, this (I guess) would be chapter 3. At least, let's just say it is for the sake of relating it to the blog title... Each of the first 2 chapters were rather long I suppose, the first of which spanning roughly 18 years and the other spanning at least 4. I'm 2 years into this new chapter and the further I go, the more I'm starting to like the story. 


Right now it seems like the overarching theme of this "chapter" of my life is planning. I'm shifting from the mentality of "what's happening right now" to "what's to come in the future". It seems at this point in time that my life has evolved from a 100% carefree everyday party to about 70% carefree party 30% responsibility. (this statistic directly correlates to the games vs. useful or professional apps I have on my iPad). When I first got out of college, I think I was still in college mode and the feeling of irresponsibility went right along with it. I had a fun internship 4 days a week, I basically lived at home for free, didn't pay for any bills and just hung out with my friends everyday partying hard in one location or another. Now I'm not saying that I don't still hang out with my friends partying (by no means less hard) in one location or another, but over time I some how have managed to convince myself that I wanted more "responsibility". Looking back, I wonder why I thought that that was such a good idea...

WARNING: This blog promises to be full of stock photos. 

For me (at least for me right now) responsibility relates directly to money and lesser so to time. Although I don't claim to be any sort of expert on managing either (nor will I ever), I am learning a lot about both every once in a while.  For instance, did you know about the 50/20/30 rule?* This is one really helpful bit of information I learned recently in the new finance group I just joined. Just SAYING that I joined a finance group makes me feel like I'm at least 45...  Also, for seemingly the first time in my life, I am having to prioritize my time.  I thought life moved so fast in college and that I was soOoOo busy all the time, but looking back I realize that I had nothing but time-most of which was spent sleeping or partying. Now, everything seems to be moving at super sonic speeds and I am just barely staying in the race. Whether it's keeping track of work appointment or event schedules or even finding time to just hang out with my friends, it is getting harder and harder to fit everything in to the 24 hours a day that we're given. Now, before I can make any plans, even just to get a drink with a friend, I automatically say, "That sounds great, but I need to check my schedule first". As there is a growing number of things that we have to do, the amount of time available for the things we want to do seems to be ever shrinking. 


I know that sounds like the most depressing thought you've ever heard but it's just a fact of life and it's really not so bad. When you have to plan and schedule and prioritize your life, you start to realize what and who are the most important in your life and you invest more into those things and people. You're able to really focus on what you want out of life and you're starting to figure out how to get there. eventually. For now though, I'll do fine to just remember to enjoy the little free time I have, which is most often still spent doing things that would register on any good maturity level at about a 18-20 (years old). 




*50% of your income should go toward living expenses (rent, food, gas, utilities, etc.) while 20% of it should go toward your financial responsibilities ( credit card bills, insurance, savings, etc.) and the remaining 30% goes towards your lifestyle choice (entertainment, activities, vacations, shopping, etc.) 

Writer's Block

It seems as though I've had a bit of writer's block with regard to this blog for oh about a year and a half now...


Well now that I am finally getting back too it, let's see if I can' get past two posts before calling it quits once more.


Since my last post, a lot has happened. The book which I had written about has since been released as a movie and is now available on Blue Ray and DVD. Several other books that I have read since are becoming films as well so it will be my goal to post again before they show in theaters.


As I reviewed my original post as well as the "About Me" section of this blog it got me thinking about where I would start and what direction I might take. Part of the reason I stopped in the first place was because I didn't feel that I had enough direction or a good enough 'theme'. I have since changed my mind back to my original thought that everyone has a story to tell and this is mine. 


From here, (again) I intend to document my life and times and chronicle my adventures no matter how big or small they may seem; because if for nothing else, it will give me something to look back on when the light begins to dim and the memories begin to fade. 


Enough about that- now lets get too it!




Fingers crossed...

The Hunger Games

Now, not every post will be a review of books I've read or am reading but this book series has been a particular interest for me  and several of my friends in the past weeks. I don't really know how to explain it without giving too much away but the basic story line is this: Set in the future, the country of Panem has been created out of the rubble that was once America. After the great rebellion that threatened to destroy the new nation, the government has forced the children of the country into an annual lottery of sorts that chooses a boy and a girl from each of the 12 districts to fight to the death in a televised arena that the nation is obligated to watch- similar to the slaves fighting gladiators during the reign of the Roman empire. The first book of the trilogy follows one girl, Katnis Everdeen, who by a turn of events goes into the arena representing her district and fights to stay alive. Though her single motivation in the games is the desire to stay alive, she finds later that her actions are the embers that start a fire of rebellions throughout Panem.

Out of all the books I remember ever reading, this book was the most intense, most nerve wracking story I have ever encountered. Every chapter ends with such an unexpected cliffhanger that no matter when you said you were going to stop and go to bed, your interest always gets the better of you. You HAVE to know what's going to happen. But it's not only Suzanne Collins amazing ability to constantly keep you begging for more that drew me to this series but her ability to draw parallels to our world in a way that make you question and think about our government and our society. While reading and even after reading this trilogy watching the news became very confusing for me. there were so many similarities and so many triggers to thoughts about the book that I wasn't sure if the news was real life or just my imagination playing with me.

I know that it's a book loosely based on current international wars combined with America's bizarre love for reality TV but I can't help wonder if Collins is right in thinking our desire to be entertained is much greater than our desire to know truth or to be involved in the world around us.

Stories to Remember

My mom always talks about how she wishes my grandmother had written a book about her life. Her stories were always so interesting and funny that it was almost a crime not to make her share them every chance we were around. She lived and amazing, enthralling life and most of it I'll never know because apart from the occasional letter or bare bones memory of a story she once told there's nothing concrete to reference.

I don't think my life is particularly interesting or exciting, but you never really know how important something is until you look back on it, so for that I plan to document it.