My Sanctuary

As most of you know, I am of the Jewish faith. I don't go to Shul (Temple) as often as I would like. That means getting into a dress and heels on a Friday night or Saturday morning. Pass. However, that doesn't mean, I don't have a place I go to pray. I do. It's called the Swamp. Here's a little history...
Currently, the stadium may be best known as “The Swamp”. In the early 90s, then-Coach Steve Spurrier noted that "...a swamp is where Gators live. We feel comfortable there, but we hope our opponents feel tentative. A swamp is hot and sticky and can be dangerous. Only Gators get out alive." The name has stuck ever since.
The "Swamp" is open to the public most days. At any given time you can go in there and see various people "running the stairs". I like to go, have a seat in the North end zone (seats with backs to them) and contemplate life. Needless to say, I've had many visits there in the past several weeks. I look out over the field and remember how much smaller it was when I was younger (It now holds 92,000 people. Back in the day, only 60,000). I think about the first football game I took the boys to, all the Gator Growls (homecoming party the Friday night before the homecoming game) I've attended with friends and family or the first time I ever stepped on the "green". Funny as it may sound, but I find a sense of peace here. For this is truly 'my home'.
And next Saturday, my sanctuary will be filled once again to the brim, with fans wearing orange and blue, screaming "It's Great to be A Florida Gator", singing, "We Are the Boys" at the end of the 3rd quarter and hopefully leaving with a smile on their faces, as we beat the pants off of Hawaii.

It's too bad a Rabbi can't conduct services here. For it is here I feel most comfortable.

Ya Gotta Love It...

FLORIDA GATORS RANKED # 5 IN PRE-SEASON AP POLL.
Life is GOOD!

I'm Awake

So, I was going to title this blog "I Can't Sleep" but I didn't want to start off on a negative note.
Random thoughts filling my mind:
*Why do some men find it easier to slither out of a relationship instead of being up front and saying, "I just don't want to see you anymore" Chicken shits.
*If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it...wait, who cares?
*Men who walk around in just underwear and socks are a GIGANTIC turn-off.
*Gossiping woman REALLY need a life.
*There's no such thing as a BAD cruise.
*Thinking is overrated.
*That commercial about "the best stick you'll ever pee on" is just wrong.
*If men had to have an x-ray of their penis in the same fashion a woman has to have a mammogram, there would have been a better machine created for mammograms.
*How did we EVER survive childhood without cell phones?
*"Those who do not remember the past are condemned to relive it." (Thomas Jefferson) Why don't politicians understand this?
*"Stairway to Heaven". Enough already!
*Bathing a cat is bad for your arms and other areas of your body.
*Michael Phelps may be the greatest swimmer of all time, but Lochte will always be HOT!
*We can send men to the moon, send people in space, but we can't figure out a better way to get a stool sample from people. What's up with that?
*Elvis never did leave the building.
*Children should be heard and not seen.
*Algebra?

Comments encouraged.

Word of the Week

I know, I know...I'm late with the Word of the Week. However, once you see the word I have chosen, maybe you will be understanding.

divagate \ˈdī-və-ˌgāt, ˈdi-\: to wander or stray from a course or subject


I have divagated from my responsibility to provide all a snippet of education for the week. For this, I apologize. You should know, this blog is not the only area of my life from which I have divagated. Oh no...I have strayed elsewhere.

You see, I had forgotten what is important in life; life itself. I got wrapped up in worrying about a job, concerns with my family, arguments with friends and the day-to-day worries of life. I had divagated from the philosophy that used to be my mantra: live each day as if it were your last. As you all know, there was a time when I thought I wasn't going to be around for long. Yet, here I am. And although the issues I have faced in the past 6 weeks seemed insurmountable, I am still here.

So I took some time to think of what I needed to make my life simpler and still be able to handle whatever is thrown at me. And I think I have found what I need: balance.

Lately, my typical day consists of waking at 9:00 a.m.. I go to the store and get my diet soda, come home, and sit on the porch with my computer and search for jobs for 10 hours straight. I wasn't eating. I wasn't sleeping. Complications with the family would interrupt my day and I would push them aside until after 7:00 p.m.. Then I would spend my evenings trying to figure out how to deal with those issues. Day after day, the same process, over and over again. I realized I couldn't keep up anymore. And I broke down.

So I decided that while, yes, the most important action in my life right now is to find employment, I can't let it consume me. I will break my days up and try to do different things each day. Even if it's only sweeping the floors, doing the dishes, going to a movie, grocery shopping...whatever. I especially want to start reading more. And maybe work in the yard a bit now that the nights are a bit cooler (only 86 degrees here tonight!) And I must remind myself that it is OK to NOT look for a job every hour of every waking moment. I just need to keep balanced.

Oh, and if you see that I am divagating from my new perspective, feel free to jump right in and let me know.

21 Days....

But who's counting?

Word of the Week

It's Monday, and I'm feeling a bit better, so, it's time again for the Word of the Week...
incorrigible \in-ˈkȯr-ə-jə-bəl, adjective incapable of being corrected or amended: as a (1): not reformable :(2) depraved
Recently a very good friend defined me as incorrigible. I was under the impression that meant I was just too much to handle at times, in a funny, yet negative sort of way. After reading the definition, I wonder if that is what they really meant. Am I incapable of being corrected? Am I depraved? I think I will focus on definition 2: depraved. I choose this definition as I believe I am easily capable of being corrected...when I'm wrong. Which isn't often. Just kidding...really, I'm just kidding.
Depraved, huh? Well, in some senses I guess I am. I've been told I have a sick, evil and sometimes twisted sense of humor. Of this I am proud. Incorrigible in my pursuit of something, such as a goal? Yes, this is true. When I've set my mind to something, I like to see it through. I believe that is the Aries in me. However, I have learned over the years, especially after my last 2 jobs, that the ability to adapt to change quickly is highly regarded. So, I continue to work on this trait. Incorrigible in my loyalty to my friends? Without a doubt. As I've stated before, this gets me into trouble at times. I like to think that I give more than 100% to my relationship with my close friends. I like to think they know they can count on me for anything, anytime, anywhere. In return, I expect the same from them. Sometimes this doesn't happen and I am hurt. My expectations of friends is sometimes too high. I'm trying very hard to learn loyalty is not always a 2-way street and to not have my feelings hurt.
Or maybe I am incorrigible when I am in a relationship with a man? I probably should not have phrased that in the form of a question. That is an undeniable truth. For when I am in a relationship, I KNOW that I am incorrigible in my pursuit of time with the person, as well as passion. But in this case, I honestly don't mean to be. I honestly don't realize I am behaving in such a manner. It's a part of my personality. Again, there's room for improvement.
So, yes, I might just be incorrigible. But I believe I am for all the right reasons.

You've Got to Hide Your Love Away

This song speaks volumes....