Tuesday, November 25, 2008

This just in...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZmDtV-t7KU

I know it never had a chance to last, but I would have liked to think that if Deanna was willing pass up Mr. Wonderful, it would have lasted... oh man.

Guess I'll have watch every second of this season to see who Jason ends up with... when it shoulda been me.

not nearly as pathetic as this sounds,
Kelley

Monday, November 24, 2008

Sushi, Shelves, sweet tunes and Goodness

WHAT A WEEKEND!!!

There is so much to tell you! I will say this: I am relieved to be at work. It is much more relaxing. :)

It was an exceptionally fun weekend, friends.

Highlights:
- Adrienne's 24th birthday sushi dinner at Virago and dancing at Silverados after. Cross cultural experience.
- Saturday breakfast with Julie, Devin and Terri (Tic was busy busy busy) who were in town for the Youth Specialties Conference!
- Organizing for Amelia and watching her loft go from chaos to very livable in a short 5 hour period. She actually took my advice about putting in a 16 ft by 8 ft. shelving unit in her living room. Its magical! :)
- "City Church in the Round" event being a smashing success!! So many talented musicians in our church. It was such a fun evening!
- Sunday pie making
- HUGE feast for Thanksgiving with friends... 40 of them. What a spread! It was delicious. The flag/tackle football game after was fun too. Too many photos to put up here, but they are on Facebook!
- Church
- Dinner/ Bluegrass with the Hildebrands! Germantown Cafe' after a feast... crazy. Good Good Times!

I'm exhausted... but with a smile on my face.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Haiku

Tonight at my neighborhood group, we had an ice breaker. Duane had us all write a haiku about ourselves. Ladies and gents, I present mine:

Excessively pert
Loudest laughter in the room
clumsy ain't illegal.

Ok, so the last part is more of a mantra or, rather, a consolation... but it will work. :)

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Inspiration From a Genius

So, as is usually my Monday habit (but moved to Tuesday as a result of laziness), I listened to my two favorite podcasts.

The first is "This American Life". It was an entire show devoted to people who live alone and, more specifically, some who die alone. While sad, it was also very interesting. TAL always delivers.

Next, I drank in the goodness of "The Moth." Now, you need to know that, in general, if T.A.L. is rated G, this is more PG13. It is just generally not overly-produced... or at all. It is people recorded telling stories live and on stage. This week was a bit of Garrison Keillor's speech at last year's "Mothball" held in NYC each November.

If you know my family at all, you know that both Garrison and his artistic child, "A Prairie Home Companion", are both very significant to the Kirkers. While we "enjoyed" the TV-free years, we listened to radio exclusively. "A Prairie Home Companion" was enjoyed by sitting on the living room floor with popcorn or some sort of dessert. Each week Kristin and I would dance around like little fairies as we enjoyed the twang of the bluegrass we'd hear. Right around the time the commercials came on, we would start to settle down...still laughing so Dad would think we got the subtle jokes, mind you. As soon as the story for the evening unfolded, my snoring would ensue. I rarely made it through an entire 2 hour episode. Even now, I am lucky to make it! ;) Bottom line- its more than entertainment... it is tradition. A delightful one. I can hear the music (or that familiar warm voice) and a smile forces its way to my lips. Heck, I even watched the movie, people.

Naturally, this morning, I was thrilled to hear Garrison's voice come across the airwaves, care of itunes. His words were profound to me this morning. He said the art of storytelling is one of a pursuit of intimacy with people... even strangers. He went on to say that intimacy, when you are young, is nice. When you get older...necessary. (I dare say necessary the whole journey long.) Nevertheless, he said, we pursue storytelling for the sake of attention, on some level. Ultimately intimacy. I cannot agree more. I find myself writing here (and even attempting the challenge of a book) for the sake of being known. While it is a universal fear... it is also a deep need.

Thanks, Garrison. You bring your A-game again.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

A Day at Emma...

Friends... have I mentioned I work for the most amazing company??

I mean- it is ridiculous.

Today is our Chili Cook-Off followed up by a wine tasting! The wine tasting is at "Flyte" (ultra hipster/ fabulous upscale joint in town that is co-owned by a guy who works with us in Development.)

I am so excited! Photos to follow, naturally.

So, of course, it feels like a "Field Trip Day"... i cannot focus. I'm just a-twitter with excitement! I suppose it does not help that I got to Skype with Coco and James followed by my first two Video G-chats (Google, i love you.) OVERLOAD on Joy!

Hyper to the point of ridiculous,
Kelley

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Book

What if there's an entire chapter about stories of me falling down?

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Fall Update:

(Have I mentioned that I am in a loving and committed relationship with Fall? we're going steady.)

Today has just been "one of those days" in the BEST way possible!!

The air is full of Autumn, the day started with a huge breakfast with friends, I played with some of the cutest children ever, and I have sufficiently lazed around after cleaning my room! Toss in some chili and football, a looming cookout/bonfire and a girls' sleepover.. complete with a crimper and the game, "Mall Madness." You can't make this stuff up.

I am happy happy happy.

I'll need to go back and read this in February when its super cold and I'm miz. ;)

OH and....

GO GAMECOCKS!!!!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Say What You Need to Say...

That title fits for more than John Mayer's single. It wraps up the recent past for me for a variety of reasons! For starters, I had some friends recently tell me that I should write books. haha! I said to them, "The problem is that I write like I speak... who wants to read that?" So, friends, you are stuck with the interweb version of a conversation with me... as often as I will update it.

** sidenote: I'm realizing that unless I plan to begin every post with an apology, for not writing as often as I should, I need to just own up to the fact that work has me really really busy...AND computer averse at the end of a long day. Bottom line: I don't get a chance to write here more than about once or twice a week. Maybe that will change. maybe not- sorry friends! I do promise there will always be a ridiculous story, though. does that help? ;)

Ah, back to the actual interesting part. So in addition to a regular convo with me care of blogspot, here's an interesting run in that merits the title. A friend from long ago had the guts to "call" me on what he deemed some bad behavior. Now, if you have known me for any stretch of time, you know that I attended Bible College and that it was full of good and bad experiences. Because of said bad experiences, something in me immediately becomes defensive when someone offers constructive criticism. Its unfortunate but true. Now, you need to know that ultimately I felt like we were both right. He in his critique, me in my defense (if you will.) Moral? It was nice to have a somewhat "crunchy" conversation and have it not be devastating to this world-class people pleaser. Can I get an amen?! I think his heart was in the right place, so no harm done. If anything, beneficial, i might even say.


Over the weekend I attended something called the "Americana Folk Festival" on hill at the Montgomery Bell State Park. It was lovely! (In case you are wondering... YES! "Ernest Goes to Camp" was filmed there. Good eye.) So we all packed up our fall fares and headed to the park for a day of lovely music. It was a line up of seeming no-names with the exception of Sandra McCracken, Derek Webb, Jars of Clay, etc. The real stunners of the day, for me, were a passionate band called, "Old Ceremony"out of Chapel Hill. It was such a creative sound! Very circus-y in parts and mostly inventive instruments and a lovely sound! Handsome men too. that helps! Alas, we are all new best friends... duh. Yes, I did get to play the vibraphone. No, I did not remember any songs from 4 years of malleting away in high school. sad. It was so fun! All in all, it was a day filled with relaxation more than anything else. Amazing.

Today is the start of a new week. Sometimes it is difficult to get excited about a new work week but THIS work week is different... THIS work week I have INSURANCE!!!!! Go ahead, bones. I dare you to break. Teeth... you want filling? You may! Eye balls? you need some glasses... your wish is my command! It is a wonderful feeling, i tell you. Also wonderful is the fact that I get to re-join the YMCA today! holla!!!! Ten pounds, pack your bags! You're being evicted!

Have a good one, friends!