Hello? Is anybody out there?

So, does anyone else feel the same way I do about Blogger? That it might be going the way of Xanga and LiveJournal? I don't know, it just doesn't seem like there's the community here that there once was. Maybe it's because most of the blogs I follow have become more sporadic in posting, which doesn't encourage me to post more often. I don't really know what to say anymore either. Most of the bitches in my life are gone, or I don't feel comfortable writing about them online anymore. Either way, no one likes a whiner, and that's basically what this blog has turned into.

I'm listening to "Welcome to the Machine" currently, and it's making me wish that there was a bootleg copy of the video that plays in Space at COSI somewhere online, but if there is, I can't find it. Quality stuff, although the cartoons of the astronaut blowing up when his suit depressurizes is disturbing. Equally upsetting is the footage of the Challenger explosion. Have they added in the Columbia news footage? It's been eight years (!) now, I think it should be included if it isn't already. Well, now that I'm rambling about things that are little or no interest to most people in the world, I think I'll get to bed. Peace out!

~Christine

I'm Just Happy to Dance With You

I think it's important to acknowledge happiness. Sometimes it seems like we get so caught up in all of the bad shit that's being thrown in our faces every day that we forget that there are a lot of things every day that make us happy, even if it's something small. I've had a decent amount of shit thrown in my face in the past couple of days, and I allowed myself to be sad for a little bit (because ignoring feelings never bring about good things) but less than 24 hours later, I was back to my usual self. Why? I focused on the things that made me happy. In this case, it was a healthy mix of Fleetwood Mac, Florence + The Machine, delicious Mexican food, and talking with someone who seems to be on the same page as me in more ways than I realized were possible.

What I don't understand are the people who have rough times and over-exaggerate it in their head to the point of being unbearable. Pain is hard enough without making it worse for ourselves. And yeah, I believe in the power of schadenfreude, but there's no way to be happy with the pain you've made for yourself. It's like being trapped in a whirlpool you can't get out of. So if someone throws you a life raft, take it! Or if there's no one there to throw you a raft, make one yourself (just don't hang out in the northern Atlantic too long, Jack!) Wallowing is fine, but there's no need to make things worse in your head.

The big things aren't the only things that can bring you happiness. Look at the things I listed before. Nothing was extraordinary or extravagant. Most of the time, what makes me happy is even simpler than the things I mentioned. Puppies, bunnies, and other animals work wonders! For one thing, animals seem to be intuitive towards your feelings, so if you're blue, they know it, and they know that you might just need someone to cuddle with instead of someone to play fetch with. Everyone's different, so find what works for you. Even some snarky comments made to me at the expense of people I can't stand cheered me up the other day! It's not something I'd do all of the time, but it works in a pinch.

I'm leaving with one of my favorite quotes:

~Christine