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So, I've been reading a couple of self-help books lately. GO AHEAD. Laugh it up. But isn't that the point of life? To improve ourselves so that we may better serve the collective harmony of the universe? Or something like that...we can talk about it on the other side.
I read a lot. I like anything from cookbooks to poetry books, books on philosophy, graphic novels, mysteries, and Twilight (yes, the series really is entertaining - the movie pales in comparison). I was sick of feeling tired and lazy, so I bought a book called "Skinny Bitch" (by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin) that has really helped me have a kickass healthy diet, and I feel GREAT! (Guys, you can read this one too...)
A couple years ago, I bought a book called "Win the Crowd", written by Steve Cohen, "The Millionaire's Magician" that has given me some major help in entertaining and life in general, which goes snugly along with being a musician.
And you know what else? I'm sick of being broke, so I checked out Robert Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" from the library and am trying to learn about finance online at CNNmoney.com and some other sites.
Last but not least, I checked out "Shut Up, Quit Whining, and Get a Life" by Larry Winget because I was sick of feeling sorry for myself in some aspects of my life.
You get the point. Information is abundant and accessible, especially with the existance of the internet. I recommend each of these books, and read with a highlighter so that you can capture anything that resounds with your own life philosophies.
So why aren't people jumping at the chance to get everything they want!? To figure out everything they need to know to achieve success in all realms of existence? And what about the "Obesity" label that our country has!? How can we worship the thin but consist of the fat and lazy? It's because most people don't read. Did you know that many of the people who buy books don't even read them? Book sales are up, but literacy is down. It's cool to OWN books, but really, who has the time to, like, read them. Ugh. Seriously.
This is what other "civilized" countries have that we don't. Literacy. Sure, kids in America are savvy on an iPhone, but mention a book at a party and, OMG, that is like, so not cool! ugh. seriously.
Literacy is the key to starting discussion, and THOUGHT PROCESS. Somewhere between 1900 and 2000, though, being academic got a new nickname - "nerdy". When did ignorance become a trait to be sought after? I remember the exact moment for me. It was in the sixth grade when the hot popular girls won the lip syncing contest by using nail filers as props while dancing to "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls. Suddenly pogs and chinese jumprope lost their appeal on the playground. Suddenly I was faced with this idea that being smart doesn't get you anywhere, but damn, if you're attractive you can bend the world to your will and WEILD IT AS THE QUEEN THAT YOU WERE BORN TO BEEEEEEEEE....!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oops, I got carried away. But not really. I remember feeling so much disappointment from not being able to look like the 1% of the population that appears in fashion ads. Well, guess what. NOW I CAN FEEL JUST AS SEXY BY USING THE INFORMATION AT HAND. I'm not going to starve myself, but being healthy and having your shit together is so much better than having Skeletor's reflection!
Yes, I have news for you. Being "nerdy" = health, wealth, and happiness.
Most people want to make the world a better place. I do. I hope you do. Reading and following your passions is the best way to do that, as I have learned from personal experience. It's all about doing what you love, and using that to put out good vibes, good actions, and good establishments.
I just felt the need to express my gratitude for rediscovering the joy and BENEFITS of reading, and to encourage everyone to read more. It's good for you, it makes you better at life, and it's fun. When you're two pages into an article about Tube vs. Solid State amplifiers, and you feel like you're unlocking some secret that nobody else knows about, your chances are excellent that you actually ARE unlocking some secret that nobody else knows about. Only 20% of adults read in the U.S. and with subjects aplenty, it's easy to become an expert.
So go get it, go get whatever you want. Become an expert. Find that niche and fill it like your life depends upon it! Your life does depend upon it! Go! Run to the library! Do it now!
Get your nerd on...
Ladies and Gentlemen - I am pleased to announce that I have found a reality show that is worth watching! I know! It's crazy! But check out this show: It's called "30 Days", and features Morgan Spurlock, the creator of "Supersize Me," a documentary in which he ate only fast food for 30 days, recording the physical, mental, and emotional effects of the diet. This new show, "30 Days" is an extension of the idea, where Spurlock conducts various 30 day experiments.
The first episode is called "Minimum Wage", where he and his fiance go to Columbus, Ohio with only $200 and show what it's like for many Americans today trying to scrape by. I related to this one personally after moving 2,000 miles from home to Nashville with no job or apartment waiting for me (although I was lucky enough to have a family friend to stay with until I found an apartment). The show's well put together, very informative, and Spurlock's attitude and commentary are both objective and focused toward a solution to the problem at hand. I think everyone should watch this show. A list of other topics covered in other episodes: Same Sex Parenting, 30 Days In A Wheelchair, Anti-Aging, Binge Drinking, Immigration, Jail, and Atheist/Christian, just to name a few. A bold move, FX network. I'm surprised it's on that channel, even.
They don't skimp on the nitty-gritty reality touch, either, detailing an ant infestation in the couple's cheap apartment, on-the-job shennanigans, ridiculous unavoidable hospital bills from work injuries, and so on. It's clever - educational and all that but still makes you cringe like we love to so much in realityLand.
I urge you - please partake in being a conscientious television viewer and watch at least one episode. You'll learn something, gain some empathy, and it might even inspire you to change your own life in a small way for the better.
P.S. - Did anyone see Conan's first day hosting the Tonight Show? I love the opening sketch...watch it here.
OK that's it from me for today, and it's actually tomorrow. First day on the new job comin' up - wish me luck!
I've also been practicing guitar a lot - learned the diminished 7th scale today - it's pretty awesome.
Hello, world...It's been too long...I am still alive and kicking. I have no excuse for my absence from the blog for the last few months, so let's just move on together, shall we?
Great. Okay, so here I am, in Nashville. I've had a horrible job since I got here and have had my panties up in a bunch trying to find other work. The job has been got and I have been practicing guitar a lot in the meantime since I've been stuck at home pinching pennies! So I've gotten a lot better at guitar and have gained a new sense of focus in practicing. I also joined the YMCA a couple weeks ago, so I expect to be hot and swimsuit ready in three months or less. HELL YEZH! I'm going BIG, not home. I miss Montana so much, but I'm glad I came to Nashville. I want to be heavily gigging in 6 months. That's my goal. So here we go, the next project. I'm thinking about what to write about. I've moved 2,000 miles, had my love muscle broken into a million little pieces, and been at the end of my resources - all in the last few months. I'm ready to empathize with you, my audience. SO what do you want to hear about? I love Marvin Gaye's song, "Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler)" I was turned onto it because John Mayer covered it on "TRY! John Mayer Trio Live" - But you should listen to Marvin's version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDckI2P_DPA It sums up so many of the emotions I've been feeling lately...having trouble saving anything for the future...people going off to war. The man knew what was up. How could I top that? You know it really HAS all been said before, but that's no reason to stop creating and expressing. I know that a great song comes from putting it through your own filter...showing how you see it. So I'm going to try in the coming months to show my filter to everybody. I'll try to be honest in doing so - that's the best policy. So stay tuned and see what happens. I've also got a new song up on myspace called "All The Miles" that I did with Sara Horvath from Missoula. I wrote most of it - she helped in a couple places and we got a friend to do a really great simple recording of it. I'll let you figure out what that one's about. Check it out : www.myspace.com/annamcgary . I promise less sappy tunes will follow - haha. Ok, well, I'll fill you in more later. Nightie Poo - Don't poo in your nightie>>>>>>>>>>
