I'm so over the Indigo Girls

I love Donald MIller. I want him to live next door to us, and come over for dinner and make us laugh. He is very much a kindred spirit to me. Well, maybe he's not really. I've never met him in real life. I just love what he writes, and think he's funny. Well, I was reading his blog today, and thought this was awesome.....

"It seems like the trend is to get really into a band, not because they are talented, but because they are new. And then once everybody likes them, to not like them anymore. I like this trend because associating yourself with something new and cool makes you seem new and cool. But the trick is to stay ahead of the newness and coolness."

First I laughed...then I thought..."uh oh". I was listening to the radio today and the Indigo Girls came on. I love the Indigo Girls, but I thought..."I wonder if the Indigo Girls are cool now." I even thought that maybe they are "old cool", like rediscovered cool, and I am bringing back up that I like them, and that seemed unique and cool.

Gag me.... Seriously did I think that? Who cares if they're cool...old cool, new cool, whatever.... All that matters is that I like them. And you'd think that by the time you are probably a 1/3 of the way thorough your life, you'd realize that "you like what you like" and who cares. But, oops...maybe if I"m honest, I still care....and this bothers me - A LOT.

Back to Donald Miller one more time. Like I said before, I'm reading his book "A million miles in a thousand years" about living a good story. Basically, our lives can be full of adventure, transformation, and importance. Do we want to live out the story God has created for us to live? To be that Hero/Heroine? Or do we just sit on our booties and watch reality tv?

Here's a quote from the book..."The ambitions we have will become the stories we live. If you want to know what a person's story is about, just ask them what they want. If we don't want anything we are living boring stories. If we want a Roomba vacuum cleaner, we are living stupid stories. If it won't work in a story, it won't work in life."

This got me thinking - what do I want? Honestly. Deep in my soul. Above pop culture. Above what is cool. Above my insecurities. What do I want to be known for? And, you know what - I know. I've always known. I want to be known for loving others. I think that is the story God has given me to live out. He wants me to be the one that loves. I'm realizing this "want" needs to play a more central part in my story. If the story of my life is titled "I"m so over the Indigo Girls" - well, that would pretty much be the worst story of all time. Nice perspective Mr. Miller....Thanks for the boost into the life I've been made to live.

Now, I ask you - what is it that you want?

Larry David's Dream Come True

I have a confession to make - I'm afraid of going to the deli at our local grocery store. And, I am not joking. The butcher/man behind the counter/whatever he is called is about the meanest person I've ever met. This guy is Larry David's dream come true and my greatest nightmare!

Well, here's an "unofficial" script of our dialogue.

My first trip to the deli at this unnamed store went as such.....
Me: "I'd like about 2 pounds of Turkey. Shaved, please."
Mr. Nightmare: "How do you want it?"
Me: "Huh?"
Mr. Nightmare: "Where should I set my blade?"
Me: "Oh. Um, I'd like it shaved....like for sandwiches."
Mr. Nightmare: "SHAVED! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW HARD IT IS TO SHAVE TURKEY." (In a loud voice, all the while shaving my turkey and not ever breaking a sweat.)
Me: "Oh, uh, sorry. I'll try to remember that."

My second trip to the deli....
Me: "Hi. Um, I'd like some turkey, and you don't have to do it shaved, just whatever will work for a sandwich! (Big smiles from me, hoping for happiness.)
Mr. Nightmare: (Glares at me, no conversation).
Me: "Ok, Mr. Nigh...Ok, um, have a nice day."

My third trip to the deli....
Me: "Hi. Can I have about 6 ounces of ham (I know it wasn't much, but it's what my recipe called for, and um, we're on a budget!)
Mr. Nightmare: "Ounces! WHAT! My machine don't do ounces!"
Me: "Um, then how about a half a pound."
Mr. Nightmare: "Well, that's not six ounces."
Me: "Well, I think that will work." (Dude, 2 ounces off...I think it's ok).
Mr. NIghtmare: "Well, wouldn't you know you'd pick the biggest block of meat we've got. Ugh...It's so HEAVY! (Glares at me, while again, not breaking a sweat).
Me: "Sorry. Didn't realize ham was so heavy."
Mr. Nightmare: (Slaps my ham down on the counter) "Here. Here's EXACTLY 6 ounces."
Me: Thank you. (How did he know what exactly 6 ounces was? Didn't we already establish that!)

Well, there you have it folks. Seinfeld would be proud. Larry David delighted. Me, well, I'm out of deli meat. Oh geeze...here we go again!

Beginnings....

How cool are Sepia Tone pictures? I love them. They seem to capture a moment and make it a memory. A cool memory. A romantic memory. They kind of seem like an Idie film with great music. They just stick with you. That's my new philosophy on life - live it in Sepia tone. I've been reading this awesome book by a guy named Donald Miller about living your life in such a way that it is a good story. Not just an average one, but an adventure full of excitement, tears, joy, and love. That's why I decided to title this new blog of mine "Adventures in Sepia Tone."

Like I said in this blog's description I am a big fan of privacy and this is my first public blog, so I'll be using nicknames. Me - well I'll be Lady Laughing Eyes. My husband will be Mr. Adventure Man And our son will be Captain Crazy Pants. There you have it. Or, there you don't have it, and are feeling totally confused. You're not alone, I'm feeling a little confused myself.

Well, here's a little about me - Lady Laughing Eyes. I'm the kind of person that always has a good story. I don't know if it's just that a lot of weird things happen to me - or if I'm just a story teller, so I look for things to happen to me. Maybe a little bit of both. Regardless, I'm excited to share these stories, work on my writing skills, and have some adventures in sepia tone with you. That's all for now. Captain Crazy Pants is lost under a large pile of laundry.