Thinking over a glass of wine

Funny how it seems to rain on Fridays. Its usually a celebratory day, but the weather seems to be telling me to put on something comfortable and hit the couch. This week has been good. I decided that Bruce Lee is extremely under appreciated in our current society. Just watch Enter the Dragon. This 1970's flick was exciting, philosophical, and had some of the best sound effects I think I've ever heard. Not to mention, Bruce Lee kicks some serious ass and never seems to run out of strength or valour. But enough about Bruce, he really is completely unrelated to Athens.


A club called the Library has Spicy Salsa every Wednesday. It's extremely fun, but seems hard to get out of there without someone hitting on you. Every girl loves to feel light on her feet and hot, but Latin dancing is already such a "spicy" thing. A close hold, a fast song, and two sweaty bodies are the makings of a potentially nebulous situation. I can't help but wonder if it is not "more" than a dance to one fellow more than another. I'm of the belief that the Cindy Lauper song holds a lot of truth, and girls just want to have fun.

The moral of this week's story is this: If a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, then why do we love the chase? Many of us run around in such an objectless manner; whatever it is you are trying to catch. For some of us its love, companionship, attention, a feeling of significance, power, grace. For me this could be a lot of things. I chase after knowledge, a sense of confidence, an occasional flirtatious look from a stranger, a clearer understanding about the mercy the Lord is constantly giving, or even a good long conversation about paradox or mysticism. But I think one could turn this around; look at it from another perspective. Its funny, I was listening to a Sara Bareilles song called Love on the Rocks where she was talking about love and relationship gone sour. She says "you love the chase but hate me for the run around". I dig that. Maybe I kind of like being a bird in the bush. Maybe I'm not ready to give in and be caught yet. Maybe it has something to do with not knowing what I want. Maybe its the wine speaking.....maybe.

Rainy Friday

This week has been...eventful. Some things good, some things bad. Before I go into any detail it is important to mention a very important lesson I've learned over the span of the past few days. No matter what you are about to step into in life, try not to hold on too tightly to expectations of what you think today will be like. I spend a lot of time pondering the future and the ramifications of my decisions, but the truth is God is holding my future. Some things come about as surprises and others as disappointments. This in it self is ok, because its "life".

Latest news or crazes that I've found include an aerial silks and trapeze studio. I am officially taking aerial silks lessons once a week. Maybe one day I'll run away and join the circus and put these odd talents of mine to good use. Also, while playing around online I found a new fabulously dangerous version of childhood favorite toy the Skip-it. A company called bearclaw fire arts is selling an item called the burn-it. That is correct- a ball and chain you can light on fire! I could hardly contain my curiosity and excitement. For a second I even considered ordering this amazing piece of merchandise until I had a vision of myself "burn-it-ing" along and getting it wrapped around my ankles, falling, and it's once so fun flames turning into sudden disaster. Which reminds me.....

Right now my thoughts are heavy on food... Athens may not have much to offer when it comes to quality adult nightlife, but there is certainly no shortage of places to get a tasty meal. However, money and time are of the essence when you are a Graduate Student. Its an unfortunate state or perpetual poorness that you know will continue to get worse and worse with each take out order you make, but dammit sometimes you just gotta have Chinese! Sigh... haha I'm trying to think of Chinese like food I can make with the scant and random miscellany of items I have in my pantry and freezer. Most nights when this happens I will pace between the computer and the fridge and ultimately just hop in the car and go get it. After all, who feels like cooking wanna be Chinese food on a Friday night!

Not a Pity Party

Well, I figured this would be a good way to put my thoughts in writing. I figure not many people will continue to read it any ways, so why not write, right? The significance or meaning of the title is simple. I moved to Athens, GA on August 10. I've been a little down since I've been here (blue); missing friends and family and city life. I traded all of that in for two years of graduate school at UGA (hence the red and black). Adjusting has been coming slowly, especially being surrounded by folks who are not quite like me. For some reason people are more interested in the latest trail they've hiked and not how hard the find the difference in People Magazine was or how great Charlize's shoes were at the last red carpet event. For anyone who knows me...I'm not out-doorsy.

So here it is, the gist, the point, the meat and potatoes: I'll document my "adventures in Athens" and make sure you are aware of any strange customs or findings I might come across. For example, did you know that Hoschton, Ga has the world record for scarecrows. Yep, they have them working on cars, climbing telephone poles, even the Georgia football team is positioned on a field as if awaiting kickoff (which they frequently update based on how the teams are doing). Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSPNMCvh18M Creepy or Cool? I'll let you be the judge. I'm on the fence.

Who knows I may leave here in two years with sentimental feelings and actually become one of "those" people who like to hike (highly unlikely). Or I may have my bags packed 3 months in advance, just waiting to hop in my car and get back to civilization (too harsh? sorry). Yep. So I hope you get a kick out of it. Let me know what you think.

PS: For those of you who are thinking "WTF Bethany, you're not the blogging kind...." I can only reply that boredom will make you do strange strange things. And somehow in my head this is WAY better than doing homework on a Friday night. haha...