I Have A Few Questions

I will admit I watched the Oscars last Sunday, largely because in all my girly-girlness, I LOVE the red carpet arrivals.  Who doesn't love beautiful dresses, dapper tuxes and mind blowing bling?  Okay, maybe I should rephrase that ...what female doesn't love beautiful dresses, dapper tuxes and mind boggling bling?

I watched E! News for the arrivals and this year  I actually tuned in for  the ceremony too.  Largely because I had to see how Hugh Jackman handled hosting...one word---awesomeness.  And, I'll just say it... I was also dying to see how "Zanessa" would be incorporated into the show (which I am sad to say was not that successfully; though I am happy to report that for once Zac Efron wore less makeup than his girlfriend).  Finally I had to watch to check out my favorite fictional teenage vampire's presenting skills...Edward, er, I mean Robert did a fine job.

Anywhoo, while camped out in front of my T.V., several questions were raised in my mind over the course of the evening...

1.  Why did Miley Cyrus (in a red carpet interview) when asked about her next movie, say something about it being a really special film and that hopefully this time next year she'd be there to pick up a few awards of her own?  At first I was sure I didn't hear her right.  But thanks to Tivo's rewind function,  I know I did.  Let's give her the benefit of the doubt.  Maybe these awards she was referencing had to do with the Nickelodeon's Kids Choice and not the Academy Awards, but I don't think so... and the Oscar for best art direction goes to "Hanna Montana's Wheels Off Spring Break."

2.  Another red carpet interview piqued my interest to say the least.  Vanessa Hudgeons spoke of her gown, saying that she chose it because she "looks like a young Audrey Hepburn in it."  At first I was speechless, then...OH NO YOU DIDN'T!  A girl NEVER just announces that she looks like Audrey Hepburn.  Someone else can say that about you, but one never, I repeat never makes a self proclamation of that magnitude.  Maybe the whole HSM craze has gone to her head?  Or maybe she's been hanging out with Miley and they braid each other's hair while giving one other permission to have grandiose self-opinions and inflated egos?

3. Lisa Rinna (see above)...ouch and what happened?  A normally very pretty lady has been turned into a plastic blow up doll and that doll floated down the red carpet Sunday nite.  I have two things to say to Lisa and her plastic surgeon/stylist team...first, a "little goes a long way" and two, stick to a mantra I learned in junior high---"just say no."

4.  Did Sean Penn really forget to thank his wife during his acceptance speech?  Could he really not see her several feet in front of him, balling her eyes out in admiration of him???  For me it was a cringe worthy moment, and though I don't really like him, I was (once again) yelling at my T.V. and trying to help him out right up until the cut off music played, "Sean!  Don't forget to mention Robin. You know the one.  She's sitting there in the fourth row right where you were until 2 minutes ago.  She's the one you are married to!"  He never heard me.

5.  finally, who else absolutely loved Kate Winslett's acceptance speech?  She was visibly shaken and seemed genuinely surprised to have won (of course, she did just get recognized as best actress...and feigning surprise is probably basic "Acting 101?").  hmmm?  Anyway, the best part of her speech was when she actually wondered out loud where her parents were sitting within Kodak theater, and her father did the uber-loud whistle thing where you put your fingers in the corners of your mouth and blow.  Anyway, because of said whistle she located her parents and waved in their general direction!  It was adorable and very down to earth, just like Kate (or Katie as I would call her if we were friends, which we could be if she lived closer, because she is so very down to earth).

All in all, it was a good show and yes, I will tune in again next year to check out the dresses and bling and perhaps to even see how many Oscars Miley nabs...

 

In Defense of Lubbock

In my experience, when it comes ot Lubbock, TX there are 4 kinds of people....

#1  the Lifers

they were born and rasied in the Hub and will die in the Hub.  They bleed West Texas and are proud of it.

#2  the Born Agains

they grew up in Lubbock or came here for college and COULD NOT WAIT to see Lubbock in their rear view mirror.  Then inexplicably, years later they end up back in the Hub to raise their family and they become Lifers themselves.

#3  the Transplants

they have moved to Lubbock because of a job opportunity or something of the sort.  They aren't impressed with the terrain, but find themselves drawn in by West Texas hospitality and have been known to adopt the conjunction "yall" in everyday conversation.

#4 the Haters

they grew up in Lubbock, left at the first possible opportunity and have never looked back.  They now speak of Lubbock as if it is the bane of their existence, evil incarnate, the ebola virus...you get the point.

This blog is for the haters.  I have found some anti-Lubbock sentiment lately on Facebook and I feel utterly compelled to defend my fair city.  This is not a soapbox, and I don't intend to stir the pot.  This is but a gentle reminder of what makes Lubbock great.  Dig deep Haters, this may just help you remember some Hub City finer points...er, maybe.

1.  Sure...Lubbock is flat and brown for a lot of the year, but where else can you take in an unobscured sunset that encompasses purple, pink, red, coral and gold all at the same time.  A sunset that can literally bring you to tears and confirm to you if you ever doubted it, that there is a God.

2.  Yes, Lubbock is dry, arid, Sahara-esque at times, but you can't deny what happens once the sun goes down.  It is a phenomenon; something almost magical...Lubbock summer nights are hands down perfect.  You can sit on your porch for hours in a climate that isn't too hot, too cool, too dry or too sticky.  Simply perfection. 

3.   It the biggest small town you'll ever visit.  I run into somebody I know almost daily.  I don't feel anonymous.  It's nice to be known (even when running into an old friend while wearing sweats and zero makeup).  Which brings me to the my next point...

4.  For the most part, Lubbock is not pretentious.  It's mostly just a bunch of regular people  working hard and living the dream, if you will.  This is a good thing, b/c I don't do pretentious.

5.  Texas Tech.  It is a blast to live in a college town.  There is a palpable buzz in the city when Tech is in session and I love it!  It keeps me young and "in tune."  Plus it gives us a sports team to follow and support (can I get a shout out for our huge double T yard flag?).  

6.  The cost of living is insanely low.  I talk to friends who paid the same for a 600 sq. ft. one bedroom flat with a "kitchenette," as we pay for a spacious 3/2/2 with a large backyard.

7.  Lubbock has 2 Targets, Pei Wei, a Gap, too many Sonics to count, Ulta, Forever 21 and several Starbucks.  I'm pretty much set.  And because we have an Academy, Best Buy, Heroes and Legacies and Chuck-e-Cheese my husband and kids are set too.

8.  No offense Dallas...but there is something about the pace of the metroplex and big cities in general that makes me feel like I should be going and blowing (and spending).  There is a slower pace in the air of Lubbock which helps me to simplify.  To paint a picture...to Mindy a big city=amphetamine;  Lubbock=sedative  (and that's how I like it).

and finally to the most important thing...something 35 years of being a Lubbockite has proven to me over and over again...  Something I don't think anyone can really contest, even those who see Lubbock as their mortal enemy...

9.  You'll never meet better people.  Lubbockites are kind and generous.  They are "willing to stop and help you if you have a flat" kind of people.  They'll make eye contact with you when you pass by and most often smile at you just because.  

So, there's the highlights.  To me there is more to this city than tumbleweeds, windmills and flatness.  There's a whole lot more actually.  

and remember, Mac Davis thought happiness was Lubbock, Texas in his rear view mirror; by the end of the song he changed his mind...

 

 

My Worst Enemy

I am going to make an admission I am not proud of.  Here it is...I have been known to parent on autopilot.  There are some days I might as well be Rosie the robot from the Jetsons.  Heck, I've been known to turn on the autopilot as a wife, friend and employee too, if I'm being honest.  

Let me say autopilot is not all bad.  There are some days it simply must be used, and let's face it.  Autopilot is better than no pilot.  But when autopilot becomes a default mode, I know I am not living the way I was made to live.

I have found that when I get the hang of something, (ie. I have been parenting for 7 years, married for 10, pursuing friends for well over 30) I can easily and insidiously slip into autopilot...AKA complacency, AKA doing things they way they've always been done, AKA no effort...you get the point.  Autopilot can turn my husband into a roommate, my good friends into acquaintances, my children into a to-do list and my ministry into an irrelevant drudergy.  

Simply put: When I live in that mode, verses being deliberate and intentional, I am choosing to pursue "okay or good," and not "excellence or greatness."  And I believe that as a child of God I was made for excellence and greatness.

So today I am declaring autopilot to be one of my worst enemies.  

One of my favorite Christian thinkers, Mark Batterson (pastor of National Community Church in D.C.... for a quick but super inspiring thought each day subscribe to his blog: www. evotional.com ) talks about the concept of viewing old things in new ways.  Speaking of old things in new ways.  Of doing old things in new ways.  This is how they approach ministry in their church and how they stay relevant in a fast changing world.  But I think the concept can apply to life in general.  

My new goal is to be deliberate and intentional (aren't those the antidotes of complacency?).  And to look at my role as parent, wife, friend, nurse, Christ follower with new eyes.  To approach an everyday or  "old" thing in a fresh new way.

I'll let you know how it goes...