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Posts tagged ‘Friends’

the Infinite Monkey speaks: on being human

Random brilliance from across the blogosphere…

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It doesn’t matter how much people hurt you, how much pain they inflict, how many scars they leave, how many hearts they break. You could hate almost everyone, you could despise a few, they could deserve it, they probably do. But beyond all that, a simple gesture can remind us that human connection remains the most important thing to our existence. No matter how comfortable we are with ourselves, how happy we may be alone, we all crave someone to share that connection with. We all live for each other whether we like it or not. We are only human. 

 –  Violet

from:

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3rd Annual Zombie Walk

This past Saturday was the Zombie Walk! I went for the first time last year with my friend Toni and we had a great time. This year Toni’s husband and son joined us too. It seemed even more crowded with zombies than last year, and I’m hoping it brought in a lot of food donations for our area food banks.

The Mean Mommy Club of Fredericksburg originated the Zombie Walk here, and I chatted with a couple of the Mean Mommies beforehand about how they got started and why they decided to do this kind of charity event in the first place. Here’s the interview, if you’d like to take a listen (it’s about 16 minutes):

Here are some pictures:

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It was a lot of fun, and I even got to be a costume contest judge this year, so that was cool too. And I only ran away from one person this year, so that’s a step up. But in my defense, she was really, really creepy.

Items of Interest
I didn’t even cry at the Zombie Walk (the post about last year’s walk)
Fredericksburg Zombie Walk (Facebook page)
The Mean Mommy Club of Fredericksburg

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Week In Review – StoryMen Surprises

Saturday
I woke up from zombie dreams in the middle of the night. Again.
Super vivid, but not gross, dreams (again).
Lots  of action in this one, you guys.
What is up with the zombie dreams all the time?
How many zombie dreams do I have in the course of a week
that I just don’t remember?
I don’t like all those zombies being in there like that,
and me not knowing it unless I wake up. It’s creepy.

Sunday
Today I got a call from my beloved StoryMen,
who were getting opinions for a new project.
It was a surprise and a delight, but also kinda weird,
like getting a call from Sandra Bullock or someone like that.
You know she’s nice and really just a regular person and all…
but she’s Sandra Bullock!
The StoryMen called me, y’all!
For my opinion!
Actually, I thought they had better sense than that.

Monday
Why do you hate me, GPS?
Why?

Tuesday
Today I told someone,
“I keep feeling like my armpits stink right now,
but I smelled them and they don’t.”
TMI?

Wednesday
I totally went to The Golden Corral with my mom today
and ate whatever I wanted,
instead of going to the gym like I’d planned.
And I have no regrets whatsoever.

Thursday
So today I went to see the movie Gravity.
It was stunning.
A work of visual, audial and emotional art.
Very moving and spiritual.

Friday
I saw Gravity again today, but on a bigger screen.
No less amazing the second time.
AND, I listened to the latest StoryMen podcast,
and I got another Storymen surprise when JR
gave my podcast a mention. Sweet!!
If you don’t know who they are yet, that would
also be surprising because I talk about them enough!

Happy Anniversary, StoryMen! (give them a listen!)

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Podcast Update

You guys, I just recorded my 18th interview! I’m officially in my sixth month of podcasting, and it’s been beyond awesome to have this opportunity to talk to people about who they are, what they do for a living, or to dig into their areas of interest and expertise.

One of my favorite parts is the first thing I ask everyone to do, which is to introduce themselves and tell everyone a little bit about themselves. It’s so interesting to see where people go with it, what they talk about and how much or how little they say. People are endlessly fascinating, and I love getting a little peek into what a person is like by the way they introduce themselves.

A lot of my energies have been focused on the show, but I’m starting to get a handle on it and I’m looking forward to having more time to write. I do miss writing and sharing here.

If you’ve listened to any of the shows, thank you very, very much! If you want to listen, you can subscribe on iTunes or on Stitcher (to listen on android phones). Or visit the People I Almost Know website.

Here are the shows I’ve done since my first month update:

Do You Believe In Destiny: a chat with my Dad
This is a snippet of one of those conversations I had with my dad when I asked him the Query, “Do you believe in destiny?”

Mark Bradley, Completely Un-Legitimate Motorcycle Dude
You know Mark from his comments on this blog! We talk about his blog, being bipolar and writing in multiple personalities.

Amy Severson: on World War Z and real zombie movies
We talk about the movie in relation to the book, what we loved and what we wanted more of. Amy also schools me on what makes a real zombie movie.

Recovering People Pleaser, Rob Shepherd
We talk about the delicate balancing act between being a husband, father and a pastor. And what it means to be a recovering people pleaser.

Coming Full Circle with Larry Carter
We talk about his blogging missteps, searching for the right church and letting God shape his dreams, how we sometimes head out on a search for self or faith or purpose, only to come back around to the place we started from. And how, at forty-five, Larry is just now learning who he is.

Vicki Manuel: on making healthier food choices
We talk about the importance of reading labels and moving away from artificial ingredients, how some “diet” foods may actually be working against you and where you can start if you’re ready to make changes in your own food choices.

Clay Morgan, His Writing Process and the Art of Field Research
Clay talks about the challenges of writing book number 2, fully experiencing the adventure of field research (while still taking notes), and how he turns it all into a book worth reading.

Wonder Woman Jan Moyer
Jan talks to me about blogging, motherhood, living in Canada and the amazing world of the kindergarten classroom.

Matt Mikalatos: Missionary, Teacher, Servant
We talk about his foreign travels, how he gets paid to go to the beach on spring break, and the importance of being of service to other people.
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Last week’s guest was Jamie Golden, and we talked about her job as Marketing Director for a foster care and adoption non-profit. So of course we talked about the kids, their struggles, and the foster care and adoption process. That’s Jamie over there on the sidebar.

This week’s guest is Kim Cox, a friend of mine from high school. We talked about her job as a professional organizer, and the psychology behind why we hold on to things we don’t need. If you’re interested in that, you can find it over on the podcast website.
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Thanks, you guys, for supporting me all the time in the things that I do out here on the interwebs! I wouldn’t have started a podcast if my experience with all of you hadn’t been so overwhelmingly positive and fulfilling. That is the absolute truth!

PS: I would love to talk to any of you on the podcast!! If you’re willing to chat with me, let me know!

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Items of Interest:
Prelude to a Podcast
My First Month of Podcasting!
Podcast About Page