I like to say that I don't do fear.
That's not entirely true.
Who said that courage isn't not being scared, that courage is, in fact, being scared and going on, anyway?
I love that idea. I think that if I were to let fear stop me, I'd never get anything done... something can always go wrong.
I'm grateful for the people who have taught me that fear is what you make of it.
Love and gratitude!
To fearlessness (sorta)!

Hey-O! Looks who's on time!
Mushy warning!
I love my girlfriend.
I love that opposites attract.
I also love that we are not so opposite.
I'm grateful for her and all she is.
Who's lucky? This girl!
Love and Gratitude, yo.
And I promise, no more mushiness... for a while, anyway.
xoxo

Albeit my blanket-hogging tendencies which left my girlfriend quite cold, our camping trip was a success! Yes, we were a bit chilly, but we both had an awesome time! We frolicked by the river, climbed the rocks and grilled veggie burgers over the fire! And we got to make some of my infamous beer noodle soup (...Maybe if you're lucky I'll tell you had to make it someday)!
My favorite part of camping, though, is how one smells post-camping. I refer to this delicious scent as Eau de'Camp Fire. I love it!  ...Honestly wish I could bottle it up and always have that just-returned-from-tentin' smell!
Grateful for the adventures, the time with my gf, and the awesome smells!
Loved camping and all that ensued!

I love summer weather, and being able to spend time outdoors! Tonight my girlfriend and I have intentions of camping for the first time this year! I am grateful for the weather and love being outside!

Yesterday I didn't post because I was being productive! I love being productive, and feeling like I have actually accomplished something! I am grateful for everything that is going on!

Love, love, love! And gratitude!

Yesterday the internet went out here because a garage down the street burned down. I'm grateful that no one was hurt in the fire. Sending love to the people whose garage it was.

Today I am grateful for friends who care, and the common sense they have. I am sometimes not so good with common sense. I am typing this with an elevated leg, using a go-gurt as an ice pack, taking care of a bruised and swollen knee. Love to my friends (and especially my girlfriend) for taking care of me!

Love and Gratitude to all!

I love crafting. I did a redux on a shirt for the bout I am playing in tomorrow.
I am grateful for crafty time!

Most places charge extra for a double helping, but I'm giving it to you today for FREE!
Just read an article on how not to write a sales page... Alex Franzen is genius and her blog unicornsforsocialism.com is one of my faves! She's so funny (and usually right about everything). Love and Gratitude to Alex for brightening up my days with her humor and Bojangle Nutballz awesomeness (you have to read her blog to catch the reference)!
Yesterday I had an awesome practice. When blockers line up in derby, we do so on what is called a pivot line. My team is all about dancing on the pivot line before the jam starts... and I love it! Derby is fun, and my team most certainly puts the fun in Rolfunler Derby (it's a real word, I swear)!
Hope this beautiful day treats you well!
Wishin' I could be outside, but I have homework to finish up today, even though finals ended five days ago... sometimes things in life take a little longer than expected, and that is okay!
Love and gratitude to all!

Ha! Two days in a row, ya'll!
That's a record for recent times!
Today I'm grateful for AWESOME PEOPLE.
The description AWESOME is pretty elusive, and without any real definition.
But I don't ask questions on this subject. I just  know.
When someone I meet is AWESOME there's a magic button that goes off in my brain and the hallelujah chorus starts sounding while glitter cannons go off.

Okay, awesome people aren't actually that rare, but it certainly feels that way sometimes.

Anyway, I've met lots of AWESOME people recently: at the new job, getting groceries, in Canada...
And I've gotten to hang out with some of the AWESOME PEOPLE already in my life (yes!).
I love AWESOME PEOPLE.

To all those who are AWESOME, myself included!

Reflections on Roller Derby, Gratitude, and Love.

Two days shy of a month... My semester ended last Friday, and now, on Monday morning, I am at my favorite person's house, in my p.j.s, sippin' coffee.

This has been quite the month: many new accomplishments and many new ideas.

I'm pleased to say that while I have not been posting, I have kept the practice of loving and being grateful every day. I think this attitude has changed how I see... the world? That sounds far too woo-woo. What I mean to say is that I have started interrupting negative thoughts to concentrate on what is important. I have been asking myself "Do I really want to spend this energy being pissed off?" And sometimes the answer is yes, but what I have noticed, more often than not, is that I have much better thoughts in my head.

Being an athlete (what?!), I have come to realize how invaluable this kind of attitude is. Keeping my cool and loving the sport, and the people I'm sharing it with, is really my best asset right now as a player. My team is great, and this is something we are all working on, and I love it!

I also love thinking of myself as an athlete. When I was younger, my dad coached basketball, so I of course had to play. I was bad; I got the ball stolen from me by girls on my own team. I remember when I called my dad to tell him that I had finally joined a sport, he was surprised. And even more surprised when I said that I play roller derby. May marks my eighth month with the team, and I am learning every day.

I'm thrilled with how much I have grown. I have played in my first two bouts in the last month--I couldn't stand on skates when I started. The journey is where the joy is, and I am loving all of it!

With all of that in mind, I give you 28 days of lovin' and gratitude fresh off the griddle!

1. I love waking up with enough time to not be in a rush.

2. I love breakfast.

3. I love my team. They all inspire me to be a better person and skater--so much gratitude to all of them!

4. I love dancing.

5. I love pushing myself.

6. I love sharing poetry with others.

7. I love making people laugh.

8. I love laughing.

9. I love making new friends!

10. I love living with love and gratitude every day.

11. I still love the idea of learning to surf.

12. I love making lists (no, really?).

13. I love writing.

14. I love giving myself space... My mom always says "Don't beat yourself up--that's everybody else's job." I love that. No matter what, somebody is going to not like what I am doing, so I might as well support me.

15. I love tattoos.

16. I love people coming together across boundaries.

17. I love loving people.

18. I am grateful for the amazing people in my life right now. So much love.

19. I love thinking of my five best friends (or my five gems, as I like to call them!) as a constellation.

20. I love people getting involved in their communities.

21. I love that I am still drawing.

22. I love random adventures.

23. I love being responsible.

24. I am grateful for all the support I have been getting from the people in my world recently! Love to you all!

25. I love glitter--I think there needs to be more of it in my world!

26. I love me. Boom!

27. I am grateful for my new job!

28. I love learning.

Love and Gratitude, ya'll!

To 2011!