Off Facebook

Back in January I said I was going to Facebook less and blog more. I'm not sure the blogging more has actually happened (I seem to rarely blog about anything other than movies I've seen), but I am Facebooking less. Like a lot less - I deactivated my account in March.

Honestly, I didn't think I would be off this long.

And honestly, I don't really miss it all that much. Sure I miss the invites to events, the cute photos of friends' and family's babies/pets. I miss feeling connected to a large group of people.

But I don't miss the time it took up in my life. I don't miss the angst and frustration and anger I got from it. I don't miss the war of words.

I still have Instagram, so I still see pictures. Just a much smaller crowd and less angry commenting. I check out Twitter to get my fix for in-the-moment commentary on pop culture.

I listen to the news in the morning and the evening. Then I turn it off and live life instead of constantly reading opinion pieces, rebuttal pieces, and everyone's thoughts on current issues. Don't get me wrong, a part of me really likes those discussions and, generally, the part I played in bringing issues I care about to people who might not hear a differing opinion. But for sanity and well-being, it wasn't worth it.

I will try blog about more than just movies!

A Note About the Blog

I started my blog in 2008 while I was living in NYC. This was well before smartphones made Facebook ubiquitous and put a camera in everyone's pocket. My parents and many of my family members and friends weren't on Facebook anyway. So the blog was a great way to let them know what I was doing in New York. I always had my point-and-shoot camera with me, and I'd take photos and compose blog posts in my head while I rode the subway.

The first time I got political on the blog was 2008 and the election. I posted about voting in the historic election while living in NYC, and tried to capture my thoughts on the day after America elected Obama. However, my truly first political post came about a week later. I had discovered that some of my friends had to defend their vote that year to their families, so I wanted to note how I was glad that wasn't a problem for me. In that same post, I chose to comment on the highly contentious Prop 8 issue.

I didn't really get political again until 2012, another election year.

A lot has happened in four years. I am a different person. America feels like a different place. This blog will start having a few more political posts (not that anyone is really reading it anymore anyway). It just feels like such an important time right now. I don't really think my thoughts are going to change anyone's opinion, but I feel like it will be good for me personally to put those thoughts down.

A friend on Facebook today was complaining that it had become a place for political posts. She wondered why people couldn't just post photos of their kids or animals or whatever. I agree that Facebook has become political, and it does create a lot of division. But Facebook isn't going anywhere, and nowhere is it said that Facebook has to be used for purely nice, friendly, non-confrontational posts. It is a social network, and people can post whatever they want; if you're tired of it, either get off Facebook and interact with your friends in real life, or block everyone. People have always been political, and America has always been divided over issues, and Facebook exacerbates that.

So I am going to blog more and Facebook less. My life feels less exciting than when I was living in New York or going through grad school. I will try to keep this interesting and not entirely political. Stick it out with me.

Nine Years Post the City

Once again the calendar says September 1, which is the day I arrived in New York City nine years ago. Because I am sentimental and extremely nostalgic, I always note this day and think about the adventure that was arriving in New York City. I started my blog in New York, and I've surprisingly kept it up pretty well since then. Check out the previous years' posts on New York Anniversary Day if you're super interested in the emotional state of past Julies.

2009 - Two years after arriving and my first back in SLC
2011 - Four years after leaving, my first year of grad school
2012 - Five years, and my last semester of grad school
2013 - Six years later and living in Topeka
2015 - Eight years after leaving and living in Denton

That's Not My Job (It's My Hobby)

Sometimes I wish that my life was just watching movies and talking about them. This usually happens after I've had a weekend of seeing awesome movies, such as the recent MLK weekend when I saw Brooklyn and Room. Last week I had a conversation with a co-worker just about movies and the Oscars and the attached controversy to this year's telecast. This week is the Sundance Film Festival and I wish I was in SLC just watching movies all week long.

Then I realized that the last five of seven blog posts was about movies. So, yeah, a lot of my life is movies. It's just not my job. I'm pretty happy that I have a lot of free time outside my 8-5 job to see movies.

A Box of Memories

I've been at my new job for almost six months now. Today I realized it was high time I decorated it. Like put pictures on the walls and all that. I have some pictures already sitting on top of the credenza (is that what it's called?), and I have a large map of the bike network staring down at me. But my bookshelf is mocking me with five measly books on it.

So tonight I pulled out some boxes from under my bed (because I was looking for knick-knacks that I used to buy a lot...so they could clutter up my office instead of my home). I boxed up everything I own six months ago; most of it was unpacked. But these boxes have just been sitting under my bed, so clearly they weren't all that important. I opened one and was surprised that it was filled with photos.

Everyone takes photos now, because we all have smartphones with cameras. But that wasn't always the case. I was the random person who took their camera to everything and snapped photos. Then I got a digital camera, and instead of printing out rolls I'd download the photos to my computer. Cameras and photos have always been important to me, so I literally have boxes of photos in those envelopes you'd get when you developed your film.

I also came across a box that was used to deliver my undergraduate Graduation Announcements. Yes, it contained some announcements and envolopes and address stickers. I graduated with my Bachelors in 2007. The box also contained cards sent to me from people I love, mostly from the time frame when I lived in NYC. It was a nice little stroll down memory lane. I literally keep every card that is sent to me. I need to figure out what to do with them....

I also found an old Peter Brienholt cd. I am listening to it right now, and I feel like it is 2008. I am even sitting on my bed while I type this, just like I used to do when I lived in NYC and in Sugarhouse. I'm a sentimental fool.

I used to blog a lot. It was a good way to get my thoughts out into the universe, and to keep family and friends up to date on what was going on in my life. With the increase of social media to stay in touch, blogs have kind of gone by the wayside. I miss blogging, though. For me it has been a good way to sort out my thoughts, instead of just posting a photo on Instagram. I feel like my writing skills have severely been affected by blogging less.

No one likely reads this anymore (except for my awesome cousin Phaedra, because she also still blogs), but I'm going to keep posting!

My Project in June

Hey! So I'm doing this in June. It's off to a great start--the first one had to reschedule due to work changing. But hey, there's still 27 days in the month.

Back in the Groove

I may have been in funk the past few weeks. Lots of reasons for this, none all that interesting to delve into. Suffice it to say I let more than a few things go by the wayside as I embraced the funk. I started coming out of it last week, but really kicked it to the curb today. I think it all started with me making the choice to walk to work. It really is a fabulous feeling. Tonight I decided to take my first jog/run of the year. The weather was  nice and I felt great as I was running around downtown. When I got home I did all the things I've been putting off--folding and putting away my laundry, doing the dishes, straightening my living room, cleaning off my counter of the clutter that overtakes it, cleaning out my fridge and taking out the trash. I felt like I do on Saturday mornings--productive and useful.

Funks are a natural part of life (at least of mine). I don't generally mind them, but I also love being back in the groove.

One Year in Kansas

I've been in Topeka, Kansas for an entire year. This still seems slightly strange to me. I've said it before and I'll say it again--never, in a million years, did I think I'd be living in Topeka, Kansas. But I'm here, and I've made the most of it.

The year has seen a lot of things happen. Slowly but surely I get more comfortable in my job. I know the Bikeways Master Plan and can actually talk with people about it. I presented at Board Meetings and a conference and held public meetings. I was interviewed for the newspaper and the news channel (making the front page of the paper on my bike). I discovered there was a lot I didn't learn in school. I went to Portland for a bicycle design workshop.

I got a cat and she is awesome. Fat and awesome.

I went to Royals games and a BYU basketball game. I went to a Matchbox Twenty concert. I went to Lawrence (a lot) to hang with friends. I ate out and went to movies and met new people. I bought a new car when mine got totaled while it was parked in front of my building. I did two 5ks with my friend Amber. I hosted my ward's Halloween and Christmas parties. I had my own Book Club get together at my place. I dated.

I even found time to travel to Salt Lake and to Denver and to Vegas. I walked in graduation.

It's been a pretty great year, full of ups and downs and awesome moments and learning moments. And I know I'm right where I need to be. For now.

I Belong in North Dakota

At least according to BuzzFeed and its "What State Do You Actually Belong In?" quiz. Here is my result:

 I actually think this is a pretty accurate reflection of me (however I don't see why North Dakota is the state that represents this). I've been told I come off cold and uninterested when people first meet me, and that I'm hard to read. But I really do love and care deeply.

BuzzFeed has all sorts of quizzes. Spend a an hour or so getting lost in them.

Six Months in Kansas

Today marks six months since I arrived in Kansas. Here's what I've done by the numbers.
Cars owned: 2
Cats I've brought home: 1
Dates: can count on more than one hand, but less than two
Trips to Salt Lake: 2
Royals games attended: 3
Trips to KC for fun: 3
Trips to KC for work: 4
Talks given in church: 1
Trips to Wichita: 2 (both for work)
Bike rides: 4
Trips to Chipotle: 7
Left my keys inside my loft: 3 (was 2 until this evening)
Asked if I was a Mormon: 3
Actually asked if I was conservative (as opposed to assuming, and being surprised at the answer): 1
People I've met who know people I know: 3
Spiders seen: 1 (and it was itty bitty)

Not a bad six months.

My (Creative) Job

There are parts of my job I like doing, some I really like doing, and other things that I do because I have to but  don't really like. Surprisingly, I have found that I really like doing things where I'm creating something in ArcMap or even just plain old Publisher. It's not overly creative, and nowhere near on par with what real creative people do, but it's this portion of projects that I like the most.

I've been creating maps for the placement of new bus shelters. I've created a map for bike count locations. I created supporting documents with site photos and descriptions for bus shelters. I sometimes get carried away with the visual stuff that I forget (or put off, rather) doing the things like returning phone calls, responding to emails, transcribing minutes or creating agendas. Sadly, though, these things need to get done, too. I do them, but I'm much less excited about them.

Whenever I do any of those personality tests or horoscope readings or have someone read my aura, they all say that I'm a "creative person". I've always thought this was totally wrong, because I have never thought of myself as creative. But if everything was saying it, then it must be sorta true, right? I'm not creative like some of my friends who use their macs and every photoshop tool in the Adobe suite to create awesome presentations. I'm not like friends and family who are handy with fabric and yarn and buttons (although I do now have a sewing machine....). I don't naturally yearn to just make all the stuff on my Pinterest Craft board. But I have my own kind of creativity, and thankfully it serves me well in my job.

A City Girl

I am, without a doubt, a big city girl. Yesterday I was in Kansas City and just being downtown in a thriving city lifted my spirits and made me feel happy. I loved the hustle and bustle, the people walking and the bikers biking. I loved the sounds and the lights and the big buildings. I felt comfortable. It's only an hour away, and I foresee many trips to KC. 

Gumption

I am new at my job. Besides working at Bountiful (which is much smaller and therefore much different than Topeka), this is my first experience working for a city and all that it entails. Needless to say I have a lot of questions when I'm at work--mostly regarding who to contact, when to ask for things, how the process works.

My bosses were teasing me about this on Friday night as a bunch of us from the office were out at the Blind Tiger. I'm okay with this, because one, when your co-workers tease you you know they like you, and two, I have to ask questions to learn. My boss said, regarding all the questions I've been asking, that I had real gumption and he liked it because it meant he didn't always have to be checking in and making sure I was working.

Being told I have gumption is probably the best compliment I've ever been given. I always think of Kate Winslet in "The Holiday" when anyone uses the word gumption.

A Sad End

Saturday morning Biscuit jumped off the bed and it woke me up (to jump off she likes to crawl over me instead of just going where it's open). I then had to go to the bathroom, and as I walked back to my room I saw some lights through the blinds. I peeked through and looked down on the street below. There, in the dark and rain, I saw two cop cars and my car smushed against a truck, outside the parking lines, with a red car pushed against it on the other side. Not having my contacts in I sort of just stared for a bit and wondered if it was true.

It was true. It was raining early in the morning and the person driving didn't have working windshield wipers. He slammed into my car, which caused my car to slam into the truck parked next to mine. I think the truck caused the most damage.

When the cops were saying that the car was probably totaled, I nearly broke down in tears right there on the street. I didn't, and was composed enough to call my insurance company. I surprisingly didn't cry, either, when I called my mom to tell her the news. I actually didn't cry at all, I think because I knew there was no way it was going to change anything. I could sit and lament that fact that my car could've been parked in a different place if I had not spent the night before watching Mad Men and had ran my errands instead and then wouldn't be in this mess. I'm one of those people, though, who thinks that everything happens for a reason.

Afton and I have been through a lot over the years, from a new timing belt to a flat tire to being stolen to running out of gas  to dying on the freeway off ramp and then towed to Kansas behind my U-Haul. She has nine lives, and sadly this was her last one. She was awesome and I will miss her.

Sugarhouse

When I first moved to Salt Lake City I didn't really know what the cool neighborhoods were. All I knew was the East Side had the rich people and that I was living in West Valley. And I knew of a place called Sugarhouse, which has shopping and the discount theater. Whenever I'd visit Sugarhouse I always knew it was different but couldn't quite figure out why.

Now I know that Sugarhouse is different because it's walkable. The businesses are built up to the street, with parking generally in the back or on the street. I never really noticed this before, but did know that there was something about that area that I liked that I just couldn't put my finger on.

When I moved back to Salt Lake I lived in the Sugarhouse area, and it was awesome for someone who didn't have a car. The bus went right to the commercial area, where I could shop for groceries and books, go the library and the bank and the post office, and eat at a local restaurant. Pretty much everything.

Today I needed to run some errands, and I went to Sugarhouse to do them because I could park my car and walk to the various destinations I needed. I bought some books, had lunch, went to the bank, and just strolled along the streets. And it was perfect.

A Solitary Adventure

I really like hanging out with people. But I also really like doing things by myself. Yesterday was, as  my cousin Phaedra puts it, a day for solitary adventure. I could've called various people to do these activities with me, but I just felt like having a day to myself. I did my training for the 5k I'm doing in October in the morning, extending the length so I could see the temple; I hit up the Avenues Street Fair and bought some kettle corn and awesome owl earrings; went to my friend Mary's wedding reception in West Valley (which brought back some crazy memories from when my sister and I first moved to Salt Lake and Mary was one of the first friends I made in my ward); and then, because I didn't feel like going home, I made my way to the Broadway Theater to catch a showing of Celeste and Jesse Forever. It's a bittersweet movie that sadly I could relate to.

Old Foto Friday

This is my most favorite picture of me when I was a kid. I think I was at a babysitter's house; it is her bunny (we only had dogs and a cat while growing up). I don't really know how old I am, but it was definitely before we lived in Pocatello, so I'm guessing I'm 5or 6ish.

The City Anniversary

September 1st, 2007 I arrived in New York City. It was a momentous occasion and quite the ride. So much of who I am was discovered and developed during my small but decidedly important time in the city. I always like to remember the day I arrived each year, and think about how far I've come, how things have changed, and where I hope to be going in the next year. Thanks New York.

Day 11: Make-up Bag

What's in my make-up bag is the question for today. My make-up bag is pretty simple because make-up just doesn't stay on my face. What I can't live without is foundation and mascara. Foundation is pivotal for covering up my acne (which my dermatologist is working on getting rid of) and mascara is equally important and essential to my make-up routine. When I'm putting together my outfit for the day, I can't ever get the full effect until I have on mascara. I think everyone looks better with a little mascara to make their eyes pop. I've been told that I have pretty eyes so I think it behooves me to do all I can to accentuate them.

But really, what does it matter, when at the end of the day it seems like all the foundation is gone and the mascara is creating black circles under my eyes :)

Day 10: A Place to Eat

A photo of my favorite place to eat. When I lived in New York, there was this deli on the corner of 137th and Broadway, right by the downtown subway entrance of the 1 train. I could get a hero and a can of pop for four bucks. After a long and stressful day, there was nothing I wanted more. It always hit the spot, and it's one of the things I really miss about New York.

Other places I love to eat at: Jimmy Johns, Chipotle, Hard Rock Cafe, Cafe Rio, Su Casa, any place that has a rockin' hamburger selection.