Bucket List Blog #1

Peeing in nature.

Yes, you read that right. It was on my bucket list to urinate in the wild. Like in the grass. Or something.

So anyhow, I completed this goal twice actually…it’s probably becoming a bad, but useful, habit.

My first time was at my friend’s house for her birthday in October. Most others had left, and it was just us and a couple close friends on a large piece of property surrounded by cow fields. My other friend’s boyfriend was with us and wanted to join in our confession circle around the bonfire, but of course we decided he had to be initiated first. So we took him out to the cow trough and made him get in it. Keep in mind, this Virginia in October, so it was freezing not just in the water. He did his thing, which consisted of him stripping to his boxers and unrequired-ly mooning us several times. I’m telling you it was cold, and after having some drinks earlier, we all had to pee badly; like, I really had to go. I quietly mentioned just peeing out there several times to see what my friends’ reaction would be. Mostly they just laughed and I don’t know if they thought I’d actually do it. Once the boyfriend got out of the trough, I told them to go ahead, and I’d catch up. Someone asked if I was really going to do it and was like whatever. The birthday girl laughed and suggested I fully undress my bottom half, just in case. But no, I’ve been to Japan and have seen those old school ‘squat toilets’ and knew it was totally possible to keep my pants around my ankles…plus I once came across some weirdness online and knew it was possible from that as well. So I dropped my pants and squatted behind the cow trough, pushed down, and whizzed. Successfully. I suppose I’ll just leave it vague, haha :P And who said only boys could pee outdoors?

So beautiful...I think I'll pee here.

{Photo Cred to Rachel Benson}

The next month, November, I was taking a road trip my guy friend, seeing the Safari Park (Safari Park Homepage) and then heading up to Natural Chimneys (Natural Chimneys via Virginia.org). It was a rainy and foggy day, and it took us a while on some slightly twisty back roads to get to the Chimneys…according to the GPS anyhow. The park was deserted and we climbed around the base of the Chimneys and into a cave (I don’t think you’re supposed to). We were both complaining that we had to pee, and he checked the camp area bathrooms to see if they were open, but they were not. Still complaining, I thought he’d do the guy thing and go behind a tree, but no… After discussing we weren’t sure where the next gas station was considering we hadn’t passed any on our way there, I told him I had to go and wasn’t going to wait. I mean, the place was deserted, people. I had learned from my grandmother and a previous life lesson (neither specifically about going potty) that basically, if you’re not comfortable, fix it, because you don’t know how long you’re going to be in a situation and you might as well enjoy it, even just the little things. Anyhow, I run into the cave and tell him to holler if anyone comes along; he volunteered to stand guard even though I didn’t really want him to. I easily did my business and we were on our way. I was still kinda surprised he didn’t go after I did… He ended up having to hold it for quite a while, while I comfortably took full advantage of the bun warmer in his truck.

Looks like a good place to tinkle.

One less item off the bucket list.

Peace&Love

The Sonia Sanchez Link, Finally!

Finally! I have my video posted on YouTube that I wanted to share with this blog. The one about the poet/activist Sonia Sanchez.
Love each other. Stop hating, and stop being big fat meanies. Have a little empathy, and understand we're all human and we all hurt.
Be nice!

Watch Sonia Sanchez speak here.


Love&Peace

There’s Always That One Person That Makes You Feel Better About Yourself, Right? I Was That One Person Today.

Lately I’ve started jogging, and in case you don’t know this is kinda a big deal. Needless to say I suck at it, but I make way around the track. Pessimistic as I am about exercising and weight loss and health and junk, it actually feels kinda good…when you’re going downhill anyhow.

So I’m at the track doing my thing, feeling like Rocky Balboa and thinking about drinking raw eggs as I bounce along to listening to LMFAO (Listen to LMFAO via YouTube) , fantasizing about screwing Redfoo with this new hot and magical body I will obtain (yeah right!, Haha). 

 Yes, I would like to get at him.

Then, whoa! Outta nowhere, some blonde chick passes me. Complete with hair in a neat ponytail, leggings, and ipod strapped to her arm looking fancy and high-tech, while I was in sweats, a hoodie, hair thrown into a 2 second pony, with my ipod in my hoodie pocket. Where the hell did she come from?! I was rudely thrown out of my ‘runner’s high’ or whatever; probably just my imagination. Nothing like a skinny blonde can kill a fat girl’s fantasy. My ego went from a 10 to -2 in an instance. How dare this chick out do me? Me! I mean, I am ERIN, the one and only. Who does she think she is? So then starts the cycle of hating on myself; I know all girls do it, probably guys too. (“Stop! Hating is bad!”-- See part at 4:15 for reference) But damn…in the blink of the eye, I can go from generally happy and feeling pretty good about myself to being pissed with tears in my eyes, cursing this stranger as I consider plastic surgery…and losing all hope getting with Redfoo (slight exaggeration, FYI). Of course within all this is the whole comparison deal. ‘’Well, I am soooo much tanner than her, look at that pasty ass.’’ ‘’But…she has a tiny waist; well, well…at least I’m not Snooki size!’’ etc.*Sigh* Girls. We’re freaking crazy.

I felt really bad at about tearing this girl up, even as I was doing it. I mean she’s just there for the same reasons as me probably, I know she wasn’t trying to 1-up me, and I certainly don’t expect someone to lower their expectations of themselves to accommodate me, not at all. She’s just obviously been doing this longer than me. We both minded our own business of course, no cat fights on the track (sorry, not sorry, guys). And she seemed like a sweet girl, at least from what I could tell as she occasionally lapped me. That’s right, OCCAISIONALLY lapped me :) 

Sometimes you’re just the ego booster for someone else.

Peace&Love

P.S. -- A couple amusing
exercise internet  memes I found.

(I own NO rights or whatever to any of these pictures.)

"Life Ain't Always What You Think It Ought To Be"

Hello world,

Once again, more blows have been thrown my way here recently. Things start to look up and then Wham! something else is thrown at you. I’m sure we’ve all gone through this; if not, you will. Just keep plugging along; it’s all you can do sometimes.

My petty complaints from previous entries seem so lame and selfish and winey now; most of which they are. I guess things have been put in perspective for me.

My university has suffered the loss of 7 Dukes (we are ‘Dukes’) this semester, 5 within ~one month. 5 were current students, 1 was a recent grad, and 1 was a faculty member. All of these deaths were tragic, unexpected losses of young people, yes, including the faculty member, and all were amazing people that had so much left to give to the world in addition to what they already had. The world lost amazing, beautiful, and generous souls that were changing the world around them. They can never be replaced, and I can only hope and try my hardest to live like they did. I try to think that they are in a better place free of the pain and misery of this world, and I hope that I see them in heaven.

Of the 7, I was actually was fairly close to one of them. I was a mess for a week. Of the people that could have died, it should not have been him; anyone but him, even myself. He was the best and kindest person one could ever dream of meeting; willing to bend over backwards, or in his words ‘break his back’ for anyone in need. A totally selfless and loving person. The world needs more people like this young man whose life was tragically cut too short. I hope all that even just barely knew him can live by his example, including myself. Knowing his dreams and aspirations is what kills me the most; knowing that he never got a chance to pursue them. Students would bring him up during class discussing the rumors around his death and I’d leave during class because I couldn’t keep it together, just hearing his name. I also prayed; something I hadn’t done in a while. I feel guilty. I wish I knew why they were taken so soon.

We, the student body, are constantly reassured that our fallen Dukes would not want us to be sad and not want us to shed continual tears. I guess that could be true. I guess I’ll just make myself believe that; I don’t really have a choice.

The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” has become a musical staple for us lately, being posted and quoted all over facebook and even chalked among the sidewalks and concrete walls around campus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NJqUN9TClM&ob=av2e .

“…life ain’t always what you think it ought to be…the sharp knife of a short life…who would have thought forever can be severed by the sharp knife of a short life…gather up your tears, keep them in your pocket save them for a time when you’re really going to need them…”

The following video is piano cover of “If I Die Young” combined with our school’s fight song that a student composed and another student put together the visual. I’m a super fan of anime, but I think this video is well done it does it justice. (No, I did not make this video, a fellow Duke did.) If nothing else, you should watch it for beautiful piano music cover by Evan Duffy, a Duke who has a YouTube account full of amazing covers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3VdlIjgZWc

So be thankful for those you have you in your life. Let them know they are loved and cared for, both through words and especially through actions. Learn from those you look up to. You really never, ever know when someone you love will pass on. It hits you like a brick wall. Be thankful for, and value every precious moment you have with your loved ones.

Peace&Love

We're Taking a Turn...In Topic. Maybe.

Ok, so my plans for this blog have slightly morphed since I started it. I want it to kind of be a dialogue my ‘’life adventures’’ and of your average young adult finding a way through life. I do not want this to be like a diary or journal, but more of a recount of life events which are typically hilarious, at least to me, and some random thoughts as well.

One thing I want to do is to take requests (at my discretion) to do something then blog about it. For example, I took a roadtrip by myself, and a blog is in the works about that. And I’ll blog about whatever you all want from the point of view of a cheap college girl; me. Want to know what something is like? And have specific questions about it? Email me! I’ll see what I can do. But no promises.

So my next post will most likely be about my solo roadtrip/boattrip to Tangier Island, VA.

But basically, if you have any requests for me to blog about, email me!

(blowyomofomind@gmail.com)

I do feel like this blog will just be randomness, but I guess that’s ok too.

Peace&Love

P.S. And I want to include things off my bucket list, so if nothing else that should be interesting in itself.

WTF Has Been Going On? I Really Don't Know; Or Care.

Hi everyone,

Sorry I have been MIA in the blog world; not that anyone reads this…yet. But here’s the deal-- what’s been going down.

In case I haven’t mentioned it already, I think I’ve been in a quarter life crisis since the Canadian Idiot entered my life. I’m necessarily blaming him, it’s just when everything started to change. And I am not going to type it all out here, that would take wayyyy too long. Anyhow, life has been pretty rough lately.

(This part where I whine and complain.)

So about a month and half or so ago, I realized my ‘unlimited’ texting was to other Verizon customers only. Whoops. I had racked up hundreds of dollars in damn text messages. Which really frustrates me because texting isn’t a necessity it’s for fun, so I was really pissed at myself for having to pay these massive bills when they weren’t needed. Anyhow, I’m freaking college student so I don’t have that kind of money in bank account so I had to cash some premature bonds to pay them off, which I was totally cool with. Until I found out you have to pay interest on those mofos. By tax season, I will need hundreds of more dollars to dig myself out of this hole.

And there’s more: so tuition went up this year and my loan offers went down (insert mifted face here) so I actually didn’t get enough money to cover my schooling (not even including books) but God bless Grandma for taking care of that. So normally I have extra loan money to cover gas and food and other odds and ends throughout the semester, including fun stuff. So I’ve been looking for a second job and considering selling my plasma for some cash to save up, but me and needles in me…might not be the best idea—I have a tendency to pass out. Anyhow, I’m in a financial bind.

Next, I’m failing chemistry! Whoohoo! Which really sucks but there’s no way possible to pass it considering I missed a test and he won’t let make it up (my irresponsibility must have flared up) but let’s be real, the class average was a 62 so my grade would have been like a 42. Serious. That was a huge stressor, and still kinda is because I’ll be retaking it next semester, but I have more time to actually sleep and focus on other things for now.

I haven’t been getting enough sleep either, to the point where I doze off behind the wheel. I’ve scared myself too many times, so sometimes I just skip class, but this hasn’t been a huge problem since I’ve quit going to chemistry at 8 AM. But if you have this problem, just remind yourself that whatever you are trying to go to isn’t worth or your life or someone else’s.

In spite, or rather, in addition to all this, I’m not going to lie, I’ve been really depressed. Don’t know why, just have. It’s no fun, but I’m to the point where I just don’t care anymore, it’s all whatever.

Someone even told me they think I like being depressed…I’ll save this for a topic later.

I feel like this isn't even half of everything that's been going on, but it's all the big ones I can recall.

I won’t blabber on anymore about my issues, but be sure to check out the next post about my plans for this blog, and kinda my life too.

Peace&Love

International Overdose Awareness Day : Sublime

International Overdose Awareness Day : Sublime

If you're a user, be careful. If you don't, look out for others. Try not to judge. Love.