Friday, I'm in Love

Tonight got me thinking about Fridays, and how they've come to mean something super-significant to the masses.   Tonight, I was thankful just to make it through another tough week of feeling physically and mentally washed out.  Relatively, I know I should not only be thankful it's Friday, but thankful for the life I live, the job I hold, the me I am.  That's always easier said than done.  While it was only a 3 day work week, I felt like I put my heart and soul into the last few days, and I'm so ready for a break.  And then, thinking about Fridays sent me backward, and brought up memories of the past.  It seems Fridays have changed their meanings, as the years have gone by.

In grade school, Fridays meant finding a friend to sleep over - spend the night - eat candy - laugh, and listen to music.  It meant sneaking movies we weren't allowed to see, and staying up later than usual.

In middle school, Fridays meant high school dances, rollerskating, boys.  Hanging out at Roy Rogers and 7-11.  Going to football games.  Experimenting with alcohol.

High school Fridays were more about friends, sporting events, parties, more drinking, more learning, first loves.

College was a whole different venue.  Fridays were Fraternity nights.  Free beer.  More fun.  First relationship mistakes.

Post college, meant missing out, faking life, losing me.  Fridays were the days I had to pretend to be something I wasn't.  Happy hours.  Happy smiles.  Saying good-bye to the Fridays and friends of old.

Years later, a Friday redeemed me.  Post-destructive relationship, I went to a real Happy Hour, and met my husband, who makes me laugh every day.  It was the start of a whole new life of Fridays.  Being together, staying at home, looking inward.  What Fridays have come to be about.  Rejuvenation.  Redemption.  Rebirth.

So maybe, everybody's working for the weekend - But maybe the weekend is still working for us.

Happy Friday, All.

-L.

Blogging for Dummies

So, I finally listened to the countless subtle (and not so subtle) nudges, from friends and family, and decided to stop wasting all of my creative juices on Facebook, so I can start writing regularly again.  Getting back on the proverbial horse isn't as easy as one would think, so after careful consideration, I've decided to go mainstream, and start a blog.
While www.blogger.com makes it easy for any yahoo to create a web page and get started, it doesn't define "Blog," nor does it tell you what it is you're supposed to blog about.  As a Blog Virgin, Day 1, I labored over giving birth to my first post.  What is, after all,  "blog worthy?"
I pondered the question, praying for some form of divine intervention to give me a voice, and when it didn't - I did what I always do in unfamiliar territory.  I Googled it.  Googling "Blog" produced the Wikipedia definition:


A blog (a blend of the term web log)^[1] is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. Blog can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.
Personal blogs

The personal blog, an ongoing diary or commentary by an individual, is the traditional, most common blog. Personal bloggers usually take pride in their blog posts, even if their blog is never read. Blogs often become more than a way to just communicate; they become a way to reflect on life, or works of art. Blogging can have a sentimental quality. Few personal blogs rise to fame and the mainstream, but some personal blogs quickly garner an extensive following. One type of personal blog, referred to as a microblog, is extremely detailed and seeks to capture a moment in time. Some sites, such as Twitter, allow bloggers to share thoughts and feelings instantaneously with friends and family, and are much faster than emailing or writing.

Thank you, Wikipedia.  While the definition of "Blog" wasn't anything outside of the box, the blurb about personal blogging hit home.  "Personal bloggers usually take pride in their blog posts, even if their blog is never read."  Really?  Well, isn't that encouraging?  Finally, a way to put yourself out there, pat yourself on the back, and move on.  Plunge taken, self validated.  Amen.
Post Google summation, I think I'll take that approach - communicate, reflect on life, comment on sports and works of art - but more importantly, write as if no one's reading.  Write about me - for me - and hope that's enough to bring me back to life.....


- L.