It is illegal to text while driving in the state of Texas. But does that still apply to you when you are sitting at a red light? The reason I ask this is because today I was sitting at a red light about a block from my apartment with my windows down and the man in the car next to me yelled "it is illegal to text while driving!" My response to him was "i am sitting at a red light!" So I ask you - Does the law still apply?
The man was very nice to remind me that it was a $500 fine for breaking the law and that I should not be texting. I think that he does have a good point that it is not very safe while driving. Maybe we should all sign Oprah's pledge what we will neither text nor talk while driving. The man's words have been ringing in my ear all day and I am now trying to be a safer and more cautious drive.
I still find it hard to believe that a complete stranger yelled out of his car window at me while sitting at a red light about my texting.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Eclipse!
It is a beautiful day in Austin TX and I can barely stand it that I am inside and not outside, but work calls. This morning when I got on line to check my facebook I noticed a particular post on my news feed that intrigued me. Someone has posted the newly released Eclipse movie trailer on a friends facebook page. After seeing this post I immediately turned to youtube to find the trailer for myself. Like always, youtube did not let me down. The first search that popped up was the newly released eclipse trailer, and boy was I excited!
I know what some of you are thinking. I don't like the twilight series and I can not believe that people talk about it so much. I must admit I used to be one of those people. I did not read the books, nor did I see the movies. This past thanksgiving I was home in Norfolk for a long holiday and I needed a book to read. I went to my sister's room and took the first book off her shelve and began reading it. I WAS HOOKED! It is not very good English or well written, but I must admit that the plot is very catchy and causes you to keep reading to find out what happens. After reading the first two books I went and saw the movies. But I think I was hooked the moment I opened the first book cover. Now I have become one of those individuals that I used to complain about, who is waiting on pins and needles for the next movie installment to be released.
Presently I am on the last book and so excited to see the ending, but at the same time sad to be at the end of the series.
I know what some of you are thinking. I don't like the twilight series and I can not believe that people talk about it so much. I must admit I used to be one of those people. I did not read the books, nor did I see the movies. This past thanksgiving I was home in Norfolk for a long holiday and I needed a book to read. I went to my sister's room and took the first book off her shelve and began reading it. I WAS HOOKED! It is not very good English or well written, but I must admit that the plot is very catchy and causes you to keep reading to find out what happens. After reading the first two books I went and saw the movies. But I think I was hooked the moment I opened the first book cover. Now I have become one of those individuals that I used to complain about, who is waiting on pins and needles for the next movie installment to be released.
Presently I am on the last book and so excited to see the ending, but at the same time sad to be at the end of the series.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
I am a major weeper
One of my favorite lines in the movie The Holiday is "I am a major weeper", especially because it is said in an english accent. I am not really sure what a major weeper is, but I can only assume that a major weeper cries a lot. Today I am a major weeper. I am having one of those days where I am just feeling very emotional about EVERYTHING. I am sure it has something to do with the amount of stress I am feeling from work and the fact that nothing I do seems to be right. I really hate that feeling when you try to do things right, but instead everything turns out wrong. I guess that is what people call trial by error. If there was a competition about trial by error then I think I would win.
There are somethings though that I can be thankful about. I am very lucky to have the boss I have, who really appreciates all the hard work I do; even if I mess up a lot. He told me that there had to be some type of learning curve to my nob and he is right. There is no way that I could of stepped into this job and immediately known everything there is to know about my position. So the mistakes I am making I simply account to "the learning curve". People keep telling me that you need to get one year under your belt, then everything will be a lot easier. I am sure they are right. Next year I will of done every single one of these programs at least once and I will know what to expect. But for now I am just taking it one step at a time. I am slowly making progress and improving, even though I constantly feel like I am sliding down a slippery slope.
For now I am going to keep fighting the good fight, something my english professor always told me while in college. He would say "Keep fighting the good fight Ms. Conkling." Ms. Conkling here is continuing to fight the good fight, even though I might shed a tear or two along the way. But lets be honest, I have always been a major weeper.
There are somethings though that I can be thankful about. I am very lucky to have the boss I have, who really appreciates all the hard work I do; even if I mess up a lot. He told me that there had to be some type of learning curve to my nob and he is right. There is no way that I could of stepped into this job and immediately known everything there is to know about my position. So the mistakes I am making I simply account to "the learning curve". People keep telling me that you need to get one year under your belt, then everything will be a lot easier. I am sure they are right. Next year I will of done every single one of these programs at least once and I will know what to expect. But for now I am just taking it one step at a time. I am slowly making progress and improving, even though I constantly feel like I am sliding down a slippery slope.
For now I am going to keep fighting the good fight, something my english professor always told me while in college. He would say "Keep fighting the good fight Ms. Conkling." Ms. Conkling here is continuing to fight the good fight, even though I might shed a tear or two along the way. But lets be honest, I have always been a major weeper.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Motivation: where have you gone?
I am feeling so very unmotivated recently. I know what stuff I need to do for work, but I just can not seem to do it until the wee hours of the morning. I attribute this problem to my four years at Sewanee. There were many long nights at Sewanee where I stayed up late into the early hours of the next day procrastinating. As my friend Emily would attest to, your best papers are begun at 4am and due at 8am. While those were long exhausting nights, they are some of the fondest memories of my college experience.
This mentality has unfortunately been a hold over from my college years that has followed me to Austin. I think that my lack of motivation stems from the fact that my job is a very flexible work environment. My boss gives me the freedom to set my own office hours, which causes me to be put off doing my work until late at night. The only problem with doing this is that is causes me to get into a weird nocturnal sleep pattern. I know eventually it will all sort it out, but as of now I am looking for my motivation mojo.
This mentality has unfortunately been a hold over from my college years that has followed me to Austin. I think that my lack of motivation stems from the fact that my job is a very flexible work environment. My boss gives me the freedom to set my own office hours, which causes me to be put off doing my work until late at night. The only problem with doing this is that is causes me to get into a weird nocturnal sleep pattern. I know eventually it will all sort it out, but as of now I am looking for my motivation mojo.
Monday, March 8, 2010
I will miss you John Hughes
WOW, Last night was amazing. Not only did Sandra Bullock win for the movie The Blind Side, they payed tribute to John Hughes by playing a montage of some of his most famous films. John Hughes is known for launching the career of Molly Ringwald, who was very popular in the 80s. He made quotes like "Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?" very famous. 
Some of my favorite films, like Sixteen Candles, are the result of this famous writer and producer who was a revolutionary for his time. He was addressing topics and themes that no one else was even mentioning. John set out to portray middle class America from the perspective of a teenager. Many of his main characters were not from the "in" crowd, but were average high school students facing the same issues we all face of trying to fitting in and be accepted.
One of my favorite scenes of all times is at the end of Sixteen Candles when Sam, Molly Ringwald, and Jake, Michael Schoeffling, are sitting on a glass table leaning over a birthday cake kissing.
I just love the ending to that film. Sam, an underclassmen, who has had a crush on the upper classmen jock Jake finally gets noticed, and on her birthday gets her birthday wish, a kiss.
In writing this blog I just realized that Michael Schoeffling was also in one of my all time favorite movies, Wild Heart's Can't Be Broken.
I was introduced to this disney classic by one of my best friends Katherine. I spent many high school evenings at her house watching this movie. We were in love with AL, Michael Schoeffling, who taught girls to dive horses. Again, another hopelessly romantic film about two individuals who under normal circumstances might never of come together.
I hope you all are enjoying your Monday afternoon. It is raining here in Austin as I try to get some of my work done.
Some of my favorite films, like Sixteen Candles, are the result of this famous writer and producer who was a revolutionary for his time. He was addressing topics and themes that no one else was even mentioning. John set out to portray middle class America from the perspective of a teenager. Many of his main characters were not from the "in" crowd, but were average high school students facing the same issues we all face of trying to fitting in and be accepted. One of my favorite scenes of all times is at the end of Sixteen Candles when Sam, Molly Ringwald, and Jake, Michael Schoeffling, are sitting on a glass table leaning over a birthday cake kissing.
I just love the ending to that film. Sam, an underclassmen, who has had a crush on the upper classmen jock Jake finally gets noticed, and on her birthday gets her birthday wish, a kiss. In writing this blog I just realized that Michael Schoeffling was also in one of my all time favorite movies, Wild Heart's Can't Be Broken.
I was introduced to this disney classic by one of my best friends Katherine. I spent many high school evenings at her house watching this movie. We were in love with AL, Michael Schoeffling, who taught girls to dive horses. Again, another hopelessly romantic film about two individuals who under normal circumstances might never of come together. I hope you all are enjoying your Monday afternoon. It is raining here in Austin as I try to get some of my work done.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Oscars Night
My FAVORITE holiday has come! THE OSCARS!!! I am sorry my loves for being absent on my blog but I am back to celebrate one of my most favorite nights of the year.
Last year I spent this wonderful evening with my friends freezing on a couch in the German house. This year I am watching it on my own couch in my apartment in Austin. While this year I am not with my closest and dearest friends, I am still with them in spirit. There is something about the Oscars that is so magical. It might be the amazing dresses that drift down the red carpets, the Barbara Walter's special that is a true Oscar tradition, or the underlying stories that come alive transporting us to a magical world.
In my opinion Hugh Jackson did an amazing job last year, so Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin have large shoes to fill. There are going to be a few differences this year with a larger movie pool. The academy did this hoping that more films would get recognized and gain national attention. I wonder though if having more films in the mix will actually change the outcome.
One of my favorite parts of this night are the acceptance speeches. Yes, some of them can we long and annoying, but some of them are simply amazing. On cold dark days I have been known to youtube some classic speeches like Julia Roberts, Helen Mirren, and Tom Hanks. Their 1 or 2 min speeches really hit home and you can see the passion and emotion in their expressions. These amazing, talented actors and actresses have the ability to transport you into another world, and that is why I love movies. Every time I watch another film I enter into a different world where new different things are happening. It gives me the opportunity to have new and different experiences that I might not of been able to have.
Looking back over this past year there have been many standout performances, but none in my eyes were as wonderful as Sandra Bullock.
This past year she stared in not one, not two, but three films. Each of them were very different but very poignant, which only proves her versatility. I feel like I can relate to her characters, but also I feel motivated to go out and make a difference. While I would love to see Sandra Bullock win I feel sad to see Meryl Streep nominated again and to not win. 
I think she has been nominated more times then anyone else but she has not won recently, which makes me sad because she really is an amazing actress. But as my friend Megan would say, "It is all about the dress." Those that dress the part, win the Oscar. Kate Winslet won the Oscar last year, and we all knew it immediately when we saw her in her dress, because it was an Oscar dress!
So who ever has the prettier dress, Meryl or Sandra, will win.
Tonight is the night when dreams will come true! It is also a night to pay tribute to those films that have made laugh, smile, and even cry. While not all of these films received a nod from the academy, they get top marks in Mary's world.
Mary's favorite movies of 2009 -
Last year I spent this wonderful evening with my friends freezing on a couch in the German house. This year I am watching it on my own couch in my apartment in Austin. While this year I am not with my closest and dearest friends, I am still with them in spirit. There is something about the Oscars that is so magical. It might be the amazing dresses that drift down the red carpets, the Barbara Walter's special that is a true Oscar tradition, or the underlying stories that come alive transporting us to a magical world.
In my opinion Hugh Jackson did an amazing job last year, so Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin have large shoes to fill. There are going to be a few differences this year with a larger movie pool. The academy did this hoping that more films would get recognized and gain national attention. I wonder though if having more films in the mix will actually change the outcome.
One of my favorite parts of this night are the acceptance speeches. Yes, some of them can we long and annoying, but some of them are simply amazing. On cold dark days I have been known to youtube some classic speeches like Julia Roberts, Helen Mirren, and Tom Hanks. Their 1 or 2 min speeches really hit home and you can see the passion and emotion in their expressions. These amazing, talented actors and actresses have the ability to transport you into another world, and that is why I love movies. Every time I watch another film I enter into a different world where new different things are happening. It gives me the opportunity to have new and different experiences that I might not of been able to have.
Looking back over this past year there have been many standout performances, but none in my eyes were as wonderful as Sandra Bullock.
This past year she stared in not one, not two, but three films. Each of them were very different but very poignant, which only proves her versatility. I feel like I can relate to her characters, but also I feel motivated to go out and make a difference. While I would love to see Sandra Bullock win I feel sad to see Meryl Streep nominated again and to not win. 
I think she has been nominated more times then anyone else but she has not won recently, which makes me sad because she really is an amazing actress. But as my friend Megan would say, "It is all about the dress." Those that dress the part, win the Oscar. Kate Winslet won the Oscar last year, and we all knew it immediately when we saw her in her dress, because it was an Oscar dress!
So who ever has the prettier dress, Meryl or Sandra, will win.Tonight is the night when dreams will come true! It is also a night to pay tribute to those films that have made laugh, smile, and even cry. While not all of these films received a nod from the academy, they get top marks in Mary's world.
Mary's favorite movies of 2009 -
Monday, March 1, 2010
Colorado Bound
I am off to Colorado for a mid week trip to see my family and do some skiing! I am very excited about this little break from my crazy life in Austin. This past weekend was really long, and honestly a total blur looking back at it. I was with middle school youth for a retreat and boy was it trouble. Between youth breaking their ankles and jumping in the lake at dusk, there were plans of boy girl late night meetings. I think the thing that I was most embarrassed about was the fact that these youth were so rude. It made me think back to when I was there year and I began to ask this question, "Did I really act that way?". I mean honestly they talked back to the adults like there was no tomorrow. Another interesting observation is that if I had had to guess how old they were I would of said they looked more like 18 then 12. Come on girls dress your age, not like sluts. Is this what our world is coming to?
Well I got to run I have to drive back to my apartment and finish packing all before my airport shuttle comes to pick me up. Maybe there will be some pictures from the slopes of Steamboat in the near future!
ps-Ruth you will be missed but Philip and I know you are having an amazing time in Austria! LOVES
Well I got to run I have to drive back to my apartment and finish packing all before my airport shuttle comes to pick me up. Maybe there will be some pictures from the slopes of Steamboat in the near future!
ps-Ruth you will be missed but Philip and I know you are having an amazing time in Austria! LOVES
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