The constant question of  “can people change” has been predominately taking over my life lately.  I believe that people can, but only if they want to.  Or, if there is a reason they want to change their life, their situation, or whatever.  How can you resist a valid, powerful reason for change that would positively effect your life?

For example, I have surprised myself by changing in these ways:

Last summer I went to U.S. Cellular Field for a White Sox game.  I swore I would never go to that hell hole.  But they were playing the Cubs, the tickets were free, and the company was fun.  Thus, I had a reason to enact that change.

Further, I used to abhor cream cheese.  But as someone who doesn’t eat eggs, I am left with very few breakfast options.  A bagel and cream cheese would seem to be the most ideal on-the-go choice.  And yet, I insisted on butter with my bagel, fearing the consistency and weirdness of cream cheese.  But when I discovered that places such as Dunkin Donuts thought that 2 packets of butter could cover an entire bagel, it was time to reevaluate.  I found out there was something known as garlic-herb cream cheese.  I could eat garlic in an acceptable way in the morning!  What better reason for change?  And so, I now love cream cheese.

I love winter, but have never been a fan of spring.  Well, Chicago springs, which are weird and pretty much non-existent.  So I have always opted for snow throughtout the month of March, and then April to come with lots of sunnieness.  I have no problem with snow through April as well.  May is when it all happens as far as I’m concerned.  So you will not find me cursing the weather gods if white flakes should fall for weeks to come.  Except, this is the first year in my life that I can recall desperately waiting for spring.  I cannot wait for baseball, for drinking outside, for drinking 40’s on porches, for wearing flippies.  I have never been so excited for spring in my life and I didn’t really know why.  But I think it is the sense of possibilities, the sense that spring brings in new things, new loves, new friends, new anything.  And so, since 2010 has been shitty thus far, I eagerly await spring!

The examples could go on, but I think I have scientifically proved that yes, people can change.  It’s just a matter of if they want to or not.  And it’s the saddest, most heartbreaking thing in the world to see someone resist necessary change, especially with regards to relationships.  And especially when you’ve done everything you can yet you’re not getting anything back or even being close to being met halfway.  Not that I’m talking about something personal or anything… 

But perhaps I just need to remind myself of the definition of insanity– “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”  And remind myself of these words from Dave Matthews– “some people change, and some people won’t.”  I’d like to think there is still hope because I mean really, if I can like cream cheese… But insanity cannot prevail.  It will not. 

Things I Live For: Foggy days; dependability

Quote of the Day: “No rest without love– No sleep without dreams of love– Be mad or chill, obsessed with angels or machines– the final wish is love.” –Allen Ginsburg

“I don’t expect to be treated like a fool no more.”

 ”And in remembering a road sign
I am remembering a girl when I was young
And we said
These songs are true
These days are ours
These tears are free
And hey
The cross is in the ballpark”

–Paul Simon

I have spotted this awesome Book Wreath all over blog land and decided that I wanted to make one.  But then I was experimenting with these acordian-like flowers and decided to make a book wreath my way, using them.  Here is the step-by-step (and I am not a good photographer so my apologies):

First I started with pages from a book from Goodwill.  I got a tour book of Chicago to make it more personal and this actually worked out well because there were little maps inside that helped to mix up the patterns.  The size of the flower will depend on the size you cut your paper (book pages).  Then, do something you haven’t done since grade school when you used to make paper fans:

 Basically you fold the paper back and forth until you make as many as you need.  (You will need three acordians for each flower).  This is the most time consuming part of the project.

Next, fire up your glue gun.  Each acordian piece must be folded and where you fold it, you glue the insides to one another:

That part is kind of hard to explain but hopefully you get the idea.

Now you see how you have three pieces that should fit together.  You glue the sides of one to another and so forth until you have glued it together (3 spots).

So that’s how you make the basic flower.  Repeat as necessary.

I cut out a crude wreath form from some old cardboard to glue my flowers onto.

I glued buttons of various colors into the center of each of my flowers.

Then, you arrange your flowers onto the form as you want them, and hot glue them on.  This is a bit tricky because the flowers don’t lay flat.  I used a lot of hot glue!

And here is the finished product!  I added ribbon to hang it with and a bow (a good bow tie-er I am not)

And here it is bringing a little springtime to my dark door!

Quote of the Day: “Stay with me till time turns over – I want to feel my feet leave the ground.  Take me where the whispering breezes can lift me up and spin me around.  If I could I would… Hear you laughing as we go – Flipping backward through the doors and through the windows… I’m melting into nothing.” –Phish

Dear Grad School,

We’re all adults here, right?  Because lately, I’m thinking that may not be the case.  Why are high school-esque pictures of grad school friends popping up left and right in my Facebook news feed?  When did going to a Jersey Shore or Prom themed party become part of the requirement for getting your MBA?  And, whyyyyyyyy?? 

High school was fun.  Yeah, theme parties, insecurities, not knowing everyone, drinking relentlessly, good times.  But I’m almost 30 now (fuck) and so are you.  Going to a grad school 1980’s themed party isn’t really what I signed up for when I took the GRE.  I don’t need to be forced to “bond” with people; at this point, I know what kind of people I like and what kind I don’t.  I can make friends on my own, thanks.

I mean really, these people are going to be advising me financially in the future?  These will be my lawyers?  When I go to retain counsel some day, I certainly will not be seeking out the douche-bag who dressed up as The Situation in his law school hay days.

I’m in grad school to learn and get crazy drunk with my peers at bars.  Cuz we’re adults, and that’s what we do.  Maybe writers are squares or too traditional and we’re missing out some great times.  I highly doubt it though–scrounging Jessica McClintock for the perfect prom dress isn’t really something I think I need to do at 27.

Sincerely,

Esley “I also refuse to go on a grad school retreat and do trust falls” S.

Pet Peeve of the Day: See Above

Quote of the Day: “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” –Dr. Seuss

Trivia is just another form of random shit, so you know I love it.  Useless knowledge can help you impress people, or win shots at a bar.  It’s win-win all around.  So try your hand at these questions… NO GOOGLING!!!  I’ll post the answers in the comments section later today…

1) What name is given to half a Byte (4 bits)?

2) Who the fahck is Casimir Pulaski? (Bonus points if you know AND don’t live in Illinois.  Because I live in Illinois and have NO IDEA why yesterday was a holiday)

3) What was the longest movie to win the Oscar for Best Picture?

4) What was the name of Archie and the Gang’s principal?

5) How many times does the word “girl” appear in the Bible?

Things I Love For:Mac McAnally; pencils

Quote of the Day:  “A friend is one who has the same enemies as you have.” –Abraham Lincoln

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