Going on a Virtual Road Trip

Yea buddy.

I am heading out to the highway with Judas Priest.

Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended.

And I’m Running on, running on empty with Jackson Browne.

Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended.

Yea buddy.

You said that already.  What’s up with Yea buddy.  Are trying to start a trend?  If so, stop. Lol :).

Today, May 23rd, 2018 in the year of our lord, I was given a wonderful opportunity to pick my favorite A to Z Challenge Post and add the link to a list and then visit that list which would send me on a virtual road trip of phenomenal possibilities.

Slow your roll girl, you’re so excited your run-on sentence makes little sense.

<deep breath in, breathe out>

Whoosh

I picked P for Pride mainly because I could only pick one and P had links back to others so I gamed the system.  I am trying to over expose myself.  Look! No wait! Don’t look at me! I’m shy.  Such a contradiction.

Any who.  I ain’t got much y’all but I got this.  Fun times ahead. And the best part, it’s FREE.

Here is a link to the road trip page LOOK HERE!!!!!!

Just in case you too want to join the fun.

As always, more to come.

Blogging From A to Z April (2018) Challenge Reflections Post

I started to semi-reflect here: Gearing Up For A Virtual Road Trip

In summary, my inaugural year was a blast.  I enjoyed the challenge of writing 26 posts.  Fitting it all in with a full time job was hard but worth it.  There was no way I was going to quit even if I slowed down some towards the end.  Only two things I would do differently are:

1. I would actually come up with a theme.  Winging it was for the birds.
2. I would also write more in advance so when the challenge actually starts I would have more time to read and visit other blogs.  So many comments left unsaid due to so little time.

Bloglandia is full of awesome talent.  The A to Z Challenge brought that talent to the forefront.  I am psyched to have new blogs to follow.  I have become more educated and my TBR queue is overflowing.  All nice problems to have. Yay me!

As always, more to come.

Gearing Up For A Virtual Road Trip

Not sure if I am supposed to talk about this yet but I am trying to pick my ONE entry for the road trip.  For details, see 4. on this list.  Starting May 23, 2018.  Be there or be square.

I decided I am going with the post that received the most comments.  You see I had to count comments to complete the survey which is 1. on this list. Also, I said YES to the dress. Lol! No actually I said YES for a chance at a guest spot give away 2.

I have ordered my T-shirt and voted on all the WRiTE club bouts completing 5. and 6.

All that is left is to find out what the reflections post is all about.  I have an idea but will read the explanatory post to verify.  Can’t wait!!! Excitement is in the air.  Can you just feel it?!??!?!?

As always, more to come.

Z is for Zeitgeist

I never thought I would finish.  But I did.  Or will once this piece is put to bed.  Fun with a capital F.  I want to elaborate but will leave the remainder for my reflections post.

I had an idea what zeitgeist meant.  I thought of the Roaring 20s: flappers, bootleggers and overall debauchery.  I incorrectly assumed zeitgeist meant to have a zest for life.

See what you get with you ASS u ME?

As I was researching, I read where someone commented that zeitgeist was one of the most misused words by people trying to look smarter than they really were.  And I had to laugh at the connection y’all.  Truly I did.  Do I resemble that remark?  Why yes, yes I do.

Per Merriam Webster:

zeitgeist is a noun, often capitalized  

zeit·geist  \ ˈtsīt-ˌgīst , ˈzīt- \

Definition of zeitgeist: the general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era.

Origin mid 19th century: from German Zeitgeist, from Zeit ‘time’ + Geist ‘spirit.’

That means not only did the Roaring 20s have its’ own zeitgeist, so did the 70s Flower Power.  That means zeitgeist is happening right this very moment.  Fascinating!

And that’s all she wrote folks.  Too tired to continue on yet grateful for the experience all the same.  As always, more to come.

Y is for Young ~ April 29, 2018

I am middle-aged <gasp!> How does that happen?  I still feel 19.  Even with aches and pains, my mind has not caught up to my body.  And considering the alternative is death, I am grateful for each and every day that I am alive on this planet.  Random Tuesday at 2 pm, thank you so much for what you have given me.

Ah to be young again.  Hmm.  Nope not really my wish though I will occasionally make reference to being old.  Usually when I say something about my age I am fishing for a compliment.  I’d love to hear: Why no J-Dub, you do NOT look a day passed 35.  Wink, wink. Haha!

Oh and I bug the crap out of B.

Me: If you didn’t know me, how old would you guess I am?

B: 53

Me: Pfft, no really.  How old?

B: 53

Me: Okay then.  Could I pass for 45?

B: I am not going to answer you.  Stop asking.

What a pest I am.  Thank goodness he puts up with me.  He’s a saint y’all.  A flawed as crap saint but still angelic to me nonetheless.

Thing is back in the day, I looked younger than I was.  Funny story to tell.  Picture this –

It was a random day in August 1994.  I was still fit as a fiddle and running daily.  I took Pony to the high school with me.  He played with his Hot Wheels in the long jump pit while I ran laps.  Afterwards we went to register him for first grade.  I was wearing my Notre Dame T-shirt, green track shorts, tennis shoes, hair up in a pony tail. We walked into the lobby of the elementary school.  I had all the paperwork filled out; ready to go.  We waited our turn and when it finally came, the dialog went something like this.

Registrant to Pony: Will you be in kindergarten?

Pony: I’ll be in first grade.

Registrant looking at me: We need your mom or dad to come up here.

Me thinking what the hell do his grandparents have to do with registering him for school?

Registrant: nice what you are trying to do but this is a parent’s responsibility.

Me: I’m his mom.

Registrant: No really, go get your mother.

Then the principal Mr. S rounds the corner.  He knows my parents.  He taught my brother when Jimbo was in 3rd grade.  He says he will vouch for me.

I was 29 years young and the registrant thought I was about 17.  She apologized and said Pony and I looked so much alike we had to be siblings.  He is my twinkie even now.

But alas, that ship has sailed.  I’ve been chasing that compliment ever since though.  No wait!  Not really.  See above.  The lady  aka Jilly Willy doeth protest too much.  I am wise not old and forever young so suck It.  No don’t suck it.

As always, more to come.

This post was written as part of Blogging From A to Z April (2018) Challenge.

Número Veinticinco

X is for X-Ray ~ April 27, 2018

This will be short because there are only 400 words that begin with X in the English language and I do not know the definition of most of them.  Even after I looked up a few, I was quickly overwhelmed and could not really gain a true understanding or at least enough of an understanding to write coherently.

Hey!  I can hear you.  I’m in the room aren’t I?  HaHa funny you laugh.  I know I am not the most coherent writer now with my tangents and all.  I am #SoCS everyday, not just Saturdays.

Landing the plane, I picked X-Ray even though X-Ray is not on the list of X words.  Hmm. Well of course not because an X-Ray is short hand for electromagnetic radiation which is an E word.

This is getting too sciencey  y’all (yes I made up another word).  I am not feeling it.  I guess I’ll go back to reading and lounging because TGIF.

As always, more to come.

This post was written as part of Blogging From A to Z April (2018) Challenge.

Número  Veinticuatro

W is for Worry, Worst Case and What Else ~ April 26, 2018

Worry – One of my first memories is standing on the front porch of D’s house with a wrapped gift in my hands.  My brother is to my right, our mom behind us.  I see the screened door and potted plants.  I hear laughter.  I swear I can even smell honeysuckle in the air.

Me: Don’t knock yet!!!!

Brother: Why not? Everyone is already in there.

Me (shaking): I feel sick, my stomach is prickling again.

Mom: That’s butterflies, you’ll be fine.

Me: You’re staying right?

Mom: Yes, I’ll stay for a while.

When mom left, I did too.  Later we went back to get brother.  I’ve always been a worrier.  No idea why.  Maybe worry is how I am hard-wired?  I blame no one.  I hate when people blame.  Humans try to give reasons for every fucking thing.  Sometimes stuff simply is.

Worst Case – Long before Beth and Randall played worst case scenario on the TV show This is Us! Little Jill did the same.  The mind is powerful folks.  This coping mechanism was my savior.  Saved me from a life of drugs.

While I always assume the worst, what I imagine NEVER happens.  Whew! Sighs of relief as each imagined tragedy passes. Then I gear up for the next big drama.

I need to be more chill.  Like the explosives expert asked if he worries on the job “Naw man, I’m successful or I die.  If I die, no longer my problem.  I mean really whatcha gonna do?  When your time comes, Kabluhy! Assuming the worst is no way to live.”

I’m working to end the cycle of thinking this way.  I mean if I keep this up, I may never get out of bed.  Life is wicked and beautiful in one fell swoop. Duck and cover people.  Or vivir la vida al máximo!

What else can it be? This nifty technique from CBT is a new tool in my mental health tool box.  The worry and worst case scenario thinking has got me frazzled.  I’m in a continuous state of churn.  To combat the anxiety associated with this flawed logic, my therapist said when I feel that I’m spinning out, I should ask myself what else can it be? Here’s an example:

Me: I am dying of bone cancer.

Me What else can it be?

Me: You did find out you have osteoporosis. Maybe that is it NOT bone cancer?

Me continued: Oh ya but by the time cancer hurts it is too late.  I have been feeling better and the pain has lessened lately ergo I have bone cancer.

Me: What else can it be?

As you can see folks, I still have work to do.  But I am making progress. Wish me luck. 🍀

As always, more to come.

This post was written as part of Blogging From A to Z April (2018) Challenge.

Número Veintitres.

V is for Volunteer ~ April 25, 2018

Volunteer is the special V word I spoke of here.  The past few years, my employer has made volunteering in the community a priority.  Not that we didn’t volunteer before because we have always been a very service oriented organization (#weknowwhatitmeanstoserve) but the current CEO has upped the ante. We are even given paid time off during the work day to participate.

Perhaps because of my upbringing (my daddy was the epitome of generosity) or maybe my natural inclination, I am a good helper.  I am not exactly strong but like an energizer bunny that keeps going.  As I am uncomfortable with silence I work to AVOID the necessity of small talk.  While working a volunteer event the conversation is with regards to the what is being done … sort of pre-packaged discussion (for lack of a better way to put it).

And because my day job is a desk job, I welcome the change of pace.  I often wish I had stayed in a job that was more physically demanding.  Too bad my skill set runs in the soft and cerebral variety. And NO I did not mean to insinuate physical labor requires no thinking.  In fact, often times one has to be even more prepared and alert or you’ll lose an arm or something.

After a volunteer event, no matter the task, the reward is palpable.  What I do not like doing is tracking my hours.  Kind of defeats the purpose of just because doesn’t it?  I get tired sometimes of everything having to be quantified in some form or fashion.  No ulterior motives.  For me, giving is best without any expectation of reciprocity.  Boy wouldn’t reciprocity been a great R word 🙂

These two previously written posts sum up my sentiments perfectly.  Go on and click the links.  You know you want to.  I’ll be waiting right here.

Mother Nature Brings Us Together

A Picture is Worth Thousand Words

Okay and now that you’re back, get out there and spread some sunshine!  But only if you want to that is … because volunteer is the opposite of mandatory ya know.  Get it?  J-Dub’s humor attempt fails.  Nothing new to see here folks.  Move along.

As always, more to come.

This post was written as part of Blogging From A to Z April (2018) Challenge.

Número Veintidós.

U is for Uniform ~ April 24, 2018

For 12 years, I wore a uniform to school.  As has been previously established, I am not nor will I ever be a fashionista.  The uniform made things much easier when choosing something to wear from my slim pickings wardrobe. I can count on one hand the off the rack stuff purchased for me to wear.  My grandmother could sew and I was honored to have some handmade items.  I was also privy to hand me downs from my cousin Beth Ann.  I remember seeing the big box filled with her last year’s attire and I’d be giddy with anticipation.

I had friends who could not wait to get home to change out of their uniforms. Me? Despite my mom telling me to take my uniform off and hang up my skirt to save with daily washing, I’d stay in my uniform until bath time.  I know I had five uniform shirts but for some reason, I think I only had two skirts.  If forced, I did have a ratty pair of shorts I’d put on but I still kept the uniform shirt on.

1979 8th grade, ratty shorts but still in uniform shirt

Very different from me now and how I can barely make it in the door before the bra flies off. PJs sweet PJs could be my new uniform of choice.

And as I remember the good ole days, I went through my photo albums looking for pictures of me in my St. MM regalia.  And what a collection I found.

On field trip, playing frisbee

Girl Scouts

Softball

Volleyball

L to R, in addition to school uniform, I had Girl Scout and Sports – softball #13 and volleyball #74.  I also found some dance team and cheer leading pics but those are more costumes than uniforms and folks, there is a difference.

As always, more to come.

This post was written as part of Blogging From A to Z April (2018) Challenge.

Número Veintiuno.

T is for Time ~ April 23, 2018

Time is a fickle bitch.  She and I are feuding right now. So what else is new.   

Conscience: Begin again Jilly. You sound so angry.

J-Dub: Okay.  How about this? Time is a construct of man.

Conscience: Better already.

J-Dub: And maybe this? There are only so many hours in the day and trying to get everything done can be overwhelming.

Conscience: Yes for lots of folks.  People pack it all in.  With as much gusto as can be mustered.

J-Dub: And regrets I have a few.

Conscience: Knock it off. Regrets are wasted time.

J-Dub: Maybe but sometimes I get so tired ya know.  Do you?

Conscience: Of course.  I am YOU!

“It’s being here now that’s important. There’s no past and there’s no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever, is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can’t relive it; and we can hope for the future, but we don’t know if there is one.” ― George Harrison

J-Dub: I always liked the quiet one of the Beatles.  His words ring true.  Yes?

Conscience: Ah, that’s the good stuff!  More in the spirit of what you intended for this post.

When I initially started writing this post, I had this song blasting.

Anthrax – Got The Time

Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended.

Might be the cause of the initial anger.  Time bomb ticking in my head.  Though the rapid fire pace is definitely a common experience.  Not because that is how things ARE  but because that is how WE make things.

I will say it again:  Time is a construct of man.

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.”
― Lao Tzu

Whew! Deep breath.  Chilling out.  Doing what I want to … on my time.  Me and Mr. Hand, we got it going on.  Lol!  Name that movie cuz you know I had to throw something like that in here.

As always, more to come.

This post was written as part of Blogging From A to Z April (2018) Challenge.

Número Veinte.