Change is good

A really good piece from the NYTimes Magazine about Barack and Michelle Obama:

The First Couple

It's in the vein of he's a strong man because he has a strong woman behind (and sometimes leading) him. It's great to see a good example of marriage these days when the press seems otherwise obsessed with failure (hello John and Kate, ugh!).

What would you do with a do-over?

A good friend passed this article along from CNN.com:

5 things I'd do differently as single do-over

It's by a woman who has recently married but reflecting (20-20 hindsight style) on her former life as a single person.

She covers some of the basics like: get out of toxic relationships sooner, cry less, etc... But it got me thinking about my somewhat former life as a singleton and about what I would add to the list:

- Don't beat yourself up for the one-night stands, they are learning experiences. But try not to get so drunk the next time...
- Go out and dance more, have more confidence. You are one damn fine catch.
- Date more, try out men you wouldn't normally pick on first glance.
- Enjoy being alone. You can take yourself to the movies, to dinner, and to wherever just fine.
- Travel more, don't wait for the romantic trip of your dreams (also in the author's list).

But again, hindsight is always 20-20 and nostalgia adds a distinctly rosy tinge to most any situation. I hope though, should I become single again, that I will take this advice to heart. Who knows? The future is a lot harder to see.

Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly - Mae West

Caught this article from huffingtonpost.com (random, I know):

In Praise of Slow Sex

First reaction/thoughts through my mind: next weekend Tex and I have no real plans other than video games, a vet appointment for the kitten, and watching movies. Why not also stay in bed for more intimate reasons?

In other words, I was sold on the idea but it's the follow-through on these types of things that really counts. What if I'm feeling moody/fat/sad/blah/distracted, will I still want to do it?

As the author points out, the modern mood of people changes as rapidly as a tv channel or an Internet ad. So how can we really commit to slowing down?

Maybe you just have to give it the "ol' college try." Anyone else willing to experiment over the weekend with their partners? It'd be interesting to get a post going with various reactions (successful or no).

Oh Spanx

Found this random article and was laughing quite a bit as something very similar happened to me lately.

The Surprise Spanx Make-Out

Spanx is glorious. With an extra 10 lbs on my frame right now, Spanx has enabled me to look svelte and like my formerly more skinny self. It's clutch at weddings (wore it under every bridesmaid dress) and for those nights out when you want to look extra sexy.

But you know what's not so sexy about Spanx? Aside from the fact, as the author of the article points out, "It's like binding your midsection with an Ace bandage," what's not sexy is when your boyfriend is doing the laundry and has to fold your Spanx for you.

Yeah, that must have been a turn on for him. Amid all of my little thongs this huge, beige, girdle-like contraption. Yep, good stuff/DOH!

Got to love those little moments when the girly veil drops. It's like when you know they can hear you fart and poop in the bathroom. Not that girls fart... or poop.... but you know what I mean.

Can't go home again

Most of my writing attention has gone to the class I'm taking this fall since I'm required to keep a professional journal and write in it 4 x a week. But this entry that I wrote for the journal I decided to share here, because I'm honestly confused.

Why do people return to former employers? After a nearly 3.5 year absence, a former colleague of mine is returning to the old publish co. we worked for. She HATED it there. Why would she go back then?

Thinking of all the jobs I’ve had, good and bad, I can’t imagine ever returning to a place of former employ. I think the only time I ever went back to a job was when I came back from a semester of college for Christmas break and was able to clerk at the record store where I spent my summer. Even then I was like “What the heck am I doing here??”

I have nightmares about being back at old employers—usually the restaurants I worked at before, only this time (in my dreams) I can’t remember table numbers, keep messing up orders, can’t move fast enough, etc…

Does she think the professional growth opportunities that weren’t there will suddenly reappear despite the fact that the company is clearly in the crapper? Or maybe she really didn’t like what she left to do (marketing for Fidelity and then started her own business as a life coach), and just wanted to go back to the familiar—reporting and writing.

But…why there? You can report and write in a number of industries. Every business needs a good writer, as my father is quick to tell me. Is it the allure of the familiar? Or just an extremely shitty job market?

Maybe the reason I can’t understand it is because I’m so used to change in my life, between moves, schools, and whatnot that I’ve been through. (Although admittedly, this sounds a little haughty).

It just doesn’t seem like the way to move forward is to step back. Anyone have insights on this?