2011 in Hindsight

I'm taking a moment to think back on the happenings of 2011. New Year's Resolutions aren't something to take lightly, so some hindsight is important.

And this past year has definitely been an interesting one.

January began with Jamie and I going to New York and Boston for his birthday. In the winter. We had a great time, minus the bed bugs I was plagued with in NY (yuck). I'd love to go back in the spring or fall sometime. Minus the bed bugs.


March put Fukushima on the map when the 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit, killing tens of thousands and putting many more in danger of nuclear exposure. Obviously Fukushima is now a ghost town, but people from the town are still dealing with the aftermath of nuclear exposure, homelessness, discrimination from other Japanese, etc. etc.


Oh, and Charlie Sheen was fired. Winning?

In April we bought a vacation package (NOT a timeshare). Last month was our final payment and now we can actually plan a trip! Anyone want to go to Europe or anywhere else in the world and split 5-star, $260/week accommodations?


We also celebrated the royal wedding of Kate and William at work. I won two prizes - one for best dressed, and the other for most creative dish. Thanks to my gingerbread cookie cutter and a couple of well-placed rings, my royal PB&J sandwiches were a hit!



In May, we learned that Osama bin Laden had been killed during a US Navy SEAL operation.

Jamie and his best friend, John, traveled to Gettysburg to play soldiers on the battlefield.

In June, Hikers Unite! took its first overnight trip to Yosemite where several members conquered Half Dome.


In July, the popular court case regarding Casey Anthony came to a close finding Anthony not guilty of her daughter's death.


NASA launched their final shuttle and officially retired their shuttle fleet.


Our own Sacramento LAUNCH experienced another successful event celebrating local art, music and fashion.


Jamie and I went to Alcatraz with my folks where my father and my husband experienced the cell blocks for the first time.


In August we moved into our new duplex where we now have two bedrooms, a real backyard and a fireplace!

September saw the 2nd Annual Autumn Harvest Masquerade after a false start in July. We had to push it back due to low ticket sales, but the actual event was beautiful, and we raised over $1500 for Wind Youth Services.


The Occupy Wall Street protests made headlines with tons of arrests and random acts of pepper spraying.


In October I tried my hand at jazz singing and, while I didn't end up with a regular gig (oops), I accomplished my goal of singing jazz at The Shady Lady.


This also marks the month of Steve Jobs' death.


And Cassie's birthday.


November. November and December both rushed by with holidays, birthdays, etc., but I'll never forget how fun it was to watch my closest family and friends compete in an Amazing Race themed birthday party for my 30th.


Did I mention we sent in our audition video for the actual Amazing Race TV show?

That just leaves December. I joined a band.

I also joined Marci's annual Candy Consortium and made delicious Oreo Truffles.


And Jamie and I celebrated Christmas with his and my families all sitting down to dinner together. That was pretty special, and I don't have a single picture of that. So here's a picture of someone else's family instead.


Sometimes I tend to remember events with the negative stuff, but this list was impressively positive (minus a lot of the the world news).

So I think my resolution should reflect that. Feel free to add your resolution(s) in the comment box and let's greet the New Year with a fresh perspective and a healthier life.

Susan's New Year Resolutions:

- Become more of the positive person you were created to be. Recall the positive moments and let go of the negative ones.
- Bring life and light wherever you go.
- Be more appreciative of those who have stuck by you. You're not the easiest person to deal with, and their patience and loyalty speak volumes to their character.
- Teach what you know to those who want to learn.
- Make time for the really important things in life. And no, washing the dishes and cleaning the house isn't ALWAYS an important thing.
- Don't sweat the small stuff (remember that one?).
- Pursue the lonely.
- Serve the needy.
- Love until you don't have to remind yourself.

Happy New Year!

How a Goat Saved Christmas, or, How to be the 99% Without Having to Hold a Sign or Face Potential Pepper Spray Incidents

There are lots of really great deals going on right now. But this year more than ever I'm struck with how many bad deals going on, too. And I'm so tired of my money NOT going to help people suffering from those bad deals that I'm shopping with a conscience for Christmas (and longer, hopefully).

It's no surprise that I buy most of my clothing and kitchen gadgets from thrift stores. Mostly because I like the search and the individuality you'll find there, but also because I don't care to support big businesses. This is a delicate topic, though, because I know not all big businesses are greedy corporations that only want to make money for their own welfare.

BUT, in today's culture, it's so difficult to figure out who is worth supporting and who isn't. And just because I support smaller businesses doesn't mean my money is going toward a better cause. Just because they're independent doesn't mean they spend their money "wisely" either. I place "wisely" in quotes because that, too, is up for debate depending on your definition of what a wise purchase would be. You see how quickly this issue gets complicated.

But I am an American citizen and a Christian, and I have a responsibility to steward my money and my earth wisely.

I'm tired of hearing how so many big businesses are screwing their employees out of good health care, overtime pay and good working conditions. I'm tired of filling my home with crap and supporting the businesses that underpay their factory workers (or worse, employ children to work for them).

I don't want to stand out in the cold holding a sign (I really hate being cold), and frankly I think there are WAY more effective ways of changing the government's spending habits and bringing the power back into the hands of the people than setting up camp and causing sanitary nastiness that MY tax money has to pay for! I'd rather it go toward education, or putting child abusers behind bars.

Furthermore, I feel I have a responsibility to purchase products that won't contribute to the massive growing trash heaps or belching smoke that plastic recycling plants create.

Anyway, a few years ago I donated money to World Vision in a "goat purchase" that would help a family in Africa (World Vision is totally legit; you can look it up). I did this for two reasons - 1. I knew my brother couldn't sell the gift to get something else (yeah, pretty crappy of me to be influenced by that, but I chuckle at it now). 2. The goat was a long-term gift that would provide milk and cheese and, if needed, meat for the family. It wasn't a trendy, plastic toy that would end up in the dump a year later.



I'm returning to that concept again this year, and hopefully I'll continue the tradition for years to come.

Whether I volunteer, donate money, or just make sure I'm purchasing used, handmade or small business products, I want to purchase for the long-haul and support the systems that I agree with. Helping starving people is one of those systems. And hopefully, if enough people stop giving their money to government subsidized businesses, the government would HAVE to change in order to make a profit.

So, in order to change my spending habits for good, I'm asking you all to keep me accountable. Here's my purchasing outline (it's not the perfect list; there are exceptions to every "good" idea, but you get the idea):



- Purchase stuff for someone who actually needs it
- Only purchase items from independently owned/small businesses vs. chain stores (food and drinks included)
- Only purchase clothing, shoes and accessories from 2nd hand shops/antique stores/online websites (Etsy, Craigslist, Ebay, Freecycle)
- If purchasing something new, make sure it's made by an artist
- Make a conscious effort to stay away from purchasing plastic, whether in the product's composition or in its packaging (bye bye to buying red plastic party cups...)

There are a few major areas that will take some time to find alternatives for, like communication, travel, household cleaning supplies, makeup and technology, so for now I'll still probably have to purchase those from big businesses. Let me know if you hear of good alternatives!

Goat image borrowed from http://blog.reversethecursechicago.com/

Grazie, Signore, for the Gift

It's Christmas. Well, it's, like, two days til. But I think it's fair to say that once the calendar turns to December and that cute little kitten in the Santa hat stares at you from your kitchen wall (trust me, it was better than November's iguana dressed as a turkey--thanks for the free swag, SPCA), it's Christmas. For some reason I got this wild hair to start a blog about something most (average) people could care less about (yet the cool kids still find completely interesting) -- 18th Century fanciness (with the occasional philosophical musing). You're welcome.

The inspiration, by the way, happened today at work. Had to put in a half-day, which was mostly composed of eating cookies, chocolate dog chow (it's a chocolate-covered popcorn snack, fyi), biscotti and doughnuts. The other half was participating in an awesome gift exchange that didn't include buying a present for someone else -- it was all company swag -- and surfing online. I just discovered Amazon.com's wish list, and while I can't purchase everything I want whenever I want it, adding things to a wish list is oddly satisfying. Like I'm shopping without having to spend any money. Honestly, I think I'm more turned on by the seeing and compiling of items (even if it's just in cyberspace) than I am of actually having things in my possession! Yup, my husband is fully supportive of my wish list habits.

Anyway, it's no secret amongst my friends that I like to dress up. I'm a theatre major (as one can easily tell by my spelling of "thea-tra"), and I love costumes. I especially love fancy themes, and nothing says "fancy" like the 1700s. I mean, tell me you don't agree -- wigs, white powder, chandeliers, string quartets, bonbons, Versailles, amazing dresses... all things that give a definite impression of "fancy" in true 18th century style. And while the pannier (the underskirt hoop, not the bike bag or the cheese) kept doorways wider and sitting a bit more difficult, I'd still opt for one of those awesome dresses over jeans, any day.

All that to say, I stumbled upon some fabric choices and Baroque dance instruction DVDs on Amazon and started my list... and started this blog. After all, it's history preservation, and it's fulfilling a potentially expensive shopping habit, so we all benefit.

In order to keep the above things prevalent, I've made it my task to endure to capture such fancy 18th Century fancy-pants trends and write about them with passion and flair.... It's really not a job, it's pretty fun for me. Did I mention I was the drum major in my high school marching band and I'm basically an all-around nerd? Respect the baton, people. Don't mock the gift.

After shopping-by-osmosis, I got all excited about general 18th Century genius and had to watch a period film. I popped in AMADEUS as soon as I got home. While perhaps not a medium for learning all there is to know about the musical genius, the movie, I think, shares an accurate portrayal of 18th Century regalia, and Mozart, regardless of the medium he is portrayed in, is definitely fancy-pants enough for me. So take that, potential highly-educated music know-it-all critic. Movies rock.

But in all seriousness, I am easily influenced by movies, and while I don't remember when I first saw AMADEUS, I know why it still affects me today. First, any man willing to don the period-appropriate attire (i.e., tights, wig and frou frou lace neck piece) is a man of influence in my eyes. Yup, real men wear pink (or other pastels...at least on occasion). Second, Hulce's laugh is genius (as is all the acting). Third, the story is chilling. So here comes the first dose of personal musings and philosophy.

If you've seen the movie, you'll know it's not really about Mozart at all. It's about Salieri and his continuous struggle with God. I think that's what really strikes a "chord" with me, to be musically punny. Here's this musical mastermind (Salieri) who kowtows to his personal feelings of inadequacy and great need for human approval and blames God for Mozart's unique talent. Salieri gives Mozart utter control over his self-worth, completely unbeknownst to Mozart.

"Because you use for your instrument a boastful, lustful, smutty infantile boy and give to me only the ability to recognize the incarnation..." states Salieri as he places the cross with the suffering Jesus in the fire, swearing he and God will be enemies from thence forth.

Ah, how often we blame God for our own feelings of inadequacy and deny Him the honor of being responsible for so many other more wonderful things -- for giving us the ability to hear such music as composed by another, or the ability to see things of great beauty, or the thrill of experiencing things of such stirring quality...
Is experience not a great gift?

I didn't create the pattern or the shape of the 18th Century costume, but I can appreciate it for its beauty. I was not offered a part in AMADEUS, but I have been moved by the actors' performance. I am not everyone's best friend or the life of the party, but the lights shine just as brightly and the food tastes just as delicious. Is not experience that which makes us human? Is not the means through which we experience those things that which makes God, God?

"God was singing through this little man," Salieri admits in defeat and bitterness, speaking of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro". Yet he also admits Mozart's music was marvelous. Through jealous teeth, and without appreciation, he admits Mozart's performance was marvelous. That makes me sad. After all, what is the point of experiencing something marvelous without appreciating it?

Indeed, a valuable gift in this life is being able to appreciate God's ingenuity regardless of form, regardless of host.

A lesson learned from 18th Century fancy-pants: Don't mock the gift.