State of the Dandis

There's something about politics that sucks me in.  Entices me with its never-ending headbutting, extensive analysis, brief agreements, lengthy disagreements and crazy cast of characters.  Just when I think I'm finally over it, I'm so not.  Tonight's State of the Union speech was another glowing example of my continued inability to turn the channel.  I don't regret the time dedicated to pre-speech analysis.  Or the time spent watching the more-than-an-hour long speech.  Or the Republican response (blech, Mitch Daniels).  Or the post-SotU/Repub response analysis.  Or the 15 minutes of already-aired pre-speech analysis by Keith Olbermann that I watched 3 hours after it was broadcast, after realizing I should have been watching him all along.  No regrets, man.  No regrets.

But whilst saturating my Tuesday night with political punditry, it got me thinking about myself.  After my not-so-sober posting from New Years, how now do I feel about the State of the Dandis?  Well the most major event as of yesterday is my securing employment at the Rocky Mountain MS Center.  Something I kept my chin up about 3 weeks ago but did not exactly foresee.  Alas, it happened and I....  feel good about it.  So good, in fact, that I immediately purchased tickets to a hip-hop blowout occurring at Red Rocks.  What better way to celebrate?, asked Danny.  I agreed.

We're almost a month into 2012, and I'm over 4 months into living in Colorado.  Things were looking up not too long ago, but now I've got some concrete evidence.  And with "the way things are," having a job (full-time with benefits) is no small deal.  Neither is having a roof over our heads, food in our fridge, family close by and the ability to afford to go to a kickass hip-hop show.  Gotta keep that gratitude alive.

So while I'm not tackling the issues of an entire nation, it still gives me pause and a chance to reflect on the State of Me.  And as far as the politics go, I can still get into the fun of the issues and the eloquence of the speech giver.  You may not love him.  You may not like him.  But how could you not have a little soft spot for a guy with vision, positivity  .....and soul to spare?  Ok ok, I know many would find it (and his SotU "spilled milk" joke) more than a tad hokey.  But this guy's got a snappy sense of humor and doesn't make up words.  I'm looking at you, W..

2012. Wait. What?

Howdy ho, and how goes?

I'm mildly befuddled by the fact that yet another year has passed.  I'm almost more confused by my alertness and my man's asleep-ness.  Note:  I'm usually asleep while he watches reruns of Colorado Avalanche hockey games.    Tonight, on the other hand, I am the warrior. (thank you, Scandal)  More than anything I have regret for not continuing a grand habit of blogging throughout the year, as I had planned to do back in February of this past year.  And so I utter a big ol' whoops, my bad..
The only grand observations I've made in the past 12 hours are that the greatest supermodels came from 1990 (Cindy, Christy, Linda *sigh*) and that I, myself, am also great.  Do not expect me to appear in the next great George Michael music vid (he's got some pneumonia recovery to do anyhow), but do expect me to make something of myself in the great Mile High city of Denver.  Since my long-awaited and anticipated graduation from the University of Minnesota, I have attempted to make the sort of strides that encourage responses such as, "Oh thank God, she's taken a worthy path in life."  Now, I don't really believe anyone has made this declaration, but perhaps eventually.  Most people need real, tangible, story-worthy stuff.  Like when you're asked if you're moving because you found employment.  To that I'd love to respond, "I'm sorry, but have you no freakin' clue as to the current state of affairs in this country?"  And then to which I'd follow up, "And have you no idea as to my spirit of spontaneity and adventure?"  If one looks back on my history since leaving the nest, he/she would find an individual devoid of strong, confining commitment.  Instead they would notice someone who has taken impulse, analyzed it ever-so-briefly, and said "What the hell...  let's try it."  I'm proud of this.  It makes me... me.  I know my loves, my passions.  Have I had failures since my arrival in Denver?  Oh yes.  But do I have reasons to keep my chin up?  Oh hell yes.  These are difficult times and I am in a difficult transition... blah blah blah...  But check this:  I've got the will to move on.  To keep trying.  To see it through.  I've got a killer support system.  And let me tell ya, it's crucial right about now.  It's not the time to cower.  I got this.
And I'm not letting this shit go blank for another 11 months.  Oh helllllll no..

And I even took my fish oil.

You know why it's called the Mall of America?  Because the majority of the country's citizens are within its confines on any given Saturday.  I should know.  I was in the chaos.  Made the mistake of driving a car instead of taking the train.  Forgot a coupon.  Locked the car key in the car.  Patiently sat through another KU b-ball game. (not gonna lie, this isn't torture)  Noted that I took supplements that should have ensured a solid memory and perhaps level blood pressure.  But uhh..   not so much. 
Though with every loss is there not a victory?  Well in this case, yes.  And I was not only the loser (as I just described), but the victor as well.  I managed to purchase all 3 items on my shopping list, with nothing more, and came in under budget.  (Is The Look for Less still on the Style Network?)  AND had a little reconnect with my previous internship supervisor at the HandsOn Twin Cities volunteer fair.  Good stuff, right?
But the funk remained...  and not in the good funk way.  So I'm chillin at the coffee shop, eating what is potentially the most delicious bar I've ever eaten (some cardamom and almond thing), and I get an email from my boss.  Her mom died this past week from an unforeseen (as they usually tend to be) stroke.  They didn't have what sounded like the most peaceful relationship, but my boss was working through a lot of the forgiving and forgetting.  Then her mom passed.  Instead of sadness and self-pity, my boss shared her feelings of positivity for her mom's peace and happiness...  and a peace she now feels as well. 
I couldn't help but think of the African philosophy of Ubuntu.  As many differences as we have between us, we still need each other.  Parent/child relationships can be the most tumultuous of them all, but it is still family.  Those are ties that cannot be broken and can (hopefully) be repaired and nurtured.  My boss made this effort, even at the end of her mother's life, and now feels enriched and happy and positive despite her incomprehensible loss.  I admire that and I will learn from it. 
So really.. what was today?  A little chaotic and frustrating.  But right now, it's good.  Life goes on, and my petty concerns of the day are just that.  I can absolutely appreciate the times when I get a swift kick in the pants that says "Snap out of it!"  And with that outlook, I think I'll head home to spend time with my two guys.  As long as the b-ball goes on hiatus for the night....

Welcome!...?

Hi.  How are ya?

I am the Dandis.  Or Amanda, for you traditionalists.  And I have a few things to say.  Well, more than a few things, but I don't want to scare you off.  This venture into the blogging world signals no great change in my life.  Perhaps ongoing change.  Who knows.  whatever.  Point being, I felt I needed a forum, even if I am my sole reader.  I'm not a great photographer, so I won't be posting wicked pics of my adventures.  Probably other people's pics with me awkwardly in them.  Otherwise, it'll just be random musings and an epiphany or two.  So hey, enjoy.  And as a teacher of mine used to say every single day...   Go forth and have a great day  ......won't you?