Surprise!!

Now that I've been home for a little while, I almost forget that people I went to school with still have breaks and different types of schedules that I do.  Even when I was at school, I would think that the world would just stop when I wasn't there; that everyone's schedule just correlated with mine.  As narcissistic as that is, it's totally true about me, but also totally inaccurate with regards to the rest of the world.

I went to a bar that I go to just about every Tuesday only to find it PACKED with about half of my high school.  I was with a few good friends, a couple of whom I went to HS with as well.  While at first I didn't think I wanted to run into anyone, I was so excited to see these people I haven't seen, in some cases, in years. One of my friends on the other hand was not. It's funny to me to see everyone's true colors come out once high school was over.  Since we're no longer forced into the same space as these people on a daily basis, it's much easier to tell how someone really feels about you or the people around you.  It's really amusing to see the different interactions between people someone actually wants to see and those they're kind of forced to say hi to.  In some cases, it's funny to see people just blow other people off too, sad in some cases, but mostly funny.

It's also amazing to me how much some people have changed in the few short years we've all been apart.  Some people have just changed physically.  Some seem like they've completely found themselves and others have seemed to lose themselves.  Although I am much more independent than I was, (as I feel just about everyone is once they've come home from four or so years at college) and much more conservative politically (judge all you want, I give you permission, doesn't bother me one bit) I don't really think I've changed much since I've been away.  Maybe I'm slightly biased but most of my friends seem to think so as well.  Regardless, I am going to be extremely interested in how everything is at my ten year reunion.

Last night made me realize one other thing. It made me realize, even though I complain from time to time, I really am happy about where I am in life right now. I think if I had a lot to work out, or was unhappy with who I've become or what I was doing or something, I'd probably be less inclined to see people from my past.  Let's get realistic, no one wants to admit they're unhappy.  It makes me really thankful though that I'm at a place where I'm proud to report my status.

Have a happy, healthy, crazy New Year!

Alli

Wannabe

Merry Christmas!!!

On another completely unrelated note, I have made a discovery about myself recently.  Lucky for you I've decided to dedicate this post to sharing it with the world.   I've always put my friends at the same level that I put my family because to me, my friends have always been like family, especially the past four years.  I am what you call a "people-person" and extremely social. As much as this is one of the things I love about myself, this is also been a problem for me when it comes to the romance department.

Quick background: Minus about one short fling at one point each year of college, I've basically been living up the single life and loving every second of it.  I had my fair share of relationships throughout high school including one serious one, but nothing really serious since.

At the risk of sounding conceited, in theory I'm a great girlfriend: I love all of the domestic stuff, I'm extremely trusting, I don't get jealous, I like having my "space," I LOVE football, I'm loyal, I'm a dancer (I could go on but I'll digress)...

I am definitely not clingy.  This has become a problem though; my friends take precedent over guys, any day.  I didn't realize it but one of the biggest problems I had with my last serious boyfriend; that I would miss-understand what he meant when he said he wanted to "hang out." For example: we would decide we were hanging out, and then I would go and make plans for us to hang out with a bunch of people.  I saw no problem with this and would be confused when he would no longer want to come along.  I didn't understand that he just wanted to spend time with me without everyone else present.  I didn't understand why half the time this happened, he would get crabby, say: "no it's fine. go hang out with your friends," and end up not coming out. But because I sometimes take everything for just face value, I would say "okay, love you" and go out like nothing was wrong.

He later explained this phenomenon to me by saying, "well I wasn't dating all of our friends, I was dating you.  There are times when it's nice to be alone with the person you love."  While that is very sweet and romantic and whatever, that never was (or is) my first priority. I know that many girls would kill for a guy to want that or to say that to them but, I am not most girls.  I appreciate this but also find it annoying. I don't like feeling smothered and I also don't like feeling left out.  I mean don't get me wrong, I love being romanced as much as the next girl, but something just turns me completely off if I feel someone is making me choose between my friends and himself.  Sorry boutcha, I'll choose my friends.

Here's what this has made me realize.  I know that the right guy just hasn't come along yet. I mean I'm NEWLY 23 years old for pete's sake. I have plenty of time and I'm aware of it. (Don't worry, not trying to settle down any time soon). BUT I've also come to realize that I need to end up with someone who's as social as I am, that appreciates time with groups as much as I do, and knows how to make a relationship work around that.  As corny as it is, at the end of the day, I know when the right guy comes along, I would pick him over my friends but at the same time he'd never make me do that.  Something for me to remember when that boy comes along I guess...

Merry Christmas Everyone,

Alli

Playoffs? You Kidding Me? PLAYOFFS!?

I am proud to report that my fantasy team this year has made it to the final round of the playoffs.  Lead by my wonderful quarterback Phillip Rivers, I managed to win enough to guarantee me a playoff stint.  Now it comes down to me and the first seed in our bracket. I'm pretty nervous but I'm confident in my team. The rest are as follows:

WR: Santana Moss, Percy Harvin, and Greg Jennings (when Harvin had his migraine issues) RB: Knowshon Moreno and LeSean McCoy, TE: Mercedes Lewis and Brandon Pettigrew, Def: Eagles and Kicker Matt Bryant.  

My opponent has a pretty strong team.  Tom Brady as her QB.  Even though he is the new spokes man for UGG Australia, the girlyness hasn't seemed to affect his game play too much. We'll have to see what happens and, don't worry, I'll keep you informed. I'm Pumped.

On another note, this is my first year playing fantasy.  I've always been a big football fan but this really gets you into the game.  It really makes you focus on the league as a whole and not just laser in on your favorite team (go Browns!).  I really enjoy it and plan on continuing to play every year.  I didn't realize however, that this would become a major turn on for many guys. 

I cannot tell you how much more interested guys are once they find out I am an active fantasy player.  I mean I guess it makes sense that they would be excited that we have something like that in common.  I just didn't realize that it would be as big of a "seal the deal" kind of thing as it seems to be.  Not complaining though, I don't know that I could be interested in someone who doesn't follow football, at least as much as I do.  I already get enough criticism for acting like a guy when it comes to relationships. (That'll be another post...).  

Now that I think about it, I think it's going to become a necessity.  So somewhere down the road, far down the road, when I meet the man of my dreams, know sir, that you will be a gentleman, you will ask my father's permission to marry me, you will not participate in No-Shave-November, and you will play fantasy football.  

Findings

I had a very interesting weekend. I observed and learned various things, they are as follows:

A) Now, I'm sure there are plenty respectful policemen out there, I am very appreciative to those who decide to serve and protect our cities. Having said that, the more interaction I have with officers of the law, the more I lose respect for the people on the job.  I'm sure most of them really do want to help in some ways and I'm sure the starting jobs suck BUT most of them seem to just have some sort of authority complex and can't wait to shove it in your face.  The other night I was innocently finishing a drink while talking with friends to the bar manager as four police came up to us, flashlights blazing in our eyes, screaming that the bar was closed and we needed to get the hell out. Now, if we were belligerent messes, giving them problems, menacing, talking back, etc. this would be appropriate behavior.  We were none of these things, and the bar manager even yelled at them. We were livid. Please prove me wrong Men In Blue, because right now, I don't think very highly of your kind.

2) I really am begining to think my friends and I are the funnest people where ever we go.  We just know how to have a good time literally anywhere.  Put us in an empty room by ourselves, come back in 15 minutes, guarantee we'll be having a blast. We went out in Ugly Sweaters the other night and I've never gotten more compliments about an outfit.  My friends and I got many toasts dedicated to us as well as three shout outs from the DJ and a couple marriage proposals.  We had a great time.  Other than the fact the warm sweaters made it very difficult to really break it down on the dance floor, I would say it was a successful outfit.  Because we had so much fun with the ugly sweaters, we've decided to do a themed night out about once a week now. If anyone actually reads this, I'm happily taking any and all suggestions, I would love to hear other opinions.

D) If you're looking for a delicious strong, and I mean strong, holiday drink, consider making "Apple Pie." Boil a gallon of apple juice AND apple cider, 3 cups of sugar, and 8 sicks of Cinnamon. After the mixture boils for a few minutes, cool and then stir in a bottle of Everclear (or any kind of high proof grain alcohol). Enjoy. The colder the drink, the easier it goes down. Two and a half cups and I was good for the night. Granted I am all of five feet tall but still.  Warning, it can be dangerous; it's hard to realize how much you're actually consuming.

4)  I hate New Years Eve.

@) That's all for now.  I know I have more to add but that's long enough for tonight.  Good night!

Alli

Kindergarten

Looking for a jobs sucks. There is nothing fun about it. It's stressful, time consuming, annoying, slightly demoralizing, etc. Since graduating in August, I've joked that I feel like I'm back in Kindergarten again. That one second I want to be an astronaut, then a veterinarian five minutes later.  Once I've decided to devote my life to animals, I pass by my old pointe shoes and decide to become a professional dancer. Reality sets in and I start thinking about law school again, before I decide I'll be the next Erin Andrews. If you haven't caught on, this is an endless cycle.  The one problem is, it's left the joke realm and become a serious issue.

I am lucky enough to understand the importance of networking and was able to land a job working as an assistant event coordinator for a non profit called MedWorks here in Cleveland.  So why then Alli are you looking for jobs now? Event planning has always been an interest of mine and I love the feeling of giving back to the community.  With MedWorks, I get both and I love what I do, but as there's no real place for me to go anywhere, I've decided to look for a new career path. (I'm sure one of these posts will be dedicated to the amazing organization that is MedWorks but I'll save that for a little later). Here's my issue: what do I do now?

Having so many options on which type of career path to choose seems ten times more daunting to me than having a laser directed life plan.  While I'm glad I don't feel stuck in one particular field, I can't wait until that light bulb finally goes on and something starts making sense. Until then, I'll go back to my kindergarten mind set and play with some silly putty as a stress reliever as I continue to apply to everything under the sun.

Alli

Quote some line from Elvis Costello's song "Alison"...

I could go into a whole long explanation about why I've decided to write a blog, give all sorts of justifications on why anyone should care about what I have to say, tell you how much better your life will be once you read my postings... (you get the idea). Instead, I'm gonna keep the introductory post to the point. I've finally decided to embrace this whole social media thing.  While I'm neither important enough nor insignificant enough to have a blog, I think I'm pretty awesome and hopefully I can add some insight, entertainment, knowledge, whatever to your day.

Although I haven't quite decided the direction I want to take this, I'll give you a little info on myself that will hopefully make understanding my posts a little easier:

I think I'm funny.  I love to laugh and like to make myself do so.  It's not uncommon for me to say that "I'm funny" following a statement if I don't think other people truly appreciate the gem that just came out of my mouth. I love to dance. I've been doing it my whole life and I like to think I'm pretty good.  I'm really not as arrogant as I seem right now.  As confident as I am in some respects, I'm extremely modest in others. I always have a smile on my face.  You're more likely to see a live unicorn than to catch me in a bad mood.  I am one of the most positive people you will ever meet.  Having said that, I'm also extremely realistic.  I've had my fair share of relationships but have extreme commitment issues. I think the world has become way to politically correct and sensitive. I am extremely social. I would be nowhere without my friends, they're as much my family as my blood-relatives. I am extremely passionate. I play fantasy football.

That should be enough to start. If you're up for it, come take a journey with me and we'll see where this thing goes.  I don't take myself too seriously, neither should you.  So if I'm writing to some, many, or just myself, please enjoy.

Until next time,
Alli