10 on Tuesday

Well, here we are again. Another Tuesday. So what's been going on?

1. Let's Get Physical. Since I started wearing my heartrate monitor religiously (long about January 9,) I have intentionally burned 17, 785 calories. Yes, you read that correctly. I have spent 2,295 minutes working out, or roughly 38 and a half hours. It's no wonder I'm sore.
2. The Lion Sleeps Tonight. And mostly on my head. I am the proud owner of the sweetest, dumbest cat in the universe. He is whiny. He eats all my food. It's not unlike being married, except he hasn't yet spent my money. And yet, at the end of the day when I curl up on my sofa and he curls up on his Maggie, all is right with my world.
3. Beat it. Or that's what I'd like to do, anyway. We have this system at work for publishing to the Web. It was set up by another company. It works the way it's supposed to maybe 25 percent of the time. Therein lies my workday remorse. It makes me stabby.
4. Take the Weather With You. It snowed Sunday night. Not nearly as badly as it had threatened to snow, but it snowed. And I'm still enjoying it! With every snowfall, I keep thinking it might be the last of the season, and it makes me a little melancholy. I'm enjoying winter this year. This new leaf was a good one to turn over.
5. Bitch. There is a group of women - a small group, mind you - who insist on coming in to Salsa/Funk class early, before we've finished putting our equipment from Strictly Strength away. If I accidentally bruise one of them with a 15-pound body bar, it's not my fault.
6. Bring Me Some Water. Not that I'm thirsty, mind you ... I'd just like to sit near a body of water and let a little time pass. Soon, the weather will turn warm, and I'll sit on my towel at Lake Geneva, or I'll find myself on Lake Michigan, and be one with the waves.
7. Time Passes By. I've been feeling my age lately, missing the youthful talent I once had. We all get older, and it sure beats the alternative ... but sometimes, I miss the younger version of me.
8. I Gotta Feelin'. And it more or less feels like I need to stretch. My quads and hip flexors are very tight, and my shoulders are knotty. I wish I could afford a massage every couple of weeks, but I will have to settle for a soak in the hot tub.
9. Getting to Know You. I'm loving the Olympics. Not watching all that much, really - I caught the Opening Ceremonies, and I've seen a little skiing and skating, and of course the edge-of-your-seat action of curling. But what I've mostly enjoyed is when I catch the back story of the athletes, and I learn who they are and where they've come from. We've got some interesting people competing, and I've loved learning about their lives.
10. Sky. This week, the forecast is pretty much gray until closer to the weekend. But we've seen more blue skies and sunlight in the past few weeks than we have since September, and it's a welcome change. Come on spring! I know you're out there! Welcome back!

Two sides, one coin

Tonight, I went to the theater. And as remarkable as the show was, the most important dramatic moments happened in my mind. As it turned out, I sat between my friend Millie, whom I've known less than a year, and my favorite ex-boyfriend Stuart, whom I've known for more than 20, but with whom I've had almost no contact since 1994.

During the second act, it hit me: these two people, these two precious friends, know me as two different people. Stuart knew me when the tough parts of my life played out in secret. Let's not talk about the struggles of bulimia or scrapes that require legal representation or any of a myriad of other horrible facets of me at the time; as long as it's dressed up in a pretty package - as long as the world still sees me as a Good Girl - it's all good.

After he and I lost touch (which happens a lot, post-breakup) I began a very different journey, and one that landed me where I am today. The woman Millie knows is a college graduate, an accomplished cook, and someone who makes her mistakes out loud. Today, I'm a bit of a wild child (a hard-earned title, to be sure) and I consistently seek out joy, whereas in the past, I waited for it to find me.

I've become a person who has traveled to Singapore, been married and divorced, learned to make incredible margaritas, and discovered the importance of looking at life as an adventure. I wondered, for a moment there in the second act, whether or not Stuart and I would be friends if we'd just met. I honestly don't know, but the truth is, it doesn't really matter. There's so much water under so many bridges, and the only really important thing is that we've forgiven the past hurts and reached a place where we can just enjoy one another's company.

So I sat there, thinking about how I'm one person to the woman on my left, and another entirely to the man on my right, and it hit me: Nah, not really. I'm still me. I'm still authentic Maggie, or Margaret, or Mugs. I'm still the same person I've always been, deep down. Today's version is a little more brash, a lot more accepting of others, much more honest and way more comfortable with herself, and that's the important distinction. Because this is me, right now, today.

And I think she's pretty cool.

The bylaws

The bylaws originated years ago, when a bunch of us decided we needed rules to govern our semi-nutty behavior. As life has moved forward, so have the bylaws. Here are mine, as of today:

• Coffee first; then, face the day with a smile.
• Be loving and be kind. If you can manage that, you're way ahead of the pack.
• Don't listen to music that doesn't make you want to sing along, dance or smile.
• 80 percent of life is showing up. If you say you'll do something, follow through. Or learn to say "no" more often.
• If you practice gratititude, you'll discover you have more to be grateful for.
• Read the ingredients. Try to eat more "real" than "fake" food. Your body deserves it.
• Laugh. Especially at yourself.
• Spend time around people who inspire you.
• Take naps.
• Learn something new every day.
• Leave your work at the office whenever possible.
• Let people in at the merge. It won't kill you.
• Drink more water.
• Stop wishing for things you don't have or, worse yet, a life that isn't yours. Love what you have. Be joyful right where you are. Joy begets joy.
• Choose awesome.
• Enjoy something artistic as often as possible. See a play, read poetry, visit a museum. It feels indulgent, and it's often a great bargain.
• Develop your sense of wonder.
• And above all else, be your own priority, because you matter ... to me, and to a whole lot of others.

Rambling

Maybe I'll ramble about 10 things. Maybe I won't. I just don't feel like be restricted or required by the number 10 today. Ergo ... ramblings.

I don't like being treated poorly. The vast majority of the people in my life treat me beautifully, so there is such a stark contrast when someone treats me like poopy. I don't like it. I also don't tolerate it. This is why I have car keys.

I love Valentine's Day. I don't think of it as a particularly romantic holiday; for me, it's a day to love and be loved, by others and myself.

Salt and pepper brownies. You can blame the movie "Chocolat" for my latest creation, and I'm quite proud of them. They're a little surprising, but man are they delicious.

I spent Sunday afternoon through Monday morning in Lake Geneva. It was a tremendous break from my day-to-day, complete with my friend Laura's surprise birthday party (she's a Valentine baby) and lots of laughs with Amber. I hope I'm able to make it up to that neck of the woods more often this summer. I miss the tranquility that comes from being up north.

When I got back from Lake Geneva and unpacked my bag, Benld wanted to let me know how much he didn't want me to go away again. Sneaky, isn't he?

It's been four years now since my marriage ended. It seems like a lifetime ago. I don't recognize the person I was back then. I like me, now, a whole lot more than I liked me, then.

Last night I had dinner with some of my old theater pals. Kathleen and Shawn invited Tony, Eric, Millie and I over for a pot-luck festival of laughter and deliciousness. We are very funny people. Being with them makes me miss doing theater (a little) and them (a lot.) I'm so lucky to have them in my life ... even if only for the soup. Good God, the soup!

This is why I'm sometimes late for work. At the risk of showing the world my Inner Crazy-Cat Lady, I can't resist snuggling with this fat furry fella.

10 on Tuesday

Baby You Can Drive My Car. Actually, no ... no, you can't. But I can, and I really dig it! We're in the middle of what's shaping up to be some serious snow here in Chicagoland, and my drive to work was a blasty-blast. I don't really drive any differently. I'm still cautious, still careful, still taking my time ... but I sure do have a lot of fun doing it. (And Mike? Yes, you can drive it. You just need to get here.)

Are You Ready for Some Football? Again, no. I'm not. I hate football. But I had an awesome Super Bowl Sunday, thank you very much. Back in the day, the ex and I had a pseudo-tradition of spending Super Bowl evening with our friends Melissa and Ken. We'd curl up and everyone would watch the game while I read a magazine or knitted or something. There would be good food and great people, and we'd laugh through the evening. This year, Ken had to work, but the three of us had breakfast together and spent some time in their nursery (they're expecting their first in April) before he had to go. Then I was off to my dad's for a visit before I headed back for the evening with Melissa. It was a wonderful day; a new twist on old traditions. Reconnecting is a very good thing.

I Just Called to Say I Love You. I decided this week to share a little love on Facebook. I'm popping on to profiles of people I don't talk with often, just to say hello and I love you. It's kinda fun!

Let's Hear it for the Boy. I'm an "understudy Godmother." My friends Marc and Polly have three kids, and one of their boys' Godparents dropped the ball. Enter Maggie! I invited the little dude, Ross, to spend a day with me at Legoland. His mom wrote this to me by way of explanation: "He yelled 'yes' while pumping his arm in the air." It makes me grin super big to make that happen!

Sugar, Sugar. Do you like cut-out cookies? I do, but I don't have the patience for them. Which is why I love holidays, because my boss gets cookies from this place and they are so much better than any I've ever made. Now, one of my co-workers gets them, too, so this Valentine's season, I get TWO!

You Better, You Better, You Bet. I won the fourth quarter of the office Super Bowl pool. The Year of the Maggie continues.

The Way You Make Me Feel. Flannel sheets. Seriously. I love them. They are old and soft and lush. They make me happy. They also seem to lull me into perfect sleep. I kinda want to go home and go to bed now.

Let it Snow! It's pretty. And it's February 9; in three weeks, it'll be March! This might be the last real storm of the winter. (Probably not, but it might be!) So I'm enjoying it. Although I will say, winter and I got along really well there for awhile, but we've had a bit of a falling out. He'd better start behaving, or he'll get the silent treatment.

If You're Happy and You Know It. Clap your hands, stomp your feet, do whatever ... just get happy and do something! Happy is a personal state of mind. It doesn't have to depend on outside influences! Don't get me wrong - they can certainly help or hinder - but happy is a choice! Just be happy. Or fake it ... see if it rubs off in reality.

Boogie Shoes. After a tough December (thank you, bronchitis) I'm working really hard to make my normal schedule at the gym. I seriously love my regimen. How can you not love dancing three times a week? Sometimes it's ungodly crowded. Sometimes people are rude. But most of the time, it's a sweaty bit of heaven.

The Wrangler Protocol

Drive a Jeep Wrangler, and something strange happens.

You're instantly included in this wacky sorta brotherhood, in which every other Wrangler driver acknowledges you. A wave, a peace sign, and even a tipped hat have come my way in the scant few days I've been driving El Grillo. It's kinda neat. You should come take a drive with me, so you can experience it, live and in person.

10 on Tuesday

Another Tuesday, another 10.

1. Life is a Highway. Sweet Jesus, I love my car. There are moments when I can't believe it's mine. I have wanted a Jeep Wrangler soft-top my entire adult life. There's something about them that just speaks to me. Maybe it's the way they seem unafraid of the elements. Maybe it's the way they can shimmy out of their tops to welcome in the sunlight. Or maybe it's just the simple spirit of fun they seem to embody. But now, it's mine. When I get behind the wheel, I feel oddly untethered. There's a simple, pure freedom about this car. It is even more fun than I imagined it would be. I can't imagine what I'll say when the warm weather comes!
2. I Saw Her Standing There. I had a bit if an altercation at the gym last Saturday. My Saturday workouts begin at 8:15 with strength training under the direction of the Magnificent Pam. She guides the class through a gruelling hour of weightlifting, muscle toning and endurance. It's a great way to begin a weekend. Salsa/Funk with Laura comes next, at 9:30, and it's the easiest hour of hard work you can imagine ... unless a woman comes into class 12 minutes after it's started and stands literally right next to you. The class is always crowded, and this woman, whoever she was, made it so crammed that I couldn't really move, much less work out. So, I collected my belongings and addressed her, to let her know that if her workout was that much more important than mine, she was welcome to it. "Thank you," she said. Anyhoo, I went out onto the cardio floor and finished my hour on an elliptical trainer. But damn I was pissed! If it weren't for the fact that I think one of us was going to get hurt, either accidentally or passive/aggresively on purpose, I would've stayed to protect my turf. I think I made the awesome choice, and I'll be back this weekend. With a taser.
3. Hooray for Hollywood. Oh, Oscar, I love you so. Not the awards; I never watch. But I do love the nominations, and making an effort to see the nominated films.
4. Crazy for You. I'm ready for Lady Gaga's 15 minutes to be up. Now, hear me out. I think she has a phenomenal voice, and she's a talented musician, but there's so damn much production behind her, you'd never actually know it. Get a clue, Ga; Madonna did it before you, and she did it better. Cher did it before Madonna, and pretty much wrote the book. Madonna and Cher made it work. Ga, on the other hand, has created a scenario in which people consistently talk about what she wore, but never the vocal quality of her music. And there is quality there ... you'd just never know it. I wish she'd go away for awhile, and re-invent herself as singer rather than spectacle.
5. Kung Fu Fighting. After a tough (albeit interrupted) Saturday workout and a Monday night return to Ninja school, I am in serious knead of a massage. Just sayin'.
6. What's Your Name? The Jeep doesn't have an official name yet. Why, you ask? Because there are two things I generally don't do without the help of Mike Rice. 1) Buy sunglasses. He's the best judge of what fits my big head. Left to my own devices, I end up with things that are less than perfect. Over the last few years, I've had to do that, with less-than-stellar results. 2) Name my cars. I have never named my car. He first named my car back in college, when he christened my old Ford Probe "Lolita," because she had a little shimmy in the front end. So until I get a visit from Clan Rice Tucson, the Jeep will go by it's interim name, "El Grillo" (Spanish for "The Cricket.") My friend Shakespeare gave it this temporary name when we went for the first-ever joyride in El Grillo on Friday night. So El Grillo it shall be, until Mike drives it.
7. Drive South. Shakespeare is in a production of "Steel Magnolias" at the Geneva Underground Playhouse. The Southern-twang infused play opens mid-February. I'll be going; care to join me? (Yes, Bex, I know you're coming along!)
8. Doctor, My Eyes. I just want Taylor Swift to open hers all the way. She always looks like the sun is blinding her.
9. Workin' for the Weekend. Last weekend was pretty jam-packed, while this weekend appears to be blissfully open. Which is good, because the weekend after that is President's Day Weekend, and I've got lots going on! Heading up to Lake Geneva on Saturday night to hang out with Amber, and coming home on Monday, in time to make it to Kathleen's for a potluck Fab Four dinner. (The Four being me, Kathleen, Tony and Eric. Shawn and Millie round out the group.) I'm bringing cheesecake, and already looking forward to the extended weekend.
10. Home. On Saturday night, my little apartment was filled to the brim with girlfriends (and a work dude) all crowded together for a lia sophia Show. Yes, I work for the company, but I really do love the jewelry, so why not invite friends over and try on some of the pieces I rarely see in person? We had a blast, and it served as a sweet reminder that my place may be small, but it seems to expand to fit in as much love as anyone has to share.