The Death of Chivalry...

Overheard on the evening news: What started as a pleasant evening ended in death last night. After multiple confrontations, bludgeoning, and beatings, Chivalry was pronounced dead with the slam of a car door.

Police say details are a bit sketchy, but from what they gather, an unassuming young women was to blame for the death of chivalry. Her repeated efforts to open her own doors and pay her own way; her constant insistence on doing everything without assistance; her need to flaunt her independence; all resulted in the simultaneous squashing and suffocation of the aforementioned victim, chivalry. Widespread grief and mourning has been reported all around the nation in response to the loss of such a great and noble character.

Ok, so that story was definitely not heard on the evening news. But...it's a story that probably plays out in my life on a daily basis. Miss Independent is a role that I love playing. I like the feeling that I can do things by myself, whether it's changing a lightbulb or figuring out my taxes, and that I can help others do just about anything too. Need some boxes carried? I can do it. Need some computer help? I can do it. Need some mechanical help? Well, I probably can't do it but I might still try.

I often refute the idea that chivalry is not dead. I complain about the lack of genuine gentlemen at large in the world. But in my quest to be a strong, independent woman (a quest seemingly necessary due to this lack of quality men), I wonder if I don't contribute to the problem. Perhaps I kill the potential inherent in so many by not allowing them to exercise their chivalrous qualities. Perhaps I slow the growth of thoughtfulness and charm each time that I refuse a helping hand from our male counterparts.

Am I one of those girls who ruins it for everybody else? Do I spoil the effects that chivalry could have? Though I claim to be in wistfull waiting for my knight in shining armour, my unknowing attempts to poison his horse may considerably thwart his attempts to reach me. Maybe it's time to let the door be opened for me. Maybe it's time to let the bag be carried for me. Maybe it's time to let the burden be lifted for me. And maybe it's just time to stop defying the wisdom of my friend Kurt who says:

Don't make chivalry difficult.

Quality

"Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives." ~Willa A. Foster

What Not To Wear

A long pant with a pointy-toed shoe will elongate legs. A fitted jacket will balance out proportions. Clothes can be comfortable, even when they aren't sweatpants.

Who hasn't heard these phrases escape from the mouths of Stacy and Clinton, the hosts of TLC's "What Not to Wear?" I was able to host my own 4 hour mini episode in my sister's closet today. Yes, I spent four hours of a sacred Saturday--sorting, sifting, scrutinizing, and surveying my sister's wardrobe.

I warned her in advance that I would be gentle, but honest, in my comments and opinions. And trust me, there was a lot to comment on. Overgrown sweaters, knits stretched beyond recognition, pants from post-pregnancy days, and dresses that brought back memories of high school dances and sweaty palms. Perhaps the saddest and most comical find was a black-velvet, mandarin-inspired jacket. Though it might have been a keeper had it not been too large, the shoulder pads were just a bit more than I could handle. They were the clincher for securing its Goodwill fate.

Aside from participating in a much needed closet cleaning, today I was treated to a bit of nostalgia. While quite literally just material in nature, it's amazing what clothes can represent in our lives. We all have pieces that just won't ever be tossed out: the college hoodie, the ex-boyfriend's sweater, the t-shirt from that crazy spring break, and the quintessential pair of skinny jeans (because seriously, we all might get our acts together and squeeze into that hallowed pair someday, right?).

Clothes reflect who we are, and tell stories of who we've been. My favorite articles have traveled the world with me. What are you favorites, and what could they tell us about you?

Hot Caramel Apple Cider

Yummmmo...need I say more?

DC Prayer

My friend Melissa is heading to DC tomorrow. She's taking part in 45 days of prayer and fasting with a group of YWAMers (www.ywamdc.com), leading up to this fall's elections. It's going to be an amazing time for her, and I'm crazy jealous. DC is where so much of it happens. So many decisions made. So many lives altered. So many futures decided. All in that one city.

So...for those of you who pray, and for those of you who don't, I challenge you to kneel with Melissa and pray for our country over the next 47 days. Whether you're Democrat or Republican, conservative or liberal, religious or otherwise, take some time to advocate on behalf of our nation and our leaders. Clearly, we are a people blessed with an abundance, but still wanting in so many areas. Can we ACT, and more importantly, BELIEVE, for CHANGE?

Let's take the opportunity to actively SEEK HOPE for a nation with so much potential. And let's RISE to the challenge...for such a time as this.

A word of caution...

After seeing previews for the new Zach Braff flick, "The Last Kiss", over the past couple months, I was ridiculously excited to see it when it came out last Friday. It seemed to have so much potential; nice guy heading down the "safe" path in life meets mysterious girl who may represent the adventure and uncertainty that he really craves. Which life will he choose? Which path will he take?

Sounds great, right? Well, it wasn't. Clearly, I'm no movie critic, but the ending was completely unrewarding and the plot was lacking as well. And if you happen to be a Rachel Bilson fan, I wouldn't recommend this. I like her just fine in the OC, but during this movie I just wanted to kick her in the head.

So...Megan (and her roommates) give this movie two thumbs down. It's not completely horrible in everyway, but it was a disappointment. If you see it anyway, I won't judge you. Just make sure you get some popcorn so your outing isn't completely in vain.

I'm bringing Megasue back...

People have been bugging me lately, asking me why i haven't updated this thing in, oh, 14 months or so. Well, there are a couple reasons. 1) I haven't really had the motivation. 2) I'm usually thinking about so many things that I never know what to post here. And perhaps most importantly 3) Until this morning i had forgotten what my user login name was. Case closed.

A lot has happened in the past months. I'm now a senior in college, immensely enjoying my time in the world of academia. I graduate next April and no, i don't know what i'd like to do with the rest of my life. Too much to choose from i suppose, but i'm trusting that i'll be led down the right path. Right now i've thrown myself into the political arena, working on some local campaigns and immersing myself in the muck and the mire. It's not the prettiest field to work in--that i'm surely discovering. But it's a valuable place where so many good things can happen. At least i'm hoping so...

So, in the spirit of Justin Timberlake who happens to be bringing "sexy" back, I'm bringing Megasue back. Hope you're ready for a new (and hopefully prolonged) season of ramblings, soapboxes, inspiration (riiiiiiiiight) and absolute craziness.

Remember: you asked for it :)