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2010:

Reverb Writing Prompt #10: Wisdom

Dec 12th, 2010
by gazelle.
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(I have been slacking so three writing prompts for the price of one today.)

Prompt: Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

Author: Susannah Conway
Unravelling
@photobird

reverb10.com
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I think that both the wisest and hardest decision I made this year was to back off marathon training, take it easy on my foot & schedule surgery.

I have trouble with backing off and taking care of myself. I have a problem with not meeting stated goals. And I have a major issue with my body telling me that I will not do something that I have planned on doing – something that has spreadsheets and calendars.

But – I did it. I backed off the running (after a painful & slow 15K and an even more painful & slow 10K). I dropped my marathon to a half marathon. Then a 5K. Then, I became an official spectator.

I took it easy all summer. Backing off workouts when I needed to. Wearing sensible shoes. Still pushing when I thought I could.

And here I am, almost 10 weeks post surgery, and, with the exception of the way my entire body hurts because of my mile of running (interspersed with walking) on Friday (i.e. two whole days ago), I am feeling pretty good. My foot still doesn’t fit into too many pairs of shoes, and probably won’t for a few months, but at least now I am on the mend. I can start pushing back slowly and am now someone who can build up the running instead of having to dial it back.

NEWS!

Dec 10th, 2010
by gazelle.
2 comments

Before we get to today’s writing prompt, I have news!

I just a) finished my final project/paper for my project management course. Three week school break! Woot!

and, more importantly, I think, just got back from the gym.

Where I was on the treadmill for 40 minutes.

I went about 2.3 miles.

One of those miles was at a pace I would (generously, perhaps, but still) call running.

That’s right, my bitches. The gazelle is back (and only 9.5 weeks post surgery. Life is good. Suck it, Damian!)

12/9/10 – Reverb Writing Prompt #9: Party

Dec 9th, 2010
by gazelle.
2 comments

Prompt: Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.

Author: Shauna Reid
The Amazing Adventures of Diet Girl
@shauna

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Before I get all serious, etc., I just want you all to know that I am totally BFFs with today’s author. And by totally BFFs, I mean that we’re friends on Good Reads, and she’s commented on my blog before (like six times, and yes, I did just go look that up) back in the days.

Also, in her question, she used the phrase “rocked your socks off,” which makes her pretty awesome.

AHEM! Away from the shameless name dropping and on to the writing.

I love a good party, you know (I even wrote about this yesterday). Except when I don’t.  Makes sense, right?

I’ve been to some fairly fantastic parties this year – a wedding, a few birthday parties, a Halloween Spooktacular, etc. But, the best party of them all, for myriad reasons, was the architect’s 40th birthday bash.

First of all, it was at my house, which makes me infinitely more comfortable. Secondly, it was my husband’s 40th birthday, which makes it incredibly special. And third – there were so many awesome people there! Just remembering this party puts an instant smile on my face.

There was food and drinks galore. Tres leches cupcakes and a red velvet cheesecake. There was also a VERY fancy piñata!

I loved hearing the steady streams of conversations between different groups of people.

Talk of architecture, running, cooking, drinking, politics, current events, music, art, theater.

There were so many wonderful sights, sounds and experiences:

  • The friends that showed up earlier than expected and then took over in the kitchen so I could dash upstairs and finish getting ready.
  • The variety of dress; from casual chic to “I just finished a run in Forest Park.”
  • The friends that helped me light the 40 candles that went out immediately upon taking the cake outside.
  • The fun & funky play list, created by the kick-ass neighbors, especially for this party.
  • The people who made sure I had a drink and a plate of food and time to enjoy the party.
  • The smells of the fire and the pops as the piñata, after being passed ’round and worn as a mask, burned away merrily at the end of the evening.
  • The sounds of more subdued conversations as the party wound down, and a few stragglers sat in the living room well past midnight, not ready to leave.

The best part, by far, though was the look on the architect’s face as he enjoyed his 40th birthday with a group of people who were excited to celebrate with him – excited to celebrate him.

12/8/10 Reverb Writing Prompt #8: Beautifully Different

Dec 8th, 2010
by gazelle.
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Prompt: Beautifully different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.

Author: Karen Walrond
The Beauty of Different
@chookooloonks

reverb10.com

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Oooh – this one is hard! This one forces me to say nice things about myself in a public forum, which, as I’m sure we all know, is tantamount to bragging! And bragging is bad.

Interesting the reservations we have about saying nice things about ourselves, isn’t it? It’s only very recently that I can voice such things aloud (although generally not to very many people). I can say (to the architect, at least), “You know, I’m really rather fantastic in the kitchen.”And it still makes me uncomfortable to say it just to one person, much less write it here.

BUT – on with the actual question(s).

What makes me different? I have so many sarcastic answers. Maybe because I am afraid to write what I really think, in case no one else agrees. BUT – no on really is reading these, right? So I’m going for it.

I think that my desire to entertain and make happy everyone around makes me different. Not different in that I don’t know anyone else with the same desires, but different in that not everyone has the same desires. If you are in my house, or at an event I’ve planned, I want to make you happy. I want you to be entertained. (I also want you to be stuffed full of food, because I have a dread that someone, some day, will leave a party I’ve thrown and be hungry. And that would be awful.) I am not obsessed with perfection. I don’t care if my decorations aren’t awesome, or my house isn’t spotless (obviously), but I do care that the food & drink are good and plentiful, and that everyone has an awesome time. I like telling stories & putting a humorous bent on them, even if that makes me look a little foolish.

I don’t know if this lights people up, or just fattens them up, but it is something that I truly enjoy (except when I’m 3 weeks post surgery, but that’s another story). I like planning things. I like inviting people from different areas of my life to mix and mingle. I like flitting between conversations making sure everyone is getting enough to eat and drink. I like hearing after that it was a great event/happy hour/party/class. It lights me up, that’s for sure.

Does this make me beautiful? Seeing people happy in my home makes me feel beautiful. Watching people delight in making their first mozzarella, or canning a jar of salsa, or realizing that jam really is that easy makes me glow. Seeing people enjoy my homemade salsas and guacamoles and cakes (I love making cakes – and am going to make one this weekend, just for the fun of it – let me know if you want  some!) and other things gives me a very satisfied feeling at the end of the day. When it’s midnight, and I’m exhausted, and there are still people at my house not ready to leave the party because they’re having too much fun, I feel irritated satisfied.

I only wish I had more time for all of this. The teaching of kitchen skills. The gardening tips. The parties. Having people in my home, happy, makes me feel beautifully different.

12/7/10 – Reverb Writing Prompt #7: Community

Dec 7th, 2010
by gazelle.
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Prompt: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

Author: Cali Harris
caligater.com
@caligater

reverb10.com

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Community is such an interesting word.

Most of my local good friends I met, either directly or indirectly, through blogging. These people have become somewhat more than friends, and are now family. Through them, I have met so many runners and other awesome people!

I would like to meet more people in the gardening, sustainability & food security communities. As soon as possible actually.

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