SATURDAY THOUGHTS: INSPIRED

Have you ever had one of those days where you have no plans, and don't feel like making any? 

The weather abruptly decided that Winter wasn't done, so I wasn't exactly inspired to experience it.

Feeling a little blah, and not exactly looking public-friendly, I had every intention to remain indoors and watch whatever old films were on TV. 

Something said, "Get out". 

I was inside, and comfortable, but really didn't want to be inside. 

Something said, "Poetry; music. Go and listen to some music. You'll feel better".

I was already logged on to my computer, so I searched  Twitter for "poetry". 

Not far away, at Oxon Hill Library, Khadijah Moon's Liberated Muse Arts Group would be saluting Maya Angelou and Ruby Dee. 

It was 1:30 when I saw the post. 

The event was scheduled to begin at 2. 

I got discouraged. "You look like a troll and you won't get there on time. Forget it and stay inside." 

I don't know where that negative voice came from, but I do believe I embraced speed in a way that is not my usual. 

I got myself together, reserved a zipcar, and headed out into the cold. 

The 2-block walk to the car was refreshing, and so was the music and poetry. 

I've certainly heard music before, but there was something different about today that allowed me not only to hear it, but embrace it. 

It was so healing--like a shot in the arm. 

One of the songs/poems that resonated was "Natural", a composition by Colette Williams. 

It was so wonderful to see women so confident, gracious, and encouraging, and working in such a harmonious way. 

I left with a smile on my face.

Sometimes you have to give yourself a little push, and listen to the voice that's promoting the good day that every day can be...: )

Check out the Liberated Muse Arts website.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS: FACEBOOK

I took a virtual lunchtime stroll on Facebook.

Gains and losses...

celebrations and disappointments...

joy and bitterness...

sickness and health...

certainty and doubt...

civility and wiling out...

tolerance and bigotry...

truth and denial...

arrogance and humility...

consistency and hypocrisy...

progress and stagnation...

seriousness and hilarity...

discretion and TMI...

classiness and yikes! 

Nooooooo!!!! Delete! Delete!...

life and death...

wisdom and foolishness...

laughter and tears...

and some tears as a result of hearty laughter. (Thanks to the person who posted the video of the guy shoveling, or attempting to shovel snow.)

I like Facebook. 

Some days, the posts make you realize how blessed you are, and how ashamed you should be if you complain or fret about anything ever again. 
I'm sincerely praying for those who've asked for prayer, and sending best wishes to those who are doing positive things to better their circumstances, while encouraging and inspiring others..: )

FRIDAY THOUGHTS: TODAY

Except for the occasional siren and the sound of the snow blower this afternoon, its been a quiet day. 

The snow has been falling consistently, and it is so beautiful outside. 

The way the snow has draped and stacked itself on the branches of the trees, is so lovely. 

Yes. I've been admiring it from the inside.

It's also been a fridge-raiding, snacking kind of day. 

I'm grateful that there was no need to go out for comfort foods, and the item I am happiest to say is in great supply around here is raw popcorn. 

The biggest choices today have been whether to use vegetable or coconut oil, and which Downton Abbey episodes to watch online (again).

Today would have been my parents' wedding anniversary, too. 

I miss my Mom. 

I know she would have been admiring the beauty outside of her windows, today, too.

 

MONDAY THOUGHTS: UPGRADE!

I heard a knock on the door this morning. 

I wasn't expecting anyone, and was surprised to see a FedEx delivery man. 

I knew I hadn't ordered anything. 

Those flat, glossy, white envelopes, that I've received at various times, usually held photos, cards, or prints from my favorites, Shutterfly and Vistaprint. 

I was curious to know what was inside this time.

The package was marked "Extremely Urgent", and had traveled all the way from Overland Park, Kansas. 

To my surprise, there wasn't a gift, coupon, photo, card, print, or a refund check inside, but an upgrade/buyback advertisement/offer from Sprint. 

Apparently, my carrier thinks I need an IPhone 6...and wants to lease one to me...and pay me twice the value of my IPhone 4 if I sell it back to them. 

I'm still in a tiny bit of shock. 

Sprint sent an advertisement, on the 27th of February, all the way from Kansas, to Dulles Airport, to my street. 

(Maybe my monthly bill could be lessened if they'd opt to use snail mail instead.) 

Perhaps the time-sensitivity of the offer is what makes them think FedEx was the way to go. 

I have until the fifteenth of March to respond. 

Hmmm...

IPhone6, or no IPhone6. 

That is the question. 

The other question is, "What happened to email or snail mail?" 

The FedEx guy wasn't bad on the eyes, and I do appreciate his effort today, however, if I had missed his attempts to deliver, gotten a door tag, and had traveled all the way to NE just to pick up an advertisement, I don't know if I would have been very happy with the nice people at Sprint.

I've had my IPhone 4 for a while--even then I wasn't exactly one of the first to get one. 

Sure. It experiences mood swings, and has temper tantrums every now and then, (I'm tempted to believe it's some kind of timed conspiracy/sabotage based on the arrival date of newer technology), but it still works just fine concerning the principal thing...most of the time. 

Twice, in a fit of madness, it erased all of my contacts. 

One day, it decided I was finished listening to a memo I'd recorded and reverted to the home screen. 

Another day, it refused to take a single photo or record a single video, and then, there was the day it had an attitude with the charger and refused to cooperate...oh...and it still apparently dreads the Fort Washington area, forgetting everything it knows about reception if I even think about heading west on MD-414.

The ad from Sprint implies that my once celebrated IPhone 4 is smaller, fatter, less powerful, less power efficient, and frankly, obsolete. Sprint wants me to join the hip generation, but as long as I can place and receive calls and text messages, play Candy Crush, and check email, I'm good...for now. 

The correspondence inside the glossy ad, from Chief Experience Officer, Bob, suggests I make an appointment, and go to the Sprint Store on Joyce Street in Alexandria so that I, too, can be hip. 

Clearly Bob hasn't been keeping up with the weather in the DMV. 

He and his employer have overestimated how "urgent" it is for me to experience the bliss and gratitude that the model on the cover of the ad is clearly demonstrating. 

There's such joy on her face, as she cradles her phone. 

It's like she's thinking, "Mine. All mine.". (I like her purple sweater, though.) 

No phone is worth a sprained ankle. After maneuvering treacherous sidewalks yesterday, I'm going to wait for the good 'ol Sun to handle all of the ice today before I attempt to go anywhere.

  
Sprint should know that "Extremely Urgent" would have been more compatible with a letter that read, "Hey! You have 24 hours to pick up your brand new, fully loaded, free IPhone 6!" 

That, perhaps, would have been motivation for me to experience the veritable Ice Capades, that is DC.

 
Thanks anyway, Bob. I appreciate the offer, but it's ride or die with me and my trusty IPhone 4. 
You just can't bond with your technology these days before something else comes along to make you think it suddenly, totally sucks, and you're a dinosaur. *sigh* 
I remember rotary phones and party lines. Maybe that's why having the most current technology on the first day it's released--or even months or years after-- isn't that important to me. Maybe I'll get the IPhone 6 when the IPhone 8 arrives...: )