A Crush By Any Other Name

The other day I overheard one of the girls telling us about her coach...

“Have you met J, yet?! I totally have a crush on him…well, NOT LIKE THAT (hahaha)! He’s just awesome. I really like it when he’s around!”

I knew EXACTLY what she was talking about!

I get crushes all the time. This is what I mean…

My first crush came in elementary school. Rob Kirchoffer. He ended up being my first boyfriend. I think that I sent (or maybe I received) an “I like you. Do you like me? Please check YES or NO,” note from him between classes one day. It was great!

In high school, I had crush after crush after crush. Finally to the age that interest could lead to an actual date. I had…no takers. Reise was my most memorable high school crush. He was two years older than me, an athlete. He had a sister in my grade. To me, he was sweet as could be. He innocently flirted with me, encouraged me, and looked out for me.

Today, when I say that I have a crush on someone, I mean that there is something about the person that draws me to him/her. There is something that I want to know more about, and I want to reveal to them more about me. There is some kind of connection that dares ask, “I like you…and I want you to like me. Would you?” In the same, innocent way that I asked my first boyfriend, who during our relationship only sat with me at the lunch table.

Would you like to have a coffee, a drink? Would you like to hang out? Would you like to talk about life with me? Would you like to know about what I do and what I think? I would like to know about you.

There is energy in the interaction, but it is not a romantic energy. Though, it is still fun and exciting and honest. I think that in life there are many levels of attraction. I am attracted to some people because I like their humor. I am attracted to others because I admire the way that they have found success in life. I am attracted to honesty and beauty. I am attracted to fun and the willingness to seek out adventure. My attraction does not always lead to romantic interest (although sometimes it does, but that is different).

Everyone knows people who you genuinely like, but can only take in small doses. There are those, however, that mean more. You can’t explain it…you just like being around them as much as possible. They make you laugh, they share your interests, they challenge you. You leave their presence feeling better about the world and about yourself. These are the kind of people that I like to befriend…and keep around. When I meet someone that I think might be this kind of friend…well, those are my crushes. Sometimes, I am misunderstood and it becomes awkward, but most of the time…my crushes turn into friends. Some of them, dear friends.

So, the next time you hear me talking about my latest crush, know that…

I don't mean it LIKE THAT!

something to be

written by Rob Thomas

hey man
i don't wanna hear about love no more
i don't wanna talk about how i feel
i don't really wanna be me no more

dress down now i look a little too
boy next door
maybe i should try to find a downtown whore
that'll make me look hardcore
i need you to tell me what to stand for

i've been looking for something
something i've never seen
we're all looking for something
something to be

hey man
play another one of those heart break songs
tell another story how things go wrong
and they never get back
my pain is a platinum stack
take that shit back
you don't wanna be me when it all goes wrong
you don't wanna see me with the houselights on
i'm a little too headstrong
stand tall
i don't wanna get walked on

i can't stand what i'm starting to be
i can't stand the people that i'm starting to need
there's so much now
that can go wrong
and i don't need somebody
trying to help it along
it's the same old song
everybody says you've been away too long
everybody wanna tell you what went wrong
wanna make you like an icon
till you believe that they're right

My Celebrity Heart-ThROB...

...in concert at The Backyard, this Friday!!

I (Heart) Austin

Just back from a GREAT trip to Florida with my girlfriend Lindsey...

We had a great time relaxing on the beach!
Slept until 11am most mornings.
Enjoyed plenty of cocktails.
I met Lindsey's friends from college!
All-in-all, an A+, success of a vacation!

Still...

There's something about Austin, you can't help but miss when you're gone. I would like to try and describe it here, but I just can't come up with the right words or the best story. I suspect that Mike is better at this than I am.

I was at a beautiful beach for the past six days and I couldn't help but think about this city...the people, the food, the feel of Austin. I know that I was meant to live here. Since the day I stepped foot into this city (August 1994), I have not once considered leaving it.

I love that I can stop in just about anywhere and have good queso and a great margarita! I love that I can wear flip-flops and forget to comb my hair and no one will notice...well, maybe they notice, but they don't care. I love that on any given night, there is a chance I'll run into someone I know. I love that this is my home...and every time I leave, it welcomes me back.

I (heart) Austin.

The Princess Bride

I just put this photo on my desktop at work. It is very good for me to be reminded of the great people that I have in my life...

This is my sweet friend Tiffany on her wedding day...
She is beautiful!

Tiff and I have been friends since the 7th grade. She played on my very first volleyball team, ever! While I couldn't shake the sport, she went on to become a cheerleader. We survived high school together in Omaha, Nebraska, and have remained the dearest of friends. She is the kind of friend who knows some of the best things about me and some of the worst things about me, but loves me just the same.

We live several states apart, but whenever we have the chance to reconnect...it is as if not a single day has passed between us. She is one of the truest people that I have ever known. To this day...one of my biggest cheerleaders! I love her for it.

P.S. The estimated average height of Tiff's wedding party - 5'10"

Breaking my Habit Before Breaking my Back

My back started hurting me about six weeks ago. After a short run, I woke up the next morning and couldn’t stand up straight. Normally, a sore back goes away for me in a day or too, but I couldn’t shake it this time, so I decided to make an appointment with my chiropractor.

I saw a chiropractor for the first time when I was playing volleyball during my college days. From an out-of wack shoulder, to pulled abdominal muscles, a temperamental knee to a sore back, my visits to the chiropractor seemed to cure it all...and as the training intensity increased, so did my visits.

I had started feeling better, much better since I scheduled the appointment. Even so, I found out that I had slipped a disc but that my body was already on the way to recovery. More importantly, I found out that I should NOT be popping my back or my neck. I was told that my tendency to do this aggravated the problem and that I should stop immediately. So, the challenge has been extended...

It turns out that I pop my back about a half-dozen times every day. More than that if it’s tight or hurting me. My neck…I probably attempt to pop at least once every hour. Already this morning, I’ve caught myself mid-pop about five times. I’m going to try to do this, though. My chiropractor has promised that I’ll end up with a stronger back as a result, and who doesn’t want a strong back?

So, if you see me around and I’m popping my back or my neck, do me a favor...pop me upside the head! I need to break this habit.