Shake your hips...

It's your Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday, Marzipan!!! I hope this year will be an amazing one for you.

Just remember these few pieces of "notes" I've picked up from some wise therapists:

* It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser

* The first rule of holes: stop digging if you're already in one

* As your memory gets shorter, expect your complaining to get longer

* You will find that your patience is getting better... but you then realize that you just don't give a crap about crap anymore

* Finally, remember that growing older is a matter of mind over matter. Provided you don't mind... it doesn't really matter!

Luv ya!

xo
SC

Define 'Blog-worthy'?

This was a Facebook message exchanged between myself and a couple of friends who've been galavanting around Europe for the past three months...

SC says:
Dear N & V,
I hate your status updates. Please stop... I've been crying for 3 months now. Luv you and hope you're having a great time. ♥ SC

N's response back:
SC!!!!!!!!!!!!
i love you and i miss you andf i cant wait to see you
you are the greatest pers0on ever

ive been drinking
so my tpyoing is horrinble
i applogise
qahahaha
SC
2 weels
we need to catch up
i love you



..... Definitely Blog-worthy!

xo
SC

To love you for you

Courtesy of my SATC quote of the day:

Carrie:

Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic; those that are old and familiar; those that bring up lots of questions; those that bring you somewhere unexpected; those that bring you far from where you started; and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all, is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you YOU love, well, then that's just fabulous.

Feel empowered, ladies and gents... love yourselves!

xo
SC

Five things I learned today

1. Stock upper right-hand drawer with fruit.

2. Don't restock bag of m&m's in drawer, after it's finished.

3. Green tea: do not steep for more than 3 minutes if you want that "sushi restaurant green tea" taste to it.

4. After two and a half months at this job, I realize I STILL hate politics...

5. When you're riding on a crowded subway at 7:30 in the morning, coffee mug in hand, bag on shoulder, one foot placed firmly on the ground -- if the train suddenly brakes, and you fall sideways ... there will ALWAYS be a creepy 40-something-year old, who will go out of his way to catch you (feel you up!).

xo
SC

Good Morning!

This was rather exciting to wake up to!

xo
SC

Step One is Admitting You Have a Problem

Hi. My name is SC and I am a YouTube-a-holic.

I find myself coming into work every day, logging on to my computer, opening up my Outlook, checking my e-mail (from the boss lady and friends), opening up my Gmail, checking my e-mail (from school, friends, lovers and other strangers), opening up Facebook, etc.. etc... etc... (wash, rinse and start all over...)

*ahem*

And then...

once I'm well settled in, with Word and Excel opened up to the appropriate documents of the day, I log onto... (any guesses here??) YouTube.

This wasn't a real problem before because I never really familiarized myself with the site. I would go on to check out music videos or clips from some of my favourite shows. But lately, on my daily quests for music to help me ignore everything else around the office, I've been encountering some stuff that I'd pushed away in the filing cabinet that occupies a third of my brain, (the other two thirds have other purposes, don't worry!).

And with these songs, there are magnificent videos that capture the essence of the lyrics or scores. I spoke about "Stardust" earlier, in how it's a very visually stimulating video that you can watch as you listen to the words...

Today, I was listening to scores from The Godfather, Breakfast at Tiffany's and Love Story. The common factor? 10 points to the person who guessed, Andy Williams.

It started out with Frank Sinatra, but one thing led to another and... you know... (I know, I'm such a YouTube skank, jumping from one artist to the next without so much as a second click!).

ANYWAY, I found this video. Someone created it to go with the Piano theme of Love Story. I honestly think this should be on the Harlequin Romance website ...

The creator of this video must either be a very hopeful individual or an eternal optimist. Either that or this person is truly, madly and deeply in love...

In either case... good job. You managed to get a border-line cynic like myself to not only get all mush-yucky watching your video, but you also made me post it on my blog.

Well done. Jerk.

xo
SC

A perfect example of the wonders of Globalization

Meet Che'Nelle.

A native from Malaysia, she moved to Australia when she was 10. She's an up and coming singer, who just got signed to Virgin in the States...

Her music genre?

Well, just have a listen and tell me what you think!

xo
SC

Stardust Melody

... I don't know how I would survive work without YouTube... (Thank you, for keeping me in mind when creating your site, YouTube creator!)

I just listened to Bob Marley not too long ago, while compiling contact lists upon contact lists... and now? Beautiful... soulful... soothing... enchanting... Nat King Cole.

Yes, you can make fun of me. I've already had 2 people walk by my desk, asking me why I had a goofy "sappy" look on my face. Thankfully they can't hear what I'm listening to because I don't have speakers and have to plug my headphones into the computer.

I watched this video on YouTube with images captured from the Hubble telescope, while "Stardust" by Nat King Cole played in the background. It's funny how these visuals can have such a profound impact on your mood, emotions, senses... I watched the video, maybe about three times in a row. I kept thinking about the reality of how tiny I actually am in the grand scheme of things. I'm a literal speck among billions... It's good to keep things like this in mind when I find I'm overwhelmed or getting ahead of myself.

My aunt was right when she said that the best way to get to some one's emotions is to capture the senses...

If played well, I've caught myself teary-eyed while watching commercials (those people at Hallmark know what they're doing, targeting people like me...).

xo
SC

I thought I liked running into people...

... who I thought I'd left in my past.

But I'm starting to think that's not such a brilliant thing after all. Let me explain:

I was at the Tim Horton's just around the corner from my work and ran into a police officer. I looked at his face and realized that I knew him. I was friends with his brother when I was in high school. We had become really good friends over a period of time and seemed to enjoy each other's company a lot. Then one day, he mentioned that he thought a friend of mine was cute... someone who he hadn't spoken to... someone who used to make fun of him and his friends when we all waited for the bus to school. But, Cupid in me kicked in and I figured why not introduce them? So I did.

The girl was someone who was in my larger circle of friends... but I noticed that over the course of that summer, she too started getting close to me... but the common factor was, well, the guy. Being 17 and all, I didn't think much of it.

As the summer drew to a close, I realized that the two were getting closer and we in fact, dating... I remember thinking at one point that I should have considered a career in matchmaking, because this was the third couple that I'd managed to set up, successfully. (Go me...)

Anyway, as the days turned to weeks, the weeks to months, I noticed that these two people had gradually stopped talking to me. I wasn't sure why, at first... but I soon realized that they, like peas in a pod, had both gotten all they had wanted from my friendship... each other. I was simply the medium.

I haven't seen the guy in about seven years. The girl was in one of my classes in university ... but let's not talk about the servings of awkward sauce involved in that.

Fast-forward to 10:30a.m. this morning... I run in to the brother of the guy of topic (who is now a proud serving officer of Toronto's Law Enforcement, mind you). The brother is also a police officer.

And this is what he says to me:

Hey! Did you hear about X and Y? Yea, they're engaged now. Did you know that? They belong together, it's so cool how it all happened! They're searching for houses together...

... Did I hear? No. Was I supposed to hear?

Needless to say, I saw this coming. I knew it would happen eventually but I guess I never prepared myself for it. My automatic impulse was to run back up to the office and call someone and say, "Ohmigosh, did you know??" because she would probably appreciate this kind of news... But I didn't. I needed therapy... and I figured this was the best way to get just that.

I might delete this post if I read it again. Then again, maybe not.

I also wondered if I was perhaps missing something. Am I missing an element in my life that should make me want to have a marriage or a strong relationship before 25? Maybe it would be nice but... I wouldn't know where to fit a relationship into the roller coaster that is my life right now.

But the news did strike something. I just can't figure out what it is quite yet.

xo
SC

Lyrically Abstract...

A reader sent me an exercise, asking if I could summarize an idea, a thought or a feeling in a few (he's given me a lot of room, here) pieces of lyrics from some of the songs I listen to. He's given me 5 minutes to do it... I'm not one to turn down a challenge, so here goes nothing...

... I am not my hair, I am not my skin... But I've still got sand in my shoes, and I can't chase the thought of you... I'm still dancing to the music of the sun...

... while I try to keep my conversation clean... I know words can't bring me down... but words can break your heart... so here I go again...

... no, I don't like living under your spotlight, still, if you treat me right, you won't have to worry... You are the raindrops, I am the sea... and I won't let you fall... but I need to trust my voice, like my oldest friend...

... if I can dream... somewhere out there... I am only the soul that lives within...

xo
SC

P.S: That was a lot harder than I thought it would be... still, it was pretty exciting to do in 5 minutes!

Scrabble

I get better and better at this game, every day! Although... I'm pretty sure there's about three people from J-Skool that I know I'll never be able to beat. They can create their own dictionary with the words they make up! ;)

I know I've written about words before -- Words about words!

But lately, I've been on a reading binge. More so than normal. I've been escaping the hours beyond work and the gym to spend a good portion of my evenings and weekends, lost in stories that transport me away from my reality. There's something to be said about a good book. This summer, there have been about four books that have put me in hiding from society.

Well, not really... I mean, I read in public. But what can be said about me, right now, when I'd rather spend time getting to know characters in books (fiction and non fiction) than the people at my local pub?

I mean, don't get me wrong... I love going out with my friends (most of whom I miss terribly... YOU KNOW who you are.. ahem!) but lately, it's just been the same ol' of the same ol'.

I told a friend the other day, that I was feeling restless. As in -- I felt this way in gr 11, third year university... and now. It's a pattern. The closer I get to where I feel I need to be .... the more antsy I get.

I don't know... it could be a bad habit... anticipating the future. I'm more of a 'live in the present and try to make the best of it' kind of person... but lately, I can't help but wonder what's in store beyond December.

Like a game of scrabble.... I feel as though I've made all the words that I've been able to make. Now, it's down to the last few consonants in the game ... it's difficult... but with the right vowel, it's do-able (messed up analogy, i know .... but it makes sense to me). I guess I need to find that right vowel to anchor myself on, so that I can continue building.

That, or a new scrabble game all together!

xo
SC

The story goes...

... that if you kiss enough frogs, one might eventually turn into a prince...

So, here I pose a question to my favourite Egyptian:

"Does your frog-prince ride a motorcycle?"

xo
SC

p.s. I love you!

Every once in a while...

... someone says something to me that really gets my wheels going. This time, it was something a coworker said to me, as we ate a very unhealthy lunch of burgers at the food court by our office.
The topic? Well, it was the usual subject of choice: men and issues surrounding... well, men.

She said, "Well, here's the thing... if I know I can have him, then I don't want him."

It was as simple as that.

But it got me thinking because for some reason, it made so much sense. Time and time again I have met women from all walks of life who have uttered the same phrase to me: "Why is it always the ones I'm not interested in?"

Could it be that it's all in the chase?

As my coworker and I discussed this (I was fascinated), I realized that it is in fact all about the chase. From both sides. It seems that if one party is more invested into it than the other, there's bound to be an unbalance that will eventually throw the relationship out the window.

If there is an attraction, then either both parties admit to it right away and lay an equal value of cards down.... or they start playing a game -- with each taking turns to either be the cat or the mouse -- only later admitting to being absolutely infatuated from the start.

Even for me, this statement rings true. I have never been attracted to the guys I knew I could get. I can't recall one single time. It's always been the ones that I knew were a challenge... and it seems as though I'm not alone in this.

So, readers.... what are your thoughts on this?? your experiences??

I'm really interested to see how this maps out. We all talk about how we don't like it when people play games... but in the end, if this is how it works... isn't it ALL one big monopoly board? Where if you over invest, you're screwed.... or if you don't ante up enough... you're out?

xo
SC

On a Quarter of a Century...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY. BB!!!

Here's wishing you all the very best that life has to offer and that you find abundant happiness in all that you do!
xoxoxoxoxo
Me!

"Gunna smile 'cause I deserve to..."

Happy Birthday, Gramps! xoxo

I felt as though I was losing my mind this morning. For some reason I couldn't find myself balanced with everything that's happening in my life. I'm usually very good at compartmentalizing different aspects of things that affect me on a day to day basis... but this morning, it just felt as though things were crashing into me like waves and I couldn't keep up.

So... I did some early "summer cleaning."

This started with me getting rid of old e-mails... forwards and otherwise. I also minimized myself down to one central social network... which, mind you, I would also like to get rid of at some point in time because it's getting hard to keep up. I'm absolutely enjoying touching base with friends whom I thought I would never speak to again because of the different journeys that life has taken us on... but at the same time, there's certain people I would rather not keep up with, to be honest... because it hurts. It's one of those things where you can't help but look... you know? sort of like a train-wreck... you know it's bad... but you stare anyway.

Facebook is fine though... It's worked for me for all these years... I guess I'm just reacting to being overwhelmed.

I also came THIS close to getting rid of StraightFromTheCurls! !!! I know... what?? Right after its first birthday too!! BUT I couldn't bring myself to do it... tis a labour of love, after all.... and some of the back-posts make me laugh.

Anyway, I've been spending the past few weeks making some pretty critical decisions for myself...

Someone once asked me what my 5-year plan was... and I told her I didn't have one. So here I am, making a one year plan. That's better than no plan right? There's a lot happening over the course of the next year, starting in September 2008. i guess it helps to have an idea and to have options.

I was on YouTube again... I found another Leona Lewis song that I didn't think I liked at first... but then I re-read the lyrics and thought - damn! Talk about empowerment!

Here's The Best You Never Had

xo
SC

Once in a while...

... a song chooses to play on loop in my mind. For the past couple of weeks, it's been "Better with Time" by Leona Lewis.

She's a brilliant artist from the U.K. and in my opinion, she one of best singers I've heard in a long time. Her stuff is original and actually sounds like she's made an effort with her craft.

Here's her video for "Better With Time"

xo
SC

52 Blog Entries Later....

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
to StraightFromTheCurls!!!

One Year... Wow... I can't believe I've managed to keep up with this thing for so long.
This means, I've averaged at an entry a week.... hmm... not too bad! :)

I want to thank everyone who reads this source of daily/weekly ramblings. It really means a lot. Whether you're reading it because I made you... or because you accidentally stumbled across it... or because you're an amazing person and have the blog bookmarked and it's part of your daily log-in series (e-mail, facebook, lavalife, simi's blog...) [ ;) ]... Thank you!

I appreciate all the comments and food for thought. Here's hoping I'll be able to pull off another year, with thoughts that have a bit more flavour! :)

xo
SC


P.s. Click "first" under labels, if you want to read the very first post. :o)

"She'll be waiting in Kingston Town..."

I love this feeling!
It's the moment when you come out of something, after days and weeks of feeling as though there's no way you'll jump out from the abyss.
I really feel that everything happens for a reason.

I also realize that sometimes it takes being completely disconnected from a situation in order to be fully perceptive about it.

Honestly, I can't stress how often this happens to me! I find myself in a situation which at that given moment seems like perfection. Then, in the days that follow, it becomes frayed and does not match up to the feelings and experiences from said moment.

Then, I feel the need to make excuses and compensate... often imagining that I'm the source of that displacement.
I realize now, that I should always trust my instincts. They've never failed me till today. I need to stop blaming and second guessing myself when things don't go as I imagine. Sometimes, a situation really "is what it is" and people really "are who they are."

I need to stop trying to make allowances for people's behaviour. I don't think it helps me or anyone else.

I love figuring things like this out for myself. Now all I have to do is remember this in the off chance that I find myself in another situation like this.

xo
SC

Note to self...

Well, I guess I made one self-discovery today.

I don't know much about a lot of things, but I realized today, that if I ever get married, there is one thing (aside from the groom) that I'd like on that day...

During the ceremony (or at some point during it...), I want Bach/Schubert's version of "Ave Maria" to be playing on the piano/sax.

hmm... Maybe one, then the other?? Ok, I guess that's a decision yet to be made.

But really, This has to be the most relaxing, enchanting version of the song that I've ever heard. I think my uncle Roy had this song at his wedding waay back when. It seems familiar.

Ok, I'll stop talking about weddings. But... fyi. Or maybe... for my info. Ick!

xo
SC

****UPDATE****

Ok... last one, I swear!

One more discovery for today: I'm super excited about 2009. Super scared too... but excited, still! :o)

Ok, that's it!

xo
SC