"Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance." - Samuel Johnson
I think Johnson was an extremely determined man. Who else could have persevered long enough to create the first real dictionary of the English language? Plus, it had quotes -- not just words and definitions, but it had actual quotations of the words used in different sentences! Who, in this day and age, could sit down and write out an entire dictionary (with sentences for each word) and not quit twelve or so words in? I can tell you what would happen if I tried....
[AJ sits at writing desk with Webster's Dictionary at her side.]
AJ: First word -- "A." [pauses, deep in thought] How the hell am I supposed to come up with a sentence for that?! Let's see... [Grey's Anatomy theme music plays in background] Ooooh... I haven't seen this one!
[AJ skips out of room. Zoom in on blank paper.]
Yup. That pretty much sums up my attempt.
I'll bet everyone has the same problem... anyone heard of New Year's Resolutions? That's right. On January 1st of every year, each person makes a promise to themselves to CHANGE THEIR LIFESTYLE. And every year it turns out the same; by the end of February, we're all back to our old gluttonous, couch potato ways. I'm the exact same. Each year I make the same resolution: I'm going to work out a fitness plan and get back in shape. And every year it's a bust; it's happened again. I keep making the same excuses -- "I have too much homework..." "Right after this episode of Grey's..." "I'll do it tomorrow..."-- and I never get around to it.
This afternoon -- after I had consumed a large, cream cheese frosted cinnamon bun, and watched two episodes of Gilmore Girls -- I went outside to check the mail. Now, normally, retrieving the mail doesn't enthrall me one bit (I usually just dump it on the counter for some other poor soul to open and grimace at the bundles of money (that we do not have, mind) we owe the phone guy, the electrical guy, the cable guy...) but today there was a letter!
[As a side note: why doesn't anyone write letters anymore? They're so much more personal than an email, and I enjoy reading a letter much more than talking on the phone. It's, sadly, a dying art. Whatever happened to those days when the boy would ask the girl if he could write her, and then they'd write romantic letters and poetry back and forth across the country side? And the girl couldn't wait to wake up the next morning in hopes that the boy had sent her a letter...? I should have been born in 1890....]
Anyway, I opened the letter and inside was a "Save the Date!" card for my cousin's wedding!
[Another side note: what the hell are "Save the Date" cards good for? Why can't you just send out the invitation right off the mark? Instead, you waste precious resources and kill trees by sending out two different cards that say the exact same thing: "Me and [insert chosen relation here] are getting married on [date] and we're happy to inform you that we have enough chicken for you to come! Be there or the chicken and trees will have died for nothing." When I get married, I'm going to save a tree or two and just send out invitations... maybe I'll go all technological and send them via email! (Since writing letters is so passe!)]
The point I'm trying to make here is that now I need to work out a fitness plan, because I cannot go to a wedding looking like I do. I'm uncomfortable, and my favourite top no longer fits right! It's very frustrating.
So, I was wondering if anyone had any great motivators for me? I mean, I could reward myself with a cookie every time I lose a couple pounds, but I'm pretty sure that would defeat the purpose. Hopefully I can channel some of Johnson's determination by taping my poetry textbook to my head, but just in case that doesn't work I thought I'd open up the line to you.... Any swell ideas?
Cheers - AJ
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