League of BOB Challenge #2: Regrets

I think part of human guilt is that you end up regretting things. I know that I do it all the time--whether or not it's warranted. Regrets are closely tied to guilt (obviously), which lets you know that you've done--or at least think you have done--something wrong.

And I think regrets are actually good for something. Sometimes. If you heed them. And you manage to pick out the right ones to learn from.

But at the same time DWELLING on things you regret  for too long is detrimental. And can make you live in the past--one of the most unhealthy things to do to a body.

And, I'll be honest, I don't really regret too many things in my life. All my regrets are pretty menial, and along the lines of "Oh, I wish I hadn't said X to person Y at this party" or "Man I wish I had studied more for that darn test", things you get over pretty quickly.

Probably the only regrets of any "weight" have to do with relationships--and those are pretty insignificant too. But they illustrate for me how I shouldn't dwell in the past; because sometimes I'll just play scenes over and over in my head--what could have happened, what I should have said, if I was able to feel emotions deeper (a problem of mine) or at least express the ones I have better what would he have felt, would everything have been different? Or sometimes more along the lines of--I should have read this warning sign, this was obviously foreshadowing of future behavior--either way, it's the same thing.

Because those chapters of my life are over. There is no re-writing pages in your biography, they're already there. So let those experiences shape you in to the character you are now and who you'll become--because a story about a static character is none too interesting.

And since I've lived the perfect life (really), I feel sort of stupid writing about this. Because I've met and am close to people who have deep seated regrets that are more legitimate than mine--people who have watched people die, people who've gotten over drug addictions, people who solely blame themselves for the death of another person, among other things--I feel frivolous just spurtting off my nonsense. Because it would be hard to just forget those things and NOT dwell in the past.

So take it as you will.

League of BOB Challenge #1: The Halloween Spirit

This really isn't a good topic for me, as I think I LACK Halloween Spirit...So I'll relate it to something I do have. Partying spirit.

I'm a big fan of throwing parties at my dinky basement apartment, and have always wanted to have a themed one. So far no luck though. The only theme we've had is "Rad and Lauren not Voming". We stuck to this. For the most part anyhow. Lauren did a good job of not voming. (I guess you can say ). But I think there were a few too many hip people for it to be totally rad. Like the hip jazz guitarist Zach in his hip cardigan who passed out on my living room floor (hip-ly).

ANYWAY, Halloween allows for a costume party. Which is a theme!

I am concerned about how many people will just hear "PARTY" and "Carmen's", and think "Hey that girl who always has PBR, doesn't require pitch, and cooks things despite her roommates protests!" and will ignore the fact whoever invited them said the word costume in there too.

So this ties into the lack of Halloween spirit--people letting alcoholic beverages get in the way of dressing up in nice outfits. Because come ON, you get to be someone else for a day, but I know this town and it's inhabitants (or at least the ones I associate with).

I'd like to say costumes are fun. Several of my friends and I have had a grand time piecing them together at thrift shops.And we're going to a pumpkin patch this weekend for sure.

As for decorations we have spiders and webs enough anyway.

I hope I'm not disappointed. Maybe I'm being too cynical. But I know one thing. Whoever comes not dressed up can have their PBR, but they cannot have our hot chocolate and Kahlua or alcoholic cider.

(Excuse the lame blog post...and have a good day! Get some spirit!)