claire.she.goes

Author: Claire

  • Jesus…partied?

    Source

    This post is for those of you who are liberal, yet call yourself Christian.

    You may have fundamentalist peers or loved ones. They may not appreciate the way you express yourself or choose to socialize….


    You know something?

    When I first began to compose this post, I was feeling bitchy and sarcastic. Now, I just feel sort of sad.

    Fundamentalism can be incredibly poisonous.

    I went out recently. In fact, I enjoyed myself.

    Yet prior to going, I was warned about the consequences of my actions. I felt both shocked and dismayed over what I was told.

    My shocked thoughts included…

    What year is this?

    How old am I?

    My dismay was along the lines of…

    I cannot believe that the chains of religious fundamentalism are wrapped around some of us so tightly that folks cannot see the error in what they are saying.

    People, this life is for living.

    The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.

    Luke 7:34-35

    I’m no boozy bad-ass. But there’s no way I’m going to feel bad about enjoying myself.

  • Now HEAR this!

    I’m starting a podcast. The first episode has been recorded and edited.

    I’ve been nervous as hell about it. Mainly because I know I made errors when I was putting it together.

    Yet in spite of my mistakes I feel like soldiering on. I’m already planning my next show.

    Interestingly enough, just now this popped into my head.

    Claire, you’re on the right track. Don’t worry about making mistakes. If you’re gonna mistake your way to perfection, so be it.

    I don’t expect perfection. In my head I interpreted that sentence’s use of the word as “where you need to be”. And so, fumbling towards my Paradise I go…

    Cue this classic advice from Ira Glass.

  • C25K Week 3 Day 1

    My calves hate me.

    I don’t know what it is.

    The last time around everything was sore all of the time.

    This time, my calves actively ache as I run. With every stride, it’s as if they’re saying, “I. can’t. be.lieve. you. are. do.ing. this. to. us.”

    Well, believe it.

    Running is something I’d actually like to become good at.

    But not while risking an injury.

    I’ve been looking into stretches.

    I’ve been wondering about my stride.

    They say this sort of thing goes away with time…

    And I definitely hope so.

  • A Pep-Talk In Your Inbox

    Not one, but two.

    Right now I’m reading a book called The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte.

    I know I said I would back off of book reviews, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention this one.

    I’d heard about Danielle a while ago, but managed to put her awesomeness out of my head. That is until I started viewing the B-School videos by Marie Forleo.

    You may call me cheesy for putting a PSA on my blog. So be it.

    Marie mentioned Danielle, and I felt the urge to check out her material. It’s right up my alley. Truth be told, both women make work that’s worth studying.

    By the way…The last thing on my mind when I watch Marie’s videos is “I want my business to make a million dollars.” Hell, I don’t even have a business. Yet.

    What I AM working on is freeing my spirit. And it’s coming along fabulously. 😉

  • Sweet, SWEET recovery

    I drafted this post about a week ago. And although I’m done with Natrel, the brand I’m using right now is almost as good. 😉

    For a while they’ve been saying that chocolate milk makes an excellent recovery drink.

    I bought some at the store, and man…

    We’ll see how it does. Price-wise, it sure beats the protein supplement that I bought last month.

    For now, though, let us meditate on the taste.

    I reckon there are adults who drink chocolate milk all the time. I’m not one of them.

    Imagine my surprise after I first downed some of this

    earlier today.

    I don’t know what chocolate milk is supposed to be like, but this was nothing short of evil.

    Note that the box says “1%”. One percent my arse! *whispers* I thought one-percent milk was low in fat. *stops whispering* I tell you, if not for the label, I would’ve thought I was drinking melted chocolate ice-cream.

    Is that how it should taste? Because if so, well…Damn.

    I felt kind of guilty. On the other hand, as a young lover once said

    Give me my sin again. – Romeo

    It was on sale. The least I can do is finish the thing.

  • Shy?

    This video caught my eye today.

    Here’s a bit of insight into how that talk came together.

  • Worth Watching

  • Still Jill

    I was checking out Youtube this morning.

    If you know me, then you know that I adore Jill Scott.

    There’s one song on her latest album that I regularly skip.

    Why?

    Its beauty and honesty makes me want to cry.

    Still, I figure someone out there might need to hear it.

  • P.S. – On Ashley

    I nearly forgot to mention it in my last post, but I adore Ashley Judd. Always have, and I suspect that I always will. I probably know more of her as a woman, than I do of her work* but she’s always impressed me.

    In an industry rife with fluff, she’s never struck me as one who shied away from substance.

    Recently folks in the media have been making unkind comments about her appearance. In response, here’s a piece that she wrote for The Daily Beast.

    From the introduction:

    As an actor and woman who, at times, avails herself of the media, I am painfully aware of the conversation about women’s bodies, and it frequently migrates to my own body. I know this, even though my personal practice is to ignore what is written about me. I do not, for example, read interviews I do with news outlets. I hold that it is none of my business what people think of me. I arrived at this belief after first, when I began working as an actor 18 years ago, reading everything. I evolved into selecting only the “good” pieces to read. Over time, I matured into the understanding that good and bad are equally fanciful interpretations. I do not want to give my power, my self-esteem, or my autonomy, to any person, place, or thing outside myself. I thus abstain from all media about myself. The only thing that matters is how I feel about myself, my personal integrity, and my relationship with my Creator. Of course, it’s wonderful to be held in esteem and fond regard by family, friends, and community, but a central part of my spiritual practice is letting go of otheration. And casting one’s lot with the public is dangerous and self-destructive, and I value myself too much to do that.

    However, the recent speculation and accusations in March feel different, and my colleagues and friends encouraged me to know what was being said…

    Honestly. As I read the article, I kept asking myself, “Why isn’t this woman a professor?”

    *Did you know that Ms. Judd was on Star Trek: The Next Generation? Oh, yes, she was…

  • This week in Clairedom…

    1. I’ve discovered a couple of interesting articles, via a forum that I frequent.

    a) Do you know anyone who says, “I can’t be racist. I have BLACK FRIENDS!”?

    Meanwhile, certain things that they say or do tell a different story…?

    Well. Here’s an article for them. Leave it open on your computer the next time they come over.

    b) This is what happens when TMI and racism collide. Some of the products that they have out there for women blow my mind.

    2. In Personal Fitness News I am exercising more, and finding that I like it.


    Source

    It all started a few weeks ago. I have a gym membership, but I never used to go.

    I had joined when they first opened, then cancelled my membership. Fast forward to last year. I joined again, and my attendance was spotty.

    A few weeks ago their third anniversary came around, and I realized something. I’d never gone for my orientation. Also, during their anniversary open-house, I won an hour’s worth of personal training.

    Now, to some, an orientation plus an hour of training may not sound like much. But that two hours’ worth of working out has been a real revelation to me.

    I feel more driven and purposeful when I’m in the gym. My trainer came up with a plan for me that included several different exercises. I feel as though I can make the most of my time. I feel ambitious and eager to do and learn more.

    And even though just now I caught myself craving a chocolate bar…I find I’ve really been put off of sweets. That’s a revolutionary change if ever there was one!