Blogs

As a self-described “curvy” woman, I felt more than a twinge of disgust, followed by a bit of vindication when a coworker sent me this story about a controversy surrounding the British take on “America’s Next Top Model.”

Apparently, this very nice looking model (top photo) was raked over the coals during the competition for having “stocky” legs. While the other model (bottom photo) was praised for her waifish (read: anorexic) figure.

This, in my opinion, is outrageous. Although, I can’t say I’m surprised.

Despite the somewhat scandalous title of this blog, there is no actual nudity. I’m merely referencing my somewhat embarrassing obsession with the band Barenaked Ladies.

Yes, I’m a fan of a group of five middle-aged Canadian men who sing about wasabi and boxed macaroni (although not in the same song).

In fact, the title of my blog, “Sanity is Overrated,” is a reference to a BNL lyric – “I have loved and I have waited, been picked up and been sedated. Mental health is overrated.” So, needless to say, I’m a little obsessed.

So, my birthday is this Saturday and despite what you might think, I’m not so excited about it.

Sure birthdays used to be an electrifying occurrence, something to be looked forward to for months. And then the magic day would arrive…presents, cake and a party! Hours upon hours of a celebration of me!

Birthdays used to be a time when you would look forward to getting older, wanted to be the age of an older sibling who had more privileges (or a better wardrobe).

I don’t really have anything to say, but I refuse to be outdone by my fellow bloggers.

Whether it was evident to the masses or not, in the last week there have been seven new blog posts to the Gargoyle site (and they’re still coming).

I thought I was pretty on top of it with my one blog every two to three weeks.

So this season I got talked into joining a fantasy football league. No one seemed to be bothered by the fact that I could only name a handful of NFL players (all quarterbacks) or that I would rather comment on the teams’ uniforms (What is up with Miami’s color scheme anyway?) than their football skills.

Or maybe that’s exactly why I was asked to join. Who knows?

Lately I’ve had the sinking feeling I’m tethered to technology. (I think I’ve even blogged about it before.) And this past week on vacation, I realized there’s no escaping it.

I checked my E-mail (both work and personal) at least a half dozen times and fielded several work phone calls. Granted, the week was anything but ordinary. (Do I have a knack for timing or what?) But the fact remains, I cannot let go of my electronic communication.

I don’t mean to rip off The Verve here (or show my age in pop music terms), but that is the only phrase that came to mind when the phone lines went down today in the good ole Proctor Library.

With the beginning of the semester and all the panicked phone calls that go with it, I have begun to dread the sound of my phone ringing as of late. But today, when the system went down, I realized the feeling of freedom came paired with an unexpected feeling of isolation.

Sure I have E-mail, Internet and, if I so choose to waste my precious daytime minutes, my cell phone. But the point is I have picked up the receiver no less than three times since 11 a.m. and tried to dial, only to get the deafening sound of silence.

It dawned on me today that the summer is almost gone. Although it’s hard to believe from the scorching temperatures outside. But in a matter of weeks Flagler’s campus will once again be crawling with 2,000+ students like a gigantic ant farm, but with cars.

But what is really amazing is what has been accomplished this summer. For one thing, I took up running. And let me tell you that is astounding in and of itself. In the process, I even managed to drop a few pounds. But more importantly, and perhaps more relevant to a blog for the Gargoyle online, we embarked on a complete redesign of the print edition of the Gargoyle – something that has never truly been done in the paper’s more than 35-year history.

Last night in a fit of nostalgia, I found myself watching Legends of the Hidden Temple on Nick GAS (Gotta love digital cable and its complete randomness of a lineup.) and something occurred to me that never had before – that was the hardest freaking game show ever!

Seriously, it makes the rigorous “answer in the form of a question” Jeopardy! format look like a cake walk.

Everyone I work with is either getting married or having kids. And I mean everyone. (Just work with me here. I’m exaggerating for dramatic effect.)

Seriously though, in the last three weeks, no less than three couples have gotten hitched and more are planning to tie the knot yet this year.