re-inauguration and R-E-S-P-E-C-T (of the "self" variety)

Man. 

Reading old blog posts is like finding unpleasantly cheesy, trite, and painful childhood diary entries. 

Seriously.  

Save for a few of the more personal entries (and even those can trigger slightly cringeworthy effects), I gotta say: I have been one sap-tastic blogger.  

Moreover, I've been horribly unreliable and unoriginal.  

What I've decided is that I'm way too easily distracted and scatter-brained (*using this word makes me feel like a 70+-year-old*) to come up with and stick to a set blog theme.  Also, trying so hard to sound clever and witty and deep has never been my strong-suit.  I think I'd fare better by writing in my own "voice" - or, at least, figuring out exactly what my voice sounds like.

So here's the deal:  I'm making it one of my New Year Resolutions (apart from the resolution to make and stay true to Resolutions) to post at least one blog thing a week.  Another blog-related resolution is that I'm going to be myself.  

My wifey Jose (who's actually a guy and therefore not really a sexual object in my life and therefore not actually my wifey (God has a weird sense of humor and decided to put my soul-mate in a gay man's body)) and I made a pact at the onset of Winter Break:  to do everything possible to build up the confidence in ourselves to be ourselves.  

For me, this includes getting healthy (and having a healthier body image), dressing in clothing that I feel suit my style (pun!), and, most importantly, speaking for myself.  Basically, it's all about self-respect.  But no worries: I promise I'm not going to turn back into sap-tastic Vickie. Granted, I'm probably going to keep on writing about some personal things, but I'm going to do it on and in my own terms.

So here goes.

...

Again.  

But for real this time.

Leaving on a good note (just some music I've been obsessing over for the past couple of weeks or so):

1. "Mona Lisa" - Nat "King" Cole

There's just something about his voice that makes me melt. That and this song is just so beautiful in so many ways. I'm not saying I'm a Mona Lisa, but who can listen to this song and not relate to it in some way?

2. "Postcards from Far Away" - Coldplay

I've always been in love with the piano. I'm both eminently jealous of and easily in love with anyone who can play it well - particularly with pieces like this one. It's short and sweet, but totally engrossing. When I'm at school, listening to it makes me homesick for the brown, fall leaves of VA. And when I'm home, it's just a nice way to sit back, relax, and take a moment to think.

3. "Can You Tell" - Ra Ra Riot

Ra Ra Riot's quickly becoming one of my favorite bands - mainly because I'm partial to bands that use stringed instruments apart from the guitar. Also, this song is so catchy and poppy and pretty much says everything that needs to be said about being way too awkward, shy, and inarticulate to tell that special someone exactly how you feel or show him/her exactly who you are - something I may or may not know a lot about. Okay. Maybe a lot.

Also, I like their moves.

4. "Saturday" - Chris Garneau

This man writes some of the most heartbreaking songs you'll ever hear. On the same token, he can also write some really romantic songs. This is one of those songs that can touch you on both levels.