The sun'll come out...

So starting us off on a moderately depressing note. Have you ever read Nietsche? One of his central tenets, contributing to that loveliest movement, nihilism, was that life is inherently pain, if for no other reason than because we must all realize that we will die and that's the end. Sunshine and Lollypops that guy... He continues on to his secret, we all constantly lie to ourselves that tomorrow will be better, that the things we do matter, that there's a life after death (in memories if not the incorporeal afterlife of several somewhat prominent religions).

But you know what, screw that guy. Because this week's big idea is that there are lots of things that matter on a personal level even if not on a cosmic one (though who knows with butterfly wings and all that... sorry Iceland...). And one of the best of those is having good news to look forward to. Could be big or small, but really just the knowledge that absolutely something good is just around the corner really makes food taste better, the sunshine seem brighter, and music oh so soulcrushingly delicious. And on that note... April Smith is coming to Schubas!

If you want to sing out, sing out

Growing up, I've always been a fan of musicals. Driving from Cleveland to New York, we'd listen to Fiddler on the Roof, Evita, Phantom of the Opera and Disney songs on repeat (that's 8 hours of musicals minus the times around cities where my dad would sometimes switch to sports talk radio overriding many groans). Minimal masculine influences aside (and he too is a great fan), there's not a whole lot that feels better than singing louder than you should to the songs that make you feel good. Whether it's my dad singing "I am woman hear me roar" (sorry waiters of the world), my sisters singing "ease on down the road" down the driveways of our childhood, bar/house party with a big group of friends with "John at the Bar" and "Paul the real estate novelist", or more recently me, a guitar, and hurty fingers hanging out in my room, it's always the right time to let everyone know that the music is in you. Now if only I had any talent.... karaoke here I come!

(What's the story) morning glory

You wake up and the sun is shining. You knew it would come, but it just never seemed to happen. It's the first real day of spring. Not that end of March equinox that tells us hey Spring is here, but the one that matters. The one where you put away your coat, drop on a tshirt, maybe some sandals if you're feeling sassy and go hit the town. Play some sports, go for a walk in the park, eat outside! Amazing, if there's anything Chicago winters have taught me, it's that one day, it'll be over and the sun will shine again.

and another one bites the dust

So I didn't quite make it every week, being weirdly resistant last week towards writing these, which is weird (or maybe not) because really I've had a pretty good couple weeks. Which brings me to this week's topic: Turning the corner.

We've all been there, had a little down period where things weren't quite what they wanted to be, but is there really anything better than coming out and really realizing that things are going to be ok. I'm a big believer in trying to let things pass naturally, which has imbued me with a pretty consistent nonchalance, but I've been on a bit of down swing recently.

But today is a new day. Had my first shorts and sandals day (alright afternoon) of the year. The sun will shine, tennis and walks in the park will recommence. And there's no reason to think that tomorrow won't be better.