Baring It All

    So today's interesting step from routine is all in the name of art. There is a studio here in Atlanta called Cherry Lion Studios and I just took on another job working with them. While this gives me a grand total of 4 jobs I am currently working, this one is once a week. I am posing nude for a class!

    The day didn't get off to a great start. I worked until 5:30 at Banana Republic, and driving from Buckhead to Midtown was a nightmare! I didn't get home until 6:25 and had to be at the studio at 7:00. Needless to say I began to doubt my new plan to de-routine my life. Days like today make you appreciate a cut and dry day with no surprises and no traffic jams.

    I get to the studio with about three minutes to spare, and down a quick glass of wine. (I needed a little boost of courage!) I have absolutely no problem with nudity, but I have to admit it is a little unsettling to think that twelve strangers will be staring at you in your birthday suit for two and a half hours.

   So here I am, up on this podium, bare ass sitting in a chair with no back support and holding my hands in the air. Thankfully they have hung a handlebar from the ceiling so I can rest my arms on it. I know what you are thinking, this sounds like a bondage scene...and you aren't very far off in that though! haha Unbeknownst to me, the podium/pedestal I am on is built like a freaking lazy Susan and they spin me a quarter of a turn every five minutes. I can't decide if I feel more like a model, or like a roulette wheel.

    Anywho, I think that this is going to be a fun experience, and how many times in your life can you do something like this? It is opportunities like this that make me realize that life isn't all about climbing the corporate latter. There are things to do and people to meet that have nothing to do with how much money is in my bank account. I think I am starting to realize that going after a pipe dream for a little while is ok. :-)

   I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and test the waters! I understand not everyone will want to get naked in front of an art class, but there has got to be something that you have always wanted to do, but been too scared to try! Do it and report back to us, I know I would love to hear it.

Scott

BTW at the end of the class I will add pictures of the artists work :-D get excited!

Food Choice

     I, like many of you I suspect, get caught up in food fads. I have cut all carbs, stopped eating meat, and drank only juice for a week. My latest food fad....easy dinners. For too long now John and I have been eating frozen chicken fingers, pizza, and dare I say frozen dinners. It is quite pathetic actually. We work out constantly, but throw it all away with the foods we eat. I guess I got to this point because of convenience. How easy is it to pop a frozen pizza in the oven?
   
     Well today's break of routine started with gutting out my kitchen cabinets, freezer, and refrigerator. The freezer was the worst. Pizza rolls, waffles, popsicles...oh my! After this is it was off to the grocery store. I stocked up on lean meats, and a few other essentials, but the big difference this time was that I bought no prepared meals. And the majority of the cart was filled with fresh fruits and veggies. From now on, meals and snacks will be thought about, and prepared. No more junk, and no more chicken nuggets...well...maybe on occasion :-)

     I am also excited to break out the juicer we bought months ago. It was after watching Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead (if you haven't watched I definitely suggest it!) I felt amazing drinking 3 or 4 fresh veggie juices a day, and I am not sure why I ever stopped. Sure it is not convenient to bring that thing off its shelf, dump the pulp after and scrub it, but the benefits are completely worth the effort.

     So here's to health, and to breaking a nasty routine of eating foods I know are not good for me! What about you? Any advice for us who are trying to change our ways?

Stop and Smell the Roses: Even if you think they are dead because it is Winter

   This morning began my experiment to break up my routine. I got up, turned on the coffee maker and decided to take a walk while sipping my morning cup of joe and snapping a few pictures. I can't believe that I forgot just how beautiful my backyard is. Piedmont Park is right across the street, and yet I rarely use it. My lesson of the day: Small things in life really do matter. I felt energized and ready to start the day!  What is something small that you do to get motivated for the rest of the day?

The View From Across the Pond

 Loved the Red and Blue

 Beautiful Cityscape from the Active Circle

 Thought this was so pretty along the walkwall

 Lol!

Such a Cool Slide!

A Boring Life

After graduating in December and getting my first taste of the real world, a few things have caught my attention. Rather, a few things haven't caught my attention. I have found myself in a dulling routine and saying to myself at the end of the day, "Where did those hours go?" My day is quite simple: Wake up, eat, workout, work, TV and sleep. Where did the spontaneity go? I'll tell you where, it got put on a shelf along with those Banana Republic chinos I fold every day at work.

This blog is my attempt at breaking habit. My hope is that by posting my activities, and posting other events in the Atlanta area that you too can break your daily routine and revive your life too!