Breaking free from the mold

I spent this past weekend in the mountains at a women's conference where I was encouraged to ignore the squeeze that accompanies forcing ourselves to fit into society's molds: beauty, sex appeal, home decor, career, recreational pursuits, fashion. Margot Starbuck Hausmann suggested that we completely disregard the molds in favor of embracing the freedom of being beloved daughters of God. Perhaps I have taken her message to heart a little too literally - then again, maybe she just gave me the butt-kicking-into-gear I needed; either way, I have since dispensed with half my normal makeup, opting for the [almost] bare essentials: concealer and mascara. I have also decided to go with glasses permanently, liberating myself from the itchy, eye-watery, squinty look that accompanied my weighted contacts. Both of these actions are ones that have been in mind for a while, but little miss indecisive here needed someone else to affirm these moves before I had the gumption to follow through. Time to break the need to please others mold, eh?

One mold I can't seem to break is that of retail therapy. In most areas (shoes, jewelry, handbags, sweaters) this is no longer a serious problem, but when it comes to books...let's just say the tingly feeling I get walking in a bookstore is reminiscent of sugar-fueled, Agatha Christie mystery Barbie doll reenactment, homemade Ouija board, all-nighter sleepovers from middle school days. I simply cannot stop. As of today, I have 84 books that I already own tagged TBR. Can we say addiction? If it were a case of being fearful of not having anything to read, then I could be the founding member of a local A[bibliophobi]A support group. Alas, my desire - need? - for books runs deeper than that, though I know not to where. All I know is that while I embrace the new and improved glasses modeling, minimalist makeup me, a book (or two or three...) won't be far out of hand.

Basketball Religion

Not sure what kind of fan I truly am if I'm launching a blog during the first match-up between Carolina and Dook this season, but at least it's providing good fodder for my inaugural post. (Welcome to my blog, by the way...) Due to my geographic proximity to the Triangle, ESPN's coverage has been blacked out in favor of local coverage. While this does spare me from Dick Vitale and his comeback "babies", I am instead treated to the noxious musings of Billy Packer - UGH. It frustrates me that I only have one cable option for watching the game. Yes, I realize that local broadcasters should have their fair shot, but when that means that I am forced from the lesser evil of Dick Vitale to the pure agony of Billy Packer, I think it's time to adopt a habit of my father's: mute the TV and pick up Woody on the radio. Sure, he's just as biased as the other two, but at least Woody's bias is in favor of the Heels. I'll never claim to be partisan when it comes to college sports, although I have embraced cheering for a second ACC school as it is MPOW. Nevertheless, my true allegiance will always lie in Blue Heaven - GO HEELS!