Pretty or Nauseating?

I have an important question for you. Is this background too much? I can't decide. I'm pretty back and forth about it, really. I love the colors, but it kind of makes me feel a little nauseated when I look at it for too long. (That could also be due to the barometric pressure and my tricky sinuses. Tough to tell.)

In other news, I started my move to Grand Rapids today. My apartment is cute! Small and old, with wood floors and lots of storage in the closets. I'll post a picture or two when I get all unpacked and set up. I feel excited and nervous about the change! The future may hold many posts about boredom and creepy sounds I heard in the night, though, so be forewarned.

Seriously, though, please let me know about this background. Your feedback may lead me to either change the background or buy some new sinus meds... ;)

For All the Bettys Out There

Back in May, I got an upset phone call from my sister, Heather. She told me that on "Good Morning America" they had announced that in August, Archie Andrews was getting married...to Veronica Lodge. I just kept saying "What?!" over and over. Archie is supposed to be with Betty Cooper! We all know that. What does Archie's choosing Veronica mean? That the mean girl wins? That what's really important to a guy really is looks and money over brains and kindness? My whole world view has been shaken.

Later, Elizabeth sent me a link to a CNN article about the issue. It seems that things might be up in the air according to the various party's blogs (see links above).

I feel a special bond with Betty. Often, when I receive one of those "Answer these 25 questions about yourself and forward it to your friends" emails, I'll fill it out as Betty.  I love how she makes her own clothes (that are just as nice as Ronnie's Paris originals), bakes delicious goodies (which she usually gives to the undeserving Archie or the always grateful Juggie), does well in school, and is generally upbeat and optimistic.  She's also an independent woman who knows how to fix Archie's car and take care of business!  

What is Archie thinking?!  

Veronica is spoiled, selfish (she can at times use her money generously, but it's usually because of the positive influence of someone else), needy, and fickle!  She's never loyal to Archie, and often ditches him for Reggie (who has money and a fancy car), or for another guy if she gets bored of those two.  

Needless to say, I'm rather upset.  My sisters, cousin, and I have discussed the matter thoroughly.  When the comic in which the big event comes to pass, do we buy the comic and then burn it in effigy?  Or do we boycott the comic altogether?  Or a third alternative: read the comic in the store to find out how exactly it all goes down, then hide them in various locations throughout the store so no one else can buy them...  

A final thought: Whatever the outcome of this comic may be, I will cling to one fact:  My paternal grandparents names are, believe it or not, Archie and Betty.  Maybe things can still work out?  If not, Adam (Betty's sometimes beau) seems like a nice guy... 

Do I Dare to Eat a Peach?

This year, rather than make several New Year's Resolutions, I made one. That resolution was to be adventurous! To do new things! To take chances and not be afraid of the outcome! For some reason as I've thought about some of the chances I might take, the phrase, "'Do I dare?' and, 'Do I dare?'" has been repeated in my head over and over. It's from a poem that I've liked for years, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Eliot. The whole phrase is:

And indeed there will be time
To wonder, "Do I dare?" and, "Do I dare?"
...Do I dare
Disturb the universe?
In a minute there is time
For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.

T.S. Eliot was referring to something different than I am when I think of it, but I still find it fitting as I come upon a big change in my life. In about a week and a half I will be moving to Grand Rapids to start an MFA program in painting at Kendall College of Art & Design. I'm excited and nervous! More excited right now, but the nerves come on in waves. I have moments when I think, "You know, I could just stay here where it's cushy...or...do I dare?"

I do dare! It's quite the rush to do something completely different! I promise to keep you up on all of the exciting happenings that I shall dare to do in the months to come. As long as you promise me to tell me about the daring things that you do, too!