I will then no longer be “MissyBird” but rather Melissa Brook Wilkes. It’s so odd that a name can define me – or rather, that i feel it can define me.

I will no longer be part of my family in the same way that I am now, defined by name — in the phonebook, on Facebook, on the world wide web, we are all in the same family.

I’m frustrated that society is patriarchal and limits women to either keep their identity or “join” their husband officially.
And, as a man, it’s not really acceptable to add on something that says “I’m also joining someone and creating something new with her”
if the name change is all about merging of 2 people and creating a NEW family together, why isn’t it that there’s a NEW name that is created btwn the two?

But what about the well-educated doctor who’s certified and trained in physical therapy, who realizes that PT doesn’t heal scar-tissue between the joints? I met with one today, after having some severe neck pain.

I feel like I just went to a brief mini-training on joints, ligaments, and the healing process after a sever injury like the one I had back in 2001. (I got hit by a car while I was walking…it was bad. I’m better but still in pain.) I was going to say “I feel like I got a crash-course in physical recovery” but that pun wouldda been bad. Almost as bad as this terrible, debilitating pain in my neck! which is a literal pain, a pinched nerve from scar tissue between my joints that needs to be broken up and re-healed in alignment with the ligament so every time I stretch those ligaments, I don’t end up in pain like this.

Anyhow, back 2 the business about chiropractors having a bad reputation… I am hesitant to trust one, but figure I’ll give it a try for a bit and just see what happens. Besides, like Herbert Spencer said, “There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a [person] in everlasting ignorance — that principle is contempt prior to investigation.”

(although there is much dispute over whether Herbert Spencer deserves “credit” for his saying because 18th century British Theologian William Paley actually coined this phase first- “contempt prior to examination” – to see in context click here)

So, when I unplugged everything trying to get that damn alarm to shut up, I inadvertently yanked out the plug to my current alarm. Which, then in turn, didn’t go off this morning at 7am.

I rush myself to get out the door on time and then traffic… it’s just the case-in-point scenario for why I ALWAYS feel behind in life. And tired.

So, on a POSITIVE note, my friend Morg reminded me that today is another 24hr opportunity to remember all the blessings in life. To make the most of what my HP (higher-power) has given me. And… one of those lovely blessings is the chance to play outside in the sun after work!

I’m beginning play on a beach volleyball team — joining them for the first time on the court this evening. YIKES! Nothing but fear is in my way (and lack of practice in the 10 years since I’ve played competitively) It should be good for both body + soul.

Read the NYT article here:

“Great Photo On Flickr? Getty Might Pay You For It”

Which I think should read: Getty might just make you pay for it — because really, they’re trying to monetize the photography that we the people can now get at pretty affordable rates compared to the exorbitant amounts Getty charges — which, I know, I know, is so they can pay their photographers and so their photographers can pay their bills.

But still… I’m not sure what this means — could someone go onto my blog and offer me a book deal? yes. So why not Getty being allowed the freedom to trawl photographers’ work to offer them a paying gig for what they do for fun. More power to ya! I’m just being selfish here, wanting the access to images for free 24/7.

If the photos are owned by Getty, at least we’ll be able to find them with a little more ease. sheesh! Have you tried the Flickr “Search” tool. It sucks. Oh yeah, that’s right. Flickr is owned by Yahoo. hmmm. Maybe the Yahoo-Microsoft deal would’ve helped out Flickr search with some of Live Search’s technology. Maybe whomever runs the categorization tools or the backend site functionality at Flickr would get some fire under their ass and improve this!!!

But, alas, expectations get me into trouble every time.

I’ve been updating a blog for Joe Mele for work — “Mele’s Musings” and thought “why don’t I start my own blog?” hmmm.  Now there’s a thought… so, here goes nothin’!

I’ll be writing about my life, so it may be interesting to you or it may be just fun for me to read/write.

Let me know how I can improve via the comments section. Thanks!