The heat is ooonnnn
- Glenn Frey

Wait, did I really just use Glen Frey lyrics? Yikes. Old much? Hmm... don't answer that.

So I was given the opportunity by a friend from high school and college to be featured in a blog for her company magazines.com. She emailed me a series of questions about my magazine reading habits, my favorite magazine, etc. It's a cool concept and she is featuring a different person each month. As my luck would have it, the first profile featured a dude that reads the New Yorker. Yeah...so... what did I pick as my favorite?

Well, you may have to wait and see!

In the meantime, here's a burning question - for the article, she told me to feel free to put in links to ther sites, so should I link to this site? Do we want random people reading the amydabbsness or no? I can't make up my mind, so it is up to you dear reader(s).

- dabbs

I've never been so insecure of what I know
I've gotta figure this out
I need a story to tell
Where's the feeling I long for?
I've gotta figure it out
- Erin McCarley

I don’t like change. That’s just all there is to it. Even when I know it would be good for me, I have a hard time taking that first step. Because, after all, what is scarier than the unknown? And I’m at the perfect time in my life to pretty much up and do whatever I want. I’m not married and not tied down in any way whatsoever (except for that pesky mortgage).

So the question is what do I want to do with myself exactly?

And the answer is a resounding, “Yeah, I don’t know.”

Until I moved away for college, I lived in the same house my entire life. My parents, thankfully, have been happily married for almost 40 years. I've been going to the same church since I was 6 years old, and I still attend when I’m home visiting. So, I come from a rock solid environment and for that I’m thankful. But I worry it has almost made me complacent.

Making the decision to go to The University of Alabama was a hard one. It would’ve been much easier to go to UAH and live at home and basically have the same exact life. It would’ve been easier to go to UNA, where I already had friends and would have fit right in immediately and could’ve even come home during the week if I wanted. But in the end, UA was it for me because, lord help me, I wanted, craved, needed that Advertising degree.

It was the right choice.

Moving back home after college was a given, as I had no job lined up and no choice. It worked out for the best as I started my career in a place that allowed me to do a whole lot more work than they should have considering my lack of experience. I met life long friends and enjoyed being back in my home town again. When I finally realized I had gone as far as I could there, I was determined to make my next move be somewhere away – somewhere that I would truly be on my own. Could I do it? Could I survive?

And so far I have. That was seven years and four months ago. My twenties are gone and I feel relatively happy about the way I spent them. Would I do some things differently? Absolutely. But, I don’t regret much and I have learned a lot about myself. I settled into a career that I never would have imagined I would have. I made some great friends and I bought a house.

And now I don’t know what’s next. Not that you ever really do know what’s next, with life being what happens while we make plans and all, but right now I can feel that proverbial crossroads in front of me.

I need a change. And I do mean a whole, encompassing change from the inside out. I’m ready to go places, see things, meet people and maybe try to find that 23 year old girl that wasn’t afraid to take a leap when she saw an opportunity.

“Life is short / Love is sweet / Ain’t no time like this time, baby.” – Carrie Underwood

- Some unknown band in Austin, TX

So I went to Austin this weekend with Holli. A few years ago we started what was supposed to be an annual girls’ trip on MLK weekend. This year, for various reasons, it was just the two of us that headed out to the Lonestar state. We were visiting our friend Kelly and had the pleasure of meeting her boyfriend Dauphin on this trip. He was gracious enough to let two total strangers crash at his place for the weekend. What a trooper. And Kelly, as always, was awesome to hang with. We couldn't have asked for a better hostess.

I really do love to travel. There’s nothing like it for a lot of reasons. The first one being, hello, you’re not at work. And for me, something I rediscovered this weekend, is that you’re free from being yourself for a few days. Vacation is a great chance to do things, go places and let loose in ways that I never do in real life. It occurred to me several times in the few short days I was away how much I just simply felt better. How much happier I was, how much more laid back I was and how eager I was to see things and go places and try new things. (Hello, beer? Yeah, actually had some in Austin, which is a tremendous surprise for those that know me well). I’m sure most people feel this way on vacation, but the part that stuck in my mind is how to carry over this sort of persona, or state of mind into my real life back home. Is it possible?

Because here in the real world, I’ve become complacent, boring, timid and tired, really. And that, friends, is the main reason I quit writing here. Because really, what did I have to write about that was interesting anymore? Was it ever interesting to begin with? (Wait, maybe don’t answer that… mama’s feeling sensitive today). The truth is, I was depressed. And not like, oh, I’m sad at the holidays type depressed. But full on, crisis mode, depressed. But no worries, I did deal with it. It just so happens that I didn’t want to deal with it in a very public way, like say, on the internet for all to see. But now that I think about it, why not? People struggle with depression, anxiety and a million other things every day, so why be ashamed?

Now that I seem to be mostly on the other side of that, it’s time to try to find me again. Fun Amy lost her way. Funny Amy turned into cynical, sarcastic Amy. Nice Amy turned into an angry, unhappy Amy. Justin Timberlake may have brought sexy back, but me? In 2010, I’m bringing old school Amy back. And if you want to follow along for the ride, I’d love it. Much more to come, including a closer look at the coolness that was Austin. In the meantime, peace out.

dabbs

Why don’t you hit me with your best shot?
Hit me with your best shot
Fire Away
- Pat Benatar

So yeah, I haven’t written in ages. But I’m here today and it’s going to be a rant.

Ladies – why do we tear each other down? Whether it is intentional or not, why do we do it? You know what I mean – back handed “compliments,” jabs at self esteem, etc. I’m tired of witnessing innocent conversations quickly devolve from friendly joshing into line crossing in a matter of seconds. I’m the first to say that I’m the biggest joker there is and I routinely push the limits on acceptable kidding/insulting. But really though, when you cross over that line from joking to pulling at a thread of insecurity, it’s not funny, it’s ugly. Even if you meant no harm and honestly were “just joking.”

Guys, you live by different rules and I’ve seen all manner of insults, some incredibly hurtful, thrown around between dudes and neither party seems worse for the wear afterward. But keep in mind what I said above when joking around with the ladies around you.

Here are a few common sense rules, which today, constitute

The Dabbs Five
Five Things to Never Joke About With a Woman:
1) Her Weight
2) Her Age
3) Her Clothes
4) How she raises her kids
5) How she manages her…. (fill in the blank – time, household, money, etc.)

And I know some of you are curious, and I’ll give you a brief version. No, I wasn’t insulted today, nor did I do the insulting, but I witnessed an “I was just joking!” moment that set me off. “You’re just jealous because you can’t pull it off!!!” And by “it” she meant a cute dress and cute boots.

Really?

Really?!

I think that should be taken as a challenge. Game on!

Well, out with the old and in with the new! But before we put 2008 to rest completely, here are some my favorite pop culture things for the year. (Please note that some of these songs and albums were released in 2007, but gained popularity and my attention in 2008.) I’d love it if you wanted to share any of your favorite things of 2008.

Favorite TV Shows:
1) How I Met Your Mother
2) Gossip Girl
3) Pushing Daises (RIP)
4) Mad Men
5) One Tree Hill
6) So You Think You Can Dance
7) Lost
8) Prison Break
9) Tina Fey as Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live

Favorite Movies:
1) Australia
2) 27 Dresses
3) Get Smart
4) Forgetting Sarah Marshall


Favorite Songs:
1) Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) – Beyonce
2) So What – Pink
3) Pieces – The Bridges
4) Crazy – Jem
5) American Boy – Estelle and Kanye West
6) Damaged – Danity Kane
7) Delayed Devotion – Duffy
8) Love on the Rocks – Sara Bareilles
9) Chasing Pavements – Adele
10) Womanizer – Britney Spears
11) Shine – Anna Nalick
12) Crazy Ex-Girlfriend – Miranda Lambert
13) Single – New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo
14) Breathe – Taylor Swift and Colbie Caillat
15) I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
16) Love Don’t Live Here Anymore – Lady Antebelleum
17) Almost Lover – A Fine Frenzy
18) In The Ayer – Flo Rida and will.i.am
19) Feel This – Bethany Joy Galeotti and Enation
20) Burnin’ Up – Jonas Brothers
21) Speed Feels Better – Michael Tolcher
22) Leavin’ – Jesse McCartney
23) Real Good Thing – Marc Broussard
24) Paralyzer – Finger Eleven
25) Life In A Northern Town - Little Big Town, Sugarland and Jake Owen

Favorite Concerts:
1) New Kids on the Block
2) Sara Bareilles and Marc Broussard
3) Michael Tolcher
4) Marc Broussard
5) The Bridges
6) Lady Antebellum and Taylor Swift

Favorite Albums:
1) Little Voice – Sara Bareilles
2) Legally Blonde: The Musical – Original Broadway Cast
3) Crazy Ex-Girlfriend – Miranda Lambert
4) Rockferry - Duffy
5) Carnival Ride – Carrie Underwood
6) Limits of the Sky – The Bridges

Here's to a great 2009!
- Amy

To tell you how I feel
But all I kept on writing
Was slipping on the tears from the day
When I was young and brave
- Train

I’m ashamed to have abandoned amydabbs.com. I go through these spells every once and a while, but these past few months I’ve just had zero desire to blog. I’m not sure why. Maybe it was my rapidly developing Facebook addiction? (Which has subsided considerably of late). There is something intoxicating about collecting “friends” like they are trading cards. I think I’m up to 122. And I’m pretty sure only 10 of those I actually see and/or talk to on a regular basis. But it’s fun to see what everyone is up to these days. And it helps with that “hey we should stay in touch” thing that we all promise to each other when we leave jobs, move away, graduate, etc.

There’s nothing much going on with me. I’m loving the Alabama football season this year. And it has been a long time coming! I’m kicking around the idea of getting a Blackberry and that may be expedited by the fact that my current flip phone doesn’t easily flip anymore. We moved locations at work and that was fine. I have this ridiculously big office but the downside is I’m farther away from my buddies. I totally got to see New Kids on the Block and cannot even describe the level of awesomeness of that concert. And now I will end the random and discombobulated paragraph and give you the…

The Dabbs Five
Five Things I love this week
1) Taylor Swift and Def Leppard on CMT’s Crossroads
2) “So Much Better” from the Legally Blonde the musical soundtrack
3) “Somethin’ Special” Colbie Caillat
4) “Sweet Thing” Keith Urban
5) “Grown Man” by New Kids on the Block

-ames

Happy Birthday to Holli, Grace and Susan! I hope each of you have/had great birthdays!

love,
ames

Wake them up and make them mad
To let them know that I’m ok
- Garth Brooks

So, yeah, I got on Facebook. Yea! I am really enjoying it, just like all of you said I would. It’s really interesting to see what people are up to now. Only thing is, I have a couple of hanging friend requests out there and it makes me wonder if they don’t want to be my friend anymore, or if they don’t remember me or if they just quit using Facebook. Of course it doesn’t help that one of these requests is to GRACE. Who, by the way, is one of my best friends. Hello? Did we revert back to 10th grade – are you mad at me again? Ha ha!

Anyway, Facebook has also highlighted how uncool I really am, which is ok because I already knew that. I need to get busy with a social life and take some pictures and post exciting status updates and all. But you’ll probably just continue seeing things like, “Amy Dabbs is going to sleep until noon on Saturday.” You know being the zebra with the unchanging stripes and all.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!
-ames

Radiohead
Radiohead

Ok, I've got your attention, Justin, now HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! (So sorry for the delayed shout out). I hope you had a great day, old man. We will party next week! (unless the day gets changed again - ha!)

-dabbs

I did what people told me
Did what my mother said
And let my father mold me
But that was long ago
Now I’m in control
- Janet Jackson

Ok, people. I come to you with a burning question. (SIGH). Has the time finally come for Amy Dabbs to get a Facebook and/or MySpace account? Don’t you all get enough Dabbsness with this site? Or do you want to “friend me” and “facebook me” to your hearts content?

I’ve resisted for SO LONG that it is going to be hard for me to give in at this point on principle. All I seem to hear lately is Facebook, Facebook, Facebook. And I’m getting some flack for not being on there. What if I get an account and I have zero friends on there? I mean, isn’t the point to collect friends there, sort of like how some people collect baseball cards or whatever? How embarrassing will it be when (notice I didn’t say if) I have, like, two friends? And don’t get me wrong, I’ll be proud of my two friends, but won’t everyone else on Facebook, (i.e. the ENTIRE WORLD) laugh at me and say how pitiful my friend count is?

Yeah, this is what worries me. Along with a deep seated fear that sometime in my future I will interview for a job and the person interviewing me will be all, “Oh YOU’RE AMY DABBS. I read all about you on Facebook!!” Well, I guess they could say they read all about me right here, though, too. (But here there an no pictures, etc.).

So, I can’t make this decision, dear readers. I need you to do it for me. I’m leaving it in your hands. Based on your comments below, I will continue abstaining from all this social media drama or I’ll finally succumb to the peer pressure.

Comment away…