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Archive for the ‘Friday Five’ Category

Friday Five and All My Feelings

Posted in Books, Friday Five, Hope, Lament, Music, Poetry, Revolution on January 20, 2017| Leave a Comment »

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“Five” is more of a guideline, really.

Because I believe in reaching beyond limits and breaking all manner of ceilings, I’m not going to limit my links this week to five. I believe we can all benefit from going beyond our limits today (and also tomorrow…and for the next four years…). Going beyond our limits and doing and being more is something it would be good for us all to learn to practice.

Things I saved from the Internet this week:

  1. Happy birthday to Michelle Obama on Tuesday. BookBub lists five books she has mentioned loving, because reading and knowledge are power. And I love people who read to kids. This year, I want to follow her example. Reading to children is the only thing I miss from working daycare.
  2. Off the Shelf compiled a similar list of what has been on Barack Obama’s bookshelf.
  3. Ann Patchett wrote a touching goodbye tribute to the Obamas.
  4. My friend Bola has created a character that I can’t wait to see on the screen. A black mermaid? Yes, please. Follow The Water Phoenix on Facebook.
  5. I am not your Teachable Moment – from Everyday Feminism.
  6. Dallas is getting a new independent bookstore – Interabang Books, coming in May!
  7. Another reason to get a piano – studying/playing music is linked to increased civic engagement, improved reading comprehension, and better math skills. While I am firmly in the camp that believes that defending the study of music because it’s good for other things is “like defending kissing because it gives you stronger lip muscles for eating soup neatly,” I also recognize that it is good for other things. And we may need it to be good for other things…
  8. …because Betsy DeVos. Tell your senators no. Here are some ways.

And my favorite thing I’ve read this week – it’s long, but so worth it. To Obama, With Love, and Hate, and Desperation.

Edited to add – my friend Jamie Wright Bagley has a poetry e-course that is up on her website. It’s free, but it’s only available for a limited time. You want to do it!

 

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Friday Five – Saying Goodbye

Posted in Friday Five, Hope, Thanks on January 13, 2017| Leave a Comment »

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We’ve been training this week on a new program to implement to fight interpersonal violence on our campus, so there were several quotes that we heard throughout the week from inspirational sources. When we saw the quote from Obama’s Super Tuesday speech in 2008 – “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek,” I almost had to leave the room, because I am a damn professional and I recognized that it’s unsettling for others for me to sob in training. This week has been emotionally rough, in part because of the subject matter of our training, but also because saying goodbye to this administration is incredibly difficult.

Most of the time, blog posts are for you. Yes, they are navel-gazey and all about me, but I hope there is something that you can draw from them, and that’s usually my intention in writing them. But this one is just to mark the week. Maybe you need it, too, but it’s here because I need to pause and say thank you to the First Family for their service to our country.

  1. Obama’s farewell speech (complete with transcript for those who are in public and can’t watch video. But also with video because take your earbuds to the library and watch it.)
  2. One Last Time – Hamilton at the White House
  3. The Bush sisters write the Obama sisters (do not read this in public – it has a high probability of making you ugly cry. Unless you like ugly-crying in public, and then…you do you)
  4. Biden honored with Presidential Medal of Freedom (his little face!)
  5. People tell Michelle Obama what she means to them (and then they get surprised – I would straight up fangirl all over the place)

Thank you to the Obamas and the Bidens for the last eight years. I’ve been proud to call you our leaders.

 

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Friday Five – Books, Baubles, and Boxes

Posted in Books, Friday Five, Getting It Together, Resolutions on January 6, 2017| Leave a Comment »

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I love structure. I am comfortable with making vague goals, because I know that as soon as I voice them, I already have structures in mind for achieving them that don’t necessarily come through in words. But if, like me, you are interested in improving your reading diversity, choosing products that are both better quality and produced by better business practices, and ridding yourself of all the clutter/debris/extraneous mess that you have stashed in your home, here are a few more structured ways to do that.

  1. Modern Mrs. Darcy’s 2017 reading challenge. I like that she has reading for fun and reading for growth challenges. I also love her highly organized tips (including printables) for tracking your reading and that she offers the chance to join an online book club for those who want social support.
  2. Book Riot’s Read Harder challenge is my favorite challenge for finding things to read that I never would have read before. They, too, offer social support via their Facebook group and give you the opportunity to meet in person with people you’ve met via the challenge. Bonus – discount on an order if you finish the challenge!
  3. Inc.com praises ThirdLove bras. I NEED ONE. Also Thinx, which has great ramifications for women in countries where feminine hygiene products aren’t readily available. A lot of people have tried them and sing their praises (even though the HuffPo article says “total disaster,” indicating that the chooser of that title doesn’t understand what the words total and disaster mean), so I’ll spare you my personal recap when I try them. Unless they’re terrible, which I don’t anticipate.
  4. Peter Walsh is doing a 31-day decluttering challenge this month. Each day takes about 10 minutes, so it’s not too late! Go! Go! This is not a drill!
  5. And bonus – for those hoping to up your donations to charities this year, here are some tips from Consumer Reports on how to choose a charity that uses the money in the way they claim to use it.

If you were looking for structure to some of your goals, hope this helps!

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Friday Five – Favorite Book Lists of 2016

Posted in Books, Friday Five on December 23, 2016| Leave a Comment »

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I love a good book list, especially at this time of the year. I’m reflecting on books I’ve read this year and making plans about what to read next year. If you like book lists, too, here are some that are informing my to-read lists as of late.

  1. For holiday hilarity, enjoy Book Bub’s list of laugh-out-loud holiday books.
  2. A new batch of Gilmore Girls this year renewed my longing to tackle Rory’s Reading List. It’s daunting, so I won’t finish it this year. Maybe this decade. Maybe.
  3. The New York Times polled famous readers to see what books got them through 2016.
  4. Read it Forward reports on twenty-five authors sharing the best books they’ve ever received. 
  5. And finally, one of my favorite bookstores, Book People in Austin, list their favorites of 2016.

What would make your list?

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Friday Five – Internet Fun

Posted in Friday Five, Revolution on December 9, 2016| Leave a Comment »

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Maybe “fun” is pushing it, but I found things inspiring/entertaining/informative this week.

  1. Liberal redneck comedy – I have mixed feelings, as I do with most comedy. It’s hard to deliberately step on one toe and miss the others. For example, it’s apparently difficult to pigeonhole and ridicule people who aren’t in favor of transgender bathrooms without demeaning women’s bodies by calling said people “pussies.” It’s challenging to fight one stereotype by using other stereotypes. It’s hard to be funny when you have to be careful. But I recognize what they’re trying to do, and I support the effort. Maybe. We’ll see.
  2. The veterans at the Standing Rock celebration ceremony – I love this so much. Just watch/read.
  3. Ask the electors – The electoral college doesn’t have to play nice with decisions they consider to be bad. Do with that what you will.
  4. Speaking of people regretting decisions – Trumpgrets.  You know what IS funny? People creating accidental humor by being themselves and the people who collect these gems. And recognizing a mistake when it’s too late to correct it…or is it (see #3)?
  5. The J. Peterman Catalog – I want to add this to my collection of things to read aloud at parties. Hilarious.

What have you enjoyed this week?

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Odds and Ends – Friday Five

Posted in Friday Five on August 19, 2016| Leave a Comment »

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Our residence halls open Sunday, so this week has been busy. I totally missed posting last week. So if this list seems scattered and random, welcome to what’s left of my mind this week.

Last week can be summed up by the Olympics: First, shame on Ryan Lochte et al. You are not cute. You are not boys being boys. You are liars and a disgrace, and you should be punished more than you will be, and the fact that you will get away with a slap on the wrist for criming while white is what’s wrong with America.

For the record, here’s how real Olympians behave:

Abbey D’Agostino and Nikki Hamblin help each other finish the race. This makes me want to run like the wind.

Simone Manuel wins history and the gold. LOVE. LOVE LOVE LOVE. And I chose this short piece because I love its salt.

Simone Biles  makes me happy. She is a badass.

Gabby Douglas is my favorite. I love her intensity and the high standards she holds herself to. I love that she is tough AND vulnerable. That is hard balance for anyone to pull off, much less someone so young. I despise that the same people I saw laughing at the swimmers’ “tussle” are the same people I saw badmouthing her for not putting her hand on her heart. You want to be patriotic? Be just half as awesome as she is with an American flag on your chest. She’s good. Some might even say “perfect.”

Holy crap, Usain Bolt.

Kristin Armstrong – Thanks for making the 40s look awesome.

There were so many more. The Olympics always make me want to have cable again.

Here are my favorite five this week:

1. AddyeB – On Being a Woman Outrunning Yet Still Carrying the Impact of Male Violence.

2. How each Myers-Briggs type reacts to stress. I can’t speak for everyone, but the INTJ info is spot on for me.

3. EEEEE! I love Denton. Formal market talks are happening. Also, if you’re here and you love the square and want to help flood victims in Louisiana – two birds one stone.

4. How well do I know Lutheran slang? 100% actually. The recap said, “You have grown up in the Lutheran church.” Or, I have attended one for three years and I’ve taken four semesters of Latin.

5. The cutest thing on the Internet this week – baby sloth sounds.

 

What are some of your highlights?

 

 

 

 

 

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All The Things – What I’m Into, Snapshots, and (Not)Friday Five

Posted in Books, Friday Five, Snapshots, What I'm Into on August 1, 2016| Leave a Comment »

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My week last week. Note how few boxes are there. 

July was many things.

It was moving and setting up the new place and showing it off.

It was snow cones and sun tea and lots of tacos.

It was friends and family and being surrounded by the love of manual labor.

It was not relaxing, and it was very, very hot, but it was good.

Last week was the first full week that I was really in the apartment without having to trip over boxes. All my books are on the shelf, and Margat’s  blue face painting (see above) is up, so that means it’s home.

This will be the first week this summer that my schedule doesn’t revolve around packing or moving or finding a place to move all the things I’ve packed.

We read The Notorious RBG for our church book club. It was a great celebration of her and made us all fall even more in love with her than we already were. It initiated a lively discussion, too, which makes it a fun book club choice.

My favorite thing I read this month was Shrill. I love Lindy West. She’s hilarious and insightful, and everyone should buy and read her book.

 

I missed my writing night last Friday, so I didn’t post a Friday Five, but I loved so many things last week.

1. Michelle Obama’s speech.

2. “You literally said all those things.” Heh. I’m not Hilary’s biggest fan, but that was awesome. Good job, HRC (and by that, I mean probably HRC’s speechwriters/social media folk).

3. I don’t even like this song, but this video made me weepy. Also, I see you T.R.Knight, and I love/miss George. It was an emotional week.

4. Thank you, black women. For all that you do. The world owes you so much. We owe you. So. Much.

5. Bill Clinton’s balloon love made me laugh and laugh.

My very favorite thing from last week was watching all my friends post pictures of their daughters watching Hilary Clinton accept the nomination. Despite all my misgivings, that was moving.

It was a good month and an especially good week.

I’m linking up with Leigh Kramer for What I’m Into. Hop over there and take a look!

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I Get So Emotional – Friday Five

Posted in Friday Five on July 22, 2016| Leave a Comment »

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I always struggle to find a picture for Friday Five. So I made one. I don’t hate it.

I have been an emotional wreck lately. Just in case I thought I was going to busy my way into skipping my seasonal funk with a new job and a new place to live this year, my mind and body wanted me to know – nope. There it is. Late, but very present. Hi, funk. Can’t say that I’ve missed you.

But God bless the Internet. Here are my five favorite things from the intrawebs this week:

1. Luvvie’s commentary on Bush’s giddiness during the Battle Hymn of the Republic. I love this so much I had to read passages out loud to my coworkers. While cackling.

2. Those who follow my page on Facebook have already seen this one, but I like it so much I’m sharing it again. I wish I had written this – Why I am Skeptical of White Liberals in the Black Lives Matter Movement by Emma Lindsay. I especially like the line in the middle – “But wait! Not everything is hopeless shit, hold on.” That pretty much sums up my life philosophy.

3. Jessica Goudeau’s How to Become Woke is a great example of how to educate each other. It involves a good mix of practicality and learning to adopt a mindset that is conducive to change.

4. Stephen Colbert is ridiculous. He crashed the RNC in costume like he was hosting the Hungry for Power Games. I laughed and laughed.

5. And my favorite thing on the Internet this week – Michelle Obama sings carpool karaoke with James Corden and Missy Elliott. I know it’s a happy video, but I just started blubbering about halfway through. Don’t go. I miss you already.

What have you enjoyed this week?

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Friday Five – This Week

Posted in Friday Five, Revolution on July 1, 2016| Leave a Comment »

That’s the best title I could think of. My creativity appears to have been packed away with half of my apartment.

Luckily, the Internet’s creativity is not. Here are my five favorite things from the Internet this week (ish…maybe last week…anyway…recently).

For laughs:

  1. From the Twitterverse – a tie between #BeckyWithTheBadGrades (particularly MannySpeaks101 – “when entire academic institutions were created to benefit you and you still don’t make the cut.” and LexiBoo192J – “When the Supreme Court tells you that you’re mediocre.”) and #IfTrumpWereEvangelical.
  2. Speaking of Trump, David Tennant reads Scottish tweets. Thank you, Samantha Bee. Thank you.

For serious:

  1. Allison Fallon gave the best answer I’ve ever heard to “Should I marry him?”
  2. Sarah Schuster (via The Mighty) on what it’s like to have high-functioning anxiety. YEP.
  3. And my favorite – Jesse Williams’s speech at the BET Awards. LOVE.

What are some of your favorite things (they don’t have to be from the Internet) this week?

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Snapshot of the Week

Posted in Books, Friday Five on June 3, 2016| Leave a Comment »

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Five things I love about this picture:

  1. Equal Exchange green tea is my favorite green tea. It’s light and refreshing and makes me happy.
  2. This is one of the oldest mugs I own. It reminds me of my first apartment and the fun that comes with new things.
  3. The plate was a gift from my long-time roommate Margarett. I have a set of four small plates and four dinner plates, and I break them out when I’m feeling fancy.
  4. The shortbread was a gift from one of the RAs when I left my job at SFT last month. Shortbread is one of my favorite baked things.
  5. The Good Girl. I really like this book, and I think that the rest of the book club does, too, because they have been leaving vague, non-spoilery posts about it on the Facebook group all month when they get to a “!!!” part.

I also like the packed boxes in the background. Packed boxes mean progress.

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