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.
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.)
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)
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
The New York Times polled famous readers to see what books got them through 2016.
Maybe “fun” is pushing it, but I found things inspiring/entertaining/informative this week.
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.
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.
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)?
The J. Peterman Catalog – I want to add this to my collection of things to read aloud at parties. Hilarious.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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).
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.
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:
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.
Equal Exchange green tea is my favorite green tea. It’s light and refreshing and makes me happy.
This is one of the oldest mugs I own. It reminds me of my first apartment and the fun that comes with new things.
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.
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.
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.
Isn’t this a pretty picture? Insert fella to sit here with. Also, RIP, Spats.
In keeping with my word for the year – true – and meeting resolutions, I’m doing pretty well. New job? Check. New place to live? Check (in June). There are many ways I’m making my life truer to who I am and where I want to go.
I have not had a proper date in…I don’t even remember when.
If I were design the perfect guy to sit on that porch with (because that’s how it works, right? You just put in your order?), he would have these five characteristics:
1. Charming – When I tell people I like charming men, they think Neal Caffrey on White Collar. But really? What I find most attractive about Neal is that he looks like Matt Bomer and dresses like a member of the Rat Pack. I don’t mean pleasantry designed to get you what you want. Not smarmy pseudo-niceness. If it has an easy on-off switch, it’s not charm – it’s manipulation.
Or Wash on Firefly. Or, for the most part, Xander on Buffy.
These characters have many differences, but the thing they have in common is that they say and do things that are 1) ADORABLE and 2) genuinely delightful. They’re not afraid to get excited about things, and they often go out of their way to be pleasant. When they give you a compliment, you know it’s sincere, because their only agenda is to encourage you (see every speech Xander ever gave. I mean – “You’re not special; you’re extraordinary.” That’s just a good friend.). And if you mention that they’re kind, they tend to brush it off. They’re not even looking for credit. They get blushy and nervous, and that’s charming, too.
2. Witty – I like funny people, and I find a lot of different things funny. Give me someone who can deliver a one-liner with panache, and I’m hooked. I want someone who makes me laugh so hard I cry. And they need to find me just as funny, because I’m a riot. Recognize.
3. Veering near the very liberal side of Christian – I’ve heard that it’s easier to make a life with someone who is going the same direction you are. This preference is more pertinent to a potentially long-term relationship than an afternoon coffee date (which technically, is all that this resolution requires, so that’s as far as my current commitment goes). But as long as I’m designing a dream guy, I might as well throw this in.
4. Musician – First, I get music. That alone would be enough. But musicians – particularly those who study music seriously or perform professionally – tend to have this particular kind of persnicketyness that I enjoy. I like the way their minds work. It’s mathematical in its precision. Also…music.
5. Ambivert – I have often said that I need to match with an extrovert, because if I’m with an introvert, we’ll pretty much never leave the house. Forget that you knew us – you’ll never see us again.
But I think I would prefer an ambivert. Someone who is extroverted enough that they need to be social on a regular basis for their sanity but also who is introverted enough that they’re ready to leave the party when I am (or within a half and hour of when I am. I can be reasonable…ish.). Someone who will encourage me to try new things and will gently pressure me to go dancing because they know I love it once I actually get there, but also will totally give in when I, with wild eyes that just cannot take any more socializing that day, say, “Let’s skip it, order a pizza, and binge-watch West Wing.” Give me someone who says yes to that.
So if you know this guy (and he’s single – because I do not share – and oriented toward the ladies – because I’d like to be his preference, too), send him along!
