Sunday, June 30, 2013
Weekly Wishes #4
Hello friends. Once again, It's time to link up with The Nectar Collective for Weekly Wishes. The Weekly Wishes is where we all can share our posts about goals, challenges, and wishes for the week!
Last week, my goal was to drink water often and journal everyday. How did I do? Pretty well! I didn't drink a ton more water than usual, but I was more conscious of bringing a water bottle to work and keeping it near me. I also journaled just about everyday, which was weird for me! Some people say journaling helps them clear their minds but it's just not for me :)
Anyways! Now, for this week's wish:
In short, TED Talks are short lectures (5-30 minutes, generally) on anything that's an "idea worth spreading". I love watching TED Talks, but just don't get around to watching them often for whatever reason. This week, I plan on watching at least ONE every single day. I'll share my favorites at the end of the week! If you're slightly geeky or just like learning new stuff, start watching TED Talks! I promise, it's so worth it! They have videos on everything from plankton to street signs to religion.
(Here's a great/short TED Talk to get you started: Gary Lauder's new traffic sign: Take Turns).
Now head on over to The Nectar Collective and join the Weekly Wish link up.
How did your weekly wish go? Have you ever watched a TED Talk?
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Why I Like Jerry Springer
I feel like a thousand people are about to [x] out of my blog after reading just the blog title. But it's true, I legitimately enjoy watching Jerry Springer on some level. Yeah, it's twisted, I know. Judge away!--but first, let me explain.
Dislaimer: I don't agree with most things on the show and I doubt you do either. I think most sane people feel the same way. It shows way too screwed up relationships and yeah, I do feel sorry for the guests on the show.
But here's the tricky part: as much as I want to hate the show, I can't. Every time a girl brings in a cheating boyfriend and yells at him, I get a small amount of satisfaction. I somehow get pleasure out of watching people get things out in the open and stand up for themselves when they've been wronged.
Ignoring all the slapping and swearing and et cetera, if we could all be that honest all the time, wouldn't we be happier?
Awhile ago, the boy and I had a bit of an argument. There was something that was bothering me for a little while but I kept ignoring it because I didn't want to argue about it. So I just stuffed it down deep and didn't say anything. But then later, after something little he said, I got mad. It all comes out sometime. And because I let it build, I was upset enough about it that it was hard to discuss like mature people and it came out as an attack on him.
Once we had come to an agreement, he just asked me why I didn't tell him. And that's a hard question, why we aren't honest.
Is it because I'm afraid of making things uncomfortable, I just want peace or am I just self-centered? I don't know the answer.
A customer at work (I scoop ice cream) last night asked me how I was. And I answered with my standard, "I'm good, how are you?" little spiel. But in truth, my head hurt, we were severely understaffed, I had just cut my hand on the shake blender (those suckers are weapons, I tell you) minutes before. I wanted advil and a nap, not to make four chocolate peanut butter banana shakes.
But would it really have been acceptable to answer with that? Even politely, to say "It's been a long night; I'm a bit stressed"? I doubt anyone would like that. I think most people would be caught off guard and at least slightly uncomfortable. Because when people ask how you're doing, a huge percentage of the time, they don't care about your answer. And we know this.
And I can't wrap this post up with an answer as to why we treat each other the way we do; I'm guilty of the same. But I just had to get that off my chest and I think it's worth recognizing that our small dishonest moments change the way we treat other people and by extension, the happiness of people around us.
Be honest--do you watch Jerry Springer? Are you totally judging me? And you deserve a prize for reading this whole thing. Props to you.
Dislaimer: I don't agree with most things on the show and I doubt you do either. I think most sane people feel the same way. It shows way too screwed up relationships and yeah, I do feel sorry for the guests on the show.
But here's the tricky part: as much as I want to hate the show, I can't. Every time a girl brings in a cheating boyfriend and yells at him, I get a small amount of satisfaction. I somehow get pleasure out of watching people get things out in the open and stand up for themselves when they've been wronged.
Ignoring all the slapping and swearing and et cetera, if we could all be that honest all the time, wouldn't we be happier?
Awhile ago, the boy and I had a bit of an argument. There was something that was bothering me for a little while but I kept ignoring it because I didn't want to argue about it. So I just stuffed it down deep and didn't say anything. But then later, after something little he said, I got mad. It all comes out sometime. And because I let it build, I was upset enough about it that it was hard to discuss like mature people and it came out as an attack on him.
Once we had come to an agreement, he just asked me why I didn't tell him. And that's a hard question, why we aren't honest.
Is it because I'm afraid of making things uncomfortable, I just want peace or am I just self-centered? I don't know the answer.
Get yourself a giggle out of this "brutal betrayal". |
When I think about it, my dishonesty is everywhere, and with all honesty, yours probably is too. Not straight up lies, but we sugarcoat, we tame things down or leave out important information. In the example I just mentioned, I withheld something important deliberately. I try not to, but I'm human and I do lie more than I would care to admit. But then really, am I not almost continually lying?
A customer at work (I scoop ice cream) last night asked me how I was. And I answered with my standard, "I'm good, how are you?" little spiel. But in truth, my head hurt, we were severely understaffed, I had just cut my hand on the shake blender (those suckers are weapons, I tell you) minutes before. I wanted advil and a nap, not to make four chocolate peanut butter banana shakes.
But would it really have been acceptable to answer with that? Even politely, to say "It's been a long night; I'm a bit stressed"? I doubt anyone would like that. I think most people would be caught off guard and at least slightly uncomfortable. Because when people ask how you're doing, a huge percentage of the time, they don't care about your answer. And we know this.
And I can't wrap this post up with an answer as to why we treat each other the way we do; I'm guilty of the same. But I just had to get that off my chest and I think it's worth recognizing that our small dishonest moments change the way we treat other people and by extension, the happiness of people around us.
Be honest--do you watch Jerry Springer? Are you totally judging me? And you deserve a prize for reading this whole thing. Props to you.
The Reverse Bucket List.
This idea's from Chimerikal (a great gal and a great blog! Check her out). Almost any blog you go to is going to have a bucket list, right? Everyone has things that they want to do in order to have their ideal life and feel like they've made their lives worth it. But the thing is, our lives already are worth it. What if we counted all the great things we have done, instead of everything we still want? After I wrote this list, I just felt fantastic...I'm still young and I've done so many things and had so many opportunities. So this is my reverse bucket list: the things I've already been lucky enough to experience.
What would be on your reverse bucket list?
Related posts you might like:
P.S. For more, like CMS on Facebook or follow me on Twitter or Bloglovin'
- Go whitewater rafting
- Ride horses.
- Touch a stingray.
- Zipline in Mexico.
- See the sunset.
- Swim in one of the Great Lakes
- Go skiing
- Go canoeing
- Sleep in a treehouse.
- Swim in the ocean.
- Surf in California
- Go skinny dipping
- Fly first class.
- Go paintballing
- Visit the Georgia Aquarium
- Visit the Shedd Aquarium
- Visit New York City
- Visit Europe (France, Germany, Switzerland, & Ukraine)
- See a Broadway Show in New York
- See the house where my grandmother and great-grandmother lived (Hamburg, Germany)
- Go on a road trip through National Parks
- Eat cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory.
- Visit all the North American countries
- Visit the Caribbean
- Swim with sharks.
- Sleep on the beach.
- Hold a snake.
- Sleep in a log cabin.
- Pull an all-nighter.
- Go to Hawaii
- Make a speech in front of three hundred people.
- Visit Sea World
- Be the President of something (Environmental Club & Debate Club)
- Take a double-decker bus tour
- Visit the Statue of Liberty
- Go to a cheese market in France.
- Study my ancestors.
- Go to a circus.
- Eat Chicago-style pizza.
- Visit the place where Count of Monte Cristo is set (Marseille, France, Chateau d'If)
- Eat Chicago-style popcorn.
- Visit a concentration camp (Bergen-Belsen)
- Go to a concert outdoors (Rascal Flatts, Zac Brown Band, Little Big Town)
- Learn to play an instrument
- Make ice cream (peach).
- Visit a pickle factory.
- Get on the Honor Roll.
- Play a sport.
- Eat gelato.
- Run a 5K.
- Run a 10K.
- Learn to surf.
- Scuba dive.
- Go on a cruise.
- Go out for a fancy dinner--and order dessert.
- Learn conversational French.
- Sing in a choir.
- Go snorkeling.
- Go hiking.
- Go rock climbing.
- Go jetskiing.
- See the Northern Lights (over the Atlantic Ocean & Minnesota)
- Visit Niagara Falls.
- Buy something using a foreign language.
- Vacation in Cancun.
- Take a yoga class.
- Take a spinning class.
- Take a zumba class.
- Visit the Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC.
- See the White House
- Ride in a police car (it was for charity, guys!)
- Visit Chicago.
- Climb up the Empire State Building
- See Mount Rushmore
- Visit Disney World
- Learn to paint.
- Learn to sew.
- Watch a silent film.
- Donate.
- Go sailing.
- Visit a castle.
- Visit an aquarium.
- Swim with dolphins.
- Visit a zoo.
- Be kind to a stranger.
- Give a big tip.
- Fall in love.
What would be on your reverse bucket list?
Related posts you might like:
P.S. For more, like CMS on Facebook or follow me on Twitter or Bloglovin'
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Catching My Eye 04.
This week: I worked, scooping lots of ice cream ♥ Played lots of games with friends ♥ swam & laid out on the beach ♥ ran my longest run in awhile (4.5 mi) ♥
Now for the best of the interwebs:
♥Obama likes Snocones.
♥Shannon at The Feminist Mystique has a series on different women (and some men) and their choices to change, keep, or hypenate their last names upon getting married.
♥Bill Nye the Science Guy's house is energy efficient with solar panels and green windows.
♥95% of people wash their hands wrong, are you one of them?
♥Sarah Von from Yes and Yes shares a new idea for your bucket list: write a letter to an inmate.
♥This explanation of the right & left sides of your brain.
♥The reasons I love Anthropologie: These Victorian style whale bookends, this beautiful pale pink watch, and this bust of a giraffe that I want hanging on my wall.
♥You might have missed: fresh pair of eyes [a playlist] ♥ Weekly Wishes #3 ♥ celtic rock [a playlist]
♥Follow me on Twitter
♥Follow me on BlogLovin'
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Celtic Rock [playlist]
Lately, I've been really interested in branching out my music tastes. Nothing crazy, I still haven't found much straight rap or screamo that I can stand, but I've been feeling a lot of jazz/swing/bluegrass/country. All of which I'm mostly a stranger too, so recommendations are always welcome!
And out of those new listens, I've gotten into the whole Celtic-punk feel particularly of bands like Flogging Molly and The Dropkick Murphys. So if you're new to them, be sure to give them a solid listen.
To get you through whatever you're going through. It grows on you, just trust me on this one.
Siobhan//The Tossers
Heroes From Our Past//The Dropkick Murphys
Follow Me Up To Carlow (2007 Version)//The Young Dubliners
If I Ever Leave This World Alive (Live)//Flogging Molly
The Drunken Sailor//Schooner Fare
Kiss Me, I'm Shitfaced//The Dropkick Murphys
The Paddy Set//Seven Nations
Old Black Rum//Great Big Sea
Laura//Flogging Molly
I'm A Rover//Great Big Sea
The Times, They Are A-Changin'//Flogging Molly
Float (live)//Flogging Molly
Go Home Girl//Gaelic Storm
Loaded Gun//Flatfoot 56
The Lightning Storm//Flogging Molly
The SchoonerLake Set//Gaelic Storm
The Mermaid//Great Big Sea
Listen on Spotify.
And out of those new listens, I've gotten into the whole Celtic-punk feel particularly of bands like Flogging Molly and The Dropkick Murphys. So if you're new to them, be sure to give them a solid listen.
To get you through whatever you're going through. It grows on you, just trust me on this one.
Siobhan//The Tossers
Heroes From Our Past//The Dropkick Murphys
Follow Me Up To Carlow (2007 Version)//The Young Dubliners
If I Ever Leave This World Alive (Live)//Flogging Molly
The Drunken Sailor//Schooner Fare
Kiss Me, I'm Shitfaced//The Dropkick Murphys
The Paddy Set//Seven Nations
Old Black Rum//Great Big Sea
Laura//Flogging Molly
I'm A Rover//Great Big Sea
The Times, They Are A-Changin'//Flogging Molly
Float (live)//Flogging Molly
Go Home Girl//Gaelic Storm
Loaded Gun//Flatfoot 56
The Lightning Storm//Flogging Molly
The SchoonerLake Set//Gaelic Storm
The Mermaid//Great Big Sea
Listen on Spotify.
Monday, June 24, 2013
fresh pair of eyes [playlist]
Here in Southwest Michigan, it's been a rainy couple of days. As I went for a run in the rain a few days ago, I admired the forest around the roads where I live. Even though I was listening to rock for my run, it made me feel like this:
Quelqu'un M'a Dit//Carla Bruni
Go On//Elephant Revival
Take Me Somewhere Nice//Mogwai
Love Song #1//White Buffalo
You Ain't Alone//Alabama Shakes
Bruises//Chairlift
I'll Drown//Soley
Old Friends//Simon & Garfunkel
Where is My Love//Cat Power
It's Only Fear// Alexi Murdoch
I Won't Give Up//Jason Mraz
Fresh Pair of Eyes//Brooke Waggoner
Chanson Triste//Carla Bruni
Cheers Darlin'//Damien Rice
Listen on Spotify.
Quelqu'un M'a Dit//Carla Bruni
Go On//Elephant Revival
Take Me Somewhere Nice//Mogwai
Love Song #1//White Buffalo
You Ain't Alone//Alabama Shakes
Bruises//Chairlift
I'll Drown//Soley
Old Friends//Simon & Garfunkel
Where is My Love//Cat Power
It's Only Fear// Alexi Murdoch
I Won't Give Up//Jason Mraz
Fresh Pair of Eyes//Brooke Waggoner
Chanson Triste//Carla Bruni
Cheers Darlin'//Damien Rice
Listen on Spotify.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
June Book Challenge Update
Ten days into June, after I had made my reading goal to read ten books in June, I started panicking. Why? Well, I had only read one book. One third of the way through June. However, after I made my weekly wish last week to read an hour every day, I'm catching up! I'm super proud to say that I have now read seven books out of my goal of ten--and June isn't over yet! Some of them are school books, which, while I feel great that they're done, I'm not quite recommending them as the most riveting reads.
The Forest Unseen by David George Haskell
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization by Anthony Esolen
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris.
Wool 1 by Hugh Howey
Anthem by Ayn Rand
Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner.
Up Next: (probably--my literary moods change quickly)
Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewen
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
What have you read lately?
The Forest Unseen by David George Haskell
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization by Anthony Esolen
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris.
Wool 1 by Hugh Howey
Anthem by Ayn Rand
Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner.
Up Next: (probably--my literary moods change quickly)
Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewen
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
What have you read lately?
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Catching My Eye 03.
This week: I moved to Michigan for the summer, leaving my friends and the boy behind. ♥ Started work assistant managing an ice cream shop ♥ read lots ♥ enjoyed the first few beautiful Lake Michigan beach days of many to come ♥ played endless games of Taboo with friends ♥ made multiple late night McDonald's, Target and Dollar Store runs with friends ♥
Now for the best of the interwebs:
♥Is summer keeping you from actually getting stuff done? Here are 16 ways to get motivated. You can also check out my Weekly Wishes and see what kind of stuff I'm trying to get done. My favorite way is #11: Start small. Really small. If you want to start a habit of exercising for half an hour a day, exercise for five minutes a day, and only that. Make that a habit, then move to ten, then fifteen, then twenty, then thirty. Easy peasy.
♥This gorgeous peach statement necklace. Or, this supercute trio of seaside themed earrings from The Northern Sea for $12.
♥The Minimum Wage Machine gives a brilliant social commentary on the minimum wage. By turning a crank, the machine releases a penny every 4.97 seconds...the exact same as minimum wage, which many people earn for much harder work than turning a crank.
♥If you consider yourself intelligent but still "normal", check out TED's list of 180+ books any human being should consider reading.
♥Because sometimes nature is just too weird, this website [WTF, Evolution] chronicles weird animals & plants and captions them with witty remarks, like this.
“Check out this awesome dance move I invented.”
“Oh god, evolution, please stop doing that.”
“What? It’s called ‘pronking.’ All the springbok are into it.”
“I can’t take you anywhere.”
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMIiB9DnRXg]
♥If you've ever worked in the service industry, you will crack up at this (or even if you haven't). On this site, the staff chronicle the antics of crazy restaurant customers."
♥You might have missed: Wake Up, Allie [a playlist] ♥ Weekly Wishes #2 ♥ A Packing Playlist
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Wake Up, Allie [playlist]
So unfortunately, I am not a morning person, as much as I'd like to be. I'm also not a night person. I just like my sleep. Ideally, I'd sleep from ten till ten in the morning. However, getting up that late tends to mean I don't get really going until eleven or so, and then half my day is gone. That's why I made my weekly wish this week to try setting a morning routine. I didn't do so hot this morning, as I got up at about 9:35 when I realized I had work at 10. Such is life. Anyways, I made a little playlist to motivate me to wake up and run in the morning. Listen to it in this order; it starts slow and will get you up and at 'em. Warning though--it is way eclectic. Incubus to Yo-Yo Ma to Led Zeppelin to Needtobreathe. But I think it's awesome! Listen on 8tracks.
- Aqueous Transmission//Incubus
- C'est Ma Terre//Christopher Mae
- Rise to the Sun (Live on KEXP)//Alabama Shakes
- Separate Ways (One for the Road)//The River and the Road
- 123 Stop//The Postelles
- Girl Named Tennessee//Needtobreathe
- Movin' Right Along//Alkaline Trio
- Hope the Good Things Never End//Northcote
- This Too Shall Pass//OK Go
- Houses of the Holy//Led Zeppelin
- Attaboy//Yo Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile
- The Southern Wild//Eliza & the Bear
- Don't Upset the Rhythm (Go Baby Go)//The Noisettes
- Dolores//The Mavericks
- Lemon Parade//Tonic
So we'll see if a good playlist is enough to get me going in the morning! Tune in tomorrow for a new collection of things that are Catching My Eye.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Weekly Wishes #2
Hey all.Once again, I'm linking up with The Nectar Collective for Weekly Wishes. The Weekly Wishes is where we all can share our posts about goals, challenges, and wishes for the week! Last week, my goal was to read for an hour every day! Some days I was great! Some days...not so much.
Monday: Day 1: In the morning, I read about thirty minutes and finished my AP European History book, The Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization. Woo hoo! So happy to be done... In the afternoon, I had a long wait at Costco while my tires were being rotated and I read about a 75 minutes of Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. One hour and 45 minutes.
Tuesday: Big day! Between the boy's softball game & making cheesecake all day, I forgot to read. When I got in bed I read Catching Fire before falling asleep. One hour.
Wednesday: Finished Catching Fire! It's a reread so I got through it quickly. One hour and thirty minutes.
Thursday: My last day in Charlotte so I was busy! I started a new dystopian book called Wool early in the morning and read some before going out to lunch with a friend and dinner with the boy. Thirty minutes.
Friday: In the car on the way to Michigan! Read Me Talk Pretty One Day. Two hours.
Saturday: Finished Me Talk Pretty One Day! Thirty minutes.
Sunday: none.
So I didn't do so hot there at the end on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, but I felt good about the time I spent reading this week. It felt really good to spend my vacation intentionally, reading instead of noodling around on the internet all the time. I highly recommend setting a reading goal, even if it's only half an hour a week.
Now, for this week's wish:
In the summer, I am soo bad about this. If I don't have something specific to get up for, I'll get up around 8 or 9 and not be productive for awhile. This week, I plan to get up at 8:30 and run (if it's a running day) and condition (if it's a conditioning day) and work on something right off the bat, even if it's something simple like reading or blogging. We'll see how I do!
Now head on over to The Nectar Collective and join the Weekly Wish link up.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
A Packing Playlist
Let me tell you. Packing for two months is SO hard. I've filled a huge hamper and a duffel and I hardly feel like I've started. I keep thinking I'm almost done and then realizing I've forgotten something huge, like pants. Seriously, I would be the person to forget to pack pants. Anyways, here's what I've been listening to:
[spotify id="spotify:user:allieff:playlist:5R225o1GPjjWxTxiE7NFEz" width="300" height="380" /]
Love, A.
[spotify id="spotify:user:allieff:playlist:5R225o1GPjjWxTxiE7NFEz" width="300" height="380" /]
Love, A.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Catching My Eye 02.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnydFmqHuVo]
This week:My sister got home from Italy♥I cooked cheesecake, all by myself! Usually, the toaster presents enough of a challenge, but not today...♥Went on a frozen yogurt date with the boy♥finished my first book of the summer♥ran many miles.
♥This album by Common Labor is so great. It's like rap and folk and awesomeness. Even better? Name your price.
♥Portraits of zoo animals in clothing make me smile. I'd love some postcards of these prints!
♥Skittles burgers? Oddly themed weddings? Sometime Pinterest seems to be drunk.
♥Is this real life? A vending machine that prints books.
♥Try out this recipe for salted caramel cheesecake. If I can make it, you can.
♥This lovely offbeat bouquet.
♥This post from Of Corgis & Cocktails with all things popsicles for summer.
♥Lastly, here are ten yoga poses to do in bed. At the end of the day, I love relaxing with a couple of these poses and find that they help me fall asleep faster and relax more. My favorite? Definitely happy baby.
This week:My sister got home from Italy♥I cooked cheesecake, all by myself! Usually, the toaster presents enough of a challenge, but not today...♥Went on a frozen yogurt date with the boy♥finished my first book of the summer♥ran many miles.
Now, for the best of the interwebs.
♥This album by Common Labor is so great. It's like rap and folk and awesomeness. Even better? Name your price.
♥Portraits of zoo animals in clothing make me smile. I'd love some postcards of these prints!
♥Skittles burgers? Oddly themed weddings? Sometime Pinterest seems to be drunk.
♥Is this real life? A vending machine that prints books.
♥Try out this recipe for salted caramel cheesecake. If I can make it, you can.
♥This lovely offbeat bouquet.
♥This post from Of Corgis & Cocktails with all things popsicles for summer.
♥Lastly, here are ten yoga poses to do in bed. At the end of the day, I love relaxing with a couple of these poses and find that they help me fall asleep faster and relax more. My favorite? Definitely happy baby.
♥YOU MAY HAVE MISSED: ReverbNation Gems♥June Book Challenge♥One for the Road [playlist]♥The Forest Unseen [book]
Sunday, June 9, 2013
A Song for Sunday.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf8Xra_DOZA]
Hey all! I'm back from Durham! Hope you all have been having a splendid weekend so far. Now that I'm home and just unpacked from the weekend, it's time for me to start packing for Michigan on Friday! My family and I are driving up, which is pretty much the most painful two days of the summer, but once we get there it'll be just great. Anyways, as I'm packing, I'm listening to lots of new music! Watch for a new playlist in the next few days.
Have a good one!
Love, A.
Hey all! I'm back from Durham! Hope you all have been having a splendid weekend so far. Now that I'm home and just unpacked from the weekend, it's time for me to start packing for Michigan on Friday! My family and I are driving up, which is pretty much the most painful two days of the summer, but once we get there it'll be just great. Anyways, as I'm packing, I'm listening to lots of new music! Watch for a new playlist in the next few days.
Have a good one!
Love, A.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
One for the Road [playlist]
Quick post, as I've been on the road yesterday and part of today. When on a road trip, the playlist is essential. Here's a good one--
[8tracks width="300" height="250" playops="" url="http://8tracks.com/mixes/1712186"]
What music do you like on road trips?
[8tracks width="300" height="250" playops="" url="http://8tracks.com/mixes/1712186"]
What music do you like on road trips?
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Dreaming of...Costa Rica
A couple days ago, I shared with you all that I was struggling to decide on a destination--the struggle continues. Last time, I considered Iceland (which is still very much on the list). Today, let's consider a vastly different but equally awesome possibility: Costa Rica.
Things I'd like to do in Costa Rica:
-Scuba Dive
-Visit the Serpentarium
-See a sloth & other critters
-Eat local food, especially the fruit
-Surf
-Swim under a waterfall
Where would you most like to travel to? Where is your favorite place you've ever been?
(Casey Mahaney, Lonely Planet)
(Corey Wise, Lonely Planet)
(Lucas J. Gilman/Aurora Photos)
(Lisa Whitwam/Getty Images)
(Donna and Steve Omeara/Photo Library)
(Roy Toft)
(Christian Aslund for Lonely Planet)
Things I'd like to do in Costa Rica:
-Scuba Dive
-Visit the Serpentarium
-See a sloth & other critters
-Eat local food, especially the fruit
-Surf
-Swim under a waterfall
Where would you most like to travel to? Where is your favorite place you've ever been?
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
June Book Challenge
In June, (and I realize I'm already five days behind) I am going to read ten books! At least that's my goal. I'm not sure how many book I usually read a month but it's probably close to this in the summer. Then, in July, I'd like to increase that goal. Here are a couple books that I can't wait to read!
1. Wild: Lost and Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed. A powerful, blazingly honest memoir: the story of an eleven-hundred-mile solo hike that broke down a young woman reeling from catastrophe—and built her back up again.
2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Jane Austen's witty comedy of manners--one of the most popular novels of all time--features splendidly civilized sparring between the proud Mr. Darcy and the prejudiced Elizabeth Bennet as they play out their spirited courtship in a series of eighteenth-century drawing-room intrigues.
3. The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore by Benjamin Hale. Precocious, self-conscious and preternaturally gifted, young Bruno, born and raised in a habitat at the local zoo, falls under the care of a university primatologist named Lydia Littlemore. The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore goes beyond satire by showing us not what it means, but what it feels like be human -- to love and lose, learn, aspire, grasp, and, in the end, to fail.
4. Binocular Vision by Edith Pearlman. In this sumptuous offering, one of our premier storytellers provides a feast for fiction aficionados, traveling around the world and examining the lives and nuances of locales.
5. Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris. A guy walks into a bar car and...From here the story could take many turns. When this guy is David Sedaris, the possibilities are endless, but the result is always the same: he will both delight you with twists of humor and intelligence and leave you deeply moved.
6. The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell. Rose Baker seals men’s fates. With a few strokes of the keys that sit before her, she can send a person away for life in prison. A typist in a New York City Police Department precinct, Rose is like a high priestess. Confessions are her job.
[summaries excerpted from GoodReads.com]
1. Wild: Lost and Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed. A powerful, blazingly honest memoir: the story of an eleven-hundred-mile solo hike that broke down a young woman reeling from catastrophe—and built her back up again.
2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Jane Austen's witty comedy of manners--one of the most popular novels of all time--features splendidly civilized sparring between the proud Mr. Darcy and the prejudiced Elizabeth Bennet as they play out their spirited courtship in a series of eighteenth-century drawing-room intrigues.
3. The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore by Benjamin Hale. Precocious, self-conscious and preternaturally gifted, young Bruno, born and raised in a habitat at the local zoo, falls under the care of a university primatologist named Lydia Littlemore. The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore goes beyond satire by showing us not what it means, but what it feels like be human -- to love and lose, learn, aspire, grasp, and, in the end, to fail.
4. Binocular Vision by Edith Pearlman. In this sumptuous offering, one of our premier storytellers provides a feast for fiction aficionados, traveling around the world and examining the lives and nuances of locales.
5. Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris. A guy walks into a bar car and...From here the story could take many turns. When this guy is David Sedaris, the possibilities are endless, but the result is always the same: he will both delight you with twists of humor and intelligence and leave you deeply moved.
6. The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell. Rose Baker seals men’s fates. With a few strokes of the keys that sit before her, she can send a person away for life in prison. A typist in a New York City Police Department precinct, Rose is like a high priestess. Confessions are her job.
[summaries excerpted from GoodReads.com]
ReverbNation Gems
I love ReverbNation as a way to find & listen to some lesser known (but still very wonderful) music. If you don't know of any artists, try listening to a "radio" channel (i.e. Trending Artists, Local Chart Toppers or a genre). If you do know of an artist you want to listen to, you can listen to some of their songs as well as see other artists that they recommend. You can also put in your city and a genre or two or three and RN will make a calendar for you of concerts near you that you might enjoy! It's a great way to support local artists and listen to new music. Here are a few of my favorite artists:
1.Lisa Stevens. I found this great lady when I went to the September 2012 Tosco Music Party, and I still can't stop listening to her. If you only listen to one thing, listen to this song, "O Mi Dios". It made me cry the first time I heard it. Listen if you like Stevie Nicks (especially Landslide), Kate Wolf, Carly Simon, Peter, Paul & Mary or John Denver. Listen to "O Mi Dios".
2. Doug Wilcox. "Honey-soaked vocals" is how Bootleg Magazine describes Wilcox's music and they are so right. "The sound is a singer/songwriter stew of folk/rock, blues, and soul." Listen to "Duality".
3. Boulder Acoustic Society. "Boulder Acoustic Society's music is haunted by the past and focused on the future. It's indie-folk that draws from Appalachian roots, gritty gospel and the contemporary urban soundscape. BAS mission to merge tradition with innovation produces a unique sound and an unforgettable live entertainment experience." Listen to "Shelter".
Go give them a listen!
Love, A.
1.Lisa Stevens. I found this great lady when I went to the September 2012 Tosco Music Party, and I still can't stop listening to her. If you only listen to one thing, listen to this song, "O Mi Dios". It made me cry the first time I heard it. Listen if you like Stevie Nicks (especially Landslide), Kate Wolf, Carly Simon, Peter, Paul & Mary or John Denver. Listen to "O Mi Dios".
2. Doug Wilcox. "Honey-soaked vocals" is how Bootleg Magazine describes Wilcox's music and they are so right. "The sound is a singer/songwriter stew of folk/rock, blues, and soul." Listen to "Duality".
3. Boulder Acoustic Society. "Boulder Acoustic Society's music is haunted by the past and focused on the future. It's indie-folk that draws from Appalachian roots, gritty gospel and the contemporary urban soundscape. BAS mission to merge tradition with innovation produces a unique sound and an unforgettable live entertainment experience." Listen to "Shelter".
Go give them a listen!
Love, A.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Catching My Eye.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVc-Z8yFYW8]
This week: I finished school (for the year)!♥celebrated the boy's sister's birthday with dinner & cheesecake♥started my half marathon training plan♥started my summer reading for European History♥went on many Roo runs!
♥Do cabins make you nostalgic and warm and fuzzy inside? If so, Cabin Porn has pages and pages of beautiful cozy cabins around the world.
♥Slightly profane, this gallery shows pretty much every hilarious post on tumblr.
♥This list of 100 best American movies needs to be somehow incorporated into my summer to-do list. I have to say, I'm quite proud that I have seen 13 of these movies--even if most of them were in my Film Studies class.
♥Carrie at Dream Green DIY make these awesome gold and neon DIY bookends out of rocks. Definitely a project I'd love to do! Only problem--bookends take up room that I need for more books. Tragic. #litworldproblems
♥Fun and semi-useful, this chart for better understanding your haters is both simple and resoundingly true.
♥As a girl who doesn't plan on having kids, this article about the life of childless adults showed me two sides of the issue I thought I knew well.
Love, A.
This week: I finished school (for the year)!♥celebrated the boy's sister's birthday with dinner & cheesecake♥started my half marathon training plan♥started my summer reading for European History♥went on many Roo runs!
Now, for the best of the interwebs.
♥Do cabins make you nostalgic and warm and fuzzy inside? If so, Cabin Porn has pages and pages of beautiful cozy cabins around the world.
♥Slightly profane, this gallery shows pretty much every hilarious post on tumblr.
♥This list of 100 best American movies needs to be somehow incorporated into my summer to-do list. I have to say, I'm quite proud that I have seen 13 of these movies--even if most of them were in my Film Studies class.
♥Carrie at Dream Green DIY make these awesome gold and neon DIY bookends out of rocks. Definitely a project I'd love to do! Only problem--bookends take up room that I need for more books. Tragic. #litworldproblems
♥Fun and semi-useful, this chart for better understanding your haters is both simple and resoundingly true.
♥As a girl who doesn't plan on having kids, this article about the life of childless adults showed me two sides of the issue I thought I knew well.
♥You May Have Missed: moving out: a tribute to a childhood home♥Cover it Up//An Anthropologie Playlist♥3 Awesome Tumblrs You Should Follow♥DIY Patterned Envelopes♥
Love, A.
Monday, June 3, 2013
No Worry, Beef Curry [happy folk playlist]
This has been one of my favorite playlists for awhile now--enjoy!
Just a happy folk rock mix to ease you in
featuring artists: Baywood, Said the Whale, Walk off the Earth
[8tracks width="300" height="250" playops="" url="http://8tracks.com/mixes/1279285"]
Just a happy folk rock mix to ease you in
featuring artists: Baywood, Said the Whale, Walk off the Earth
[8tracks width="300" height="250" playops="" url="http://8tracks.com/mixes/1279285"]
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Dreaming of...Iceland
Almost exactly a year from now, I'll be heading off on my senior trip--my one chance to go (almost) anywhere in the world. I still haven't managed to choose a destination. Iceland is one of my top picks:
(anopportunemoment.com)
(Laugavegur Trail, photo by Ida Koric for National Geographic)
(Blue Lagoon Hot Springs, photo by Jessica Anand)
(Reykjavik, photo by Vinod Krishnan)
(Juan Maria Rivas)
(Dyrhólaey Promontory, photo by Noelia Magnusson)
(Seljalandsfoss, photo by Giedre Lesmaityte)
(Snaefellsness, photo by Natalie Panek)
(anopportunemoment.com)
(Laugavegur Trail, photo by Ida Koric for National Geographic)
(Blue Lagoon Hot Springs, photo by Jessica Anand)
(Reykjavik, photo by Vinod Krishnan)
(Juan Maria Rivas)
(Dyrhólaey Promontory, photo by Noelia Magnusson)
(Seljalandsfoss, photo by Giedre Lesmaityte)
(Snaefellsness, photo by Natalie Panek)
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