Jana Says

Living life from cover to cover

Blogs you should read instead of mine, part 1

by Jana 18 Comments

I’m at a blogging conference this week, running a mentoring session, so there’s no recap for the week. But I didn’t want to leave you hanging on Friday and create a void in your life from the usual stellar content I create in this space which is why I’m suggesting you read these blogs because they’re approximately 100 times more awesome than me (except I’m not awesome and they are and even though 100 times zero is zero, you know what I mean because math is confusing):

TexErin in Sydneyland–Erin is one of my two internet twins (does that make us triplets? Again, math is confusing). She writes about music and books and her cat looks just like my cat and I love her and you need to pay her a visit.

The Random Path–Mackenzie is my other Internet twin and she writes about motherhood and recipes and living in Portland and all kinds of stuff.

Alyssa Goes Bang–Alyssa is hella talented and smart and disciplined and ambitious and she is what I wish I had been at 25. She also has a magazine and edits books and does yoga and runs and really, I’m exhausted just writing all of that.

Voyage of the Mee Mee–Amanda is one of the most hilarious people on the interwebs and if you’re not reading her beautifully redesigned blog, you need to change that pronto.

Ali A–I genuinely don’t even know what to say about Ali except she’s hysterical and sarcastic and smart and writes one of my favorite blogs of all time and she’s from Long Island and lives at the beach which of course makes me love her that much more.

Easily Entertained–if you want to read anything about TV or movies or concerts, you need to have Christina’s blog on your radar. She also talks about living in Seattle and her kids (who are adorable) and I think maybe she and Mackenzie should meet because I think they’d get along really well.

Stuff, Things, Etc–I want Kristin to be my daughter’s teacher so badly because she’s an amazingly passionate teacher. She’s also a military wife, dog mom, recipe giver, booknerd, and other kinds of awesome traits that make her blog a definite daily read of mine.

If I didn’t mention you today, don’t hate me. This is something I’ll do monthly because let’s face it, there are so many of you guys who are way better than me and deserve the props.

 

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This week in…: Volume 33

by Jana 24 Comments

this week

  • I made the decision to return A Little Life to the library. It’s a wonderful book so I’m going to buy it and keep on the shelf for the winter. It’s just too heavy for me right now. I’m in the middle of Dietland and picked up three new ones–Ally Hughes Has Sex Sometimes, You Too Can Have a Body Like Mine, and $2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing. I also figured out that I can borrow and loan books from my Kindle app so now I don’t need a Kindle. Hooray for saving money!
  • I need to save money because I finally bought a FitBit. I am in love with it and I’m using it to track my sleep as well as my steps. Hopefully this will give me insight as to why I’m so tired all the damn time. The first night I used it, it told me I was restless 11 times. Eleven!!! That’s a whole lot.
  • Longmire is FINALLY on Netflix (well, season 4, which I’ve been waiting for for what felt like an eternity)! I can’t even begin to tell you how happy that makes me. Also making me happy from TV land? The return of Project Greenlight! Anyone else watch it? Are you as excited as I am about the new season?
  • You know what I forgot to mention in my post about fall? How much I love fall baseball. You know what’s extra exciting about this year? My beloved Mets are still STILL in first place and someone actually used the words “Mets” and “magic number” in the same sentence yesterday. Barring any epic collapse, my boys will get to hang the National League East Division Champions 2015 in CitiField next year!
  • Speaking of NY, as today is the 14th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, I encourage you to take a moment to remember everyone who lost their lives that day in New York, Pennsylvania, the Pentagon, and the ensuing wars (if you’re curious about my thoughts, you can read my inarticulate post I wrote a couple of years ago).
  • I finally watched Raiders of the Lost Ark for the first time ever. I did not like it. In fact, I forgot that’s the movie I was watching because it bored me so much and this conversation happened:

Husband: Are you even paying attention?
Me: Yes. He stole some shit. Now he’s teaching some shit. I’m all caught up.
Husband: Now they’re talking about the ark.
Me: There’s an ark?
Husband: IT’S “RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK”!!!
Me: Oh, right.

  • Internet reads: Are you Gen X like me (or are you in that weird bubble between Gen X and Gen Y like me)? Then read this post with 29 characteristics of Generation X. Maybe you’re not Gen X but you are creative so maybe check out this infographic of the daily routines of famous creative people. I loved the results of this blogger’s experiment of not complaining for two weeks and it kind of makes me want to try it or one of Gretchen Rubin’s 21 Day Projects (and yes, I’d pay $4.99 for one of her books. I love her). And finally, yesterday was World Suicide Prevention Day, so this post from Buzzfeed about the lies your depression tells you is timely and poignant.
  • Re: Depression. It sucks. It’s the worst thing ever, and if you’re dealing with it, please know you’re not alone. And it might not seem like it now but it will get better. Maybe with medication, maybe with therapy, maybe with time, maybe with all three. But it will get better. And please, if you need help, reach out to someone. A professional, preferably. Especially if you’re thinking about suicide. You can find help at 1-800-273-8255 or via the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Your life matters.
  • And thanks to Ali for sharing this which I’ve unabashedly stolen borrowed:

spice girls

 

Have a wonderful weekend! My new couch is being delivered so expect many pictures from my new sitting perspective! You can follow me on Instagram for those.

 

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This week in…: Volume 31

by Jana 16 Comments

Slow news week but let’s recap anyway

this week

 

  1. Didn’t finish any books this week because I’m having a hard time committing to just one but I did pick up Dietland, Gangsterland, and Galveston because clearly I like one word titles. I have one book left for the Literary Ladies challenge (reading Trust No One for Thriller/Suspense category). SHOW US YOUR BOOKS THIS TUESDAY!!!!
  2. I have approximately no less than 15 pounds of tomatoes that I picked from my garden. Ladies who cook, give me your best tomato based recipe. I can only make so much sauce and while I do plan to freeze a lot, I want to do something with them while they’re still fresh.
  3. My dog has worms. I feel like the worst pet parent on the planet.
  4. Miles logged in my car this week: 239403274. Given that, I’ve been listening to some podcasts and if you’re not listening to Criminal, do yourself a favor and change that. She digs into some pretty fascinating crimes, specifically of the weird and old nature, and each episode is about 20 minutes.
  5. Have you guess heard about the clerk in Kentucky who thinks she’s above the law and has been refusing to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples? Did you hear that she was arrested because there actually is justice? Look, if you want to think same sex marriage is wrong, that’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it. BUT. When you hold a public office, or any job for that matter, you are required to follow the rules of your employer, religious convictions or not. If you don’t like the rules, resign your position or face the consequences. It’s that simple.
  6. I started planning my wardrobe for my conference in Charlotte and let me tell you, nothing makes you feel inadequate about your yoga pants and t-shirt uniform more than having to find 4 nice outfits to wear. Not to mention the fact that I’ll be going to bars. WHAT DO PEOPLE WEAR TO BARS??
  7. I’m working on a special post with Erin and I’m very irritated that the songs by one band I need to include are no where to be found anywhere on any streaming service so not only can I not use them in the post unless I use the video from YouTube, I can’t add them to my playlist. #firstworldproblems
  8. Internet reads: Laura Vanderkam wrote about 5 More Time Management Mistakes You May Be Making (I’m definitely guilty of a couple of these). There’s this really cool infographic on Electric Literature with the most popular books of all time. Cracked had a post with the 8 creepiest identity theft cases of all time. And finally, this hard to read chart with the most satisfying and disappointing TV series finales.
  9.  In college we called it the suite

Happy weekend! I’ll see you back here on Tuesday for Show Us Your Books! Get your Goodreads ready!

 

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To the gentlemen who wrote that UD banner

by Jana 34 Comments

We’re going to talk about this today:

offensive UD sign

 

In case you can’t read it, the sign says “She Called U Daddy for 18 years Now its…Our Turn”

A few things. 1) I don’t know if this is from this past weekend, which was freshmen move-in weekend at the University of Delaware, or if it’s old; 2) I will not assume it was hung at a fraternity house because not all fraternity boys are sexist cretins and not all non-Greeks are respectful gentlemen; 3) I can’t believe we’re having to talk about this again.

But regardless, here we go because in light of what happened at Old Dominion University last week, it still makes sense to discuss.

Gentlemen (and I’m going to call you gentlemen because I’m hoping that at your core, that’s really what you are despite this offensive display) who wrote this banner, I really would like to know what you were thinking when you did it. I mean, I get it. You thought it was funny. Why wouldn’t you? Treating women like objects and putting down their equal status on a college campus is hilarious! Especially when you mention that you want them to call you daddy! Because, you know, that’s not weird or creepy and totally doesn’t infantilize the women you are hoping to have sex with.

I enjoyed a hearty chuckle.

And, while we’re discussing that, if you want them to call you daddy does that mean you will, in fact, act like it as well? Because I’m sure that a number of parents would be willing to hand over the financial responsibilities of parenting to you since that’s typically a part of being called “daddy” and let’s face it, college is expensive. Parents need all the help they can get at this point and if you’re willing, well, then, maybe we should talk.

One more daddy thing. The way the banner reads, it sounds like you’d like to call her father “daddy”. You should really rethink your phrasing next time. It’ll make more sense. Still won’t be less offensive. But it’ll make more sense.

Also, can we talk about the grammar on the banner? Horrid. Gentlemen, you’re in college now. You should know how to use proper capitalization and punctuation and the correct form of “its” vs. “it’s” and holy hell, stop the ellipsis abuse. Just stop it right now. If you need help, please visit the Writing Center. It used to be near Memorial Hall but if it’s moved, I’m sure someone can point you in the correct direction. And if you’re too embarrassed to use the Writing Center, here’s a comic from the Oatmeal. He’s very smart.

Sarcasm, grammar policing, and assorted other snark aside what I truly want to know is this–what were your goals in hanging this banner?

Honestly. What did you want to accomplish? Did you succeed?

Was the point to make people laugh? Well, you probably did.

Was the point to entice all the freshmen girls to come visit your house because it looks like a place where they’d be safe and not at all harassed? Well, maybe a few were and I should probably have a chat with those girls.

Was the point to uphold the morals and values that your parents taught you? I’d say probably not. It seems like you forgot about those.

Was the point to enrage the scores of parents and families that drove by your house? Possibly. And I’m sure you did.

Make thousands of people say “what the fuck”? Not sure if that was an intended goal but I’m confident you succeeded in that, too.

Maybe on the surface what you did was funny. But the implication behind it was so much more and to use language from a close friend of mine (who I met freshman year at UD, by the way), why do we have to keep talking about this? In a year when a student at Columbia University carries around a mattress in protest of the university’s handling of her rape, in a year where Missoula is published, why are signs like this still popping up on college campuses? Are the words not reaching their intended audience? And if they’re not, how do we get it to them? And once we get it to them, how do we make them sink in?

I don’t have any answers but I’m definitely willing to help work on some. Because when I drop my daughter off at college in 10 years, this should be something we talk about in sentences that start with “remember when”.

 

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All the leaves are brown and other things I love about fall

by Jana 40 Comments

And now we begin the basic of all basic posts…

I know that technically fall starts in a few weeks but since school is back in session (yay!), it’s fall in my book. 

I didn’t used to love fall. As a kid, summer was the best for all the reasons you’d think–Sleep-away camp, no school, sleeping late when I wasn’t as camp, swimming all the time, reading all day long…fun, kid stuff. Also, back then, the heat didn’t bother me quite like it does now and I didn’t mind wearing shorts, either. 

But now, as an adult, I much prefer the autumn months for so many reasons.

  1. Cooler weather. Look, I am all for embracing whatever it is you look like and wearing whatever you want but for me, I like to be covered up. Hoodies and yoga pants for this gal.
  2. Soups and casseroles and stews. A girl can only eat so many hot dogs and barbecued chicken before she hates them. Bring on the soups! Bring on the cheesy casseroles! I’m ready for a menu change.
  3. The colors. I adore fall colors. Summer ones are nice but the deep purples and reds and yellows of fall make me feel all cozy.
  4. Staying indoors is preferable. I am of the indoorsy kind (with some exceptions like the beach). Cooler weather means it’s acceptable and guilt free to binge watch Netflix on a Saturday instead of being outside, communing with nature and other people.
  5. Football. Not to watch, of course. But when the husband is watching it, I get hours of uninterrupted reading, cooking, and baking time. It’s relaxing and makes me feel productive.
  6. NO MOSQUITOES!! Die, you insufferable pests!
  7. Thanksgiving. It’s my favorite holiday. No fall, no Thanksgiving.
  8. Turning off the AC and opening the windows. There is nothing like the feeling of fresh air circulating through your home and does anyone else sleep better when the windows are open? Also, no AC means lower electric bills and who doesn’t love saving a little money?
  9. More routine. Yes, the unstructuredness of summer is nice but I function better with a schedule. I have less anxiety, more productivity, and it’s all around easier to manage.
  10. Fall TV!! True, many of the shows I watch exist in 10 episode bursts but fall means some of them are giving me new episodes and there’s new one to try, too. Plus this fall has The Muppets so it’s basically the greatest fall of all time.

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