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Weekly recap, 2018, v6

by Jana 8 Comments

What day is it? What month is it? What season is it?

via GIPHY

I’m seriously so confused.

It’s been a weird week and I don’t know what to talk about and what to leave out. My brain is messier than usual and I keep hoping that one of these days, I’ll get it all sorted out and get back to some sort of normal. But honestly, today is not that day.

Reading. Finished You Are a Badass At Making Money and The Breakdown. Currently reading 13 Minutes. Nothing new from NetGalley but I did get Force of Nature from the library and am also in a battle of wits with Barnes and Noble trying to decide what books I want to buy since there are quite a number on my TBR that my library does not have in any branch in my whole damn state.

Listening. Uncivil. It’s a podcast about untold stories of the Civil War. I’m not even sure how I discovered it but pretty interesting.

Eating. Popcorn. In buckets. Not literally in buckets but I’d honestly consider that because my entire diet lately is popcorn and coffee. At least I’ve moved up from tortilla chips and Twizzlers.

Watching. The CNN Town Hall with the students of MSD High School. How do I even begin to discuss this? First, I guess I start by saying that anyone who underestimates the power, strength, resilience, determination, and ferocity of teenagers is a fucking dumbass. These kids are leading a revolution that should have started years ago and their willingness to say things adults won’t is a sight to behold (and hear) and we need to listen to them. We need to hear them. Our “leaders” have failed them in every capacity and they’re just fucking done. They are taking them to task in ways that are more mature and intelligent than most of the adults I know are capable of doing. I don’t blame them. They’ve grown up with mass shootings as the norm. It shouldn’t be like that. I remember watching the news in horror on April 20, 1999 and here we are, 18 years later, and nothing has fucking changed. And I am here to support what they’re doing because no kid, anywhere, ever, should be scared going to school. Second, any of these conspiracy theorists or anyone sending them death threats…GO FUCK YOURSELVES. Seriously. You don’t have to agree with them but what the actual fuck is wrong with you to do that? Third, I cannot anymore with this being mental health versus gun control. It’s an issue with both. We need to address both from a public policy standpoint and a common sense standpoint. And, for the record, no one who wants common sense gun control or wants to ban or at least make it inconvenient and difficult to buy semi-automatic weapons necessarily hates the 2nd amendment. We just think it needs to stop being more important than anything else.  (I’m sorry, guys. I wish this made more sense).

Cleaning. Or not. My desk is a disaster and one of such epic proportions that I don’t even know where to begin cleaning it out. Organization is not usually something I struggle with but my desk is its own untamed beast. Sort of like my hair.

I have legit thought of this more times than I should admit in public

Wondering. What the hell is up with my FitBit? Why does it have so much attitude? Like, if I do an hour of exercise, why does it only give me credit for 28 minutes? Screw you, FitBit! I want my full time! I worked for that shit and you now owe me 32 minutes.

I think that’s all I’ve got. We’ve got another cheer competition this weekend and it’s supposed to rain so that’s awesome. Hope your weekend is great and I’ll see you back here on Tuesday.

Weekly recap, 2018, v5

by Jana 14 Comments

About a week ago I bought a new phone. And I wrote a post on it. Then WordPress ate the post and I was sad. Also angry. But at least now I know not to write any more posts on my phone. Cool for me.

My life isn’t interesting enough to do a two week recap and if you saw my tweet about the birds in my chimney, my flooded basement, and the dogs nonstop peeing in the house, you’re basically caught up. I probably don’t even need to finish this post but I have some time to spare so why not.

Reading. Finishing up The Breakdown and heading into 13 Minutes. Got a ton of books from NetGalley including the new BA Paris and Caroline Kepnes books (her newest is not about Joe which gives me all the sads but he’s apparently reappearing next year), purchased Crimes in Southern Indiana and A Wrinkle in Time. Thanks to everyone who joined Show Us Your Books this month and remember that the next one is 3/13.

Watching. Last weekend I watched The Florida Project. I don’t really know how to accurately describe it but it was incredible. The kids in the movie, particularly the main character, have more talent than most adults. The subject and plot are unsettling (kids living in poverty in the shadow of Disney World) but it was worth every single minute.

Listening.  A lot of 90s music and movie soundtracks. It’s been nice to shake things up. Still looking for some podcasts, though.

Thinking. About the families, friends, and community of Parkland. My heart is broken, my brain is fired up and full of rage, and my soul is crushed that continued murder of children remains a polarizing and divisive issue. One school shooting is too many; where we are now is unfathomable. This is no longer a 2nd amendment issue and it’s no longer a mental health issue. It’s a moral issue and our entire government is corrupt. Filling their coffers means more than human lives, and the lives of children at that. When churches, schools, movie theaters, concerts, and really anywhere public have become dangerous, we have an epidemic. We have a societal crisis. I am sickened at the lack of action and the continued bowing to the NRA. It shows, truly, where our politicians loyalties lie. And while I want to address how commonplace school and other mass shootings have become to the point that they’re only passing headlines in the news (some don’t even register at all), I can’t help but mention that OMG can we please stop focusing on the shooters? I truly, truly don’t give a fuck about them and I don’t want to remember their names. Let’s keep the stories focused on what matters: the victims, the communities, and how we can help them heal. Let’s focus on what action we can take to remove all the assholes who refuse to value life over money. Let’s focus on making sure every child feels safe, and IS SAFE, at school.

Laughing. So, I know this is kind of old but I just found it and you can read all of the tweets here.

Hope y’all have a great weekend! We’ll be heading into Philly for a cheerleading competition  so that should be something. See you on Tuesday!

An incomplete list of important things

by Jana 13 Comments

I know that I’ve talked about this topic before but sometimes I think revisiting ideas is a good. Because a little refresher or reminder never hurts anyone.

Today I’m reminding myself of what’s important, both big and small. I promise this isn’t turning into any sort of weekly gratitude feature but occasionally there’s some shit going down and it’s good to focus on the big picture.

 

  • Knowing how you take your coffee (or tea). Bonus points if you have someone in your life who knows it without asking you.
  • Voting. Not just with your actual vote but with your money and your time. How you spend resources is just as crucial as what you do in the voting booth.
  • Exercise. I genuinely don’t care if your form of exercise is schlepping laundry up and down the stairs or dancing in the kitchen while you make dinner. But at some point throughout the day, move your body.
  • Family. However you define it. For some, their actual families are toxic and their friends are their family. That’s fine. Just take care of them. Be there for them in good and shitty times.
  • Connecting. Nothing makes me like a person more than when I can spend time with them without thinking about my phone and when they feel the same about me. Find those people and keep them close.
  • Disconnecting. Shutting the damn phone off, putting it away, and appreciating whatever’s around you. A book, a pet, food, a sunset, the sound of the people down the road screaming at each other…anything.
  • Creativity. Everyone has a little creativity. Explore that, tap into it, and use it sometimes. It’s really relaxing. And if you don’t think you are creative, get a piece of paper and some crayons. See what you can do.
  • Art. It doesn’t matter if it’s painting, music, plays, TV, books, movies, photography, or something else I’m forgetting. Put some art in your life. It’s pretty, it makes you well-rounded, and it’s an escape. Escaping is okay sometimes.
  • Clean sheets. Bonus points if you’ve shaved your legs, too. Nothing feels quite as refreshing.
  • Water. Never underestimate the healing and restorative power of water. Or a nap. Or a good laugh. If you can combine all three, even better.

You know what’s not important? Pretty blog images. This is not my forte, I’m no good at it, and I’m only slightly sorry for their shitty quality. It’s one of those things I want to improve but have zero desire to spend time learning to do. Kudos and props to those of you who are good at it.

So, what would you add to the list?

Weekly recap, 2018, v4

by Jana 10 Comments

This weekly recap coming to you straight from fever hell. Literally. I’ve had a fever for the last 3 days and nothing renders me more incapable at life than a fever.

Reading. Finished The Dry and currently reading The Blinds. Had to table We Were Eight Years in Power because it’s simply too heavy for me right now. Picked up a book from NetGalley (I fell victim to one of their enticing emails) and put Still Me on hold at the library.  Pre-ordered a book for the child and am contemplating buying a book my library had one copy of and lost. To be fair, there was one copy in the whole state and the book’s home library lost it. Not my actual library.

Watching. What did I watch this week? I think I just caught up on the DVR’d stuff. Nothing new. But I am currently searching for a new binge-worthy show. Send me your recommendations. You all know what I like.

Not watching. The State of the Union. I couldn’t do it. He makes me sick, I can’t look at him or listen to his voice and paltry vocabulary, I hate every fucking lie word that comes out of his mouth, his continuing need to drive a wedge between everyone in this country because he thrives on fear and hatred like some sort of evil, maniacal Tinkerbell, and I refused to help contribute to his ratings (which were so low, despite what he’s trying to brainwash people into believing. He’s unbelievably petty and delusional). So I watched Drunk History instead.

Listening. Death, Sex, and Money did a series on class and wealth so you know I consumed the hell out of that.

Wondering. You might have seen this on IG but I am honestly wondering why the hell the pharmacy put my daughter’s name in quotes on her prescription label? It’s actually her name. We’re not trying to fool anyone, she’s not in witness protection, it’s not a nickname, and I legit don’t get it. I truly wish people would learn proper punctuation.

Laughing. 

So, that’s it for this week. If you need me this weekend, I’ll be recovering from the monster headache that’s been the entire month of January and not giving a shit who wins the Super Bowl.

 

Six good things

by Jana 17 Comments

I thought maybe, in light of last week’s rants, I’d highlight some things in January that didn’t totally suck. Despite the political climate we live in, good shit does still happen, both privately and publicly.

Let’s discuss.

    1. My running pace improved. To be fair to myself, I give zero shits if I run fast or if I ever win a race. Hell, if I always place last, that’s fine. But I did a run the other day that put me at a 13 min/mile pace and that’s a full minute improvement from a few months ago. Yay me!
    2. I have happy clients. Most of the time I feel like an imposter at this whole editing business. But I’m working on a big project right now that I tell myself I’m totally incompetent to do when really, my client is happy with my work. I still feel like an imposter but I’m apparently really good at hiding it.
    3. Concert announcements. I’m working on my summer plans and thankfully, summer concert announcements are coming in full force. Since Tom Petty died, I made a vow to myself to stop waiting to see artists I’ve never seen and always wanted to because who knows how much longer they’ll be around. Which is why I’m planning on seeing Journey and Def Leppard as well as Elton John (wish me luck for those tickets) who I’ve only seen with Billy Joel. I’m still waiting on some other announcements before I commit to anything else.
    4. Lizzy. She is doing so well. From what I understand about puppy mill survivors, they have a hard time socializing and trusting and being dogs. But my Lizzy is not that at all. She acts like she’s always lived here, she has a favorite (me), plays with toys, and housetraining is going surprisingly well. And she loves other dogs. And she’s so lovable, even the cat is coming around.
    5. Handlettering. I think I mentioned that I was learning how to do the fancy letters that you see all over the place (thanks to Rebecca Jo for her resource recommendation) and you know what? I don’t actually suck at it. I’m not ready to share anything publicly yet but it’s nice to have a creative, crafty hobby. And I promise to share some stuff soon.
    6. This new rallying cry from Janelle Monae:

via GIPHY

So there’s 6 good things that happened this month. How about you? What’s going well for you?

 

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