Jana Says

Thanksgiving playlist with Erin and Jana

November 24, 2015 by Jana 12 Comments

This entry is part 4 of 8 in the series Playlists

Ordinarily Erin and I do these playlists on the last Thursday of the month but since the last Thursday of this month is Thanksgiving, we’re bringing it to you a few days early. Also, we usually group all of our songs into one big list; this month, we’ve broken it down because we wanted to explain why we’re thankful for the songs we picked. So when you’re done reading my picks, go visit Erin to read hers.

When Erin and I thought of the idea for this playlist, I thought picking songs would be easy. After all, there isn’t a day that goes by I’m not thankful for all the music in my life. But as I narrowed down the list, it became increasingly difficult to choose (only picking about 5 or 6 songs didn’t help). So I added some criteria: songs that I’ve listened to for years, songs that transcend stages of my life, songs that have a special meaning, and songs that I go to when I need something specific.

I confess that it didn’t make it much easier to pick but it helped some. So here’s what I’ve got for you:

Count on Me by Default–This song was a loose interpretation of popular when I was pregnant with the child way back in 2006 and maybe it was the pregnancy hormones, maybe it was the lyrics, but every time I heard it I got a little (read: a lot) weepy. It still makes me choke up at times and if I ever made a playlist of songs for my daughter, this one would be at the top. So, I’m thankful that this song gives me words to say to her when I’m at a loss, or the words that I will say to her when I can’t.

Reach for the Sky by Social Distortion, Troublemaker by Weezer, and The Middle by Jimmy Eat World–I’m lumping these songs together because they’re my go-to songs for motivation or when I’m feeling down about my career choices or stage in life or just a case of the blahs about everything. They’re my kick in the ass trifecta, if you will. Every time I listen to them, it gives me just the mood boost I need to realize I didn’t make all the bad choices and eventually, I’ll get to where I need to be. I’m thankful for these songs because it’s nice to have some rockin’ jams to help me when I’m feeling like crap.

This is the Time by Billy Joel–I know! A HUGE departure from the rock songs you’re used to from me. But once I explain, you’ll get it. If there was ever a song that encapsulated nostalgia for me, it’s this one. Not only does it bring up many, many fond memories of sleepaway camp, but I feel like it’s what describing living in the present and cherishing all the moments should sound like. I’m thankful for this song mostly because it’s just so beautiful. (see also: Here’s to Us by Halestorm)

Subdivisions by Rush–If you read Ready Player One, you most likely remember (or don’t) the reference to this song. I threw a bit of an excited fit because it’s basically my favorite Rush song. I first heard in high school, around 1991 or 1992 (it was released in 1982 but I was 5 so it makes sense that I didn’t hear it for another 10 years), and my first thought was “OMG, this song! It gets me! This is exactly what it’s like living here!” And then it was on repeat on my CD player. I’m immensenly thankful that this song came to me at a time in my life when I needed it and helped a very weird, very lonely girl feel not so lonely and weird.

Honorable mention: If You’re Going Thru Hell by Rodney Atkins. Yes, it’s a country song. Yes, I know that’s WAY off base for me. But this song meant a lot to me when I was in the deepest recesses of my depression and I’m thankful for its understanding and message that yes, things are bad now but don’t let it get you. Ask for help. It’ll get better.

I had a dozen or so other songs I could have used but many of them are by women and Erin and I have a playlist devoted solely to badass women coming up in January and I didn’t want to duplicate songs.

While these are the ones that stand out, I’m mostly thankful for music in general. It means as much to me as books do. I appreciate music like some people do a painting or a photograph and it makes my life that much fuller when I can put a song to an event or memory. It reminds me of people who’ve come and gone, times and places I might have forgotten, and helps me work through emotions, good and bad.

What are some songs you’re thankful for?

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This week in…: Volume 40

November 20, 2015 by Jana 20 Comments

This week’s edition brought to you from a haze of NyQuil.

- Finished Gangsterland and Maybe in Another Life. Started Beneath the Bonfire. Picked up Some Luck and Rising Strong. I am now fully stocked for my readcation next week. And don’t forget, next Show Us Your Books linkup is December 8. We have another giveaway planned for you.
- Thanks for all the suggestions about what to binge watch next! And since the most commonly suggested show was Master of None, I’ll be making my way through that series during some down time from my readcation.
- So Kurt Sutter canceled his own show. That’s pretty badass. Au revoir, The Bastard Executioner. Although I have a feeling you might get picked up elsewhere.
- Our first full week at the child’s new cheer gym was awesome. I am beyond pleased with the staff, the child is happier than she’s been in a year, and one of her friends from her old squad even joined as well! It proves that sometimes, a hard decision is definitely for the best, even if it’s uncomfortable.
- After not wearing nail polish for over a month because of the horrid conditions of my nails, I finally painted them the other day with a brand new color (Essie Frock N Roll. It’s a dark, sparkly purple. LOVES). I feel like myself again.
- We are now just about 2 weeks through our Whole30. Definitely eye opening, some days are harder than others, but I’m glad we bit the (grain-free, dairy-free, sugar-free) bullet and are doing it. I don’t know that I can go back to eating the way I’d been but I am looking forward to maybe adding back some cheese. I’m thinking about writing a post about our experience with it. Would anyone be interested in a post like that?
- Some internet reading about reading–20 problems only book lovers understand (from Goodreads’s blog). This very long piece from The New Yorker, Can Reading Make You Happier (side note, I want to be a bibliotherapist). This Bookish Mix-Tape from BookRiot (a post idea I’m borrowing at a date TBD). And, while this isn’t bookish or reading related, Broadway is now offering a $15/month streaming service for their shows (h/t Lifehacker). As someone who loves Broadway but doesn’t have the funds to afford all the shows, I will definitely be checking this out.
- This funny:

Have a wonderful weekend and to those who will be celebrating, Happy Thanksgiving! I’ll only be posting once next week (in a joint playlist post with Erin) but other than that, I’m taking a much needed internet and social media break. I’ll see you soon!

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Pop culture things older than me

November 19, 2015 by Jana 35 Comments

The other day, while talking to a friend, it dawned on me that my age (38) is closer to 50 than 21. And that 50 really no longer seems that old (I mean, it seems a little old but not intimidating old like 30 did when I was a kid. Or in my 20s). And that freaked me out. Because does that mean I’m old???

I think maybe it does, a little.

So I got to brainstorming all the things that are older than me, and are still relevant and/or popular and are not historical landmarks or things of that ilk, just to make myself feel a little better.

This is what I came up with.

Star Wars (it’s true! The first one came out like a week before I was born so it totally counts)

Rocky

Saturday Night Live

George Clooney. Matt Damon. Kyle Chandler. Wentworth Miller.

Amy Poehler. Tina Fey. Kristen Wiig. Meryl Streep.

Dr. Who

James Bond

Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart. But let’s face it, they’re basically the definition of timeless and awesome

Sesame Street

The Beatles. Led Zeppelin. Rush.

A whole lot of really important, popular, and groundbreaking books. For example: The Catcher in the Rye. The Diary of Anne Frank. Where the Sidewalk Ends. How To Win Friends and Influence People.

Rolling Stone magazine. The New Yorker. Time.

Baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and all the other sports.

Apple (it’s true! Jobs and Wozniak formed the company in 1976)

Monopoly. The Game of Life. Clue.

Also of note: Elvis has been dead almost as long as I’ve been alive. I don’t know why I felt the need to include this but yet, here it is.

There you have it. A not at all complete list of the things that are older than me.

I don’t know that it makes me feel better, per se, but it certainly puts it into perspective.

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The Story Behind the Picture

November 17, 2015 by Jana 20 Comments

Today I’m linking up with the lovely Elle for her Story Behind the Picture linkup. And since my family doesn’t make visual appearances on my blog and I’m anti-selfie (except in certain circumstances and also when someone forces me to. cough-Steph-cough), we’re going to examine a picture of my cat.

Specifically, these pictures (which you might have seen on Instagram)

So, yeah. That’s my cat climbing up our screen door, desperately trying to get back into the backyard. And you can tell by the look on her face in the bottom picture that she is none too pleased with me. That’s her “fuck off, Mom” face.

She uses it a lot.

Here’s the story–when we rescued Boots five years ago, she was feral. Took 3 months of feeding her and providing her with a place to sleep before she would even come near us (and by “us”, I mean “me” because I’m the crazy one that needs her love). We didn’t try to force her inside because the one time we did, before she was ready, didn’t end well. I was adamant about not scaring her off as I needed to make sure she remained fed and safe. And for the next three years, she slept and ate in our little backyard, using the common area kids’ playground as a litter box (which actually really funny)

When we moved in 2013, there was no way I was leaving her behind. She’s not the type of cat that will let you pet her, never mind pick her up and put her in a carrier for transport. So we had to trap her. Fortunately, we still had the trap the TNR (trap, neuter, release) left behind when the brought her back (after they catnapped her for three weeks. That’s another story) and we left the trap on our neighbor’s back deck until she was ready to move to her new home.

At this point, she’s very content as an outdoor cat and our (much larger) backyard is her queendom. She roams freely about the new neighborhood and the neighbors are happy because Boots is a serial killer and no one has a mouse problem anymore.

Things are good for everyone.

Enter winter 2014. Polar vortex. Motherfucking cold. I couldn’t bear the thought of her remaining outside in that weather (even though she has a very well insulated, well protected house, it was just too cold) so I did what any sane person would do. I tricked an outdoor cat who, incidentally, hates any sort of affection including but not limited to touching, petting, playing, and trying to feed by hand, into coming inside. Then I kept her there, letting her out only to go to the bathroom (after an unfortunate incident involving my daughter’s backpack) and roam for a few minutes (so she doesn’t murder me in my sleep) until the polar vortex broke. After awhile, she realized it’s better inside anyway and we didn’t have any problems for the rest of the winter, maintaining a delicate balance of letting her have her outside time and me not feeling like she’ll freeze to death.

2015. Present day. My conditioning worked!! She now sleeps inside just about every night, and spends a couple of hours most days inside as well (since that’s where the food is. We had to move it inside due to a squatter issue). But she likes to play games. She acts like she wants to come inside so I let her in and then she meows to go back out. It goes on for awhile.

It’s not a fun game.

On the day in question (and by that, I mean, the day I took the pictures), she wanted to come inside, probably to eat (smart girl, right?). So I let her in and left her to her food and went back to whatever activity it was I was doing on the couch (probably reading or playing a game. Maybe working) and I hear the blinds clattering against each other. I ignore it, figuring she’s just playing a game. But then it gets louder and more fierce. And after a few minutes, I finally get up to see what the problem is and found what you saw above. SpiderKitty.

It was not the first time she’d done it, either. It was just the first time I was able to get a picture.

I’m sure it’ll happen again, too.

How about you guys? Any fun cat stories?

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This week in…: Volume 39

November 13, 2015 by Jana 15 Comments

Not much to report this week. Let’s get to it anyway.

Thanks again to everyone who joined us for this month’s Show Us Your Books. Steph and I genuinely appreciate your participation and enthusiasm and we have another giveaway planned for you next month (linkup is December 8).
Finished Ready Player One, almost finished with Stoner, picked up God Shaped Hole (a book I read years ago and saw a picture of on IG but didn’t remember what happened so maybe it’s worth a reread).
Obsessively listened to Welcome to Night Vale. It’s genuinely the weirdest podcast I have ever listened to but it’s so, so funny and creative.
Stuck to my TV regimen of Fargo, The Bastard Executioner, Big Bang Theory, Mom, How to Get Away with Murder, and John Oliver. Looking forward to the next seasons of all the Netflix shows I enjoy (and the new season of Prison Break!) and am currently in the market for a new show to binge watch. Suggestions?
Everything in the next paragraph is true–On Monday, I got an email from the child’s principal that they had to put the school on soft lockdown due to police activity at a house a bit up the road from the school. Fortunately, she stayed home on Monday and I breathed a sigh of relief because I freaked out a bit that their lockdown drills had to actually be applied (note: a soft lockdown is one where the building is locked but normal activity continues inside the classrooms. Not an actual lockdown where they lock the school and the classroom doors and the kids and staff and teachers go into the breakout rooms). So I keep reading the email and it turns out, the lockdown and police activity were due to the emu that’s been running loose in my town for the last 2-3 months. Guys. We have an EMU on the loose AND NOBODY CAN CATCH THE DAMN THING. Everyone around here is mildly obsessed with this rogue emu because it’s hilarous. Our residents group posts pictures of emu sightings. People debate the emu. The thing is a freaking legend. We were even in the news!
I also learned that there have been orders to shoot him on sight, provided he’s not on private property, since apparently animal control or fish and wildlife or whomever has been charged with capturing him don’t have the capacity to humanely tranquilize him and he’s become a “safety hazzard”. I have so many thoughts on this, the least of which is I am appalled. He’s not harming anyone or anything and if people wouldn’t stop their damn cars to take pictures and/or selfies, he wouldn’t pose a traffic problem. If he were aggressive, I could understand. But he just wants to be left alone. And people and deer and cats and groundhogs run out in the middle of the road, too, and no one campaigns to shoot them. Fortunately, there are some great people where I live who are trying to get him captured safely and humanely. ETA: The emu has been caught, unharmed, and relocated to a farm.
Ticked a couple of items off the fall project list, which felt great, even if I’m sucking ass at NaNo (seriously, my goal is simply to finish my book not write 50K words so I won’t actually be a “winner” if I get to my goal). But I am writing a little bit at a time so I’m getting closer to the end.
Haven’t read much on the internets since I’ve been obsessively researching how to run my writing contest and podcast for work, recipes for the Whole30 the husband and I are currently doing, and all the tweets from The Bloggess’s thing about awkward moments. If you have a few spare hours and haven’t read those yet, DO IT. You will not regret it.
Got this funny from the husband:

This is our last weekend with the cheer gym we’ve been going to for 3 seasons. It’s a very bittersweet parting but one that’s necessary. She’s superexcited about her new gym and as a parent, I’m very pleased with it, too. Other than that, we’ve got nothing planned. Maybe a movie and some (necessary) food prep. Definitely books.

How about you guys? Any big plans?

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Thanksgiving playlist with Erin and Jana

This week in…: Volume 40

Pop culture things older than me

The Story Behind the Picture

This week in…: Volume 39

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