Jana Says

Living life from cover to cover

Love, Hate, Tag

by Jana 38 Comments

The lovely Nadine has tagged me for Love, Hate, Tag, which is a game that’s pretty self-explanatory. List 10 things I love, 10 thing I hate, and then tag 10 others to do it. I’m doing the post in reverse and tagging anyone who wants to do it (or needs a post idea) because I hate picking people for stuff. Perhaps this is why I was never a successful team captain in elementary school.

In any event, let’s check out some of what I love and hate. If you’ve been around awhile, some of these should not surprise you at all.

love hate tag

Love

  1. Books–I had to put this first. Books are my favorite. Everything is possible inside a book. And if you read books, you’re never at a loss for something to do or something to talk about. I could go on for paragraphs and paragraphs about how much I love books. But I’ll spare you. FOR NOW.books quote
  2. Music–one of my favorite quotes is “music is what feelings sound like”. It’s true. I feel about music the way some people feel about paintings or photography. Music, like books, is there for me when I need it and I can always, always match music to my moods.
  3. Dogs–most dogs, anyway. Some dogs are assholes. But the fluffy, unconditional love, not to mention hours of free entertainment, from dogs is incomparable. Plus, they make great nap buddies.
  4. The beach–the smells, the sounds, the sand, the relaxation…everything about the beach improves my mood (except at peak time in the summer when it’s filled with tourists) and my ideal day is a day at the beach with a good book and a great playlist.turtle
  5. Gritty and dark TV shows–I don’t know why. I’m drawn to them. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a good comedy but given the choice, I’m picking one with blood and violence and dark humor and suspense and a bounty of the word “fuck”.
  6. Nail polish–the colors, the variety, the way it makes me feel better about my appearance even on a day I feel or look like crap.
  7. To-do lists–I have a messy mind and the messier it gets, the more my depression and anxiety kick in which makes my mind messier and the depression worse and it’s a vicious cycle. To-do lists help calm me down, help me focus, and keep my life in order. They’re my favorite tool next to my planner.
  8. Iced tea–it’s my favorite drink of all time. Unsweetened, please.
  9. Naps–I don’t understand people who don’t take naps. How can you not enjoy sleeping in the middle of the day with a comfy blanket wrapped around you? A midday nap is perfect for a rainy Sunday, a too-hot Saturday or a random Wednesday. As a perk, it’s free. I like free.naps
  10. Travelling–experiencing new places and food and sight seeing and relaxing are all some of my favorite ways to use my time and money, and if I had more money, I’d spend it on travel.

Honorable mention–my crockpot, pickles, polka dots, and baseball

Hate

  1. Mistreatment of animals–no reason to explain why. It’s essentially the most despicable behavior possible.
  2. The Westboro Baptist Church–fuck them. Seriously. Fuck. Them.
  3. Bad drivers–I have zero patience for inconsiderate drivers, road bullies, people who don’t understand traffic rules and signs, and exercise zero consideration for other drivers. funny-traffic-signs-left-lane-ends
  4. Toasted marshmallow jelly beans–Disgusting. An abomination to the jelly bean world. See also: buttered popcorn jelly beans.
  5. Anything orange flavored–I’ll spare you the details but let’s just say that a childhood incident means I am forever scarred from being able to consume anything orange flavored. No juice, candy, the fruit and its cousins…all of it.
  6. Humblebragging–please, just brag. I’d rather deal with your conceit than deal with you pretending you’re not full of yourself. Or you fishing for compliments. humblebrag
  7. Bugs–they bite, they crawl, they fly at you, and they’re just awful. I’m sure somewhere, they serve a purpose but really, they’re awful and can go away.
  8. The people who play their car music so loud it shakes your car and deafens your ears–there’s a special place in hell for them. Probably next to the Westboro Baptist Church.
  9. Ignorance–specifically, using that ignorance and then spouting off opinions and misinformation as if they’re actually grounded in fact and using them to further a hateful agenda. With the vast amount of information available, there’s no excuse for ignorance and not taking the time to learn or gather information is inexcusable. See also: hypocrisy ignorance
  10. When people say my name wrong, I correct them, and then they keep saying it wrong–thanks for listening, jackass. Much appreciated. Also, it’s not a hard name. And it’s spelled J-A-N-A. It’s pronounced with a short “a”. Does not rhyme with Dana. So why would you call me Jenna? Is there an “e” in there? No? Maybe you need to relearn your phonetics. A revisiting of the alphabet would help, too.

Honorable mention: rap music, hangers facing different directions, finding that one spot on your leg you thought you shaved but didn’t

 

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#allaboutme

by Jana 34 Comments

Birthday week continues so we’re going to talk all about me because that’s what you do during birthday week. Today, I’m going to share random facts you might or might not already know but I figured I’d hashtag the shit out of them for extra fun.

My parents’ 41st wedding anniversary was on Monday and, because my birthday is so close to their anniversary, I tell them that I’m the best anniversary present ever (I also use this as justification for not getting them presents on a regular basis because really, how do you top your own birth? That’s right. You can’t. So I don’t). #ididitonpurpose

I was in a sorority in college. Delta Gamma, for those who are curious. #notallsororitygirlsarevapid

I have a dual undergraduate degree in criminal justice and sociology. I have a master’s in public policy. While I don’t work in those fields anymore, this explains nonfiction books I read and discuss. #iusedtobesmart #ipickedthewrongmajor

I don’t chew gum. #hurtsthejaw

I also do not eat anything orange flavored, including oranges and all of its cousins like clementines and tangerines. I don’t even like the way they smell and, confession time, when my daughter asks me to peel one for her, I tell her no. #worstflavorever #exceptforcoconut

When I was a kid, my best friend was named Rachael. Her mom is the one who taught me how to tie my shoes and she taught me to use bunny ears. I still tie my shoes that way. #bunnyearsarebetterthanloopswoopandpull

I have broken bones, gotten stitches, and once, I got hit in the face with a line drive that earned me two black eyes and 3 days home from school. #battlescarsmakegoodstories

I failed my road test 4 times. Passed on the fifth. #parallelparkingishard

Two of my favorite teachers in high school were science teachers. #butistillhatescience

The first concert I went to was New Kids on the Block and Tiffany. The first concert I went to by myself (with friends, no parents) was Warrant and Poison. The last concert I went to was Rush. #evolutionoftaste #istilllistentoallofthem

The only one of the main 4 professional sports I have not seen live is basketball. I have no plans for that either. #squeakingsneakersdrivemecrazy

Now that you know more than you ever cared to about me, share a random fact of two about you!

 

 

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38 Life Lessons

by Jana 23 Comments

This Friday is my 38th birthday. Like most people, I’ve gathered a whole bunch of knowledge in my years and, because I’m generous, I’m going to share some of it with you. 38 pearls of wisdom (which is actually more clever than it sounds because I’m going to be 38 and pearl is my (hideous) birthstone), if you will. Or 38 life lessons. Whatever you’d like to call them.

You’re welcome.life lessons

  1. Your strengths, flaws, quirks, skills, dreams, failures…they all make you you. Embrace them all.
  2. Don’t worry about what people say about you behind your back. I always remind myself that if the best they can do is talk about me, their own lives must not be that interesting. Because I’m pretty damn boring.
  3. It’s never too late to start working on a dream.
  4. Goals are important. Have them. Work towards them. When you achieve them, set new ones. Never stop dreaming (while you’re at it, don’t stop believin’, either).
  5. Be responsible with your money.
  6. Travel. Experience new people and places. You never know how they’ll change your mind about something.
  7. Surround yourself with people that make you feel good. Ain’t nobody got time for toxic friends.
  8. Have a pet, even if it’s a fish. They have a way of making lonely days a little less lonely.
  9. Speaking of lonely, it’s okay to spend time by yourself. In fact, I recommend it.
  10. “No” is a perfectly acceptable sentence and it can be applicable in any situation.
  11. Don’t overobligate or overschedule yourself (or your children, if you have them). Know your priorities. Make time for people, places, and things that matter. Don’t waste time on the ones that don’t.
  12. Smile at strangers. Say hello once and awhile, too.
  13. Force yourself to do things that intimidate or scare you. Unless that thing is ride a horse. Then you have my permission to avoid it.
  14. Learn proper grammar. Then write it and speak it.
  15. Have good manners. Say please and thank you and excuse me and bless you and I’m sorry and cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Hold the door open for the person behind you, especially if that person is elderly or has a stroller. Don’t park in the handicap spot or the spot for pregnant mothers if you’re not one of those.
  16. Perfect your “autograph signature” because you never know.
  17. Forge friendships with people of all ages.
  18. Read. Books, magazines, blogs, even the back of shampoo bottles. Anything. Just read.
  19. Keep private matters off of Facebook.
  20. Watch a sunrise or sunset at least once a year.
  21. Know what you believe in and stand for. But don’t be a dick about it. If someone has a differing opinion, respect that.
  22. Vote.
  23. Learn to cook one great dish or dessert. You never know when you’ll need to make one or have someone you want to impress.
  24. Nostalgia is good but don’t live in the past.
  25. Practice compassion, empathy, and generosity. But don’t let yourself be taken advantage of. Know when to draw the line.
  26. Wear sunscreen. Go to the dentist. Eat your vegetables.
  27. Understand that there will be bad days. Some will be very bad. But no matter how bad they seem, they will pass. Things will get easier, days will get better and you will be amazed at how much stronger you are than you think.
  28. Be kind to animals.
  29. Personal responsibility and accountability are two of the best qualities you can have.
  30. Put your cell phone away when you’re paying for something. Cashiers and sales clerks are not invisible and having a conversation in front of them like they’re not there is rude and obnoxious. Your call can wait. If it can’t, step out of line.
  31. Do what works for you and your family and don’t worry what anyone else says (there are certain caveats like, you know, illegal behavior).
  32. Never pass up the chance to take a nap.
  33. Call your parents and grandparents.
  34. Don’t underestimate the value or a rainy day spent inside in your pajamas.
  35. Have a personal anthem, motto, quote, or saying. Use it on the days that are really hard.
  36. Never, EVER be ashamed of anything you’re good at. Or bad at.
  37. Win and lose gracefully and graciously.
  38. Keep a sense of humor about you. Laugh at yourself and laugh with others. Don’t take anything too seriously that doesn’t need to be taken seriously. Life’s too short for that shit.

 

 

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A not at all complete list of songs that make me happy

by Jana 34 Comments

bob marleyIt’s no secret that the last month has been particularly hard on me. I’m desperately trying hard not to fall back into depression which is more difficult than it sounds. Some days I’m more successful than others and one thing I’ve learned battling this for so many years, it’s that the busier and more distracted I am, the easier it is to stave off the inevitable. I also use different methods for escape and coping. Books are definitely the main one. TV shows, projects, and playing with my dogs are other ones. So is music.

Music is as important to me as books but for different reasons. Books immerse me in someone else’s life. Music is what feelings sound like (I forget where I first heard that quote but it’s essentially perfect). And the best part about music is that just the simple act of listening to one song can have an immediate impact on how I feel. And lately, I’ve been needing songs that make me feel happy because even that 4 minutes of happiness makes it easier to get through the day (I also have song lists for other emotions but that’s another discussion).

So I comprised a list of songs that, once I hear the first few notes, instantly lift my mood:

  • “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” and “You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon
  • “Love and Memories” by O.A.R.
  • “On the Dark Side” from the Eddie and the Cruisers soundtrack
  • “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins
  • “It’s All Been Done” by The Barenaked Ladies
  • “Paradise by the Dashboard” Light by Meatloaf
  • “Subdivisions” by Rush
  • “Jesus of Suburbia”, “Longview”, “Minority”, and “Warning” by Green Day
  • “Maybe” by Sick Puppies
  • “Ocean Avenue” by Yellowcard
  • “Lola Montez” by Volbeat
  • “For the Movies” by Buckcherry
  • “Do Right” by Jimmie’s Chicken Shack
  • “All Mixed Up” by 311
  • “Sometimes a Fantasy” by Billy Joel
  • “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon

This is by no means an exhaustive list. These are just the ones that pop into my head first when I think about the songs that make me happy. I probably should get around to making this a full Spotify playlist sometime because some days are bound to be so bad I’ll need it.

I tried to come up with some profound way to end this post but instead, I’ll let this quote do it for me.

power of music

What songs are on your list? Which ones would you recommend I add?

 

 

 

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Some stuff and some things

by Jana 29 Comments

We’re diving into some Stuff and Things rather than the weekly recap because I have a thing tomorrow and I won’t be, you know, conscious, so I’m hanging out with the lovely Joey and Kristin this week instead.

Kristin's Knook
  • Can I just say how much I love the Show Us Your Books linkup and how it’s basically my favorite blogging day of the month? First, thank you so much to everyone who participates! It means a lot to both me and Steph. Second, my to-read list continues to explode because of it. It thrills me how we all have different taste in books, with some overlap (cough–The Girl on the Train–cough), and I’m learning about books I never would have heard of otherwise.
  • Colonoscopy prep is the worst. I want a vegetable. And laxatives are no one’s friend.
  • After mentioning it last week, some of you expressed interest in the link to my side project/creative writing site. I was going to just email the link to those people directly but then I thought that was a bad choice. I’ll just share it with everyone. So here it is: Prompted Pieces. I’m only posting about 2-3 times per week right now but I might increase that at some point. Not sure yet. Hope you guys have as much fun reading it as I do writing it.
  • I finally finished and sent off my resume to the job I really, really, really want. And now I’m nervous that they won’t want me. Anxiety is fun.
  • Last weekend, we rented St. Vincent and Foxcatcher. St. Vincent is a fabulous movie. Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy are simply awesome and the kid in the movie is going to have a long, long career. Don’t bother yourself with Foxcatcher. Slow, tedious, and it bothers me that Channing Tatum’s performance has gone virtually unrecognized. Honestly, he was the best part of the movie, and it has nothing to do with how he looks because I don’t find him that attractive.
  • I get irrationally angry when I really like someone on a TV show or in a movie and then I can’t stalk the actor on social media.
  • Last weekend after we were done at the beach Chocolate Festival, we went to a bookstore and at the bookstore, I saw a sign or book stating the average person passes something like 1 liter of gas per day. I have so many questions about this. For instance, who figured this out? Second, who volunteered to be studied? Third, how did they measure it? Also, if I were part of that study, I’d throw off the average. Big time.
  • We leave for Disney in just under 5 weeks. The child still has no idea. We’ve been keeping it a surprise for the last 5 months and with this little bit of time left, my big mouth almost ruined it. Fortunately, she’s oblivious and didn’t pick up on it but I’m starting to worry about my self-control.
  • I read and save a ton of links with the intention to share them and then I never do. If there is a version of hoarders for links, I need it because I keep saving more and get rid of none. That said, here are three of my favorites from the last few weeks: 33 Signs That Were Vandalized with the Most Hilarious Responses Ever (how’s that for click bait?), 10 Reasons Why Losing Your Shit Will Make Your Life Come Together, and this one about the MLB player who lives in a van in a WalMart parking lot.
  • My favorite weekly funnies:

 


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Hope you guys have a great weekend! I’ll probably be in the bathroom the whole time and I’ve never been so glad to have an iPad and an endless stack of books. See you Monday!

 

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