Recent Developments

1) I love orange juice.

There are very few things in life that I just won't eat or drink. I'm very open and will try just about anything. But I hate orange juice. Until about a month ago. Now, I can't get enough. Perhaps with these frigid temps and nasty viruses flying around, my body is just desperate for vitamin C. Or maybe I'm just hooked on mimosas. Either way, bring on the OJ!

2) I have a new face. 

At least, it certainly feels that way. In the past two months, I've gotten both glasses and bangs, and have started experimenting with wearing bold lip colors. It's funny; when I look in the mirror I feel like the reflection is finally capturing who I see on the inside. I feel like I've been reinvented. 

3) I love my job.

Yes, seriously. Working in this small cafe has given me the daily autonomy and variety that I've so desperately craved. I love chatting with our regulars, recommending drinks, and choosing the daily specials. I'm content and comfortable in my position, and for the first time in far too long I don't dread going to work. Dare I say, I even enjoy it? 

4) I don't hate winter.

I never thought I would say this, but here we are! While gray skies and icy roads still cause stress, I'm actually enjoying this season of bundling and being cozy. I don't even mind the snow! (Although that Polar Vortex was no joke!) Perhaps I'm just subconsciously preparing myself for an imaginary move to Alaska.

5) I'm going to see Lily Tomlin perform in GR in March!
I've had a thing for Lily Tomlin since her voice graced my ears as Ms. Frizzle on The Magic School Bus. As I grew older, I came to admire her comedic genius through Laugh-In clips, her stint on Murphy Brown, and her amazing role in 9 to 5. (And you guys, I could wax poetic for hours about my love for 9 to 5.) You could say that Lily Tomlin is my comedic idol and I'm beyond thrilled for the chance to see her perform at LaughFest!

FUN FACT: Lily Tomlin studied theatre at Wayne State University in Detroit, where I'm currently pursuing my graduate degree (albeit online). This pretty much means that we're best friends, right? RIGHT?!?!

(source)

So catch me up. What are you up to?

Embracing Apprehension

Staged reenactment of a nervous breakdown. 

Today is my first day of grad school and I'm terrified. 

I'm afraid of the unknown. Of failing. Of hating it. I'm afraid of being a terrible student. I'm afraid of the little voice that says, "Are you really sure this is what you should be doing?" 

Last week, I'd had a stressful day. I didn't feel well and the post-holiday, pre-grad school blues were just getting me down. I went to Target armed with a gift card, prepped for a little retail therapy. 

But it just didn't cut it. (Surprise, surprise.)

I left empty handed, still anxious, still with a tightness in my chest. But with a clear idea of where I needed to be. And so I escaped to the place that has always brought comfort: the library. After wandering the labyrinthine shelves and choosing a few precious books to take home, I found that I was breathing easier.  I also found a peace in my heart.

Despite the apprehension and nervousness, it's moments like these that confirm that I'm pursuing my passion. 

And if it turns out that grad school isn't for me? That's ok. Dreams change, but passions are steadfast. If I've learned anything in the past year, it's to follow your heart and to pursue what makes it beat quickly with excitement, in any way possible. 

So, I'm taking these feelings of apprehension and turning them into anticipation. I'm giving myself permission to take this semester, this year, this entire program one day at a time. I'm allowing myself to be open to possibilities, whatever they may be. I'm on this path for a reason, and I'm going to embrace it with joy and pursue it with hope.

On a side note, it is my intent to continue blogging while I'm in school. However, if life gets hectic and this little space gets quiet, I'd love to connect with you via Twitter and Instagram.


Have a good week, friends. Stay warm out there!

2013 Redux: A Year in Books

I read up a storm this year, and couldn't have enjoyed it more. I rediscovered my love for fiction, reread some childhood favorites, and discovered the joy of comic books and graphic novels. I began educating myself on feminism, sleuthed my way through multiple mysteries, and admitted that I just can't get into Stephen King.

The X-Files Volume One

 

by
Stefan Petruchia

edit

    

(All images courtesy of Goodreads)

My Top 5 Favorites of 2013:

The Shining Girls, Lauren Beukes

Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn

The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Neil Gaiman

Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls, David Sedaris

Wild, Cheryl Strayed

Honorable Mentions:

When Evil Came to Good Hart, Mardi Link

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs

In years past, it has always just been my goal to read as much as possible. This year, with the onset of grad school and adding classes to an already busy schedule, my goal is to read one book a month for pleasure reading. I don't want to lose sight of why I'm going back to school in the first place: my insatiable love for books, libraries, and the written word.  

Already on my list for 2014 is the Divergent series, Where'd You Go Bernadette?, and Hollow City. In the name of "research," I'm planning on catching up on my children's and YA literature. I'd also like to read the writings of John Muir. To the library!

What's the best book you read in 2013? What do I need to be reading in 2014? 

Wishing all of you a 2014 full of happiness, favorite books, and bottomless cups of coffee. 

(Very) Belated Holiday Wishes & A Life Update

A Berrien County winter. 

Does anyone else feel like time has been passing with lightening speed since Thanksgiving? I can't believe that yet another holiday season is behind us and a new year is just hours away. I'm grateful for the passing of the solstice and am looking forward to longer days slowly inching toward just a few more moments of daylight. 

My life has been full since I've last written...so very full. Kyle and I celebrated a wonderful holiday season with our families and friends: eating good food and watching favorite movies, indulging in a drink or two and counting our blessings among the busyness. In addition to being quite literally thankful beyond words for the supportive people in my life and the opportunity to explore a new path in life, I'm continually grateful for the little things: Tuesday nights at The Meanwhile Bar with friends, when my dog burrows his head in my neck, and Seinfeld on DVD. 

Despite my yearnings for it to hold off, Thanksgiving quickly slipped into the Christmas season as it's wont to do. Kyle and I chopped down a tree (a tradition that always makes me a little sad), watched Christmas Vacation and The Christmas Story, It's A Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street, and I avoided Christmas shopping like the plague. We enjoyed some lovely parties with friends, and a few of us dressed as the Griswolds because why the hell not? 

"Hallelujah! Holy shit! Where's the Tylenol?"
Photo courtesy of Morgan.

About a month ago, I started a new job. (Thus ending my funemployment.) I'm working at a cafe and I really, really love it. It has its trying moments like any job, but overall I'm so happy with it. The hours are perfect and work well with my increasingly hectic schedule. I come home from work each day feeling accomplished and at peace. I'm saving my tips to see more mountains, something I find that I'm missing more and more with each passing day.

Next week, my grad school classes begin and I will officially be a student once again. If I'm being perfectly honest, I'm not looking forward to projects and papers and I'm absolutely horrified of failure, but the end result makes my heart beat with anticipation. Though there are moments of apprehension and panic that nearly take my breath away, I know that what I'm doing is right and I am grateful beyond words for this outstanding opportunity. As the armchair intellectual Martin Crane once said about his son Frasier, "You're good at reading. And then telling people about what you've read." (I think maybe Martin was talking about me too.)

I hope your holiday season was merry and bright, and I wish you happiness and enlightenment in 2014 and beyond. As always, thanks for listening friends.

MY Voice

Mt. Roberts, Juneau, AK
//Jul2013

I've written before about the struggles of being a Millennial, my complicated relationship with my generation, and my anger with how we're portrayed in the media. So when I read an article this week about the "100 Things Every 20-Something Needs to Realize," it had me seeing red. Really, I should have known better---listicles about twentysomethings almost always get under my skin. I realize that the majority are written in good fun, but something about the overgeneralization just bothers me. But for reasons unknown, my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to click. I was almost immediately sorry that I did.

The article, if you can even call it that, was idiotic at best and offensive at worst. While many of the items on the list are painfully generic and sophomoric stereotypes (and certainly eyeroll-worthy)  a few actually made me grit my teeth with rage. To spare you from actually having to read the article yourselves, here are a few highlights: 

(Note: The original quote is bold, my thoughts are italicized.)

3. Shaving is more than a suggestion. That goes for both men and women. Or, we could stop judging people based on the amount of hair their bodies produce or assigning a person's value based upon physical appearance.

4. If you eat enough pizza,  you will turn into a tub of oily cheese. Or, we could stop judging people based on their food choices. See also: LAY OFF ME, I'M STARVING.

19. The way people see you is just as important as the way you see yourself. Or, you could just be confident in who you are.

34. If you can get her in to bed by date 3, then you'll get bored with her by week 2. So, if a woman has sex too early in a dating relationship (by the author's standards) she's a slut? Doesn't it take two to tango? 

43. If you're feeling shitty, get some exercise. Yes, exercise is a beautiful thing, but I'm fairly certain it won't solve all of the world's problems.

50. You should live in New York City for at least a year. How is this even logistically possible? Do we all take turns? Are rent scholarships available?

57. Make mistakes now. Making them later will be too late. Won't "later" still be our "now," just...later? Maybe reading this article was my first mistake.

82. Slow and gentle will always get her off. Rough and intense only works on occasion. How scientific is this statement? Was there a survey? Did mine get lost in the mail?

89. You don't have ADD. Yes, actually. Some people do. 

90. You're most likely the cause of your own depression. Are. You. Fucking. Kidding. Me. 

Perhaps this article was meant to be satirical, and I'm taking it far too seriously. Perhaps there was a disconnect somewhere and I just didn't understand tone of piece. Or, maybe this is exactly what the author was going for and my reaction was the intended effect. The context of the article suggests that the author is privileged, heterosexual white male, but I don't want to generalize. He is entitled to his opinions, views, and beliefs, and has every right to voice them. 

But so do I.

So, why am I letting a stupid article like this bother me so much? Many would say that this transparent cry for attention doesn't even warrant a response. And they're probably right. But if this prejudicial voice can be heard, so can mine. This so-called "Voice of Generation-Y" certainly does not speak for me. And I want my voice heard. I want blogs like Live Inspired and The Militant Baker to be heard above the din of articles like this, blogs that promote positivity and openness, advocacy and community. 

With articles like this floating around the Internet and getting attention, it's no wonder that my generation is viewed the way it is. I'm so sick of it. Stop generalizing. Stop equating individualism with narcissism. And for the love of god, STOP TRIVIALIZING DISABILITIES AND MENTAL ILLNESS. 

I realize my voice is just one of millions. I realize this blog post is just one of millions. I realize that others have said what I'm saying louder and stronger and more eloquently. But I want to add my two cents. Because if I raise my voice, and you raise your voice, together we can be heard over the stereotypes. And maybe, just maybe, history will remember Generation-Y/Millennials/Me Generation as a generation that stood for equality and acceptance, peace and creativity. Maybe I'm just waxing poetic. But maybe, just maybe, I'm right. 

I can't wait to find out.

What are your thoughts on these types of articles? Are they offensive, or all in good fun?

Happy Birthday, Dad!

For sharing my sense of humor and sarcasm, instilling in me a love of beer and baseball, and always encouraging me in my many pursuits, I am forever grateful. 

Love, Goose

Hello, November

I'd fully intended on writing this oh, 11 days ago, but tech week (and pre-tech week, as it were) took over and it just didn't happen. As a result, I will be spending the next few days catching up on laundry, grocery shopping, and with my codependent relationship with Netflix. The fleeting days of October were lovely, but I'm excited to be in the month of my favorite holiday. I absolutely love Thanksgiving! It's terribly gray and snowing here in the Mitten today, so it's nice to have a day of copious amounts of food and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles to look forward to.

I spent the last weekend in October at Western Illinois University visiting the fabulous Arielle  and taking in her MFA show, Noises Off!. She was obviously amazing, and it was just an added bonus that she was staring in one of my favorite plays. When Arielle wasn't performing, we watched Will & Grace and laughed our asses off. It was so refreshing to spend time with some of my closest friends, and it really reminded me just how much I miss Arielle and Darion.

Photo courtesy of Morgan

The following weekend brought our Halloween celebration. When your friends are theatre kids, Halloween is a big effing deal. Everyone's costumes were awesome, and Kyle and I won Most Creative for our Mystery Science Theater 3000 theme. (Obviously, we weren't going for Most Topical. Are we ever?) With Kyle as Mike Nelson and myself as Tom Servo, we made snarky comments all night to keep in character. But really, that isn't anything new. I don't think we'll ever top last year's costumes; however maybe one of these years our attire will actually be topical. (But knowing us, probably not.)

Tom Servo & Mike Nelson

In this season where we put extra focus on being thankful, I look back on the past few months and am so grateful for where I've been and where I am now. These next few months will undoubtedly bring more changes, both expected and unexpected. And while I have moments of apprehension, I'm so ready for this next chapter to begin. 

Bring it on.