2011 Calendar
12 months of sweet ideas, great quotes, weird-but-real holidays. When you finish a month, flip it over and use the templates on the back to make postcards, gift tags, book marks, greeting cards. More info.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Again with the Awesome Music that makes me oddly tearful
Let's live in this video, shall we? Riding around on scooters with our friends, singing at the top of our lungs while dapper men in uniform play keyboards with shoulder straps. Now that's an alternate reality I can get on board with.
True Story: I'm a Pagan
This is part of our True Story interview series, in which we talk to interesting, amazing people about their lives and experiences. Here Michelle talks about her experience becoming a pagan. Religion is a subject that people take very personally - I really appreciate Michelle's candor in discussing her faith. I'm sure we'll all treat this interview with the respect it deserves, right?Tell us about your relationship with religion growing up.
I grew up in rural southwestern Missouri. My parents are both fairly moderate both religiously and politically - my dad is probably an agnostic and my mom, I think, would probably refer to herself as a nondenominational Christian. We didn't really go to church on a regular basis growing up - I think I had probably gone maybe 3-4 times before I was seven or eight.
I was always kind of a "weird" kid. In second grade, I found a book in the library that was about superstitions, but the librarian wouldn't let me check it out - she said it was too hard for me to read! This really upset me, and I went home and told my parents about it. It royally pissed my dad off, so he went in to the library next day and told the librarian that she shouldn't be trying to stop kids from reading. She admitted it was the subject matter, not the reading level, and he told her that that was their (my parents') job to worry about. So I got to check out and read the book.
And then two days later I was sent home with a note saying I was teaching the other children witchcraft symbols on the playground. *badumtish* (That's supposed to be a cymbal noise. Like after a joke.)
I got curious about spirituality & religion when I was a little older (I'm thinking about nine or ten), and started going to church with my Mormon grandparents. I was baptized, but I don't really think Christianity was ever going to be a good fit for me - I remember my grandma being baffled when I asked her if Mother Nature was our heavenly mother, since God is our heavenly father.
When did you become interested in Paganism
I decided that Christianity wasn't for me at probably...hmm, I'm going to say ten or eleven? I was pretty young, I think sixth or seventh grade. I read up on a bunch of world religions and I've been some form of pagan ever since.
Could you tell us about the basic tenets of Paganism?
The thing about "paganism" is that it's a very large umbrella term, and the definition depends on who you're talking to. I would define a pagan religion as a non-Judeo-Christian or non-Islamic religion that places an importance on a connection with nature, and whose adherents self identify as pagan. The last part is very important, because Hindus or practitioners of Native American religions (or other people) sometimes get lumped in with pagans, and depending on the person, they don't necessarily feel positively about that.
So under the umbrella term of paganism, you have a huge amount of religions. There's Wicca, which is a newer religious movement that was founded by Gerald Gardner in the 1950's. Depending on who you talk to, to be a "real" Wiccan, you need to be initiated into an official coven, or you can be a solitary practitioner who believes in the tenets of Wicca. I would say those tenets are duotheism (all deities are facets of the God or the Goddess), the Rede, and the Law of Three/Law of Return (which basically says, think about your actions because they have reactions, some of which will affect you). Those are pretty hotly debated within the Wiccan community, though - both the basic tenets and the solitary vs. coven issue.
There are also people who just refer to themselves as "pagan", not feeling the need for any more specific term. Another example of a "subset" of paganism would be re constructionist or revival groups - people who seek to practice ancient pagan religions, more or less as they were then. The "more or less" is also a matter of debate within these communities - some individuals try to do things as close as they can to what was done back then, and some individuals allow for leeway, since the modern world is so different.
I would fall under that category (a reconstructionist/revivalist pagan, that allows for leeway). I'm a heathen, which is kind of a catch all term for a pagan who worships the old gods of Europe and Scandinavia. That'd be Odin, Freyja, Thor - that group. I prefer the term "heathen" to the term "Asatru", even though Asatru is the more common term. To keep this interview from getting too long, I'll just say you can check out this article if you want to see more about the different terms for us and why some prefer one over another!
The tenets of my belief:
I'm a hard polytheist. "Soft" polytheism is when a person interacts with the gods as individuals but thinks they're all part of some greater "god" or "force" - facets of it, if you will. A hard polytheist, like me, feels that all of the gods are individuals "forces". This means I also believe that, say, Zeus or Brigid or Thoth exists, I just don't necessarily work with them. The term "animism" gets thrown around a lot nowadays, but it applies here. Quoth Wikipedia: Animism is a philosophical, religious or spiritual idea that souls or spirits exist not only in humans but also in animals, plants, rocks, natural phenomena such as thunder, geographic features such as mountains or rivers, or other entities of the natural environment. In heathenism, these spirits are generally referred to as "wights" or "vaettir" (they're different forms of the same word).
A very large part of heathenism is showing respect for the local land wights - some people put more emphasis on this and ancestor veneration than on interaction with deities. For me, it's more of like the wights are my close neighbors - interaction with them on a daily basis is a fact of life. The gods are more like friends that I might need to use a telephone to get a hold of, if that makes sense. Ancestor veneration, as mentioned, is also important - we feel that our ancestors watch out for us and since we wouldn't be here without them, we make sure to remember them.
That covers the very basics - an in-depth overview could take ages! If you want to learn more, I'll be happy to answer questions in the comments, or you can check out this website for a lot of links/information. If looking for a book, I'd recommend Essential Asatru as a very basic jumping off point. I will give you a heads up and say that when looking for information, there's a good chance you'll run into a racist group at some point. They are very unfortunately out there, but don't represent the heathen community as a whole.
Tell us about how you incorporate your beliefs into your daily life. Do you go to 'services'? Do you get together with other people who practice Paganism?
We have two altars in our house - the "main" altar, so to speak, is in our bedroom. (My husband used to be agnostic, but is now also heathen, after being "bopped on the head" by Freyr.) The top shelf of it has a painting I did in high school of Yggdrasil, as well as the land wight altar and the ancestor altar. There's an incense burner between the two altars & a little cup for liquids.
The shelf underneath that - I use a bookshelf for my altars - is the gods altar, and statues, my bag of runes, an offering plate with a tree carved on it, candles, and stones. The house wight altar is in our living room, since that's the room we're in the most. We try to give him food or burn some incense for him on a fairly regular basis - probably every 2-3 days. I like to set aside some time in the evenings or before bed to burn some incense for my ancestors and the gods and thank them for our blessings, or just sit and meditate.
As far as 'services' go, there is a fairly informal group in Austin that has once a month social chats, and then does celebrations at the holidays. The last one was a disablot in February (in honor of our female ancestors, the disir), and Walpurgis (May Day) is coming up. This link has a pretty good overview of the main heathen holidays, although it has a ton of "days of remembrance" thrown in that I don't observe (nor does anyone I know). We really enjoy those get-togethers, although we've only started going recently. There are a few general pagan meet ups active in Austin, and we sometimes go to those, though not necessarily regularly. They're more social than anything else.
What does this belief system bring to your life?
Oh wow! What a hard question to answer! Not because it doesn't bring anything to my life, of course, but because there just aren't enough words. It gives me a feeling of being rooted - these are the beliefs my ancestors had, a thousand years ago. I don't believe the physical world is "less than" the afterlife or other worlds, and so I take joy every day in the gift of a body that the gods gave me, so that I can taste and touch and feel. I look around outside and I don't just see trees and rivers, I see fellow spirits and representations of the World Tree that is at the center of everything. My goddesses are not any less powerful than my gods, which is good, since I'm a feminist!
What are the biggest misconceptions that people have about Pagans?
One big misconception is that all pagans believe the same thing - we emphatically do not! If you'll look at the description of Wicca above, and them compare it to my beliefs and practices, you'll see we don't have the same religion, even though we fall under the same religious category.
There's also silly things like people thinking pagans today doing human sacrifice. Ancient pagans did, yes, but honestly if you'll look at any ancient religion, they all did. One of the things that gets on my nerves the most is when people think or say that any deity that isn't the Christian God is just a demon masquerading as a god. It's offensive, patronizing, and quite frankly, it annoys the crap out of me.
Any advice for people interested in exploring Paganism?
Read, read, read! And do some soul searching. Are you more of a monotheist, or a polytheist? Somewhere in between? Does the idea of being an eclectic pagan, and making it up as you go along appeal to you? Or would you rather practice something with a grounding in history? Are there any particular deities who call to you?
As far as reading material goes, I'm woefully out of the loop with online sources. Witchvox is good for finding local pagans near you, of almost any stripe, although most of the members are Wiccan, I think. As far as books go, I've never read any of the following, but they look good & have good reviews: Which Witch is Which?, Paganism: An Introduction to Earth Centered Religions, and Drawing Down the Moon. You should be able to find one or all of these at a local library (don't forget about interlibrary loan). If not, they're easily ordered online through Amazon, or can probably be ordered through most book stores.
As far as heathen specific information goes, there are several Yahoo groups that are good (Asatru, Heathen Discussion, One Eye) - there's a lot of great discussion and they're not too abrasive to newbies. Ravencast is an amazing heathen podcast, with a decent amount of Asatru 101 podcasts. The aforementioned Asatru U link has a lot of great material. I'm a member of the Troth, which publishes a quarterly magazine and has a member's email list that's great for discussion and learning.
When reading about paganism, you need to have a good BS detector. There is a lot of crap out there. This is one reason to read as much as you can - you'll get a knack for which authors are full of it, which ones tend to be a mix of good and bad, and which ones are generally trustworthy.
Are any of you pagan? Any (polite! respectful!) questions for Michelle?
I grew up in rural southwestern Missouri. My parents are both fairly moderate both religiously and politically - my dad is probably an agnostic and my mom, I think, would probably refer to herself as a nondenominational Christian. We didn't really go to church on a regular basis growing up - I think I had probably gone maybe 3-4 times before I was seven or eight.
I was always kind of a "weird" kid. In second grade, I found a book in the library that was about superstitions, but the librarian wouldn't let me check it out - she said it was too hard for me to read! This really upset me, and I went home and told my parents about it. It royally pissed my dad off, so he went in to the library next day and told the librarian that she shouldn't be trying to stop kids from reading. She admitted it was the subject matter, not the reading level, and he told her that that was their (my parents') job to worry about. So I got to check out and read the book.
And then two days later I was sent home with a note saying I was teaching the other children witchcraft symbols on the playground. *badumtish* (That's supposed to be a cymbal noise. Like after a joke.)
I got curious about spirituality & religion when I was a little older (I'm thinking about nine or ten), and started going to church with my Mormon grandparents. I was baptized, but I don't really think Christianity was ever going to be a good fit for me - I remember my grandma being baffled when I asked her if Mother Nature was our heavenly mother, since God is our heavenly father.
When did you become interested in Paganism
I decided that Christianity wasn't for me at probably...hmm, I'm going to say ten or eleven? I was pretty young, I think sixth or seventh grade. I read up on a bunch of world religions and I've been some form of pagan ever since.
Could you tell us about the basic tenets of Paganism?
The thing about "paganism" is that it's a very large umbrella term, and the definition depends on who you're talking to. I would define a pagan religion as a non-Judeo-Christian or non-Islamic religion that places an importance on a connection with nature, and whose adherents self identify as pagan. The last part is very important, because Hindus or practitioners of Native American religions (or other people) sometimes get lumped in with pagans, and depending on the person, they don't necessarily feel positively about that.
So under the umbrella term of paganism, you have a huge amount of religions. There's Wicca, which is a newer religious movement that was founded by Gerald Gardner in the 1950's. Depending on who you talk to, to be a "real" Wiccan, you need to be initiated into an official coven, or you can be a solitary practitioner who believes in the tenets of Wicca. I would say those tenets are duotheism (all deities are facets of the God or the Goddess), the Rede, and the Law of Three/Law of Return (which basically says, think about your actions because they have reactions, some of which will affect you). Those are pretty hotly debated within the Wiccan community, though - both the basic tenets and the solitary vs. coven issue.
There are also people who just refer to themselves as "pagan", not feeling the need for any more specific term. Another example of a "subset" of paganism would be re constructionist or revival groups - people who seek to practice ancient pagan religions, more or less as they were then. The "more or less" is also a matter of debate within these communities - some individuals try to do things as close as they can to what was done back then, and some individuals allow for leeway, since the modern world is so different.
I would fall under that category (a reconstructionist/revivalist pagan, that allows for leeway). I'm a heathen, which is kind of a catch all term for a pagan who worships the old gods of Europe and Scandinavia. That'd be Odin, Freyja, Thor - that group. I prefer the term "heathen" to the term "Asatru", even though Asatru is the more common term. To keep this interview from getting too long, I'll just say you can check out this article if you want to see more about the different terms for us and why some prefer one over another!
The tenets of my belief:
I'm a hard polytheist. "Soft" polytheism is when a person interacts with the gods as individuals but thinks they're all part of some greater "god" or "force" - facets of it, if you will. A hard polytheist, like me, feels that all of the gods are individuals "forces". This means I also believe that, say, Zeus or Brigid or Thoth exists, I just don't necessarily work with them. The term "animism" gets thrown around a lot nowadays, but it applies here. Quoth Wikipedia: Animism is a philosophical, religious or spiritual idea that souls or spirits exist not only in humans but also in animals, plants, rocks, natural phenomena such as thunder, geographic features such as mountains or rivers, or other entities of the natural environment. In heathenism, these spirits are generally referred to as "wights" or "vaettir" (they're different forms of the same word).
A very large part of heathenism is showing respect for the local land wights - some people put more emphasis on this and ancestor veneration than on interaction with deities. For me, it's more of like the wights are my close neighbors - interaction with them on a daily basis is a fact of life. The gods are more like friends that I might need to use a telephone to get a hold of, if that makes sense. Ancestor veneration, as mentioned, is also important - we feel that our ancestors watch out for us and since we wouldn't be here without them, we make sure to remember them.
That covers the very basics - an in-depth overview could take ages! If you want to learn more, I'll be happy to answer questions in the comments, or you can check out this website for a lot of links/information. If looking for a book, I'd recommend Essential Asatru as a very basic jumping off point. I will give you a heads up and say that when looking for information, there's a good chance you'll run into a racist group at some point. They are very unfortunately out there, but don't represent the heathen community as a whole.
Tell us about how you incorporate your beliefs into your daily life. Do you go to 'services'? Do you get together with other people who practice Paganism?
We have two altars in our house - the "main" altar, so to speak, is in our bedroom. (My husband used to be agnostic, but is now also heathen, after being "bopped on the head" by Freyr.) The top shelf of it has a painting I did in high school of Yggdrasil, as well as the land wight altar and the ancestor altar. There's an incense burner between the two altars & a little cup for liquids.
The shelf underneath that - I use a bookshelf for my altars - is the gods altar, and statues, my bag of runes, an offering plate with a tree carved on it, candles, and stones. The house wight altar is in our living room, since that's the room we're in the most. We try to give him food or burn some incense for him on a fairly regular basis - probably every 2-3 days. I like to set aside some time in the evenings or before bed to burn some incense for my ancestors and the gods and thank them for our blessings, or just sit and meditate.
As far as 'services' go, there is a fairly informal group in Austin that has once a month social chats, and then does celebrations at the holidays. The last one was a disablot in February (in honor of our female ancestors, the disir), and Walpurgis (May Day) is coming up. This link has a pretty good overview of the main heathen holidays, although it has a ton of "days of remembrance" thrown in that I don't observe (nor does anyone I know). We really enjoy those get-togethers, although we've only started going recently. There are a few general pagan meet ups active in Austin, and we sometimes go to those, though not necessarily regularly. They're more social than anything else.
What does this belief system bring to your life?
Oh wow! What a hard question to answer! Not because it doesn't bring anything to my life, of course, but because there just aren't enough words. It gives me a feeling of being rooted - these are the beliefs my ancestors had, a thousand years ago. I don't believe the physical world is "less than" the afterlife or other worlds, and so I take joy every day in the gift of a body that the gods gave me, so that I can taste and touch and feel. I look around outside and I don't just see trees and rivers, I see fellow spirits and representations of the World Tree that is at the center of everything. My goddesses are not any less powerful than my gods, which is good, since I'm a feminist!
What are the biggest misconceptions that people have about Pagans?
One big misconception is that all pagans believe the same thing - we emphatically do not! If you'll look at the description of Wicca above, and them compare it to my beliefs and practices, you'll see we don't have the same religion, even though we fall under the same religious category.
There's also silly things like people thinking pagans today doing human sacrifice. Ancient pagans did, yes, but honestly if you'll look at any ancient religion, they all did. One of the things that gets on my nerves the most is when people think or say that any deity that isn't the Christian God is just a demon masquerading as a god. It's offensive, patronizing, and quite frankly, it annoys the crap out of me.
Any advice for people interested in exploring Paganism?
Read, read, read! And do some soul searching. Are you more of a monotheist, or a polytheist? Somewhere in between? Does the idea of being an eclectic pagan, and making it up as you go along appeal to you? Or would you rather practice something with a grounding in history? Are there any particular deities who call to you?
As far as reading material goes, I'm woefully out of the loop with online sources. Witchvox is good for finding local pagans near you, of almost any stripe, although most of the members are Wiccan, I think. As far as books go, I've never read any of the following, but they look good & have good reviews: Which Witch is Which?, Paganism: An Introduction to Earth Centered Religions, and Drawing Down the Moon. You should be able to find one or all of these at a local library (don't forget about interlibrary loan). If not, they're easily ordered online through Amazon, or can probably be ordered through most book stores.
As far as heathen specific information goes, there are several Yahoo groups that are good (Asatru, Heathen Discussion, One Eye) - there's a lot of great discussion and they're not too abrasive to newbies. Ravencast is an amazing heathen podcast, with a decent amount of Asatru 101 podcasts. The aforementioned Asatru U link has a lot of great material. I'm a member of the Troth, which publishes a quarterly magazine and has a member's email list that's great for discussion and learning.
When reading about paganism, you need to have a good BS detector. There is a lot of crap out there. This is one reason to read as much as you can - you'll get a knack for which authors are full of it, which ones tend to be a mix of good and bad, and which ones are generally trustworthy.
Are any of you pagan? Any (polite! respectful!) questions for Michelle?
Sunday, May 30, 2010
*Another* Public Service Announcement
Dear pretty hipster girl, your headband will not protect you from major head trauma. It's bicycle season, friends! You know what that means: peddling to your favorite cafes, bags of apples tucked into your basket, wind blowing through your hair.
Until you get hit by an inattentive driver and die of brain injuries.
I'd like to channel your over-concerned mother here and beg with you to please, please, please wear a helmet on your scooter or bicycle this summer. And I'm not just nagging you because I'm a Virgo.
When I lived in Taiwan I drove a scooter, just like every other person on that tiny, crowded island. Once summer hit - sticky, overwhelming, tropical island summer - I traded in my full-face 'winter' helmet for one of those cute half helmets with the flip-down visor. Three days after the trade off? I got cut off in traffic, face-planted into the middle of the intersection and finished the day with road rash and stitches in my face. Imagine what would have happened had I not been wearing a helmet!
I know how dorky helmets look. And I know they're a total buzzkill - matted, sweaty hair can't really compare to sexy, wind-blown tresses. But you know what? Metal plates in your skull aren't very sexy, either.
Besides, look how cute these helmets are. Now you have no excuse!
Do you ride a bike or a scooter a lot? Are you wearing a helmet?
Until you get hit by an inattentive driver and die of brain injuries.
I'd like to channel your over-concerned mother here and beg with you to please, please, please wear a helmet on your scooter or bicycle this summer. And I'm not just nagging you because I'm a Virgo.
When I lived in Taiwan I drove a scooter, just like every other person on that tiny, crowded island. Once summer hit - sticky, overwhelming, tropical island summer - I traded in my full-face 'winter' helmet for one of those cute half helmets with the flip-down visor. Three days after the trade off? I got cut off in traffic, face-planted into the middle of the intersection and finished the day with road rash and stitches in my face. Imagine what would have happened had I not been wearing a helmet!
I know how dorky helmets look. And I know they're a total buzzkill - matted, sweaty hair can't really compare to sexy, wind-blown tresses. But you know what? Metal plates in your skull aren't very sexy, either.
Besides, look how cute these helmets are. Now you have no excuse!
Do you ride a bike or a scooter a lot? Are you wearing a helmet?
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Nice Work If You Can Get It: Style Editor
Do you kids remember the 'Nice Work If You Can Get It' interview series that I ran last year? All full of interesting people with cool jobs? (Visual Effects Artist for Weta! Photographer! Dancer!) Well, it's been a while since I've encountered someone with a job so cool that I felt moved to write about. But! Then I ran into Melissa Colgan at my friend Laura's purse launch and, well, don't we all want to be style editors? At least just a little bit? I asked her about how she got this sweet gig and the ins and outs of the magazine world. You can read more on her adorable blog Tulle and Plume or her column for Mpls St. Paul magazine, Style Parlor.
What's your official job title?
Editor, Shop + Style for Mpls.St.Paul Magazine; Fashion Editor for Mpls.St. Paul Weddings Magazine, and Editor for Mpls.St.Paul Shops Magazine
What's your average day like?
I really don’t have an average day, which I absolutely love. On any given day I could be in my office editing copy and working with the art department on layouts; producing and styling a photo shoot; scouting or pulling items for a photo shoot, attending industry and fashion events; interviewing store owners or designers, or writing. But is thing is always sure: my days are always full and I am often working up until light s out. Mine is not a 9-to-5 career.
How'd you get such a sweet gig?
I studied journalism at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and had a few random internships in communications, fashion, and retail before interning at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine my senior year. I was asked to stay on over the summer to help with a special project, and was offered a job.
What are the benefits of the job?
I love that I get to write and produce stories on all of my favorite subjects—fashion, design, décor, retail, beauty, and wellness. I never get bored and the story well never runs dry. I also am a person who is big on connections. I love meeting new people, especially other creatives who are passionate about what they are doing and are tops in their field. But most of all I love telling stories. Whether it be through words or images or both.
Any drawbacks?
The hours can be grueling and exhausting and the pay is definitely not great. But I am hoping that the old adage to “do what you love and the money will come,” will hold true.
Any advice for others looking to sit behind an editor's desk someday?
Be open to all possibilities. I am really early in my career and I am quite open to where things might take me. The world, especially the publishing world, is changing so rapidly that you must be malleable and adaptable to change and new ideas. And always have your eyes open . . . inspiration for a photo shoot or a story can come from the most unexpected places.
And anyone starting out in this industry must be willing to start at the very bottom. I cannot tall you how many interns or assistants scoff at certain tasks. The thing is, those tasks never go away. I will still get on the floor at a photo shoot and fix a hem on a dress, tape the bottom of a pair of shoes, or go grab a coffee for my boss. Doing the small things well and with a good attitude will take you far.
Are professional writers out there? Questions for Melissa?
What's your official job title?
Editor, Shop + Style for Mpls.St.Paul Magazine; Fashion Editor for Mpls.St. Paul Weddings Magazine, and Editor for Mpls.St.Paul Shops Magazine
What's your average day like?
I really don’t have an average day, which I absolutely love. On any given day I could be in my office editing copy and working with the art department on layouts; producing and styling a photo shoot; scouting or pulling items for a photo shoot, attending industry and fashion events; interviewing store owners or designers, or writing. But is thing is always sure: my days are always full and I am often working up until light s out. Mine is not a 9-to-5 career.
How'd you get such a sweet gig?
I studied journalism at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and had a few random internships in communications, fashion, and retail before interning at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine my senior year. I was asked to stay on over the summer to help with a special project, and was offered a job.
What are the benefits of the job?
I love that I get to write and produce stories on all of my favorite subjects—fashion, design, décor, retail, beauty, and wellness. I never get bored and the story well never runs dry. I also am a person who is big on connections. I love meeting new people, especially other creatives who are passionate about what they are doing and are tops in their field. But most of all I love telling stories. Whether it be through words or images or both.
Any drawbacks?
The hours can be grueling and exhausting and the pay is definitely not great. But I am hoping that the old adage to “do what you love and the money will come,” will hold true.
Any advice for others looking to sit behind an editor's desk someday?
Be open to all possibilities. I am really early in my career and I am quite open to where things might take me. The world, especially the publishing world, is changing so rapidly that you must be malleable and adaptable to change and new ideas. And always have your eyes open . . . inspiration for a photo shoot or a story can come from the most unexpected places.
And anyone starting out in this industry must be willing to start at the very bottom. I cannot tall you how many interns or assistants scoff at certain tasks. The thing is, those tasks never go away. I will still get on the floor at a photo shoot and fix a hem on a dress, tape the bottom of a pair of shoes, or go grab a coffee for my boss. Doing the small things well and with a good attitude will take you far.
Are professional writers out there? Questions for Melissa?
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Shoppe Yes: 'As Good As A Coffee Gelato' Italian Flats
Wouldn't these be cute with:
* light wash jeans, a droopy silk shirt and a fitted blazer with the sleeves rolled up?
* a sweet, batik print sundress and piles of bangles?
* dark wash trouser jeans and creamy, cable-knit cardigan?
And don't you want to wear them to:
* click briskly over cobblestones on your way to meet a friend for an espresso?
* cling to the back of a vintage vespa?
* clack through the hallowed halls of the Duomo in Milano?
Give these fantastic little shoes a new home - pop over to Shoppe Yes!
Yes and Yes Network of Nice Hook-ups!
Friends! The Yes and Yes Network of Nice is up and running! Here are our first ten readers who are looking for hookups. Can you help them out?I need to know about starting a photography studio
I'd like to connect with someone who has started their own photography studio. How did they start? What equipment do they have? How do they decide what to charge? It would be awesome if I could find a mentor in the SF Bay Area who would be interested in meeting with me!
unexpectedsunlight (at) gmail (dot) com
unexpectedsunlight (at) gmail (dot) com
I need to know about moving to England
I need to know about high-altitude hiking in South America
kristalynnjennings (at) gmail (dot) comWe have family who live in Switzerland and Germany, and we are thinking of moving to England from the U.S. My husband wants to go to grad school there, and then we'd theoretically like to stay as long as possible, traveling Europe, Asia, and Africa while we're on that side of the Atlantic. But we don't have a clue where to start. We've traveled in Europe before, but moving there, even for just a few years, is a different beast entirely. So, is there a Yes and Yes reader who has done it before and can help? Because they might just save our sanity.
aribabybug (at) gmail (dot) com
aribabybug (at) gmail (dot) com
I need to know about high-altitude hiking in South America
I think I am going to quit my corporate job in September and backpack through South America. My two goals include hiking the Incan trail to Machu Picchu (piece of cake) and climbing Aconcagua in Argentina (SA's highest peak...gulp!). The trouble is I've never done any technical climbing before. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to train for this sort of climb? Is 5 months long enough to train to get ready for it? How much will the Aconcagua trek cost me and how long will it take? Am I deluding myself to think that just because I climbed one of the highest peaks in the Rockies I can take on South America's highest summit? Thanks, y'all!
lauren.caselli (at) gmail (dot) com
I need to know about my new city, L.A.
I am moving to Los Angeles for graduate school this September & am quite nervous because I don't know anyone who lives there & I am not familiar with the city at all. I have been browsing Yelp for a bit, but would love to hear about LA firsthand! Things like nice parks, safe places to ride your bike, great thrift stores, & places to avoid when you're walking around alone would be really great to know!
hellogravity (at) hotmail (dot) com
I need to meet NYC people who work in the audio industry
I need to know more people in the Audio industry, Music/TV/Movies etc., preferably in New York City (or that area). I currently live in Upstate, NY and there isn't much in the way of these resources that I need (this is a networking industry). I'm moving to the city in September to take a 9 month course on Audio production I would love to have a new friend that would be willing to give advice or guidance to me as I take this HUGE step in my life!
caitlin.rielly(at) gmail (dot) com
I need to meet people in my new city of Seattle
I am moving far away from everyone and everything I know, I was hoping maybe there were some lovely readers of yours that live in the Seattle area that might be willing to give me some advice/tips on city living, or maybe even would like to meet for a cup of coffee once I'm there to show me around or just be a friendly face. I've got about a million and one questions (will I will really survive without a car? Should I have my bike shipped? Is the public transit system scary and overwhelming? Has anyone been a Starbucks barista before and can give me some inside knowledge on how to master it?), and it's be great to get some insider knowledge.
m.sheilapritchard(at) gmail (dot) com
I need to know about living on a cruise ship
My husband and I have just accepted positions at sea with a prominent cruise line starting in mid-August. Are there any readers who have worked for a cruise line before? Specifically in cruise staff positions, but really any insight from anyone working at sea would be helpful. What were the positives, what were the challenges? Any suggestions on what to/how much to pack? Anything new at sea workers should know that we might overlook? How long did you work at sea? Once you left your at sea position, what was it like to transition back onto land, specifically in light of your career? Any suggestions on how to get our life "on land" settled before we leave?
lauren.caselli (at) gmail (dot) com
I need to know about my new city, L.A.
I am moving to Los Angeles for graduate school this September & am quite nervous because I don't know anyone who lives there & I am not familiar with the city at all. I have been browsing Yelp for a bit, but would love to hear about LA firsthand! Things like nice parks, safe places to ride your bike, great thrift stores, & places to avoid when you're walking around alone would be really great to know!
hellogravity (at) hotmail (dot) com
I need to meet NYC people who work in the audio industry
I need to know more people in the Audio industry, Music/TV/Movies etc., preferably in New York City (or that area). I currently live in Upstate, NY and there isn't much in the way of these resources that I need (this is a networking industry). I'm moving to the city in September to take a 9 month course on Audio production I would love to have a new friend that would be willing to give advice or guidance to me as I take this HUGE step in my life!
caitlin.rielly(at) gmail (dot) com
I need to meet people in my new city of Seattle
I am moving far away from everyone and everything I know, I was hoping maybe there were some lovely readers of yours that live in the Seattle area that might be willing to give me some advice/tips on city living, or maybe even would like to meet for a cup of coffee once I'm there to show me around or just be a friendly face. I've got about a million and one questions (will I will really survive without a car? Should I have my bike shipped? Is the public transit system scary and overwhelming? Has anyone been a Starbucks barista before and can give me some inside knowledge on how to master it?), and it's be great to get some insider knowledge.
m.sheilapritchard(at) gmail (dot) com
I need to know about living on a cruise ship
My husband and I have just accepted positions at sea with a prominent cruise line starting in mid-August. Are there any readers who have worked for a cruise line before? Specifically in cruise staff positions, but really any insight from anyone working at sea would be helpful. What were the positives, what were the challenges? Any suggestions on what to/how much to pack? Anything new at sea workers should know that we might overlook? How long did you work at sea? Once you left your at sea position, what was it like to transition back onto land, specifically in light of your career? Any suggestions on how to get our life "on land" settled before we leave?
I need to know about starting a mobile food truck
'm looking into starting up a mobile food truck in Seattle selling pies and quiches, and have NO idea where to start! I know that I'll need to rent commercial kitchen space, but I've never operated a small business like this before, and have no idea about regulations, code, finances, or marketing. I'm also wondering if this is a terrible way to start a first business, and if I shouldn't aim for something a little more fool-proof. Any words of wisdom would be great!
renai.marie (at) gmail (dot) comI need to know about applying to Canadian graduation schools (I'm American)
I am an American looking at going to graduate school in Canada. Being the first in my family to attend college of any sort - I have no idea the "etiquette" of apply & getting accepted into grad school. What do I need to know? Do I visit campuses before I apply to establish good contacts or do I just apply? What can I expect once I start grad school? I'd love some advice from any grad students but history grad students especially appreciated. The universities I'm looking at are either University of British Columbia (Vancouver) or University of Alberta (Edmonton).
maruhe (at) yahoo (dot) com
We need to know about road tripping across America
Two (!) separate non-American ladies emailed me interested in advice for driving across The States. Our route is still TBC, can anyone suggest must see places? Should we hire an RV and camp out, or hire a car and stay in motels? What do I need to know to stay safe? I love food, what can I pack in the car to keep my tummy happy? How do four of us avoid driving each other crazy? how can I cut back on food, transportation and hospitality costs? What are the few essentials I should bring with me? Any attractions I just have to see? Safety concerns?
kim.koserski (at) gmail (dot) com stoppingshopping (at) googlemail (dot) com
And! One reader was actually kind enough to offer up her own expertise.
Allison (allison.happ (at) gmail (dot) com) would like to offer advice to anyone that is planning on traveling to, working, or studying in France in the near future. She's been living in France for two years (one year outside of Paris, a second in Burgundy close to Dijon). She worked both years as an English Language Assistant, helping high schoolers and middle schoolers improve their English. It was a (challenging) rewarding job, and the travel perks were nearly the best part. If anyone needs advice about working or traveling here, She'd be more than happy to help!
Thank you so much to everyone who emailed me with connection requests. I would love to have featured every last one of them but time and space don't necessarily permit that. And honestly? I'll give preference to connections that request advice or meet-ups, rather than google-able information, job leads or promotion of a business or product. That's not to say that I don't want to hook you up with your dream job, but the girl who's trying to volunteer in Africa might get in ahead of you.
So! Let the networking begin! Can you help these readers out? Do you have an area of expertise you can share?
maruhe (at) yahoo (dot) com
We need to know about road tripping across America
Two (!) separate non-American ladies emailed me interested in advice for driving across The States. Our route is still TBC, can anyone suggest must see places? Should we hire an RV and camp out, or hire a car and stay in motels? What do I need to know to stay safe? I love food, what can I pack in the car to keep my tummy happy? How do four of us avoid driving each other crazy? how can I cut back on food, transportation and hospitality costs? What are the few essentials I should bring with me? Any attractions I just have to see? Safety concerns?
kim.koserski (at) gmail (dot) com stoppingshopping (at) googlemail (dot) com
And! One reader was actually kind enough to offer up her own expertise.
Allison (allison.happ (at) gmail (dot) com) would like to offer advice to anyone that is planning on traveling to, working, or studying in France in the near future. She's been living in France for two years (one year outside of Paris, a second in Burgundy close to Dijon). She worked both years as an English Language Assistant, helping high schoolers and middle schoolers improve their English. It was a (challenging) rewarding job, and the travel perks were nearly the best part. If anyone needs advice about working or traveling here, She'd be more than happy to help!
Thank you so much to everyone who emailed me with connection requests. I would love to have featured every last one of them but time and space don't necessarily permit that. And honestly? I'll give preference to connections that request advice or meet-ups, rather than google-able information, job leads or promotion of a business or product. That's not to say that I don't want to hook you up with your dream job, but the girl who's trying to volunteer in Africa might get in ahead of you.
So! Let the networking begin! Can you help these readers out? Do you have an area of expertise you can share?
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
The Pleasure Is All Mine!
Did you guys know that Yes and Yes has been taking up space on the interwebz for nearly two years now?! True story. We're even going to celebrate next week with The Yes and Yes Great Birthday Giveaway!
Yes and Yes has been quite the social butterfly this year, making heaps of new friends and meeting lots of new people - though she did totally monopolize the cheese tray at your dinner party. It occurs to me that I might not have properly introduced myself to some of you lovely new readers - and worse! - I don't know much about you! Let's correct this.
Hello! My name is Sarah Von. I'm a 30-year-old former expat and current teacher/writer/adventurer. By day, I teach English as a Second Language to Southeast Asian refugees, by night I brave Scientology "churches," make strange flavored ice creams and throw ridiculous parties. I spent a good portion of my 20s living and working abroad (I've been to 20 countries) and I'm plotting another giant trip beginning this October. I lived in New Zealand for a year and half while I earned my M.A. in Applied Linguistics - which explains my usage of words like "keen" and "heaps" and "sussed out." I grew up in a tiny town that only had one stop light and many of my closest friends are the other smart, weird kids who grew up there with me. Now we're smart, weird grown-ups who live in the Twin Cities - which, coincidentally, has many stop lights.
I believe in living a life that you're proud of, making the choices that are right for you, helping people who need it and opening your mind to other cultures and ideas. I also believe in the healing power of cheese, Salvation Army and a good episode of The Office. It's so nice to meet you!
Yes and Yes has been quite the social butterfly this year, making heaps of new friends and meeting lots of new people - though she did totally monopolize the cheese tray at your dinner party. It occurs to me that I might not have properly introduced myself to some of you lovely new readers - and worse! - I don't know much about you! Let's correct this.
Hello! My name is Sarah Von. I'm a 30-year-old former expat and current teacher/writer/adventurer. By day, I teach English as a Second Language to Southeast Asian refugees, by night I brave Scientology "churches," make strange flavored ice creams and throw ridiculous parties. I spent a good portion of my 20s living and working abroad (I've been to 20 countries) and I'm plotting another giant trip beginning this October. I lived in New Zealand for a year and half while I earned my M.A. in Applied Linguistics - which explains my usage of words like "keen" and "heaps" and "sussed out." I grew up in a tiny town that only had one stop light and many of my closest friends are the other smart, weird kids who grew up there with me. Now we're smart, weird grown-ups who live in the Twin Cities - which, coincidentally, has many stop lights.
I believe in living a life that you're proud of, making the choices that are right for you, helping people who need it and opening your mind to other cultures and ideas. I also believe in the healing power of cheese, Salvation Army and a good episode of The Office. It's so nice to meet you!
Map of all the cheese factories in Wisconsin. Required reading.
In which I am seven years old and very proud of my fancy hair.
At The Berlin Wall. Please note: a) I was totallyrocking harem pants in 2007 b) I do actually have two legs.
Now you! How old are you? Where are you from? What are you about? How did you find your way to Yes and Yes?
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Valley Of The Dollhouses
Y'all might know that I've got a special place in my heart for all things tiny. Tiny animals! Tiny houses! Shakira! So I'm obviously intrigued by these fantastic, modern dollhouses and the adorable mid-century furniture that people are filling them with.
I don't know about you, but my childhood dollhouses were milk crates wallpapered in wrapping paper and my Barbies drove one of my mom's old ballet flats. But I digress. Cute tiny stuff!
I don't know about you, but my childhood dollhouses were milk crates wallpapered in wrapping paper and my Barbies drove one of my mom's old ballet flats. But I digress. Cute tiny stuff!
I would very happily hire Rick Moranis to shrink me soI could live here. And eat giant Oreos.
I want to be tiny and perch coyly on that tiny pink couch.
Sooooo much cuter than all that pink, plastic Playskool
stuff, don't you think?
Miniature shag carpet equals yes.
So cute! Did you have a dollhouse as a kid? Would you buy one like this - for a kiddo? Or, um, yourself?
Monday, May 24, 2010
In Which a Bluegrass Song Brings Tears To My Eyes
Whaaaat?! Whenever I watch this video I find myself oddly overcome with emotion and wanting to hug someone really hard/dance really fast/run down a hill. There's so much to love here: the lyrics, the gorgeous lighting, the fact that these incredibly talented gentlemen are from Duluth, MN - one of my favorite cities in the entire country.
Let's pretend that they're not called Trampled by Turtles.
True Story: I Overcame An Eating Disorder
This is part of our True Story interview series, in which we talk to interesting, amazing people who have experienced unique things. You may remember Holly as the writer of the 'Your Surrender is Significant' post? This is the story of her struggles with food and body image.Tell us about your relationship with your body when you were growing up.
Body image was really no struggle for me for a long time, because I was naturally skinny up through my late teens. On the other hand, that meant I had invested some of my identity in having that thin, leggy child's figure, so it was like having the rug pulled out from under me when I started getting fat on me and could no longer eat like I had a hollow leg.
When did you first start to have issues with eating? Was there one certain thing that triggered it?
My eating issues started when I was dancing in high school. I went through a phase of very restrictive constant dieting, and as I got more and more fed up with ballet and the ballet school environment, I became something of an emotional overeater, as kind of an "eff you" gesture and also as a way of dealing with stress. My metabolism was able to handle that for quite a while without dealing me much weight gain, so I didn't get the negative feedback to keep that habit from getting ingrained. Then in my freshman year of college, depression hit me pretty hard. Just on its own, it made me feel terrible about myself, but it also wreaked havoc on my sleep schedule, my eating habits, and my metabolism...all of which resulted in me gaining twenty-five pounds in the space of two months.
How did your eating disorder manifest itself?
Purging was and is the behavior I struggled the most with. My diagnosis was EDNOS, or eating disorder not otherwise specified. Aside from being really vague -- check out the second definition offered here and add consistent purging to get my ED -- it's actually the most common eating disorder diagnosis. So take note: the "anorexia or bulimia" picture of eating disorders is really popular, but kind of useless.
Did those who were close to you know about this?
I told a couple of my very closest friends when the eating disorder was just starting to pick up speed. I was frightened for myself sometimes, and that was my way of trying to set up something that could be a safety net for me if things "got scary." Eventually, one of them told my sister, who told my parents. It didn't really make much of a difference that these people knew, though. Most of them were thousands of miles away from me while I was at college, and I was isolating myself from the ones who weren't. My parents didn't try to take me out of school because I swore I'd be miserable if they did. Not that I wasn't miserable anyways, but sickness aside, I really wanted the distance and greater independence I had at college.
When did you realize that you had a problem?
I think I knew I had a problem from the beginning. I was almost looking for a way to punish and diminish myself, and it helped me say I AM NOT OKAY, so it's not like I was thinking that everything was fine and what I was doing was healthy and great. Strangely, it was only when I was at my sickest that I questioned whether I had a problem, because having a serious problem would have meant I warranted attention and concern, and I didn't think I was worth that.
The turning point was not realizing I had a problem, but realizing that it might be worth it to overcome it. That happened over Thanksgiving break, when something strange but good took hold of me and I blew my savings on a last-minute solo trip to Iceland. I fell in love with the country, and miraculously, my symptoms left me mostly alone for the first half of the trip. I had an incredible time, and in that space, I found out that I could be a strong, amazing, independent person, that I could take charge of my life and make wonderful things happen for myself. That was what I needed. (I spent the second half of the trip in my hostel room shivering and not eating. Suck you, ED; thanks for stealing four days of Iceland from me.)
Anyways, I saw that there was something to me and my life that would be worth saving. I wanted to be that crazy, strong, joyful person that Iceland initially brought out in me. And I was willing to see whether that would be worth giving up the ED.
How did you get over this?
Recovery isn't a finished process, but it's not a full-time thing anymore. A turning point was when I could see that there really couldn't be any going back -- back to what? Doctors and therapists and months in front of the mirror without being able to work or study, without any movement towards my dreams? Nope. It's not something that just ends; for me it got a lot better pretty quickly once I got on antidepressants, though I've had my share of relapses since then. But each relapse has been a little easier to bounce back from. Most of the time now I am really happy with myself and my life, and I actually have a healthier attitude toward food, exercise, body image, etc. than I did in pre-ED days.
Any advice for others dealing with this? Or how we can help a friend who's dealing with this?
For those dealing with disordered eating: You will never reach a point where you might as well keep getting sicker. Recovery is hard and sometimes scary, but a million times better than being sick. Also, relapse does NOT mean you are back where you started. You are still moving forward. Just pick yourself up as soon as you can.
For those with a friend in this situation: Don't keep the disorder a secret for them. Be patient. Give them love as constantly as you can. And remember that it's not possible to fix them, only to support them while they work on themselves with professional help. And please feel free to email me if you have any more specific questions. wie.ein.lied at gmail dot com.
Have any of your struggled with food/body issues? Any questions for Holly?
Body image was really no struggle for me for a long time, because I was naturally skinny up through my late teens. On the other hand, that meant I had invested some of my identity in having that thin, leggy child's figure, so it was like having the rug pulled out from under me when I started getting fat on me and could no longer eat like I had a hollow leg.
When did you first start to have issues with eating? Was there one certain thing that triggered it?
My eating issues started when I was dancing in high school. I went through a phase of very restrictive constant dieting, and as I got more and more fed up with ballet and the ballet school environment, I became something of an emotional overeater, as kind of an "eff you" gesture and also as a way of dealing with stress. My metabolism was able to handle that for quite a while without dealing me much weight gain, so I didn't get the negative feedback to keep that habit from getting ingrained. Then in my freshman year of college, depression hit me pretty hard. Just on its own, it made me feel terrible about myself, but it also wreaked havoc on my sleep schedule, my eating habits, and my metabolism...all of which resulted in me gaining twenty-five pounds in the space of two months.
How did your eating disorder manifest itself?
Purging was and is the behavior I struggled the most with. My diagnosis was EDNOS, or eating disorder not otherwise specified. Aside from being really vague -- check out the second definition offered here and add consistent purging to get my ED -- it's actually the most common eating disorder diagnosis. So take note: the "anorexia or bulimia" picture of eating disorders is really popular, but kind of useless.
Did those who were close to you know about this?
I told a couple of my very closest friends when the eating disorder was just starting to pick up speed. I was frightened for myself sometimes, and that was my way of trying to set up something that could be a safety net for me if things "got scary." Eventually, one of them told my sister, who told my parents. It didn't really make much of a difference that these people knew, though. Most of them were thousands of miles away from me while I was at college, and I was isolating myself from the ones who weren't. My parents didn't try to take me out of school because I swore I'd be miserable if they did. Not that I wasn't miserable anyways, but sickness aside, I really wanted the distance and greater independence I had at college.
When did you realize that you had a problem?
I think I knew I had a problem from the beginning. I was almost looking for a way to punish and diminish myself, and it helped me say I AM NOT OKAY, so it's not like I was thinking that everything was fine and what I was doing was healthy and great. Strangely, it was only when I was at my sickest that I questioned whether I had a problem, because having a serious problem would have meant I warranted attention and concern, and I didn't think I was worth that.
The turning point was not realizing I had a problem, but realizing that it might be worth it to overcome it. That happened over Thanksgiving break, when something strange but good took hold of me and I blew my savings on a last-minute solo trip to Iceland. I fell in love with the country, and miraculously, my symptoms left me mostly alone for the first half of the trip. I had an incredible time, and in that space, I found out that I could be a strong, amazing, independent person, that I could take charge of my life and make wonderful things happen for myself. That was what I needed. (I spent the second half of the trip in my hostel room shivering and not eating. Suck you, ED; thanks for stealing four days of Iceland from me.)
Anyways, I saw that there was something to me and my life that would be worth saving. I wanted to be that crazy, strong, joyful person that Iceland initially brought out in me. And I was willing to see whether that would be worth giving up the ED.
How did you get over this?
Recovery isn't a finished process, but it's not a full-time thing anymore. A turning point was when I could see that there really couldn't be any going back -- back to what? Doctors and therapists and months in front of the mirror without being able to work or study, without any movement towards my dreams? Nope. It's not something that just ends; for me it got a lot better pretty quickly once I got on antidepressants, though I've had my share of relapses since then. But each relapse has been a little easier to bounce back from. Most of the time now I am really happy with myself and my life, and I actually have a healthier attitude toward food, exercise, body image, etc. than I did in pre-ED days.
Any advice for others dealing with this? Or how we can help a friend who's dealing with this?
For those dealing with disordered eating: You will never reach a point where you might as well keep getting sicker. Recovery is hard and sometimes scary, but a million times better than being sick. Also, relapse does NOT mean you are back where you started. You are still moving forward. Just pick yourself up as soon as you can.
For those with a friend in this situation: Don't keep the disorder a secret for them. Be patient. Give them love as constantly as you can. And remember that it's not possible to fix them, only to support them while they work on themselves with professional help. And please feel free to email me if you have any more specific questions. wie.ein.lied at gmail dot com.
Have any of your struggled with food/body issues? Any questions for Holly?
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Surfwise
Doesn't this look fascinating? I'm not sure how I feel about militantly controlling your children's diet but I love the idea of taking your family on the road and living a life off the beaten path. Thoughts?
Saturday, May 22, 2010
A Great Big Gift For You!
Did you guys know that we are closing in on Yes and Yes's second birthday? It's true. I rather hope that we will not be plagued with tantrums and poopy diapers and mean commentors that might accomany a blog's second birthday.I've been thinking about how to commemorate said occasion. I can't fly all of you here for a weekend of rock shows and cheap pedicures and thrifting. And I also can't send each of you a personalized thank you note, as much as I'd like to. But I can organize a giveaway of epic proportions.
I know that heaps of you have etsy shops or even businesses that you'd love to promote. Would you like to contribute something to The Yes and Yes Great Birthday Giveaway? Each participating shop would get a two or three sentence writeup on Yes and Yes, a link in the giant giveaway post and (hopefully!) heaps of hits, interest and new customers. Yes and Yes get 60,000+ visits a month!
I'm so excited to find cute new online haunts and give away a heaping helping of cute stuff! If you're interested in giving something away, please email me at sarah_vonbargen (at) yahoo (dot) com.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Shoppe Yes: Jailbird Vintage Top
Wouldn't this be cute with:
* a fitted little romper, with the sleeves rolled up and slouchy boots?
* big, sexy/nerdy glasses?
* peeking out from beneath a fitted a red, v-neck sweater?
And don't you want to wear it to:
* break away from the chain gang?
* a visit to the zoo, cooing over that sneezing baby panda?
* a wine bar, the catch up with your college bestie?
Pop over to Shoppe Yes and swoop this up for $15 clams! Or maybe a sexy, schmoopy gold sweater is more your speed? Or a slit-up-the-thigh floral dress? Or a cute polka dotted vintage number? Or a super preppy J. Crew spring coat?
Thursday, May 20, 2010
The Yes and Yes Network of Nice
Last week, I decided that I probably needed to look at a vintage airstream trailer that was for sale. (Because, a girl who's saving for a world tour obviously needs to spend thousands of dollars on a portable silver marshmallow home. Duh.) The price was crazy low, but I had no idea what to look for, what questions to ask, how to override my desire to live in a tiny, tiny house. So I emailed two Yes and Yes readers that I knew lived in airstreams and girlfriends helped me out.
When I was planning my upcoming time in India, I facebooked a friend (and Yes and Yes reader) whose mum works at a special needs school in Bangalore. And guess where I'll be October of 2010? With a little luck, I'll be helping the kiddos via The Brindavan Educational Trust.
Readers have given me advice on trips through South America. They've mentioned this blog in major publications. They've recommended me to literary agents. They've volunteered they're own amazing true stories. The connections I've made through Yes and Yes are amazing and heart-warming. It occurs to me that it is nigh-on selfish of me to be keeping all of these connections to myself! I know that there are Yes and Yes readers who are published authors, or know heaps about getting into med school, or would gladly offer you a tour of their city, or can tell you how to become a flight attendant. So let's harness the awesome!
So. If you want to know about something/ need a hook up/ are looking for some first-person input on something, email me a 100-word (or less) writeup about the connection you're looking to make. You should also be comfortable having your email published on Yes and Yes. I'll put up ten of these connection requests each month and (hopefully!) another reader will be able to help you out!
I'll go first!
I need to know about doing the Mount Everest Base Camp Hike. How much do Sherpas cost? What things do I need to look out for? Can I go it alone with my Sherpa or do I need to sign up with a company? Do I need to take the elevation meds? I'm planning on being there in November - is that a good time?
Email me your connection requests at sarah_vonbargen (at) yahoo (dot) com. Let the networking begin!
When I was planning my upcoming time in India, I facebooked a friend (and Yes and Yes reader) whose mum works at a special needs school in Bangalore. And guess where I'll be October of 2010? With a little luck, I'll be helping the kiddos via The Brindavan Educational Trust.
Readers have given me advice on trips through South America. They've mentioned this blog in major publications. They've recommended me to literary agents. They've volunteered they're own amazing true stories. The connections I've made through Yes and Yes are amazing and heart-warming. It occurs to me that it is nigh-on selfish of me to be keeping all of these connections to myself! I know that there are Yes and Yes readers who are published authors, or know heaps about getting into med school, or would gladly offer you a tour of their city, or can tell you how to become a flight attendant. So let's harness the awesome!
So. If you want to know about something/ need a hook up/ are looking for some first-person input on something, email me a 100-word (or less) writeup about the connection you're looking to make. You should also be comfortable having your email published on Yes and Yes. I'll put up ten of these connection requests each month and (hopefully!) another reader will be able to help you out!
I'll go first!
I need to know about doing the Mount Everest Base Camp Hike. How much do Sherpas cost? What things do I need to look out for? Can I go it alone with my Sherpa or do I need to sign up with a company? Do I need to take the elevation meds? I'm planning on being there in November - is that a good time?
Email me your connection requests at sarah_vonbargen (at) yahoo (dot) com. Let the networking begin!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
31 Things I Wish I'd Known About Dating When I Was 21
Do you guys remember my tangle with internet dating? The mouth-breather? The guy who wanted me to pay for his meal? Awesome. Finding someone you want to spend time or affection on isn't always easy, but it's certainly easier when you know what you're doing. I happened upon this fantastic article on one of my online haunts and thought it was too good (and too helpful) to keep to myself. By Erin Meanley
1. If you’re confused about whether a guy likes you or not, that’s probably not good. Confusion in romance belongs only in romantic comedies because it suspends the plot, but suspense in real life sucks. So try not to analyze the events. The truth will reveal itself without you having to do anything.
2. Sometimes guys flirt with you or pay attention to you because it makes them feel good about themselves. (Hey, we do it, too.)
3. Even a guy who will admit that you’re better looking than him should still be able to tell you you’re beautiful. If he holds back in order to control the situation, or to keep you, or keep you down, he’s got issues.
4. Don’t help him ask you out by texting him something nice or polite. I’m glad you’re more outgoing and thoughtful than he is, but he doesn’t want the help.
5. Guys want to get busy more than anything. They’ll say anything to close the deal.
6. It’s shocking how much guys will talk about marriage. Until there’s a ring on your finger, it will be better for you if you pretend you’re deaf.
7. It’s better not to lift a finger in the beginning.
8. In the early stages, giving him presents is too much. Generosity looks desperate to guys. You may be a great shopper and gift-wrapper; it may be his birthday and you may be wild about birthdays—even still, he’ll think you’re just wild about him. Too wild.
9. Guys just do not think like girls. I wish I’d had a brother. Real boys are nothing like the boys in movies.
10. They might take a decade to mature. Don’t hope they’ll grow up or be ready in the next six months.
11. Even if your family thinks there’s going to be a marriage, don’t let them spoil your guy. Yes, he’s grateful you gave him your car when he moved out of NYC, but he would rather have had to work for it.
12. Learn to cook. Learn to cook well. I see now that it would have won me a lot of points. A LOT.
13. Just because he might be smarter than you or more talented at certain things doesn’t mean he’s your servant and won’t mind doing all your homework/research/chores.
14. Guys get resentful, too.
15. You’re special, unique, and important, but you’re not a princess—no matter what Daddy says (although for the record, my dad calls me “Erin”).
16. It’s okay to say no. It’s more than okay. It’s always okay. If he stops calling (and many, many, many will), you’re only weeding out the guys who aren’t truly interested in you as a person. Time saved!
17. Playing it safe guarantees you'll have more time and energy to think about your grades or your work. Less drama in your life will always be better and healthier for you.
18. You deserve to be treated like a human being.
19. Your wants and needs are just as important as his, and if you don’t express them because you think it will scare him away, then you’re saying you don’t count as much as he does.
20. Even sophisticated people with professional jobs can have tempers or hit you or use foul language. I’ve known men who dressed like diplomats but they were ugly human beings.
21. You can’t force chemistry. If you like him as a friend, the attraction might grow, but if it doesn’t, don’t force it. And don’t waste his time.
22. Ease up on the sauce. Alcohol clouds your judgment.
23. No boyfriend-girlfriend relationship starts with a 1 a.m. booty text.
24. When a guy has taken you to Applebee’s five times and you say you want to treat him, he'll be psyched. But secretly he'll freak out if you take him to Ruth’s Chris, even just the one teeny time. Don’t try to match him one Ruth’s Chris for five Applebee’s. Take him out, but go to T.G.I. Friday’s.
25. Women love attention. A guy needs to be pretty crazy about you in order for him to pay enough attention to make you happy long-term.
26. My mom always said, “Men don’t think.” I thought she meant, “They are mistaken in their thoughts.” But they’re just not thinking anything at all. About you. They’re watching the game. That’s why they haven’t called.
27. There should be a medium ground between workaholism and his absolute devotion. “The knight departing for new adventures offends his lady, yet she has nothing but contempt for him if he remains at her feet” (Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 658).
28. Never underestimate the quality of “interesting.” Men want someone interesting. They really do. Find some hobbies.
29. What are you hoping to gain by hooking up with this guy? If the answer is “him,” that’s a bad deal for you. “The woman gives herself, the man adds to himself by taking her” (de Beauvoir 659).
30. Expectations? They’ll ruin every dating experience you have.
31. You will never understand men. Just try to understand yourself.
What dating rules have you learned the hard way? I now know that:
1. I'm not interested in completing you. Nor am I interested in you completing me.
2. Guys with sisters = awesome.
3. I don't want to spent my weekends watching you play some sport. I don't need you to witness my hobbies to validate them - and I hope you don't need that either. Also? Is ultimate frisbee even a spectator sport?
What about you?
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Shoppe Yes: Marie Antoinette Shoes
Wouldn't these be cute with:
* a three-foot tall white powdered wig and a hoop skirt?
* a brown wiggle skirt, a sexily drape-y pink silk shirt and tortoise shell glasses?
* anything involving wine-colored velvet?
And don't you want to wear them to:
* tell them all to eat cake?
* hang botanical prints in your slightly dusty library?
* talk about Ukrainian literature while smoking cherry flavored cigars?
Go snap them up at Shoppe Yes for $19!
31 New Things: Attend A Cultural Celebration
I realized belatedly, after I chose this goal, that I'm not really a stranger to cultural celebrations. Working with the Southeast Asian community, I've attended a "Springtime Wrist Tying Ceremony" and a Hmong New Year celebration in the last year. (For the former they tied strings around our wrists, blessed us and put cooked rice in our hair. And the latter? We walked around a tree while they hit a gong and waved a live chicken in the air.)
But oddly, I've never celebrated Cinco de Mayo before. No es bueno! So two weeks ago, My friend Shaun and I headed to St. Paul's Cinco de Mayo celebration with an eye for correcting this travesty.
There were, of course, the ubiquitous festival booths (mini donuts! fried cheese curds! funnel cake!) that were patently not Mexican. But there were also homemade tamales, lots of sparkly outfits, some impressive dancing and at least one Chihuahua wearing a thematic outfit.
But oddly, I've never celebrated Cinco de Mayo before. No es bueno! So two weeks ago, My friend Shaun and I headed to St. Paul's Cinco de Mayo celebration with an eye for correcting this travesty.
There were, of course, the ubiquitous festival booths (mini donuts! fried cheese curds! funnel cake!) that were patently not Mexican. But there were also homemade tamales, lots of sparkly outfits, some impressive dancing and at least one Chihuahua wearing a thematic outfit.
What is sure to be the first of many, many pieces of roastedcorn that I eat this summer.
Can we talk about this? Roasted corn. Brushed with melted butter.Brushed with with mayo. Sprinkled with cheese. Sprinkled with chili.
FTW, you guys. And you know I don't say that lightly.
Salsa tasting tray that I couldn't take part in because I'm a tender tummy.
This sparkly shrine was mounted on top of a fake white horse.Young men would periodically lift this up and hoist it up
and down while people danced around it in concentric circles.
Awesome!
I suspect this place provides all the quinceanera dressesfor the young ladies of St. Paul. I'd lovelovelove to attend one
of these amazing 15th birthday parties one day.
Did you do it up on Cinco de Mayo? What sort of cultural celebrations have you taken part in?
Monday, May 17, 2010
True Story: I'm 26 and I'm Raising My Teenaged Brothers
All of the interview in the True Story series are close to my heart, but I might love this one a litttttle bit more. You see, Jess is a fantastic co-worker and one of my favorite people. Here she tells her story about raising teenagers at the age of 26.
Tell us about your family.
Growing up, my family (as I will always remember it) was me, my mom, my sister, Monica, and my brothers, Jon and David. We were incredibly close growing up. Our agape love has to be attributed to my mom. My parents divorced when I was 8, and we had to rely on the child support from our alcoholic father for our living. Mom wasn't able to work because as a child she caught pneumonia which destroyed her heart. Therefore, she was able to stay home with us when we were growing up.
We weren't oblivious to that fact of our severely limited our household income and the stress that causes for a single mom raising 4 children. But mom made it okay, always ready to raise our spirits, always ready for a laugh, and when summer came, always ready for our next camping adventure. Other people came and left our little family (namely, her second husband) but it will forever be the 5 of us that I think of as family.
Mom died suddenly on July 1, 2004. She was riding a motorcycle with her husband. A blood clot traveled to her lung which killed her instantly.
How old were you when you took over the care of your brothers?
My husband, Nate, and I were married in July of 2005. We had 8 months as newlyweds and then we took over guardianship of my two brothers. We were 22. They had bounced around from house to house between the time mom died and when we took them. When they finally came to us, my brothers were 15 and 14. This meant that we had to move from our tiny apartment, enroll them in new schools before the next school year, figure out transportation for our jobs and make sure they had something to eat everyday that wasn’t pizza.
Can you tell us what an average day in the life of a sister/mom?
The sister part is easy, especially now that they can walk and talk and hold intelligent, (frequently) funny conversations. I love sitting on the couch with them late at night, watching TV or playing Mario Kart and just talking. The summer before my senior year of high school, my mom remarried and I was purposely shut out of my family. I felt like I had lost several years with my brothers and sister. Now, I feel like I have been able to regain some of that lost time.
The mom part is frequently the 'ish'-factor. It’s hard to tell the difference between “reminding” and “nagging”. My brothers are consistently absent minded (or are all teenagers that way? Was I that way?) and my husband and I have to stay on top of them to get stuff done. This is true with everything - homework, school activities, and work.
Take college for example: I had forgotten how many deadlines there are for applications and payments and everything. We face a hard decision: do we allow them figure it out themselves and if they don't make it, sorry Charlie? Or do we help them to ensure that they make it into school but become the worst case of helicopter parent that I never wanted to be? I am discovering that it is a fine line. We want to make sure that they don’t feel abandoned or that we are controlling their lives. My husband and I actually argue about this frequently - when he thinks I am being to manage-y, I think he is being indifferent and vice versa. Maybe that is a good indication that we are middle of the road?
What surprised you the most about raising your brothers?
How much I would care. Growing up they were just my brothers (yuck) but now I want so much more for them. I want them to be able to think and make responsible, equitable decisions. I want them to be liked and esteemed by their peers. I want them to have friends. I want them to be independent. I want them to be able to fight their own battles. I want them to have what they need to accomplish their dreams. Is this what regular parents feel?
What have been the biggest challenges? And the biggest rewards?
After mom died, they lived with our step-father but that situation spiraled into physical abuse and they had to leave (duh). My aunt took them in, but then kicked them out which accumulated about 1 1/2 years being transported from house to house and school to school. They undoubtedly felt unwanted and insecure.
A few months ago, I yelled at Jon about something that is now stupid and trivial. But his angry reaction, which I found out later, stemmed from his feeling of homelessness and that for most of his formative years he has lived out of a suitcase. I cried when he told me this; after my mom remarried and I went to college, my step father threw out or sold all of my belongings that I didn’t take with me to college and made sure I knew I wasn't welcome at home.
I want them to have the feeling of stability so they can take risks in their lives and know that we are here to support them and have a place for them to stay if they return from that overseas volunteer program (or job, or internship opportunity) and need a place to get back on their feet. Another challenge: getting off the couch to get stuff done. I know that sounds lazy, but sometimes I just don’t want to drive you to work. Or pick up your homework that you forgot at your friends’ house. Or wake up at 5:30am to fish out $8 from my purse so you can go on your field trip. Okay, I am done whining now.
However, in a small way, it is all worth it when they solve a problem or exceed what they think they can accomplish. We are the first people they share it with. I would be lying if I said that that made it totally worth it. But for a glimmer of a moment it is like a balloon of happiness inside me and I feel pride for them and affirmation that we are doing the right thing.
Has raising your brothers affected your thoughts on having children yourself?
Before raising my brothers, or even before marriage, I wanted to have lots of kids. I liked growing up with 3 siblings and I thought that if I was going to have any kids, I would want at least that number.
Now, I don’t want any kids. Not because my brothers ruined the experience for me. But do I really want to do another “Don’t Do Drugs” talk in 15 years? I don’t really want to visit any more colleges or drive someone all over the universe trying to find the perfect (and least expensive) pair of -30F graded boots for this year’s Winter Wonderland Boundary Waters excursion. But most of all, I just want to be responsible for me. I know (really, I know) how selfish that sounds and it makes me kind of embarrassed to say it, but it is what it is. We are heading into our empty nest period and I'm ready to go on a 55+ cruise vacation.
Were any of you raised by people other than your parents? Any questions for Jess?
Tell us about your family.
Growing up, my family (as I will always remember it) was me, my mom, my sister, Monica, and my brothers, Jon and David. We were incredibly close growing up. Our agape love has to be attributed to my mom. My parents divorced when I was 8, and we had to rely on the child support from our alcoholic father for our living. Mom wasn't able to work because as a child she caught pneumonia which destroyed her heart. Therefore, she was able to stay home with us when we were growing up.
We weren't oblivious to that fact of our severely limited our household income and the stress that causes for a single mom raising 4 children. But mom made it okay, always ready to raise our spirits, always ready for a laugh, and when summer came, always ready for our next camping adventure. Other people came and left our little family (namely, her second husband) but it will forever be the 5 of us that I think of as family.
Mom died suddenly on July 1, 2004. She was riding a motorcycle with her husband. A blood clot traveled to her lung which killed her instantly.
How old were you when you took over the care of your brothers?
My husband, Nate, and I were married in July of 2005. We had 8 months as newlyweds and then we took over guardianship of my two brothers. We were 22. They had bounced around from house to house between the time mom died and when we took them. When they finally came to us, my brothers were 15 and 14. This meant that we had to move from our tiny apartment, enroll them in new schools before the next school year, figure out transportation for our jobs and make sure they had something to eat everyday that wasn’t pizza.
Can you tell us what an average day in the life of a sister/mom?
The sister part is easy, especially now that they can walk and talk and hold intelligent, (frequently) funny conversations. I love sitting on the couch with them late at night, watching TV or playing Mario Kart and just talking. The summer before my senior year of high school, my mom remarried and I was purposely shut out of my family. I felt like I had lost several years with my brothers and sister. Now, I feel like I have been able to regain some of that lost time.
The mom part is frequently the 'ish'-factor. It’s hard to tell the difference between “reminding” and “nagging”. My brothers are consistently absent minded (or are all teenagers that way? Was I that way?) and my husband and I have to stay on top of them to get stuff done. This is true with everything - homework, school activities, and work.
Take college for example: I had forgotten how many deadlines there are for applications and payments and everything. We face a hard decision: do we allow them figure it out themselves and if they don't make it, sorry Charlie? Or do we help them to ensure that they make it into school but become the worst case of helicopter parent that I never wanted to be? I am discovering that it is a fine line. We want to make sure that they don’t feel abandoned or that we are controlling their lives. My husband and I actually argue about this frequently - when he thinks I am being to manage-y, I think he is being indifferent and vice versa. Maybe that is a good indication that we are middle of the road?
What surprised you the most about raising your brothers?
How much I would care. Growing up they were just my brothers (yuck) but now I want so much more for them. I want them to be able to think and make responsible, equitable decisions. I want them to be liked and esteemed by their peers. I want them to have friends. I want them to be independent. I want them to be able to fight their own battles. I want them to have what they need to accomplish their dreams. Is this what regular parents feel?
What have been the biggest challenges? And the biggest rewards?
After mom died, they lived with our step-father but that situation spiraled into physical abuse and they had to leave (duh). My aunt took them in, but then kicked them out which accumulated about 1 1/2 years being transported from house to house and school to school. They undoubtedly felt unwanted and insecure.
A few months ago, I yelled at Jon about something that is now stupid and trivial. But his angry reaction, which I found out later, stemmed from his feeling of homelessness and that for most of his formative years he has lived out of a suitcase. I cried when he told me this; after my mom remarried and I went to college, my step father threw out or sold all of my belongings that I didn’t take with me to college and made sure I knew I wasn't welcome at home.
I want them to have the feeling of stability so they can take risks in their lives and know that we are here to support them and have a place for them to stay if they return from that overseas volunteer program (or job, or internship opportunity) and need a place to get back on their feet. Another challenge: getting off the couch to get stuff done. I know that sounds lazy, but sometimes I just don’t want to drive you to work. Or pick up your homework that you forgot at your friends’ house. Or wake up at 5:30am to fish out $8 from my purse so you can go on your field trip. Okay, I am done whining now.
However, in a small way, it is all worth it when they solve a problem or exceed what they think they can accomplish. We are the first people they share it with. I would be lying if I said that that made it totally worth it. But for a glimmer of a moment it is like a balloon of happiness inside me and I feel pride for them and affirmation that we are doing the right thing.
Has raising your brothers affected your thoughts on having children yourself?
Before raising my brothers, or even before marriage, I wanted to have lots of kids. I liked growing up with 3 siblings and I thought that if I was going to have any kids, I would want at least that number.
Now, I don’t want any kids. Not because my brothers ruined the experience for me. But do I really want to do another “Don’t Do Drugs” talk in 15 years? I don’t really want to visit any more colleges or drive someone all over the universe trying to find the perfect (and least expensive) pair of -30F graded boots for this year’s Winter Wonderland Boundary Waters excursion. But most of all, I just want to be responsible for me. I know (really, I know) how selfish that sounds and it makes me kind of embarrassed to say it, but it is what it is. We are heading into our empty nest period and I'm ready to go on a 55+ cruise vacation.
Were any of you raised by people other than your parents? Any questions for Jess?
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Fantasy Home, Yes and Yes Style
A friend recently described the neighborhood that I live in as "vomit-inducing cute." And while that probably does little to recommend it to you, I can personally vouch for the fact that it is nigh-on idyllic. Quaint coffee shops! Family-run bakeries! Pubs called The Muddy Pig and The Happy Gnome!
One of my favorite pastimes is wandering through the streets of Cathedral Hill and ogling all the fancy houses that I will never, ever be able to afford. (I live in the smallest apartment in the cheapest building in this little corner of heaven. It's also cheap because it's so poorly managed that I often vacuum the halls myself.)
Don't you love giving yourself over to completely unattainable real estate fantasies? Or is that just me being a total yuppie/grown-up? Regardless! Let's talk dream houses! Mine would include the following:
One of my favorite pastimes is wandering through the streets of Cathedral Hill and ogling all the fancy houses that I will never, ever be able to afford. (I live in the smallest apartment in the cheapest building in this little corner of heaven. It's also cheap because it's so poorly managed that I often vacuum the halls myself.)
Don't you love giving yourself over to completely unattainable real estate fantasies? Or is that just me being a total yuppie/grown-up? Regardless! Let's talk dream houses! Mine would include the following:
A chandelier!Preferably in a completely ridiculous place.
Like my kitchen. Or bathroom. Or walk-in closet.
An awesome, ye olden days stoveNo, I don't need more than two burners.
But I dooooo need all that chrome and enamel
and those gorgeous rounded corners!
A window seat for book-reading, tea-drinking and basking like a cat.
Or for throwing things outside onto
unsuspecting people doing yard work.
A windowsill herb gardenFor all my pesto and Caprese salad needs!
A flowering tree outside my window.Because I want to be Anne of Green Gables when I grow up.
A libraryTotally non-negotiable. Ladder? Also non-negotiable.
A claw-footed bathtubFor soaking, wine-drinking, Morcheeba-listening.
A sink full of ducklingsduh.
My true fantasy house would also include a rollerskating rink, a rock-climbing wall and a tele-portation device, but a girl has to be a bit realistic, doesn't she?
What would your fantasy house include?
What would your fantasy house include?
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Awesome Things I'm Going To Do This Summer
This year I experienced my first full Minnesota winter in five years, and I maaaay have spent the last three months very actively fantasizing about summer and all the wonderful things that come with it. Here's my exhaustive list of summer fun to come!Go To A Million Lakes
Despite its motto as 'The Land of 10,000 Lakes" Minnesota actually boasts no fewer than 11,842 lakes. What? Yes. Think of all the swimming and canoeing and tubing to be done! Not to mention skinny-dipping and handstands - though probably not simultaneously. In Ramsey County (where I live) there are 16 lakes alone. I am going to mapquest that shit and try to get to two new lakes every week.
Make A Million Popsicles
So easy. So fun. So cheap. Last year I was pretty enamored with rhubarb popsicles - despite a friend's assertion that they looked like his grandmother's legs. Here are some great, unique recipes for popsicles.
See A Free Energy Show
Quite possibly The Perfect Summer band. Whenever I hear them, I wish I was driving a camaro down a dirt road, drinking a Corona. There's a show at the Triple Rock in Minneapolis. I will be there. Will you? You probably will if you listen to this song. Or this one.
Make Tequila Watermelon
Play Paintball
I am deeply, deeply uncomfortable with my aggressive, competitive side. So why not invite some of my best lady friends to shoot hard paint bullets at each other? Here's hoping we all emerge (relatively) intact.
Revisit The Pitts
I grew up 20 miles from these fantastic, slightly unnerving lakes. They're actually abandoned iron pits that have filled with water and become a chain of secluded, clear, incredibly deep little lakes. There's no beach to speak of, it's mostly hills that slide directly deep green water. But many, many teenaged evenings were spent there jumping off of rope swings and eyeing cute boys from other towns. I can't wait to go back again and get iron ore all over my swimsuit.
Go Lady Hiking
Now, I do enjoy a good hike. Especially if it includes a pack mule. But this Summer, I have some big plans for some Lady Hiking. Lady Hiking goes something like this: meet up with three of my favorite ladies on a Friday afternoon and drive up to Duluth, lovely city on the bay. Eat one of the best meals of our lives at The Scenic Cafe and retire to The Radisson. In the morning, grab breakfast, poke around the boutiques and then drive to the trail head of The Superior Hiking Trail. Hike for a few hours and then set up camp and drink wine, eat chocolate and generally compensate for any calories we may have burned. Camp out under the stars, feel outdoorsy and awesome.
Go To Music and Movies in the Park
I suppose nearly every city has a version of this, don't they? A free outdoor concert followed by an old movie projected onto a giant screen? And you lay on an old blanket with your friends, taking nips of red wine that you poured into your water bottle and flirting with the cuties on the next blanket over? Lovely!
Make More Weird Ice Cream
Last summer, I experimented with sweet corn ice cream (yum!) and this year I have high hopes for pistachio ice cream, pumpkin and maple syrup and avocado! Truly, my mouth is filling with saliva as I type this.
Go To The House on The Rock
Completely over the top? Check. Totally over-priced? Probably. An icon of Americana that needs to be part of my life? Definitely. I've been fantasizing about a road trip there with the BFF - stopping at diners along the way, hitting up the second hand shops in Madison and camping out in some state parks.
Work the Soil
I was lucky enough to score a tiny plot in a nearby community garden and I can't wait to go to town. Cherry tomatoes! Basil! Snow peas! I have (of course) begun to assemble the perfect gardening ensemble and have been actively fantasizing about fresh pesto and caprese salad.
What fun! What are you big plans for the summer?
Now, I do enjoy a good hike. Especially if it includes a pack mule. But this Summer, I have some big plans for some Lady Hiking. Lady Hiking goes something like this: meet up with three of my favorite ladies on a Friday afternoon and drive up to Duluth, lovely city on the bay. Eat one of the best meals of our lives at The Scenic Cafe and retire to The Radisson. In the morning, grab breakfast, poke around the boutiques and then drive to the trail head of The Superior Hiking Trail. Hike for a few hours and then set up camp and drink wine, eat chocolate and generally compensate for any calories we may have burned. Camp out under the stars, feel outdoorsy and awesome.
Go To Music and Movies in the Park
I suppose nearly every city has a version of this, don't they? A free outdoor concert followed by an old movie projected onto a giant screen? And you lay on an old blanket with your friends, taking nips of red wine that you poured into your water bottle and flirting with the cuties on the next blanket over? Lovely!
Make More Weird Ice Cream
Last summer, I experimented with sweet corn ice cream (yum!) and this year I have high hopes for pistachio ice cream, pumpkin and maple syrup and avocado! Truly, my mouth is filling with saliva as I type this.
Go To The House on The Rock
Completely over the top? Check. Totally over-priced? Probably. An icon of Americana that needs to be part of my life? Definitely. I've been fantasizing about a road trip there with the BFF - stopping at diners along the way, hitting up the second hand shops in Madison and camping out in some state parks.
Work the Soil
I was lucky enough to score a tiny plot in a nearby community garden and I can't wait to go to town. Cherry tomatoes! Basil! Snow peas! I have (of course) begun to assemble the perfect gardening ensemble and have been actively fantasizing about fresh pesto and caprese salad.
What fun! What are you big plans for the summer?
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The Smug Marrieds Vs. The Swinging Singles?
With some regularity, readers ask me if I am, in fact, part robot. How can I work full time, update this blog on the daily, plan a world tour and maintain some semblance of a social life?
There are two answers to this question, friends:
1) I'm a German/Virgo/eldest child. It's like a perfect storm of perfectionism and over-productivity. (See also: part robot)
2) I'm single.
Rather, I have a Gentleman Caller that I see once or twice a week. We walk his dog, make dinner, watch hulu, canoodle. The rest of the week? I meet friends for drinks, work my plot at the community garden and attempt to juggle my many, many projects. And I had the realization last week that Yes and Yes's growth has been directly proportional to the amount of time I have to myself.
This is not to say that my ex-boyfriend was unsupportive of Yes and Yes - he was very supportive. But just like most things I do, I want to be The Best at relationships and I want to give them the time and the attention they deserve. And I felt that my relationship deserved more attention than my blog. Now, for the first time in a looooooong time, I'm not living with a partner. I don't spend my weekends attending a pseudo-sister-in-law's baby shower or going to a bbq with his ultimate frisbee team. I'm not splitting holidays between two families or going to dinner at his boss's place. Every moment that I'm not teaching? It's up to me how to spend that time.
Of course, the life of the unattached lady is not all pink drinks and expensive shoes. I have much less discretionary income now that I'm not splitting bills with anyone. The only one who listens to me complain about my day is Putin, my cat. I have to deal with the mechanic/landlord/lecherous repairman on my own. Snuggling is limited.
But life is nothing so much as a series of compromises, right? It's merely a matter of which compromises fit this particular time in your life. In the past, I've traded some of my free time and a bit of my independence for stability, companionship and love. Currently, I'm giving up some expendable income and emotional support in exchange for the freedom to spend my time exactly, precisely how I want to. And for the moment, that suits me juuuust fine.
I want to know about you! Are you single? Married? Do you have kids? How do these things effect your creative life and your goals? Which do you prefer? Would you change your situation given the chance?
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