May Blogging Challenge: Day 15

Day 15, Wednesday: A Day in the life (include photos from throughout your typical day - this could be "a photo an hour" if you'd like)

Since it's a Wednesday, I'll start with:

-Wake up next to this cute guy.

-I work from home on Wednesdays (hey, awesome job!) so I get to watch him get ready and leave, whereas normally, I've left the house and am stuck cursing the gods that govern traffic in the DMV by the time he leaves.

-Do work things. Be a helpful minion to my dept.

-Fend off this creature. She is under the impression that my desk is her plaything and step-stool since it's right next to a window. She also thinks that because I'm at home, all of my time must be devoted to her.

-Am usually catching on favorite tv shows or reading after I sign off (no worries about a commute today!).

-Sometimes, I end up in the backyard. Much as I keep telling it to clean and mow itself, it never listens.

-I usually get sucked into FB/Twitter/reruns of Say Yes to the Dress on Netflix, but I try to be in bed by 11.

May Blogging Challenge: Days 11-14

About that keeping up...

Day 11, Saturday: Sell yourself in 10 words or less
Day 12, Sunday: What do you miss? (a person, a thing, a place, a time of your life...)
Day 13, Monday: Issue a public apology. This can be as funny or as serious or as creative as you want it to be.
Day 14, Tuesday: Ten things that make you really happy

11-See, now this is just confusing. Am I selling myself for my photography? As a person? That is too broad. Also, only ten words?
Here goes: I am amazingly kind & considerate. Can be badass if necessary.

Eleven. Close enough.


12-Is it weird to miss something you never really had? I don't as much anymore, but I used to miss what my father and I's relationship could have been if he hadn't been who he was/is. I see examples of wonderful father-daughter relationships and it used to tear me up. Now I sometimes sigh, but the pain lessens each day.


13-Public Apology? Oh lord, for crimes alphabetically or chronologically? ;)

I would apologize to my brothers. I wish I could have been there for you more while I was in college but I couldn't. I love you all so much and I'm sorry.


14-Oooh. In no particular order.

10-Pictures of baby animals. Instant Jillian puddle
9-Wandering around a bookstore. They really should bottle that smell as a perfume.
8-Snuggling with the husbeast
7-The first salt and vinegar chip out of the bag.
6-The first few seconds the paycheck hits your account before you realize it's all going to bills.
5-Reading
4-Curling up with old episodes of favorite tv shows (usually Ghost Whisperer, much to the husband's chagrin. Yes, it's a totally sappy show and I love it. No shame.)
3-Taking an amazing picture
2-Climbing into bed after getting up and feeling your partner's arms wrap around you, even when they are sound asleep
1-Writing an really amazing piece of writing. I get into the groove at a local Barnes and Noble and frequently have to stop myself from dancing on tables. I like shopping there and I have a feeling such actions are discouraged.

Book Review: STFU Parents

I found it only appropriate that I finished reading this hysterical book on Mother's Day. I had seen passing references to a hilarious post on the blog but have started reading in earnest this year. Koenig has compiled a barrel of laughs in this collection and more often than not, I sat with my mouth hanging open at the sheer gall of people. Everyone knows that one person in the group that overshares but some of these parents take it to the next level.

Some of my favorites include: the woman who was disgusted by the word "fart" and refused to take her children to see the newest Muppets movie because they use that word in it, this hot mess, and anything from the Sanctimommy chapter because where else can you find someone telling you, "Only when you are a parent you realize how life is worth more with a child."

Really? Half of the stories in this compilation are the highest form of birth control. The other half are combination of sugar, RedBull and the tallest drink at Starbucks (who the hell knows what that is these days) singing parenthood's praises. What happened to being honest with one's self about the fact that parenthood can be a struggle and a blessing at the same time?

I do wonder, however, how this overshare phenomenon fits into the idea of new American motherhood. I realize it's overt that a lot of these women are insecure and are struggling, hence the need to share, but I think it goes further than that. If we didn't have this idealized image of parenthood that we felt the need to achieve, I think a lot of the parents featured could relax and not feel the need to have a five figure birthday party for a one year old.

Koenig does include what she calls "Mom's Gold Star" entries. Also known as how to correctly post on social media about one's children. My favorite is "When your wife says, 'The baby just pooped,' the correct response is not, 'Wow, you're fucked.'" The rest of the entries are equally entertaining.

This collection is highly recommended, even if you follow the blog. Koenig shares new insights and commentary that will have you snorting and nodding in appreciation.



(Photo Credit: bitchmagazine.org)

May Blogging Challenge

A dear friend asked if I would partake in this blogging challenge. And honestly, who needs a prompt to start talking about themselves?

Ahem.

Since it's now the tenth of May, I will keep up as best I can and give a condensed version of the first ten days.


Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)
Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know alot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)
Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable
Day 4, Saturday: Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it
Day 5, Sunday: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends, talk about a real-life friend or even a family member
Day 6, Monday: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?
Day 7, Tuesday: The thing(s) you're most afraid of
Day 8, Wednesday: A piece of advice you have for others. Anything at all.
Day 9, Thursday: A moment in your day (this can be just a photo or both a photo and words)
Day 10, Friday: Most embarrassing moment (s). Spill.

• I remember when 250 words was so hard to fill for an inschool essay. And yet, here I am, trying to condense my sparkly life into less than that. Have many different identities; human, writer, poet, daughter, wife (to three people! Yes, that is a long story for another day), friend, feminist, photographer, crafter, attempting DIY projects in a new home while trying not to set myself or the cat on fire...in no particular order.

• I am fairly good at taking pictures and it's a skill I love honing. I've had a camera in my hand since I was eight and now have a gorgeous Canon XSi named Oscar.

• Uncomfortable? Racism, classism, sexism, ablism, etc. Beyond uncomfortable, of course.

• Quote? Is it sad or telling that I had to look up my Facebook profile to remember my favorite quotes? "When I get a little money, I buy books. And if there is any left over, I buy food." Desiderous Erasmus

• Favorite blogger friends. Like I could pick just one. Obviously, The Murrayed Life. Womanist Musings, TransGriot, Girls Gone Child (the fangirl crush I have on her is disgusting), Dooce, A Cup of Jo, A Practical Wedding, the midnight blues, another dear friend's tumblr from college, but not sure if she would want it shared, Not Taken, Not Available, all the Offbeat Life ones, The Simple Dollar...the list goes on. What can I say, I love to read.

• So I can't answer with my job. Fair enough. Americans work-life balance is in need of a serious overhaul anyway. I make sure I am kind to people. I spill over with bubbly laughter and usually end up hugging everyone in the room. I try to live life to the fullest and show everyone I love them that I do, every day.

• Most afraid of? Losing the ones I love. I know that's inevitable. But when was fear rational?
•  Advice for others? Really? I eat food out of a pan over the stove and have yet to feel like a grown up. Alright, if you're really asking. Make time to listen. For any relationship. My favorite moments of college is having talks with friends and getting so excited because you click so hard. My hubs and I were really good friends before we started dating and on one of our last road trips, for three hours straight, we turned off the radio and just talked. I love it.

• This is a moment and a bit of the nutshell that is my life. Yes. That is a sugar packet that I'm downing like a shot of Patron.

• There are oh so many embarrassing moments in my life. My life could be one giant such moment. But honestly, not a whole really embarrasses me anymore. Although dancing to Usher on your iPod while working outside cleaning and realizing the neighbors have been watching you the whole time might rank up there.

With little regard

I first heard Amanda Berry's 911 call on the radio and my blood ran cold. And reading more and more of it, this horrific story, my heart goes out to those three women, the small child found and all of the women and children who have endured.

From Alternet (TW)

The horrifying case has shocked Americans and set off a frenzied search for answers and information. Now, the gruesome details their captivity-- as well as failed opportunities to rescue them sooner -- are now becoming apparent. Here are five stunning things we know about the case so far:

It's frenzied because it's public. Yes, the details are gruesome and every day reality for many people.

From Jezebel (TW)

Both conclusions show that we're not adequately enraged by domestic violence unless it seems ripped from the headlines of Law & Order: SVU.

The awful sad truth.

Not too far away

I remember my dress code in high school. Skirts had to reach fingertip level and no leggings lest our asses clothed in fabric be too much for high school boys. Totally our job to police them!

Right. Sure. (TW)

And then there's bullshit like this.

And this.

Love this article.

Time and time again. And again. Women are objects to be used and discarded as other people please. Rape culture doesn't exist?

Adventures in Homeownership: Backyard Edition

When we had first moved in, there was brush and piles of forest that growled. Turns out it was just the groundhogs. He who shall not be named brother-in-law took it upon himself to de-forest most of the backyard so we are now cleaning up the remnants.

Backyard before we even closed. This is off to the left if you are standing at our back door.

After the carnage that was my brother-in-law. And yes, we have a wall of windows looking out to the backyard.

Come September, we had mowed and started clearing.

Ah, October.

Snow of course, did not make the prospective clean up any easier.

And now, after my back has cursed me out in four languages...we still have a ways to go, but it's looking much better. We have a little pathway to the porch, I have a garden area, we swept up approx. 3 billion leaves, etc. Now we have to refinish the deck, which should prove interesting in Maryland humidity.

Around the Interwebz: Anniversary Edition

Another viewpoint of "Leaning In"

In Lean In, Sandberg admits the privilege her class, education and executive position afford her, but she does not articulate her racial privilege as clearly. It would have been helpful for Sandberg to acknowledge that a Latina or African- American woman in her position would be burdened by gender and race. If, as Sandberg notes, female executives are often deemed hyper-aggressive, what does that mean for women who, thanks to long-held stereotypes, are often viewed as aggressive simply by dint of their race? As Angelica Perez-Litwin notes in a Huffington Post review of Lean In, “An assertive Latina at work risks being seen as ‘difficult’ or ‘opinionated.’ A confident voice level makes her ‘confrontational’ or ‘loud.’”

By acknowledging race, as she did class and education, Sandberg could have made Lean In more accessible to a more diverse group of women. Yet what she has to say is not useful only to white, Ivy League-educated, millionaire executives at Fortune 500 companies.

Urban Exploration

So beautiful. I love exploring abandoned places when I have the chance.

I take issue with the title

Some of what she says, "I’ll also tell her to make time for herself. Unplug from the grid. Carve out space for solitude." makes sense for anyone. But then she ends with this: "Motherhood is not a job. It is a joy."

I will rejoice when this new wave of let's embrace all things motherhood/housewife as the only meaningful paths for women in American culture finally subsides.

le sigh

For the record, that book is already on my wishlist. It sounds awesome. But I second the criticisms of Pollan. I recently read the new illustrated Food Rules and had to put the book down several times.

Happier note, so excited to get my hands on these two books.

And for the sappy,

today is my hubby and I's third wedding anniversary. In other unrelated news, I'm going to go pluck the gray hairs from my head. Can't believe it's been three years already but looking forward to celebrating more with this cutie pie.

Hugs

This week has been that week for so many reasons. I like what Rebecca Woolf said:

We're all trying to move forward, to find the truth, to be better... We're all trying to share something (ANYTHING!) helpful, meaningful, or at the very least, honest.

We're all trying to make lunch.

I need smiles, so I'm going to post some of the things that made me laugh recently.

The real reason the internet was invented: cat videos

Flipping the traditional script

LOL

Cute. Also usually how I sleep

This blog

Big kitty

Silly kitty

Baby reveal videos aka how to waste two hours on youtube

I love Bruce Willis

OMG corgis!

New favorite twitter

Welcome to the wildlife in my backyard

We were first made aware of Mortimer's presence when our realtor arrived on inspection day and sent us a picture of his furry behind sitting next to our porch.

We figured he would hightail once people started inhabiting the house and we ended up ignoring him for the most part. But when I would set food out for the stray cats in our neighborhood, I realized I was feeding the darned groundhog. We thought he was a gopher at first, hence his name (Goucher, represent!) but he is definitely a groundhog and a very intrusive one at that. He harasses the rest of the critters in our backyard, will leap up onto tables if I try to set food out and generally make a nusiance out of himself. He is also, completely uncaring of us. The hubs came home early the one day and found the furry varmint stretched out on his back, sunning his stomach. No amount of yelling would get him to move and he only lazily got up after the hubs walked outside.

This morning, however, it went to another level. I was leaving the house at around 7:30 and decided to be fancy today and so was wearing three inch heels. I was halfway to my car when Mortimer tore around the corner of the house and dove under the porch. I have no idea what scared him, but I know that I almost redecorated the gutters with my head.

As cute and furry as he is, he needs to go. I don't want to kill him, but does anyone know of a good groundhog sanctuary where I might send him? My in laws have a live trap that we are going to borrow so I just need to send him to a place where he will be happier and not scaring the bejesus out of me before eight am.

 

You can see him at the edge of the table, beelining for the cat food.

National Poetry Month!

One of my favorite months!

What I'm reading this month:

1. An Individual History by Michael Collier

2. Chorus edited by Saul Williams

3. The Mind Body Problem by Katha Pollitt

4. The Philosopher's Club by Kim Addonizio

5. The Outernationale by Peter Gizzi

6. The Bad Wife Handbook by Rachel Zucker