1. Reading
Seems strange to write this here; it's always been a part of who I am. Shannon likes reading. Everyone knows this. But last year I didn't read much of anything besides Anna Karenina and The Hunger
Games series and then maybe the 7th Harry Potter book for the upteenth time in order to prepare for the move. But this year, in accordance with # 1 on The 2011 List, I have been reading. And loving it. There's really nothing like getting so swept up in a book that you cannot put it down. I've missed that.
2. This tumblr.
Community quotes + random photography = AWESOME.
3. Dove Dark Chocolates
I have a crazy sweet tooth. If there are sweets in the house I will eat them. I'm not the kind of person that can have a couple cookies and then forget about them and come back and have some a couple days later. No, if I know they're in the house they will be gone by the next day. It's horrible, really and I'm trying not to do that. So, I bought myself a bag of dark chocolates because even my sweet tooth cravings can't handle too much dark chocolate. I have two pieces and that's enough. It helps curb the cravings, it tastes yummy and it makes me happy because then I'm not filled with holy crap what did I eat feelings of guilt afterward. So there.
4. Bejeweled
Ugh. It's such a time suck. But I can't stop playing.
5. Cougar Town
When this show started last year I pretty quickly wrote it off as being a "Monica Geller as Real Housewife" pile of of crap. Oh, but how wrong I was. This show is quirky and fun and about so much more than some 40's single mom trying to hook-up with younger men. All the characters are delightful including Busy Phillip's Laurie (who is probably my favorite character) and Dan Byrd's Travis (how horrible is it that I first recognized him as being from that Cinderella-esque Hilary Duff movie?). Courtney Cox might be the star but at heart it's an ensemble show and some of the best moments come from the group hanging out and drinking wine and playing silly games like Penny Can or "truth gun." Everyone gets a chance to shine and just as in Community, the different relationships within the group are all unique (Andy and Bobby's "bromance," Laurie and Ellie's frenemies, Jules and Travis and their hyper-close mother/son dynamic, etc).
A few weeks ago I was sick in bed and spent the entire day mainlining the first season and now I am completely on board. (And Scott Foley appears in the first season! Noel Crane! How can that be a bad thing?)
Check it out if you haven't already!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
The 2011 List
New Years Resolutions. Basically one big recipe for failure and disappointment right?
Oh, it's the start of the new year and I'm going to be better and lose those ten pounds and spend more time with my family and quit smoking and volunteer at the local homeless shelter! It's the year of a new me! I'm REALLY going to do it this time!
*Fast-forward two-weeks later*
Eh. I hurt my back working out and I'm tired and stressed and it's almost tax time and boo I don't have anyone to spend Valentines Day with again and my boss sucks and this bacon cheeseburger tastes SO good and what New Years Resolution? Oh yeah...
Last year my friends and I decided not to make resolutions. Hence, The 2010 Project. Ten things that we wanted to do or accomplish sometime during the year. Fun things that we've always wanted to try, goals that we wanted to strive for, new things and ways of looking at life. These weren't New Years resolutions, these were... well, a bucket list of sorts.
Okay. I know. It sounds an awful lot like a New Years resolution. Especially considering things like last years inclusion of "wear a bikini on the beach." But whatever. It's makes sense to me. Haters to the left.
So. This year I'm trying it again. I suppose I should put eleven things on the liast since it is 2011. But let's not get too crazy.
Drumroll please...
1. Read 25 books I've never read
2. Submit something for publication
3. Start running
4. Get a passport
5. Participate in or join something
6. Blog at least once per week
7. Learn a new skill
8. Go somewhere I've never been
9. Give up fast food
10. Do at least 1 thing the "Shannon of 2010" wouldn't have done.
Several of these things were on last years list but they are things that I would still like to do, damn my laziness, so there you go.
The hardest one? Will probably be #9. It's not that I'm addicted to fast food or even eat it all that much. But once again, laziness and sloth kick in and *cue whiny voice* I don't waaaaaaaaant to cook. It's so much eeeeeeasier to swing through the In 'n Out drive-thru on the way home. (Although Melissa can vouch for the fact that this isn't always the best idea. Am I right friend?) Well, I don't want to do that this year. And it sort of helps that the last few times I've eaten fast food I've gotten sick and my brain is already in, did that burger come in a wrapper? NO. DO NOT WANT mode. So I'm gonna ride with that for a bit.
* My criteria for deciding if something is "fast-food": Does this establishment normally have a drive-thru? If yes, then it is fast food. McDonalds, Burger King, In n' Out (Sob! I'll miss you the most!) - all out.
So. What skills should I learn? Guitar-playing? A new language? How to drive stick? (Oh Loyd Dobler and Pacey Witter, where are you when I need you?) And what books should I read? Which destination should I chose as my "place I've never been?"
I DON'T KNOW! There are so many options and choices and that's what's fun, that's what makes me excited. Hopefully in 12 months I'll be able to say, "Look! Here's my rejection letter from such and such magazine!" and "This is the list of books I've read!" and "Watch me play this song on the guitar!" and "WOW, I haven't eaten fast food in SO long!" and "Look at this video of me sky-diving!" (YIKES). And even if I can't? Well then, may the next twelve months be as interesting and love/fun/joy/laughter filled as possible.
Whatever happens, happens.
Oh, it's the start of the new year and I'm going to be better and lose those ten pounds and spend more time with my family and quit smoking and volunteer at the local homeless shelter! It's the year of a new me! I'm REALLY going to do it this time!
*Fast-forward two-weeks later*
Eh. I hurt my back working out and I'm tired and stressed and it's almost tax time and boo I don't have anyone to spend Valentines Day with again and my boss sucks and this bacon cheeseburger tastes SO good and what New Years Resolution? Oh yeah...
Last year my friends and I decided not to make resolutions. Hence, The 2010 Project. Ten things that we wanted to do or accomplish sometime during the year. Fun things that we've always wanted to try, goals that we wanted to strive for, new things and ways of looking at life. These weren't New Years resolutions, these were... well, a bucket list of sorts.
Okay. I know. It sounds an awful lot like a New Years resolution. Especially considering things like last years inclusion of "wear a bikini on the beach." But whatever. It's makes sense to me. Haters to the left.
So. This year I'm trying it again. I suppose I should put eleven things on the liast since it is 2011. But let's not get too crazy.
Drumroll please...
1. Read 25 books I've never read
2. Submit something for publication
3. Start running
4. Get a passport
5. Participate in or join something
6. Blog at least once per week
7. Learn a new skill
8. Go somewhere I've never been
9. Give up fast food
10. Do at least 1 thing the "Shannon of 2010" wouldn't have done.
Several of these things were on last years list but they are things that I would still like to do, damn my laziness, so there you go.
The hardest one? Will probably be #9. It's not that I'm addicted to fast food or even eat it all that much. But once again, laziness and sloth kick in and *cue whiny voice* I don't waaaaaaaaant to cook. It's so much eeeeeeasier to swing through the In 'n Out drive-thru on the way home. (Although Melissa can vouch for the fact that this isn't always the best idea. Am I right friend?) Well, I don't want to do that this year. And it sort of helps that the last few times I've eaten fast food I've gotten sick and my brain is already in, did that burger come in a wrapper? NO. DO NOT WANT mode. So I'm gonna ride with that for a bit.
* My criteria for deciding if something is "fast-food": Does this establishment normally have a drive-thru? If yes, then it is fast food. McDonalds, Burger King, In n' Out (Sob! I'll miss you the most!) - all out.
So. What skills should I learn? Guitar-playing? A new language? How to drive stick? (Oh Loyd Dobler and Pacey Witter, where are you when I need you?) And what books should I read? Which destination should I chose as my "place I've never been?"
I DON'T KNOW! There are so many options and choices and that's what's fun, that's what makes me excited. Hopefully in 12 months I'll be able to say, "Look! Here's my rejection letter from such and such magazine!" and "This is the list of books I've read!" and "Watch me play this song on the guitar!" and "WOW, I haven't eaten fast food in SO long!" and "Look at this video of me sky-diving!" (YIKES). And even if I can't? Well then, may the next twelve months be as interesting and love/fun/joy/laughter filled as possible.
Whatever happens, happens.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
I don't want to wait for my life to be over
I'm pretty vocal about the fact that Dawson Leery is one of my least favorite television characters of all time. Somewhere in the middle of Dawson's Creek's third season his overindulged whininess because to much to handle and suddenly EVERYTHING he did made me want to throw heavy things at my television screen. And I was in high school at the time. So my parents would not have appreciated this.
Unfortunately for James Van Der Beek, like he even cares what I think, I somehow dragged him down with my anti-Dawson vendetta so that ever since the Creek days I've always had a negative response to anything he does. I laugh at his accent in Varsity Blues(I. Don't. Want. Your. Laihf!), I was meh about his appearance in How I Met Your Mother. I... I actually can't, off the top of my head, name anything else he's done since then. But you get the point.
But THIS! How can I hate THIS guy?!
Holy crap. That crying face has been the best thing in the entire world ever since he made it in the season three premiere. The fact that he's able to make have a sense of humor about it automatically bumps him up about eighty billion awesome points.
Well played Mr. Van Der Beek. You've earned my respect. Like you give a crap.
Unfortunately for James Van Der Beek, like he even cares what I think, I somehow dragged him down with my anti-Dawson vendetta so that ever since the Creek days I've always had a negative response to anything he does. I laugh at his accent in Varsity Blues(I. Don't. Want. Your. Laihf!), I was meh about his appearance in How I Met Your Mother. I... I actually can't, off the top of my head, name anything else he's done since then. But you get the point.
But THIS! How can I hate THIS guy?!
Holy crap. That crying face has been the best thing in the entire world ever since he made it in the season three premiere. The fact that he's able to make have a sense of humor about it automatically bumps him up about eighty billion awesome points.
Well played Mr. Van Der Beek. You've earned my respect. Like you give a crap.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
he hates me, yet he caught me; man is good
Well, it's that time of year kiddies (Okay, I'm a little behind the curve here but bear with me, I'm recovering from the stomach flu). It's a new year! Time to rehash the best and worst of the past twelve months. Why? I don't know. Because we all harbor a secret fetish for list making? Doesn't matter. Here we go...
Things I Loved in 2010
1. My friends
2. Being single
3. Lollapalooza
4. Community
5. Roadtrips
I'd spend all day explaining why I love all those particular things but I've already talked ad nauseum about each and every one so I don't think it's necessary. Here's what you really need to know: 2010 was a good year.
Yes, a lot of crappy things transpired. People got sick and hurt; my job is on shaky ground; I spent a lot of time being uncertain about things and life and myself; half the time I still do want to just get up and leave and start over BUT, BUT, BUT, life is still good. At it's core, at the center, when everything extraneous boils away, my life is good. And I could spend a lot of time searching through the thesaurus for a word that is less trite but honestly? It works. My life is good. As in, I know good people who do good things and make me want to BE good. I have it easy. I don't know how else to say that.
I began the year wanting to shake off the events of 2009. I wanted to start over and be different. I wanted a change. And maybe from the outside my life looks similar (I still work for the same company and live in the same house and hang out with the same friends) but I FEEL changed. If *poof* the "Shannon of today" could go back in time and replace the "Shannon of 2009" she would do things differently. Of course, I suppose that's why they say hindsight is 20/20. But hey, lessons have been learned.
Things I Did in 2010
1. Dyed by hair brown
2. Got a tattoo
3. Made out with a random stranger
4. Went on a blind date
5. Learned to like sushi
This list makes me sound like a rebellious teenager. And maybe that's what it is. Back in the day I was not a teenager that tested the limits. I've NEVER tested the limits. I am perfectly fine staying safe and secure behind the guard rails of life. So sure, dying my hair isn't death defying and getting a tattoo with my sisters on my 27th birthday doesn't exactly scream ANARCHY but for me? It's a huge deal. These are things that the aforementioned "Shannon of 2009" would not have done. So. Mission accomplished.
Wow. I suddenly sounds like some sort of wild-eyed, list making, Type-A personality who marches into each day with a to-do list and a growly face of determination. It's not true. Crap, I'm lazy as hell. See: The 2010 Project.
Let's revisit this shall we? Ten things I wanted to accomplish by the end of the year.
1. Submit something for publication
2. Learn 3 new things
3. Wear a bikini on the beach
4. Get a passport and use it
5. Sing karaoke
6. Make a new friend
7. Get a tattoo
8. Volunteer somewhere
9. Take a class
10. Read Time Magazine's Top 10 Novels
Right off the bat, I admit that I did not accomplish 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 9. As for learning three new things - I didn't learn three new skills BUT I learned to like sushi. And I learned that I look good as a brunette. And that single life can be kind of awesome. So, that's something right?
I did really try reading those books on the Time Top Ten list. Miracle of miracles I made it through Anna Karenina. But something about that book exhausted the life out of me and I couldn't even fathom the idea of picking up War and Peace. Look, I know these books are classics, and I was an English major so I should have an appreciation for these literary offerings... blah, blah, blah. You know what? I'm okay not reading and enjoying these books. They're not for me. They never have been. When I read something I want to get lost and transported to another world. Not BORED OUT OF MY FREAKING SKULL. Hey! Another lesson learned - I DON'T have to like the classics. Sorry Tolstoy.
Make a new friend and get a tattoo. These are things I did. Sure, two out of ten doesn't sound impressive. But you know what? I don't give a damn. I could have accomplished absolutely none of the things on that list and it still would have been a good year. Lazy? Yes. Happy? Yes. So? Win-Win. I sat on my ass and watched a lot of television but life is still good.
This doesn't mean though that I'm not going to make another list and set more goals and strive to BE and DO and LIVE more. I'm always going to want that. It's human nature. If we didn't desire and reach and dream nothing would ever get done. We'd all be dead of the plague or traveling by carriage or living under Nazi regime. Progress only happens when someone, somewhere sets an impossible goal. Sure. It might end in utter failure and misery and heartbreak (or an ice-cream binge on the couch in front of the flatscreen) but on the off-chance of success, it's 100% worth it.
So there you have it. 2010 in a nutshell. A big confusing nutshell of opposing ideas and fun and laughter and awesome people and memories. I don't know what life will be like in 2011. I hope to laugh some more. And make some new friends. And dream some new dreams. And continue to let myself change.
Maybe I should dye my hair RED.
And to end, ANOTHER LIST!
Top Five Songs of 2010
1. Home - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes
2. Humdrum Town - Theophilus London
3. Infinity Guitars - Sleigh Bells
4. Bitch Look At Me Now - Childish Gambino
5. Awake My Soul - Mumford & Sons
Peace out 2010!
Things I Loved in 2010
1. My friends
2. Being single
3. Lollapalooza
4. Community
5. Roadtrips
I'd spend all day explaining why I love all those particular things but I've already talked ad nauseum about each and every one so I don't think it's necessary. Here's what you really need to know: 2010 was a good year.
Yes, a lot of crappy things transpired. People got sick and hurt; my job is on shaky ground; I spent a lot of time being uncertain about things and life and myself; half the time I still do want to just get up and leave and start over BUT, BUT, BUT, life is still good. At it's core, at the center, when everything extraneous boils away, my life is good. And I could spend a lot of time searching through the thesaurus for a word that is less trite but honestly? It works. My life is good. As in, I know good people who do good things and make me want to BE good. I have it easy. I don't know how else to say that.
I began the year wanting to shake off the events of 2009. I wanted to start over and be different. I wanted a change. And maybe from the outside my life looks similar (I still work for the same company and live in the same house and hang out with the same friends) but I FEEL changed. If *poof* the "Shannon of today" could go back in time and replace the "Shannon of 2009" she would do things differently. Of course, I suppose that's why they say hindsight is 20/20. But hey, lessons have been learned.
Things I Did in 2010
1. Dyed by hair brown
2. Got a tattoo
3. Made out with a random stranger
4. Went on a blind date
5. Learned to like sushi
This list makes me sound like a rebellious teenager. And maybe that's what it is. Back in the day I was not a teenager that tested the limits. I've NEVER tested the limits. I am perfectly fine staying safe and secure behind the guard rails of life. So sure, dying my hair isn't death defying and getting a tattoo with my sisters on my 27th birthday doesn't exactly scream ANARCHY but for me? It's a huge deal. These are things that the aforementioned "Shannon of 2009" would not have done. So. Mission accomplished.
Wow. I suddenly sounds like some sort of wild-eyed, list making, Type-A personality who marches into each day with a to-do list and a growly face of determination. It's not true. Crap, I'm lazy as hell. See: The 2010 Project.
Let's revisit this shall we? Ten things I wanted to accomplish by the end of the year.
1. Submit something for publication
2. Learn 3 new things
3. Wear a bikini on the beach
4. Get a passport and use it
5. Sing karaoke
6. Make a new friend
7. Get a tattoo
8. Volunteer somewhere
9. Take a class
10. Read Time Magazine's Top 10 Novels
Right off the bat, I admit that I did not accomplish 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 9. As for learning three new things - I didn't learn three new skills BUT I learned to like sushi. And I learned that I look good as a brunette. And that single life can be kind of awesome. So, that's something right?
I did really try reading those books on the Time Top Ten list. Miracle of miracles I made it through Anna Karenina. But something about that book exhausted the life out of me and I couldn't even fathom the idea of picking up War and Peace. Look, I know these books are classics, and I was an English major so I should have an appreciation for these literary offerings... blah, blah, blah. You know what? I'm okay not reading and enjoying these books. They're not for me. They never have been. When I read something I want to get lost and transported to another world. Not BORED OUT OF MY FREAKING SKULL. Hey! Another lesson learned - I DON'T have to like the classics. Sorry Tolstoy.
Make a new friend and get a tattoo. These are things I did. Sure, two out of ten doesn't sound impressive. But you know what? I don't give a damn. I could have accomplished absolutely none of the things on that list and it still would have been a good year. Lazy? Yes. Happy? Yes. So? Win-Win. I sat on my ass and watched a lot of television but life is still good.
This doesn't mean though that I'm not going to make another list and set more goals and strive to BE and DO and LIVE more. I'm always going to want that. It's human nature. If we didn't desire and reach and dream nothing would ever get done. We'd all be dead of the plague or traveling by carriage or living under Nazi regime. Progress only happens when someone, somewhere sets an impossible goal. Sure. It might end in utter failure and misery and heartbreak (or an ice-cream binge on the couch in front of the flatscreen) but on the off-chance of success, it's 100% worth it.
So there you have it. 2010 in a nutshell. A big confusing nutshell of opposing ideas and fun and laughter and awesome people and memories. I don't know what life will be like in 2011. I hope to laugh some more. And make some new friends. And dream some new dreams. And continue to let myself change.
Maybe I should dye my hair RED.
And to end, ANOTHER LIST!
Top Five Songs of 2010
1. Home - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes
2. Humdrum Town - Theophilus London
3. Infinity Guitars - Sleigh Bells
4. Bitch Look At Me Now - Childish Gambino
5. Awake My Soul - Mumford & Sons
Peace out 2010!
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