A somewhat goofy mini-collection of stuff I’ve been reading, stuff I’ve been thinking about and oh, some completely random crap.
Basically the stuff that never gets mentioned here because I’m not the kind of person who can just make some teeny little point. Not into the whole brevity thing, as the Dude would say.
Actually, I’m under the strict compulsion to write ten pages about anything on my mind. So this is me. Practicing brevity.
I’m having the crappiest week in recent memory.
And the post I’ve written for today is no longer relevant. So I’ve been trying to think of what might cheer me up.
And the only thing I could come up with was pretending it’s Wednesday. So even though, last I heard, it was definitely TOOZDAY, we’re Itemizing.
Because pretending is where I’m at today.
Plus, you have no idea how much fun it is to run around yelling Item!
Highly recommended. Shall we?
Item! Post No. 41 in a series that allows me to justify the time I spend following links for ridiculous things I find on Twitter.
Item! Ohmygod! There IS a meme beach house!
Okay.
So. You know how every Friday Selma and I do a Friday Chicken post … and there’s always the fake band of the week?
And we pretend that the fake band of the week is playing live at the Meme Beach House?
The meme beach house thing is because Stu (my stupid voice to text software) stupidly brilliantly translated “people will hate me and be jealous” to people will hang at my meme beach house.
Anyway. Get this.
There is a Meme Beach House. It’s called … Meme’s Beach House. And it’s in South Carolina.
It’s “a relaxing get away located in one of the most kid-friendly, family-oriented vacation spots in Myrtle Beach.”
Plus there’s apparently great fishing. Hilarious! Heard about it through my friend David who is the one who introduced me to Selma.
Item! Cask conditioned ale, people.
This isn’t such a big deal if you’re lucky enough to live in the UK.
Here we have to take it where we can find it.
So imagine my excitement to find this nutty, wonderful guy named Ted Sobel.
He’s in Oakridge, Oregon (which is tiny and nowhere), but wasn’t going to let that stop him.
From anything, really. But definitely not from opening an awesome pub called Brewers Union Local 180, and focusing on cask ale. Swoon.
He blogs about his trials, travails and pretty much anything else even slightly related here.
Support this guy in any way you can. He needs it.
And expect to read a Friday Chicken that’s all about my adventures in Oakridge, because I plan on having some.
Item! People suck.
This is not so much news as the title/concept of Troy’s great post.
I adore Troy. He’s one of the funniest people at the Twitter bar. He’s pretty much always either annoyed or appalled, and for all the right reasons. He is a gleefully terrible speller.
Oh, and his tagline is “Swimming through sarcastic surf where digital waves crash violently on the beach of all that is good and pure.”
What’s not to like? Just thinking about him and his particular brand of determined bitterness makes me happy. What can I say. Sarcasm loves company.
This particular post, though was especially sweet, somehow.
“Yesterday my son once again protested the necessity of scholastic boredom. However, what caught my attention was that instead of the familiar ‘school is not fun’ critique, my son didn’t want to venture into the land o standardized testing for a more disturbing reason……”
He’s @tdjensen on Twitter.
Item! A completely delightful tale of a very odd cafe.
This post is called Kashiwa Mystery Cafe and you absolutely have to read it.
It’s marvelous.
The bit I’m quoting has nothing to do with the actual post, but I’m quoting it anyway because it made me laugh. Which, sadly, does not happen as often as it should, given that there is not really a shortage of funny in the world.
“In some regions of China, for example, it’s normal to be followed for blocks by plucky street vendors, with sooty caps and using the Chinese word for “guv’nor” (??), trying to sell the hapless tourist genuine 24k goldique watches, small angry turtles, expired pudding, and the like.
But that simply doesn’t happen in Japan — just like it also probably doesn’t happen in China either because I’ve never been there and this entire paragraph is based only on bad movies and stereotypes.”
And now you have to go read about that crazy, wonderful cafe.
Got to this from the lovely @relsqui on Twitter.
Item! A call about Sovereignty! Awesome.
I’ve written quite a lot about Sovereignty — the sometimes elusive quality of not giving a damn what other people think and just being who you are.
Hiro is teaching a class. On this. On Friday. And not charging for it.
“Dear trolls, trying so hard to be good friends, to keep us travelers safe from harm. They are loyal. And notoriously short-sighted. They can’t see much beyond the ends of their noses.
So, to them, that path to freedom that feels so solid under my feet is a blur of what-ifs and yes-buts, of thorn and thistle, precipice and danger. “
Read her post about it and sign up.
She’s @hiroboga on Twitter.
Item! Professional jealousy.
This post is from Luann Udell.
“There’s something no one will tell you, when you start your journey pursuing your art.
It can get lonely out there.”
She’s @LuannUdell on Twitter.
Item! Everything is (still) a bar.
My wonderful friend Nathan Bowers who was one of my first friends at the Twitter bar shares my propensity to turn everything good into a bar.
Only because it’s the best metaphor there is. If you’re me.
His post called Customer Support + Product Registration is my favorite circle of user experience hell: totally great.
“My ideal customer/vendor relationship is like the bar where everyone knows your name.
What big companies miss is that instead of using technology and bureaucracy to shield themselves from relationships, they can use technology to approximate the Cheers experience.”
Yay.
He’s @nathanbowers on Twitter.
Item! Update from the land of the Peculiar & Hilarious Shivanauts!
The “peculiar and hilarious” thing comes from Melynda’s sweet bit about Butterfly Wishes.
I wrote a post about the value of not practicing.
Or at least about how it’s not even slightly the end of the world.
It’s about deguiltifying and remembering that the practice will be there for you when you need it. And about how flailing around is still a good thing.
Also a terrific post from Bill about doing Shiva Nata (“it’s like kung fu, but without the killing“). Awesome.
And wise words from Amy about how the not-failing kind of flailing is helping her feel less like an uninspired poo-poo head. Which just made me so happy to read.
Item! Comments! Here’s what I want this time:
- Things you’re thinking about.
- Things that are good for up-cheering aside from pretending it’s Wednesday even when it isn’t.
My commitment.
I am committed to giving time and thought to the things that people say, and I will interact with their ideas and with my own stuff as compassionately and honestly as is possible for me.
Even though asking for what I want still feels awkward for me, I’m just going to remind myself that this is a thing I’m practicing.
That is all.
Happy reading.
And happy (eventually, like tomorrow) Blustery Windsday. Back to real posting soon.
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Still laughing uproariously at the non-quote from your Kashiwa Mystery Cafe Item! 🙂 Thanks for bringing buoyancy to this pretend-Wednesday!
And thanks so much for making my Friday teleclass on Sovereignty an Item…I’m looking forward to playing with crowns, coronets, tiaras and other magpie delights this week.
Love, Hiro
.-= Hiro Boga´s last post … Shining Up That Crown =-.
Happy (not) Toozday!
Things On My Mind:
My novel. Writing it! 50k words by the end of the month… maybe not so much. 🙁 But I’m still going to try!
How to explain What We Do to our Right People. In a way that will help them understand that we really CAN help them, but non-confusingly. Harder than it sounds.
Doggie! Home visit from the rescue on Friday, and then perhaps a dog can come home with me.
Meeting with friends tonight for a lovely science lecture. Mmm… science.
You. Sorry things have been much of the suck for you this week, Havi. Here’s hoping things will look up very soon. 🙂
Things that always work for me:
* A long walk (preferably with a friend).
* Putting on silly pop music and dancing in my socks around the living room.
* Tea and meditation.
.-= Charlotte´s last post … “Serial Entrepreneurship” And Being Who You Really Are =-.
Item on Tuesday: YAY!
I was having a crappy day–on top of a crappy week, which started on Friday– when I saw this.
I yelled “ITEM! YAY!!!” and now my daughter thinks she too should say “ITEM!” when things are going bad, since THAT seems to cheer up Dad.
Talk about weird… And that’s why I adore you, Havi.
ITEM!!!
I love Luann. I’ve been reading her blog since dirt was young. She is, by the way, correctly spelled Luann Udell with two Ls at the end. She’s awesome.
Sorry your day is so craptastic that you need to pretend it’s another day altogether. I don’t have any miraculous remedies to suggest, other than maybe curling up with a cozy pot of tea and a favorite book, or else perhaps bouncing on the trampoline with really loud music playing. One or the other might help, no?
.-= Barbara J Carter´s last post … Open Studio this Weekend! =-.
Well, I was thinking about really getting a handle on 2010, since it’s that time of year. Now I am contemplating opening a cafe where everyone gets what the person ahead of them ordered. Because that’s just all kinds of awesome. I love it. I want to go to Japan just to go there.
And I have an item for you. Tweed Rides:
http://ridingpretty.blogspot.com/2009/11/ny-times-dapper-gents-and-tweed-bicycle.html
(I hope that link works…I’ve never put one in here before.) People get dressed up in tweed and go for a bike ride. How cool is that?
Maybe it will help with the up-cheering. Or, let’s see…(looks around the home office)…I have a green witch’s hat, a purple tutu and some blue fairy wings with glitter. Oh, and a stick-horse. You know, like a hobby horse? Want to borrow them?
.-= Emily´s last post … Repeat After Me: My Body Is Not My Enemy =-.
Funny about Meme’s Beach House, it has a smaller porch than the one I see in my head. 🙂
I am drawing a blank on the cheering up. I love to go to the Franklin Park Conservatory and walk through the various climates. Something about the plants and the water and the koi pond helps to re-set when sometimes nothing else can.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y75sOGHdrxQ&feature=related finding this video on YouTube over the weekend; making a yucky chore fun 🙂 The dancing bears always make me smile.
So, I guess I did have some cheering ideas. 🙂 This weekend I am planning a pajama day, because right now I have a rare conjunction of deadline and having to clean house for photo shoot planets and things are just crazy around here. (Usually housework goes to heck when I am on deadline, but that’s not an option this week).
Hugs all around!
.-= Andi´s last post … Painting, A Love Story =-.
For an awful week, find some toddlers (I think this only works if you don’t have any toddlers of your own).
Last week, I was around several, and standing on your head with a 2 year old can really wake you up out of a funk. Toddlers have a whole bag of tricks that shake things up. I’m a believer.
And I’m sorry your week is a total nothing burger.
I’ve been thinking about where I’m going to live. Because I could live, literally, anywhere in the world. Do I want to stay where I am, or make some trips and feel out some places? Hm. Suggestions for paradise welcome.
.-= Laurie´s last post … If a horse were a lawyer, he would’ve quit already. =-.
Havi!
Thank goodness! I have been jonesing for the items. You made my day, too. 😀
Tweed rides look so fun! I have done a couple of critical mass rides, and cycle club rides, but how fun do those look.
Items to share-
http://1000awesomethings.com/
list of some of the little, but awesome things in life.
http://www.foundmagazine.com/
mysterious finds- old lists, notes, photos that have been found on the sidewalk or in a jacket from goodwill, etc.
HUGE HUGS TO HAVI!!!
You make my day so much nicer, so very often, so YAY!
Ingrid
Hmm. on second thought, some of the ‘found’ magazine finds are neat, but a lot are pretty negative. maybe not as much fun as I remember.
Ah, oh well. Let’s plan a trip to the beach house!
Ahh, several Items! made me laugh.. yes, the Mystery Cafe was right up there, the link to which I sent to my hubs in hopes it’ll make it on his website (http://ropeadope.com)
So, it’s Wednesday, huh? That means my blessed time-free-of-bored-9-year-old is coming soon to an end. But wait, no! Still Tuesday here…ahh. Okay. Back to playing with my website.
xo
.-= Gina´s last post … Put Your Hips Into It =-.
Yay! Having a craptastic day myself (spending my precious paid time off on a bad cold), and this was a great surprise!
Instead of trying to rouse enough energy to keep unpacking boxes (just moved), I think I’ll make some more tea and keep re-reading “The Lord of the Rings”. And maybe watch the movie too. After reading all the posts you linked to.
.-= Anna-Liza´s last post … Pollyanna Lightens Up and Licks the Pig Already =-.
I’m thinking: is Total Nothing Burger a band? Also thinking about the very delicious hot chocolate I am about to make and savor until the very last chocolate molecule has been emptied from the cup.
Take me with you to Ted Sobel’s place, Havi! Er…you can swing by and pick me up in Madison, right?
.-= Sally J.´s last post … A Crazy Rant About Local Eggs (with *important* information about archival photo boxes) =-.
Dear Havi,
Just wanted to say that you’re doing great right where you are.
Sending one sunshiney smile from my heart to yours.
And some Reiki too.
Recipe for cheering up. Actually it’s a recipe for soup. 6 of 1, ½ doz of the other.
Get a big soup pot. Throw in 3 tbsp of butter and 3 tbsp regular olive oil. Put on oven at medium low heat. Slice 5 onions (what’s a few more tears, right?). Throw them in the pot. Cook them very slowly, turning every 10 minutes. After half an hour turn them every 5 minutes. Do not burn them. It should take about 45 minutes to caramelize the onions. When they are deep gold and sweet, add 4 cups of chicken stock, 1/3 cup brandy or port or sherry or whatever’s in your liquor cabinet, and a few sprigs of fresh thyme. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Get some thick slices of bread or buns with the tops and bottoms removed and toast them. Remove thyme twigs, pour the soup into bowls, gently place the toast on top and gently place a handful of grated gruyere on top of the toast. Broil until the gruyere bubbles. Carefully remove from oven and enjoy. If this doesn’t cheer you up, omit everything except liquor.
Hey guys.
Thanks for the up-cheering. And the soups.
@Sally – I would love to pub-crawl with you, and in fact it’s kind of stoopid that we haven’t yet. Get your ass over here. Or I will have to beat you up the next time I hit the mad city.
@Inge – the Nothing Burger = best band ever. Genius.
@Emily – tweed rides! tweed rides! THANK YOU.
@Sanders – picturing your daughter yelling Item is the funniest, happiest thing ever. Awesome.
Not only is the Nothing Burger the best band ever: it is also just one guy!
Oh, gosh, I wondered where all the traffic was coming from, so I followed the trail and there I am, mentioned in your blog! WOW!! (And btw, I thought Tuesday was going to be Wednesday, for entirely different reasons….) Thank you!!! I’m honored. :^) One teensy tiny request? 2 L’s in Udell. Your current link for me goes into Twitter Limbo….
Re: Your item comment request, I wish I had something deep to contribute there, but I’m feeling particularly shallow today. But as far as making Tuesday better, I’ll just say I found a forgotten stash of “fun-sized” Snickers just now, and I am happier because of it. Oh, and I made homemade macaroni and cheese for the first time in my life a little while ago, and I am astonished by how good it is. That made me happy, too.
Wish I could think of something to cheer you up that’s not food related, but then again, it IS Wednesday now. Maybe the worst is over…? :^)
hugs (and I never used to say that before I became an artist)
Luann
its Baltic here ! (Scottish expression for very cold )
I have no chcocolate in the house and that is a Very Bad Thing
I’ve written a 600 word description of a workshop I was at with Julia Cameron a few weeks ago where I am MIGHTILY SNARKY about new agey purple clad whiny people. so there.
My life is being invaded by not one but two orange cats.
Knitted public transport improves lives
http://www.creativevoyage.co.uk/node/339
@Luann – LUANN! Crap. I am so so sorry! Fixed! Someone even told me it wasn’t working and it instantly left my brain. Sorry about that. And yay for macaroni and cheese, which is a good reminder of a way to turn a miserable Toozday into a happy Windsday.
@creativevoyage – I *have* to read your snarky piece. I already think it’s funny and I wasn’t even there!
Katie’s blog always cheers me up when I am feeling crappy.
http://colormekatie.blogspot.com/
Heck, there is a grocery store musical video on her blog that one must see. Repeat after me: lets squish our fruitsss togggettthheeer!!
It’s wednesday where I am. Pretend you are in Australia. Sun is shining, people hop to the harbour in kanagroo’s pouches and you can see emus running down the main city streets 😉
Annnd I am excited about any pub opening that does not contain gambling machines. But the ale, oh it sounds yum. Am looking forward to read about your ale-fueled adventuring.
I’m wishing you strength and (eventually!) serenity, Havi. So sorry to hear about all of the hard!
Last night, when I was having a dreadful time falling asleep, I asked my sweetie for help, and without a word, he just stroked my hand and my head until the tensions and fears began to unknot. It was such a simple thing, but wonderfully helpful. So, I’m hoping that you can have lots of loving caresses, at just the right moments.
@creativevoyage — Oooh! Purple-clad new age snarkiness! I am mightily curious, and would love to read this myself!
@Hiro — The teleclass sounds great. I’ve just signed up for it! Thank you so much for offering this.
.-= spiralsongkat´s last post … We can’t do it all…or can we? =-.
spiral cat are you sure ? I’m very snarky and VERY JUDGEMENTAL
.-= creativevoyage´s last post … Are you happy? =-.
@creativevoyage — yes indeed, I am sure. I enjoy a good snark, and if I end up feeling harshly judged, I’ll just throw my purple scarf over my head and whine *very quietly*. 😉
ok then email me at info at creativevoyage dot co dot uk and I’ll oblige !
.-= creativevoyage´s last post … Are you happy? =-.