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Rebel Without An Excuse Receives Blogger Awards

26 Jan

[Since beginning the writing of this post, I have moved halfway across the country and have begun a full-scale job hunt, so I now have an actual excuse! HA!]

Here’s the story:  A Clean Surface has been nominated for a whole bunch of blogger awards recently, courtesy of love letters to strangers and l0ve 0ut l0ud and jared blake dicroce and wish i were there 24/7. In exchange, I was supposed to follow all sorts of instructions. That didn’t happen. It still isn’t going to happen. I was busy, and am now even busier. So, I am making up my own rules. (You think I can’t do that, but just watch me!)

With thanks to my nominators, I will simply list some blogs I think deserve more attention, to spread the love.

accidental stepmom   ~Six stepchildren. This is a brave woman.

sh*t my 6 year old says   ~I get a lot of laughs from this smartypants kid.

an afternoon with   ~Inspiring photographs from inside the homes of some interesting, creative people.

district of chic   ~Classy clothes.

the byronicman   ~Mainly humor. Be sure to check out the burglar/crime fighter post.

the 16th bar   ~As a petite woman, I appreciate the fashion tips from Frankie Ortiz, a young designer who is launching a petite line in 2012. You can look it up it on Facebook, too.

something new please   ~Very short creative writings accompanying some weird photos.

all write   ~This one is new for me. I came to it through praise I read about his post on Elizabeth Taylor. I followed a link, agreed with the praise and subscribed immediately.

raising my rainbow   ~This is about “…the adventures in raising a slightly effeminate, possibly gay, totally fabulous son” as the author has put it… This is another new find for me, and I have enjoyed every bit I have read.

(I hope you check some of these out and enjoy them as much as I have.)

Thinking Thankful Thoughts, November 2011

16 Nov

Some Things I Feel Thankful For, in No Particular Order:

Hemmed slacks

Crisp sweet apples, especially the tiny ones

Intelligent writers who hold my attention and make me think

Quiet mornings when I can reflect on all manner of things

Sincere friends, supportive family and other fine folks (especially my husband)

Warm Fall breezes that make my skin tingle

Optimism (and the occasional delusion)

Cold filtered water at my fingertips

Being of sound mind and body

Flannel sheets and king size pillows

Nasal decongestants that actually work

A clean bathroom (especially one I didn’t clean myself)

Merino wool and cashmere sweaters

Living in a free country

A piece of music titled “Sheep May Safely Graze”

Nutrition labels

The french fries at Elephant Bar (forget the nutrition label on that one)

My blog readers

Self-Service

19 Oct

Recent events have led me to the rather obvious conclusion that I can reduce my stress level and even simplify my life to a great degree simply by focusing more of my energy on myself.

Shocking, isn’t it?

I often come across The Usual Free Advice about how to feel better and find inspiration by focusing on helping others through volunteer work or other selfless pursuits. This is excellent advice for those who have a natural inclination to focus too much on themselves.

On the other hand, those who have spent decades focused on the needs of others may realize, as I have, that too much outward focus eventually becomes detrimental, and the solution sometimes lies in the opposite direction.

I am taking a minimalist approach to stress. Less outward focus means more inward focus.

The Stress Festival

24 Aug

My life has recently evolved into such a stress festival that I have actually stopped having fun. Obviously, this is bad. There is no joy happening at all.

This lack of fun has really yanked the stopper out of the drain in the inspiration tub. Nothing is left in there but soap scum. The highlight of my day was visiting the grocery store. My feeble attempt at self-attention took the form of some chicken mango sausages and a container of tuna salad. No one else around here will eat these things; these are “selfish purchases”. Yes, it is true: when I am feeling down, I still eat healthy food. I am one of those people. Don’t hate me for it.

This stress festival is the worst festival I have ever attended, by far. There are no rides, no second-rate bands, no face painters, no overpriced foam lizards on wire leashes… not even an ugly and inexplicably green stuffed gorilla. Nothing but petty resentment on display here, and I had to bring my own tuna salad.

Whose idea was it to buy a ticket to this mess, anyway?! Probably mine, I will admit, but I am leaving just as soon as I can find my way to the parking lot, and no, I don’t want my hand stamped for re-entry.

I had more fun at this festival, although it may be hard to tell from my expression in the photo.

Who Goes to a Cemetery on Their Honeymoon?

27 Jul

My husband and I spent several hours at a cemetery during our honeymoon.

The Recoleta Cemetery was one of the highlights of the honeymoon, as strange as that may sound. You will understand when you see some of the photos. We are not “Goth” people. My husband is a history buff, and I like art.

Though we were married in 2005, we spent our honeymoon in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2006. We chose the destination for the principle reason of combining our honeymoon with a visit to a dear friend who was unable to attend our wedding due to her South American travel plans. I enjoyed the trip very much, and I’m sure a “tropical paradise” would not have been as interesting.

The Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires is filled with impressively tall, elaborate, and expensive mausoleums and statues. Intrigued by the textures and uniqueness of each structure and figure, I took so many photographs I thought I would drain the battery on my camera. I have shared some of my favorites here, but they don’t truly capture the scale or beauty of the cemetery.

The Recoleta is like a miniature city, where the residents happen to be dead. There are buildings, blocks, and streets, but don’t bother knocking on the doors … no one will answer.

Some of the structures were crumbling, while others retained their original imposing form.

An Egyptian tomb seemed out-of-place.

I was very taken by the poses of the angels here.

A beautiful plant to look at, but notice the thorns!

Eva Peron (otherwise known as Evita) rests at the Recoleta. Her remains were smuggled into this very upper class cemetery by supporters because her lower class origins would have officially disallowed her entombment.

The cemetery is teeming with feral cats, which are fed by the caretakers. Having a cat skitter across the path while one is walking among tombs is rather startling, I can assure you.

The cemetery is a Must See if you ever find yourself in Buenos Aires.

We also spent quite a long while in The National Arms Museum, which was practically next door to our hotel. This fascinating museum features “18 rooms where exhibitions describe the historical and technical evolution of the weapons of the world [from] the 12th century to the present” according to the brochure. Although I have no photographs of the experience, I had a terrific time admiring the craftsmanship and intricate design of ancient and modern weapons and armor from all corners of the world.

Other activities we enjoyed in the area include an evening spent at Opera Pampa (history-based rodeo/musical theater in a large arena), a tour of the historical ship/museum Frigata Sarmiento in Puerto Madera and a visit to colorful Caminito in La Boca. Opera Pampa was amazing — videos of it are available on YouTube if you are curious. I have included a few images of the frigate and the charmingly artful Caminito below.

A living statue!

The one regret I have about our Buenos Aires adventure is missing the enormous mechanical flower sculpture. Apparently, the metal blossom is timed to open at sunrise and close at sunset! We drove by during the day but were unable to witness the movement due to time factors during our trip. If we ever return to the area, I will be sure to schedule time to see it bloom.

I highly recommend Buenos Aires for those looking to expand their horizons.

Be Careful What You Wish For

17 Jul

I have spent the weekend primarily in bed, recovering from a particular type of illness.  My time tested self-medication includes: rest, water, ice, Canada Dry ginger ale, and Saltine crackers — in that order.

My menu has recently expanded to allow mugs of hot, salty broth and bowls of Wheaties seeped in rice milk.  The chicken tandoori being consumed downstairs has been politely refused; yesterday, the smell of garlicky pork nearly caused a relapse.

Only hours before the gastric rebellion commenced, I had enjoyed (courtesy of a dear friend) a remarkable meal delicately prepared by a short, mustached man with the name Gustavo embroidered over his heart.  He came to our table to explain each delicious course.  I remember a kale pesto, a risotto with white truffle oil, and some other things only barely within my food vocabulary.  Apparently, I was not meant to absorb the nutritional benefits of this feast.

Gustavo is not to blame, I want to make that clear.

I felt nauseated on the drive up to the city.  I had thought perhaps my belt was too tight, and so the belt was left abandoned in the foot-well of the car.  My dear husband had asked me earlier, “Is that what you’re wearing?”, so I wasn’t worried about spoiling my glamorous look.  Without the belt, I still felt slightly ill, but I chalked it up to the mysterious ‘car sickness’ I have heard about from others.  ‘There is a first time for everything,’ I thought to myself, rather optimistically.

I wished for my queasiness to go away long enough for me to enjoy a rare evening out.  My wish came true.

Earlier in the day, I had looked inside the pantry and wished for the ginger ale and crackers I had bought weeks ago to be consumed, rather than wasted.  That wish also came true.

I can think of better wishes, now.

Skipping Through Life (my neglected blog)

5 Jun

I am continuing my quest to skip unnecessary activities in favor of simplicity.

On a temporary basis, I have been skipping my writing.  This is not an ideal activity for skipping, because writing is an activity I enjoy.  However, it is fairly time consuming, so when I am pressed for time, the writing is often pushed aside.

On a more positive note, I have begun a few posts, which I plan to continue when life has settled down.

One of the topics I am interested in now is the many unnecessary household items that people collect.

If you would like to nominate an unnecessary household item, please leave your comment below.

My Versatile Blogger Award

25 May

http://charlywalker.wordpress.com has recently awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award.  Apparently, receiving this award is not as simple as it sounds.

Not only do I have an assignment, but there is some disagreement on what the assignment is.  I am supposed to link to seven or fifteen other bloggers, depending on who is giving the rules.  (I am going to go with seven.)  I am supposed to list seven random things about myself.  Also, maybe I am supposed to look up the word “versatile”, or maybe not.

My late grandfather’s 1948 Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary has this to say: “Turning with ease from one thing to another; having many aptitudes; many sided”.  It also says “fickle”, but I will overlook that… things were different in 1948.  I could use an online dictionary, but I like the feel of thin paper and black tabs with gold embossing.  I also like seeing my grandfather’s cursive script on the inside cover.

Seven random things about me:

1)  I like musicals.

2)  I am way behind on my blog reading.

3)  I only wear comfortable shoes (comfortable does not mean ugly).

4)  I stopped drinking milk ten years ago when I realized I have a mild allergy to it.

5)  I rarely get sick.

6)  I can’t stand avocados.

7)  I recommend the documentary “Young At Heart”.

It is nice to receive an award, especially from one of my lovely readers.  I would like to promote my fellow bloggers’ work, so here are a few blogs that make me smile…

http://somethingnewplease.wordpress.com/  (Okay, this one doesn’t always make me smile, but it is always “new” and interesting.)

http://manofewords.com/

http://bigsheepcommunications.wordpress.com/

http://pegoleg.wordpress.com/

http://byebyebrooklyn.wordpress.com/

http://philstubbsquotes.wordpress.com/

http://the16thbar.com/

Conservative?

10 Apr

THE EVIDENCE: That is me on the right, with the pink slacks.

Almost a year ago, I wrote a post called My Zen Closet.  I have not written on the topic of clothing since then, but I feel compelled to address it once again.  Sometimes, I lose that Zen Closet feeling and I need to shop.

Recently, while standing in a dressing room trying on Far Too Many Shirts (none of which I bought), I happened to overhear a stranger in the next dressing room speaking to her shopping companion.

She mentioned a particular designer name that I happen to like, and described the clothes of that brand as “conservative”.  She meant it in a negative way.

Coincidentally, while listening to this assessment, I was trying on something by that very brand.

The brand actually occupies at least four hangers in my closet, a significant number considering how few clothes I actually own.

I started to think about the word conservative.

Are the designs of that brand conservative?  They are simple, they are solid… unique, yes, but probably also conservative.  Navy blue merino wool.  Olive linen.  White cotton.

I wondered to myself, Do I look conservative?  Do I dress conservatively?  If so, how do I feel about being judged as conservative?

These are pretty introspective questions to consider while trying on Far Too Many Shirts, or even one shirt, really.  Having missed lunch, I was not prepared to delve too deeply into my sense of identity.

There was a time when my closet held things like shiny, stretchy, hot pink pants.

That time has passed.

My clothes are more conservative these days.  It’s true.

I believe my hair would be considered conservative, with its touches of gray.

Some of my conservative clothing. The two items on the right are from the brand in question.

Am I conservative?

You might say that my politics are a little on the conservative side.  I try to conserve money, when I can.  I conserve natural resources.  I definitely try to conserve space.

Sometimes my blog posts are short, because I like to conserve words.

I like classic styles.  I like to buy clothing that I will still want to wear in ten or fifteen years.  Whether I can still fit into the clothing after that time is another matter…

So, go ahead, call my clothes conservative. Call me conservative.

I don’t mind.

Comma And Period Space Space

19 Jan

As Winnie the Pooh would say, “Oh, bother!”

Over time, I have become accustomed to the frequent changes in thought on such topics such as whether eggs have too much cholesterol, whether Pluto is a planet, and whether one should stay in the sun to absorb vitamin D or stay out of it to avoid sun cancer.  I understand; this is science.  Scientific reports change when studies turn out to be invalid, measurements turn out to be inaccurate, or new information is discovered.

Hard boiled goodness.

On the other hand, I had honestly expected that punctuation would be more static in nature.

Strangely, I have begun to hear some rather fervent debates and proclamations about the use of series commas and the number of spaces after a period.

How can there be new developments in punctuation?  Why is it even open to debate?

Apparently, changes in technology and preferences for certain writing styles are to blame.  Frankly, it gives me a headache.

I will use sunscreen whenever I remember…today, I did not remember.  I will always call Pluto a planet, although I understand it is smaller than previously believed.  I will continue to eat eggs, yolks and all, because they taste good and they are a source of protein.

I will also continue to use series commas and add two spaces after my periods, as I have always done.  Some may say that my actions are wrong.  I do not wish to offend anyone.  I hope that my readers may be tolerant enough to accept my old fashioned ways.

Read about the debate on the serial comma here.

Read about the debate on spaces after periods here.

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