May into June | 2015

A couple of weeks ago, I decided I no longer wanted to post "Weeklings," the weekly round up of events, great links, and goings-on.  But I knew I didn't want to ditch the concept entirely.  So I'm going to try out a monthly version instead, and hopefully it'll feel less forced to me and just as enjoyable (or not) to my readers.  

So here's what I've been up to lately. 

1. Got my hair cut

It's much, much shorter than I expected and at first I was a little.. eh.  But I don't think it looks terrible, I think it makes me look older, and it's SOOO unbelievably easy to take care of, so I might be a short hair convert. 

2. Gardening

I read things like this or this or this and I want to drop everything right.this.instant and immediately plant a massive vegetable garden and wear overalls and never have to go food shopping (exaggert.) again.  

But the world is a cold, hard place, and you can't be a farmer while you're living with your family.

So we improvise: 

Nothing super special, but it's pretty and it's already producing edible tomatoes and I haven't killed it yet.  This is a vast improvement from last year's attempt: 

P.S. Here's the link for that whole blessed article. 

P.P.S. Ah that led to a little gut-wrench - I miss my old apartment and life in Albany and my friends. 

But yes, so garden I did.  I've also done a little gardening for $.   

I've got some issues with things touching me or weird textures on my hands (makes applying lotion fun) and I hate hate hate dirt under my finger nails, so this was an adjustment.  And I'm sure the water bill is going to go up thanks to many a hand-washing sessions because I'm so anal with it and cannot leave any dirt under my nails AT ALL.  I'm good for the environment. 

3. Rebecca

Rebecca, my 15 year old cousin (I sometimes refer to her as my sister because we grew up together) came up from Georgia and will be here for most of the summer so that's been fun.  

My bball skills, by the way, are nil. I shot probably 6 for 100.  To think I used to be somewhat decent.... 

We saw Pitch Perfect 2.  

It was funny, but it wasn't as good as the first one.  Not even close. 

4. Studying

Oh, man.  Since I'm trying to go back to school, I've been studying physics and math a bit.  I never took physics (I've taken and done at least semi-well in biology, chemistry, environmental science, and exploration of space) and it's been a while since I've done math so........ studying is basically going like this: 

I've got a few books and I'm using Khan Academy.  My hope is that if I stick to it, I'll be able to teach myself a little something before jumping into classes. 

5. Eating better & getting more exercise

I've been eating more vegetables and cutting down on carbs.  I'm not cutting them out entirely because I love them and I think the main cause of my weight gain in the first place was a combo of becoming completely sedentary and eating fast food literally at least once a day.  I don't eat nearly as much crap now and I've done a little switch-a-roo so that instead of taking a heaping helping of pasta or mashed potatoes at meals and a tiny helping of vegetables, I try taking a heaping helping of vegetables and a tiny helping of pasta or mashed potatoes.  It's mostly working.  

I've been doing at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, and while I think I still LOOK fat as hell, I can feel the difference and sort of see it too.  My arms are starting to get less flabby and slightly (again, still overweight) more defined.  It's cool.  

* * * 

Some other mentionables: 

- My health insurance company STILL has not sent me my cards.  They say I haven't paid, even though it's on my bank statement.  So I'm in the process of dealing with that. 

This is how I feel about it.

- I'm getting nervous about the whole school thing.  Nothing is set in stone, and while I've decided it's what I'm doing, I'm worried that things won't work out perfectly and that I won't be able to start when I want to start.  I don't know if this is legitimate foreboding or just me being ridiculous and paranoid. 

- I really want a job.  (Side eye at insurance company)

- I read this post and realized I haven't gone to confession in 17 years and haven't been able to stop thinking about it since.  Which means... I'm probably going to need to go to confession soon.  Eek. 

- I'm in the midst of some blog changes.  Nothing major, just trying to make it a bit better.

- I finally got around to watching Interstellar.  I cannot believe I waited so long to see that.  I loved it.  It was amazing.

THAT scene, however, did not help my fear of tidal waves. 

* * * 

Books 

I've read: 

An Enemy of the People (good, not great),

Awaken the Spirit Within (eh..)

Better Than Before (wonderful) 

Hopefully book reviews coming soon. 

* * * 

Links worth looking at

Angst May Be Glamorous, But It Won't Make You Happy - Verily

Lauren Graham's TV Daughters, Alexis Bledel And Mae Whitman, Finally Meet - HuffPo

As Joe Biden Grieves, His Community Unites To Help Him Heal: 'They're Us' - HuffPo

How Growing Up in Poverty Rewires a Child’s Developing Brain

50 ‘I Dos’ You Should Be Able To Commit To Before You Get Married - Elite Daily

The Internet can’t replace libraries: Why they matter more than ever in the age of Google - Salon

37 Questions The “Harry Potter” Movies Need To Answer - Buzzfeed

Rick Santorum wants Pope Francis to leave science to scientists only when it’s convenient for him - The Washington Post

Continued Existence Of Edible Arrangements Disproves Central Tenets Of Capitalism - The Onion

Bagpipes, sainthood, and other passing interests - Daniel Bearman: Acts of Idiot Praise

Saying These 8 Things To Your Kid Every Day Could Change Their Life

MOST IMPORTANTLY Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak’s Massive-Book-Deal-Worthy Relationship: A Timeline - Vulture

Til later. 

__

Charlotte 

Weeklings.......... or not

After thinking hard about it for like, two minutes, I've decided I don't want to do Weeklings anymore.  They often feel forced and I'm not into that.  I like the concept of them though, so I'm playing with the idea of doing it monthly or every other week.  I'll figure something out.  

__

Charlotte 

Weekling: W.25

For more posts in this series, go here: Weeklings

Happenings

I haven't done one of these in two weeks (I think?).  One week ago I had to drive to NY and back - never fun.  I was only on the island for a day, but I did manage to hang out with Olivia and sort of go to the beach (naturally, we went the first day that it cost money, and neither of us were down for paying $8 just to sit on the sand for five minutes until we were freezing and needed to leave).  But we did see the ocean, so that's cool.  Then a few days later it was my birthday.  I'm not near any of my friends plus this hasn't been my best year so my birthday was just a little depressing. 

Thankful for

Two things stick out.  

One, I got my very first piece of mail from the health insurance company.  Unfortunately, they're several weeks behind schedule, but, it's a start.  

Two, I've talked to a few people and it looks like I can go back to school.  I'll share more tomorrow, but here's a hint: 

Books I'm reading now

Out of the Silent Planet (the first book in the Space Trilogy by CS Lewis)  

And of course, I've been rereading HP like it's my job... 

Random

It's the one year anniversary of the first ever Weekling.  Some things I need to keep in mind: stop skipping weeks and use more gifs. 

To-do

I need to make a game plan for this school thing.  But again, more on that later. 

Links worth looking at

Turns out, I want/need more Jesus.  Who Knew? - Becoming Peculiar 

Why Voldemort Hates Homeschooling - Carrots for Michaelmas 

The Dominant White Response to Baltimore Shows Why Black Residents are Justified in their Anger - Daily KOS 

Woman's obituary lists unusual amount of grandchildren - Fox News

Bernie Sanders Raised $3 Million From Small Donors in the First Four Days of His Campaign - Policy Mic

Lake Michigan is So Clear Right Now its Shipwrecks Are Visible From the Air - Smithsonian 

Jennifer Aniston Knows There Are Many Different Ways to be a Mother - Verily 

Fun Fact

It took me 22 years to learn how to snap. 

oh and

Happy Mother's Day... 

__

Charlotte 

Weekling: W.24

For more posts in this series, go here: Weeklings

Happenings

It's been in the 40's here every day.  It's been raining and nasty.  It's been miserable.  

Usually this is when I'd offer an update on the health situation, but since I doubt anyone wants to read all of that every week, I'm just giving the medical stuff its own little section.... way at the bottom.

On the ~not medical~ side of things: 

My grandparents' car needed to be driven for around 80 miles to check out an old problem, so Chimney Rock seemed like a nice place to go, despite the rain. 

In other exciting-only-to-me news... I bought this shirt a few months ago because a store was going out of business and it was like $1.50 and it can be dressed up or dressed down.  But, it didn't fit.  And it didn't fit a month ago.  But now it does!  I mean, I'm not suggesting I look great and I know this is mostly an unflattering picture, but it's nice knowing that I'm losing weight. 

Obnoxious smile just for Olivia, who complains whenever I've got my go-to scowl on.

Common theme among these pictures: I am not a photographer. 

And oh, oh, oh, I don't think I've talked about Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt much yet.  I've watched it twice now and I love it.  The casting is perfect, the actors are great, and the writing is brilliant.  Some of my favorite lines: 

"Are you asking me out, you tasty little Bob the Builder?"  (PS, I think the construction worker in that episode is SO CUTE when he smiles.  #crush)

"In my next life, I'm coming back as a baby." 

"I'll be here. ....wiiith my kissing hole." 

"I'm a stranger danger ranger!" 

"A female dog?  The thing that makes puppies?  Nice compliment, Xan." 

"You look bright eyed and bushy tailed!"

"No, I got that lasered off."

And so many more.  So many. 

Thankful for

All of my friends but especially Liv, Liz, and Alison, who have had to endure several pictures (captioned, "Do I look gross in this?") and many a rant this week.  Poor souls. 

Books I'm reading now

I won't lie, I've dropped my reading goals this week(s) in favor of re-reading some Harry Potter.  I'm not mad about it.  

Random

I am making this recipe for Skillet Basil Cream Chicken tomorrow and I am SO excited.  I predict that it will taste divine but not look nearly as lovely as those pictures look. 

To-do 

Up my search for a job I can do from home (I feel like this is my only option until this medical problem is sorted because I'm sick or writhing in pain all the time).  

Do more research on the nearest surgeons who perform the surgery I need.

Links worth looking at

Mercy is Ours to Give, if We Choose It - Truthout

This Girl’s Reaction To Mufasa Dying Is All Of Us When We Saw “The Lion King” - Buzzfeed

Young Women's Hearts at Risk - NYT

10 Reasons Why You Need to Marathon The West Wing Right Now - Head Over Feels

(This is two years old but I just came across it while writing the post about West Wing characters and Hogwarts houses.)

Ten Unexpected Nicknames for Charles - Appellation Mountain

Here's the Real Problem With Almonds - Mother Jones

Pope Francis throws the weight of his office behind tackling climate change - National Catholic Reporter

Medical stuff

After saying surgery is the only thing that will fix the problems I currently have, I was also told that surgery isn't an option.  That's my dilemma.  I asked why, and basically, surgery causes more adhesions.  It's not the biggest deal in the world, but too many of them have the potential to make it a little difficult getting pregnant later on.  So instead my doctor wanted to put me on one of two medicines.  Both just stop you from getting your period to prevent the endometriosis from getting worse.  

Problem is, I've done a ton of research - most women who go on these don't get much relief.  Do I want to stop it from getting worse?  Yes.  But I'm not comfortable ignoring the problems that are already there PLUS I'm currently in a lot of pain and/or violently ill several times a week, so this is making it hard for me to function.  And just in case the things I read weren't true, I asked if the medicines would stop my symptoms and the answer was no.  

I understand why my doctor wants to avoid surgery, but they also told me that it's the only thing that will fix what's wrong and that my symptoms are troubling, so.... I need another option.  

After more research, I found out about a different kind of surgery with awesome success rates.  Instead of burning the tissue with endometriosis, they cut it out, cutting deeper than the affected tissue to avoid any lingering of the disease.  Unfortunately, health care in America kind of sucks and treatment of women-specific diseases sucks even worse, so it looks like this will be hard to get.  It's called specialized excision surgery and most doctors aren't trained for it.  So that's problematic.  I've got a lot more research to do.  

Fun Fact

I slipped on a banana peel once.  I was in the city with my friends, ran to catch up with them, and slipped on a peel.  I hadn't realized that wasn't something that only happened in cartoons.....

__

Charlotte 

Weekling: W.23

For more posts in this series, go here: Weeklings

I'll get to my own stuff in a minute but I just watched the body cam footage of the killing of Eric Harris so wanted to say a few things.  I'm not going to link to it because it's incredibly disturbing (like one of those videos that give you actual chest pain) but it shows Harris running from police, being chased, caught, and brought to the ground.  Then, while he's on the ground with at least one officer on top of him, you hear another office shout "taser!" to warn the others that he is going to use his stun gun.  Only, he accidentally uses his real gun, hitting Harris.  He immediately realizes what he's done, and says, "I shot him!  I'm sorry!" He then drops the gun.  

I think it probably really was an accident because his voice sounds genuinely surprised and remorseful, and he dropped the gun.  That said, the rest of what happens in the video is not accidental.  After Harris is shot, more cops continue to pile on top of him (something no one can argue is necessary) and as Harris is freaking out (saying, "He shot me, oh my God, he shot me.") another officer screams in his face, "You fucking ran.  Shut the fuck up."  This isn't the cop who shot Harris, this is a different cop.  

Probably worst of all, when Harris says he is losing his breath, the cop who screamed before says, "Fuck your breath."  

Don't even dare to try and justify that cop's actions.  The initial shooting might have been an accident, but the aftermath was not.  Harris is shot and on the ground and still, several police officers jump on him and pin him down.  He is shot and on the ground and they continue to kneel with their full weight on this man's head.  That's not okay, and everyone involved should be suspended.  The officer who screamed at Harris should be fired.  And while I think the shooting was a genuine mistake, a taser should not have been employed.  There is no need whatsoever to shock a man who is already on the ground, regardless of whether or not he is trying to get away.  

There is so much wrong with the whole thing, and there's more to say about it but for the moment I'm just going to say that we need to change how police function in this country, we need to value black lives, and we need to hold the Harris family in our thoughts.   

Happenings 

This week was hot.  Is there a place where it's always 70 degrees?  If so I want to go there.  I mean I will take this weather to any more snow, but you know.  Hot.  It does mean I was able to do things like clean out my car and look at flowers and take walks and stuff so that's cool. 

I finally watched the third installment of The Hobbit and I loved it.  I know a lot of people didn't like it but I enjoyed it (I may or may not have it on as I write this....)  As I've said, I'm easy to please in the movie department. 

After a conversation with my surgeon's nurse, it sounds as though I need another surgery, and soon.  The things I described to them made them very nervous, and I'm supposed to hear back from the doctor tomorrow to find out what needs to happen.  This is going to be a hassle and will be difficult to deal with, but.... 

Thankful for

My friend and old coworker found out a way for me to get insurance.  Thank God for her existence, basically.  It looks like I'll still need to go to NY for the surgery because it's a quasi-emergency, but this means I can take care of follow up and all of the other medical issues I have. 

Books I'm reading now

I honestly don't even know.  I started Looking for Alaska but don't love it yet and I'm starting to wonder if I really need to finish every book I start even if I don't enjoy it.  

Random

I'm in pain often so it's hard to do things but yesterday I had a glorious two hour break from pain and went and played basketball.  My grandpa beat me in two out of three games of "Out" so.... I'm blaming it on the chronic illness thing. 

To-do

Schedule surgery (most likely) and work out the logistics of it all. 

Links worth looking at

The Worst Week of Thomas' Life - Held by His Pierced Hands 

Basically, this: "Maybe we believe plenty but we still can’t sense his presence. We know Jesus rose but we can’t for the life of us see any resurrection in our own futures."

Race in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Slate

Thoughts on this?  I personally love the show and didn't find too much of it offensive.  Then again, I'm white and straight, and the criticism it's gotten has been about stereotypes of LGBTQ people, Asians, and Native Americans, so... 

Whatever Happened to Easter Outfits? - Huffington Post  

A friend shared this on Facebook and I agree...  I can't wait to have kids and dress them up in fancy clothes for holidays.  

When Charter Schools are Nonprofit in Name Only - Pro Publica

Yes.  I'm not a fan of charters for several reasons, and this is one of them. 

Spitting Images - Fran Dorsey

I don't even know how I came across this, but it's hilarious.  And on point. 

Should Mom-and-Pops that Forgo Gay Weddings be Destroyed? - The Atlantic

This was shared on another blog I read and I think it's a great piece.  

Capitalist Morality at Root of NY Gas Explosion, Deaths - The Militant

Here: “The bosses don’t start with how to save lives,” Trowe said after visiting the East Village. “They start with the bottom line. It’s part of the capitalist mentality. Working people have to take the opposite approach.” 

Fun Fact

I fell through ice into freezing cold water once.  My friend, Olivia, helped pull me out.  I forgot to include this in the post I wrote about her.  I guess that's not really a fun fact.  Oh well. 

__

Charlotte 

Weekling: W.22

For more posts in this series, go here: Weeklings

Happenings

Last week I all but skipped writing this post because the week sucked and I was in a bad mood.  This week wasn't much better, but...  It's Easter so let's try? 

Two of my favorite things: Jesus and Uptown Funk.  Thanks to whoever came up with this.

I spent a lot of the week writhing in pain, and I'm kind of mad about it.  The medicine and surgery don't seem to have made anything much better and now I don't have insurance so... I don't really know what to do about that. 

Thankful for

Duh.

Books I'm reading now

I've just started The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Lost: A Memoir of Three Continents, Two Friends, and One Unexpected Adventure by Rachel Friedman.  I bought it... years? ago so it's about time. 

Random

I quasi-moved (from one family member's house to another's) and hold on, give me a minute, the scene in which Dumbledore dies is on so I need to grab a tissue well, flowers. 

To-do

I need a job and I need to figure something out for pain-management. 

Also, I need to start reading more news.

Links worth looking at

Every Color Goes Together: Homes that Aren't Afraid to Mix and Match - Apartment Therapy - Liz and I were looking at these earlier.  While I think a few of them are overwhelming, I think most of them are super fun and cozy. 

The Last Bit of Winter - Yellow Paper Dress - When I have a family, I want to do things like this.

Everything you need to know about Quebec’s latest student strike - Ricochet - This: "But austerity means deep cuts to the public sector, including education, health and social services. It’s more of an ideological project than a descriptive term, and it has spread like wildfire across the globe. It relies on a fiction that compares public finances to household budgets and suggests essential services are unaffordable extravagances. To this way of thinking, protesters might as well be asking for a pony."

Let's Get This Straight: Depression Does Not Make People a Threat to Society - The Telegraph - Just yes.  

No fun fact this week.

Bonus

I'm only slightly obsessed with this song.

__

Charlotte

Weekling: W.21

For more posts in this series, go here: Weeklings

I had kind of a shit week, and I don't really feel like reflecting on it.  (I did get most of my to-do list done - about me section, morning routine post, excel sheet, and started making a plan for the pinterest/tumblr issues.)  With all that in mind, I decided this week's post is just going to be links.  HOW FUN.

Why Mary Has to Hold the Cards: Thoughts on the Annunciation, Assault, and Free Will - Carrots for Michaelmas

Dream Homes - Treelined Avenue  You all know I love dreaming about houses. 

101 Activities for Spring - The Freckled Fox (in case unlike me, you have a life and do things.)

Fractured Femininity: Endometriosis Treatment And a Failure of Feminism - AltFem Magazine

The Forgotten Benefits of Christ Within - Catholic Exchange

Annnnd I think that's enough for now.  Fingers crossed next week is better, please. 

__

Charlotte

Weekling: W.19

For previous posts in this series, go here: Weeklings

Happenings

Last week I changed the name of the blog, this week I (mostly) finished changing the look of it.  All of the links on the pages are now fixed.  It wasn't hard work, but it was very annoying work.  Next up is changing the links for tumblr and pinterest.  Meh. 

This week looked like this: 

The Hunger Games was filmed here.....

And here.

The weather is finally finally nice enough to enjoy.  I made the mistake of trying out the water.  Guys, not nice enough to swim.  

I've talked about how paranoid I get before, but just to seal the deal on how crazy I am, I'm gonna tell you a little story.  (This might be weird to put on a blog but Liz already knows and she's approx. 50% of my readership, so...)  We all know I have endometriosis and it's not good.  To keep it from getting worse, I had to start birth control.  I don't want to be on birth control when I'm married, but right now it's only being used for the endo, and not for contraception, so that part is fine.  But, I really did not want to be on it at all.  A basic rule of thumb around here is that if something bad can happen, it will.  I know this sounds horrible, but my last year looked something like this: 

Needed new car, had only a short time to get it. 

New car gets broken into. 

New car gets crashed into. 

Tooth infection travelling to brain and heart, prompting emergency surgery. 

Part of tooth accidentally left in mouth. 

Abnormal blood work. 

Gallstones. 

Gallbladder removal surgery. 

Follow-up exam discovers problems with liver, pancreas. 

Further testing shows enlarged lymph node causing some trouble in abdomen. 

Antidepressants causing paranoia. 

Went off antidepressants, lolgoodluck trying to get better. 

Lost job because instead of travelling the agreed 4-6 hours a week, my supervisor wanted me to do 10-12.  (Fairness.) 

Mass on ovary. 

Need to abruptly move to NC, away from where my life is.

Surgery scheduled. 

Surgery finds more extensive problems, another surgery needed.

Loses health insurance.  

Around three trips to ER and over 30 blood withdrawals.  

And it wasn't my worst year ever.

So yes.  I was wary as anything to start birth control because I can deal with sore and bigger boobs and I can deal with some mood swings, but I don't want to get blood clots.  I know how unlikely it is.  But it's a possible side effect and at this point my mind automatically says, "With your luck, the side effects will all happen."  And especially without insurance, I can't handle having a blood clot.  So what does this translate into?  Me, being completely rational, going for long walks or doing squats or what have you, all to try to increase my movement and decrease already minuscule chances of developing a clot.  

I mean, the extra exercise is good, and I'm losing weight and my body is continuing to feel a bit lighter and better.  But the excessive anxiety is problematic.  

Working on it.  

Thankful for

Pie.  The fact that I'm not dead from blood clots.  Ha.  Ha? 

Books I'm reading now

Finishing up The Book Thief, again.  I can't make my mind up on this book.  The first time I read it, I was bored in the beginning, then I thought it was really good.  The second time, I'm torn between "eh" and thinking it's good.  I don't know. 

Also starting a reread of Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos because I love this book and I want March to be a catch-up month for reading. 

Random

So, the job search.  It continues.  I'm not including it on my to-do list, because at this point it's an all-the-time activity.  But, let me tell you.  I filled out an application, and one of the questions went something like this: 

Are you currently looking for work? 

No.  I just thoroughly enjoy filling out applications, especially when all of the requested information can already be found on my resume, which you also require.  

The south. 

To-do

Type out my morning routine post.  Enthralling. 

Make a new and improved "about me" section. 

Fix the pinterest and tumblr links.  Kill me. 

Start using a detailed spreadsheet to plan blog posts.  I know this sounds absurd, but at one point, I had an Excel sheet, color coded with post ideas.  I had a schedule of posts and I was a little more on top of it all.  Lately, I'm averaging one or two posts a week.  When I had the sheet, I was writing more and I was getting around 50 page views a day.  I don't anticipate (or know if I want) this blog becoming some great huge blog, but I don't think I'd mind it being a little bigger than it currently is.  I read somewhere that bloggers should write and maintain their blogs as though they're receiving a million views a day.  I like that idea. 

Links worth looking at

In true Charlotte fashion, I am going to slack on the links.  Most of them are from Buzzfeed, so you know how much effort is going into this section. 

This is for Everyone Who Thinks Snape is a Hero - Buzzfeed  I could write a whole post on this, and maybe I will, but yes.  Snape was brave, but he wasn't a hero.  Heroes don't generally torture people.

Meet Becky Hammon, the NBA's First Female Coach - Marie Claire

Joe Biden Posted a Vine of Him Doing Bicep Curls Because He's Joe Biden - Buzzfeed I love Joe Biden and this vine will make you laugh.  Unless you're a monster. 

What it Feels Like to Live With Depression - Thought Catalog This is by far the most accurate description I've read.  "The simplest, most mundane tasks of daily life seem to require a Herculean effort. I remember standing in the shower one morning, feeling that picking up the shampoo bottle was almost too difficult to bear."  Yes.  The other day I pulled up to the house, and I just sat in my car, wanting to turn it off, unbuckle my seat belt, and get out.  But for five minutes, I just sat there, not moving.  It's intense. 

17 Important Tips for Making the Most of Curly Hair - Buzzfeed I can't attest to all of these, but basically the front left side of my hair is 3C, the front right and most of the top layer of my hair is 3B, and the layers underneath are 3A.  Discovering the diffuser changed my life. 

Fun Fact:

Every time I try to type the word "accidently," "accidentally," I spell it wrong.

__

Charlotte 

Weekling: W. 17

For previous posts in this series, go here: Weeklings

Happenings

I'm supposed to post this on either Saturday or Sunday.  I effed up.  I guess this gets me out of having to write something more difficult today though.  Ah, no need for thinking.

Getting a job did not happen this week.  I'm starting to go a little nutso without a job or any of my friends.  No bueno.

I did get a new phone, finally.  I've had to switch phones about four times in the last year, so hopefully this will be the last time for a while.  The one I had been using wasn't stellar.  So far, this one is.  I can take fancy pictures.  For example:

The very fanciest.

That picture?  Torture.  I gave up Coke for Lent, like a moron.  Hold me.

It snowed here (Hey!  It started as I was wrapping up my last weekling.) and iced over and only melted away today.  If I'm in the south, I at least want good weather.  Ugh.

Basically nothing else happened this week.  What a life.

Thankful for

New phone.  This new-to-me blog.  Ginger Ale (especially during aforementioned period of no Coke).  My friends.  This book.

Books I'm reading now 

Still working on Red China Blues.  And re-read Anne of Green Gables.  This is why I never finish my book lists.

Random

You know how Facebook has targeted ads?  And how they're creepy as Hell?  Wellllll, THIS ad was on my feed the other day.  Thanks, Facebook.  Mean.  No thanks. 

Want to know a great rice recipe?  Maybe everyone knows this recipe, but on the off chance it's unknown, here goes:

2 cups white rice (does not matter what size grain)

4-ish cups chicken broth (you'll never go back to using water) I sometimes use a little more than 4.

1 yellow onion

1/3 - 1/2 stick of butter (you do you)

Then just follow normal rice rules.  Bring to a quick boil, lower that bad boy down to a 1 or 2, cover, and let it be for a few minutes (the box says 15-20, but I don't think I've ever let it sit for less than 25, and I've seen others cook it for up to 45, so... experiment).

Devour.

To-do

Still, get a job.

 Also, I have been saying I want to write a book for at least four years.  This week, I want to at least make some sort of plan. 

Links worth looking at

Healing in Post-War Gaza  - The Washington Post

I'm glad that they published this.  I can't understand how anyone would argue that Israel is completely justified in what they do. 

The Science of Redheads - IFLScience 

We're NOT going extinct!  Yay.  

Brides Are Turning Their Wedding Gowns Into Burial Gowns For Babies Who’ve Died In The NICU - BuzzFeed

This is sweet.  

Stop Using #MuslimLivesMatter  - Muslim Girl

"There is obviously nothing inherently wrong with saying that “Muslim lives matter,” but contextually, it’s being used parallel to #BlackLivesMatter — it’s meant to evoke the same concepts, using the same kind of language. This appropriation of a movement is counterproductive and frankly unfair to both the Black and Muslim communities. We should not be blending together two complex, multifaceted issues for the sake of convenience. It’s a reductive move that simplifies both struggles, and it only contributes to erasing the very real, very dangerous implications that Islamophobia specifically holds for Muslims."  (I've heard folks suggest using #justiceformuslims instead.)

Rewriting the Future - BitchMedia

My friend shared this and I love it.  "We started the anthology with the belief that all organizing is science fiction. When we talk about a world without prisons; a world without police violence; a world where everyone has food, clothing, shelter, quality education; a world free of white supremacy, patriarchy, capitalism, heterosexism; we are talking about a world that doesn’t currently exist. But collectively dreaming up one that does means we can begin building it into existence." 

Detroit's 'Walking Man' Walks On - Vice News

I think it's great that this man was given a car and money, but charity isn't enough and definitely doesn't fix the greater problem. 

This kitchen has remained untouched since the 1950s - Quandly

This is amazing and I want a horizontal fridge. 

The "Pop of Pink to Stylishly Simple" Breakfast Nook Makeover - Apartment Therapy

I'm being a troll here, because I'm only sharing it to say I don't love it.  I mean, the "after" is perfectly nice, but it's getting old.  The white with shades of grey, brown, and blue with just plants as color is getting old.  I don't know.  I like the before picture better.  

LEADING WITH VULNERABILITY (AND GETTING HIT OVER THE HEAD WITH AN UMBRELLA) - Millennial 

This was a nice read. 

How Many Ways Must We Say It? - AAUP

Schools shouldn't be run like businesses, and business language shouldn't be applied to education.  On point. 

Mars One mission: 'My boyfriend is cool with me going to Mars on a one-way trip' - The Telegraph 

Okay, it just hit me that I'm annoyed by the title (the article deals with much more than just her boyfriend).  But this was an interesting read.  I'm a pro NASA and publicly funded Mars mission person, and this is for a privately funded mission so that also annoys me but I'm ignoring it all to look at this woman's perspective.  You should give it a read. 

Bonus

I cannot even believe this is happening, but it's starting to snow.  I think maybe I should NOT write these, because the only time it's snowed here are the two times I've written these damn posts.  GO AWAY, SNOW. 

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Charlotte