Accidental Ambivalence

Things I Love Thursday

Most weeks, I attempt to keep a running list of things that make me smile, but I've slacked this week. As such, this list may be...scattered, but here it is nonetheless.

Little favors The nearest Starbucks to my home in Small Town is 80 miles away. This is distressing most days, but particularly problematic during the holiday season because I am obsessed with the gingerbread latte. I've been lamenting and whining for a few weeks, and apparently the mom's been listening, because after she and my dad got home from a shopping excursion yesterday, I was gifted with a venti gingerbread latte. It was delicious and basically made my day.
Bradshaw chats I kind of like her, so talking to her is happy-making.

The best salad ever Mixed greens, crispy bacon, chicken, and pomegranate seeds equals deliciousness. So good. I've made that exact salad four times in as many days, and I'm so far from sick of it I can't even tell you.

Clean floors I've mentioned I'm a pretty terrible housekeeper; I don't like most household chores, so I tend to avoid doing most of them as long as it can't be called unsanitary. Mopping floors is on that list (I sweep, so it's really not so terrible). However, when I actually DO clean, I like the results. My floors are very, very clean today, and I like it.

Glitter and lights and smiles chamomile tea with lemon and a drop of honey - it's probably psychosomatic, but it totally puts me to sleep; learning that there's a new season of Celebrity Rehab (because if you're going to watch reality TV, might as well make it as awful as possible, right?); Hershey's candy cane kisses; downloading oodles of music (mostly Glee, but I also got Duffy's new album); picking apart pomegranates - strangely cathartic; leather gloves; thinking about making Christmas cookies (I have a lightbulb-shaped cookie cutter - so much cute, sparkly potential); stories that make me laugh out loud (most things don't); cherry-blue raspberry slushes; long walks; props vs. demerits; snow flurries (real snow soon, please, Mother Nature); planning excessive Christmas decorating while listening to the Glee Christmas album at a ridiculous volume; fantasies; drawing Secret Santa names at my parents' restaurant and getting the name of one of the few who doesn't suck; "We should throw possums at them."

Labels: TILT

posted by nicalyse @ 1:02 PM 2 comments

Things I Love Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving, lovelies! Since I missed TILT last week, we get a super-awesome Thanksgiving edition today!

Deliciousness Let's start by celebrating the gluttony of this most excellent of holidays. Turkey, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts with bacon, cranberry sauce. My excellent sugar-free pumpkin pie (for my grandpa, though it's pretty fantastic even if it is sugar-free). Ooo, and the leftovers. I like leftovers quite a lot.

Glee I'm a total sucker for...well, everything Glee is. Teen dramedy, clever cruelty, fun musical numbers. Add in a revolving door of excellent guest stars and Nic becomes a happy girl. Oh, and I started listening to their Christmas album, which makes me happier than almost anything. Ever. For serious, kittens.

Sparkles As part of the massive Sephora order my mother and I made, I chose two season nail polishes with sparkles. One, called Merry Me, has a ton of red glitter and is perfect for toenails (I kind of feel like Dorothy Gale every time I look down). The other, called 212, is gray with bronze and iridescent flakes in it. It's good for looking at when you get bored because your dad insists of watching episodes of The Lone Ranger while you wait for Thanksgiving dinner to finish. Yes, I can get this much enjoyment out of something as simple as glittery nail polish.

Side dishes sleeping in; Hershey's candy cane kisses; homemade pizza; Puck snuggles; substituting for kids whose parents I know (do you have any idea how effective it can be to look at a kid and say, "I have your mom's number in my phone, and I can make sure she knows how you've been acting today"? So great.); my mom's chili; finally saying it; sleeping in; pomegranate Jelly Belly jelly beans and the fact that my mom got them for me; the bambinos and their sweetness; online shopping; spending $350 at Sephora with my mom (before the 20% discount - excellence); sugar scrubs; strange text conversations (talking fragrance with Hawk = strange); using my imagination; thinking about baking Christmas cookies; the soundtracks from Spring Awakening and Wicked; taking the time to enjoy my coffee in the morning instead of sucking it back because I'm desperate for caffeine; blue raspberry slushes; getting showered and presentable-for-public-viewing (don't be dirty) in less than an hour - this almost never happens; sleeping off migraines; "You look really different today."; thinking of dozens more things to add to this list, but stopping so that I can instead go eat dinner.

Tell me, kittens, what are you thankful for this year?

Labels: TILT

posted by nicalyse @ 3:06 PM 1 comments

Things I Love Thursday

It's a late edition!

Success with new recipes I know shepherd's pie is super-simple, but it wasn't something I'd ever tried to make before; it's not really a midwestern sort of dish, so I'd never eaten it either. Still, the recipe I found was pretty simple, and there's almost no way to make ground beef, onions, carrots, and mashed potatoes taste bad. My success was confirmed by my dad, who asked for a sample and then asked when I was planning to make more. It's really perfect for cool weather!


The Red Pyramid Last week I wrote about Rick Riordan's new Heroes of Olympus series. This week, I read the first book in The Kane Chronicles, which is built around Egyptian mythology rather than Greek and Roman. My grasp of Egyptian mythology is radically less than my knowledge of Greek, but I think that actually made the story more interesting; I was discovering the mythology and the history as I read, the way the novels are intended. I'm a fan.

Jim and Pam's wedding Netflix just got around to sending me the sixth season of The Office, and Jim and Pam's wedding made me really happy. The mental snapshots and cutting the tie and the Maid in the Mist and the dancing down the aisle. Happy happy happy.


Happy Ever After I spent Saturday reading Nora Roberts' latest novel. I get a strange satisfaction out of starting and finishing a book in a single day; I read a lot of childrens and young adult titles, so it happens pretty regularly, but still. I'm not a huge fan of the romance genre, but I actually think Roberts does it better than most, and I've been reading her books since high school. A series based around weddings? Fun. Fluffy, predictable, endearing fun.

Labels: TILT

posted by nicalyse @ 11:34 AM 2 comments

Things I Love Thursday

Happy Thursday! My list of loveliness:

Cooler weather This week I added blankets to my bed and turned on the heater. I like being cozy. Hoodies and cardigans and scarves and coats and throw blankets and fuzzy slippers - all good.

The Tudors The final season was an excellent combination of horrific deaths and sex scenes that, I believe, approach the world of soft-core porn (and here come the google searches). By my (probably incomplete) count, there were two weddings, three beheadings, one burning-at-the-stake, a war with France, and one man being hanged, drawn, and quartered. Michael Hirst, the writer-creator, also knows his Tudor-era torture methods, including fingernail removal, tooth pulling, and the rack. I listen to those scenes more than I watch them; they turn my stomach. Ooo, and ghosts! At least four of those. Torture and death aside, watching The Tudors makes me want to wear brocade gowns, oversized accessories, and tiaras.


Being warm from the inside out Coffee, tea, cider, cocoa - hot beverages make me feel all cozy. I am, clearly, into coziness this week.

Voting It makes me feel all responsible and stuff. A couple of things that I felt passionate about were successful, so I'm going to choose to be pleased. I also had the privilege of discussing an issue with someone with opposite beliefs; this was a privilege because, while we disagreed, he was an idiot and I trounced him with my logic. I think we're all aware of how much I like winning, and this was both a win and a demonstration of my intellectual superiority. It's like a super-win.


The Lost Hero I cannot tell you how excited I was to discover that Rick Riordan is again exploring Greek and Roman mythology with his new Heroes of Olympus series. I love mythology, and I've written before about how masterfully Riordan incorporates it into his stories. So much happy.


This and that coffee ice cream; being so busy that time passes extra-quick; catching the "Treehouse of Horror" episodes of The Simpsons - they're really the best ones; a weekend spent with a cozy blanket and my DVD player; gchats with Bradshaw and Hawk; "I'll buy you one, baby." "Did you just call me baby?"; male posturing; sweet potatoes - I think I'm going to challenge myself to find three different, tasty ways to cook them; playing music from "The Rocky Horror Glee Show" really loudly, then going to work and singing "Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me" under my breath all night; realizing that I come first alphabetically in the list of people in my hometown with my surname (yes, I'm related to them all, and yes, this is silly - I'm easily amused, kittens); being responsible for the "yay!" on the other end of a phone call; making someone amusingly uncomfortable without speaking; downloading oodles of music, looking at the stars - it's easy to forget they're up there, but they're gorgeous.

Tell me, kittens, what's making you dance and smile this week?

Labels: TILT

posted by nicalyse @ 12:40 AM 2 comments

Things I Love Thursday

Thursday dance!

Having my parents home Don't get me wrong, I'm more than grateful that I don't live with my parents: That would be disastrous for all three of us. That said, I'm glad they're home from vacation. I like looking out my window and seeing lights in their house that I didn't turn on. Plus, my mom's a pretty cool chick.


Stories that draw you in I almost never do only one thing at a time (I am a master of multi-tasking), so finding something that draws me in completely is a little bit special. It makes me smile.
Being a music teacher I am not an impressive singer. Really, I should limit myself to "Happy Birthday", Christmas carols, and singing in the car when I'm by myself. Monday, I was an elementary music teacher forced to teach first and second graders a new song. Singing in front of little kids isn't embarrassing in the least, and watching them catch on after the third or fourth time was actually a lot more entertaining than I expected. Good times.


Extra credit peppermint tea before bed; super-cozy pink blankets; sweet potatoes made spicy; my mom's vacation photography - so pretty; super-purr Puck; mixing eye shadows to make lovely new shades; getting compliments on cute shoes; clean dishes - hate washing them, like when they're all clean; "Time Warp"; maple syrup; The Tudors - I have to say, I'm impressed with their skill with aging the actors, though Henry Cavill looks much better in real life than as a middle-aged man; cooler weather, even if it does mean waking up with a cold nose; Hawk - I'm glad I know him because he makes me smile; beginning the Truth Project; discovering silliness that makes me really happy; cooking with garlic; wearing purple; reading things that make me think, even when I don't agree with them completely; waking up and not remembering my dream, but knowing that it was interesting all the same; Away We Go.

I loved your lists last week! Share, share, share, kittens!

Labels: TILT

posted by nicalyse @ 12:34 PM 4 comments

Things I Love Thursday

This week wasn't about big things, it was about little things. Dozens of little things that made me smile and feel wonderful. It's the small things that really matter though, right? Like getting a high five from a cute kid or getting a lipstick sample in the mail that turns out to be the perfect color for your skin tone.

The History of Sex Have you ever watched this on the History Channel? It's an academic, matter-of-fact look at sexuality in different time periods. It amuses me to no end. And, because I do and read and watch everything more than once, I've definitely seen it before. Never stops me from tuning in when there's nothing better on. And really, if they're airing it after eleven years, someone else must be watching too.

The Magic School Bus "Take chances! Make mistakes! Get messy!"



Excellence A New York state gubernatorial candidate, the former owner of an escort service, said the following (and I paraphrase): "All politicians are prostitutes, and I think I'm the only person here who knows exactly how to handle that." Potentially the best political line I've ever heard. If I lived in New York, I would seriously entertain voting for her based on that alone.

All the little things Gorgeous fall weather and spending time outside in it; feeling well-rested; serendipity; discoveries that make me smile and feel connected; naughty dreams (a girl takes what she gets, yo); reading; "Are there fluffers for women?"; the return of the parents; pre-schooler high-fives; discovering Rick Riordan's new Greek mythology-inspired book; Italian-style bread; maintaining a manicure for a full week - it usually chips after a day or two and I give it up; maintaining a relatively consistent sleep schedule; super-swirly thoughts and sharing them; perfect lipstick shades; long, straight hair and having it.

Oh, love, please tell me what makes you smile this week! I'm so looking forward to reading your list!

Labels: TILT

posted by nicalyse @ 11:15 AM 4 comments

Things I Love Thursday

Perfect thunderstorms There was thunder and lightning, like any self-respecting thunderstorm, but the trick to being perfect is that it never rained so hard that it blocked my satellite signal. Excellence in little things.


Being rescued Friday afternoon, on my way home from school, I got a flat tire. While I am certainly aware of how to change a tire, it's impossible to change your own tire when you aren't strong enough to loosen your own lug nuts. So, I called my friend Drawl, who took less than a minute to take care of them. That, kittens, is where it got interesting. The rim was rusted on. I did not know that could happen. Drawl saved the day with a sledge hammer, a 2x4, and brute strength. He will soon be the recipient of a tasty baked good.


Watching the miners being rescued It makes me smile and get a little teary-eyed. Seriously. I like watching things go well on the news.


My library I read in an article in Vanity Fair that Marilyn Monroe had a library of nearly 400 books. Which, naturally, made me wonder how many books I have. So I counted. Then lost count because my books are all over the place; I have inadequate shelf space and decorate with them. My library stands somewhere around 200 books. Since I consider this anemic, it's hard telling where it'll end up.


Many little things ordering essentials online; little kids dressed up for picture day; homecoming excitement; the latest issue of Vanity Fair; painting my nails chocolate brown; sleeping so deeply that I wake up feeling as if time evaporated rather than just sleeping through it; gorgeous chrysanthemums outside and how long they last cut; playing Risk and conquering the world; Nutella on graham crackers; "catching up" calls from my mom on vacation; turning leftover roasted vegetables into roasted vegetable soup; feline fascination with bath bubbles; opportunities to gchat with Bradshaw; the reappearance of something thought missing; "You're what? Nineteen?"; feeling off-kilter and learning from it; biscuits and gravy for Sunday breakfast; being up early enough for breakfast, pet care, and early arrival; the endless antics of kittens; choosing clothes that feel good; getting a call to substitute for the preschoolers Monday (I'm actually really looking forward to that. Who knew?); Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver; the fact that I always have a blanket in my lap when I'm at home; only vaguely remembering my dreams and knowing that they involved kissing and little kids - separately, you creeps; teenagers who have manners enough to call a teacher ma'am when they don't know her name (even if it makes me feel a wee bit old); "You look really familiar - that's it!"; The History of Love by Nicole Krauss; fall - weirdly, I'm into it this year; foggy mornings; text message photos of the Statue of Liberty at night from my mom.

Labels: TILT

posted by nicalyse @ 6:27 AM 1 comments

Things I Love Thursday

"It isn't the great big pleasures that count the most; it's making a great deal out of the little ones."

Extra Credit the glasses Justin Timberlake is wearing while he promotes The Social Network; baked gnocchi with ricotta and marinara; cardigan weather; finding my favorite pasta sauce and buying 8 jars; long, quiet drives; others' assumptions that I am significantly younger than I am; Starbucks opportunities; lots of black eyeliner (further proof that I do everything in phases, including eye makeup); a very full pantry; awkwardness on scripted television; being so busy I barely have time to think for a couple of hours; new toothbrush day; steamed caramel cider - homemade!; paychecks; the gag reel on the last disc of a television show season - my favorite part, and particularly excellent when watching The Office; playing with wee kittens; the gorgeous stack of new books still waiting to be read; pink fingernails; another Sunday spent on a marathon (Entourage), but also using the time to write instead of being entirely useless; getting a call to sub in high school, finally; irreverence and heart existing together; polite people; thoughtfulness; Hawk, of course - hey, you, post more!

I remind you, again, that it's only polite to share. Let me know what's making your week!

Labels: TILT

posted by nicalyse @ 12:13 AM 2 comments

Things I Love Thursday

Pre-schoolers Despite yesterday's post, I had a lot of fun in my two days as a pre-school teacher. With the exception of the tantrum kid, this was a group of bright, cheerful, adorable little kids who play house and make abstract art. And not once was I annoyed by being called "teacher" instead of Ms. Nic.


Inspiration It's about effing time. And it's not just the abstract sort of inspiration I usually have; it's like the planets have finally aligned to bring it together in a way that has potential to come to fruition. I think that probably sounds cryptic. It's not meant to, I'm just really pleased.

Planning baths You already know I'm insane and like to make plans. My parents are going to be on vacation for a couple of weeks, and that means I can take a long, hot bath whenever I want! No worrying about inconveniencing anyone or being naked when they get home. Some day, I will have a disposable income. And I will remodel the bathroom in my house so I can have a tub. I really like baths.



Being able to cook soon In the last year, I've gotten used to cooking dinner nearly every night. For the last few weeks, I've been working evenings at my parents' restaurant and either eating there or throwing together something completely weird when I get home. While they're gone, I'll get to cook again. I miss cooking. And apparently my entire TILT is going to be anticipatory.


Glitter and confetti parsnips; losing entire days to marathons on TV - this should probably annoy me, but I like it; learning about the tea party coloring book for kids - both extremely amusing and completely terrifying; actually managing to get eighteen milk cartons open without using my fingernails - I never get that lucky; being able to talk about teaching with another educator; "you dress like one of the bait girls on To Catch a Predator"; "good hair days (although, hate me if you must, I don't have a lot of particularly bad ones); the enormous chrysanthemum blooming next to my door and the lantana getting beautiful one more time; a freezer full of deliciousness; using the laptop in bed (again.); a dad who will kill the enormous wasp colonies outside my house for me; Nutella; stacks of books to read; throwing things together and getting a delicious outcome; little bits; Philippa Gregory's The Red Queen waiting to be read in my living room.

Please, lovelies, tell me what's making you smile this week!

Labels: TILT

posted by nicalyse @ 5:10 PM 5 comments

Things I Love Thursday

Embracing my old lady-ness Really, guys. I live alone with two cats, make others eat things I bake, engage in a whole host of old lady pursuits, and watch TV with the volume too loud.* I'm very particular about my space, I have tissues and ibuprofen in my purse, and I watch the squawking that is The View. I was already the crazy cat lady forty or fifty years early; now I'm a 24-year-old senior citizen.


Slow mornings I'm ready for a full-time job and I love substituting (and the money it makes), but I really love my slow, easy weekday mornings. I drink coffee sip-by-sip while watching Good Morning America. I have time to make breakfast if I want or wander around outside or read during commercials (ever the multi-tasker). I also get to sleep in. You see, Good Morning America is on at 6 am in my time zone, but I have DirecTV. They give me the west coast broadcast of the four networks, which means I get to watch GMA at 9 am instead. So this week I also love DirecTV.


Unclogging the vacuum Two Christmases ago, my parents gave me a vacuum (yes, a not-so-subtle hint). When living with the Roommate, she clogged it, put it back in the closet, and never said a word. Excellent. So when I moved back to Small Town, I started using the ancient-but-still-effective vacuum my grandmother had been using since the 70s. But it's heavy and cumbersome, so Sunday afternoon I decided to rip apart the fancy new upright. Giant masses of white hair and dust came out, and now the vacuum sucks! Because a vacuum is, after all, one of the few things you want to suck. (Oh, yes. Dirty.)


Food While reading my list, I realized how many of my things related to food. So, all together! Menu planning and grocery shopping accordingly - much better than running to the store a couple of times a week to grab a handful of things; berry smoothies; mini bananas, no matter how over-priced they were - so cute!; from-scratch mac and cheese with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes - read the recipe and try it, because it's really good; coffee caramel hard candies; Italian-style bread to use as a vehicle for homemade tomato jam; buying lots of apples and planning to cook with them.


Discovering Hawk has a blog! And I already love it. Go read it: Sobriety is Hardcore. You remember: Hawk is my fiancee.



Just a pinch learning about my own influence; clean blankets warm from the dryer; getting paid for big chunks of free time, which I use to read; improving others' grammar - I will never give up!; fun songs on the radio during the drive home, especially when it's a song I've been thinking about for a few days; tulip and hyacinth bulbs to plant and enjoy in the spring; the wonders of modern medicine: drugs that get rid of sinus headaches make life bearable; season premieres of House, Glee, and Gossip Girl; making a point of saying hello; believing; repeatedly resisting temptation; school supplies on sale - I love Post-Its; cleaning out my fridge (just a little, but it needs a real cleaning), seeing how excited my mom is about her upcoming vacation; magazine subscriptions - I now get Vanity Fair, Everyday Food, and Whole Living each month, and read Mom's Better Homes and Gardens after she's finished with it - I really like magazines.

Tell me, kittens, what's making you love life this week? Remember, it's only polite to share.

*There is a reason for that. My hearing was damaged when I was little and my couch is right in front of the (not quiet) air conditioner. If I sit elsewhere, I realize just how loud it is. But of course I'm not going to sit elsewhere!

Labels: TILT

posted by nicalyse @ 11:48 AM 2 comments

Things I Love Thursday

Books Reading articles about them on The Daily Beast, ordering them online, checking them out from the library - everything about them makes me happy. Like everything in my life, I read books in phases, and right now I'm in a books-with-substance phase, quite different from my nonfiction, young adult, and romance novel phases. Love books so much.


Lady Gaga on the VMAs With the exception of the meat dress (it icked me out), I was pretty happy with Gaga Sunday night. She wore McQueen because the designer provided the clothes for her much-nominated (and much-awarded) "Bad Romance" video, and while I thought that we'd moved past the armadillo heels, I'm pretty sure she's the only one who could actually wear them in public instead of just for a photo shoot. She walked the carpet with soldiers discharged due to the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, honored the late McQueen in one of her acceptance speeches, and told the cast of Glee that she loves them. Cher presented her the award for Video of the Year, and all I could think as the two of them stood there was how excited "the gays" (as Kathy Griffin would say) must have been. Cher and Gaga! Love love love.

Luck Fate. Whatever you want to call it. There was an accident last night at the end of the road I live on that I may very well have been a part of if I hadn't stopped to get gas on my way home. It seems simple, and it is, but I'm grateful either way.


Inspiration It comes from rain and quiet and the beautiful words of others. Now, I need to combine that with motivation and good timing and a healthy pinch of luck.




Extra Credit Johnny Weir on The Rachel Zoe Project; "I have shoes older than most of tonight's nominees."; Mom-made (better than homemade) vegetable beef stew; blasts from the past - and all the better when they put cash in my pocket; the season premiere of Gossip Girl waiting on the parents' DVR for my viewing pleasure; writing letters to the future-me; "you think you know me"; employing my baking skills to endear myself to my future boss and the very nice secretary who gives me work now; "they actually taste chocolatey instead of just being brown" - my goal, so that comment was much appreciated; so-cute kittens; painting my door pink - picture forthcoming!; gchats with Ms. B; lovely things on Tumblr; feline reactions to peacock calls on TV; playing Monopoly Here and Now on my computer; feeling more certain of myself; planning a rainy-evening dinner.

Labels: TILT

posted by nicalyse @ 4:50 AM 4 comments

Things I Love Thursday

Mmm, Thursday! This week, I am enjoying the following:

Little kids Tuesday, I substituted at my elementary school. Leaving my classroom-for-the-day to pick up the class from the library, I walked past the first grade hallway and saw one of the groups crossing the hallway from their classroom to the restroom. At the back of the line was a little boy pulling on a sweatshirt. He couldn't seem to get his head or arms through the proper holes, and was therefore crossing the hallway blindly. His teacher helped him, and I went on down the hallway completely amused by the antics of little kids. I'm also glad that I'm not an elementary teacher by training and that I don't have any children of my own. Much more fun to interact with them the way I get to.


Thunderstorms I prefer natural occurrences that don't harm people or property, and a good thunderstorm usually fits the bill. And did you know that hummingbirds will fly around in pouring rain to play and drink from a feeder? Seriously remarkable birds.


Unsolicited work I kind of dropped the ball on getting set up to substitute in the second district where I spent some time last year, but the principal at their elementary school called me Tuesday afternoon to see what my plans for the school year were. I spent six weeks covering his sixth grade class when their teacher had surgery last school year, so I guess it isn't surprising that he's happy to have me subbing there again this year. He was also one of my references when I interviewed (another unsolicited offer) for a job about sixty miles from home. This blurb is getting hard to understand...suffice it to say it's nice to get a vote of confidence from someone with a bit of power.


Coming together As someone who struggles to write - even though I want to do it so much - it's wonderful when inspiration, motivation, and time finally come together in my favor. Love.

This and that getting paid for a full day of work instead of the half-day I was there; playing with super-cute kittens; hot showers and a pot of coffee to chase away post-Benadryl haze; the convenience and cheapness of magazine subscriptions - it's easy to justify $12 for 20 magazines instead of $4 per issue; students who are shocked when a teacher uses the phrase "what the heck"; an allergic reaction that is not anaphylaxis - bright side, kittens; the apparent perception of myself as capable; a classroom teacher with substituting experience who therefore makes things super-clear and easy for the person coming in (read: me); breadsticks with marinara; using the laptop in bed, something I haven't really done a lot; the convenience of Netflix - seriously, think about it; roasted things - broccoli, corn, chicken; when food tastes better than you expected; knowing kids from substituting last year; October's Vanity Fair; unexpected trips with Starbucks rewards; "Wow, you really are short."; cooler weather; thinking about cupcake decorations; getting up early enough to shower, make scrambled eggs, and still be early to my destination.

What's rocking your boat this week, kittens?

photo credits via tumblr

Labels: TILT

posted by nicalyse @ 11:45 AM 3 comments

Things I Love Thursday

Feeling tired because I've done work You aren't interested in hearing me talk about my summer, during which I had the opportunity to sleep in nearly every day and almost never had somewhere I had to be. But the thing is, I actually prefer running around and working and being busy. Last Friday, I spent my afternoon with second graders, then my evening working at my parents' restaurant. I worked at the restaurant on Saturday too (which was a little strange). I was tired Saturday night, and it's been long enough since I've been tired that way that I enjoyed it. Yes, I am in fact strange.

Daydreaming. Fantasizing. Planning. Visualizing. Scheming. Whatever word you want to use for it - all are accurate - it's more than a little fun.


An entire day of thunderstorms Some people think gray days are sad and depressing. I disagree. I love a day of lightning, thunder, and torrential downpours. I don't feel any less productive, and in fact they tend to inspire me to do things like write and self-pamper and clean.

Looking in other people's desk drawers I realize that this is a little iffy, and I'm sincerely not trying to invade anyone privacy. I just think it's interesting seeing how someone else organizes her desk: what things go in which drawers, whether they use organizers or just have masses of stuff. I like discovering interesting office supplies, teacher-specific things, and the random stuff that people squirrel away in their desks in general. Plus, teachers know that at some point they'll have a substitute and that person may need (or choose) to open their drawers. (Can you tell that I'm a little worried about how appropriate this is? I really have no sinister motives, though.)


Mockingjay Seriously, I'm writing Suzanne Collins a letter. By hand (because no one does that any more). I work hard not to build up expectations for books in series; I hate to be disappointed. Mockingjay, I'm so grateful to say, didn't disappoint me. It came last Thursday afternoon; I read it that night in about four hours. I've since read it a second time. It just makes me really happy. I cannot recommend The Hunger Games highly enough, kittens. For serious.

Getting bragged on Last Saturday, while working at my parents' restaurant, my baking skills were referenced multiple times. A couple of weeks ago, I dreamed that I baked cupcakes for my second grade teacher (after seeing her at the restaurant). I made that my facebook status, and when that same teacher came in Saturday afternoon, my mom had to tell her about my dream. Both of my parents then bragged on my baking skills, which felt pretty nice. Apparently I'm on the way to becoming "famous" for Pop Rocks cupcakes (thanks, Tiff!).


Whipped cream and sprinkles reading through my archives and finding old posts that make me laugh out loud; Better Homes and Gardens; plans to paint the inside of my back door bright pink - the kid who mixed my paint at the store looked dubious, which just proves that I made a good choice; getting ideas for decorating baked goods; toast - bread is really delicious, guys; learning that hummingbirds will brave a thunderstorm to get a tasty drink; drawing floor plans; Marilyn going crazy trying to find the cat meowing on the title menu of The Office (season four, disc two); for that matter, The Office - I watched the "Dinner Party" episode last night and laughed basically the entire time; learning that school content filters don't block my blog; deciding to really go for the hundred push-up challenge, starting with girl-style and perhaps moving on to the real deal; feeling needed; bonding a bit with the lady responsible for whether or not I get called to sub; impressing someone completely by accident; super cute furry things; finding pretty things on tumblr.

What's ringing your bell this week, kittens?

per usual, photo credits via tumblr

Labels: TILT

posted by nicalyse @ 12:05 PM 2 comments

Things I Love Thursday

Hummingbirds Growing up, my Grandma always hung feeders for them, so I followed suit. For the first month or so, I never saw anything and assumed that the nectar was evaporating rather than being drunk. I let it run dry, then rushed to fill it when I saw the first hummingbird come and fly away disappointed. In the weeks since, that one lonely hummingbird has become a family of multiple males and females who play peek-a-boo (or go-away-I-hate-you - who can tell?) and completely mesmerize me. Love.

Getting calls to sub Last year, it took months after I'd given schools my information to get my first call to substitute. It was during that time that I was forced to suffer the indignity of asking my mom for enough cash to get bread and milk. Since summer began, I've been preparing myself for the possibility that I wouldn't work again until October or later. This year, however, I have an estabilished reputation with schools; I'm a reliable, competent substitute, and they like me. Which is why I already have a few days lined up, starting with Friday afternoon! It's a little like insurance, I guess, and it feels good.


Parents who will rescue me Being stranded three hours from home sucks. Sucks. Having parents who will come and rescue their adult child, forsaking one of their few nights off? Pretty awesome, and comes without the guilt I would feel asking a friend or a guy to come rescue me (though I'm totally a damsal in distress).

Synchronicity I'd already written TILT - referencing both Advice for All My Children and hummingbirds before I checked it this morning for the purpose of acquiring the link. This was the most recent post:


Last weekend Bradshaw and I don't get to spend nearly enough time together, but when we do, it's pretty excellent. If you read yesterday's weekend recap, you know that we aren't always the most exciting pair of ladies, but that's kind of the point. If you can't sit at home and watch TV with someone, are you really good friends? If you always have to be doing something, what does that say? Since B and I don't have to do anything, I think that says good things.

Plans to put myself on a writing schedule Since I was about nine, my mom has been expecting me to be a published writer. Not as something she's pushed me toward, but as something that I enjoy and have a talent for. I have the same expectation for myself, but I tend to lack that vital combination of inspiration and follow-through. I think that part of the Universe's reason for not presenting me with the perfect full-time teaching job (and at this point, I won't settle for a job that isn't what I want) is to give me the freedom to write. I squandered that freedom, honestly, last school year, and I want to instead take advantage this year. I'm going to make an effort to write every day, preferably fiction (though even writing blog posts is something, right?).


Glitter and sequins Mockingjay anticipation - UPS will bring my copy this afternoon (I hope); planning Christmas cookies - too early? no such thing; gorgeous, cool weather; seeing Hawk this weekend - I forget how much I really like that guy; Advice for All My Children; feeling super-cozy and comfortable in bed; writing grocery lists and planning my shopping trip; thinking ahead enough to bring a book with me this weekend, even though I didn't think I'd have time to read - totally saved me and now makes me think I should keep a book in my car at all times; working so hard to stick to my no-snacks plan; reading nonfiction; gaining clarity; thinking about painting inside my house - I want to paint my door pink and may look at paint this afternoon; eternally cute kittens; red velvet cupcakes (I ate that cupcake, which had cream cheese frosting, even after it sat in my hot car for four hours. Hooray for an iron stomach!); Radical Self-Hate? Stop the Madness!; Puck and Marilyn's excitement at my return; validation; pretty city landscaping; cake and cookie decorating toys.

all photos sourced at Tumblr

Labels: TILT

posted by nicalyse @ 11:53 AM 2 comments