Leaping Tall Buildings With a Single Bound!
During a gchat with Bradshaw yesterday, she subject of superheroes came up. Naturally, it got me thinking about what persona I would take on if I became a superhero. Once, not so long ago, I was jokingly given superpowers which including shooting sparkly pink lasers from my eyes. It's a bit of an inside joke.
Grammar Girl Correcting every mistake you make! Her red laser pen blasts unnecessary commas into oblivion! She annoys her opponents into submission.
The Baker Rescuing the weak with magical cupcakes! She looks - and smells - sweet, but don't get on her bad side: She keeps a stash of exploding dragées in her apron pocket.
Mighty Midget Sneak attacking unsuspecting baddies from low to the ground! She's more than a little underhanded, and she always wears flats.
What is your superhero persona? Alternatively, or additionally, what is your super-villain persona?
Labels: everyday amusements
Proust Questionnaire
Every month, the last page of Vanity Fair is the Proust Questionnaire as completed by someone of note. I usually can't think of my own answers to the questions - they are deeper than they seem - but when I received my last issue, it was suddenly incredibly easy. I thought I would share my answers with you.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?At the moment, drinking a perfect cup of coffee in my nightgown.
What is your greatest fear?Never again experiencing love.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?Impatience, which leads to short-temperedness.
What trait do you most deplore in others?Willful ignorance.
Which living person do you most admire?My mother for being apologetically herself.
What is your current state of mind?Slightly introspective mixed with "mmm, coffee."
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?Chastity.
On what occasion do you lie?On occasions when I prefer not to be honest, nearly always about myself.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?My skin.
What is the quality you most like in a man?Honesty.
What is the quality you most admire in a woman?Honesty.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?Probably the verbal tick, "you know." Also, "dirty."
What or who is the greatest love of your life?My late great-grandmother.
Which talent would you most like to have?To write beautifully.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?I would be more patient.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?Getting from nineteen to twenty-one.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?A very pampered cat or a lovingly abused book.
What is your most treasured possession?My memories.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?Being forced to live with "what if."
What is your favorite occupation?Reading.
What is your most marked characteristic?My height, physically. Probably my candor.
Who are your favorite writers?I could list for days; different authors, different styles, different moods.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?Albus Dumbledore.
What historical figure do you most identify with?Someone like Greta Garbo who craved attention, then hid from it.
Who are your heroes in real life?My great-grandmother and my parents.
What is it that you most dislike?Being ignored, liars, and spinelessness.
What is your greatest regret?Not telling someone how important they were.
How would you like to die?In my sleep.
What is your motto?If you don't want the truth, don't ask my opinion.
There we have it, kittens. If you feel compelled, I urge you to complete the questionnaire for yourself, then let me know so I can read it!
Labels: everyday amusements, personal growth
You Know You Love Me
Today, I watched eight episodes of
Gossip Girl. It's one of those shows that I couldn't seem to keep up with even when I did have cable access, and by the time I felt compelled to start watching episodes again, I didn't have access. In any case, the mood was right and I had a long, empty day stretching in front of me. In watching the episodes, I have realized a few things.
First, Blair, Chuck, and Dan get all the best lines. The best puns, the best snarks. And you would think that the endless plays on the name Chuck Bass would get old, but somehow they amuse me every time.
Second, I am jealous of Blair's appearance of perfection. I'm not sure where it started, but for as long as I can remember, I have wished that I had the kind of self-control and ability to appear perfect in any situation. Because I like scapegoating today, I'll blame the Disney princesses.
Finally, I will always want the bad boy. In my own life, with Project and Hershey, who I chose over Iris and the very nice, attractive, intelligent boy I went on a date with a few weeks ago. And on television. On
Gilmore Girls, I begged Rory to leave Dean for Jess - and coveted Logan. On
That '70s Show, I adored the relationship between Jackie and Hyde. My short-lived interest in
Dawson's Creek - in seventh grade, in my defense - led to a crush on Pacey. And, now, watching
Gossip Girl, I'm very much in love with Chuck and Blair.
I would very much like to have a burlesque party, though I have a sinking feeling that it would turn into a grope-fest faster than I could say garter belt. I shall continue to live vicariously through television teenagers. And like it.
Labels: everyday amusements, television
"You Look Great Naked"
It's one thing to be comfortable with your body. It's another thing to hear someone compliment your body, particularly when they know that they can't get you into bed. It's quite different when you then hear that the person who complimented you spoke about you to a third party.
I believe this is what's known as validation.
It's also one of the most superficially fabulous feelings I've ever experienced.
Labels: everyday amusements, personal growth
Smile
Yesterday, I left a secret note for someone at work. It said, "you have a beautiful heart." I meant it.
Those people make me unimaginably happy.
Labels: everyday amusements
Running Errands
Today was a day of consumption, kittens. It was weird to have a Monday off work - that hasn't happened in quite some time - but I decided to make the most of it. I slept in, and the last two pieces of furniture that belonged to the girl who lived in this room before have finally been picked up, so I can arrange things in a way that is more what I like. This makes me happier than I even realized it would. First I'm going to vacuum and organize some things, which I've been feeling compelled to do lately.
I needed to go to the bank, I got some coffee at work (because there was none in the house, which was really not okay), and headed to Target. I bought a way-cute pair of wedges, Across the Universe, and a string of really
cute lantern lights to decorate the little patio outside my window. Then I headed to Wal-Mart for groceries and flowers - which are way too pretty to explain. While the lady was checking me out, I realized how insane my purchases seemed. Potting soil, plants, pots, two quarts of motor oil, a package of men's tank tops (for layering), baby wipes (to remove makeup), and assorted grocery items. To her credit, she didn't comment.
It's raining, or else I would transfer the plants into their new homes. I suppose that can wait until tomorrow. I had a lovely little turkey sandwich on fresh French bread for dinner, and now I am going to grab my umbrella and head downtown to meet Spark at the Roommate's restaurant for tiramisu and maybe a tipple*. And I think tonight, I will sleep better knowing that things are back in the places that they are meant to be.
*This is on the short list for my new favorite words.Labels: everyday amusements, rambling
How Nic Spends Her Free Time
Occasionally, when I find myself bored of DVDs and lacking the motivation to get pretty enough to be seen in public, I start trolling around the interwebs looking for amusement. Each Friday,
Gala does a carousel of links that she has enjoyed over the week, and often she has some gems, but my taste is a little different than hers. I also don't spend quite as much time finding different things as she seems to; I find a handful of things that I like a lot and then spend hours sorting through them until I reach the end or am sick of it. So, here are a handful of things that have been amusing me over the last couple of weeks.
I Love You More Than Blank is one of the cutest things I've ever seen. Some of the entries are ridiculous, some are clearly inside jokes or anecdotes, and some are simply very sweet.
I adore quotations and pretty pictures, so
Finally Seeing is perfect for me. Also in that same vein are
I Can Read and
What else is there?.
Super Obama World amuses me endlessly. Silly, yes, but good for about ten minutes at a time.
This is Why You're Fat simultaneously grosses me out and fascinates me. It does not, however, make me hungry.
I go through phases with astrology stuff, but I do enjoy knowing where all the planets were when I was born. To find out your own, and get a bit of information, I recommend
Astrology Birth Chart. It's simple and straightforward. Also related to astrology, I like
Mystic Medusa, who does a bit more than what is normal with planets and such.
I heart some of the fashion blogs (like those in my sidebar), but I never seem to find one that actually has a style like my own or like what I aspire to - until now.
Academichic is way too cute and so my style. Three PhD candidates who are also teaching at the college level and give a hoot what they look like. They're adorable and I think I want to be them. Also, one girl is pregnant and her bump is way cute.
Last but not least, something recommended by Spark. I haven't done this yet, but I adore the idea and maybe if I link it myself, that will be the incentive I need to get off my behind and start.
Postcrossing is one of the coolest ideas ever. You register, get an address to send a postcard to somewhere in the world, and, from what I can tell, will receive the same in return. I want a postcard!
If you have any links that are totally rocking your world that you think I - or someone else - should know about, add it to the comments!
Labels: everyday amusements, links
If It Makes You Happy
Today has, so far, been a day of lovely surprises.
When I got up this morning, my roommate was already at work. I like Roommate, don't misunderstand, but most mornings she is still in bed when I am getting ready for work, and I do my best to be quiet and considerate. Today, I was able to wander through the house half-naked, sing, and leave the bathroom door open when I dried my hair.
Speaking of hair, I got mine cut and colored today. I love love love the color. My stylist, who I learned is the same age as I am, came out into the sun with me to look at it and was very happy. I was then pleasantly surprised to learn that it was $15 cheaper than I had anticipated. Score! I decided to take that extra cash to the mall.
While I'm very fond of Philosophy body wash, I didn't find any at Sephora that made me happy enough, so I ventured down the way to Bath and Body Works...where they were having a sale! I got some body scrub that will be excellent for getting pretty for spring.
I stopped at Taco Bell to get a quesadilla snack, and just as I was pulling out to head home (where I had planned to sit on the porch and eat it with my novel), my dad called. He and my mom were in town and took me out for steak, so not only did I get to see my parents and eat steak, I have leftover steak AND a quesadilla to eat later!
Now I am going to go sit on the porch, and I can only hope that something else surprising and lovely happens before I go to bed.
*Doesn't that photo just make you smile? I adore it.Labels: everyday amusements
Simple Pleasures
Yesterday, I met the governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, and while I am mostly apathetic about him and his politics, I always like to look nice when I meet new people. About an hour before he was set to arrive for his book signing, I ducked into the restroom. My cat's eye eyeliner was still going strong, the patent leather belt cinched at my waist over my sweater was doing its job to make me look thin, and the black pencil skirt was fitted lovely and free of kitten hair. I looked very presentable, certainly nothing to offend even the most conservative of politicians and customers.
Then, as I adjusted the headband in my hair, I had a wicked, wonderful thought that came into my head: I wasn't wearing any panties.
Labels: everyday amusements
Breakfast at Tiffany's
I am obsessed with
Breakfast at Tiffany's. I love it; I love nearly everything about it. In the last two weeks, I have watched it no less than half a dozen times, and I have had dreams related somehow to the movie three times. Each time I watch it, I notice something new, and I never get tired of it.
I'm torn between wanting to be like Audrey Hepburn or being Holly Golightly - and yes, they are radically different. Either way, here is a list of things I would like, inspired by the film.
Big sunglasses. They don't suit my face or my very small features, but that doesn't stop me from wanting them.
The all-pink outfit. The scene is sad, but the outfit - shoes, dress, jewelry - is divine and so very me.
The poise to consistently modulate my voice. Holly flirts with her eyes first, then her voice and with the tilt of her head. It's lovely and, in my opinion, underrated. Why show off cleavage when you can have a lovely, seductive voice?
A sleep mask. Preferably one with eyelashes on it. The earplugs would make me dotty, but are the kind of thing that I would put in a little jewelry dish on a night stand as a lovely decoration.
A boy to get me drunk in a strip club in the middle of the day. I adore the scene, the woman in the white dress, and this exchange:
Holly: Do you think she's talented? Deeply and importantly talented?
Paul: No. Amusingly and superficially talented, yes, but deeply and importantly, no.
Truman Capote's novel. They say Marilyn Monroe was envisioned as Holly Golightly, not Audrey. Audrey's so perfect. I want to read the novel and see where my imagination takes me.
A couch fashioned from - or like - an antique bathtub. To sit in a bedroom, more likely to be used by me as a dropping point for stray clothes than for lounging, but still fun and lovely.
My own personal "Fred." Someone who seems almost enthralled when he listens to me talk adn does silly things and puts up with my obvious craziness and looks after me and tells me off when I'm being ridiculous and will look for my cat in the rain and professes his love for me.
I fear that in the years between then and now, having gone, as a society, through Vietnam and free love and glam rock and heroin chic and the technology boom and the years of the Bush administration, that man has disappeared. Still, I shall hope.
Labels: everyday amusements, lists
In My Bag
I cleaned out my purse yesterday, and clearly it was about time. The contents of my purse were as follows (left to right):
my wallet and checkbook (with cash)
my new voter registration card
a small pink Moleskine notebook with pen (taken from work)
23 weeks of paycheck stubs
a huge pile of change, including 76 pennies
two half-empty packs of Orbit gum
two lipsticks, two lip glosses, and a lip balm
a compact mirror, hair clip, ibuprofen, lint-removal sheets, and an emergency tampon
one yogurt lid to be sent in, plus a pile of receipts and assorted scraps of paper
my nametag for work, complete with Breaking Dawn button and zero-balance gift card
my non-everyday keys (mostly to things back home)
sunglasses
assorted things including a dragon book button, bug-shaped eraser, paperclip, four sterling rings, and three rubber bracelets
I removed the paycheck stubs (shredded), change, the assorted scraps of paper (recycled), and all of the random things. All of the rest went back in to be toted around tomorrow. I think I should probably do this more often. I mean, twenty-three stubs? Really?
Labels: everyday amusements, photoblog
Red and Orange All Over
First, Happy Halloween! Tonight I am wearing fishnet thigh highs to work just because I can. Don't worry, my skirt is still an appropriate length.
Second, I'm in love with
this site. I've added it to the sidebar and I think you should do the same.
Third, my hair is now more red than it was before. I'm not even sure if the difference will show up noticeably in photos yet, but I'm loving it. Shiny and rich and once I wash it, it won't smell like dye any more.
Finally, I challenge you to do at least once thing this weekend that makes you incredibly happy, even if it pisses someone else off. I'm going to.
Labels: everyday amusements
Little Pleasures
It's freezing in my apartment because I refuse to turn on the heater and I have a six-foot window along my living room wall. Also, it is 31 degrees outside and I am smack dab in the middle of "hooray for being able to wear my coat!"
Today I shall wear the shirtdress that is almost too short with a pair of patterned, knitted tights and I will look fucking amazing.
I adore the beginning of winter.
Labels: everyday amusements, girl stuff
Sexy Shoe Brunch
Sometimes, my at home habits are a little odd; however, I'm beginning to think that if I could find a boy that I wanted to keep around for more than five minutes, he might enjoy my odd habits.
Last night, on a whim, I decided to bake cupcakes. At the store - chatting on the phone with Bradshaw - I decided that they should be angel food cupcakes. Angel food is delicious and much better for you than regular cake. The stupid box made three dozen cupcakes, so now I'm rolling in them. Were there a boy around, I would be more than happy to share. As it stands, I'm taking a bunch to work.
I fell asleep on the couch in a t-shirt,* but when I woke up and decided to make myself brunch, it wasn't working for me. I changed into a cutesy little nightgown and a pair of heels** and went to
work, putting together a frittata with cheese, a baby green salad with pomegranate seeds, and gingerbread-laced coffee.*** If I added bacon and a shot of liquor to the coffee, it would be perfect boy food.
Why the hell am I single? Or, to a lesser degree, why don't I have someone knocking down my door for sex and food?
In any case, I'm going to sit here and read some news and drink my coffee, then do my dishes (!), shower, and get pretty to go shopping before I have to be at work tonight. I'm on a quest for a shiny, skinny belt, some fantastic, cheap jewelry, and anything I can find on clearance that is lovely and perfect.
I foresee a good day ahead.
*Which certainly wouldn't have happened if there was a boy around. Nic was not enjoying the arrangement so much at the time.
**I'm breaking them in by wearing them around the house. Thursday night I mopped in a tank top, boy shorts, and those same 3-inch teal heels.
***I will be addressing the coffee very soon.Labels: everyday amusements
An Update in Tidbits
First, I'm back in College Town for "good," after spending the last week going back and forth between Small Town and Kansas City and Small Town and College Town and Small Town. Hooray for my coffee maker and being close to tasty coffee and having places to go where I won't be stir crazy.
Second, I didn't call Hershey when I got back to College Town on Wednesday night. I did, however, text him under the guise of wanting to return the
book I borrowed from him (which, incidentally, I loved). The text was my compromise, and I would like to say that I was right, as he did not respond. This bothers me, not because Hershey specifically ignored me, but because I hate being ignored in general. It is a pet peeve of mine, probably rooted in the fact that my small stature makes it easy to overlook me - sort of. I tend to demand attention when I really want it. On the negative side, sometimes my way of demanding that attention is childish or bitchy, two things that I do not want to show Hershey.* This is my spoken resolution to rise above my instinct to throw a hissy fit about this.
Third, I watched the vice presidential debate last night while chatting online with the Wifey.** About ten minutes in, we decided that the debate could have been a great drinking game. The rules are as follows: Any time Sarah Palin says "Alaska" or "maverick," you drink. Anyone playing would have been wasted by the time things were over.
Fourth, I have zero desire to go find work appropriate clothes and spend my entire afternoon shelving books.
Fifth, I have even less desire to come home from work and spend my entire Friday night cleaning my apartment, but that is what I'm going to be doing. I mentioned that to my mom, who suggested that I do not sit down when I get home, but immediately jump into cleaning. Apparently sitting down makes getting up and being productive impossible.
Sixth, I started a new book last night,
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. A hundred pages in, and I'm already in love. Thanks to Bizz for the recommendation!
A real post is coming soon, I promise.
*At least not yet. Come on.
** Yes, I have a Wifey.Labels: boys, everyday amusements, updates
Seen and Heard: Text Message
Nic: Naps are god.
Gallagher: Good! Dinner will be ready in fifteen!
Nic: I'm making coffee, then I'll head over. Coffee is also god. I am polytheistic.
Labels: eavesdropping, everyday amusements
Never Have I Ever
On the last day of my student teaching, after the last bell had rung and all of the students were filing out of the classroom past where I stood at the door, one of the fifteen-year-old boys stopped in front of me. We'll call him Josh Smith.
"I'm sad that you're leaving, Ms. Nic."
"I'm a little bit sad, too," I answered honestly.
He leaned forward to wrap me in a hug that, being six inches shorter and at least fifty pounds lighter than he, I couldn't resist, despite all of the cautioning I had received about hugging students in my four years. The hallway was loud and crowded, so he made sure to speak at full volume. "Ms. Nic, you're a good English teacher. I also think that you would make a good Mrs. Smith."
With that, he released his grip on me, turned, and half-ran down the hallway away from me, the cheers and taunts of his classmates chasing him. Later, as I told Bradshaw the story, she had the proper perspective:
"Now you can't say you've never been proposed to."
Labels: everyday amusements, teaching
Wearing Yesterday's Dress
When I woke up this morning, in a bed that wasn't my own, curled up next to someone that I also cannot call my own, my first thought was something along the lines of,
I should probably feel bad about this. Instead of entertaining that thought, I sat up and looked around for the black dress that had to be somewhere in the room.
Starving and feeling like being a nice girl, I pulled a teal cardigan over the black dress and tiptoed out of the apartment to get breakfast. I was in Panera for less than five minutes before turning back to the door, two blueberry bagels in hand.
"Nic!"
Fuck. I turned to find one of the managers from work, Bubbles, smiling at me. I was struck with the thought that I was wearing the exact same thing I had worked in - with her - the day before. I smiled politely as she introduced me to her sister- and father-in-law, hoping that she wasn't thinking about why I was wearing the same dress as the day before.
I escaped after a brief two minutes - during which I'm sure her in-laws found me to be awkward - using the excuse that someone was waiting. Back where I had come from, I ate the blueberry bagel in bed before returning to my own apartment.
Okay, so that is a story that is about half-fictitious. The part about waking up with someone else. Actually, I woke up when Marilyn decided that she wanted to curl up on my chest and yawn her cat food breath into my face. I did go to Panera, I did buy blueberry bagels, and I did see my boss. I was wearing the same dress as the day before, but not because there weren't any other options.
Because I'm lazy and it was hanging there so conveniently. But come on, it was a good story before you realized it was a lie.
Labels: everyday amusements, my insanity
