I've never been a huge microwave cooking fan - you have to make everything at least twice to get the timing right due to differences in microwaves - but this recipe has changed my life (probably for the chubbier). Cheesecake in a Mug is delicious and super simple. If you like cheesecake, it's absolutely worth trying.
True Story: I'm a Genius at yes and yes was so interesting. I admit, I found it more interesting when I began to think about it from my own perspective as an educator, but Sarah's True Story series is really excellent.
Over at Ravenesque Tarot, Karen's Weekly Tarotscope is excellent. In fact, most of what she writes is excellent, incorporating tarot and astrology, which I find is an education in both fields of study. For a quick and easy version, scroll down and check out the weekly card for your Sun sign and (if you know it) your Ascendant. Sometimes, if I don't like the card for one, I ignore it and pay attention to the card for the other!
Bradshaw has posted on this, and she has a far more interesting perspective than I do. First, I read a feminist critique of Twilight: Feminism Doesn't Sparkle: What Twilight Teaches Young Girls. Then I read through summaries of each book written by a young lady who was raised in a Mormon church (like the author, Stephenie Meyer): LDS Sparkledammerung is HERE!. Then I showed both to Bradshaw, and she wrote this: My Endless Love and I believe more is forthcoming from the lovely Ms. B. (I did some reading on the LDS church and I'm fairly certain a post on religion is forthcoming.)
Lady Gaga is on the cover of September's issue of Vanity Fair. I dig her music and her style (like a lot of people), but I'm really interested in her astrology. Born the day before I was, she's the closest thing to an astrological twin I may ever get - at least one that might be written about extensively. Everything in our charts is near-identical with the exception of the placement of our Moons in Scorpio and likely her unknown Ascendant, though I present myself nothing like Lady Gaga. You can read a teensy bit at Vanity Fair, but the article in the magazine is pretty fascinating, including her attitude toward her fans and her thoughts on sex and creativity.
Lately, I've turned into an old man with my interest in politics - largely because I have too much free time. That said, I'm not usually able to read long articles about political parties without rolling my eyes or getting bored, and this was a huge exception. The author's insights about the problems facing the Republican party as a whole were, from my point of view, both interesting and insightful. The beginning of the article is rooted in the bygone local elections from Tuesday, but as you move past that, he evaluates the health and future of the GOP. I found this particularly interesting:
According to one recent survey from Public Policy Polling, 35 percent of GOP base voters think the party is too liberal even as 46 percent of independent voters label it too conservative. ...found major gulfs between Republican voters and conservative independents in their perception of President Obama, with the latter group especially turned off by the “socialist” accusations popular with the GOP base.
The blog's focus on the food - both that consumed and the policy discussed - in the White House is absolutely sincere if slightly overzealous, at least to me. Still, it is interesting to focus on something that is political without being quite so contentious. Plus, I like food and cooking and pretty pictures, all of which are present here. The posts about the White House Halloween are particularly charming.
Mrs. O is a charming look at Michelle Obama's sartorial choices, and since my taste is in the same realm as hers, I like it. It doesn't matter that she's older than my mom: I totally want to raid her closet, if for the cardigans alone.
I've linked to Mystic Medusa before as well, but as my astrology obsession rears it's head again, so does my enthusiasm for her site. Since the Sun is in Scorpio, she has a few pertinent posts for the Scorpios in our midst (like Bradshaw, whose birthday is tomorrow!) including Hi-Lo Astro: Haute Scorpio, Low Scorpio. Searching the D.I.Y. Astro tag is also good for eating up an hour or two of your time as you analyze your astrological chart.
Dealbreaker offers up a healthy dose of the snark, which we know I love. Typically, some of the stuff is far funnier than other stuff, but just browsing their archive is good for a laugh or two.
*Original photo credit can be found at my Tumblr. Lyrics in the photo are by Duffy.
I love this faux cartoon at A Softer World. A bit of browsing leads me to believe that the rest of the site is amusing as well. Others I like include this one and this one. Those with twisted senses of humor (Bizz. Bradshaw.) will likely be particularly appreciative. Hit up the archive.
An article on The Frisky about the kind of women men are really attracted to: Men Love Curvy Women. It made me smile.
Sally at Already Pretty (which is way cuter than the average style blog, in my opinion) writes about Self-Love as Bravery. It made me think. We know how Nic likes thinking.
This. Look at the photo. Read the notes. Feel better about yourself.
This video is completely ridiculous and so amazing. Love.
Stationary Fetish I've long thought that I have one too. It's likely correct since I adore this little blog.
Sizzle's Let Me Hear Your Body Talk made me laugh for about ten minutes when I read it. I think we've all felt like this at some point.
I'm totally stuck on astrology lately. I like the monthly horoscopes at AstroStyle and AstrologyZone. Mystic Medusa writes some random - somewhat - astrologically-related things on her blog that often totally fascinate me. Of course, ignoring my random obsessions is completely understandable for you kittens.
Finally, anyone who wants to throw some gratitude into their daily lives should take a gander at Spark's blog. She lists things she's grateful for each day, and a handful of us attempt to do the same in the comments. I've been making a conscious effort to be more positive and recognize the things I have to be grateful for this year, and she's helping me with that.
Feel free to share links to things that you're loving too!
Oh, it's that time again. I collect these until I get tired of the "draft" thing glaring at me on blogger - then I post it for you, kittens! The following are things that I have found - probably via other people - that amuse me.
World Clock This is kind of sad and still pretty cool. Some of the stats are amusing.
Real Age Quiz I am 19.5. Hooray for not smoking and wearing sunscreen!
Tell Me What You Believe Now Some people are jerks and write stupid things, but the things that aren't stupid are really interesting.
What Chuck Wore Baha, purely silly fun. Spark will probably be the only one who appreciates this.
99 Problems But a Lady Ain't One This made me snicker. Another thing that probably only Spark will appreciate. (Bradshaw, you must watch The Tudors, seriously.)
#3 Love Chance EncountersThere's a lesson here. I like it. I found this particular blog when the author started following me on Twitter. No clue who she is, but I like this.
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.
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!
