Baby It's Cold Outside

I don't think I'm spoiling anything, when I say, Oh my goodness, is it cold outside!  This so called polar vortex (I'm still not sure where that name came from) is turning us all into polar bears.  I've avoided going outside until absolutely needed, worn so many layers I looked like a marshmallow and declared, I'm going into hibernation until Spring.  This is ridiculous!  Aside from not being able to feel my toes, there are some funny stories coming out of this mess, as long as you look past the many different photos of car temperature gauges that are popping up all over social media.

One of my favorites was the story of Michael Bay's mini-meltdown at some conference caused by his tele-prompter not working.  One clever journalist dubbed it "Strictly speaking, he's having a bi-polar meltdown", which made me laugh quite a bit more than I suppose it should have.

Another is the photo that's been making the rounds all day of a light house on Lake Michigan, completely encrusted by snow and ice. Apparently, after quite a few hours of hard-hitting investigative journalism, it was found that the particular picture that everyone had been sharing wasn't even from this 2014 arctic blast.  It was from last year's arctic blast and therefore shouldn't be used to illustrate how cold it is during this vortex.  

The dueling political parties seem to be having a go at the weather's expense as well.  One joke I saw on Facebook today: "It's so cold Governor O'Malley is sticking his hands in his own pockets for a change."

Then of course, there was my personal favorite.  Apparently, during bouts of cold weather like this, it becomes a thing to take various hot beverages outside to see if they'll freeze.  It would seem that some of these experiments were less successful than others, because a handful of people all over the states, have been taken to the hospital with minor burns caused by throwing their warm beverages in the air to freeze.  Really?

Hopefully laughing will warm us up a bit so we can all survive this long cold snap we're having.  And of course, if that doesn't work, summer is officially 5 months and 14 days away, thank goodness!

Should be Interesting...

So this is happening.  A few months ago, I first heard about the concept of a Color Run aka the Happiest 5K in the world. From what I gather,  you run 5 kilometers and every few meters, you get pelted with powdered paint in a variety of colors.  At the time, I thought it was pretty nifty but wasn't really interested.  Since then, I've heard it come up a few times but never gave it much thought, until today that is.  A few girls at work are doing it and decided to create a team then sucker me into joining them.

In an attempt to get a life, I said yes.  Being adventurous is all well and good, but I don't know how to run.  I tried it once, made it a few feet, thought I was going to die and decided that I would never run again unless my life depended on it.  Also, I really hate getting messy. Cooking, baking and crafting may create whirlwinds of stuff in my house, but I draw the line at getting things all over my clothes; intentionally that is.  

At least the race isn't until May.  That gives me 5 months to come up with some life-threatening reason as to why I can't  do it (powdered paint allergy, maybe?).  If I can't create a plausible one, you'll find me walking (there's just no getting around the lack of oxygen and stamina I have to make a run for it) in DC wearing a tutu (apparently that's the uniform for our team - and who do you think is making those?  that's right -me.  I'm quote-unquote the crafty one...) and trying desperately to avoid flying paint.

Sunday Evening Ponderings

~ Contrary to my original pics for this week's wild card rounds (Kansas City - they were undefeated through much of the season, Green Bay - Love Aaron Rogers!, and Cincinnati - their coach used to work for the Ravens), I'm happy with 2 of the teams losing.  I still think KC blew the shot that they truly deserved (also, after having the best record all season, I still don't understand how they fell in the wild card around to begin with!).  But as much as I love Green Bay, now that the Niners won, John has his shot to win the big game just like his brother did, which I'm sure will make Sunday dinners at the Harbaugh's a bit easier.  And with Cincy losing, the Chargers, who will eternally be on my good side seeing as their win last week kicked the Steelers out of playoff contention, get a chance to shine.  If the Ravens weren't going to the Super Bowl, I suppose the best teams may get the chance - as long as it's not Denver or New England!

~ I may need a few more re-watches of The Sign of Three episode of Sherlock to really appreciate the laugh a minute jokes.  It was definitely different, and I wasn't sure how I felt at first but somewhere around the time John and Sherlock got wasted at John's Stag do, I was hooked.  I'm not sure what the writers were on but you could tell they and the actors were having a blast.  Even after all that, they managed to throw in a bit or two that made me a bit weepy.  Everything a good episode of television should be and more!

~ I really have absolutely no idea how I'm going to handle going into work tomorrow morning.  I've been on and off, away for the last 2 weeks.  Why does vacation seemingly take so long to get here but is over in a blink of an eye?  A full 5 days of work - dreadful!

~ I know it's winter in Maryland, and everything should be expected but after a weekend (and more is expected this week) of sub-zero temperatures (ok not today but the last 2 days have been ridiculous!), I'm ready to pack it in and move to the tropics!  Having to scrape ice and snow off of my car in shifts because I can't feel my fingers through my gloves is not my idea of a good time!

~ "Remembrance of Things Paris - 60 years of Writing from Gourmet" is on the reading list for this week.  Loving it so far!  I may not have fallen head over heals for Paris as I thought I would, but reading about it still gets me starry-eyed.

Books, Books, and More Books in 2014

I've been seeing all sorts of nifty ideas for writing prompts on Pinterest lately, so since I didn't have much to say today, I thought I'd try one out: My reading list for 2014.

Because my family and friends know me so well, I received lots of books for Christmas which is positively delightful.  I was able to kick off my 2014 reading list right.  The theme so far seems to be cooking and traveling.  Isn't it always?  On top of the 6 books I already have in the queue, Mary Higgins Clark and Mary Kay Andrews both have new books coming out this year, so those will be added in April.  In 2013 I vowed to re-read Harry Potter and finished the first 2 last month.  I'd like to finish the last 5 this year as well.  That series was so unbelievably important in my life as a reader and it's terribly sad I can't remember important details.  I'll never have the enjoyment of reading the books for the first time again with the same sense of wonder and surprise but reading again after so long, I'll still feel the excitement in the details.

Seeing as this year is the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth, I'd also like to read a few of his works.  I plan to take a course on FutureLearn on Hamlet in performance, so I'll be re-reading that again soon.  Also, Coriolanus is coming to theatres here and I've no idea what that one is even about.

I still have a few Jenny Colgans, and Ali McNamara's to get from England which will either be ordered from Amazon Second Hand or direct from the source in the fall depending on how the queue is shaping up.  And when Eleanor & Park and FanGirl finally reach paperback, they'll both be added to the list as well.  Of course, I'm also waiting on The Rosie Project, Billy Crystal's autobiography and Provence 1970 to reach paperback too (I hate spending the money on hardbacks unless it's someone I already know I love).

I somehow managed to read 33 books in 2013, I'm hoping to hit 36 this year.  By the looks of my ever growing stack, I shouldn't have too much trouble achieving that goal!

Friday Five

1. This interview is pretty much flawless.  It's how I imagine myself conducting an interview with pretty much anyone on the planet: entering with loads of intelligent questions and flailing as soon as the interviewee arrives. Though, I must say, I'm in love with all of the Sherlock love that's being shared around the web these days (#SherlockLives!!!!), but this interview takes precedent above them all.

2. Collect App: I was reading about this app in an article on Project Life.  Now I know I've come out against the whole Project Life craziness, but I can't help but be impressed with some of the gorgeous albums I see on Pinterest.  Apparently, a lot of Project Lifers use this app to keep track of when photos are taken.  You can create different albums then upload the photos you take onto a calendar.  You can also label them in a variety of styles.  The best part is it reminds you when you haven't taken a picture on a particular day so if you are trying to complete 365 pics in a year, you have that little push you need when other things get in the way of remembering.

3. I never really bought into the whole right brain left brain thing but after reading this article, I'm convinced I'm right brained. It's actually quite creepy how accurate these depictions are except the whole not knowing the grammar rules thing.  I rocked out Language Arts in elementary school : ) (PS: Excuse the language on #9, it's a little risque..)

4. Unexpected Snow Days: Based on the weather forecasts for the last week, you'd think we here in the NorthEast would have been prepared for the storm of the century.  But the last time the storm of the century was coming, we received not one single snowflake and yet all schools, government agencies and churches were closed long before they realized NOThing was happening.  So when it started snowing yesterday, and snowing, and snowing and snowing, we were pleasantly surprised.  It wasn't the storm of the century but it was enough to look gorgeous on the trees and close enough down to give us a pretty nice 3 day weekend.  Now if it would get above 8 degrees tomorrow, I'd be a much happier girl!

5. Travel Planning: Not only has next week's trek to DC to see Frankenstein been shored up, but also the Summer trip to NYC to see Cabaret (with Alan Cumming!!!!) has been booked and tentative dates for Boston are set.  Things are looking up in the travel department!

Something in the Air

I'm not sure if it's the new year or just a new feeling but there's something definitely in the air.  I'm feeling optimistic for 2014 and I'm not really sure why.  I read an article a few weeks ago that mentioned finding one particular word for the new year and focusing your energy on that word.  At first I thought it was a bit ridiculous but for some reason one word keeps popping into my head so I'm taking it to mean that the universe believes that's what I need. Excitement.  That's what I want.  I want new experiences and new people.  I want to do fun things and see new places.  I want to live an exciting year instead of just slogging along.  

For the first time in a long time, I'm happy with everything in my life.  I feel fairly secure (barring any layoffs which always creep into the back of my head and freak me out) at work. I have a family and friends who love me.  And I'm optimistic in regards to the fun things I already have planned for the coming year.  I'm even feeling more and more creative.  I fizzled on the last photo a day challenge I attempted, but I thought I may try it again.  I've even kicked around plans for a far-reduced than usual Project Life album but that still may be too intimidating and time-consuming for me.  But hey, it's a new year and a sorta kinda new me.

Outside of the normal midnight New Year's Eve doldrums (I haven't got a boyfriend, husband, white picket fence or twins yet), I'm trying to look on the bright side and see where the year takes me.  I have 363 days to squeeze all the fun out of 2014 - Let's see what I can do!

Happy 2014!

            

Here's hoping your 2014 is full of happiness, love and all the good things your heart is wishing!

Happy New Year!