I recently watched the new Amy Schumer film, Trainwreck. Even though it was a mediocre movie, there was something refreshing about it; it was fun to watch an unapologetic, unconventional female lead.
Bridesmaids was the first mainstream film I'd seen that really pushed that boundary. It was the type of comedy that used to only be made for men - raunchy, somewhat disgusting, and completely silly. When I saw Bridesmaids with my best friend (who'd just gotten married), I hurt from laughing by the end. I couldn't believe how much the characters hit home. In the movie, women were people who swore, sweat, shat, and talked shit to each other.
I'm not saying that women hadn't been depicted this way previously in films - they had been. Although it's always the weird friend, strange sister or crazy aunt who feels comfortable enough to apologize loudly for her snart (sneeze-fart), while everyone rolls their eyes.
Liz Lemon (Tina Fey's character), in 30 Rock also pushed this boundary. She was a female lead who wasn't primarily concerned with her looks, romance, and how to have it all. She liked food, generally didn't know how to talk to or date men, and spent ample time on her couch. Even though the characters in 30 Rock were all somewhat exaggerated personalities, she was still a more realistic female character than almost any character I'd seen prior.
Recently, I've noticed more of this in both TV and film. Bridesmaids satisfied a craving that women everywhere didn't even know that we had. We'd been craving relatable, realistic, multidimensional female leads in our entertainment.
Even though Trainwreck will probably not go down in history as a great movie, the theater was still packed on a Tuesday night. Who knew that the niche of depicting women as human people would be so profitable?
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Monday, July 27, 2015
Day 65 - Sick Again
I may have worn myself out again. After the show on Saturday, I came home and fell asleep by 6pm, and didn't wake up again until 9am. It's become a trend for me to fill my week with happenings, and then crash over the weekend. This shan't continue.
Day 64 - Marin, the Show and the "Hike"
Today I saw my younger cousin, Natasha, in a high school production of the musical, Rent. My uncle and I drove up to Marin to have brunch with my aunt beforehand. We didn't hit any traffic and had time to kill, so we decided to go for a hike in her "neighborhood" (I put neighborhood in quotes because I don't know what you call beautiful rolling hills filled with wildlife, scattered houses, estuaries, and lakes). I snapped this shot of my uncle, at the beginning of our "hike" (again, the quotes. I walked for about a mile in flats).
Day 63 - Noe Valley
I had dinner tonight in Noe Valley. I grew up about a 10 minute bus ride from this neighborhood, but rarely ventured out there. The rolling hills provide beautiful views at every turn. Cute boutiques, and warmly lit restaurants are dappled in between grand, colorful victorian houses. It's easy to understand why families settle down in this quaint little corner of San Francisco.
Day 62 - Houses in a Row
There's a row of houses that I always pass on my bike ride home. Every time I pass them I admire the view and I think, "I really wish I had my nice camera with me." The sun is usually setting at this point of my ride, and the light reflects so perfectly off the buildings' faces.
One of these days, I'll have my nice camera with me, and I'll take a shot that will truly do the scene justice. But today I couldn't resist snapping a photo with my phone. Even through the lens of a beat-up iPhone 5, you can still see some of the beauty. Only blocks away from where I grew up, I always feel nostalgic as I slow down and pass these beautiful houses every day.
One of these days, I'll have my nice camera with me, and I'll take a shot that will truly do the scene justice. But today I couldn't resist snapping a photo with my phone. Even through the lens of a beat-up iPhone 5, you can still see some of the beauty. Only blocks away from where I grew up, I always feel nostalgic as I slow down and pass these beautiful houses every day.
Day 61 - Yoga
I went to yoga for the first time in a while today. I always go into class with a buzzing mind and an aching body, but leave feeling both relaxed and energized. I'm not sure if it's the calming breathing exercises, the soothing music, or the difficulty of the poses that forces my mind to focus in on the moment, but I always finish class feeling refreshed.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Day 60 - Dig it up in 6 Years...
Today I listened to Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. I hadn't listened to them in years, and it felt incredibly nostalgic. I first heard of them when I saw them live at Treasure Island in 2009. It was the year that I graduated college, and the same year that I met Bill.
It was almost like my emotions had been held in a time capsule. I re-felt all of the excitement, awe, and energy that I felt that year when I listened to that album over and over again.
It was almost like my emotions had been held in a time capsule. I re-felt all of the excitement, awe, and energy that I felt that year when I listened to that album over and over again.
Day 59 - My Whole Life Smells Like Korean Food
I spilled Korean food in my backpack last night. Everything I use daily is sticky and pink and smells inconveniently delicious.
I also forgot my shoes this morning, and had to wear my workout shoes all day at the office. This actually started out as embarrassing, but my knees and back didn't hurt at the end of the day.
My skin is so dry. I'm pretty sure I looked at the contents of the lost Ark and am slowly shriveling up.
I also forgot my shoes this morning, and had to wear my workout shoes all day at the office. This actually started out as embarrassing, but my knees and back didn't hurt at the end of the day.
My skin is so dry. I'm pretty sure I looked at the contents of the lost Ark and am slowly shriveling up.
Day 58 - Unlikely SF
On this absolutely gorgeous day, Bill and I took a walk to the beach. Just as we arrived, I saw a dolphin jump out of the water. A seal bobbed up and down playfully nearby. I walked to the water's edge and dipped my feet in. To my surprise, it felt simply refreshing, but not cold. I walked further and further out until a wave caught me by surprise and wet my shorts and part of my shirt. Again, it simply felt refreshing. Beach days like this don't happen in San Francisco. I'm still not convinced that I didn't dream it.
Day 57 - What are the Chances?
I spent most of today with my good friend and college roommate (4eva), Tanya.
It's funny how so much in life is left up to chance. It all seems so random, and often unfair. And then every once and a while, something goes right - like being paired with someone great as your freshman year roommate.
I wasn't even supposed to go to UCSD. I'd enrolled at UC Davis, and had even started the roommate/dorm selection there. When I got the phone call letting my know that I'd gotten in to UCSD on appeal, I dropped everything and moved to Southern California on a whim.
I made more than a couple lifelong friends during those four years, I developed a deeper love for the ocean, and even started talking a little like a southern California girl (I can't stop saying "the" 5...sorry).
Sometimes I think about alternate universe Lorraine. I'm sure she's happy too. She probably snowboarded a good amount, but probably not as much as she thought she would, while at Davis. She probably road her bike more, and came home a lot on the weekends. Although I can't imagine she could be as happy as UCSD Lorraine is now.
It's funny how so much in life is left up to chance. It all seems so random, and often unfair. And then every once and a while, something goes right - like being paired with someone great as your freshman year roommate.
I wasn't even supposed to go to UCSD. I'd enrolled at UC Davis, and had even started the roommate/dorm selection there. When I got the phone call letting my know that I'd gotten in to UCSD on appeal, I dropped everything and moved to Southern California on a whim.
I made more than a couple lifelong friends during those four years, I developed a deeper love for the ocean, and even started talking a little like a southern California girl (I can't stop saying "the" 5...sorry).
Sometimes I think about alternate universe Lorraine. I'm sure she's happy too. She probably snowboarded a good amount, but probably not as much as she thought she would, while at Davis. She probably road her bike more, and came home a lot on the weekends. Although I can't imagine she could be as happy as UCSD Lorraine is now.
Day 56 - Supernova
I found out today that the Sun doesn't have enough mass to become a supernova. Instead, Google explained, "it will swell to become a red giant, enveloping Mercury, Venus, and possibly Earth. After that, it will shed its outer layers as a planetary nebula, and settle down to become a white dwarf."
If the suns of the universe were people, our sun would be a regular Joe. Working his 9-5 (longer hours in the Summer), eventually retiring, and settling down.
This "retirement" is scheduled to happen in about 5 billion years. I wonder frequently what earth will be like at that time. Will mankind still exist? Will we have found other habitable planets in other solar systems? Will we be living in ecologically-sustainable space pods?
I imagine that the larger suns, who get to become supernovas, are like the celebrities of the universe, or the "stars," if I may. Their deaths are broadcast across the universe - visible for other, smaller suns to witness in awe.
Our sun though, he's just planning on quietly fading out. He didn't shine that bright in life, nor will he in death.
Yet, every day he warms our lives, makes us smile and gives us a reason to keep going outside and living. Not bad for a regular Joe.
If the suns of the universe were people, our sun would be a regular Joe. Working his 9-5 (longer hours in the Summer), eventually retiring, and settling down.
This "retirement" is scheduled to happen in about 5 billion years. I wonder frequently what earth will be like at that time. Will mankind still exist? Will we have found other habitable planets in other solar systems? Will we be living in ecologically-sustainable space pods?
I imagine that the larger suns, who get to become supernovas, are like the celebrities of the universe, or the "stars," if I may. Their deaths are broadcast across the universe - visible for other, smaller suns to witness in awe.
Our sun though, he's just planning on quietly fading out. He didn't shine that bright in life, nor will he in death.
Yet, every day he warms our lives, makes us smile and gives us a reason to keep going outside and living. Not bad for a regular Joe.
Friday, July 17, 2015
Day 55 - On a Lighter Note. Jk.
This is never a good idea/thought: "Hey! I'm tired. I should scroll through Facebook on my phone before I go to sleep."
I had this idea tonight, and immediately regretted it.
On a friend of a friend's Facebook page, I saw an article titled, Walmart Caught Sponsoring Shocking Events That Will Anger Countless Customers." Don't Google it, it will infuriate you. Something about the title made me think that it wasn't going to be about the typical offenses such as labor abuse, and my inkling was correct. It was an article blasting Walmart for sponsoring a "hedonistic public display" at a recent gay pride parade.
I immediately felt nauseated, and knew that I should stop reading, but a morbid curiosity took hold of me and I finished the article. Worst of all were the trail of comments below, condemning Walmart and vowing to never shop there again. This upset me on so many levels. Worker exploitation won't stop people from getting their roll-back prices, but a rainbow float will?!
Because most of my Facebook friends are from the Bay Area/young/socially liberal, I rarely am exposed to this type of discourse. I've gotten so comfortable in my bubble, that I almost forget how much hate against people who are "different" (relative) still exists in this country.
As I lay in bed, still feeling sick after reading the article, I started to wonder why I care so much. I've never felt so strongly or so passionately about something that doesn't directly affect me. But then I realized that just because I'm not gay, doesn't mean that this existing social injustice doesn't directly affect me. It directly affects my family and my friends, therefore it affects me. It also affects me as a human being who witnesses first hand the struggles of other human beings, just trying to live a happy, loving life. Any basic human right not afforded to a subset of the population affects the entire population negatively.
As someone who was bullied as a child, I know how hurtful words can be. While I may not have experienced it on anywhere near the same level, I know a little about how hard it is to be different. I know what it's like to try to change who you are just so you can blend in. Although if I could go back in time and talk to awkward, nerdy, 13 year old Lorraine, I would have told her that it would be OK. That those bizarre quirks that make you an outcast now, will actually come across as endearing one day.
To see others bullied and shunned for being who they are, when who they are is absolutely fabulous, is the most gut-wrenching thing to witness. It takes a complete lack of empathy to sit on a high horse and tell others that they can't live their lives like everyone else does. It hurts me to the core to see people so actively and hatefully doing this.
I'm mostly writing this because I need to vent. Because after I read that article I felt physically ill. Before I started writing, I lay in bed reciting in my head, "There will always be hate. There will always be hate..." Reminding myself that hate is something that will always exist in the world. However, I also reminded myself that there is hope. In this one respect - gay rights - the world will continue to move in the right direction. As backwards as America can be sometimes, the world still shines a spotlight on us. It pays attention to our politics and our gossip, whether it's to mock us, scoff at us or to applaud us. One way or another, the world watches and the world cares. Now that we've finally taken a solid step in the right direction, others in the world will hopefully follow suit (I am of course aware that many countries have already beaten us to it). There's hope in that - hope that there can and will be progress towards what is inevitably right. And while there will always be hate, there can always be less of it.
I had this idea tonight, and immediately regretted it.
On a friend of a friend's Facebook page, I saw an article titled, Walmart Caught Sponsoring Shocking Events That Will Anger Countless Customers." Don't Google it, it will infuriate you. Something about the title made me think that it wasn't going to be about the typical offenses such as labor abuse, and my inkling was correct. It was an article blasting Walmart for sponsoring a "hedonistic public display" at a recent gay pride parade.
I immediately felt nauseated, and knew that I should stop reading, but a morbid curiosity took hold of me and I finished the article. Worst of all were the trail of comments below, condemning Walmart and vowing to never shop there again. This upset me on so many levels. Worker exploitation won't stop people from getting their roll-back prices, but a rainbow float will?!
Because most of my Facebook friends are from the Bay Area/young/socially liberal, I rarely am exposed to this type of discourse. I've gotten so comfortable in my bubble, that I almost forget how much hate against people who are "different" (relative) still exists in this country.
As I lay in bed, still feeling sick after reading the article, I started to wonder why I care so much. I've never felt so strongly or so passionately about something that doesn't directly affect me. But then I realized that just because I'm not gay, doesn't mean that this existing social injustice doesn't directly affect me. It directly affects my family and my friends, therefore it affects me. It also affects me as a human being who witnesses first hand the struggles of other human beings, just trying to live a happy, loving life. Any basic human right not afforded to a subset of the population affects the entire population negatively.
As someone who was bullied as a child, I know how hurtful words can be. While I may not have experienced it on anywhere near the same level, I know a little about how hard it is to be different. I know what it's like to try to change who you are just so you can blend in. Although if I could go back in time and talk to awkward, nerdy, 13 year old Lorraine, I would have told her that it would be OK. That those bizarre quirks that make you an outcast now, will actually come across as endearing one day.
To see others bullied and shunned for being who they are, when who they are is absolutely fabulous, is the most gut-wrenching thing to witness. It takes a complete lack of empathy to sit on a high horse and tell others that they can't live their lives like everyone else does. It hurts me to the core to see people so actively and hatefully doing this.
I'm mostly writing this because I need to vent. Because after I read that article I felt physically ill. Before I started writing, I lay in bed reciting in my head, "There will always be hate. There will always be hate..." Reminding myself that hate is something that will always exist in the world. However, I also reminded myself that there is hope. In this one respect - gay rights - the world will continue to move in the right direction. As backwards as America can be sometimes, the world still shines a spotlight on us. It pays attention to our politics and our gossip, whether it's to mock us, scoff at us or to applaud us. One way or another, the world watches and the world cares. Now that we've finally taken a solid step in the right direction, others in the world will hopefully follow suit (I am of course aware that many countries have already beaten us to it). There's hope in that - hope that there can and will be progress towards what is inevitably right. And while there will always be hate, there can always be less of it.
Day 54 - Nerd Night
I went with a few of my friends to Nerd Night at Rickshaw Stop tonight. After having only one drink, listening intently to a few lectures, and then leaving by 10, exhausted and ecstatic about the idea of bed, I felt older than I maybe ever have.* Not to mention that we didn't get there in time for seats, and spent every intermission sitting on the ground and complaining about our knees.
*I'm not implying that this is a bad thing at all.
*I'm not implying that this is a bad thing at all.
Day 53 - More Than Halfway Done
Since the 50th post was taken by something else, I want to use post #53 to acknowledge that I've made it halfway through this challenge.
While not everything I've written so far is something I would boast about, there are some posts or pictures that I'm proud of. Although I'm mostly thankful for what this process has taught me. The two main lessons being:
While not everything I've written so far is something I would boast about, there are some posts or pictures that I'm proud of. Although I'm mostly thankful for what this process has taught me. The two main lessons being:
- Looking at the world as full of artistic opportunities (photo ops, writing subjects) has given me an overall more optimistic outlook on life. It takes time and energy to search for the good in the world - time and energy that might else wise have been spent on negative thoughts.
- Having a routine, where I'm forced to come up with something everyday has opened my mind to how much time I actually have in a day. I've wasted much less time watching TV and reconstructing my Clash of Clans village, and spent more time writing and playing with my camera. Hopefully once this challenge is over, I'll have the tools I need to be more productive.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Day 52 - Sleep / Wedding Part 5 (final entry)
I haven't slept this much since I was, I don't know, a child. I slept almost all of Sunday, and then stayed home from work today. I spent some of the day working from home and some of the day sleeping. Then I finally went to sleep for the night at about 7pm. I slept all through the night until about 7am the next morning.
I always thought that sickness was some kind of punishment. Well, maybe punishment isn't the right word; it's more of a reminder. I almost always get sick after having several nights of little sleep. I forget sometimes to take a step back and take care of myself. The sickness is a way of reminding myself that sometimes I need to stop.
I always thought that sickness was some kind of punishment. Well, maybe punishment isn't the right word; it's more of a reminder. I almost always get sick after having several nights of little sleep. I forget sometimes to take a step back and take care of myself. The sickness is a way of reminding myself that sometimes I need to stop.
Day 51 - Sick / Wedding Part 4
It's been so long since I've been sick - really sick - that I almost forgot what it felt like. I could barely sleep on Saturday night. My throat was super itchy, and my nose stuffy. I thought I'd been having bad allergies all day, but I started to realize that it might be more than that.
I woke up at about 9am feeling terrible, ate some soup, took some NyQuil and went back to sleep. I woke up again at 4pm, ate some more soup, and went back to sleep.
I didn't wake up again until the next morning.
I woke up at about 9am feeling terrible, ate some soup, took some NyQuil and went back to sleep. I woke up again at 4pm, ate some more soup, and went back to sleep.
I didn't wake up again until the next morning.
Day 50 - Wedding Day / Wedding Part 3
I woke up a couple times during the night before the wedding - once when Bill finally went to bed at 4am after baking all night, and again at about 6:30am when he went to go pick up a few cheesecakes that my friend (who was working the event with Bill) had made for the wedding.
Then at 7, I got a text that woke me up for good. Apparently only 2 of the 4 cheesecakes came out. Bill headed back, exhausted. He had hoped to sleep a bit before the wedding, but instead we now had to come up with two cakes in the next few hours.
Bill went to the store on the way home and picked up ingredients for peach upside down cake. I started slicing peaches, while he made the cake batter. In less than an hour we had two cakes in the oven. We both collapsed and slept for about an hour before we had to get ready for the wedding. Thankfully the cakes came out beautifully.
I showered and got dressed and felt immediately better. We decided to drive since we would have to come back and pick up all the baked goods between the ceremony and reception anyway.
All the exhaustion and panic seemed to disappear when I stood with Jessi behind the church doors, waiting for her to walk down that aisle. She looked so beautiful, and nervous but happy. As she stood across from Kenji at the alter, neither of them could stop smiling.
By the reception, all the stress had disappeared. The groom and bride both seemed in their element - working the room filled with friends and family. I felt honored to be able to spend as much time with Jessi as I did. When Bill's desserts came out, everyone flooded to them. As the night came to a close, I felt happy, relieved, and above all completely content. Although I also felt a slight itching in my throat, which I continued to ignore, and tried to drown out with a shot or two of whiskey.
Then at 7, I got a text that woke me up for good. Apparently only 2 of the 4 cheesecakes came out. Bill headed back, exhausted. He had hoped to sleep a bit before the wedding, but instead we now had to come up with two cakes in the next few hours.
Bill went to the store on the way home and picked up ingredients for peach upside down cake. I started slicing peaches, while he made the cake batter. In less than an hour we had two cakes in the oven. We both collapsed and slept for about an hour before we had to get ready for the wedding. Thankfully the cakes came out beautifully.
I showered and got dressed and felt immediately better. We decided to drive since we would have to come back and pick up all the baked goods between the ceremony and reception anyway.
All the exhaustion and panic seemed to disappear when I stood with Jessi behind the church doors, waiting for her to walk down that aisle. She looked so beautiful, and nervous but happy. As she stood across from Kenji at the alter, neither of them could stop smiling.
By the reception, all the stress had disappeared. The groom and bride both seemed in their element - working the room filled with friends and family. I felt honored to be able to spend as much time with Jessi as I did. When Bill's desserts came out, everyone flooded to them. As the night came to a close, I felt happy, relieved, and above all completely content. Although I also felt a slight itching in my throat, which I continued to ignore, and tried to drown out with a shot or two of whiskey.
Day 49 - Rehearsal Dinner / Wedding Part 2
I was exhausted Friday. So tired that I felt silly. It was the type of tired that almost makes you feel like you're drunk - you can't stop laughing and no longer have a filter. I had agreed to help Jessi with some set-up/ushering duties on the day of the wedding, so I was invited to the rehearsal dinner. After work, I rode my bike over the church and went through the motions. There was so much to remember it seemed, even though in reality it was not that much.
I joined them for dinner after at a brewery a couple miles away. When the rehearsal dinner ended, I rode my bike the final 5 miles home and crashed. I got to bed by about 11, and couldn't wait to sleep in...I had nothing planned tomorrow except for the wedding.
I joined them for dinner after at a brewery a couple miles away. When the rehearsal dinner ended, I rode my bike the final 5 miles home and crashed. I got to bed by about 11, and couldn't wait to sleep in...I had nothing planned tomorrow except for the wedding.
Day 48 - Bachelorette / Wedding Part 1
These next five entries are a bit of a series. I've been either super busy or sick during the last week. Because I've had so little free time, I've simply jotted down a few sentences about each day, to be fleshed out later. I'll start with the beginning of the series: the Bachelorette.
My good friend Jessi got married over the weekend. She had her bachelorette party Thursday, the rehearsal dinner Friday, and the wedding on Saturday. On top of participating in all these events, Bill also catered the desserts for the wedding. Suffice to say, I was pretty exhausted when it was all done. I remember telling myself: "don't get sick til it's done. Don't get sick til it's done..." and my body was kind enough to listen.
Thursday night I met Jessi and all of her lovely lady friends at a wine bar. It was like a blast from the past; several of my old high school friends were there. We regaled each other with embarrassing stories from high school and "what's s/he doing now?" questions. A couple glasses of wine turned into a couple more, and before I knew it, we were on the way to go dancing...and apparently I was the leader. I must have let it slip that I knew a nearby place that has 90's night on Thursdays.
By about 1am I decided to let go of the thought of work tomorrow. Whether I go home now or in an hour, I will feel like the same shit, I decided. So I stayed. We closed the bar down, and all headed out together laughing and hugging goodbye.
It's been a while since I've allowed myself to let go, without worrying about repercussions (hangovers at work). I used the excuse that it's not so often that your good friend has a bachelorette, but in truth, a night like that was just what I needed.
My good friend Jessi got married over the weekend. She had her bachelorette party Thursday, the rehearsal dinner Friday, and the wedding on Saturday. On top of participating in all these events, Bill also catered the desserts for the wedding. Suffice to say, I was pretty exhausted when it was all done. I remember telling myself: "don't get sick til it's done. Don't get sick til it's done..." and my body was kind enough to listen.
Thursday night I met Jessi and all of her lovely lady friends at a wine bar. It was like a blast from the past; several of my old high school friends were there. We regaled each other with embarrassing stories from high school and "what's s/he doing now?" questions. A couple glasses of wine turned into a couple more, and before I knew it, we were on the way to go dancing...and apparently I was the leader. I must have let it slip that I knew a nearby place that has 90's night on Thursdays.
By about 1am I decided to let go of the thought of work tomorrow. Whether I go home now or in an hour, I will feel like the same shit, I decided. So I stayed. We closed the bar down, and all headed out together laughing and hugging goodbye.
It's been a while since I've allowed myself to let go, without worrying about repercussions (hangovers at work). I used the excuse that it's not so often that your good friend has a bachelorette, but in truth, a night like that was just what I needed.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Day 47 - Nails and Hair
I don't fully understand the functionality of nails and hair. Hair I understand is supposed to keep us warm, but why does it continue to grow? Why can't we just have fur on our heads? Are we supposed to use it as a scarf of sorts, or string it into clothes?
And nails I find somewhat useful for opening beer cans, and picking food out of my teeth when no one's looking, but I tend to find them more cumbersome than anything. I also don't understand why they continue to grow.
Toenails are the worst. There is literally no situation I've ever been in where I've thought, "thank god I had toenails in that situation. That was an evolutionary win!"
Anyway, I've obviously run out of things to write about and am very tired.
And nails I find somewhat useful for opening beer cans, and picking food out of my teeth when no one's looking, but I tend to find them more cumbersome than anything. I also don't understand why they continue to grow.
Toenails are the worst. There is literally no situation I've ever been in where I've thought, "thank god I had toenails in that situation. That was an evolutionary win!"
Anyway, I've obviously run out of things to write about and am very tired.
Day 46 - Insomniac
To piggyback off of yesterday's post, I made the decision this weekend to start watching The Wire, the new season of True Detective, and the movie Gone Girl.
I must have decided that the since noise was no longer keeping me awake, fear and contemplation should.
I must have decided that the since noise was no longer keeping me awake, fear and contemplation should.
Day 45 - White Noise
I've always considered myself a light sleeper, even though I grew up in a relatively lively neighborhood, in a room facing the street. The sounds of passerbys, cars, and the occasional bus all became background noise to me. Although heaven forbid I left my door open, and the sink in the bathroom was leaking.
A few months ago my landlord changed the water heater in our building. Bill and my bedroom so happens to be right up against it. The new water heater is not a friend of mine; it clanks and clunks and thumps loudly every time someone flushes a toilet or turns their sink on. After a few back a forth emails with our landlord I realized that it was either unfixable or just not going to get fixed. I spent several sleepless nights, and several more on the couch.
Aside from the water heater, we are also surrounded by many other lovely sounds. Our neighbor upstairs works odd hours, and paces back and forth in her apartment during the wee hours of the morning. Across the narrow space between our apartment building and the one next to us live a stoner (I can only assume) college couple, who watch movies with their window open, laughing and commenting loudly at anything and everything until the sun comes up.
Yet somehow after months of thinking that we would have to move, I've gotten used to it all. I mentioned to Bill the other day that our landlord must have fixed the water heater. Bill looked confused, and said that it's still as loud as it's ever been. Although Bill is a heavy sleeper, so it never really bothered him.
I guess like the cars, and the passerbys, and the buses of my youth, the waterheater, stoner couple, and pacing lady upstairs are the new noises in the background. I've gotten so used to them, I don't even notice them anymore. Perhaps they should add another setting on white noise machines for city dwellers. It would consist of water heater banging, loud stoned neighbor laughter, and much more.
A few months ago my landlord changed the water heater in our building. Bill and my bedroom so happens to be right up against it. The new water heater is not a friend of mine; it clanks and clunks and thumps loudly every time someone flushes a toilet or turns their sink on. After a few back a forth emails with our landlord I realized that it was either unfixable or just not going to get fixed. I spent several sleepless nights, and several more on the couch.
Aside from the water heater, we are also surrounded by many other lovely sounds. Our neighbor upstairs works odd hours, and paces back and forth in her apartment during the wee hours of the morning. Across the narrow space between our apartment building and the one next to us live a stoner (I can only assume) college couple, who watch movies with their window open, laughing and commenting loudly at anything and everything until the sun comes up.
Yet somehow after months of thinking that we would have to move, I've gotten used to it all. I mentioned to Bill the other day that our landlord must have fixed the water heater. Bill looked confused, and said that it's still as loud as it's ever been. Although Bill is a heavy sleeper, so it never really bothered him.
I guess like the cars, and the passerbys, and the buses of my youth, the waterheater, stoner couple, and pacing lady upstairs are the new noises in the background. I've gotten so used to them, I don't even notice them anymore. Perhaps they should add another setting on white noise machines for city dwellers. It would consist of water heater banging, loud stoned neighbor laughter, and much more.
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Day 44 - Things
I always have a running mental list of all the nice things I'd like to buy for myself. For over a decade a nice bike was on that list, but I wasn't able to afford one until recently. As soon as I could afford it, I bought one. Next on the list was a new snowboard. I bought a new one last year, and was able to get rid of the 15+ year-old one I'd been using.
Now that I'm making a little more money, I'm able to cross things off the list faster than I ever thought possible. A nice camera had been on the list for years, and I finally bought one this year.
The strange thing about the list is it doesn't seem to get shorter, it's actually getting longer.
"Now that I have this nice road bike," I think to myself. "I should get a sweet commuter bike, and rack and fenders..."
And more recently: "this camera is nice, but I could use a better lens. And I definitely need a tripod..."
It's strange how we adjust to every new income level we reach. And as soon as we adjust we suddenly "need" more things.
The odd thing about the list is that actually buying those things doesn't bring me as much happiness as the prospect of buying them, or the idea of the list. I'm afraid my nice new bike will get stolen so I still usually ride my old bike around. Since I bought my new snowboard during a drought, I've only ridden it once in the year that I've had it. Most of these new things sit around, unused, gathering dust. In fact, if I hadn't started this 100 day challenge, I'd probably almost never pick up my camera.
If the idea of the list makes me happier than actually purchasing the next item on it, wouldn't I be happiest just saving my money and dreaming of all the things I'll never have? Of course this would never work, because the happiness ultimately comes from the hope that I will someday have these things.
So I will continue to work hard, and strive for my imaginary surfboard and wetsuit. Whether or not I surf is a different question.
Now that I'm making a little more money, I'm able to cross things off the list faster than I ever thought possible. A nice camera had been on the list for years, and I finally bought one this year.
The strange thing about the list is it doesn't seem to get shorter, it's actually getting longer.
"Now that I have this nice road bike," I think to myself. "I should get a sweet commuter bike, and rack and fenders..."
And more recently: "this camera is nice, but I could use a better lens. And I definitely need a tripod..."
It's strange how we adjust to every new income level we reach. And as soon as we adjust we suddenly "need" more things.
The odd thing about the list is that actually buying those things doesn't bring me as much happiness as the prospect of buying them, or the idea of the list. I'm afraid my nice new bike will get stolen so I still usually ride my old bike around. Since I bought my new snowboard during a drought, I've only ridden it once in the year that I've had it. Most of these new things sit around, unused, gathering dust. In fact, if I hadn't started this 100 day challenge, I'd probably almost never pick up my camera.
If the idea of the list makes me happier than actually purchasing the next item on it, wouldn't I be happiest just saving my money and dreaming of all the things I'll never have? Of course this would never work, because the happiness ultimately comes from the hope that I will someday have these things.
So I will continue to work hard, and strive for my imaginary surfboard and wetsuit. Whether or not I surf is a different question.
Day 43 - Happy America Day!
I spent the 4th of July at the Marin County Fair for the first time in years (almost decades actually). We rode the ferris wheel, dodged some suspiciously friendly Stormtroopers, and hung out with some farm animals. Did I mention we watched a Queen cover band?
Day 42 - Backpacking
I went with Bill today to buy backpacking supplies for a trip we're taking next month. I've never been backpacking before, and am really excited the trip. I'm looking forward to unplugging and checking out for a while. In a world filled with technology, where communication with anyone is almost always available, it'll be nice to be unavailable for a while. My only real concern is that as one of the leaders in my Clan, how my Clash of Clans clan-mates will take it. I hope they can carry the clan to victory without me for a week.
Day 41 - Zip Zilch Nada
I saw my brother play his third concert with his band, Zip Zilch Nada tonight. It's a great as an older sibling, to see your younger sibling thrive. I wished I had brought my nice camera so that I could have taken non-grainy, blurry pictures, but this one will have to do.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Day 40 - Man-Buns Abound!
I was having an off day today. One thing went wrong, and then another, and then everything snowballed. Everything that happened was minor, but once the snowballs start rolling, there's no stopping the avalanche.
Buried deep in a snow mound of regrets, I asked Bill to join me for lunch. I figured a friendly face would make me feel better.
He showed up, red-faced from the bike ride over, and eager for lunch. Plate piled high with sushi, pizza and everything in between, he took a look around and asked, "why are you sad? You have a great job, delicious food, and man-buns abound!"
I laughed, agreeing that it was silly for me to be upset. In that moment, it wasn't my man-bun saturated workplace that picked me up out of my funk, it was the smiling, crumb-covered face across the table.
Buried deep in a snow mound of regrets, I asked Bill to join me for lunch. I figured a friendly face would make me feel better.
He showed up, red-faced from the bike ride over, and eager for lunch. Plate piled high with sushi, pizza and everything in between, he took a look around and asked, "why are you sad? You have a great job, delicious food, and man-buns abound!"
I laughed, agreeing that it was silly for me to be upset. In that moment, it wasn't my man-bun saturated workplace that picked me up out of my funk, it was the smiling, crumb-covered face across the table.
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