Write to Face the Monster

Ever notice that it is easier to write when you are in a gloomy mood? The words fall out of your fingertips and onto the page without much effort. Your head is so clouded with thoughts that writing seems like the only way to clear the fog. With each key stroke, with each click-click, with each character, you feel your load lighten.

Your mind starts to clear. Thoughts are more coherent. If you pay enough attention, you can sift through the remaining haze to uncover what is really bothering you. In that moment, you find peace.

Peace. Not because you have solved the problem. Not because the problem is trivial. The sense of calm comes from knowing what issue you need to address—knowing that piece of information means that half the struggle is over.

It is easier to face a monster when you know what to look for.

Super Cool High School

For whatever reason, I have been quoting Stewie lately (from Family Guy). When I find myself making a big deal about nothing, I quote Stewie: “I wear short sleeved shirts, under long sleeved shirts, under short sleeved shirts.”

I really don’t have much of a post for it. So, this is a short one.

Here is a clip from the episode when Stewie bets Brian that he can walk into the local high school and become instantly popular. Like all Family Guy episodes, the story ends up taking a turn for the worse. Yet, before that moment, Stewie perfectly sums up the over dramatized teenage stage of life.

Heads Up: Like many episodes, this clip is definitely PG-13.
Short sleeves shirts, under long sleeve shirts, under short sleeve shirts - Family Guy, Stewie in HS

Ha ha ha. I totally used to wear long sleeved shirts under short sleeved shirts. I also would wear short sleeved shirts under long sleeved shirts. What can I say, I was suuuuper cool.

A Taste of Mystery a la Spellman

After years of gobbling up literary classics, historical fiction and chick-lit hits, I am breaking into a new genre. Not fantasy… that was so the new thing for me six months ago—my reading habits are constantly evolving. Mystery books, here I come!

Naturally, it all began at work. I spend several hours a day staring at books in every genre (*the worst of which are found in the ever-messy Craft/Hobby section*). A week ago, I organized the mystery section again. Only this time, I was drawn in to several titles.

For Austen fans, there are mystery series that star Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy or even Jane Austen herself. There are even mysteries that have a flavor similar to a romance novel. Mysteries solved by cats, mysteries solved from the beyond, mysteries solved by cooks (and saturated with recipes). Despite all the years my childhood home has bubbled over with mystery books (my mom is an avid reader), I am only now taking conscious notice of the genre.

My first taste in the world of mysteries is a series written by Lisa Lutz. The Spellman Files is the first of the series. Let me tell you, it is a great read. My bet is that I fall within the age range of Ms. Lutz’s target audience (*I get the impression that the series is the publisher’s chance to draw in a younger demographic of  readers to the mystery genre*).

I am not about the summarize the novel—especially since I have yet to finish it—but suffice it to say that being part of a family filled with individuals trained in Private Investigation tactics results in constant chaos.

Can anyone say movie/TV potential? Yup, I can see it coming…

Check out Ms. Lutz’s website for more about this entertaining series: Lisa Lutz

Grocery Store Scene

Today’s post is just a funny, fictional scene that my beau and I cooked up on a sunny Saturday. I am not going to lie, there are grains of truth in the scene. My guess is that any of you (male or female) who has lived with a person of the opposite sex will understand…

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Grocery Store Scene

During any given day, the grocery store sells an unpredictable assortment of goods to its shoppers. Guy with a green hat buys a six pack of beer and some chewing gum. Girl with sunglasses buys 3 magazines and a flavored water. Mom of three buys everything from toilet paper to apples. Sometimes it seems like there is no pattern to the purchases. Other times, the assortment of items tells a story.

Enter girl-wearing-a-sweatshirt and boy-wearing-a-sweatshirt. Both customers seem frazzled, tired and reluctant to be sharing the same space. Though the two appear to be a couple, they are not speaking to one another. Girl-wearing-a-sweatshirt takes her place in the Express Line. Boy-wearing-a-sweatshirt follows. After setting down their items, girl-wearing-a-sweatshirt abruptly places a divider after her items, but before boy-wearing-a-sweatshirt’s items. Boy-wearing-a-sweatshirt rolls his eyes.

Beep. Beep. Girl-wearing-a-sweatshirt watches as the employee scans the first set of items.

“Your total is…” says the employee.

With a huff, girl-wearing-a-sweatshirt looks over her purchases to ensure that the price is right. One piece of cake: check. One box of tampons: check. She pays and steps aside.

Up steps boy-wearing-a-sweatshirt.

“How are you doing today?” the employee asks boy-wearing-a-sweatshirt.

“Eh, okay,” the boy mumbles reluctantly.

Beep. Beep. Beep. The employee scans boy-wearing-a-sweatshirt’s items. Boy-wearing-a-sweatshirt double checks his items before paying. Orange juice: check. Vodka: check. Earplugs: check.

“Have a nice day,” the employee ventures.
“We’ll see…” the sweatshirt wearing couple grumbles as they take their items and move swiftly toward the door.

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Ah, what a day. But in all honesty, I have been some place strikingly  similar ;o]