2014 Post-Resolutions

Like I mentioned in my previous post, I like the idea of setting high hopes for a new year.  After the holidays are over, everything just gets sad.  So it's nice to focus some energy into resolutions that keep your spirits high… even for only 2-3 weeks.  Or days.  Whatever. 

In January 2014, I was getting ready to move across the country - so I didn't feel the need to set additional resolutions because well, my life was already twist-turned upside down.  But, I'm going to do a new thing.  POST-RESOLUTIONS!  

Here are things I didn't necessarily plan to change or do in 2014, but somehow did: 

1. Move to another part of the country.  It was a lot harder than I thought it would be.  The west coast is very different from the east coast and as corny as this sounds, it's hard to feel a "connection" with this city and/or coast.  But I'm getting there.  It feels a heck of a lot more like home now than it did last year, so I did it.  I successfully moved and lived in a different part of the country. 

2. Make new friends but keep the old.  I have a lot of new friends.  Really good friends! Friends that I plan on inviting over for dinner and BoJack Horseman marathons.  But I also stayed close with a lot of old friends and got closer with friends from Boston who also live in or moved to Los Angeles the same time as me.  Great all around. 

3. Take a non-yoga group exercise class. I have always been afraid of them.  I don't like the idea of working out with people because I like to be good at things so when other people are better than me, I feel angry and less than.  But I took a SoulCycle class this year. It was weird! 

4. Take a skateboard and surf lesson.  Never wanted to do it.  But I did it. 

5. Take a road trip.  I took mini road trips to Twentynine Palms and Newport Beach.  But I also took a bit of a longer road trip to Las Vegas.  Nailed it. 

6. Buy a car.  Well, I leased one.  And I did it all by myself! 

7. Take control of finances.  I'm still working VERY HARD on this, but… well, I'm getting there.  I'm aware that my finances need some work - and that's the first step, right?!     At the very least, I stopped spending as much on nails and hair and random purchases at Target.  AS MUCH. 

8. Cook more meals at home.  This year I did MOSTLY grocery shopping and went out to eat a lot less.  I learned a few key recipes that I re-did over and over, like the perfect pan roasted chicken thighs and roasted brussel sprouts and not going to lie, really awesome burgers.  If I learned anything this year, it's cooking is easy and awesome and everyone should own a cast iron skillet. 

9. Get a new job.  I literally had no choice in the matter, but I also got a new job this year. It helped me stretch a lot of underused muscles - like stalking and going through an entire pad of post-its in a week.  But hey, I really enjoy the company and I learned a lot and I have so many ideas of things I want to do in the future running through my brain.  

10. Simplify. I left a lot of crap in Boston.  And my new apartment has basically no furniture.  And that's not intentional, by any means, but I've learned to live without a bunch of unnecessary shit.  I have a couch, a coffee maker, a coffee mug and a bed.  What else does one need? 

Ugh, so much.  

-- 

This year, I have resolutions in my head.  Like do more performing, write more, travel more, explore California, create a fitness routine, etc.  But I think it's best to keep those in the back of my mind and see everything I can accomplish without the pressure.  Turns out, we can do a whole damn lot in a year without even thinking about it.  

Maybe next year I'll be a famous scrapbooker.  Here's to 2015. 

Silly Resolutions for 2014.

 source.

In addition to real, beautifully planned out New Year's resolutions, I want to make a few that are silly and just for me.  I may not follow through with them, I may not even think of them again after posting this, but they were things I kinda/sorta considered doing in 2014. 

1. Familiarize myself with / enjoy eggs.  I don't like eggs.  I don't eat them.  I don't understand them.  But people LOVE them.  They eat them every day!  They put them on everything (like soups! and PASTAS?!?!)  I have just never liked them.  I tried them a couple of times in different situations - an omelet, a sandwich, just sitting there on a plate - and I don't know if it was just because of my strange relationship with them, but I didn't enjoy the experience.  This year, I'd like to try to change that.  They're so good for you and they're also very easy to make.  I like both of those things.  Plus, egg sandwiches look so delicious - and I'd like to order one at a bagel shop (I think they're considered coffee shops, but whatever) and not feel stupid for asking for an egg sandwich without the egg.  (Basically making it a bacon and cheese sandwich, which let's face it - is delicious.) 

2. Watch a couple of new television shows.  I literally watch the SAME shows every single week / day.  I go through phases... of the same shows.  At the top of my "Recently Watched" section of Netflix, you will always find "How I Met Your Mother", "30 Rock", "Arrested Development" and "Parks and Recreation".  All of which I have seen dozens of time.  DOZENS! In fact, I've probably seen "Arrested Development" hundreds of times at this point.  This year, I'd like to watch the shows I've been putting off.  "Scandal" or "Revenge" and maybe, just maybe, I'll actually finish "Breaking Bad."  

3. Try a couple new at-home work out plans.  Should I be leaving my apartment and/or house and going to classes and socializing and putting myself out there and learning how to do things professionally?  Sure.  But realistically, I won't.  Especially in LA where people are more beautiful than in Boston, or something.  I've stuck with the same yoga/pilates DVD for the past few years (Crunch gym's "Ellen Barrett"... and no, I didn't just pick it for her last name) and I think it's time to branch out.  But let me get real with you - I've heard enough shitty things about Jillian Michaels real-life personality to stay away from her. 

4. Build a bar.  Since I'll have my own apartment in a brand new city, I want to build my own bar.  I want to come home and pour myself whatever drink I want.  And like I stocked my record collection, I want to slowly-but-surely stock my liquor collection.  I'll buy a new liquor and accoutrement a month.  Bitters?  Mixers?  Let's build it.  I'm going to have so many cool cocktail parties (where I only serve wine... because I'm lazy.) 

5. Thrift shop.  You're probably thinking, "Hipster."  With my home bar and thrift store clothing!  But honestly, it's not for hipster reasons.  It's because I want to spend less on clothes, but I want to still feel the satisfaction of buying something new.  You can relate, right?  I fucking love wearing new outfits.  And if I have to feel that feeling by adding people's old clothing to my wardrobe, then so be it.  Call me a hipster... I will wear that title awkwardly and proud!  Like I wear everything else!  

2013 Records

Last year, I made a New Year's resolution to buy a record every month.  I documented the first couple of months on Instagram - but then stopped.  I stopped buying one a month... but sometimes, I bought a couple a month.  So I figured that more than made up for it!  The goal was to build a record collection sloooowly (so I wouldn't spend a ton of money at once.)  And I accomplished that - so I'm very happy!

I got most of my records on Amazon or Ebay - there were a lot of good sellers with cheap options. I bought a few at Newbury Comics, but those were usually more expensive.  They have a sale once a month - buy 2 and get 1 free - so I took advantage of that.  And my sister got me a couple at Cheapo Records in Cambridge, one was only $1.99!  The most money I spent was about $40 on Johnny Cash, but it was worth it! (I'm going through a Johnny Cash phase right now.)

As you can tell, I didn't stray too far from my music taste.  I can't help it, I love me some Soul and Motown.  I got a few different ones in there!  I plan on buying a few different styles in the new year, although if it ain't broke don't fix it.  Plus, I need to add some Marvin Gaye to my collection. 

Here's to following through with a resolution!  Even if it wasn't consistent... and I had a little help from my friends. 
 
Here are my 2013 records:

1. Ella and Louie.

2. Ray Charles - What'd I Say

3. Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience (Part 1)

4. Etta James - At Last

5. Jay Z - The Black Album

6. Four Tops - Reach Out (gift from my sister!)

7. Otis Redding - Live in Europe (this was a birthday gift from my roommate, Kiley!)

8. Amy Winehouse Lioness: Hidden Treasures

9. Gladys Knight and the Pips Anthology (gift from my sister!)

10. The Temptations: Special Collector's Edition

11. Johnny Cash Original Sun Singles

12. John Denver and the Muppets - A Christmas Together (this was a Christmas gift from my friend, Rob!)

Happy New Year!

 

Hello!  Happy New Year! 

Last night, I dyed my hair a very dark brown.  Almost black.  And I feel AWESOME!!  I had a very fun New Year's Eve.  I did shows with my friends, I had some drinks, I threw up in a sink, I wore a pretty party dress and I walked around a room and told everyone in there how great they were and how much they were my best friend in the whole world.  Which is a good kind of drunk to be.  Oh, right, I mentioned that I threw up in a sink, right?  I'm gross.

Regardless, I'm excited for a new year!  I feel creative and excited and ready to tackle some shit.  I spent the day lying in bed and watching The Cosby Show and writing down a list of things I want to do.  I like making resolutions... because even if I don't do them all, it at least sets me on the right track and puts me in a nice frame of mind... for however many seconds.  : )

Here are some ideas that I have.  There are MANY.  And I didn't want to write any big, crazy things... like "move to LA" because that shit's overwhelming. 

• Get a passport.  I don't have one.  I've never had one.  I've never needed to use one.  I don't have the money to actually use one this year.  But... I should have one.  Just in case I'm whisked away to a foreign country for a romantic weekend.  Because that's likely to happen!
• Get the ampersand tattoo on my back filled in.  I have a baroque design that I'm looking into that I really like.  Just have to save up the money!
• Watch all of The Cosby Show.  (I'm on season three. Hehe!)
• Write and perform (non-comedy) music.  It's a silly little dream I have. 
• Write a spec script.  I've had one all planned out for "Parks and Recreation."  I think it'll be a fun thing to do.
• "Curate" my frame wall.  I have some posters that need to be framed and I want to make it more personal and interesting.  I'm tired of looking at the same thing every day.  Also, it will fulfill my secret longing that I've had to be a museum curator.
• Buy a new record every month and start building an awesome record collection.  Including all types of music... and not just soul.  I have a lot of soul.  And I'll probably buy a lot more soul.
• Figure out how to really use my camera and take pictures more frequently.  I want to take more black and white pictures.  
• Have a spa day.  Probably on my birthday.  Oh, man, I can't wait!
• Stop apologizing.  I apologize for EVERYTHING.  And I have to stop.  I have a feeling a certain someone is going to be real excited about this one. 

What about you?! What are you doing this new year?!

THIS IS GONNA BE MY YEAR!

*falls into canyon and dies.*

Ah, the resolutions debate. Probably the most controversial debate in modern society – pro-resolutions vs. anti-resolutions? I, for one, am pro. I’m the type of lady who likes to be organized. I make to-do lists every morning at work. I like goals – something to work towards. I also like tall boots.

However, I understand the whole “setting yourself up for failure” aspect. But better to try at something than not try at all, right? Isn’t not doing things you want to do sorta-kinda failing? No, it’s not. It really isn’t. But I believe everyone should do what they want to do. And if you try it, and you fail, well at least you tried.

Here are just some things I’m working towards but I won’t beat myself up over if I don’t succeed. {Maybe. I often punch myself in the face just to show myself who’s boss – Tony Danza.}

- Grocery shopping. I don’t do that. I live in the North End and there are no {inexpensive} grocery stores close by and I don’t have a car and I refuse to go to the store with a giant back pack like my sister. But, I often have access to a car and I can go to a cheaper store in the suburbs and buy the groceries I need. Otherwise, I spend a ton of money getting food elsewhere, or I eat saltines for dinner like 3 times a week. That part probably won’t change.

- Yoga. I want to do it more. It relaxes me, makes me feel strong and good about myself and makes my 95-year-old body ache less.

- Cook. Maybe this goes with grocery shopping. But, I never cook. I should cook. I’m turning 25 this year and I want to be able to do adult things like make myself dinner or have a pasta sauce recipe to swap amongst friends at book club meetings or playgroups with our kids. OMG, I’m way behind.

- Hold grudges less. I’m a huge grudge holder. I guess I don’t understand when people do shitty things to me because I’m like soo nice and soo awesome and I always do the right thing. {Wrong!} It’s a waste of time and energy to hold grudges and if people aren’t in my life anymore {or if they are, but are just shitty people} there’s a reason for that. I’ve got better people who still like me enough or that I haven’t pushed away yet. Score!

- Personal style. I like the way I dress and I think it has evolved and changed over the past few years and I'm very happy with that. I just want to take more chances. And clean my closet out... to fill it with new things!

- Get headshots taken. Hi Richie!

- Travel. I'd like to do some more traveling! I'm going to Chicago in February {but I've already been there 3 times}. I'm sure I'll go to Vegas or New York or Washington, D.C. again. But I want to go somewhere new. Like California. Or Paris. Same thing. Which means I should...

- Get a passport. Even if I don’t travel overseas {which I’d love to!} at the very least, I could prepare myself for having to leave the country with a passport.

- Write a book. That’s a big one… and it’s on my list every year. But this is “my year” or whatever.

Those are just a few out of the huge list I made on a piece of Moleskin paper.

Did I just say Moleskin paper? I should add one more thing to my list: be less pretentious.