lisforlinda

Lesson Learned

2012-02-29T11:36:00.000-06:00

Earlier this week I came across my cousin’s blog, in which she headed a paragraph in bold that read “Things I've learned from trying to be something I'm not.”

That got me thinking.

If Trial & Error were a business I'd be funding the mortgage, y'all.

As a faithful customer at Trial & Error, Inc., I don’t think it's a total bust way to move through life. I mean, do I wish I hadn’t tattooed a yellow cross on my back? Sure. But I’m not going to lose any sleep over it or anything. And more importantly, I’m not going to get ANOTHER one placed next to it.

Trial & Error: Learning Guaranteed.

In my living and learning, I’ve lived some ways that I’ve learned are not me. Follow?

So, here are some things I've learned from trying to be something I'm not:

1. It's OK to be an extrovert who does not enjoy being the center of attention. These two things do not have to go together. Stand in your corner and talk to someone new. It's what you do.

2. Being OK with yourself, without any affirmation from the outside, is essential. But the best pieces of life are found in the company of good people. A butterfly will eventually die if it stays in its cocoon [I'm assuming. I'm not a scientist].

3. It's OK to admit that you're cheesy.

4. Don’t drink anything you don’t like.

5. Running isn't fun.

6. If you're happy, then bless be, clap your hands. Don't apologize. Don't offer explanation. Just clap and be glad.

7. Guys do not care what size your pants are. At all.

Whoop, there it is: Seven things I've learned the hard way.

But consider them learned.

Puppies! Otters! Bears! ELEPHANTS!

2012-02-17T14:41:00.000-06:00

The Internet was created for one primary reason: To make images of baby animals more accessible.

Thank you Pinterest.

Have a great weekend, dearies.

OhEmGe This is Long

2012-02-13T23:26:00.000-06:00

See previous posts regarding any questions as to why I just devoted two hours to this mammoth post. Hats off to Amanda for getting my fingers moving across the keyboard.

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Rules

1. Post these rules.

2. Post 11 random things about yourself.

3. Answer the questions set for you in their post.

4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.

5. Tag 11 people and let them know that you’ve tagged them.

11 Random Things

One time, when I was a little kid, I said out loud, “My favorite movie is Pocahontas. I haven’t seen it yet, but I know it’s going to be my favorite.”
I went to the dentist today and found out I have three cavities.
This is not the worst thing the dentist has ever told me, so I'm not too phased.
I love painted fingernails, but I also always chew my polish off within the first 24 hours.
My first bumper sticker read, “I LOVE HORSES.”
My sister would later go on to steal said bumper sticker.
In high school my friend Thomas made me a book all about Josh Harnett.
It was covered with pictures of JH that Thomas printed off his parents colored inkjet, and held a large number of facts about JH that Thomas truly had to research (this was pre-Wiki and IMDB).
It probably took hours.
I still have the book.
My lips have been chapped for about two months.

11 Questions from Amanda

Did you have a nickname as a child? What was it?
Linda Lou, or just simply Lou. As a toddler, I even had a jersey for my dad’s softball team that said “Lou” on the back.
What movie can you quote best?
Here it is, my deepest, darkest secret: I can’t quote lines from movies. I’m not exaggering and I’m not making that up. I remember plot and characters and whether or not I enjoyed a movie, but when it comes to quoting lines or remembering specific scenes, I’m lost. The worst question you can ask me is: “Remember that part in ____ when ___ was all like _____?!?!?” I will stare at you blankly.
What was your favorite pastime in middle school?
Eating tagalongs.
What did the high-school you want to be when you grew up?
I was kind of a smart-ass with no real career ambition. I usually answered, “Alive.”
Are you afraid of heights?
No, but I’m still pretty afraid of the dark.
What was the highlight of your week?
Last week was a really hard week, so I think its “ending” was most truthfully my highlight. Other than that, I did sign up for yoga again last week. I have been a fickle yogi for far too long. I bit the bullet and broke the budget, but I’ve been four times since Tuesday. So we’re just going to call that a win.
What is your favorite city?
Is it too obvious if I say Nashville? I love Nashville. But if I couldn’t say Nashville, I think it’d be a tie between Denver, Washington D.C., and New York. I’ve been to each of these places only once, but I loved them all and can’t wait to visit again.
What's the best concert you've ever been to?
GAHHH!!! Favorite question ever. I have three answers! 1) Most inspiring/creatively fulfilling (also included best audience) goes to Bon Iver at the Ryman in July 2011; 2) The One That Totally Knocked Me Off My Feet And Surprised The Pants Off Me By Its Awesome And Fun Nature, was Feist at Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa), April 2008; and 3) In the fall of 2010 I saw The National perform at The Ryman. They’re my very favorite, and it was the third time I saw them play live. For a million reasons, that show felt like it was made just for me. When they unplugged for Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks, I think part of me died and went to wherever dead souls go.
If I gave you the day "off" -- from your job or kids or whatever your usual responsibilities -- what would you do?
I’d probably eat every two hours, and fill the in-between hours with pre-eating activities.
In your opinion, what is the best song to rollerskate to?
The Hokey Pokey.
What are you doing after this?
Reading a few chapters of this and then going to bed.

11 Questions for Others

Have you ever pooped your pants?
Did you just lie in your answer to question #1?
What are you proudest of having done?
What is your first memory of The Internet?
What is your favorite book from childhood?
How long can you hold your breath?
What is the best meal you’ve ever eaten?
If you could revisit one place that you've been to before, where would it be?
What's your favorite treat/snack?
What's the one thing that you swear you'll never do?
What are three goals that you have for yourself this week?

11 People I'm Tagging*

Heather
Natalie
Abby
Libby (2009? Seriously? The Internet needs more Libby.)
David
Rachel
Adie
Jamie
Cynthia
Devi
Danica

*Sorry if you think this is lame! Don't be lame! Stick to your beliefs! Or do this! Whatevs!

A Little Look

2012-02-08T09:27:00.001-06:00

In an effort to locate the missing inspiration, here are a few photos I've taken recently. They're all from Instagram, so feel free to judge me accordingly.

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I celebrated my 27th birthday on January 27: It was Golden. A lucky draw meant I had the whole day off from work, and I didn't let one second go to waste. I had brunch at my most favorite Marche, used a Groupon for an hour-and-a-half massage, stopped to get a coffee at Crema, fancyfied myself in gold glitter, and then had an absolutely fantastic birthday party at a total dive bar.

This picture was actually taken by my friend Melissa. But it's my bday, so whatevs.

I also received two of the best presents in the whole wide world. First, an illustration by Natalie of my long-standing favorite quote by Wendell Berry. And second, a scarf knitted by my father, which has become the absolute sweetest thing I think I'll ever own.

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For the past six months I've worked in an office downtown for a big company. It's full of stories that I'd like to maybe share some day. I may or may not. Regardless, here are some of the views I see on my commute to and from work.

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I know you think it's barely there, but that's just you. I see it every day, and I know it's coming in at super sonic speed. I'm not freaking out or anything. I'm just saying.

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What is funnier than the personification of baby toys?

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Here's a piece of information about me: I think lines are the most beautiful thing in the world. In fact, last night I had a dream that I made a picture of Smokey the Bear completely out of dashes. Wait. That doesn't really make sense and it isn't really relelvant. But it's honest.

[Lack of] Words

2012-02-06T13:29:00.000-06:00

At some point during the past three months, inspiration went missing. I can't find that piece that connects the idea of story to the physical act of writing the story.

I have no idea how to reconcile this, and in the name of Full Disclosure I'm just going to say it: If my words were in a well, the well would be dusty.

It's dried up, and I'm terrified it will stay that way forever.

This Is Going to be a Fantastic Year

2012-01-24T09:49:00.001-06:00

OMG BLOGGING!

I interrupt this self-imposed silent treatment I've been throwing all up over the place, to bring you my predictions for the greatest things to happen in 2012:

{1} Someone made the genius decision to bring the critically-acclaimed film Titanic back to theaters. At dinner, my five girlfriends and I realized that in 1997, we had seen Titanic in the movie theater a combined 26 times. Let's double that in April, mmmkk?

{2} I'm just going to go ahead and call it: This is going to be the year for the three-day vacation. In the works are trips to Washington D.C., Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, Florida, and Michigan. Anyone want to join?

{3} Cue the music y'all ... OLYMPICS. Ever since Kerri Strug stuck her vault landing and basically said, "Broken ankle what, bitches?!?!!?," I have watched these games with a patriotism that I never knew I possessed.

{4} This tour. Since she isn't coming to Nashville, I'll be combining this concert with one of my three-day weekends.

{5} Scout's Honor, this will be the year I get a dog.

The End

2011-12-31T11:12:00.000-06:00

It is the last morning of 2011, and I am, like literally, wrapped in my down comforter, drinking a cup of coffee, and listening to music.

It's my salute to one helluva year.

Let's bid it farewell, shall we?

My Love is Unrequited

2011-12-16T09:00:00.001-06:00

Dear Pants,

I wish that things were easier between us. I wish we were better friends. I wish that you treated me more kindly. I see you and I think, "My goodness, they look so nice." But like all the cutest creatures [boys, dolphins, squirrels] as soon as I get too close, you lash your zippery claws out at me.

This leaves me only one logical conclusion: You hate me.

You hate my hips. You hate my waist. You hate the length of my legs and the shape of my thighs. And even though you have made your hatred for me well known, I still have to interact with you every day of my life.

Sometimes even twice a day ... during that [you know?] after work switch from work pant to jean pant.

I don't think that I am asking for much. I simply request a jean that fits the various curves of my averagely shaped body. I request that your color remain vibrant, and that the fabric between your legs remain un-thinned.

In the past few months I've taken a good look at myself, wondering if the problem in this imbalanced equation is actually my fault. I wondered if my body was crazy-shaped. I decided it wasn't. Then I wondered if maybe it's time to find you at stores other than Old Navy.

So I went to J. Crew. I went to Banana Republic. Bitch, I tried you at Nordstrom.

Your price doesn't matter. You're all the same.

Your zipper cinches, your waist is too wide. Your shorts are too short and your longs are too long. Pieces of fabric pucker out in all the most unfortunate directions. You fade. You thin. There is absolutely no consistency in your sizing across stores, and somehow there manages to exist an 8-inch difference between the ankle length and the regular length.

Eight inches is a lot, Pants.

This means that to buy a pair of work pants, for my INDEPENDENT WOMAN job, I must also buy a pair of five-inch high heels. Something went terribly wrong with the feminist movement.

Am I expecting too much? AM I?

I really, really don't think so.

Sincerely,

An apple-bottom who has yet to find her Jean

Mix Tape - Christmasness

2011-12-13T08:06:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I was asked three times if I'd finished my Christmas shopping yet.

I was all like, You mean it's December?!

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Tis the Seasons y'all.

Think of this as the sampling of popcorn that your office will inevitably get this week:

Christmasness by Linda Wyman on Grooveshark

Enjoy, all you merry loves of mine.

Just in case you were wondering ...

2011-12-08T10:12:00.002-06:00

1. I did not go running last night. At all. I've pretty much stayed in a seated position throughout the entire past week.

2. My sister chose the flower calendar.

3. The calendars are still for sale. You can still buy one.

4. I’m reading Mindy Kaling’s book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns). Though I love Tina Fey with more than half of my heart, in my mind (and believe me, I think about these things) Mindy is much more accessible than Tina. Reading IEHOWM? (AOC), makes me believe that this woman would love to have a happy hour cocktail with me. We could read US Weekly and laugh too loud. People would look at us and roll their eyes, and we would not care.

5. The Kroger by my house has consistently marked down its Burt's Bees supply by more than 50% for the past two months. I own more lotion and shampoo than I should.

6. Looking through this blog made me a bit nostalgic, and I remembered how sad I was when I learned that John Stamos and Rebecca Romign broke up. For some reason, that one really blew me away.

7. Yes, my friend Natalie is moving to Atlanta in two weeks. No, I’m not moving with her. Fair question though, since we’ve pretty much lived across the hall from one another for the last seven years. One night recently, we were both enjoying a typcial weeknight at home: bowls of edamame, music pumping, her painting, me stretching, conversation rolling. I suddenly got so sad that I burst into tears. We were cracking ourselves up in a language that is shared by every group of close friends, but is unique to each. Ours includes half-finished syllables followed by shouts of agreement, telepathic looks that convey that the situation needs a follow-up analysis, conflicts started and resolved in about 10 seconds, and cue words from ancient inside jokes that send us both into near hysterics (and everyone else wants to throw up they're so annoyed).

I think the most flattering part about my friend’s impending move is how sad everyone else is that we’ll no longer live together. We have a billion mutual friends from multiple walks of life, and all of these people have seen our friendship and have heard our language [sometimes for better, sometimes for worse]. They get it.

I have nothing but good things to say about the city of Atlanta, the field of freelance illustration, and making a fresh start. But I’d be lying if I said it didn't make me sad to think that this language isn’t going to be a daily part of my life anymore.

Just in case you were wondering.

My Legs and Winning [gimme, gimme]

2011-12-02T14:50:00.000-06:00

Thank you for being proud of me for running four miles on Wednesday night, but really ... I think part of me died somewhere along Shelby Road. The past two nights have involved nightmares centering on the bones in my knees grinding against the bones in my hip joints.

In other news! On to the winner!

Thanks for entering the 2012 Calendar Gimme, Gimme. It means a lot to know that my friends have such great taste. Since most of you are about to lose, make sure you check out Natalie's website for more information about ordering a calendar for yourself. They measure 11x18, and she's selling them for $10/each [or 3 for $25].

Drum roll, pleeeeeeease.

My super high-tech way of figuring out the winner has made its decision: Libby!

Y'ALL THAT'S MY SISTER!!!

Nepotism what?! The Random Integer Generator has spoken, and it speaks truth.

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I hope that everyone has a great weekend. If you happen to see a goodwomann icing her knee-caps and watching all six seasons of How I Met Your Mother on Netflix, don't worry.

That's probably just me.

Something Happened

2011-12-01T14:38:00.000-06:00

I do not run.

Anyone who knows me is completely unsurprised by this confession.

Yet somehow, I ended up running four miles* through the streets of East Nashville last night.

There really is nothing left to say about this. I don't know when, or if, I'll ever recover.

But I'll probably be there again next week.

*I did end up walking a bit toward the end.

Twenty Twelve [gimme, gimme]

2011-11-30T08:37:00.001-06:00

We're one month shy of 2012, and I can't help but drop my jaw at everything that has happened in 2011. Through it all, a certain red pick-up truck has faithfully remained by my side.

Last year I started what I hope will become an annual tradition. My friend Natalie illustrates and designs all things beautiful, and every year she makes a few calendars. I've gushed about her pieces before, but I just can't help that I have remarkable taste.

So. Since we're coming up on a season of giving.

And since I love you.

And because I wish to make your day.

And, duh, because you're awesome.

It's time for another Gimme, Gimme!

2012 Flowers

2012 Panda

2012 Pattern

Do you like flowers, pandas and patterns?!?!?!! I MEAN, WHO DOESN'T!?

I'm getting at least two of these fine calendars this year, one for the office and one for the home. Oh wait, make that THREE, because I'm also getting one for you!

I'll choose one person at random to receive their very own 2012 calender [you pick: flower, panda, pattern].

To enter, just tell me: What is your ideal winter-time beverage?

Leave a comment on this post or shoot me an e-mail, and you'll be entered to win. I'll choose someone on Friday afternoon.

Have a happy day.

OKGO!

Winter Music, and why downward-facing dog can save any lost soul

2011-11-29T07:45:00.001-06:00

Yesterday was a weird day. My mascara kept smearing across the baggy skin under my eyeballs, and my pants were so itchy I thought I was going to just take them off.

I ended up crying the whole drive home for no reason, save the obvious fact that being 26 years old is the hardest damn thing in the whole wide world. When I got home, my newly unemployed roommate was in a surprisingly upbeat mood, all smiles, and saying things like, "How was your day?!"

Smiley face. Smiley face.

I resisted the urge to go sit crisscross applesauce in the front yard during a thunderstorm, and instead opted for what I always, always need on days like that:

Endorphins don't play, y'all. Neither does balancing on one toe, breathing belly breaths, or inversions.

Once my mental and physical self was righted, I sat down and put together a little playlist of some of my favorite Winter songs. These are songs for cold nights and warm drinks. I hope you enjoy:

Winter 2011 by Linda Wyman on Grooveshark

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And just in case you were wondering ...

Yes. Yes, I am doing a very special Gimme, Gimme tomorrow. Wink, Wink.

Tis the Season, y'all!

Thanksgiving

2011-11-28T08:40:00.003-06:00

Happy day after Thanksgiving weekend! I hope everyone made it to work on time this morning, and that your lunch is full of leftover carbs.

This year in Nashville, the weekend was full of good company and good food. I found the best recipe for rum cider, ate lots of pie, and caught up on books and television. It was a quiet holiday for me, and I'm grateful for it. While in the company of good people, I also was able to find moments of quiet reflection.

I can't remember if I've ever mentioned this song but, here is me, mentioning this song:

Josh Garrels's album Love & War & The Sea In Between is available on Noisetrade. His song Farther Along is one of the better songs I've heard all year.

Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
So, cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine
We'll understand this, all by and by

It's easy to believe that those words aren't true, that the answer to "Why?" will never be answered. I generally prefer worry over rest, and often wonder if redemption isn't just some dream that I keep trying to believe.

My friend David wrote a post this weekend about the changes that have happened in his life over the past 365 days. Looking back over my own last 365 days, I feel a combination of grief and gratitude. It's made me think that maybe the New Year should start the day after Thanksgiving; when we look back over a calendar year with gratitude, and look forward in a spirit of confidence.

I'm a different person than I was a year ago, and this makes me sad and thankful. I'm lonely, but strong. My head is heavy, but it's held high.

Whether you were alone or surrounded by hundreds of loved ones during the holiday, I hope that you have taken time for reflection. I hope that the year behind holds positive memories, but maybe even a bit of heartache. Sometimes our hearts must ache if they are to change.

Happy holiday season, friends. Here's to grief and to gratitude, and their faithfulness to refine us every day.

ALL ABOARD!

2011-11-23T09:09:00.001-06:00

It's the day before Thanksgiving and my brain has turned into a large pile of mashed potatoes. And so obviously, this is an opportunity to take you on a journey through my train of thought:

1. Following Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez on Instagr.am is one of my favorite things about the Internet. Ever.

2. When I sneeze and people say, "Oh! There's a bug going around!," I always have to suppress the urge to say something like, "MY GOD WHAT, WHERE?!" Somewhere, out there, seems to exist a "bug" that has consistently gone around in circles through every season since the beginning of time, yet still manages to completely shock a certain segment of the population every time they hear a sneeze.

3. Netflix has all 11 seasons of Frasier streaming online. My father raised an ardent fan of The Sitcom, and I've been taking advantage of this treasure for weeks. The other night a friend asked what it was about the neurotic psychiatrist that was so appealing, and I think just the mere fact that he has a Rothko hanging above his toilet seat speaks volumes to the greatness of this show.

4. Melissa and I went to see Twilight last night. Ohhhh ... giggle did we ever. There was a preview for The Hunger Games and Jacob's shirt was off within the first 45 seconds of the movie so yeah, all in all, a pretty solid choice for a Tuesday evening.

5. Y'all, it's a Christmas miracle: Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney will playing at LP Field in Nashville on June 23. I'm just a little bit nervous that tickets will be hundreds of dollars. But I'm a lotta bit excited to sing and dance to two of pop-country music's greatest living heroes. My 13-year-old Self will be fist-pumping like a maniac at how cool her 26-year-old Self has become.

Murmuration(s)

2011-11-21T15:05:00.000-06:00

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

This is how I feel today: a little alone, wrapped up in sweaters, in awe, hopeful, thankful, wishful, etc.

Stick with me friends, I've got a lot to say.

Ten Years Down the Road

2011-11-17T09:26:00.000-06:00

"I feel bad. All these upbeat guys played, and now I'm going to depress the shit out of you."

Last night I went to one of my favorite venues to hear one of my favorite songwriters. I was surrounded my some of my favorite girls and some of my favorite boys.

David Ramirez's sound paired with his lyrics are an explosive combination. His voice carries his words about love and grief effortlessly through any crowd of beating hearts and raw souls. He stands on stage with simply a guitar, a beard, and his standard Pabst Blue Ribbon. He says things like, "It kills me to see you, it kills me not to."

Everyone gets it.

His songs are like a papasan chair and a cup of tea: cozy and warm. His lyrics are truth, and the pain is real, but it's feels OK to sit and listen, and to feel comforted knowing we've all been there before.

Ellen, you're such a tease

2011-11-11T10:02:00.005-06:00

On Tuesday I was at the temp job, per the usual. We decided to have an office lunch, so I volunteered to head to Panera and pick up all of our bread bowls, soups and muffin tops.

While holding a very heavy bag of Panera for 10, I spotted every woman's dream come true:

The Swaggin' Wagon ... Ellen Degeneres y'all!

I am in for the niiiiiight ... Anyone? Anyone?

After I stopped a stranger on the street and said "TAKE PICTURE PLEASE NOW OF FACE THANK YOU!" I ran the soup back the office, and began a Twitter frenzy.

While on Twitter, I found out that Ellen was going to be at the Bridgestone Arena, LIVE, and her fans should bring something starting with a "C" a "M" and an "A."

Oh. I wonder why.

After work, I changed into my sneakers and ran the mile through downtown. WHICH, at CMA time of year, is complete chaos and glitter.

I got to Bridgestone and walked into, what can best be described as, a Greek-life Halloween party.

I thought that my Chapstick, Magnet, and Applejuice would surely secure me a place in the running for Ellen's CMA tickets.

It did not. I had no chance up against the guy who brought his cat, or the lady who brought a mannequin, or really anyone else, because I had come there alone, and why would Ellen ever want to go to the CMAs with me and my applejuice when she could go with the guys dressed as a Caterpillar, a Moose, and an Amphibian [run on sentence, winning].

So I took my coffee-stained, cable-knit sweater wearing self on home, heated up some Amy's, watched a few episodes of Frasier, and called it a good night.

Thoughts for Fall [and a really excited girl]

2011-11-10T10:38:00.001-06:00

A few clicks on the Internet, and I was led to this picture:

via

With this caption:

"Learning a new computer program was both frustrating and fun for first-grader Kylea Devoy in Robyn Wells' New Harmony School class in New Harmony, Ind., on Oct. 27."

Good grief, that made my day.

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More than any other season, Fall reminds me to take a deep breath, and to enjoy each and every moment. I don't always do this well. A lot of the time I hurry through the season, anxious to see and process all that these few months have to offer. I worry that I will blink and the colored trees will suddenly be bare. I worry that Winter will rush in and freeze my spirit. I worry that the New Year will begin, again, and so many things will still seem untouched on my life's to-do list.

I worry and worry and worry.

Fall reminds me that worrying is pointless; that while I worry, life faithfully keeps on spinning in gracious circles.

Fall reminds me to keep my eyes fixed on red leaves, and to look for some beauty in the bare branches.

Fall reminds me that even when a really good season ends, and an unknown and cold season looms, that worrying is futile, and that breathing in and out with each moment is all that we can really do.

Concrete Jungles

2011-11-07T22:02:00.002-06:00

There are a lot of pictures in this post. Be warned.

Concerning New York, we hit the ball outta the park.

Grand. Freaking. Slam.

My two pieces of advice for traveling with friends:

Delegate Responsibilities: There should never be more than one person in charge at a time, and one person shouldn't be in charge during the whole trip. We knew our strengths, and we trusted each other to lead and to follow. I probably couldn't tell you which train we took, but I know every penny each of us spent.

Maintain Unapologetic Enthusiasm: We got to the Nashville airport and the cameras were out. Life is too short to pretend like you're not a tourist. It is my opinion that the best thing in life is traveling with people who know you well, who don't expect you to act any differently than you do, and who will hold your cappuccino while you take pictures of everything you see.

We really, REALLY, went to some amazing places, and if you are ever in NYC I hope you take some of these fantastic suggestions. Thanks to everyone who offered their own ... we had more options and ideas than could physically be accomplished in three days. Which is fine, because that means we'll just have to visit again.

Saturday:

The weather was pissed.

I wasn't kidding about the fact that we really wanted to eat good brunch while on vacation. It was the glue that held our itinerary together. On Saturday morning there was an hour-long wait at Peels, so we walked across the street to Think Coffee to have a cuppa joe and wring out our skinny jeans from NY's worst October blizzard ever. Then we walked back to Peels, and ate until the top buttons of said jeans had to be undone. If you have a chance to go to Peels, get the bread + jam starter. It's flaky and doughy and warm and salty and sweet and made from gods.

After brunch, we headed to Time's Square to secure a place in line at TKTS. We decided on tickets for Memphis, and got seats in the eighth row at the Shubert Theatre. Seeing a live musical on Broadway may have been my favorite activity from the trip. It was the priciest thing we did, but it was completely worth it. And hey Nashville: It's coming to TPAC next week.

Sunday:

I was not kidding about the snow/rain on Saturday. So when we woke up on Sunday and saw a big, blue sky out the window, we all did a little dance, grabbed our scarves and boots, and headed out the door.

To celebrate, we ate brunch. Duh.

Eggs on pizza? It's OK if you just gagged. I was feeling similar, but then it was so good that I ate the whole thing. Which is why you should always try something new. Pulino's is a great atmosphere and was the perfect place to start our second day.

After brunch, we made our way to the Empire State Building. It cost $22/person and took an hour to get to the top. Like eggs + pizza, I was skeptical that it wouldn't be worth our time and money. But I mean, heck, they had King Kong on one of the floors. So that was fun.

But they weren't joking when they made Sleepless in Seattle. The top of the Empire State Building was magical. THAT'S RIGHT: MAGICAL. It took 45 seconds up there to decide it was worth the time, and yes, even the money.

After The Empire State Building, we went to H&M. WHICH WAS AWFUL. I think that shopping in New York is the most romanticized thing in all of movie history. More so than the idea of true love or the pioneers' expansion into the West.

Anyway.

Sunday night we went to the Beyond This Place screening at BAM, during which Sufjan Stevens played his original score for the movie.

And I was all like, "BROOKLYN SHUT THE FRONT DOOR, I COULD GET USE TO THIS."

[No pictures from that. Oops.]

Monday:

Our last full day started earlier and ended later than the previous two. Monday morning we made it out the door in record time, and stopped at a badass lil coffee + pastry shop in Brooklyn before heading toward MoMA. Don't even get me started on MoMA. I loved it. Made me even tear up a bit.

After MoMA, we made our way to ABC Carpet & Home. If Anthropologie and IKEA had a baby, and when it grew up Stacey London gave it a makeover, that would [sorta] be ABC Carpet & Home. It was beautiful and much nicer than my experience with H&M.

Once we pried ourselves from the prettiest store in the world, we made our way to Central Park. Sadly, Saturday's storm had done a number on the area, so a lot of the trees were down. This made us feel very adventurous and we forged new paths through the wood.

Then we ate hot dogs, and took a billion pictures.

After Central Park, we made our way to SoHo, where residents were participating in a Halloween parade. Since none of us are big into parades or crowds, we snuck into Milady's on Prince St. for a drink. Then we went shopping again [UGH].

You may have noticed that our "brunch" Monday morning merely consisted of coffee and pastries. We planned it that way so that we could spend our last evening in Little Italy, tasting genuine pesto, drinking red wine, and sampling pasta, pasta, pasta. We did it right, y'all!

But, lameballz, we have no decent pictures from that night.

Well. That's all folks! Thanks for your well-wishes and suggestions. It was truly a fabulous vacation.

But as homes go, it's always good to be back.

Central Park

2011-11-07T10:21:00.000-06:00

I Heart NY, y'all.

I've got a mega update coming this evening (or tomorrow morning?) but just wanted to check in and let you know that it's gonna be gooooood.

For now, here's a picture that you -also- probably want to frame and display in your living room:

Happy Monday! See you in a bit!

It's New York Baby!

2011-10-28T12:15:00.002-05:00

Like I said, I'm heading to New York this afternoon.

A few weeks ago, Melissa, Natalie, and I were planning and researching ideas for our time in the big city, when we got off topic and started discussing possible names for the trip.

My suggestion was "Bitches Eat Brunch."

They thought "Brunchin' Bitches" was better.

I then came back with "Bitchin' Brunch."

I've given this a lot of thought, and I've decided they were right: Brunchin' Bitches is the name, NY is our game.

This sort of dialogue, with these sorts of conclusions, is just one of the many reasons why I couldn't imagine spending this trip with anyone else.

See you next week!

A story for your lunch hour

2011-10-27T11:43:00.000-05:00

I was sitting at the neighborhood pub, swapping Ruffles with good friends, when one of the guys stopped by our table and said to me:

"You're known around here at the female Jake Gyllenhaal."

"You mean like Maggie?"

"No. Like Jake."

That compliment --and I'm taking it as a compliment-- has kept me going for daaaays.

Links, Dreams, and Halloween Costumes

2011-10-20T07:39:00.001-05:00

OH HEY INTERNET!

I seem to have fallen off the face of the earth. Oopsies! It's been intentional/unintentional. No one turned out how I thought they would. I’m so excited I feel like I’m going to throw up. I'm being cryptic.

Deal.

------------------------------------------------

In other news ...

Received a text yesterday from my friend Tracie:

"Listen up. I had a dream that the U.S. had a pandemic with a plague ... and it started with me, Abby, Josh Ritter, Nat and you. We had to wear masks and we infected other people including Mar* who then took it to Singapore. Everyone hated us because there was only a 50/50 chance of survival. But we leaned on one another, played a lot of Scrabble in isolation, and all around bonded. Just thought you should know where our friendship stands today."

Basically I have super talented friends who know how to hold their own in a crisis situation.

If you need a visual:

------------------------------------------------

Speaking of "Friends." Melissa, Natalie, and I may or may not dress up as Chandler, Joey, and Ross, respectively, for Halloween in NY.

------------------------------------------------

For no apparent reason and unrelated to the end of the world at the hands of a bunch of Scrabble-playing girlfriends, yesterday was the kind of day made me believe I needed to eat a stack of Pringles and drink a Coke for lunch.

Which means it was -not- the best day of my life.

But then I saw this picture:

And that was nice.

------------------------------------------------

I just need to make sure everyone has seen this site.

*I couldn't find a design site for him. Anyone?

Good Morning

2011-10-12T10:15:00.000-05:00

Every morning

the world
is created.
Under the orange

sticks of the sun
the heaped
ashes of the night
turn into leaves again

and fasten themselves to the high branches ---
and the ponds appear
like black cloth
on which are painted islands

of summer lilies.
If it is your nature
to be happy
you will swim away along the soft trails

for hours, your imagination
alighting everywhere.
And if your spirit
carries within it

the thorn
that is heavier than lead ---
if it's all you can do
to keep on trudging ---

there is still
somewhere deep within you
a beast shouting that the earth
is exactly what it wanted ---

each pond with its blazing lilies
is a prayer heard and answered
lavishly,
every morning,

whether or not
you have ever dared to be happy,
whether or not
you have ever dared to pray.

by Mary Oliver
Morning Poem

If you don't have anything nice to say ...

2011-10-10T14:53:00.001-05:00

Then watch this video and at least giggle a little.

And join the club.

Happy Hour is ...

2011-10-07T14:37:00.000-05:00

A Picnic bench

Close friends

Warm Indian Summer

A tall, dark draught

Salted chips and pickle spears

A game of mancala

Listening, talking, laughing

Harmless flirting with servers who know your name, and your order

-----------------------------------------------

Have a wonderful weekend.

The Faithful Colleague

2011-10-06T08:42:00.003-05:00

I saw my first, real-life Apple computer when I was 14 years old.

I walked into the Newspaper office of my high-school and saw Quark illuminated on a sea of teal and fuchsia desktop computers, and never really looked back.

Apple went with me to college, and I found myself in the company of other aspiring journalists, writers, and photographers. We huddled into "The Little Office That Could" and sat surrounded by Macs, ready to pull from our collective bowl of ideas.

When my first iPod came on my 19th birthday, I knew something special had happened. Finding, buying, and listening to music became instantaneous and utterly addictive. If anyone ever asks, "What's the one thing that you can never travel without?" I always say my iPod. Some of the most clear memories that I have are riding on a bus through Mexico, listening to the sounds of my favorites, remembering what was and hoping for what will be.

In my post-college life, a laptop has become essential. It tags along with me at all times, ready to open and glow, ready to document anything and everything around me.

There is only a fraction of what I've written that you've seen, but Apple has seen it all. It's seen my every thought process, my every backspace, my every tangent: It's seen the best that I've written and it's seen the worst.

It's been my most faithful colleague.

I don't know a lot about computers, and I don't know anything about electronic innovation. But I do know that, through a magical blend of creativity and drive, Steve Jobs created my technological comfort food.

Apple's products operate how I think. Or maybe I think how they operate.

Either way, I'm confident that wherever I end up, and no matter what I do, Apple will be there every step of the way.

And I'm really grateful for that.

Steve Jobs, 1955-2011

When did music become some sort of race?

2011-10-05T11:39:00.000-05:00

I can't keep up with what's new in music. And I'm pretty confident that aspiring to do so is the stupidest thing ever. Which is why comments like this make my eyeballs roll all the way from one side to the other.

But I guess if music is a race, I want to be running next to these guys:

The Temper Trap -- Love Lost

For the record: I heard this for the first time yesterday and am one billion percent OK with that.

Also for the record: It's ver, ver niiice.

With Regret

2011-10-04T17:15:00.000-05:00

Dear Internet,

I'm writing this to you because I really don't care to talk about it with anyone else.

I feel like a balloon that just popped.

Or a stubbed toe.

Or the grout between the cracks in a bathtub.

Adele isn't coming on Monday.

She. Isn't. Coming.

She won't sing at the Ryman.

She. Isn't. Coming.

"singing is literally my life, its my hobbie, my love, my freedom and now my job. I have absolutely no choice but to recuperate properly and fully, or i risk damaging my voice forever. i have great confidence in believing you know how much this upsets me, how seriously i take it and how truly devastated and annoyed i am by this. wanting to do something so bad and not being able to is the most frustrating thing as im sure you know! my voice is weak and i need to build it back up. I’m gonna be starting up vocal rehab as soon as, and start building my over all stamina in my voice, body and mind. i will be back and im gonna smash the ball out the park once im touring again. i apologise from the bottom of my heart, sincerely i do. i know its not only disappointing because of the show, but its plane tickets, hotel bookings, birthdays, anniversaries and time wasted. but please have faith in me that this is the only thing i can do to make sure i can always sing and always make music for you to the best of my ability. truly yours and yours only forever, adele xx”

You might think I'd feel silly about the tears that have begun to well up in my eyes.

But I don't.

I really, really don't.

Love,
Me

Workin' on my fitness

2011-10-04T11:48:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I held this pose for a bit.

This isn't me.

Today my triceps are crying a bit.

Brave enough

2011-10-03T10:12:00.000-05:00

Recently I found myself in a situation that I had been in before. It wasn’t a bad situation, but it was one that has held positive and negative associations for me. I first found myself in said situation about three years ago, and last week as I was revisiting the past, I couldn’t help but be impressed with the changes that have happened in three years.

I'll put it like this: I haven't had to sit on my hands to stop them from shaking in a long time.

While I'm doing pretty swell these days, I'm realizing that I picked up a lot of survival tactics during the hand sitting days. I learned how to keep people at a distance, how to lie low, how to shoot back defenses, and, ultimately, how to seem as if I didn't care and to act as if it all didn't matter.

I learned how to survive.

But lately I've been seeing further than my own two feet. I'm gearing up for Future. I've become a morning person. I'm beginning to crave relationships. I'm kind of, GASP, happy.

But the shit of it all is: I don't know how to loosen my grip on the survival tactics that I've loved for so long.

There is really no conclusion to these thoughts. To sum up: I want to be brave enough to stop assuming everyone is out to break my heart.

I want to be brave enough to be happy with people.

I'm 51% optimistic.

issoBRIGHT!

2011-09-30T17:47:00.000-05:00

My living room at 5:30 every afternoon.

Just thought I'd share.

Have a great weekend.

I'm really becoming a morning person

2011-09-29T08:37:00.000-05:00

This morning I saw a man spit out of his car window.

His spit did not go very far, though, and I saw it slowly roll down the side of his car door.

He swore in frustration.

I swore in delight.

I've got a picture to prove it

2011-09-27T22:28:00.000-05:00

I am an Instagraddict, and lemme tell you: I could do a lot worse.

Here's some of what's been going on.

My car was totaled one hot, August day. Yes, I was wearing pantyhose.

I learned about Nashville's public transportation, and for this I am grateful.

I was hired by a temp agency to do corporate work in a corporate building.

It's got a corporate view.

I usually wear something with a collar.

It's not as boring as I thought it would be.

I bought myself flowers.

I sat on the porch.

I wrote papers.

I bought a muffler with a little car attached to it.

I'm headed to sleep ... Dream well, loves.

True or False

2011-09-26T14:19:00.000-05:00

I am mildly obsessed with this song and watched the video at least 45 times this weekend.

My Friday Fancy

2011-09-23T11:24:00.000-05:00

Someday, I'd like to make one of these and hang it around my neck.

I just think that would be really funny.

-----------------------------------------------

This weekend is Next Big Nashville's Soundland.

Excuse me while I get little sleep, eat fried sugar, drink canned beer, and dance to all the best music.

Foster the People, 09/22/2011

-----------------------------------------------

Last week Melissa, Natalie, and I bought tickets to Nuw Yawk.

Why?

CUZ WHY THE HELL NOT.

We're all super pumped, and we have a overwhelmingly detailed e-mail chain to prove it.

This weekend we need to figure out where we'll be sleeping and doing some planning on our itinerary. I really want to:

visit the MOMA
see a famous person (preferably Ryan Gosling)
eat an enormous piece of pizza
walk around Central Park
wear a pair of high heels
see something off Broadway (or off Off Broadway)
eat the most amazing brunch of my life

What am I missing?

If you were in New York City/Brooklyn for four days with two of your best friends, what would you do?

Help a girl out!

AND HAVE AN AWESOME WEEKEND.

THIS SHOW GAH!

2011-09-21T15:37:00.001-05:00

I devoted 30 minutes of my Sunday to a project that is very, very important to me.

If you aren't one of the bazillion fans who has already made a Mad Men character, click here.

You'll look AMAZING.

even though the flower dies, something is by its side

2011-09-19T08:23:00.000-05:00

Good Morning, Monday. Here are a couple of songs to get you in the mood for a week that is sure to flirt constantly with Fall.

------------------------------------

James Vincent McMorrow has been on my playlists for a few months now.

This track is one of my favorites. It mourns the death of well-lived life.

Something I think we can all only hope for.

James Vincent McMorrow, And If My Heart Should Somehow Stop
[lyrics taken directly from site]

the wind changed, the first day that you came through
cut the corn, washed it clean
now everything thats ever gone before, is just a blur
it’s all because of you
and now i find, this cities like a stranger to me
i once was fooled by cadillacs and honey
but no one feels like you
not like you
not like you
not like you

cause even though the flower fades something takes it’s place
a marching band on a sunny day, two pretty eyes or a a pretty face

then in the forest i made my home
lay down on hard and ancient stone
then if my heart should somehow stop
i’ll hang on, to the hope
that you’re not too late
that you’re not too late

and there are times i know when i will have to chase you
the further from my side you go, the longing grows
and though i hate this, i’ll still want you,
i will hate this, but i’ll still want you

even though the flower dies somethings by it’s side
a helping hand or a kiss goodbye, to ease it on it’s way

Plus. There's this:

James Vincent McMorrow covers Adele's Someone Like You.

------------------------------------

Mike Clark plays his song Hey Daisy on his bike.

ON HIS BIKE.

I don't care who you are, that's impressive.

------------------------------------

This entire Indian Summer mix "tape," featuring Nashvillians and created by Imogene + Willie.

I especially ~~die when hearing~~ love Rhett Murdaugh's cover of Patty Griffin's Heavenly Day.

Other favorites from the playlist: Leagues, Magic; The Apache Relay, American Nomad; and Madi Diaz, Johnny.

Love this city.

------------------------------------

Happy Monday, y'all!

It is what it is

2011-09-16T11:11:00.000-05:00

There's a crick in my neck.

And little spring in my step.

Wish me rest this weekend.

Said in all Seriousness

2011-09-15T10:55:00.000-05:00

Him: "What’s your favorite part about the upcoming seasons?"

Me: "Socks and pie."

Let's Make Some Music

2011-09-14T09:05:00.000-05:00

Do you believe in good music?

Then why don't you see how far your dollar will go.

He's worth it, y'all. One of my favorite voices in the world and an absolute gem to see play live, Charlie Hardin is making a Rock and Roll Extravaganza!

Haters Gonna Hate

2011-09-13T08:27:00.000-05:00

On the 7:45 bus this morning, the elderly woman next to me dominated a three-pound block of meatloaf that was smothered in ketchup.

She was in a league of her own.

I fooled them all

2011-09-09T10:09:00.000-05:00

A recent Google search that led someone here was: "I wish I was cool in high school."

Bless. My. Heart.

Dear High Schooler Who May Have Found My Blog,

I'm sorry that something so awful happened to you that it led you to Google the saddest sentence ever.

I really, really am.

It's rough out there. Girl, believe me. I know.

I remember standing in the corner of the locker room in 9th grade while another girl told everyone in my gym class that I had a crush on Ryan*. There's nothing like having your deepest-darkest secrets exposed to a bunch of 14-year-old girls who are wearing lacey bra/underwear sets, while you helplessly stand in the corner wearing your lame 100% cotton, white, granny briefs.

You know. The ones that came in the big Family Pack.

It was such a terrible day that I went home and ate a plate of melted cheese and drank a whole glass of milk.

Oh wait. I did that every day.

The thing is everyone in high school is so worried about their own "uncool" moments that they tend to completely forget about yours.

Like the one day I sneezed in Pre-Algebra and my hands were stuck to my face from all the snot. I ran to the bathroom to keep anyone from seeing.

Good thing I had on those Nike Airs or they TOTALLY would have caught on.

My biggest advice for girls who are in high school: Invest in a hair straightener.

I am currently two inches shorter than when I was 16. My large amount of hair doubles in Florida's humidity, and it wasn't until my senior year when my mother brought home a blessed CHI that everything became a little less terrible.

Invest in a straightener. Call me crazy, but some days it is just easier to fit in.

High School does have its moments. Sure! There are HOT GUYS. There are CARS. There are SEQUINS. There are ELECTIVES.

It's totes rad.

I know. I remember Darren*. He was a senior when I was in 10th grade, and he let me shave his legs on a swim meet.

It was the best moment of my life for probably three years.

Despite all of these humiliating stories [a believe me, there are many, many more], I somehow managed to get voted onto the senior Homecoming Court.

This was a complete shock for two groups of people: 1) The first group didn't have a clue who I was, 2) The second group knew who I was but knew I still hadn't learned how to use a hair straightener.

I wore three-inch, red platform sandals, a skin-tight red dress, and styled my hair into a ponytail. I was also in a phase when I wore silver eyeliner, so that was there too.

A few days before all SIXTEEN of us marched across the football field in a classic “Everyone is a Winner!” scenario, I was sitting in the Newspaper office working on a story. A guy I knew came in, sat down, and said:

"I can't believe you're on the Homecoming Court."

"Yea. I know. Weird."

"I voted for you, but it was just because I thought no one else would. What do you know, I guess everyone else thought the same thing."

WELL WHAT DO YOU KNOW.

I fooled them all.

So, Dear High Schooler Who May Have Found My Blog: There is no cool in high school.

You'll be alright.

*Totally their real names.

It's so weird ...

2011-09-08T08:36:00.001-05:00

That my lips are always chapped but LAWDKNOWS there has been no kissing.

That my armpits only sweat when I'm wearing my favorite shirts.

That I've only been to yoga five times since May.

That I cannot bring myself to even consider buying a tan/gold/brown colored car.

That I can't own an umbrella or water bottle for more than a week before I lose it.

That I was in Guatemala two years ago.

That my hair is long enough for a [ver, ver tiny] ponytail.

That I'm currently wearing, what can only be described as, a blouse.

Hair

2011-09-07T08:28:00.003-05:00

September is here. Suddenly.

More and more often I find myself wanting to do things instead of wanting to tell you things.

For the past few weeks I've been wrestling with the fact that, come January, there will be a lot of changes in my Nashville world. Perhaps more than anything I've ever had to say but couldn't find the words -- this is the most.

The tin of barrettes by the sink.

Frick

2011-09-05T17:37:00.000-05:00

This morning I woke up with two goals:

1. Complete this week's homework.

2. Clear boxes from summer job and car out of the dining room.

I've been at war with myself since 8 a.m.

Happy "Labor" Day.

For this First Fall

2011-09-05T11:36:00.001-05:00

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, champagne in one hand ... strawberries in the other and screaming: 'Woo Hoo! What a ride!'

I don't know who originally said this, but I read in an article about Jomana Karadsheh*, in which she references it as a favorite quote.

Me likey.

*Jordanian journalist, part of the group held hostage in Libya in August 2011.

I wish I was this cool in High School

2011-09-01T09:14:00.000-05:00

Every morning I run down the road outside my house to catch the 7:43 bus. It's a sweet life I lead. And I only half-way mean that sarcastically.

One of the biggest perks of my current transportation situation is that I can read during my daily commute. I'm totally over the moon for this perk and am currently plowing my way through Fried Green Tomatoes.

"Oh! What are you reading there?" a woman on the bus noticed my book and motioned for me to turn it over so that she could see the cover.

I turned the book over, "Fried Green Tomatoes. I'm really enjoying it."

"Oh I loved that book! I read it back when I was 15! There are so many good books out there for your age!" she said whimsically, as she stared out the window, remembering her 15th year and wishing I might have one just as sweet. "What school do you go to?"

Huh?

Whu?

Um.

I'M NOT FIFTEEN LADY.

Don't stop til you get enough

2011-08-31T09:32:00.001-05:00

Last night I watched the series premiere of Mad Men.

More happened in the first hour of that show than in the past year of my real life.

Hooked.

KATNISS

2011-08-30T08:58:00.001-05:00

CAN'T CONTROL THE FREAKING OUT THAT I'M ALL ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music

Hunger Games teaser trailer, which premiered at the 8/28 MTV Video Music Awards.

In Good Company

2011-08-22T18:45:00.000-05:00

In the past week I’ve been unemployed, laid off, hired, interviewed, offered, and rejected. I’ve been temping, wearing black suit coats, eating lunch out of plastic bags, and looking for my life’s Jim Halpert. My paid-for car slammed into ruin in the middle, of the middle, of Nashville. I started back with classes, went swimming with the Best Friend, and made myself a perfectly lovely brunch. I walked into the junk yard with a some blessed bout of gumption and relentlessly fought for a profit on any of Earl Grey’s salvageable parts.

And then I decided to have one helluva sob.

I’m with and I’m without.

But aren’t we all?

It’s just another Monday, y’all.

Memories that Will Stay

2011-08-17T11:34:00.001-05:00

Today is August 17, and since summer is coming to a close, I made a video in its honor.

I know, it's like I'm starting 7th grade all over again.

Enjoy.

Soma Suma from Linda Wyman on Vimeo.

Song: Go Outside, Cults

Kansas/Florida

2011-08-16T16:45:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I found myself driving across Florida with some extra time on my hands.

Just some Kansas in Florida from Linda Wyman on Vimeo.

I just can't help myself sometimes.

Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory

2011-08-15T12:42:00.014-05:00

PantSuits

2011-08-09T13:08:00.001-05:00

She threw on her wrinkled jacket and straightened out her curls.

She headed out into the big, wide corporate world.

Autopilot switched on.

It was time to see what she could make of herself.

Or at least, time to see how much money could be made.

What happens in Florida, stays in Florida

2011-08-08T09:03:00.002-05:00

Oh! Hello!

I've been off the grid this week -- no Internet and a disgruntled phone meant I was completely unaware of anything that happened during the last six days.

That's right: Phone done broke.

I brought it to Verizon, and Rob, my knight in shining Ed Hardy, took one look at SYSTEM ERROR written across the screen of my BitchBerry and said, "Yep. Dead. It's dead."

"Is there any way to revive it?"

"No."

"No?"

"No."

Rob don't play.

I'd like to take a moment for a SHOUT OUT to the Pinellas County Verizon Wireless Store. Whoop! Thanks for putting up with me and my meltdowns, guys! Sorry I swore and pretended like I would steal all your gadgets!

Anyway, OFF THE GRID.

But it's good to be back.

I have a new phone now. He is an Android, and I ~~have~~ get to slide a missing puzzle piece into a puzzle every 15 seconds to unlock the home screen, and I love him very much for giving me this fun activity.

In other news, when announced by the DJ at dear, dear friend Lindsay's wedding this past Friday, I was introduced as "Linda Hymen*."

I shit thee not.

I shit thee, absolutely, not.

There was also a charming moment when said DJ asked all the men to bring their "sexy, hot dates out onto the dance floor."

And that's when I realized I was the only person at the wedding without a date.

AND I MEAN THAT LITERALLY.

Whateves. I ate a bunch of cake and danced like no one was watching.

Which was easy, because no one was.

And without further ado, my biggest brag of the day is that I get to see my little brother on Wednesday.

Ohhhhh, the memories we share.

And in case ANYONE is wondering, I think this is the point in my story where I should admit that I did watch two seasons of 30 Rock and I read every page of Bossypants during my stay in Florida.

I know, WHO HAS THAT KIND OF TIME?!?!

What can I say? I believe in commitment.

*"Did you mean to misspell it as Heiman," the sympathetic friend asks me. "Damn," I say. "Damn."

On a Jet Plane

2011-08-01T09:35:00.001-05:00

Currently en route to Tampa.

THE HOME OF HEAT.

However, this week it looks more like rain.

That's alright. I'm tan enough.

The week will include, but is not limited to, the following:

Dear, dear Lindsay's wedding. She's getting married and I'm so, so excited to celebrate with her*.
A pedicure.
One million pictures via The Gram.
A motorcycle ride with my dad.
A game of tennis with my mother.
24 hours with life-long friend, Faith.
A coupla lattes and margaritas.

Happy girl!

*It's Monday morning, excuse the redundancy.

instant gratification

2011-07-31T16:00:00.000-05:00

Y'all.

I got the Gram.

You can follow me at gooodwomann [three "o"s, two "n"s ... long story].

I've yet to perfect the art of vanity.

But I'm working on it.

if you only do one thing today, watch the last video in this post

2011-07-28T14:15:00.002-05:00

Justin Vernon

Everyone should take the opportunity to see their favorite musician play live.

Furthermore, everyone should really make an effort to see their favorite musician play live at The Ryman.

And if you’re really, really lucky ... in the span of fourteen months, you will have opportunity to see multiple personal favorites play at the most universally loved and respected venue in the world.

I’m one of the luckiest.

A long time ago I realized that the very best thing in life was music. It gets down to the root of us. It stirs up the things we never thought we’d be able to say. It takes us from Point A to Point B. It grabs our barely concealed vulnerability and lays it out with no apologies.

Bon Iver is a man with a heart and a guitar, and he uses both to his absolute full potential. He is the perfect mix of songwriter and instrumentalist. His lyrics stick, and his music stirs some universal pot of emotions. There wasn’t a demographic absent at the Ryman last night to hear Justin Vernon and his band serenade the deepest parts of our hearts. I’m not the only one who gets lost in what he’s created, with no desire to ever really find a way out.

[Towers video by lolliwinker]

At least five songs were performed from For Emma, Long Ago, but they were all a little different, a little older, than when I heard them played three years ago. His music doesn’t stay in the past, but evolves as he evolves.

And my goodness, has he evolved. Big. Bold. Badass-ish.

[Creature Fear video by vampjulie]

I’ve been lucky enough to attend a lot of really, really wonderful live shows.

But I’ve sold my soul to the boy from Wisconsin who is never satisfied with his truly satisfying tunes.

His music reaches a point that makes you almost think you can’t take it anymore.

And then he backs off.

And you’re left just wanting more and more and more.

[Wolves I and II, Skinny Love Unplugged video by partygravy]

Click here to view Bon Iver's setlist from the July 27 show at the Ryman.

And by all means, please go see him play live.

Two Things

2011-07-26T13:59:00.003-05:00

ONE
In two weeks I fly to Tucson, AZ to visit the biggest, baddest Monster I know.

The Monster, not in Tucson.

Brother Bear is one of my absolute favorite people in the entire world. I can't even tell you how excited I am.

TWO
What the hell happened to this carrot?

Seriously. There's erosion.

Confessions of a Monday Evening

2011-07-25T19:17:00.001-05:00

1. Call me corny, but last night I had a dream I was asked out on a date. It was one of those dreams that had characters but no faces, so this has nothing to do with a subconscious crush on anyone in particular. No, this is just about a subconscious longing for a direct and articulated intention from a man. The dreamboat simply said, "I'd really like to take the time to get to know you better."

BE STILL ME HEART.

Really, men ... THAT'S ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY.

2. If I don't have a million things to do, I'm at a complete loss. Today I only had one thing to do: Work on my resume. However, I spent the day fighting with a roll of contact paper, sewing, eating an entire tub of hummus, and watching My So Called Life.

The resume sits, unfinished.

3. Maybe the guy in my dream was Jordan Catalano?

BAH! He wishes.

4. I've been listening to Jónsi. You should too.

5. I know what you're thinking: "Man, Linda really should own an iPod touch or an iPhone. I really need to come up with a way she can get her hands on one."

Called it, right?

Screen Shots

2011-07-22T21:45:00.001-05:00

About five months ago I discovered what a screen shot was. My life has become 10x more exciting ever since.

I know, I know. I'm six years behind the curve. Again.

Anyway, here's what's been happening:

This polar bear jumping into Arctic waters is a personal favorite.

Some days, a girl just needs to watch a little bit of Wings.

I don't know if you can tell, but Amazon seems to think that I'd be

interested in a football field area rug and a slam dunk wall decal.

I think not, Amazon. I think not.

Hey Edz! I have you screen shotted*, so don't you dare try and

weasel out of giving me unlimited miles on my upcoming car rental!

And this is why my sister is the very best woman in the world.

Have a happy, screen shotting** weekend!

*Totally made that word up.
**That one too.

RUGS

2011-07-22T12:38:00.001-05:00

I try to not sound so obviously disgruntled all of the time. I really, really do.

I tell you I'm happy, that things are going well. I share videos of baby animals. I show you pictures of my friends and this wonderful summer.

But sometimes ... sometimes, gers just gotta bitch.

Shopping for a rug blows.

BLOWS.

It's like pants: My friends all have the best pants. But as soon as I go to the store to buy the exact same pair, it's like the hips shrunk and the waist expanded. Which is why I have not bought a pair of pants in three years [another story for another day].

That's how I feel about rugs. There's too many to choose from. They're all either too cheap, too expensive, too geometric, too palm tree-y, too big, too small, TOO EVERYTHING.

Really, it's just disheartening. As an adult, I should be able to go into a store and pick out a rug without having a meltdown, shouldn't I?

SHOULDN'T I!?!?

And yes, I did just say meltdown.

The scene: I'm standing in an aisle that boats 400 area rugs at Old Time Pottery, the place where home goods go to die. Every rug is wrapped up and taped within an inch of its life, and the rows are stacked to the ceiling. Like any sane person, I grabbed at least 10 off the shelf, untaped them, took my shoes off, and begin walking around the many, many options before me.

Store attendant: Um. Can I help you?

Me: No.

Store attendant: Well, can I help you put the rugs back up?

Me: No.

Store attendant: Well, I'll need to re-tape all of them.

Me: Which rug should I get?

Store attendant: I don't know. They all look really nice.

Me: NO THEY DON'T. They all look really bad. Three of them decided to completely fall apart and now their remains are all over my skirt. They hurt to walk on, the patterns are absolutely terrible, and I think at least one rug is made entirely of insulation because my body feels like it's crawling with that pink, cotton-candy crap!

Store attendant: Well, just let me know when you're done.

Me: YOU'RE JUST 15 YEARS OLD! YOU HAVEN'T ENCOUNTERED THIS KIND OF PRESSURE YET! JUST TELL ME WHICH ONE TO PICK!

Seriously. I need a rug.

Help.

From the Internets

2011-07-21T09:15:00.000-05:00

Here are some things that have caught my eye this week. By no means do I pretend to know things first when it comes to the Internets, so don't freak out if you've already seen any of this.

JUST CHILL OUT.

And enjoy.

--------------------------------

"You sound like you're in the epilogue to Felicity."

Tiny Furniture, by Lena Dunham, just moved to the top of my list of to-do list. It's currently even ahead of finding rental insurance.

--------------------------------

the color of is a website that compiles online images of a specific keyword to create a final image/color. Images are $45 and $free for inspiration.

I kid not that I love me some of this.

--------------------------------

Sigur Rós' Ara Batur, recorded at Abbey Road with a 67-piece orchastra and the boys choir from the Harry Potter movies.

My spine just moved from all of the chills.

--------------------------------

To me, the happiest place on the Internet is right here.

It's enough to make a grown woman giggle loudly in a coffee shop full of strangers.

vegetable/sloth/this is the title you're getting right now

2011-07-20T12:15:00.002-05:00

Right now I feel like a vegetable*. Or the sloth at 00:37 of this video. I JUST CAN'T DECIDE.

The main objective of this post has pretty much just been to share this sloth video with you.

You're welcome.

Thank you, Melissa, for sharing the-cutest-video-on-the-planet-as-far-as-today-is-concerned with your crazy, crazy friend [me].

And I mean, WHO SHOULD I CHOOSE?!?!

Apparently the only people who appreciate the fact that I woke up at 4:45 a.m. are Caryn and Karen. Ergo, they are my favorites. E-mail me your addresses, biotches**!

*Mostly because I'm craving vegetables. I've eaten approximately five hamburgers [count 'em five] in the past week. Detox details coming soon.

**Said in love!

paid postage [gimme, gimme]

2011-07-18T05:16:00.001-05:00

Because I love you.

Because it's 5:00 a.m.

Because I have vase of fresh flowers at my desk and the beauty of it makes me want to cry.

Because it REALLY IS 5:00 a.m. right now and it's making me talk about beauty and tears. AGAIN.

Because I'm having a terrible hair day.

Because in three days I'll be unemployed again and postage is the most I'm willing to spend.

I give you ...

The postcard.

I have a few Wanderlust USA postcards by Troy Litten and I'm in the mood to make your day.

I'm heading to the ATL with my students for a couple of days of college tours and Six Flags. We're also having a lock-in. Overall, it should be incredibly hot and exhausting.

I kid, I kid.

In the theme of new beginnings, new adventures, travel-sized toiletries, and road trips:

If you could go anywhere, where would you go?

Leave your response in the comment section and I'll choose two postcard recipients sometime on Wednesday.

And, fodaluva*, someone wish me luck at Six Flags.

*for the love of.

I've come to say exactly what I mean

2011-07-17T11:40:00.003-05:00

Joe Pug is a name that has been in the back of my mind for a year now. He's been on everyone's list of "LISTEN TO THIS NOW," yet I've been too busy looking at videos of baby animals and eating Nutter Butter ice cream to pay much attention. Like any good late bloomer and procrastinator, it wasn't until this past month that I decided to take everyone's word and really listen to some of his songs.

And my goodness, what a good decision I made.

Joe Pug
Hymn #101

Yea I’ve come to know the wish list of my father
I’ve come to know the shipwrecks where he wished
I’ve come to wish aloud among the over dressed crowd
Come to witness now the sinking of the ship
Throwing pennies from the sea top next to it

And I’ve come to roam the forest past the village
With a dozen lazy horses in my cart
I’ve come here to get high,
To do more than just get by.
I’ve come to test the timber of my heart
Oh, I’ve come to test the timber of my heart

And I’ve come to be untroubled in my seeking
And I’ve come to see that nothing is for naught
I’ve come to reach out blind
to reach forward and behind
For the more I seek the more I’m sought
Yea, the more I seek the more I’m sought.

And I’ve come to meet the sheriff and his posse
To offer him the broadside of my jaw
I’ve come here to get broke
Then maybe bum a smoke
We’ll go drinking two towns over after all
Oh, we’ll go drinking two towns over after all.

And I’ve come to meet the legendary takers
I’ve only come to ask them for a lot
Oh they say I come with less
than I should rightfully posses
I say the more I buy the more I’m bought
And the more I’m bought the less I cost

And I’ve come to take their servants and their surplus
And I’ve come to take their raincoats and their speed
I’ve come to get my fill
To ransack and spill
I’ve come to trade the harvest for the seed
I’ve come to trade the harvest for the seed

And I’ve come to know the manger that you sleep in
I’ve come to be the stranger that you keep
I’ve come from down the road
And my footsteps never slowed
Before we met, I knew we’d meet
Before we met, I knew we’d meet

And I’ve come here to ignore your cries and heartaches
I’ve come to closely listen to you sing
I’ve come here to insist
That I leave here with a kiss
I've come to say exactly what I mean
and I mean so many things.

And you’ve come to know me stubborn as a butcher
and you’ve come to know me thankless as a guest
will you recognize my face when gods awful grace
strips me of my jacket and my vest
and reveals all the treasure in my chest

[Sample here]

just a thought

2011-07-15T22:44:00.001-05:00

I think that the most depressing thing a person could possibly Google on a Friday night is:

"How to write a resume"

Sigh.

long story short ...

2011-07-14T17:06:00.000-05:00

The plan was to attend a free pre-screening of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part II at 7 p.m. this evening with three of my closest friends.

Instead, I'm heading to Shoney's to hit up the hot bar with my summer co-workers for one final hurrah.

I hope that this, more than anything else, proves to you how much this summer has meant to me.

guess. who.

2011-07-13T13:38:00.000-05:00

I wish I could show you pictures of my students and my summer.

But. I can't.

So instead, I'll show you this:

Celebrity Day

new years in july

2011-07-07T21:05:00.001-05:00

I realize I just blogged about 30 minutes ago.

Buuuut, it was of a poem by someone else, and I'm suddenly in the mood to share [probably] too much information. So, here goes:

When I think about last summer, I cringe.

I was physically sick, emotionally delirious, and spiritually unconscious. I was scared, lonely, heartbroken, moneybroken, agitated, and hurt.

And then my boyfriend and I broke up.

God bless, was that rough.

Let's just say I made about 50 pounds of mashed potatoes one night while listening to Tracy Chapman and smoking cigarettes. That's all I'll say about that.

Because, when you break up with someone, the "scared, lonely, heartbroken, moneybroken, agitated, and hurt" feelings don't really lessen ...

Summer ended and Fall began, and I spent my afternoons driving through neighborhoods in West Nashville. I looked at red, orange, and yellow leaves. I walked into a yoga studio one day and never looked back. I watched What Not to Wear. I read one million books about female spies. I traveled to Florida to go on the very last bike ride with my mother and father. Winter began and I sat by my window and watched the snow fall to the ground. I pulled out my watercolors and began writing on blank pages. I bought a Christmas tree and decorated it with new traditions. I drank brandy on my couch while I sat with my roommate's cats. I began to pray. I made buckets of curry. Spring sailed in smoothly. I made new friends, I got rid of some old. I bought pretty dresses. I looked divorce in the eye. I stopped working and started working. I made a lot of cupcakes. I moved into a new apartment. I began listening to people's stories.

The past year has held many, many changes -- some of which ended up clotheslining me right through the gut.

One year ago, I was running in circles and fighting a losing battle with bitterness.

One year later, tonight is a good night. I'm drinking hot tea and listening to Otis Redding. Tomorrow, I'm dressing up as Justin Bieber for work, and then my new apartment will be christened as Home in the evening.

My present is stronger than my past. My future is exciting to think about.

Change can rock and it can rattle -- but it doesn't ruin.

Hallelujah, am I right?

Ask the questions that have no answers

2011-07-07T18:41:00.001-05:00

I've posted this before. You've probably read this before.

But that's totally OK.

Wendell Berry
Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front

Love the quick profit, the annual raise,
vacation with pay. Want more
of everything ready-made. Be afraid
to know your neighbors and to die.

And you will have a window in your head.
Not even your future will be a mystery
any more. Your mind will be punched in a card
and shut away in a little drawer.

When they want you to buy something
they will call you. When they want you
to die for profit they will let you know.
So, friends, every day do something
that won't compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.

Denounce the government and embrace
the flag. Hope to live in that free
republic for which it stands.
Give your approval to all you cannot
understand. Praise ignorance, for what man
has not encountered he has not destroyed.

Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millenium. Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.

Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.
Put your faith in the two inches of humus
that will build under the trees
every thousand years.

Listen to carrion -- put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap
for power, please women more than men.

Ask yourself: Will this satisfy
a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep
of a woman near to giving birth?

Go with your love to the fields.
Lie down in the shade. Rest your head
in her lap. Swear allegiance
to what is nighest your thoughts.

As soon as the generals and the politicos
can predict the motions of your mind,
lose it. Leave it as a sign
to mark the false trail, the
way you didn't go.

Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.

the sights and sounds of the grandest show i'll ever attend

2011-07-04T14:02:00.000-05:00

For the first time in my life I can say that I have a blister on the bottom of my foot.

Why?

Because in the late 1970s, a couple of high-school students in Ireland got together and started a band, and 30 years later they decided to play a show in front of 50,000 screaming, sweaty fans in Nashville.

And as fate would have it, on Friday afternoon I was offered two tickets to see U2 play live on Saturday night at Vanderbilt Stadium.

Despite my introverted ways, I realized quickly that I would be shunned by all of Nashville society if I turned down the tickets.

So. I went.

I strapped on my sandals, I downed a few glasses of water, and I found a parking spot far, far away.

My friend Miranda was as hesitant a concert-goer as I, and we made a pact to stick together and leave before the crowds descended. We climbed to the top of Vanderbilt Stadium, turned our backs on the sun's heavy rays, shared a seat*, and made friends with a group of die-hard fans.

And BY GEORGE did they put on a show.

No, that's not a spaceship. That's The Claw.

It was a night when the word "epic" was said without exaggeration.

So. Much. Happening.

If you're interested, here's a video of U2's "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and then Bono's cover of Johnny Cash's "The Wanderer." [taken by pickacupcake]

I'm glad I went, I'm glad I'm home.

Cheers to U2!

And you, too.

*Unfortunately, our two tickets were not actually together. So we took turns standing and sitting in our shared square-foot. Needless to say, we bonded.

those summer nights, y'all

2011-06-29T19:45:00.000-05:00

July is all like, HEY Y'ALL I'M ALMOST HERE.

And I'm all like, I KNOW PLEASE STOP COMING AT ME SO FAST.

And because my mind is struggling to form sentences these days and there's no way it will complete an actual paragraph, here's a list for you:

1. I love Nashville. Love. Love. Love. I can't get enough of it, and I really don't want to.

2. I love the YMCA of Middle Tennessee. Love. Love. Love.

3. Tis the season to see Mumford & Sons play live. Am I right or what? I don't see any upcoming shows on their calendar, but my fingers remain crossed. Summer deserves a banjo.

4. Sometimes, really shitty things happen to really decent people. Over and over and over again. It's the absolute worst thing about life. I don't get it. I don't understand what to do about it. I don't want to fully feel it.

5. I don't know if you realize this, but I'm actually not teaching a swim class this summer. Instead, I'm leading a Creative Movement class, which focuses on step. Sort of like this:

Just picture me in the back row moving about 8 steps too slow and never, EVER, actually touching the floor.

6. I just dominated a pint of Nutter Butter ice cream.

Have an awesome evening.

bless my heart

2011-06-28T22:22:00.002-05:00

Because this past weekend was beautiful.

Because my friend Leslye is so obviously in love that it brings tears to my eyes.

Because tomorrow isn't promised.

Because I've laughed until I've cried approximately four times in the past week.

Because I spent two hours this afternoon trying to convince a bunch of 14-year-old students that gardening in 400% humidity was the absolute best thing that ever, ever was.

Because I love too many people who live too far away.

Because I just mentioned my tears twice and am fast becoming a ball of sap ...

Here is a sampling of Leslye and Ben's wedding weekend.

Enjoy.

Boone, Kristin, a garter.

Wonderful people, genuine smiles.

My beautiful friends.

Joy all around.

We took the dance floor seriously.

Brothers from other Mothers.

The Life of the Party.

Leslye and Ben.

Groomsbabies.


All the Single Ladies.

As happy as I could be.

Congratulations Leslye and Ben! I am so happy for you both, and I can't wait to come visit you in California.

To all the friends at the wedding: Such wonderful memories with you all! Thank you all for such a great weekend.

the grass grows soft and white [redux]

2011-06-21T11:28:00.001-05:00

My summer is continuing to spin into multiple directions, but thankfully this week has been much less exhausting than the past few.

Every day right now is an overwhelming assortment of senses and emotions. Every day is a reminder that love is a verb. Every day is in my face.

Every day is an opportunity to begin again.

I'm sorry I haven't written you back. I'm sorry I haven't returned your call. But know that your words are bundled up and in my heart. I go back to them when the days are exploding in front of my eyes. I go back to them as I laugh and cry with and for the people in my life.

So thank you.

This was what I needed to re-read today:

From Sept. 19, 2010:

This week I sat with friends (both in person and in spirit) and listened to story after story of heartbreak. Hearts breaking over families, broken dreams, stress, relationships, identity, depression, death, etc. My insides almost burst with the anticipation of something more. This isn't how it should be. We were not made to cry ourselves to sleep at night. We were not made to feel hopeless.

The valley is deep, deep. I do not know when it will even; for myself or for my friends. I do not know how to fix it. I do not know how to make it better. But I take comfort knowing that I am in good company, and that ...

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

-Shel Silverstein
"Where the Sidewalk Ends"

wonderful week, wonderful weekend

2011-06-17T11:36:00.000-05:00

The past three weeks have been kind of like this:

Today I'm feeling a little bit like this:

Yes, that's a tie-dye shirt. Yes, that's a lanyard handing from my neck. Yes, that's a smile.

just another day

2011-06-10T17:56:00.000-05:00

I found another 15 free minutes and another Internet connection.

I'm exhausted, I'm hopeful, I'm heartbroken, I'm happy, I'm anxious, I'm enjoying.

In other words, I'm alive and living.

Counting this as a blessed day. Hope you are too.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Soma Suma

2011-06-06T20:05:00.000-05:00

I just found 15 free minutes and an Internet connection, so here goes:

1. I no longer work at the church.

2. I no longer work at the restaurant.

3. In case you didn't know, those were the things that I did.

4. In case you also didn't know, I'm in graduate school, working toward becoming a teacher.

5. I want to be a teacher in East Nashville -- my home for close to three years.

6. I'm spending the summer working for a national organization that works specifically with East Nashville kids, providing preparatory academic programs and well-rounded extracurricular activities. I'll be teaching English, Swimming, and Fashion Arts/Sewing.

6a. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING AFTER AUGUST 5.*

7. Today was my first day at yoga in a month. In the past month, I've eaten roughly three gallons of ice cream.

8. I threw my back out one pathetic afternoon, while bending down to pick up something dropped at a thrift store.

9. I went on a camping retreat with the summer staff last week. I learned a lot of things, including how to deep-fry tatter tots.

10. One day, in the bliss of unemployment, I made this video:

The Eye Roll from Linda Wyman on Vimeo.

*referring to 6a: I'm really, really ok with this

Boyfriends

2011-05-31T10:03:00.000-05:00

If you ever find yourself wondering what I want in a man, just remember this:

This pretty much sums it up.

Happy Memorial Day

2011-05-30T11:21:00.001-05:00

Here's a sneak peek at something I'm working on:

Get it? Peek? Wink?

Got it.

Have a great ~~Labor~~ Memorial Day. In honor of this overwhelmingly social day off, I'm going to stay in my PJs all day while I eat blueberry muffins -- and probably even when I take a walk around my neighborhood.

The Things I Did The Week I Did Not Work

2011-05-27T13:16:00.001-05:00

This week was spent free of office walls and time cards -- a story I'm hoping to share either Monday or Tuesday.

But today I want to share with you, The Things I Did The Week I Did Not Work.

PAINTING
In an effort to make my house a home, I spent many, many hours hunched over a few gallons of color, singing loudly to my antique white walls, and painting to my heart's content.

Bedroom, Before

I painted my bedroom a couple weeks ago. We have to paint everything in the house back to the original color when we move out, so I decided to only paint one room. We have a green fireplace in the living room, which would be hard to match, and the kitchen is really too small to notice.

Bedroom, After

The original color was Antique White and I painted it gray. I went back and forth about painting -- mostly because it's a lot of work and gray isn't very different than white ... right?

WRONG.

I absolutely love the color. Totally worth it.

Bookshelves, Before

I purchased both of these shelves during college, both for less than $20. They've stuck with me for years now, but I was ready to give them a more cohesive look.

Bookshelves, After

This is the gray that I used on my bedroom walls. I painted the shelves and put them next to each other to hopefully make it look like one unit. I also added a small shelf over the smaller bookshelf. The shelf was a really gross yellow/white color, and I painted it light blue.

Counter, Before

I love the house and we have a great landlord, but it was pretty obvious that the area skimped on was counter space. The space to the left of the stove was so bare that it looked like we'd be robbed. Well, robbed a counter. I found this piece at Music City Thrift [thanks, Mel!] for only $12. It's the absolute perfect size.

Counter, In Progress

The brown interior was practically the death of me. Seriously. If you ever want to paint, use primer. Always use primer. I used almost an entire quart of Lemon Sorbet (yellow) to cover up the brown. The gray stripes are also seen on the bookshelves and in my bedroom. The blue is on the small shelf in the living room (Natalie also has a lamp in the living room that is the same color).

Counter, After

I picked up a drawer handle at Home Depot for $3. Pretty basic. This is a great shelf for wine bottles, cook books, mail, pots, etc. I love it, and the extra counter space is such a big help.

PLANTING
Well kids. I'm obsessed.

Here are all the plants one morning during a storm. I brought them in for the night. We loved each other.

PLANNING
Tis the season for a LOT of lesson planning. More on that later, but this little guy is making the planning much, much more enjoyable.

PEOPLE-ING
A group of us drove out to Arrington Vineyards for Melissa's birthday. A good time was had by all.

Phew! That's it!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Enjoy the drive, enjoy the people you love, enjoy your coffee.

Mr. Owl finds a new home [gimme, gimme]

2011-05-27T09:55:00.000-05:00

I'm impressed that as many as four people were interested in The Owl.

My only regret this week has been that I don't own more of them.

Seriously ... THAT'S BEEN MY ONLY REGRET.

Talk about a good week, riiiiiiighhht.

And now for the winner ...

[I added house guest, Christina, to the drawing because she's been sitting on the couch all week, lusting after the owl. She really, really, wants it.]

Nonexistent drum roll, please.

Mr. Owl goes to: #1 Stephanie.

STEPHANIE! You've already won something!

Oh well. I don't really do rules.

Enjoy!

p.s. Check back later today for a mammoth update concerning what I've been up to this week.

Leslie Feist

2011-05-26T20:21:00.001-05:00

Feist

Cain's Ballroom

Tulsa, OK

4/12/08

I was reminded of this picture this evening.

This remains one of my favorite live shows I've ever been to.

the girl is good

2011-05-26T16:19:00.000-05:00

A friend called, “How are you doing?” she asked.

I saw another friend while walking through the grocery store, “How’ve you been!” he wondered.

I spent a recent evening with some long lost friends, “What’s been up?!” they all said.

Let me officially go on the record:

I’m wonderful. I’m absolutely wonderful.

I don’t know why or when or how.

Couldn’t tell you.

But slowly and surely, this heart of mine has swallowed up life and is enjoying every minute of it.

If I’m remembered for anything let it be this: it’s your perspective and not your circumstance that matters.

Get that in your head and in your heart, and don’t let it go.

Life will always spin in lopsided, frustrating circles, and it will continue to shit upon itself many times over.

That will always be the case.

But perspective is the thing we can change.

Perspective is all we have and it is incredibly powerful.

owls are in right now [gimme, gimme]

2011-05-25T13:05:00.002-05:00

Because I'm completely overwhelmed by the boxes that have taken over my bedroom.

Because I've spent my life collecting an obscene amount of trinkets.

Because I am my mother's daughter.

Because there are FIVE BILLION dead cicadas on my front porch.

Because I love you for reading even when I don’t actually have much to say.

It’s time for another GIMME, GIMME!

Today I’m giving away a 20th Anniversary Hooters Owl.

Excuse me, Hooters BOBBLE HEAD Owl.

If you look closely at the head, you can see that it’s blurry. BOBBLE HEAD, people.

In other words, a collectable. In other words, worth millions ~~probably~~.

I’m so nice to give it away.

I picked this up at some sort of collegiate, secret Santa party, thing, and I have displayed it proudly for more than five years now.

It’s time, people. It’s time.

Don’t be embarrassed that you want this owl. Just don’t be.

I’ll select a winner on Friday morning. Just tell me, since I’ve got DIY on the brain, if you could paint your bedroom any color, what would you choose?

OKGO!

and I need my soul, and the sail needs the wind

2011-05-24T16:39:00.002-05:00

I had the privileged of seeing Sanders Bohlke play live in Nashville this last winter. I didn't know who he was but tagged along with some friends to his show. I was beyond pleasantly surprised. This song, with its growing beat and haunting lyrics, has stuck with me ever since. I've come back to it many a moment.

This has been a stormy season. Many things have been uprooted. I'm grateful for songs like this -- songs that stick with you as you sort through the rubble.

Sanders Bohlke
Search and Destroy
Summer sailed in
Filled my mind you see
Colored my skin
I must say

Saw my wings with the bodies in the gutter
Feel my kiss, now say not a word
Knowing my hands they’ll shake like crazy
Some just pray like that

Coming way down
Called my name
Tell him we’re here
Pick him up softly

I was wide awake with the bodies in the gutter
Waiting on a man who gave his word
I was told before to be not afraid
Soon my fears will emerge

So I went on my feet
And they came up real quick
And they left me for dead
And I never did forget

And I need my soul, and the sail needs the wind
Cause I get so lost time and again
And away I looked, oh mercy me
Well it just ain’t right you see, oh me

And the lovers did feast and the birds flew away
And I was so mad at the coming of the day
But I will leave the monsters all at bay
And we can believe it’s better this way

I was her lover
You were a child
She was your mother
We didn’t cry

They buried their dead with the flowers in the field
With wounds so deep they never healed
They gathered their children all on the shore
Gonna wait for you to search us and destroy

Friday night, y'all

2011-05-20T17:11:00.000-05:00

I hope your plans for this Friday evening are absolutely, positively, unbelievably mind-blowing.

Mine sure are.

Four white walls, a mug of coffee, and 20 of my favorite, nerdy teachers?

Night class, biotches.

the old and the new

2011-05-17T13:23:00.000-05:00

My friends told me that my last post was slightly inappropriate.

I say, who am I if not slightly inappropriate?

I believe in stating the obvious, and in divulging our universal flaws.

Like back sweat.

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In other news:

Tis true.

I'm an extremely happy lady who, in the past three days, has spent way too much time in Garage Band.

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I moved into my new house this weekend.

My back still feels like it's on fire and I've decided to just not unpack and live out of boxes. Unless someone comes and helps me.

Someone come and help me.

The Car Wash

2011-05-13T11:45:00.001-05:00

Tuesday afternoon I decided to be über productive and domestic – which is how I found myself at the $5 Kwik Sudz in the middle of the hottest part of the hottest day THAT EVER EVER EVER WAS.

And we all know the best thing to do in the middle of a summer day: vacuum a car.

Once the millionth sweat bead dripped down my butt, it was over. I threw up my hands in defeat and let out my extremely masculine scream/groan. I pulled the floor mats out of the car and began beating them against the pavement, cursing the collected dirt that had led me to this most miserable moment in my life.

“Uh. Ma’am??” a deep voice caught my attention.

“WHAT!” I, the frightening ball of sweat and poofy hair, bellowed.

I turned my head to see an absolutely beautiful man SWAGGER toward me from his Lexus.

“You know they have these machines that you can run your floor mats through,” he said, pointing at the machine to my right, trying to suppress his I’m-too-hot-for-you-and-you’re-an-idiot grin.

“They work really well and you don’t have to do that,” he said, motioning to my humiliated self, hunched over the floor mats, one hand holding the screaming vacuum and the other desperately trying to hide the sweat that had drenched my backside.

“No. No, I did not know that,” I said. “~~NOW GO BACK TO YOUR LEXUS AND DRIVE TO YOUR TOP FLOOR CONDO AND LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE SO THAT MY ASS CAN SWEAT IN PEACE~~. Thank you.”

Neutral Milk Hotel

2011-05-09T11:29:00.001-05:00

This morning I was reminded of how much I love Neutral Milk Hotel.

It was a really, really good reminder.

Get it if you don't got it.

And enjoy your Monday!

wherein i say the word "love" a lot

2011-05-06T13:44:00.000-05:00

It's Friday afternoon and my brain totally feels like a bowl of day-old Honey Nut Cheerios.

That's right, DAY OLD.

A result of the Soggy Brain is that I can only function in list format. So here we go:

1. For little more than a love of beat, wild hair, and British accents, I can't get enough of Florence and the Machine.

2. I loved him back when we only knew him as Tommy. Didn't we all, though?

3. I'm in this phase right now where I'm only taking pictures if I can be strategically placed in the bottom, right corner. I think it suits me.

I love all of these people.

4. This weekend is going to involve a few cans of paint and a deep-clean of my new living space. I love my new living space. I can't wait to show it to you -- pictures to come soon.

Wait. Did I just say PICTURES? That I've TAKEN? As in, I HAVE A CAMERA? And by that I mean, I CAN ALWAYS BE IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER?

I TEASE THEE NOT.

My wonderful friend Melissa gives me all her old things. It's a beautiful relationship. And now she's given me an old camera. And I love her.

Get ready, reader. You're about to be overwhelmed by pixels.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Bite Thy Tongue

2011-05-01T12:49:00.001-05:00

I wish that I didn't go out of my way to tell people, "Hey my back is peeling, so WATCH OUT. I got a sunburn last weekend and my whole entire back is just SHEDDING. But I stopped by Kroger and bought a back scratcher and some aloe, so I'm slowly regaining control of the situation. But seriously. Sorry about the flakes I'm leaving everywhere."

I really wish I didn't.

Especially boys.

On Bacon

2011-04-28T11:27:00.000-05:00

I recently heard that "bacon is in right now."

*big, dramatic eye roll*

Don't ask me where I heard it, because I couldn't tell you. Which is a fundamental theme of this blog. So sue me.

Anyway. Like "they" said, bacon is in right now.

Well, sign me up for the Trendy Train and hand me the conductor's hat, because I am ALL OVER this.

1. It's juicy, chewy, salty, greasy, and thick. NEED I SAY MORE? I'm of the belief that all food should demonstrate at least one of these adjectives, and ALL FIVE can be said about bacon.

2. You can basically add it to anything. Salad? Omelette? Potato? Burger? Green beans? Yes, yes, and YES. THIS IS BASICALLY THE BEST THING EVER (see #5).

3. Its healthier alternative, turkey bacon, is practically the same thing. It's no Diet Coke to my Coke, or Light Dairy to my Sharp Cheddar. To put it simply, turkey bacon works it. The adjectives are still there -- juicy, chewy, salty, greasy, and thick -- but maybe with just 50% of the clogged arteries?

4. As if I haven't already made my point*, remember the saying "bringing home the bacon"?!?! I mean, HELLO. Think about it: a family of eight, working hard to pay the bills and stay afloat, and they KNOW that as long as they make enough to JUST BRING HOME THAT BACON, everything will be alright.

5. Since I can't make a decent slice of bacon to save my life, it's always an extra treat when I go places. Everyone let's me add it for $1, and I'm all like, "Are you kidding me? A dollar? For this juicy, chewy, salty, greasy, thick slice of bacon? YES. YES, you can have my dollar."

6. Bacon doesn't judge me for abusing the caps lock key. It just doesn't.

7. After five seconds of Internet research, I found that I'm not the only one who is obsessed with the world's greatest ingredient.

In conclusion: If bacon is what's in, I don't want to be out.

*There is absolutely no point to this post. If you found one, I'm sorry.

The Lion

2011-04-27T14:24:00.001-05:00

Today I found myself thinking about this lion. I don't know anything about him -- I found the image on The Animal Blog, saved it to my desktop, and I look at it on an embarrassingly regular basis.*

I look at this picture and I decide that, yes, I really like it. It's a little off-centered and a lotta wild. There's so much texture that I can practically feel his mane between my fingers. It looks like winter morning, and I'm left knowing that he would either pull me into a big, fluffy hug, or eat my stomach from the inside out, just for the hell of it.

I'm sure there would be no In Between.

Today I wondered if his paw is pushing or pulling. Is he saying "come closer," or is he saying "get away"?

I've decided there isn't much of a difference. They are practically the same. They both come with tears, desperation, and the overall impression that what you really want is the opposite of what you're asking for.

So as we push away, we ask them to come closer. And when they come closer, we say, "please, please go away."

I hope he knew what he was doing. I hope he was being decisive.

But, I mean, he's a lion. So I'm sure he was just licking his butt or something.

*I'd love it if someone could find out who took this picture ...

Inside Joke

2011-04-26T11:44:00.000-05:00

Guess what the pink thing is and win one ~~million~~ dollars.

No Words Monday -- Josh Ritter

2011-04-25T12:22:00.000-05:00

Because it's Monday.

Because I still don't have a replacement French press.

Which means I've been drinking crappy coffee for almost a week.

Which means I've been thinking about way too many big questions.

Which means I just want to eat cheese and stare out the window.

And also, because it's raining.

I'll let him talk:

whaddaweek

2011-04-22T10:20:00.001-05:00

1. I purchased Will Shortz's Terrifying Sudoku: The Hardest Puzzles a couple weeks ago. Despite working on it every morning during coffee and every night during closing shifts at the restaurant, I only finished one and a half puzzles this week. If you purchase this specific book and find that you're breezing through the puzzles, please don't tell me. I will bite you.

2. Girl bought some new shoes. It was love at first sight. Honestly. I saw them from about 50 feet away (I was coming out of the changing room, for those of you who have also memorized Target's floor plan) and all but RAN to them. They were mixed in with all the Converse, and their tag serendipitously proclaimed that they were size 9.5. I put them on and waddled around the aisle (the rubber-band was still on) and beamed pathetically at every passerby saying, "These are great, RIGHT? I should get these, RIGHT?"

I got them.

3. Last night I called the lawyers to see if anyone was up for a game of Settlers of Catan. They, of course, were. [If there's anything I've learned about Law School students, it's that everyone is always looking to take a break.] We drank our vino, ordered our pizza, and I totally kicked everyone's ass thanks to my sheep port*. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

4. One morning, my French press exploded into a million pieces all over my kitchen. My 7:30 a.m. self was more than a little traumatized.

5. I FOUND AN APARTMENT! I'm not sure if it's an apartment or a house -- It's a house split into two living spaces, one upstairs and one on the main floor. What do you call that? Anyway, in the span of three days (which felt very quick), Natalie and I found an apartment on Craigslist, met the landlord, toured the home, brainstormed, and signed a lease. We visited the house last Saturday, right smack in the middle of Inglewood's First Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Like the shoes, it was love at first site. There are windows everywhere, I can walk anywhere, and there's a dining room. Those are all the things that I want.

After signing the lease, we figured it was time to celebrate with some queso, some drinks, and some good conversation.

We also figured it'd be a good idea to take a picture:

You're welcome.

Have a great weekend.

*Have no idea what I'm talking about? THEN PLAY THE GAME.