Things that feel good: Volume 1

Today was an okay day.  Not great, but not bad.  So I needed to kick it up a notch.


I decided to do something that felt good.  Nothing crazy, just a little... indulgent. 

Usually, I don't indulge in such behavior.

But I never knew why I didn't.  So today, I did the best thing after I got home from work.

I sat in my living room in my underwear, drank a glass of milk and ate a doughnut.

And it felt good. 

Obviously the doughnut (or donut, depending on how lazy a speller you are) was awesome.  I got my amazing doughnut at a local (but famous) doughnut shop in town.  The underwear was a nice addition, as I love sitting around in my underwear when I watch Saturday morning cartoons. So I decided that I needed to start doing more things that feel good.  Even if they are silly (or trivial.)

I'm not trying to tell you your business; but you should too.  Go do something that feels good.  Even if its something small.  Go for it.  You deserve it.  Then maybe tell me about it in the comments.  I would love that.

I need this today...

For other cute cartoons visit Penny Loafing!

Stress and the Art of Zen Doodling

I am not a fan of stress; but lately, life has been piling it on in heaps.  And even though I think I have a great handle on everything, the effects of stress start to creep up in my health and in my emotional stability, so that I don't even resemble someone who has her shit together.  Most days I do have my act together; then enter the 3 months of health hell; and bad performance reviews at work; an on-the-job injury and finally an uncommunicative husband, and Stephanie becomes a mess.  A weepy-at-anything, soppy mess.

Some folks meditate for stress relief.  I'm not very good that that.  I can't focus my thoughts, and the harder I try, the more scattered my mind becomes.  So instead, I doodle.  More accurately, I Zen Doodle.

A Zen Doodle is a way of focusing on drawing repetitive lines and patterns using a pen and no eraser.  It is a way of focusing your attention onto drawing lines.  Because you are only drawing lines, it is not stressful; you don't know what your drawing will look like until its done.

What I like about the process is that it actually helps me focus on one thing.  I don't think about anything else, just what line I'm going to draw next.  It creates a "break" for me from whatever anxiety I'm dealing with.  Usually, I can complete a whole page in about an hour.  After I finish, I feel calmer and more clear headed.  And I have a drawing that I think looks pretty neat.  And sometimes creepy. Like, I've been into eyeballs lately, and that is... weird.

ANYWAYS, It is really easy to start this type of meditation, even if you think you are not artistic or a good drawer.  That doesn't matter in this type of art.  If you can draw a line, you can doodle yourself into meditation.  (Heh, heh.)

All you need to start is a pen, and a piece of paper.  Many people use small pieces of paper; they take less time to fill up.  I like to use my sketch books.  Sometimes I leave them unfinished, but most of the time, I like to fill up the page.

For me the process is something like this:

I sit on my couch by my lamp for adequate lighting.  I have my sketchbook,  3 different thickness of felt tipped pens and a pencil for shading.  It is usually quiet, or D is playing some video game-- there is nothing else to divert my attention.  I will either start with a doodle, like the radio in the above picture, or divide the page with a line.  Any type of line, thick or thin, wavy or straight, depends on my mood.  Once I've divided the pages into sections, I start filling in the sections with patterns or shading.  That's it.  I keep adding to the design until I'm calmer, or I finish and fill up the page.

That's all there is to it.  When I finish, sometimes my drawings look very complex and impressive.  While I like the results, I find the process most helpful.

What do you do to meditate?  How do you take a "stress break?"

Just a reminder...

80's Music Anger Management

I love Songza.  Love it.  I can choose what I want to hear and it plays it.

I am a little afraid that it can read my mind though.  Tonight, I wanted to hear some 80s music, and so I chose (duh) an 80s music playlist.  The playlist is called "80's Music Anger Management."

Here's the thing:  every song that has played is awesome.  EVERY. SINGLE. SONG. IS. AWESOME. 

Here's what has come on so far (links go to the You Tube Videos):

• Radio Ga Ga by Queen
• Working for the Weekend by Loverboy
• Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles
• Working in a Coal Mine by Devo
• Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
• Shout by Tears for Fears
• Kids in America by Kim Wilde
• Our House by Madness
• Once in a Lifetime by The Talking Heads
• Tenderness by General Public
• A Little Respect by Erasure

Awesome, right?

Now "Walk like an Egyptian" is on, so you know what I'm going to do...

The Liebster Award? Thank you!

I got an email last night, telling me to check out a friend's blog this morning.  There was a surprise there for me.  And what a surprise it was.  I was nominated for a Liebster Award!  What a sweet gesture from blogbonita SimplyyMayra!

What is a Liebster Award?  The word "liebster" is German literally meaning dearest or favorite.  Although a thorough Google search has not led me to the orgins of this award, the information passed long to me says the Liebster award recognizes new and upcoming bloggers with less than 200 registered readers who deserve some kind of recognition and support for their contribution.  

Cool. 

In order to accept this prestigious award, one must abide by a list of rules.  Here they are:

1. Each person must list 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the 11 questions that the tagger has set for you PLUS you MUST create 11 questions of your own for the 11 people you will nominate with this award, which brings me to rule 
3. Choose up to 11 bloggers linking them to your post.
4. Go to their page and inform them of the nomination.
5. Absolutely NO tag backs.
6. Remember to ONLY tag bloggers with less than 200 registered readers

Gettin' the party started with 11 random facts about me:

• I was a back-up singer for Shania Twain when I was 18 
• I have had 4 different careers in my life.  
• Teaching has been my favorite career so far 
• I worked as an exterminator for 3 years; it was a great job. 
• My favorite color changes with my mood.  My students ask me almost daily what my favorite color is. 
• My favorite Beatles song is "Let It Be" 
• I love to paint and draw, but I have no confidence in my abilities there
• I'm still a working musician, but I don't do it as much as I used to.  Secretly, I feel I may have given up on my dream 
• I am an introvert and an extrovert.  I guess I am a balanced individual.
• I am extremely sarcastic.  I am actually trying to reign it in a little.
• I haven't had cable TV in 8 years, and I love telling people about that.  I'm a little self-righteous I guess.

Answers to SimplyyMayra's Questions: 

1. When you were a little girl what did you want to be when you grew up? 

I wanted to be one of two things: I wanted to be Isaac from "The Love Boat," a bartender on a cruise ship; or a spy.  I wanted to be a spy so bad, I wore nothing but black clothing for a time as a child.

2. If $5000.00 just magically landed on your lap, what would you do?

Gifts.  I love buying presents.  Then I would buy some vegetables for the shelter I use to work at.  They need lots of food.  I give what I can, but this would be awesome and useful.  And then bills.  And then something nice for me and D, maybe a vacation somewhere.  Good thing I don't have this money, I would be a nervous wreck trying to figure out what to do with it!

3. You could be any musical instrument for a day...which one and why?

I would be a street piano!  Hanging outside, meeting lots of people who play me for the enjoyment and novelty of a piano being outside!

4. I gaga-gugu for Vin Diesel and the Rock, who do you gaga-gugu for?

Brandon Flowers.  I love his music and lyrics.  I wish I could get to know him, I would settle for being his friend.  And he could be my friend, my sexy, sexy friend.

5. What's a MUST on your bucket list?

I don't have a bucket list.  If there is something I want to do, I totally do it.  I don't like the stress of a list I may not be able to complete.  No regrets!

6. If you could be a cartoon character which one will you choose and why?

Um, a Powerpuff girl?  I like to kick ass and take names.

7. What's your passion?

Music.  And Teaching.  I need to do both of them.

8. Why did you start blogging? 

At first, I had a fairly popular knitting blog because I was learning how to knit.  I liked sharing my progress with other people.  But I found writing about one subject limiting, so I started a lifestyle blog so I could put my knitting out there, as well as anything else that came to mind. 

9. What inspired the name of your blog?

My friends at work call me by one of my last names, Bass.  At school, they would say to me, "Is there anything you can't do?" and I would say, "Yeah, plenty.  But I choose to focus on my abilities." And they would say, "Yeah, Bass' abilities."  Since I like to run words together like Robot and Apocalypse (= Robocalypse,) and Stephanie and Evolution (= Stephalution,) "Bassability" seemed like the natural choice for a blog about stuff I can do. 

10. Any regrets?

I don't think so.  Everything I've done led me to where I am right now.  Even though there were hard times that left me almost wrecked, I was still able to pull myself out with help of friends and family.  I've learned a lot.  A lot.  Can't regret learning stuff.

11. If you could visit yourself at age 15 with the wisdom you have now, what would you tell her?

Dude, your twenties are gonna suck.  You will make some friends, lose some friends.  Make some choices that you won't value or understand until you are in your thirties.  Mom will hate you for a while, you will never understand why.   You will be sexually assaulted.  You will be part of a tragedy that will affect you forever.  You will get sick and almost die.  But you will survive, more you will thrive.  You will stop doing what everyone asks of you, and the world won't end.  You will find someone who understands you and helps you find your dreams.  You will come out wiser, stronger and smarter than you ever thought possible.  And you won't waste that power.  You will use it to help others.  You will not be "useless" or a "waste."  And you are not those things now.  You don't believe me, but I believe in you. 

Whoa, heavy.

My questions:

1.  Which do you like more, big breakfast or big dinner?  Why?

2. What is your favorite children's story?

3. What is the best part of you?

4. What is a secret you would be willing to share?

5. What is your favorite Beatles song?

6. If you could change on aspect of your life, what would it be?

7. Do you collect something?

8. If you were a paint color, what would you be?

9. Dream job?

10. What is your favorite thing to do on a Sunday morning?

11. What do you think is the most important lesson you have learned in your life thus far?

    

My nominees:

Sierra at C'mon Fatso

Velouria at Definitely Maybe

Steph at Living On Love

Lolly at Lolly Likes

Arya at Life: The Good and the Bad

Les at Yessiree Petunia

Alright my friends, congratulations!

Not ragging on D

Its hard not to feel a little judged on the internet.

I feel that my last post may have given some folks the wrong impression of D.  Maybe this blog gives the wrong impression of D, I don't know, I'm not a blog interpreter.  What I do know is that D is a great dude.  Someone I'm happy to have around.  So I wanted to share some of the great things D does, and the awesomeness he adds to my life.  In this post, I will not be ragging on D.

1.  D gives the best back scratches.  I'm not sure he even likes scratching my back.  But if I want one, he has his hands out ready to go.  A friend wanted to by me a back scratched, you know those green plastic jobs that you get for a buck?  D said, "what for?  I scratch her back."  And he totally does.  He commits to doing a good job.  I've never had a second-rate back scratch from this guy.

2. D supports my schemes.  Every once and a while, I have these "get rich quick" and "carpe diem" schemes.  Haphazard plans to make money, or try something unreasonable.  I wanted to start playing shows every weekend, that way I wouldn't have to work in a conventional office job (that I was terrible at).  So that year for my birthday, D bought me a new amp for my guitar.  I wanted a piano, so D found a used one, and made arrangements for it to be moved.  I wanted to become and exterminator knowing full well that I was allergic to Pyrethren.  D went and bought Benedryl and calamine lotion.  I wanted to learn how to skateboard, roller derby, hang glide, get a weird piercing, new tattoo etc... D would just roll his eyes and make preparations to help me feel better when these schemes did or didn't work out.  He's the one that is prepared for the fallout of living with me.

3. D supports my dreams.  I wanted to go to teacher's college.  He helped me make it financially possible.  He supported me when my classmates were racist idiots. When I was tired, he tried to make dinner, and didn't ask me to do anything that year.  He saw that the jobs I kept taking weren't for me, and that this would change things for me.  And he was right.

4.  D does the laundry.

5.  D doesn't think that my disabilities are a burden.  While I was being tested for MS, brain tumors and other maladies, he worried, but didn't shy away from research and finding ways to make me feel more comfortable.  He bugs me to take my medications.  Makes me go to the doctor's office, even though I hate it.  Fights with me about follow-up appointments and getting my tests done.  Things that most people would rather ignore, D puts in my face so that I will do something about it.

6.  D supports my political stuff.  I love a good protest.  Even if he is not in full agreement with me politically, he will talk to me, try to understand my point of view.  He has learned about feminism, socialism, anti-racism and imperialism so that he can understand where I'm coming from.  He will come with me to events, and hold my signs while I argue with people.  Make me feel better after wards when I'm upset about people "not getting it" or saying rude things to me.

7. D lets me play my guitar at 3am if song inspiration hits.



8.  D calls himself the "straight man" to me, like he's some humorless foil to my comedy.  He's not, he has a wicked tongue, and a great sense of humor.  Sometimes he get some zingers in that leave me breathless.

9.  D lets me write blog posts about him.  Good and bad.  

That's a small part of the D I know.  He's not perfect.  Neither am I.  So we suit each other well. 

My Thrifting Aesthetic

Well, it had finally happened to me!  Never before have I had the big score while thrifting.  It was usually one item here, and a couple of glasses there, but never a haul like the one I got today.  I think the thrifting gods must have smiled upon me because I found a bunch of things that I brought home:

This is my favorite find of the day!  I should have saved it for last, but I was too excited!  Its a cheese tray!  I've been really into this color lately.  AND it comes from that era I love so much.  I didn't even wait, I invited people over today and served cheese and crackers on it.  And got several compliments on my new tray.   Oooh, and I love the flowers!  When I picked it up, D said that this was definitely a Stephanie find.  And it was 4 bucks!

Since we started decorating our kitchen in red, I've been on the lookout for red accents.  I got these tea towels for 99 cents.  I love the summery fruit pictures on them, and the bright red borders.  Definitely worth the money I spent on them.

We found an afghan!  I love how heavy it is.  I can just picture someone sitting for hours on a cold night, crocheting this cozy blanket.  I loved the yellow in the pattern, so I had to get it.  It was the most expensive thing we bought, but it is a great find.  Almost makes me wish for the winter again.  ALMOST.

These little mugs were too cute to pass up.  I have a soft spot for Japanese kitchenware.  So I got them. 

As per usual, I walked out of the thrift store with a mountain of children's books.  I can never pass up cheap books to bring into my classroom.  And the kids love new book Mondays.  But this time I found some books that I want to read.  Christopher Moore is hilarious.  His stories are funny, sometimes gross, always odd reads. True be told, I'm already more than half-way through Fool, the story of King Lear told from the fools perspective.  He is so irreverent.  I'm enjoying the book a lot.  Unfortunately, I will be finished it by tomorrow.  That's why I need to buy books 2 at a time.  Or, more realistically, ten at a time.

Looking at all the items I've thrifted lately, I can see a distinct theme.  Even though I usually just grab what I love, I think I have a certain thrifting aesthetic.  I created a color pallette just to show you what I mean:

Although I often love bright colors, I've been moving towards these muted, nature tones, with that awesome dark green that was so popular in the 70s.  I still love the pinks and robin egg blues, but lately I'm drawn to these shades.  It could be my mood lately; I've been more sedate and calm as of late.  When I get busy, I tend to settle down, and try to get things done.  And having calm colors around me helps me be more productive.  My thrifting aesthetic changes with my mood; and I can't wait to see what my summer thrifting aesthetic turns out to be!

Do you have a "thrifting aesthetic?"  Or do you just grab whatever you like?

Love it or Leave it: May First

So I want to try something new to curb the amount of spending I do at the thrift stores.  I don't spend that much (any more) but I always have this insane need to pick up everything I want.  Then I agonize over whether or not to get it.  So I take pictures of the things I love.

I thought it would be fun blog about if I loved it enough to buy it, or left it where it was.  So here we go!

A painting of a side-show starring "Nellie the Dog Child."  Weird.  Funny.  And in a cute blue frame.
Did I buy it? No, I had to let this one go.  It was great and I love it, but I didn't really have anywhere for it.

The sweetest red polka dot tin cups.  They are cute, and unbreakable; which a klutz like me values in dishes.
Did I buy it?: No, the owner of the stall wasn't there, so I couldn't haggle.  And I didn't want to pay 20 bucks for them.

:
Um, the cutest sugar bowl and creamer I've ever seen.  Looka them squirrels!  And the acorns!  And they say Canada!
Did I buy them?: Ah! No! But I should have.  I am deeply regretting not picking these up.  I may have to go back tomorrow and see if they are still there...

Isn't this the most perfect kitchen table you have ever seen?  I love the punchy yellow chairs, and the table!  It was in pretty good shape too.
Did I buy it?: Nope.  Too expensive.  I love it, but it was 300 bucks.  And the guy would go down in the price either.  I'm sad that I won't be able to eat my cereal at it in the mornings.   But it is better to have loved and lost... You know the saying.

Any good finds that you had to leave behind lately?

Vintage Loves: My scarf collection

I used to wear a lot of vintage clothing.  I loved it!  It was cheap, and original, and fun!  My jam was clothing from the 70s.  I had a long leather jacket, and cool hats to match my afro.  Much to my mother's chagrin, I had some awesome shirts.  I think my dad just found it amusing, and on a couple of occasions, he loved some of my stuff.  As I moved through my career, some of my workplaces were more formal than other places, so I had to give up my polyester and cords, and get some grown up clothes.

One thing I could never get rid of were my scarves.  I love 'em.

The cool thing about vintage scarves is that you can still wear them dressed up or down.

The other cool thing is that in the past, they made scarves to commemorate anything.

Like in the top picture, I have a VOTE scarf which I bust out for every American election.  (My family is American so I always watch the elections with a keen interest in the outcome. ) Or in the picture above, I have a scarf from the Dominican Republic in the 1960s.

These are my two favorite scarves; the ones I wear the most.  One is from the 70s in San Fransisco, and the other is a cotton scarf from the 1940s.

I must have 50 or so scarves.  And I can't wear them all.  I need to find ideas on what I can make with them to use them.  I would like to keep them around, but how?  Maybe pillows?  What else can you make with old scarves?

Maybe I need to get this book (link).

DIY Spice Rack

I was so excited I had to post this even though I already posted for today!  This is along the same lines as the home post, so I thought I would tag it on.  I needed somewhere to put all our spices.  As someone who loves to cook, I like my spices to be where i can reach them.  For the longest time, all my spices were kept in my cupboard where I would have to fumble around to fine the right one.  Not anymore!  Because I don't have the room for a traditional spice rack, we had to find an alternative solution.

So we went to Ikea and looked around, and I found these Ribba Picture Ledges:

...which is the perfect size to hold all my spice jars!  So we bought two and attached them to the wall in the kitchen, and voila!  A handy spice rack!

I just felt so clever and just had to share! 

And yes those are Nelson Mandela and Michel Foucault finger puppets on my fridge.

The Purpose of a Pet

Growing up, we never had a pet.  So it is understandable that it would take me into my adult years to understand the purpose of a pet.  The animals that come into our homes, are special kinds of creatures.  They have no idea what they bring into our lives. But people with pets know.

Shiloh, my lovebird died today at 11:30am.  

My pet was a lovebird that no one wanted.  No one but me and D that is.  Before us, he was passed around 3 times.  Each time given away because he was too noisy, or too needy.  No one knew if Shiloh was a boy or a girl.  We didn't even know how old he was.  When we got him, he was easily frightened.  But we got to know him.  And he got to know us.  Soon he fit into the rhythm of our lives.  He developed his own habits and quirks.  He was a really smart bird.  He would chirp and jump around his cage when I got home.  He would blink and flirt when I stood beside his cage.  He would sit on my shoulder as I worked on the computer.  

Shiloh was a bird that had a big personality.  For example:

Shiloh knew when his bedtime was. Every night at about 10:00pm, he would make a terrible fuss.  We would cover his cage, and he would make contented sounds of a bird settling into sleep.  He never woke us up.  He would only start to chirp after he heard my voice.

Shiloh was a little manipulative.  D, Shiloh and I would play this game; D would call the bird and Shiloh would ignore it.  I would call the bird and Shiloh would answer.  Sometimes he would answer D with a quick "beep."  But when I called he always sang his song.

One of the funniest thing our bird would do is mimic sounds he heard a lot.  He surprised us once by mimicking a jackhammer in the distance.  The first time he make the sound, we had no idea what it was.  Later that day when we heard the jackhammer, we laughed.  Of all the sounds to mimic, he picked that one.

Shiloh loved to sing with me.  He would sit on the piano keys chasing my fingers as I played; punctuating my singing with his chirps.

The last memory I have of my pet is him struggling to breathe while I held him.  Then his seizing and dying.

When we took him in, I didn't know how attached I would become to this bird no one else wanted.  But I fell in love with my pet.    Now our home is a little more empty, and a little less fun without him. 

Little things I love

While I was out last night, completely on a whim, I bought this cute jar.  I love the punchy red and the polka dots.  Polka dots may be in the "love mosaic" this month because I have been really drawn to them lately.

Because we live in such a small space, everything has to do double-duty around here.  So this jar is a new holder for my kitchen utensils.  I stored the lid just in case I change my mind, and want to use it as a cookie jar.  But it was the perfect size to all all my spoons and such.  This way it gets to stay on the counter all the time and I get to look at it whenever I'm cooking.

I love the flowers on this mug.  I've been drinking tea out of it almost everyday.  I have a thing for mugs and get stuck on one when I just get it.  This one is a great big size, and the colors help my mood during the recent gray days.

The grocery store was having a sale on plants, so I bought some ivy for our living room.  Flowers are so hit and miss with me because sometimes I have allergic reactions to them, and sometimes I don't.  The hyacinth we had was making feel nauseous when I was ill, so I asked D to take it to his new boss.  I know it has a good home at his office.  Instead I picked up some non-flowering plants to green up the place. I love watching them grow from small 4-inch pots like this to big hanging plants.  This ivy is pretty hearty, so that should be sooner than later.