You're Obsessed, Come On, Just Admit it!

This week on Facebook a girl I'm acquainted with posted photos of the launch of the new M.A.C. Marilyn Monroe collection and the three products she bought. A friend posted, "you're obsessed" under one of the photos. This girl is a bit of a Marilyn fanatic. But I quickly pointed out that the commenter also has her own obsessions, one being the game SIMS. It was all in good fun, but it made me think - we all have our own set of things we're a bit fanatical about!

Here are some of mine:

• Joan from Mad Men/ Christina Hendricks

Basically every time she's on the cover of a magazine I buy it. I love how she owns her curves and makes no apologies for it. I get upset when Joan doesn't get much screen time on Mad Men. I sometimes wish my hair was that red.

• Nail polish

I have a modest collection compared to some, but I probably have enough O.P.I., China Glaze, and Essie polishes (and more) to start up my own nail salon...only I lack the skill and talent for that. I get excited when a new collection is launched. Nail polish really is becoming a fashion statement in and of itself.

• Letters and Postcards and Packages

Wish you got more than bills and junk in the mail? You gotta send a letter to get a letter! I make a point of sending my out of town friends gifts in the mail, and writing letters and cards to people on a whim. I enjoy it. I also love opening my mailbox to find a postcard or letter addressed to me. I still love checking the mailbox just to see if anything fun arrived for me.

• Downton Abbey

This is a rather new obsession, but I found myself re-watching episodes over and over this summer. I think it was my way of coping with my present, by getting lost in the drama of a fictionalized past. And who can resist Maggie Smith? I never illegally download TV, but I was determined to see the current season, which is only airing in the UK right now. I don't feel that bad about it because if I'm being honest, I'll likely re-watch it in January when it plays here. I also love the UK and all the pomp and snobbery that goes with that.

I can't really think of any more right now, but I'd love to hear about some of yours. A certain type of car? A colour? A band? A TV show? An actor? Don't be ashamed!

Ring-a-Ding-Ding

Yesterday I was busy slaving over a hot glue gun making items for my Etsy Shop. I'd actually started crafting a few nights before because I decided that I was going to make all my friends with fall birthdays (4 people) key pendant necklaces painted with nail polish. I'd show you photos but I never took any and now they're all wrapped...oops.

I followed that up with a teapot themed charm bracelet:

I'm happy with how this turned out. My fingers hurt from making this!

So back to yesterday. Yesterday I had this idea to make cocktail rings. I bought some stretchy adjustable ring bases not long ago, but I had no idea what to do with them. I decided to just go through my stash until I found suitable cocktail ring items. Though I pretty much superglued my fingers to the table, I think the project was a success:

Daisy Duke

Smokey Sunflower

Green with Envy

Button to Button

The Goddess

This is what the stretchy ring part looks like:

All these and more are available at my Etsy Shop: Quarter-Life Crafts

iTunes Playlist Tuesday #168

This week's playlist is the PARENTAL GUIDANCE ADVISED edition.

Songs with swear words, curse words, strong language - whatever you want to call it. This playlist is not for kids.

1. Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole by Martha Wainwright

2. Fucking in the Bushes by Oasis

3. My Shit's Fucked Up by Warren Zevon

4. Holy Shit (What a Relief) by Hey Rosetta!

5. Texico Bitches by Broken Social Scene

6. Untouchable Face by Ani DiFranco

7. Fuck You by Garfunkle and Oates

8. Fuck You by Cee Lo Green

9. You Outta Know by Alanis Morrisette

10. Fuck Me Pumps by Amy Winehouse

Have You Heard the Good News?

I have positive things to say? Can you believe it? After shedding far too many tears this summer over people and things that shouldn't matter - I'm trying to live my life.

So here you have it, a list of things that make Fall/Autumn better than Spring:

My finishers medal.

• Races and Runs

A lot of hard work is being paid off this season. I'm setting personal bests, challenging myself and becoming a core member of my running group. I find races and get everyone to join me. It's nice to be thanked and congratulated for my efforts and successes. I had an amazing Terry Fox run last Sunday, as I said in my last post, and had a great race at the Toronto Zoo today. I matched my PB, only on a much more challenging course (the Zoo is hilly!). It was nice to have a support team with me. I think everything in life should require a support team. Really, you feel like you can do anything if you have people around encouraging and guiding you.

• Jack White Concert

I always regretted not seeing The White Stripes in concert and now, barring a reunion in the unforeseeable future, that's not going to happen. But lucky for me, Jack White put out a solo record recently and is touring. When I saw the Toronto dates posted on Facebook I knew it was an opportunity to see musical greatness and how could I not take advantage? I texted a friend and she was excited and willing, so I bought the tickets as soon as they became available online. In a few weeks I'll be able to cross that off my must-see list.

• Pumpkin Pie-ing it Up

Canadian Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I can't wait to dive into a pumpkin pie as if I were bobbing for apples.

• Worldwide Photo Walk 2012

On October 13 - many cities across the world will be participating in free photo walks. Last year my friend did one in her town and it seemed fun, so I thought I'd sign up for the one where I live.

http://worldwidephotowalk.com/

You can search for a walk near you and sign up if you wish. Each walk has a leader who plans the route, and makes arrangements for the group to go out for refreshments after. For me it seems like a great opportunity to meet new people, explore my own city and take some photos. There are contests as well. It would be fun to have a bunch of my friends across the blogosphere doing this in their respective communities.

• Halloween

I'm not sure what to expect. I've kind of fallen out of touch with the people I usually spend halloween with. I have a silly costume idea in mind if I do go out. I'll keep you posted. I will be pumpkin carving for sure!

• More races

I have a bunch of races in mind for the next few months. I'm doing The Hanukkah Hustle 5k in November, the Santa Race (again) in December, and I hope to do The Robbie Burns Day 8k in January. I'm not sure if I'll do the Frosty 5k again, but I'd love to do The Chocolate Race 10k again next Spring. I know that seems overwhelming - but I like having goals in mind.

That's all I can think of for now. I hope all of you enjoy the season as well. If any of you do the photo walk please let me know - we can compare photos and experiences.

Leaving the Couch in the Dust: A Running Story

View of the lake in the morning
from the Terry Fox Run site.

This past Sunday I was finally rewarded for my hard work. Since early June I've been running twice a week (except for the few times it was cancelled for extreme weather). I've been doing speed intervals and tempo runs, and some easy jogs and it's all paying off.

When I started running with this group I had just come off a disappointing 10k race. One where I was nearly last! When you can see the police car slowly driving behind you, you know you're the last one. I did manage to pass one person, but it was psychologically damaging. I felt anxious during the run and it didn't feel good. I did better, time-wise, than my previous 10k, but it still felt like crap. I was embarrassed.

So after working hard all summer to get into better shape (mentally and physically) I did another 10k - this time for the Terry Fox Run. This isn't a timed event, but I timed myself using my Nike+ Ipod thing (which has always been fairly consistent with my official times in races). In the past two years I've done the Terry Fox Run 5k, but my friend and I decided to try to see how we'd do in a 10. I was so pleased with my run and my time. The run felt great - I went in with a race plan (a few scheduled walk breaks), and I stuck with it. Aside from one unfortunate shoelace-untied incident, I was pretty much at ease throughout the run. I felt relaxed, my breathing wasn't laboured and I was in very little pain afterwards. My friend however, wasn't prepared and walked most of the last 5k - but he got off the couch and was moving and that's all that matters.

Ran it in 1hr 01min 40sec

I've learned that I can't be too hard on myself, like I was back in June. I'm running, I'm moving, I'm not whining about how walking a block is too far. Getting out there to walk, ride, run, stroll, skip, jump, swim or all of the above is important.

Lake after the race.

Anyways, after the race my friend and I rewarded ourselves with an awesome pub breakfast and coffee, followed by a few pints in the afternoon. It was a gorgeous day and we'd earned it. It was one of those days where you sit back and think that you can hardly remember a better one. I'd been in a fog of sadness all summer and running was the only thing that kept me going. I was rewarded with a sunny day on the patio of my favourite pub, drinking and laughing.

I don't run because I want to be in the olympics or a professional athlete of any kind. I run because it feels good, even when it hurts. It feels like an accomplishment. So I can sit on a patio with a two-egg breakfast special and say, "I've earned this slice of bacon."

iTunes Playlist Tuesday #167

On Sunday afternoon, after the Terry Fox Run (I'll save that for a separate post), I found myself on a couple patios having a late breakfast and a few pints with a good friend. The weather was gorgeous, there was live entertainment, and I just felt like it was the most perfect day. I was relaxed and happy. This is a playlist inspired by that feeling. Early fall air, sun shining, a cold drink and good conversation.

1. Ob-la-di, ob-la-da by The Beatles - Life goes on..la la la la life goes on!

2. Let the Drummer Kick by Citizen Cope - Just a really chilled out kinda song.

3. I Hope Tomorrow is Like Today by Guster - Wish I could just keep those days going.

4. Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson - I didn't have banana pancakes, but I do wish I could pretend that it's still the weekend.

5. Wash Away by Joe Purdy - All my troubles just washed away for one afternoon.

6. Float On by Modest Mouse - Because good news is on the way.

7. Just Breathe by Pearl Jam - What the title says

8. Everything is in it's Right Place by Radiohead - It was.

9. All I Wanna Do by Sheryl Crow - For sure.

10. The Good Life by Weezer - Gotta get back!

What songs describe your perfect fall day?

I am a list maker not a risk taker.

I have a 5K at the Toronto Zoo coming up!

I think I know why I can't seem to be motivated to get a better job, or to really get over this breakup (that I'm sure everyone is tired of hearing about). It's because there is no clear and defined end. There are no due dates or deadlines and that is hard to deal with. Back in May when I broke up with my boyfriend of a year I gave myself a week to be REALLY sad. And I mean REALLY sad. I basically said I was entitled to cry everyday and to lay in bed when I wasn't at work. But what I wasn't prepared for was the underlying feeling of melancholy that was going to haunt me all summer and even still today. Same with my job situation. You just feel so sorry for yourself and you feel like you can't set goals and deadlines because you know you'll just disappoint yourself.

When I was in university I would get stressed - a lot. Being a writing major meant that I didn't really have tests to study for or labs to work on, I had essays and readings. The only way I could deal with this would be by making a list and taping it to my wall. I would deal with one item at a time based on what was due first. As things got crossed off I would feel the pressure lifting and it would feel especially good on the day when I got to take the list down, crumple it up and toss it in the recycling bin.

I think that's why I've become really interested in running races. Once I make the decision to sign up for a race it's set. I pay the fee (there are no refunds) and it's up to me to train before race day. The thing I like about races is that there is a clear and present finish line. When I cross that line it's like crossing a 10 page essay off my To-Do list in university. There isn't much in life that is like that, aside from birth and death. There are so many uncertainties. 

I feel like my generation has been forced to live in the moment because 5-year plans just seem too scary. We have no idea where we'll be in five years, so why freak ourselves out? Life no longer follows that straight path from graduation to career to marriage to baby. We're all over the place. We can have dreams, but it's too scary to set them in stone.

I need to start with some small challenges, such as updating my resume. That's progress, no?

iTunes Playlist Tuesday #166

Some songs are just...intense. You can hear it in the singer's voice, almost like a scream only filled with angst and emotion. Sometimes it's the music that creates the emotional build-up. Either way these songs have a way of getting inside of us.

Here are 10 intense track:

1. Say it to Me Now by Glen Hansard - You can actually hear this man's heart being ripped out of his chest through his voice.

2. Delicate by Damien Rice - Maybe it's an Irish thing...but this is another emotionally intense song. It starts off slow and quiet, but later on you can hear the strain in his voice as the song progresses.

3. Running for Home by Matthew Good Band - Pretty much every song by any Matt Good project is intense.

4. Letters from the Sky by Civil Twilight - Something about songs with piano, a slow built up and a explosive finish...

5. Tired Eyes by Hey Rosetta! - See above

6. Mouth by Bush - This one is just sexy.

7. Angel by Massive Attack - See above.

8. Zombie by The Cranberries - I return to my theory about Irish artists.

9. Seven Devils by Florence + The Machine - Pretty much all of her songs fit this theme.

10. More by Holly McNarland - Big, hauntingly beautiful voice, loud guitar at the end...

Me VS Me

I truly am my own worst enemy.

Not only do I compare my life to others (constantly), but I also compare my current life to my past life. For example, I got teary eyed yesterday thinking about how last labour day I went out for breakfast with my then boyfriend. This year I worked and felt like life was kicking my ass while I was already down.

I need to learn to just let go and live in the here and now and stop getting so caught up in the past. But I think those sorts of changes - those attitude changes - are the hardest to alter. My doctor lectures me every time I see him that I need to keep the dark thoughts out and try really hard to stay positive.

So starting next week (this week is hell at work, plus it's practically half over) I need to get my resume together - update it, tweak it, change the font if necessary! I need to find a job with room to grow. There is no possibility for growth as a barista. Sure, I can make damn good micro-foam, but in the grown up world that really only matters if you're on the receiving side of that sort of thing. Like one day I'd like to walk into a cafe and order a cappuccino and be able to compliment the person who made it and give them a good tip.

I really don't know what sorts of jobs I should even be looking for now. I don't know what I'm good at anymore.

What would you do with your life if money wasn't an issue? What are your true passions? Part of me wants to open an English style tea shop - with loose leaf teas, full tea service, and scones with jam and clotted cream. I would die happy, but likely 300 pounds. Or maybe I'd just be a professional blogger. Or a concert critic.

But reality states that I need a corporate job where I can make money so I can pay for things like food. Basic necessities cost money.

I keep comparing myself to 2007 Allison. In September 2007, I was an intern at a local magazine and working part-time at the cafe to make some money. The magazine thing didn't work out and now the cafe has become my "career." Makes me want to bawl my eyes out to look at what's become of me.

I need to stop getting in my own way and just move forward with my life.

iTunes Playlist Tuesday #165

This is I'm happy/sad that summer is over playlist.

I'm happy because the pressure is off to have a "fun summer!" and I have more excuses for why I don't want to do things. I'm sad because I am still friends with people who are students and they're all going back and I envy them, if only because they get a fresh start each fall - a new school year, a new semester. I don't want the essays and lectures and assignments and readings. I also love fall clothes. Jackets, sweaters, jeans...I'm looking forward to it.

I have runs, races and a pretty amazing concert coming up - so there are plenty of reasons to say goodbye to summer.

Thanks for putting up with me this summer. I know I've been the biggest downer and cry baby. I can't promise that my emotions won't carry over through fall - but I will try to make things better for myself. It just takes time.

1. Change of Seasons by Sweet Thing - Off topic, but this song is played during the opening sequence of the movie Easy A and they're from Toronto. I saw them play live last September. But, back on track, we are in the midst of a change in season, though where I live it's still gross and hot.

2. Summer's End by Foo Fighters - This song inspired the title of my last post. I've been having what feels like a second wave of a quarter-life crisis. My blog title is still appropriate, as I'm still very much so suffering through this 20-something breakdown.

3. It Falls Apart by The Odds - It really does.

4. Civil Twilight by The Weakerthans - This song makes me think of regret.

5. Undone (The Sweater Song) by Weezer - Two reasons why this song is appropriate. A) It's nearly sweater season (yay). B) I've definitely come undone this Spring/Summer (nay).

6. It's Not the End of the World by Danny Michel - Sometimes you need a reminder.

7. Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) by Kate Bush - I have a few runs and races coming up this fall. Running has been the only thing that's kept me relatively sane this summer. Without it I'd fall apart completely. This is something I can articulate in a separate post.

8. Weep Themselves to Sleep by Jack White - Another two-sides of the same coin song. A) The title of this song is all too familiar to me this year. Too many tears this summer. B) The Jack White concert is in a month! Yay!

9. Only The Lonely by Roy Orbison - Only the lonely get it.

10. You Can't Always Get What You Want by The Rolling Stones - I've used this song a lot for the same sentiment. "But if you try sometime, you get what you need."

Here's to a fall where I finally get something I need.