I read this a few months ago and started sending it to all my friends with kids or those who were about to have kids - why? I don’t know, ‘cause when I see a baby staring at an iPad IT FREAKS ME THE HELL OUT, for some reason. It just shouldn’t… be. And it makes no sense whatsoever. I don’t care if there are games specifically AIMED at these children, no. Just no. Give them a fucking rattle or something. PLEASE.
Love, Lucy By Lucille Ball - A Review
Lucille Ball seems like she was probably the hardest working actress of all time, based on this book. If you’ve ever really liked the woman or got any sort of joy out of any of her shows, this is a great one to read. I was hoping that it would be lots of small, funny stories about instances in her life - and while there were a few stories like that, the piece really centers around more of the hardships and just her account of growing up and becoming such a success.
There were a lot of memorable parts, so I’ll list a few of them here:
Lucille Ball’s daughter recounting a memory of her mother:
“One of my mother’s favorite things to do, when a small group of people were involved in some ordinary conversation, was to wait until one of them left the room and as soon as she returned, blurt out, convincingly, “Here she is now! Why don’tcha tell her to her face?!!” This was always followed by frozen silence, and then she’d howl (with that depth-of-the-sea laugh she had) to see the look on the poor soul’s face, who for one horrible moment thought someone had been saying terrible things about her while she was gone.”
Lucille Ball’s daughter talking about her parents after their deaths:
“Oddly, in some ways, after all these years, life goes on as if they were still here; simply off somewhere, on location perhaps, and unable to get to a phone.”
Lucy talking about being a teenager:
“All the local kids got summer jobs at the amusement park; I was hired as a short-order cook at a hamburger stand. I took my job seriously and loved earning the money. “Look out! Look out! Don’t step there!” I’d suddenly holler at some person passing by, and as he stopped, startled, one foot in midair and looking worriedly at the ground, I’d continue: “Step over here and get yourself a de-licious hamburger!” This mesmerized a lot of people into buying, and incidentally, they were darn good hamburgers.”
Lucy talking about Carole Lombard:
“She was so elegant; her clothes looked as if they had been poured on her.”
Lucy advice:
“Dr. Peale helped me realize that our professional achievements are secondary; the important thing in life is our relationship with other human beings. It’s not what we set out to get, but how we go about the daily task of living.”
The woman just seemed incredible. Such a beauty, too. If you’d be interested in reading it, you can most likely get a copy at your library since it came out in ‘97, or you can purchase it here.
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“I will always silently and secretly laugh at all women over the age of 18 who wear bras with clear plastic straps. Don’t do it. Clear does not mean invisible. We can all see the straps. You look foolish.”
Shake Shack Burgers
There is no other burger that tastes like these burgers. If you find yourself in NYC, Connecticut, Florida, Washington, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania or parts of the UK, Middle East or Turkey - seek it out. And eat the hell out of one of these burgers.
Some people think it’s the patty that makes it amazing - I would suggest that its glory comes from the potato bun. Those buns are too soft. Too dainty. Too fucking tasty. I really can’t say enough good things about these burgers. They make you want to live. (Edit note: not actually. They will definitely kill you if you overindulge over many years, don’t do that.)
Just go, all right? One of the very best I’ve ever ever ever had. The lineups are worth it. If you go with someone who’s all, “This line is too long, it can’t be worth it!” - I can only advise you to spit upon that person and say, “Good day.” These burgers are definitely worth waiting for.
Mom Says
If you say goodbye to a friend on a bridge, you will never see each other again.
Salmon Baked in Foil
Before last Monday, I had never baked any type of fish in my life. Seemed too hard to do. Like, how to to know when something’s cooked or not is the main reason I tend not to venture into uncharted cooking territory.
However, I’m a growing woman and I need to do things outside my comfort level once in awhile. Also, ya know… eating right and all that garbage helps, too.
I made this baked salmon and it tasted outrageously good. And keep in mind that the only fish I ever really eat/enjoy is the beautiful, hella deep-fried kind like the halibut at a Canadian fish and chips place (I have to specify and say Canadian since Americans do not know what amazing fish and chips taste like. I just… I refuse to ever get on board with cod as a substitute for halibut. Cod is just inferior. Go home, cod.)
It’s really easy to make (- I made it) and it tastes like something you’d pay someone to make for you. Plus, it’s a great meal to cook if you’re looking to impress someone since it looks fancy as hell.
“The awful thing about life is this: Everyone has their reasons.”
When I Fantasize About Getting Fit
Get This Ice Pack
I asked for and got this ice pack this past Christmas and it’s probably my best gift of 2012. No, I’m not sad. I just know what’s up. This ice pack is gonna last me fifty years. I can feel it.
I used it for the first time a few weeks ago when I was sick and it helped immensely. It was worlds better than the trashy, lopsided, ziplocked bag of melty ice I’ve had to use in years past.
There is absolutely no mess with this ice pack. The ice stays securely inside, with no water dripping ANYwhere on the outside. And you can balance it on both your head and/or forehead, depending on your preference. You will look like you fell out of an early nineteenth century novel with this in place and it will be glorious. Yeah, glorious.
Also, the material it’s made from feels indestructible, yet soft. You can buy one for $9.95 here.
How to Prevent Thigh Chafing & Foot Blistering
With the summer coming up (it’s barely spring, I know, calm down), there are many things that you need to prepare for. Not sure who this post is aimed at, but you might appreciate it if you’ve ever:
Had a blister on your toe and/or heel because of a certain kind of shoe
Had thighs that touch each other when you walk, whether it’s due to you having normal, human-sized thighs OR whether you wear really tight skirts and it forces your thighs to meet
Experienced chafed thighs from running
And I do not intend for this to only be read by women. Most men I know do nothing or very little to try and prevent blisters - why is this? No idea. It’s weird. Take care of that stuff, everyone.
Anyway, the solution to all of these problems? Rub deodorant on the area that’s being a bitch, ie. directly onto the area of where you would presume you would get a blister (because of ill-fitting shoes you own or because in the past you’ve noticed getting blisters after wearing certain shoes) or directly on the areas where your thighs touch. It will solve the problem.
It has something to do with the ingredients in deodorant that makes this work - something about the slipperiness of it, if you want me to get technical.
I’ve tried this before (all of last summer) and it felt wonderful to not have that be a constant issue. Oh! And one more thing, if you try this and decide that it’s working for you as well, it’s really good to invest in one of those travel-sized deodorants to have in your purse/bag. Why? Well, things get sweaty in the summer and sometimes you need to re-apply midway through your day. Kinda gross, but just being real with you.
You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.