“If you can’t stand to see dirty dishes in the sink, never let anyone know that fact. You will be washing their dishes for the rest of your life.”

— #lizadvice

You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch

Not really an uplifting Christmas song, but still one of my favourites. The line "You're a rotter" always makes me laugh - just the way he sings it. Love this song. I remember hearing this song when I was a kid and imagined myself as an adult breaking up with someone by playing this song for them and then walking out. Still want to make that happen someday, would be so funny. 

Roseanne "Stash From The Past" Episode

This Roseanne episode "Stash From The Past" is probably in the top three of their best episodes. Can't even describe how much the bathroom scene makes me laugh. Jackie is perfection.

Dish Drying Advice

Emails like this one below are why I'm thankful for this great lady. 

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“There must be something strangely sacred in salt. It is in our tears and in the sea.”

— Kahlil Gibran, Sea and Foam

The Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3 in NYC

This is the frozen hot chocolate that they serve at Serendipity 3 in New York. I've only tried to go to the restaurant once, and the line/wait was much too long so I left. I only really wanted to go so that I could try one of these since I've heard how good they are. 

Anyway, I found out that you could buy the packets online and make them at home (providing you have a blender - a good blender, too - one that crushes up ice well), so that's what I did instead. Verdict? Really goddam good. I don't see how the made-in-the-restaurant version could be any better, really. Just tasty as hell. And enjoyed in the comfort of my own home no less! The packets come in a variety of sizes and you can buy them on Amazon. 

It's $8.95 when you order it at the restaurant, but the serving size is good for at least two people they say (they also have a peanut butter version at the restaurant). 

Also, have you seen the movie Serendipity? Man. I don't even like movies like that and I loved that movie. Just delightful as hell. The likable John Cusack? Get outta here, he's so great in it.

Food Matters Documentary

I really wish I'd posted this last week, since from December 1st until later on today, you can see this documentary for free on their site. Here's the link. 

Thankfully, the lovely Jenn suggested it to me and I just finished watching it. Verdict? Great. You really should see it. It's basically about nutrition, vitamins and, well, it's about so much more. If you can spare some time, just go watch it now. I'm going to try and find a streaming link for it as well if you're reading this after December 10th.

Overly Simple Thoughts After Seeing It

1. I don't know about you, but I'm definitely going to be drinking a jug of water each morning right after I wake. I'll update this in a week to report on how that went and if I felt any different/better. (UPDATE: You have to do this. It was messed up. In a good way.)
2. Cashews can help depression? Will keep that in mind.
3. I'll look into this further, but it seems like Niacin is the greatest sounding vitamin known to man. I'll try it out and, again, report back.

These are just small things that stuck in my head after watching it, but a lot of other parts really stayed with me as well. Such a good documentary. Definitely as good as Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. 

Trailer

Broken Foot: Part Deux

I just broke my foot for the second time in two years. I'm in crutches. Please send money.

...Imagine that was the tone of this post? Man, that’d be funny and great. Anyway, it’s not a big deal since I’ve gone through this before. How did it happen this time? I wish it was a better story, but I was walking at night, stumbled and voila. It’s definitely due to my poor eyesight, which has failed me many a time. I'm not trying to cry about it (oh that happened IMMENSELY the night this happened, I cried more in that one sitting than I have in the past two years combined), I'm just sharing what's going on with me. In a lot of other aspects of my life, though, I’m very lucky. So I feel like it all balances out somewhere. (And if you must know, I did adhere to these policies and took the fall with some dignity.)

Nathan: "Why don’t you do a post about your foot?"
Me: "But what is there to say about it? It’s broken - I’m sad."

But upon more thought, there ARE things I can tell you about it. Especially if, at some point in your future, you must deal with a broken foot, ankle or leg. 

Things That Are Irritating

• Unlimited weekly metro card rendered VIRTUALLY USELESS.
• Having to do your own dishes is awful times a million when you’re balancing on one leg.
• Making a bed. Some people might think this is silly to do in this condition, but man - are you an animal? Make your damn bed. I don't care how sickly you are. It's important.
• Having the knowledge that my pilates teacher thinks I’m just slacking right now by not attending her classes BECAUSE SHE DOESN’T KNOW THE TRUTH.
• Having to ask someone to grocery shop for you. Grocery lists are personal. I don't want to share that information with anyone. I don't want you to know what kind of stuff I buy. Back off. (But also, ugh, thank you for helping me.)
• My gym membership being wasted, as we speak.
• Showering. It’s just hell. Takes an hour and a half. And not only is the act itself difficult to maneuver, but there’s also the mighty fear inside me of falling in the shower. I can’t have that happen to me. I don't want to hold onto the story of having that happen to me. I feel like no one will ever be able to see me in a sexually pleasing way again if they know I’ve somehow managed to fall in the shower. There's no turning back once that happens to you.

Things I've Realized

• Due to my current slow pace, I really feel like I’m getting a glimpse into what being an old, sickly person must feel like. I do not mean just any elderly person, I mean the downtrodden ones, who look visibly hurt as they move around. THOSE ones. And now I sympathize. (Did I not sympathize before? Honestly, can’t remember.) No one, young & hurt or old & hurt, likes to be passed on the sidewalk. It’s an upsetting feeling to overcome.
• Even when hurt, you can still help others feel better if they’re sick. It’s hard to move around and get junk for them, but still – you can do it, slowly. And it perks you up actually – to not be the only ill person in the room.
• I have an amazing excuse if someone gets me a Christmas gift and it didn't occur to me to get them one. "Sorry, dude - I'm broken."
• Peppermint tea? I love you. I never would’ve cracked open my "guest tea box" if I weren’t in this position and learned that you’re wonderful.
• It is a really sad occurrence to put one beautiful high-heeled shoe on your one good foot and look at it in the mirror just to remember better times.

Things I Hope To Do Once Said Foot Is Back In Action

• Dance more. This sounds like an awful New Year’s resolution or something, yes, I agree. But I think about this constantly! The amount of secret, private parties I’ve thrown in my bedroom, with only me, my stereo and some real fucking nice moves is vast. And it’s always a great time. I should be doing this more out in the real world, since, well, everyone benefits from witnessing ALL DIS. 
• Walk very slow at night. People can wait for me.
• JUMP out of bed in the morning. Not all the time like some kind of maniac, but at least once a month, let's say.
• Become a foot model and make lots of money. Always been an interest.

Things I’m Thankful For

• That it's only my foot and it wasn't my leg. That feels like it would take EONS to heal. Very thankful it’s just the foot.
• That it’s almost winter and not summer. I would not cutely be writing a post about this if it were summer. I would be stewing in my own contempt for every single person who’s ever smiled.
• That 90% of my Christmas gifts were wrapped and ready to go before this happened.
• Animals. I don’t have a dog, but my boyfriend does. And he brought her over for a few nights. I can’t tell you what that did to my mood – I think I’ll be able to get by on that high for at least a few days before the inevitable low creeps backs in. Amazing!
• My computer. I just... I can't even... How do I... WHERE WOULD I BE WITHOUT YOU?!
• It’s important to know how you’ll function individually (without family or friends around) when something bad like this happens because it’ll force you to learn some things about yourself. Is this good or bad? I can’t say, but I’m thankful for it. And when someone you love does come by to help you out, well, obviously that’s a way better alternative and is welcome as hell and a beautiful distraction. 
• This ice bag. Why do you not own one yet?
• Home Improvement episodes on YouTube.
• You, reading this.

Really, you're the best. Thanks for checking in!

The Snowman

Have you seen this before? It came out in 1982 and I'd never even heard of it until today. And man, it's really beautiful. It's based on the 1978 children's book by Raymond Briggs. It's completely wordless (like the book), with the exception of one song. (Why is there a weird David Bowie introduction? No idea.)

If you can spare twenty-five minutes, give it a watch. I'm definitely going to play it for my nieces when I'm in Canada for the holidays.

And one last thing? Man, I miss animation like this. I really do. I can't really put into words why that is. Logically, it's probably because I associate it with my own childhood but maybe not. It just looks so much more beautiful to me than anything that's getting released for kids today.