“A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it’s in hot water.”
Yes Please By Amy Poehler - A Review
Available on Amazon
Available on Amazon
I've been waiting for this book for awhile now and it definitely delivered. The only thing I would change about it would be this: I wish she talked less about how inexperienced she is as a book writer. I'm a big fan of self-deprecation - but I thought that it was too excessive at times. But other than that one thing, this book was fantastic. My favourite parts are ahead.
- "Nice manners are the secret keys to the universe."
- "Did you know that when your water breaks the best thing to do is stand up? Your baby acts as a plug. Isn't that insane?"
- The fact that she allots two blank pages for the reader to write down their own personal "Day I Was Born" story = so kind and too great.
- "It takes years as a woman to unlearn what you have been taught to be sorry for. It takes years to find your voice and seize your real estate."
- "Anger and embarrassment are often neighbors. Sometimes we get defensive about what we feel guilty about."
- She mentions the book The Gift of Fear and made me really want to read it, so that'll have to go on my book list. (Nora Ephron's book Heartburn was also put on that list because of this book - I can't remember where she mentioned it, but it was enough of a mention to make me want to read it.)
- "A word about apologizing: It's hard to do it without digging yourself in deeper. It's also scary and that's why we avoid the pain. We want so badly to plead our case and tell our story. The bad news is that everybody has a story."
- In her ninety-year-old self advice paragraph she says to: "Make "No" a complete sentence." (Ugh, I can't tell you how much I love this one.)
- If there's one chapter you definitely need to read, it's the one describing her two sons (on page 299). Not only does she sound like an amazing mother, but the things that she does with her kids makes me so envious that these little boys get to live the lives that they do.
- "The only way we will survive is by being kind. The only way we can get by in this world is through the help we receive from others. No one can do it alone, no matter how great the machines are."
(On that second page scanned up there (with numbers seven through ten) you can see a strand of my hair. Sorry about that, that was an accident. There are strands of my hair all over my apartment and there's nothing I can do about it. My long, luxurious hair wants to seep into every aspect of my life. Apparently it really wanted to be in a blog post, so who am I to stop it? Hope you're not grossed out. And yes, I could have just re-scanned that page, but ugh - re-scanning? Who has the time.)
Anyway, it's a great book. You should definitely read it.
Knight of Cups Trailer
I feel like this could really be something (as long as it's nothing like Tree of Life), but I'm not sure. There's just something about seeing Christian Bale's face that makes me think things are going to turn out all right.
Alvin & The Chipmunks Christmas Song
Is it dumb that I really miss this version of the chipmunks? I hate the new ones almost as much as I hate the really old ones. But this Christmas special they had on VHS? I still get tingles from it. There's just something about cartoon snow that really floats my boat.
The Keep Your Distance Bug Vacuum
Available at Hammacher Schlemmer
Available at Hammacher Schlemmer
Not only does this device not need to be plugged in (or use batteries), but I'm pretty sure it KEEPS THE BUG ALIVE so you can dispose of him/her outside.
Apparently it has some kind of suction power that holds the bug inside somewhere. In any case, I'm getting one because wow.
“Bake a batch (or two) of Christmas cookies, wrap them up in a few different tins and keep them (wrapped) and in your refrigerator. So when someone surprisingly shows up with a gift for you, you have one in return for them. ”
The Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden
Heaven exists.
I finally went to see the holiday train show - and once you get past the long lines, screaming children and Metro North ride, it actually makes for a great day. Here's a video of what it looks like once you're inside
One tip? Skip the NYBG tram ride. It's kind of funny that they even offer tram rides in December since everything is in a full-on state of UNbloom. It's probably a gorgeous ride in the nicer months, but take my word for it and skip it if you're there for the train show. Oh! And an even better tip? Call in advance for tickets. Otherwise you'll get there and you'll have to wait around for a few hours, hence the brisk tram ride undertaking.
Everything designed in the train exhibit is breathtaking. The detail and effort that went into it all is insane and if you've ever had any kind of interest in miniatures, you will love this place to pieces. And the trains, my God the trains! I've often said that if I were to ever have a child, then I would do everything in my power to make his/her room just like Casper's (in the movie Casper, with Christina Ricci). Remember how at the top of the wall in that room, there was an elevated train track, with a train that traveled around the perimeter of the whole room? That. I want that. Such a great idea for a kid's room.
Anyhow, this was definitely worth the trip to the Bronx. Go, damnit!
The exhibit runs until January 16th, 2023. You can purchase tickets here.
Mr. Rogers Emmy Speech in 1997
If you watch this and don't get teary at his sincerity? There's the door.
Mom Says
“Before getting married, it is bad luck to buy your significant other a watch, as it symbolizes that the time of the relationship is running out.”
River - Joni Mitchell
I know this isn't technically a Christmas song - but wait, it mentions Christmas in it SO I GUESS IT IS. Play this for someone who says they hate Christmas music - and if they still stand by that opinion? Walk away.
I'm so thankful that my brother Robbie brought this beautiful woman's voice into my life.