Thinking About My Friend

I've been thinking a lot about a friend of mine. One of my best friends, actually, who moved away a few years ago and I miss terribly. She reads this blog, occasionally, so she will probably be embarrassed that I talked about her, thus I'm not going to name her. But really, she is one of the best people I know.

I was reading another blog post earlier this morning about being a nice person - being nice to everyone and focusing on whatever aspect of them is good. As the author of this particular blog post was writing about how to be non-judgmental, I was sitting there thinking how hypocritical she was based on some other things I've read by her. Then it occurred to me that by thinking these things about her I was being judgmental and hypocritical, myself. And then I realized how many more times only today I've been judgmental, thanks in no small part, to Facebook. Don't worry, I'm not going off on a rant about Facebook, but I do find it interesting how it tends to bring out the worst in me.

So, anyway, I was reading this post and thinking that the only person I know that models this non-judgmental, non-hypocritical temperament is my friend who, since moving away, now has less of a direct influence on me since we only see each other a few times a year and most of that time is spent catching up.

I think I was legitimately a better person before she moved away because she has a way of loving everybody that just rubs off on you. She doesn't gossip, she doesn't fault other people of their mistakes (or if she does, she keeps it to herself), and most of all, she doesn't force or suggest her opinion of someone to cloud another persons mind. She's perfectly happy to make up her mind about someone and let others make up their own minds.

If you asked her, she would say all of this is an overestimation, because she also humble.

I have a lot to learn from my friend. I consider myself a good person, but when I think about how often I judge people and how tightly I hold on to grudges I realize that I could use a lot more grace in my life. I wish it came naturally to me, but it's obviously something I need to work on.

Add it to the list.

DIY Planner Redux

You may remember this DIY planner I made last summer.

 

Well, as you can see, it's gotten a little beat up over the year, not to mention getting close to running out of months, so I decided it was time to refill it. And while I was at it, I gave it a little makeover, too.

I had a stroke of genius this time. One of my problems the first time around was that the paper didn't always lay flat, even with the use of excessive double-sided tape. This time, I purchased full sheet mailing labels and printed a pattern into what basically came out as a full sheet sticker.

Word to the wise: the 8.5x11 sheet was just slightly too small, so I ended up using two different full sheet patterns. Next time, I think I'll cut some contact paper into 11x17 and take it to Kinkos to print.

Anyway, even with the two different patterns, I think it turned out really nice.

I also bought these little alphabet stamps in the dollar section at Target and personalized my planner with my name.

And, if you want a little gloss, you can throw on a coat of Mod Podge (one of my favorite things ever).

Woohoo!

Movies to Watch For (Round 2)

So, I still haven't seen all of the movies from Round 1. Particulary, "Upside Down," - which hasn't made its way to theaters wide yet - "Apart," and "The Five Year Engagement" - which is now set to record from HBO and I will watch hopefully in the near future.

Here's some new ones that look kind of rad.

1. "Knights of Badassdom" - Okay, so actually this movie looks disgusting. But I will see it for two main reasons: the great Steve Zahn and Jimmi Simpson (it's Mary from "Psych"!). I'm also pretty sure I can persuade my geeky guy friends to see it with my by uttering the magic words, "Summer Glau," as she seems to be at the top of every geek-guy's list. Some back up reasons to see this movie include, but are not limited to, the hot brother from True Blood, Peter Dinklage (he's an angry elf), Abed from "Community," and, of course, LARP.


2. "The Kitchen" - I'll admit it. I have a bit of a lady boner for Bryan Greenberg. And he and Laura Prepon already have some excellent chemistry pre-established from their roles on the sadly short-lived "October Road," so I'm looking forward to this one.


3. "Into the White" - RON I'LL FOLLOW YOU ANYWHERE! (Except maybe not in the snow. You understand).


4. "The End of Love" - Looks like I might need a box of Kleenex in the theater with me.


5. "Small Apartments" - It's so colorful. And I mean that in the literal snese. Also, Billy Crystal, James Marsden and Rebel Wilson. I've said it before: Rebel Wilson is my spirit animal.

I'll Give You a Book

If you want one.

Normally, I take my books to used book shops and get store credit, but my store credit is already higher than I'll ever spend so if you want one of these I'll just send it to you. For no other reason than my own amusement. Really. Some I'm getting rid of because I have multiple copies and some because I just know I'll never read them and would rather free up some space on my already crowded shelves.

So take a gander mountain at the books I'm getting rid of. If you want one, DM (Twitter) or e-mail me your address. That's all. Also, first come first serve. US only (I was going to ship to Canada but I didn't realize how much more the shipping cost was, not to mention the customs hassle). Now that's all.

Oh, wait. If you're so inclined to trade me for a book of yours, that's cool too. Not required, though.

Three Cups of Tea (paperback)
*claimed

Mrs. Dalloway - Virginia Woolf (paperback)

A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson (paperback)
*claimed

The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield (paperback)
*claimed

Animal Farm - George Orwell (hardcover- I think it's a library binding)
*claimed

An Abundance of Katherines - John Green (hardcover)
*claimed

Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte (Penguin Classics - paperback - a little worn)

Reading Lolita in Tehran - Azar Nafisi (paperback)
*claimed

Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold (hardcover)
*claimed

Up in the Air - Walter Kirn (paperback)

Kiss Me Kill Me - Lauren Henderson (hardcover)
*claimed

Nights in Rodanthe - Nicholas Sparks (hardcover)

Message in a Bottle - Nicholas Sparks (hardcover)

Self Portrait

One of my goals for 2013 is to learn photography properly. I took a class back in high school using a manual film camera, but though I've had my Nikon D70 for about 4 years, I've barely used M mode. For shame. I know.

Another goal is to learn cool tricks with Photoshop beyond the basic layer masks I use for work.

I'm going to periodically be posting photography samples throughout the year to see my progress. Here's a self-portrait I took today after reading about how bubbles freeze below 32 °F. I decided to experiment and, sadly, my bubbles did not freeze, but I did get some cool pictures, including one with my reflection in it.

What do you think?