Someone Else’s Blog

Specifically ‘1,000 Awesome Things’ by Neil Pasricha

Working his way through 1,000 awesome things in life, one weekday at a time. I think what I love most about his picks are that they are so often forgotten…

Such as: picking up a ‘q’ and ‘u’ at the same time during a Scrabble game, pants straight out of the dryer on a cold day, the parking lot pull through, when you get the milk/cereal ratio just right, when your microwave pops your popcorn perfectly, waking up before your alarm and realizing you have hours left to sleep, being at home when the storm starts, when batteries are included, finding something you lost a long time ago, the little hole at the top of the sink that prevents the water from overflowing, pulling out a weed… roots attached.

But my absolute favorites (so far): when the guy in front of you at a red light nudges up a bit so that you are able to make that right hand turn, living with someone who doesn’t mind killing spiders, using rock paper scissors to settle an argument, perfect parallel parking on the first try, bakery air, snow falling on Christmas Eve, absolute perfect silence, squeezing through a door as it’s shutting without having to touch it, listening to your new favorite song over and over and over again, when it seems like the lyrics to a song were written just for you, when you find out your new place has a really good shower, fully justifying whatever terrible thing you’re eating, figuring out ‘how did we get on this topic', correctly guessing if the door is push or pull, when someone pronounces your name right on the first try.

Especially that last one...

Excellent Customer Service

Boring post but worth mentioning...

It has always been a mission of mine (and a hard one at that) to be a little kinder than necessary. I don’t expect it from others of course because I’d be disappointed, often. But it’s always a nice surprise when it does happen. USAA… great customer service. I think if I was having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day I would even consider calling USAA just to have a good friend to talk to. I’m also going to throw Chipotle, Target cashiers, Barnes and Noble, Vanguard Group, and United Colors of Benetton in there. Now you pretty much know which businesses I cling to, and for good reason.

My Girlfriends

The girls I’ve been close to since high school, the ones I spend my weeknights with in Charlotte, and the wondrous friends I’ve met in between. The roommates, the classmates, the relatives, the coworkers. Here’s to the road trips down 35, star gazing on Sullivan’s, wine tasting in Napa. For traveling the world with me, taking me in as family when I moved away from my own, for giving me the job. For cursing the bad guys, telling others how to correctly pronounce my name, and always cooking me dinner. Thank you for letting me stand in as your children’s Auntie Anna, be beside you on your wedding day, and with you when no one else is allowed in. I secretly enjoy the inappropriate text pictures I yell at you for, and know I am a better person for the fears you’ve made me confront. I miss the old school Wednesdays at Qdoba, and love the current Wednesday date nights. Thank you for taking me on family beach vacations, houseboat trips to the lake, and putting me up in your Chateau when I’m in Charleston. Cheers to curling up on the couch with a beer, wine tasting on our IKEA beds, and Bloody Marys… any day, any time, any place. Thank you for getting me through my work day though we’re 3 hours apart, for having me over for Thanksgiving when I can’t go home, and spoiling me when I’m sick. I am better because of you, I am stronger because of you, and I am most definitely less sensible at times because of you: )

“We are friends and I would miss you, do miss you, and think of you often.”
~Jeanette Winterson~

The Little Things This Fall

Grilling out. A new sundress. Skylines. Freshly washed sheets. A fair mechanic. The cool side of the pillow. An umbrella that matches my outfit. Trying out local Charlotte bars, one bloody mary at a time. Wednesday night date night. Sushi. A good run. How beautiful the trees are in our neck of the woods. Picture texts of my friend’s babies. A perfect avocado. Having time for an afternoon nap. White roses. Rooftops. Trader Joes. Ochocinco on a Sunday. Watching the clouds go by with someone. Paper Skyscraper. Haribo gummy bears. A simple ‘good morning’ text. Road trips. A new restaurant. Post Its. FNL. The occasional can of pop. Quiet weekends. Gel pens. Being on the water, specifically Lake Cumberland. Homemade pizza. Finally figuring out the correct lyrics. Browsing through greeting cards. Getting a package slip. Watching a best friend fall in love. Mixed CDs. Warm toes. A visit to see my parents. Fresh haircuts. Easy breezy fall days. Taking a stroll. Strike City OSU fans. Festivals. Early outs. Cornhole. Everyone’s ‘first day of school’ photos. Windows down. Sitting outside to eat. Switching from the typical white mocha to the chai or pumpkin spice. Him. Having a list of favorites that are pretty specific to my favorite season of the year.

Charleston, South Carolina

Sweet, sweet Charleston. The history, the art, the water. Just the smell of Charleston is poignant in a beautiful way (unless you’re headed over the Don Holt Bridge). My favorite streets: King, Rifle Range, Middle, Pitt, East Bay. My favorite restaurants: Sermet’s Corner, Monza, Village Street Bakery, La Pizzeria, Samos, Poe’s. My favorite spots: Pitt Street Pier, top of the Ravenel Bridge, Station 16, the Battery. My favorite events: Spoleto, fireworks at the Yorktown, Marion Square Farmer’s Market, Blessing of the Vine. I’m missing A LOT, I know. But everyone has their favorites, and those will forever be mine.

There’s a comfort that comes over me each time I drive into Charleston, a ‘peaceful, easy, feeling.’

Here’s my favorite picture that I took while strolling the streets with Ashley May one Saturday.

Giving Hugs

I’m pretty sure I love hugging others much more than they like to be hugged. I’ve learned to tone it down when hugging might-as-well-be strangers because they think it, well, strange. But nonetheless I’m so tempted to turn the famous ‘Anna Hug’ on them anyways. Even with the occasional, “please don’t squeeze so hard” I’m still not deterred. I can’t help it; it’s such a wonderful way to show others your emotions without having to say a word in between. I feel like a hug is something that can be given or stolen just the same… and there are few things you can say that about.

As Shel Silverstein so wonderfully wrote:

I will not play at tug o’war
I’d rather play at hug o’war
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug
Where everyone kisses
And everyone grins
And everyone cuddles
And everyone wins.

I will always be known for my hugs and that makes me, and hopefully you, very happy.

A Full House

I love peace and quiet, that can’t possibly be a surprise to anyone... BUT, I also love a full house. It has been quiet here for an entire month… and I’m happy to have the noise back. Everyone has returned to the SofLane household. Pip and Luke, Cloakster, Lil’ Ted, Meemaw and Papaw, and of course our sorority sisters (or so we like to think of them as so) come in and out our revolving door. Even when I’m sitting in my room trying to pick out tomorrow’s work outfit, just hearing the laugher and talking brings a wide smile to my face. Things are back to normal, and I’m feeling very fulfilled.

On a side note, the television show makes me happy too.