Monday, August 29, 2011

Real Simple Story

I subscribed to Real Simple magazine a few months ago. I love this magazine! It includes great fashion ideas, random facts, tips, stories, and recipes. (Not to mention great photos and illustrations.) In the latest issue, I found this story, which I think has a great point. Laughter goes a long way!


The First Time My Daughter Played a Practical Joke on Me

In retrospect, I should have seen it coming. After all, I was the runner-up for Most Mischievous in my senior-class poll. To feel right in the world as an adolescent, I needed to rebel—and I did so by tying a soccer player's boxers to his car antenna, safety-pinning people's sleeves together during assembly, and making up elaborate scavenger hunts that required stealth and trickery. So I ought to have expected to get punked by my five-year-old daughter. But I didn't. An embarrassing rookie mistake.

In the kitchen one day, while my back was turned, Phoebe put a glob of mayonnaise in my glass of milk. When I drank it, the mayo hit my tongue like something horribly curdled. I rushed to the sink, spitting and gagging. When I gathered myself, I turned to Phoebe. "I put mayo in your milk!" she exclaimed, wide-eyed, obviously afraid she was about to get in trouble.

I just looked at her. "Wait—you did this because you thought it would be funny?"

She nodded.

"That's my girl!" I said, laughing. Phoebe seemed delighted.

How could I be angry? A prankster who procreates is going to get what's coming to her. In my case, I've gotten my comeuppance repeatedly: Phoebe, now 16, has three younger siblings who are known to dollop lotion on light switches and tape up faucets that later spray you in the face.

So often our culture expects us to show our love for one another through exchanging greeting cards and stuffed bears holding Mylar balloons. But as Phoebe and my other children remind me constantly, a prank—and the hysterical laughter that it inspires—can bond a family just as much. A beautifully wrapped box of fake dog poop sometimes says "I love you" in the most memorable way. And as it shows up again and again—on the bath mat, the Persian rug, the front stoop (um, thanks, Phoebe!)—it proves that funny is a gift that keeps on giving.

Julianna Baggott

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Leona Lewis | Happy

This is my new favorite music video. I don't want to ruin it by talking about it. Just watch.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

An Affair to Remember

I was a weird kid, and I loved old movies, especially ones with Cary Grant. This one happens to be my favorite. Why? Because of the emotion it stirs in me. There is one part of the movie where an old woman, the male lead's grandmother, plays the piano. It's not that intricate of a tune, but it's truly beautiful. The characters and their devotion to each other is also enchanting. It's witty and charming in a way only movies from around 1957 can be. And the end is so good! If you ever have two hours to spare, you don't mind old movies, and you like chick flicks, watch this pioneering chick flick. They just don't make 'em like they used to.


And to quote the movie:

"No more tears."
"That's what beauty does to me."

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Andy Grammer | Keep Your Head Up

I like to think of this as my theme song right about now. Yeah, some things aren't going so well, but you know what? Happiness is a journey, not a destination. You can still be happy during hard times.

Enjoy it! It's a pretty fun song. :-)

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Tennis

I've been playing since I was 13.

Lob. Volley. Let. Serve. Deuce. Fault. Add. Forehand. Backhand. Slice. Racquet. Baseline. Game. Set. Match. Love.