Moving On. To Boston. And Tumblr.

I just wanted to officially give notice that “Writing. Muchly.” (which turned into “Writing. Neverly.” My apologies. But I was writing elsewhere when I wasn’t writing here) will be officially ignored for the immediate future, partially due to my long-standing blog ADD, and partially due to a new blogging/lifing venture: I’m moving back to boston! And I’m blogging about it!

My adventures/misadventures/total lack of adventures (or movement off my couch) will be catalogued over at Moving Back to Boston.

That is, until I get restless and create toorestless.blogspot.com.

All The Things I Love.

Because I can’t get enough Mad Men, love all things Boston, and just discovered both this and Surf. Also I’m pretty sure I own the shirt that Joey Mac is wearing. Enjoy!

more about “MA Men from Joey McIntyre and Drew – …“, posted with vodpod

Mad Baby Flamingo Men

This past weekend the subject of flamingos came up while at a diner during a discussion about milkshakes. I don’t want to say much more, but I think you can probably guess the general course the conversation traveled. ANYWAY it came out that flamingos are not born pink, but rather turn pink after eating all that beta carotene found in shrimp. The point is this — they are born gray and decidedly unpink. But I still find them to be adorable.

In other news, here is some MAD MEN blogging I did for The L Magazine, chock full of Season 3 predictions and spoilers:

The Measure: Your Mad Men Questions Not Really Answered

The Measure: Mad Men Season 3, Episode 1: In Which We Predicted Everything

Old School Nickelodeon.

So, I love TV. My parents love TV, my siblings love TV. Even my 79-year-old grandmother is really into watching the repeats of The Sopranos on A&E. I’m just gonna say it: television kind of rules. It doesn’t rot your brain. Your annoying argument that television is bad for me rots my brain. Now shut up so we can reminisce.

Yesterday, a coworker made a throwaway Degrassi comment, and it automatically made me think of Fifteen, the ridiculous teen saga that aired on Nickelodeon in the early 90s. I don’t think it reached anywhere near the popularity of the fellow Canadian teen soap wonder Degrassi, but at seven I found myself hooked. And not just on Fifteen, but on all of the “older” Nickelodeon programming: Clarissa Explains It All, Welcome Freshmen, Hey Dude, Roundhouse, etc.

I don’t know of anyone else who even recalls Fifteen (or knows it by its originally Canadian name, “Hillside”), but I do have a pretty vivid memory of explaining the rudimentary plot points to a babysitter when I was in first or second grade. I was telling her about these two characters named Kelly and Dylan, which elicited the obvious response of, “Wow, it sounds just like 90210.” And that’s basically what it was, the Canuck ripoff of Beverly Hills 90210. The most salient story line to me was when some popular girl forced another, less popular girl to do her homework. Like I said, I was seven. What did I know from all the illicit drug- and sex-fueled story lines?

I was very much aware, however, of the fact that Clarissa Explains It All was probably the best show ever. And Clarissa was very easily the coolest person to ever exist. She wore kick ass clothes, she designed her own computer programs, and she had a cute boy come in through her window every evening to hang out — like a decade before Joey did it on the Creek. I wanted to be Clarissa Darling SO badly. What am I saying? I still want to be Clarissa Darling. With a dash of Liz Lemon here and a sprinkling of Daria Morgendorffer there.

ANYWAY these were shows all about big, cool kids. And since I didn’t have any older siblings or cousins or anything, I just fantasized about being a big, cool kid myself. And I hope someday soon I finally will be. But for now I’m more than content to just think about vintage Nickelodeon. And maybe look up funny, nostalgia-filled clips on YouTube.

Boobies.

Okay, sorry about that. I’m actually being serious here when I ask the following question: what is with the preponderance of articles on breast feeding? Is it just me, or has The Media become obsessed with breast feeding as of late?

I say this because of two articles that have been recently published on the subject. The first is Jill Lepore’s “Baby Food” from the January 19 issue of The New Yorker, and the second being “The Case Against Breast Feeding” by Hanna Rosin in this month’s issue of The Atlantic.

So whats up with this? While the two articles have bunches in common–both talk about how it fell in and out (and back in again) of vogue throughout the century, the “proven” health benefits for the babies, and what it does (or doesn’t do) for the mothers who are breast feeding–Lepore’s is a broad survey of the place of breast feeding within society, whereas Rosin’s tackles the subject from her own perspective: that of a harried, busy, and real, mother of three. Still, the fact that the topic of breast feeding has inspired these two pieces within just a few months of one another has made me stop and think about why this is the case. And why I even care. So I thought it out…

My first idea has to do with the fact that, apparently, the country is going through a tiny boom in baby making. The past couple of years has welcomed lots and lots of little ones into the world. So more babies = more talk of baby related stuff, and just like that, you have talk of breast feeding. But that is a bit too facile, let’s face it. 

Which brings us to Theory #2, the one that’s a touch more real. So you know that whole doomsday economy scenario thats happening right now? Well, I’ve heard from multiple people (but was too lazy to do a good, linkable search), that the most commonly stolen goods are baby diapers and formula. Because not only are they indispensable items if you have a baby, but they are also, like, really REALLY expensive. As are all of those scary looking breast pump apparati that I stupidly Google-image searched. (Don’t do it….trust me). So perchaps this upswing in breast feeding journalism has to do with the socio-economic implications of breast feeding, what with the state of the economy being the only thing people are allowed to talk about these days. 

Whatever the reason both of these articles emerged so close to one another doesn’t really matter. I suppose I’m only dwelling on it because I’m trying to figure out why this topic is so meaningful to me. I mean,  I don’t have to worry about whether or not I’m going to breast feed right now, and I certainly hope that particular dilemma doesn’t arise for many years to come. Maybe it’s just the whole I’m-a-lady thing. But I don’t think thats it. I guess I don’t have to think about it too hard to realize it’s mostly because my mom was recently declared free of breast cancer, and that talk of breasts and motherhood and how they are inextricably linked is a pretty moving topic for me right now. 

Just some thoughts. And now, for what you were promised…boobies!

March, What is Your Deal?

March is a weird, crazy month. Back in the school days it totally sucked, since it was a 5-week long stretch without vacations or three day weekends and the weather was gross and everyone had colds and a bad case of the grumpies.

While nothing has changed on that front, I did recently discover that besides being Women’s History month (as explained here by both About.com and the History Channel’s website) March is also Small Press Month! And this came to my attention all because of one of my all time most favorite authors ever, Sherman Alexie.

And here’s the story: since I was all jazzed up about this reading he did last night at The Poetry Project, I began tinkering around on his website, and ended up here, at the official website for Small Press Month.

Crazy linking aside, I love love love me some Sherman Alexie. As a graduation present, a former English teacher of mine permanently “borrowed” a copy of The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven from the department’s book closet and I’ve been obsessed ever since.

Which is why last night’s reading pretty much rocked. I went with Bean, and between the reading and my physical proximity to Mr. Alexie (and the blintz I got from B & H afterwards) I was quite happy…

UNTIL we had to go outside to walk to the train. Which brings me back to my original question: seriously, March…why are you so cold and unrelenting? Where are you hiding the sun? Why have you made a mockery of my post about Spring? Gah…I just need April.

This is What I’m Reading:

The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe

And it is very awesome! Well, so far–I’m only about 60 or so pages in but I’m really liking what I’ve read. I first heard of it on one of my favorite blogs, Flashlight Worthy Books, and after getting my copy this week I find myself looking forward to my commute, just so I can read. Yeah, I’m a weirdo.

BUT it’s really good. It’s kind of like a less-trashy Valley of The Dolls, from the point of view of the Cooper Sterling secretaries who aren’t Joan or Peggy. (Quick aside, I lurve Valley of the Dolls. On the serious, I’ve been not-so-subtly trying to get Emma to read it for awhile now. So that was NOT a dig at VoftheD. Anyone who HAS read it knows that.)

I was also telling Emma just yesterday how I love to read works that were once clearly contemporary–already in 60 pages there are many a timely reference over my millenial head–but have graduated to become historical fiction. There is something quite lovely about a book being able to provide a full and detailed snapshot of a time and a place that I’m only able to truly experience through reading.

The one thing I’m not so sure about yet is how nearly all the press I’ve read about The Best of Everything (including the back cover) calls it a precursor to Sex and the City. Which…fine? I don’t know, though. While they both are about women who work and live in New York City, and seem to be comfortable talking to one another about their sex and love lives (or lack thereof), not everything with ladies in it automatically merits a comparison to that show. Groundbreaking thoughts I’m having here, I know.

So I suppose that is all I really have to say about that, for now. Hope everyone is as excited as I am about my new read!

A Journey Through The April Issue of Teen Vogue.

So, Teen Vogue was not around in my day. Wait, is this true? Yes, Wikipedia has just confirmed that it premiered in the spring of 2003. Ok, so the magazine has been around for six years, but I’ve never really looked at it until now. The reason being that one of my friends (sup, Steel?) totally wrote a cover feature about break-ups, and why they can actually benefit the ladies. SO. Because I’ve never traveled through this particular teen mag, and because ever since I purchased it this afternoon I’ve been kind of nostalgic for the days of my YM subscription plastered with pictures of Sarah Michelle Gellar, what say we travel through this bad boy together?

Pages 2-3: A Marc Jacobs ad? For serious? I guess it IS a mag with the word “Vogue” in the title. Fine.

Page 15: Neutrogena ad. Hellsssss yes, this is what I remember about teen magazines.

Page 17-20: Coach ad. Okaaay…where is all the editorial? And photo spreads of Leo?

Page 28: Summary of the article: “142 (on top of a star) On The Cover (funky font) Love hurts (bold) Brokenhearted over a breakup? Getting dumped may have more benefits that you’d think. Sharon Steel reports.” Boy does she. BUT first…

Pages 32-33: Chuck plugs KSWISS!

Page 39: Milk ad. Didn’t know these still existed. I totally used to collect them. I probably had like 40, taped up all over my bedroom. And Absolut ads. I mean, what? Okay, I’ll stop talking about ads.

Page 58: Selena Gomez! I LOVE her. She is so cute and has the prettiest, most darling face. And you know what? I’ll say what everyone is thinking: suck it, Demi Lovato.

Page 61: Okay, I know I said I would stop commenting on the ads but there is a fucking DOONEY & BURKE ad in here. The hell? One, this mag is aimed at fifteen year olds and b, holy shit that probably is worth lots o’ money. Not that a huge chunk of my job entails ad sales in a print publications. Moving on.

Page 66: Yay, the requisite article about a Serious. Teen. Issue. Am I a little disappointed it isn’t about sex? Yes, I’ll admit it. But it’s kind of reassuring to know that the “experts” are STILL mulling over the exact same issues surrounding teenage binge drinking as they were in 1999.

Page 78: I want all of the clothing and accessories mentioned in this prom special spread.

Page 91: I feel old…who the eff is Bo Burnham? Apparently, he “doesn’t want to be like Michael Cera with a guitar.” Well thats a shame; everybody loves Michael Cera. Re-prioritize your goals, Bo.

Page 95: Teen Vogue has a “mobility index.” Is this like NYMag’s approval Matrix? Moving on.

Page 111: I also would like all of the items in Beauty & Health’s 10 Most Wanted not-goth-Lauren-Conrad-friendly black makeup items.

Page 119: There are very large, clear style tips written on this page. And also a dude in overalls.

Page 132: Cover story on Emma Roberts. Don’t care.

Page 140: Lily Allen says she plans on watching 30 Rock on her tour bus this spring. Me likes. Also, the pink hair was cool.

Page 143: SHARON’S ARTICLE! EEEE! Don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just sum it up: “Melissa’s” ex-bf sounds crazy, Gossip Girl reference, lady writer quote, expert quotes, happiness from LSav

Page 159: Jewel-Bright prom picks! Someone take me back in time and slap my face: I wore black to one prom, and ivory to another. This calls for a do-over.  

And on THAT note…we’ve made it through! Hope you enjoyed. Congratulations, Sharon!

Spring(ing) and Looking Ahead.

It's almost spring. So look, pretty flowers!

The clocks sprung ahead an hour today. Wheeeee! This is the second major sign that spring is stealthily creeping up on us–the first of course being pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training. So in the spirit of all things warm and floral, here is a quick list of things I’m excited about that will happen come Spring:

- Baseball. Baseball. Baseball! (duh)
- Eating/drinking outside. Oh those damn crowded BK bars are so glorious when people spill out onto back patios.
- Lunch in the park.
- Wearing shoes that are NOT boots. AKA fun flats, cheap KMart Basic Editions, Flippies…anything but stuffy boots. And the eight pairs of wool socks that go with them.
- Eating at Shake Shack! (This kind of goes with the one a couple above, but it totally deserves its own item on this list)
- And of course, when Spring comes, that means Summer ain’t too far away. Sure, I don’t techincally  get a summer vacation this year, BUT I have a whole list of other things that I get to do come summer, and those are REALLY fun.

Can’t wait to see y’all outside, wearing flip flops, and eating Shackburgers.

Book Blogs. Story Blogs.

A group of friends and I are constantly telling one another that we are overzealous about life. This is very, very true.

And I, as one might have heard, am overzealous about my unyielding obsessions, the latest of course being my 9-day-old Twitter account.

So in last week + I’ve discovered a bunch of users and their blogs that are the cat’s pajamas and all about books and reading! On the serious. So because my throat hurts and I’m a wee bit cranky, instead of sticking around my blog, here is a quick list of 3 of my new favorites that I’ve discovered because of Twitter. I highly recommend taking a look.

Flashlight Worthy Books - This blog compiles great lists of books for people (like this lady) who are always on the lookout for something to read. New, old, or nearly out of print? Blockbuster sellers or heretofore unknowns? They got ‘em, arranged in a number of different categories.

Bookstore Tourism – Support small and independent bookstores anywhere you travel. Providing links for finding them, tips, travel ideas, and other ways to support bookstore tourism. Go to Flashlight Worthy for the recommendations, and Bookstore Tourism for the store to buy it in!

Six Word Stories – The name is pretty self-explanatory, but the idea of a 6 word story, as the site explains, originates in a bet made to one Ernest Hemingway by some of his writer buddies. They said he couldn’t compose a story in just 6 words, and, as it turns out, he could. Go to the website to see other people who’ve successfully met the challenge.