Don't ask

There are certain questions that I just hate being asked. At the top of the list? "What are your hobbies?"

Easy question, right? I know it should be. I mean, what's a hobby? That thing you do in your spare time, what you do for fun, how you enjoy yourself while finding personal fulfillment, and things you are good at, yeah?

In my spare time, I watch way too much online TV and eat chocolate. I don't think that's a hobby. And I can't say it's all that fulfilling, but it keeps me from going crazy. I listen to podcasts--is that a hobby?

There are other things I like to do, but they aren't things I'm necessarily good at. Lately, you may have noticed, I'm playing at being an amateur photographer. It fills up a lot of time and is a good excuse to go on walks and get farmer tans. But that doesn't mean I'm really good at it. I'm pretty average, really.

Hobbies also make me feel like I'm losing some kind of competition. I am surrounded by highly accomplished, achieving people.* They have oodles of hobbies. And I always draw a blank. "My hobbies? Um, let's see...I like to read?"

Finally, a lot of the things I do I just don't think of as hobbies. They aren't skills I'm trying to hone. For example, I do a lot of baking. But I don't say, "I think I shall go bake so that I can relax, enjoy myself, improve my skills, and find personal fulfillment." I bake because I want cake. I read because there's a good book. I take pictures--well, that one I do sort of try to improve, but not in any kind of organized way.

So, I really just don't like to be asked about my hobbies. It's a no-win question for me. Brownies for whoever comes up with a better question!


*I'm not saying they are overachievers. Compared to me, they are, but I don't think we should adjust the scale to make me normal in this regard. I feel accomplished if I make my bed in the morning.  

Shades of white

While I don't embrace the concept of tanning (I gave up on that after visiting several countries where everyone was trying to be whiter. It just seemed backwards, and I decided at that point to embrace the fact that I'm a white white girl and get on with life), I do like a good farmer's tan. It's an honest, earned tan, a tan that says, "I spend time outside, living life, doing my thing." So, I consider this a very small mark of honor:

My own little mark of Zorro!

I saw a sign

I've been going through old photos (old being within the last 5 years, which is not that old. We're not talking black and white, or even pre-digital here. I don't even know why I said old. Seriously) to pick some for my digital photo frame (thanks Renegades!)  and came across some signs that I've taken pictures of. Because sometimes, signs are really funny. So, here is the latest in my sign gallery, from the lovely location of Mackinac Island (taken last year when I was there for a conference. See! Not even old!):

(For the record, Doghouse is a food stand that sells hot dogs. But don't you just love the sign)

You pretty much have two food options on Mackinac. American pub and Fudge. Some brave soul decided to introduce a third option, but most visitors weren't sold on it. It was the only uncrowded dining establishment while I was on the island. The name is clever, but most people just don't say, "You know what I could really go for? A salad bar, with some frozen yogurt afterwards."

There's a mathematical/existential conundrum for you. 

And this one, on the way back from Mackinac. I think that this policy is more than just, and should possibly be introduced in more areas of society. Although, we better be clear on the meaning of "unattended". Because sometimes, life happens. 

That's all for this edition of Signs I saw. But stay tuned!

Silver linings

In case you wondered, you shouldn't leave out the egg when mixing a brownie mix. Especially a Ghirardelli brownie mix. On the scale of tragic kitchen disasters, it's at least an 8.

On the bright side, I may have figured out how to make brownie brittle (yes, that's a thing).
Also, it isn't as bad as broiled chocolate chip cookies. (Who puts the oven dial on broil? It's never on broil. 350. It always sits at 350. But, if you want cookie brittle...)
And, I now have justification for buying ice cream, which might make my brittle eggless brownies a little more edible. (Let's be honest. It's chocolate. Ghirardelli chocolate. I'm still gonna eat them. At least, most of them. They are edible. And not even bad edible. Not brownie edible, but not gag-me-down edible either.)

Anyone want to trade me some brownies for a few silver linings?