today was brought to you by

Dry erase markers (which I used to organize my white board at work. The only organized thing about my day)

My $5 bed (that I laid in for an hour after waking up, just enjoying the comfort and putting off the day)

Meetings (of which I had 6, 2 of which were at the same time and so I missed the first 10 minutes of one, and I think they might have been the most important 10 minutes)

Missing lunch because of meetings (pretty normal, actually)

Microsoft Office (which I used to create multiple training documents for presentations tomorrow. Lucky me)

Chocolate chip cookie dough (which I ate raw, and also ate fresh-baked from the oven)

Clocks (a constant reminder that I am running out of time to get things done and the to-do list is long)

That's about right

I just saw a headline that read "Michigan farm ordered to stop making apple cider due to insanitary conditions." And I think that insanitary should be a new word. Definition: pushing a person to go insane, either temporarily or permanently". As in, "2020 has been a very insanitary year." 

This needs to be a thing. 

Special thanks to whoever missed or ignored spellcheck on their computer, resulting in this wonderful new word that so aptly describes our world right now. Sometimes, you should be brave and ignore what the computers tell you.

A real conversation

I really honestly just had this conversation by chat:

Me: This just in--there's a big hairy poisonous caterpillar in Virginia. And it is really hairy. Like, it looks like a wig. Why is this a thing someone thought needed to be created?

​Friend: It's 2020...

​

Me: Right? Just add it to the list. 

(1 liked)

Honestly, I didn't know wig-caterpillars might be part of the apocalypse. There's no way I would have signed off on it if I had known. 

(laugh)

​

Friend: Next they'll be warning us about a giant dolphin with rabies! Society is ruining everything good!

​

Me: Seriously! I disapprove. 

(1 liked)

Although the, "Predict the next weird thing to happen in 2020" office pool does sound fun.

(laugh)

​

Friend: I would recommend starting that pool, but I'm afraid of giving the devil ideas.

​

Me: That is a very important point. I probably would have barged ahead and unleashed the new and improved 10 plagues on the world! 

(laugh)

So, friends. Don't start that pool. We can't risk it. 

(Thank you to KS for making this conversation so delightful).

This post brought to you by:*

Fridays. The best day. Let's make more of them.

Car shopping. Definitely would have been a circle in Dante's inferno if they'd had cars back then.

Ratings. They're overrated. 

First world problems. Such a privilege!

Love. So much easier than hate--let's all be lazy!

Panda bears playing in the snow. Pure joy.

Face masks in the summer. Your face sweats just as much with them, but now you have a sweat catcher!

Big people words. Pretty useful.

Zoom. Sometimes seems like a misnomer when you're in a meeting.

Pugtato. Not a potato dog fish**. But very cute. And friends with Croccoli. 

Getting old. A thing everyone tells me not to do without telling me how not to do it.

Stuff. Usually more fun with someone else.

Penguins in art museums. Because it's 2020, and that's a thing now!

2020. Worst prank ever.

*This idea was basically taken from "Dear Hank and John", a podcast where two brothers give you dubious advice and all the news from Mars and AFC Wimbledon. They always do fake sponsorships, which crack me up, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. 

**Dog face puffer fish. Google it. The one I saw when I had my appendix out was the exact color (and shape) of an Idaho potato with blue and yellow fins. Thus, potato dog fish.

So lucky

One of the things I'm really grateful for is the people and experiences I've been blessed to have in my life that have helped me become a more compassionate, better informed and understanding person. I have had a couple of moments lately where I've just been really grateful for people who have pointed out things about some hot topics that helped me understand a different perspective and realize that there were things in my own views that weren't well-informed. 

I know that if I hadn't been lucky enough to study abroad and to have experiences living in and traveling to different places and, most of all, making friends with people who have different experiences than me, I would be a very different person--and probably kind of a jerk. But I have been so blessed to have people who I respect and who, without anger or being condescending or putting me down, have been willing to be patient and have conversations with me that have really helped me understand different perspectives better and to realize that things that may have seemed contrary to my core values aren't (or at least, they help me see how I can still live my values while letting others live theirs and it's not actually a problem). They've helped me have compassion for "the other side". They have helped me be a better Christian, in my opinion, and to live my values better.

So I'm really grateful for all those friends and mentors and role models who have been willing to share themselves and have trusted me with that. I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had to see others as people and not just abstract "them"s. I'm really grateful for the person others have helped me become. Thank you, all. 

Bliss

Have you ever seen a panda play in snow? I haven't in person, but I have seen some great videos of pandas playing in the snow, including a new one that just came out this week--good ole Bei Bei made the most of the first snowfall in his neck of the woods. Here's the thing about pandas playing in the snow: there is a lot of tumbling and slipping and wallowing in the snow.* But most of all, there's a lot of sheer pleasure. I don't know how you could possibly be certaian, but they sure look like they are having the best time of their life. It is super hard not to just be happy too when you see a panda playing in the snow.

My favorite panda in the snow video is of the panda at the Toronto Zoo taking on a giant snowman. It's amazing. And I have especially good memories of watching this with each of my two-year old nephews. One was sick and feeling miserable, so I showed him this on my phone and every time that panda fell off the snowman, he just laughed! I can't even count how many times we watched it. But it made him smile, which made everyone feel better. Then I showed it to his cousin a few days later. I wasn't sure I'd ever get my phone back. I think he watched that panda 40 times in a row. And loved it every time. Now I can't watch that happy panda without remembering that cute, sick little two-year old and his cousin enjoying Panda's antics. Happiness points are automatically doubled.

Anyway, to all the pandas out there enjoying snow, thank you. You make the world a better place.


*No joke. They can't get enough of the snow. It's amazing!

Chocolate

Some something somewhere on my phone or some other electronic device informed me that today is Chocolate Day. Which I totally used as an excuse to eat chocolate, not like I ever need one. But of course, I then had to verify.

A quick Google search informed me that, yes, today is National Chocolate Day but there are 2 National Chocolate days (apparently the US National Confectioners Association knows a good thing when they see it). There is also a World Chocolate day (13 September) and a Chocolate Day (no national about it), on July 7. And then they have days for specific types of chocolate--milk chocolate day, white chocolate day*. So, chocolate lovers, be excited. There are loads of days for you.

But here's the thing I don't get. Why would you choose 28 October and 28 December as national chocolate days? I mean, really. Do they think we aren't eating chocolate in the lead up to Halloween and the post-Christmas goody binge? It makes no sense. We already get it--chocolate is a thing and we should eat it! We don't need a day to tell us that in October or December.

Nah, the answer here is simple. Reduce it to one National Chocolate Day (I mean, 2 is just super pretentious. And confusing. And overkill--and that's coming from a fan) and move it to August. August needs some rockin' holidays. I mean, "start of school" just isn't cutting it, guys. It's the perfect time to have a chocolate holiday.

In the meantime though, happy National Chocolate Day.

This post was brought to you by:

• Whatever it was that brought National Chocolate Day to my attention
• the US National Confectioners Association. Check out all their candy holidays here.
• August. It wouldn't be a year without it.
• Halloween. And Christmas.
• ten typing fingers and the 8th grade keyboarding teacher who taught me to type.

*Does white chocolate really need its own day? One could argue it needs a day more than milk or dark chocolate or even chocolate in general. Maybe it's the only one that deserves a day...

How fortuitous

I've had three delightful instances of 'luck' in the past few days and I feel like I should thank the Powers That Be.

First, I went to the store the other day, which was a miserably hot walk (fortunately only a few blocks) and when I got to the checkout I couldn't find my debit card anywhere. So I had to abandon my groceries and walk back home in the hopes that my card turned up. Which it didn't, but I also forgot to trace my steps part of the way. Not that I was very hopeful of finding it en route. But it also wasn't in my house. Well, I grabbed my credit card, decided I'd probably have to cancel the debit card, and trekked back to the store, still in the miserable heat. And what do you know, as I walked past the dairy section, I spied something red on the ground, just the size of a debit card, kind of kicked under the overhang of the cooler. I was talking to my brother at the time, and was delighted to report that I had found my debit card. Hooray!

Then, that night, which was a holiday out where I live, I convinced myself to go up the hill and watch the fireworks. Mostly because I wanted to get a picture of fireworks, or at least see if I could. But when I got there, I was really not in the mood. I was tired, I didn't want to stay up late, I didn't want to set up my camera, I just didn't want to be there. Also, I couldn't see any fireworks that were worth trying to photograph. Well, I reminded myself that this would not be the last time I would ever see fireworks and I didn't have to be there if I didn't want to be, and left. I headed down the hill and when I got to the top of Main Street, I had the perfect view of the fireworks. So, I busted out my camera, right there on the street corner, and spent maybe 10 to 15 minutes getting some firework shots. Which wouldn't have happened if I hadn't felt like going home.

Maybe not the most scenic view, but a clear view, and a fairly close one.

Finally, on Wednesday, I had an appointment to be at at 6:00. I was going to stay late to print off a project I was working on, but got caught in conversation with a co-worker and by the time I finished the project, I was running late (as in, I had 3 minutes to get to my appointment. Which wasn't far, but not close enough to be there in 3 minutes). I got out of the building and was going to text to let them know I'd be a tad late, and they had moved the appointment to 6:15! And then I realized I'd left my keys in the building. Which was locked. And I can never remember the number for security, who would be able to let me in. But just as I got to the building, someone was coming out and they kindly held the door for me (even though we really shouldn't because of security. Thankfully, she'd been in my shoes, and knew I worked there!). So I got my keys and wasn't late and then the gal I had the appointment with fed me and my friend dinner! And gave me leftovers!! 

So, a lot of nice little blessings this week, and I'm really grateful because I was feeling really stressed out when the week started. Thanks, Powers That Be!

Casting Call

If I were to choose the movie genre for my life, it would be comedy, all the way. I mean, why would you choose anything else? Pass on horror, pass on westerns*, no thanks on war movies or sci-fi**. Can't stand suspense***. Romance? Well, I am down with love, but I don't know if I do romance. Not even rom-com. Too much drama. And I'm definitely not cut out for drama.

So, you can imagine how irritating it is that I find myself in a drama. There are some situations that have come up that just seem SO serious and I literally woke up one morning thinking, "This is crazy! No way can this stuff be this serious! It's just too dramatic!" And there is this part of my brain that just wants to laugh it off, because is any of it really that big a deal?

Well, yes. But I do wish we could get together, say "Isn't this crazy?", laugh at how crazy it is, and then fix the problems and get on with life. Without the drama. Or melodrama. Because meanwhile, there are going to be lots of hurt feelings, lots of frustration, and a lot of stress. Down with this.

Anyway, whoever did the casting for this gig? I think you ought to try again.


This post was brought to you by:
Chocolate--essential for all dramatic situations
Genres--a very archivist-y thing to have
Movies--mostly making me glad that's not my life
Laughter--the duct tape of life
Humanity--keeping life interesting

*unless it was a comedic western, but honestly, I really like indoor plumbing and computers
**unless I get to be an archivist with a Tony Stark style computer, because that would make digital archiving sweet
***I'm the person that, in the zombie apocalypse, will just let the darn zombies bite me because I can't take the stress of trying to avoid the inevitable

Books and covers and that sort of thing

So there has been this thread on Twitter (which I don't follow but know about, though I don't have any idea what people are actually saying on it) where people are sharing their experience being a certain minority somewhere. I am not a minority, and most of the time I feel like I don't even get to claim any kind of cultural heritage (despite having English, Irish, Scottish, German, and Danish ancestors. Just because they are European, I don't get to be proud of them, or acknowledge my unique heritage?! What is up with that? Come on, fair's fair. Equality, right?) So I've been thinking what I would say about being me (white, single, American, Christian, straight, etc.) but that seemed kind of heavy, so today, some myth-busting about me. To keep it light.

I grew up in Idaho. 

Myth: I lived on a potato farm. 

Truth: I have never even seen a potato farm, that I recall. (Note the disclaimer.) My grandpa grew potatoes in his garden, but the only experience I have had with Idaho potatoes has been buying them at the store. That I am aware of.

Second myth/truth: Idaho and Iowa are 2 different places. Really. 

I am shy.

Myth: I must be boring, or at least uninteresting.

Truth: I have been told I'm quite funny. And people seem to enjoy having conversations with me. Maybe they are just being nice.

I'm an archivist.

Myth: I live in the past and can be found doddering around dusty old bookshelves.

Truth: The past does inform my present (not the same as living in the past, friends). And I do get dusty and dirty. But most of the materials I work with are younger than me. Not always, but mostly. (Although most of the fun stuff is older than that. And I did once find a letter written on the day I was born. Kind of cool). Nope, my job is actually pretty current. And awesome.

I'm 'thin' or 'slender' or 'skinny' or whatever
Myth: I must be a very healthy and fit person.
Truth: Balance and diet should probably find themselves in one another's company in my vocabulary much more often.

I'm pretty ordinary. Ish.
Myth: Ordinary is a bad thing to be.
Truth: Have you ever noticed how amazing ordinary people are? Who are the people who go into burning buildings and help the little old ladies and make the world actually function? The ordinary people. Ordinary is fantastic. It means you aren't a politician, a dictator, a drug-addict celebrity, or Justin Bieber. Thank you for ordinary.

I am an adult.

Myth: I know what I'm doing.

Truth: HA!

Well, that's all for Truth and Myth today. I hope you feel enlightened!

This post brought to you by:
Dust
Chocolate
Sophomore English, where we studied a bit of mythology
George Lucas, who created a mythology
J. R. R. Tolkien, who created a better mythology
The Vikings
Potatoes
Geography
and the number 7

...but not Bieber. Never him. 

Life happens

So, for a while my 'life' scriptwriter and I have had some disagreement about how exactly the plot should go. If I were smart, I would be better at remembering that the Scriptwriter knows what he's doing, whereas I can barely manage to do my job credibly half the time. So, definitely don't think I'm planning on firing him anytime soon. He miraculously manages to write me out of the jams I seem to constantly land myself in, and does it quite nicely, so I've made a lifelong and then some contract with him.

Anyway, this was not my point. I was actually chatting with a friend and pondering why life has been so rough lately (lately being a relative term meaning "what seems like ages and eons and really, I think we've had enough, let's try something new") and the honest truth is, it's life. Rough things happen. But, there is a silver lining to this gloomy cloud, which I will now impart, because I'm oh-so-wise-and-snarky: at least if life is happening, you know you're alive.

Thank you.

Credits:
pulses everywhere
clouds, without which there would be no silver linings?
the internet, which prevents people from pelting me with actual tomatoes
analogese
persimmon, for no other reason than it's kind of fun to say

Credits

So, it's a day late, but Happy Thanksgiving!
This post brought to you by:

The Gospel, without which, nothing else would really matter
My family (what would life be without them?!)
The Adventure Buddy (You continually amaze me. 1000 points)
My Consciencee (It's a blast-I love it! 1000 points to you, too)
MM--who has very cool initials, and is a very cool person
Kiwi Banana, whose stinkin' guts I love!
and all my many other friends, who I can't even begin to list here because then no one would want to read this. Although, people do like to see their name in print. I'm pretty darn lucky to have known you all.
Sleep, which is a very beautiful thing and can solve many problems
School (I know, it may sound like I complain about it, but it's part of the student handbook. I really do enjoy school)
Work. I mean, nonstop treasure hunting? Seriously, what a great job!
Seasons
Mountains
Laughter--it makes me happy
Random services
Gravity--never take it for granted.
Breathing (an often overlooked thing, but one we should all be happy about)
Kids, who really make the world a better place. It would be so sad if everyone were adults!
Technology, without which this entire post would be non-existant
Bright sides. They are everywhere.
Books. More specifically good books, which is a discussion for another day.
Indoor plumbing. Do you realize you are in the lucky miniscule minority to have such a great thing?
Milk. Especially chocolate milk.
Furniture (it makes such a difference!)
() and ... I use them excessively. 
Fonts--I really am such a font nerd
The Puddle
Music
Tons of other things, which can generally be summarized by:
Life. Pretty much, it's amazing. One big amazing adventure--how did I get so lucky?
The letters N, T, and the number 17

A Tribute

Perhaps you have wondered about the odd URL for my blog. Most of you probably have no idea what patikiwaka means. If you aren't wondering about this, then you probably know my dad.

Last year, I spent about 8 months living with my parents and brother. It was a fabulous experience, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have never woken up laughing as much as I did during that time, and I have my dad to thank for that. Here is a typical morning:

Front door shuts. creaks and thumps of footsteps overhead. Murmured voices as Mom eats breakfast and Dad works on crossword. Suddenly, singing. The words are not recognizable, it appears to be jibberish, in a nasal, false operatic voice. The performance is interspersed with 'humming' of familiar tunes, and a few intelligible phrases, but is, for the most part, nonsensical song and monologue. In spite of its silliness, there is an underlying sense of contentment. I lay in bed enjoying the routine, chuckling to myself. Another day has started off with a grin.

What does this have to do with patikiwaka? Well, that is one of my dad's favorite nonsensical phrases to orate. I got in on the blog scene kind of late, and do you know how hard it is to find a blog address that doesn't involve some kind of number? I know it is kind of a shocker, but patikiwaka wasn't taken.

Is this early onset senility? No. My dad has always dabbled in absurd phrases. Growing up, our favorite was Black-o-gee-gits and Ickie Stewies. Later, he added, "Bleh on your units." In recent years, "My name is Herkimer Snerd. Some people say I'm a nerd," became part of his repertoire. The singing is just the most recent evolution in his act.

You may still have your doubts about my old man's sanity, but let me assure you, he's not crazy. At least no crazier than anyone else. The best way to describe this morning ritual is his way of showing joie de vivre.* And while it was nice that patikiwaka wasn't already taken for a blogspot, it is also very significant to me. It means being happy, enjoying the moment, not worrying, being silly because it's fun, randomness, making it up as you go, and on and on. It seemed an appropriate choice for my blog.

I miss home, and of course I talk to my family on the phone and stuff. But I really really miss waking up laughing.  I wonder if my dad would do a wake up call....

This blog post is brought to you by:
the economy, for getting me back home
Penny, who is also entertaining in the morning
The Idaho State Journal, for getting my dad out of bed in the morning
Silliness, because it's beautiful
the internet, without which I wouldn't be blogging
blogger, for providing me with such a cool blogspot
sleep
the letter p
and the number 17

Holidays

I am a fan of obscure holidays. And by obscure, I mean the "National Eat a Banana with your Feet" kind of obscure. Not obscure like Veteran's Day (which should definitely NOT be obscure, thank you kindly), which is a very real and significant and beautiful day of commemoration that we are just callous enough to ignore, unless we happen to be in retail and need an excuse for a sale (no offense to retailers--I appreciate sales).

No, I am referring to those holidays that you think, "That's a real holiday? You made that up." Because, most likely, someone did, but somehow it became "official." My theory is these holidays didn't exist before the internet--I mean, how on earth would you communicate with people that March 22nd is wear mismatching socks and a funky hat day? There was no Google search, and it would take way too much time to lobby the calendar companies to add it to their calendars. But, lo, the power of the internet--random and obscure holidays at our fingertips. It's a beautiful thing.

So what got me thinking about this? Well, someone casually mentioned that I had missed National Squirrel Appreciation Day (January 21st), which got me thinking about my favorite squirrel-obsessed dog, Penny (I have a serious case of puppy love for this animal, who is watching for squirrels in this photo, by the by). So then I had to see if this was a legit holiday, via our trusty friend Google. And, it was. Which made me wonder if I could send my brother a card for National Squirrel Appreciation Day, as a joke, (he is the boy that belongs to the dog). Which led to the discovery of Chocolate Cake Day on January 27th--yes, you can send e-cards for this wonderful day. Well, far be it from me to ignore a perfectly legitimate reason for eating chocolate cake (I made some delicious chocolate cupcakes--glorious--and shared with my co-workers)!

All of this led to serious contemplation (i.e. the topic flitted through my jumbled thoughts on the walk to my car after class) of this type of celebration. My thoughts were (roughly) as follows:

Man it is freezing. Chocolate Cake Day. You know, I think people make up holidays to justify doing something that they feel guilty about--like eating chocolate cake. It gives them an excuse. Assuming, of course, that you need an excuse to eat chocolate cake. But I guess it is a reason to do it guilt-free. Or maybe we have them so that we do something we know we should, but don't. Like appreciate squirrels. Or at least pay attention to them. It is so cold! This would be a fun blog post. Oh, I need to remember to mail that check. And I have that assignment due tomorrow. Mmmm, chocolate cake. What holiday would I create if I were to create a holiday? Pizza day? Nah. What do I like to eat, but always feel guilty about? Or like to do? Stay at home and read all day and wear pajamas--lounge day. There you go. Or I could make Send a Letter Day, so that I'd finally write a letter to Grandma. Why is it I never have time? It's not like I'm spending that much time with school--I could, of course. I should. My toes are freezing! Thank heavens for scarves. Scarf Day! I wonder what other days are coming up...."

As you can see, it was a very lively conversation. I'm sure you wish you could have been there to participate. Although, the conversation doesn't really have to end there.

And, meanwhile, if you are wondering what holidays are coming up, here are some links you can check out: (I make no promises about how good they are--besides, you can google too, right?)
http://www.brownielocks.com/february.html
http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/february.htm
http://familycrafts.about.com/library/spdays/blfebdayslong.htm - (Please note that today is the founding of Hershey's, which just calls for a chocolate bar, right? And the irony of it also being Toothache day...Seriously? Was this planned?)

Happy celebrating!

Credits
the fella who brought squirrel appreciation day to my attention
Squirrels--especially the fat ones on campus
Penny the Squirrel Hunter
Richard, the boy who raised the Squirrel Hunter
Chocolate Cake
Google, the guru of all it knows and provider of such wonderful resources (like blogspot!)
cold weather and parking permits I'm too cheap to buy, the inspiration for my mental conversations
SI, just because here I am
Procrastination, without which I would be diligently doing homework rather than blogging