I’m back. It’s been over ten months, but I’m finally back on my poor, little, neglected blog. Wow, ten months! I could have had a baby during the time away, but I didn’t. (Thank heaven for small mercies.)
Instead, I did what I like to do best…procrastinate and tell myself I’m not good enough. Yes! That’s a game that’s fun for all!
During my time away, I discovered that it’s easier NOT to do what I love. That way, people won’t see it. If they don’t see it, they can’t critique. If they can’t critique, my innermost thoughts won’t be judged and my heart won’t get stomped on. It’s self-preservation at its finest.
If I’m being honest, I didn’t just discover this pearl of wisdom during my ten months away. I’ve kind of always lived my life like that. Since I can remember, I’ve found that it’s safer to do nothing, than it is to do what I love and get grief for it. I had a critical father, a mother who made me doubt myself, judgmental so-called friends, and I ended up married to a no-nonsense man who doesn’t shy away from telling you what he thinks of you or how much he thinks what you’re doing is wrong. It has made me hate critique and others’ opinions of me. And it’s made me not value my own opinions very much either.
So, now I try to avoid criticism altogether–which is not incredibly productive for someone who wants to write for a living. I know being criticized is not at the top of anyone’s “Fun” list, but I take it particularly hard. I try so hard not to let words get to me, and it’s something I’ve tried to overcome all my life, but paralyzing fear grips me when I have to let someone read my work.
Why do I let what other people say affect me so much? I’ll never understand it. But I do. I can’t help it. I think because I speak so infrequently (I’m shy and quiet, I admit it), what I say, I really mean. So, I think what other people say, they really mean too. Therefore, I take stock in those words, and they matter more than they should.
It’s been such an ordeal for me to get back to the place where I’m okay with letting other people read my work. I was doing okay for a while when I initially started blogging. I liked the feedback I was getting, and people seemed to enjoy my musings. Then, the self-doubt crept in. “Why do you think you’re important enough to write?” the snark-monster in my head would ask. “Wow, that’s what you’ve decided to post for all to read?!” my doubt-demon would chime in. It got to be so painful, that I had to take a break. Just for a little while, I promised myself.
But one week turned into one month, one month turned into two, and eventually I got too traumatized to get back on the proverbial horse. I’d try to write, but couldn’t bring myself to post. For months I danced with doubt and anxiety, eventually falling into step with stagnate safety. Better to NOT write at all, than to risk being disliked. That became my motto–my go-to defense mechanism. But it hasn’t made me very happy. In fact, it’s made me miserable.
Writing makes me happy. I don’t care if I’m not good enough to ever be published (although, have YOU tried to read the dreck that is Fifty Shades? How does that get published?!), I like to express my thoughts, and writing is how I like to do it. So, with the new year arriving, I finally realized that I’m not really living if I’m not doing what I love. And I love to write.
And, with that, I have conquered the monsters and pushed through my demons (at least for today) and I have written again. And I have posted again. At least it will be posted…as soon as I push. that. button.
Wow, it feels really strange writing on my blog again. I have been away from my blog for almost a month now, and I feel like I’m a little rusty. I’m also a little nervous and shaky, but that could be from my excessive coffee drinking.
Being away for so long was unplanned but necessary, as I was ridiculously busy following a certain Band Who Shall Not Be Named around the country for three weeks. I bombard you readers enough with my fangirling about this band, so I will refrain from waxing poetic about my adventures. But it was a blast.
Okay, I couldn't help it. Had to at least post a picture.
Anyway, during my month away, I realized that my blog is not what I want it to be. See, I am all about order…and my blog is not.
Everything in my life has to be in order. Clothes in the closet have to face only one way, by sleeve-length, in color-order. Towels have to be folded in the linen cabinet in color and size orders. Cans in the pantry have to be facing out—always. Even crayons have to be in rainbow order in the 96-count boxes (yes, I still have my own box of Crayolas that I will not share).
Yes, these are mine. And I don't even use them.
So, in my month away, I noticed that my blog is a mess. It is far from the orderly, amazing blog I have envisioned in my fantasies. Come on, don’t you have fantasies of your ideal blog and all the wonderful, witty posts you write and the even more wonderful, complimentary comments on the witty posts you write? What? Is that only me?
Anyway, now is my chance to fix things. To recognize my need for control and order, I will be writing my blog the way I’d always wanted to. With themes. I won’t be posting daily, but on the day I post, it will be themed.
Presenting my weekly, themed blog posts:
Monday Munchies – I love trying new foods, so Monday will be the day I will showcase some of my favorite food finds.
Tops in Pop Tuesday – will be my day to turn you on to something new or exciting in pop culture (well, something I find exciting). It could be music, TV, film, or books. It could be an episode of a show I’m loving right now. It could be a review of a concert or CD, or a post of a celebrity sighting. Whatever is in pop culture news, and interests me, will be posted on Tuesday.
Wednesday Whines – this will be my day to complain or wallow in the misery of my life. Okay, actually, this is where I will rehash any weird thing that happened to me–or voice my opinions about weird things happening in the world–during the week. There are always so many to choose from.
Thursday Randoms – will be just that…random. It could be a picture, a poem, a mini-post, or just about anything else I feel like posting. It could also be my most favorite thing in the world—lists. But it probably won’t be a drawing, since I haven’t progressed from preschool stick figures. See?
My interpretation of the above photo. And, yes, I tried.
Flashback Fridays – will be my day to post something about the good ole days. Since turning the big 4-0, I’ve been feeling rather nostalgic, so this is where I will put my remember-whens. And I will probably also post other things not quite as old, but just as memorable to me. And that’s mainly because I’m too lazy to keep up my scrapbooks and I have to put the family pictures somewhere.
So, there you have it. My blog will be re-tooled and streamlined for your reading pleasure. And I can live happily in the order and neatness of it all–and not curled up in a ball, rocking back and forth from the chaos of it all.
It was a cold, gloomy, and slightly rainy day today in L.A.–a perfect day for cleaning. This afternoon, I helped Shenanny clean out her bedroom. We moved her bed around, moved the furniture a bit, and cleaned out every drawer and the entire closet. I packed away many toys that she has since outgrown, and it made me a little sad.
I was sad not just because my little girl is growing up, but because I grew up. As a child and preteen, I gave away numerous toys and dolls that I thought I no longer wanted. Well, it’s over 30 years later and now I want them. I regret giving away so many of my things, because I miss them like crazy now.
It would have been fun for my daughters to play with them (and I could have cashed in for big bucks on some of them!). But, I can’t get my toys back, so I’ll have to take comfort in my memories. And I can share my memories with you!
So…without further ado, here is my list of the Top 10 Toys I Wish I Hadn’t Been Forced To Get Rid Of (Just joking. My mom knows it’s a joke. I could never be that mean to her.)
10. Small Shots – Mattel, 1972
These little dolls are my first memory of toys I owned. I think I was about three when I had them. They had little wheels on their feet, like skates, and would race down Hot Wheels tracks. I believe I had all of them, including the tracks and break-away wall, but my favorite was the little redhead girl. I think her name was Breezy Bridget. She had a mischievous face and sly smile that I loved. Check out the YouTube video above. It features a very young Jodie Foster!
9. Suntan Tuesday Taylor – Ideal, 1977 or 1978
I owned this doll when I was about nine. Truthfully, she kind of freaked me out. The top of her head would move so you could turn her hair around. She would become a blonde or brunette at the swirl of her scalp. I could never get the dark hair to look as good as the blond, as there would always be an unnatural part on the back of her head.
I liked the sun-tanning version of this doll because she came with little tattoos that you could place on her pale skin before placing her out in the sun. When the tattoo was removed, the shape would show prominently against her orange-tinged suntan. She would darken in about one minute, but it would take almost an hour for her to be pale again.
8. The Waltons Farmhouse – Mego, 1975
Photo credit: collecttoys.net
As a little kid, I loved the Waltons, the CBS television show that aired from 1972 to 1981. I think I liked the show because there were so many brothers and sisters, and I was an only child. It also fueled my love for 1930s vintage pieces.
This farmhouse, a recreation of the house from the TV show, was one of my favorite toys. I played with it daily and I loved it so much. My mom even strung up miniature Christmas lights on the exterior, and bought me a mini Christmas tree for the living room, so I could decorate my own little house for the holidays. I still have all the dolls (Mary Ellen is my favorite) and the little radio, but the house was made of cardboard and it eroded over time. Check out the prices in the ad above. If only toys could cost that now.
7. Star Wars Action Figures – Kenner, 1977 to 1980
Photo credit: planetforce.com
This one is a sore subject for me because I loved my collection. I had over 50 of these figurines at one time. I rarely played with them, but I would collect them. They all stood proudly on their little pedestal display for everyone to see. Unfortunately, lots of people did see. And then they started disappearing. I lost at least five of my action figures to kids who came over to play with my toys with me at my house. When my mom realized I was missing some, she got so mad that she gave the rest of them away. It was no longer a complete set, so she didn’t want them. I wish I still had them because I think they’d be worth quite a lot of money now.
6. Green Machine – Marx Toys, 1978
I was the only kid in my neighborhood with a Green Machine. Big Wheels were a dime a dozen, but a Green Machine? That was something special. I would race up and down the block for hours with my friends, but the best part was the spin. The crazy arms on the thing would turn the wheels and spin us around in super-fast 360s. We’d fly off or flip over numerous times, but it was a blast.
Love the commercial above. The announcer says it’s for guys, and they only show boys riding it. I guess I was ahead of my time.
5. Dancerella – Mattel, 1978
Photo credit: feelingretro.com
I received my Dancerella doll as a Christmas gift in 1978 and she quickly became my favorite doll. I loved her black hair (almost every other doll was a blonde) and I loved even more that she was a ballerina. I was nine and, at that time, I thought a ballerina was just about the best thing ever. I loved to dance and my favorite little doll would dance with me. With the push of a button in her crown, Dancerella would spin and twirl on the tips of her toes in her little ballet slippers. Every once in a while she would flick her leg in a grand battement. She was so much fun to play with. When I outgrew her, I gave her to my little cousin…and never saw her again.
4. Baby Come Back – Mattel, 1976
Photo credit: dollinfo.com
I had the Big Three of baby dolls in the 1970′s: Remco’s 1976 Baby This-n-That, Mattel’s 1974 Baby That-a-way, and Mattel’s 1976 Baby Come Back. Baby Come Back was my favorite by far. When you pushed both arms down to chest-height, she would begin to toddle away from you. Then she would make a U-turn and head back to you. When she was finished walking, her arms would raise above her head, as if she wanted you to carry her.
I would make her walk in circles around Dancerella as I helped Dancerella twirl around. I would also make her walk around the house, startling both my mom and the various pets we had at the time. The most fun I had, though, was creating buildings of blocks and other items, and having her destroy them–crashing through them like a giant, monster baby. Good times.
3. The Game of Jaws – Ideal, 1975
Photo credit: starwarstoybox.com
First off, the movie Jaws scared the bejeebus out of me. I was six when it came out, and my mom took me to see it…over 20 times. It was her favorite movie.
I remember watching most of the movie through finger slots from my hands over my eyes. In fact, I didn’t see the movie without hands over my eyes until I was in my 30s. It scarred me for life and made me forever afraid of the ocean, which is tough when you live in Southern California. Thanks, mom.
But the game, I loved–after I got over the initial fear of it. The game consisted of a plastic shark with a rubberband-rigged jaw. You would place various items in his mouth and then you would have to retrieve them with a fish-hook. The catch was, you had to do it before his mouth randomly chomped shut. It would scare the crud out of me, but it was fun. I don’t recommend placing your hand in his mouth though. His teeth were sharp!
Ahhh, the 70s…when people didn’t care about trivial things like kid safety.
2. Little People Airport and A-Frame Playsets – Fisher Price, 1974-1976
Photo credit: judysvintagefptoys.com
Photo credit: zindo.com
I adored my Little People toys. I owned them ever since I was a pre-schooler, when the people were little wooden pieces. Somewhere along the line in my childhood, the pieces became plastic, but I would mix and match without complaint. I owned many of the playsets available at the time, but my two favorites were the Airport and the “A” Frame House. I put them in a tie for the #2 spot on this list, because I would play with them at the same time.
I would spend countless hours playing with these toys, creating scenarios of family vacations and camping trips. The Airport had a cute luggage tram and miniature luggage for the Little People. The airplane had adorable little pilots. And the house had the cutest little outdoor furniture and bunk beds that could be separated if necessary (you know, for redecorating purposes). I loved the little tables with pictures of food and dishes on top.
I placed both these toys at the top of the list, because they represent all the Barbie accessories and homes I had. I also had the Townhouse, the Friend Ship United Airlines airplane, and a couple of Barbie Corvettes, to name a few. The Star Traveler and the Fashion Plaza were two of my favorites.
I adored the Star Traveler because I always pretended Barbie and her friends were a band. The motorhome was their tour bus and they’d travel around the country performing for their fans. Usually, I’d have someone sunning on the chair on the rooftop, but she’d fall over eventually. That would turn into a very sad day on their touring schedule.
The Fashion Plaza was my absolute favorite toy, as I loved to play store. This toy was the perfect combination of everything I loved: Barbie, shopping, and fancy dresses. Not only did it have a beauty salon and a “working” escalator, it had an upstairs devoted to wedding gowns and evening wear. Ken would wait around in the little cafe under the escalator as Barbie and her friends got their hair done, bought shoes and accessories downstairs, and then made their way to the dresses above. My mom fashioned additional little poles and hooks into my plaza to hang more dresses, purses, and hats for Barbie. Mom even made a dozen or so little paper bags of different sizes, complete with handles, for Barbie to hold all her purchases.
Of all the toys on this list, I wish I had the Fashion Plaza and Star Traveler the most. The memories they bring back to me are some of the best of my childhood.
Honorable mention:
Growing Up Skipper – Mattel, 1975
Photo credit: fashion-doll-guide.com
Growing Up Skipper was a doll I did not fully appreciate until I grew up. Unfortunately by then, I didn’t have her anymore. In the 70s, I was too young to understand the controversy surrounding her, but I came to learn later that she was a pretty notorious doll.
Skipper was Barbie’s little sister, and in this version of the doll, Skipper would “grow” from a little girl to a teenager with the rotation of her arm. Her arm was like a crank that, when turned, would cause Skipper to hit puberty. In an instant, Skipper would gain an inch in height, her waist would narrow, and she would magically sprout breasts.
Many parents were in an uproar over the doll’s instant puberty, and the toy was shelved less than two years later. It’s a little weird now to think that Mattel would have created a doll that actually hits puberty, and I’m sure toy companies would never think to create this kind of doll again, but it was great while I had it.
Toys I loved so much I kept them:
Superstar Barbie – Mattel, 1977
I love Barbie. I have always felt a kinship with her, because we share almost the same exact birthday. Only she’s ten years older than I am. Superstar Barbie was a Barbie I got when I was eight, and she is my absolute most favorite Barbie ever. That really means something when I’ve owned probably over 300 Barbies in my lifetime (counting both of my daughters’ dolls too).
She was everything I wanted to be: beautiful, sparkly, confident, and famous. After all, she wasn’t called “superstar” for nothing! My favorite part about her, though, was the huge diamond ring you could pop into and out of the hole on her ring finger. Okay, that doesn’t sound attractive, but it was really cool.
My Friend Mandy – Fisher Price, 1977
Photo credit: toyzdollz.com
I played with my Mandy doll for years, because I loved her so much. When I outgrew playing with her, I displayed her in my bedroom. I owned Mandy (the blonde), Jenny (the tan brunette), Becky (the freckled redhead), and Mikey (the only boy). Also, I owned all the clothes that were made for them at the time. I loved the little clogs they wore, and the rain outfit–coat, hat, and rain boots–was my favorite. I shouldn’t say “owned” though, because I still own all of it. My dolls and all their clothes and accessories are packed away for safe keeping…and I will never part with them. They were, to me, what my Shenanny’s American Girl dolls are to her–very special friends.
Do any of these toys spark memories in you? What were some of your favorite toys? Do you still own any? I can’t wait to hear. Tell me in the comments below.
First of all, sorry readers. I’m about to get fangirly right now. Please humor me and I promise to be back to normal (whatever that is) soon.
Did my fellow Americans (that sounded presidential, didn’t it?) watch Ellen on Tuesday, January 10, 2012? Did you feel history being created? Yup, that is what happens when you watch The Wanted make their U.S. television debut. When Ellen DeGeneres introduced them by saying, “You will say ‘I was there that day’,” well I can truly say that. I was actually there that day at the Ellen taping, and very lucky to be there.
If you’ve read my blog, you probably know that The Wanted are my boys. They are a group of five young men from England and Ireland with beautiful voices, catchy songs, and great personalities. Oh, and they’re pretty darn easy on the eyes. I’ve been following their career for a while now (and blogging about some of it here), so you know I HAD to see them in person on Ellen.
I found out they would be on Ellen probably around the same time they did, which was just a few days before the show. I found out Friday night, saw them at the airport Sunday night, and then saw them at the Ellen taping Monday afternoon. They were on a plane back to England by Monday night. It was a whirl-wind, and life-changing, trip for them.
Why life-changing? Because they are huge in the U.K. and many other parts of the world, but hadn’t yet cracked America. This, unfortunately, seems to be the fate of many British acts, as they have notoriously been unable to break into America. There are a few exceptions, but the majority of great pop groups and singers from the U.K. are only heard by hardcore fan bases here in America. The Wanted, though, did it right by debuting on Ellen. That is a pretty big platform for them, and I think it’s just the push they need.
And I have to say, they killed it on Ellen. I was so proud of them. The crowd was really pumped, incredibly impressed, and very enamored of them by the end of their performance. When I, and about 50 other fans, met with the boys after the show, many older women (who, I’m sure, hadn’t been fans before) stayed around to talk to them and have pictures taken with each of them. I can’t really tell you which guy was the most popular because they were all swarmed. It was quite adorable and the boys were so surprised by it all.
So, if you didn’t see The Wanted on Ellen singing their first U.S. single “Glad You Came,” check it out below. It’s chock-full of pop goodness.
Have you ever said something really stupid, then a person who doesn’t know you well overhears you and looks at you with a “that person is really stupid” look on her face, then you try to explain that you knew it was stupid and you were just pretending to be stupid, and then she’s all “yeah, whatever” as she rolls her eyes and walks away?
No? Yeah, me neither.
Okay. I lie. It happens to me more frequently than I care to remember.
I think the problem is “in jokes.” My family and I have dozens of them. Funny, little phrases or words that only we get. But then I go and say them to other people, who clearly don’t get them. Then I look stupid.
For example, years ago we overheard a tourist in Las Vegas mispronounce Cirque du Soleil, “Sir key day sol.” We thought it was hilarious, so we started using that pronunciation. It’s funny to us, but if I forget, and pronounce it that way to other people, I get that “wow, she’s really stupid” look.
Another time, I heard an older woman say “kar-mil-E-on” when I think she was trying to say “chameleon.” She was probably thinking of the old Culture Club song Karma Chameleon and just mushed the two words together. Sure enough, I cannot call those little lizards anything but “karmeleons.”
At the premiere of Jurassic Park in 1993, I overheard a man pronounce the name of the movie as “Juh-sare-ic Park.” I have called it that ever since. To my misfortune, I forget that other people did not hear that man say it that way, so when I say it, I look stupid yet again.
I have a habit of talking to other people like they’re also in on the joke. I once pronounced the word façade as “fay-kade” to my boss of all people, because I heard it pronounced that way once on the Universal Studios tram tour…when I was ten. There are some things you don’t forget. Needless to say, my boss has probably never forgotten that I pronounced façade that way.
So, what have I learned from all this. Absolutely nothing really. These phrases are so ingrained in me, I don’t even notice when I’m saying them the “wrong” way. Until other people notice when I’m saying them the “wrong” way.
So, what can you learn from this. Three things:
First, it’s probably not a good idea to eavesdrop on people to listen in for strange pronunciations. That’s actually become a bad habit of mine now. But, hey, it’s the writer in me. “People watching” and all that, right?
Second, in your daily life, try to avoid using the incorrect pronunciations you may overhear. You may not be able to stop yourself in front of people not in on the joke.
Finally, do not make fun of any person you do happen to overhear mispronouncing things. As I have learned, karmelea is a b*tch.
Does your family have any in-jokes that you have embarrassed yourself with when speaking to other people? Have you heard any mispronunciations that you’d like to share with me? Please?
You had to know this was coming. The Song of the Day is, of course:
If you read the post on my blog yesterday, thank you for indulging my daughter. She will not be blogging here on a regular basis, but she just had to yesterday. She felt an injustice in the pop culture world and she had to rectify it.
I kind of thought it was fun to see all the cute guys myself, though many of them were way too young to look at without feeling skeevy. If I had made my own list, I would have added a few over 30s and skipped the ones under 21. But, alas, it was not my list.
So, moving on…
I got a new phone for Christmas and I’m super excited! I am now the proud owner of a smartphone! Woohoo!!!!!
My phone looks kinda like this, but with a The Wanted wallpaper. Oh, wait...I wasn't supposed to tell you that.
I know it’s not top-of-the-line, but it has 4G and a slide out keyboard, which I did not want to give up from my old phone. I hate touch screens to type on.
I had never even had internet on a phone before, so all these apps and everything are pretty overwhelming, but so much fun! I consider myself a tech nerd, so it was shameful that I never before had a phone with all the bells and whistles. Now I’m making up for it with this crazy phone. I have a WordPress app! I can’t wait to use it.
You all might see so many more posts from me. Hope you don’t get sick of me. Now I don’t have to wait till I get home to post on my blog, or use Twitter! Isn’t technology cool?
Hello people of Earth! I am a guest contributor on this lady’s blog who lured me into her van asking if I could help her find her puppy and took me to her home instead when I was a mere child! Just kidding. This nice lady is my mother. At least I think that’s what she is…. Whale, I have been inspired by an article on my favorite gossip website, Sugarscape, to put the fifty hottest guys of 2011 in a post. I didn’t agree with their list, so I made my own. Seriously, why would you put Frankie Cocozza on it?! Blasphemy! So anyways, here’s my list. Continue reading →
I’m back. It’s been over ten months, but I’m finally back on my poor, little, neglected blog. Wow, ten months! I could have had a baby during the time away, but I didn’t. (Thank heaven for small mercies.)
