I have been friends with Lindsay Wineinger (formerly Lindsay Davis, which I still accidentally call her, five years after her wedding) since we were practically babies. Actually, she was a toddler, since she is two years older than me. For most of my childhood, that mattered, because I looked up to her as being the coolest person ever. When I joined the church youth group as a teenager, I realized that while she is definitely cool, she’s also got a weird sense of humor, which meant I had a shot at being her friend. I love Lindsay for her passion (she cries when talking about what Jesus has done for her), her sense of adventure (I always describe her driving as controlled chaos), and her loyalty (I once broke her glasses by stepping on them while she was in middle-of-nowhere Africa, and she is still my friend). Lindsay is one of the most compassionate people I know (even though she thinks she isn’t), and I know I can always count on her to celebrate and/or mourn with me. I have loved our fifteen years of friendship, and I look forward to seventy more. We’re going to rule whatever nursing home we wind up in. 
Continue reading
Weekly Series
What Are You Reading Wednesday #WAYRW (3)
What Are You Reading Wednesdays #WAYRW is a weekly feature started on It’s A Reading Thing. Everyone is welcome to participate. You can answer the questions in the comments section of the weekly #WAYRW post or link back to your #WAYRW post on your blog via the link up. You can grab the image above or create your own, just please make sure you link back to IART as the host for this meme.
How to participate:
Grab the book you are currently reading and answer three questions:
1. What’s the name of your current read?
2. Go to page 34 in your book or 34% in your eBook and share a couple of sentences.
3. Would you like to live in the world that exists within your book? Why or why not?
1. What’s the name of your current read?
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
2. Go to page 34 in your book or 34% in your eBook and share a couple of sentences.
The maids sniggered. I was crushed. I had not thought my legs were quite that short, and I certainly hadn’t thought Helen would notice them. But not much escaped her when it came to assessing the physical graces and defects of others. That was what got her into trouble with Paris, later – he was so much better looking than Menelaus, who was lumpish and red-haired. The best that was claimed of Menelaus, once they started putting him into the poems, was that he had a very loud voice.
3. Would you like to live in the world that exists within your book? Why or why not?
Not even the tiniest bit. The whole point of the book is to point out all the ways women got screwed in ancient Greece. But I DO want to live in a world where I have Margaret Atwood’s talent. She’s an amazing writer.
Sunday Summary: What’s on the Internet (1)
I’m trying something different! Instead of my StumbleUpon Sunday series, I’m going to branch out and talk about anything that has caught my attention on the Internet over the previous week. If anyone else wants to do it, grab the picture and link back to ItIsTrish.
Articles
1| Harry Potter Post-It Notes
#PotterItForward Fans of Harry Potter are leaving post-it notes in the HP books to future generations, briefly sharing the impact of the series on their lives and wishing new readers well. This is…so cute. My heart hurts.
2| Review of Ryan Adams’ 1989 Cover
The Atlantic helped me sort through my feelings about Ryan Adams’ cover of Taylor Swift’s 1989. I like his album, I’m glad it gives me an excuse to listen to her songs for ANOTHER year without stopping, but it’s missing some of Taylor’s magic.
The general trend on the album is for tracks that once communicated confidence in the face of uncertainty—Swift’s big, brash pep rallies for the soul—to become tentative and sad and wistful….
Another example: “Out of the Woods,” stretched here to six minutes and adorned in REM-ish guitar chiming. It presents the lyrics’ desire for stability as passive pining—moving and relatable, yes, but the kind of emotion we’ve heard in rock ballads for decades. The original, though, was truly weird: booming gated drums, stentorian backup chanting, Swift’s jumbled, repetitious chorus, all of which conveyed a blend of hope and neuroticism—the feeling that bliss is so close yet so elusive that you can’t stop thinking about it. Next to that, Adam’s campfire profundity feels generic. Maybe that’s why she left the likes of it behind.
3| A Spiritual Discussion of Busyness
Sometimes being an American Christian feels like a whirlwind life busy with ministry, service, and no free time. Relevant’s article insists that this is a wrong way of living, and encourages us to imitate Jesus’s slower pace, because
Jesus was never rushed. He wasn’t overwhelmed by life, even though He had an enormous mission to complete in a very short period of time.
4| The Silmarillion Recaps
The Mary Sue is doing a series recapping The Silmarillion in the most delightfully informative way. So far they’ve shared the stories of Jerk Elves and Really Shiny Jewels, Beren & Luthien, Werewolves, and Half-Godesses, and Dragons, Curses, and Incest Oh My! with gems like:
Fëanor is now High King and, more because his jewels were stolen than that his father was killed, he goes into a rage. He blames the Valar for Morgoth’s deeds, which is convenient since one could just as easily argue that if he hadn’t been such a paranoid, covetous douchecanoe, it would have been a lot harder for Morgoth to manipulate him and get his hands on them jewels. In any case, Fëanor rallies a great deal of the Noldorian elves to go to Middle Earth to get back three rocks he refuses to share with anyone. So it had to have been some speech.
If you don’t want to read The Silmarillion after these recaps, you’re a lost cause.
Videos
This music video from Lady Gaga and director Catherine Hardwicke is SO IMPORTANT. It’s hard to watch, not shying away from college sexual violence, but internalized messages (made external with markered messages scrawled on their bodies) transforming from damning to empowering is so beautiful. Kudos to Gaga for taking on such a hard topic, addressing it with sensitivity, and offering hope in a dark situation.
I am an Apple girl, but this Windows 10 commercial (as seen repeatedly on Hulu) is perfection. The inclusiveness of this video astounding, both in showing children from all over the world and in showing talents from a wide range of skills. I am in love with the scene of the girl deciding not to jump off the diving board while the narrator talks about future leaders, reminding us that bravery doesn’t come all at once. And I LOVE the deliberate choice to have the narrator say, “We just need to make sure she has what she needs.” Male pronouns as the default are subtly limiting, and I love that little girls might see the commerical and imagine themselves as “the ones who will do great things.”
(Picture from Wikipedia)
Oh Hey, Friday! #3
It’s another round of the Oh Hey, Friday! link-up from September Farm! If you want to join in, just:
1 | grab this here snazzy summer-themed button and link back to Sept. Farm.
2 | link up your post at the bottom of this post.
3 | tell all your friends + have a fantastic friday.
TODAY’S FIVE
1| Sashayed’s Fall Playlist
I follow tumblr blogger Sashayed religiously, since she is clever, funny, has the cutest cat, and is horrified to find herself a 30-year-old One Direction fan. She very occasionally creates playlists on 8tracks, including an awesome Pop Maenads series. She just recently posted a second fall mix, Watch for Deer at Dawn, full of hipster lilting melodies, banjos, and the smell of cold in the air. 
2| Wedding
Tomorrow my high school friend Hope is getting married! As a 27-year-old single person, I inevitably have mixed feelings about going. On the one hand, I am super into celebrating life events with the people I love. And a day full of fancy outfits, food, drinks, and dancing? Obviously I’m into it. But…oh joy, one more person getting married before me. And also, I’m not complaining about taking my dear friend Emily as my plus one, but…I guess I’m complaining a little, because none of my guy friends are single anymore. 90% of the time I love my life, but it’s times like these that I just want a boyfriend to be my date to a wedding. Continue reading
What Are You Reading Wednesday #WAYRW (2)
What Are You Reading Wednesdays #WAYRW is a weekly feature started on It’s A Reading Thing. Everyone is welcome to participate. You can answer the questions in the comments section of the weekly #WAYRW post or link back to your #WAYRW post on your blog via the link up. You can grab the image above or create your own, just please make sure you link back to IART as the host for this meme.
How to participate:
Grab the book you are currently reading and answer three questions:
1. What’s the name of your current read?
2. Go to page 34 in your book or 34% in your eBook and share a couple of sentences.
3. Would you like to live in the world that exists within your book? Why or why not?
1. What’s the name of your current read?
You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day
2. Go to page 34 in your book or 34% in your eBook and share a couple of sentences.
“I AM covered in the ‘What superpower would you wish for?’ area. I’ve been asked that question a million times, because, you know, the nerd thing. I would want to be able to speak all languages. I don’t even know ONE other language outside of key menu items like ‘tamale’ and ‘fondue,’ but whenever I hear a tourist who can’t speak English struggling to get directions, I dream of being able to step in, no matter what the language, but especially German because it’s emphatic, and fix the problem.”
This was MY answer every time Ketan asked me the superpower question, and he always responded, “Ugh, Miss Trish, that’s boring.” “But practical,” I would say snootily.
3. Would you like to live in the world that exists within your book? Why or why not?
A world where Felicia Day exists? Of course! Her specific childhood….not so much.
StumbleUpon Sunday (18)
StumbleUpon is a great way to lose hours of your life. Luckily, I braved the Internet vortex so you don’t have to. This week I found these especially interesting websites:
- Fully-Customizable Tiny Homes Start at an Affordable $22,000
Cut to: Tricia, hyperventilating. I WANT A TINY HOME SO BAD. These are adorable. - To the New Culture Cops, Everything is Appropriation
As a tumblr user, I see the term “cultural appropriation” a lot. I really liked this article’s balanced view of the subject.
“At one time, such critiques were leveled against truly offensive art — work that trafficked in demeaning caricatures, such as blackface, 19th-century minstrel shows orethnological expositions, which literally put indigenous people on display, often in cages. But these accusations have become a common attack against any artist or artwork that incorporates ideas from another culture, no matter how thoughtfully or positively.” - 14 Cool Psychology Tricks You Need to Try
This is basically just manipulation tactics, but…..I still find them extremely interesting. My favorite (that I hadn’t heard before) was the suggestion that you can end a repetitive mental song by intentionally remembering the end of the song, since closing the loop allows our brain to stop latching onto unfinished things. - 14 Brilliant Re-Imagined Names For Everyday Objects We All Need
Hahaha! I like the “people shelf” and “t-rex deer.” - 14 Stories that Prove Animals Have Souls
I’m not crying, YOU’RE crying. - You May Not Need These 19 Things, But You’ll Definitely Want Them Pretty Badly
There has never been a more accurately named post. Give me that divided frying pan immediately!! - A Fast Food Purse
Um, this is GENIUS. - Here are 20 Animals That You RARELY Get to See as Babies
The bison! And reindeer! And that little chameleon all curled up into itself!! - Witnessing Beautiful Autumn’s Transformations
Excellent documentation proving that autumn is the most beautiful season. - 10 Fun Movie Facts
“Because Bruce Lee was so fast, they actually had to run his films slower so you can see his moves.”
Oh Hey, Friday! #2
It’s another round of the Oh Hey, Friday! link-up from September Farm! If you want to join in, just:
1 | grab this here snazzy summer-themed button and link back to Sept. Farm.
2 | link up your post at the bottom of this post.
3 | tell all your friends + have a fantastic friday.
Today’s Five:
1. Peoria Tanks and Tees
My friend Lindsay (check out her Wild Ginger blog) has designed a whole bunch of t-shirts and tank tops celebrating life in small-town Illinois. Having lived in big-city Texas for three years, I am hugely proud to be from the land of Lincoln and cornfields. I love city life, but I want my home to come with acreage, seasons, and homecooked meat and potatoes. Which is why I bought her Peoria, IL tank top! Nine more need to be ordered before they’ll go to print, so….buy one so I can have mine! Continue reading
What Are You Reading Wednesday #WAYRW (1)
What Are You Reading Wednesdays #WAYRW is a weekly feature started on It’s A Reading Thing. Everyone is welcome to participate. You can answer the questions in the comments section of the weekly #WAYRW post or link back to your #WAYRW post on your blog via the link up. You can grab the image above or create your own, just please make sure you link back to IART as the host for this meme.
How to participate:
Grab the book you are currently reading and answer three questions:
1. What’s the name of your current read?
2. Go to page 34 in your book or 34% in your eBook and share a couple of sentences.
3. Would you like to live in the world that exists within your book? Why or why not?
1. What’s the name of your current read?
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
2. Go to page 34 in your book or 34% in your eBook and share a couple of sentences.
“No,” I said, through the ache in my chest. I will not cry in front of him.
He started to say something. But at that moment the teacher entered, a man of indeterminate middle age. He had the callused hands of a musician and carried his own lyre, carved of dark walnut.
“Who is this?” he asked. His voice was harsh and loud. A musician, but not a singer.
“This is Patroclus,” Achilles said. “He does not play, but he will learn.”
“Not on that instrument.” The man’s hand swooped down to pluck the lyre from my hands. Instinctively, my fingers tightened on it. It was not as beautiful as my mother’s lyre, but it was still a princely instrument. I did not want to give it up.
I did not have to. Achilles had caught him by the wrist, mid-reach. “Yes, on that instrument if he likes.”
That’s the whole story. People don’t value Patroclus until Achilles forces them to. I LOVE IT.
3. Would you like to live in the world that exists within your book? Why or why not?
Hm. On the one hand, ancient Greece!? Where the gods and goddesses are subtly real but not in an overly flashy way? The nerd in me screams YES, but then…ancient Greece!? Where honor is bound up in your ability to kill someone (haha, just kidding, I’m a woman – I wouldn’t have any honor)? Practically, no, I wouldn’t want to live in this book. But I sure do like living in it via Miller’s story.
StumbleUpon Sunday (17)
StumbleUpon is a great way to lose hours of your life. Luckily, I braved the Internet vortex so you don’t have to. This week I found these especially interesting websites:
- 15 Things Worth Knowing About Coffee
For a person who drinks so much coffee, I know surprisingly little about it. Until I read this funny infographic, anyway! - 25 Genius Hacks That Make Having a Dog So Much Easier
These are so simple and, like the title boasts, genius! I especially like the tip to play fetch downhill so your dog will get tired faster. - 15 Amazing Places You Can Tour on Google Maps
Don’t have the money to travel? Staring wistfully at your computer screen is the next best thing! I toured the Coliseum, and it was pretty cool. - The 11 People to Unfollow on Facebook
Hahahaha, yesssss. - 15 Super Cute Hand-Sized Baby Animals
Everything is cute when it’s tiny! They snuck three baby foxes into the list, and I am so okay with that. - 22 of the Most Secluded Hotels in the World
A traveling introvert’s DREAM. - 3 Leadership Lessons Learned from Jon Stewart
Good TV host, great leader. - 100 Disposable Cameras Were Given to Homeless People
This is a really cool art project! - 20 Great Escapes that Will Make You Feel Small
Beautiful photography. - My DIY Coffee Pot Terrarium
I don’t usually like Pinterest-y craft projects, but I think this coffee pot terrarium is super cute.
Oh Hey, Friday! #1
I decided to try something new, so I’m jumping on the blogging bandwagon and trying out the Oh Hey, Friday! link-up from September Farm.
1 | grab this here snazzy summer-themed button and link back to Sept. Farm.
2 | link up your post at the bottom of this post.
3 | tell all your friends + have a fantastic friday.
Today’s Five:
1. Dungeon Boss App
I am ADDICTED to this app that I found laying around the Apple Store for free. They somehow made the worst part of an RPG fun – I literally sat for hours, finding heroes, leveling them up, adding hidden treasure….on repeat, for, like I said, hours. I have a feeling I will eventually reach that app plateau where they expect you to work for more than five seconds to reach a reward, and then the magic will be gone. No thanks, instant gratification only, please! Continue reading
It Is Trish 