The Road to 30
It’s been a while since I’ve put my thoughts together about what I’ve been up to and how I’ve been feeling as a whole, so I figured it was time. With my thirtieth birthday coming up, I figured it was a good opportunity to think about everything I’ve gotten to do and to bask in the memories of being young while I still can (Haha. That’s a joke, but it is a major milestone and it’s been a while since I had one of those).
Now prepare for a long-winded life update.
Caleb and I have been weighing the pros and cons of a pretty huge decision since the last time I wrote, and we’re finally starting to break ground on finding a small home of our own back in our hometown. We gave it lots of time and thought, and it’s still the most viable option that will aim us toward a better path as a whole. So far we haven’t found a reason not to do it after our significant chunk of time mulling things over–which seems to be a good sign. And now I’m hyperfocused on designing–or finding–the house of our dreams and dealing with a new and unhealthy obsession with Japanese soaking tubs, which has been the subject of my rabbit hole searches for days on end.
I’m excited but terrified about a lot, and so is Caleb, but we feel like this is a necessary step toward the beginning of our next chapter. And I’m going to miss Denver so much, but I have a feeling that I’ll be back, whether it’s just to visit or to stay when the circumstances are more sustainable–like maybe when Caleb’s a full time artist and I’ve got a published book, or whatever. I’m still holding on to hope, and I’m not giving up on my dream, but I am able and willing to make room for Caleb’s dreams to finally thrive alongside mine as we figure things out. Besides, it’ll be nice to be closer to family again and to have a place of our own, which is something we won’t get any closer to if we stay here - considering the current financial circumstances. So all in all, I truly believe this is the right thing for now, or forever, or for however long it ends up being.
In light of our recent decision, we’ve been cancelling memberships and tightening up our spending so we can maximize those savings while Caleb still has the salary. That’s of course, the biggest point of concern; we’ve got to figure out how we’ll survive once we move and make our biggest life change for the first time in a long time. And to that, all I have to say right now is: I’m not scared. You’re scared. Looking for jobs was a day long–yes, I only made it one day–soul-sucking endeavor that wound up being fruitless at the moment…except that it made me think of something better.
After some sad snacking, watching Indiana Jones with Caleb, and a throwback night of Super Mario and Mario Kart with him on the Switch, I had a writing resurgence–post sickness, the sickness that I mention later in this blog–where I wrote 49.75 hours in a week (I know, I could’ve written another fifteen minutes to round it out to fifty, but I was TIRED), and I signed up for a copyediting certification program that started at the end of July. And that’s when I realized I’d do anything to get the proper certificates so that I could find a job in the realm of writing or editing while I pursue my own endeavors. A soulless corporate job just won’t cut it anymore if I’m going to stay happy and keep chasing my dreams. So, once I hopefully pass that certification exam, I’ll have something new to add to my resume! Who knows what I’ll do after that, but I’m already throwing the idea around of taking a proofreading certification course and maybe even taking a creative writing class. All I know is this gave me an excuse to clean up my resume for the first time since 2021, which is a good feeling–if I have to go back to work, of course.
Some other writing goals I’ve accomplished over the last few months are hitting 40,000 words on my rough draft novel manuscript, then signing off my first serious draft with 62,000 words total. And on May 14, I officially printed my first draft via FedEx and got a binder and everything. It felt real once I held it in my hands for the first time, and it was truly amazing to see the product of my hard work in the flesh and not just on my computer screen.
I’ve still been getting new likes and comments on my Reedsy stories, which is always encouraging. And though I still enter occasional writing contests, I always end up feeling disappointed or annoyed when I don’t even get an honorable mention. But it makes me work harder on my own things, at least. I’ve been working on a short story series that was originally supposed to be two stories that has now expanded to ten, and I have printed an official first draft manuscript for this novella-sized collection as well. For some reason, I feel a strong urge to share this one with the world, with no expectations or strings attached, so you might see this particular passion project on Amazon in the near future, with some amazing cover art by my wonderful artist husband. Stay tuned!
Due to Caleb’s “Sword and Sorcery” movie kick, we’ve crammed a lot of classics in lately. He finally watched Willow for the first time, and I laughed out loud when Val Kilmer’s snowball scene came on like I’ve never seen it before. Other movies we’ve watched are Legend, The Dark Crystal (another first for Caleb), Excalibur (A first for me), The Sword in the Stone (my favorite characters are the owl who says, “What, what?” all the time and the sassy animate sugar pot that bosses the tea kettle around when Merlin’s not looking), The Black Cauldron (favorite quote: “Heeeeelp!”), and The Barbarians (hilarious movie, and I can’t get the fight sequence song out of my head no matter how hard I try). We still have lots to go on the list, and I’m excited to see what other hidden gems are waiting to be found.
Some other great movies we watched recently are (it made more sense in bullet point form instead of a ten-mile-long paragraph):
One of Them Days (Hilarious, amazing)
Sandlot (First time, and I LOVED it! It made me nostalgic for a time that wasn’t even mine)
Goonies (First time watching it all the way through I think? Also loved! I fan-girled about all the big name actors that were in it before they were super famous)
Novocaine (I love Jack Quaid! It was a fun and action packed movie)
Anyone But You (For the millionth time, but I did it for research sake, and I took notes and thought about my rom-com novel draft a lot, so was it really leisure?)
Parasite (You just have to see for yourself)
Mickey 17 (Surprisingly funny and entertaining; quirky and fun)
Wild Robot (Love the art style and visuals; also I may or may not have gotten misty eyed at the end)
Flow (Loved the art style and visuals of this short film as well; a great little story told from animals points of view without dialogue)
Idiocracy (A dumb and hilarious classic that hits a little too close to home these days)
No Country for Old Men (Chilling and thrilling!)
Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant (Amazing fictional portrayal of the brotherhood between a soldier and an interpreter and so much more!)
Lilo & Stitch (Animated; the millionth rewatch that consisted of quoting every line right before the scene came on)
War of the Worlds, 2005 (First time, and I wasn’t disappointed!)
District 9 (Rewatch; I’m forever in awe at this amazing story and the feat that was the CG effects with the small budget they had; truly a master class in storytelling and visuals)
The Report (A great slow burning movie based on a true story about an investigation into the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation Program post 9/11)
BlacKKKlansman (Rewatch; another amazing movie based on a true story about infiltrating the KKK)
How to Train Your Dragon (Live action; as a lover of the original animated trilogy, you might want to seek out someone else's opinion that isn’t negative towards these lifeless remakes that the world insists we need instead of original ideas)
You’re Cordially Invited (Surprisingly funny and a refreshing nod to old rom coms that I love; also, who doesn’t love Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell?)
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Rewatch; I noticed lots of cool things this time that I didn’t before, and laughed my butt off as usual)
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (The wall scene deserves an Oscar in itself; I cried laughing)
Apocalypse Now (Caleb has been wanting me to watch this forever, so I could tell him how similar it was to the book Heart of Darkness that I love, which is what the movie is based on, though set during the Vietnam war)
Killers of the Flower Moon (Sturgill! If you know, you know)
Jungle Book (Animated; I always love quoting Baloo before he says his famous lines, and singing “The Bare Necessities,” especially the “Now when you pick a pawpaw…” part)
Holes (I had no idea Eartha Kitt was in this movie until I rewatched it this time! The movie still holds up too, and in retrospect, might be a little too deep for younger audiences, but nonetheless, it’s a great movie!)
Freakier Friday (I loved it! It had a healthy dose of nostalgia while still being its own story. I’m loving all these reunions with favorites from my younger years!)
Warfare (A military movie that is a slow burn and a masterpiece that I highly recommend! I also recommend looking up the real-life people and events and the reason why they made the movie…it was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time)
Jaws (Rewatch; I honestly think this movie could be a half an hour shorter, but once the plot picks up it really is a classic and I understand why!)
Dirty Dancing (Rewatch; I got to see it on the big screen the way it was intended and I’m still riding the high! Such a great classic. Patrick Swayze was truly one of the greats)
Ghost (Rewatch; a birthday movie request, I got Caleb to watch it for the first time, and despite some awkward CG parts, he agreed that it was a great movie!)
In the realm of shows and YouTube, I restarted Gilmore Girls for the millionth time–although I can’t really say I’ve actually sat down to watch the whole show in order since I watched it in college. But this doesn’t mean that I don’t watch reruns on TV every single time I get the chance, so I guess those isolated incidents could potentially add up to around a million. I’ve been keeping up with Papa Meat, Nerd Forge, Ten Hundred, Kurtis Connor, John Oliver, Jon Stewart, and Critical Role on YouTube - though “keeping up” means something different when it comes to Critical Role because I’m still watching their first campaign from a decade ago.
Caleb and I also spent a night looking up old 2000s commercials, and it was fun remembering all the ones from our younger days and laughing at those Purple and Brown bits they used to air between shows on Nickelodeon. We just got caught up on Severance, and all I can say is my mind is blown. It’s a show with a pretty simple premise, but it gets so complicated so fast and I’m loving every single twist and turn. In celebration of the coming football season, Caleb and I started the second season of Quarterback on Netflix, which is always a fun show that gets us hyped. We also finally started Mr. Robot, which is so amazing beyond words in regards to the story writing, the acting, and even the editing of the scenes.
In the realm of books, I finished the first Jack Reacher book, Killing Floor, which prompted an all day Reacher show rewatch-binge-a-thon of Season 1 to see how it compared (it definitely held up). I’ve read Emily Henry’s Book Lovers, Happy Place, and Funny Story–which had me in my feelings about so much stuff. Emily Henry has this magical way of making you laugh while dropping straight up lines that make you rethink everything. I just started reading her most recent book, Great Big Beautiful Life, and I also started Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. I bought and read The Process is the Product, written by the founder of The Process–where I go to write and meet fellow writers–and it was super cool to be a part of his book launch for The Art of Focused Work and to read it on my trip home. And after months and months, I finally finished The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows and 48 Laws of Power, the latter of which was an amazing feat and an incredible journey. As for my in-depth thoughts and feelings about all the stuff I’ve read, I’ll save my rave reviews for my actual book review section of my blog, but it’s safe to say I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read lately!
In the realm of music, I have to say that despite how terrible the Vietnam era was, the music was so great during that time. I’ve also gotten back into the habit of listening to tunes via bluetooth speaker when I’m getting ready in the morning and it’s been really nice. I also listened to a lot of Goo Goo Dolls while I was working on my novel draft, and experienced their greatest hits for the first time in their entirety, finding some new favorites along the way. I also attempted a Bob Dylan deep dive that I’m currently still working on, which has been pretty interesting overall. I’m currently in a state of longing for different music to listen to, even though I simultaneously just pine for the 2010s pop era that is pretty much one of the best–or at least one of the most nostalgic to me–in my opinion.
In the realm of games, the Steam Summer Sale nearly broke the bank, as usual. I got two fishing games–one cozy and the other a mystery game–called Cast n Chill and Dredge, Red Dead Redemption 2, and two wonderfully cozy story games called Coffee Talk and Coffee Talk 2. I’m still playing Baldur’s Gate 3–duh–and Caleb and I finally made it to Act 3, where he’s never been before. I also finally beat Super Mario Bros. fair and square without warping or cheating on Nintendo Switch Online! I literally made it to the last part of the last level and died, and I was so mad that I stayed up late to try one more time. And it paid off! So if I didn’t already have a retro geek card, I think I’ve finally earned one now.
In the realm of sports, I witnessed the craziest hockey game I’ve ever seen in my entire life when the Stars beat the Avalanche in Game 7 and kept the dream alive just a little bit longer. I mean, you really had to see it to even believe it, but a prized traded player got a hat trick in the last period when we were down 2-0 and we somehow came back to win 4-2 in the last 20 minutes of the game. So yeah, I was pretty amazed. Too bad the Oilers are our Achilles’ heel…but don’t get me started on that. As of this blog, the Panthers beat the Oilers in the Stanley cup for the second year in a row, and if the Stars couldn’t win, I’m here to tell you that that’s the next best thing. Until next season, Oilers…
The worst thing ever was getting sick–and staying sick–for an entire week right when I decided that I was going to get back into the full swing of my routine. That’s what I get for thinking, I guess. Also, sick chores are by far the worst chores. I mean, I already thought laundry and dishes were sad, but now? Oh, man. But the best parts of being sick are how good bad food is, how sweet Caleb is when he takes care of me, and all the Animal Crossing and Mario Kart I get to play while I sit around.
The funniest thing about being sick that always holds true is how I have to double stack my pillows to get through the night when I’m congested, pretty much making myself sit all the way up like I’m in a chair. The funny part about that is that somehow I don’t wake up with a crick in my neck the next morning, but I do, however, find that my hand somehow falls asleep. Every. Single. Time.
In the realm of travel and adventure, I took a solo trip to Texas, where I had my first Postcard (previously Getaway) cabin experience by myself! It rained almost every night, and it was a great weekend filled with nature gazing and reflecting, life planning, writing and editing, reading, and even talking to Caleb while I watched a Stars game on my tiny phone screen and he yelled at our TV screen at home. It was also cool that I got the same cabin that Caleb and I came to on our very first cabin trip together; it was meaningful and felt like a full circle thing.
While I was at the cabin, I also finished my first pass of edits of my novel manuscript, which was another big win. I know I have lots more rounds to go and even a beta reading phase to get through still before I feel like I’ve really got something, but hey, it’s a start. It was a nice reward to visit my family for a week after that, and to take a break from working on my creative stuff. I got to get a feel for being back home for when Caleb and I go back for good (for now, or for however long). The hardest part about my visit was being honest about the boundaries I need to set with my loved ones, which is going to be difficult but super necessary for me. I’m glad that I’m in a place where I can put myself first, though, which is something I can’t say I’ve always been able to do. It’s that painful but good kind of growth, for sure, and it’ll help me be my best for everyone I know and love, including myself.
I always enjoy my little rituals in my hometown and all the fun things I get to do with everyone. I had a morning where I got a haircut, got coffee, and drove past all my old grade schools and reminisced about the good old days, which was really nice. I got to visit with two old family friends, and one visit was filled with light conversation and laughter while the other one made me realize it’s the end of an era for a really great person whose sun is setting quickly and unfairly on her life as an amazing artist. The realization brought tears to my eyes, but it was so good to see her after so long.
I jumped on a trampoline for the first time since I was a child, and I couldn’t help but think how scary it felt now that I’m an adult with actual fears as I freefell onto my back while staring up at the sky. I could actually get hurt now, which is a sad thing to realize when you also realize that when you’re a kid you really do think you’re invincible. And there’s something beautiful about that, and a feeling that we all lose at some point in our lives. On the subject of youth, I also realized that I’ve been a part of Caleb’s family for so long that I’ve actually witnessed a couple family members grow up, which made me feel old. And now thirty is right around the corner to remind me again how old I am. Not sure if a crisis is incoming or not, so stay tuned.
I loved watching Roman Holiday with Nana and Papa, another Audrey Hepburn classic I have yet to see. I also borrowed Breakfast at Tiffany’s to rewatch while I wrote in my journal that night, and every time I fall in love with it more. I ate burgers with my cousin and we spent the night talking about real stuff, which was cathartic and much needed. I was reminded of how much the silent treatment annoys me, and how frustrating it is to be silent for years on end about uncomfortable–but important–things. I loved visiting with extended family and joyriding in a brand new Bronco. I loved hanging with immediate family and laughing and playing games together. I loved kicking back, laughing and talking with Mom while we watched a TV show together. And when it was all over, I was sad to go, but hopeful for when I come back to stay.
After a long travel day I was exhausted, seeing as an hour and a half flight turned into four to avoid a major storm, forcing the plane to fly over various neighboring states before it actually landed in Colorado. I think I was in the airspace of at least three other states, including–but maybe not limited to?–New Mexico, Nebraska, and maybe Wyoming? Who knows anymore. But after having a bout of turbulence that had me absolutely convinced that it was the end of the road for me (I mean, what else am I supposed to think when the pilot abruptly comes over the intercom and says, “Flight attendants take your seats,” with no explanation and quiet panic in his voice?), and a delayed train getting back to my apartment, I finally made it home. And the fact that Caleb brought my hangry self some chips to the train platform when I got back proves that he’s the absolute best and he really gets me.
After lots of time off, I feel like I’m getting back into the swing of my routine. I discovered how much I really love running outside when our apartment decided to take over a month to renovate our little gym upstairs. I also love getting caught in a rare morning drizzle, and that feeling I get every time it rains and I feel inclined to ask the sky, “Are you trying to get me to stay?” I honestly believe that if the Denver sky could wear a shirt in the late spring and early summer when it does deign to rain, it would read: “I’d rather be snowing.” I swear that’s the only reason rain ever occurs here, and I can’t begin to explain how vexing that is to someone that loves non-snow precipitation so much.
After said morning runs in the park, I love stopping by my new favorite coffee shop, Bad Ass Coffee, for my once a week best-chai-I’ve-ever-had and a breakfast sandwich. I’ve been trying to get to The Process more, and I hope to hit 100 sessions before I inevitably move away (I’m not crying, you’re crying). I’ve been going to more day sessions lately, and I’m really enjoying those. I also went to the most social Friday Night Writes I’ve ever been to, and it was much needed. The night was filled with great work, networking, talks and laughs with the right blend of people and vibes, and I’ll never forget it. It came at a time where I really needed a win mentally and emotionally, and I’m grateful for all the relationships I’ve built during my time there (once again: I’m not crying, you’re crying).
I realized that ever since I discovered Sharpie S-Gel pens that I can’t be trusted in Office Depot, like, ever again, and that my pens-to-years-I-have-left-to-live ratio is terribly unbalanced. But the knowledge that I’ll have enough pens in every color for the rest of my life gives me a certain comfort as someone who writes a lot. I finally signed up for email campaigns on Squarespace and sent out my first monthly newsletter about my blog to my three subscribers, not including myself, Caleb, his grandma, and my grandma. I mean I’ll take it, but I’d like more people that aren’t related to me and that aren’t me, ya know? I suppose it’ll just take time and some word of mouth to get those numbers up. But either way I’m still doing it for me, and I can’t forget that.
I ran in the Rockies 5k, which consisted of a run through downtown Denver that ended with a finishing lap around the biggest outfield perimeter in the MLB–no, seriously, I’m pretty sure it’s true. But I got a medal, a free hotdog, and two free tickets to a future game afterwards, so it all worked out. Also, weirdly enough, I don’t think breakfast hotdogs are half bad, especially when they’re free. BOGO hotdogs is the next best thing, and that’s what Caleb and I got when we cashed in those free tickets. Unfortunately the team is so bad that the highlight was definitely the hotdogs once again. But I have to say, for the worst team in the league, they probably have the best mountain views.
July was the busiest month by far, and it was jam packed with lots of amazing stuff. It’ll be hard to keep this portion brief, so I’m just not going to try. The first big event was my very first Fan Expo in Denver, and I can’t begin to describe how amazing it was and how starstruck I still am. A bunch of Team Avatar was there, from my favorite animated series of ALL TIME, and after seeing a panel with all of them, I got to meet everyone I wanted to! Mae Whitman (Katara) was very nice and down to earth, Dante Basco (Zuko) was funny and chill and he shook my hand (to that, my adolescent self says: !!! *Faint*), and Michaela Jill Murphy (Toph) was super sweet, and she took a video of me showing off my fan art sketch book, which I had signed by all three of the voice actors! You can find me on her channel on the “MotM (Michaela on the Move) Denver - Fan Expo - PT. 3” video, or via the link here (at the 2:50 minute mark):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se_bBQXQPGU&t=199s
After all was said and done I was genuinely thrilled beyond belief that I got to experience meeting these amazing people!
Another highlight of the day was getting to meet Gimli himself, John Rhys-Davies, in the flesh, and getting his autograph on my fancy illustrated copy of The Lord of the Rings! I learned at his booth that he also voiced Man Ray in SpongeBob, and I was seriously shocked! I also told him that I loved him in Princess Diaries 2, to which he said playfully, “You’re trying to provoke me.” It was amazing, and I plan on following these conventions in the future so that one day I might actually get the rest of Team Avatar’s signatures in my sketchbook!
After the expo, Caleb and I hit the road to Austin to visit family. After a one day, fourteen hour long drive, we finally made it, and we had a blast getting some pool time and retail therapy in. Some highlights were Wimberley Blue Hole, Terry Black’s BBQ, Black Pearl Books (duh), Half Price Books (double duh), Book People (one million and infinity DUH! It was a THREE STORY BOOKSTORE that I could literally live in forever if they’d let me change my address and forward my mail there), and El Arroyo–the Mexican restaurant that has the famous signs. It was nice enjoying the downtime in between too, and rewatching Balto on our last night there for the first time in years.
Our next stop was Fort Worth to visit more family and a dear friend, then on to Amarillo for the night after that. It was great picking up CiCi’s to go and pigging out on macaroni and cheese pizza, cheesy bread and cinnamon rolls in the motel room after a long travel day. We got to stay at The Big Texan again, and minus the chaos of the Steak Ranch restaurant experience, it was even better this time around. We had an actual saloon door in our room, which was fun. And I always love throwing on sitcom reruns after a shower and that exhausted sleep that comes from long but fulfilling days. Before leaving Amarillo, we finally got to see Cadillac Ranch. It was really cool, except when I looked closer, there was an inappropriate graffiti painting on almost every single car, and that ruined most of the pictures I took. I’m just glad that mine and Caleb’s selfie didn’t end up being X-rated. At least I’m pretty sure…
Our final stop on the way back to Denver was Taylor Park to visit with more of my family. It’s a beautiful park with a reservoir, and lots of offroad vehicle trails and even cows. We actually got stuck on the road in the middle of a cattle drive, with dogs and horses and everything, and everything was fun and beautiful, except our cabin…
During an awkward check-in where the old men in the room asked me how the corn was doing in Delta, Colorado - to which I said: “I’m from Denver,” and realized they didn’t fix the mistake in my address that I previously emailed them about–we were informed that the cabins had no locks, and that, and I quote, “they haven’t had locks for thirty years.” Upon entering our cabin, it was not rustic; it was dank, musty and all the no thanks vibes I’ve ever felt. There was a spider as soon as we walked in, which is a big no from me, no air conditioning, and a hole in the bathroom ceiling, through which we could hear birds or rats or bats for all I knew, but I did hear something. But thanks to my loving family, we only had to stay there one painful night.
We had dinner at the park restaurant together and spent the evenings outside talking. While my family went on an all-day side by side adventure, we did some sight seeing of our own before spending the day in their fancy RV. We saw the scenic overlook, did some shopping at the trading post, and we even saw the historic mining town of Tin Cup, where we had breakfast before turning in for the afternoon and having quiet writing, reading and art time while it rained. And thank goodness we got to crash in the RV, because I wouldn’t have survived another night in the hell hole that was our “rustic” cabin that was still somehow $140 a night. We enjoyed a quiet evening reading on the RV’s back porch and watching The Big Bang Theory on Caleb’s phone before bed. We also learned what ground squirrels are, and we saw so many of them while we were there.
On the way home, we stopped in Crested Butte to see some wildflowers, and I caught some busy bees at work as well as a humming bird doing humming bird things. And finally, after an hours-long stretch where there was nothing but local sit down restaurants where the wait would surely be long and the service would take forever, we finally ate at Chick-fil-a right outside the city, and as soon as we walked through the door of our apartment, it was instant pjs and laying around time for the rest of the evening. After we did our retail tally from all our stops on our trips, we were appalled at how quickly money flies out of our wallets for anything art or book related. But we were very satisfied with our spoils, and despite the fact I’m now front-facing books on my bookshelf due to lack of space, I regret nothing.
The final event to round out our crazy fun month was a visit from my dad and family. We went to The Museum of Illusions, and I finally got to go to Chop House for a nice steak. It was fun seeing them as they passed through on their way to their family vacation, and I’m happy to say that things are nice and normal again. Caleb and I also went to an art festival in Boulder, where we met lots of really cool artists and bought some really awesome local art. And now we’re taking a breather before my thirtieth birthday shenanigans, which I’m currently planning and getting hyped about.
I think in general my mental is doing a lot better, despite the state of the world and all. My heart goes out to anyone unnecessarily suffering, being silenced or penalized for doing nothing wrong, and I hope that enough people start pushing back to make a difference where it’s so desperately needed in this misguided day and age. Whatever the case may be, I’m happy to say that I finally exercised my rights and played my part. Caleb and I took to the streets in our very first–and hopefully not last–peaceful protest. And we’re so glad we did. If enough of us make waves, change has to follow. I still really hope that this is true in these confusing and terrifying times.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how amazing that protest day was as a whole. I can’t think of a better way to spend the president’s birthday than to protest in a march against his military pity parade, get Mexican food afterwards and then watch a movie about Communism to end the night (by the way, I highly recommend The Death of Stalin). We’ve been doing everything we can to keep our minds off of “The Big ‘Beautiful’ Bill” that was just passed, a bill that could quite possibly be the beginning of the end of life as we know it for a while. Or forever.
Though I did kind of go through another identity crisis recently that I already waxed poetic on too long in a previous weekly blog post, I think now that I’ve realized some things about myself and my relationships that it’s time for me to accept it and continue forward. So, if you haven’t been properly introduced yet: Hi, Isabella here, the a week-or-so-years-old girl who discovered she was an anxious/preoccupied personality type who scares people with her understanding and loyalty. Yeah, nice to meet you, too.
And now, the weekend I have been long-planning and have been looking forward to for weeks: my birthday weekend and day! I love the exciting buzz of going out and doing fun stuff, and since it was my thirtieth, I put a lot of time and thought into what I wanted to do. Despite how paralyzed I felt about the idea of picking the wrong things–and how sad I was that I couldn’t celebrate with friends and family–I think I ended up picking just the right things that were the perfect balance of stuff I don’t usually get to have and even some really cool and nostalgic ones that were rare and fun. I got lots of retail therapy in with Caleb, going to a cute stationary store and lots of awesome book stores–including one that sold first edition, Victorian and signed copies of lots of awesome books! I also got my 7 Brew fix now that there’s a location fifteen minutes away from Denver, and even my Cane’s fix for the first time in ages. I got to go out and eat some amazing sushi and see a friend that lives in the area, and I tried my first Roy Rogers.
The major highlights were definitely seeing Chris Stapleton live–after two years of hoping for redemption for that concert we didn’t make it to when Dallas flooded and we didn’t risk the drive–seeing Dirty Dancing on the big screen, and going to Roller City to skate my butt off on my actual birthday. It was also nice to have a completely lazy day at home, where we ate a big breakfast and watched Mr. Robot before I lounged and played Animal Crossing, had macarons for lunch, had tacos and homemade street corn for dinner and watched Ghost with Caleb. He also gave me a sweet card and sang to me as I blew out my candles on my cute and delicious little Whole Foods cake. I even squeezed in coffee from Hello Darling, my favorite local place downtown, some coloring and even some Critical Role binging. Getting some bday money from my “mother-in-love” was also a plus, and I spent the afternoon of my birthday shopping online, which is my favorite way to shop unless it’s a bookstore. All in all, I feel great after a weekend and day filled with amazing shenanigans with my best friend and love of my life. He makes things fun and I’ll remember this one for a long time.
And I guess that’s it for now. I look forward to what my thirties will bring. If you made it through this long post, then thanks for reading, as always!
I figured I’d end things on some random revelations I’ve made recently, a fun pastime that I’ve come to really enjoy to put things in perspective:
Bruschetta chicken is great.
I still do–and probably always will–have an obsessive/romantic love for lavender matcha.
I mean I knew–though it’s always shocking to be reminded–about how government programs are pretty much always something entirely different than what you are initially led to believe…and it’s been going on longer than I ever would have thought (a Vietnam documentary opened my eyes recently) and it’s still going and it will never stop. And that makes me mad and sad at the same time.
The whimsy of an air mattress in the middle of the living room floor of a studio apartment is totally underrated. A rewatch of Gilmore Girls and anything on YouTube is best watched in this way.
Sometimes you get shocking news, and you don’t know what the hell to do with it…so you just don’t. Caleb painted a perfect metaphor of “yeeting” unwanted thoughts and feelings into a distance box in the dark corner of your mind, and ever since then, we act like we’re shooting an imaginary basketball at the far-off side of whatever room we happen to be in when we receive news of the aforementioned nature above.
Another underrated thing is grumpy moping, because you just need that sometimes, accompanied with cookies and chai lattes for breakfast.
Sometimes you just have to throw on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives or the X Games Women’s Skateboarding Finals and talk about the good old days of just having background noise while you bask in the old school lazy night vibes.
I think one of the many signs that you’ve become a responsible, full-fledged adult is when you have two pairs of functioning prescription glasses at the same time. Did I finally make it? Because it kind of feels like it, and if you count my prescription sunglasses, that actually makes three. So what do you think about that?
Ice cream for dinner–at least once in a blue moon–is necessary. It’s not just for break-ups.
Sometimes social gatherings are lonelier than just being alone. I think I’m just the type that’s always at a loss for words that gravitates to people on the outskirts. Turns out there’s a lot less people on the outskirts as there are people in the “inskirts.” And I think I’m content with holding out for those few that are like me instead of blending with the crowd. Either that or I’ll slip out when no one is looking.
I wrote “Coffee AND Red Bull…stay tuned” in my daily log a while back, and I guess it’s safe to say that whatever I feared is behind me. I lived to tell the tale.
Just when you think you’re getting your financial act together, your car requires $3,000 worth of maintenance, which is a humbling reminder that one cannot truly be financially stable for long without life happening and setting you back. Oh, to be rich…
Even if you feel the need to deep clean in daily increments that stretch over the course of an entire week, it still counts.
If you’re not talking about life over Mario Kart and laugh-screaming over Moving Out on the Switch with a friend or significant other, then are you even living?
Sometimes you wake up on the wrong side of the universe in every sense of the word, and you just have to chalk those days up to a loss and move on as best you can and just not feel guilty about eating frozen pizza and playing Baldur’s Gate 3 all day because that’s the only thing that matters to you.
On a fateful day a week ago, I discovered that, yes, you can drop your one and only car key into the crack in the floor and into the elevator shaft below…ask me how I feel over $600 later…go on, I dare you.
It might be a hot take, but I believe that dino nuggies only get better with responsibility and age.