I am so far behind on posts I want and need to write! My brain is not cooperating, it wants to be on summer vacation. But with the long road trip we took in May and a big trip to Italy coming up in October there aren’t any extra vacation days to fulfill my inner child demanding some summer fun.
In addition, I changed my mind about going to BlogHer in New York which is coming up next week. Projects at work, lack of vacation days and the cost have forced me to prioritize to do other things instead. There will always be blog conference to go to. I referred back to a post written by Might Girl about the concept of “FOMO” or fear of missing out, it is a great minder that you don’t have to be everywhere! I think this also had an influence on a couple of the selections I made for this week’s Saturday Six:
[1] Megan Jordan of Velveteen Mind is an excellent writer, but she is definitely not prolific. Her posts are few and far between, so when they show up in your reader, they are special. Some resonate with me, others not so much although they are always extremely well written and creative. The post that she released to the blogosphere this week had a profound effect on me. In “navigating by a night sky” Megan writes about finding focus and the seemingly innocent and beautiful things that can detract us from the clarity we sometimes need to achieve even greater things.
[2] In Megan’s post she mentioned a post written by Tsh Oxenreider which I read and really enjoyed as well. In the same vain as Megan’s post, she wrote about the need to empty yourself before consuming again. That shouldn’t be such a novel idea, but it is. Instead of trying to cram more and more information into our brains, why not empty it out a bit by taking a break, really unplugging and regaining focus?
[3] I whole-heartedly believe that I have an open mind. An attribute that was nurtured by growing up an Army brat. But even I am susceptible to snap decisions from time to time. Thankfully I can embrace my mistake and allow myself the opportunity to not miss out on what could be an exceptional experience. I had pretty much written off any desire to ever visit Finland after seeing this season’s episode on No Reservations. Anthony Bourdain looked miserable, his show was miserable and I was sure I would be miserable if I ever stepped foot in that country! But leave it friend to completely change my mind about that (and provide me an excuse to give myself a proper scolding). Lindsey of Lost in Cheeseland just spent a long weekend there and had good things to say about it as well as gorgeous photos (as usual) to prove it. I am currently erasing that virtual line I had crossed out through Finland on my travel list!
[4] I am convinced that if Mr. Misadventures weren’t already married to me and if Kristin of Camels & Chocolate weren’t already married herself, that my hubby would be chasing after her for her hand. I am totally kidding of course (sort of). As I told Kristin in her awesome post about her visit to the Galapagos Islands that I have to hide it for fear my husband will cancel our trip to Italy and book us on the next flight south!
[5] In all honesty, I haven’t been keeping up on the Chick-Fil-A news. I try to avoid drama. I can tell you for certain that I don’t believe that restaurants should get involved in politics (unless it is food related legislation). But I have to say that without really taking a stand one way or the other, I liked Jennifer of JenX67′s post on the topic. Jen is very data driven which I appreciated and she presented some very interesting information on the franchise geography and provided an interesting perspective from a PR point-of-view since that is the profession she works in.
[6] I long time ago in Saturday Six #25 I mentioned a post written by Tory Hoen of Moveable Beast for Haven in Paris called, “It’s True Because the French Say So: Rules To Live By.” I highlighted rule #3 > Never put food that is still warm in the fridge. You. will. die. It is fine, however, to leave it uncovered on the counter—or, better yet, outside on the windowsill—for days at a time. I mentioned it because that was one of the early cultural clashes I had with Mr. Misadventures when we starting living together. We had a huge argument about zones in the fridge and I was certain that this was a French version of an urban legend! So I was floored when I saw a post called “where food goes in the fridge” published on Food Republic. Because wouldn’t you know, he was right! P.S. I didn’t show the post to my hubby…ssshhh!
That’s it for this week!
A little housekeeping:
> There is still time to celebrate my 4th blogiversary! I am celebrating my blog birthday by giving away a $100 Amazon gift card, come join the party!
> Also, I am happy to announce that Lisa S (no url provided) won the Bastille Day Frenchie Pack that includes a lovely Kasia Dietz Paris bag. It’s really exciting because she is heading there this year so it’s perfect!
How about you? Have any good posts you discovered in your blogosphere journeys that you want to share? How do you discover new blogs?
Wow, I seriously need to see this episode of No Reservations! Why was his experience so bad?? (the food isn’t phenomenal, that I will say. Lots of heavy sauces and flavorless fish…)
Funny, Megan was my point person for BlissDom this year! So sweet!
@Lindsey, food was definitely not a highlight, but the things he did about town and the people he ran to looked like the dredges of society and he must have been there in the middle of winter – everyone looked cold and miserable and living on alcohol.
@Kristin, she is interesting, at times I love what she says, other times not at all, but she definitely has a strong character and I like that. My first blogging conference ever was Blissdom, it was 150 people and in the Hotel Preston. Megan led a panel (or was part of a panel) and said something that I still hold as a blogging tenet today: you own your blog…nobody else…own it!
Okay, so I decided to choose this post because
1) I love your Saturday Six feature, and wanted to be sure to let you know about that.
and
2) This was the time I was leaving Paris and I missed a lot of posts people were writing between the end of May and, well, up to about now, lol. God what a year… Apocalyptic would describe it, for me personally, anyway. I guess we’ll see about the rest of the world in another month.
Oh, love Anthony Bourdain in No Reservations, and have not watched many of the episodes past that first season! Did not have cable… But now that I am in the land of working Hulu and Netflix, I have been checking some out!
Also, I am fascinated with that whole fridge thing. Guess what I did on Thanksgiving. Granted, I ate a totally vegan meal that I prepared and brought to my sister’s, so there was no meat or dairy in any of the food, but I left it out all day long. I think it was unrefrigerated at least 10 hours, maybe more like 12. I did put it in the fridge when I got home. Happily had leftovers without issue! France (and China) altered my OCD response to refrigeration. I actually find it weird to shop for chilly eggs in the refrigerated section of the store now. LOL.
Andi, I think this makes five comment posts from me for the November 30 Vacation Giveaway. Six if I include the comment on the contest post. I had fun this afternoon going on a blitz here, spending some quality time with your blog. It was really nice to do!
I have to say, though, since the advent of DVR and other devices that allow us to watch TV series several episodes at a time, I like to go on binges/marathons/deep dives with media. I have been on a “Gilmore Girls” binge of late. Can’t stop watching. I know, the show devolves a little in Season 5/6 but I’m in. Have to go watch another couple of episodes now, in fact.
Be well, Andi, and thanks for this contest idea to go and comment on older posts. I had a wonderful time choosing which ones to read, leaving a little to strategic reading and a little to serendipity. It was great fun!
xx
Karin
P.S. A little later, after looking at it closely: that infographic about Where Food Goes in the Fridge is EXACTLY what my fridge looks like, exactly, lol. I don’t know why I find strange comfort in this!
@Karin, hilarious!
@Karin, hello my friend! I am glad I could entertain you for an afternoon! The refrigeration thing cracks me up too. Also, my hubby gets freaked with expiration dates which is kind of humorous to watch! DVRs are evil. I don’t watch TV but now that we have a DVR that isn’t 20 years old I can record a whole bunch of stuff which is exactly what I have been doing even though I shouldn’t!