My Current Obsessions

I'm taking an intermediate poetry writing class this semester and one of our recent homework assignments was to read a chapter of our book titled "Obsessions". In the reading, the author proposed the idea that all writers go through phases of obsession. This particularly resonated with me because I feel like it partially explained my obsessive nature. I have a tendency to let my mind become consumed with these obsessions. Natalie Goldberg, the author of our text (Writing Down The Bones) encouragers writers to make lists of their current obsessions, to get them out of the way of more salient thoughts if nothing else. So, I suppose I'm saying all of this as sort of a justification for why I do this. My current obsessions may be silly and frivolous but they're my thoughts and in order to become a more effective writer in other places, I should get them out. So, here it goes...

1.Thin Mints- It's that magical time of year once again...girl scout cookie season! I used to be a Girl Scout when I was younger and Thin Mints have always been my favorite. I have absolutely no will power when it comes to these cookies. Seriously, I've already bought 2 boxes. I think I have a problem.

2. The Black Keys- I can't get enough of this band, they're absolutely fantastic! I've been listening to them nonstop lately, their music is perfect for walking to class. They're playing a concert in Charlotte right before my birthday and I want to go so bad! I've spent the past 2 weeks not-so-subtly hinting at the boy to take me for my birthday. I'm fairly confident in my ability to wear him down so hopefully, come July, I'll be standing close enough to make the band feel like this.

3. Essie Nail Polish- Confession time: I love painting my nails. It's one of my favorite ways to relax and I pretty much always have my nails painted. I recently discovered the wonder that is Essie, just sitting all daintily at the end of the beauty aisle in Walgreens waiting to tempt a broke college student. It's getting to be a problem, I can't go to the drug store anymore without spending close to 10 minutes standing there ogling all the colors. And somehow, I always end up racing to the register with one of those precious bottles clutched in my greedy little hands. I think it's a nail polish induced adrenaline rush, or something equally sinister.

4. Freaks and Geeks- Am I the last person to discover how awesome this show is? Seriously though, it rocks! If you haven't watched it, you should probably do so immediately. Trust me you'll be this happy you did. 1990's James Franco, Jason Segel, and Seth Rogan playing teenage burnouts in the 1970's. It's impossible to not love this show.

So that's what I'm loving right now. I hope this has been at least mildly interesting. Is there anything you can't get enough of lately? Feel free to let me know in the comments!

Until next time,
Cait

Valentine's Day

I'm going to let you guys in on a not-so-little secret about me...I love Valentine's Day. Actually I love any holiday that gives me an excuse to dress up in a themed outfit. It's a whole day where it's socially acceptable to leave my apartment wearing a costume, and I love it. Halloween, St. Patrick's Day, New Years, etc. I'm all over it. I wear red and green for a solid week every Christmas. I'm the proud owner of candy cane printed sneakers, black cat earrings, and light up shamrock glasses.

Obviously, I love all holidays, in an admittedly ridiculous way, but Valentine's Day has always held a special place in my heart (pun intended). I know there are a lot of people who like to hate on Valentine's Day, and I get it, it sort of blows some times, but I think the idea of a day dedicated to love is absolutely, for lack of a better word, lovely. It's not that I need a special day to know that I'm loved because I know that the people who love me, do so every day and I hope that they know I love them everyday too. It's just a day dedicated to celebrating that love, and I think that's wonderful.

This is not to say that I take Valentine's Day to be an entirely serious holiday. I mean, how can a holiday that involves Spongebob greeting cards be viewed seriously? I take Valentine's Day with a grain of salt. I love it and I proudly celebrate it, but I don't force it on others. I look at Valentine's Day the same way I look at birthdays. You're allowed to make a big deal about it if you want to, but no one can make you celebrate it and no one gets to be mad at you if you're super psyched about it.

Valentine's Day is an admittedly silly holiday, and I accept that. I'm not deluding myself into thinking that having a date on February 14 is the end all-be all of my existence, because it isn't. Honestly, it just comes down to the fact that I enjoy celebrating things for the sake of celebrating. Who doesn't love a good celebration? What's not to adore about a day where I can feel totally justified in wearing a pretty red dress and stuffing my face with chocolate?

All of that being said, I'm really excited about what the boyfriend and I are doing tonight! I love going to see ironic movies on holidays that are supposed to be super romantic. For example, last Valentine's we saw "The Woman In Black" with Daniel Radcliffe and on our anniversary in September, we watched "The Campaign" with Will Ferrell and Zach Galifinakis (no idea if I spelled that right). So following this trend, tonight, we are going to watch "Warm Bodies", that new zombie movie. It looks like it should be pretty good in a dark humor kind of way.

How do you guys feel about V-Day? Love it, hate it? Any exciting plans for tonight? Let me know in the comments!
Til Next Time,
Cait