Archives for August 2011

Monday Dare: the joys of thug life

Every Monday, I’m picking from the List of Things to Do, Places to Go, Possible Acts that Help, and Possible Fun to Have. It’s a list I made before The Projectstarted, and I’m still adding to it. If you have suggestions, please feel free to throw them my way. I’m calling the list my Monday Dares, as I get overwhelmed just looking at the words “challenge” or “goal.”

This week: Enjoy the small things.

It feels good to be back home. I went somewhere, I did some things, and I didn’t get arrested. You have your personal measures of success. And those, well, those are mine.

The whole trip is now a blur, but the one thing that stands out? Let’s just say I pampered myself a shitload.

Yesterday, I treated myself to a hot wings lunch. When my server asked if I needed anything else, I looked him straight in the eyes, chin up, intent clear, and asked for an additional serving of blue cheese dip, knowing it would cost an extra 75 cents. Clearly, I’m all about being good to myself.

I carry this attitude in my day-to-day life as well. I dream of big vacations and even bigger margaritas, but the small things that are in my reach make such an impactful difference as I go about my daily business. (Side note: I didn’t have my first margarita until recently. Lordy, why did I wait so long?)

My favorite thing? An extra pump of hand soap. It started out as an act of defiance when I was a single mom. I had to make every dollar count, and there wasn’t room for a flashy pair of new shoes or even an extra movie rental from the local supermarket. But, the little thrill I got from watching the mound of foam grow bigger with one extra pump of soap beat out any guilt I felt for being wasteful and ridiculous.

I still do it. And every time I watch the bubbles in my hand rise a little higher, I am still tickled. If you happen to be standing at a sink nearby, and you hear me mumble “Fuck yeah,” I’m having a moment with my hand soap.

What’s one small thing that brings you a little thrill?
___
–I’ve received lots of questions about the gang I started last week. First things first: I think we need a name. Something with “Cartel” in the title. Suggestions?

–More importantly, y’all need a street name. I think you should be able to choose your own. Don’t be shy. Be hardcore. And then share with us.

As for me, I’m sticking with Sha-nasty Poof Poof.

–You can still sign up to be a part of the gang and do your Own Project.
image via marriedtothesea.com

Monday Dare: I’m starting a gang

Every Monday, I’m picking from the List of Things to Do, Places to Go, Possible Acts that Help, and Possible Fun to Have. It’s a list I made before The Project started, and I’m still adding to it. If you have suggestions, please feel free to throw them my way. I’m calling the list my Monday Dares, as I get overwhelmed just looking at the words “challenge” or “goal.”

This week: It’s your turn.

My life hasn’t really turned out the way I envisioned it would. When I was 12, I spent countless hours by myself in my room, door locked, window shades drawn, practicing dance routines I concocted with my tiny little brain. My masterpiece was a one-woman dance and mime show I would perform in time to Snoop Dogg’s Gin and Juice.

I envisioned my grown-up life having lots of friends and throwing barbecues on the weekend. At those barbecues, I imagined everyone would gather in the backyard in a semi-circle formation as I performed these dance and mime routines that I had secretly been practicing since the age of 12. They would whistle and clap and come up afterwards to give me high fives. Someone might even know someone who knew someone who could get me gigs on street corners where I could work for dollar tips.

None of this has happened yet. YET. They say real art comes from talent. I disagree. Real art also comes after 18 years of practicing a dance routine in secret.

This happens a lot- setting goals and imagining the future one way, and then arriving at the “now” and discovering it looks completely different.  Like today. I have precisely one month left on The Project. This year hasn’t turned out the way I thought it would.

Actually, I’m not even sure what I was expecting, but The Project and my Monday Dares have made these last 11 months pretty dope. Mostly, it’s your support and your love and your fucking hilarious feedback that keeps me going. 

So, I’m asking you- For this last month, I’d love for you to embark on your own Project. It can be anything. Forrealz. ANYTHING. Maybe you want to cut down your chewing gum habit to two sticks a day. Maybe you want to learn something new. Maybe you want to quit a vice. Maybe you want to  watch every episode of Three’s Company.

The added bonus of starting your own Project? Since we’re all doing this together, it makes us part of a group…a gang if you will. So if anyone asks what you did today, you can say you joined a gang. You’re welcome. 

So, what’s YOUR Project? And if you’re not ready to embark on your own Project, no pressure. What are you considering?

P.S. Know someone who might like to be in a gang? Please forward this on. You can also tweet or Facebook share it by clicking the buttons below. Let’s roll deep, yo. UPDATE: I have just been told this is called Recruitment.
image via ilovecharts.tumblr.com