Fifteen Minutes of Scrawl

I had a jam-packed day today (scenic drive to Doolin, ferry to Inis Oírr, exploring Inis Oírr, ferry under the Cliffs of Moher, the Cliffs of Moher themselves, scenic drive back to Galway) so I thought I'd just share some things I learned or observed or just had reinforced today. I am not a morning person. I'm less of a morning person when I don't know there is a time change. Mochas are great. I like sitting by windows so I can take pictures. I like learning fun facts. I also like learning history facts. Penny walls are an incredibly sad bit of history, but I find leaving them to stand a strong statement about resilience. I will loudly groan at puns even if they're made by a tour guide. Dressing in layers is the best. I need to remember to buy more sunscreen. Light can play tricks on you. More than once I thought I saw an odd form following our boat, but eventually I realized it was light hitting the water from behind our heads. The ocean looks alive to me

I walked into my room in my parents' rented apartment and was delighted to find that I had a balcony. On that little balcony were two metal chairs and a table to match. I imagined sitting out on one of the black metal chairs, my computer cord stretching into my room and writing, looking out over sea. The owner of the apartment texted my parents to ask how we were all getting on. I told my mom to be sure to tell the owner how delighted I was by the balcony chairs. She smiled and did so. Not long after her phone pinged and she looked at it. "Oh, he says they actually came with the place when he bought it, so he can take no credit." "Huh," I said, "I wonder how long they've been there then. It's not that I had never left furniture at an old apartment, surely people do this all the time, but still somehow this tugged at my thoughts. Why would someone leave these here? Why not bring them with? Why buy them if you were going to leave them? Why did

I groggily got out of bed. Yeah getting out of bed shouldn't be this hard, but it was my day off and I had wanted to sleep in. But nooOOOoo, my neighbors were redoing their bathroom so I was awakened nice and early. Shuffling across the short distance from my bed to the bathroom, I began to wonder if I could generate enough static electricity to zap my neighbors. Not enough to kill them or anything, just enough to remind them that there were other people in the apartment building and they liked to sleep. I knew this was probably not possible, but it was still more fun to think about than how my relaxing day in was ruined. I reached for my bathroom door and twisted the knob. CLICK I pulled it open and inside was not my bathroom. I blinked hard, thinking perhaps I was seeing things for it was very similar to my bathroom, but everything inside was a mirror image. The plain white sink was on the right instead of the left. The plain white toilet that I kept my extra towels on to

"It's so sweet we're doing this together." "Yeah, you know some couples might be against going on an app together, but I think it's really going to work out for us." "Oh totally agreed. So do we make a profile together?" "Yeah it looks like we can. I mean we can't be the only ones to do this." "Definitely. Let's see, do we select a picture?" "Yeah it looks like we should otherwise they may think we're like catfishing or like a cop." "Good point. Let's do the one at that hotel downtown, we both look super hot in it. And then maybe also the one on that beach?" "Perfect. I'll do those and the one of us at the dinner with your friends." "Great." "Now we need to write a bit of a description." "How about, new couple seeks help ridding themselves of some baggage. Or is that too vague?" "It's okay, but we do need to make su

The rumor had spread faster than I could've even imagined. I had started it all by simply putting a few red dots on Michelle's hand. She hadn't noticed because she, unlike me, is a dedicated student and was furiously taking notes during our biology lecture on infectious diseases. I, however, was doing some, shall we say, hands on learning. The light red dots I made weren't very noticeable in the darkened classroom that we all sat in, but as soon as well all headed to gym class they blared out to everyone. No one had noticed my red pen, so Michelle was utterly baffled as to how she could've gotten them. I knew that the class we'd just come from would spark the idea in everyone's head. By the time we reached the locker room, the girls were already speculating. "Maybe it's just an allergic reaction." "To what? That girl doesn't use any makeup or even lotion." "What if it's syphilis?" "How would you know

Since this will be my 200th post, I figured I'd do a bit of reflecting on what it's been like to keep up this blog. Because I found it easier, I decided to do a numbered list of the pros and cons of starting and keeping up with Fifteen Minutes of Scrawl . Pros: I've written so much more in the past 200ish (there were 2 days I missed and didn't make up for I think) days than I have in a long time and it feels good. I've gotten more comfortable sharing my own writing. By making myself do this every day I forced myself to share my work every day. I think I'm less critical on myself now. Now this doesn't mean that I've magically fixed all my insecurities and cured my imposter syndrome, but because I churn out a post in 15 minutes I tend to be less critical of it because, after all, I only had 15 minutes. I think this has translated a bit into being less critical of my other first drafts of things.  I've become prouder of my own writing. While not

Now, I could possibly look up who the genius was behind National Puppy Day, but that wouldn't be fun. Once you find out who a mystery person is, they usually aren't as cool or witty or idealistic as you thought they were. It's far more fun to speculate. I bet the National Puppy Day creator loves dogs. Yes, yes, this is all obvious. But I mean LOVES dogs. Like the National Puppy Day creator has never had a period in their life where they did not own at least two dogs (even when they were in college and lived in a dorm, they still figured it out). The National Puppy Day creator also has strong opinions about the importance of adopting pets, but they also have strong opinions about which breeds are the smartest, the prettiest, the most loyal, the best with kids, the most energetic, the goofiest, the most useful to have on a farm, and pretty much any other quality you can imagine a dog having. They also watch any dog show that they can and not just on TV. No, no, the National

National Alligator Day. Alligators are only indigenous to the US and China so we really should celebrate them. National Time Capsule Day. Either bury one or dig one up, both would be fun! National Take a Nap Day. Ideally, this would actually be once a week, but naps are magical and should be honored. National Tidy Day. Wouldn't it be great if you had a day off to just do all that tidying that you'd love to do? National Baby Animal Day. Why stop at puppies? Plenty of animals are cute as babies. National Take a Photo Day. I feel like I see something new when I look at the world through a photographer's eye. It would be good for more people to at least try this. National Listen to One Song Day. Think you actually have a favorite song? TRY LISTENING IT FOR A WHOLE DAY! SEE WHAT HAPPENS. National Write a Thank You Note Day. Everyone has someone they should send a note to, but haven't, so take this day to do it! National Write a Letter Day. Everyone only gets spam m

"Ma'am, we've finally found your purse." "What?" Estelle was baffled, she couldn't recall having lost a purse or had one stolen recently. The officer shifted a bit uncomfortably in a way Estelle had learned meant he couldn't tell if her confusion was normal confusion or senility. "Well, ma'am, it did take some time. But you filed a police report 65 years ago about a possibly stolen purse and we finally tracked it down." Estelle blinked. Now that the officer mentioned it, she did remember being a very young woman, although at the time she would've thought she was ancient, and having a purse that she adored. One day, after having a coffee at a what she thought was quite the trendy cafe, she couldn't find her purse. She assumed it'd been stolen and had marched herself to the police station and reported it stolen. While she quickly gave up on hope the officers finding her purse. However, the report hadn't been withou

Lucia somehow had gotten stuck with taking Taylor's dog for a walk. How this could be her job, out of everyone who worked for her soco  she didn't know. It also seemed like being Taylor's guide would be enough for the dog to get his energy out, but no Taylor apparently wasn't being sent on enough errands. She would be sure to tell Carlo what she thought of that. However, Lucia had to admit that strutting through the streets with a large dog did give her an air of confidence that she rather enjoyed. People cleared in front of her, but whether it was from the dog, or her status as Carossa's daughter, or from the knives that she let people see she kept on her person (she had a few more in more hidden places), it was a bit unclear. Still, having a path cleared for her as she made her way through the streets of Neocante was enough to make her hold her head, and her chin, just a bit higher. A horrid, phlegmy cough stopped her internal theme music. The dog, unfortunate

"Let's not meet up with my parents this weekend," I tried to say with a flippant, casual, breezy tone. If the overuse of adjectives didn't already tell you, it didn't go very well. "What? Why not? We don't have plans and it's a short drive," replied my poor confused boyfriend. "Yeah, but what if we just...didn't?" "What aren't you telling me, Nicole? Do they know we're dating?" I had to blink for a few moments before responding, which probably didn't help in convincing David of my sincerity, although it was genuine, "Of course they do, it has nothing to do with that." "You not wanting me to meet your parents has nothing to do with me?" he repeated slowly so I could hear exactly how it'd sounded. I ran my fingers through my hair, something I'd done so often lately that I'd cut up my scalp and the soothing effect had run off, "It's that I don't want you to

What. The. Hell. It was all I could think. I came home, dropped my purse and keys on the kitchen table, and realized it was too bright in the room. Now I normally don't mind a room filled with natural sunlight, but this was odd. My kitchen was always dark. I looked at the kitchen window, expecting some supernatural source for the extra light. But, no, no supernatural source, just missing curtains. But the missing curtains were also a cause for concern. Yes, I did live with my boyfriend so he could have removed the curtains, but why would he? Sure maybe he decided he'd had enough of our dark kitchen, but he normally wouldn't do something like this without at least telling me. Maybe something happened to the curtains?  I supposed he could've accidentally gotten something on them or, heaven forbid, accidentally lit them on fire. But, again, we were long past being too embarrassed to tell each other about our mishaps so I don't know why he wouldn't have told m

Age : 55 Occupation : chief Family members/significant others : No children (perhaps one died in a previous disaster an oracle failed to predict) Single Personality traits : Stern Wise Compassionate Iron backbone Doesn't take shit Keeps a pretty straight face even if jokes are being made Wary of merchants and outsiders Has a soft side that isn't shown to many as she knows some will see it as weakness Makes time for all her constituents  Character history (where he/she is from) : Kabalaka Physical traits : Very tall Chiseled looks Deep brown eyes Lean muscles ·         Biggest motivation : The responsibility her position puts on her Biggest fear : Kabalaka has to dissipate Things she likes : Flowers (even though she comes off as quite a hard person) Travel Fish Order Baby animals Kabalaka's natural beauty Things she doesn't like : Dalla's cooking Mess Baby kissing Riddles Archetype : mentor Goal

Age : 20 Occupation : Town oracle Family members/significant others : Dalla: mother Father is deceased? No siblings Currently no relationship, but this is because this isn't her focus right now (in this world there is some amount of matchmaking, but it is not the only way people end up together and usually it's a light hand of matchmaking) Harder to have friends after becoming oracle, but I imagine she still has a few close ones Personality traits : Anxious Caring Doesn't focus on herself Non-confrontational (this is difficult because she has to be when she foresees a problem) Practical Character history (where he/she is from) : Kabalaka Physical traits : Dark hair Gray eyes (typical of oracles) Light brown skin Short (5'2") High cheekbones Average build (being an oracle doesn't involve a lot of movement and encourages staying put) Don't really want to say if she's beautiful or not because that's not the po

At least it was a sunny day. Yeah, that's what she'd tell herself. The sun was shining, the ocean was clear and calm, and the volcano hadn't exploded. That wasn't bad news, although Dalla knew that not everyone would see it that way. No, no, no there were always people who would whine and moan and say 'Oh how could Nyxi not know every aspect of the future?' Dalla liked to put those whiners in their places. The people of Kabalaka should know that the gods only tell them so much. Sure, Nyxi as an oracle would know a bit more, but still she wasn't one of the gods. Nyxi's power came from the gods, but only, or so their tales tell them, because of a rivalry between the gods. Some of the mighty beings saw it amusing to pester and play with the people of the living world, they tormented them with floods, plagues, fire and brimstone. Others found this too cruel, but the cruel gods could not be reasoned with and so the kinder gods gifted the power of the oracle

Okay so I'm well enough to actually write for 15 minutes, but it's still going to be a list. Elena shared with me a list of terrible color names she's actually seen products be described, so here are ones that I've just come up with (all welcome to use as long as I get some money for my efforts). Rusted bicycle chain Jam-covered child Obese leopard Masticated strawberry Overripe banana Chickenpox Garbage slime Pencil shavings Goopy diaper Itchy cardigan Used car salesman Dustbunny in a spiderweb Offensive graffiti Infected piercing Ingrown nail Mildewy drywall Soap scum  Aching stegosaurus Cramped jungle cat Red blue raspberry Translucent car Shimmer gunk Shiny battery Used tissue Crumpled shirt Messy tangerine Turquoise toenail Got fired red Squirrel-eaten pumpkin Should've washed that sooner Caked on grease Crumb filled blanket Radioactive boll weevil Depressed termite Cheery earwig Cockroach glisten Sweat stain Dewy eyeball

Okay some things I'm looking forward to when I'm feeling better. Fresh air! More than just propping my window. Hanging out with people. I get lonely. Making phone calls. A sore throat is such a bummer. Writing. While these posts are what I can manage, I am looking forward to doing more writing again. Classes. Honestly, I didn't come to grad school to not go to class. Taking photos. No going on walks means no taking photos, which makes me sad. Going out to dinner. I don't do this a lot, but now I really want to, Watching Netflix with someone. I did get to do this yesterday with a friend who braved my germs, and it was just so nice. Having more useful hours in the day. I've only had a few functional ones the past few days. I can't wait for more! Some separation from my laptop. I do love my laptop, but I wish it wasn't my only connection to the outside world and source of entertainment. New sights, sounds, and smells. While I do have a routine, I u

Still sick, so still doing cheating posts. Here are some of the kinda pluses of being sick. Catching up on Netflix. Did you know the third season of Queer Eye  dropped? I did. A the sleep you could need. The downside is that you need a lot. Comfiest clothes. Pajamas are the best thing in the world. Being so cozy. It's really a necessity Don't have to go out in the wind and rain. There was an insane storm last night and I had no plans to go out. Twas great. Ab workout. That's what coughing is, right? Warm drinks, all day. Mostly LemSip, but still. Soft hair. I brush my hair a lot in part to massage my head and in part out of boredom. I am now the queen of crosswords. So many have been done I become proud of small accomplishments. I didn't have to take a nap today! Go me! The outside world becomes so much more exciting. What? You saw people today? Amazing! You notice a ton about your room. My bathroom may be haunted though... Food that isn't soup seems

Yep, still rocking a cold y'all. Here are some ways I've kept myself entertained. Milkman by Anna Burns. Not enjoying this book, but it's assigned...sigh. Forensic Files. Probably the craziest so far is the time an archbishop in the US was a FORMER NAZI. Brooklyn 99. Season 5 just hit Netflix here. Why Won't You Date Me? Nicole Byer remains a goddamn treat. My Brother, My Brother, and Me. These awkward boys keep me amused. Try Guys: Eat the Menu. Keith eating so much fast food remains great. Try Guys. Today they tried acupuncture! Buzzfeed Multiplayer: 100 Baby Challenge. I'm far too attached to these digital kiddos. Buzzfeed Multiplayer: 100 Baby Challenge Spinoff. So Olive doesn't get famous, but she does find true love. SNL cold opens. Have you seen the R. Kelly one? Go look it up. SNL weekend updates. SNL is living for the insanity that is the US right now. Daily Show Clips. I finally learned what the fake Melania thing was! A Closer Look. Set

Okay now to focus on the things that help when I'm sick, Head rubs. Meds only help so much with the headaches I get, so having my head rubbed would be awesome. Ice cream. No better excuse to chow down on ice cream than a sore throat. Lemsip. My true savior here. Where would I be without you? Friends running errands for me. Bringing me much needed supplies will never be forgotten, Jacqui. Naps. All the naps! Rest cures all! Netflix. It's nice to have something on as I just lie in my bed, unable to do anything. IMing. I get lonely and usually can't talk on the phone, so IMing helps, Blankets. Getting cozy is the best. Hot water bottle. Again, gotta be cozy. Taking it easy. This means not beating myself up for not doing parts of my regular routine. Comfy clothes. Can you imagine being sick and wearing constricting clothing? Sounds like a nightmare. Meds. Boy am I thankful for cold meds and my inhaler. Otherwise, guess who would definitely have to be at the hospit

Hi all, I have a bad cold right now (which is why I missed writing yesterday), so I'm cheating again. I don't think I can focus for 15 minutes so I'm just going to write 15 things I hate about being sick. I'm so tired. Just all the time. I think I slept most of the day yesterday, then slept for like 14 hours last night, and I'm still exhausted. I can't decide what temperature I want to be. I'm too hot and then I'm too cold and then I sweat through all of my clothes so I want to change them, but if I get out from under the covers then I'll freeze. I have to constantly blow my nose. This makes me feel gross and ends up scraping my nose so much that it makes it pink, I have trouble breathing. Like I forget that this is a thing I can struggle with because I mostly just do it without thinking. But noooo, when I'm sick I get to remember the struggle. I feel lonely. I don't think I'm the only one who gets this way, but I just start to fee

Lucille strutted down the street with her long, sturdy umbrella. It didn't matter to her that it wasn't raining, rain and hail were the least of her concerns. Her umbrella had so many uses, one of which was that it helped her walk with a confident air when she used it like a walking stick. She'd strut about, pointing the tip of her umbrella in sync with the tip of her high heeled foot, creating an elegant line that then clacked down onto the concrete with a satisfying noise. Some of this caused some stares, but Lucille welcomed them. She thought she looked rather dashing in her long blue coat and bright red hat, so let them admire her. Lucille knew that some people probably thought she looked rather odd and were not, in fact, admiring her, but none were so bold as to say something so she took it all as admiration. As she continued her walk, the sun slipped farther and farther behind the horizon, signalling the coming of night and the rise in danger that accompanied the

Okay so this is a bit of a cheating post in that I'm not going to time myself. Last night I was thinking about how shows like Riverdale  want to have a Dungeons & Dragons-type game, but don't want to use the actual name so they come up with a new name with a different letter of the alphabet. So I'm going to come up with one for each letter (excluding the original and I'm stealing 2 from shows). Instead of fifteen minutes, I'm just making myself use the first idea I have for each letter. If you can think of a better one, tell me! Attics & Automatons Beasts & Basements Crypts & Creatures* Dungeons & Dragons** Entryways & Elementals Forests &Fairies Gryphons & Gargoyles*** Hills & Hippogriffs Indoors & Imps Jungles & Jackalopes Kitchens & Kappas Libraries & Leprechauns Mausoleums & Mermaids Nooks & Nymphs Orcs & Outhouses Phonebooths & Phoenixes Quads & Qiqirns Restaurants &

Sorry everyone, it's been another long day so this is going to be a pretty basic post of things I did/saw/learned while on (my way to/from) Inis Meáin today kind of done in a style of one of my coursemates. Downloading the newest episode of Brooklyn 99 to listen to as you walk into town will be the best plan. A mocha will be the correct way to fuel your morning trek. There are too many cars on Shop Street in the morning, so you'll need to pay more attention when walking than normal. When you end up wondering where you dad is, he'll already be on the bus. Lally tour buses will never have working Wi-Fi. You're more easily seasick than you'd like (luckily no throwing up, just some good old fashioned nausea). You'll like the smell of seaweed and the ocean. Inis Meáin does not have a real center of town. Nothing is really open in the off season on Inis Meáin so you'll learn that you should've called ahead. People are the kindest on Inis Meáin and

Show them a good time  he said, you'll have a good time too , he said. But I knew I wouldn't. It's not that I didn't love my cousins dearly, because I did. We had all grown up together and had our love of camping in common, so we went on a camping trip together every year. But this year my dad had asked them to be included on his and my mom's annual trip to visit me and my husband in New York City. This was going to be a problem. When we were all packing our own food for the camping trip, it was easy for us all to eat together, but trying to find a restaurant that can fit ten people, accommodate ten sets of preferences and at least five different fad diets (this year Shirley decided to try the alkaline diet), and manage to be somewhere my dad deemed 'nice' was pretty much impossible. So far, there had been at least two people grumbling the entire time and not eating anything (which made them even less fun later). When the only activities were hiking, c