Fifteen Minutes of Scrawl

Note that I don't know all of these. These are also in no particular order. Becoming an aunt Starting therapy Getting my first full-time job Getting my first paying job Getting into grad school Getting into undergrad Getting my first piece published Seeing Steve Irwin for the first time Joining Math Team Organizing my first secret gift exchange Adopting my first dog Moving out of my parents' place Moving into my first solo apartment Traveling abroad without family or teachers for the first time Starting this blog (Prompt by ChatGPT) "Cheers!" by Pete Berlin . Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic .

Time for some more beginnings and ends? Sarper sucks Is this swarm of bugs a bad omen for Brandan and Mary? I feel bad for Brandan's mom, this seems like a real panic attack "Jesus H. Roosevelt" is a new one for me TJ...consider therapy for everyone (including you!) Oop so Yohan has been cheating Sarper really looks like a Sim I'm proud of you, Brandan's mom Can Brandan now look for a job? Like did you two actually look into the legality of that? Kimberly, are you trying to learn the language? Ah Kimberly and TJ, neither of you thought about life post-wedding This is an upsetting fight to watch Kimberly definitely needs therapy No next time on? I guess next week will be a surprise? (Prompt by me) 90 Fiance: The Other Way , TLC Promotional image source

Of course, if I had all of these, I'd need a bigger tree.  An alligator one like this one A Star Trek  one like this one or this other Star Trek  one Customized Hoban and Velma ones (I do have some generic ones with their names, but I mean ones that look just like them) Some photo ornaments with my favorite photos A Firefly ornament like this one A Friends  ornament like these A Chicago ornament like this one A D&D ornament like this one or this other D&D one A books ornament like this one or this other books one A Scooby-Doo  ornament like this one  or this other Scooby-Doo  one An ornament or more commemorating my travels (Canada, Mexico, UK, Italy, Vatican City, Iceland, Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, Andorra, Pakistan) An ornament or more commemorating my time in Ireland like this one A My Favorite Murder  ornament like this one A Crazy Ex-Girlfriend ornament like this one Holly ornaments like this one (Prompt by me) "Christmas ornament held in front of a

Time for some more tense meetings! Ugh, Sophie, just leave him "Isn't the best at ideas" is hilarious Jasmine, that coat is beautiful but you need a more intense winter coat...you're in Michigan GINO! You think Jasmine is asking this question because she doesn't already know? Ugh Gino and Jasmine need to break up That was some long b-roll for Devin and Nick Oh, okay, Igor/Justin...just comment on cows like that I guess Jessica Delilah is so cute Wait, Ashley, do you have like 4 coffees? Ashley...Manuel is right there If Clayton is allergic, why does he have guinea pigs? Rob, it's been like A day Hey did you all ever resolve that kids thing? No? Ah Igor/Justin's mom has a great coat Maybe I can have some hope for Clayton and Anali 35.8% of the time is so precise, Sophie's mom "And many other English words"--Igor/Justin interpreting Nikki "Like a cow all splayed out"--Anali describing Clayton on the bed Well that massage was short I&#

Having read the book, I was excited to hear this talk.  While the US Government may have helped stop one particular set of abuses against the Osage, they were standing in a position to keep enacting abuses The Ingalls settled on Osage land Voting rights were initially inherited and could be inherited by non-Osage The Reign of Terror that the Osage faced is more recent than you want it to be (1918-1931) Restorative justice is used in a lot of indigenous thought Casinos are ways of replacing lost tax income Harvard Kennedy School Project on Indigenous Governance and Development is a thing Blood quantum is still affecting indigenous citizenship I should learn the land story of Chicago native-land.ca is a thing I want to figure out how to support indigenous nations I should read more books on indigenous nations I should reread this book I should see the movie I want to attend more SwatTalks (Prompt by me) Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Gra

It was lunchtime at my father's care facility. The lunch actually looked good--a rarity. It was baked chicken, roasted potatoes, and carrots. I almost wished I hadn't eaten before I'd come. Almost.  My dad was sitting with his two friends: Fred and Elizabeth. I say friends, but their relationship was carefully curated by the care facility itself. My dad, Fred, and Elizabeth didn't decide on their own where to sit, seats were assigned. Eventually, these consistently assigned seats formed a relationship between the three. I joined the three of them in my mask for COVID is still very present no matter how much we ignore it. Elizabeth told me I could take it off, but I knew I had to keep it on--despite the fact that the staff was either wearing their masks incorrectly or not wearing them at all.  I asked how Elizabeth was, she told me to ask my dad, he told me to ask Fred, and Fred said they were fine and it was nice to see me. "I don't know how she got my finger i

My therapist will be proud.  I am within the normal curve What I want matters I am trustworthy Even though I struggle, I am still doing a lot right I am working on it It's okay to feel how I feel I am launching my life I didn't cause it, I can't cure it, and I can't control it I am worthy of what I want No matter how I look, I am lovely I am resilient It's not too late I am strong I have tools to help myself I am building a community (Prompt by me) "Notes" by Hernán Piñera . Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic .

In this world, money can literally buy happiness. But it ain't cheap. Money is one of the more expensive emotions. It looks like sunshine in a bottle and tastes of your favorite food. There is the cheaper version of happiness, contentedness. It's a mint green and tastes like one of your regular recipes that you pull out all the time. Rage is carefully regulated, more so than any other emotion. It is usually bought in dilutions so even though it is purely red, the bottles sold of it are often a shade of pink. It tastes like sulfur. Sadness is cheap, but has a certain artistic following. Real artists, true geniuses, they say, can drown themselves in sadness. That is what makes art. Sadness is blue and salty. Anxiety is, oddly enough, most popular among students. It is orange and tastes of your least favorite caffeinated beverage--the one you only drink because no other caffeine is available. Students use it to get them into that panicked work mode that they believe is when they d

Maybe I'll try and do this every year. Also, these are in no particular order My family (especially the niblings both here and almost here) My friends Hoban That I'm reading more ( you can read more about this in this post ) My apartment's windows The events I have planned that are coming up Getting most of my shopping done early That I haven't killed all of my plants Therapy Being employed Family gatherings That I can move forward with freezing my eggs My book review blog This blog All who read my blog(s) (Prompt by me) "thanksgivingdinner" by WilliamsCty GIS

Time for some beginnings and ends.  God Brandan and Mary are not ready Yeah, Wayne, I bet you didn't think this would be complicated Kenny and Armando are so cute God I hope they clean that chair Okay I laughed out loud at Kenny and Armando's texts Wow, Sarper Yes, Shekinah...Sarper was a mistake Wow I'm honestly surprised that Yohan and Daniele still gave out gifts Daniele, let Yohan keep the clothes This dog scene is really upsetting It seems like you two have opposing solutions, Holly Okay, Brandan and Mary's wedding is super pretty to start Ho boy, Mary is like "well he's trapped now" BUGS Next time Daniele learns more stuff about Yohan Next time Shekinah packs Next time the bugs continue Next time Kimberly screams Next time looks good Can't wait! (Prompt by me) 90 Fiance: The Other Way , TLC Promotional image source

It's fast approaching!  Hot cocoa Christkindlmarket  Zoo Lights Setting up my tree Christmas itself Watching snow from my many windows Breaking out my favorite, coziest sweaters (including my llama Christmas sweater) Sitting at my friend's fireplace Maybe sitting around a fire pit New Year's Eve Having the week off between Christmas and New Year's My friend group's secret gift exchange Fancy dinner Perhaps curling Watch some holiday movies (Prompt inspired by ChatGPT) "Hazelnut orchard in snow, Willamette Valley, Oregon" by Bonnie Moreland

Time for some crying and/or screaming. I hate watching people cry so this scene with Jasmine is rough Gino...you must have had a girl in the car I bet you don't feel love, Jasmine Oh, Jasmine Omg Sophie...just go home Lol to Igor/Justin saying "big boots" I always feel bad for retail workers on this show Manuel...has Ashley not even met your kids over video? Idk I think a better first full day is rest or spa rather than horses Anali...you could've told your dad at some point...it has been years Haha Gino only learned the word "bitches" in Spanish Jasmine, what a wild thing to say to your dog Jasmine, I don't think Gino is lying that he just forgot to throw this out...he did leave poop in the toilet Gino, you should learn Spanish Ho boy are Igor/Justin and Nikki not compatible I don't like it when people talk about therapy like this, Manuel SOPHIE! YOU CAN GO HOME! Just cause it could've been worse, Rob, doesn't mean it wasn't bad "Pl

I realize that some may be very difficult to do!  Who Run the World?: Female leaders in ancient cultures From Sobek to Irwin: Crocodilians in media, nature, and pantheons Go Down with the Ship: A history of fan fiction Bringing Them Inside: The evolution of pets Beyond the Camel Corps: Animals in the Military Not Here to Make Friends: A look at the reality show villain Holy Metals: An investigation of the religious and legendary meanings behind silver and gold Burn the Witch!: Real trials of the supernatural from faeries to vampires to witches When the Giant Squid was Myth: Tales of Cryptids becoming a reality By Land and By Sea: Humanoids who dwell in water from mermaids to ningyo Uncontacted: What we know about uncontacted groups and why we should leave them alone Red, Carrot, Poison: The science and stories behind red hair Jump, Clap, Smack: A cultural history of jump rope and hand clap rhymes and games Selfie Culture: An examination of self-portraiture, commissioned and self-create

I had the pleasure of seeing  Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches on a Saturday afternoon with a friend. Perhaps pleasure is an odd word to describe the experience of seeing live sea lampreys, old leech containers, and models of red blood cells, but it was an overall, fascinating and informative experience. Before visitors experience  Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches there is a warning that I wish I had taken a photo of. While I don't remember the exact wording, the impression that my friend and I got from it was that there would not be depictions of actual bloodsucking throughout, but more on this later. The exhibit opens with a discussion of what blood is made of and what bloodsuckers need out of it. This was a fantastic way to open the exhibit as while we all have blood, many of us, including myself, don't realize what is included in it and what about it is attractive to bloodsuckers. In addition, the larger-than-life model of red blood cells was enticing and almost enchanting.

My first (non-babysitting, non-internship) job was at a bookstore! Some more details about my time at the bookstore can be found in this post .  Having a regular schedule is welcome Everyone should work a retail gig at some point Working somewhere that you love to visit isn't always the best fit However, working somewhere you love to visit does ensure you'll make at least one friend People can feel the need to overshare with strangers You sometimes have to work to make a job what you want it to be Every workplace has some, at least, goofy policies Holidays really are a rush at retail so be extra kind to retail workers during that time It can be super weird when someone quits or gets fired (I would only learn that it's pretty much always weird after other experiences) I love wrapping books Books have been and are still important to me I have strong feelings about how books should be shelved, displayed, recommended, etc. I hate doing book returns I love looking for the perks

Time for some failures to adjust, adapt, and compromise.  It's odd to me that TJ's family and Kimberly are getting along fine Ho boy, Kimberly asked directly about this stuff and TJ lied? Brandan's mom's sunburn is in a weird pattern I appreciate that Brandan's mom seems to care about Mary Huh, are Americans known for being cold in Turkey, Sarper's mom? Sarper, your shirt sure is open for meeting with your parents Sarper, didn't Shekinah already move to Turkey for you Okay, maybe I'm crazy, but wouldn't the shipping costs be more than the toys, Daniele? Ho boy so Yohan is done paying rent So I guess Yohan is dumping Daniele after she asked for rent that he agreed to pay...while dressed as Santa Aren't they 23, Brandan's mom? Huh Mary apologized to Brandan's mom Okay seeing cow manure in the kitchen would throw me off too, Kimberly This is admittedly a beautiful place that Sarper has taken Shekinah to Sarper...you did leave a child Lol She

I've done this a few times.  Download offline maps beforehand Take screenshots of important addresses and directions Learn a few key phrases in the local language Have a list of must-sees and then some would-be-nice-to-sees Leave a day to just explore (if the timing works out) Consider an Airbnb so you can do laundry before coming home (trust me, coming home with a suitcase full of clean clothes feels so much better) Carry a list of souvenirs you want to buy (specific local things you want to get and/or people you want to shop for) Bring a nice camera if you can Don't be afraid to ask for directions Check out Atlas Obscura as well as the main tour guides Look into local tours (walking, bus, ghost, etc.) Make sure you have the means to charge your phone and other important technology Research tipping and other norms you may encounter Forget any pressure to see the most things possible, vacation can also be an important time to rest Enjoy going at your own pace (Prompt mostly by

Time for some tense meetings! Rob, it still happened while you were together Rob, asking someone for explicit images is different than watching porn Jasmine, I could've told you (without the rain) that they weren't going to like you Omg I love the alpaca from Clayton to Anali Clayton is giving solid advice to his mom Lol Clayton has changed his view on flowers I guess Okay, Ashley, bickering is one thing, but I would say you all have done more than that Ho boy we sure are talking about sex magic Yes, Ashley, venting usually connotates bad things Is Manuel controlling? Omg Manuel not responding to a basic "be sure you take care of" does not look good Oop Nikki is telling Igor/Justin that he's too quick Ho boy I'm uncomfy already with this meeting of Nick's family Aaaaand now Devin is crying Is bocce ball Italian, Gino? (Google suggests yes!) Aw I appreciate this member of Gino's family saying Jasmine can call her I actually bet Gino is stoked to not pay

I [would] still play some of these! If you want to see board games I play, read this post . Sardines Mafia Ditch Avocado "Miss Lucy (Susie?) Had a Steamboat" Concentration "Down by the Banks of the Hanky Panky" Tag (many variations) Four square Star Crack the whip Nightmare Capture the flag Red Rover "I Don't Want to Go to Mexico" (Prompt inspired by ChatGPT) "Tag" by Erik Schmidt . Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic .

"Okay, good night, books," the elderly bookshop owner, Irish, murmured as she locked up. She had inherited the bookshop, Iris's Wonders , from her grandmother who had inherited it from her father before her, and so on and so forth. Iris was a family name that had, like the bookstore, been passed down for generations. Iris had grown up at Iris's Wonders  and there was something magical about the place. Not in the way that all bookstores are magical, though there was that too, but something tangibly magical about it. Iris had tried to catch glimpses of the magic, but only saw the shadows. Books that were disheveled the night before were neatly shelved the next morning. A book that had been neglected was suddenly on display and off to a good home the next day. The new books on the cart were, ever so slightly, arranged thematically, giving Iris an idea for a new display.  And, beyond these mysterious happenings, there was the feeling of the place. People would come to the

I rent so some of these are limited. Paint the walls (probably green) Install central heat and air Put a full-length mirror on the back of my door Purchase more storage for my bathroom Get an elevator or magically move my apartment down a floor Hire a professional to hang my art (some is crooked and I just don't have the energy to fix it) Swap my gas stove for an electric one Add overhead lighting to my living room Buy a bigger fridge Obtain a dishwasher Acquire in-unit laundry Hang curtains Switch to a jacuzzi tub Acquire more bookshelves Decorate for each season (Prompt by me) "paint bucket" by chris riebschlager . Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic .

Here are some short pieces based on things that have happened in my life recently. Nap Weather All weather is nap weather. Gloomy days with a sky blanketed with gray clouds do make me sleepier, but there is something I find so pleasant about stretching out in the sun like a cat and just dozing off. Perhaps this is odd, I haven't thought much about it until today (a sunny day) when I thought about how lovely it would be to take a nap. I wonder, do others nap in all weather? Or is it reserved for days when you're just so cozy that you can't help it? There's a sense that you shouldn't waste a lovely weather day, shouldn't sleep it away, but I love the feeling of sun warming my face as I close my eyes and just relax. Physical A friend asked me if I'd done a listicle of physical attributes I liked about myself. I don't believe I have, but please let me know if I'm wrong. I resist doing this prompt because I don't think I'd be able to get to 15 (wh

SPOILERS ABOUND! Carla Gugino is amazing (especially when she was being chimp-like--that impressively creeped me out) Mark Hamill is a scene-stealer as well I had two guesses of who was in the wall and one of them was right! Boy I'm a softie cause all of the deaths made me feel bad It's pretty funny that the house literally fell at the end I wish we found out more explicitly what happened to Annabelle The series felt a bit rushed, especially towards the end A little too much gore for me (but I'm a wimp) Some parts of the Ushers' sex lives were just a little too ridiculous I wish I'd been right about Madeline being the informant There is a lot being said with costume design (pointed out to me by a friend) I definitely missed a lot of details Bruce Greenwood has a great voice The chances at redemption that Verna gives are interesting I still wonder if Juno was sent by Verna (Prompt by me) The Fall of the House of Usher , Netflix Promotional image source  

Time for some rough conversations. Has Shekinah met Sarper's family before? Wow has Sarper not told his family anything about her? Wow Sarper has a kid Okay while I'm glad Brandan's mom didn't freak out about eating frog, they still shouldn't have lied to her Oof getting into heavy talk, huh? Ah Holly, ever practical Ah Wayne has "given" Holly friends Ah yes, Kenny, more relaxed means on TV Okay I laughed at Kenny saying "I love emotional people" Okay, maybe potentially shoving a pie into your pregnant fiance's face isn't a great plan, Brandan Therapy is a great plan Oop Sarper revealing he just lied to get Shekinah into bed Holly and Wayne did not think about this Next time Kimberly can't adjust Next time Daniele and Yohan dress up for Christmas and have a fight Next time (I believe) Daniele throws Yohan out and he tries to take the dog Next time Brandan's mom counsels Mary Next time Sarper gives Shekinah an ultimatum Next time s

Tis the season! What the person you're gifting something may need (maybe they just moved into a new apartment and need some basic kitchen supplies) The person you're gifting something's favorite color (this can influence most gifts you get them) The person you're gifting something's favorites in general and see if you can combine them (I, for instance, once received an amazing shirt of Star Trek: TNG characters in the style of the Friends  promotional pic with umbrellas) Any absolute nos the person you're gifting something may have (e.g. an allergy or an activity they detest) The person you're gifting something's hobbies (Do they need new dice for their D&D campaign? Maybe they'd love new yarn for their latest sweater project.) Places the person you're gifting something shops at frequently (chances are, they'd love a gift card to there) Things that comfort the person you're gifting something (e.g. a stuffed animal or a favorite candy)

Time to meet a new couple (again)! And, Sophie, you're 23! You have so much time Rob isn't listening Also, what makes Rob think he can afford a child right now? They cannot afford surrogacy Okay, Igor/Justin, saying it wasn't a lot of money isn't a great strategy Lol Igor/Justin doesn't know how to leave Clayton dresses up his guinea pigs and I love it That chihuahua is not happy Anali is so pretty Oh dear...Clayton's mom needs serious therapy I think Jasmine is allergic to Gino's detergent I don't think Jasmine is allergic to the almonds, Gino EW Yuh oh, Devin is only 23 Devin, maybe you and Nick move to a bigger city? Clayton...do you literally mean Anali gets 20 calls per day from her dad? Cause, if so, that's weird Wait...I'm supposed to buy new pillows every 6 months, Jasmine? Yuh oh Oh Gino, hug Jasmine If Devin thinks it's going to be a train wreck...it might be a train wreck Okay, maybe, MAYBE, if Devin gets overwhelmed and cries...yo

Now that Halloween is over, tis the season! Shop early Keep track of what you've bought for whom (I have a spreadsheet) Set a budget (either per gift or in total [or both!]) If you can, check out sites like Etsy where you can buy directly from artists Don't be afraid to look at gift guides (Here are some I made: 15 gifts that are $15 or under ; 15 white elephant gifts for work ;  15 gifts that you can do/make yourself ; 15 giftcard ideas ; 15 online shopping options that aren't Amazon ) Know that it's okay to ask people what they want (either specifically e.g. a scarf with holly on it or the kind of thing they'd like e.g. jewelry or board games) Homemade works great--just plan in advance Get unique with wrapping if you have the time and energy ( 15 gift wrap ideas ) It's okay to consult people who know the person you're buying for for ideas Do a brainstorm for ideas without a budget in mind--things out of budget may help you think of things within budget Sh

Dearest Future Caledonia, I do not know if you will live to see this letter, but I pray you do. Tonight is the night and it felt appropriate to mark the event with a letter. Father would say I'm a fool for writing this down, but we know what we think of father. Besides, are we not old enough to be independent of him? He would say if we are independent of him that we should be dependent on another man. Perhaps you are, my dearest future self, but you are not tonight. Tonight, you will be truly free. Not free in the sense that you thought you were when you went to that party, that was just a first taste. Oh yes, that was a lively Hallow's Eve filled with costumes, masks both real and imagined, wine, and even some spirits. It was then that you made your choice. Do not forget that. Hallow's Eve is a holy day for you. It revealed the chains that your father had on you and what it felt like to be unshackled if only briefly. You raised Hell that night with all the other youth. It

Here were the first 15 I thought of , but below are some more! I've gotten so many more niblings since I wrote the first post!  Caledonia Oliver Arthur Jasper Frederick Eric Wesley Jamie Kaylee Leia Ester Joy Lyra Iris Odette (Prompt by me) "baby" by Nyssa Archive

Time for something devastating?  I do like Kimberly's dad and stepmom Hrm it is weird that Yohan was so weird about the money... If it wasn't a joint account, Yohan, then it's not yours... Sarper, you could use a new bed Sarper...we're here I mean, considering how often Wayne's home was broken into, I see why Holly's mom is concerned I mean, I hear ya, Brandan's mom...spiders are scary (though her fear seems worse than mine) I can feel Kimberly's exhaustion from here Kimberly is like "I like being married to him so far." Um, hasn't it been less than 12 hours? My god Daniele and Yohan should not be together Yohan...are you on the lease? Asking just for practical reasons Next time Armando and Kenny meet with their surrogate Next time Holly wants to move Next time Sarper wants a baby Next time Brandan's mom tells Mary and Brandan their love isn't enough (Prompt by me) 90 Fiance: The Other Way , TLC Promotional image source