Fifteen Minutes of Scrawl

Time for part 2 of the tell all!  Shawn asking the real question to Josh, "At what point do you take her at her word?" Gosh, I don't need to know about Josh and Catie's sex drive Even the idea of a glass dildo makes me uncomfortable Does no one want Catie to get intense therapeutic help? I would also be annoyed if someone was vaping in a van I was in I don't think Thomas is a "loose cannon"--like, yeah, he's upset but quite reasonably Ashia is being quite fun Mallorie, Thomas did  use his words Shea, you don't need to do shots I am enjoying Debby's sparkly top Wait why did Edward refer to Mariss as "Blondie"? Edward, Marissa does have to maintain some line of communication with Michael as Marissa and Michael's sons are minors Catie, you good? Shea, that was actually really sweet to share your story regarding your parents Catie, last call happened Also, Catie, you're not okay Shea, do you really have 0 pictures of Nicole? Lik...

In case you don't know, Open House Chicago (OHC) is a free public festival that offers behind-the-scenes access to more than 200 sites of architectural interest, including many that are not normally open to the public. If you're curious, browse the 2026 sites . Otherwise, enjoy 15 sites that intrigue me! 6018 North Albany-Carroll Arts Building All Saints' Episcopal Church Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Chicago Anti-Cruelty Birch Road Clubhouse Boxville Center for Native Futures Chicago Magic Lounge Chicago Maritime Museum Columbia Yacht Club FarmZero Glessner House The House of Glunz & The Glunz Tavern Graceland Cemetery and Arboretum (Prompt by me) Open House Chicago 2026, Chicago Architecture Center

Wen through some of my dad's stuff today and "Take a Bow" by Rihanna came into my head, so here's my attempt to combine those two experiences. Oh, how about a round of mem'ries? Yeah, a scarring retention Ooh, whoa, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah You'd look so blank right now Standing rig ht by my side Trying to explain your life You're so barefaced when you lie Please, just leave my mind And you couldn't say you're sorry 'cause you're not Because dad you'd only say sorry cause it's fraught But you'd put on quite a show (Ooh, oh) Really have me going But, now, I should let go (Ooh, oh) The chance for truth's all done There was once a chance (Ooh, oh) Very sad reminder But it's all gone now (But it's all gone now) Go and leave, you know how Oh, oh I sort clothes and your things (Your things) You crated away so You would not truly be seen (Be seen) Actin' like "Kids, I love you, you know me" That just sounds...

Gotta prep! Cookies Ghost cutouts Drippy candles S'mores supplies My costume pieces Halloween-y prizes Frosting and candies Empty potion bottles Two pumpkin baskets Large Halloween-y bag Spooky photobooth supplies Big piece of paper and markets An inflatable decoration for my patio Flyers with QR codes for various games Disposable paper plates, cutlery, and napkins (Prompt by me) Photo by Adriana Sidor on Unsplash

So, due to me unpacking, I discovered my old Degrassi: The Next Generation  bucket hat. That made me want to rewatch the show, so here are a random collection of thoughts I had as I rewatched all of season 1 an d 14 epis odes of season 2. I do think it's pretty cool that the show does pick up from an older show where the teens from the original show are now adults (some with teenagers of their own) Gosh, that opening song takes me back, but maybe we don't put the final logo on a teen girl's butt? Omg J.T. is the babiest of babies Toby, I was you as a kid--actually aware of danger It is too funny to hear the characters refer to the internet as "the net" In my head, these episodes were like 45 minutes instead of like 22...brain does weird things I guess I am so anxious as this creeper is trapping Emma Hell yeah, Snake, pin that creep up against a wall until the police get there I do find it interesting that the first kids we meet are from the younger group Toby, tha...

As you may have been able to tell from my posts "15 group costume ideas for Halloween 2026" and " 15 group theme costume ideas for Halloween 2026" , I am considering doing a group costume this year. But, who knows! Maybe I'll be solo, so here's me brainstorming:  Ariel from The Little Mermaid Bella Goth from The Sims Carmen Sandiego from  Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? Dolly Parton (I know I mentioned this on another post, but it'd still be fun) Duo from Duolingo Grave of the Fireflies (I'd wear like a tombstone skirt and put firefly stickers all over me) Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus A Mad Lib (I could carry around a sharpie for folks to fill in the blanks) Maryanne from The Chicks's song "Goodbye, Earl" (I could carry beans, poison, and a fake body in a tarp) Miss Piggy from The Muppets Nurse Christine Chapel from Star Trek: TOS Penelope Featherington/Bridgerton from Bridgerton Terri Irwin Wigglytuff, The Pokémon Wo...

Time for (the start of) the commitment ceremony?  Sarper, they put that sign there so that this exact situation doesn't happen I think Thais needs therapy (not a judgment!) It's really tough to be able to tell what Sumit actually wants It's pretty wild that they surprise the couples with the zipline Kara, I do feel the need to comment that ziplines shouldn't be "a leap of faith"--you should know it works I feel like the couples are getting scolded based on how they all have to sit on the ground and the therapists (who did not just do a cave trek and zipline) get chairs Shekinah, were you prompted to say the show name? Oof Pao...don't say you came to the resort to break up with Russ in front of everyone... Hey, are the therapists gonna correct what trauma bonding means? Like, a lot of people use it to mean people who bond because of shared trauma, but it actually means a powerful and unhealthy emotional attachment that develops between a person and someone ...

Something my therapist recommended recently is putting the questions I wish I could've asked my dad on a page (any page), so here goes.  Who were your friends and why did I never meet them? You were very smart. What did that add to (or take away from) your life? What made you know that you wanted to marry mom?  What made you know that it was time to end the marriage? Did you ever even consider taking me on a trip? If you did, why didn't we go? If you didn't, how come you took my brother on one? Did you have fun with us when we were kids? What did you enjoy doing with us? You once told me that having kids was the best decision you ever made. Was that the truth? What were your wishes and hopes for me? Did you even have them? You wrote that your drinking made my brother and me worry. Do you think that's all it did to us? Do you think we didn't love you and thus suffered watching you suffer? Why didn't you show your family members support when they needed it most? I...

Time for part 1 of the tell all!  Mido, you're gonna get hit by a taxi Wait, Mido, do you want to be on Broadway now? You do know that's a different thing than being in Hollywood, yes? What is up with Josh's hat? Mallorie and Rasit seem cute, but I've heard some internet scuttlebutt Thomas, let Paula get ONE miniature thing Is Maxwell shirtless in bed on this video chat? Aw Edward seems genuinely excited to meet Josh Anabelle looks so good Wow I actually agree with Catie on one thing (Mido sucks) Catie, Josh is more attractive than Mido Ashia, did you (again) pick a dress you can't sit comfortably in? Ahhh now we know how to properly pronounce Rasit's name I thought Rasit and Brandon had become bros? Mallorie, Catie agreeing with you isn't the best sign Catie...I hate to break it to ya, but your castmates were talking to you about as gently as they could about your documented and admitted behavior Ashia, loosen the corset so you can actually sit Yeah of cour...

While I already posted "15 group costume ideas for Halloween 2026" , those had specific costume recommendations. For this post, I'm going to recommend a theme for a group costume and everyone can pick a costume that is within the theme, but that suits them best (e.g. the theme could be superheroes and folks can be Batman or Wonder Woman or Elastigirl) Historical musicals (e.g.  1776 , Hamilton , and Oh Mary! ) Famous fictional hired help (e.g. Alfred Pennyworth from Batman , Mary Poppins from Mary Poppins , and Mrs. White from the board game Clue/do ) Greek gods and goddesses (e.g. Hera, Ares, and Persephone) Lights in the sky (e.g. the sun, the moon, and Polaris/the North Star) Iconic aliens (e.g. Spock from Star Trek , Wicket from Star Wars , and the Alien from Alien ) Sport projectiles (e.g. a birdie, a golf ball, and a football) Well-known fictional dinosaurs (e.g. Blue the velociraptor from Jurassic World , Old Lace the genetically engineered deinonychus from Ma...

Here are some short pieces based on things that have happened in my life recently.  The Gifts are...Somewhere? I hate moving so much that towards the end of the process, I just threw things into bags or boxes as they fit, which room they'd come from or which room they'd go to be damned. However, this means that some things are still to be uncovered. And I don't know if this is the case for you, but I have about one billion loved ones with September birthdays (okay, 11 but that IS a lot!). So, I have quite a few birthday presents that I know I've bought (not only do I remember buying them, but I have a spreadsheet recording what I've bought), but have not retrieved from the various piles yet. I don't have a ton more boxes and bags to go through, so I'm confident I can find them tomorrow morning or afternoon (before I head to a joint birthday party in the evening) and then wrap and label them. Moving forward, I hope to get more organized under-bed storage to k...

Sometimes group costumes are just more fun!  The Powerpuff Girls (3), possibly with Professor Utonium (making it a group of 4) Scooby-Doo  characters (5 if you include Scooby, 6 if you also include the Mystery Machine) The Sanderson sisters (3) Rock, paper, scissors (3) The Sailor Scouts (up to 9) Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion (3), but you can also add more characters from The Wizard of Oz if you have more folks in your group The three little pigs (3), but you could add the big bad wolf (making it a group of 4) Parker, Hardison, and Eliot from Leverage  (3), but you can also add Sophie, Nate, Breanna, and/or Harry (making it a group of 4 to 8) if you have more folks in your group Steve, Terry, Bindi, and Robert Irwin (4), possibly adding in Bindi's husband Chandler Powell and/or Bindi's daughter Grace Warrior Irwin Powell (making it a group of 5 or 6)--you could additionally add in crocodiles or Australian wildlife if you have more folks in your group L...

Time for a trip to Bath!  Rebecca, I get that you have trust issues (from what you've shared about your past, you've come by them fair and square), but you cannot put that all on Zied Rebecca...you are looking to find something Rebecca, I do firmly believe partners are still allowed some privacy So, I know Kara is saying she "planned" this tea, but did she? I kinda assume the producers do all of the planning Shekinah, I feel like you're weirder than I initially thought Wait, the men and women are traveling together? I kinda enjoy how there is no facade of a man planning the men's day out in Bath It is genuinely nice to see Paola and Russ just joking around and enjoying being with each other I did not know Bath was the site of Roman baths! Okay, definitely the producers had to AT LEAST clear this place for filming Kara is right that the men will be talking about them Wait, Guillermo, is Venezuela not known for spicy food? Or is it just a different level than In...

Yes this is early, but I am very much looking forward to this celebration, so I figured I'd start planning early!  Carromancy Make s'mores Costume contest Cookie decorating Spooky photo booth Scariest villain bracket Halloween-themed Monikers Mummy (un)wrapping contest Identify the object in the box game Match the 1 star review to the horror/spooky/spoopy movie Give everyone a set of spooky/spoopy tasks to accomplish (first done wins) Guess how many candies are in the pumpkin and then win the candy if you're closest Everyone is given a ghost that they must find (e.g. they each get half of a drawing of a ghost) Hide "potions" for people to find--some have blessings (e.g. you get to pick the next song), but some of curses (e.g. you must now speak only with one syllable words) Trick-or-treat grab bag where everyone brings one ~$5 item when they arrive and grabs a random one out of the bag when they leave (Prompt by me) Photo by Quilia on Unsplash

Time to wrap things up (I hope I'm right this time)? Aw, Rasit, I'm sorry you miss your mom so much I am glad that Mallorie's mom likes Rasit I'm sorry that Catie has such rough body dismorphia Uhh what do Catie's friends mean that she's "loopy" and "losing it a bit"? Saying Catie does both fight and flight is accurate, but I think she also fawns Mido, Debby is literally our wife Debby, Mido genuinely means he doesn't want more kisses Mido, you have just repeated that you're a professional tour guide...not actor MIDO! YOUR CONFESSIONALS WILL BE ON CAMERA! DEBBY WILL SEE YOU SAID IT WAS "SO-SO" I do believe many folks who work in entertainment do curate their social media, but most will post their spouse at some point and/or have a private account for real friends Mido, there is no way you aren't on the hotel's Wi-Fi I'm genuinely surprised that he did put the photo up I'm unclear if this other Kleinfeld emplo...

So, in my previous post "Snippets, forty-three" I challenged myself to come up with 15 creative getting to know you questions, so here goes! If you could have any animal as a pet (with the guarantee you could care for them and they would behave), what animal would you pick? If you could change one big decision in your life, how would you? If you could wake up tomorrow and have mastered one dish to make, what would it be? If you could change your appearance with a snap of your fingers, how would you? If you could have one phrase your pet could understand, what would it be? You now have a book contract--what genre is it for? You now have the ability to greatly reduce one of your fears--which one do you pick? You now have the budget to make one more season of any show--what show is it? You now have to change careers, but will keep your same salary--which new career do you pick? You now have a flag for your home--what would the design be? How would you like to be remembered? How...

Here are some short pieces based on things that have happened in my life recently.  Getting to Know You When I picked this as a title for a section of this post, I immediately thought of the song from a musical ( The King and I ?), but that's not what I meant to talk about. Sometimes I worry that I'm immensely boring and/or bad at conversations. I guess I feel this way in part because I find games where you ask your friends random, but still kind of deep questions super helpful. Why is this though? Can I not come up with questions on my own? Am I so uncreative that I can't think of fun ones? Also, how is there still so much to learn about people I've known for decades? The answer to that last one is of course there is! We all contain multitudes that evolve over time (sometimes in sync with each other, but sometimes not), so it's not a reflection of how close I am with my friends (though my anxiety will tell me this is the case). This section has given me an idea for...

A friend and I are taking a quick trip to Madison, WI today and just leaving tomorrow, but here are some things I think could be fun to do! Purchase lots of books at  The Book Deal Play a record on our Airbnb's turntable Shop at  Dane County Farmers' Market Explore  Olbrich Botanical Gardens Peruse the  Commercial Ave Bazaar Check out the  Taste of Madison Hang out on our Airbnb's patio Have an Airbnb dance party Dine at a quirky restaurant Eat by one or more lakes Sip a unique cocktail Enjoy a board game Drink a fun latte Take silly pics Have fun! (Prompt by me) Photo by Nils Huenerfuerst on Unsplash

A dear friend texted me a prompt idea: "Put together a course syllabus from your collection of books, and what’s the theme and why read them together"--I thought it was a great idea, so I wrote "A syllabus based on some books on my shelf: Vampiric Literature (HOLL 101)" and now I'm doing it again (as before, formatting on this blog is a tad limited, but I did my best)!  OOPS! ALL TRUE (HOLL 102) Instructor Name and Preferred Title : Holly Smith (just call her Holly or she'll feel super old) Affiliated Department/Program/Organization : Independent scholar Degrees held : BA'14 History, minor in Statistics, Swarthmore College, MA'19 Writing, National University of Ireland, Galway (now Galway University) Course Description HOLL 102 examines the true gruesome events behind famous pieces of fiction. Through this examination, students should learn to que stion how the world around us either directly or indirectly affects our creative works and expression. ...

While there is a lot I enjoy about fall, HOW IS IT ALREADY SEPTEMBER 2ND?! Settling into my new condo Enjoying the crisp air while sipping a warm drink on my little patio In general, not sweating so much Perhaps purchasing some fall décor to put on said patio A new set of vibrant colors A quick trip to Madison, WI with a friend Celebrating the completion of my first year at my current job Attending Printers Row Lit Fest Watching a new season of Survivor  with friends Brainstorming a Halloween costume Planning a Halloween celebration Writing Halloween cards (should I make little poems etc. again?) Buying books at Hyde Park's annual used book sale Touring places at Open House Chicago Eating delicious Thanksgiving food (Prompt by me) Photo by Fred Russo on Unsplash