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11.29.2012

A Post: Quotations, Thoughts on Autumn and Instagram Goodness


There were times in my life, whole years, when anger got the better of me. Ugliness turned me inside out. There was a certain satisfaction in bitterness. I courted it. It was standing outside, and I invited it in. I scowled at the world. And the world scowled back. We were locked in a state of mutual disgust.


-The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

This particular quotation has always held a special place in my heart. The whole novel speaks to me, but this particular line more so. I think I've always been more pessimistic than optimistic (glass is always half empty). I guess you could say it was all those years of being a teenager and then early 20s angst. As I get older, however, I realize that I'm much more relaxed, I stop to contemplate the little things much more often and I try to be as positive as possible. (I still get stressed and worry too much, but it's work in progress.) 

I wanted to visit the blog just to connect with everyone since it's been sometime since I posted a review or featured a bookstore. I have yet to complete my review of Gillespie and I despite the fact that I absolutely loved it. Lately I've found (as so many others have expressed) that I have a harder time reviewing books I love over those that I don't necessarily enjoy. It's strange, but perhaps says something about my personality. I celebrated my 28th birthday and spent the weekend after Thanksgiving in a secluded cabin with J (who was also celebrating a birthday) in the mountains of North Carolina. We played scrabble, sat in front of a fake fire and actually took time to relax. It was perfect. (Beautiful cake from my mama!)


 

I was bummed to return to the routine even though there were so many things I was looking forward to doing. Generally, my days are filled with anxiety. Traffic in Atlanta is horrendous and makes anyone want to pull their hair out. My job revolves around helping people fix problems when they're on a deadline (which means they aren't always so nice) in front of large social audiences (so definitely not nice). And the sun seems to set just as I'm walking in the door which leaves me feeling tired. However, a few things have happened (it's the little things) this week that have made everything seem much more cheerful: 

- Someone held the door for me at the coffee shop.

- A guy on the street told me to have a nice night when I was leaving the parking deck.

- I played trivia with my friends and conspired with the waiter (who gave us mostly wrong answers), which left us laughing.

- A man let me out in a long line of traffic after waiting for what seemed like forever (a rarity in Atlanta, indeed).

I love this time of year, but the grey sky and the early darkness always seem to affect me a little more than I remember. 


This year has definitely been a tough one, but as it comes to a close I realize that I love everything that surrounds me. I'm so thankful for my friends, family and each and every bit that makes the world go round. 

Perhaps this is a late Thanksgiving post. Or just a rant of sorts... as I'm prone to do. But I thought I could share my joys with you. Hopefully you're encountering people in the same spirit. If not, I hope you have the happiest of weeks! 

I'd also like to share this video because it is the sweetest thing I've ever seen: 



16 comments:

  1. That was a perfect weekend. Those apple cider steaks were some of the best I've had and the cabin was beautiful. Also, thanks for not mentioning the -th of my birthday. We're getting grey around here. :)

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    1. J, I'd never post your old age. AHAHAh. Just kidding. It was a great weekend. Wish we could be there now :)

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  2. Okay, that video just melted my cold, grumpy heart a little. What a perfect bookend to what I thought was really just a lovely post. It's amazing how something as simple as someone holding the door open for you (or thanking you for holding the door open) can restore my faith in humanity. I'm convinced that it's a mark of my old age or perhaps my enduring overabundance of cynicism but those little things really DO make a difference. A very Happy Belated Birthday to you both! (And I really need to re-read The History of Love. It's been YEARS and I still think about it often.)

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    1. I'm glad I could share it! I can't help but smile when I watch it. So very adorable and wonderful! It's funny because I've noticed that people have been doing it a lot more frequently. I don't know if it's the season or my bitch face isn't so bitchy anymore (haha), but people have been so much nicer! I'm loving it. And you are not alone in the cynicism factor. God, sometimes J gets really frustrated with me. But that's just how I am!
      Yes! Reread The History of Love - you will love it even more. So great.

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  3. Happy belated Birthday!! Sounds like you had such a wonderful time ;) I really loved this post - it was sweet and honest (even made me smile). I am always surprised when someone holds the door open for me or says thank you. How sad is that? I guess it just goes to show how uncommon it is for people to express a common courtesy for their fellow man and woman.

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    1. Thanks!!! Glad I could make you smile. That's what I was hoping I could do for everyone. I think it's more that people are so busy these days that they often just forget to stop and make these simple gestures. I know I'm guilty of walking around like a zombie going over to-do lists in my head and so forth. It's nice to see it though and remind me to stop more often!

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  4. I love the list of nice moments! People should do that more often. And I find it easier to write about books that I dislike too, even though I think I'm generally optimistic. I wrote about this a little bit in my last post - I think I'm just a little more aware of the mechanics of books I don't like, which gives me more to say than that undefinable something about books I like do. Hmm...maybe I should write a longer post about this.

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    1. Yes! Reviewing the list makes me even happier. I'll have to check your full post to continue the discussion, but I've found lately that it's just so much easier when I dislike a book. I can never put my finger on (or articulate) what it is that I just loved about some titles. Very sad. Perhaps I should work on it.

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  5. That list made me smile from ear to ear :) And yum! That cake!!

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    1. Glad to hear it!!! The cake was so good. Chocolate on the outside and a cheesecake filling! It was delicious. Have a great week!

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  6. My days sometimes feel like that too - usually after a day of dealing with poor behaviour from some children, then getting moaned at by parents, then sitting in London traffic only to get home and know I still have an evening of planning and marking ahead. But as you say, the little things can make a difference.

    The cake looks so yummy :)

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    1. Ugh.. I can relate! The little things and the books I'm reading make it all worth it!

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  7. That sounds like a wonderful way to spend a birthday!
    I also find it hard to be cheerful in this gloomy winter weather. For now, I'm trying to focus on Christmas and it's helping a little bit. But I have no idea what I'm going to do when January comes around...

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    1. It was so much fun, Lindsey! Yes, January and February are always the hardest months to get through and I live in the South. It's just so gloomy and cold. I try to find hobbies to occupy my time so that I'm focusing on something meaningful instead of thinking about the shitty weather. Good luck!!!!

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  8. Hi - I'm stopping by to invite you to enter the Ireland Reading Challenge Giveaway at my blog. :)

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