Jenny Bristol | Something

Marimekko Celebrates 50 Years of Unikko

I discovered the Finnish design company Marimekko years ago, finding their gorgeous floral Unikko design, but didn't realize what it was at the time. I just loved the style and colors. Once the internet came up, and fancy things like "search terms" were for more than just database administrators, I was able to find more about it. Unfortunately, their products (usually fabric) were still too expensive for underemployed me.

Feb 27

Gratitude

Here's a replay of something I wrote back on 12-12-12, 12 things for which I was/am grateful.

Feb 22

Sir David Attenborough Is the Man

I love how Sir David Attenborough can poke fun at himself. Here he is, narrating a bit of Olympic curling during a match between the U.S. and Great Britain.

Feb 20

Why Are We Defined By Our Deaths?

Yesterday, Philip Seymour Hoffman died. I hadn't seen too many of his movies, but I adored him in State and Main, and knew him to be a most excellent actor in addition. His death was possibly of a drug overdose, and if that's the case, he'll always be known as having died of a drug overdose, of it being a tragedy, and a genius who didn't get to perform his craft long enough.

Feb 3

Jane Austen and Luke Skywalker Have an Illicit Affair

I just caught them making trouble in my office window. Holding hands, Luke with a blaster and Jane with a quill. "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away," well, England isn't quite another galaxy, but Jane Austen did live kind of a long time ago. Rosie the Riveter is a bit jealous, but she's too concerned with feeding her family to fret. And she's too busy worrying about the apparent anachronisms.

Feb 1

The Evolution of IKEA (AKA My Happy Place)

Today, you get to hear about one of my true loves: IKEA. Perhaps this is a topic that is of interest to more than just me.

Jan 30

Getting Old Is Awesome

Getting old sucks. You just don't jump back from things as easily. Not getting enough sleep has more of an effect. Exercising wears you out more quickly and it takes longer to rest up. Injuries take longer to heal. The youth don't respect your opinions or your experience. Getting old really sucks.

Jan 26

My Issue With “Woman”

When I was a kid, I was a "girl." That's the word that described who I was, to me, by me, around me. "Women" were those female people older than me, with responsibilities and maturity, and lacking youthful vigor, looks, or attitude.

Jan 22

The Importance of Wills and End-of-Life Paperwork

It's vital that you have a will and get your final arrangements in order, regardless of what phase of life you are in, but especially if you have children.

Jan 20

because I said I would.

I've learned about a new project called because I said I would. It started as a better option than a New Year's resolution. Those are often broken. But if you want to keep a promise, to yourself or to someone else, keeping that promise "because you said you would" is important.

Jan 15

Declutter Your Space, Declutter Your Mind

We had a decent to do list this past weekend, and we actually got a good portion of it done. Not everything, mind you, but I'm always overly ambitious when it comes to what I want to get done.

Jan 13

A Surprise Pride & Prejudice Proposal (No, Not Mine)

The other day I came across one of the most awesome things I'd ever seen.

Jan 12

Keeping Anxiety From Holding Me Back

Today I got an email from a lady wanting to interview me, in my capacity as parent. Super parent, apparently, because why else would she pick me? Yeah, she must think I'm a super parent. Anyway, it's for a new venture that includes a blog and some other things. The interview will be over video Skype. Yes. VIDEO SKYPE.

Nov 18

Some Kind of Anti-Bullying Day

It seems like every single day is a National Day of these days. Some are pretty stupid, and all are a thinly veiled attempt to raise awareness for something and get people talking. This is a good thing for some issues, if we look past the contrived nature of it all.

Oct 17

Through the Decades: My Life in Chapters

A friend just turned 30 the other day, saying he hoped this new decade was great. I felt the need to tell him that my 30s were better than my 20s, and that my 40s would likely be even better. My life has neatly arranged itself into decade-long chunks of time. Chapters of my life, if you will.

Aug 13

Allie Brosh and Depression

Years ago, I discovered the hilarious wonder that is Allie Brosh and her blog, Hyperbole and a Half. On a regular basis, I got to enjoy her brand of ridiculousness ("Clean ALL the things!"). I knew she battled depression, but she seemed to manage it at least to a level of being a functional adult. But then she disappeared. Not literally, but internet-wise. No more posts. She wasn't commenting on other blogs. People who knew...

Domestic Archaeology

Every once in a while, it all comes to a head. The house gets so cluttered and chaotic that we all kind of just go, "Ahhh!" and go on a cleaning and organizing rampage. (All but my son, who really, really hates such things. We make him help, dragging him along, metaphorically kicking and screaming.) We've hit one of those points.

May 8

Don’t Mess With the Bulgarian Opposition Leader

Ain't nobody going to mess with the Bulgarian opposition leader.

Jan 21