Here’s the second episode of my podcast – give it a listen!
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What’s Ahead in 2017
Well, here we are – now almost two full weeks into the new year, and I’m finally making moves to sit down and type up a post about what I hope to accomplish this year. As I touched on in my podcast (see my last post), I think it’s always important to set attainable goals, whether that’s on January 1, May 16 or October 4. I always want to strive to be better, happier, healthier, etc. and it’s like a full-time job. Sometimes I let myself down… and that’s okay. Sometimes I don’t achieve what I’d hoped – and that’s okay.
Anyways, a few years ago I stopped setting “resolutions” at the start of each year. It seems like an easy way for people to set themselves up for disappointments. “I’ll go to the gym more often,” we say, and then maybe we do for the first few weeks…. and then we drop off. “I’ll eat healthier,” and then we do… at least until a party comes up and there’s a table of good – but not healthy – food in front of us.
At any rate, I like to set hopes for not just the new year — but for the foreseeable future. Not resolutions – but goals nonetheless. Bonus points if you have ideas on how you’re going to accomplish those things too.
Here are a few of mine:
- Visit at least three new states. Traveling gives me energy, and I already know how I’m going to accomplish this one: my Texas road trip in spring.
- Try more new fitness things. I’ve already started this one with my boxing class at BikeOrBar.
- Write more. This is all about pushing myself, and I’m going to try my hardest to post here at least once a week along with my other writing forums.
I’ve got other ideas in my head for things I’d like to see happen this year, but for now, I’d like to keep them to myself. Let’s just say that 2017 is going to be an interesting year, and I’m ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead straight-on.
Melissa’s Musings, Episode 1
The first episode of my new (and first-ever) podcast is live! Listen below.
Book Review: “Everyday Sexism” by Laura Bates
Perhaps one of the most important, eye-opening books you can read on the topic, I suggest everyone pick up a copy of Laura Bates’ “Everyday Sexism,” which builds off the website and associated social media accounts.
Sexism is rampant these days, whether you experience it every day or not. I particularly think this book would be a crucial read for anyone who doesn’t, or thinks they don’t, experience sexism. There were a lot of little gem quotes in this book, which is littered with examples from real women and men around the world of their experiences with sexism.
From being catcalled on the street to being harassed at work, from lower-level offenses to the most serious stories of harassment and assault…. this book will open your eyes to what women (and men, to a lesser degree) are experiencing around the world. From tales of Internet harassment (thanks, social media) to how that can reach over into the non-virtual world…. this book covers a little bit of everything, including how varying groups can experience different levels of sexism, including sexism intertwined with other things like racism, ableism, homophobia, etc. I found it to be a very thorough read, if an incredibly sad one. It’s hard to read all the stories and see what people experience in these categories around the world, to feel the pain, the embarrassment… and to connect that to what we’ve felt in our own lives.
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Movie Review: “Jackie” is Haunting, Memorable Biopic
Pablo Larrain’s 2016 biographical drama film, “Jackie,” released earlier this month, is a fascinating, haunting look into the life of Jacqueline Onassis Kennedy around the time of her husband’s death. It is fascinating, intimate and memorable – and a film I would recommend to all, whether you’re invested in this iconic figure or not.
I was fortunate to catch this flick at the historic North Park Theatre in Buffalo. I’d never been before, but I truly see why they call it “Buffalo’s best.” It is a beautiful, one-room theatre, stage and all, with a screen set up on said stage for viewing of movies. The 600-seat theatre was established in 1920 and is absolutely picturesque. It’s certainly a beautiful way to watch a film. (It also happens to be five minutes from my home and the only local-ish theater showing the film, so…. things worked out nicely.)
“Jackie” stars Natalie Portman as the title character, and is an intriguing look at the time in Jackie’s life surrounding her husband’s death. The film flips back and forth between the ‘present’ time, which is an interview between a reporter and Jackie in Hyannis Port, MA, and reflecting back on the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy. This is Portman’s first time portraying Jackie, and I think she wears it well.
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thoughts of Melissa 