I’m taking a break from this blog for the summer. (Summer includes September, for me.) Talk to you on October 15, 2023!
Three quick tips for better writing
1. Cut unnecessary words.
Print out your draft and go over it with a pencil. For each word, ask “Can I remove this without losing my intended meaning?” Cross out as many as possible.
True summers in their worst colors
I’m going to use Emily Blunt to illustrate this post, because she’s a true summer who often wears the wrong colors.
First, let’s observe how beautiful she can be.
This is our reference image. Return to it whenever your eyes need a break from the horrors below.
Orange
Orange is always horrendous on true summers.
Poor Emily. Her outfit looks like a slice of processed cheese.
Who looks good in red lipstick?
The short answer is winters—people who belong to one of the three winter color seasons.
In fact, this is an easy way to test if you’re a winter:
Do you look more alive in red, white, and black?
Here’s what that looks like.
The Kibbe types as dogs
Note: This post only makes sense if you’re familiar with the thirteen Kibbe style types.
Dramatic: Greyhound
Style file: Leona Lewis
11 life hacks (that actually work)
Before chopping a fruit or vegetable, look up the best way to deal with it.
I always seek out video instructions on how to chop things.
For example, here’s the best way to chop a bell pepper.
An alphabet of gratitude
My higher powers
Al-Anon and other twelve-step programs seem to require faith in “God.”
For example, step three is:
“Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”
Since God doesn’t exist, how can anyone take a twelve-step program seriously?
Here’s my solution.
I use “God” as shorthand for higher powers, plural. This lets me embrace the program without deluding myself.
11 ways God is like an abusive boyfriend
Update—Jan. 28, 2023:
This video says everything I wanted to say and more.
Video: “Worshipping narcissists” by QualiaSoup and TheraminTrees.
/end of update
Here are some beliefs I used to have about God (as a child raised Christian) and my partner (as a woman in an abusive relationship).
1. He sets the terms.
You’re entitled to your opinion. He’s entitled to be the voice of reason and authority.
For example, if he says he loves you, he loves you. That’s what “love” means.
(If you say you love him but you also disobey his express wishes, you don’t really love him.)