36 random things about me at 36

Happy birthday to me!



1. I’ve learned all the words to 6418* songs.

2. I’ve come to terms with the fact that long hair does not suit me. But it can't be too short, either.

3. I fulfilled my dream of being paid to sing onstage.

4. I had the good sense to realize that being paid to sing onstage was no longer my dream.

5. I fulfilled my dream of working on a fashion magazine.

6. I had the good sense to realize that I didn’t enjoy trying to keep up with the fashion magazine crowd. (Rarely wore the latest trend/had nice nails/liked after-hours events. The swag, however, was pretty awesome.)

7. I realized there are other magazines out there.

8. I recognize the value of weight training and actually quite enjoy it.

9. I’ve given up on finding high heels that don’t make me want to cut off my own feet after 30 minutes. (Not that I’ll never wear them! Just that I’ll likely complain to the Husband about them the entire time.)

10. I can own the fact that pineapple is my favourite pizza topping.

11. I’m totally proud to have a song on iTunes.

12. I’ve accepted that a well-fitting bra costs (a lot) more than $19.99 and can make more of a difference than a ten-pound weight loss. Also that I need a professional to help me find it.

13. I’m never going to be a great housekeeper or a handy person. That’s okay. I’ve got other things to do, anyway. (I can, however, tidy and organize like a mofo!)

14. I love the following feelings: putting warm boots on after skating or skiing, drinking cold water after having a mint, being enveloped in a hug by the Husband, and putting my cheek on Vivi’s warm head.

15. My biggest challenge in life is inertia. Momentum is my friend.

16. I love to cook and bake, but I need the roadmap of a recipe. Although I'm getting better at taking some detours.

17. I do best with schedules and routines. Sometimes I really suck at going with the flow. Obviously this is a bigger problem now that there is a child in the mix.

18. I would rather be up early than stay up late.

19. My chocolate chip cookies are the best.

20. I keep thinking I should make a bucket list and then cultivate a plan to cross some items off of it. (See #15.)

21. I used to force myself to finish every book I started and read every magazine from cover to cover. I’m over that now.

22. I am too easily swayed by other people’s opinions. Always have been. Still working on that.

23. I miss blogging regularly.

24. If there were parallel universes, I would also pursue the following careers: photographer, shop owner (stationary store/bakery), broadcast journalist, television producer, bon vivant.

25. I’d like to stop caring so much about the unchangeable “unattractive” (according to the media) parts of my body, such as having short, wide nail beds and translucent skin that shows every little vein and pore. How do I do that?

26. I love, love, love buying art. And since discovering Etsy and the million other awesome websites that sell original art, I can’t imagine ever purchasing art from a chain store again.

27. I’m currently suffering from my first true health issue that gets in the way of doing everything I want to do. It’s stupid foot pain that may or may not be plantar faciitis. Physio is helping, but I still limp first thing in the morning, wear ugly Crocs around the house, suffer after long walks and cannot even conceive of going for a run. This is a good reminder that I better take care of this body or things could go downhill very quickly.

28. Vivi inspires me to sing every day, multiple times, which I hadn’t done for many years. Feels good.

29. Every time we buy a lottery ticket, I really, truly think we’re going to win.

30. I have a couple famous-ish friends and plenty of famous-ish acquaintances. I have no shame about namedropping.

31. I don’t have the vision to turn other people’s garbage into my treasures. I wish I did.

32. Shopping for pants is incredibly hard on my self-esteem.

33. I’ve cultivated friendships that keep me happy, challenged and, most importantly, sane.

34. I found one of the good guys and tricked him into marrying me, buying a house with me and bringing me flowers now and then.

35. I gave birth to a cute kid. I hope she always likes me as much as I like her.

36. So far, every year has been better than the last. Bring on the next 36!

*This number could be a little high or could be grossly underestimated. I’ve never kept hard data, but turn on a car radio and I can probably sing along.