Love Songs -- and Life -- on a Loop

This post isn't so much a book review as it is an off-the-rails-rant/reflection/rambling of a section of a book.  The book is The Honey-Don't List, by Christina Lauren, and it's an enemies-to-lovers tale about two twentysomething assistants on a home renovation reality show.

Now that that's out of the way, here's the quote in question:

"Our eyes catch for a few loaded seconds.  I'm thinking about how the first few times I hear a new song -- even one from a band I love -- I don't like it.  I resist the idea that something new could ever be as good as something old, but then slowly the new song works its way into my brain and I forget what it ever felt like to dislike it.  Right now I'm looking at Carey's face, thinking it's like a song I've heard a few times now, and every time I hear it again I like it more." (Lauren 93)

We've all been there.  Maybe not the falling-in-love-with-an-enemy thing, but the not-liking-something-until-it's-firmly-wedged-its-way-into-our-daily-lives thing.  What is it about a hook, musical or otherwise, that brainwashes us into hearting things that once made us want to hurl?  This is something I've wondered since childhood, when I first succumbed to liking the latest Hall & Oates single.  What can I say?  It was the '80s, and my mom was a fan.

Anyway, the familiarity-breeds-content theory is alive and well in The Honey-Don't List.  At least for Jim and Carey (and yes, there's a Jim Carrey joke in the book).  The bond that burgeons between our hapless-in-Hollywood (okay, Jackson, Wyoming) heroes rings true because it's spurred by the soul-crushing egos of the show's married yet miserable stars.  A pressure cooker of a workplace like that is enough to make any two unattached people, however seemingly ill suited, turn to each other for moral support -- and more.  That said, The Honey-Don't List is a fun ride (most of it takes place on a tour bus), perfect in these weeks before Valentine's Day -- or for cleansing your palate after a wrenching read.

Because even with books, the heart wants what the heart wants . . . after being exposed to it a gazillion times.

Gulp Fiction: Orange Crush Rush

Hat: Steve Madden, Macy's; Gloves: Calvin Klein, Macy's

Top: Amazon

Boots: UNIONBAY, Kohl's

Skirt: Celebrity Pink, Macy's

Bag: Dolls Kill

Coat: Jou Jou, Macy's

Shorts: Nine West, Kohl's

Traffic Stop Barrette Brooch

Coat: Wild Fable, Target

Shoes: Nine West, Kohl's' Bag: Nine West, Marshalls

Coat: Nine West, Kohl's

Leggings: Derek Heart, Boscov's

Top: Wild Fable, Target

Bag: Worthington, JCPenney

Earmuffs: Betsey Johnson for Trolls, Macy's; Gloves: Thinsulate, JCPenney

I've got a crush on you, orange.
What can I say?
You light up my world
And brighten my day.

Whether a super sweet soda
Or unspoiled fruit,
You say no to scurvy
And yes to Lloyd's suit.

(Er, tux. But you knew that. Because you get me.)

You make Monday morning

Like lunch at Club Med

And blow through the cobwebs

Wintering in my head.

That's why I love you

And squeeze 'til it hurts

And wrap you around me

In tights, shorts, and skirts.

Thanks for your sunshine,

Your bold, tangy bite,

Your blind optimism,

And -- this is the biggie --your fighting the fight.

And so goes my ode to Florida's finest.  Because autumn may be outfitted in apples, but winter's winners come wrapped in rind.  And February is oranges' Oscar season. Do I hear Best Imitation of a Grapefruit for Tatum Temple? Or Craziest Cannonball for Natasha Navel?  Or maybe even Best Appearance of a Citrus in a Soundtrack for Honeybell Helen? I'm looking at you, "Orange Crush."  Which is a song that's anything but escapist once you Google the meaning of its lyrics.  But I guess that makes it an example of taking oranges and making juice -- if by juice you mean the truth serum of social awareness.  Which I do.

So anyway, thanks, oranges.  For all of that and for adding a splash to today's outfits.  Because whether you come in a pair of lace tights or unseasonable shorts or a clutch that borders on carrot, you've got the goods.  

And the vitamin twee.  

Face Case: Jim Carrey Brings the Scary

I've worn a lot of weird things in my time, but I never thought that a mask would be one of them.  Yet here I am all suited up to pick up my groceries at Walmart.  My sister, who is an amazing seamstress, made masks for everyone in our family and for all of her friends.  She said that she added the red lace to mine to make it special.  Well, mission accomplished! 

It (the mask, not the lace) makes me feel a little like I'm about to perform open heart surgery or rob a bank.  Which makes a strange sort of sense as in these times we're all superheroes or villains.

I used the mask as the first building block for my outfit.  Because an outing's still an outing even if you never leave the car.  I especially like how the red lace tie looks like part of my top.  Let's hear it for happy accidents!  And, of course, for a fresh haul of foodstuffs.

If only my mask had not only special lace, but special powers like Jim Carrey's. 

I think his mucus-colored mug from that movie could be just the thing to scare Covie straight.

Make and Tell Challenge, Day 166: Outlining and Thoughts on the Truman Show

I anticipated outlining eight tiny totes this afternoon. This did not happen; I outlined two. But two is better than none, right? Plus, I also retagged the rest of my medium totes, which is time consuming.

I painted in front of the TV again, TBS blaring as always. One of today's movies was The Truman Show, which I've seen many times. It never fails to give me the creeps. I can't help but think the story of Truman unknowingly living in a controlled environment (a TV show) is a metaphor for life. As in, we think we have choices but are really limited by the choices that society makes for us. Christophe (creator of the Truman show, played by Ed Harris) himself says, "We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented." Christophe also says that the world he's created for Truman is safe and secure, unlike the real world. Yet it's this very "safety" that is so dangerous because it symbolizes the absence of freedom and original thought. Of course, Truman figures it all out and escapes in the end. Which is a nice message to end on.

That's all for deep thoughts today. I'm off to Valentine's dinner with the bf.

Make and Tell Challenge, Day 74: Friday the 13th Mishaps and Totes in Bloom

Last night I had a miserable time driving home. The wind was wild, blowing my car all over the Expressway, and it was raining. I don't like driving under normal circumstances, so adding darkness, wind, and rain made me edgy to the point of skittishness. As I crossed the bridge into Brigantine I thought, great, almost there. But as I turned off the circle and onto the street that leads to my house, I realized that the road was flooded. So I did the first thing I thought of, which was to pull over, call the bf, and commence screaming and crying. He guided me around the water (but not without several people rudely honking their horns behind me, reducing me to expletives). Finally in my driveway, I sat in my car for a moment to calm down before gathering my things and heading inside. Once there, I reached around to flick on the lights -- and nothing. Yep, on top of everything else the electricity was out. Again, I dialled the bf, then snatched a fistful of mint Oreos (I was starving). He agreed to come home from work. We went out for pizza (not everyone's electricity was out) and called our landlord, who kindly let us stay at one of his other properties.

When we got up this morning, the island was no better and the bridge was closed. So I called out of work. Kind of fitting for Friday the 13th, huh?

Now, about these totes I have photographed here. I'm starting up again with my Fierce Flowers series in earnest. I'm painting roses on green, turquoise, violet, pink, orange, and golden yellow backgrounds speckled with leopard, and when I finish those I'm moving on to clusters of tropical flowers against the same colors, only with zebra print. I have to admit, I'm pretty excited about it.

As always, I watched a couple of movies while working. Today's picks were My Life in Ruins , which was okay, and The Cable Guy, which I had somehow never seen. I was surprised by its creepiness as well as all the star appearances. All in all, I think I enjoyed it more than Ruins. Sometimes, though, it seems like I'm not really watching these movies, but just filtering their plots on the most basic level. That comes from the multi-tasking. It kind of prevents me from appreciating things.