Monday, March 28, 2011

a simple monday lunch.

I'm spending most of my day today unpacking and starting to put the finishing touches on my apartment. I feel as though I've been in "moving mode" forever, and am getting to the point where I just want to be settled... onto bigger and better things like planting my garden, and throwing house-warming parties... If only. But in the meantime I am being diligent, taking things one box at a time, and trusting that in the next few days it will start to feel more like home and less like a featured home on Hoarders. (kidding... I don't have THAT much stuff).

Today as I broke for lunch, I was craving something warm and hearty, filling and comforting... and not something from a drive-through window. Thankfully my parent's fully equipped kitchen is close by, and they have been wonderfully supportive during the moving process (as well as all the time). I opened up the fridge, and saw all the key ingredients for everything I was craving, a savory lunch  time hash.  Tucked into the fridge was half of a baked potato, 3 spears of asparagus, farm fresh eggs, and two veggie-links...

Ok I know vegetarian hot dogs are slightly gross... but I've been eating them since before I knew enough about food to question fake meat from a can... I know I grew up eating things that were slightly different from other kids, and frankly, I think I'm better off for it. I was the little kid in my stroller parks eating broccoli crowns rather than fruit snacks. I can't help it if veggie-links pretty much taste like my childhood.. So I'm not as grossed out by fake meat as maybe I should be...

It was such a simple lunch. A little green onion in a hot pan, chunks of potato, bits of asparagus, salt pepper, eggs whipped into a golden liquid. It was savory, and warm, and comforting, and everything that I needed in a lunch today... Now if only my favorite coffee shop wasn't so far out of the way, then I'd really be motivated to continue on with my nesting.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Types of people and typos.

There are two types of people in this world... the type of people who will call you out on your typo's, and the type of people who let it slide.

I fall into the latter category. I figure we are all human, and everyone makes mistakes... And at the end of the day, how is it going to change anything if you make the person feel bad by pointing out his/her error? I mean yes if you are proofreading, by all means, point out the typos, shout them from the rooftops... but in my opinion, if you tell someone after the fact, when something is already published/ sent out, its annoying as hell. I know I shouldn't take it personally, and yes, when I find my own typos in blogs, or whatever I do go back and correct them... and if it is something blatantly wrong, like a date of an event, then yes, I would like to know. But it's the people who e-mail you at 6AM to tell you that in the last newsletter you mis-used an apostrophe, that make you want to light their lawn on fire.... I mean really, does it matter that much?

I know that as a writer I should be good a grammar, and spelling, and all that jazz, but I'm not. I am grammatically challenged, and the biggest tragedy of my technological life was when I got a phone with a full keyboard and I could no longer use T9... It was one large step backwards in my vocabulary... because I know there are things that I often say out loud that I couldn't spell even if I tried... I understand this is a weakness... and considering that a large part of my job is advertising and promoting, I know this is something that I need to work on... but when you have someone else proofread your work, and they don't catch the error either, I figure there are worse things... try telling that to the people who read my work newsletter... I kid you not, it was out in cyberspace for 5 minutes, and I had 5 snarky and uppity e-mails telling me about my typos...  One large, the other, not so much. And so I corrected the date error, and re-sent the e-mail.... again I was distracted, and irritated by the typo, so I forgot to change the actual title of the newsletter... and another 5 minutes go by, and I get a bunch of concerned e-mails saying "did you know we got two newsletters?" .... Maybe it is just my personality, or maybe it is just my priorities, but who are these people who actually have the time/ feel the need to call you out on stuff like this? I mean we have all found typos in books, websites, newsletters whatever... and I know there are people out there who secretly nit-pick stuff like this (you know who you are), But who actually takes the time to write a snarky e-mail to inform you that you have mis-used an apostrophe?

I know I shouldn't take it personally... It's not like any of the e-mails were addressed to me specifically... and its not like everyone knows that it is my fault, my typo etc... (besides the fact that my boss often makes sure that people know I am the one writing the newsletter) and I know the snarky e-mails are not directed at me personally...and yet I take it personally. I'm sure I add some inflection to the e-mails that maybe isn't there, and maybe they seem more malicious than they were meant to be... But I am constantly wondering why we live in a society that seems to reinforce the instinct to put other people down so we feel better about ourselves. Yes, I have seen blatant typos in all sorts of publications, but I have never once considered telling the person about it... I mean really, what would it help... "Oh I loved your book, but I did notice the typo on page 37" or "hey, I got your last newsletter... FYI you forgot to delete the block that says "delete this block before sending out".   I always just figure that the person will realize his/her error eventually, and probably feel like a real idiot, so why do I need to point it out and make them feel worse? At least when you find your own typos and no one has said anything you can pretend that you are the only one who caught it. You can appease your embarrassment a little bit by thinking "well no one called me out on it, so its not as big of a deal" ... and for crying out loud people, if you are going to tell someone about a typo, at least don't be a completely smug jack-ass about it. Maybe it is just a personal bias of mine, but is there anything more annoying than someone who is being condescending to you about your grammar? It's not like I was using a double negative, or a run-on sentence, or some other terrible grammatical sin... I mis-used an apostrophe... which is probably one of the most common grammatical flubs you can make!  And yet multiple people out there felt the overwhelming need crush my spirit and nit-pick a newsletter for a small garden shop.

It's frustrating... frustrating because I feel like an idiot, but also because I cannot defend myself.  It's not like I can reply to the e-mails and say "well even though we had multiple people proof-reading, we still make mistakes" or "Well if writing the newsletter was my only job, then maybe I would care, but considering the other things I have on my plate right now, your helpful comment just makes me want to delete you from our mailing list, and then punch you in the face" (though I do repeat this mentally, and it makes me feel slightly better).

I know there are people out there who disagree... and that is fine. But please, no need to send me an e-mail or comment about how wrong I am. Please do me a favor, and do something more productive with your time. Feel free to harbor a moment of smugness, and revel in the fact that your grammar is better than mine, and move on. No need to put down my grammatical usage to make yourself feel better... I know its not my forte, and probably never will be, and I'm perfectly ok with that. So if you find any blatant typos in this, well you can just kiss my ass.

Friday, March 18, 2011

My version of Spring Break


The last few days have been spent painting my new apartment. Quite a few people have expressed how crazy I am to paint a rental, but after a year of living in a place that has never felt quite right for me, I’m ready to be “home”. I figure I’ve lived here for the past eight years, meaning I’ve spent over a quarter of my life in the Willamette Valley, and more specifically McMinnville. Though I have plans for graduate school (someday), I think I’m at a point in my life where I am ready to put down a few roots… ok maybe not deep roots, but you know, I feel comfortable painting. I’m ready to settle in, plant a garden, put things on the walls, and make this new place my own.

It isn’t a perfect apartment… its old, and has some quirks, and as my father would tell you the owner is not a craftsman… there are oddities, and questionable repairs… and some of the trim is on backwards… but it has a lot of character. It’s the kind of place that you can just feel the potential when you walk in the front door. Not to mention the fact that I'm 25, and I love quirks, and character... And living in a unique space is really important to me. I’m sure I could be quite happy in an apartment complex somewhere with a working dishwasher and stark white walls… but it’s not the choice I’m making right now. The choice I’m making right now is for color, garden plots, front porches, and mis-matched trim. And I think my overall mood, and creativity will benefit. The apartment that I’m getting ready to leave has essentially been a place to keep my stuff, but it’s never been a place I’ve been thrilled to go home to.

I am not an expert painter, but the past few days have given me a chance to bond with the new space. Tuesday morning I popped in there before I went to work, and burned some sage and did my best to bring some  positive intention into the space. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a house blessing, but I did want to clear out any staleness, and encourage it to be a place of creativity, compassion, nurturing etc. My family thinks I’m pretty crazy, but I keep re-iterating to them that the apartment has really good energy.  I think they keep waiting for me to have “buyers remorse” but thus far, I have none. The only questionable decision was paint…. I’ve spent the last month pouring over paint swatches, and finally narrowed it down to what I thought were the perfect colors... I’m not sure how I missed the fact that the room next to the red wall in the kitchen was going to be a golden yellow, but the second the paint when up my hallway was reminiscent of a Ronal McDonald House… Oh dear god.  It was supposed to be a spice red, and neutral golden… but what went on the walls was more tomato soup, and double yellow line/ yellow curb looking. Does it get any more ketchup and mustard? Honestly, how did I not realize this before? The colors looked ok by themselves, but after some contemplating and polling, I decided to paint the nook area more of a terra cotta/ neutral pumpkin color instead. It’s still really warm (and a little bright) but at least it doesn’t make me want to order a happy meal.

Though I really should be packing tonight, I’m giving myself the night off. The last few days have just been a little nutty, and I’ve felt so scattered and all over the place. I’m totally in awe of all of my friends with children… lately I feel like it is a chore just to feed myself and take care of my work responsibilities, personal projects, volunteer stuff, moving, painting, writing… having a life (HA). I can’t imagine what it would be like to have the responsibility of a family, and everyone else’s needs and projects, and hunger… most days I can hardly pull myself together! So I feel a bit pathetic admitting that tonight, more than ever, I need a little time to catch up and focus on something besides work, projects, and the move.

Thankfully, I’ve got the perfect place to retreat to this week. My boss is out of town, so for the next ten days I have the vineyard house all to myself. Yes, taking care of the dog does add an additional stress element to the move, but it’s all worth it at the end of the day when I get to come home to a  spacious kitchen, spectacular view, and a bath tub big enough for two. (Not that I have two people in there, mind you). It is so nice not to have to worry about all the unsettling/ settling parts of the move, trying to cook in a kitchen where everything is packed, finding the box with the bedding etc. I can leave all of that behind me at the end of the day, cook myself a real meal, pour a glass of wine, crawl into the tub, and call it a night.  If there were ever a week that I needed a place to play house, this would be the week. I get to escape from the moving chaos, and for a few hours a day I get the luxury of making my own meals, sleeping in clean sheets, and not having to navigate the maze of boxes. What more could a girl ask for? Oh yeah, the coffee machine… I’ve written about it before… heart of my hearts… if there was ever a week I needed access to this much espresso, this would be the week!


Sunday, March 13, 2011

It's almost moving day, which means I can't procrastinate much longer

T-minus one week until moving day, and my nightmares started right on cue last night. I’m really not nervous or worried about moving, but I think that is largely in-part because I’m not really thinking about the “moving” aspect. I’m distracted with purchasing paint, working long hours, volunteer projects, and other pertinent things like re-writing the entire copy for our new website before tomorrow, and finishing up books so I can put them in a box… I know this will result in mush weeping and gnashing of teeth next week as I begin to curse my procrastinating tendencies, but for now I’m feeling fine. I know the dreams are a result of my nervous sub-conscious, and the nervous energy that is surrounding my family right now regarding my move. Perhaps I should be filled with more angst and stress and motivation… but I pack a few boxes every-day, and the rest will work itself out.

My dream consisted of me going to look at the new place one last time, only to find the floors covered in brown shag carpet, and a combination of dark wood paneling and orange and brown wall-paper on the walls… a north facing kitchen with no natural light, and a landlord who had managed to used the apartment as a storage facility… I remember feeling panicked because I knew it was too late to back out, and that my old apartment was no longer an option… naturally none of this is even close to real life. My new place has beautiful floors, stark white walls, tons of sunlight, and not an inch of clutter in sight (at least not yet).  I’m excited to pick up my new keys tomorrow night, and to promptly start painting on Tuesday (or maybe Wednesday).  I’m not excited to clean out my fridge, and sort the remaining items into boxes and suitcases, but this is what late-nights, coffee, and “the fear” is good for. I’m great under pressure, and have every confidence that in one week, on the eve of actual moving day, everything will be neatly stacked into boxes and piles, and my life will be in a little more order. It might take a miracle, a house-elf, and some last-minute swooping in from my parents, but I’m really hoping it won’t come to that.

I suppose I should go pack another box or two before bed… or at least work on my game-plan for tomorrow’s packing extravaganza… I hesitate to add to the chaos right now… the path to the bathroom is already littered with broken down boxes, half filled suitcases, a pile of recycling, dismembered bookshelves and half a bottle of wine...

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Who doesn't love a Terrarium?


This weekend at work we had a Terrarium Class. I'm not sure what exactly it is about terrariums, but I'm really quite smitten with them. I know it is probably a phase, but I think I would be content to make one every day! I spend a good fifteen minutes of every work day, walking around the store looking wistfully at all the terrariums. Thankfully, most of the other employees are equally as smitten, so at least we have a bit of a support group. This smittenness with terrariums dates back to September when my dream wedding took place out at work. I'm not looking to get married anytime soon, but everything about this wedding was filed into my "keep in mind for someday" file. Long tables with burlap runners, succulent bouquets, and yes, terrarium centerpieces. It was this blend of rustic elegance, and my co-worker and I stood there awe-struck, mouths agape, and ever sine then I've had this warm & fuzzy feeling towards the indoor container gardens.

The smittenness continued when the Roost catalog arrived at work... (can I please live on every page of this catalog?) Terrariums were heavily featured (as well as countless other yummy things), and it began to fill us with positive reinforcement that we NEEDED terrariums at work...





I think we were all a little disappointed that the class only had 12 people. I mean who wouldn't want to build a terrarium, or six terrariums? Maybe it is a generational thing... I know they are a bit retro, but quite frankly, my generation missed terrariums the last time they were in vogue, and maybe that is why we are going all ape shit for them now. They really are starting to pop up all over the place (just keep your eyes open the next time you are out shopping... trust me, you will start to see them everywhere). I know my attachment to them right now is partially due to the crazy weather we had here last week. I am itching to plant, I am craving spring, yet gardening is still a ways off. What better way to assuage that feeling that creating an adorable little eco-system that can sit in your living room?



I always feel a twinge of disappointment when something that I am so passionately in love with doesn't excite other people. I know, to each his own... and not everyone in the world is going to love baseball, and terrariums and all the other little things that make me tick. I just hate that feeling when I cannot keep my joy contained for another second, and then I realize that my enthusiasm is being wasted on an audience who could care less. Is it too much to want people to be excited that you are excited? I always kid my brother that he is all dead on the inside,  and this week I've been feeling like this is a trait also carried by the rest of my family, as I watch everyone's eyes glaze over as I talk about moving and terrariums. It was the same way when I planned my trip to Boston. I was practically peeing my pants with excitement, hello life long dream coming to fruition, and not a soul even expressed an ounce of excitement. Maybe I was bouncing off the walls enough for everyone...  To be fair, I know I do this when my brother starts talking about teaching, and I also know that since I tend to get really excited about the every-day things, it is really easy for me to get disappointed and hung up on the little things too. (like being disappointed when people aren't more excited about the same things I'm excited about) I can't help it. But I would much rather have this passion for every day experiences than not have any passion at all. 

Granted, I wish that more people in my life (or anyone in my life for that matter) liked baseball, had a passion for planting things, and got excited about things like coloring books, and really good coffee. And Terrariums... I mean who doesn't just love a terrarium?




For those of you out there who are also crushing on Terrariums here are a few great links.
 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/garden/03terrarium.html

Friday, March 4, 2011

Caffeine induced tangent regarding: the gender gap, insecurities, and how other people perceive us

*As a rule, I’m not a fan of disclaimers… that being said, I’ve had a lot of coffee today.

A few weeks ago, there was a story on NPR about the gender gap in the workplace. I know that the pay gap has been a long debated issue, but what I found most interesting about this article was the fact that most women are not motivated to ask for a raise, and when they do, they are often viewed as pushy or too dominating. Even when men and women were given the exact same script, the men were granted raises with no questions asked, as were the women, but the women were always viewed in a negative light. Why is this? I mean I know body language, and execution are key factors, but I thought it was so interesting how women have to put that much more thought into it, and go through that much more effort for the same result.

I will be the first to admit, that I can be very emphatic, and sometimes my non-verbals are hard to read, I react quickly, and not always in a good way, but I think that can be said for all people, not necessarily gender specific. And yet it seems like people are often more willing to cut men a little slack. Men who are passionate about specific things are highly valued, but when a woman is passionate about something it is often suggested that perhaps she is TOO attached, TOO involved, TOO emotional. Then the question of hormones comes up, and it is often a downward spiral. I’m just speaking in general terms here, as this is not, and has never been my own experience. In fact most, if not all ,of the jobs I have ever had, I’ve had a female boss or supervisor… And most of the women that I know personally are very motivated and dedicated women who aren’t afraid to speak their minds, ask for what they want, etc. (In theory, I am outraged by the pay gap, but in my personal life, working in an office of all women, it’s not something that readily crosses my mind. I’m not really focusing on the pay gap, so much as the perceptions. )

It seems as though women are often faced with the hormone handicap… which sometimes might work in our favor, but I still hate it. Sure I can be emotional, and irrational, and I may or may not keep a secret stash of chocolate at work at all times, but my emotions have never gotten in the way of my job or my performance at work. Though I can’t say for sure, I don’t think my boss views me as demanding or irrational, and I do think my ability to take charge of a situation and delegate is viewed as a strength and not an imbalance or imperfection. I know it has a lot to do with situations, personalities, and other underlying factors, but it is still a bit disappointing to hear that women have to work that much harder to achieve the same thing that men do (in certain situations… please don’t take this out of context… I’m not trying to be sexist or biased in either direction… just making a comment)

I’ve mostly been thinking about perceptions in terms of gender when it comes to relationships. I have often heard of men who meet women who are in other relationships, and yet they peruse the situation anyway… And it works for them. I’ve know several people who have met their spouses when they were with other people, and the guys just turn on the charm and say “hey I know you are with so and so, but I think you are pretty great… and if your situation changes, here is my number”.  And it’s sort of charming, even flattering… that arrogance, that boldness. But would it be viewed in the same way if a woman were the one making an advance? Would the woman be viewed as bold and sexy and assertive in a good way, or would she simply be thought of as a bitch/ slut/ terrible person for going after someone else’s guy? I know the perception is different depending on who you ask. I’m sure men are never thrilled when other guys approach their girlfriends, but it somehow seems less like a personal affront. And maybe that is where women’s emotions come into play. We think about things, over think things, and I think overall, we are worried more about how people perceive us, and that directly effects our actions. Admitting you have feelings for another woman’s man friend seems like a direct violation of “girl code” regardless of if you know the woman or not. Of course the guy probably wouldn’t think any less of you, but that is where things get tricky. We (meaning women) don’t think like men, and in a situation like this we probably aren’t even that worried about the man’s reaction… we are putting ourselves in the place of the girlfriend. We automatically think “how would I feel if someone approached my beau? What would I say about her to my girlfriends?” and I think this role-reversal way of thinking tends to make us feel guilty.

I think this is the main difference between men and women (at least in this context), women care much more about how they are being perceived, and perhaps this is what people pick up on. Guys don't give a shit (ok maybe they do, but they appear not to) who they might be offending etc Maybe we subconsciously put that, for lack of a better word, insecurity, out there. We spend so much time worrying about how our actions are going to reflect on us, and maybe we go a little overboard. Maybe we start projecting our own worries and fears onto other people, and maybe that comes out in our body language and overall aura.  Maybe the same thing applies to the gender-gap workplace situation?

This is not me trying to say that all women are neurotic and subconsciously worried about what everyone else thinks, and that men somehow aren't,  but I do think it makes a lot of sense. I think in a lot of situations men just go for it, and they don’t care what other people think or how they will react, and how they will be viewed later. As women we really value relationships, and starting from a young age we have this intrinsic desire to be liked, to fit in, to be accepted. And so we are wary of putting ourselves in situations that will make us the “other”.

Again, this is a huge generalization mixed with quite a bit of speculation… there is no one here to dispute or debate with, and I would say that most of the women that I know are not subconsciously worried about what other people think about them. 

I really only bring the topic up, since I’m currently quite smitten with a guy who already has a leading lady. And part of me thinks I should feel bad about that, and yet, I don’t. Granted, I know it isn’t going anywhere, I have no desire to be the other woman, or steal anyone’s boyfriend ( that just isn’t me.) But I do have this strange desire to just put it out there and say “hey I know you are taken, but if you are ever not, give me a call”. And it seems so innocent in my mind. Just an honest expression. Maybe a bit unexpected, a little bold, but also flattering, no? I mean isn’t it always nice to hear that someone thinks you are kind of awesome? Sure, there is a lot of potential for awkwardness… but when has that ever deterred me from anything?  It might just be the coffee talking…  But I feel like with the right execution, the right amount of confidence, and casualness it could be ok.  Maybe if I put it out there with reckless abandon, no emotional attachment, and without giving it too much though, it will come out effortless and natural, and not surrounded with an awkward, self-conscious, “I’m a terrible person” aura.

This all seemed to be related when I started writing this… and I should probably stop before it gets to be too much of a tangent.  Perhaps it’s a topic that would better be discussed over a few beers with some friends, rather than put out into the blogging world. But, maybe not.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

It's all about little changes

How is it March already? I mean I know February is the shortest month of the year... but come on! Where did this month come from? Yesterday I was feeling a bit more foot-loose and fancy free, and suddenly today, March 1st, I'm feeling the deadlines, events, projects, etc closing in. Moving in two weeks? Terror!

But I'm also really excited by the potential of March. Spring is just around the corner, or so people keep telling me... I look outside and I'm not so sure. Though right now the packing (or lets be honest, the thoughts of packing) are a little daunting, I am quite excited to be starting off my spring in a new apartment. I have been feeling like I'm in a rut, and though I know packing up all my worldly belongings and re-locating isn't going to totally change that, I think it will be just the motivation I need. Since I'm starting fresh with my living situation, I'm ready to start fresh in other areas of my life as well.

I'm actually doing fairly well with my New Years non-resolution, resolutions. Sure, I'm sucking at the cardio, but I am doing a really good job blogging more frequently, and I'm spending more time reading, and consuming a lot more water. Baby-steps. So I'm going to give myself a bit of a resolution boost for the month of March. 
It's no secret that over the past few months (or years, whatever) I am becoming more and more "farmy" And not in the quaint, charming, organic sort of way. More in the wearing holy jeans to work since it is cold and rainy, and there is a good chance that at any given moment I might be asked to help a customer schlep pottery into the back of their car sort of way. And for me the term "farmy" often translates to frumpy. I've transitioned into one of those people who wears yoga pants to the grocery store (and work meetings) and though I DO work on a farm, and until recently I was spending countless hours a week in yoga school and still spend countless hours a week, teaching and taking yoga class, there is really no excuse. Lately I've been feeling paranoid, expecting Stacey & Clinton to pop out from behind some shrub with secret footage, berating my leg wamers and Dave Matthews Band tee shirts that often make their way into my everyday wardrobe... And really, there is a lot to say for being comfortable... but there is also a lot to say about being a twenty-five-year-old professional, and so in March, I'm challenging myself to get out of my fashion rut. This month I'm going to wear real clothes everyday, vary my accessories, and no matter how cold it is, I'm not going to hide behind my down vest (well at least not every day). Don't get me wrong, I'm not striving to impress anyone, and I have no problem with people who wear yoga pants to the grocery store, but sometimes I miss my days of the tasting room work place, when I could wear cute shoes, flirty skirts, and I knew that every piece of my wardrobe from Anthropologie would get ample wearing time. Nowadays comfort and practicality is king, so I don my clogs, and inexpensive jeans, throw on a sweatshirt, and embrace the casualness... And lets be honest, in the midst of a move, I'm sure that is still going to happen,  but this month I'm making sure there is a time and a place for the extra-super casual, and its not EVERYDAY. I'm not going over-board... but I am going to put a little bit more effort in putting together my outfits.

I'm also going to spend everyday in March brushing my teeth like today is the day I'm going to the dentist. Don't get me wrong, I brush my teeth multiple times a day, but lately I'm realizing that your teeth are with you forever, and when you add in the copious amounts of coffee I drink daily, I figure the very least I can do is floss, and spend that entire 2 minutes brushing my teeth.

I'm also going to try to focus on eating more raw food. It's pretty rough this time of year, but I'm becoming more and more aware of how my body feels when I'm stuffing it full of overcooked, reheated, and processed foods all day, and I think I owe it to myself to increase my green leafy intake. It is a bit of a challenge before growing season has really kicked into gear, but I like a good challenge, and I love a good salad.

Keeping on the healthy eating kick, I'm also taking more vitamins this month. I know, in theory, I should be able to get everything I need from my food... but some days you drink 3 cups of coffee, and eat french fries for lunch (ok that day was today), so I'm going the supplemental route. Plus with the overcast days ahead, I'm adding some Vitamin D, extra calcium, and b-12 into the mix.  I feel like a huge dork, but I've actually got one of the days of the week pill-boxes. Its kinda like an advent calendar, for old and boring people...but I began to embrace that roll long ago, so its like a step in the right direction.

As a result of all of these minuscule changes, I'm hoping to feel a bit more like myself... or at least a more energized self. More sass, less frump, new beginnings... But I'm still going to wear flannel.