I like to think that overall I do a good job of playing the role of functioning adult, the kind who contributes to society and all that kind of thing. I was pleased to find that as I read through Adulting last month, I had a lot more ‘yes, I know! Wish I’d had this book five years ago’ moments than ‘damn, how have I made it this far without knowing this?’ moments.
But now I must confess to some things I do not understand and probably never will.
People (particularly renters) who wish to paint their walls. I dunno, I guess I’m not into decor at all, and I grew up with soulless white walls and never gave it a second thought.
People who actually clean baseboards, corners, and under/behind the deep dark depths of large furniture (beds, couches, whiteware). How do I become one of you? (Never mind – it’s never going to happen)
People who eat raw vegetables. Ick.
People who instinctively know what flavours go together and how to fix mediocre/bad dishes. I think it was Eddie van Halen (correct me if I’m wrong, anyone who knows!) who once said that he did not see the frets on his guitar, but rather, musical notes and scales. That, to me, is witchery. Or mastery. I don’t know. Either way, I don’t have it, either in music or in cooking. That said, I’ve learned that salt fixes a LOT of things. I recall ‘tasting’ food for my mom as a kid; she’d always ask if it was salty enough. My immature tastebuds never really knew. Nowadays, I’m a little more sophisticated.
This week’s links
Things I wish someone had told me before I turned 20 - This is so much better than anything you’ll read on Thought Catalog (so by now they may well have republished it)
I personally think the ‘live every day as if it’s your last’ mantra is total crap, so loved Wandering Earl’s thoughtful post: Is it really possible to live life to the fullest? Comments are great too)
“Because I have grown children who aren’t doing time and a car that runs, I am often asked for advice” – An excellent and often amusing piece on our general reluctance to accept others’ advice
Paying off debt is sexy and saving is safe but both are essential, says Girl Meets Debt
Little Miss Moneybags talks work/life balance: These are seasons of my life, and that’s what balance looks like to me – focusing on one aspect of my life at a time. I like that and think it’s very true – you can’t have everything all at once. Balance is a long term thing that ebbs and flows over time, rather.
Thought provoking - are backpackers destroying the world?
Eyes on the Dollar asks how far we should go in pursuit of impossible dreams
Love the sentiment in this post about how much we should earn in our 20s
12 ways to overcome cost objections from clients, at Make a Living Writing
A Yes and Yes true story starring someone who decided to legally change her name
Leo Baubata on what he’s learned about writing
Some things you should never say to an Asian woman
Finally, I ADORE this post about one woman’s journey to deciding whether or not to change her name. I hate that we feel we have to justify our decision to ourselves and others, either way. I hated that after my wedding, a coworker asked me what my married name was, and when I responded that it was the same name I’d always had, that she kept bugging me about what it *would* have been if I’d changed it. I know she was just curious, but I found that irritating and intrusive, especially since we were right next to my (male) boss at his desk. And in all fairness, I also felt bad for her that she then went on to explain why she changed her name – I hate that she felt she needed to ratify her choice.