Random Thoughts Thursday 491
- First, how cute is this mani? I love how it turned out.
- And loved that it matched my Starbucks from Sunday! I don’t often get Starbucks on the weekend but I woke up Sunday with a killer headache from the pressure change, and caffeine helps (ha, although, that marker smell was NOT helping with my headache! I dumped it in a mug when I got home).
- We’re having a typical March here. Friday it was sunny and in the 70s. Saturday it was warm and hella windy. Then Sunday it snowed (hence the pressure change).
- Lately, when I wear my hair down and curly, people ask me if I cut it! Nope. The curls just shorten it that much.
- The dentist appointment happened on Tuesday! Woo hoo. And I impulse bought a retainer. I had braces in high school and had a retainer then that I wore for a few years and quit in college. I was asking if your teeth are at risk of moving when you age and the dental hygienist said yes, then I was asking what I could do to prevent it because I like how my teeth are now … and here we are! I had NO idea they just put a wand in your mouth to map your teeth and order your retainer. My mind was blown! The last time I had one made I put my teeth in that clay/foamy stuff.
- I stumbled across an article on toxic positivity yesterday and the explanation of why people do it was so insightful: “some people are uncomfortable with negative emotions, and so they invalidate your sadness or disappointment. Their response is disingenuous, and it comes at the expense of your well-being because we have to process our feelings in order to grow.” “Even though the person expressing toxic positivity wants to make the disappointed person feel better, the ‘suppression makes a person feel worse because they are alone in their reality.'” Yep yep. That explanation seems so obvious but it was helpful to me.
More rock stuff
I’ve been leaving a painted rock at Starbucks when I visit before going into the office. Today the barista picked it up and said to me “I love it, I love it, I love it so much! Thank you! I took one home and put it in my office.”
Aww, that made me feel really good. I thanked him and told him there would be more to come! (I felt good when he went to show it to a coworker as I was leaving too.)
I also left another in the women’s bathroom on my floor since I got such positive feedback on the last one:
We had the ultimate lazy weekend this weekend and I painted 14 rocks and watched a lot of bad movies. It was lovely!
If you want to see more random rock art, check out my Instagram 🥰
Reading Update (2025 #16-18)
[16] The Marriage Act by John Marrs
Fiction / Literary, second in series after The One, Kindle
Synopsis: In a near-future Britain, the government enforces marriage through the Sanctity of Marriage Act, punishing those who remain single and giving perks to those in the Act. As four couples navigate love under constant surveillance, they deal with the consequences on their bond.
Review: This is such an interesting concept. Unfortunately, with all the different POVs, it was hard to keep the characters straight for too long. And I despised most of them. There were so many characters and I couldn’t find one that I was interested in or wanted to root for. But I did finish to see if they got what they deserve muah ha ha.
Recommend? No
[17] The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan
Fiction / Women, Green Light by Jamie on The Popcast, Kindle
Synopsis: Bestselling author Cate Kay has captivated the world – but she doesn’t really exist. Having kept her true identity hidden for years, Cate has been on the run since a tragic event happened in her last year of high school. Now, a shocking revelation forces her to confront the past she’s spent a lifetime escaping.
Review: This book was absolutely captivating and beautifully written once I got into it. It took me a little longer than it should have because I was so tired each night while reading, and the shifting POVs meant it wasn’t always immediately clear why the person narrating was part of the story. Similar complaint as to The Marriage Act, but it was easier to follow since all the characters connect back to Cate. And it all came together so satisfyingly in the end. The characters were incredibly well-developed and felt real, so much so that they make you feel everything right along with them. My only complaint is that it should have been longer!
Recommend? Absolutely yes
[18] None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
Fiction / Thrillers / Suspense, Saw in “Available Now” on Libby, Audio
Synopsis: Podcaster Alix Summers meets Josie Fair, her birthday twin, at a pub and later outside her children’s school. Josie, claiming to be on the brink of big life changes, convinces Alix to feature her on her podcast. As Alix delves deeper, she begins to questions what Josie is telling her, and wonders if she never should have invited her into her life. Warning: if you read blurbs of this online there is a massive spoiler
Review: This book was also captivating – the writing style kept me hanging, making it nearly impossible to stop listening because I just had to know what was going on! While I found the “twist” at the end a bit disappointing, the journey was still thoroughly enjoyable. I had so many “what the AF is GOING ON with Josie and her family? GAWD!” moments. I also loved that the audiobook fell somewhere between a traditional and graphic audio experience, featuring a larger narrating cast along with music and podcast-style intro/outro elements.
Recommend? Yes
Random Thoughts Thursday 490
- I have so much randomness to share. First though, I’d like to mark you all “safe” from seeing another vague and unhinged post from me. I had one written Tuesday and just published it privately.
- One vague thing though (sorry!) – at dinner on Tuesday, Steven complimented me, saying I’m handling uncertainty very well. He said he’d been thinking about that and how navigating uncertainty in flying over the past year has helped me with it. That’s 100% true, and I hadn’t even made that connection! Derp. So much of flying is uncertainty, unknowns, contingency planning, being flexible – I’ve said it before – that’s good for me.
- I’ve been so sensitive to smells lately. Coffee brewing, strong food smells, smoke, perfume, strong detergent. Ugh.
- Isn’t it crazy how hard it is to read some news articles with all the pop-ups and ads? I often give up.
- My monthly sticker subscription brings me so much joy. THESE ARE SO CUTE!
- Last week at work my supervisor emailed me and the three others in my position, addressing them by their first names, but using my last name. It made me chuckle. We share the same first name (and there are a few other Kims), so I’m sometimes called by my last name out loud, but it was funny to see it in writing.
- Yesterday a few people at work were talking about the painted rock I left in the bathroom. I happened to have a few with me to show, and my coworkers who know I paint were bragging on me big time. They’re so sweet!
- I calmed down enough to call the dentist Tuesday. Then they told me their scheduling system was down and they couldn’t schedule me. Ha. But they called back Wednesday and I now have an appointment for next Tuesday. They also called me back after I scheduled and told me I need to stop taking my blood thinners for the appointment and I told them no, that’s inaccurate, and that was cleared up after they wouldn’t clean my teeth last time. ANYWAY. Adding a reminder to my calendar now to call them Monday and confirm they will actually clean my teeth on Tuesday.
The absolutely stupid silver lining
You know what thought my dumb little brain had yesterday?
Some minor inconvenience happened. I don’t even remember what it was.
But I DO remember thinking, “wow, this would have made me angry before, and now it isn’t. Huh.”
For a second that felt good!
But it’s actually not from any internal work. It’s because my brain is so occupied with big things, the small things aren’t making me angry anymore.
Anyway… yay? Silver lining.
Ugh.
Flying to Fort Atkinson
I got to see Rachel TWO WEEKENDS IN A ROW!
How’d I get so lucky, right?! Steven and I were discussing places to fly this weekend and I suggested flying to meet Rachel and her husband for lunch. Rachel was 1000% on board so we flew to Fort Atkinson, WI (new-to-us airport), and they picked us up. We had Mexican food for lunch, went on a walk, and a little drive, then flew back!
We had a wonderful time chatting and laughing. What a fun day!
Keep reading for the flight details! Come on, you know you want to!
We had beautiful mostly clear skies and the wind was calm when we took off – so there was quite a bit of traffic out on the radar. Steven asked me if I wanted to fly but I declined because there was so much “going on.” I should have said yes!
We did a good job playing “find the airport.” The runway is a bit narrow at 60′ wide, so it looked more like a road than a runway from the sky.
There was a bit of traffic when we got close to the airport – but everyone was using their radios to communicate, so all good! (especially since the wifi stopped working for the ipad)
The 53.1 knot route took 40 minutes on the way there. Rachel was waiting for us, and we were in the car by 11:30 and on our way to lunch!
The weather changed a bit for the flight back. The wind was stronger and more variable meaning it threw us around. A lot. Steven was exhausted from controlling the plane and I had to pee really bad and it wasn’t helping my bladder, wah (lol).
But we had a tailwind (at one point we were going 138 kn ground speed – that’s equivalent to 159 mph!) and got back in 30 minutes and landed at 3:08.
As always, I’m glad we got to go out. It’s always fun to fly, even more so when we are going to see loved ones!
Two pink rocks
Two very different messages.
I left this one in the women’s restroom at work this week. I’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback on it 🥹
One of my coworkers told me she sent a picture of it to her daughter, who thinks I’m so cool because I am always flying wearing stylish sunglasses (that’s her impression of me from my personal Instagram). Ha.
That reminds me of how another coworker told me (in December, I can’t remember if I blogged about this) “you’re always doing something cool!” I said “Thanks, I try to make it look that way!” then assured them I actually am NOT.
I left this rock at the entrance to the gym last week,
and I’ve seen it featured in a few stories, posts, and a reel, which made me feel good!
If you want to see more random rock art, check out my Instagram 🥰
Random Thoughts Thursday 489
- I forgot to mention this in my Definitely Better Now review – in the book Emma is the newest to her work team and is voluntold to be on “fun committee” to plan holiday party. It reminded me of when I was the newest to a team and told to plan the holiday party by myself. I didn’t enjoy it.
- In January I mentioned I was quitting Alani and would reincorporate them into my diet as a treat. I did really well with that in January! Then things went to shit and having one brings me so much joy I am back to having them daily again. I DESERVE IT. (But also, sigh?)
- I stopped at the Amazon Go in the train station Monday for a snack to tide me over until dinner (at these stores you scan a code in the Amazon app to enter, grab whatever you want and just leave). I grabbed a bag of chips. I thought it was odd I didn’t get an immediate email of my purchase, but thought nothing of it until I saw the email the next day and it had two things on it I did NOT purchase bringing my total from $1.49+tax to almost $18. LOLOLOL. (I requested a refund of those two items.)
- Here is the aftermath of the garbage/recycling bin races from last week. A huge bruise above my elbow and some smaller ones on my forearm. Ha ha ha. Oops.
- Newest mani – it’s a mix of cat eye polish and chrome powder (inspired by this reel). I forgot that the chrome powder isn’t very durable. It was already coming off the tips of my nails a few days after I got it – leaving just the cat eye beneath it. Oh well!
A burden shared
So I always thought the phrase was “a burden shared is a burden carried,” or “lifted” or something like that.
And I was all WhAt ThE fUcK iS wRoNg wItH mE that I don’t want to share my burdens (outside of a few people & my therapist)?!
But when I googled that phrase this morning to get it right and lament over the fact that I am broken, I saw this phrase:
A burden shared is a burden halved or doubled – depending who you share it with
YES! THIS! This is it. Mostly, sharing makes things feel heavier (doubled). It’s too much to explain it all. People can’t read my mind and give me the exact response I want. Sometimes it feels like they just want goss. Or they share their burdens back. Or they say “it is what it is.” So I go through it, and share it later, when it’s over.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely broken, I just feel a little less so after reading that rando quote from the internets.
This is making me think about someone I used to work closely with, who went on medical leave, and didn’t share with us what was going on. We were curious what was going on, but understood it’s not our business. Then they died, and at their funeral, their spouse said they didn’t even know what was going on with them.
Um, whut? I promise I am not that… private? Shut off?
Reading Update (2025 #13-15)
[13] Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson
Fiction / Women, saw my friend Kim recommend in her Instagram stories, Audio
Synopsis: After a year of sobriety, Emma, 26, is thinking about reentering the dating world, but it’s been a challenge. Between her mother’s new relationship, a creepster she accidentally matched with on a dating app, and the sudden reappearance of her estranged father, things feel more complicated than ever. Yet, she still finds herself attracted to Ben, the charming IT guy who just might understand her in a way no one else does.
Review: This is not a romance, and therefore, it was a pivot for me, which felt refreshing, even though it’s about a recovering alcoholic. Emma is a sincere person that’s easy to root for and I found her story compelling from the beginning. It’s sort of slow moving, and not a lot happens, but I appreciated the view into addiction and recovery.
Recommend? Yes
[14] Cleared for the Option: A Year Learning to Fly by Patrick Chovanec
Non-fiction, saw on this 24 books for pilots to read in 2024 list, Kindle
Synopsis: Chovanec recounts his journey to becoming a private pilot during the early days of the pandemic, starting with Microsoft Flight Simulator before transitioning to real-world flying. He dives into how his passion for aviation took off, blending key topics with anecdotes from both virtual and actual flights.
Review: This book is good, but it drug out a bit for me – it leaned more textbook than anecdotal in parts and storytelling makes things stick in my brain better than rote memorization. I liked the humor and writing style of the other learning to fly book I read better. BUT! This one got into some interesting and helpful stuff the other one didn’t (actual mechanics of an airplane, etc.), so I’m not mad I read it. I just know y’all are really interested in a flying books so I want to make sure it’s clear you should read the one below instead LOLOLOL.
Recommend? Nah, read Learning to Fly instead
[15] Saving Noah by Lucinda Berry
Fiction / Psychologica, book club book, Audio
Synopsis: Noah was a model student and star athlete until he confessed to molesting two young girls. Sentenced to a juvenile rehabilitation center, he leaves his family in turmoil. His mother, Adrianne, stands by him, but her husband refuses to let Noah return home. As painful truths unfold, Adrianne faces the agonizing choice: How far will she go to protect her son?
Review: Why is it that the books I don’t care for are always the ones I have the most to say about? I guess it means something that this one got me so fired up! But still, I would never recommend it to anyone. Anyway. It was painful to listen to – because I could not stand the narrator’s voice, and because the mom is so naive. I am childless and appreciated the view into someone’s blind love for their child, but it was too much for me. It made me feel super ick – not just what her kid did, but how she wouldn’t listen to specialists, took all her anger out on her husband, made all her decisions based on emotion, etc. It will be interesting to chat about it at book club and see if that was realistic. I just don’t get it. Even if it is, I didn’t like being in her head for it. Or hearing it in that horrible voice.
Other annoyances:
- It’s set in Chicagoland, and they claim Buffalo Grove is a small town where everyone would know each other. With a population over 42K? Doubtful. She also says “the” Navy Pier. LOL whut. We call it Navy Pier.
- The writing was super elementary
- It’s worth mentioning again, I could not stand the narrator’s voice or how she voiced her young daughter. Ugh.
- The “twist” was predictable
- It was just super fucked up
Recommend? You know what? NO.
Hi! I’m Kim, a 40-something-year-old living in northeastern Illinois with my husband Steven, and our cats, Khaleesi, Apollo, Starbuck, and Eddard aka Ned. My current main hobbies are running, painting rocks, flying, reading, and eating. I follow a vegan lifestyle and work in an account management role. I write about a variety of topics and consider this a “life” blog – a place I can share anything that’s on my mind. Please visit the “About” page to get a better idea of who I am! 🙂
