bewize

In an effort to be better about journaling again... I'm going to try and participate!

I think I'd gotten to a place of assuming that people don't care about what I think/have to say (not in a "Guess I'll Go Eat Worms" kind of way, but in a "we're all so busy!" kind of way), but I like reading about random stuff people write and maybe you do to. If not, skip! LOL.

See thefridayfive to join the fun!


1. What's your favorite candle scent?

I was obsessed with Fresh Balsam from Bath and Bodyworks at Christmas. I burned an entire large candle in a month after it was gifted me by a coworker. It was just gorgeous. It also sparked an interest in keeping nice candles burning in my house and I just placed an order for mini-candles from Voluspa. I ordered the following:

Eucalyptus & White Sage
Wildflowers
Goji Tarocco Orange
French Cade Lavender
Kalahari Watermelon
Suede Blanc
Gardenia Colonia -
Moso Bamboo
French Linen

In writing this, I also see that Bath and Bodyworks has a Sea Salt and Balsam candle that I bet is also amazing.

2. Do you have an artistic or crafty hobby? What is it?

I like to write fiction and fanfiction. I sometimes dabble in other things, but I'm not really good at any of them - scrapbooking, collages (vision boards), doodling in the margins of my work notepads.

3. What's one weird way you save money on food?

We eat leftovers at my house. And I bulk cook vegetables on the weekend so we have plenty of options all week and I don't have to throw anything away!

4. Do you collect anything weird or unusual?

Umm. No? Just stories about the random weird, funky, and wild things I've done in my life. XD

5. Do you fear the deep ocean, or does its unknown depths excite you?

Context, please! In my bed? I'm excited. Shipwrecked at sea? Fear! In general, I would love to scuba dive as much as possible between now and my inevitable ending. :)

I've been wracking my brain trying to think of what to write for this challenge and my love of lists is coming to my rescue for now. And, I also thought, "start small" and had the idea to do a list of 10 things that I like that I suspect people take for granted. Also, as an FYI, these are things that have the effect of making me feel better when I'm down, make me feel like you know me and care about me, and also, just have a wonderful rejuvenating factor to them. They energize me when I need to keep going and may not know exactly where I'm going to find the strength to keep going.


1. Coffee. Yes, this is cheating, what with the caffeine and all, but I love coffee. I love the way it smells. I love the way it tastes. I love the way it makes me feel - like the whole world can pause just long enough for me to drink it and take away a moment of peace and me time.

I like my coffee black. I don't use sugar, only splenda, if I do decide to sweeten it. Sometimes, I will add cream. I like real cream. I also like whipped cream, if it's a special occasion. If it's cold, I'll take my coffee hot. If it's hot, I'll take my coffee cold.

I'll drink it Irish, too. And with desert, and with breakfast, and at 2 in the afternoon. I'd drink it at night, but everyone fusses at me, so I've switched to decaf for those evening when I just can't stand it.


2. Movies. I love going to the movies, because they are engaging, distracting, and provide an often-times much needed break from the insanity of real life. I don't have much time for movies, but it's a shame. If you can make me make time, do it!

I like going to the theater. I like the big screen. I prefer movies that I pay that much for to have awesome special effects. I like action and adventure. I like super heroes. I love fantasy and magic.

I don't like love stories that promise happy endings that don't exist. I don't like horror films that are gory. I do like ghost stories.

I like movie soundtracks and epic is always better. I love popcorn. If we're at home, I adore pickles and popcorn. (Blame my mother.)

3. Patios. I love to sit on patios. I like them in restaurants a lot, but I love them in people's houses, too. I like being outside and still being comfortable. I like drinks (of any sort) on patios.

I don't like smokers, but I'll tolerate them. I love bonfires. I like grilling out. I like roasting marshmallows, as long as someone else will eat them. Hot dogs on the grill are my favorite food. Shut up.

Music is good. Dancing with me on a patio is better. Curl up with me on a swing and I'll be happy and content for hours. Snuggle with me if I'm cold. Let me lean on you even if its warm. I'll do my best not to sweat on you. ;)


4. Baths. Bubbles are good. Lush bombs are better. Reading in the bathtub is an awesome thing. Hot water, lots of it, that I can run over my toes and feet anytime the tub needs a warm up makes me happy. So do hot tubs.

Candles, music, a glass of wine - these will make the bath experience even better, but at the heart of it, I need a clean tub and warm water. Fuzzy towels, robes, etc. for when I get out are also good. :)

5. Hugs and pets. I will stay still for as long as I physically can if you pet me. I love hugs. I love having my hair played with. Now, there is a big caveat here - if I don't know you, or just met you, don't be overly handsy. That's just uncouth. But if you're my person, and you know you're my person, hug me, damn it.

6. Music. I love music, especially live. I will see anything live (although, I'm not really that fond of jazz... but I can deal with it). I like to dance, especially if I've had a drink. I like the symphony and the opera and the ballet. I like rock and roll. I like hip hop and rap. I like pop.

Sing to me, and I will die of giggles but at the same time, love you forever.

Note - I don't do karaoke. ;)

7. Baseball. I like going to the games. I like going to ANY games. I like t-ball and I like the pros. I like small town leagues. I like baseball movies and baseball stories and the history of the US as told through baseball.

I will cheer the Braves, boo the Yankees, and respect the hell out of anyone who isn't a fair weather fan.

8. Surprises. I don't mean big "Hey, guess what, I'm moving!" kinds of surprises. I mean little things like, "I saw this and thought of you" and "I think you'd like this place I'm taking you" and "This seemed like you."

Write me stories. Send me pictures. Do something for me and I will be excited.

9. Show me something unexpected. An old man playing his trumpet in the town square. The magic of train whistles in the middle of the night. The wonder of fairy lights twinkling in the gloom. The sound of a baby's laugh, the purr of a cat, the lightening zap of an old couple holding hands. Show me pretty gardens. Show me swing sets hidden in the middle of the urban jungle. Graffitti is glorious, modern art is confusing, and amazement in the mundane is my favorite thing in the world.

10. Just... listen when I want to talk. Don't push me when I don't. Be my friend and mean it when you say you love me.

Congratulations! You've acquired access to your very own Bewize. Allow me to share a few things that I think will make the experience more fun and less stressful for all parties. Anyone who has had access to a Bewize in the past, feel free to make suggestions in the comments.

1. The first thing to know about a Bewize is that they tend to be very private. You'll find mostly locked journal entries, because Bewizes tend to have jobs that require some amounts of privacy (like, for example, lawyering). That said, Bewizes are generally happy to add friends, as long as friends don't come across as creepy, stalkery types who like to cause trouble. Bewize needs no help causing trouble.

2. Bewizes work a great deal. In fact, Bewizes are work-a-holics. Currently, reports suggest that Bewizes have upwards of 2 jobs at any given time (lawyering, contract lawyering, freelance writing, a variety of random jobs will all be likely). Bewizes are also entrepreneurs and as anyone with their own business knows, it's never a 9-5 deal. Bewizes take on work at the expense of nearly everything else.

3. Because of Bewizes' work habits, Bewizes occasionally suffer health problems. Most recently, Bewizes are reported as being susceptible to the "chest plague" and/or asthma. Luckily, most health problems can be controlled with medication.

4. Bewizes have obsessive personalities and tend to ramble about whatever it is that has caught their attention. Current trends suggest that diet and exercise are high on the list, as well as the usual like friends, family and work.

5. Bewizes are great at existing in drama. This is a good thing, because Bewizes have nearly magical powers at attracting it, even though most of it isn't their fault. No really, it usually is not their fault. Bewizes have been known to randomly meet and befriend famous people and randomly get sued. Both are equally likely to happen.

6. Bewizes are social creatures and enjoy going out with friends. Bewizes are unlikely to be in serious relationships, though on occasion they may dabble. Bewizes may live with a variety of roommates, including toddler godsons. Bewizes may be hard to track down for this reason.

7. Bewizes have a love/hate relationship with technology. A Bewize will never be far from her phone, but she will likely not answer it. Bewizes can be obsessive about the internet.

8. Bewizes can be depended on to take 90% of things in stride. Upset Bewizes are less likely than pissed off Bewizes. Pissed off Bewizes should be approached with extreme caution. Pissed off Bewizes should never be taunted to "be honest about what she really thinks." In fact, pissed off Bewizes should never be taunted. Really, neither should a calm Bewize.

9. Bewizes are opinionated. No really, a Bewize will likely have an opinion about everything. If she chooses not to share it, it's because she likely thinks it will cause drama (see above about Bewize needing no help to find drama). If pushed, a Bewize will nearly always tell you what it thinks.

10. Bewizes are known to switch emotions fairly quickly, and even an angry Bewize can be calmed down. Bewizes are tremendously loyal, but if you push a Bewize too far, you're probably never going to get one back.

In short, Bewizes are an adventure. :)

Good luck with yours!

This entry was written for Topic 0: Introductions at therealljidol. Given that I've written several of these in the past, I figured I'd go for a tongue in cheek introduction, but I think that the "rules" here are a fairly accurate description of myself. If you disagree, see rule 8, but feel free to let me know! Reality checks are good for people.