My Whac-A-Mole Life: Listicles

Liebster Love: Let Me Call You Sweetheart (In German)

You know how the movie industry likes to award itself lots of trophies and then create parties, TV specials and weeks of media coverage about it? The Liebsters are kind of the same, except without trophies, TV specials and media coverage because the winners must have under 200 subscribers...so nobody really cares except ourselves. Oh, and we're bloggers - not famous, glamorous, highly paid superstars with designer gowns.

That said, if I only had two readers - I'd want them to be you, and the brilliant blogster, Linda, of Autism and Oughtisms. Receiving this recognition from Linda must feel exactly like receiving an Academy Award (without the SWAG). I'm just guessing though.
So, let's review the rules and make sure I do this right. Would hate to have my Liebster retracted.

RULES

1) You must thank the person who gave you this award (Autism and Oughtisms, yo!)
2) You must display the Liebster heart on your blog. PROUDLY.
3) You should nominate 3 to 5 up-and-coming blogs (some rule variations say 11) with fewer than 200 subscribers. Just to be safe, I'm doing 11! That's right, 11.
4) Each person must post 11 things about themselves. Riiight. See section below.
5) Answer the questions given to you by the blogger who nominated you. Got it.
6) Create 11 questions for those you nominate to answer. Fun! Scroll way down.
7) Notify your nominees and provide a link back to your post (no tag backs because the point is to try and highlight new bloggers and spread the support). Sure, check my list at the end of this post, AND on my Facebook page and my Twitter stream (see what I did there?).

11 THINGS ABOUT ME

Some nights I stay up cashing in my bad luck. Some nights I call it a draw. Some nights I wish that my lips could build a castle. Some nights I wish they'd just fall off.
I'm a bitch. I'm a lover. I'm a child. I'm a mother. I'm a sinner. I'm a saint. And I do not feel ashamed. I'm your hell. I'm your dream. I'm nothing in between. You know you wouldn't want it any other way.
I'm not aware of too many things. I know what I know if you know what I mean.
I'm sane, but I'm overwhelmed. I'm lost but I'm hopeful. What it all comes down to is that everything's gonna be fine, fine, fine.
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way.
I'm a little bit country. I'm a little bit rock n roll.
I want to scream. And shout. And let it all out.
I sing the body electric. I celebrate the me yet to come.
I'm through accepting limits, 'cause someone says they're so. Some things I cannot change, but 'til I try I'll never know.
I believe the children are the future.
I like to eat apples and bananas.

Um, I might have plagiarized a little there. Sorry about that, but why would you think I wanted to talk about myself, anyway? Sheesh.

QUESTIONS Asked By Autism and Oughtisms (and I'm leaving her kiwi spelling in because it's just so adorable):

Why did you start blogging? I've been a writer since I was seven years old (I'm sure my journal entries were compelling)...writing is cathartic. I don't have time to write a book, so blogging is the perfect venue for now. Through my blog, I can explore, learn, connect, commiserate and celebrate. I can barely draw a stick figure nor do I build things; writing is my outlet.
What’s your favourite piece of art? My pillow.
What’s your favourite scent? My pillow.
Who inspires you? My children, my husband, my parents, my siblings, you...and these people:
Name one major event that shaped who you are today. Skip. (Don't I get a skip? Fine, see any blog post.)
What one super-power would you choose and why? This one's easy. I want to be able to pause time, like that guy in Heroes. So many possibilities. I'd nap. Shower. Never be late to anything (just stop everyone else and weave through traffic). KILL at Scramble with Friends. Fit in all the kids' therapies. (Or check out this extensive list of My Superpowers.)
What pets do you have? An old, lazy dog.
What’s your favourite plant? I can't really embrace plants; I already have enough creatures in my house to keep alive. Can I pick a tree? Weeping Willows. It just feels like they are full of stories, and they are so peaceful to watch swaying in the breeze.
What event in nature takes your breath away? I could stare at the ocean for hours.
What was your favourite subject at school? Literature, of course. In college, it was my Reporting class. It was required for my major, but also legendary for dropping GPAs. Sometimes, NOBODY in the entire course got an A. Oh, how I loved that A...and that class. It combined all the things that drive me: writing, learning about people and things, deadlines, storytelling and exploring issues from all angles.
What countries have you visited? Not enough. Tried to go to Holland once (bad autism joke...but I think I really would love to go to Holland someday.)

MY QUESTIONS for my award recipients...and may I suggest you take your assignment more seriously than I did:

1. Which of your own blog posts is your absolute favorite? Explain why and link please.

2. What song makes you perk up every time you hear it?

3. What book are you reading now (or what's the last book you can remember reading)?

4. List three words that describe your life.

5. What's your favorite app?

6. What keeps you up at night?

7. What was your first job?

8. What's for dinner?

9. What would you love to learn if you had the time?

10. Which holiday do you love the most?

11. Are you sorry I tagged you?

PASS IT ON
SURPRISE! There are so many amazing bloggers out there, so I've gone with the rule of 11. (Autism and Oughtisms also listed some of my besties, so check them out!)

I now bestow the Liebster Award to these blogs because: I love reading them and you will too; I believe they haven't been tagged recently; and I think they fit the criteria of under 200 subscribers (although they each deserve way more). If I'm wrong, sorry and congrats on your success!

Oops. Actually, I think that's 12, but I'm not bothering to recount. Or choose. So you get a bonus blog...you're welcome!
There. Nailed it! Next award, please.

Ten Things I Learned From Pop Music in 2012

My family spends lots of time on the road driving to/from schools, therapies, crazyland (see Tales From the Minivan). We listen to hand-picked CDs, yes, but the kids also really like current, pop music. We treat ourselves to commercial-free, satellite radio, and we definitely get our money's worth.

The thing is, however, while my daughter and I pretty much just dig the tunes and belt out (with varying degrees of accuracy and success) whatever words we think we hear, my analytic son - so I've learned - listens and thinks about the ACTUAL LYRICS. And, naturally, he has follow-up questions. Many of them.

As a result, I've taken "Last Friday Night" out of the mix for good. As another result (and courtesy of an awesome writing prompt from Stasha and company) you get this list. Happy Monday!

10 THINGS I'VE LEARNED FROM POP MUSIC IN 2012:

1. Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) is a super-fun song...but much less fun once you have to explain the lyrics to an 11-year-old: "menage a trois? Hmm, I think she's saying a bunch to draw or I munched crudite ... OH LOOK, Gangnam Style is on. Let's turn it up now."

2. Songs are much better when no one can understand a word. All hail Gangnam Style.

3. We're sad to hear about Kelly Clarkson's divorce. You know, because "the bed feels warmer, sleeping here alone." Her husband is no longer sleeping at home. Obviously. Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You).

4. Flippant songs can be exhausting. Who knew that We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together would require hours of follow-up discussion?

Why someone would write such a mean song
Breakups in general and why they might not be friendly
Well, if they weren't married, why would she not understand if he was seeing other people. Isn't that the definition of dating?
Why would you date exclusively but not get married?
Well, then why would he want to get back together?
You're right, "no" does mean "no," but...
And so on...

5. Girls can be so silly. Just pick up the phone and call him already. Or text him. Or move on. Sheesh! (See Call Me Maybe and Brokenhearted).

6. Adam Levine doesn't sound very reliable. Glad he didn't say "stick a needle in my eye too"...because if he's already said it a million times, he's broken lots of promises and lost credibility. Just saying. (See One More Night.)

7. Still, Maroon 5 does serve an educational purpose. They taught my children two "new" words: Payphone and Jagger.

8. Nicki Minaj sings a very cool song about aliens: Starships. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. (Please please please don't Google the lyrics!)

9. Against all odds, I've gained an appreciation for the grating tracks of Kidz Bop despite (and exactly because of) lyrics like "I love to dance next to you baby" which curiously replace lyrics like "I love to make love to you baby." (See Dance Again).

10. Finally, sure We Are Young, but we're definitely OVER 21... because, you know, all that drinking and falling down and stuff.

My 10 Superpowers: Monday Listicle

I'm not the most prolific blogger, but I assure you I am way more prolific than I should be. For example, right now, I should be checking off numbers 3, 5 and 42 on my seemingly stagnant "to do" list. (Seriously. It's like the Dead Sea Scrolls!)

Still, I've over-committed my fake, blogging self this week (now mirroring my real, live self every week). So, I am going to stagger these posts a little...thus explaining why you are seeing my Monday post as early as Saturday. (If you're reading this on Thursday, kindly disregard everything I just said and PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME!)

So today, I present my first "Monday" Listicle. See, bloggers like to play these little games. I guess sitting alone with a keyboard for too long makes the loonies even loonier. But it's true that these memes, linkups and series present fun opportunities to challenge each other creatively, connect with new blogs and get to know the wizards behind the curtain a little better.

They also inspire a little friendly competition - whether it be for votes, clicks, comments or blogger love. (Come on, which of you bloggers isn't drooling to hear: "Your meme was the absolute, most brilliant, smartest and funniest EVER!" No? Liar!)

Anyway, I've decided to jump into a few this week ("Hey Girl"...um, no not that one - yet - but it is awesome so do check out the Special Needs Ryan Gosling Meme over at Adventures in Extreme Parenthood.).

I present you my very first Monday Listicle.
Here's how it works. Each week, someone puts out a list idea and then you just go with it. And of course we all linky up to each other to share and share alike. It's fun to see so many perspectives on the same "assignment" and a great way to connect with other bloggers. Remember, the linkup for this series will only be active beginning Monday.

This week's topic: List 10 things you really like about yourself, things you are good at, your superpowers!

Telepathy. At least with my kids. That's right. I kind of can read their minds. Especially with my daughter with autism. I can look around the room and know instantly what she plans to upturn, eat, steal and destroy. Unfortunately, my telepathic sense appears to work one-way only. My kids have absolutely NO IDEA what I'm thinking...even when I say it out loud.

Meeting deadlines. But only drop-dead, final, this-is-your-last-chance deadlines. I'm good at those.

Talking fast. Not as in smarmy fast, but speed-wise. This is helpful at doctor's appointments, and the game Taboo. Sometimes, I get impatient when others don't talk/move/think as quickly as I. So you see, there's lots of irony in this. Someone up there was thinking: "You know what would be really funny? Let's give the mom with the least amount of patience those two kids who require the most amount of patience." Well played.

Googling. Sure, everyone can Google. But, trust me, no one can Google like I can. I am your Google Guru. If it's out there, I assure you, I will find it. I'm like the Lisbeth Salander of Google.

I'm a good speler. (Actually, I really am.) And I type supremely fast. What do I win?

Not being depressed. I know that doesn't sound like much of a superpower. And it's not really a choice for those struggling with clinical depression. But I do know what happens if I slow down and start thinking about my children's future. The spiral is tough to fight. Yes, I know "there are tulips" in Holland (this is an autism reference - I'll try to post the "Welcome To Holland" piece sometime or you can always Google it), but that doesn't mean I'm happy about it 24/7. The day-to-day challenges of raising my children - any children - are hard enough, let alone dwelling on the "what ifs" and the "where will they bes". So yeah, I manage to get up, get dressed (on most days) and smile. In homage to one of my fave Twitter pal handles: where's my cape?

Finding a needle in a haystack. Or rather finding a lone sock in a laundry pile. Or the last remaining pair of girl's leggings in the house that's not filthy, holey or fuschia. Then again, I might not be so terrific at this. Not really sure, but I am LIGHTYEARS ahead of the other people living in this place.

My profession. I don't mention my "work" very much on this blog and I won't go into it here, but I'm pretty damn good at what I do...when I do it!

Sleeping. When I actually get the chance to sleep, it's the deepest of sleep you can sleep. I mean, literally, our burglar alarm will blast, sirens will blare, thunder and lightning will crash, and I don't even roll over. I find that sometimes it just gets incorporated into my dreams. I like to think that if my husband weren't around and the kids needed me or the house really was on fire, that I'd wake up. But sometimes I wonder. Maybe I'm just THAT good at sleeping!

This week's listicle allowed us to choose from two questions. Obviously the first question was about my superpowers...but I'm running out of ideas. So for #10, I'm going with the second question, which is this: You have 48 hours free of all responsibilities and unlimited cash, what would you do, places you’d go, etc. Easy. All the money is used for good. Let's cure diseases, support charities, and generally fix stuff. As for me, you'll find me sleeping in bajillion thread-count sheets with sweet kisses goodnight from my kiddos and a stack of books nearby.