Mixed Tape Tuesday

So they say that one of the secrets to keeping momentum behind blogging regularly is to have weekly 'columns.' So professional. Mine may not be followed to that kind of extent, but if it keeps me on a blog schedule, then who cares?

That said, I present to you 'Mixed Tape Tuesdays.' I was having some summer nostalgia the other day of being eight years old, boom box at the ready for when that one song came on the radio so that I could record it onto a mixed tape. Cool times. Anyways, that's how this idea was born. And I am pretty eclectic when it comes to...well, everything...but especially music. So here goes.

Here's what is at the top of my playlists this week: '80s tunes that make you move

1. I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston ('87)

2. Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson ('87)

3. Another One Bites the Dust - Queen ('80)

4. Flashdance...What A Feeling - Irene Cara ('83)

5. Footloose - Kenny Loggins ('84)

Want more? // 80s Cardio Radio // Greatest Dance/Jam of 80s // Greatest Dance/Jam of 80s Part II

Rain? Ain't a thing.

So despite a steady run of low 50s and rain today — all day — my intern friend Emily and I still did are best to make the best of an adventure in Chatham. But, half the fun about that town is it's beautiful beaches and lighthouse, so clearly we will have to go back with the weather is less depressing. You could barely see the ocean. And the lighthouse wasn't open for tours.

Regardless, we still had a good time checking out the shops on main street. And I have to say, people out here really take their antiques seriously. Most people only deal in the big ticket items. Luckily on the way back along 6A we found a good ol' "antique" store that is half antiques, half thrift so that things are, ya know, affordable. We also hit up a glass studio. On the downside, we missed the demonstration period of them actually blowing glass, but we did find some cute little dish things to buy. Everything was surprisingly a decent price.

The antique store had some good finds, too. An old wooden crate, some "vintage" pearl necklaces. And we snagged a couple cool prints from a couple other stores. It was hard to choose just one from the fun African prints and the beautiful Massachusetts locations. But in the end, I was happy with my loot.

(I also took a couple adventures last week to Boston and Providence, but more on those later!)

SO MANY IDEAS

You know, that's one of the things I love about summer. I have more time to actually think about stuff other than school and work. And I've had lots of ideas lately! So if I can keep this drive going, you will have a lot more coming your way :)

OMG

The screaming-it-in-my-head-but-would-never-say-that-acronym-out-loud-in-real-life moments of the day.

Driving to work when a spider drops from the ceiling of my car. It's probably a miracle I'm still alive to tell the tale. Not because the spider bit me. Or even touched me. But because I could have easily crashed the car. It was terrifying. Thank God for the red light I came upon so I could quickly kill the little bugger. Did you know that over half a million accidents a year are caused by insect distractions? Like I said, I could have died. #OMGscary

Surprise! I won the Irish National Lottery! 891,934 pound sterlings, to be exact. Or so the spam email says. Who knew being a mere Internet user could be so worthwhile. #OMGannoying

Realizing a couple more interns have arrived. Let's be honest, I have been incredibly homesick this past week. Which is weird, because I have never been homesick before. But I think it was because I know absolutely no one out here (on the Cape, at least) and so it was pretty much me, myself, and I. Now that some lovely young people my age and in the same situation are here, I have friends. And it will make all the difference. #OMGrelieved

Lies I tell myself

Sometimes, a little denial is OK. Other times, it becomes a problem and action should probably be taken. These little lies I tell myself every day are kind of in limbo between the two.

1. I will get more done in Starbucks where there is no comfy bed lulling me to sleep. Wrong. Because even though I won't be snuggling with a pillow, the second biggest distraction is still present: the internet. It's more of an excuse to buy overpriced coffee while I procrastinate. That said, I'm in Starbucks right now writing this post while my books are still in my bag. Cool times.

2. I'll watch just one more episode, then go to sleep/do my homework/get out of the house. You know, that's the thing about TV shows. When it's a drama, every episode ends in a cliff-hanger. And you just have to know what happens next, right away. Or if you're watching YouTube, it's a black hole in itself, because one video leads to a slew of others. You just can't win until it's so late you pass out.

3. I'll wake up early tomorrow. It will happen. No, no it won't. Did you see what I just wrote about one more episode? Well you are up half the night watching pointless TV, you are going to sleep in until noon if you have nothing else to be up for. I have always wanted to be a morning person, but that wish is a long way from coming true.

4. It's OK to survive on peanut butter sandwiches and ravioli for 10 weeks. It just isn't. While peanut butter sandwiches are good no matter how old you are, and $1 cans of ravioli hit the spot every time, that just isn't healthy. Two weeks has been acceptable-ish, but I need to go to a real grocery store. (I promise, this is not what happens during the school year. It's just way more expensive by yourself!)

5. You will win the jackpot next time you go to Vegas. Get real.

An open letter to the jetty at Provincetown

Dear jetty,

You beautiful, mesmerizing jetty.

You are a tricky little fella. You make a girl think 'Oh, 1.2 miles is nothing. That doesn't look too bad.' And then you reveal your true self. That isn't a leisurely stroll along the waters. It's a hike.

Don't get me wrong. You were beautiful, and well worth it. But just for the record, my leg muscles still hate you right now.

Also, your friends the sand dunes are also on my love/hate relationship list. I just wanted to visit Mr. Lighthouse in the distance. I figured I had already come over a mile, let's just go a little further then go back.

But no, I ended up stranded on the other side of the dunes with no way to get back. My own footprints stretched behind me like a wanderer in the desert.

I finally cut back over at a place I'm not sure I was supposed to be walking, just to find I had overshot the jetty by about a half mile or so.

You can just imagine my joy. Both literally — because I was glad to actually not be lost anymore — but also sarcastically — for all I wanted was to be back at my car, but I still had to fight back to the jetty before even trekking back across it.

OK, so this is starting to sound all bitter. I'm sorry. My pain is a good one, because you know, exercise is good for you and all.

And it really was quite beautiful. I even sat down for a minute at the end of the jetty and wrote before crossing back, as if I were some modern day Henry David Thoreau. Yeah, no use. It was really just an excuse to rest.

But I made it back. I conquered you Mr. Jetty. I am am ecstatic. Because this is prettiest piece of world I have seen in a long time. I'm not even mad at you for only giving me a short time to walk through the actual town of Provincetown.

The view — and the workout — were well worth it.

I may even visit you again.

Sincerely,
Stephanie