Every Day Happenings - recognition

 

Stepping into the plant connector, first Friday event in December. Two students were there and said 'hi Ms.Adams' and we chatted. Walking through the store on my way out, the owner stopped me and said,

  'was that who the boutonnière was for?' gesturing at my husband's back as he passed through the door out to thestreet. 'yes, yes it was!' I said. 'We still have them in the fridge at home.' 

#LiveLikeLeslie - Ladies First

Leslie-ism:

Ladies celebrating ladies.

It's like Lilith Fair minus the angst.

Plus Frittatas.

Ladies celebrating ladies.
It's like Lilith Fair minus the angst.
Plus frittatas.

Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/view_episode_scripts.php?tv-show=parks-and-recreation&episode=s02e16Ladies celebrating ladies.

It's like Lilith Fair minus the angst.
Plus frittatas.

Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/view_episode_scripts.php?tv-show=parks-and-recreation&episode=s02e16

                                                                               - season 2, episode 16

Love is not about romance alone, especially since Leslie was single for a lot of Parks and Rec.  No, to Leslie friendship, ladies, and having a tribe are paramount to her happiness and life.  She will go out of her way and have no sleep for her friends.

As a tradition and to be the pinnacle of Leslie's devotion to her friends, she invented Galentine's Day - the day before Valentine's Day - on which she and all her girlfriends get together for brunch and she showers them with gifts.  I would be remiss to not embrace this day myself and to celebrate my lady friends...and WRITE ABOUT it of course.

How I lived it:

Thinking of others has actually been scientifically proven to improve one's health.  Leslie must know this intuitively as she continually gives until it hurts...and never expects anything in return. I wish I could say I didn't expect anything in return...but I do!  

- For my ladies who are far away (which is predominantly the ladies in my life, as most of my dearest friends dont live nearby) , I decided to call them and tell them how much I love and appreciate them.

- I made tiny cards and got some candy (fireballs - cuz ladies I know are HAWT and CALIENTE!) to hand out to ladies who I admire at work.  at first I wasn't going to do this as...I don't feel super close to people at work.  In the end, I decided that didn't matter because I REALLY LIKE some people at work.  And how will I ever get to feel super close to anyone if I don't try...

- My book club has been together for over 10 years (though recently it went through one...minor reiteration).  We've always talked about hot button issues and our dealings in life as women.  Many times this year, the phrase #aintnobodygottimeforthat came up, and it has become my unofficial motto if not every other lady in my book club.  So I cross stitched little "placards" with that saying on it (though it was thyme...ha ha) and mailed them to my book club ladies because they are truly AWESOME, SMART, and AMAZING ladies I love having in my life.

And no offense, but everybody here is terrible at love.

Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/view_episode_scripts.php?tv-show=parks-and-recreation&episode=s02e16

#LiveLikeLeslie - Can Everyone Just Be Gay

Season 2 
Episode 1, Pawnee Zoo

Leslie-ism:

"I thought about it, and, look, he might not be  
my gay penguin, but he could be yours."

For the first season, Leslie is fanning a one-sided, old flame she has for Mark Brandanowitz.  After Mark falls into the pit (last episode of Season 1), he and Ann are more friendly and he asks her out.  Of course she puts "uteruses before duderuses" (as Leslie says episode 2, Season 2) and tells Leslie that he asked her out, but she will definitely say no.  Leslie is relieved and agrees Anne should say no, and the show goes on with the main thread of the show, which is Leslie fighting with Marcia Langman from the Society for Family Stability Foundation over the policitcal implications of her gay penguin marriage at the Pawnee Zoo.

Later in the episode, after Leslie has fought and argued with Marcia, been dubbed the Queen of the Gays from her gay party at The Bulge, she comes to the realization that true love, the kind of love she sees between Tux and Flipper, is the only important thing in life.  How could she deny that from her new best friend Ann?  So she eventually shows up and says today's Leslie-ism followed up with that she already told Mark that Ann said yes to a date.  Classic Leslie move....Ann just got Knoped!

(Sub)Leslie-isms:

"The thing about youth culture is - I don't understand it."
- April and her two boyfriends photoshop a poster of Leslie for the Bulge party.  Leslie is wowed at their skill but more wowed by the fact that April has two boyfriends...who also happen to be gay with each other but one is straight for her.  I LOVE this little nod at other ways of being, even if it does make Leslie feel old.

"I apologize for having fun, and for making something cute!"
- This is pretty much Leslie's ultimate ulterior motive in all things.  She wants to make anything and everything fun and if not fun, cute.  So sue her!  I really appreciate that eventually, she flat out refuses Marcia a penguin wedding annalment and pretty much says THIS IS WHO I AM, take it or leave it.

---------------------------------

How I lived it: 

From the delay of posting this, know this one has tied me up and stumped me.  First I went with the sub-Leslie-ism "I apologize for having fun, and making something cute!" as my Leslie-ism (the week I should have posted). I made nothing cute or fun that week!  I tried one more week...still nothing.  

Then I realized two things: 1) the Leslie-ism has to be a Leslie-ism! ie she says weird shit all the time, and as weird as most of those things are, many are gems of wisdom.  Either way, I can't pick something that sounds like anyone would say it, the phrase has to be very Leslie.  and 2) the episode was very focused on the gay rights issue and at first, I'd shied away from that as I am not making daily (or any!) head way on that social justice issue.  Then I had the ah-ha moment - the show was about being YOURSELF (and "who they are is just stone-cold gay!") and letting other people be themselves too.   

How I lived it was pretty mild (after 3-5 weeks of hemming and hawing and delaying this post).  During 4 weeks of heavy instruction time with 9th graders, I called them (acceptable) terms of endearment when I greeted them or when someone raised their hand and I went to assist them.  As odd as it was at first (and prob still is to the students!) I think it worked - they seemed to relax and smile and engage with my instruction and help EASIER.  (my co-teacher got my drift.  at one point she asked me, "Do you watch that show, Parks and Rec"....me.....: Do I! 😬)

When at work or at home, I've tried to delegate and support chores, things to do, and growing opportunities based on more than just what I want/like/wish I could/should be able to do and more on what am I good at, what is the other person good at, and in the larger schedule of life and the job, which would have more/best/lasting impact.  This has helped at work because I'm still training my assistant, so some experiences I can do, I need to let go so she can learn how to do them too.  This has helped me at home because I've gone out of my way to do more, with a smile on my face, and instead of always gushing with verbal thanks, I notice and move on as that is all my hubby needs.

The shift in mindset has also helped me see how this Leslie-ism is tied to my 2018 mantra of #hardshell.  By trying to see where and what and how and why I should be places, I notice more often that if I am not supposed to be or do or say something, it's usually about THEM not ME. 

Oh! This was a simple but powerful realization for me.  When my hubby and I moved into our new house, I wanted to make it a little fun/quirky, so I painted a chalkboard wall in our kitchen/dining room.  This would be where friends and friends' children could draw or play games AND we could put our weekly meal plans up.  For a while, the hubby and I were both good at writing them up there until slowly it petered out until we stopped.  I was reminded of our board earlier this winter and my first thought was a little resentful one toward my hubby for not doing it.  WHY wasn't he having fun, damn it!?  Quickly I caught that nasty little thought and decided if I wanted to make things fun then I should make things fun!  I should not try to force my good ideas/fun/whatever on other people.  (This is something Leslies is most definitely not good at not doing either!  I actually am, but by the way, I still do make people do stuff, just not all matters of fun or all my great ideas)  I brushed that resentment right into the trash and started writing our menus back up there. 

Political Actions:

I have been out of political life...it is not a good thing.  Oh!  I did do something very Leslie though, and I think it's semi-political.  When I renewed my professional library organizational membership (to one of many I cant remember right now!), I volunteered to do additional stuff for two seperate groups.  This feels very Leslie-like (though...would she volunteer?  how does she feel about money and capitalism...?) as she always does more of what she loves and for people she loves.  Two of the opportunities also tie to my 2018 intention - Write Every Day - as they are being a blogger or guest blogger.

ps. is it totally creepy if I'm reading Amy Poehler's memoir right now?  Probably!

Other than than...I got nothing.

USA / Erikka: 11

Trump: 5

Hold Me Closer

Slow dancing.
You find yourselves alone in a world that
consists only of your arms around each other.
The feel of a chest against a cheek
or the crown of a head against a cheek,
or if you're so bold,
a cheek upon a cheek.
There is warmth.
And soft.
And a hushing of sound.
The slow, rythmic sway lulls you like long ago,
when you were held in other arms,
feeling small and safe and protected.
It is this place you long to be.
Even sex is just one path to that moment after
when lovers cling to each other on a liferaft
just constructed, drifting on the edge of sleep.
For one instant forgetting you are separate beings,
until thought crowds back in and you are again
Alone.
Separate.
But the music is still going,
You sway in slow motion.
Holding on.
And close your eyes.

#LiveLikeLeslie - HOLIDAY EDITION

Leslie-ism:

"Giving Christmas gifts is like a sport to me. 

Finding or making that perfect something. 

It's also like a sport to me because I always win."

                                                                               - season 4, episode 10

Leslie is a notorious over achiever in all ways - especially in being a FRIEND!  Holidays and birthdays are not enough days for her to show the people she loves how much she loves them, so she even invents holidays and anniversaries.  Just to add more gift giving to her life.  And one might think - oh, she probably just gives crappy gifts to be able to say she gave so many gifts - but you would be SO WRONG!  As I mentioned in a previous post, Leslie Knope gives 110% in all she does and gift giving is no exception, so much in fact Ron Swanson says in the same episode, "..every year she gets me something thoughtful and personal" and later asks the Parks team to get something for Leslie that will "erase the enormous emotional debt that has built up over years of this gift-giving imbalance." 

How I lived it:

- As I mentioned, I got my favorite dept/colleagues to do secret santa with me (I may not have given them a choice, I'm kind of a steamroller, which is very Leslie Knope-ish of me).  From the start, my excitement at the prospect was off the charts.  And as I could tell there were a few colleagues who may not have been..."that into it," I decided I would be SOOOOO into it for them.    I did end up giving everyone small gifts every day.  And I made them all so it was no cost to me other than my time and energy.  Homemade banana breads, small shots of mulled apple cider, "Proud Nerd" buttons (I have a button maker at work)...It made me so happy.  

- "Making that perfect something" seemed to be my jam this year.  I was feeling really creative and made a lot of small things for people.  If you haven't ever tried to think of something thoughtful you could make for someone you love - JUST TRY IT!  The act itself, the time spent making and thinking of that loved one, adds so much more cheer to the holiday season.  You do NOT need to be a master crafter.   And homemade gifts do not have to be elaborate or super expensive.  They just have to be thoughtful.

- Throughout visits with people, in my travels, while out in public, I looked for ways to feel and be connected and more present.  I engaged in more small talk with strangers and loved ones.  I tried to talk less and ask people more questions.  When I found myself with down time, I didn't rush to fill it, I paused. I waited.  When I worked on a craft, I also stayed with people and continued to chat with them.  This last part was hard for me - the pausing and the staying engaged.  I had to try reeeeeeeaaaaallllllly hard and sometimes I had to go off alone and sneak in a few episodes of Parks and Rec.

And lastly...

(Sub)Leslie-ism:

"This year, though?  My friends won.  In fact, I got my ass handed to me."

Leslie finished this post's Leslie-ism with these words because her friends DID finally balance the gift giving scale.  The whole department put some thought into it and made Leslie her Christmas gift.  She LOVED it.  What I think she loved most was the thought of all of them together, working on that gift for her.

- My hubby and I got married in December, so we have something extra to celebrate during an already festive season.  This year was our 5th year; we put a lot of thought into our traditional anniversary gifts.  I've always been a thoughtful gift giver.  My hubby has been getting more and more thoughtful in all of his gift giving, which then makes me be even MORE thoughtful, so I can be the most thoughtful (also very Leslie Knope-ish of me).  Well, this year for both our anniversary gifts and Christmas gifts, my hubs might have very well have bested me.  It was awesome.

Political Actions:

I don't think I did anything political over this holiday time...Damn you, Trump.  Damn you!

Me: 9

Trump: 3

#LiveLikeLeslie - Positive Times Infinity

Episode 6, Rock Show

Leslie-ism:

"This is a symbol of hope. This is a symbol 

the park will be built!"

With the forward momentum of the sub-committee and public forum under her belt, Leslie gets even more amped up when Andy has his casts removed, as he is the face of The Pit project to her.  She triumphantly holds up one of his leg casts as she says this week's Leslie-ism.  Other things that happened were - Leslie's mom sets her up with an 80 year old, Mark tries to hit on Ann, and Ann dumps Andy when she learns he kept his casts on so she would continue to wait on him.

Sometimes we all could use a little more meaning in life.  At dark times a surprising "omen" could keep us on the right paths.  Leslie uses the power of positive reinforcement to get the job done!  We could all benefit from trying to find symbols, meanings, and hope (when needed) in seemingly dirty, ugly, maybe unrelated objects. 

(Sub)Leslie-isms:

"Kennedy put a man on the moon...I can build one park."
- It is a rare thing to find out the effects one has had on others, the environment, the world.  If you're lucky enough for others to share this with you -great!  Most of the time you'll never know, but always give everything 110% of your effort.   That is how Leslie does everything in her life - personal and professional.

"You know how I love mixing work into my personal life."
- Leslie waffled (ha! play on words fo' sho') between skipping what she thought was a business meeting (but turned out to be a date) to go to Andy's rock show.  She makes it to the show just as Scarecrow Boat is exiting the stage.  Leslie never turns down an invite from a colleague/friend (as really, those two are the same for her!).  She is the master of always working while always having fun. 

---------------------------------

How I lived it: 

- During lunches, I watched Netflix (usually Parks and Rec!).  I've stopped and (unless I've had a nonstop day) am now reading during lunch.  I feel like Leslie doesn't waste a single moment of her time...neither can I!

- I made it a point to hold a family business meeting, even though it was late and we kind of wanted to cancel it.  Business meetings have been tense in the past...doesn't lead to wanting to have one at 7:30 pm.  We did it - it was quick, easy and SO productive!

- It's the holiday season, which means GIFT GIVING!  I LOVE giving gifts and this year I got the IT dept to (my defacto dept by choice) to join me in a secret santa.  As soon as names were chosen, I knew I would not only give my person a gift every day...I WOULD GIVE EVERYONE A GIFT EVERY DAY.  Just to confuse them.  And because it makes me happy. ((The ways in which the character Leslie and I are alike gets WEIRD for me sometimes as I SWEAR I AM NOT TRYING to be as much like her as I really am!!!))

- A colleague shared the concept of #hygge (said HOO-gah) with me. I KNOW if Leslie knew of it (and, um...if she were real and all!) she would SO go all out.  #Hyyge is the idea of embracing the winter months by making your inner and outer worlds filled with things you love and as cozy as you can make them.  Since my colleague told me, we've been sharing ways we are trying to make our lives have more #hygge. Talking about it, the small things I'm doing, I swear have made this positive polly even MORE positive.  

Political Actions:

- I donated $5 to the Democrat Doug Jones in hopes he might win in Alabama today.

- At school, a group of teachers is being trained by two of our colleagues in SEED.  It is intensely personal work that will influence our behaviors, beliefs, and work together on campus.

USA / Erikka: 9

Trump: 1

Bringin' it Back Y'all

Commitments. Habits. Routines.
I start a lot of stuff and don't finish or continue a lot of that stuff.
Commitments. Habits. Routines.
I buy self help books. I want to be a better person.
Commitments. Habits. Routines.
I make vows. I make brash statements. I boldly go forth to conquer.
Commitments. Habits. Routines.

Failure isn't the act of something not working, but of not trying again.

Giving up is the only sure way to fail.

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

It's not how far you fall, but how high you bounce that counts.

When we give ourselves permission to fail, we, at the same time, give ourselves permission to excel.

All this to say that - LIVE LIKE LESLIE returns! 

I lost my way for a moment...or a week or two.  I'm back now.  I want to make things with my hands.  I want to make people smile and smile back at them.  I want to see faces of people in my community as I work alongside them.  I want to form connections that are meaningful and loving and lasting.  As the dark engulfs New England this Winter, I need more light than dark.  More love than anger.  More positive than negative.  I won't pass on opportunities to engage in the national political scene if I can.  I'll maybe start listening to The Daily again.  I'm just going to concentrate more on friends, family, and my personal life in this time of going in, drawing in the reserves, turning into the dark, curling up to be warm, alone, and cozy.

toward the dawn

Stay tuned for next Monday's Live Like Leslie post....