a peek inside the fishbowl

Lynn from TurtleHead isn’t going to BlogHer. Nor am I. That’s why I’m VERY happy she organized the first annual Blog Out Loud Ottawa event.

I really needed someone to commiserate with.

It’s going to be held at the Raw Sugar Cafe in downtown Ottawa, on Thursday, July 23rd from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

Local bloggers will be reading their favourite posts and there will be much IRL merriment. Lynn is lining up an impressive roster of bloggers, so if you’re a blogger, or would like to meet some of the faces behind the words, this is the kind of event you might find interesting. (NO STALKERS ALLOWED.) 

Read more about the event at the official Blog Out Loud Blog.

I love this idea so much I decided we had to do it again.

The challenge is thus:

1. 1. Identify your favourite kind of lunch.  Dig deep into your memory. Is it soup? Salad? Sandwich? What kind? What gives you the most pleasure? It could be as simple as almond butter with sliced bananas and a tall glass of milk. It could be a spicy soup, a yummy salad, boiled eggs, leafy greens with a thick slice of fresh bread and gooey cheese, whatever, BUT it has to be really really good.
2. 2. Pick a day this week that you’re going to make your favourite lunch. If you don’t have a recipe, find one. If you need to marinade something, do it. If there are people in your family who are grouse at the idea of eating goat cheese, ignore them. This lunch is FOR YOU.
3. 3. Pick a nice place to eat your lunch. It could be your backyard, a nearby park, or just on your front steps. I know this isn’t easy for everyone (hey, I used to work in an industrial park – I KNOW UGLY), but do try to find the best place possible. If you really want to go the extra mile, pack the good silverware and linens.
4. 4. Now this is important. Ignore the world. Chew slowly, and savour every second of your special lunch. You are worth it. You know you are.

I’m going to plan my special lunch for Friday the 19th (I’d love it if you joined me virtually!) but don’t feel like you have to do it on the same day.

If you played along, come back here and tell us what you prepared for yourself. Link to your site if you want. Bonus points for photos and recipes. Lord knows I could use the inspiration! :)

*p.s.  if you can’t do it this week, but CAN do it next week, do it! There’s no time limit for your special lunch. (But I still want to hear what you ate and how you treated yourself!)

Sarah told me about a girl who always laughs at her when she blows her nose. And because of her allergies (and occasional nose-bleeds) Sarah needs to blow her nose quite often.

And she doesn’t like to be laughed at.

The other day Sarah was blowing her nose again. The girl was laughing at Sarah, again. Sarah blew and blew, ignoring the girl, until her nostrils were restored to normalcy.

Sarah took her tissue in hand and walked towards the garbage can. As she passed by the girl she slowed down, leaned in close and whispered: “You have WAY more boogers than I do.”

“And what did the girl say?” I asked, laughing, but not sure if I should be laughing.

“Nothing,” said Sarah. “She was very quiet.”