Cheer-Up-athon

Welcome to Vanillafluffy's First Annual (maybe) Cheer-Up-athon!

Scanning my f'list, it seems like most of us are going through some kind of agita and/or angst. Families, relationships, jobs or lackthereof---it's always something.

As a wise man once said, "I get by with a little help from my friends." I'm inviting my friends (and their friends, and anyone with something constructive to contribute) to particate in this Cheer-Up-athon.

I'm not asking for money, just good mojo. (As long as it isn't that whole "Well, it could be worse, you could be sleeping in a box" schtick, because really, that doesn't work.)

Let's have your compliments, well-wishes, inspirational quotes, suggestions of activities to brighten someone's day---preferably low-or-no-cost, since times ARE tough. Also welcome are Gifs, icons, picspams and fanvids, macros, happy ending comment fics, recipes for your favorite comfort food and good news in general.

This is going to be an on-going event. After a few days as is, I'll change the date so that this post stays at the top of my page and you can keep adding to it. Post as often as you like, and feel free to pimp.

Keep it positive and upbeat, be kind to each other and play nice, y'all.

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Yes, no, maybe so?

Actor Christopher Plummer is 88 years old and just won his first Oscar, but I think after a certain point, some dreams are past their sell-by date. It's not a question of having a bucket list, it's a question of how attainable the goals on that list are.

Traveling west of the Mississippi? Do-able. Winning an Olympic medal in gymnastics, definitely not. I've missed the window of opportunity to become a prima ballerina or a grand opera singer or a rock goddess. On the other hand, look at Grandma Moses---I might still make it as an artist.

I'm questioning what I want, what I think I can do, where the fulcrum is between reality and wishful thinking. I have no desire to run a marathon or participate in a triathlon, but I'd like to be in better shape. But thinking about walking isn't productive; getting my fat ass in gear and actually going for a stroll does. Being a fabulous ballroom dancer requires lessons and a partner. I could always get instructional DVDs from the library, but without a partner, I'm shit out of luck. Meanwhile, I can still get DVDs for bellydance, which I don't need a partner for. (And which has always sounded like fun.)

I've spent thirty years dreaming of restoring an old car. I'm not completely clueless about automotive things, but all my hands-on experience dates to 1983, aside from things like replacing the battery and checking the fluids. I've driven enough crappy cars that I can usually make a guess about what's going on, but guessing wrong could be awfully expensive when we're talking about something vintage. I don't have tools, or a shop or---oh yeah, a project car. I have a feeling that unless I win the lottery PDQ, the sun is setting on this one, and that makes me sad.

What's left? Travel? Not with my current car---I won't even risk a trip to Miami, and that's only 200 miles each way. And the cost in general...when I have money, there are always More Important Things to do with it.

Now, I'm drawing a blank. What else do I want to do? And of those things, what are within my means? And if I say "I don't know", or "Nothing.", then what? If I feel that all my hopes and dreams are unattainable, then I'm just going through the motions, waiting to die. That's not a good place to be.

I need to contemplate this some more.

.

Yes, no, maybe so?

Actor Christopher Plummer is 88 years old and just won his first Oscar, but I think after a certain point, some dreams are past their sell-by date. It's not a question of having a bucket list, it's a question of how attainable the goals on that list are.

Traveling west of the Mississippi? Do-able. Winning an Olympic medal in gymnastics, definitely not. I've missed the window of opportunity to become a prima ballerina or a grand opera singer or a rock goddess. On the other hand, look at Grandma Moses---I might still make it as an artist.

I'm questioning what I want, what I think I can do, where the fulcrum is between reality and wishful thinking. I have no desire to run a marathon or participate in a triathlon, but I'd like to be in better shape. But thinking about walking isn't productive; getting my fat ass in gear and actually going for a stroll does. Being a fabulous ballroom dancer requires lessons and a partner. I could always get instructional DVDs from the library, but without a partner, I'm shit out of luck. Meanwhile, I can still get DVDs for bellydance, which I don't need a partner for. (And which has always sounded like fun.)

I've spent thirty years dreaming of restoring an old car. I'm not completely clueless about automotive things, but all my hands-on experience dates to 1983, aside from things like replacing the battery and checking the fluids. I've driven enough crappy cars that I can usually make a guess about what's going on, but guessing wrong could be awfully expensive when we're talking about something vintage. I don't have tools, or a shop or---oh yeah, a project car. I have a feeling that unless I win the lottery PDQ, the sun is setting on this one, and that makes me sad.

What's left? Travel? Not with my current car---I won't even risk a trip to Miami, and that's only 200 miles each way. And the cost in general...when I have money, there are always More Important Things to do with it.

Now, I'm drawing a blank. What else do I want to do? And of those things, what are within my means? And if I say "I don't know", or "Nothing.", then what? If I feel that all my hopes and dreams are unattainable, then I'm just going through the motions, waiting to die. That's not a good place to be.

I need to contemplate this some more.

.

Question du jour

Who or what is your fashion icon?

Auntie Mame. Partly because Rosalind Russell was divine, partly because I adore the character of Mame Dennis. She manages to be both stylish AND eccentric---can't top that, IMO. She's not afraid to reinvent herself periodically. She marches to her own drummer, although in her case, it's more along the lines of shimmying to her own sitar player.

Mame is complex, running the gamut from being scatter-brained to being extremely focused. She's vain enough to lie about her shoe size, generous enough to endow an orphanage. She'll call a bigot on his bullshit, risk her life on horseback to save face with the man she loves, and change her hair color and decor simultaneously. She's always fabulous.

Mame can do classic without ever making it look frumpy, boring or old. She can also pull off flamboyant---kimonos, saris---and I'm certain that if she was around today, she'd give corsets a shot. She always finds a way to make whatever she wears work for her (with the exception of a certain pair of riding boots). She's stylish without being a slave to trends.

That's something to aspire to.

.

Question du jour

Who or what is your fashion icon?

Auntie Mame. Partly because Rosalind Russell was divine, partly because I adore the character of Mame Dennis. She manages to be both stylish AND eccentric---can't top that, IMO. She's not afraid to reinvent herself periodically. She marches to her own drummer, although in her case, it's more along the lines of shimmying to her own sitar player.

Mame is complex, running the gamut from being scatter-brained to being extremely focused. She's vain enough to lie about her shoe size, generous enough to endow an orphanage. She'll call a bigot on his bullshit, risk her life on horseback to save face with the man she loves, and change her hair color and decor simultaneously. She's always fabulous.

Mame can do classic without ever making it look frumpy, boring or old. She can also pull off flamboyant---kimonos, saris---and I'm certain that if she was around today, she'd give corsets a shot. She always finds a way to make whatever she wears work for her (with the exception of a certain pair of riding boots). She's stylish without being a slave to trends.

That's something to aspire to.

.