You Know What I Mean #40: Cuz I Love Youuuuu
A Personal Recommendations Extravaganza
Happy Valentine’s Day, pals!* Wow, what a day, what a day. I hope it’s going lovely for you, no matter what. Consider this a lil’ love letter from me to you.
If you’re single and feeling bummed out about it, I have a short piece in the Pittsburgh City Paper this week about a really bad date that will cheer ya right up. It could always be worse! Wouldn’t you rather spend your time with your friends or family or even your sweet self than with someone who is a terrible match?
*If Valentine’s Day doesn’t suit your fancy, there is a whole list of holidays to celebrate today, including National Pet Awareness Day, Library Lovers Day, Quirkyalone Day, and Frederick Douglas Day. Hooray, holidays!
Happy 20th anniversary to my first concert experience
I have a little essay about this coming out in March, but I had to make note of it today. Stay tuned!
For anyone who has a soft spot for the happysads
Try the documentary Love, Gilda.
We all know Gilda Radner, right? Funny lady from the ‘70s, the first person (man or woman) hired by SNL, universally beloved. What I really appreciate the most is after putting her a bit of a pedestal, the movie kicks it over and shows Radner’s true humanity through her flaws. Her lifelong eating disorders. Lots of crappy boyfriends. Too many years spent trying to gain the approval of the men around her. And she finally finds what she was always looking for: “My greatest motivation has always been love.” Man, I’m tearing up just typing this.
Not everyone is a happysads kind of person. If you’re a happysads person, you probably love singing along to sad songs. You have to like humor mixed with heartbreak. You have to like crying and not just from laughter. Feel your feelings!
My favorite things from Trader Joe’s
Marsala Vegetable Burgers. I think everyone should have an emergency easy dinner stash in their freezer. How often do you have to leave the house in 20 minutes and yet you’re just hungry enough that if you don’t eat before leaving, then you’ll be staaarrvvvvinggg upon arrival? Too often, at least in my life. Maybe your thing is frozen burritos or pizza or even waffles. My thing is veggie burgers and these are my favorite ones with a little salsa or hot sauce on top.
Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers. Be careful. These chips are shelved right next to the regular Corn Chip Dippers and the bags look extremely similar. If you grab the regular old chips instead, it’s like getting $100 instead of $1000. As in, an extra $100 is nice, but an extra $1000 is wayyy better.
Soft & Juicy Dried Mango. Another item that’s wayyy better than the regular. So much better than same old dried mango that it’s almost not even fair.
Coconut Body Butter. Let’s say you were a hiring manager and I was the young, peppy professional woman who came in to interview for a big important job. I would smile and introduce myself, extending my hand for a firm yet friendly handshake. You would think to yourself, “My, this person is very enthusiastic and well-qualified, but how does she get her skin so soft? I guess I have to hire her so she’ll tell me.”
…And that is how I will eventually get a job at This American Life. Don’t tell Ira Glass my secrets!!!Jojoba Oil. Am I the type of woman who has more beauty products from a grocery store than she does from Sephora? Yes, yes, I am. Whatever, this one is pretty great. Your dry skin will thank me. It’s better for nighttime than the morning. I use this to take off my mascara and I like to pat a little under my eyes, as if I’m a fancy lady at her vanity patting on cold cream instead of me standing at my sink in my pajamas.
Cookie Butter Ice Cream. Let’s end with dessert, shall we? The only thing better than cookie butter is cookie butter ice cream. Duh, that’s just common sense.
That’s enough earnest love from me. If you’re still feeling down, remember it’s only one day and it won’t last forever. Tomorrow will be here soon, so take care and drink extra water (the air is very dry right now).
xoxo Andrea
This is lovely! Thank you for this heart warming piece. Love, Liz🤗