People I Wouldn't Kick Out of Bed for Eating Crackers

You may or may not have noticed, but I have added a new sidebar to the Lauren Proctor 32 blog. It's called "People I Wouldn't Kick Out of Bed for Eating Crackers," and it's basically my version of People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive." There isn't any rhyme or reason to the list except that it's in alphabetical order and it's a reminder of those who motivate me daily. I suppose you could also argue that incorporating food into my recognition list is perfectly aligned with my rhyme and reason, but that's not only obvious, but also an entirely separate argument unto itself.

All said and done, I suppose you could say that The Crackers List is simply another way of saying that I am an absolute sucker for people who I perceive as being:

1. Passionate
2. Intellectual
3. Brilliant

To me nothing is more beautiful or intriguing than passionate genius. So as you indulge in my blog I hope that when you avert your eyes slightly to the right (which will hopefully happen only after you've read every word of my blog), you will smile. Those who have made The Crackers List challenge me, seduce me, and make me proud to be a part of the human race.

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Marc Bianchi, the mastermind behind Her Space Holiday and also today's music pick, can eat crackers in my bed. His latest album "XOXO, Panda and the New Kid Revival" solidified his position on this list. The breadth of Her Space Holiday's music during his career is incredible, and I love unwinding with the easy, pop sound of this latest release. To add to his appeal, Bianchi repeatedly writes some of the most beautiful lyrics I've ever heard in my life.

When it comes to making simple moments sound profoundly beautiful, Her Space Holiday has you covered. Check it out and skip to his wonderful world, but listen carefully for lyrics that slyly unfold into pure brilliance.

Like Bianchi says in "The Boys and Girls," "We'll fill those tiny rooms with so much love that we'll have to sing."

Toshiko's Kitchen



"Goodnight"

The Accumulation of Notebooks

Office supplies, they do it to me every time. Give me a whiff of plastic sheet protectors and I'm delighted, show me the ink flow on a new pen and I'll covet it until the ink runs out, or bring me a notebook and I'll feel compelled to buy it. Regardless of how hard I try to resist, office supplies are the weakness in me (as well as technology and a number of other things but that will come up later).

My affinity for office supplies has resulted in two things. The first is rationed trips to office supply stores. The other is the horrible accumulation of notebooks. "Oh, this one is the perfect size," I'll say about one as soon as I see it. Or "Wow, look at the way the pages fold as a result of the smooth three ring spiral redesign," I'll say about another. Then the justification comes in. I think of every reason why I absolutely need this notebook, and usually if it's only a couple bucks I splurge.

When I first acquire a notebook it becomes my best friend. I carry it along with me everywhere (in addition to a couple magazines) and write various notes, story ideas, or compelling metaphors inside. After awhile I gradually withdraw from the notebook. Maybe I feel like my writing kick is too off topic to go in the notebook I've been carrying around so I switch, other times I just get tired of lugging the same thing around all the time and I let my notebook stay in one place. As a result, I have a collection of half filled (optimism intended) notebooks.

Sometimes I look back at notebooks, and when I needed something for my overnight interview with The Donut Man I sifted through the pages of a few to find something suitable for interview notes (as well as splatters of donut fixings). One notebook was a small black covered book, and in it I found a quote from Theodore Roosevelt that I love. It reads:

"It's not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again...who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly."

With jewels like that, small reminders of what impacts me greatly at any given time in my life, I suppose my obsession with notebooks isn't all that bad. Maybe I'll head to the office supply store. After all I do need more printer ink. And what better reason to purchase another notebook than quotes like Roosevelt's?


Current music infatuation: Girlyman