Shift your vibe
May 15, 2022 12:42 AM Subscribe
These days you don’t need to worry about not knowing stuff. Just type your personal failings into YouTube and there’ll be a big, beardy American come along to explain that, hey, you simply fire up charcoal to about 4,000 degrees, then brush all the charred gunk off when it’s cooled down. Another Guardian list of small ways to improve your life.
Borrow a dog
My daughter has been doing that lately. She just makes a beeline for the leash of random dogs she sees. I usually - usually - get there in time to ask, "Uh, so, is it okay if she takes your dog for a walk?"
posted by clawsoon at 4:24 AM on May 15, 2022 [6 favorites]
My daughter has been doing that lately. She just makes a beeline for the leash of random dogs she sees. I usually - usually - get there in time to ask, "Uh, so, is it okay if she takes your dog for a walk?"
posted by clawsoon at 4:24 AM on May 15, 2022 [6 favorites]
Fuck no to the advice to listen to country music for a week.
posted by Don.Kinsayder at 6:19 AM on May 15, 2022 [27 favorites]
posted by Don.Kinsayder at 6:19 AM on May 15, 2022 [27 favorites]
Wow, these are GREAT! Thanks for this Bella Donna.
First time I've heard of the idea of a recipe club. And a few of my friends are foodies. *slaps forehead*.
Dress in one color... oh yes.
Borrow a dog. Another good one. I can't do a full time dog, but yeah, this would work right?
Go to an art gallery and stare at a picture for ages. I've heard of this before and was going to do it next week so I appreciate the instructions....
Need to get more flowers definitely.
posted by storybored at 7:28 AM on May 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
First time I've heard of the idea of a recipe club. And a few of my friends are foodies. *slaps forehead*.
Dress in one color... oh yes.
Borrow a dog. Another good one. I can't do a full time dog, but yeah, this would work right?
Go to an art gallery and stare at a picture for ages. I've heard of this before and was going to do it next week so I appreciate the instructions....
Need to get more flowers definitely.
posted by storybored at 7:28 AM on May 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
44 Try false eyelashes
False. Eyelashes. What.
posted by heatherlogan at 7:29 AM on May 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
False. Eyelashes. What.
posted by heatherlogan at 7:29 AM on May 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
Heh. When I read the list, I pictured myself doing each one. Some are instant likes. But then there are others where I can picture it but have no idea what it would feel like. Pajamas for instance. It says to go get a pair of nice ones. Ok, I picture what I think that would be. But uh, I don't wear pajamas so have no idea. I'm the new immigrant in PajamaLand.
posted by storybored at 7:34 AM on May 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by storybored at 7:34 AM on May 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
Fuck no to the advice to listen to country music for a week.
is John Prine country? He is, right? I can listen to him a bunch. Maybe Sturgill Simpson and that whole strain of modern country that’s not totally bro-country stuff.
posted by bxvr at 8:14 AM on May 15, 2022 [11 favorites]
is John Prine country? He is, right? I can listen to him a bunch. Maybe Sturgill Simpson and that whole strain of modern country that’s not totally bro-country stuff.
posted by bxvr at 8:14 AM on May 15, 2022 [11 favorites]
I honestly can’t tell if this is meant seriously or if it’s an ironic parody type thing. Or maybe a nonironic self-parody?
posted by scratch at 8:16 AM on May 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by scratch at 8:16 AM on May 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
All Wikipedia Around has for me is transit stops
posted by scruss at 8:18 AM on May 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by scruss at 8:18 AM on May 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Cut out the middleman with Wikipedia Nearby.
posted by sjswitzer at 8:43 AM on May 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by sjswitzer at 8:43 AM on May 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
the advice to listen to country music for a week
Really weird bait'n'switch or agenda-setting going on, with that one -- if you follow the link, the study cited concerns listening to your favorite music, not country music.
posted by Rash at 8:45 AM on May 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
Really weird bait'n'switch or agenda-setting going on, with that one -- if you follow the link, the study cited concerns listening to your favorite music, not country music.
posted by Rash at 8:45 AM on May 15, 2022 [3 favorites]
is John Prine country?
Kinda depends on your definition. If you mean, do they play John Prine on USA Country Music Radio, the answer is no. You won't hear any Johnny Cash there, either; not today. Nor any bluegrass. According to Wikipedia the contemporary flavor is sixth-generation Country.
posted by Rash at 8:54 AM on May 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Kinda depends on your definition. If you mean, do they play John Prine on USA Country Music Radio, the answer is no. You won't hear any Johnny Cash there, either; not today. Nor any bluegrass. According to Wikipedia the contemporary flavor is sixth-generation Country.
posted by Rash at 8:54 AM on May 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
"First time I've heard of the idea of a recipe club. And a few of my friends are foodies. *slaps forehead*."
Some of my friends did this specifically as a "cook your books" club. Every month, you'd go through cookbooks you already owned and cook something you'd never cooked from one of them. Often they all gathered for a dinner party to sample all the dishes, but other months they'd just e-mail. It was fun, I have TONS of cookbooks that I make, like, two or three things out of, and never remember to look in otherwise!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:55 AM on May 15, 2022 [7 favorites]
Some of my friends did this specifically as a "cook your books" club. Every month, you'd go through cookbooks you already owned and cook something you'd never cooked from one of them. Often they all gathered for a dinner party to sample all the dishes, but other months they'd just e-mail. It was fun, I have TONS of cookbooks that I make, like, two or three things out of, and never remember to look in otherwise!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:55 AM on May 15, 2022 [7 favorites]
the study cited concerns listening to your favorite music, not country music.
Reading TFA thoroughly I see participants were asked to use their favorite music, and many of them chose Country (note the study's location, the UofMD, just south of the Mason-Dixon line).
posted by Rash at 9:05 AM on May 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Reading TFA thoroughly I see participants were asked to use their favorite music, and many of them chose Country (note the study's location, the UofMD, just south of the Mason-Dixon line).
posted by Rash at 9:05 AM on May 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Ride a skateboard
Yeah … no. Kneepads are the least of your worries. Colles (wrist), forearm, and clavicular fractures, as well as closed head injuries are common and much more serious than a skinned knee. If you’re over 30 (unless you’re very experienced), put the skateboard in the bin or give it to a local kid.
posted by sudogeek at 9:37 AM on May 15, 2022 [6 favorites]
Yeah … no. Kneepads are the least of your worries. Colles (wrist), forearm, and clavicular fractures, as well as closed head injuries are common and much more serious than a skinned knee. If you’re over 30 (unless you’re very experienced), put the skateboard in the bin or give it to a local kid.
posted by sudogeek at 9:37 AM on May 15, 2022 [6 favorites]
TBH, I do read Fesshole, but I wouldn’t consider that good advice.
posted by sjswitzer at 10:01 AM on May 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by sjswitzer at 10:01 AM on May 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Some of these choices seem, uh, dodgy, but the general concept that it's not a bad time to try to shake up some of the grimmer mental habits of the pandemic is sound. I'm still cut way back on many of the activities that gave me pleasure before 2020, and need to remind myself to look for ways to compensate rather than just putting my head down and pushing through.
posted by praemunire at 10:17 AM on May 15, 2022 [10 favorites]
posted by praemunire at 10:17 AM on May 15, 2022 [10 favorites]
Watch monster wave videos on YouTube
*doubt*
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:31 AM on May 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
*doubt*
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:31 AM on May 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Substitute a scooter with a handlebar for a skateboard if you’re over 30.
Substitute classical music for country music.
posted by kerf at 11:24 AM on May 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Substitute classical music for country music.
posted by kerf at 11:24 AM on May 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
put the skateboard in the bin or give it to a local kid.
booooooooo
booooooooooooooooooooooo
posted by ominous_paws at 11:40 AM on May 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
booooooooo
booooooooooooooooooooooo
posted by ominous_paws at 11:40 AM on May 15, 2022 [9 favorites]
"Substitute classical music for country music."
Don't know. I always heard Mingus had a fondness for Country Music but I can't find a reference now.
Though I personally prefer Classical, I like the older Country stuff (20's).
posted by aleph at 11:44 AM on May 15, 2022
Don't know. I always heard Mingus had a fondness for Country Music but I can't find a reference now.
Though I personally prefer Classical, I like the older Country stuff (20's).
posted by aleph at 11:44 AM on May 15, 2022
Dark world leads to quivers
But Bella Donna delivers
posted by armoir from antproof case at 11:54 AM on May 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
But Bella Donna delivers
posted by armoir from antproof case at 11:54 AM on May 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
There’s an old Armando Iannucci sketch called “The Great Adult”, where he performs as a clown magician, telling school kids about the trials and tribulations of banal adult life, like
“Take one can of diced tomatoes, and one any vegetable, and VA! Voo VAA! An acceptable pasta sauce.”
He also holds up two broadsheets, saying “You’ll also want to start reading these, though over time, you’ll probably find this one *holds up Guardian* a little bit more annoying”
Which, accurate. Anyway, my personal suggestion - look up the Armando Iannucci shows if you want a bit of a pick me up, it’s some of his gentlest, silliest, most self deprecating work, which throws the ridiculousness of life into stark, slightly maudlin relief, which for some reason I find oddly comforting.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 12:03 PM on May 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
“Take one can of diced tomatoes, and one any vegetable, and VA! Voo VAA! An acceptable pasta sauce.”
He also holds up two broadsheets, saying “You’ll also want to start reading these, though over time, you’ll probably find this one *holds up Guardian* a little bit more annoying”
Which, accurate. Anyway, my personal suggestion - look up the Armando Iannucci shows if you want a bit of a pick me up, it’s some of his gentlest, silliest, most self deprecating work, which throws the ridiculousness of life into stark, slightly maudlin relief, which for some reason I find oddly comforting.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 12:03 PM on May 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
Aww, thanks! I don’t think all of this advice is good but I like the reminder to switch things up and to listen to music that I do not normally listen to, for example. I would totally do the recipe things if I had any local friends.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:05 PM on May 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Bella Donna at 12:05 PM on May 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Listen to some John Coltrane. You,ll be smiling.
posted by supermedusa at 1:15 PM on May 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by supermedusa at 1:15 PM on May 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
34 Try roller-skating or skateboarding
Wear kneepads.
Yeah, knee pads didn't keep me from breaking my damn hip that last time I was on skates.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 1:33 PM on May 15, 2022
Wear kneepads.
Yeah, knee pads didn't keep me from breaking my damn hip that last time I was on skates.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 1:33 PM on May 15, 2022
Film an entire party at your house!? Could be very risky, heh.
posted by tiny frying pan at 1:55 PM on May 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by tiny frying pan at 1:55 PM on May 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
22 Do something to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee
Got my effigy ready to go.
posted by klanawa at 2:49 PM on May 15, 2022 [11 favorites]
Got my effigy ready to go.
posted by klanawa at 2:49 PM on May 15, 2022 [11 favorites]
16 put up a bird feeder
I did that this year (the offspring gave me a feeder for Christmas). This resulted in a mad frenzy of chickadees, sparrows, a rat, a mouse, numerous squirrels, and a hopeful Cooper's Hawk in my paved urban backyard. I also witnessed a few finches and a mourning dove. I have scaled down how often I fill the feeder because they were eating me out of house and home, but it cheers me the heck up when I'm feeling overwhelmed to watch them screeching, perching, fluttering, and arguing with one another. Also the 2-year-old grandchild loves to shovel seed into the feeder.
posted by Peach at 3:31 PM on May 15, 2022 [8 favorites]
I did that this year (the offspring gave me a feeder for Christmas). This resulted in a mad frenzy of chickadees, sparrows, a rat, a mouse, numerous squirrels, and a hopeful Cooper's Hawk in my paved urban backyard. I also witnessed a few finches and a mourning dove. I have scaled down how often I fill the feeder because they were eating me out of house and home, but it cheers me the heck up when I'm feeling overwhelmed to watch them screeching, perching, fluttering, and arguing with one another. Also the 2-year-old grandchild loves to shovel seed into the feeder.
posted by Peach at 3:31 PM on May 15, 2022 [8 favorites]
Bro-Country sucks.
posted by MorgansAmoebas at 4:07 PM on May 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by MorgansAmoebas at 4:07 PM on May 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
I think "pyjamas" are only available in the UK. Everyone I know in the US wears old t-shirts and maybe very soft shorts. Or goes commando.
We do have "pajamas" but only in very cold weather or for those cheesy Christmas photos.
Unless she means "lingerie" which is only meant to stay on for a few minutes anyway.
posted by emjaybee at 6:51 PM on May 15, 2022
We do have "pajamas" but only in very cold weather or for those cheesy Christmas photos.
Unless she means "lingerie" which is only meant to stay on for a few minutes anyway.
posted by emjaybee at 6:51 PM on May 15, 2022
I think "pyjamas" are only available in the UK.
My Dad used to call them “pie-jams.”
posted by The Underpants Monster at 12:13 AM on May 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
My Dad used to call them “pie-jams.”
posted by The Underpants Monster at 12:13 AM on May 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
Try to join in a game with strangers
Whether they’re playing catch, football or Frisbee, on the beach or in the park, the worst that can happen is they say no.
Even the most likely outcome (chronic embarrassment) is worse than that.
posted by Phanx at 6:37 AM on May 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
Whether they’re playing catch, football or Frisbee, on the beach or in the park, the worst that can happen is they say no.
Even the most likely outcome (chronic embarrassment) is worse than that.
posted by Phanx at 6:37 AM on May 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
They sell pyjamas/pajamas in the US and people still wear them but I think they skew older.
posted by Peach at 7:53 AM on May 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Peach at 7:53 AM on May 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
Keep a notebook by your bed, and every night write down at least one good thing about the day. Maybe even two or three!
Big, small, heartwarming, banal. Sun shining on that pink bush. Got that gig. Knees didn't hurt as much today. She smiled at me. Coffee exists.
There's always something. And it gets you in the habit of noticing them as they happen. This is a good moment.
posted by gottabefunky at 9:07 AM on May 16, 2022 [5 favorites]
Big, small, heartwarming, banal. Sun shining on that pink bush. Got that gig. Knees didn't hurt as much today. She smiled at me. Coffee exists.
There's always something. And it gets you in the habit of noticing them as they happen. This is a good moment.
posted by gottabefunky at 9:07 AM on May 16, 2022 [5 favorites]
I borrow a cat for my kids. We have partially adopted a neighbor's two very friendly cats, which saves me all the downsides of cat ownership.
I like some country music, but I'm 44. I'm not particularly interested in listening to genres of music I don't already like. It's the one thing in my life I've got figured out.
14 Wear one colour head to toe
Also dressing in a single color that is not black or blue (maybe white - but that is questionable) is only for the very brave.
Try to join in a game with strangers
I let some guy join my kids and me throwing a frisbee once. The worst outcome is that you join and you are so terrible at it that you become permanently 'sorry bro! sorry!' to some other group as you fail to throw or catch the frisbee even once and they laugh about you for years.
posted by The_Vegetables at 10:11 AM on May 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
I like some country music, but I'm 44. I'm not particularly interested in listening to genres of music I don't already like. It's the one thing in my life I've got figured out.
14 Wear one colour head to toe
Also dressing in a single color that is not black or blue (maybe white - but that is questionable) is only for the very brave.
Try to join in a game with strangers
I let some guy join my kids and me throwing a frisbee once. The worst outcome is that you join and you are so terrible at it that you become permanently 'sorry bro! sorry!' to some other group as you fail to throw or catch the frisbee even once and they laugh about you for years.
posted by The_Vegetables at 10:11 AM on May 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
They sell pyjamas/pajamas in the US and people still wear them but I think they skew older.
A millennial friend of mine sent me a photo of his newly acquired proper pajamas. I had so many questions I kept to myself.
posted by [insert clever name here] at 1:38 PM on May 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
A millennial friend of mine sent me a photo of his newly acquired proper pajamas. I had so many questions I kept to myself.
posted by [insert clever name here] at 1:38 PM on May 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
They sell pyjamas/pajamas in the US and people still wear them but I think they skew older.
There was definitely a early 2000s-~2015 trend where young women (ie: high school and college) wore pajamas out in public pretty regularly, so I'd say they skew both younger and older. My kids elementary school has a special day where you are able to wear pajamas (tops and bottoms) to school.
posted by The_Vegetables at 1:55 PM on May 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
There was definitely a early 2000s-~2015 trend where young women (ie: high school and college) wore pajamas out in public pretty regularly, so I'd say they skew both younger and older. My kids elementary school has a special day where you are able to wear pajamas (tops and bottoms) to school.
posted by The_Vegetables at 1:55 PM on May 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
Matter of fact, I'd say the current leggings trend started with pajamas in the 1990s or whenever.
posted by The_Vegetables at 1:56 PM on May 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by The_Vegetables at 1:56 PM on May 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
Do y'all not own pajamas? I have a bunch of ratty t-shirts and sleep shorts, like many adults, but I also have a few PJ sets. I find the assertion that nobody wears pajamas really bizarre when they are sold at virtually every clothing store.
posted by zoetrope at 2:36 PM on May 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by zoetrope at 2:36 PM on May 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
This reminded me of Life's Little Instruction Book, a copy of which I recently ran into at an beach house rental.
Some of them were a bit dated, but others like "Drive after washing your car to make a pattern on your windshield" and "Learn three clean jokes", felt like the sort of thing that goes beyond "Have a zoom happy hour!" for adding a little variety and self-improvement to one's life.
I won't be getting on a skateboard any time soon, but I did start rollerblading again with the kids in our basement this winter. But, I started out with a bad knee, so I think I'll be fine.
posted by HE Amb. T. S. L. DuVal at 3:27 PM on May 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
Some of them were a bit dated, but others like "Drive after washing your car to make a pattern on your windshield" and "Learn three clean jokes", felt like the sort of thing that goes beyond "Have a zoom happy hour!" for adding a little variety and self-improvement to one's life.
I won't be getting on a skateboard any time soon, but I did start rollerblading again with the kids in our basement this winter. But, I started out with a bad knee, so I think I'll be fine.
posted by HE Amb. T. S. L. DuVal at 3:27 PM on May 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
Drive after washing your car to make a pattern on your windshield
I have no idea what that means or why it's in a life-instruction book...
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:42 PM on May 16, 2022
I have no idea what that means or why it's in a life-instruction book...
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:42 PM on May 16, 2022
I wear long nightgowns so I can haunt my own house while I'm sleepwalking. (I mostly have to sew them myself, though.)
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:15 PM on May 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:15 PM on May 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
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Thanks for making me feel bad, Guardian.
posted by Literaryhero at 4:12 AM on May 15, 2022 [14 favorites]