Top 10 reasons I haven’t been blogging

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10) TECHNOLOGY
I don’t own a computer – not one that works, anyway. My Macbook is from the year Two Thousand and Six, back when dinosaurs roamed the Internet. It barely turns on. Work has provided me with the privilege (?) of a PC laptop that blows hot air like [insert politician of choice], and when it’s 95 degrees outside and the house I just bought doesn’t have air conditioning, said laptop is the last thing I want to cozy up with. Besides, the wi-fi that I share with two (count ‘em) neighbors is spotty at best. Plus – PLUS – my digital camera is broken, so I can’t even make you a video of the Shotgun. All of these things make me want to pull out my newly dyed hair – which, sidenote, has now grown out to the awkward in-between phase. Great.

9) JUICING
I saw “Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead,” okay? And yes, now I’m doing the trendy thing and spending ungodly amounts of money on produce just to distill it into vegetable sewage. The process of juicing is time consuming and the cleanup is a beast, but I’m hoping that switching out a meal or two a day will help me feel like my old self, back when a mere breakup was the hardest thing I’d experienced, before the years of hard living got me down. (But seriously, if anyone knows a fruit/veggie combination that won’t leave me tasting liquid spinach with a celery splash, please let me know.)

8) HOMEOWNERSHIP
Last Friday, I came home from work with big plans of reading a book, relaxing, maybe drinking an end-of-week cocktail. What did I do instead? I set up my newly purchased ladder and, rake in one hand, iPhone in my teeth, climbed onto the roof. I spent nearly an hour filling three turbo-sized garbage bags with leaves, sticks, twigs, dirt, and the remains of a few unfortunate critters. When I’m not spending time on my roof, I’m taking things to the cellar (we can’t even call this hole a basement – the entrance is a HATCH in the backyard). And when I’m not taking things to the cellar, I’m painting my bathroom or running loads of laundry or paying bills or trying to decide if buying a house was a good decision (it was).

7) CROSSFIT
Let’s not lie, I’ve only gone three times. I’m supposed to be there right now. Whoops.

6) NIGHTMARES
Maybe it’s the aloneness. Maybe it’s the book I’m reading. Maybe it’s watching Toad get more fragile. Maybe it’s reading about deaths on the mountains I’m planning on climbing this summer. Maybe it’s just turning on the news, hearing about massacres and beheadings and building collapses and freak accidents. Whatever it is, I’m not sleeping through the night these days.

5) MUSIC
But don’t go feeling sorry for me – I’ve had some great music to keep my toes tapping and my heart humming. Hunter Hayes’ “I Want Crazy” makes me happier than everything. The Band Perry’s sophomore album “Pioneer” is solid – they’ve won me over, despite their hair. One of my favorite writers, Gretchen Peters, came to Swallow Hill a few weeks ago, and I took my mom; sharing the music I love with the people I love is one of my favorite things. I saw David Ramirez at the Soiled Dove last week, and his new EP “The Rooster” is songwriting at its best.

Also, joining a group guitar class 16 weeks ago was the greatest, most life-giving decision. I love the new friends I’m getting to know, and it’s good to have a reason to practice.

4) DATING
Sike. Haha, sucker.

3) SOCIAL MEDIA
If being online wasn’t such a big part of my job, I’d scrap it all. Social media is a major source of envy for me, since it’s easy to read other people’s happy posts and assume that everyone’s life is perfect except mine. We’re bombarded with a steady stream of highlights and never the low points – which makes sense. I don’t particularly want to share my Ugly Cry face, or the moment in which I say the very most hurtful thing – why would anyone else? So we continue to revise our wording, and crop our photos so no one sees the mess, and pretend that everything’s okay when it most decidedly is not.

2) DREAMING
Someday, I’m going to hike the Colorado Trail, record another album, live out of my car, write a book, fly first class, spend quality time with my nephews, hold every one of my friends’ babies, sit still, speak the truth, drive all the way to Alaska, cook a turkey, take an art class, stop guarding my heart and start using it, do something drastic, trust, read so many books, finish climbing the 14ers, stay at a bed & breakfast, and sing to old people in a nursing home.

1) NO GOOD REASON
I miss you. Maybe that sounds weird, since to you I might just be words on a screen – but you (yeah, you) are more than that to me. You are an important part of my community and my life. My posts may be sporadic these days; I suppose that’s the season I’m in. But I skipped doing anything “important” tonight just to write, because that’s what felt important and significant and as necessary as breathing. This space matters to me, and you matter to me, and it feels good just to say hi.

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30 Comments

  1. Jess Van Deusen on June 10, 2013 at 10:25 PM

    Yay it’s you! I check your blog everyday- it makes me happy :) no pressure ;)

  2. Emily on June 10, 2013 at 10:58 PM

    Pineapple is a wonderful “cover” fruit. It takes some of the “green” flavor away.

    I actually really like celery juice (acquired through a similar juicing stint) but realize it isn’t for everyone. Bell peppers are pretty tastey and they have really beautiful juice!

    And… Thank you for posting. You matter to me too!

  3. Katie @ cakes, tea and dreams on June 11, 2013 at 7:45 AM

    So glad you dropped in to say hi. The music sounds lovely – but I hope the nightmares go away soon. xo

  4. HopefulLeigh on June 11, 2013 at 7:50 AM

    So Many Things, Annie. Wish I could come over and help you with all the house stuff, though I’d probably leave the roof stuff to you because Heights and Dead Critters. But painting and moving stuff around is totally my forte. Also, I would love to see the hatch (LOST). I’m not a juicer, so it’s probably a good thing I’ve procrastinated on watching that movie. Hope the nightmares leave you alone tonight and for the rest of time. I’ve got plenty of cheery book recommendations if you need a change of pace.

  5. mrs. chesney on June 11, 2013 at 7:57 AM

    I really expected the bachelorette to be #5 or #6 on your list. :)

    miss you…

    xoox

  6. Greta on June 11, 2013 at 8:08 AM

    Happy sigh. I’ve missed this.

  7. Christina on June 11, 2013 at 8:35 AM

    Re: #3 – for example, last night I cried myself to sleep because I felt a bad mom and all around failure. Guess what? I declined to share that on Facebook. So there you go.

  8. Marijke on June 11, 2013 at 10:19 AM

    Um.. This makes me want to do a top 10 for why I’M not blogging. Except it would probably consist of:

    1. I guess I’m not a blogger

    Beet juice is highly recommended by me! I love it when you blog. I totally agree with you about social media. When you drive to Alaska can I join you??? David Ramirez, Crossfit, etc. – I’m right there with you on every front. (Or not, as it were, because Crossfit? Scary. But you know…. I’ve THOUGHT about it.)

  9. Maria on June 11, 2013 at 1:18 PM

    Your #3 is why I read honest blogs, like yours.

    Also why I made a dart board covered in the profile pics of the worst Facebook offenders but that’s perhaps neither here nor there?

  10. Becca Groves on June 11, 2013 at 2:13 PM

    #5
    I have a little dream in my heart that one day you might make me a mix tape. You’d first look at my music library and say, “okay, looks like you left off with Indigo Girls, Sting and Bebo Norman. let’s bring you up to speed.”

  11. Miranda on June 11, 2013 at 2:54 PM

    Thanks for writing! It’s one of my favorite things. Here are a bunch of great tasting juice recipes based on the Blueprint Cleanse. The actual cleanse is super expensive, but the flavors are great: http://www.juices101.com/107/bpc-diy/.

  12. Jessica Berzac on June 11, 2013 at 3:11 PM

    Devil in the White City, loved that book!!

    Also, #3 – amen.

  13. Molly R on June 11, 2013 at 3:21 PM

    Ah the juicing! I did that last year … carrot-apple-cucumber-spinach remains my favorite. you can barely taste spinach. my favorite made-up morning juice was carrot-orange-lemon. adding lemon to any of them makes a big difference. also ginger, if you reallllly want to cover up one flavor with another super strong (sometimes unpleasant) flavor. good luck!

  14. jodie_velour on June 11, 2013 at 4:08 PM

    yeah, what greta said.

    exactly that.

  15. The Zadge on June 11, 2013 at 6:24 PM

    You forgot the most important reason: because you are preparing for the filming of your Soon-To-Be-Viral music video I will be filming in the Babe Cave!!!

  16. Chelsea on June 11, 2013 at 6:27 PM

    So glad you came back to say “hi”

  17. Sassy B on June 11, 2013 at 6:34 PM

    Yes!
    Especially to #3 & #2. So many dreams and so much time wasted on little screens. Sigh.

  18. Sarah Miller on June 11, 2013 at 7:12 PM

    You are missed here in Ye Ole Bloggy World. Facebook only shares just a glimpse of your funny.

  19. Whitney on June 11, 2013 at 9:20 PM

    Always glad to read a little something, even if they are few and far between. Your words are just good.

  20. Michael Rhyne on June 11, 2013 at 9:58 PM

    Having trouble sleeping, too…sending peace and love and what grace I have to spare your way, though. Thanks for the update! And if you need a kung fu fighter with MAD skilz in your dreams, well, my dream self is one bad muth…ooops. Anyway, I’m here *wink*

  21. Rebs on June 11, 2013 at 10:38 PM

    >>sigh<<

    Oh my, how I MISS you. Your posts make 'going online' worth it!

    Praying for you right now. xxxxx

  22. Callie Duke on June 11, 2013 at 11:11 PM

    your blog is still the one i always check for new posts.. even when I don’t feel like reading blogs.. you’re a great gal, annie. Good things are coming for you ;)

  23. LondonHeather on June 12, 2013 at 8:31 AM

    So glad to read a post from you – you are missed here too!

    I completely share your view on Social Media – thank you for articulating it so well.

  24. Tad on June 12, 2013 at 12:11 PM

    Here’s what I didn’t post on Facebook: After graduating at the top of my class, getting certified by the Presbyterians to be ordained, all the churches lining up to bring me on to do really fun, rock-your-face-off, change-the-world-for-the-better ministry… weren’t there. I am a highly educated bum. No job. No money. No prospects for that changing any time soon. Your life isn’t the only one that ain’t perfect. That’s ok. My vision of “perfect” isn’t really that perfect.

  25. Anna Marie Farmer on June 12, 2013 at 1:59 PM

    I think that a dash of cinnamon to cover up the green spinach taste works really well! Sadly, it does not work as well with Kale. Also a little almond milk helps. I like your dreams they seem to be a mixture of truths you already live into (living bravely,speaking truthfully) and of things you hope to do. standing by you in the daily task of choosing to hope and trusting in the unknown!

  26. Beth on June 12, 2013 at 8:19 PM

    Always get so excited to see a new “hootenannie” post :) My favorite juicing combo is terribly basic and pretty much all fruity, but it’s: 1 large (or 2 regular) oranges- and I start with juicing either half the large or one of the small– then two apples–then a handful of baby carrots–then the other half of the orange. Throw in a smidgen of Ginger, and it’s my go-to juice. and great with a bowl of oatmeal in the mornings.

  27. lyndee on June 13, 2013 at 5:41 PM

    Let’s hang out soon!

  28. Sarah on June 16, 2013 at 2:11 PM

    Aw. *I* want crazy. Nice song. Nice post. Nice words. I’m a little bit at sea since the Google reader shut-down news, so I now see your posts whenever I think “I’ve haven’t had a hootenannie fix in a while, I wonder if she’s posted anything new.” :) Carry on.

  29. Bree Jeffries on June 16, 2013 at 4:32 PM

    Well, hi right back at ya! I always love your posts, Annie. I’m excited for your “dreaming”. You continue to inspire me. Thanks for thinking of us! I know I think of and pray for you often. (c:

  30. Kate on July 2, 2013 at 10:27 AM

    I highly recommend a drive to Alaska…

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