Where Has Stylish Been?

Earlier this week my cousin brought it to my attention that I hadn’t posted for a while and expressed her concern. While I’ve been busy with other events in my life, I appreciate Katie for reaching out to see how I was doing. That evening the Laurel Highlands Toastmasters asked me about my blog and inspired me to keep going, and that’s what I plan to do. I will keep getting content out to you guys and continue to hone my wonderful writing skills.

Recently I attended my third District 13 Toastmasters division contest in as many weeks. It’s been a great contest season and Division D was well attended. All the contests ended with a group of us going out to eat. First it was Mad Mex, then it was Papa Sal’s, and following the Division D contest, we ate at the Oaklander in the Marriott near the University of Pittsburgh campus.

In the last month, I’ve started watching The Office on Peacock 🦚. I was inspired by my sisters (Rae and Sara) who enjoy the show. Two years ago, it was Gilmore Girls; last year it was Jane the Virgin and Gossip Girl; now it’s The Office (and Parks and Rec this summer).

So many of my friends have watched the show when it was on NBC and when the pandemic started in 2020. The characters all play off each other well, whether it’s Michael being incompetent or saying something stupid, or Jim pranking Dwight, or Kevin just being childish. I’m only into Season Three so I have a ways to go before I really give my full opinion of the show.

In addition to watching The Office, I’ve taken on the task of listening to podcasts related to all things Dunder Mifflin. Brian Baumgartner interviews the actors and staff involved with the show on The Office Deep Dive, and Angela Kinsey and Jenna Fischer review the episodes on their Office Ladies podcast. I also ordered a book which will be out in May written by the Office Ladies called “Office BFFs”. Creed Bratton performs the opening music for both of these podcasts and he’s a pretty good musician. I’m only in Season Three but so far I’m a Dundie for life.

I also finished the first season of Bel Air on Peacock. The show is dedicated to the original actors from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air (and in loving memory of James Avery). It’s a more dramatic take on the original show but it’s just as good. Jeffrey Townes (DJ Jazzy Jeff and the actor who played Jazz) does a podcast related to the Peacock series. I think I might try that one out as well. I plan on coming back for Season Two.

Our theme for Tuesday night’s Laurel Highlands Toastmasters meeting was Spring into Action. One way I’m doing so is learning a new skill. As I’ve begun the process of decluttering, my mind has become more clear. It’s easier for me to focus on other things now.

I recently opened “A Promised Land” by Barack Obama. For a long time having belonged to conservative churches, I’ve felt I had to hide any book related to Obama or things that those most people didn’t agree on that went against their ideology. One time at church, one of my friends saw the cover of “The Audacity of Hope” and told me to “Get that socialist away from him.”

So far, I’m enjoying the book. I’ve also read “Becoming” by Michelle Obama and it was well worth the money.

I’m back to listening to jazz music full time as well. It’s been an on and off thing, as I’ve always listened to CCM music and other genres. I like a little CCM music now and then but I did it mostly to keep up appearances. It’s my third time reading it, but I just bought “The History of Jazz” by Ted Gioia. It’s a new edition which recently came out in early 2021.

I don’t want to give up my gender nonconformity either as I worked really hard to find myself last year. While I’ve had to establish myself at Giant Eagle, I’ve brought it back in bits and pieces with my bag, scrunchies, and sometimes my nails 💅. I’d love to show my cousins my ULTA Beauty box that Rob and Sara got me for Christmas. Time for me to wear some that lip gloss.

My new skill, by the way, is learning a new language. Duolingo is an amazing and affordable way to learn the language of your choice. Plus that little owl 🦉 is so cute. It breaks my heart when you make him cry because you’ve been inactive for a while.

Bye everyone. ❤️ you. Haven’t closed with that in a while.