I won’t go into why I don’t support this movie (or book for
that matter), but if you want some good articles that discuss ’50 Shades,’ here
you go (
here & here & here). I would like to
simply leave you with a list of 50 awesome things to do this weekend instead!
49) Take funny pictures with the Coyote statue on campus.
Why not? #goyotes
48) Start a new blog.
Like what I’m doing… right
now!
47) Write a page in your journal.
All my life I’ve tried to
keep a journal. I’m notorious for writing a few pages and then writing a few
more a couple of years down the road. Don’t have a journal? They’re only a few
bucks at Wally-World. Good investment for keeping track of your ‘scathingly
brilliant’ ideas.
46) Cook.
Whether you make one meal,
or enough meals to last you through the week, it’s better than wasting money
downtown.
45) Practice.
Personally I’ll be
practicing for our upcoming performances in Salt Lake, but just take a couple
hours out of the day and sing, play the piano, or pull that old dusty sax out
of the closet and see what you remember!
44) Buy yourself flowers.
Admittedly, I’ve done this
before. However, when it’s cold outside and the skies are grey, a fresh bouquet
of flowers can be that little touch of sunshine in your home.
43) Buy someone else flowers.
Brighten up someone else’s
day. It doesn’t even have to be someone you know! I don’t know anyone who would
be upset if they found some beautiful flowers on their doorstep… maybe
surprised, or confused, but not upset.
42) Throw a Galentine’s Day party.
Please click
here for reference if
you’re not familiar with Parks & Rec
41) Call your parents.
Yes, all of you. Call your
parents. If you can’t talk to them, say a prayer for them instead.
40) Replant indoor vines and plants with that diaper trick
that has been taking up my newsfeed for the last week.
see
here for video
39) DuoLingo.
Start using this app. It’s
a great way to brush up (or start) on languages, and is fun to use (complete
with games) for that 5 year old in all of us.
38) Volunteer.
There are several
opportunities in this neck of the woods to volunteer, but I would highly
recommend the
Bishop Dudley Hospitality House in Sioux Falls, or serving at the Welcome Table
(or Banquet) depending on your area.
37) Road Trip!
Be spontaneous. Keep your
GPS available in case you get completely lost, but go explore somewhere new!
36) Watch
The 10th Kingdom.
Watch the ENTIRE thing in
one sitting –all 417 minutes. It is possible—I’ve done it. Besides, it’s a
great movie (mini-series) and Diane Weist is simply amazing (and don’t forget
about Ann Margret, Rutger Hauer, and John Larroquette!).
35) Delete Facebook.
Then activate your account
a few hours later when you can’t stand it any longer.
34) Go bowling.
Yes, we might have the
crappiest lanes in the world, but I can attest to the fact that at least six
out of the 12 function… well, kind of. The sixth lane only drops the 10 pin 3/10
times, but still.
33) Write a poem.
This can actually be a
great therapeutic exercise, but if you’re the non-poetry type, just write a
haiku. Quick, easy, painless.
32) Host a Mardi-Gras party.
Host a TASTEFUL mardi-gras
party. There are some really cool traditions surrounding mardi-gras that have
nothing to do with Bourbon Street.
#KingCake
31)
Have a Netflix-a-thon.
I’ve been watching a lot
of WWII documentaries lately, and I have yet to start Breaking Bad.
30) Name the Verm-Cats in your neighborhood.
Or other homeless cats if
you’re not in Vermillion…
29) Visit people in a nursing home or hospital.
These cold winter months can be
depressing and hard for those who aren’t able to see family or get outdoors.
Stop by the local nursing home or hospital to visit, but be prepared to have
your butt handed to you in Bingo and Cribbage!
28) Pray.
Even if it’s a simple “Thank you, God,” it’s
amazing how prayer can change your entire day, and outlook on life.
27) Watch
'Old Fashioned'.
This movie is also being
released this weekend, and though it might be on a smaller scale, it looks
great!
26) Crochet (or knit).
Like many things in life, I
start lots of crocheting projects and haven’t finished one in the last couple
of years. I should get on that.
25) Try on the new Spring merchandise at your favorite
clothing store.
I’m happy to report that
teal is back in fashion, along with long skirts.
24) Spa day.
Get a massage. Get your
hair done. Take a personal day and RELAX.
23) Redecorate or rearrange your room.
It will at least give you
an excuse to dust I guess…
22) Donate to a food pantry.
There’s always a list going
around of what the local food pantry needs, but sometimes it’s nice to donate
things they don’t need, but would
appreciate if they received anyway—like chocolate. I mention chocolate, and now
I’m digging around the cupboards for any scrap of Schokolade I can find. Yes, I
have a problem.
21) Read a book.
When was the last time you
cuddled under your favorite blanket and read a book—any book?! Now is the time
(especially for the 16 degree weather forecasted for this weekend)!
20) Bake a pan of bars or cookies. (‘Gooey-fwee’ of course)
I’m not that great of a
baker, but luckily my friends have come up with the perfect recipes for me—recipes
that only include 3 ingredients and turning the oven off before the cookies
even go in.
19) Re-memorize all 50 state capitals.
Yeah—I need to work on that
one.
18) Laundry.
Ugh. Nuff said.
17) Learn the choreography to your favorite dance.
I’m not sure which one I
want to learn first!
16) Listen to an audio book.
To be fair, I don’t actually
own one. I only have “The Hobbit” on loan for Scott—which is excellent by the
way.
15) Wake up, and watch the sunrise.
I feel like this is one of
my greatest weaknesses. I waste countless minutes in the morning because I can’t
get out of bed. The worst part is that I don’t get to see the sunrise. For the
few that I have managed to see, I could cry. The beauty of sunrises and sunsets
is beyond me.
14) Go to the casino.
I’ve learned my lesson
though. Know your limit, bring cash only. The only card in your pocket should
be your ID.
13) Sign up for that stupid HyVee Gas Card.
Just so they’ll stop asking
me every time I get to the counter…
12) Clean your car.
If you know me, then you’ll
know that this is quite the undertaking.
11) Make a new Pandora list.
Give yourself something
awesome to listen to while you start on all of these other projects!
10) Start a new trendy #hashtag
Why not?
9) Smile.
One smile can go a long way. Even if
you’re not feeling your best, try to smile. You’d be surprised how much you can
make someone’s day.
8) Play a video game.
Don’t overdo it though.
Give yourself an allotted time and stick to it. Anyone up for some Call of Duty
this weekend?!
7) Day trip.
Sneak away just for the
day. I wouldn’t mind sneaking down to ‘Sewer City’
for the day for some Chipotle and shopping.
6) Watch your favorite movie.
And cry your eyes out.
5) Visit friends.
Say hi to your neighbors.
Call your friends instead of texting them.
4) Get off your phone (and computer).
After #5, put your phone
down. Now. Stop scrolling through the eternal black holes (your Facebook wall
and Twitter feed).
3) Dance to your favorite song.
Who cares if your roommate
or family members see you? Crank up that music and start jamming.
2) Breathe.
Thanks to a dear friend
with a great blog, I am reminded of this daily. Click
here.
1) Retreat.
Spend some time by
yourself. Go drive around and spend some time in silence. One passage that I’ve
fallen in love with over the last two years is this— “In the silence, God
speaks.”
