Like It, Like It

Chicakdees--

I am very excited about this here post. I got the idea to keep a list of things I like from my sister, the fabulous Rebecca G. She carries a list of things she enjoys (including weeping willow trees and small towns) with her at all times. I have been in her presence when she's added new items. It is thrilling.

The title was inspired by my tiny niece Livvy. A few months ago, Liv learned how to tell us when she wanted more of something or was really into what was going on by loudly proclaiming the words "LIKE IT" (and sometimes repeating this sentence in the sweetest way, multiple times). I love Livvy's zeal for the things she enjoys and am trying to pay more attention to my own "like it" list.

So today, in honor of my 186th post here on W and CP, I've decided to share a list of 186 things I like. This list is certainly not exhaustive. And it is in no particular order (in fact, I used a special formula in Excel to sort the list randomly). And no, it did not take me long to write. The hard part was narrowing it down to 186 because, as we both know, there are lots of things I like.

Happy reading,
Em

• factory tours
• depth of field
• house guests
• Mrs. Grossman's stickers (notably the very small solid butterflies)
• art or photographs framed with thick white mats or in shadow boxes
• waking up early
• pigtails (on little people without much hair, on adults)
• graduations
• well formatted PowerPoint presentations
• the L2 bus
• 1980s inspired hair, music, movies, and themed proms
• flat knee high boots
• giving personalized gifts
• agendas
• songs I know by heart
• karaoke
• macro photography
• high tea
• dirty vodka martinis with three olives
• generously sized serving platters
• books for children with progressive political messages
• decorative scissors
• meat loaf
• oldies
• fan clubs
• mashed potatoes
• birth story photography
• local advocacy
• NPR
• people who google me before meeting me and admit it
• conferences
• colorful backsplashes
• college a capella groups
• Planned Parenthood
• owning it (the TV network, and in the "wave your freak flag" kind of way)
• meeting new people (see also: talking to people I don't know)
• festive stamps
• high ceilings
• strong handshakes
• effective meeting facilitators
• unpretentious yoga classes
• bearded men and bow ties
• bulleted lists
• call and response (I used to use "I say Barack, you say Obama" when I was organizing volunteers during the DNC and it was highly effective)
• porches
• going to sleep early
• fairs and festivals
• logistics
• paperless offices
• public speaking
• multiple bangle bracelets worn at one time
• sunshine (on my face and used well in photographs)
• eyelashes
• diners
• double stick tape
• Christmas lights used year-round
• supporting small, locally owned businesses
• handmade rally signs
• GPS technology
• orange
• crowd sourcing
• really cold water in big glasses with crushed ice
• things that are small and colorful (confetti, sprinkles, and glitter)
• water aerobics
• handwriting (sending and receiving hand written notes, jaunty handwriting that doesn't jive with its owner)
• nail services
• underdogs
• talking to people I don't know (see also: meeting new people)
• chart paper
• well seasoned cast iron pans
• jigsaw puzzles
• Dreft laundry detergent
• conditioner
• wish lists
• movies about social justice that are fun to watch and action inspiring
• dancing (especially at weddings, and more specifically, doing the electric slide at weddings)
• pictures of shadows, especially at the beach
• urban sneakers
• creatively wrapped gifts
• high tech meets low tech
• old chairs with bold patterns
• sugar (in the form of Levain Bakery cookies, or in any other form)
• high fives
• merry-go-rounds
• personalized high quality stationery on thick card stock
• clear or sparkly lip gloss
• grassroots organizing
• exposed brick
• care packages
• the Chesapeake bay (specifically sailing on, singing the song, and eating things with Old Bay seasoning)
• strategically placed exclamation points
• cover bands
• hobbies
• greens (beet greens, kale, and rainbow chard)
• enthusiasm
• candy (most notably Cadburry Creme Eggs, Habro "blackberries," and chocolate covered Peeps)
• palak paneer
• gorilla and chimpanzee moms with their babies
• themed parties
• flowers (specifically big bunches of monochromatic peonies, stargazer lilies, and gerber daisies)
• leg warmers
• product recommendations
• children wearing costumes at inappropriate times
• brooches
• collectors
• tone on tone color combinations
• jazz leaps
• ice breakers
• documentation
• sweet tea
• file folders in kicky patterns
• locally sourced produce, dairy (especially raw milk cheese)
• good cries
• big sunglasses
• balloon arches
• food trucks
• craft projects (specifically crafting with friends in the afternoon… or crafternoons)
• women drinking hot beverages (I find this hilarious, especially when it is really cold out. I will do an imitation of the specific posture I find amusing next time I see you. I promise.)
• parenthetical statements
• aisle seats
• emotional intelligence
• acrostic poems (very useful for celebrating birthdays on Facebook)
• the #7, #24, and #104 Wilton icing tips
• talking about home towns and high school jobs
• Excel
• community gardens
• Mr. Sketch magic markers and most broad, chisel tip markers
• sandwiches with lots of very thinly shredded lettuce
• overuse of screen shots
• throwback photos
• decoupage
• documentaries
• Honest tea
• cowboy boots
• social media
• breakfast (breakfast tacos, breakfast sandwiches, going out for breakfast, breakfast in bed)
• pattered tights
• roadside attractions
• prominent patterns paired with subtle ones
• fried chicken
• boldly colored eye liner
• learning, tweeting about, and using new words, regional sayings, and colloquial expressions
• stroopwaffel
• hooded sweatshirts
• eleven o'clock AM
• parents holding hands, especially in public
• puffy painted t-shirts
• playing Jewish geography (especially with the assistance of Facebook)
• picnics (anywhere, but hopefully in the winter and/or at the beach)
• internet shopping
• tiny tiny baby feet
• serendipity
• naps
• restaurant recommendations
• synonyms
• fonts (my heart belongs to sans serif fonts, but serfis do have their place in the font world)
• record players
• short, bright nails
• shoulder seasons
• polka dots
• Spanx
• local celebrities
• farmers markets
• wrap dresses
• repurposing the word beshert and the Shehecheyanu
• large open work surfaces (example: the big counter in Amy B.'s kitchen)
• ellipses
• reclaiming traditions
• doctor's offices with good magazine selections
• voting
• well groomed eyebrows
• after school activities
• Almay eye makeup remover pads
• story tellers
• fancy restaurants
• personal fashion statements
• celebrations (especially for non-traditional or mundane purposes)
• down comforters
• sweatpants
• baby bellies
• large quantities of unused craft and office supplies
• teaching commonly used Yiddush words
• green glass vases
• the 1950s (when informing bathing suit styles, eye liner, and menu planning)
• malted milk shakes
• snail mail
• uniquely patterned socks

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My Social Media Sermon

Well hello there, lovelies!

Greetings from Saturday night. That's right, it is Saturday night and I've chosen to stay home. This decision was a hard one since there were several very fun things happening in the D of C this wild and crazy evening... but I think my decision to stay home, wear sweatpants, drink chocolate milk, and tell you about my most recent social media pet peeves was a good one. (Also, Julie F. just called to ask me how we know this guy she just met who "looked really familiar." Good thing I was home and able to do some Facebook research in a jiffy.)

Allow me to share a small vignette from my workplace. Although our office is a busy and highly productive place, there are times when something will happen that causes fits of laughter to erupt from a cube forcing the surrounding cube inhabitants to investigate. This happened a few months ago, and the source of the laughter was this article from The Oatmeal (the source was actually my friend and colleague Sally H., but it was caused because she had been reading The Oatmeal and found the article entitled "10 things to stop tweeting about" to be quite humorous). (Sally, this is your debut on W and CP!)

...So, I began thinking about my own "what not to tweet" list and came up with a few social media pet peeves (or "best practices" to use a more positive frame) that I thought I'd share here.

Two caveats before I begin... Firstly, this post may come across as preachy or negative. As you know, that is not my usual MO. But, I think it is important for you to know how I feel. I love using Facebook and Twitter and other social media tools, and if we all adhere to a few basic rules of the road, I think the experience will be richer, more nourishing, and all around better for everyone.

Secondly, allow me to just reiterate my disdain for the Facebook message. We've discussed it before, and I will mention it again: if you send me a Facebook message, I will respond by e-mail. If you can't say it on my wall (and maybe you shouldn't if it involves plan making or something you'd prefer for the whole world not to see), you should use my gmail address which is proudly displayed in the "info" part of my profile for all to use. Examples of times NOT to use the Facebook message:

• for something time critical
• an event invitation
• request for me to photograph your child
• to double check that I've gotten your e-mail

A friend recently told me he was planning to ask a girl out on a date THROUGH A FACEBOOK MESSAGE. I was glad he shared this information with me so I could spend the following hour convincing him why this was not a good idea. I think I am getting Facebook crotchety in my old age, but I feel strongly about this.

Okay, now onto the additional items on my social media best practices list:

Use a semi decent camera.
I am not suggesting you carry around a heavy camera, lens, and flash like me (but if you do, that's cool too)... but when your kids are doing something awesome, you are eating a most delicious meal, you're visiting the White House, or perhaps attending the Democratic National Convention, you should use a camera that is better than your iPhone. I know the newer iPhones have better cameras (I wouldn't know from experience, I'm still rocking the "classic" 3, but this is the word on the street), but even then, they are first phones and cameras second therefore their photos are not worthy of documenting your child's first bite of solid food. A simple point and shoot camera will get the job done swimmingly.

I do agree that the best camera is the one you have with you, and I wish I had the space in my bag and strength in my back and arms to schlep my real camera with me ALL THE TIME, but... If you know something important is going to be happening and you plan to post those photos on the interweb (or maybe order prints of the images to display in your home in a beautiful frame with a thick white mat) in an album featuring more than just one random photo of a funny item at the grocery store or oddly worded street sign, you should use a camera that is not your phone.

I love this post by DC wedding photographer (and photojournalist often covering the White House), Michael Connor, about this VERY topic. Check it out.

Own it: Twitter and Facebook are different.
Maybe you've discovered the fancy Twitter and Facebook update all in one tools (or maybe I've spent too much time watching the Oprah Winfrey Network and therefore am using the expression "own it" far too much)! They are very cool, and I use one myself (it is called "Selective Tweets" and it allows you to put the custom hashtag at the end of specific tweets you'd like to also serve as Facebook stus updates). But, this is where it gets interesting: sometimes things are formatted for Twitter that don't translate well on Facebook.

For example, it is kind of strange to use someone's twitter handle in a Facebook status update. Or a hashtag used on Twitter is really not meant for Facebook. This, of course, is just a rule of thumb and can be violated with impeccable comedic timing and when used sparingly, could be hilarious. But not all the time. #hashtagpunchline

Respect the 7th principle.
The foundation for the Unitarian Universalist community is a list of seven principles. The seventh is respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. Not only do I love the UU community (and love two specific UUs living in Minnesota), I love the seven principles and especially this one. I take it to mean many things, but in the context of the interweb I take it to mean that your mom is reading all my tweets. Yup, I just compared one of the UU seven principles to keeping your content on the web clean.

So don't tweet about how much you had to drink or what happened when you were under the influence. You can tell me you have security settings that prevent people you don't know (or your grandmother) from reading what you put online, but in the end "you are your own security setting." (I think I should star in my own internet security PSA.)

Tag, you're it.
So, you know that fancy trick on Facebook and Twitter that allows you to tag other users and link to their profiles? Good, I think it is awesome too. Here's the kicker: when you don't use the correct Twitter handle, the link doesn't work. And that is no fun. AND, on Facebook... you can't reply to people in messages using this trick, so don't try it. You just end up looking silly. And not silly in a fun, well executed Halloween costume kind of way.

In addition, when you are tagging people or things on Facebook using this feature, you should wait for your friend list to populate entirely before selecting someone to tag. In short, don't think that you can just write @SOMEONE COOL on Facebook and think the site will turn that into a profile link... that's not how the technology works (at this time). I think the fact that I just wrote that information in a blog post means Facebook is well on their way to changing this feature and this little nugget will be out of date faster than you can say "product road map" but I'm going for it anyway.

Like fingernails, URLs should be short.
You know how much I love short, bright nails. Well, the same goes for URLs. Nobody wants to waste all that space in a twitter message with a super long URL. Clean 'em up using a URL shortener (these are often built into twitter applications and will happen automatically). I think this is also helpful when posting URLs in gchat status messages and on Facebook just to keep your page looking clean.

Am I going crazy? Did I just discuss keeping one's Facebook page "looking clean?"

I think that's enough for tonight. And remember, I share these in the "we're all in the same hustle" kind of way (someone really said this to my sister once, I think it is brilliant). Not in a "you should be self conscious about what you share online for fear W and CP will police your profile" type of way. I have too many photos to edit to notice, anyway.

Over and out,
EPG

PS--Maybe leave "LOL" off the end of every Facebook status you write, while you're at it. If you really were laughing out loud when you wrote it, then it is okay... but once again, this is one of those internet things that will remain much funnier if used sparingly.

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Terrific Twos

Dearest Olivia,

Last year, on your first birthday, I wrote you a little blog post recap of your first year in this world. I decided to try another one to celebrate your second birthday (which is TODAY)! And I know I said this last year, but I really cannot believe you are TWO already. My memory of the day you decided to make your grand entrance is so clear... and your birthday last year (when we had to celebrate over Skype because there was almost three feet of snow on the ground) seems like yesterday.

This year you really became a little person. I heard you say my name for the first time on Father's Day and it was the smallest, sweetest "Em" I've eve heard. You also learned to tell us what you liked ("LIKE IT LIKE IT") and didn't like. You have so many words to talk about how you're feeling ("need space" and "feeling annoyed") and the foods you like to eat ("more bacon" and "need sprinkles")... we must be related.

I love celebrating everyday with you, discovering with you, and learning about all the interesting things you have to tell me. I am so excited to continue to explore the world, together.

Here's a little recap of some of the fun things we did during your second year...





February
Because of the aforementioned blizzard, we actually celebrated your first birthday together at the Juice Joint on day during lunch while I was at work. I gave you a tiny Yankees hat (more on this in August) and I was so impressed at how you just walked ALL around the store. I kept worrying you were going to fall but you didn't... and we split a turkey burger wrap with lots of avocado. You were a most excellent lunch date.


March
In March, Julie F. and I met you for lunch in DuPont Circle. You had SUCH a fun time climbing up and down every set of stairs we walked by on the sidewalk. I love this photo of you and your shadow (complete with proper sun protection for your amazingly soft face and small arms).



April and May
I didn't love any of my photos of you from April, so I'm including an extra fabulous one of you and Auntie Reb from May. I actually took this photo during our combined Mother's Day/birthday festivities.


June
This photo was taken on Father's Day. Here you are with Grandpa Peter and the most fabulous ruffly diaper cover. It was on this day that I heard you say my name for the first time... then you asked me to read you Goodnight Moon... basically, an amazing afternoon.


July
In July, you debuted the most splendid red polka dot dress just in time for Independence Day (which also happens to be your Great Grandma Gladys' birthday). Here you are playing with some water and ice in Grandma Lois' arms. You had SUCH a good time with this activity.


August
Here you are on a steamy August day wearing your Yankees hat looking like the most adorable one and a half year old DC had ever seen! You really made tank tops trendy this year. (Thanks to your mom for sharing this photo.)











September
In September, we celebrated Rosh Hashanah together. Here you are feeding yourself! You were a pro with the little plastic spoon and bowl that Grandma Lois keeps at her house for you.


October
In October, we went to DC's annual Turkish festival with your parents and Auntie Reb. I love your hot pink very tiny sweater here. Right after this photo was taken, we did a craft project together involving tons of sequins which you didn't even try to eat. Already, you're a craft pro.


November
This is my most favorite photo I took of you this year, I think. I went over to your house to play one afternoon and you had just woken up from your nap so you were being a little shy (but not too shy to greet me at the elevator of your apartment building). I just love how soft and wispy your hair looks.


December
You came over to my house to celebrate Chanukkah in December. I love how well your outfit coordinates with this big funny chair in my living room. I tried to buy you OliviaRosenfeld.com as a present for Chanukkah, but another lucky Olivia already owns it (and her parents weren't willing to sell it to me). So I gave you a toy camera instead.







January
We began a new tradition this year--I buy you Converse sneakers whenever you need 'em! This was your second pair... which you chose to wear on a day when I took photos of you and your cousins. We took this photo while you were visiting my apartment for a little post-photo shoot snack. You were really into dining on the pomegranate seeds I had in the fridge--such a sophisticated palate!


February
Wow! That was quick. And here we are, back at February again. Today, we celebrated with all four of your grandparents, your parents, and Auntie Reb. Your parents made carrot cake cupcakes with orange cream cheese frosting... You blew out your own two candles and we had such a fun time.

So there you have it, Liv. I loved what Auntie Reb said this morning: the world is more sparkly because we share it with you. That is so true.

xxoo,
Auntie Em

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