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What: #82 Communicate with no one for a full 24 hours

Where: Mostly the couch and bedroom

When: December 14-15

Why: Every summer, I try to take a trip where I don’t take my cell phone as a way to detox from all the technology overload, the constant barrage of communication, information, and general instant everything. It’s wonderful. Refreshing. Fabulous. It’s always hard at first, but gets exponentially easier, to the point where I finally don’t even want to check email or turn on my phone again when I return home. So, I thought this 24-hour long hiatus from all that might help a bit as a mini detox. I knew around the holidays would be a tricky time to do this one, so I wasn’t necessarily going to try it, but then I experienced the agony of my phone dropping into my footbath at the nail salon (their massage chair was REALLY awkward and I jumped up in total shock/horror, forgetting for a split second that my phone was on my lap because I was texting a picture of the awesome nail colors I had just picked out). So, while I waited for my phone to dry out – or more likely, while I await my next day's evening appointment at the Apple store, it seemed an opportune time to shut out the world. 

It’s actually eye-opening to be so productive when I’m not constantly checking in to see what's going on in the world. And, with all the tragic news from that day, I took it even a step beyond and made no contact with the outside world at all. I only listened to Christmas CDs (not the radio), watched Christmas DVDs (no news or TV), totally shut down my laptop, I wrapped some gifts, wrote Christmas cards, stayed inside and slept a lot, and yes, even decided to tidy up so my home is a more pleasant place to be over the holidays. Might make this a regular tradition!

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What: #71 Ride a mechanical bull

Where: Twisted Bull

When: December 8^th

Why: A few years ago, I was in New Orleans with my college roommate for a friend’s wedding, and we went out after the reception to experience the nightlife, and ended up at a karaoke bar (where we sang a group piece and then split), and a big booming dance club (where we lasted a bit longer) and then walked past a bar with a mechanical bull and really wanted to try it, but since I was in a nice dress and heels, I conceded to watch while another friend of ours did do it, and it was a blast to cheer her on, so it seemed like a cool item to put on the list. I hadn’t come across a place with a mechanical bull, so had to finally Google search it. Turns out, there was a place in Grand Rapids, so it was perfect to do it after the Meijer Gardens. We got to the bar before the bull rides start at 9:30, but we asked our waitress (a nice girl in cheekie undies and chaps…seriously…) if we could hop on earlier and the two men running the show let us. It required a signed waiver (didn’t read it) and a short tutorial from a very tall cowboy (a direct quote: “It’s just like being on top”), and then away we went. The most awkward part is that there are plaid-clad barflies ringing the bull-riding mat on barstools to just gawk, make comments, and leer. Ick. But, with the support of Stef cheering me on, I stayed on until they ended my ride. Stef did a much better impression of a true bull rider…very cool!

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What: #98 Walk around the Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids

Where: Frederik Meijer Gardens
When: December 8th
Why: Michigan is a great state, and sometimes I get caught up in going to all sorts of new and exciting destinations around the country and around the world, but then I remember there are amazing things in my own home state. This is one of those places I've heard so much about, and determined it was worthy of making the effort to visit. It's in a part of the state I don't frequently get to because it isn't on the way to Chicago or Up North, so it has to be an end goal for its own sake.

The gardens are an impressive collection of indoor greenhouses and outdoor sculpture gardens, and at this time of year, an array of international Christmas trees and other holiday displays throughout the main building. We started off bundling up to take a wintry walk through the sculpture gardens, enjoying ourselves by making up what the artist should have named each piece because, let's be honest, the actual names never make much sense. For example, we named this one "Mousetrap" like that children's game we played as kids.

The focal point of the garden is this colossus of a sculpture; it is meant to be the vision created by Leonardo da Vinci and finally realized 500 years after he crafted the models and drew up the plans.

One interesting note is that every sculpture had a sign at it reading "Do not touch", but when we wandered through the gardens containing delicate trains, handmade models, and cacti, not a single sign warned us not to touch. And there were plenty of little hands tempted to do so! It was a very crowded day with lots of families - and exchange students? - and lots of fragile ornaments on the many trees, but it was wonderful to see so many people enjoying this type of an outing. Sadly, I don't think the reindeer was having a very good time.

Iceland's Tree!

One very cool thing: As I mentioned, they had miniature scale models of area building and landmarks, one of which I immediately recognized was in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright! As you know if you've perused my list, I really have a thing for his architecture, so when I realized this was a local home, I had to find it, so we ended up learning about a new cool place in "G D Rapids" (as our GPS lady kept repeating).

Scale model made of all natural materials!

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What: #49  Make a pie from scratch

Where: Karen's Kitchen
When: December 6th
Why: I love peach pie. I mean it. And I know that a homemade pie tastes infinitely better than a store bought pie, but I had no idea how to make a pie. As my friend explained it, I'd be an awesome host of a cooking show for people (myself included) that have no idea how to cook. For example, the recipe said to mix until it looks like cornmeal. What on earth does that mean? I would revise it to say "until it looks like wet sand." Now THAT makes sense! And then why do you put aluminum foil on the edges? I assumed it had something to do with why there are metallic tiles on the space shuttle, so then I made my peace with it. Another very important thing I learned was that baking is different than cooking, and measurements have to be VERY precise. Also, weird things go into a pie...tapioca?? Who knew. 

Overall, it was a wonderful experience from beginning to end, thanks to her food processor (awesome!), a great space to roll out the dough for both crusts, and the lovely scents coming from the oven. Now, it was a late night of baking, so I didn't get to taste test it before I had to go home and it hadn't quite cooled, but I'm assured it will be enjoyed and maybe even a piece will be saved for me to try later!

Forty-two down...10 to go...

What: #96 Wear 4" or higher heels for a night out on the town

Where: The streets of Ann Arbor
When: November 30th

Remember this scene? 
I think I was only 
slightly more graceful!

Why: As has been pointed out to me, I'm not a girlie girl in my fashion choices. My favorite outfit is a great pair of jeans, my favorite flip flops or sneakers, and a great t-shirt or comfy sweatshirt. So, even tho I do own heels and dresses and fancy accessories, they rarely make an appearance. With an upcoming outing with some friends that are all always a well-dressed bunch, I wanted to make an effort to embrace some of my less practical footwear, and with our plans to meet up for drinks and then grab dinner, I saw myself firmly planted on a bar stool or booth cushion for the duration of the evening, thinking my insane footwear wouldn't be put to use for transportation. I was mistaken, and had the pleasure of trotting around the city streets shopping during the busiest night I've ever seen in town aside from the Art Fair. So, fueled by great drinks, dinner, and a delicious cupcake, I braved the stares (I think people thought I must have lost a bet to be parading around in such silly shoes), the cold, the aches, and the constant fear of tipping over and experienced a fun night out from a totally different perspective as a nearly 6-foot tall woman!