Flannery O’Connor, born on this day in 1925
Via.
You would think that since I have to spend the bulk of my summer in sports bras and training gear, I wouldn’t want a bikini that resembles said bra. But no. This suit by MICHAEL Michael Kors is my Sporty Spice dream. As Jane said, “It looks like the Everlast two-piece I had in fifth grade.” Ah yes, back in the day when we called it a two-piece.
"Going to bed with someone you don’t love is a lot lonelier than going to bed alone."
Mom
Books I have read recently and liked.
Anonymous asked: Hey Cary, I am graduating from college this May and will be moving to a brand new city all by myself just cause I've always wanted to. I've been applying for tons of jobs, but so far no bite. I'm not opposed to waitressing or barista-ing to make ends meet until something comes up. But as someone who will have a degree I feel sort of lame not getting a "big girl job" right away. Thoughts?
Girlfriend, between the time I graduated (with two diplomas) and now, here are some of the jobs I’ve had: waitress, retail sales associate, intern, baby-sitter, hotel receptionist, cocktail waitress, temporary office assistant, depressed, unemployed bump on a log.
Money is money however you get it, and there’s nothing shameful about folding sweaters or changing diapers or slinging lattes till you land on your feet. One day, you’ll get a “big girl job” and look back fondly on the days you could do whatever you wanted because you weren’t due at the restaurant for sidework till four o’clock. Trust me.
Anonymous asked: I'm 23. Met a guy a few years older (online), seemingly harmless, very smart, has a great job and great manners. He's interested and he's coming on strong and I'm feeling nervous (history of past skittishness). Classic case of you want what you can't have, or legitimately founded skepticism in online dating?
This sounds like a case of skittishness, but I would not blame you for being skeptical. There’s something (to me) very unnatural about meeting guys online. I believe in fate (God’s plan, etc.), and the notion that one can just go to Match and pick out a man like she’s picking out a cardigan does not sit well. I’ve done the Match thing, and that slimy feeling never washed away.
However. May this guy is just coming on too strong. Maybe you’re not ready for that kind of commitment. (If it feels like pressure, trust your gut. You’re not ready.) Cool things off for a few, tell him to slow his roll, and see how things evolve.
Anonymous asked: I'm interested in getting into running, but I have a dumb question: What in the world do I wear? I have good shoes, but it's the clothes that confound me. What would you suggest for an absolute beginner who doesn't want to call too much attention to herself?
Invest in a couple pairs of the Nike Tempo short and Champion’s Burnout tank top (in complementary colors, of course). Throw in some sports bras (again, I like the Nike Pro), a compression capri for cool days, and a pair of sunglasses. You’ll be set for life. And when you’re ready to refresh the wardrobe, Nike’s clearance sale is off the chain.
I find it pretty amazing that the Central Park loop is only six miles long.
Judging by this picture, doesn’t 20 or 100 make more sense? (Via.)
From the Atlantic: "Cyclists Aren't Special"
Is it fair if bikers get tickets when motorists don’t? Nope. You know what else isn’t fair? Everything. Deal with it.
- Sarah Goodyear for the Atlantic
Don’t care much about the cyclists v. drivers debate. (I do my bike-riding indoors.) The tone of this article, however, is awesome.
Om.
I can run fast, forever, et cetera, but when it comes to any other kind of physical activity (except golf, tennis, beer pong, shuffleboard, skiing, spinning, driving a jet-ski, doing donuts in a golf cart, and shoe-shopping), I pretty much suck. Thus, ever since signing up for the Can Lake 50, I have struggled to find a cross-training method that will challenge my body but not my bank account. (Sayonara, Physique 57.) The spinning classes at my gym pale in comparison to Flywheel; I can’t even walk into the studio without feeling depressed. Weight training is boring. 30-60-90? I’d rather do a 180 in the opposite direction. And while I love to swim, chlorine turns my hair green.
This brings me to yesterday’s yoga class. I signed up for Vinyasa at Equinox, thinking it would be like the only other yoga session I have ever taken, which was packed with patchouli and feel-good Mother Earth worship and not much physical stress. I needed that after a six-mile run. But this class was nothing like that. Fifteen minutes in, I wanted to die and cry (not in that order). I was sweating; I ached. I could not perform a proper downward-facing dog. I could not hop from child’s pose to plank in one swift kick, unlike everyone else in the studio. Following a half bow (a.k.a. backbend) , my back hurt so badly that I couldn’t breathe without shuddering and gasping. (That was probably a major red flag.)
But afterward! So light and long and lean! So relaxed! I grabbed a latte at the new Coffee Bean on 14th Street and practically skipped home. I felt like a cross between Gwyneth Paltrow and Sloan on Entourage (which I am watching religiously lately, having never seen it before, and oh my God, Jeremy Piven, please marry me.) And today, all the muscle aches are good, like I did something right (except maybe that backbend). I’m going back tonight. I will master the downward dog.
Apropos of nothing, my sister’s pup Murphy Lee Fuller-Barnett is a big fat baby. Just look at the guy! He thinks he’s still a small thing. Jane said when she and her boyfriend hit a drive-thru window the other night on their way home from the airport, Murph jumped in the driver’s seat and tried to order dinner.
Anonymous asked: Cary, I've been dating the same guy for a year and a half and things are just dandy; we're so in love and he's my absolute best friend. But I'm getting really tired of footing the bill (we're in college and shit gets tight.) Every time I bring money issues up he gets defensive and claims that he spends all of his money on us, when in reality I pay a majority of the time. He tells me that money is arbitrary and I should just relax and not worry about it. How can I open his eyes on the subject?
Next time y’all’s waiter brings the check, just sit there and wait. He’ll get the message. (But I’m probably the wrong person to give you advice on men and cash issues, considering that if I was a pro baseball player, my walk-out song would be “Take the Money and Run.” Just kidding…kind of, not really.)
Anonymous asked: Hey Cary! Love your blog. So lately I've been a little bored with life and am contemplating cutting my hair really short (almost pixie?). My hair is currently past my shoulders. Have you ever done a drastic cut like this? Any advice? Also, I'm a runner so I'm concerned about "dealing" with it while working out - any suggestions on that front? Thanks!
I’m considering the same thing, but let me tell you that it’s a big jump, and you’ll want to consult with your stylist at a separate appointment BEFORE actually making the chop. Go into with your eyes open.
On second thought, just get a little drunk and run to that salon around the corner and fucking do it, man. Your hair will grow back. #YOLO.
"The writer should never be ashamed of staring. There is nothing that doesn’t require his attention."
Anja Rubik takes my Met Gala blue ribbon this year.
Her Anthony Vacarello leather mini is fetch as hell.
Love it as much as I do? The thing is already on pre-order at Moda Operandi.
