Thursday, May 16, 2013

Abercrombie & Fitch part 1

The rant against the company......

I've seen a lot of stuff about Abercrombie & Fitch lately.....and I think I have something to say. I will likely offend some, others might share it, maybe you'll put poop in a bag on my front porch like they did in that movie, maybe you'll send me money because you agree (hey, why not!?), maybe you'll just go "Meh." Your call, I just write.

People have gone nuts because some creepy man says he doesn't like fat people.

Well, I'm fat so I will take jab.

 I was never able to fit into their clothes. I never ever could. I was too fat. My sister shopped at A&F and I hung out across the mall at Lane Bryant. It was just life. I never once enjoyed the way the store smelled like B.O or that it was dark in there. I never enjoyed how they really only sell 5 things. I never once enjoyed covering my textbooks in half naked boy bags. I never did. Because I was too fat.

I did however enjoy the fact that my mom refused to go into that store and would send me in to give my sister money. I also enjoyed the fact that when I tried to drop off the credit card for my sister to make a purchase they wouldn't let me in. I was not allowed in. They asked in a snotty tone if they could help me. They even offered to take my mother's credit card and find my sister. STRANGER DANGER! I don't blame them, I had braces, sideburns and acne. I was not a pretty sight. I would probably send all of their pretty customers running. I was a yeti, and I embrace it.

Because I could never fit into the clothes there, I was forced to "own" my style. I dressed like a mom for a few years and I wore a salmon colored corduroy jumper from J. Jill in 8th grade. I was a total freak and it didn't matter. I still had friends.

It didn't matter that I was too fat to wear A&F because it wasn't my style. I refuse to believe that all of those girls really enjoy wearing dental floss denim skirts and polo shirts; the Chicago suburbs are not a Kenny Chesney concert. Put on some clothes.  Never once did I decide I wanted to wear graphic tees with raunchy slogans, never once did I want to wear a skimpy dress, an eskimo hat and a dazed look on my face. It just wasn't my thing.

I can tell you that with absolute certainty, even if I was skinny I would never shop there. My thoughts on this are not a defense mechanism I use to hide my feelings. I hate that store and I would never shop there, because I just don't like it.

That creepy man said he didn't want certain people shopping there because it destroys his brand. Okay! Does he want stupid people shopping there instead?

A&F is stupid. Yep. I said it. Grab your tomatoes! There's going to be a riot!  Who in their right mind would actually pay $80 for a pair of jeans that is more hole than pant? Who in their right mind would buy a shirt that says "Fitch" on it? You know what? Whenever I see those shirts I play a rhyming game....Itch. Twitch. Bitch. Kitch. Ditch. Pitch. I'm sorry, but those rhymes aren't good. Are you a bitch with a twitch and an itch that got ditched? Rough life man. Change your shirt.

It's crazy to me. The clothes are of terrible quality, they smell before you've worn them and everyone else in the school that can fit them is wearing them. Have we lost our sense of uniqueness? Didn't their mothers ever tell them to blaze their own trail? The value is not there.

So the creepy man says he doesn't like fat people. Well neither do I! He says he doesn't want people destroying his brand, neither do I! It's not worth my time.

And here is the kicker...I almost secretly want to shake his hand (and then wash it, because if he smells anything like his store, I will barf). He is an ass, and he owns it! He's a creepy man with a weird face and he owns it. Who cares if he dresses like a preppy highschooler? He owns it. He stands behind what he says. I wish more people did that. If you don't like what someone has to say, then don't talk to them. If you don't like the brand, don't shop there. I say watch this movie!



Okay, so he burns the clothes? That's wasteful. He's a jerk. But until you show me the completely ethical and eco-friendly practices of all of the other stores in mainstream America...I can't get mad. I bet my favorite stores have some skeletons in their closets. I don't understand why people are getting so upset. Sometimes people can't have what they want. I want a dog and a pony. Forever I wished I could shop at Victoria's Secret. I wish I could swap the machinery I wear under my clothes for an "Oh So Sexy $50 bra". But I can't. Am I outraged? No. I wish I could buy shoes at normal stores, but I'm a size 12. I'm not going to boycott Macy's because they don't carry size 12 shoes.

It is a wonder I have the courage to get up every morning and clothe myself. It truly is a wonder! I applaud myself.


Why are people so upset? Is there going to be a national uproar next week about how Lane Bryant doesn't want skinny people to shop there? Are we going to be outraged?

There are some deeper issues here. We will talk about them tomorrow!




Friday, May 3, 2013

Day 6 --- A Peek at My Pinterest Soul


My sister is coming over today and my life along with my bedroom/bathroom are a serious mess!


I have to clean them. I think the wrath of my sister for leaving hair on the floor is worse than being single for many moons.

Really I do.



But in the meantime, while I de-hair my bathroom... I leave you with these brilliant brilliant glimpses of awesome. I've had a lot of people say to me, "Good things coming to those who wait." and tell me how to be content. I also realized that while I'm dating myself, I really like having to worry about myself. Just myself. My life is an intricately woven network of friends and family that I rely on.... They hold me up. You try to pull on it, I may cut you. It's like when my mom says, "Don't mess with my kids!"... I say "Don't mess with me or my people!" When you enter into a relationship, I believe that you say, "I am giving you the opportunity to make or break me. While I have lots of power on my own, when I let you in, I give you power. I hope you choose option one." I don't have time for that right now. I just want to move out. I have to focus on myself. I need to.






Today, because God is so good and I am so blessed.... I will try to




And without further ado.... Here is my political statement of the day!






Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Day #5 - The List

I'm dating myself, right?

I assume I am taking the lead role in this interlude, so it is up to me to plan "dates".

WHAT DO NORMAL PEOPLE DO ON DATES?!?!

I feel like my mind has been overtaken by Hollywood ideas of romance: endless $$ for activities, and infinite amounts of time. It can be discouraging if your life isn't Pinterest lovely...

As much as it pains me to say this, I will. "I am a normal person with limited time, patience, resources and planning capabilities.

That said, I refuse to be one of those "couples" who thinks they can maintain romance by just staring at each other.

So...I perused websites, read some blogs, watched some movies and have compiled a list of dates that I commit to executing within this blogging series, some inspired by my favorite romantic movies. They are not in a particular order of occurrence......

-go to a fancy( according to my budget) hotel for a night and order room service.
-take dancing lessons-The Wedding Planner
-go to a nice restaurant on a heavily populated day
-go to a movie
-go on a picnic in a public area
-walk along the Riverwalk in Downtown Naperville at sunset
-cook a meal full of "sex foods" and take a bath- Pretty Women
-take a cooking class- No Reservations
-watch a movie on the couch and drink something from a bottle.
-buy lingerie, wear it and go to bed
-eat spaghetti-Lady and the Tramp
-go stargazing in the cemetery-- A Walk To Remember
-read Love Sonnett XVII- Patch Adams
-stand in the "dirty book" section of a bookstore for at least 10 minutes and make a related purchase.
-complete a Bible Study aimed at new couples.
-go to a jewelry store and try on engagement rings- Sweet Home Alabama


I realize that some of these aren't normal and are a bit over the top....but won't they be fun?

Once this epic project/paper/poster is done, I will actively pursue myself... get ready!

Is there a fun date idea I missed? Do you have a suggestion?

--Leave me a date idea in a comment and be entered to win a Starbucks giftcard. But, more than 10 people have to participate or else it's a lamegame.


This picture totally applies to dating myself...Yep!




Monday, April 22, 2013

Day #4----Ain't Nobody Got Time For That


I am dating myself.

I am “marrying age”.

Marrying age is not to be confused with “ready to be married!”

I also suffer from an affliction that kicks in when someone I know actually is ready to be married. When I see it on Facebook or I see them in person, I immediately began to compare, belittle or get jealous.

It’s either….

“Oh yay!”
“You’ve got to be kidding me”
“No way in hell did she say yes”
“About damn time”
“HER?!!?!”

I’d like to get married someday, but I don’t think any man (or at least the kind I’d like) approves of my messy car or my disgustingly infrequent leg shavings. It’s kind of nasty. The layer of filth that plagues my car could maybe cause a man to consider joining the priesthood. Whatever.

I sometimes wonder why people who are uglier than me are getting married. I realize ugly is a subjective term but come on…..Honey Boo Boo’s mom has a lover and I don’t. I have a nice butt, great lips and sizable rack, who wouldn’t want that?! Ha.  I have all of my teeth, I’m not full of piercings or ink!

WHAT GIVES?!?!? My expectations aren’t even that high! I just want a tall, nerdy-ish guy who loves the Lord, loves me, loves being healthy and thinks I’m sexy. If he wears glasses and has a motorcycle, even better!

When someone gets engaged, I just get all mean and judgy.




I am supposed to be happy for them, not wondering where I fall short or how I missed the memo on how to make a guy fall in love with me. It is their time!

Assuming I get the love memo at some point, I would want their undivided ‘WooHoo! I am so happy for you’. I am being selfish in that respect I guess. I want to be the center of attention.

I, Caryn Alexis Blomquist do solemnly swear to be nothing but happy for you when you get engaged. I also probably want to attend your wedding. I also am single, so please just invite me, not me plus someone. I love you.

And because I wasn’t dating myself last week and Pinterested pictures that are of no use to me…. I had this on my computer!




 Yep. Now if someone does fall in love with me, I don’t have to drop subtle clues. He can just read my blog.


What do you struggle with? What’s hard to watch your friends have that you don’t?

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Day #3




I’m dating myself.

What does it look like?











I may not have a man in my arms, but I have a cat on my head.




Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Day #2 Winging It





I’m dating myself right?

When I decided I was going to do that, I wasn’t really sure what it meant to do so. Does it mean I’m going to be a ‘one man band’? Will I do coupley things by myself? Do I go on dates by myself? Do I talk about my daily life without the active search for a dude? Will I make intentional efforts to avoid things that make me feel like crap? What is dating anyways? I consulted the 100% true, wise and current Urban Dictionary…. According to them, dating can be defined as….

Of a couple, to be in the early stages of a relationship where they go out on dates to find out what each other is like, as a prelude to actually being a fully fledged couple.


or

A pointless waste of time...defined by massive usage of cologne and/or perfume, awkward sweaty hand-holding, and feelings of puppy love that usually dissolved in a few weeks (or less)The other ones were too dirty.


or 


A socially acceptable form of prostitution.

I am pretty sure I am not a prostitute. I don’t wear perfume and I can’t really hold my own hands and be productive. Thus, this blog is me getting to know myself while you read.

After all, I am dating myself.

I will do things that only couples are supposed to do, I will be a unit of one. I will embrace being the third wheel--not to be confused with part three of a threesome! I will figure out what I’m doing with my life and I WILL be satisfied. I will also likely crash and burn. I will attempt to unlearn society’s view of what being a happy successful young person is. Do I need a man on my arm?  Each day will be different, just like real life.

Oh and technically, this is day 2. But I haven’t started yet the actual dating part. This post is to make sure we’re all on the same page.

The sun’ll come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there’ll be sun and juicy blog posts.

So what I’m trying to say is that this whole thing will take 62 days.


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Dating Myself- Day #1


I’ve decided to date myself for 60 days.

I could give you 60 reasons why being single is awesome, why men are stupid and why I’m perfectly happy with the way my life is.

That would be a lie.

Truth be told, most of the time I feel like I’m crumbling. I can’t seem to get my life in order. I fail a lot. Heck, I even failed the same thing twice! It’s a problem. I keep waiting for my life to start. “Today is the day!” Well, sorry Caryn but you’ve been saying that since you were seven. I want to accomplish things, reach my goals, make people happy, make myself happy and most of all I just want to be who God wants me to be. I know God made me in his image and that I am my own person, but I doubt God delights in me when I’m late because I lost something, when I lie because I’m embarrassed, or when I buy things that aren’t necessary. The problems I have with myself are not personality-based. I am pretty much drowning in self-deceit. I know for a fact that deep down, somewhere, is the Caryn who is…. 

-on time to things
-virtuous in all she does
-clean in body, mind, soul, bedroom, bathroom and car
-healthy because her body is important
-after God’s own heart
-content with what she has
-stylish but true to herself
-loving everyone, even those who make it really hard
-honest to all but kind, honest about her own limits.
-intentional

WHERE IS SHE?!?!!

Yeah, it’s kind of scary. I right now, am not those things. I have some serious baggage to unpack. Don’t worry, this isn’t one of those blogs where I throw myself a pity party and post creepy fake emotional pictures of myself.

This shit is real.

I’m dating myself because I eventually want to marry someone else.  If I were to meet the love of my life now, it’d be a disaster. I’d have to run home, put all my ‘stuff’ into trash bags and hope he doesn’t find them. I want to be who I want to be for real; not hypothetically. What people see is a hot mess, what people see get is an emotionally depleted girl who is dying for a date, drowning in her issues, and hoping people don’t rub her the wrong way because she just might burst into tears.

What I want is to be free..

 I know 60 days isn’t a long time. It took the Israelites 40 years in the desert to reach the Promised Land!   I chose 60 days because my friend is getting married in June and I hear the best man is tall and handsome*

*I cannot be held responsible for what happens after 60 days. 

Thanks for joining me on this journey. I am blessed to know you!