on new beginnings

it's november first.

you know what happens in november?

it gets cold. well, it's supposed to start getting cold in november. but apparently, in 2011 in new jersey, it gets cold and it snows in october. that was really cool. hah. no pun intended. but, now that it is november, i can't shriek about how unacceptable it is that it's so cold out because it's actually supposed to be. i fucking hate the cold.

boys grow their beards out as a part of "no shave november" or "brovember" or "manvember," as i've heard it called - the last one makes no fucking sense and you should stop saying it. as far as i know, there's no real justification for this act. i've heard some people proclaim it has something to do with raising awareness for prostate cancer or something like that, which is about as logical as that facebook meme a few years back that had us girls discussing where we put our purses as a means to raise awareness for breast cancer. i mean, come on people. stop being ridiculous. hopefully now that i'm out of college i won't have to deal with having my thighs face scraped raw by a guy's unkempt beard while we're gettin' down. but since guys seem to maintain the same level of idiocy well after college, i'm not very hopeful.

nanowrimo stars in november. well, it ends in november too. i've spent quite a few months bickering with myself about whether or not i would participate in nanowrimo for the first time this year. i so, so want(ed) to, but i'm not. and, as i tweeted yesterday, i'll spend the next year regretting it. but, if i had decided to participate, i would have been so stressed out because i don't have an outline, i barely even have an idea, and i just can't go into something so important and wonderful and amazing without a better level of preparation. but you guys, you wonderful writer friends of mine, who are giving this thing a go - i wish you the best of luck. some of you are returning for another year, and some of you are just starting for the very first time. you guys are great and i'll be cheering for you so hard. this year i'm definitely better off on the sidelines with my pom-poms and i can't wait to see how much ass you all kick. #goteamgo

thanksgiving comes this month. though thanksgiving is my least favorite holiday, i always anticipate it's arrival. thanksgiving means the holiday season is here, and even though i hate the cold, i love love love that time of year. i love the christmas lights, i love the way some people seem to just be a little bit happier and more cheerful and, dare i say, a little more grateful. i love the feeling of family. i love the peppermint mochas and gingerbread lattes at starbucks. i love searching for the perfect gifts for the people i love and anticipating the looks on their faces when they open them. i love scarves and boots and oversized hoodies that go perfectly with a classic movie and a cup of tea. speaking of tea, i have to go buy another box of constant comment - christmas in a cup, i tell ya.

but i'm getting ahead of myself. it's only november.

the point is, it is the first of a new month, and that's always a good time for new beginnings. it's a great time to look ahead and get excited about what the new month will bring, and to enjoy every little blessing that comes with each day. happy november, my darlings.