Category Archives: Life

Confessions of a Serial Streamer: Shows I’m Embarrassed to Admit I Love

Alright, darlings, gather ’round because today, I’m going to spill the tea on a topic we all secretly indulge in but wouldn’t dare admit at a sophisticated soirée: trashy reality TV shows. That’s right, I’m Caitlin, your trusty confidante in all matters streaming and guilty pleasures. Grab your popcorn and prepare to be scandalized because I’m about to confess my deepest, darkest streaming sins.

The “Real” Housewives (of Everywhere)

Let’s start with a bang, shall we? The “Real Housewives” franchise, in all its sequined, Botoxed glory, is the guilty pleasure I just can’t quit. Whether they’re sipping champagne on a yacht, flipping tables at a dinner party, or launching their own fashion lines (who knew?), these ladies never fail to deliver the drama.

Honestly, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve yelled at my screen, “You did not just say that, Karen!” or “Why would you throw a drink at Lisa’s face, Brenda?!” But it’s like a car crash – you can’t look away. And I secretly love it.

Love Island: Where Love Comes to Get Sunburned

Ah, “Love Island,” the epitome of guilty pleasure television. A bunch of overly tanned, scantily clad singles stuck in a villa with nothing to do but couple up, make out, and occasionally throw a hissy fit. It’s like watching a soap opera set in a sunscreen commercial.

But here’s the thing – I can’t stop watching it. It’s addictive, like a bag of chips that you swear you’ll only have one of, and suddenly it’s empty. The accents, the love triangles, the cringe-worthy pick-up lines – it’s a train wreck of epic proportions, and I can’t look away.

The Bachelor(ette): Roses, Romance, and Roses Again

Let’s talk about “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” shall we? These shows are the ultimate in televised romantic roulette. A single man or woman dates a bunch of attractive singles while trying to find “the one.” And they do it all while wearing sequined gowns and tuxedos as if they’re going to prom.

Now, I can sit here and tell you that I watch it for the “journey to find love” or to analyze the complexities of human relationships, but let’s be real – I watch it for the drama. I watch it for the awkward group dates, the cringe-worthy conversations, and the tears (oh, the tears!). It’s like emotional junk food, and I can’t resist it.

Jersey Shore: GTL Forever

Ah, “Jersey Shore” – the show that made “GTL” (Gym, Tan, Laundry) a lifestyle choice. I’m not proud to admit it, but I’ve followed the antics of Snooki, The Situation, and the gang for way longer than I care to admit.

Watching these self-proclaimed “guidos” and “guidettes” navigate life, love, and the club scene is like witnessing a car crash in slow motion. You know it’s wrong, you know it’s ridiculous, but you just can’t turn away. Plus, who can resist the allure of a good fist-pump dance-off?

Temptation Island: All’s Fair in Love and Temptation

Now, this one’s a real guilty pleasure gem. “Temptation Island” takes couples in various stages of their relationships, separates them, and then tempts them with hot, single people. It’s like a soap opera with a side of moral dilemma.

I watch it with a mixture of fascination and horror, wondering how these couples could possibly think this is a good idea. But hey, that’s the beauty of guilty pleasure TV – it lets us judge from the comfort of our own couches.

90 Day Fiancé: Love Knows No (Time) Boundaries

“90 Day Fiancé” is a rollercoaster of international romance, cultural clashes, and visa deadlines. It’s like watching a high-stakes game of love and immigration, and I am here for it.

From the extravagant weddings to the visa denials, this show has it all. And let’s not forget the colorful cast of characters, including the aspiring American spouses and their foreign fiancés who often come with more baggage than an international flight.

Dance Moms: Twirls, Tears, and Tantrums

“Dance Moms” is a show that combines the world of competitive dance with stage moms who are not afraid to speak their minds. Abby Lee Miller, the formidable dance instructor, is a force to be reckoned with, and the moms are a spectacle all on their own.

Watching these tiny dancers perform intricate routines while their mothers engage in epic showdowns is like witnessing a train wreck in tutus. It’s chaotic, it’s dramatic, and it’s strangely addictive.

The Circle: A Social Experiment in Catfishing

“The Circle” is a newer addition to my guilty pleasure list, and it’s a doozy. Contestants are isolated in apartments and can only communicate through a social media platform called “The Circle.” They can choose to be themselves or catfish as someone else.

The intrigue lies in the deception and strategy as players try to win popularity contests without ever meeting face-to-face. It’s like a modern-day “Survivor” meets “Big Brother,” and I can’t get enough of it.

My Strange Addiction: Watching My Strange Addictions

This one’s a bit meta, isn’t it? “My Strange Addiction” is a show that profiles people with, well, strange addictions. But my guilty pleasure confession is that I’m addicted to watching these bizarre stories.

Whether it’s someone eating mattresses, drinking nail polish, or dressing up as an adult baby, this show takes us deep into the world of eccentric cravings and compulsions. And I can’t stop watching these train wrecks of habits.

Bachelor in Paradise: Where Former Bachelor(ette) Contestants Find Love… Again

If you thought “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” were guilty pleasures, just wait until you discover “Bachelor in Paradise.” It’s like the recycling bin of Bachelor Nation, where former contestants from both shows come together in a tropical paradise to, you guessed it, find love.

The drama is turned up to eleven, and the hookups are as fast and furious as a summer storm. It’s a hot mess, and I’m completely here for it.

Conclusion: Guilty Pleasures, No Apologies

So, there you have it, my darlings. My secret streaming confessions, laid bare for all to see. These trashy reality TV shows might not be the most intellectually stimulating, but they’re like a bag of salty snacks for the soul. We all have our vices, and these are mine.

The beauty of guilty pleasure television is that it allows us to escape from the complexities of the real world and indulge in some good old-fashioned, unadulterated drama. So, go ahead, judge me if you must, but remember, we all have our streaming skeletons

The Slopes and Sips: My Top 5 Après-Ski Drinks and Where to Get Them

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Ah, skiing. The exhilarating rush as you zip down the mountainside, the feel of the crisp air on your face, the… wait, who am I kidding? As much as I adore skiing (and trust me, I do), there’s one other aspect of the sport I might love just a smidge more: the après-ski. Because, let’s be honest, after a day of conquering the mountains (or at least trying to), there’s nothing quite like warming up with a delicious drink in hand.

So, in the spirit of sharing (and because I’ve had one too many après-ski beverages in my day), I’ve decided to spill the beans on my top 5 favorite après-ski drinks. And, because I’m feeling extra generous, I’ll even let you in on where to find the best versions of these delightful concoctions. Ready? Let’s dive in.

1. Mulled Wine: The Classic

What it is: Red wine, heated and spiced with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and orange.

Why I love it: There’s something undeniably comforting about sipping on a warm, aromatic glass of mulled wine. It’s like a cozy blanket for your insides.

Where to get it: Head over to the chalets in Switzerland, specifically Chalet Cozy in Zermatt. They serve a mulled wine that’s so good it might just make you consider staying off the slopes for the day. (But don’t. Because then you’d miss out on more après-ski.)

2. Hot Toddy: The Cure-All

What it is: A mix of whiskey, honey, lemon, and hot water.

Why I love it: Not only is the hot toddy a delicious way to warm up, but it’s also been known to work wonders on sore muscles and sniffles. Think of it as the après-ski version of chicken soup.

Where to get it: The Frosty Mug in Aspen, Colorado. Their version of the hot toddy uses locally sourced honey and a bourbon that has a hint of caramel undertones. It’s the kind of drink that’ll make you go, “Cold? What cold?”

3. Spiked Hot Chocolate: The Indulgent Treat

What it is: Rich hot chocolate with a shot (or two, no judgment here) of your favorite spirit.

Why I love it: Sometimes, after a day of tumbles and turns, you just need a little liquid dessert. And when that dessert also has a kick? Even better.

Where to get it: Cocoa Haven in Whistler, Canada. This place is known for its decadent hot chocolates, and when you add in their premium dark rum, it’s a match made in après-ski heaven.

4. Schnapps: The Bold Choice

What it is: A strong alcoholic drink distilled from fruit or grain.

Why I love it: It’s not for the faint of heart, but there’s something about a shot of schnapps that just hits the spot after a day on the slopes. Maybe it’s the instant warmth it brings, or maybe it’s the liquid courage for tomorrow’s ski adventures.

Where to get it: Any self-respecting bar in the Austrian Alps, but if I had to pick one, it’d be Schnappy Hour in St. Anton. They have a dizzying array of schnapps flavors, from classic apple to more adventurous options like elderflower.

5. Irish Coffee: The Best of Both Worlds

What it is: Hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and topped with cream.

Why I love it: It combines two of my favorite things: caffeine and booze. Plus, it’s the perfect pick-me-up when you’re feeling a little sluggish after lunch.

Where to get it: Bean and Booze in Park City, Utah. They use freshly brewed artisanal coffee and a smooth Irish whiskey that makes for a harmonious blend. The whipped cream on top is just the cherry (or should I say, cream?) on the cake.

Now, before I wrap this up, a little PSA: remember to drink responsibly. The mountains are gorgeous, but they’re also unpredictable. Always make sure you’re in a good state to navigate your way back to your lodgings (or better yet, have a designated non-drinker in your group). And hey, if all else fails, there’s no shame in ordering a plain old hot cocoa. After all, it’s the company and the memories that make the après-ski so special.

So, the next time you’re on a ski trip, give one (or all) of these drinks a try. And if you discover a new favorite that I haven’t mentioned, do let me know. After all, there’s always room for one more beverage in my après-ski repertoire. Cheers! 🍷🎿🍸

A Sketch of a Ski Mountain, courtesy of Yonderoo – How to draw a Mountain

Liked this article? Share it with your fellow ski bunnies and make sure to tag me. Until next time, keep those ski tips up and your glasses full!

Storytelling and its Power

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The reality that we experience is just a story that our brain tells us, in which we are the hero. Our brain seeks to create a linear plot in our lives by organizing our memories into cause and effect sequences and reconfiguring our past choices to fit our heroic narrative. We also seek to understand the minds of others in order to control our environment, driven by the need for social skills for trading and negotiations. Our brain’s urge to understand others is so strong that we even project human feelings onto inanimate objects. Stories allow us to satisfy this desire to understand others, particularly characters with flaws.

We are drawn to flawed characters because they allow us to explore our own flaws in a safe space. Our beliefs, which are influenced by culture, are solidified in early life and can be traced back to character flaws. We defend these beliefs throughout our adulthood and are resistant to opposing worldviews. Character flaws manifest in how they help or hinder characters from achieving their goals and make the journey more difficult. Reading about characters who act towards meaningful and controllable goals is enjoyable, as demonstrated by the higher frequency of goal-oriented words in best-selling novels. The choice of a character’s flaws is key in creating a spellbinding story.

A well-drawn character with flaws, personality quirks, and a unique worldview is crucial for creating a rich and stimulating plot. A character’s flawed theory of control, or the way they believe they must act in order to keep the world around them stable, is tested when confronted with unexpected change. Personality, comprising five main traits (conscientiousness, neuroticism, openness, agreeableness, and extraversion) also plays a key role in determining a character’s choices and reactions to their circumstances. To create a realistically flawed character, it is important to include mutual misunderstandings, as these can be a source of drama in both fiction and real life.

A good story should always have the reader or viewer wondering who the character really is, driven by our desire to fully understand the minds of others. This can be achieved through specific situations that reveal a character’s selflessness or selfishness and unexpected changes that test their core beliefs. The interplay between the surface plot and the inner plot of a character’s psyche can lead to unpredictable behavior and a change in their sense of identity, keeping the audience engaged.

Including small details and allowing the reader or viewer to fill in gaps in information stimulates the brain’s natural curiosity. Dialogue and descriptions of characters and their environments can reveal information about them and create a more vivid experience for the audience. Metaphors and poetic descriptions can also enhance the story by evoking powerful associations and creating neural activity in the brain. These elements can keep the audience engaged until the end of the story.

Most good stories are ultimately about a change in status, as humans are driven by their need for status and goal-direction. Our identification with characters of lower status and desire to see those with higher status “put in their place” allows us to root for them and feel like a participant in their struggle towards a goal. A change in status can also lead to the breaking down of deeply-held beliefs, adding drama and conflict to the story.

Stories can be a form of propaganda that teach lessons about the right ways to behave, and contain warnings for what happens when we don’t. They can also help change attitudes and beliefs through transportation and allow us to experience changes in control in a safe environment. The power of stories lies in the journey of discovering things about ourselves, others, and the world that we share.

Prepare for a Perfect Day of Skiing

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Are you ready for the perfect day of skiing? Well, strap on your skis and let’s hit the slopes!

First things first, you need to make sure you have the right gear. Don’t skimp on the quality of your ski boots or your skis – trust me, you’ll regret it when you’re halfway down the mountain and your feet are in agony. And don’t forget about the little things, like gloves, goggles, and a good ski jacket. You don’t want to be that person shivering at the bottom of the mountain, do you?

Next, it’s all about finding the right mountain. Do some research before you go and find a resort that suits your skill level and interests. And don’t be afraid to branch out and try a new mountain – sometimes the best runs are the ones you least expect.

Once you’re on the mountain, it’s time to start skiing! Take your time and warm up on some easier runs before tackling the black diamonds. And don’t be afraid to take breaks – skiing is all about having fun, so make sure you’re feeling good and energized before you hit the slopes again.

And when it comes to après-ski, you can’t go wrong with a hot cocoa (or a stiff drink, if that’s more your style) and some good company. Share stories from the day’s adventures with your friends and relive those epic runs.

So there you have it – the perfect day of skiing. Just remember to stay safe, have fun, and enjoy all that the mountain has to offer. Happy skiing!