Random Things I Like.

Yes, this blog can exist without me posting any needlessly-controversial or heavily thought out material. In fact, I’ll prove that by just posting a list of random garbage that makes me happy. Why? Well, I don’t know, it’ll be fun though (for me, at least).

• Comics: A few of you probably know this already, but I’ll spell it out for those who don’t. I love my comics. I don’t really read into the superhero guy-in-spandex genre, but I am pretty well-rounded otherwise. I’ve never liked those types of comics that are purposely marketed to women either. I hate that, in fact. I don’t want forbidden love, loss, and drama. I want a plot with a purpose, a character with flaws, and a good dosage of violence in between. I don’t see comics as a form of escapism. If I did, I’d want the exact opposite of what I just said. I’d want boring Mary Sue characters who are the pinnacle of everything great in the world. In reality, I just want a story that is believable in its characterization (of course, suspension of disbelief is needed to read pretty much any comic). Here are some of my favourite comics: Serenity: Better Days, The Surrogates, The Umbrella Academy, Lords of Avalon, Preacher, Fables, and Rex Mundi. All of them are highly-recommended on my part.
• Trying a recipe out for the first time: No, I’m not the domestic type, but it’s always so exciting to cook something for the first time, even if it doesn’t always turn out right. Such an example would be the first time I tried to make bread. My goodness, I don’t know how many of you have tasted unrisen bread, but it is disgusting. There was..erm..what could best be described as confusion over what constituted “warm water” for the yeast to activate in. But then again, you learn from your mistakes. Baking bread can go wrong for so many reasons though. This is why I like cooking stuff in a crock pot.
• Anything mint-scented: Mint’s often considered a somewhat masculine smell, but I like it anyway. It has such a naturally soothing quality about it that I wonder why people pick lavender scents. I guess it could be considered odd if people walked around smelling overly of mint though.
• Tea: Speaking of mint, I love my mint tea. In fact, I like just about any type of tea that isn’t fruit flavoured. If I wanted to taste mango and blackberries in my tea, I’d go out and buy the actual fruit instead of having it ground up in my drink. The thought of it is almost as offensive as dinner in a pill. I don’t take sugar or milk with my tea either. Hardkore. I hate coffee, but love the smell of it. I mostly stay away from coffee because it literally makes me feel..unlike myself. I don’t feel awake from the caffeine, I just feel jittery. And hyper.
• Small book stores: In Germany, there’s Buch Habel and in America there is Barnes & Noble (I don’t know wtf you all do in England or the rest of zie world), but if you ever go into one of those conglomerate chains and ask a “sales associate” to fetch you a book that’s “a little bit of fantasy, but with a non-Lord of the Rings type plot, along with themes of love, hardship, friendship, and redemption”, you’ll get a blank stare. If you go into a small bookshop, you’ll most likely be met with, “I think I know a book that fits that description”. At least I did (and, yes, that was my exact description of a book I wanted. Take a look at King’s Man and Thief by Christie Golden if you don’t believe me). Shops like these are dying out and it’s a real shame.
• The smallest bits of kindness from strangers: Sure, I’d like to be saved by some daring person if I should ever fall in front of a bus, but holding the door open for me will do just fine. People who move through their world conscious of those around them and willing to offer their respect without forethought, but as a natural reflex to seeing another human being are worth mentioning here.  Actions like that, even in their tiniest forms, are proof that humans are versatile creatures. We don’t need to be best friends or lovers in order to show decency toward others. Of course, I’m not implying that we’re saintly for these minor actions. Just present.
• Quotes that are unintentionally motivational by their honesty: Sure, advice like “reach for the stars!” is wonderful and all, but there are so many words out there that go unnoticed when written down or spoken by a truly wise person. It’s because we want to be told that everything is okay and if we just “be ourselves” and “try, try again” we will succeed. In honesty, I don’t think there is a formula for succeeding. Sure, hard work helps, but not all people who work hard are successful. A quote I think that sums this up best is from Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog where the protagonist (Dr. Horrible) assumes that his friend/crush is going to dispense an age-old saying about fate:

Penny: But, you know, everything happens–

Dr. Horrible: Don’t say ‘for a reason’.

Penny: No, I’m just saying that.. everything happens.

Well, that’s all I feel like typing for now.