Hearing… One of the absolute BEST things I’ve heard as of late was the podcast Serial, season one. I’d heard about it back in late 2014, when it first gained major popularity upon its release. It wasn’t until about a year later when I finally jumped on the bandwagon and decided to give it a listen. It really blew me away.
The basic plot of this real story revolves around a young high school student who was convicted in 1999 of strangling his ex-girlfriend to death. To this day, however, he stands by the story that he absolutely did not commit this violent crime. So, reporter Sarah Koenig digs into the case, looking into files, interviewing the convicted killer and those who knew him ad nauseum, seeking to discover whether he really was wrongly convicted or not.
The story is so gripping! I mean, I love police/crime/trial stories really intrigue me in general, but by the time I’d listened through the first of Serial’s twelve (average 45 minute) episodes, I was completely hooked. My mind was all over the place as to whether I feel like Adnan, around whom the case was centered, was guilty or not. Did I end up thinking he did it after all?
Well that wouldn’t be too fun if I told you, now would it?
I HIGHLY recommend that you check it out. Yes, listening to something that you can’t see might sound boring to some. But, it is incredibly fascinating and very well done. Humor me and listen to the first episode alone. If it doesn’t captivate you, you’re free to go on with your day 😉
Seeing… In general, I don’t watch a ton of TV or movies. However, one I’ve seen lately has definitely caught my attention, namely The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story. As previously stated, the legal proceedings of criminal activity really captures my attention. I find it very interesting. I was so young when the OJ Simpson case was going on. While I have vague memories of it, seeing it dramatized as an adult really makes it sink in even more.
The show doesn’t focus so much on portraying whether or not OJ did it or not. That was obviously a polarizing issue for many, and is not necessary to the story-telling efforts of this program. The acting is top-notch, with standouts in my opinion being Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark and Courtney B. Vance as Johnnie Cochran. Their portrayals as opposing lead attorneys in the case help to demonstrate passion with which they, respectively, fought to convict or acquit Simpson. Cuba Gooding Jr. also excels in his role as the manic, emotionally unstable Simpson.
Aside from the acting, the attention to detail is great. From what I’ve researched, the show strives to stick very closely to what actually happened. Of course, certain elements, such as significant dialogue between characters had to be dramatized. But, the research on facts, down to matching the clothing witnesses wore as they gave their testimony, to the placement of the noticeable mole above Marcia Clark’s upper lip, to the inclusion of the gray streak in the dark hair of attorney Robert Kardashian all lend themselves to what comes across as solid attempts at accurate storytelling.
Despite being centered on a story revolving around tragic events, the show was incredibly entertaining to watch—a certain staple of my Tuesday nights!
Tasting… I’ve been really working on getting my eating habits more in line. I have been on a bit of a “health kick” I guess you could say, but I’ve more recently done a better job of keeping it consistent. I try not to go too overboard with talking about it, because I don’t want to be “that guy” who is always blabbing about what he eats. However, I thought I’d share a few things that I’ve enjoyed and benefited from that could bring something positive for someone else also!
- Meal prep: I’ve heard much about its benefits for so long. But after a while, I knew it was time for me to finally give it a try. I like that it helps me portion out what I’d like to eat, how much and when. A few things I’ve enjoyed are grilled chicken… and yes, that was a typo, not a clever way to describe fish. Yes, I like GRILLED chicken with salt free seasonings (like garlic herb or lemon pepper) and liquid aminos (a healthier substitute to soy sauce). I’ll package these with brown rice and a side of broccoli.
I’ve also pre-packaged some breakfast ideas. I love acai bowls, but they can get expensive over time. So I’ve prepackaged them with frozen acai, honey and mixed fruit (strawberries, peaches, bananas, mangos, pineapples, grapes… the options are pretty endless). I’m the morning I’ll blend them with some almond milk and protein powder (to curb my hunger), and these turn out to be a great morning pick me up that I can take on the go, topped with some crunchy granola.
I’ve also developed some dinner plans. I’ve used brown rice & quinoa spaghetti noodles with tomato basil marinara and lean turkey to make a tasty pasta dish. I also recently followed a first time recipe that also uses quinoa pasta, tomato paste, lean turkey, garlic, fresh vegetables and topped with mozzarella cheese. It makes for a nice, healthy lasagna dish. It’s great to pre-portion and freeze for when you’re ready to eat. I’m a bit picky when it comes to vegetables (I’m getting better though!), but I love that spinach wilts so much when you cook it, so it’s easy to get those nutrients without having to feel like I’m “suffering” through a bunch of vegetables, haha.
I’m just now getting into meal prepping and eating especially healthy, and I’m definitely enjoying the process!
Feeling… the burn! I’ve been more conscious of my fitness routine lately. Exercising regularly is a great way to keep my mind clear and myself in good shape. As enjoyable as it can be to eat whatever I want and bum around, staying active I’ve found has been a much better route for me. I’ve recently started a new eight week strength training plan that targets each major muscle group one or two times a week.
I’ve found that I’ve come to enjoy this process more and more, especially when doing it with friends. I’ve gotten some friends to try the same routine that I’m doing, so that mutual sense of motivation really helps me to feel even more committed. Additionally, actually going to the gym with friends is encouraging too because it helps me to push myself even more.
Smelling… Bleu by Chanel. Haha! I’m trying to step up my cologne game, and I may have found a winner with that one. It’s so fresh, so clean and has gotten some good compliments. So I can’t complain there!
How have you been treating your senses lately? 🙂