The random shit that goes through my head.
I should probably get a real wesbsite at some point. In the meantime, you can also find me at The Awl, Free Williamsburg, or on Twitter. You can also email me at erica (dot) sackin (at) gmail (dot) com.
I should probably also add that the views, opinions, photos, comments, quotes, videos and even soundbites that are expressed, shared or otherwise posted on this site are mine and mine alone. They have nothing to do with my employer, or anyone else that might send me a paycheck. Great schwag, however, will continue to be graciously accepted. Thanks!.
A basic overview of the parts of the Sun (via SOHO)
Who loves the sun? Who cares that it makes plants grow?
good:
The Rules Of: Pulling a Prank. Just beware, the pranker can very quickly become the pranked…
My Favorite Things Today:
Last night, upon hearing that Mississippi and Ohio rejected measures that would have given fertilized eggs the same rights as the women they were inside of, and taken away the rights of unions to organize, respectively, I almost cried. For the first time in forever it felt like 2008 again, when America was standing up for things I believed in and it felt like we could actually win.
On a completely different note, I’m going to Maine in the beginning of December. Some people might think that’s crazy? But look, I love the snow. I’m excited to just chill, bake cookies and eat lobster.
Next up on the list: Booking some kind of crazy winter trip to Vermont.

Image of larry the lobster cookie from Kiss My Cookies.

Frankly, I don’t have the time, am too broke and too lazy to travel this year for Thanksgiving, so for the first time ever, I’m ditching my wonderful and much-loved extended family to hold a Thanksgiving for my New York friends at my house (which, as soon as my mom found out about, she decided to forgo travel and spend the holiday with my friends as well. What can I say? We’re a lazy family when it comes to leaving the city.)
Three years ago I hosted my family at my loft, gathered up all the vegetarian courage I could muster, and cooked a damn Turkey. I brined it and everything, but for the week leading up to the Holiday I had nightmares about undercooking it and giving my entire family food poisoning.
So this year I’m thinking about doing an entirely vegetarian holiday. Most of my friends are vegetarian, but not all of them. What do you think? Is it the same without a Turkey? and do you have any good recipes to share?
My new Favorite things today:
This #MenCallMeThings hashtag, where feminists (and women everywhere!) highlight the atrocious/violent/threatening/scary things men have called them, is simultaneously making me sick and breaking my heart.
To cheer up, I’ve been looking at Occupy Lego Land (h/t Animal)
I’m also excited that you can now donate not just pizza, but street vendor food to OWS.
A new museum of the Brooklyn Navy Yards is opening this Friday, which I am dying to go to. I always bike by and imagine what’s going on and what has gone on behind those huge walls. NOW I CAN KNOW!
I cheered on three rockstar friends during the marathon this weekend, but OMG, the track marathon runners app totally didn’t work for me either. Did it work for you?
Apropos of nothing, I want this deep-fry thermometer.
Introducing CaitlinReader!
This week we lost our beloved GoogleReader. For many of us, our lives will never be the same.
That is why I have created CaitlinReader: a way for us to share the stories, videos, pictures and GIFs that really matter.
Here are the shares from this episode of CaitlinReader:
How to Make The Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Thanks so much for tuning in. Please send all your great shares to Caitlin.Abber@Gmail.com and maybe I’ll feature them on CaitlinReader.
Until next time, welcome back!
Miss U Google Reader.
Caitlin, enable comments on your blog!
The Livestream Ended: How I Got Off My Computer And Onto The Street At Occupy Oakland | The Awl
This is so beautiful.
PRANK IDEA #2
next time you see your sister and her brand new baby (or any friend who just had a brand new baby) and they have to run into the other room for something, offer to hold the baby. Be really nervous, but excited about it. Then, when they are safely in the other room and out of sight, take a large dictionary, book, or other heavy object, drop it on the floor, and really loudly scream “OH SHIT!”
PRANK IDEA #1:
You know that friend you have? They’re not a good friend or anything but they’re a pretty good acquaintance and you like them more or less except they have a bad habit of getting WAY too drunk at parties and blacking out? Or maybe you don’t like them at all and think they’re really annoying. Either way works.
Anyways, next time you see them act totally normally but then when you get home send them (the earlier morning the email the better — 3 or 4 am being ideal) an email along the lines of:
“I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate you opening up to me like that. No, nothing like that has ever happened to me exactly, but like i told you tonight, I do understand the feeling, and even though it took me a few years to get over I think you can come through this ok. I promise your secret is safe with me. Thank you for trusting me with this confidence.”
Then, except for occasionally flashing them a knowing smile, never mention it again.