Monthly Mashup for June, 2018 Pencils and LM/DC

Me -  My topic for this month is pencils. I have used a lot of pencils in my time. I don't really like pencils. Pencils are always breaking. Lead pencils break so the lead runs out really quickly. Regular pencils are also always breaking too. It is so hard to sharpen them. First of all, my hand will start hurting because it takes so long. Second of all, you can never get a good pencil tip because either it breaks in the sharpener or it will break once you start writing. It is very hard to get the perfect tip. I, for one, only like using pencils that have the perfect tip. It needs to be sharp but not too sharp. It is very hard to maintain the perfect pencil tip. The problem with really sharp pencils tips is that there have been countless amount of times when I have been writing with a pencil or even just holding one that I have accidentally stabbed myself (although I have never gotten a serious pencil related injury).

The erasers on pencils are annoying too. They never stay on. They always break off. Lead pencil erasers are better though. They don't break off like wood pencils erasers do.  I actually love erasers but not that kind that come on pencils. I like the decorative kind. I have a collection of them, but I don't actually use them to erase.

I only use pencils for things that I know I might have to erase. I hate  it when you use a pen and you have to scribble out and write over thing so when I think I might have to change things I am writing I use a pencil.

What is the deal with colored pencils? Is is a crayon? Is it a pencil? I don't get it. Is it like if a crayon and a pencil had a baby? Don't even get me started on erasable colored pencils. Like seriously, what is with those? Although, I do actually like to use colored pencils because they are small and simple. and it's easy to stay in the lines with them. I do prefer the erasable kind because it is easy to get rid of a mistake if I make one.

All in all even though pencils are a pain, once in a while people should stop to think of the glory that is pencils. Even though pencils are annoying and confusing sometimes, this world would be a much harder place if it were not for the hard work pencils endure each and every day to make sure that we have a save and happy writing experience.


We were given free tickets to the LM/DC concert for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Mom - My topic for this month is LM/DC. LM/DC is Lea Michele and Darren Criss. The former Glee co-stars are currently in the midst of short concert tour which recently made a stop in Newark, NJ  at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). My older daughter and I were lucky enough to attend this concert. She was especially thrilled since Lea Michele is one of her favorite performers, and she had not expected to have the opportunity to attend the concert. It was a nice surprise for her.

We had never been to the venue before although it has been around for almost twenty years now.  It is a beautiful concert hall with great sound. It is also conveniently located within easy walking distance of the Newark train station.

The concert was a lot of fun. The two artists started off singing together. Then, they each did their own set. They finished up with a couple more numbers together. The songs were a good mix of different styles including rock and Broadway. They were also a good mix of more familiar songs and the artists own songs that only those who are huge fans of that particular artist would know. The show included a number of songs that they had previously sung on Glee including Don't Rain on My Parade (Lea Michele), Teenage Dream (Darren Criss) and Don't You Want Me (Both).  We really appreciate that  both performers embrace their Glee past and aren't trying to escape from it like some would.  Lea Michele does seem to be distancing herself from her Broadway past, however, whether by coincidence or by design, and we do hope that she returns to it some day. All in all , it was an enjoyable evening for all.

Photo credit for pencils picture: classroomcamera IMG_0038 via photopin (license)