#1 - WHAT IS THE ONE ALBUM (OR EP OR SONG) THAT YOU THINK SHOULD BE THE VERY NEXT MUSICAL THING THAT EVERYONE PRESSES PLAY ON THE NEXT TIME THEY FIND THEMSELVES THINKING “WHAT SHOULD I LISTEN TO NOW”?

Oh, man. I LOVE the new Kacey Musgraves album, “Golden Hour.”

I think it’s just perfect from beginning to end. It’s whimsical, clever, classic and beautiful. I admire her ability, as a songwriter, to hit the nail on the head. Rather, she always seems to be able to perfectly capture an emotion in both a simple and clever way. That’s such a gift. Not only that, but I’m a huge romantic at heart. I fall in love with everything, and this album makes you fall in love with the world and everything it has to offer the human experience.

#2 - WHAT IS THE ONE MOVIE OR TV SHOW THAT YOU THINK SHOULD BE NEXT IN EVERYBODY’S NETFLIX QUEUE (OK, DOESN’T HAVE TO BE NETFLIX, WE’RE ALL INTERNET ADULTS HERE AND KNOW HOW TO FIND ANYTHING ONLINE, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER)?

Oooo! This is so much easier than I thought it would be. I’m usually so bad at keeping up with new music and tv shows. I thought I’d be racking my brain forever. But dude, hands down: The Good Place. It’s so good (heh).

Gah, I’m a sucker for things that incorporate learning while disguising the learning with funny jokes and pretty colors (it’s called “hiding the broccoli” haha). For this reason, the revamp of Cosmos a couple years back was also great. Oh, and Drunk History, of course. And Adam Ruins Everything. Anyway. The jokes are funny, it’s littered with philosophical references, and it gets you thinking about what makes a good person, well, good. Also, Ted Danson. C’mon. What’s not to like?

#3. I (AND BY “I” I MEAN “THE PERSON THAT IS READING THIS”) AM GOING TO THE BOOK STORE (OK, PROBABLY AMAZON) TO FIND THE VERY NEXT BOOK THAT I WILL BE PUTTING SOME EXTREMELY VALUABLE ‘ME-TIME' ASIDE FOR. WHICH BOOK WOULD YOU GET, IF YOU WERE ME (AND, I SUPPOSE, YOU HADN’T ALREADY READ WHAT YOU’RE ABOUT TO SUGGEST)?

If I had one book to recommend to you it would be the The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff. It is one of the most delightful books I’ve ever read. Again, it combines ancient philosophy and wisdom with the far more readable Winnie the Pooh (there may be a running theme here). Essentially, Hoff takes a classic character from western literature (Pooh) and demonstrates how he embodies all of the characteristics of a Taoist.

Taoism, as a philosophy (if you will), maintains a sense of humor and playfulness that you can’t find in other eastern religions or philosophies. I use the word “delightful” when describing this book because it does an incredible job of reminding the reader that life can be just that: delightful. It can be silly and playful and fun - and not nearly as serious as we make it out to be all the time. I, personally, often need to be reminded of this.

#4 - WHAT IS THE ONE WEBSITE (OR JUST ANY OLD INTERNET THING: APP, GIF, SERVICE, WHATEVER) THAT YOU WOULD GET REALLY DOWN IN THE DUMPS ABOUT IF IT WERE TO SUDDENLY GO AWAY?

I would be so sad - SO SAD - if The School of Life videos on youtube were to suddenly disappear. Oof. That and Post Secret.

The School of Life was a school started in London to educate people on how to be people. Haha. They still host classes, but have since developed a book series and (my favorite) a video series. Life is incredibly confusing and weird, and I often find myself feeling alone in my feelings or stuck. Those videos have a gentle, but firm, way of teaching lessons about how to handle everyday - and life-long - problems, grievances and crises. They are truly enlightening and special.

#5 - AND FINALLY… PLEASE GIVE ONE COMPLETELY UNAIDED RECOMMENDATION THAT YOU THINK EVERYONE SHOULD START DOING / USING / WATCHING / EATING / THINKING / QUITING / ETC-ING TO MAKE THEIR LIVES A LITTLE BIT MORE BETTER AND/OR BEARABLE.

First of all, these were all such great questions. I forget how much the things we consume end up creating the thoughts we think, and thusly, the people we are. I had a hunch that I enjoyed things that combined humor, romance and philosophy, but now I really know it. Haha.

I swear, I have a point in saying all of this.

It’s easy to get swept up in “shoulds” and “to-do’s.” I, for one, am incredibly influenced by what other people think. Just doing what you want to do or figuring out what you want to do can be strangely difficult. But that’s what I recommend: figuring out what you want and then doing it.

My desire to constantly search for meaning and to listen to old jazz music is definitely not for everybody. And I’ve let a lot of people tell me that those things were lame or uninteresting. But you know what? I like ‘em and I’m going to keep doing ‘em, damn it. So, again, I know that this sounds trite and/or obvious but it’s my unaided recommendation: do what you want to do, not matter what that is (unless “that” is hurting people - we both know that’s not what I meant. Maybe try taking a watercolor class, eh?).

OK folks, there you have it. Things that The Little Miss thinks you should consider incorporating into your day/life. Before you log off and go do whatever it is you really want to do, make sure to follow The Little Miss on Facebook / Instagram / Twitter and then go give ‘American Dream’ some ear time over on Soundcloud or Spotify.