Soon after I typed my post on Purcellville I had a tinge of regret over the part about Patrick Henry College. That probably should have been a sign that I should have deleted that portion but I didn't because, well, I have strong feelings against close minded Christians which I unfairly lump in with conservative Christians.
I didn't grow up in a Christian household but I "found Jesus" around second grade. Ever since then, I've considered myself a Christian. However, the church I attended was more of a social gathering place then an actual place of worship. That is, they went through the motion but not so much the actual belief. I went through my Holden Caulfield phase and developed a hatred for the "phonies" around 4th grade and abandoned organized religion and went rogue.
It was just me, my Bible, nightly prayers, and conversations with God. I like to think my version of Christianity is a more "authentic", following the spirit of the law rather than the word. However, I can see how some might just interpret it as "lazy".
My religion is something that I don't really like to talk about. I don't tell non-Christians that I'm Christian because they just assume that I'm a close minded, hateful person who will try to shove the Bible down their throat. What was it that DC Talk said, the greatest threat to Christianity are Christians? I don't tell Christians that I'm Christian because they assume that I share their particular viewpoints, and oftentimes, I don't. According to my brother I shouldn't even call myself "Christian" because I don't think that believing in Jesus is neither a guarantee nor a prerequisite into Heaven. Who knows, maybe I'm not? I don't hesitate to defend my beliefs but my beliefs are rarely under attack. If some one's not attacking it directly, I'm not about to bring it up. Frankly, I really don't care what other people believe or what they think about my beliefs. I leave you alone, you leave me alone- and we're all happy.
Today, someone by the name of PHC Alumnus left a comment on my Purcellville comment and it just made me realize how extremely hypocritical I was in writing that post. What right do I have to say something negative about a school that I never attended? It's wrong. So, to PHC Alumnus, I apologize.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Greek Yogurt
Jamie first told me a bout Greek Yogurt, said it was better than ice cream. Better than ice cream? I am intrigued...
The first Greek yogurt I had was this overpriced ($3.95!) parfait from Starbucks. Meh. Better than regular yogurt but it's no ice cream. Recently, I was at Trader Joe and saw this being sold for something like $1.35
Trader Joe's Greek Style Honey Yogurt
I still wouldn't say it's as good as ice cream, but it is goooooooood and I did eat it as dessert. Hmm... I wonder if I can substitute this for sour cream in cake recipes. Oooh, that would taste really good.
The first Greek yogurt I had was this overpriced ($3.95!) parfait from Starbucks. Meh. Better than regular yogurt but it's no ice cream. Recently, I was at Trader Joe and saw this being sold for something like $1.35
Trader Joe's Greek Style Honey YogurtI still wouldn't say it's as good as ice cream, but it is goooooooood and I did eat it as dessert. Hmm... I wonder if I can substitute this for sour cream in cake recipes. Oooh, that would taste really good.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Purcellville
So, recently, I decided to go to Purcellville.
Pucellville is the premier ex-suburb of Loudoun County. It used to be the boonies, a quaint little town that never seemed to have gotten past the 60's. However, in the last decade, during the housing boom, Eastern Loudoun County became too expensive so they moved about 30-40 minutes west into Purcellville. Of course, God forbid, they live in one of those "tiny" little 40's and 50's house with their 2.5 bathroom (Share a bathroom? Are you insane?!) so all these generic suburban looking houses sprang up in the valleys and farm lands.
Purcellville, for the most part, is still a rural place. It's the kind of place where one would expect awesome thrifting. I mean, all those old houses with their attic full of grandma's stuff... you know? However, the Blue Ridge Hospice Shops is the worst thrift store I've been to, in terms of clothes, jewelry, purses, and shoes. It is, however, a great place to go for some books!
Their Book Nook is organized by genre and alphabetized by author! The prices are super cheap, something like 50 cents for paper and $1 for hardback. The selection ranges from new popular fiction to old popular fiction.
I got all this for $6!
While I was in the Book Nook I overheard a lady complain to her friend about the selection of books available. I swear this is what she said,
"Yeah, I mean, there's no books in here about vampires... (her friend says something)... Well, yeah, there are books about vampires but I need books about vampire magic. (Name of person) told me she saw a book about vampire magic and I need a book about vampire magic... (her friend says something)... I already know white magic, I need vampire magic. This place is so stupid, they don't have any of the books I need. Let's go to the library."
...
So many questions in my head... Vampire magic? What is that and why does she need it? And the library? Really? She's going to find a book about Vampire magic in the public library?! I kind of doubt it... Purcellville is decidedly Red.
I'm so glad I wasn't with Michael at the time because had he seen this:
it would have been non-stop blah blah blah. I mean, the boy is entitled to his opinion but he has no idea what he's talking about. Even when I agree with his point of view I still find it frustrating to deal with his ignorance. Republican or Democrat, I don't want to hear political commentaries from someone who just straight up votes down the party line.
Anyway... not saying you can't be a Republican and be into vampire magic, however, Purcellville is a pretty conservative town. It is, after all, the home of Patrick Henry College. When you get off the main road, this is the first thing you're greeted with:
Edit:
This is where I went on a pretty ignorant spiel about Patrick Henry College. The school still scares me a bit. Maybe it's due to legit reasons, or maybe it's just my ignorance, either way, I don't know enough about the school to say one way or the other. So, I deleted that part and resolved to just shut up about things I know little about... kind of like how Michael should shut up about politics. My goodness, this post was just full of all kinds of hypocrisy!
Pucellville is the premier ex-suburb of Loudoun County. It used to be the boonies, a quaint little town that never seemed to have gotten past the 60's. However, in the last decade, during the housing boom, Eastern Loudoun County became too expensive so they moved about 30-40 minutes west into Purcellville. Of course, God forbid, they live in one of those "tiny" little 40's and 50's house with their 2.5 bathroom (Share a bathroom? Are you insane?!) so all these generic suburban looking houses sprang up in the valleys and farm lands.
Purcellville, for the most part, is still a rural place. It's the kind of place where one would expect awesome thrifting. I mean, all those old houses with their attic full of grandma's stuff... you know? However, the Blue Ridge Hospice Shops is the worst thrift store I've been to, in terms of clothes, jewelry, purses, and shoes. It is, however, a great place to go for some books!
Their Book Nook is organized by genre and alphabetized by author! The prices are super cheap, something like 50 cents for paper and $1 for hardback. The selection ranges from new popular fiction to old popular fiction.
I got all this for $6!
While I was in the Book Nook I overheard a lady complain to her friend about the selection of books available. I swear this is what she said,
"Yeah, I mean, there's no books in here about vampires... (her friend says something)... Well, yeah, there are books about vampires but I need books about vampire magic. (Name of person) told me she saw a book about vampire magic and I need a book about vampire magic... (her friend says something)... I already know white magic, I need vampire magic. This place is so stupid, they don't have any of the books I need. Let's go to the library."
...
So many questions in my head... Vampire magic? What is that and why does she need it? And the library? Really? She's going to find a book about Vampire magic in the public library?! I kind of doubt it... Purcellville is decidedly Red.
I'm so glad I wasn't with Michael at the time because had he seen this:
it would have been non-stop blah blah blah. I mean, the boy is entitled to his opinion but he has no idea what he's talking about. Even when I agree with his point of view I still find it frustrating to deal with his ignorance. Republican or Democrat, I don't want to hear political commentaries from someone who just straight up votes down the party line.
Anyway... not saying you can't be a Republican and be into vampire magic, however, Purcellville is a pretty conservative town. It is, after all, the home of Patrick Henry College. When you get off the main road, this is the first thing you're greeted with:
Edit:
This is where I went on a pretty ignorant spiel about Patrick Henry College. The school still scares me a bit. Maybe it's due to legit reasons, or maybe it's just my ignorance, either way, I don't know enough about the school to say one way or the other. So, I deleted that part and resolved to just shut up about things I know little about... kind of like how Michael should shut up about politics. My goodness, this post was just full of all kinds of hypocrisy!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Lucketts Virginia
I love mountains, I think that I was a mountain hermit in my previous life.
The great thing about living in Eastern Loudoun county is that you get all the benefits of a busy suburb (sprawling shopping centers, millions of generic chain restaurants, large parking spaces to accommodate all the behemoth SUVs, etc.) but, 20-30 minutes away, you're in the heart of farm land surrounded by the gentle rolling mountains of the Shennandoah. In my childhood home, I could look out my bedroom window and see the mountains way in the distance. Now that I think about it, that was a pretty bad ass view.
Recently, I decided that I wanted to see some green, rolling mountains so I made my way to Lucketts Virginia. It's a tiny little town located on Rt. 15 which is a rural(ish) road that connects Virginia to Western Maryland. There's not much to the place other than a trailer park, 3 antique stores, and like a school or something.
The main attraction is the Lucketts Store. From the road, it looks like this beat up looking old, white house, but when you pull to the back:
It's all colorful and new looking.
The Lucketts Store seems to specialize in furniture and home accents.
If you like the slightly glamorized shabby-chic look, this place is for you.
I love the color and print of this chair!
Cat!
I almost bought this. $89 is a fair price for a big piece of art but too much to pay for an impulse buy.
This is one of my favorite rooms upstairs:
They seem to specialize in antique personal effects- books, binoculars, hats, aprons, etc.
My other favorite room is Wild Thymes, which specialize in vintage fashion. They have some really cute dresses, shoes, and bags but I didn't take any pictures because the owners were in there cataloging their merchandise. One of them complemented my shoes and showed me a pair she got at an estate sale. They were a pair of vintage, hand made, gray pumps, still in the original box! The shoes themselves weren't spectacular (just picture a light gray pump) but the shoes were custom made and the cobbler printed the client's name in gold foil inside one of the shoe!
To think, there was once a time when normal folks could get a pair of custom made shoes... wow.
There's another antique store in front of the Lucketts store but I've never been there. The third antique store I spotted while driving back home. On Rout 15, there is a barn that's pretty hard to miss since it's painted pink with black polka dots. I always wondered about that building. Well, I'm glad they finally got a sign out because I saw that they sold...
The store is called On a Whim. There was just one pick up truck outside and I wondered if it was even open but I saw the small "Open" sign and decided to go in.
They had sign posted on the door stating their no drinks, no photo policy so I didn't take any pictures inside. Honestly, there really wasn't anything to take pictures off. The place was kind of like shabby chic meats Lilian Vernon- kind of cute but also kind of cheesy. It just gave off this big, I don't know... sisterhood vibe. You know, sisterhood like Fried Green Tomatoes, Thelma and Louise, Beaches, etc. It seemed like the kind of place where a tightly laced, middle aged, suburban mom would come to add some "sass and class" to her place.
The view outside, however...
Can you imagine getting off work and seeing that every day before you drive home? Nice.
The great thing about living in Eastern Loudoun county is that you get all the benefits of a busy suburb (sprawling shopping centers, millions of generic chain restaurants, large parking spaces to accommodate all the behemoth SUVs, etc.) but, 20-30 minutes away, you're in the heart of farm land surrounded by the gentle rolling mountains of the Shennandoah. In my childhood home, I could look out my bedroom window and see the mountains way in the distance. Now that I think about it, that was a pretty bad ass view.
Recently, I decided that I wanted to see some green, rolling mountains so I made my way to Lucketts Virginia. It's a tiny little town located on Rt. 15 which is a rural(ish) road that connects Virginia to Western Maryland. There's not much to the place other than a trailer park, 3 antique stores, and like a school or something.
The main attraction is the Lucketts Store. From the road, it looks like this beat up looking old, white house, but when you pull to the back:
It's all colorful and new looking.
The Lucketts Store seems to specialize in furniture and home accents.
If you like the slightly glamorized shabby-chic look, this place is for you.
I love the color and print of this chair!
Cat!
I almost bought this. $89 is a fair price for a big piece of art but too much to pay for an impulse buy.
This is one of my favorite rooms upstairs:
They seem to specialize in antique personal effects- books, binoculars, hats, aprons, etc.
My other favorite room is Wild Thymes, which specialize in vintage fashion. They have some really cute dresses, shoes, and bags but I didn't take any pictures because the owners were in there cataloging their merchandise. One of them complemented my shoes and showed me a pair she got at an estate sale. They were a pair of vintage, hand made, gray pumps, still in the original box! The shoes themselves weren't spectacular (just picture a light gray pump) but the shoes were custom made and the cobbler printed the client's name in gold foil inside one of the shoe!
To think, there was once a time when normal folks could get a pair of custom made shoes... wow.
There's another antique store in front of the Lucketts store but I've never been there. The third antique store I spotted while driving back home. On Rout 15, there is a barn that's pretty hard to miss since it's painted pink with black polka dots. I always wondered about that building. Well, I'm glad they finally got a sign out because I saw that they sold...
The store is called On a Whim. There was just one pick up truck outside and I wondered if it was even open but I saw the small "Open" sign and decided to go in.
They had sign posted on the door stating their no drinks, no photo policy so I didn't take any pictures inside. Honestly, there really wasn't anything to take pictures off. The place was kind of like shabby chic meats Lilian Vernon- kind of cute but also kind of cheesy. It just gave off this big, I don't know... sisterhood vibe. You know, sisterhood like Fried Green Tomatoes, Thelma and Louise, Beaches, etc. It seemed like the kind of place where a tightly laced, middle aged, suburban mom would come to add some "sass and class" to her place.
The view outside, however...
Can you imagine getting off work and seeing that every day before you drive home? Nice.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Zucchini Saved My Summer
Gosh darn it, I hate summer- the heat, the humidity, the blazing sun, the lack of opportunity to wear cardigans... Since I've been out of school, not even my birthday can make me enjoy this season. Summer's only saving grace?
Zucchini!
There are millions of way to enjoy this glorious vegetable. If you want to taste heaven... no really taste heaven, here's what you do. You take a hunk of steak, sprinkle salt and pepper, and sear it in a cast iron skillet. After the steak is done, you should have this greasy, salty, pepper steak residue left on the pan. Quarter a zucchini, sear it in the steak dripping, and... bliss!
Awesome, yes, but not something you can enjoy on a daily basis, I mean, how often are you going to sear up some steak, right? My favorite way? Fry 'em!
Recently, I decided to try something new (to me), fritters. There are lots of recipes out there, some call for parmigiano cheese. As much as I love my parm (and I love parmigiano) I didn't want anything competing the awesomeness that is zucchini. I did find an easy recipe and the result?
Good, yes, but too much dough and too loose. I guess I shouldn't have skipped that step about squeezing out all the liquids...
A couple of days later, I was on line while thinking, "Hmmm... how should I enjoy my zucchinis today?" Then, I saw that Little House in the Suburbs posted a recipe for Zucchini fritters. It was like God was saying, "Hey, give the fritters a chance, you're in for a treat."
And indeed, I was.
This time, I squeezed out the zucchini juice (hmmm... wonder if that's any good...) and used wheat flour, per recipe. Well, I didn't really use wheat flour. Wheat flour goes rancid after like 6 months so it's not exactly a pantry staple for me. I don't think I use an entire bag of all purpose flour in 6 months. Instead, I used this:
"Korean pancake" mix, which is made of wheat flour, plus salt, pepper (which were also in the recipe so it saved me a step...) and like garlic powder or something. It's a great pantry staple. You can take whatever left over ingredients you have in your fridge and make some mighty tasty "Korean pancake" with this mix.
Off Topic: I take offense to the fact that buchimgeh and okonomiyaki are called Korean pancakes and Japanese pancakes. Just because they're flat and round (and cooked in a skillet) doesn't make it "pancake". No one calls pizza "Italian pancake". We don't call perogies "Hungarian gyozas". Yes, I know, it sound odd, but you know, once upon a time, I'm sure "taquitos" sounded funny at first.
Back On Topic: Instead of measuring the flour, I just slowly sprinkled the flour while stirring, just enough to bind the zucchini and onions together. That's right, I said onions! This recipe took two of the greatest vegetables and combined them! BRILLIANT!!!
Oh my goodness, you should've smelled it cooking. Swoon~
The fritters were good, yes, very good. However, as much as I enjoyed them, my all time favorite way to enjoy a zucchini is straight up battered and fried. It's easy, quick, simple, and just how mom used to make when I was a kid.
It only requires 3 ingredients: zucchini, "Korean pancake" mix, and water.
All this zucchini frying was done using my cast iron skillet.
I first heard of cast iron skillet in Hannibal (the book). In like the second chapter Dr. Lecter talks of how all self respecting Southern women have a well seasoned skillet. I was intrigued... Several years later, I became an Alton Brown fan and he convinced me that a cast iron skillet is a cook's BFF.
We had a rough start at first, it was hard for me to break the habit of, you know, washing things with soap and water. I was feared that a perfectly seasoned skillet would be out of my reach... but now:
Ooooh... isn't it gorgeous?
My skillet and I, we're going to be BFFs forever. When I'm all old and too weak to lift the pan (it is heavy) we'll just sit by the fire and talk about all the great dishes we cooked together. I'm thinking of having a kid just so I can pass it down and make sure it doesn't get sold in a garage sale for a buck.
Zucchini!
There are millions of way to enjoy this glorious vegetable. If you want to taste heaven... no really taste heaven, here's what you do. You take a hunk of steak, sprinkle salt and pepper, and sear it in a cast iron skillet. After the steak is done, you should have this greasy, salty, pepper steak residue left on the pan. Quarter a zucchini, sear it in the steak dripping, and... bliss!
Awesome, yes, but not something you can enjoy on a daily basis, I mean, how often are you going to sear up some steak, right? My favorite way? Fry 'em!
Recently, I decided to try something new (to me), fritters. There are lots of recipes out there, some call for parmigiano cheese. As much as I love my parm (and I love parmigiano) I didn't want anything competing the awesomeness that is zucchini. I did find an easy recipe and the result?
Good, yes, but too much dough and too loose. I guess I shouldn't have skipped that step about squeezing out all the liquids...
A couple of days later, I was on line while thinking, "Hmmm... how should I enjoy my zucchinis today?" Then, I saw that Little House in the Suburbs posted a recipe for Zucchini fritters. It was like God was saying, "Hey, give the fritters a chance, you're in for a treat."
And indeed, I was.
This time, I squeezed out the zucchini juice (hmmm... wonder if that's any good...) and used wheat flour, per recipe. Well, I didn't really use wheat flour. Wheat flour goes rancid after like 6 months so it's not exactly a pantry staple for me. I don't think I use an entire bag of all purpose flour in 6 months. Instead, I used this:
"Korean pancake" mix, which is made of wheat flour, plus salt, pepper (which were also in the recipe so it saved me a step...) and like garlic powder or something. It's a great pantry staple. You can take whatever left over ingredients you have in your fridge and make some mighty tasty "Korean pancake" with this mix.Off Topic: I take offense to the fact that buchimgeh and okonomiyaki are called Korean pancakes and Japanese pancakes. Just because they're flat and round (and cooked in a skillet) doesn't make it "pancake". No one calls pizza "Italian pancake". We don't call perogies "Hungarian gyozas". Yes, I know, it sound odd, but you know, once upon a time, I'm sure "taquitos" sounded funny at first.
Back On Topic: Instead of measuring the flour, I just slowly sprinkled the flour while stirring, just enough to bind the zucchini and onions together. That's right, I said onions! This recipe took two of the greatest vegetables and combined them! BRILLIANT!!!
Oh my goodness, you should've smelled it cooking. Swoon~
The fritters were good, yes, very good. However, as much as I enjoyed them, my all time favorite way to enjoy a zucchini is straight up battered and fried. It's easy, quick, simple, and just how mom used to make when I was a kid.
It only requires 3 ingredients: zucchini, "Korean pancake" mix, and water.
All this zucchini frying was done using my cast iron skillet.
I first heard of cast iron skillet in Hannibal (the book). In like the second chapter Dr. Lecter talks of how all self respecting Southern women have a well seasoned skillet. I was intrigued... Several years later, I became an Alton Brown fan and he convinced me that a cast iron skillet is a cook's BFF.
We had a rough start at first, it was hard for me to break the habit of, you know, washing things with soap and water. I was feared that a perfectly seasoned skillet would be out of my reach... but now:
Ooooh... isn't it gorgeous?
My skillet and I, we're going to be BFFs forever. When I'm all old and too weak to lift the pan (it is heavy) we'll just sit by the fire and talk about all the great dishes we cooked together. I'm thinking of having a kid just so I can pass it down and make sure it doesn't get sold in a garage sale for a buck.
Purchase of the Month: June
Oh, July is almost over and I forgot to appoint a Purchase of the Month!
Hmmm... hard to pick with all the great things I bought in Richmond/Harrisonburg but... I'm going to have to go with my vintage dress (the one I wore to the wedding)! I'm still not 100% sold on the sleeves...
Update:
Last year's POM for June was Picaresque by The Decemberists. Still a good CD though, the follow up Hazards of Love, was a bit of a disappointment.
Needing someone is like needing a parachute. If he isn't there the first time you need him, chances are you won't be needing him again.
-Anon.
Hmmm... hard to pick with all the great things I bought in Richmond/Harrisonburg but... I'm going to have to go with my vintage dress (the one I wore to the wedding)! I'm still not 100% sold on the sleeves...
Update:
Last year's POM for June was Picaresque by The Decemberists. Still a good CD though, the follow up Hazards of Love, was a bit of a disappointment.
Needing someone is like needing a parachute. If he isn't there the first time you need him, chances are you won't be needing him again.
-Anon.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Harness
Since last year I've been seeing a lot of people (on-line) wearing a harness. There was something about the look that I liked, but not enough to actually wear one myself. Recently I saw someone (on-line) wearing a harness that looked more like a jewelry than S&M wear and I got an idea.
There's a certain kind of confidence you get from wearing something so different that people stare, but not so different that they're like, "WTF is she wearing?" It's a fine line.
There's a certain kind of confidence you get from wearing something so different that people stare, but not so different that they're like, "WTF is she wearing?" It's a fine line.
Ace of Base
Do you remember your first CD? I do!
Let me take you back to New Years day, mid 90's. I was flushed with the cash I earned kowtowing to the grown ups and I knew exactly what I wanted- a CD player! My parents drove me to Circuit City and I bought my first (and, now that I think about it, only) CD player- a cute little, black, Sony ghetto blaster. Okay, it was retro awesome enough to a true ghetto blaster but you couldn't exactly call it a stereo either.
It was $120, which, coincidentally enough, was pretty much what I had. My parents took pity on me and gave me money to buy a CD. What good is a CD player without a CD? They wouldn't ruin this glorious day for me by forcing me to go home with a CD player without a CD to play in said player. Oh, I knew exactly what CD I was going to get. The singles off this album was on heavy rotation on the top 40 stations, it was played at all the school dances, and we played it during all sleep overs. Christy owned the album (on cassette) and boy, was I ever envious. The album?
The Sign by Ace of Base!
It was my favorite CD for way too long.
I haven't listened to it in years, possibly in over a decade... until today! So, did it stand the test of time? Um... no.
You know what's lame, like really, really lame? Fade outs. To me, that's just the artist being lazy. It's like they don't even care enough to give it a proper ending so they just decided to gradually turn the volume down. Now, it's one thing if the artist made the artistic choice to fade out into the next track and pick it back up, you know? However, I find that most times it's just the artist being lazy. The Sign has eight songs that end in fade outs, eight out of 12! Lame.
Now, The Sign will forever hold a special place in my heart so I can't be totally objective and say it sucks. However, if I were to hear it for the first time now, yeah, I would say it's bad. According to their wiki page, they just slapped together an album to capitalize on a single that went viral. You can tell it was a rushed job. The lyrics are... dumb, and the whole album sounds like some amateur did it on his $200 keyboard. Insult to injury, one of the chicks can't really sing. Her voice cracks in some of the high notes, did they not have autotuning back then?
It's not all bad. If you like early 90's dance music (I do!) check out Waiting for Magic (Total Remix 7") and Voulez Vous Danser. Not the best representation of the genre, but it's enjoyable.
If you miss the 90's (I do!) then you should check out:
Someone needs to bring back the midriff baring top + high waisted pants look.
Flames! Ankhs! Ballet jumping silhouettes! Twirling and spinning! A couple making out! LOTS of gratuitous hand gestures! I don't get it at all... It's all a bit over my head.
Remember how popular the Edwardian look was? Velvet vests, granny lace up boots, lacy pirate shirts, chokers, empire waist dresses?
If I remember correctly, Cruel Summer (off their next album, which I don't own) is a lot better with higher production value. Speaking of production value... the line
Let me take you back to New Years day, mid 90's. I was flushed with the cash I earned kowtowing to the grown ups and I knew exactly what I wanted- a CD player! My parents drove me to Circuit City and I bought my first (and, now that I think about it, only) CD player- a cute little, black, Sony ghetto blaster. Okay, it was retro awesome enough to a true ghetto blaster but you couldn't exactly call it a stereo either.
It was $120, which, coincidentally enough, was pretty much what I had. My parents took pity on me and gave me money to buy a CD. What good is a CD player without a CD? They wouldn't ruin this glorious day for me by forcing me to go home with a CD player without a CD to play in said player. Oh, I knew exactly what CD I was going to get. The singles off this album was on heavy rotation on the top 40 stations, it was played at all the school dances, and we played it during all sleep overs. Christy owned the album (on cassette) and boy, was I ever envious. The album?
The Sign by Ace of Base!It was my favorite CD for way too long.
I haven't listened to it in years, possibly in over a decade... until today! So, did it stand the test of time? Um... no.
You know what's lame, like really, really lame? Fade outs. To me, that's just the artist being lazy. It's like they don't even care enough to give it a proper ending so they just decided to gradually turn the volume down. Now, it's one thing if the artist made the artistic choice to fade out into the next track and pick it back up, you know? However, I find that most times it's just the artist being lazy. The Sign has eight songs that end in fade outs, eight out of 12! Lame.
Now, The Sign will forever hold a special place in my heart so I can't be totally objective and say it sucks. However, if I were to hear it for the first time now, yeah, I would say it's bad. According to their wiki page, they just slapped together an album to capitalize on a single that went viral. You can tell it was a rushed job. The lyrics are... dumb, and the whole album sounds like some amateur did it on his $200 keyboard. Insult to injury, one of the chicks can't really sing. Her voice cracks in some of the high notes, did they not have autotuning back then?
It's not all bad. If you like early 90's dance music (I do!) check out Waiting for Magic (Total Remix 7") and Voulez Vous Danser. Not the best representation of the genre, but it's enjoyable.
If you miss the 90's (I do!) then you should check out:
Someone needs to bring back the midriff baring top + high waisted pants look.
Flames! Ankhs! Ballet jumping silhouettes! Twirling and spinning! A couple making out! LOTS of gratuitous hand gestures! I don't get it at all... It's all a bit over my head.
Remember how popular the Edwardian look was? Velvet vests, granny lace up boots, lacy pirate shirts, chokers, empire waist dresses?
If I remember correctly, Cruel Summer (off their next album, which I don't own) is a lot better with higher production value. Speaking of production value... the line
Friday, July 24, 2009
It Doesn't Take Much
This is what we had the day we bought the brie.
It is some kind of awesome, let me tell you. All that food for just $8! Eight dollars for a meal may (or may not) seem like a lot to spend on one person, especially for food from a grocery store, but:
1) Wegmans' prepared foods are just as good, if not better, than a lot of franchise restaurants (and you don't have to tip anyone!).
2) Their portions are so huge that it can easily be split into two meals.
Wegmans has this nice, big, cushy loft space where diners can enjoy their meals. We love to eat up there, look down on the shoppers, and people watch (make catty comments). Being the simple people that we are, we are forever fascinated by the shoppers who buy food off the Fresh Food buffet place.
The Fresh Food buffet thing charges $7.99 per lb and they offer up the same things you can get at the prepared area for way less. Before paying, we weighed our $7.99 kabob meal and it was 1.5 lbs. If we were to have gotten the same thing at the Fresh Food buffet, it would've cost us $12! For the exact same thing!
The biggest rip off are the rotisserie chickens. At the prepared food area you can get chicken and two sides for $5.99. If you were to get the same thing off the Fresh Food buffet, it will probably cost you around $12-$15! It's so blatant that it's a rip off, 15 feet away there is a big sign that says, "Rotisserie chicken meal for $5.99"! It's so obvious, it makes me wonder... are there really obvious money saving ways that I'm just not seeing (in other areas of my life, not with chicken)? I assume that these people are paying two-three times more for their meals because they're not aware that they can get it for significantly cheaper. Maybe there is someone looking down at me from the proverbial balcony thinking, watching me make poor financial decisions, and think, "Noooo! You can get it so much cheaper!! What is wrong with you!"
We always wondered if those chicken money wasting people would appreciate it if we were to just walk up to them and said, "You know, you can get the same thing a lot cheaper over there." Michael thinks they would hate us for making them feel stupid and continue to buy it by the pound out of pride. I think they would be all, "Sweet! Thanks for the heads up!" and get the prepared chicken meal. Hmmm...
Oh you should hear us when we see someone going for the chicken. We're like those two old dudes that sits at the balcony on the Muppet Show.
Dinner and entertainment for $8 ($4 if we split), what a bargain!
It is some kind of awesome, let me tell you. All that food for just $8! Eight dollars for a meal may (or may not) seem like a lot to spend on one person, especially for food from a grocery store, but:
1) Wegmans' prepared foods are just as good, if not better, than a lot of franchise restaurants (and you don't have to tip anyone!).
2) Their portions are so huge that it can easily be split into two meals.
Wegmans has this nice, big, cushy loft space where diners can enjoy their meals. We love to eat up there, look down on the shoppers, and people watch (make catty comments). Being the simple people that we are, we are forever fascinated by the shoppers who buy food off the Fresh Food buffet place.
The Fresh Food buffet thing charges $7.99 per lb and they offer up the same things you can get at the prepared area for way less. Before paying, we weighed our $7.99 kabob meal and it was 1.5 lbs. If we were to have gotten the same thing at the Fresh Food buffet, it would've cost us $12! For the exact same thing!
The biggest rip off are the rotisserie chickens. At the prepared food area you can get chicken and two sides for $5.99. If you were to get the same thing off the Fresh Food buffet, it will probably cost you around $12-$15! It's so blatant that it's a rip off, 15 feet away there is a big sign that says, "Rotisserie chicken meal for $5.99"! It's so obvious, it makes me wonder... are there really obvious money saving ways that I'm just not seeing (in other areas of my life, not with chicken)? I assume that these people are paying two-three times more for their meals because they're not aware that they can get it for significantly cheaper. Maybe there is someone looking down at me from the proverbial balcony thinking, watching me make poor financial decisions, and think, "Noooo! You can get it so much cheaper!! What is wrong with you!"
We always wondered if those chicken money wasting people would appreciate it if we were to just walk up to them and said, "You know, you can get the same thing a lot cheaper over there." Michael thinks they would hate us for making them feel stupid and continue to buy it by the pound out of pride. I think they would be all, "Sweet! Thanks for the heads up!" and get the prepared chicken meal. Hmmm...
Oh you should hear us when we see someone going for the chicken. We're like those two old dudes that sits at the balcony on the Muppet Show.
Dinner and entertainment for $8 ($4 if we split), what a bargain!
Cheese Daze
Ever since Heidi's wedding, I've had brie on my mind. It started with the baked brie at her bridal shower (smothered in some awesome apricot preserve) and the cheese platter at her wedding.
Recently, we decided to grab dinner at Wegmans. Wegmans has a pretty good cheese department.
I know I like cheese... and that's about where my cheese knowledge ends. Well, I know a little bit more, but I'm not a cheese expert by any means. "Thankfully" I was with Michael who assured me that his dear mother, a passionate brie lover, imparted upon him all the brie knowledge anyone will ever need to know.
1) President (the brand) is what the devil feeds all the evil French men as punishment for being evil. American brie should be avoided at all cost. Stick with imported French.
2) Mild brie will make you stupid because only a buffoon would eat mild brie. Stick with "earthy".
3) Preserve the point of a brie at all cost. A wedge of brie should always be a triangle. Blunt that point and the cheese god will rain down a storm of hell fire and you will choke on pull apart "cheese" sticks for all eternity in hell.
I exaggerate, but, either Michael was talking out of his ass or his mom doesn't know what she's talking about. I have never heard any rule concerning brie points. I wish his brie loving mom would've taught him some useful brie knowledge, like how to tell if the brie is ripe and how one should eat brie at room temperature.
I did, however, follow his advice and buy the earthy French brie.
Oooooooh... It's like I went back in time and I was a French peasant woman taking a break from... um... wine making?... and sitting down for a lunch of brie and ciabatta bread under an olive tree in the Loire Valley. Except, of course, ciabatta's Italian, I don't know if olive trees grow in the French wine valley, I don't know if Loire valley's a wine producing area, and of course, it would kind of suck to be a peasant woman... But you get the idea. Oh, and while I'm day dreaming, let's say there are sheep. Baaaa!
Brie on some crusty, crusty bread would be awesome but it would grow hard and moldy before I had a chance to finish the loaf (I don't eat a lot of bread) so, instead, I bought some crackers.
Dare Grains First Whole Grain Crackers
Recently, we decided to grab dinner at Wegmans. Wegmans has a pretty good cheese department.
I know I like cheese... and that's about where my cheese knowledge ends. Well, I know a little bit more, but I'm not a cheese expert by any means. "Thankfully" I was with Michael who assured me that his dear mother, a passionate brie lover, imparted upon him all the brie knowledge anyone will ever need to know.
1) President (the brand) is what the devil feeds all the evil French men as punishment for being evil. American brie should be avoided at all cost. Stick with imported French.
2) Mild brie will make you stupid because only a buffoon would eat mild brie. Stick with "earthy".
3) Preserve the point of a brie at all cost. A wedge of brie should always be a triangle. Blunt that point and the cheese god will rain down a storm of hell fire and you will choke on pull apart "cheese" sticks for all eternity in hell.
I exaggerate, but, either Michael was talking out of his ass or his mom doesn't know what she's talking about. I have never heard any rule concerning brie points. I wish his brie loving mom would've taught him some useful brie knowledge, like how to tell if the brie is ripe and how one should eat brie at room temperature.
I did, however, follow his advice and buy the earthy French brie.
Oooooooh... It's like I went back in time and I was a French peasant woman taking a break from... um... wine making?... and sitting down for a lunch of brie and ciabatta bread under an olive tree in the Loire Valley. Except, of course, ciabatta's Italian, I don't know if olive trees grow in the French wine valley, I don't know if Loire valley's a wine producing area, and of course, it would kind of suck to be a peasant woman... But you get the idea. Oh, and while I'm day dreaming, let's say there are sheep. Baaaa!
Brie on some crusty, crusty bread would be awesome but it would grow hard and moldy before I had a chance to finish the loaf (I don't eat a lot of bread) so, instead, I bought some crackers.
Dare Grains First Whole Grain CrackersThese are some good, awesome crackers.
Want to see the other thing I bought at Wegmans that day?
10 mini cannoli! Aren't they cute!
I know you can't see it, that's 'cause they were all eaten before I could take a picture. Just picture cannoli, only smaller. You know how cupcakes are better than cakes? Yeah, it's kind of like that with mini cannoli.
...Once in your life before you die you aught to see a country where they don't talk and think in English and don't even want to.
-Thorton Wilder
Want to see the other thing I bought at Wegmans that day?
10 mini cannoli! Aren't they cute!
I know you can't see it, that's 'cause they were all eaten before I could take a picture. Just picture cannoli, only smaller. You know how cupcakes are better than cakes? Yeah, it's kind of like that with mini cannoli.
...Once in your life before you die you aught to see a country where they don't talk and think in English and don't even want to.
-Thorton Wilder
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Drunken Noodles: The End... For Now...
I saw Harry Potter last week. Do I recommend it? Hmmm.. that depends. Are you a fan of the series (book or movie)? If so, it's worth checking it out, if not, then skip it, you'll have no idea what's going on. It's a beautifully made movie but man, those kids can't act. I guess they were good back when they were like 11 or whatever but they made Bella and Edward seem like Oscar contenders.
Thankfully, I didn't pay for the movie. I had every intention of paying for it but Marissa was working the ticket station and just waved us through. Really? Thanks!
We were going to go cheap- matinee and split a pizza at Don's Fire Brick Pizza (formerly known as Don Corleone's- I guess Puzo's folks made them change the name). However, since we saved money on the tickets, we decided to splurge and eat out at our favorite Brambleton restaurant- My Thai.
Michael had the sweet and sour chicken.
I liked it a lot better than the thick, glazey sauce drenched, battered and fried "Chinese" version. However, the flavors weren't really melded or marinated with the chicken or the vegetables. At first it's "Yum!" then, like a second later, the flavor goes away and you find yourself just chewing on straight up chicken tasting chicken, not sweet and sour chicken.
I started off the meal with some Thai tea. It was very good, kind of had a subtle, almost caramel-ish taste to it.
Then, I had...
... the drunken noodles.
This, my dear drunken noodles, is where we say adieu.
When I started my quest, about 2 months ago, I was all set to scour the Northern Virginia area and go to as many Thai restaurants as I could to track down the best drunken noodles. I love drunken noodles, I would never tire of this dish! Well... I'm kind of tired of drunken noodles. I'm kind of tired of Thai foods in general. No offense, Thai folks, your food is great, it's fantastic! If I lived in Thailand, I'm sure I would love to eat Thai food every day because Thai food in Thailand is probably different, and much, much more varied, than the Thai foods offered here in the states.
Besides, I got violently ill after eating Thai mall food. And, yes yes, I know, it's unfair. I don't think you can really call the mango chicken I had "Thai". But, the connection is still there and now, when I think "Thai food" I think "passing out on the bathroom floor". I just need a break.
So, for now, I will crown My Thai as the winner of the Drunken Noodles Challenge!
Maybe in a few months I'll be ready to continue the search.
Thankfully, I didn't pay for the movie. I had every intention of paying for it but Marissa was working the ticket station and just waved us through. Really? Thanks!
We were going to go cheap- matinee and split a pizza at Don's Fire Brick Pizza (formerly known as Don Corleone's- I guess Puzo's folks made them change the name). However, since we saved money on the tickets, we decided to splurge and eat out at our favorite Brambleton restaurant- My Thai.
Michael had the sweet and sour chicken.
I liked it a lot better than the thick, glazey sauce drenched, battered and fried "Chinese" version. However, the flavors weren't really melded or marinated with the chicken or the vegetables. At first it's "Yum!" then, like a second later, the flavor goes away and you find yourself just chewing on straight up chicken tasting chicken, not sweet and sour chicken.
I started off the meal with some Thai tea. It was very good, kind of had a subtle, almost caramel-ish taste to it.
Then, I had...
... the drunken noodles.
This, my dear drunken noodles, is where we say adieu.
When I started my quest, about 2 months ago, I was all set to scour the Northern Virginia area and go to as many Thai restaurants as I could to track down the best drunken noodles. I love drunken noodles, I would never tire of this dish! Well... I'm kind of tired of drunken noodles. I'm kind of tired of Thai foods in general. No offense, Thai folks, your food is great, it's fantastic! If I lived in Thailand, I'm sure I would love to eat Thai food every day because Thai food in Thailand is probably different, and much, much more varied, than the Thai foods offered here in the states.
Besides, I got violently ill after eating Thai mall food. And, yes yes, I know, it's unfair. I don't think you can really call the mango chicken I had "Thai". But, the connection is still there and now, when I think "Thai food" I think "passing out on the bathroom floor". I just need a break.
So, for now, I will crown My Thai as the winner of the Drunken Noodles Challenge!
Maybe in a few months I'll be ready to continue the search.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Bitch!
This is my email to J.Crew. I started it off pretty formal and level headed but, by the end, got pretty snarky. I figured they're just going to respond with a generic, "We are very sorry for your experience, your satisfaction is very important to us..." BS so might as well have some fun and let them know how I really feel.
Hello,
This email is in regards to my experience at the J.Crew store in Montgomery Mall, Bethesda Maryland.
Today was the first time I visited this location and I was unfamiliar with the layout, especially since it looked different then the J.Crew's I was used to. I was mostly interested in cardigans but I've heard a lot of good buzz about your jewelry so I wanted to check those out as well. When I made my way to a little past the middle of the store I could see that the back of the store was kids (which I was not interested in) so I stopped and looked around to see if I missed anything (where were the jewelry?). At this point, I probably looked a bit lost.
Just then, an employee walked by me and, without even slowing down, said, "If you're looking for clearance, it's in the back."
Really? Not, "Hello, is there anything I can help you find?" or "Oh, just to let you know, we have some great deals in the back," but essentially a comment that says "Don't bother, you can't afford any of this, just go straight to the back and shop our clearance rack." She doesn't even deign to stop or slow down, I am apparently not worth her time.
I was offended at first but then decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe a lot of customers have been asking about clearance and she says this to everyone. No. To other customers, she was a fantastic sales associate. She actually stopped to talk to the other customers, greeted them, asked them if they needed assistance, made suggestions and pointed out other merchandise they might be interested in, etc.
I was flabbergasted, not because her action was so demeaning, but because, really, who does that? I thought the stereotype of a snooty sales girl was a tired cliché in movies and TV. I have never been treated like that before. I've received rude service, sure, but no one's ever implied that I was too poor to shop their non-clearance merchandise.
I'm curious as to what about me screamed "POOR!". I was dressed pretty casually but my skinny jeans and a layering tank under a plain tee wasn't too out of line with what the other customers were wearing. I was clean and neatly groomed. I would blame it on one bad associate giving the store, and the brand, a bad name but no one else even acknowledged my existence so I assume it's just the brand culture.
Whatever, it doesn't really matter. There aren't that many J.Crew's around me so I don't shop your brand very often. I only go into your store a few times a year so it’s not like you're losing a valuable customer. Besides, I prefer Banana Republic because I’m more familiar with the brand (and they never treat me like a destitute that wandered into the wrong store). Oh, and don't worry, I am so turned off by my experience you won't have to worry about me coming into your stores again and diminishing your brand value. Congratulations on becoming the Abercrombie of grown up fashion!
Sincerely,
(My Name)
Sunday, July 19, 2009
One In One Out?
This article on Mastering the Art of the French Five-Piece Wardrobe has been saved in my bookmark for awhile. The idea intrigued me when I first read it, intrigued me enough to think about giving it a shot. I know my style is way too... scattered... for this method. If I were to edit down my wardrobe to the few pieces I love, I would be left with tops and bottoms that have nothing to do with each other. Okay, maybe that's not true, skinny jeans goes with most stuff, as do black cardigans.
I have noticed that closet purging just gets easier and easier. Sometimes, it's even fun, and that cathartic feeling is really nice. I used to feel pretty pleased as punch about having 2.5 closets overflowing with clothes but now I'm proud that I can fit all my clothes into one and I've worn everything I own at least twice in one year.
Sigh~ But there are so many pretty, gorgeous, awesome things in the world, and, sometimes, they're on sale for a really good price...
I still think there's something very magical, captivating, envious, and inspiring about a nice, well stocked walk in closet. I am still in awe anytime I see Jamie's closet.
Being the retail tool that I am, the idea of having like a mini boutique in my bedroom is thrilling. Folding, stacking, colorizing, organizing... OMG! I can do a POG move right in my room!!! But, you know, that awe-inspired, slightly jealous feeling I get anytime I see some one's walk in closet is the same feeling I had, years ago, when I saw my cousin's armoire.
After high school my parents sent me to Korea for a month to spend time with my dad's side of the family. My dad grew up on a humble dairy farm and a good chunk of our trip was spent in the Korean hillside. A lot of Korean houses don't have closets, they have armoires. My cousin briefly opened her's to take something out and, when I saw the inside, it was the same as seeing some one's walk in closet- awe inspiring envy. She had nice stuff- the kind of nice where labels are irrelevant because you can just tell by looking it didn't come from some fast fashion warehouse. Her entire wardrobe was probably 1/4th what mine was (at the time) but I would have gladly traded my bursting closet of meh for her small armoire of bad ass.
Ideally, I would like a walk in closet full of awesome clothes and accessories... or would I? Half of me is a hoarder, the other half of me is purger. Binge and purge, binge and purge, I have bulimia when it goes to materialism. Maybe one day I'll get it all sorted out and arrive at a happy medium.
I have, however, decided that I'm done with cheap clothes (for the most part). I'm so tired of having to replace things after a season. Do you know how hard it was for me to find the perfect, gray, boyfriend cardigan? Too bad it was a $15 one from Target that started to disintegrate after a season- though, to be fair, I did wear the hell out of it. I'll splurge and spend the extra $ to save myself the aggravation of having to hunt down the same basics every year.
To celebrate my new commitment to quality I went and shopped the Ann Taylor Loft clearance sale today. $52 for two items on clearance! $52!!! For two items!!! For that much money I'm used to walking out of the store with a bulging bag of stuff! Geez! One was a gift for my mom. For myself, I got a green-blue-ish cardigan. I don't know how much use I'll get out of the it but it's a cardigan in a color I don't currently own.
I plan on buying a lot of cardigans this year. Hmm... I think I better start purging my closets to make room.
I have noticed that closet purging just gets easier and easier. Sometimes, it's even fun, and that cathartic feeling is really nice. I used to feel pretty pleased as punch about having 2.5 closets overflowing with clothes but now I'm proud that I can fit all my clothes into one and I've worn everything I own at least twice in one year.
Sigh~ But there are so many pretty, gorgeous, awesome things in the world, and, sometimes, they're on sale for a really good price...
I still think there's something very magical, captivating, envious, and inspiring about a nice, well stocked walk in closet. I am still in awe anytime I see Jamie's closet.
Being the retail tool that I am, the idea of having like a mini boutique in my bedroom is thrilling. Folding, stacking, colorizing, organizing... OMG! I can do a POG move right in my room!!! But, you know, that awe-inspired, slightly jealous feeling I get anytime I see some one's walk in closet is the same feeling I had, years ago, when I saw my cousin's armoire.
After high school my parents sent me to Korea for a month to spend time with my dad's side of the family. My dad grew up on a humble dairy farm and a good chunk of our trip was spent in the Korean hillside. A lot of Korean houses don't have closets, they have armoires. My cousin briefly opened her's to take something out and, when I saw the inside, it was the same as seeing some one's walk in closet- awe inspiring envy. She had nice stuff- the kind of nice where labels are irrelevant because you can just tell by looking it didn't come from some fast fashion warehouse. Her entire wardrobe was probably 1/4th what mine was (at the time) but I would have gladly traded my bursting closet of meh for her small armoire of bad ass.
Ideally, I would like a walk in closet full of awesome clothes and accessories... or would I? Half of me is a hoarder, the other half of me is purger. Binge and purge, binge and purge, I have bulimia when it goes to materialism. Maybe one day I'll get it all sorted out and arrive at a happy medium.
I have, however, decided that I'm done with cheap clothes (for the most part). I'm so tired of having to replace things after a season. Do you know how hard it was for me to find the perfect, gray, boyfriend cardigan? Too bad it was a $15 one from Target that started to disintegrate after a season- though, to be fair, I did wear the hell out of it. I'll splurge and spend the extra $ to save myself the aggravation of having to hunt down the same basics every year.
To celebrate my new commitment to quality I went and shopped the Ann Taylor Loft clearance sale today. $52 for two items on clearance! $52!!! For two items!!! For that much money I'm used to walking out of the store with a bulging bag of stuff! Geez! One was a gift for my mom. For myself, I got a green-blue-ish cardigan. I don't know how much use I'll get out of the it but it's a cardigan in a color I don't currently own.
I plan on buying a lot of cardigans this year. Hmm... I think I better start purging my closets to make room.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Geocaching
Michael's really into geocaching right now. Suburban geocaching involves downloading an app onto your GPS enable phone. You then use hints and your phone-as a compass/GPS unit to locate a caches that's anything from a log (list of people who have found the cache) to small gifts (Pokemon trading cards).
That's Michael reaching for a cache that was attached to a tree limb and a fake spider.
This hobby is way more popular than I thought. Pretty much every shopping center parking lot we pull into has a cache hidden somewhere close by. It's our happy compromise- he'll accompany me to things he hate (like antique malls) as long as I spend some time in the parking lot, or a nearby wooded area, helping him find a cache.
In theory, it sounds like something I would enjoy, what with my childhood desire of growing up to be a super spy. Doesn't it sound cool? Getting an "assignment" on my phone, acting all nonchalant and stealthy while checking cracks, pipes, branches, bushes, signs, ledges, etc for a hidden message? In real life it's not, I don't want to touch dirty things, and muggles look at you funny.
And yes, the geocaching community refers to non-geocachers as "muggles". You know, the ones that look at you suspiciously while they and wonder to themselves, "What the hell are those people doing? Are they casing the place? Looking for a place to plant a bomb? Should I call the cops? No... what if it's nothing... I'll just stare real hard at them so I can remember what they look like. That way, if Target does get robbed or blown up, I can give an accurate description to the cops."
That's Michael reaching for a cache that was attached to a tree limb and a fake spider.
This hobby is way more popular than I thought. Pretty much every shopping center parking lot we pull into has a cache hidden somewhere close by. It's our happy compromise- he'll accompany me to things he hate (like antique malls) as long as I spend some time in the parking lot, or a nearby wooded area, helping him find a cache.
In theory, it sounds like something I would enjoy, what with my childhood desire of growing up to be a super spy. Doesn't it sound cool? Getting an "assignment" on my phone, acting all nonchalant and stealthy while checking cracks, pipes, branches, bushes, signs, ledges, etc for a hidden message? In real life it's not, I don't want to touch dirty things, and muggles look at you funny.
And yes, the geocaching community refers to non-geocachers as "muggles". You know, the ones that look at you suspiciously while they and wonder to themselves, "What the hell are those people doing? Are they casing the place? Looking for a place to plant a bomb? Should I call the cops? No... what if it's nothing... I'll just stare real hard at them so I can remember what they look like. That way, if Target does get robbed or blown up, I can give an accurate description to the cops."
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Blergh
Not only did I get rear ended yesterday, but I also got sick- very sick.
Thankfully, it didn't really start to hit me until I was close to home but it hit me pretty fast and I was thisclose to just pulling off to the side, a block or two from home, and just dying. Not literally dying, of course, but, you know. I started to feel nauseous, started to cold sweat, and I could feel myself feeling faint. I did make it home but I sat in car for about 5 minutes because I didn't think I had enough energy to actually make it inside. I would've been fine with passing out inside my car but then I thought, "I really don't want my car smelling like barf." So, inside it is. Augh.
I promptly went to the bathroom (I'll spare you the details) and started to feel really faint. I thought it best to, you know, move myself away from the toilet to avoid conking my head, so I just laid there on the bathroom floor. While I was down there I thought, "Wow, this is really gross, I can't believe I'm lying down on the bathroom floor. But you know, this feels really comfortable. This is nice. I'm going to stay down here. I'm going to stay here aaaaaaalll night."
I didn't, by the way. I don't know how long I was down there, I might have passed out, I can't recall, but I did manage to pick myself up and make it to bed.
I'm feeling much better, thank you for asking. Slightly queasy, still, but better.
I don't know if it was gross food court food, or the fact that the store I'm helping out in has no soap in their bathroom (meaning no one washes their hand after using the bathroom!), either way, it seems like every time I go there I get sick. I'm still recovering from the sore throat I got last week!
I wonder if I can get workman's comp...
Thankfully, it didn't really start to hit me until I was close to home but it hit me pretty fast and I was thisclose to just pulling off to the side, a block or two from home, and just dying. Not literally dying, of course, but, you know. I started to feel nauseous, started to cold sweat, and I could feel myself feeling faint. I did make it home but I sat in car for about 5 minutes because I didn't think I had enough energy to actually make it inside. I would've been fine with passing out inside my car but then I thought, "I really don't want my car smelling like barf." So, inside it is. Augh.
I promptly went to the bathroom (I'll spare you the details) and started to feel really faint. I thought it best to, you know, move myself away from the toilet to avoid conking my head, so I just laid there on the bathroom floor. While I was down there I thought, "Wow, this is really gross, I can't believe I'm lying down on the bathroom floor. But you know, this feels really comfortable. This is nice. I'm going to stay down here. I'm going to stay here aaaaaaalll night."
I didn't, by the way. I don't know how long I was down there, I might have passed out, I can't recall, but I did manage to pick myself up and make it to bed.
I'm feeling much better, thank you for asking. Slightly queasy, still, but better.
I don't know if it was gross food court food, or the fact that the store I'm helping out in has no soap in their bathroom (meaning no one washes their hand after using the bathroom!), either way, it seems like every time I go there I get sick. I'm still recovering from the sore throat I got last week!
I wonder if I can get workman's comp...
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
I Wuves You Coffee!
I usually get my ground coffee for free from Michael. One day, I ran out of coffee. Before I could get some more, we had a horrible fight (well, it was more like me yelling mean things at him) and I decided it would be best if we went our separate ways (for that day). Later I realized I never got my coffee.
Michael's a kind, forgiving soul. Even after all my verbal abuse, he still would've gotten me some coffee. However, I have my pride. I don't need him. Screw him! I can get my own coffee!
Mmm... Actually, it turns out I can't.
I went to Trader Joe and picked out the cheapest organic fair trade I could find ($6.95 for a pound!). I went to the grinding machine, picked the right setting (paper flat) and ground it, all by myself. I took it home and... BLERCH!!!! It was weak, bitter, acrid, and just gross. I continued to drink it for a week (I paid for it, damn it!) but after awhile, I couldn't take it anymore, it was just... bad.
In all fairness to Trader Joe, I think it tasted so horrible because it was improperly ground. I thought I chose paper flat but, maybe I still messed up somehow.
To the left, we have the gross Trader Joe coffee, to the right we have the awesome custom ground coffee. Note how the coffee on the left is all chunky and light. Note how the coffee on right is all smooth and velvety looking.
Mmm~ Coffee. It's everything that's right with the world.
Michael's a kind, forgiving soul. Even after all my verbal abuse, he still would've gotten me some coffee. However, I have my pride. I don't need him. Screw him! I can get my own coffee!
Mmm... Actually, it turns out I can't.
I went to Trader Joe and picked out the cheapest organic fair trade I could find ($6.95 for a pound!). I went to the grinding machine, picked the right setting (paper flat) and ground it, all by myself. I took it home and... BLERCH!!!! It was weak, bitter, acrid, and just gross. I continued to drink it for a week (I paid for it, damn it!) but after awhile, I couldn't take it anymore, it was just... bad.
In all fairness to Trader Joe, I think it tasted so horrible because it was improperly ground. I thought I chose paper flat but, maybe I still messed up somehow.
To the left, we have the gross Trader Joe coffee, to the right we have the awesome custom ground coffee. Note how the coffee on the left is all chunky and light. Note how the coffee on right is all smooth and velvety looking.
Mmm~ Coffee. It's everything that's right with the world.
You Kids With Your Noise
I was reading the latest issue of Marie Claire and, in the article where they talk about dudes from different regions, they said guys in Seattle wear lots of vintage band tees, like Soundgarden.
...
SOUNDGARDEN IS NOT VINTAGE!!!
Way to make me feel old Marie Claire.
Oh, they formed in 1984 (really?!) so I guess technically, they're kind of vintage-ish. Still, who even cared about them before Black Hole Sun?
Off topic: I'm kind of torn about Chris Cornell's solo album. At first I was all, "EWE!" but sometimes, I'll find myself kind of enjoying his songs without realizing that it's him.
Back on Topic: I once had a kid tell me that he enjoys listening to classic bands like Green Day. Granted, this kid was like ten years old but he still made me feel old. Watching alternative rock slowly descend into the realm of "classic rock" is weird. I still can't wrap my brain around the fact that there are 15 year olds out there who have no idea who sang Smells Like Teen Spirit. In a way, I feel pity for the young 'uns, they're missing out on so much good music!!! And, that's how I know I'm old, me with my "You kids these days, you don't know what good music is!!!"
My mom was right, you should always listen to your elders, if I did, maybe I would've discovered New Wave a lot earlier than this year.
Oh my goodness, I am so all about some New Order right now, especially this song:
It's on extremely heavy rotation on my iPod right now.
I'm so into like the dark, synth, grindy dance music right now:
I feel I can spend the rest of my life just listening to New Order, Depeche Mode, IAMX, Blaqk Audio and Justice.
Well, until September 29th when the new AFI album comes out.
!!!
...
SOUNDGARDEN IS NOT VINTAGE!!!
Way to make me feel old Marie Claire.
Oh, they formed in 1984 (really?!) so I guess technically, they're kind of vintage-ish. Still, who even cared about them before Black Hole Sun?
Off topic: I'm kind of torn about Chris Cornell's solo album. At first I was all, "EWE!" but sometimes, I'll find myself kind of enjoying his songs without realizing that it's him.
Back on Topic: I once had a kid tell me that he enjoys listening to classic bands like Green Day. Granted, this kid was like ten years old but he still made me feel old. Watching alternative rock slowly descend into the realm of "classic rock" is weird. I still can't wrap my brain around the fact that there are 15 year olds out there who have no idea who sang Smells Like Teen Spirit. In a way, I feel pity for the young 'uns, they're missing out on so much good music!!! And, that's how I know I'm old, me with my "You kids these days, you don't know what good music is!!!"
My mom was right, you should always listen to your elders, if I did, maybe I would've discovered New Wave a lot earlier than this year.
Oh my goodness, I am so all about some New Order right now, especially this song:
It's on extremely heavy rotation on my iPod right now.
I'm so into like the dark, synth, grindy dance music right now:
I feel I can spend the rest of my life just listening to New Order, Depeche Mode, IAMX, Blaqk Audio and Justice.
Well, until September 29th when the new AFI album comes out.
!!!
Hair Hair!
I embraced all things girl at an early age. Not, you know, Jon Bennett young. My mom might have let me leave the house wearing some questionable things but she drew the line at floozy make up. That's not to say I didn't try... I've wanted to wear make up since I was very young. Ask my mom (or my sister) about the time when I was two and my mom left me alone for like a few minutes...
Actually, don't, that story doesn't exactly paint me in the best light, even if I was only two years old.
Make up, clothes, cute boys, I was fascinated by it all... except hair. I never got into hair. I honestly have no idea how to do hair. You think I'm lying, you think I exaggerate, and I don't blame you. If someone were to tell me that they don't know how to put on makeup, I would call bull shit. It's makeup! You smear and dab it on! You can figure it out, anyone could figure it out. So yes, I totally understand your skepticism, even the tom boy-est tom toy and the crunchiest of granola hippies I know know how to work a flat iron. But, if you were to give me a hair dryer and some hair goop and told me to do my hair, I would be lost. I don't know how to do my hair.
I appreciate good hair, and I want a cool hair cut, I just don't know how to go about achieving it. A good cut would be wasted on me because I only know how to do wash and wear.
If I could have any hair style, just like wake up with perfect hair, I would totally want a bob. Something blunt, geometric, retro-mod, and BAM POW!!!- totally in your face hair.
Check out the girl, not the dude in the Vespa.
There's just something about a chic bob that exudes style and confidence.
I've tried a bob. I figure, it's straight hair, how hard can it be? Um, very hard. My hair, when cut short, flips out in weird directions. Plus, bobs require the kind of volume that my hair doesn't offer naturally. I'm sure it's something I can achieve with a volumizer and a blow drier or something but... once again, I don't know how to style hair. Oh, and bobs don't work with flyaways and kinks, my hair has lots of flyaways and kinks.
So, for years, I wore my hair up in a ponytail. This year, however, I decided that I want to wear my hair down more often. I already knew that me + bob= disaster. Okay, so I'll go with the opposite:
The Birkin Hair!
It's long, it's messy, full of kinks an flyaways. It's sloppy yet stylish and sexy- perfect!
Um... no.
I don't know how anyone can mess up such an easy style but every time I looked in the mirror, it just didn't look right. Then, one day, I looked at myself and I had to admit... sigh... I had ugly hair. ARGH!!! The lady who cut my hair called it "heavy", I think she was being nice in hopes of a big tip.
So, long story short, this is my new hair.
It's not interesting, or striking, but it's not "heavy" and I have to admit, it look way better.
My mom thinks I should get a digital perm. My sister tried it and it turned out very well, I'm impressed. I've always wanted wavy hair (as much as a bob) but I have some hang ups about looking like the stereotypical snooty, prissy Korean girl:
Don't get me wrong, it's very pretty but... I just associate it with all those girls who annoy me. They represent all the sexist, outdated, and materialistic expectations of my grandmother and aunts. If I get a digital perm, it's like me saying that I agree that they're right and I do need to blow a paycheck on a Louis or Burberry bag (or buy a good fake), get plastic surgery, marry a rich pharmacist, and pop out two kids or something.
Sometimes, being a bad ass rebel means having blah hair.
Actually, don't, that story doesn't exactly paint me in the best light, even if I was only two years old.
Make up, clothes, cute boys, I was fascinated by it all... except hair. I never got into hair. I honestly have no idea how to do hair. You think I'm lying, you think I exaggerate, and I don't blame you. If someone were to tell me that they don't know how to put on makeup, I would call bull shit. It's makeup! You smear and dab it on! You can figure it out, anyone could figure it out. So yes, I totally understand your skepticism, even the tom boy-est tom toy and the crunchiest of granola hippies I know know how to work a flat iron. But, if you were to give me a hair dryer and some hair goop and told me to do my hair, I would be lost. I don't know how to do my hair.
I appreciate good hair, and I want a cool hair cut, I just don't know how to go about achieving it. A good cut would be wasted on me because I only know how to do wash and wear.
If I could have any hair style, just like wake up with perfect hair, I would totally want a bob. Something blunt, geometric, retro-mod, and BAM POW!!!- totally in your face hair.
Check out the girl, not the dude in the Vespa.
There's just something about a chic bob that exudes style and confidence.
I've tried a bob. I figure, it's straight hair, how hard can it be? Um, very hard. My hair, when cut short, flips out in weird directions. Plus, bobs require the kind of volume that my hair doesn't offer naturally. I'm sure it's something I can achieve with a volumizer and a blow drier or something but... once again, I don't know how to style hair. Oh, and bobs don't work with flyaways and kinks, my hair has lots of flyaways and kinks.
So, for years, I wore my hair up in a ponytail. This year, however, I decided that I want to wear my hair down more often. I already knew that me + bob= disaster. Okay, so I'll go with the opposite:
The Birkin Hair!It's long, it's messy, full of kinks an flyaways. It's sloppy yet stylish and sexy- perfect!
Um... no.
I don't know how anyone can mess up such an easy style but every time I looked in the mirror, it just didn't look right. Then, one day, I looked at myself and I had to admit... sigh... I had ugly hair. ARGH!!! The lady who cut my hair called it "heavy", I think she was being nice in hopes of a big tip.
So, long story short, this is my new hair.
It's not interesting, or striking, but it's not "heavy" and I have to admit, it look way better.
My mom thinks I should get a digital perm. My sister tried it and it turned out very well, I'm impressed. I've always wanted wavy hair (as much as a bob) but I have some hang ups about looking like the stereotypical snooty, prissy Korean girl:
Don't get me wrong, it's very pretty but... I just associate it with all those girls who annoy me. They represent all the sexist, outdated, and materialistic expectations of my grandmother and aunts. If I get a digital perm, it's like me saying that I agree that they're right and I do need to blow a paycheck on a Louis or Burberry bag (or buy a good fake), get plastic surgery, marry a rich pharmacist, and pop out two kids or something.
Sometimes, being a bad ass rebel means having blah hair.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Book Mark Clean Out!
I had the most interesting dream today! Oh, but don't worry, I'm not going to tell you about it here. I don't know what it is about dreams but, no matter how fascinating it was, hearing about someone else's dream is kind of boring. Poor Daria, she's really good at interpreting my dreams so she has to hear them all the time. Well, not all the time, it's not often that I can remember my dreams.
I believe in dream interpretations. Not, you know, like in the way that I think it predicts the future. I do believe that we pick up a lot of information subconsciously. We miss a lot of things and sometimes, it takes a dream to remind us of what we missed. For awhile, I used to have reoccurring dreams. I can also kind of lucid dream, but don't worry, I'm not going to get into that 'cause I can tell you're bored already.
Seriously, dreams are one of the most boring topics.
While I try to write down what I remember about today's dream, here're are some interesting things for you to read.
Seth Green Gives Sound Financial Advice in Special Cribs Clip- I think my favorite part was the bit about Transformers. I saw an episode of Cribs once. Like most MTV shows it just kind of makes you hate the world.
Size 16 Goes Online-Only in Ann Taylor Stores- I worked at a place that carried both "regular" size and plus size. Even when the exact same item is offered in both regular and plus sizes, most people shop off the regular sizes, even those who needs to be shopping at the plus sizes. I think, for a lot people, "fit" means they can get the zippers up.
The Meaninglessness of Frugal- Interesting... I think this guy feels about third world countries the way I do about trailer parks. Yeah, sometimes, I have romantic notions about living in a trailer park. You know, a cute little double wide, friendly, down to earth, blue collar, hard working neighbors, not having to worry about keeping up with the Jones', etc. But you know, it's just that, romantic notions. I've heard accounts of trailer park life from people who have lived there- it's loud and scary.
I really think that I was meant to be a percussionist. I wanted to take drums in 6th grade but my mom refused, saying girls don't play drums (they, apparently, only play the piano, violin- and other string instruments, flute, and the clarinet). I love beats and drum lines get me excited, I think it's what I enjoyed the most about marching band. I don't remember anything that I played but I still remember our cadence. So yeah, this is a really cool thing. It's kind of reminds me of Blue Man Group, only, you know, black and white minus anything glow in the dark.
Carols Mencia's Twitter: 25 Posts Too Unfunny to be Stolen- I saw his act on Comedy Central and I couldn't believe this guy had his own show. He just panders to the racists and gives them an excuse to find humor in hatred.
I Hate WLS- Here's Why I'm Having It- Reading fat blogs kind of got in me interested in the fat culture- it's an interesting world. I'm kind of bummed that I missed most of the 650 Pound Virgin on TLC.
Aidan Davis: Britain's Got Talent 2009- Michael made me watch the American version the other day. I almost got sick off the poor, manipulative editing. I know "reality" TV shows aren't really reality but do they have to make it so obvious? Oh, bad ass dancing starts around the 1:40 mark. As impressive as the dancing was, my favorite part of this clip is how insanely, genuinely happy the little boy is at the end. Bah! I've gone soft and mushy in my old age.
Use Your Dishwasher Properly- I knew the powders were better! In your face Michael and your fancy capsule thing!
Calf in Colorado Born with 7 Legs, 2 Spines- Pics or it didn't... AHHHHHHH!!!!
Homemade Chicken Strips- I never have any luck frying chickens but maybe I'll try this recipe.
My Personal Credit Crisis- Yeah, he of all people should've known better.
15 Words You Won't Believe They Added to the Dictionary- Seriously, people still use "grrl"? Since he started geochaching, Michael has started to use the word "muggle". It's annoying.
Substance and Humility- I'm not a big fan of ricotta cheese. One of the reason I learned to cook was so that I could make and enjoy lasagna without ricotta cheese. However, this recipe looks so good I might have to try it.
The Woman Who Hates Food- Fat culture, food issues, eating disorder, all very, very fascinating.
I believe in dream interpretations. Not, you know, like in the way that I think it predicts the future. I do believe that we pick up a lot of information subconsciously. We miss a lot of things and sometimes, it takes a dream to remind us of what we missed. For awhile, I used to have reoccurring dreams. I can also kind of lucid dream, but don't worry, I'm not going to get into that 'cause I can tell you're bored already.
Seriously, dreams are one of the most boring topics.
While I try to write down what I remember about today's dream, here're are some interesting things for you to read.
Seth Green Gives Sound Financial Advice in Special Cribs Clip- I think my favorite part was the bit about Transformers. I saw an episode of Cribs once. Like most MTV shows it just kind of makes you hate the world.
Size 16 Goes Online-Only in Ann Taylor Stores- I worked at a place that carried both "regular" size and plus size. Even when the exact same item is offered in both regular and plus sizes, most people shop off the regular sizes, even those who needs to be shopping at the plus sizes. I think, for a lot people, "fit" means they can get the zippers up.
The Meaninglessness of Frugal- Interesting... I think this guy feels about third world countries the way I do about trailer parks. Yeah, sometimes, I have romantic notions about living in a trailer park. You know, a cute little double wide, friendly, down to earth, blue collar, hard working neighbors, not having to worry about keeping up with the Jones', etc. But you know, it's just that, romantic notions. I've heard accounts of trailer park life from people who have lived there- it's loud and scary.
I really think that I was meant to be a percussionist. I wanted to take drums in 6th grade but my mom refused, saying girls don't play drums (they, apparently, only play the piano, violin- and other string instruments, flute, and the clarinet). I love beats and drum lines get me excited, I think it's what I enjoyed the most about marching band. I don't remember anything that I played but I still remember our cadence. So yeah, this is a really cool thing. It's kind of reminds me of Blue Man Group, only, you know, black and white minus anything glow in the dark.
Carols Mencia's Twitter: 25 Posts Too Unfunny to be Stolen- I saw his act on Comedy Central and I couldn't believe this guy had his own show. He just panders to the racists and gives them an excuse to find humor in hatred.
I Hate WLS- Here's Why I'm Having It- Reading fat blogs kind of got in me interested in the fat culture- it's an interesting world. I'm kind of bummed that I missed most of the 650 Pound Virgin on TLC.
Aidan Davis: Britain's Got Talent 2009- Michael made me watch the American version the other day. I almost got sick off the poor, manipulative editing. I know "reality" TV shows aren't really reality but do they have to make it so obvious? Oh, bad ass dancing starts around the 1:40 mark. As impressive as the dancing was, my favorite part of this clip is how insanely, genuinely happy the little boy is at the end. Bah! I've gone soft and mushy in my old age.
Use Your Dishwasher Properly- I knew the powders were better! In your face Michael and your fancy capsule thing!
Calf in Colorado Born with 7 Legs, 2 Spines- Pics or it didn't... AHHHHHHH!!!!
Homemade Chicken Strips- I never have any luck frying chickens but maybe I'll try this recipe.
My Personal Credit Crisis- Yeah, he of all people should've known better.
15 Words You Won't Believe They Added to the Dictionary- Seriously, people still use "grrl"? Since he started geochaching, Michael has started to use the word "muggle". It's annoying.
Substance and Humility- I'm not a big fan of ricotta cheese. One of the reason I learned to cook was so that I could make and enjoy lasagna without ricotta cheese. However, this recipe looks so good I might have to try it.
The Woman Who Hates Food- Fat culture, food issues, eating disorder, all very, very fascinating.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Buying Up My Past
I just finished reading Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony.
Now, I'm trying to decide what I should do with the book.
I used to own all the previous Artemis Fowl books in the series but sold them. I enjoyed the series, it's just as good as Harry Potter minus all the media hype and hoopla. It was a fun read but I didn't really see myself ever going back to it, I still don't really see myself going back and reading it. Still, every time I read an Artemis Fowl book, I think, "Damn, I should've kept those books, it's a really good series!" If I keep this book, that means I have to go back and re-buy all the previous books in the series. If I don't keep this book, I might regret it- what if I decide that I want the whole series later, I'll just end up having to pay for it again.
It would be so much easier if the series just declined in quality, like the Princess Diary series. I loved the first one, enjoyed the second, the rest I read more out of obligation than anything else. I got rid of all my Princess Diary books except for the first one.
The older I get, the more I find myself trying to re-live my childhood by re-buying the books that I sold, donated, and gave away years ago. Today, I went to the bookstore and bought the Bunnicula series and The Cricket in the Time Square. I don't think I even liked that book but I know I read it and it brought back memories of how much I loved to read when I was a child.
I need to start reading more again. Maybe I'll become one of those people who are too cool and intellectual for TV.
Re-buying all these books is a waste of money, I know... Don't even get me started on how many times I bought The Book of Three and The Ender series... There's this part of me that wants to be a minimalist and another part of me that wants to hoard and collect. We fight all the time. At least I only re-buy used and they're usually about a $1 a book.
AUGH! Now I'm remember all the good books I no longer own, like:
The Tipping Point
God Shaped Hole
Sweet and Vicious
The Big Stone Gap series and my Flannie Flagg books...
That's about all I can think of right now though, I can't seem to locate my copy of Kissing in Manhattan and that's causing me to worry because I loved that book.
If you're looking for a love story that kind of messes you up a lot and leaves you really happy and appreciative of love but seriously bummed out and weirded out at the same time, I recommend God Shaped Hole, Sweet and Vicious, and Kissing in Manhattan.
We're a planet of nearly six billion ninnies living in a civilization that was designed by a few thousand amazingly smart deviants.
-Scott Adams
Now, I'm trying to decide what I should do with the book.
I used to own all the previous Artemis Fowl books in the series but sold them. I enjoyed the series, it's just as good as Harry Potter minus all the media hype and hoopla. It was a fun read but I didn't really see myself ever going back to it, I still don't really see myself going back and reading it. Still, every time I read an Artemis Fowl book, I think, "Damn, I should've kept those books, it's a really good series!" If I keep this book, that means I have to go back and re-buy all the previous books in the series. If I don't keep this book, I might regret it- what if I decide that I want the whole series later, I'll just end up having to pay for it again.
It would be so much easier if the series just declined in quality, like the Princess Diary series. I loved the first one, enjoyed the second, the rest I read more out of obligation than anything else. I got rid of all my Princess Diary books except for the first one.
The older I get, the more I find myself trying to re-live my childhood by re-buying the books that I sold, donated, and gave away years ago. Today, I went to the bookstore and bought the Bunnicula series and The Cricket in the Time Square. I don't think I even liked that book but I know I read it and it brought back memories of how much I loved to read when I was a child.
I need to start reading more again. Maybe I'll become one of those people who are too cool and intellectual for TV.
Re-buying all these books is a waste of money, I know... Don't even get me started on how many times I bought The Book of Three and The Ender series... There's this part of me that wants to be a minimalist and another part of me that wants to hoard and collect. We fight all the time. At least I only re-buy used and they're usually about a $1 a book.
AUGH! Now I'm remember all the good books I no longer own, like:
The Tipping Point
God Shaped Hole
Sweet and Vicious
The Big Stone Gap series and my Flannie Flagg books...
That's about all I can think of right now though, I can't seem to locate my copy of Kissing in Manhattan and that's causing me to worry because I loved that book.
If you're looking for a love story that kind of messes you up a lot and leaves you really happy and appreciative of love but seriously bummed out and weirded out at the same time, I recommend God Shaped Hole, Sweet and Vicious, and Kissing in Manhattan.
We're a planet of nearly six billion ninnies living in a civilization that was designed by a few thousand amazingly smart deviants.
-Scott Adams
Friday, July 10, 2009
The Box That Started a Holiday
I was at Homegoods recently and look what I found!
If memory serves me correctly, this is what inspired Clam Day!
October 11th! Mark your calendars folks, it's only like 3 months away!!!
Yay!!!
It's Clam Day!
The day we celebrate clams!
We bake 'em
And Fry 'em
They taste better than hams!
Hey you!
It's true!
You can put them in your stew!
It's Hip!
A trip!
It all started with a dip!
I guess I should go back to Homegoods and actually buy the dip kit. I hope it didn't sell out.
If memory serves me correctly, this is what inspired Clam Day!
October 11th! Mark your calendars folks, it's only like 3 months away!!!
Yay!!!
It's Clam Day!
The day we celebrate clams!
We bake 'em
And Fry 'em
They taste better than hams!
Hey you!
It's true!
You can put them in your stew!
It's Hip!
A trip!
It all started with a dip!
I guess I should go back to Homegoods and actually buy the dip kit. I hope it didn't sell out.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Purchase of the Month: May
May's Purchase of the Month goes to...
... my White, 3/4 length sleeved cardigan from Target!
Maybe one day I will actually utilize the timer thing on my camera and take decent outfit shots. Then again, I rarely wear any interesting bottoms so maybe there's no need.
Being short (with short arms) I normally like 3/4 length sleeves... but not on cardigans. Sometimes I wear long sleeves, and a long sleeved top with a 3/4 length cardigan... it doesn't really work on me. However, I was in desperate want of a white cardigan and this one was on clearance for around $10! I only had it for about a month before it got too hot for cardigans but I still wore it more often than most of my long sleeved cardigans.
Sleeves, sleeves, sleeves... if you think about it, it's kind of an awkward word to say...
The polka dot top is also from Target- girl's section. You probably can't tell (due to the poor picture quality) but it has pleating and a bow! Cute! Plus, it's made of this stiff-ish cotton fabric that makes a pleasant fwap swoosh like noise when you move. The only thing I didn't like- it was a cap sleeve. It was a cap sleeve, now it's a sleeveless. Speaking of sleeves I don't like, I especially hate cap sleeves. My shoulder is probably a normal size for my height but I find anything that emphasize my shoulder tends to make me look like a foot ball player with a pin head (which is quite a feat considering my big head). Besides, I'm also not a fan of any style that freely exposes my armpits. I'm pretty good about staying on top of pit maintenance but I'm still paranoid that I'll forget one day and flash someone the dreaded gray pits.
You know, despite all of my "weird" body issues (ankles, knees, ribs, pits, elbows, wrists, head, skin, etc...) I still have a pretty healthy self esteem and a good body image. I say the secret is to keep them covered. Sure, it might be fun to wear cute little skirts but I know I would spend the whole day feeling awkward and self conscious. It's not worth it. I never understood girls who wear short shorts with then bitch about their fat thighs.
Last year's May POM was also a cardigan!
~Sigh, I love cardigans. How are they not the greatest thing in the world? Even the word sounds awesome- cardigan. Say it, cardigan. Cardigan. Cardigan. Okay, don't say it too much 'cause then it'll start to sound weird.
... my White, 3/4 length sleeved cardigan from Target!
Maybe one day I will actually utilize the timer thing on my camera and take decent outfit shots. Then again, I rarely wear any interesting bottoms so maybe there's no need.
Being short (with short arms) I normally like 3/4 length sleeves... but not on cardigans. Sometimes I wear long sleeves, and a long sleeved top with a 3/4 length cardigan... it doesn't really work on me. However, I was in desperate want of a white cardigan and this one was on clearance for around $10! I only had it for about a month before it got too hot for cardigans but I still wore it more often than most of my long sleeved cardigans.
Sleeves, sleeves, sleeves... if you think about it, it's kind of an awkward word to say...
The polka dot top is also from Target- girl's section. You probably can't tell (due to the poor picture quality) but it has pleating and a bow! Cute! Plus, it's made of this stiff-ish cotton fabric that makes a pleasant fwap swoosh like noise when you move. The only thing I didn't like- it was a cap sleeve. It was a cap sleeve, now it's a sleeveless. Speaking of sleeves I don't like, I especially hate cap sleeves. My shoulder is probably a normal size for my height but I find anything that emphasize my shoulder tends to make me look like a foot ball player with a pin head (which is quite a feat considering my big head). Besides, I'm also not a fan of any style that freely exposes my armpits. I'm pretty good about staying on top of pit maintenance but I'm still paranoid that I'll forget one day and flash someone the dreaded gray pits.
You know, despite all of my "weird" body issues (ankles, knees, ribs, pits, elbows, wrists, head, skin, etc...) I still have a pretty healthy self esteem and a good body image. I say the secret is to keep them covered. Sure, it might be fun to wear cute little skirts but I know I would spend the whole day feeling awkward and self conscious. It's not worth it. I never understood girls who wear short shorts with then bitch about their fat thighs.
Last year's May POM was also a cardigan!
~Sigh, I love cardigans. How are they not the greatest thing in the world? Even the word sounds awesome- cardigan. Say it, cardigan. Cardigan. Cardigan. Okay, don't say it too much 'cause then it'll start to sound weird.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
No More... ish....
My obsession for vintage jewelry has been somewhat tempered by the sad realization that I own very few clothes that complement old jewelry. I know that I can "dress up" a plain shirt with a fancy piece of sparkly doodads, but, this is my idea of dressing up a plain shirt. Go big or go home, right?
Truth be told, I don't think I even like vintage fashion. I LOVE looking at it. It makes me feel all warm and nostalgic, not because I'm 80 years old but because my I spent a lot of my childhood watching old movies and musicals on the Disney channel and re-runs of 60's-70's sitcom on Nick at Night. So, while I love looking at old clothes, I have little desire for sheath dresses, skirts, or anything tailored. I don't even think those kind of clothes look good on me.
That's not to say I've completely given up on vintage jewelry. I still love them, I just need to figure out how to wear them before adding to my collection.
Speaking of not buying any more vintage jewelry for awhile, here are some vintage jewelry that I recently bought (I lack will power, what can I say).
The blurriness and poor lighting doesn't do it justice. It's a pretty cool necklace.
Nothing too outstanding about this brooch. I bought it mainly because it was $2 and I know that antique stores would sell it for like $12. Stupid reason to buy it? Perhaps, but I'm sure I'll be glad I bought it if and when I get into a grandma brooch phase.
It's a locket!!! I'm picturing like an Edwardian high necked, frilly, laced collar blouse, something very Anne of Green Gable. Oh! I loved Anne of Green Gable (and the spin off series Avonlea).
But yes! No more for now... unless it's really sparkly. I love sparkly things.
Truth be told, I don't think I even like vintage fashion. I LOVE looking at it. It makes me feel all warm and nostalgic, not because I'm 80 years old but because my I spent a lot of my childhood watching old movies and musicals on the Disney channel and re-runs of 60's-70's sitcom on Nick at Night. So, while I love looking at old clothes, I have little desire for sheath dresses, skirts, or anything tailored. I don't even think those kind of clothes look good on me.
That's not to say I've completely given up on vintage jewelry. I still love them, I just need to figure out how to wear them before adding to my collection.
Speaking of not buying any more vintage jewelry for awhile, here are some vintage jewelry that I recently bought (I lack will power, what can I say).
The blurriness and poor lighting doesn't do it justice. It's a pretty cool necklace.
Nothing too outstanding about this brooch. I bought it mainly because it was $2 and I know that antique stores would sell it for like $12. Stupid reason to buy it? Perhaps, but I'm sure I'll be glad I bought it if and when I get into a grandma brooch phase.
It's a locket!!! I'm picturing like an Edwardian high necked, frilly, laced collar blouse, something very Anne of Green Gable. Oh! I loved Anne of Green Gable (and the spin off series Avonlea).
But yes! No more for now... unless it's really sparkly. I love sparkly things.
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