Wednesday, January 31, 2007

My ABCs

Fill in your own ABCs:

A--ABBA song: Waterloo
B--Berenstain bear Character: Queenie McBear
C--Cheese: Cheddarella
D--Dance Move: The Bill Cosby (or Papa's)
E--Episode of Full House: When DJ sees Steve everywhere in Disney World
F--Fashion Magazine: Vanity Fair
G--Ghostbuster: Peter Venkman
H--Harry Potter book: 3
I--Inconsistency: No 4-legged animals...and I love bacon
J--John Mayer CD: Room for Squares
K--Katie Sadler moment: barfing on the way from the airport to school
L--Location for a nap: a dark, cold hotel room, with big warm sheets
M--Math Project: build your own mall (I received an 'A')
N--New Office Feature: No more shuttle rides
O--Old joke: How do you sell a chicken to a hard-of-hearing person? WANNA BUY A CHICKEN?!
P--PIXAR movie: Toy Story 2
Q--Quick Response: Shove it
R--Reality TV Show: Amazing Race
S--Sopranos episode: the intervention with Christopher
T--Toy from a McDonald's Happy Meal: little happy meal objects (hamburger, fries, shake and box) that transformed into robots
U--Uncomfortable moment: watching the outtakes from Jackass with my parents
V--Valentine's Day Dinner: The Melting Pot
W--Waiter: The New Year's Day waiter from Tony's in NYC
X--Xylophone-played composition: Carol of the Bells
Y--Yo Yo trick: Walk the dog
Z--Zuckerman's Famous Pig: Wilbur


I tag: Elizabeth, Brent, Alanna, Ryan McAnlis and my mom. Don't use my ABCs...use your own...

Things are clean

I love the day after a rainy day. Everything looks so clean and clear. The sky is a cloudless blue. The ground is dirt-free. I was noticing this on my way to work today. It was beautiful. I could see everything.

This also may have been a result of having a freshly-washed car.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

FYI, I love rain

I plan to wear my pink rain boots tomorrow, so in case you're looking for a weather fore-cast...clear skies.

From the Archives Pt 1

The other morning I was thinking about how eloquent I feel when I am in London.
So I've decided to search through these old emails (from August-December of 2004).

Here is the first email I sent to my parents when I moved to London.

Holy Cow...I can't believe I live in London. It's really weird. It's just about 8:00pm here, so I think that means it's about noon there, right? I miss you both a ton, but I am so excited for these next four months. I have already found some fun places to show you when you come to visit...

The flight seemed longer than the 18-hour flight to Kenya. I think because I couldn't really get to sleep...but I got to choose the movies I wanted (each seat had it's own screen)...so I watched "Down with Love" and "Holes". (By the way, the keys on this keyboard are all switched around and there are others added, so typing this email is quite an adventure.) I took a short nap on the floor underneath Kaira and Gen's feet. I slept the best there for some reason...

Other funny things that happened today:

We got to our building and each found our rooms. Kaira and Gen (short for Genevieve...) live upstairs from me in a room the size of a box. It's got two twin beds and one tiny "wardrobe" (armour)... another girl from our trip (Stephanie) lives in a room that she apparently just can't live in. I am really mean, but she's bugging the crap out of me already. I love Kaira and Gen. Compared to their rooms, my room is a castle. I have a large room with three beds (the other two girls are not here yet, they'll come while I'm on my trip)...but we have three dressers and our bathroom/shower/sink is IN our room (huge here, we might be the only room like that)...and we have a walk-in closet...it's not a beautiful room, but it is nicer than most others. Anyway, I feel like God will use me in a room with friends, or strangers or in a hovel alone...which my room is definitely not.

We live in the same area of London that Dustin Hoffman and Madonna live in! I hope I see them walking down the street. How fun is that? We are also around the corner from Imperial College (ranked third behind Oxford and Cambridge...it's like the MIT of the UK). And there are two main museums in the area too...so cool.

SUPER FUNNY---they call Kentucky Fried Chicken "The Colonel's Bistro"...so far everything sounds more elegant here than at home...

Tonight we went to a pub for dinner! We each ordered something and then we all shared so we could see what we loved and what we hated. LOVED: fish and chips/ jacket potatoes. HATED: nachos and peas. (just FYI). I didn't drink anything, just so you know...(except for water and a coke)

I think now that I have sufficiently filled you in on almost every detail of the first day of life in London, I am going to take a shower and then watch a movie. We are all too tired to go out tonight, but we have to stay up until at least ten-ish so we can get adjusted to the time-difference more quickly.

I love you and I miss you. I'm having fun already, so don't be sad...

Thanks for helping me to do this. I know it will be totally life-changing.

Alli

P.S. There is no way that every day's email will be this long....and then I leave on Sunday for the tour of Amsterdam and Paris and Brussels...so I won't be able to email you until after that.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Dunk Tank

We ordered a dunk tank for our weekend services. Stephen called a few weeks ago (which puts us farther ahead than normal) to reserve it. On Saturday, it was delivered and the trouble began. It was a huge obstructing the view of half of the crowd. They moved it. They moved it again. They moved it again. And then brought the hose in and began to fill it. (I say 'they' because I had very little to do with it once it was in place.)

More trouble: Kurt is walking around with a roll of thick red tape; there's a leak. Dang it! He's patched it, we should be fine.

Oh, the Velcro that is holding the large blue tarp (holding all of the water) in place is not strong enough to support the weight of the water, so it's coming apart. (If this happens, all of the water will be on the floor.) Solution: more red tape.

The water is still running; the tank is about 1/5 full. Double trouble: a new leak has sprung and the tape is not strong enough to keep the Velcro together.

We give up. Turn off the hose, siphon out the water, take the tank apart. It was a cool idea while it lasted.

RIP Dunk Tank

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Blogless Weekend

I had a little bit of a hectic weekend...all in all, very fun, but just full of events...making blogging almost impossible. Here's a brief overview.

FRIDAY:
Awake at 4:30am to get ready and drive to LA for World Series of Pop Culture. We were given a 50 question test to answer in 15 minutes. Needless to say, we did not pass. But we ended up shopping (well, I did) and having lunch at The Grove. I came back to work for a bit, picked up my C-Group girls from Flo Jo, dropped them at Outback, changed my clothes and went to play "merch girl" for Summer Wilshire.

SATURDAY:
Wildside Bowl! We had to be at Flo Jo at 8:40 (the boys had to be there at 7...I love my lack of field-chalking knowledge). The Droopy's ended their 6-year winning streak. We were defeated by a team that was very skilled...next year, we'll take 'em. I raced home from the championship game to change and then drove quickly to The Balboa Bay Club for a baby shower high tea. It was delicious...and fun, considering I knew hardly anyone. Then I raced to church...I changed my clothes in the car...put my jeans on under my skirt in the parking lot...Dunk tank mishap (tomorrow's blog) and service. Dinner at BJs. Early to sleep...since I was a little exhausted.

SUNDAY:
Morning services...It was a simple, but very fun weekend. I came home in between AM and PM services to make some slides for the Indy conference...and then headed back to church for 4:30. Back home to make some more slides. Ate dinner that my dad picked up...Matt came to watch Family Guy.


Now, I'm off to bed since I'm meeting Joel at 6:30am. Early!

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Top Ten Dresses from the Golden Globes

This list took me a long time to put together. I was generally unimpressed with the dresses this year. I think there were a few (*) who stood out (the usuals) and a few surprises (good and bad--Beyonce).

10. Helen Mirren (in Donna Karan)
9. Drew Barrymore (John Galliano for Christian Dior)
8. Heidi Klum--over-looking the gloves (in Givenchy)
7. Jennifer Hudson (Vera Wang)
6. Rinko Kikuchi--very daring, but all-in-all I like it (Chanel)
5. Ali Larter *(Reem Acra)
4. Kyra Sedgwick (J. Mendel)
3. Angelina Jolie (in St. John) *
2. Mary Lynn Rajskub * (BCBG Max Azria)
1. Jenna Fischer * (vintage)

Honorable Mention: Abigail Breslin

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Jamdat Sudoku

I love Jamdat Sudoku. It's my new best friend.

Having a brand new cell phone and sudoku at my fingertips...I couldn't be more content.

I have now racked-up 8,230 points and I am a BROWN Sudoka. My next upgrade is 10,000. (Each puzzle averages about 50-70 points.)

To be honest, I don't even really care about playing the game...it's just a great rest for my mind (especially for bathroom visits at the office)...

And, I am always anxious to see what the next color level is.

Green, Orange, Red, Purple, Blue, Brown...what will be next?

I'd better drink lots of coffee and eat a few bran muffins...maybe I can reach the next level tomorrow!

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Oh How I Love Thee...

Things I Think Are Funny

I was thinking about a bunch of nothing this afternoon...here is some of that nothing:

--that "Ghetto Superstar" and "Islands in the Stream" are the same melody

--that some people insist on wearing very small amounts of clothing to the gym

--that very sweaty men think it is okay to hit on women while at the gym

--Junior High girls...the way they tell stories, the way their minds work...

--that people like Star Trek enough for multiple series to exist

I forgot the rest...

Monday, January 22, 2007

Today, in food

breakfast:


lunch




With a side of this:



And a side of garlic these:

(which Matt Jensen claims he can still smell on my breath, and thus will not kiss me)

dinner

I love breakfast for dinner...

What's your favorite dinner food?

Baby Sho-WAR...

Ryanne and I teamed up to lose a baby shower game on Saturday afternoon.
We were given a strip of fabric (seemingly from a couch in Palm Springs) to cover our eyes. I chose to wear it like Rambo.


Sunday, January 21, 2007

Sunday Off

This weekend was my once-a-month weekend off. It was great. Matt Jensen and I had dinner at The Cheesecake Factory in the Spectrum and watched a little Arrested Development.

Then today, Matt had to work...so I was on my own. My plan was to do nothing. No "to-do" list in sight...turns out, I was very productive. If I had written a "to-do" list, here's what it would have looked like:

* Wake at 7:40 from a bad dream, unable to go back to bed.
* Take all the sheets off of bed and throw them in the wash.
* Watch one Seinfeld episode and read Entertainment Weekly
* Watch Mermaids, pause, make "breakfast" (2 hot dogs and a diet coke) at 8:50am.
* Finish Mermaids, call Matt Jensen. (He agreed to bring me some Starbucks...such a good Matt)
* Figure out a little credit card thing, call trainer to change time for tomorrow, send some emails, and find some useless facts for the Group Indy Conference
* Hang around with Matt for about 20 minutes before he has to go to work
* Drink Starbucks, change laundry loads, intend to read a magazine
* End up cleaning room, hanging 6 frames, cleaning out under both sinks and all 3 drawers in the bathroom, washing brother's sheets, every towel in the house, get the mail from the last 3 days, re-making bed with fresh sheets and new pillowcases, and run the dishwasher
* Lunch time (3:30) Watch SNL (1/2) and eat a delicious lunch (turkey, bacon, hash brown square and honey mustard...yum!)
* Write a post
* Read an US and a PEOPLE magazine (write one post in-between and one post after)
* Make 6 slides for the Indy conference and talk to mom for a bit
* Watch the season 6 finale of FRIENDS while doing one Sudoku puzzle on phone
* Read everyone's blogs
* Read this week's PEOPLE magazine
* Call Matt Jensen and ask him to stop for dinner
* Write this long post
* Have McDonalds with Matt Jensen
* Realize that my computer is completely out of space
* Talk to Elizabeth while loading iPhoto contents on to CDs
* Talk to Dad about racecar school while loading iPhoto contents
* Finish this post
* Go to sleep

SN-All Over the Place



This is Amanda and Busy, from "Ready or Not"--back when Disney played Canadian shows (also, Flash Forward).


How much does Busy (on the right) look like Andy Samberg from SNL?

Along the same lines

I looked for this clip, but could not find it.

When Brittany Murphy hosted SNL, around the release of 8Mile, she had a "rap-off"* with Amy Poehler. That is still, in my mind, one of the best opening monologues I've seen on the show.


*Due to the fact that I am a white woman who does not listen to rap, I am unaware of the correct term for a rap-off...is it a spar? a duel? What is the correct word?

SNL Politics

I watched last night's SNL during lunch today...and I had to fast-forward a bit.

Maybe I'm in the minority of America, but I don't think so...I strongly dislike the political sketches. I think they rely heavily on the impressions, sometimes resorting to over-dramatic facial tics or gestures because of the lacking dialog.

Seriously, stick to funny, celebrity-based humor. Or digital shorts, like Laser Cats.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Job Requirements

Matt and I went to dinner at The Cheesecake Factory...during dinner, the waiters and waitresses sang Happy Birthday to the table next to ours. The song included "Happy Birthday from The Cheesecake..." and it had me thinking.

If I were to work in a restaurant, I would first need to hear their birthday song. I would not be caught singing "This is your birthday song, it isn't very long" or "Happy, Happy Birthday from all of us to you..."

I think I would work at Chuck E. Cheese...seriously, who wouldn't want to sing "Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, Happy Birthday from Chuck E. Cheese"?

Friday, January 19, 2007

"Hey Hermano"



The best piece is at about 0:34.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Top Ten Worst Ideas For A Top Ten List

I knew that tonight was Top Ten List night.
Here are the terrible ideas that went through my head while trying to come up with one interesting list:

10. Jobs I have recently considered pursuing
9. Golden Globe Outfits
8. Delicious Starbucks beverages
7. Most Annoying Starbucks drink requests
6. Favorite Posts from my blog
5. Holidays...in order of my preference
4. Categories in which I will fail during The World Series of Pop Culture
3. FRIENDS episodes
2. Favorite Websites
1. Favorite Fonts


Which one would you actually hope to see as a Top Ten list?
If none, any ideas for interesting lists?

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Unforgettable Souvenir

So, three Christmases ago I went to New York City with Matt Jensen, Ryan Forest and Melanie Hughes. One morning, we headed to SoHo to get Matt a new tattoo. I really wanted to watch because I was interested to see how it was done and judge how badly it might hurt me.

After an hour or so, Ryan mentioned that he would like to get a tattoo since we were already in the shop. The tattoo artist said he had the time...no problem, right?

Wrong. Ryan had decided to get the ultimate souvenir...



Not only was this the funniest thing I'd ever experienced (his quick decision to have this permanently marked on his body), but it was also the most memorable because of the tattoo artist's response.

He said two things:

1) If you're going to take a picture, please don't get my face...I don't want any proof that I had my head this close to a dude's butt.

2) On second thought, take the picture. My girlfriend thinks that all I do is tattoo beautiful women all day...she could see that's not true.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Ryan McAnlis

Welcome back.

Thank you for adding me to your list.

Bionic Hearing

I, apparently, have over-active eardrums.

At work today, everything was too loud. All of the talking, all of the other people's music, everything.

I finally put my headphones on and listened to some Muse. I know that should seem like more noise, but at least it was melodic, purposeful noise, not just loud talking.

If you work with me, I'm sorry...but indoor voices required.

Thank you.

This Morning

As I worked out with Joel, he repeatedly called me "athletic".

He would say "You are good at these because you are so athletic" or "You'll be fast when you are at your goal weight because you are so athletic".

Finally I stopped him and said, in all my life that is one word that I've never heard people use to describe me.

Monday, January 15, 2007

New Book


I'm still reading "How to Walk in Heels", but I needed something with a little more story-line(ish) and a little less "how-to".

Recommended by both Brian Hurst and Josh Treece, and evidently read by Seth Cohen in some episodes of The O.C., I purchased Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs.

So far I have read about his foray in to the city of Sim, and his hatred for John Cusack. I have laughed out loud two dozen times, and read several paragraphs aloud to Matt Jensen--prompted by a few "what's so funny?"s.

I'll write more as I read more...but so far, so good.

MLKJ Day


5 Things I Did Not Know About "The Rev":

1. He was the youngest man (at the time) to ever receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
2. He was name Time magazine's Man of the Year in 1963.
3. On his third march to Montgomery, the "Stars for Freedom" rally contained performances by Sammie Davis, Jr. and Tony Bennett.
4. His house was bombed during the Bus Boycotts.
5. Apparently, August 28 (the day MLKJ made his "I Have a Dream Speech") is called "Dream Day"

Wonder what else he would have accomplished had he not been assassinated at such a young age...

I also wonder how many of these I would have known had I bothered to pay attention in school...

Josh Peters

If I had $448 to blow on a house-warming gift for you, I would by you this:

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Chanel No. 5

In my book (How to Walk in Heels), I was reading that the best underclothes scent is Chanel No. 5...

The book said something along the lines of "nothing smells fresher or sexier"...so I went to check it out.

I had a gift card to a major department store, so I thought, why not?!

Oh, it smells fresh alright--like a fresh old lady.

Maybe someone would like to buy me a bottle for my 60th birthday?

35 Degrees

In my entire Southern Californian life, it has never been this cold.

When I lived in London--in the winter--it was not this cold.

When I went to New York--in the snow--it was not this cold.

When I auditioned for American Idol--and slept on the pavement outside of the Rose Bowl--it might have been this cold.

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Arrested Development

If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend picking it up.
I had been told to watch it...and finally am.
Hilarious!

Friday, January 12, 2007

2006 Questions...

1) What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before? Hired a personal trainer, purchase a pair of Manolo Blahniks, started a blog.

2) Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I did not, see HERE for more details. I made one this year. Read HERE for more details.

3) Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes. Natalie Hall. Ally Wagoner. Jana Sarti. Julie Brazelton. Megan Hutchinson. Angela Griffin. If I forgot you, sorry.

4) Did anyone close to you die?
I don’t think so…

5) What countries did you visit? England, France, Mexico, Canada.

6) What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? An engagement ring? A pair of Christian Louboutins, a less judgmental spirit, a smaller dress size.

7) What date(s) from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
None, I guess.

8) What was your biggest achievement of the year? My biggest achievement...wow, that's a tough one.

9) Did you suffer illness or injury? Nope.


10) What was the best thing you bought?
My Manolos

11) Whose behavior merited celebration?
Matt McGill's...taking huge new steps in ministry.

12) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Pam's response to Jim's profession of love

13) Where did most of your money go?
London and Christmas


14) What did you get really, really, really excited about? The Melting Pot

15) What song will always remind you of 2006? "London Bridge"

16) Compared to this time last year, are you: Wiser? of course. You can't really live life and not learn anything. Healthier? Yes. I'm down at least one size...and eating much healthier Richer? Nope.

17) What do you wish you'd done more of? Read. Invest in friendships. Relax

18) What do you wish you'd done less of?
Stress.


19) How did you spend Christmas? 6 Christmases. You can read about them HERE and HERE and HERE.

20) Did you fall in love in 2006? With Logan Echolls...I was already in love with Matt Jensen

21) How many one-night stands?
None.


22) What was your favorite TV program?
Veronica Mars. The O.C. The Amazing Race.

23) Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I'd say I hate the people who canceled The O.C.

24) What was the best book you read? Special Topics in Calamity Physics (though I finished it in 2007)

25) What was your greatest musical discovery?
"See The Way"

26) What did you want and get?
Manolos. Did I not make that clear?

27) What did you want and not get? Christian Louboutins

28) What was your favorite film of this year? Little Miss Sunshine

29) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I had dinner. I turned 24.

30) Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most?
Sarah Jessica Parker

31) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Fancy

32) What kept you sane? Katie Edwards

33) Who did you miss? London friends.

34) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
You can't do everything. Sometimes some things have to go undone.

35) What did you gain this year? A few pounds, some friends

36) What did you lose this year? A few pounds, some time

37) Who was the best new person you met?
Person I met in 2006? Elizabeth McCauley

38) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

(I did a lot of self-thinking this year...)
I can't wait to figure out what's wrong with me,
So I can say this is the way that I used to be...

Man, this was long...

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Desert Island

I watched The Fire episode of The Office while I was getting ready this morning...thus, I thought my Top Ten List would have a little spin on it tonight.

TOP 5 MOVIES
5. Sleepless in Seattle
4. Good Will Hunting
3. Back to the Future 2
2. Adventures in Babysitting
1. Mean Girls

TOP 5 BOOKS
5. Catch-22
4. The Great Gatsby
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
2. Special Topics in Calamity Physics
1. Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

MATT'S TOP 5 MOVIES
5. Forrest Gump
4. Pulp Fiction
3. Rad
2. Shawshank Redemption
1. The Life Aquatic

MATT'S TOP 5 BOOKS
5. Catcher in the Rye
4. Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
3. Brave New World
2. The Alchemist
1. Cat in the Hat

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Today's Lunch

I had lunch at Wahoo's today. If I'm honest, I eat lunch there most days. But today was different. I did not go to the Wahoo's by the church. Oh no, instead, I had lunch at the Wahoo's by the freeway. I know, I'm branching out.

I met my friend Brian for lunch today. He is a good Brian. I found the conversation to be interesting and very easy. I love unforced conversation, it is my very favorite kind.

If you don't know Brian, check out his blog. He's worth reading, and getting to know.
Brian, you are great. I had copious amounts of fun with you today.

Fashion Review: False Eyelashes

In October, I wore red lipstick to work. (You can read that story here.)

Today, I was feeling adventurous and decided to try the false eyelashes I had received for Christmas from Matt's sister.

My co-workers were much more receptive to the falsies than the lipstick. I had expected some laughter or jokes, and instead had quite a few questions: how long do they stay on? were they difficult to put on? do they feel weird?

They took about 2 minutes to apply...no problems. I was a little nervous to remove them, thinking they might pull (since they were attached with surgical adhesive), but they pulled right off (2 seconds).

My review: Definitely worth the money...I will probably invest in a few more pair (or different lengths) and try them more often...great for a fun change.

Here's a picture from dinner...not too awkward.

My Future Family

It's probably weird to call them that--since nothing is official--but too bad. I consider them that, so that's what I'll call them.

Tonight, we celebrated Matt's dad's birthday. Dinner at Wood Ranch was more delicious than I had expected it to be...and just as fun as ever. I laughed so hard with Matt's sister Jennifer...from the first moment when the waiter called Brian boss, to dessert when it was really hot and then really cold.

Here are a few pictures from Christmas with the Jensens...






Tuesday, January 09, 2007

U + ME = US

Here are the ladies of Wildside. (That label could easily be misconstrued.)

Today was Annie's first day...she seems like she'll be a good fit. She's already had one good "get" on me...which is pretty hard to do, I think. Long story short: she claimed to have these really manly running shoes...and made me feel really bad for the comment I had made about women in manly running shoes. (Does that sum it up, Griff?)

All in all, I think Annie will be amazing...I'm trying to persuade her to begin a blog of her own...only time will tell.

Annie, best of luck to you. Hopefully I will be married by the end of your internship.



Oh, by the way, she wore that crown ALL day...even to In-n-Out.

My Trainer



This is Joel Silverman. He is my personal trainer, 3 days a week. Joel has been training animals for years...he still works on movie and commercial sets and has written books about training pets. Since that leaves him with quite a bit of extra time, he is now a human trainer as well. Joel is great. I looked online for a picture of him...hoping for a photo with big, thick hair because I think he looks a lot like Steve Carell.

Joel is the best...When I fit in to my dress, he'll deserve all of the credit.

Words I Hate

Random
Got (instead of 'have'. ex: "You got to eat that" or "I got to go there")
Boughten

It's a short list. Please do not equate the length of the list with my hatred for these words. I would appreciate if they were thrown out of the English language. If not that, then some drastic steps taken to decrease the usage.

4 years wait...4 weeks late

I have had the same cell phone since I was 20. A few weeks after my birthday, Sprint launched a new line of phones, with better photo capability, music features, no Internet-loading for text messaging...seriously, I missed out.

About a week before Christmas this year, I was given a very sweet new phone.

Just a short time later, THIS comes out.
DANG IT!

Apple, please come out with your products earlier...I could have received this for Christmas!

One thing's for certain: He brought Sexy Back

Just came home from the JT concert...first show of the tour...SO good.

*JT was dancing with one of his dancers and the girl in front of us said "I wish that was me!"

*The guy a few rows behind us was FULL-ON dancing to each song...it was almost more interesting than Justin...almost.



Sunday, January 07, 2007

How to Find a Good* Book

I posted about the books I am hoping to read this year (and reorganized so they are all on one shelf) and had a few comments asking where I find these books. I thought I'd blog about the places to find good* books.

1. Previously Enjoyed Books: Chances are, if the author caught your attention with one book, he could probably do it again. Look up a list of his/her publications and pick another title. If this proves true, continue until you have exhausted that list.

2. Amazon.com: On each page there is a list "Customers who bought this item also bought". These are, more than likely, people with tastes similar to your own. Purchase a book off of this list, if you enjoy it, check the list on that page. This chain could provide you with a lifetime of reading material.

3. Target Recommends: The book section (very small, yet very widespread) of Target, contains a display labeled "Target Recommends". The books on this shelf are predominately classics, with covers that boast "New York Times Bestseller", "Pulitzer Prize Winner", "Fill-in-the-blank Classic". Warning: Steer clear of the adjacent shelves marked "Club Picks" or "Bookmarked", most of which seem to be chosen by Target employees or passers-by...not that there's anything wrong with that.

4. Listings: List of "classics" are easy to find. Borders and Barnes and Noble each have their own line of classics, usually displayed somewhere near the entrance, all with matching looks, beautiful to read or simply to display.

5. Magazines: Most magazines contain book reviews. If you trust the magazine, you can probably trust the review staff. Also, it never hurts to try. Read one or two and then decide whether or not the opinions contain truth.

After reading this list, if you still are having difficulty finding something to read, let me know.

*The term good is subjective, as what one may consider good, another may find "replete with stinkiocity". (Read: some think "The Odyssey" is good, when, in reality, it is not.)

Happy Birthday Thatcher

My cousin Thatcher turned 13 today...
HB TEV.

Saturday, January 06, 2007

New Book



And I love it already.

Great tips, quotes and facts.

One such fact: Cinderella's slippers are sadly unlikely to be made of glass. More probably they were fur, but the story came about through mistranslation when the French for fur, vair was written as verre--glass.

Matt's back!

Just in case you were wondering...
So good to see him...

More on Special Topics

At 2:47am, I finished Special Topics in Calamity Physics. To paraphrase Maxwell, it was "good to the last word".

Roughly 500 pages long, the book does take its time getting to the climax, but getting there is half the fun. The story revolves around Blue Van Meer and her father Gareth. They move around a lot, her father being a college professor always on the look-out for a new location. On the road, they read to one another, and thus, Blue is brilliant.

The premise of the book is that he decides to "stay put" for her senior year of High School. She is invited by a young teacher, Hannah Schneider, to Sunday dinners at her house with a few other students referred to as "The Bluebloods".

I'll admit, it took me about four months to read the first 250 pages; I couldn't convince myself to pick up a book. I read the last 250 pages in three days. I couldn't put it down.

The aspect I enjoyed the most was that every time I thought I knew what was going to happen, there was another twist and the whole thing was a question mark again.

The end was definitely more contemporary novel than classic; it was as if we were left standing in the background, no resolve, no "happily ever after", just the end.

And I loved it.

Photos from the Shoot

Alanna told me to dress, for the HSM video shoot, as if we were going clubbing. I myself have been clubbing only twice, in London. Both times I wore overalls (or a jumper) and was mocked by the other clubbers.

Last night I decided to go Katelyn Cooper-esque. Translation: large "pomp", bright red lipstick, and a black outfit. I'm sure I looked nothing like Katelyn, but she inspired the look.





Brilliance.

Friday, January 05, 2007

I Rock-Climbed in Heels

Seriously.

Tonight we shot an HSM video at the Loza's house...one of the scenes was in the jacuzzi that sits atop the cliff in their backyard. To get to said jacuzzi, one must scale a mountain.

I did just such a thing in 3-inch black heels.

Oh, you know you are impressed.

I Was Shot at Work Today

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Top Ten Favorite Lines From "The Office"

10. "Let me show you where the slaves sit"
9. "Did you check your butt"
8. "Did you hear that, I called him Fire Guy"
7. "Tell him to stop. Shut up, you"
6. "When you're a jet, you're a jet"
5. "I miss Jim, I cry myself to sleep every night. False. I do not miss him"
4. "Tobey, I hate so much about the way you choose to be"
3. "Tobey, you are everything that is wrong with the paper industry"
2. "You love ketchup. He loves ketchup"
1. "Tobey, you don't have anyone to go home to"

tonight, tonight

We had a quad-birthday party tonight: Thatcher, Sunny, Sid and Tony. (2s2t)

Here are a few pictures:

Logan Taylor


Bum and Papa


My 4 aunts (and my mom)

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Hey, hey...bye, bye, bye

A few more were knocked off the blog list tonight...keep posting...

Where will you be on July 13th?

On my shelf....

Many people posted a list of "New Year's Resolutions"...some called them areas to focus on, others a simple "to do" list.

My resolution (singular) was mentioned a few weeks ago. I would like to, this year, chronicle my journey toward wisdom. I will begin with a list of books that I will read in 2007, in hopes of expanding my vocabulary.


"FIRST READS": (in no order--except for #1)
1. Special Topics in Calamity Physics (100 pages...I'll finish before MJ returns from Europe)
2. The Emperor's Children
3. Moral Disorder
4. What is the What
5. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (roughly 300 pages)
6. To Own a Dragon
7. Dear John
8. The Broker
9. The Innocent Man
10. Brief Interviews with Hideous Men (about 200 pages)
11. East of Eden


"RE-READS":
1. To Kill a Mockingbird
2. The Scarlet Letter
3/4. HP 4 and 5
5. Catcher in the Rye

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Writing Like a Writer

I bought a book with the tag line "Reading Like a Writer".

Reading brings about an improvement in vocabulary. How does one use said vocabulary without sounding pretentious?

My bag is back...

It arrived on my doorstep this afternoon...hopefully with everything in it.

My dress is there...that's really the most important thing.

Guess Who's Back...Back Again

That's right. Seattle to Oakland to John Wayne.

Only four hours, two flights, and one lost bag.

They said it should be delivered in the morning. No big deal...

My new dress was in there though...that will be a big loss.

Back to work tomorrow...I'm excited.

When I was little, when we would come home from vacations, my mom would always sing "Back to life, back to reality" when we were pulling in to our driveway. It drove me dang crazy and yet, for some reason, it is in my head every time I come home from a trip.

Side Note: I would like to develop a phrase or name for my "memory lanes". There is a good prize for the developer of some such name. Any thoughts?

Monday, January 01, 2007

January 1st(s)

This New Year's Day (2007) I am laying in bed at a hotel in Seattle...watching movies (Vegas Vacation, Groundhog Day, Dumb and Dumber). I go back to work tomorrow...I'm actually pretty excited. Matt's in Germany with my brother.

Last New Year's Day (2006)
I ate pancakes with chocolate chips at my Grandma and Grandpa's...then I took a nap on the couch and was covered with napkins by my cousin. (Matt was in New York with my brother) I had one day off and then went back to a job that I had worked at for a year.

New Year's Day 2005 I was in New York with Matt Jensen. We walked around and ate...It was pretty cold...but very fun. We had been dating for 3 months...I came home on the 2nd or 3rd and went back to work that Tuesday. I had worked at the church, in this job, for 1 month.

New Year's Day 2004
I had just moved back to CA from London...we had a few people over and ate chocolate chip waffles with peanut butter. Alanna, Amber and I wore my Soundsation dresses...Micah and Mario came over. Everyone had to bring a movie they had never seen before and we watched movies all day...we watched Pollock...and Arlington Road. Depressing movies. I was working at Starbucks...so I didn't really have a huge schedule...relatively kick-back...and I had a month off of school...those were the days.

New Year's Day 2003 I was preparing to go to Kenya for the first time. A few people came over and we watched the Rose Parade and ate waffles...that was a good tradition. I had 1 month left of my internship...and no clue what I was going to do next...other that continue with school. At that point, I had no idea that I would move to London 7 months later.

New Year's Day 2002, 2001, 2000 we did the same thing: Ryanne, Alanna, and a few others (mix and match) would spend the night--after some sort of dinner/party and we would lay around and watch the Disney Channel all day (Model Behavior, Wish Upon a Star, etc)...and eat (waffles, pizza...anything we could have delivered and not have to get up off the couch.) In pajamas all day, no need for showers of change of clothes...In 2000, I worked at the church, 2 days a week. I began my internship in Feb of 2001, so I had a plan that year...but not a major one...

Oh, so fun...New Year's is such a fun start to another fun year.