Getting Back in a Groove...

Hello Wonderers!!  It has been quite a while since I last wrote a post.  I've been in a tailspin with some family stuff, and I'm just now getting back into a decent, almost normal state of mind.

Plus I had this big plan for my Blogiversary, which was back on the 22nd of September.  As it turns out, had things happened on schedule, it also could have been my 50th post (so much for that).  I won't spoil anything, I'll just have to write an Un-Blogiversary post when my plan comes together.  'Cause I'm Allison Wonderland, and I can do that.

However, since I'm feeling extra confident today, it felt appropriate to come back and share some truly nifty things. 

Truly Nifty Thing No.1:

I fixed my car today!  Chewy (so named because he made some unsettling noises not unlike Chewbacca when I first got it) has had several problems lately because he is 17 years old and has seen a lot of miles.  The most recent, was the battery.  I had to jump my car every time I drove it, and finally, it gave up.  I was hoping it wasn't the alternator, because we've already put too much money into repairing this car, compared to what it's worth.  But today, we took a chance, and bought a new battery to change ourselves.  My dad helped me get the old battery out, but then he had an appointment and had to leave, so I was left to finish the job myself.  AND I DID IT!!  He even called to make sure I was doing it right, after I had already done it, and it turns out, I did it exactly the way I should.  I'm so proud.

You can't even see the chili... but it was magnificent.

 

 

Truly Nifty Thing No. 2:

I made chili!  It took three days, but I made a big pot of some delicious chili.  I'll give you the glamor shot now, and save another post for a full blown chili extravaganza.


Truly Nifty Thing No. 3: 

Prom photo... wish my pager was showing.

I attended a 90s themed party with a good friend of mine.  I have been in such a nostalgic place lately, what with Teen Nick showing old 90s Nickelodeon shows, and living in my old room at my parents' house, and it seemed like so much fun to go live out the parties I had watched in movies like Clueless, and Can't Hardly Wait (which is technically 2000, I think). 

After searching through my mom's closet for some totally fly gear, and googling images of Jessie Spano, I had managed to put together a decent (though not entirely practical) outfit.  Hint: Never wear a leotard to a party where you intend to drink.  You will lose that battle with your bladder.  Unless you have magical powers, or something.

I even had a pager and a brick cell phone.  It was even better when we got to the party.  The hosts went all out, with decorations, music, and even games.  I played a rousing round of Pogs for the first time since... I don't remember when.  I even ran into Daria.  I also had my fortune told via Cootie Catcher.  I get to be made over by Cher and Dion.  Score!  They handed out slap bracelets at the door, played 90s television shows on loop, and they set up a green screen to take pictures.

I think that's all I've got for right now.  Coming soon: Chili Blog, and more Music Challenge!

"In My Day, The Internet Was Called 'Books!'"

Okay, so maybe I paraphrased Peter Falk's statement from The Princess Bride, but in this case, I feel it's appropriate.

I don't really know what spawned the idea in my head.  I think it's because my cousin's kids (who are really the closest thing I have to a niece and nephew) are getting older, and will soon have homework that will include written reports, which reminds me of that time in my own life.

It occurred to me that when I was their age (maybe a year older), I was writing reports without using the internet.  The closest thing I had to the internet was this new program they called "Encarta."

That got me thinking.  With the recent, and exponentially growing innovations in technology, we are in fact, dumbing ourselves down as a society.  Let me state for the record that I am NOT dissing the internet.  I LOVE the internet.  I'm all over the internet.  I mean, come on.  I have a blog. 

However...

There are basic skills that I learned as a kid that I think should still be taught today.  How to write a research report without the use of the internet, for example.  And it worries me to think that institutions like the public library will die out.

Much in the way my friends down in San Diego are trying to "reach a younger generation of theatre-goer," I think it would be great if elementary school students were required at some point early in their education to write a report using only hard copy sources.  And by hard copy, I mean books, not a printout of an internet source, reputable or otherwise.

Not only would it prepare them for any event in which the internet may crash, but I also believe it would teach them associated life lessons.  It would give them a new kind of respect for those who came before them.  To know that before information was readily available to anyone with two hands and a computer, there was a time when if you wanted information, you had to actually leave the house and look for it.

And no, a field trip to the library to learn how it works, doesn't count.  The only real way to learn how to use a public library, is to actually have to use it.

I realize this notion goes against the grain in this "green" and "paperless" world, but I do think that knowing how to use a public library is a really good skill for everyone to have.  There's something very grounding about holding an actual book in your hands and copying down information on a separate piece of paper.  It's all very academic, and I, for one, feel smarter for having done so.

I suppose this fits in with my last rant on television.  And it definitely plays into my love of the movie Idiocracy.  Seriously, watch it.  Society is being sucked into the virtual world, and we are losing our grip on reality.  So as I step down from my soap box, I'll leave you with this bit of wordplay.  A last little rant on our slowly stupefying society.

Watch the beginning of Idiocracy.  The devolution of Fuddruckers.  Then take a look at this place.

LA's newest restaurant addition, branching from the Vegas food truck:  Fukuburger

*credit*

Japanese inspired burgers.  But tell me you didn't read it the way I did.  Yeah, and their slogan is "Get Lucky."

Don't even get me started on all the things they can do with Pho restaurants.

It's happening, ladies and gents.  Idiocracy... is upon us.

Some really great quotes...

I would not have stumbled across these quotes if I had not been having a chat (okay, more of a soap-boxy rant) about television with my parents this morning.  We actually had a discussion that allowed me to hold the floor for a whole hour while the television was paused on a football game (what else?) and talk about a number of different subjects, and there is another post to follow. 

I have already explained to Ashley that I am feeling "Blogolicious" today.

So on with it.

I was explaining to my parents my feelings about television.  Don't get me wrong, I love television.  I even have shows that I can't live without.  But I also hate television.  I miss having conversations with people.  And having conversations with people while the the TV's on is often very difficult.  Much the way it is when someone whips out their smart phone mid-conversation.  And even I'm guilty of that.

I think the Art of Intelligent Conversation should be practiced more often, lest we all make ourselves dumber, Idiocracy style.  I don't wan't my future children to go to law school at Costco and watch shows like "Ow, My Balls!" *Do yourselves a favor and watch this movie.  The humor may be sophomoric comedy, riddled with gratuity and bathroom humor, but the message is actually pretty important, and well executed in its dichotomy.

I once had a syllabus for a theatre class with a cover page that read "Theatre is Life.  Cinema is Art, Television is Furniture."  That has stuck with me for years.  I just think it's so interesting, and accurate in it's abstraction.

So I looked up the quote to see who had said it, and found this page of other quotes about television from some very prominent people (whose names, even if you don't know who they are, will likely sound familiar anyway). 

The Quote Garden

I'll leave you with one of my favorites on the page:

When television came roaring in after the war (World War II) they did a little school survey asking children which they preferred and why - television or radio.  And there was this 7-year-old boy who said he preferred radio "because the pictures were better." 

~Alistair Cooke

When Life Gives You Lemons...

Make an Arnold Palmer! 

Lately, I've been realizing that my attitude has been getting bogged down by all the challenges I'm facing in my life.  For those keeping track, I still have no job, I still live in my parents' house, I still have no money, my car just cost another arm and a leg to repair, my computer is in and out of commission, and I have a fake tooth in the front of my face, which throws off my diet and makes chewing even semi-soft foods a little more difficult.  And that's not including the drama in my personal life.

So I decided (at least today) to try and find the positive any which way I can.  This brilliant idea of mine came to me as I was preparing to switch out my twin bed for my full bed.  I was cleaning out some space and I found an old diary (we're talking mid-90's) that someone had given me as a gift.  There were several quotes and literary passages throughout the book, and I saw one that really spoke to me:

"The most thoroughly wasted of all days is that on which one has not laughed."

Sébastien-Roch Nicolas Chamfort

Upon reading this, I made an executive decision to laugh at, or about, at least one thing every day.  If that means I have to watch a certain movie, or talk to certain people, or just imagine myself into a laughing fit, so be it.  I will find a reason to laugh, or at least smile about something.

And now, for your enjoyment, I present to you my latest, big-laugh-inducing anecdote (and video).

Last night, I spent my evening hanging out with my friend Brandon (I'm sure he'll get a nickname too eventually... we have been spending increasing amounts of time together) and with champagne-induced curiosity we searched through his instant Netflix for a movie with talking animals.  So after deciding to watch The Dolphin: Story of a Dreamer (a poorly computer animated children's movie with Christian undertones... and also some overtly sexual innuendo, if you have a gutter brain like me) we found ourselves rewinding several scenes.  The scene you are about to see is... well... I'll let you decide for yourself.  But I definitely needed a rewind after the double take I did the first time.




Yeah.  That really just happened. 

Bonus factoids about this movie:

• That blue baby dolphin (whose name is Sparky), while absolutely adorable, is definitely an undiagnosed narcoleptic.
• There's a song.  Something about Fly, Daniel Dolphin, Fly... you can YouTube it.
• Even though the animation is reminiscent of Nintendo64, and the dialogue is bad, and it's a movie for children... it's actually pretty hilarious.  As long as you're not sober.  Be in a happy, giggly place.  I promise you won't regret it.

I want to "Mystery Science Theater 3000" the crap outta this movie.

Music Challenge - Day 15

Sorry for the little hiatus.  Life got a little bit busy in the last few weeks.  I'm not making excuses (...okay, maybe I am a little bit) but in any case, I'm back for now.  So let's get the show on the road...

A song that describes me... hmm... well, I have gone through a number of songs which I think could describe me.  At the very least, there will never stop being songs that I deem personally identifiable.  I could tell you that pretty much anything by Simple Plan could describe my all-too-depressing side... "Welcome To My Life" anyone?  Or maybe "Addicted."  If you know me personally, I'm sure I've pronounced that song my theme song at least once in your presence.  Or perhaps "Hopelessly Devoted to You" from "Grease" would be more appropriate in my particular predicament.  Avril Lavigne has a few good ones that are also right up my alley.  "My World," "Anything But Ordinary," "The Things I'll Never Say..." they were all contenders.  And let's not forget Green Day's "Basket Case," or "Crazy" by Patsy Cline.  At this late hour, I'm sure I'm leaving out other potential (and likely, more positive) songs that could have been songs that describe me.  Perhaps those songs will find their way into the comments section some day...

But for today, I have, indeed narrowed it down to a song that I believe actually encompasses who I am, under normal circumstances, every day of the week.  Tell me if maybe you agree...

Day 15 - A Song That Describes You

Darren Criss.  I get away with this one because even though he's on Glee, and even though I've already used Glee in this list (and I may just bring it back again, despite being repetitive) this is a song by Darren himself on his LP. EP? Whatever.

"Why do I have this incredible need to stand up and say 'please, pay attention?'"  Yup.  A dumb human.  Like you.  Makes perfect sense to me.

And yes, maybe I am just a little bit obsessed with Darren Criss.  He plays a gay, yet totally still drool-worthy character on TV (definitely one of my favorites on the show), he sings, and he's cute.  I mean, come on.  Who wouldn't want to run their fingers through that mess of curls?  I am after all, only *obligatory eye-roll* Human.  Ha.


day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere
day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event
day 08 - a song that you know all the words to
day 09 - a song you can dance to
day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep
day 11 - a song from your favorite band
day 12 - a song from a band you hate
day 13 - a song that is a guilty pleasure 
day 14 - a song that no one would expect you to love

Music Challenge - Day 14

I have been waiting for this particular day of the challenge since I started.  This is the one where I am gonna blow everybody away with a song and a genre of music that makes the rest of the songs on this list look like.... well, like what they look like.  A fluffy little teenybopper's favorite mix-tape.

BUT NOT TODAY!!  Today I get to become a bad ass and share with you a song that no one who knows me would expect me to love.  Or to even have ever heard.

I had a song ready to go.  It was Danzig's "She Rides."  Now... I really, really do love this song.  However, after listening to it, there are several elements of the song that make it right up my alley.  It's slow, it's kinda bluesy, and, yes... it falls into a rather large category of songs that make me want to take my clothes off.  Somewhere inside me there is a very strange urge to be a stripper.  But I could never really do that.

And so instead, I will give you the other song that might make your head spin in confusion.

Day 14 - A Song That No One Would Expect You To Love

White Zombie.  Is anyone else looking at the screen like I have three heads?

day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere
day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event
day 08 - a song that you know all the words to
day 09 - a song you can dance to
day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep
day 11 - a song from your favorite band
day 12 - a song from a band you hate
day 13 - a song that is a guilty pleasure

Music Challenge - Day 13

Interesting that so much emotional stuff should crop up at a time like this.  It wasn't hard for me to think up a song for today.

Originally, when I signed on to do this music challenge, I saw this particular day's challenge and already started getting ideas in my head.  Ideas like songs by Aaron Carter, Nick Carter, and (wait for it...) 2ge+her.  I'm sure I'll figure out a way to bring them into the challenge anyway...

Today's song challege is about guilty pleasures.  And I've just given you my shameful list of runners up.

But today... today is interesting.  There have been new developments in my drama-filled disaster of a love life.  I'll refrain from giving you the details on that.  Just know that I'm running on about 4 hours sleep because between 3am this morning and now... I've been an emotional wreck about all of my drama.  So now for a continued string of apropos songs, I give you... Miley Cyrus. (I apologize for the ad)

Day 13 - A Song That is a Guilty Pleasure

"Shh-ah."  I shudder at the thought that I actually like this song.  And I do.  It didn't have to grow on me.  I liked it the second I heard it.  Granted, I didn't find out that it was Little Miss Hannah Montana herself until after I decided I liked it... but on a more positive note, I probably wouldn't have the ability to use it in my music challenge otherwise.

And, yeah.  This (and a few other songs) pretty much describe EXACTLY how I'm feeling right now.  Thank you catharsis!

And okay, I'm gonna cheat again.  'Cause I almost worked for this guy's manager.  Which would have been entirely, hilariously IRONIC. (See Ash, I used it correctly!  Alanis Morrisette has nothin' on me!)

Yet another on the list of songs that make me want to take my clothes off.  Sigh... how embarrassing...

day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere
day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event
day 08 - a song that you know all the words to
day 09 - a song you can dance to
day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep
day 11 - a song from your favorite band
day 12 - a song from a band you hate

Music Challenge - Day 12

So okay, I had to think of a band I hate for this one.  I don't really hate any bands.  It's a waste of energy.  If I don't like a band, I don't hate it, I just don't listen to it.  Why bother, if I can just listen to something else?

I don't like the Jonas Brothers.  But as far as I know, they've disbanded because one of them went solo or something... like I said, I don't pay much attention.  Not worth the energy.

Also not worth the blog post.

So instead, I'll tell you about someone else I don't hate.  Beyonce.  Don't get me wrong.  I think she has an incredible voice, I think she's very pretty (when she doesn't have a bleached blonde lion's mane for a hair-do) and I think she deserves her spot as a musical icon.

That being said, I also think she is incredibly over-hyped, and I would be just fine if she decided to take a break from making singles that play too often on the radio.

Here's her latest single:

Day 12 - A Song from a Band You Hate

Hmm.  How apropos.

day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere
day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event
day 08 - a song that you know all the words to
day 09 - a song you can dance to
day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep 
day 11 - a song from your favorite band

Music Challenge - Day 11

I'm trying to stay on top of this because I'm so behind.  So for today's music challenge I'm supposed to choose a song from my favorite band.

Well, my favorite band will always and forever be *NSYNC.  But since I've already used them (right out of the gate too, shoulda thought of that...) I'll use my *current* favorite band.  Maroon 5.  What can I say?  I love sexy men who sing sexy songs about sex.  Also, songs about love.  But mostly sex.  Did I say that enough?  Sex.  Also, apparently I like them in fives.

The hardest part about this is choosing only one song.  I just love them all.  Runners up included: "Kiwi," "The Air That I Breathe," "Won't Go Home Without You," and "Can't Stop."  Actually, scratch that... they're all pretty much runners up.

Day 11 - A Song From Your Favorite Band

I love this song.  It's sexy, and dirty, and slightly reminiscent of 70's porn.  It makes me want to take my clothes off.  Also, it's in the best scene of The Wedding Date.

And because I really, honestly couldn't choose between the two, I'm cheating and giving you this song too.  Because I Just. Fucking. Love it.



So there you go.  Songs from my favorite band.

day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere
day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event
day 08 - a song that you know all the words to
day 09 - a song you can dance to
day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep 

Moochie McMoocherson...

I apologize in advance for this draft of "The Great American Novel."

For those who aren't sure, I'm talking about myself.  In the last few months, I have begun to feel like the biggest mooch on the planet.  And just so we're clear, feeling like I'm taking advantage of pretty much everyone I know... is not high on my list of favorite feelings.  Actually, it's not on my list of favorite feelings.  It just feels shitty.

Where to begin?  Well, as much as I enjoy working at my current internship... after six months of work, no pay, and no prospects, I'm beginning to feel as though it's a waste of my time.  I mean, I'm flat broke.  No money.  Zip, zilch, nada.  I don't even have money to put gas in my car.  So it shouldn't be hard to imagine that I struggle with the idea of driving an hour in traffic both directions to go work at a place that doesn't pay me.  Twice a week.  Like I said, I love working where I work.  I love the guys in that office.  I love my boss.  I just can't really do it anymore.

*credit*

 I'm in a place that suggests I should be marching up and down the malls applying to any store that will have me.  But since that idea is less appealing than working for no money... I've been pushing my job search at full speed back in San Diego.  Which means I need money to survive.  Which means I'm mooching.  My parents have tried to comfort me by saying "we don't mind, we're investing in your future" but that doesn't really make me feel any better about taking their money.

Aside from taking my parents' money like a 25-year-old leech, I've been staying with Roommate at her gorgeous condo... where I have a bedroom.  Well, it's not my bedroom... but when I get a job (note the still hopeful, and confident wording) it will be my bedroom until I can save enough money to get my own place.  I've spent the better part of the last couple of months at her place.  And when her bills arrived the other day, she freaked out because they're higher than usual.  Because I've been here.  So now we're in a weird place where she's afraid to ask me for money I don't have, but she needs my help.  Thank god I have understanding parents, but she's still coming to a point of temporarily kicking me out.  I can feel it.  And I understand.  But it still makes me feel awful.  A feeling I've grown quite accustomed to these days.

As if all of the mooching wasn't enough to make me feel bad, there is always the ever present emotional rollercoaster that comes with every interview.  And the drop, when they "liked me a lot but went with another candidate" gets bigger every time.  Speaking of rollercoasters, I need a healthy scream fest.  But I digress...

As long as I'm on this emotional downward spiral, let's not forget about my social life.  Just to give you the short version (because I haven't mentioned it on here until now) I'm currently in a fight with Scooter Pie.  Well... not even a fight.  Because in a fight, you have to be communicating with each other.  Which he isn't.  Basically, Mr. Best Friend - Scooter Pie - and I had been, er... experimenting with other aspects of our relationship.  Remember when I said "what happens in Vegas, stays in vegas?" Well... that's what happened.  And we were pretty good for a while.  But then the subjects of labels and distance were putting a strain on us.  So we talked all the time, and I went down to San Diego every couple of weeks to be with him.  Never let it be said that I didn't try to make it work.  We even made it to "I love you."  Not that it took long.

And then I did something REALLY stupid.  Scooter Pie's resistance to label our relationship as anything other than "Friends Who Love Each Other" and "Together When We're In The Same City" lead me to believe that I'm free to do as I please when we're not in the same city.  And that stupid thing I did? (WARNING: TMI ALERT!)  I slept with someone else.  Someone I really shouldn't have slept with.  And it was horrible.  I felt dirty, and used, and guiltier than a kid with his hand in a cookie jar.  And when Scooter Pie asked me about it, point blank, I didn't lie.  I could have lied to spare his feelings, but I was raised that lying is bad, and I was in no mood to get caught later.  So after apologizing profusely, and getting lied to that he was unaffected by my actions... I left for Israel and came back to find that he's not speaking to me.  At all.

Now, I've been speaking with our mutual friends about my situation, and like the hopeless lunatic I'm beginning to feel like, they agree that I still have a shot at reconciling this relationship.  I have a ridiculous theory that because we're still friends on Facebook... he's not done with me either.  However, it's been over a month that he hasn't spoken to me, and... today... exactly two months since I've actually seen his face.  I'm hanging on to what little hope I have left. 

With everything else that's going on in my life, all the struggles and bad feelings... this kills me more than anything.  Under normal circumstances, Scooter Pie is who I would turn to when I feel as bad as I do.  Even if all I got was a big bear hug -- something he is extraordinary at delivering, I would feel better.  And I can't get him to talk to me.  And despite the fact that I have the greatest friends IN THE WORLD ('cause I do), I feel more alone than I've ever felt. 

Okay, so maybe that wasn't really the short version...

I'm in a hole, desperately trying to scratch and claw my way out.

Everybody keep your fingers crossed for me.  I need it.

Music Challenge - Day 10

For this installment of the challenge, I have to tell you what song makes me fall asleep.  Well... I fall asleep to the TV... so turn off the lights, make the room glow blue, and turn on some white noise and I'll be out like a little light bulb.  However, this is a music challenge, so I can't really use the TV as an answer.

I DO however, have a song and an accompanying story to go with it... because I already know you're gonna read this and make a face as though I have three heads.

Day 10: A Song That Makes You Fall Asleep

Okay.  You think I'm crazy right?  This jaunty song by the Norm Wooster Singers is more fitting for a stroll through the park or a carriage ride than it is for bedtime.  Let me explain.

When I was about... 11 or 12, I was getting to a point in my life where sleeping over at friends' houses and going on class trips out of town were becoming more common.  At the time, I couldn't fall asleep without the TV.  Well, okay, if I got tired enough I'd eventually pass out, but I was basically unwilling to try any alternative to television.  So my parents devised a plan.  Maybe we'll try music.  And so we did.  The first couple nights were pretty rough, but eventually, I got used to it.

I had a boom box in my room (when it was working) and the CD I used to use was the soundtrack to That Thing You Do!  For those of you who don't have this soundtrack, this is track one.  In all honestly, the entire soundtrack is the answer to today's music challenge, but if I can only pick one, this is the song I associate with that time in my life.  Make no mistake, some nights I made it all the way to "My World is Over," "Mr. Downtown," and even "I Need You (That Thing You Do)," which is the last song on the soundtrack.

Just for kicks, I'll tell you that to this day, I still sleep with the television on.  Not because I can't sleep without it, just because I prefer to sleep with it.  Runner up in today's challenge, "Down In New Orleans" from the soundtrack of The Princess and The Frog.  I was falling asleep to that movie for a while and it got to the point where I'd be passed out before the movie really even started.  So I guess maybe that should have been my answer.  Whatever, I like my anecdote better.


day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere
day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event
day 08 - a song that you know all the words to
day 09 - a song you can dance to

Music Challenge - Day Nine

For today's installment of the music challenge, which I am trying desperately to catch up on, I thought long and hard.  I scoured the long list of my iTunes and decided that a lot of those songs applied to today's challenge.

Just to backtrack a bit, I am a dancer by nature.  I like to dance.  I like dancing to whatever is currently playing, as long as it has a decent beat and/or melody.  Frequently, when I'm alone, I will rush to my computer, open my iTunes and dance around the room.  Sometimes, I even dance in my underwear (though I have never officially pulled a Tom Cruise in Risky Business) because I get all sweaty in clothes.  And I don't always dance like I'm at a party.  Sometimes, I find myself dancing like I have some kind of choreography.  Sometimes I dance in a modern/ballet style.  Sometimes I dance like I'm at a club.  Sometimes I dance like a stripper.  A Burlesque stripper.  Yeah.  But one of my favorite things to do, is retreat back to my days spent in endless dance classes, and dance in front of a mirror.  Before you judge me for that, I would like you all to consider how many times you look at yourself in a mirror.  Or any reflective surface for that matter.  I am totally guilty of the narcissistic tendency to look at myself whenever opportunity presents itself.  Which brings me to my song selection...

Day 09 - A Song You Can Dance To

This particular challenge day is dedicated to Ashley, because a few years back, when we were roommates... she actually CAUGHT me dancing to this song and watching myself in the mirror.  She will never let me live it down, and so now, I share my humiliation with all of you.  Enjoy it.

Oh, and I didn't realize that I was supposed to be linking you in this other summary of songs, so... these have links.

day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere
day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event
day 08 - a song that you know all the words to

Music Challenge - Day Eight

Okay.  So... wow.  I am way behind on this whole music challenge thing.  I guess that can happen when you spread yourself thin.  Started in April and I'm not even a third of the way through.  That's just sad.  Anyway, without further ado...

A song that I know all the words to.  Hmm... well, I know all the words to a lot of songs.  So this one was particularly difficult to come up with.  However, I'll give you one that I find more entertaining than some.  Start the video at about 0:17, I couldn't find a better video than this.  My apologies.  Enjoy anyway.

Day 08 - A Song That You Know All The Words To




Aside from the lyrics of this song being particularly, er... blunt and hilarious, the thing that makes it even more entertaining (to me) is that I have been singing this song since I was 12.  Yeah, you heard me.  I was 12 years old, and I was singing about tits and ass.  And then I turned 14 and grew some.  And my mother loved it.  I have a sick family...

day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere
day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event

Music Challenge - Day Seven

Greetings Wonderers!!

I know it's been a while, but now that I have returned from the Promised Land (Israel, for those who are uninformed) with a bazillion pictures, some souvenirs, and a gaggle of new friends, I shall return to the blogosphere and continue to tell of my adventures in Wonderland.

Clearly this music challenge thing is going to take me exponentially longer than 30 days... but whatever, I'm doing it.

I would like you to know that I have been saving this particular challenge day for a reason.  I had a funny feeling that I'd come back from Israel with a song that reminded me of my Taglit-Birthright trip.  Congratulations to me, I get a gold star for being correct!

Day 07 - A Song That Reminds You of a Certain Event:

For those of you who don't read, speak, or understand Hebrew (and I'm assuming most of you don't, because, well... I don't) this song is called "Salaam" (or "Sallam" depending on where you find it) by a guy named Mosh Ben Ari (or Sheva, according to this video and iTunes.)  It's a song about peace.  And it's fun.

Basically, we listened to this song A LOT on this trip.  Enough, in fact, that by the end of the trip, we all knew the words (yeah, it's basically like three lines)  We even had a group sing-a-long (lead, on guitar, by one of our group members who we lovingly refer to as our Cruise Director) on our way to the airport to go home.

Other contenders included "Hallelujah" (By Leonard Cohen) which I was lucky enough to lead with Cruise Director during a jam session on our last night in Jerusalem, and a song called "Jessica" by a group called Ethnix.  Oh, and the entire soundtrack of The Lion King.  Which we also listened to (and sang along with) on the bus.  Our group is awesome like that.  Shout out to RT 24-125!!!

day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere

Music Challenge - Day Six

This challenge is turning out to be much harder than I was expecting.  However, I have finally decided on a song that reminds me of an actual place.  I had several options that I was weighing in my head, but most of the "places" I was thinking of were linked to events, and that's a whole separate challenge day.

This song, however, does in fact take me back to a specific location.  In my freshman year of college, I lived in a dorm that was relatively secluded on the campus, and enough so to merit it's own market in front of the building.  It basically amounted to the college version of a 7-11, with candy and cereal and a few toiletries here and there, even a grill where you could buy plenty of fattening and unhealthy food.  Like fried mozzarella sticks.  Which were disgusting.  And delicious.

Anyway, it seemed as though Pitbull's Culo was playing in the store 24 hours a day.  I guess that's what happens when you go to college 15 minutes from the Mexican border...

So here's to you Chappy Market!  Thanks for the memories and heartburn!

Day 06 - A Song That Reminds You of Somewhere:


Ahh.. memories.
*Note... this song also reminds me of Tijuana itself, because it played a lot in the club circuit there too. Yes, I partied there. Yes, it's gross.  Don't judge me.  I was 18 and stupid.

day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone

Music Challenge - Day Five

It took me quite a while to pick out this song.  There are so many songs in the world that remind me of so many people, and I just wanted to pick out a good one.  I finally decided that this song and this person would be the most appropriate.

A little less than a year ago, I lost a good friend of mine.  Scooter Pie introduced us back in 2009 when he started taking me to one of his favorite karaoke bars in Hillcrest.  The bar is called Flicks, and every Sunday, they would have karaoke, hosted by a man named Tom Doyle.  Scooter Pie met Tom while they were in a play together and had remained close. So close, in fact, that every time Scooter Pie was at a karaoke night hosted by Tom, he sang "Sandy" from Grease but changed the name to "Tommy."

This is not that song.  This song, rather, is the song that I used to sing with Tom. He approached me one night and asked me if I knew the words to this song.  I got very excited, and before I knew it, we were up on stage, singing it together.  So here it is.

Day 05 - A Song That Reminds You Of Someone




It was one of the greatest times I had (nothing holds a candle to singing "(I've Had) The Time Of My Life" with Scooter Pie... check that off the bucket list) singing karaoke. When Scooter Pie first introduced us, I realized I had recently seen him in a play, and that he was my favorite part of the play itself.  I raved, and we became instant friends.  According to Scooter Pie, Tommy adored me.  I had no idea until I realized that his last Facebook profile picture has me in it.  I feel very lucky, and honored to hold that distinction.  This one's for you, Tom.  I know you're up there, singing with me.

The infamous profile picture

A Big Ol' Blog Full Of Pictures...

Thank you in advance to Purple who told me about Picasa.  You made this blog post much easier. 

In the past week, for reasons I'm not quite clear on, I have been experiencing quite the creative spurt.  It all started Memorial Day weekend, because we were expecting Cousin Face, MsLyss, Brother-of-Cousin Face, and the kids (from this moment to be known collectively as the "FamBam") for a family bbq of burgers and sausages.  So (you guessed it) I was put in charge of dessert.  We had a box of red velvet cake mix by Duncan Hines, and I know a great cream cheese frosting recipe, so I couldn't think of anything more patriotic.

Since we had small children coming, I thought it would be fun to make mini-cupcakes, and save some for their little hands to decorate.  Generally, this cake mix is enough for about 24 cupcakes, but I managed to get 55 (yup, more than double) with my mini tins.  I use a piping bag to fill my cupcake tins because I can better control the amount of batter per cupcake, but it's not necessary.  I also wanted to give you a few in process pictures (even though cake mixes are very user friendly) to show you how they look before and after being baked.

Once the cupcakes were baked, I wanted to do a little something extra to frost them.  I used Wilton Icing Coloring in Delphinium Blue, and mixed just enough to create a swirl effect.  Then I used my smallest star piping tip to swirl the frosting onto the cupcakes.  Sprinkle with colored sugars (I used red, blue, and gold) and you have some lovely, festive, pop-able cupcakes.  My cupcakes came out a little bit uneven, but the best way to avoid that is to put your cupcake tins on a flat surface (like a cookie sheet, or a foil covered oven rack) and rotate them halfway through the baking process.

The next night, Cousin Face, who had spent the night before with us, was a most excellent historian/sous chef while I made my family a dinner of meatballs and THE bruschetta from Julie & Julia.  As you know, that movie holds a very special place in my heart (and my kitchen!) and my mom and I have been talking forever about wanting to make this bruschetta that they rave so much about.  I finally found the recipe, concocted by the food stylist for the movie, and I've gotta say... it is every bit as good as they make it out to be.

This is a super easy recipe, with very few ingredients, and very little prep time. You should also be aware that the bruschetta alone is enough for a meal.  The most important things to remember, in my opinion, are making sure you have large, ripe, heirloom tomatoes (they make a difference), TEAR the basil, don't chop it, and have a nice loaf of crusty bread.  I used a par-baked round of Italian bread from Ralphs, most grocery stores carry par-baked breads in their bakery sections.  Rather than bake the bread for the full 15 minutes suggested by the package, I only baked it for 10 minutes since I knew the bread was going back in a pan to be fried, and I wanted to maintain some of the softness in the middle.  Cut the bread in thick slices (about 3/4 inch) and then cut them in half.  After frying them in the pan, rub them with a garlic clove (the heat from the bread will help bring out the juices in the garlic and it will spread more easily) and then spoon your tomato mixture onto your bread slices. *Note: It's better to spoon your tomatoes on each bread slice just before you eat them, letting the tomato mixture sit on the bread will make your bread soggy. 

To go with this marvelous bruschetta, my dad found a recipe for meatballs (link above).  I substituted the 1/2 pound of veal for another 1/2 pound of pork, so I had a 2:1 ratio of pork to beef. *Note the hilarious Star of David made of mostly pork meatballs.  For the marinara, I used Fresh & Easy's Tomato Basil sauce straight from the jar.  Don't be afraid when you cook your meatballs if they look a little charred on some sides - that's a good thing!  Meatballs are supposed to have a sort of, crunchy outer layer.  The moral of this adventure in the kitchen is:  it is very easy to over eat when the food you make is as delicious as this dinner was.

For my last segment of this blog, I'm going to switch it up from food, to hair.  For reasons I don't entirely understand yet, I'm going to link you to my comedian friend's girlfriend on YouTube.  Her name is Bree.  Under normal circumstances, this would not be happening, but I guess this is just another unexpected twist on my journey down the rabbit hole.  As I've told you before, I am a full-fledged hair retard.  I watched her tutorials, and by some magic... I think I actually learned something.  It will take practice, but I'm starting to get the hang of it.  It took me quite a bit of time to get it right, but it was late at night, and I wasn't using product of any kind (I was relying on my dirty hair to be enough product) but I managed to have some success.  And anyone who can teach me how to do something semi-difficult in the hair department certainly deserves a shout-out in my book.

That's it for today's installment!  See ya in Wonderland!

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes, but I Left my Heart in San Diego...

Time to take a break in the Music Challenge ('cause if I don't, today's song would leave me completely exposed and I just can't have that on the internet forever) and just tell you about some things that have been rolling around in my little head.  Forgive me in advance, I may ramble.

Like, for example, that I have been feeling sort of like I'm threw myself really hard at a Velcro wall, and got stuck there.  I've been living in LA for almost a year.  Since moving here, I have had relatively little success.  Sure, I got a really cool gig as a post-production assistant on a major motion picture, and I learned a lot.  But that only lasted for three months... which doesn't look so great on a resume, no matter what you say in an interview. 

Now, I'm in a position where I'm (basically) being forced to be an intern until someone decides that I've gained enough experience (unpaid) to hire me as a full-time employee.  Most places ask for a minimum of one year (usually two) of experience.  And I can't really afford to work unpaid anymore.  On the upside, I just had a really cool opportunity to drive around a Swedish director, for which I am getting paid.  I am now officially on the payroll at one of my internships.  Great, right?  Well, yes and no.  Yes I'm on the payroll, but I will only be paid for project work, or part time hours.  So I'll get paid, but only sporadically.  At the moment, it looks like I'll have enough spending money for my trip to Israel (in three weeks!!), but nothing promising enough to save up for any long period of time. 

So why am I miserable?  I came to LA to work in the Entertainment Industry, and I finally got my foot in the door.  By myself, no less!  I should be really excited, right?  You would think so, but actually, the second I signed my name on that W-4, I was overcome with a wave of panic.  Call me crazy, but that's not how you're supposed to feel when your dreams come true.  Which brings me to the second half of this blog...

After being in LA for so long (I know a year isn't that long, but when you've been unemployed for more than half of it, believe me, it's a loooong time) I am coming to realize that I don't really know what I want to do in this industry.  I don't really know what I'm cut out for.  I have a major lack of direction... and in a job search... that's a HUGE problem. 

Not to mention, all of my friends are still back in San Diego.  All of my closest friends, that I made my life with, are far away from me... and the broker I get, the harder it is for me to visit them.  And with all of the struggling in LA that's going on... I'm feeling a stronger pull back to San Diego than ever.  I need to be with my friends, I need to be away from my parents, I need to be back where I'm comfortable, and I need to make enough money to stay there.

I have been running my job search, full-speed, back to San Diego.  I have been scammed twice in a week's time, sending me on an emotional rollercoaster (for a number of reasons) and its wearing me down.  Hard.  With every job rejection, I feel more and more like I should never have left in the first place.  With every scam, comes the promise of moving back, but then reality hits.  And my heart breaks a little more each time.  When I said I feel like I'm stuck to a Velcro wall, this is what I'm talking about.  Now that I don't live in San Diego, it's even harder for me to get a job there.  People are much more willing to take a local than someone who has to relocate.

I remember when I was first considering moving to LA.  One of the first (and most prominent) fears I had was that I would move up to LA, and get stuck here.  I really didn't want to move.  I resisted as long as I could.  And now... I'm exactly where I said I'd be.  Stuck.  The longer I stay, the less I want to.  So come on San Diego... pull me back.  Please?

30 Day Music Challenge - Day Four

I'm starting to realize why they call these things "challenges."  They're HARD!  If I could list my top 5 for each category, it would be so much easier.  The challenge for today was to find a song that makes me sad.  I will be the first to admit to you, that most of the songs that make me sad are related very directly to an incident (usually an incident involving men) so I tried very hard to narrow down the choices to a song that just makes me sad.

First, I thought to myself, well "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton is a really sad song... but especially if you know who the song was written for.

*Sidebar - I just spilled coffee all over myself.  Read my profile and you'll understand why that's hilarious. 

Anyway, I also thought about "Please, Please, Please" by the Smiths... because that song really sort of fits my life right now.  But, I know there is a better one.  So, a list 13 songs long, and 12 cross-outs later, here it is (please ignore the Spanish titles):

Day 04 - A Song that Makes You Sad:




I know what you're thinking.  How can a song called "Smile" make you sad, right?  Well, basically, when I'm sad, the hardest thing in the world for me to do is to smile.  So this song sort of points that out.  I can put this song on, and often, I find myself crying because I just can't do anything else.  Even more so if I sing with her.  So there you have it.  This song brings a good cry.

day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy

30 Day Music Challenge - Day Three

I'm trying to keep up... I really am.

Anyway, it took me a while to come up with this particular choice, as there are quite a few songs that make me happy.  Recently however, I do have a few favorites.  I narrowed them down and tried to think of all the songs that brought a smile to my face, just by listening to them.  Turns out, a lot of those songs are "loser anthems," which I can relate to very easily.

Being the huge Gleek that I am, there is an absurd amount of music from the show on my iPod.  So as I flipped through my library, and especially in my Top Rated folder (THE playlist of favorite songs) I encountered quite a few songs from the Glee Cast Catalog.  None stuck out as clearly as this particular song.  But you should all know that Pink's "Raise Your Glass" was a VERY close second.

Day 03 - A Song That Makes You Happy

Not only does this song bring an instant smile to my face with the hook alone, I actually get goosebumps when the I hear the chorus.  That's right.  Goosebumps.  I am so overcome with joy and smiles that my hair stands on end and my skin gets all tingly.  I love this song.  For all that it represents, and for every one who has ever felt like a loser.

Well done, original Glee song.  Well.  Done.

day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song

30 Day Music Challenge - Day Two...

I'm beginning to think there is nothing that will make me update this thing more often... but here we go.

Day Two - Your Least Favorite Song

I tried to think about my least favorite song. On any given day, I'll hear a song I don't like and it might be my least favorite song of the moment. It changes, but my feelings are usually based on whether or not I like the artist and/or if the song has been considerably overplayed.  However, I don't spend much time listening to songs I don't like, so I was drawing a blank.

I did remember a song that I didn't like a long time ago, and it's actually kind of a hilarious counterpoint to my favorite song post. So the story here, is that when boy bands ruled the radio, I was an *NSYNC fan to my very core. That meant I had a sort of automatic hatred for the OTHER boy band with the giant following of teenage girls... The Backstreet Boys. One weekend, I was working on a solar system project in my garage, and I heard this song played on the radio 7 times in a fairly short period of time. It was like every time I was out there listening to the radio, that song played at least once. So without further ado, I present to you, day two's song:


If I never hear this song again, it will be too soon.

 day 01 - your favorite song

*A note to Purple: I'm gonna go ahead and guess that you knew this was the answer.

**Cousin Face: Shut up, I know you already said I'd do it and my list would be full of boybands and bubble gum.  There will be others, Face, there will be others...

FINE! 30 Day Music Challenge...

Alright, alright, first Cousin Face, now... Purple (still working out a nick name)?  I suppose that almost makes me obligated.  Like Purple, this won't be DAILY.  But I'll throw them into other posts... in a song of the moment (or I need an excuse to blog) kind of way.  So lets get things started.

Day 1- Your Favorite Song

This is really hard.  Because I have favorite songs in every genre.  But if I were to pick the one I've been saying for most of my life (now it's almost out of habit, but since I can't decide anymore, it'll do).

This song is the whole reason I bought that album.  I remember having heard "Here We Go" and "I Want You Back," but this song was the straw that broke the camel's back.  I heard it, and I just knew this album needed to make its way into my collection.  And with that album... came a love that would last for more than a decade!  I still love those boys, I still love Lance.  Maybe I'm not as... passionate (understatement of the century)... as I once was... but then... get me in a room with all of them, singing and dancing... and I might just revert back to my days as a Teenybopper... sparkly face and all.  So there.  Favorite song.  *NSYNC's "God Must Have Spent (A Little More Time On You)"

And for all none of you that read my blog... should you choose to participate... here's the list:

day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere
day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event
day 08 - a song that you know all the words to
day 09 - a song that you can dance to
day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep
day 11 - a song from your favorite band
day 12 - a song from a band you hate
day 13 - a song that is a guilty pleasure
day 14 - a song that no one would expect you to love
day 15 - a song that describes you
day 16 - a song that you used to love but now hate
day 17 - a song that you hear often on the radio
day 18 - a song that you wish you heard on the radio
day 19 - a song from your favorite album
day 20 - a song that you listen to when you’re angry
day 21 - a song that you listen to when you’re happy
day 22 - a song that you listen to when you’re sad
day 23 - a song that you want to play at your wedding
day 24 - a song that you want to play at your funeral
day 25 - a song that makes you laugh
day 26 - a song that you can play on an instrument
day 27 - a song that you wish you could play
day 28 - a song that makes you feel guilty
day 29 - a song from your childhood
day 30 - your favorite song at this time last year

So Many Adventures, SO LITTLE TIME!!!

Oh my goodness blog friends (all two of you), I have so many stories to tell you!

Let's start with Las Vegas.  Scooter Pie decided to ride his friend Schmitty's birthday coat tails, and so we set off on an adventure to the REAL city that never sleeps.  Scooter Pie was nice enough to let me tag along, and I didn't even have to pay for the room.  He's such a gentleman.

We roamed the strip, mostly walked around, drank, smoked cigars (mostly him, though I did take a puff here and there), and barely even gambled.  It was REALLY cold, and I immediately regretted not taking my peacoat, though I had a fabulous time getting all dolled up for some good ol' fashioned Vegas nightlife.  While hanging out with Schmitty and his wife, we did get to eat at Tom Colicchio's sandwich shop, 'wichcraft, at the MGM Grand where I had a spectacular panini with chicken breast, pesto, mozzarella, and roasted red peppers.  We also got to check out a couple of the art galleries, including one for Dale Chihuly (the guy who did the glass flowers on the Bellagio ceiling), and a photography exhibit by Rodney Lough, Jr. which was breathtaking. 

We met up with a couple friends on Freemont street on our last night, and then walked around the strip until 3 in the morning.  Neither one of us was smart enough to get a picture TOGETHER, and the rest of the pictures are mostly of stuff, and not of us.  We had a great time, which is really the point here, and all I really have to say about it is "what happens in Vegas, STAYS in Vegas."  For good reasons.  Ha!

Now, I can tell you about Surprise, AZ, from whence I have just returned.  Mom and I drove in on Thursday, and just returned this evening.  We went to celebrate Pesach (Passover, for you semi-educated, non-Jews) and because my godparents (whose house we were at) like to throw large parties, it took us three full days, and part of Monday, to prepare the food, etc. for 25 people.  It was a lovely seder, despite the fact that Passover is my least favorite of the Jewish holidays, and the fact that at 25 years old, I am still the youngest, and therefore have to ask the four questions.  My godmother has officially dubbed me "Passover Maven" (I was on my "maven voyage," not my joke) because I can now make Sephardic Charoset (a mixture of nuts, dried fruit, and honey) and am also capable of a variety of other Passover related activities.  All in all, a nice vacation spent in perfect weather, in a perfectly beautiful setting, complete with cacti, palm trees, and fornicating bunnies.  There was also THE most amazing view of the Big Dipper that I have ever seen.

Unfortunately, with the whole family gone for 6 days, my cat is now thoroughly pissed at all of us.  Even more unfortunately, she takes out the bulk of her displeasure on me, whining loudly and using a portion of my bedroom as her personal toilet.  I came home, and found a corner, soaked, and reeking of urine.  NOT exciting.  ESPECIALLY since she decided to ruin my Jessica Simpson red leather pumps from a friend of mine.  Sad, sad day.  Under normal circumstances, I would not allow her to sleep in my bedroom with me this evening.  However, since she's been alone for a week (with the exception of my cousin, Makeup Guru coming by to feed her) I don't have the heart to make her sleep alone another night.  Re-training a 17-year-old cat to use her litterbox will be no picnic...

Until next time (and it will be soon)... keep wondering!

It Hurts Me More Than It Hurts You...

So soon, another blog post?  Down right immediate!  Well, maybe it's because I forgot to tell you about my shove into parenthood.  No, I'm not pregnant.  But since my parents have officially decided to "give my cat back to me," I now get to do all the fun stuff like going to the vet by myself.

You should know, that the last time I went to the vet, it was with my mom, and my other cat... and only my mom and I came home.  Naturally, this visit was nothing like easy for me.  I spent the entire drive telling my cat (and really, myself) that everything was gonna be okay, and that nothing would be wrong with her, except maybe she would need her teeth cleaned, all the while hearing the most horrible sentence from our last visit play on a loop in my head.  "I would put her down."  Let me tell you something... hyperventilating in a car is no fun.

So I took my crying kitty into the office, and checked in.  We got a room, and I expressed my concerns to the vet, while at the same time making sure to tell him all the positives about her.  She has been extremely finicky about her food, but she has an appetite, and no problem expressing her displeasure with whatever food she doesn't want to eat, so we suspected it might be her teeth.  Also, she has a little thing on her foot that I had been worried about.  He took her in for some tests, and I went out to the waiting room, waiting in terror.  Turns out, the little growth on her foot is nothing to be concerned about, and the vet just clipped the plaque off her teeth with his fingers real fast.  But she is almost 17, and so there was little chance she would come out completely healthy and normal.

Turns out, not only is she hyperthyroid, she has both liver and kidney failure.  I could already feel the color draining from my face.  Here it comes... he's gonna tell me I have to put my cat to sleep and I'm all by myself.  I'm gonna be driving back to my house with an empty cat carrier.  "It is treatable" he said, probably sensing my nervousness (I'm sure I looked like a deer caught in headlights).  She gets half a pill twice a day for her hyperthyroid condition (which sucks, but is not a major issue) and she gets 50ml of subcutaneous fluids a day.

For those of you who don't know what subcutaneous means, I'll enlighten you.  That means, I have to stick my cat with a needle and hook her up to an IV for a few minutes every day.  I am terribly squeamish, even when I'm not the one involved.  I don't even like listening to stories about blood, or needles, or any kind of other icky medical situations like surgeries or broken bones.  But, since I am responsible for my kitty, it's something I just have to push myself to do.  I won't lie to you... I thought it would get easier with time, but we're half way through the first bag (hopefully the only bag) and I feel worse every time I do it.  Sometimes she cries, sometimes she doesn't, but nothing she can do will keep me from feeling like the most horrible person in the world for a few minutes every day.  Or like the new nursing intern who's never stuck a patient with a needle before.  Or both.  Usually both.

Luckily, it never ceases to amaze me that after collecting herself (she doesn't much care for being held still against her will, not to mention being stuck with a needle) she comes right back to snuggle next to me.  Rewards for being a mom.  :)

Wanderlust in Wonderland...

Hello blog friends!  Here I am with more updates on my life, and ever changing journey to self discovery.

SQUEE!!!!

Aside from the fact that the last episode of Glee that aired had me squealing with joy (so loud, in fact, that my dad came into my bedroom because he thought I was in pain), it is probably the least important thing to tell you about.  However, for your enjoyment... my squeal worthy moment:  

Glee-wind: Original Song  <------ Sorry guys, this is the best I can do.  Fox went Copyright on all the real clips.  So I would recommend watching the whole episode on Fox or Hulu or whatever...

Other exciting things to tell you about?  The assistant at my literary management internship has a group of friends who are in the process of making an absurdist sketch comedy show, and he asked if I was at all interested in being a part of it.  Naturally, I said that I would of course be interested.  We had a meeting last Friday, and as it turns out, these guys are right up my alley.  Funny, nerdly, and awesome... I fit right in!  AND I'm the only girl, which is, as you know, not an unfamiliar concept to me.  The adventure begins...

ANYWAY...

In other news, the little girl who never goes anywhere (except maybe to San Diego) is about to go EVERYWHERE!  Okay, not everywhere, but certainly a lot of different places in a rather small time frame.

First up, VEGAS!  I have not been to Las Vegas since 2007 when I went with my friends Penelope, Roxanne, and Brittany (thank you aliases) for a Justin Timberlake concert.  We stayed at my aunt's house so we save the money we would have spent on a hotel, and went walking around on the strip during the day.

This time, I'll be making the road trip with Scooter Pie.  He finally fixed up his car (it hasn't run for something like two years) and so we're driving up in the Black Beauty.  I have made a Vegas playlist on my iPod in advance, and I'll be packing us a bag of snacks, because I'm sure he won't think to bring them.  He is nice enough to be taking care of the hotel, so all I have to pay for is food, drinks, and whatever else I decide to "donate" to the many casinos the city has to offer.  It should be a fun filled weekend of drunken stupidity, and a desperately needed escape from home.

After Vegas, I'll have about three days of working and breathing time before I head out on ANOTHER road trip.  This time, it will be me and my mother in the car on our way to Surprise, Arizona for a Passover Seder.  Not gonna lie, Passover is probably my least favorite of the Jewish holidays.  I'm sorry, I just don't want to read a story before I eat.  And I'm really sick of being the youngest and having to ask the questions.  I'm 25... can't somebody just have a baby and teach it to talk?  Not sure how we'll do, but I think if I make sure the car is packed with plenty of provisions (how's that for alliteration?) and the right playlist of songs (even more P's, how does she do it?) we should be just fine.  Or at each other's throats for hours.  We'll see how it goes.

Lastly, (and most excitingly), I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED ON A BIRTHRIGHT TRIP!!!  This summer, Roommate and I will be heading to Israel for a free 10-day trip full of history and education.  And the sun.  I'll come back exhausted, toned, probably thinner, and definitely tan.  I am sure I will have plenty of pictures and stories to tell you all about.

And for your viewing pleasure, the current "love of my life" on the boob-tube:

*credit*This is Jensen Ackles.  He's on Supernatural.  Hot and funny.  Where can I get one?

The Worst Blogger in the History of Ever...

So, I'm really bad at this, yeah?  It seems I have been lost in Wonderland and I have only recently found my way back to you.  So many life updates, such a tiny space!

Rather than tell you every intimate detail of my life since my grandmother's birthday back in JANUARY, I'll give you the readers digest version:

Roommate's Birthday in San Diego at Dick's Last Resort:

     After hearing countless stories about the antics at this restaurant, I had been dying to go, and luckily Roommate (yeah, I'm trying this whole "blog nickname" thing out) had decided that she wanted to go there for her 26th birthday.  We had a great time, followed by The Shout House for some "Big Ass Beers" and dueling piano goodness.

Photo Summary:

Me, Soul Sister, and Roommate.  Yeah.

Cry Baby Birthday Bash:

I've been wanting to do it for a long time, and I finally threw myself a 50's themed birthday party.  Seeing as how I'm officially 50% of the way to 50, it seemed appropriate for my quarter-life crisis birthday extravaganza.  I had my Cousin Face outfit me in some 50's biker garb (I thought I'd surprise everyone and stray from the "good girl" poodle skirt) since she dresses like that more frequently than I do.  We spent weeks (more accurately, several weekends over the course of a few weeks) searching through vintage stores for the right pieces.  The shoes were the hardest to find, since I have tiny little baby feet, but we did come across a pair that can only be described as "fierce." 

With my hair back to blonde and another (much simpler) hair lesson from Cousin Face, I took my little biker butt to San Diego (but, of course) for some burgers at the Corvette Diner.  This place, if you have never been, is a lot of fun, complete with big haired waitresses and a rock 'n' roll soundtrack.  I was particularly excited about it, because over the last few months I have been changing my eating habits (and okay, maybe going hungry a few times) to get down to my goal weight, so that I could gorge myself on a GIANT burger for my birthday.  I did not take into account that I might be too full to even drink, but I managed to have a great time, sober.  We finished the evening at The Lamplighter for some Karaoke where I was serenaded by two of my friends (*NSYNC's "It's Gonna Be Me) and then got up to sing Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot."  And I nailed it.  I also came to realize that with age, comes fatigue.  I was so tired that I was ready to go to bed around 11:00.  Didn't, but definitely could have if I hadn't gotten a second wind.  I am so out of party shape.

Photo Summary:

Scooter Pie.  The BFF that looks like a boyfriend.  Love him.

Two Birthdays and Bon Voyage!:

The very next weekend after my birthday, I returned to my lovely San Diego to say "Happy Birthday" and "Bon Voyage" to my friend Ashley (okay, she doesn't have a nickname yet.) who is now in Turkey for a potential year abroad.  Just because she wants to.  She's awesome like that.  Her birthday was at a bar called Typhoon Saloon, the only place I know of that plays 90's pop hits regularly.  Even *NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye" came on, appropriately, and without being requested.

Highlights included seeing old sorority sisters, friends winning VIP access, getting a free shot for pretending to have an orgasm for 10 seconds (easiest free shot, ever), an awkward kiss with a close friend (after Roommate prodded him to "prove" his heterosexuality while he was standing over me), and getting to see Ashley be more, er... suggestive, in public than I have ever seen her before.  I was so excited (and a little intoxicated) that I actually screamed at people to "get a camera before it stops happening!"  I miss her already, but that's what Skype and Facebook chat are for.

Photo Summary:

Mini Sig Kap Reunion!

 

 

Cousin's Milestone Sushi Birthday:

So the day after I said goodbye to Ashley, I drove through Guada-La Habra for my cousin's 25th birthday.  Spent the afternoon with Cousin Face and the kids (Brother of Cousin Face's kids) in preparation for MsLyss's birthday.  For those curious, MsLyss is the wife of Cousin Face's Brother, but we're really close.  Check out her website.  We went to a sushi place across the street from their house, and got all kinds of great deals on sushi and Sake and Beer.  There are no pictures, but it was a great evening.

In other news...

I am now an intern for two different companies in the entertainment industry.  One does literary management, and the other is an independent film production company.  Basically... I read a lot of screenplays, and write coverage (which is basically like a really short book report) for them.  Oh, and I make no money at it.  It's okay for now, 'cause I love what I do, but sooner or later my butt's gonna need some cash.  Hopefully these will lead somewhere, and the sooner the better.

Also I promise to try and stay more updated with this thing.  I've just been such a busy little bee!