She's Winsexy!

eggplant

2007-10-31T09:48:00.000-04:00

Seamus Heaney

2007-09-22T10:47:00.000-04:00

The BreeShe and I

2007-06-24T21:02:00.000-04:00

So I know it's been ages since I posted, but I've been promising myself all that time that I would get back into the habit of posting on a regular basis. Hopefully I can get back on that track. I've been a very busy girl lately. And while that is a great thing, some things have fallen to the wayside, blogging, cleaning and regularly crafting are among them. On the other hand I've been having a blast and also reading quite a bit, so I'll stop complaining.

The biggest change in my life since we last chatted (or well, you know) is that I acquired a bike. I never really thought I wanted a bike, but lately I've become obsessed with street style blogs (I am well aware that I am not the only one), and two of my favorites, The Sartorialist and facehunter, feature loads of pictures of adorable girls on adorable bikes. Slowly I found myself thinking about bikes. I decided it would be a blast to be one of those girls, but I wasn't really in the market for a bike. About a month ago I was at Village Thrift with the lovely LP on our day off. And there she was, in all her glittery, green glory. And thus the love affair between Breezy Sheila and I was begun. I named her Breezy Sheila because she's a Schwinn Breeze. The color is called campus green, and since I pretty much go buck wild for anything green these days I was flipping out as soon as I saw her. Once we got some guy to lift her off the rack, I got on and she was a perfect fit right away. It was at that point that I new it was fate. That and that she was only 35 bucks. Although I still drove LP crazy trying to decide whether or not I should take what would be come the BreeShe home. Finally I decided that despite potential storage issues, my life would not be complete without her, so we through her in the back of the Subaru wagon, and the rest is history.

She is a single speed with coaster brakes, which is a little ridiculous, but one of the many reasons I love her so much. I've done a little research since I got her and I found out, like I said, that the color is called campus green. I'd also guess she's from the early 70s, possibly 73. And she's gorgeous. I've been told she's "sharp", "classy" and that she "makes a statement". Which was of course exactly what I was going for.

I got her a basket and these days I ride her to work. It's great. I love having her. I never dreamed how convenient it would be, but it's fantastic. Also, I've had a guy compliment my fenders, so clearly she's hilarity in the making. Long live Breezy Sheila.

Time to Reinstate the Book Buying Hiatus

2007-05-08T16:18:00.000-04:00

So for quite awhile I had put my self on an indefinite book buying hiatus. My pile (by my bed, of bought, to-read books) was far too large, and I hadn't been making much progress through them, I felt like I was constantly buying books, and reading one of the ones I had bought, then adding the rest to the pile, and then buying new books once I had finished the one I chose to read. This means the pile was growing much faster than I was working through them. In fact, I wasn't really working through them at all. So for a few months, the only books I let myself buy were new book club books. And I was very good and stuck to my decision. I spent my money else where, got some new clothes, ate out a little, and made some serious progress with my pile. I was quite proud of myself.

Then about a week and a half ago I got a call on my way to babysitting saying that they would back a little late from Baltimore and all of a sudden I had some time to kill. So I stopped into the Busboys & Poets bookstore. There on the shelf was a nice little copy of Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Sijie Dai. It had been on my reading list for awhile, and coming in just around a hundred and seventy pages, I figured "why not? I'll get through it quickly, and it's just one book." So I bought it, and thus the madness began.

A few days later, Sarah and I headed up to Politics & Prose, as stop one on an evening of many plans. When I saw that Seamus Heaney's most recent collection District and Circle was finally out in paperback I just couldn't help myself. And since it's such a tiny volume, I felt that buying just that one thing would be almost embarrassing as a reader. So I looked for something else to pickup and spotted St. Lucy's School for Girls Raised by Wolves by Karen Rusell, which had shown up in the staff recommendations of just about all of my favorite bookstores. So I bought it. But it was hard cover. Up until about a year ago, I only bought hardcover copies of books by my favorite authors that I absolutely could not wait to read. But as I got out of school and obsessed with the prospects of my own recreational reading, I got more into reading reviews and recommendations and would get excited about books before they had been released in paperback. So I started buying hardcovers here and there, telling myself that the extra money was not a bad exchange for having such a visually appealing and more permanent copy of a book I was sure to love. Truthfully, I still would rather read paperbacks (I take my books everywhere with me, and carrying around a hardcover can be quite the annoyance) but as I've always been impatient sometimes I just can't seem to wait.

After book club this weekend, I went into the Busboys & Poets bookstore again to check if they had the book we had chosen and while they didn't I found a copy of The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. The only Atwood I've ever read is Surfacing, and since I've been told that it's atypical of her work (not to imply I didn't like Surfacing, I loved it), and have been endlessly recommended her other books, I picked it up.

When today I headed back up to P&P to get The Children's Hospital by Chris Adrian, our chosen book club book, I had decided I would also buy Amsterdam by Ian McEwan (since Amy mentioned that a friend of hers had liked it and it's one of his books that I haven't read) and the Ministry of Special Cases by Nathan Englander (because The Believer raved about it, and after reading the review last night I was too excited to wait). Both The Children's Hospital and The Ministry of Special Cases were again hardcovers, making today's purchase rather expensive. This bought the grand total of my book buying since the lifting of the hiatus (less than 2 weeks ago) to around $150. While I love to support independent bookstores, I love even more to actually support myself, which is why I am deciding I need to reinstate the hiatus once again. Although I have a feeling that now that I've gotten this taste, the second round will be much harder. The good news is this, I now have quite a few books to hold me over until the next lifting of the hiatus. And now my friends, I am off the read.

Beautiful Things

2007-04-10T00:37:00.000-04:00

So I've found more things I'm dying to have but must live without. I am now absolutely in love with everything from k. talis jewelry. Especially the necklace with the vintage charm that reads "Je t'aime plus qu'hier, moins que demain", meaning "I love you more than yesterday, less than tomorrow." Not only is this a beautiful sentiment, but it's a beautiful necklace, and I can't help but feel my life is just a little empty without it.

I Heart Ridiculousness

2007-03-30T09:51:00.000-04:00

So while making my list yesterday, I totally forgot to include another thing I've been joansing after lately. Switchrings were featured on the national edition of daily candy a few weeks back, and as cheesy as they are, I think they're super fun. The middle wedge comes out and you can switch it around. You pick a pattern group and then you get 4 pieces from that group 2 wedges and 2 ring sets. The slightly disappointing part is that you have no control over what you get colorwise or which patterns from that set. In most of the sets I like lots of designs but not every one. It would be such a bummer to get ones you didn't like. Or colors you would never wear. But I still think it's worth the risk since they're pretty much adorable. Below are some of my favorite designs. I really want the Wonder Woman belt more than any of the other designs they have. Maybe I'll just have to keep trying the solid gold set until I get it. Or maybe one shot would be enough.

I Want It, I Need It, I Can't Afford It

2007-03-29T09:18:00.000-04:00

So lately I've been overly conscious of the fact that I have been seriously slacking on my blogging responsibilities. Not only have my posts been few and far between, but I'm also not unaware of the fact that the quality has gone seriously downhill. It's been a busy period though, so what's a girl gonna do. Okay try again, as that was not actually an apology as much as an excuse. To those few of you who do actually take the time out of your days to read my self indulgent little blog, I'm sorry I've been so lazy about it lately. I'm going to try hard to get back into the swing of things. It won't be like when I was at my last job and had little to do besides post all day long about every little thing I came across (my internet scoping time has been so limited lately, which is really sad), but maybe I'll at least get in a few posts a week, or better maybe one a day. We'll see how that goes.

One thing I have been doing lately making a mental list entitled "things to buy (when I'm not so painfully broke)". I thought I would share this list with you just for fun. Mostly because I know you all love to know what is on my wish list.

At the very top of my list is an awesome t-shirt from the boys at gdp clothing. The fellas stopped into the store while on a road trip aimed at getting shops to pick up their line. While that wasn't in the cards, I absolutely feel in love with this tee. It's just how I like my edge, with a dose of serious cuteness mixed in. I plan to pick this up right away once I have some free cash. The guys from gdp were also super fun, and we know how I love to support independent designers of almost anything. While this picture isn't that great it was the only one I could copy (flash is the bane of my blogging existence), but there are far cuter pictures on their site, and many more great designs, so check it out.

Also on the list are some great things from buyolympia.com. It had been awhile since I'd scope the site, and I when I did, I found that there are some great new items up these days. My favorite is this adorable journal from Tenth and Grant. It seems like it could even potentially be a cielo blu replacement. My only reservation is that the interior is graph paper (we all know I have exhausting journal standards, and that I prefer blank pages). But it's a good size, it's soft cover and a great design, so it's worth a shot.

I broke out my "Reading is Sexy" tee on Tuesday for the first time in ages. When I checked back with buyolympia, I was so psyched to see Sarah Utter has another new and fabulous design for us adorably bookish girls. Not too mention, I have not totally ruled out pursuing the prestigious field of Library Science, I'm sure that degree will be completed sometime after my PhD in American Studies (oh if there was only the time). Can you imagine how incredibly nerdalicious I would be if I had PhDs in Library Science and American Studies. I can just see myself fending off the the male academics with my giant tomes, screaming "Down boys! I only have eyes for my massive books!" And I digress, the point is the tee is totally cute. And right on bored with Ms. Utter's typical aesthetic. I love how she continually embraces the four eyed way, mostly since I despise contacts.

I haven't been super in touch with my crafty side lately, and I've been feeling it tugging at me. I feel like I need to explore a new facet though, and I haven't done embroidery in ages. After finding these adorable embroidery patterns from Sublime Stitching, I'm feeling like it may be the ticket. These are two of my favorites, but there are other fabulous options like Pirate Ahoy, Lucha Libre!, Tattoos and more.

A totally worthless, but incredibly cool thing on my list is this set of Actaeon at Home Viewmaster wheels from Vladimir of qVladistan. Vlad does Viewmaster wheels series as a form of art. He names miniatures and then photographs them in 3-D. Apparently they're also accompanied by CDs. The CD for this series is all music, but some of the other ones have narration. The whole concept is so quirky fabulous that I, of course, love it. Why didn't I know before that I needed Viewmaster art?

The other thing on my list is a new set of herbs from Garden District. I managed to kill all mine over the winter, and while I haven't had much time for cooking lately, my windowsill looks a little sad without them. I also am still holding out hope that I will start cooking all the time again, but with my work schedule, I'm thinking it's pretty doubtful. While there are pretty loads of other things I've had my eye on that I'm currently forgetting, these are the major contenders. So hopefully I'll come in to money soon, so I can scoop these things up.

Book Nerd Heaven

2007-03-21T23:14:00.000-04:00

Back to trying to catch up on last week (my internet has been down lots, so no holding my prolonged silence against me, okay?). One of our other big outings included a trip to the Library of Congress. Surprisingly enough, after living in DC for a solid 22 years (well except those brief sojourns in Boston and London) and being obsessed with books, libraries and even a little with library science, I had never been there until last week. We got readers cards so we would have access to everywhere, which required only a little bit of lying. Clearly, I loved it. So much so that I actually laid down on the floor at one point. Although I was really disappointed in their periodical room. As a fan of the periodical in general, and especially literary journals and magazines (I find them a comforting library presence) I found their collection a little underwhelming. For instance, they don't have McSweeney's. Which means no library in the entire city has it, including all of the university libraries (believe me, I have checked). I find this very disappointing. However, the stacks were amazing. I love stacks, and these are some pretty awesome stacks. I pretty much never wanted to leave. Maybe next time I'll take a sleeping bag and a tent.

You're Talking With Your Boots and Walking with Your Mouth

2007-03-17T09:28:00.000-04:00

So I've actually been doing loads of interesting stuff lately, but haven't had much of a chance to post about it since the lovely Ashley has been staying with me. And the one night she was in Philly when I planned on trying to do a little catch up posting I instead spent the entire evening hunting down vintage polaroids on ebay. But that's ok, I can start now. We've done many fabulous things this week, but we definitely kicked it off right with the Shins show on Monday evening. Despite my annoying ticket issues (no seats together & paying the fees twice) and the lack of a decent venue (Constitution Hall is about as lame as it gets in my humble opinion) the show was actually fantastic. And I suppose it is time I leave my bitching about everything else aside. They played a great set and that's reason enough not to complain. Also, I thought they were super funny. Ash thought they were kind of lame. But we all know I have a bit of a quirky sense of humor. Bottom line is, it was enough to make me seriously happy, and also a little wired. So hurrah.

A Coney Island of the Mind

2007-03-07T00:05:00.000-05:00

So for those of you who assumed this post was about Lawrence Ferlinghetti, I apologize. Because, well, it's not. Instead it's about the fantastic evening Sarah and I had. For starters I introduced Sarah to caltor (look if you went to high school around here in the time frame in which I did, you call it that, you just do, so outsiders get over it). Clearly she was dazzled. I mean it is burrito heaven. It had been ages since I had been. Months really. And it was so fantastic. I'll just have to start going to the one across from Gallery Place more often. But it's not as good, the Cleveland Park caltor is easily the best one now. Either way, I love you caltor.

After dinner we went to the evening session at the dciff (the DC Independent Film Festival). Everything we saw was a short, with the longest film lasting 19 minutes. There were a lot of things that were not so good, which I will refrain from talking about in order to not stomp on the dreams of fledgling filmmakers (or have my eye poked out with a paperclip). However, there were some that were good and two that were wonderful. My two favorites were Gandhi at the Bat by Stephanie Argy and Alec Boehm, and Coney Island, USA by Craig Butta. Gandhi at the Bat is pretty much about what it sounds like it's about, but it was well made, and it was really funny in a sweet way. Coney Island, USA was about a carnival hustler trying (and not so successfully) to adapt to the new circumstances of Coney Island. While clocking in at only 8 minutes, it was really fantastic. I also am pleased to report, that apparently Craig Butta is working on making it into a feature length film. I also feel obligated to inform you (since I myself was totally unaware of this) that Coney Island has been purchased and is being made into a water park and mall, supposedly by the same people that own the Mall of America. All of the people that used to work there have lost their jobs. Construction begins in September. When I think about this it occurs to me, that the American carnival way of life, and the "carny", will most likely die-out. Or at least nearly. Coney Island always seemed to be the last vestiges of carny culture. And now it's going to be destroyed. It was really clear from the Q&A that Craig Butta was deeply saddened by this. The Q&A really rounded out the whole experience. Especially since the directors of both of my favorite films from the evening were there. I really enjoyed the event, even though I didn't enjoy every film. All in all it was a fabulous experience. The festival run through Sunday, so if you get a chance check out a session.

Vicariously

2007-03-06T18:41:00.000-05:00

I hope someone has orangey red in the place, because this print is so adorable. It's from good shape design, and it's $30. I love it, but it would look so out of place in my apartment. So I share it with all of you in hopes that someone might love it and have a space for it.

Greenfingers

2007-03-02T22:47:00.000-05:00

So I just watched a totally adorable movie called Greenfingers. It's a British comedy kind of in the same vein as Calendar Girls. Not that the plots really have many similarities at all, but they have similar feels. They both also have Helen Mirren. They both are also based on true stories. It's kind of a chick flick, but it's a good one. If you tend to like that kind of movie then I highly recommend it. It was sweet and very amusing. It's the kind of movie that is so cute and funny that you can't sit still, so you just squirm in your seat (or at least I do). So if you like that then rent away!

Domesticity

2007-02-28T13:51:00.000-05:00

Domestic, a wall decal company I was previously unfamiliar with, was featured on d*s today. In general, I love the concept of wall decals, interesting options for wall decor are always nice, many of us live in places where we can't put up wallpaper, etc., but for the most part I've never really found much that I thought I might actually use. Some of the ones from Blik are cool. I've always been a fan of the Fly, Heads and Flock, and the new Iron Vines is pretty cool, But I'm not sure I would actually use any of them, at least not in the place I have now. I feel the same way about most of the designs from Domestic. Most of their designs are very cool, but too silly, whimsical, or just not my style. However the one pictured above I really adore. It's fun, but not too out there, the colors would work great in my place, and it's not so big. But it is, like all the wall decals I've ever seen, on the expensive side. So most likely it won't be showing up on my wall anytime soon, but I just thought I'd share with you all since I think it's pretty great. And like I said the concepts of wall decals are pretty awesome.

A Few of My Favorite Things

2007-02-27T13:32:00.000-05:00

So I just caught a glimpse of yesterday's post on 3191, my absolute favorite visual blog. And Steph's post includes the Believer, which is (as I'm sure you all know) my absolute favorite magazine. I love seeing things I like come together.

The Black Donnellys

2007-02-27T11:48:00.000-05:00

So last night The Black Donnellys premiered on NBC in place of Studio 60, and while I am disappointed about the (hopefully temporary) loss of Studio 60, I actually really liked The Black Donnellys. Looking at the reviews on imbd, they look very mixed. People seemed to love it or hate it, but I enjoyed it. I've never been a huge fan of mob related entertainment (which I guess it isn't exactly), but I dunno it's an interesting story and it seems like it has heart. For those of you who haven't heard anything about it (as far as I can tel pretty much anyone who doesn't watch either Heroes or Studio 60) it's a show about 4 Irish brothers who grew up and live in Hell's Kitchen. One brother, Tommy, has a dream to get out and be an artist, but pretty much gives it up and becomes a thug in order to protect his brothers, who are already thugs. Maybe doesn't sound fantastic when described that way (I am pretty awful at describing shows in a way that makes people want to see them without giving away tons of plot details, see me trying to describe Veronica Mars to anyone who has never heard of it), but I found it enjoyable. We'll see if it keeps up after the pilot I guess, but I still wish they'd bring back Studio 60. Can't they get rid of ER and put one in that time slot. I mean does anyone watch that show anymore? I mean other than my Mom.

The Science of Sleep

2007-02-23T23:11:00.000-05:00

Last night I watched The Science of Sleep. It had been in my netflix queue for awhile, and when I was recently reminded how gorgeous Gael Garcia Bernal is, I decided to move it up (and the real truth about the ordering of my netflix queue comes out). I was reminded of how fantastic looking he is by Babel, which I saw pretty recently, and didn't particularly like. In fact, I thought that the only things worth watching in that movie were him, and the tangent about the deaf girl in Tokyo, which was pretty much unrelated to the rest of the movie, but absolutely beautiful. The Science of Sleep, however, I did really like. It was completely bizarre, but absolutely fantastic. There were so many moments when I found myself thinking what the hell is wrong with this guy?, about the main character, Stephane, and would then realize about 6 seconds later that my imagination (especially while dreaming) has come up with thing equally as weird. There are moments when I felt like he was crazy (and he is a little since he has some problem where he can't really seem to tell when he's dreaming & when he's not), but then quickly I'd remember that we're all a little crazy when we're willing to admit it to ourselves. The unchecked human mind seems to come up with some pretty outlandish things no matter who you are. So suspend your disbelief, and put aside your judgement and see The Science of Sleep, because even if he's crazy, it's still beautiful and creative.

And one side note on how life is so random sometimes...the female lead in The Science of Sleep is played by Charlotte Gainsbourg, which I didn't know until this seeing the credits of the movie. Before yesterday I had never heard of her, or at least not in anyway that I had taken notice, but yesterday I read an article in the new NYLON about Air (that is the french band, not the substance which we all breath). She is the daughter of composer Serge Gainsbourg, and Air wrote an albums worth of music for Charlotte to record, which was released a few months back in France. It was mentioned in the article because it has apparently made Air more recognizable in France. When I put in the DVD yesterday (after moving to the top of my netflix queue in the beginning of the week), I had no clue that the actress was the same person that I had been reading about earlier in the day. These kinds of things seem to happen to me a lot. Like when I had never heard of the 80s movie Repo Man, but then read two articles about it in the same week, just by stumbling across them. What cosmic force is it that draws mostly meaningless parts of my life together in ways that correspond? I ask because it seems to be happening more and more frequently lately and I really have no idea why.

The People of Paper

2007-02-19T23:07:00.000-05:00

So I recently finished reading The People of Paper by Salvador Plascencia. It was actually the first book for our book club. And I thought it was fantastic. It was however incredibly complex, and seemed to function on so many layers, that I think I still haven't grasped all of it, and I probably never will. But the books is still wonderful, and well worth reading. Plascencia has a really beautiful voice, and I think that alone makes the book worth reading. But on top of that there is a great deal of fascinating symbolism, and tons of experimentation with form. In addition to being a really great book to read, it was an awesome book to discuss for our book club. I really enjoyed the whole thing, and felt like I got a lot more out of the book because of it. Which is just what I had hoped with the whole thing. It was really fantastic.

Breaking and Entering

2007-02-14T16:57:00.000-05:00

So last night Sarah and I went to see Breaking and Entering, which I mentioned wanting to see in my last post about Children of Men. And I absolutely loved it. It was a great movie for so many reasons. I really liked the plot. I thought the acting was great. The cinematography was beautiful. And the presentation of London was amazing and fantastic. Maybe I'm a little partial, but it looked great and felt great in the movie. And it was very real in many ways. The plot also felt very real. It was very human, and it mostly felt like it was a slice of some one's life. And it had a very serene feeling too it. Mostly it was one of those movies that is so great that I can't really say anything about it. So I will stop trying. But I thought it was important to say how much I loved it.

It also has joined the list of films that make me like Jude Law against my will. Based on what I know of his personal life and choices, I really don't want to like him. But he seems so human and likable in the movies I see him in that it really makes me like him. If only as an actor.

Children of Men

2007-02-11T18:32:00.000-05:00

So last night I went and saw Children of Men with my Dad, and I thought it was really great. After seeing the preview awhile back, I was interested in seeing it, but was not about to immediately run out and watch it. It wasn't on the absolute top of my list. We ended up seeing it last night because the timing and the location worked out best. What I had really wanted to see last night was Breaking and Entering, because I read a review recently saying that while not every part of the movie is amazing, it does a great job of portraying the heartbeat of contemporary life in London. Which for me is enough of a reason to see a movie. But it was playing too early and only at E Street, which was in the opposite direction of dinner with my brother, so we went with Children of Men instead. And while I would still like to see Breaking and Entering, I am really glad we ended up seeing Children of Men.

If you like dystopian stories (and it's based on the novel of the same name by P.D. James, so it's an actual story), it's a good one. What would happen to the world if humans stopped being able to reproduce? One might guess that most of the world would collapse, which is what happens in the movie, with the exception of the UK. And what is life like when you live in the only country left in the world, which has closed its borders, is in a constant battle to kick out illegal immigrants, and never has any new citizens born? Well that's what you'll find out if you see the movie. I've always really enjoyed this kind of story, so if you do too I think you will really like the movie. If dystopian stories aren't really your bag, then I would say that you might want to pass on this one.

But I will say that the historical and cultural references (mostly in the imagery) are pretty phenomenal. So if you see it, I would suggest you keep your eyes open, and if you can managed to not get SO wrapped up in the story that you can pay attention to what things look like (and I would guess that's gotta be pretty hard, because the story definitely consumes you) I would guess you will have an even more rewarding experience than I did. After reading about some of those aspects of the film I wish I could see it again. But it's not surprising, since Alfonso Caurón is really very talented, and seems to be an incredibly thoughtful director.

One last thought, I'm not really sure how I managed to make it this far without realizing how super sexy Clive Owen is, but I'm glad I'm in the know these days. I think I had just legitimately not noticed before, but it's kind of hard to miss in Children of Men.

Something New

2007-02-10T00:57:00.000-05:00

So for awhile now I've been toying with the idea of downsizing from my serious leather KS planner. It is great, but it's heavy and I had begun feeling awhile ago like it was unnecessary for my life these days. It was beginning to get beat up, and there is no reason at this point for me to have a planner that nice, so I figure why not save it for later, when I will need it more, and be glad to have a nice planner that is in good condition. I also felt like I could save my shoulder a little bit. Yesterday I finally found one that I liked and went ahead and ordered it. It's the first Little Otsu Annual Weekly Planner. Little Otsu is a great little company that publishes all sorts of fun things, and apparently they're going to do a new planner each year from now on. Because it's not pre-numbered (you fill it in yourself) I don't have to worry about the fact that I've decided to do this in mid-February.

I think that the layout is really great, and the coolest part is that each week is completely different. It's not just your typical 4-6 page repeat, or a few weeks with a picture here or there. Every week has a new design. Here's a sample week.

Since the front isn't my absolute favorite part about it, I decided to get this awesome cover to go with it. Part of what I was worried about sacrificing by retiring the planner I have now was all the pockets I use to keep random stuff in, like my paychecks before I deposit them, important cards, prescriptions, stamps, a list of current addresses of friends, etc. This will keep the planner from getting totally beat up, and it will help me organize.

The planner only has four address pages (not really enough for serious usage), but the cover has a pocket for this mini address book too, so I picked that up as well. The Little Otsu stuff is just so great and funky that I couldn't help myself from letting them completely organize my life.

Here's a sample entry page for the address book. So super cool looking. I really can't wait for the stuff to show up, so I can switch everything over!

Mandu

2007-02-10T00:33:00.000-05:00

So we had dinner at Mandu this evening, which if I understand correctly is a pretty new Korean restaurant in Dupont Circle. It is definitely in Dupont and it is definitely Korean, it is the new part I am less sure about, but I was told it is, so I will take that to be true. There was a little issue with us being seated, they seem to have forgotten about us, but after we were seated things were great. The decor was nice, pretty spare, but in a good way, with warm woods, and nice tea sets as accents on the second floor. The food was fantastic. Especially the green tea ice cream, which is the best I've had in awhile. It was actually the best experience I've had with Korean food to date. The prices were also quite good. Everything was pretty affordable, which is always nice, especially since I've been to too many expensive restaurants lately. All in all it was very enjoyable, and I would definitely recommend it.

Last Crop of Valentines

2007-02-09T00:18:00.000-05:00

So I'm a little bummed because I found these valentines on etsy over a week ago, but due to internet issues, didn't get to post them until now, and they have since been posted on design*sponge. Don't get me wrong, d*s is fantastic and Grace has amazing taste, and is a superb and dedicated blogger (far beyond the quality of my own blogging skills), but it just takes a little out of the novelty of my own post on these cards. I thought about not posting them since I had been beat to it, but they're just too beautiful, and they are some of my favorites of the ones I have seen on etsy. They all come from etsy seller studioepaper, and are parts of two different sets. These first 3 are from the 3 Victorian Inspired Letterpressed Gift Cards set that is available for $8.50. All three cards are gorgeous but my favorite is the first with the blue flowers. I love the way the two patterns overlap. Hopefully is you like these cards you will still have time to get them and give them before Valentine's Day.

The next two cards are from the Set of 3 Old Hollywood Letterpressed Valentine Gift Cards. I love twenties-style illustrations in general (anyone remember that piece of tissue I got from Mint Julep and put up on my wall poster style last year?) and printed on top of the over sized florals they are just exquisite. Of course I especially like the "be my dah-ling" inscription, since it's a little more creative than just "be mine".

Times are Changing

2007-02-09T00:09:00.000-05:00

So as I'm sure some of you have noticed, I haven't been posting as much lately. With the job change and the lack of reliable internet at home it has been, and I'm afraid will be, harder for me to update as regularly as before. I was really liking getting to update a lot, but there is not too much I can do about it. I'm sorry things won't change as much as before, but I promise to do my best to keep up with it as much as I possibly can. Since the posts well necessarily be a little more selected, I would love some feedback from all of you, about what you enjoy reading most, so I can hopefully make what I get to post of interest. Thanks for your patience and please don't give up on me!

Some More Valentines

2007-02-05T21:48:00.000-05:00

So we're getting closer and closer to heart day, and more and more fun cards are popping up on etsy. So I found some more to share with all of you.

These fun little "love trinkets" make cute little valentines, and have heart buttons with them. They're form etsy seller shoptoast.

This card is too hilarious to be ignored. It's from etsy seller Mikeatron.

This card from etsy seller BellaBella has a great look and although my love for Tom Cruise movies has been destroyed as of late, it's still a from message.

Here's a great set of valentines from etsy seller 4square that's only five bucks for the set of three cards with stickers.

This oragami themed valentine is just beautiful. It's from etsy seller paperedtogether.

This collaged valentine from etsy seller divinepapers is a nice card that's different from most of the other options I've posted.

I love this alphabet valentine from etsy seller detail. I think it's a fantastic idea!

Fun Etsy Valentines

2007-02-04T21:23:00.000-05:00

So in order to entertain myself during the Super Bowl, I decided to post a new set of valentines from etsy. I know we're getting closer to heart day, but it's not too late to scoop up some cards and shows those special people in your life some love.

This card is from a set called Sassy Valentines by etsy seller MewPaperArts. I think it's adorable. The seals are really cute, and of course the message is sweet.

This card is fun. I also love the back pocket cross, so that's probably why I like this card so much. This one is from etsy seller youngandwithit.

For everyone that loves stinky cheese, wine and of course a good crepe, here's a nice set of French inspired valentines from etsy seller LadyYing.

Here's another option for all the science nerds in your life from etsy seller onegoodbumblebee.

These cute squirrel cards obviously say "I'm nuts about you" on the inside. They're from etsy seller nerdbomber.

More fun with monkeys! These cards are from etsy seller skeller.

And for something a little different, here is an incredibly cool cute out cards from etsy seller zebuladesign.

While the message on this card isn't my absolute favorite, I'm letting it slide because I love the illustration so much. This card is from

I just love the combos of colors and patterns on this card from etsy seller UglyKitty.

Bones is Back

2007-01-31T21:02:00.000-05:00

Bones returned from the mid-season break this evening, to a pretty great new episode. I became pretty much obsessed with the show during the first part of this season, and netflixed the first season to catch up. I love that it's got all the usual crime drama trappings, but that it's really a character driven show. And the characters are great. I adore every single one of them.

Tonight's episode brought back the frequently featured serial killer, Howard Epps, and ended in his ultimate demise. I was totally feeding out of the writer's palm for the entire episode. First I really believed Cam might die, then I believed Zach was dead, then I believe Epps was actually going to attack Bones. I fell for all of their little tricks, which is just how it should be.

I'm not sure, however, how I feel about this whole Booth not being able to cope plot line. I mean we've heard the speech enough times, we know "there's a cost every time you take a life", but he was an Army Ranger sniper, and now he's and FBI agent. He's killed lots of people. Epps was a psycho and was after Brennan. I just don't think he'd be that torn up about killing him. Especially when Epps actually committed suicide and Booth didn't so much kill him as he was not able to save him.

I'm kind of glad the Cam and Booth arc is over. I'm looking forward to the Bones love interest that appears to be coming up next week. But I want more Angela and Hodgins time. They're finally together, so lets see some snuggling! I mean they're the most adorable couple ever, so why don't we ever get to see them being a couple. They talked a lot about there coupliness this week, but there was very little actual couple behavior other than Hodgins repeatedly saying "I should be with Angela" when a situation would arise that would make her upset.

But all in all it was a good episode, and I'm so glad they're back, since they took the longest break ever. Finally something to do with my Wednesday nights again.

Help McSweeney's

2007-01-31T19:16:00.000-05:00

I just heard about the bankruptcy of Publishers Group West, a company that helps small presses distribute their books to stores all over the country, and the effect this is having on small presses. One of the presses affected by the whole mess is McSweeney's, publisher of The Believer, McSweeney's Quarterly Concern and numerous books, beloved by me and I'm sure countless others. They ave now been picked up by another distributor, but they are most likely going to loose 30% of their profits from October, November, and December, the most important months for small presses. You can read more on the McSweeney's website, or you can read this article from the San Fransisco Chronicle. While there is not all that much we can do, in order to help them out, we can buy books directly form their website. That way they receive the money immediately, hopefully helping them make it though this hard time if only a bit. So if you love small presses and specifically McSweeney's or you've been eyeing a McSweeney's book, order it from them website and help them out as much as you can.

Already Promising

2007-01-31T18:06:00.000-05:00

Even though the first month of 2007 is just coming to a close, there have already been some great new albums released. I am thinking specifically of two albums that have become my favorite releases of '07 so far (although I guess at this point there's not THAT much competition). Those would be the new album from The Shins, Wincing the Night Away and the sophomore album from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Some Loud Thunder.

Wincing the Night Away has been out technically for about a week now, although it was around for awhile before that. Due to my super special magical hook up who I will not mention be name, but will make clear I'm super grateful to, I've had the album for about a month now. I'm a big fan. I've heard some complaints from people who think it's too different. And there are ways in which it is different from their first two albums, but to me they're good ways. There are times when it seems less crisp. Some of it seems more beat driven. obviously I'm not very good at describing music. But it's different. At least some of it is. I feel like some songs seem like they would fit in just as well on older albums, especially Oh, Inverted World, but some of them would be out of place. Of the songs more typical of an older style for The Shins I would say my favorite is Australia. It has an up beat, can't-hold-still quality, matched with catchy vocals that embodies what I've always loved about The Shins. Of the tracks that are in a bit of a different vein than previous offerings I think Sea Legs is my favorite. It's got a more electronic sound and a stronger beat than some of their other stuff. But it still has those signature James Mercer vocals on top. Overall I think it's a great new album, and it's nice to know that the band is still developing.

Some Loud Thunder only came out yesterday, so I've not had nearly as much as a chance to listen to it. Believe it or not, I did do a few things other than listen to CYHSY in the last 34 hours (I downloaded the album at approximately 9 am yesterday). But I really like it already. A lot of it is more distorted sounding than their first album, but that's not something I'm opposed to. In fact, in the right context I love me some distortion. It's still got the typical Clap Your Hands Say Yeah vocals, and mostly the same character even if the sound is a little different. I don't have a favorite song yet, and I haven't gotten a really good sense of the album as a whole, so I don't have much more else to say. But I really like it already, and I only expect to like it more once I've had more time to listen.

There are a number of other albums already released this year that I've heard great things about, but haven't picked up yet. And there are a few releases I'm really anticipating coming up soon, especially the new Bloc Party album next week, and the second full length album form the Arcade Fire at the beginning of March. With all this in mind, it seems like a promising year for music. Hopefully 2007 will be able to live up to my expectations.

CW Tuesdays

2007-01-30T21:10:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I'm trying something new, blogging about tv, while watching tv. Gilmore Girls just ended and now Veronica Mars is on. I have to admit this evening's episode of Gilmore was pretty much awful. I mean I really didn't think it was going to get worse than it already was, but that episode was just awful. I mean Sukie is pregnant again?? You have got to be kidding! And really Lorelai and Chris are breaking up already? Can you say contrived? Also, in case no one else noticed, they've already used the Richard has a heart attack plot line. It's just beginning to get ridiculous. If they keep it up much longer I might have to just stop watching. I mean they're ruining my favorite show. Although the teaser makes it look like there might be some moves towards Luke and Lorelai getting back together next week and that wouldn't be all bad. But then again, like I said last week, teasers, especially on the CW are kinda hard to rely on.

Speaking of, I mentioned last week that the scenes for Veronica Mars made it seem like Veronica and Logan had relationship problems already this week even though they just got back together last week. Specifically, the teaser played it off like Veronica finds out about the girl we know Logan was with while they broke up and she turns out to be a sex worker. While there' still half an hour left, and she still might find out about the girl, the "hooker" plot line is actually not related to Logan at all. It's in fact a case that Veronica take son for someone else. That annoys me to no end. Why do they make it looks like something TOTALLY different is going to happen. They could suggest what will occur in the episode without giving the whole thing away. They don't need to lie to their viewers.

I love that Veronica makes lewd jokes to her father all the time. If only my dad were as funny as Keith Mars. Not that I don't love my Dad, he's fantastic, but Keith Mars is hilarious. Although I can't say I'd be so thrilled about the super over protective thing. Okay fine, I can trade mostly reasonable for not scripted by a whole staff of writers funny.

Yay for the return of naked Logan and Veronica cuddling scenes! I think Jason Dhoring is adorable, so all those episodes where he was fully clothed the entire time were a bit of a hardship. Oooo it's the "have you ever done this really bad thing that I really don't want to know about but ask about anyway" talk. And they appear to survive! Therefore seemingly proving the teaser b.s., yet again. Although I suppose there are still 15 more minutes left. But Logan confesses to hooking up with that girl, talks about how much he regrets it and how awful she was and then asks "do you still love me?" and while Veronica pauses she answers yes and appears to really mean it.

Oh never mind. Veronica just found out that Logan hooked up with Meredith Sinclair. Which even we didn't know. Apparently they will be having relationship. And oh good thanks to the teaser, we now know Veronica is pregnant. So much for that hinting, but not giving away thing. She actually said "I'm pregnant" in the scenes. I do really love this show, but all the jerking around can be exhausting. Well I guess we will see what happens next week. I really am ready for Logan and Veronica to just be happy for more than three episodes in a row.

Okay now I'm taking votes on the whole realtime TV blogging thing. I have a feeling my TV blogging isn't most of your favorite posts to read, but I refuse to cease and desist entirely. But here's what you can do to influence it, please post a comment about whether this format is more or less annoying than the other TV related posts. Really I want feedback, so comment away!

Like Father Like Daughter or How I Grew Up To Be An Idiot

2007-01-30T18:44:00.000-05:00

To all fellow Bush family haters out there, I bring you Rough Drafts of Jenna Bush's Young-Adult Novels.

In Need of Entertainment?

2007-01-30T17:33:00.000-05:00

So Liz has now gotten me totally addicted to two web comics. I started reading Wapsi Square last spring, but forgot about it after graduation. I have caught myself up again and am back to being totally hooked. Its totally fun. Most of the main characters are girls. Monica is short, energetic and very outgoing (sound a little like anyone we know?). The best part is though, when I started reading form the beginning, I thought it was just a fun comic about some normal girls living in Minneapolis. Part way in all the mythical creatures, magic, and whatnot are introduced and I'm all score! For those of you who were weren't aware, I have not yet completely let go of most of my dork tendencies. In fact, I cling to them in secret. Or maybe not anymore. Anyway, if you like that kind of stuff and fun girliness, you're sure to love Wapsi Sqaure, so check it out.

My newer obsession, which she told me about last week is Questionable Content from others especially Steve and . I am now totally caught up on that as well. QC is a little more for the into irony and sarcasm about real (mostly) life set. Obviously I also appreciate this otherwise I wouldn't be totally addicted to it. It is incredibly funny, and really easy to get pulled into. It follows around Marten and his friends, most often his roommate Faye and his girlfriend Dora, with notable appearancesPintsize, his AnthroPC. The characters are really great. It's just lots of fun. So if you have some extra time to kill and in need of a new form of entertainment then check 'um out! I also recommend you start at the beginning even though it can take a long time to catch up, but it's much easier to follow and far easier to care about if you start from the first day. You can do this by pressing the "first" button on both of the sites. Enjoy!

Zaytinya

2007-01-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

So Amy, Will and I went out to dinner tonight at Zaytinya in Penn Quarter. It's on the corner of 9th and G, right across from the MLK library and is pretty hard to miss, as it's a giant all glass restaurant with a large statue outside. They serve mezes which is like a Mediterranean version of tapas. It was super crowded so we waited for an hour, but the food was great and it was a fun atmosphere. Having a meal like tapas or mezes with friends is so much fun since everyone can share and try and bunch of different things. And it was all really good. We had some fried potatoes called Patates Tiganites Me Yaourti “Aglaia Kremezi” which came out looking much like french fries but tasted a lot better than your average fry. They lamb stuffed pita was delicious. The Kolokithokeftedes, fried zucchini and cheese patties, were to die for. The shrimp we had, Garides Saganaki, was awesome. I can't ever remember all the other things we tried but they were all wonderful. It was a very cool restaurant but not intimidatingly so. The stylish interior felt warm mostly due to the tea lights scattered all over, including one on each stair to the second level (a touch I adored). It was a very fun and delicious evening, and I would recommend it to anyone who wanted a nice to place to go for a meal with some good friends.

My Life

2007-01-26T16:01:00.000-05:00

Hmmmm, this seems familiar.

hello! lucky valentines

2007-01-25T17:53:00.000-05:00

hello! lucky has a really great series of letterpressed valentines with animals that I love. The octopus is my favorite.

Red Stamp Cards

2007-01-24T18:01:00.000-05:00

So thanks to a post on design*sponge today, I have found Red Stamp Cards, a fabulous online card shop. Things I already love about Red Stamp include: a fabulous selection; many different ways to search for cards, including by occasion, designer, type and trend; the "'out' & about" section of the website; the fact that you can choose to have them donate a portion of your proceeds to charity; and the web design.

These gorgeous handmade cards were made especially for nest, one of the current charities on the RSc roster. This is what it says about nest one the RSc website:

"Nest is a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the lives of women in developing countries through the provision of small loans used to create sustainable, art- or craft-based, entrepreneurial businesses. By giving women the tools they need to provide for their families, Nest's microfinance loans give stability and hope to families and communities."

While you can support the charities RSc chooses by buying any of the products they sell. These cards help support nest specifically and by a greater percentage of the proceeds. So you can spend a little extra pocket change, pick up some great cards, and do some good for the world.

And here a just a few of my favorite valentines available from RSc. Wouldn't it be great if your heart day shopping helped bring smiles to the faces of women in developing countries as well as your valentine?

This card by Handsome Devil Press is just bright and fun.

This card is from smudge ink out of Boston. They do a lot of great stuff, but I love this series of valentines with actual thread stitched into them.

Return of the Tube

2007-01-24T15:44:00.000-05:00

So last night while watching new episodes of Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars, I realized that now that all of my shows are back from the mid-season break and airing new episodes again (with the exceptions of Bones, which doesn't come back until next Wednesday, giving me a little free time tonight), my recent rash of reading and movie watching is sure to slow significantly. (I recognize that was a ridiculously long sentence and I apologize for that, but sometimes my thoughts go on and on and on). It also means something for all of you, the return of TV Talk, since my life is most likely going to revolve around television again. I'm sure you've all been waiting for this to come back (or maybe dreading is the word I was looking for), but since we all know this thing I've got going here is just a tad self indulgent, I'm afraid you'll have to bear with me.

As for the actual TV Talking, the 7th season of Gilmore is still seeming pretty lame, although I did actually laugh a couple of times last night which is at least an improvement from the last few episodes before Christmas. But I am pretty sure mostly I was laughing at Rory, which continues to prove my theory that the new writers still have not learned how to write Lorelai.

Veronica Mars was somehow both fulfilling and disappointing. Veronica and Logan got back together, which was exactly what I thought I wanted, but only after they made you really want to see what could happen with her and Piz. And in the teaser for next weeks episode it makes it look like V and Logan juts break up again. Although the CW (and the WB before them) is notorious for having totally misleading "scenes". I remember that time in the 4th season of Gilmore where the teaser made it look like Jess had raped Rory when that was not what happened at all in the actual episode. That is obnoxious. Why do they do that? Anywho, I guess we will have to wait and see what happens next week. But I'm stating now that if Veronica and Logan break up again AND they ruined things with Piz I will be very disappointed. As far as plot development goes, Piz was the entire reason for Veronica and Logan to break up in the first place, that and the whole star-crossed lovers thing they're trying to pull off. I can only take all the will they, won't they if there's a cute little rocker boy to distract us all from lack of Logan cuddling time.

As far as the return of NBC Mondays go, I thought Heroes was pretty uneventful, and am looking forward to when they ratchet up the action again. Studio 60 was entertaining enough, but I will cry if Danny and Jordan don't get together,and the whole taking back Matt and Harriet's kiss is lame.

And now for sitting through all that, a little something for your entertainment. I'd like to introduce you to WeeMe. I had to forgo eyewear in favor of the fur trapper hat, the two in combo just looked too weird. Enjoy!

tennis, anyone? valentines

2007-01-23T16:26:00.000-05:00

I love the valetines from tennis, anyone? even more than the everyday cards I posted before. I think they are just hilariously funny.

I adore this card, and anyone who has seen my "reading is sexy" tee might have a good idea why.

I love their cards with song lyrics and illustrations, they're too funny.

I love the series of cards with couples and cute little phrases.

I also love that one of the cards in this series features a gay couple. Love is love friends, we should all get to express it on V-day.

So 3rd grade, in the best possible way.

And for those of you who aren't always so enthusiastic about February 14th...

Saturate Valentines

2007-01-23T16:02:00.000-05:00

I know I mentioned before that I'm just crazy about Saturate. I think they have an especially lovable set of valentines.

I'm just crazy about this card. I suppose you could say it rocks my world. (When did I become such a cheeseball?)

Snow & Graham Valentines

2007-01-23T15:06:00.000-05:00

Snow & Graham has a really gorgeous selection of valentines this year, which isn't surprising since they generally have really fabulous taste. Here are quite a few of my favorites.

It pretty much doesn't get any cuter than this goldfish card.

Because everyone loves to snuggle.

This is quite possibly my favorite.

I'm crazy about this pattern. I have their coasters in it and used some of the wrapping paper to make cards awhile back.

A little shout to Sarah for reminding me not to forget Snow & Graham for heart day.

Sidepony

2007-01-22T22:40:00.000-05:00

So today I found Sidepony, a card company I had missed before. As you might have guessed by the name they have a little bit of an 80s flavor going on. They also have a pretty fantastic sense of humor. I'm starting with their valentines as part of my valentine project and then including other stuff as an extension of the big project.

I think this one is just hilarious.

Here are some of their everyday cards.

They have a whole series of paint by number cards, like this one, which is such a great idea.

There's a section on the Sidepony website entitled "calling all ladies". When I clicked on it I was thrilled to find a whole series of feminist themed cards.

I love the sewing machine thank you card.

They also have a whole series of cards for congratulating new parents. The section is called "new shorty" and I think this card is too funny.

Blog for Choice

2007-01-22T15:31:00.000-05:00

Today, on the 34th anniversary of Roe v Wade, I have signed up to take part in blog for choice. This year's task is to discuss why you are pro-choice. I think many people have stories, or anecdotes about why they are pro-choice or when and how they became pro-choice, but I have kind of always been pro-choice. I know that sounds weird, since most people come to it in adolescence or as young adults, or maybe even later. But as soon as I found out what pro-choice was, I knew that it was something I had to be. I must have been about 11 or 12 when i found out about it. I had always had a deep belief in women as equals in society, and somehow from a very young age I had understood that unfortunately that was not always the case. In middle school that transitioned into my adopting feminist ideas and ideals. Obviously that didn't always play out very well since I was very young, but it was there always in the background. Once I found out about abortion, I knew that women could never be societal equals unless they had the power to control themselves, their lives and their bodies. I knew that legal abortion was a key factor in making that true, along will accessible birth control and many other things.

In retrospect it seems to weird to think about the fact that I knew all this at 12, but I did. And at 13 when it came time for me to get confirmed (I was raised Catholic), I didn't want to. I knew the Catholic Church didn't believe in abortion or homosexuality and that wasn't soemthing I was going to stand for. That was something I told the priest at my confirmation meeting. He told me I was going to be a better Catholic than my classmates, because I was thinking so hard about these things. He cleared me for confirmation, without ever listening to what I said. And I got confirmed against my will, because it was something I "had to do". But I never could square with the fact that Catholicism held such different things sacred than I did, and I wans't willing to let go of my beliefs.

It wasn't until much later that I found out some of the things that keep me so firmly pro-choice today. When I found out that women died before abortion was legal, that they killed themselves or were killed by back-alley doctors trying to end unwanted pregnancies, I knew even more strongly that legal abortion is essential to the lives and well being of women. I believe so strongly that is is incredibly important for abortion to be both legal and accessible, and that is a belief I will never let go of.

Sadly abortion is not a right that is completely secure. Howevere, I am always filled with joy when I come across people who work hard to protect Roe and to keep abortion accesible to all women. Today on the bus there was a poster that said "Myth: Abortion is only legal in the first three months of pregnancy. Fact: Abortion is legal throughout all nine months of pregnancy, for virtually any reason." Maybe it's not a coincidence that it was up on the 34th anniversary of Roe, but that I saw it for the first time today reminded me that that the fight for Choice is not over. We must all do our part to protect Choice now and in the future, so that all women will have the right to abortion that we have had.

More Valentines

2007-01-21T18:57:00.000-05:00

I have some more valentines to share with you all. I know that I'm quite fond of the imagery in Valentines, but I seem to find an endless supply of cards I love. So there is sure to be plenty more after these as well.

This first card is from the shop of etsy seller tarahogan. I think it's very cute, and I love the play on words. And her shop is called Ink & Wit, which I think is a great name.

The lovebirds card is from ess & jae, an operation Micaela told me about after my big post the other day. They have a whole series of cards with illustrations on canvas. I think this one is absolutely precious. I just love it, and all the others are just as nice.

Here is a closeup of the illustration. So sweet.

Here are some fun cards from rockscissorpaper. The burning desire card has a great look to it.

Everyone loves owls right now and apparently they love us too!

The motel key card is a little raunchy, but in a fun way!

Here are a few cards from seraph, a press I forgot to include in my roundup. Those of you that know I have a bit of a morbid streak will understand just why I love this card.

And here is the inside. Which is fabulous, especially since I use that exact phrase all the time.

This card is simple, but I really like it.

And another simple but nice card from Seraph...

Unfortunately these cards from etsy seller jekbot, are sold out. But I have a bit of an obsession with sock monkeys, and I tend to enjoy saying lurve much more than love, so i had to include them as well. They are silly, but so much fun.

Snow!

2007-01-21T17:45:00.000-05:00

It has been snowing all day. And it's been snowing pretty hard, and now it's actually starting to accumulate. It is so beautiful. I love snow. Snow makes everything seem perfect. I mean not when it's been sitting around for a month is is really brown and gross looking, and basically ice. But falling snow, and fresh snow. My walk home from the bus after work tonight was ten times better than usual because there was snow. I always smile when there is snow and I can't stop. I get giddy. But it's snow. I guess the thing is, now that I'm back in DC snow is special again. In Boston snow stopped being exciting in October, sometimes it was okay into November. But here it's special because it doesn't happen often. I got to wear my duck boots, and my fur trapper hat. I wore a fair isle sweater and didn't hate it, because it's the first time I've worn it all year. Now I'm going to make hot chocolate and watch bad movies for the rest of the evening. At some point I may also cook and add more valentines depending on how motivated I am feeling. But either way, I plan to have the perfect snowy evening, so if you're in town, I suggest you do the same.

A Little Early Love

2007-01-18T14:03:00.000-05:00

So I know I had said I was going to do my valentine round up once we were closer to the holiday, but I've changed my plan of attack. I've decided to do a little here and there leading up to the day. This is mostly because this morning on design*sponge and the guest blog I saw some valentines that I was intrigued by. On the main page of d*s were two cards from two different etsy sellers. I liked those cards but it was actually other cards on their etsy shops that I liked more. The card below is from the etsy shop of pearlmarmalade. I absolutely love it. I think it's the perfect not-too-mushy valentine to give to a guy. It's also not your typical valentine colors which is a fun way to mix it up a bit.

The card below is from the etsy seller lettresauvage and I think it's super fun. I'm really tempted to call my brother's girlfriend and tell her that she needs to get him this card. It is the perfect valentine for a science nerd.

This valentine from elum was posted on the d*s guest blog this morning. I love the plethora of hearts and the message.

Stay tunes for more valentines over the next few weeks. Because while Valentine's Day may not be my favorite holidays, it's definitely one of my favorite occasions for a card.

A Little Eye Candy

2007-01-17T19:32:00.000-05:00

So today I embarked on an incredibly time consuming blogging project. I decided I wanted to do profiles of some of my favorite independent letterpress companies and small card and stationary sources. Since I spend so much of my day browsing stuff like this online, I thought why not share it? I also think there's nothing wrong with a little eye candy. Especially when it's of the independent design persuasion. Supporting small design related companies (and frankly small businesses of any kind) is important to me, so hopefully you'll find something you like. I always do. Most of the photos are linked to that product on the company's website. If they're not it's because it wasn't possible for one reason or another. So take time to explore. I hope you enjoy!

paper+cup

2007-01-17T19:09:00.000-05:00

paper+cup is my all time favorite letterpress company and has been for awhile. I absolutely love the work they do. They are, of course, out of Brooklyn, which seems like the center of most cool design these days (although as letterpress goes, the West Coast seems to do pretty well for itself). I think they have a great eye and wonderful execution. The silogirls are my favorite. I bought a pack awhile ago, and last night I framed three to put up in my apartment.*

I also love the silos of the kids. My favorite one is the yellow kid. You can't see well in this photo, but he/she (hard to tell from a silhouette) has a 80s rocker hairdo (think characters on Jem) and is holding an electric guitar. The inscription on this card is "you rock".

It's hard to tell from this picture who truly beautiful the cards in the lovely series are, but they're really great. So delicate and antique seeming.

*They have close-ups of individual cards on the website that were formatted in such a way that I couldn't but them up on the site, so please take the time to click on each image to see the way each card really looks. You won't regret it!

Pinkerton Press

2007-01-17T19:03:00.000-05:00

Pinkerton Press from Seattle is a relatively new find for me. I don't adore everything they do, some of it is too cutesy for me, but I like some of it a lot. They have a whole line of cards based on motel signs that I think are great.

They call this series Letterforms, and again they have them for a number of occasions. I really like these as well.

I Love Jezebel

2007-01-17T18:51:00.000-05:00

I Love Jezebel has very different design sensibility than most of the stuff I like, but I find a lot of the cards incredibly appealing. Sorry the images are so small it was the best I could do.

Paper Monkey Press

2007-01-17T18:24:00.000-05:00

Paper Monkey Press does a lot of custom letterpress work, but they do have some none custom stuff for sale on their website. They have a number of nice note cards.

I love cherry blossom motifs, so I'm crazy about this card.

Cielo Blu

2007-01-17T17:58:00.000-05:00

It's hard to find Cielo Blu online, and their website isn't set up so that you can see individual items, so I can't show you what their stuff really looks like. I have included the front page of their website so you can at least see what some of their patterns look like. I have included them even though I can't show individual items because I'm absolutely obsessed with Cielo Blu. At this point I will only use their journals. And before I found out a few places in the area had them (the store locator on their site is sadly not really up to date), I had one thier journals shipped to me form Boston. Since I love them so much, I just wanted to mention them to all of you.

hello! lucky

2007-01-17T17:29:00.000-05:00

hello! lucky has absolutely adorable taste. What that means is that it's a little too cute for me on some days. But on other days it's just right. So here it is. I find myself wishing I was the girl on the card below. But only a little.

They have a whole series of cards with these monkies on them, and I think they're great.

They also have a whole bunch of these girls with dogs cards as well. They are not my favorite, but I do really like this one.

Obviously I love the London card (and I'm sure Ash will too).

So sweet.

Of course I'm crazy about the knitting monkey. I think Liz thinks I am a knitting monkey. She may be right.

The "feel better soon" is just so cute.

tennis, anyone?

2007-01-17T17:07:00.000-05:00

tennis, anyone? is another pretty recent discovery. I think there cards are lots of fun. I also love the valentines they have, so once I do the valentine roundup you'll be seeing a lot of them. Something to look forward to for sure.*

I feel like largely thanks to Maria (and also Lesley's gifts to her) I'm now obsessed with headphone imagery.

I love this band card. But i kind of wish it said "Rock on! It's your birthday!" inside instead of just being blank.

*No specific links for this one guys. Sorry.

Binth

2007-01-17T16:22:00.000-05:00

Binth is my absolute favorite of the newer sources I have discovered. They're out of Chicago. And in case you were wondering, binth is just a word they made up. I think their graphics are awesome. I love the way they think about card making. I think the chemistry card below is fantastic. It's a got a fabulous look and it's an excellent idea. I love it.*

I'm also crazy about this card. I love that the little kid has a ray gun, or maybe it's a bubble gun (I'd like to think it's a ray gun though). And again I just love the look of it.

This thank you card isn't as unique as some of their other options, but it makes up for that by being beautiful.

This elephant card is a little different than some of their other stuff, but I still love it.

Binth also sells these art prints on their websites. Since they obviously use the same graphics as many of the cards, I'm guessing they're actually the nicer test strips. But they come out looking fabulous, so that doesn't really matter. $45 is a little out of my price range for art right now (especially since I've basically done all the art spending I can for awhile), but I just wanted to share them with you all because I think they're beautiful.

*Because of the way the Binth website is set up, I can't link to the exact card, but I have linked to the page each card is on. You'll have to do a tad more looking, but it should still be relatively easy. Sorry about the inconvenience!

Saturate

2007-01-17T15:47:00.000-05:00

Saturate is another one of my long time favorite letterpresses. They just have really great stuff. Most of it's pretty simple, but it's either fun or just plain gorgeous.

I love the colors on this card! It's just so bright and beautiful.

I adore the Cherry-O card!

This invitation would make me super excited to go to any party.

Seltzer

2007-01-17T14:27:00.000-05:00

Seltzer is one of my new favorites. They have a great sensibility and a wonderful sense of humor. They are also all printed on recycled paper with ecofriendly soy inks. I think the pattern pad is a fabulous idea. You can fold the pages and use them as cards, you can use them as stationary or for any projects. It's a much less expensive way to get a whole bunch of different patterned paper.

I think this card from the vintage series is just really funny.

I love paper dolls, still.

Good On Paper

2007-01-17T13:42:00.000-05:00

Good On Paper has been one of my favorite small sources of cards and paper products for awhile now. Most of there stuff is pretty simple, but it's got a great look and a fun attitude. I love the nest card because of the juxtaposition of the formality of the patter and the casual greeting "hi there".

I bought these little adorable bird themed sticky notes at Paperdoll in Chicago.

I love the you+me bench card. It's beyond cute. It might end up getting re-featured when I do my favorite valentines round up I'm planning for closer to the holiday.

Who doesn't love crazy cartoon bunnies? Ok, there may be some people who don't, but I am most certainly not one of those people.

Not usually a bug girl, but this card just has so much style.

Bird in a Skirt

2007-01-17T12:46:00.000-05:00

Bird in a Skirt is a press I found pretty recently. I don't love absolutely everything they do, like I do with my favorite presses, but a lot of their stuff is really, really cute. I love their new repeating animal patterns. The whale is my favorite.

I also think this little apple flat is absolutely adorable.

Rock n' Roll High School

2007-01-14T00:06:00.000-05:00

So I just watched Rock n' Roll High School for the first time, and I really can't believe it's taken me this long to see it. Obviously I loved it. I mean it was super silly and completely mindless, but so much fun. I just really can't help myself when it comes to The Ramones. I just love them.

The movie is super fun, especially if you actually like The Ramones. Riff Randel, the main character annoyed me in the beginning, but grew on me a lot by the end. Getting to see the guys run around and do crazy stuff for the whole movie was sweet. I seriously wish The Ramones had taken over my high school. Of course, that would have been made slightly more difficult by the fact that they were already broken up when I was in high school and that Joey died before I actually graduated. But it looks like it would have been ridiculous amounts of fun. I think my favorite scene is when Riff is daydreaming about The Ramones and they're in her bedroom singing to her, and then she goes to take a shower and Dee Dee is playing the guitar in her shower and the rest of them are all in her bathroom. Although I think I would freak out if I woke up one morning and The Ramones were all just playing in my bathroom. But again, it would be slightly more scary since almost all of them are dead now. Actually that would be ridiculously creepy now that I think about it.

Anyway, I keep this running mental list of things I want to get when I just happen to have surplus money that isn't already accounted for (which is never, but you know). And one of the things very high on the list is the Weird Tales of The Ramones box set. I've been eyeing it ever since I first saw it at Urban awhile back. It's got 85 songs, a documentary and other video and a comic book history of the band as well as other miscellany. There's really no reason I need to own this, but I sure want to.

The cover art with all the guys as weird nature spirits (maybe?) hiding under a log is a tad bizarre, but it is called Weird Tales of The Ramones. So who knows, maybe the next time I have 65 bucks to be spent frivolously it will go towards a Ramones extravaganza.

The Devil in the White City

2007-01-12T16:49:00.000-05:00

I finally finished reading The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson. It took me kind of awhile to get through. I really enjoyed it, but I expected to tear through it. This is in large part because everyone I know who had read it prior to when I began absolutely loved it and because the guy at Politics & Prose who sold it to me tole me he "couldn't put it down". While, like I said, I really enjoyed it, I didn't find that I couldn't put it down. In fact there were a lot of point where I found it quite easy to put down. Mostly the parts about the building of the fair that consisted of lots of facts and numbers that I wasn't all that excited by.

However, I will say I think Erik Larson does a great job of writing readable non-fiction. The book does not read exactly like a novel, but it reads much more like a novel than any other non-fiction book I have read. And since I don't usually love non-fiction, that is definitely a good thing. I like Larson's tone. I think he does a good job of creating a balance between imparting a great deal of information and telling a fascinating story. Both of these things are important parts of his presentation America's first serial killer and the World's Colombian Exhibition. And as Amy pointed out to me last night, he does a great job of conveying the importance of that time in American history. He shows so many things that were affected by the fair, both things that now exist in the day to day life of all Americans and more monumental things, like the creation of Disney World, and the prevalence of neo-classical architecture in America. He also does an amazing job of conveying how that moment in time felt to the people who lived through it. He shows how people felt like it was the culmination of human achievement thus far and how to those who witnessed and experienced the fair and that summer it felt in that instant like they were witnessing a meaningful moment in history. This is especially interesting to me because I imagine it was true, and also because I believe feeling that way is pretty rare. But from Larkin's presentation it seems that most people in and around the fair felt that way. And it's also the way I've always pictured that era, which seems a tad odd, because I don't sit around in my life and go seems like I'm experiencing something historically significant today! But it's just the way I've always thought about the end of the 19th century. Anyway, if you haven't read it yet, I wouldn't instantly move it to the top of your reading list, but I wouldn't chuck it out either, for what that's worth.

The Royal Tenenbaums

2007-01-12T00:26:00.000-05:00

So I finally watched The Royal Tenenbaums this evening. And I loved it. Which I knew I would. But my list of movies to see is so long that so many of them get pushed back for ages. I have this problem where I am totally incapable of having less than 40 movies in my netflix queue. I try really hard because I know it's kind of excessive and it's hard to ever see that I've made progress, but I just add more once I start to whittle them down. But that really was the point of my getting netflix, so I suppose it's not the end of the world.

Anyway, I'm sure all of you have already seen The Royal Tenenbaums, because basically the entire rest of the world has by now. But it's just so good. I really love Wes Anderson. His films are different and interesting, and that is so fantastic. There is a time and a place for movies that are just like all the others, and we all know I love me a good chick flick. But there are way more times when I would rather so something interesting and somewhat unexpected. Also I love the Wilson brothers. And for that matter, Gwyneth. And really the later work of Billy Murray (I specify later because my Dad absolutely refuses to believe that I don't like Groundhog Day, but I don't, I thought it was boring). It was a lot of fun to watch the interactions between so many actors I like in a rather nontraditional plot line about family. So if by some strange twist of fate you still haven't seen it, then do. Because it's great.

I also loved the music. It was both fabulous for the movie and just fabulous in and of itself. So I made myself a little Royal Tenenbaums playlist on my computer. I got the a list of songs in the movie (not just the ones on the soundtrack, but all the songs, like the list at the end of the credits) from imdb. And then picked the ones I liked it. I'll share what's on with you all just for fun:

Hey Jude - The Beatles
Police & Thieves - The Clash
She Smiled Sweetly - The Rolling Stones
Judy Is a Punk- The Ramones
These Days - Nico
Stephanie Says - The Velvet Underground
Needle in the Hay - Elliot Smith
Fly - Nick Drake
Me and Julio Down By the School Yard - Paul Simon
Rock the Casbah - The Clash
Ruby Tuesday - The Rolling Stones
The Fairest of the Seasons - Nico

A New Look for A New Year

2007-01-05T11:42:00.000-05:00

So I decided a little while ago, that I wasn't a huge fan of my blog's look. In fact, I kind of grew to hate it. So then I decided it was time for a change. I wanted something a little more streamlined, a little more subtle and a little more personalized. What you now see is phase one of the revitalization project. The real center piece of my blog's new look is giving us a little trouble. When I say us, I mean my brother and I. Like the darling computer genius that he is, he agreed to help me reinvent the look of my blog. Including using photoshop to create a custom banner. Despite my many crafty talents, they do not include using photoshop. I suppose I would be ok at it if I ever took the time to try and learn how to use it, but I haven't and therefore am completely worthless at photoshop. However my brother is not, so I told him exactly what I wanted, and he did the computery stuff and I was in charge of overseeing aesthetic aspects, and now there is a She's Winsexy! blog banner both on my brother's computer and in the internet universe. However, the stars have not yet aligned such that it has actually made it onto my blog yet, so that is still coming. But once it's up you will see how cool it is. Without it the new look is not all that exciting, but with it i think it will be quite cool. Which gives you all something to look forward to. Oh yeah, and Happy Friday!

Ageless Beauty

2006-12-29T11:48:00.000-05:00

So I have finally gotten around to getting art for my apartment. Or if you're reluctant to call it art, we can at least say it's stuff to put on the walls so they are not blank anymore. I thought I would show you what I ordered. None of it has showed up yet, so you'll just have to see the online images. I got two photographic prints, and three silk screened gig posters. The first poster is a Stars poster from The Small Stakes. It's simple but I think it's awesome, and I love Stars, so that is great too.

I also got a gorgeously illustrated Decemberists poster by Diana Sudyka.

And another beautifully illustrated Andrew Bird poster by Jay Ryan from The Bird Machine. Maybe you'll notice a theme of falling girls here. Unintentional, I just like them both so much. To be perfectly honest with you I don't even listen to Andrew Bird, I just love this poster so much. Maybe I will have to start.

I also got the two prints of photographs from Etsy. The first one is from seller AliciaBock. I love the colors and the softness of it.

The other print comes from seller Maditi. I absolutely love it. I love the juxtaposition of the big green beads against the striped shirt. I love the way it is cropped, and I love the way her hair is moving. I just think it's fantastic, or if nothing else, fantastically me.

P.S. By the end of writing this post, I have officially decided, through listening to his music on his myspace page, that I in fact really like Andrew Bird. Haha. Oh silly me.

1. Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses

2006-12-27T12:28:00.000-05:00

"Bah, humbug!" No, that's too strong
'Cause it is my favorite holiday
But all this year's been a busy blur
Don't think I have the energy

To add to my already mad rush
Just 'cause it's 'tis the season.
The perfect gift for me would be
Completions and connections left from

Last year, ski shop,
Encounter, most interesting.
Had his number but never the time
Most of '81 passed along those lines.

So deck those halls, trim those trees
Raise up cups of Christmas cheer,
I just need to catch my breath,
Christmas by myself this year.

Calendar picture, frozen landscape,
Chilled this room for twenty-four days,
Evergreens, sparkling snow
Get this winter over with!

Flashback to springtime, saw him again,
Would've been good to go for lunch,
Couldn't agree when we were both free,
We tried, we said we'd keep in touch.

Didn't, of course, 'til summertime,
Out to the beach to his boat could I join him?
No, this time it was me,
Sunburn in the third degree.

Now the calendar's just one page
And, of course, I am excited
Tonight's the night, but I've set my mind
Not to do too much about it.

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I'll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I'll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I'll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I'll miss this one this year.

Hardly dashing through the snow
Cause I bundled up too tight
Last minute have-to-do's
A few cards a few calls
'Cause it's r-s-v-p
No thanks, no party lights
It's Christmas Eve, gonna relax
Turned down all of my invites.

Last fall I had a night to myself,
Same guy called, halloween party,
Waited all night for him to show,
This time his car wouldn't go,

Forget it, it's cold, it's getting late,
Trudge on home to celebrate
In a quiet way, unwind
Doing Christmas right this time.

A&P has provided me
With the world's smallest turkey
Already in the oven, nice and hot
Oh damn! Guess what I forgot?

So on with the boots, back out in the snow
To the only all-night grocery,
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
In the line is that guy I've been chasing all year!

"I'm spending this one alone," he said.
"Need a break; this year's been crazy."
I said, "Me too, but why are you?
You mean you forgot cranberries too?"

Then suddenly we laughed and laughed
Caught on to what was happening
That Christmas magic's brought this tale
To a very happy ending! "

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
Couldn't miss this one this year!
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
Couldn't miss this one this year!

2. Last Christmas - Jimmy Eat World

2006-12-27T12:24:00.001-05:00

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
The very next day you gave it away
This year to save me the tears
I’ll give it to someone special.

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
The very next day you gave it away
This year to save me the tears
I’ll give it to someone special.

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
The very next day you gave it away
This year to save me the tears
I’ll give it to someone special.

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
The very next day you gave it away
This year to save me the tears
I’ll give it to someone special.

A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man undercover but you tore me apart
Now I‘ve found the real love, now I found
You’ll never fool me again!

A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man undercover but you tore me apart
Now I‘ve found the real love, now I found
You’ll never fool me again!

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
The very next day you gave it away
This year to save me the tears
I’ll give it to someone special.

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
The very next day you gave it away
This year to save me the tears
I’ll give it to someone special.

3. Maybe This Christmas - Ron Sexsmith

2006-12-27T12:20:00.000-05:00

Maybe this Christmas will mean something more
Maybe this year love will appear
Deeper than ever before
And maybe forgiveness will ask us to call
Someone we love
Someone we’ve lost
For reasons we can’t quite recall
Mmm, maybe this Christmas

Maybe there’ll be an open door
Maybe the star that shined before
Will shine once more, ohhh

Mmmmmmm, mmmmmmmm

And maybe this Christmas will find us at last
In heaven, at peace
Prayed for at least
For the love we’ve been shown in the past
Maybe this Christmas
Maybe this Christmas

Techincal Difficulties

2006-12-27T12:18:00.000-05:00

So I didn't get a chance to finish my countdown because I had a severe lack of internet access all weekend. So I will put up the final three now. Sorry about the delay.

Now I'm a Believer

2006-12-22T13:40:00.000-05:00

I know I've mentioned before my obsession with The Believer. But I'm not sure I've ever talked about why it is that I am obsessed with it. I'm sure there will be plenty of people who disagree with me, or even who don't care for it at all, but in my opinion The Believer is the best magazine in America, and this is why:

For starters, I love the physical attributes of the magazine. Unlike your typical glossy mag, The Believer is printed on high quality matte paper. To me personally this means two things. 1) it begs to be saved. I pour over my copies and then put them on the shelf with all the other issues I own, which I have serious plans to hold on to for the rest of my life. 2) it's much easier for read. I am very light sensitive, and when I look at white surfaces they actually glow. I've never really been sure why. I've tried to describe it to people I thought might be able to explain it me (doctor's, specialists on learning disabilities, etc.) and no such luck. The "brighter" white a surface is, the more it glows. This is true for the pages of books as well. The brighter white a page is, the more it glows and the harder it is for me to read. This is reflected in reading pace, the speed of onset of eye strain related fatigue, etc. Glossy magazine pages are basically the worst. Not only are the pages bright white, but they're already shiny, which just makes the glowing affect worse. The Believer is printed on matte, off-white pages, which means the glow factor is much more limited. Other physical attributes I like include the incredibly distinctive cover art by Charles Burns, the somewhat incongruous (but usually appealingly so) illustrations strewn throughout each issue and done by a different artist each month, and the general layout and formatting of the magazine.

I love the that the one commandment of The Believer is Thou Shalt not Publish Bad Reviews. The world of book reviews and literary criticism is filled with searing reviews of books the reviewer has decided are loathsome. While I suppose some people find this useful in helping them avoid the bad books that are out there, I feel differently about that kind of review. I would much rather know what to read than what not to read. Knowing what books are bad doesn't help me choose what to read next. Reading The Believer adds more to my constantly expanding reading list than anything else. I also feel that many of the reviewers who can't ever seem to find anything nice to say about a book are a lot like the Post film critics. As far as I can tell, the Post film critics have just seen far too many movies. They never like anything. And usually if the like something it's so bizarre that every normal human being finds it unwatchable. My Mom and I have said for years that if one of the Post critics likes a movie, we won't see it and if they hate it, we will. There are exceptions. And before you decide that all the members of the winsexy clan have totally pedestrian taste, I should clarify that we, well, don't. I mean sometimes, yes, but not always. Just take my word for it. Anyway, I think many book reviewers have just read too much and everything seems the same. Which I kind of understand. If I read that much I might feel the same way. But I think once you get to the point that you don't like anything you read, it may be time to get a new job. Enter The Believer which only publishes good reviews, helping out those of us that actually enjoy reading.

One of the things about The Believer that I am most fond of, is the way it makes me feel when I read it. Every time I sit down to read The Believer I feel a little smarter once I stand up again. And I don't mean this in the I look cool and feel smarter because I know The Believer is an intelligent magazine kind of way. What I am talking about is that every time I read The Believer I learn something I didn't already know or I understand something in a way I was previously unaware of or incapable of grasping. Not only do I enjoy it, but I really believe it makes my consciousness richer. Maybe not in the super structured hyper-intellectualised way I felt school made my consciousness richer (and I certainly don't mean this in a bad way, those of you who know me well know I loved school), but I still believe it contributes to a more intelligent, more interesting winsexy. And since I think striving to be ever more intelligent and interesting is an admirable goal and one of the things I like to think shapes my life, I love The Believer for assisting me in that quest.

4. Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Jackson 5

2006-12-22T11:48:00.000-05:00

Santa claus is comin to town
Santa claus is comin to town

Youd better watch out
Youd better not cry
Youd better not pout
Im telling you why

Santa claus is comin to town
Santa claus is comin to town
Santa claus is comin to town

Hes making a list
And checking it twice
Gonna find out whos naughty and nice

Santa claus is comin to town
Santa claus is comin to town
Santa claus is comin to town

He sees you when youre sleeping
He knows when youre awake
He knows if youve been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake

Oh, youd better watch out
Youd better not cry
Better not pout
Im telling you why

Oh! santa claus is comin to town
Santa claus is comin to town
Santa claus is comin to town

Santa claus is comin to town
Santa claus is comin to town
Santa claus is comin to town

Little tin horns
And little toy drums
Rooty-toot-toot
And rump-a-tum-tum
Curly-haired dolls
That tootle and coo
Elephants, boats and kiddie cars too

Oh! santa claus is comin to town
Santa claus is comin to town
Santa claus is comin to town

One more time now..

Santa claus is comin to town
Santa claus is comin to town
Santa claus is comin to town

5. All I Want For Christmas Is You- Mariah Carey

2006-12-21T12:43:00.000-05:00

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is...
You

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You baby

I won't ask for much this Christmas
I don't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
Ooh baby
All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need
Won't you please bring my baby to me...

Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is...
You

All I want for Christmas is you... baby

6. Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) - Death Cab for Cutie

2006-12-20T16:49:00.000-05:00

The snow's coming down
I'm watching it fall
Watching the people around
Baby please come home

The church bells in town
They're ringing a song
What a happy sound
Baby please come home

They're singing deck the halls
But it's not like Christmas at all
I remember when you were here
All the fun we had last year

Pretty lights on the tree
I'm watching them shine
You should be here with me
Baby please come home
Baby please come home

They're singing deck the halls
But it's not like christmas at all
I remember when you were here
All the fun we had last year

If there was a way
I'd hold back these tears
But it's Christmas day
Baby please come home
Baby please come home
Baby please come home

7. Christmas - Blues Traveller

2006-12-20T16:41:00.000-05:00

comes the time for christmas
And i really have to ask
If this is feeling merry
How much longer must it last
I wish a one horse open sleigh
Would come carry me away
But i've been waiting here all day
And one just hasn't come my way
Now excuse me if i'm not being reverent
But i was hoping for a miracle to hold me, watch me
Save me from my righteous doubt as i watch helpless
And everybody sings
If it's Hanukkah or Kwanzaa
Solstice, harvest or december twenty-fifth
Peace on earth to everyone
And abundance to everyone you're with
Laha da da da da da
Da da da da da da da da da da da
La da da da da da da da
La da da da da da da da da
Laha da da da da
Laha da da da da
Comes the time for christmas
And as you raise your yuletide flask
There's like this feeling that you carry
As if from every christmas past
It's as if each year it grows
It's like you feel it in your toes
And on and on your carol goes
Harvesting love among your woes
I want to buy into the benevolent
And i was hoping for a miracle
to hold me, watch me
Make me know what it's about
As the longing in me makes me want to sing
Noel or navidad
Season celebration or just the end of the year
Christmas can mean anything
And i mean to keep its hope forever near
Laha da da da da da
Da da da da da da da
da da da da
La da da da da da da da da
La da da da da
da da da da da
Laha da da da da
Laha da da da da
As if a cold and frozen soul is warm to love
By loves own hand
So goes the prayer if for a day peace on earth
And good will to man
At twenty below the winter storm it billows
But the fire is so warm inside
And the children while nestled in their pillows
Dream of st. nicholas's ride
And how the next day
they'll get up and they will play
In the still falling christmas snow
And together we'll celebrate forever
In defiance of the winds that blow
My god in heaven
now i feel like i'm seven
And spirit calls to me as well
As if christmas had made the winter warmer
Made a paradise from what was hell
As if a cold and frozen soul is warm to love
By loves own hand
So goes the prayer if for a day
peace on earth
And good will to man.......
I wish a one horse open sleigh
would come carry me away
And i'll keep waiting through next may
Until christmas
comes my way

8. Children Go Where I Send Thee- Natalie Merchant

2006-12-18T08:22:00.000-05:00

Children, go where I send thee
How shall I send thee?
I'm gonna send thee one by one
One for the little bitty baby
Wrapped in swadling clothing,
Lying in a manger.
He was born, born
Born in Bethlehem.

Children, go where I send thee
How shall I send thee?
I'm gonna send thee two by two
Two for Paul and Silas
One for the little bitty baby.
Wrapped in swadling clothing,
and lying in a manger.
He was born, born
Born in Bethlehem.

Children, go where I send thee
How shall I send thee?
I'm gonna send thee three by three
Three for the Hebrew children
Two for Paul and Silas
One for the little bitty baby
Wrapped in swadling clothing,
Lying in a manger.
He was born, born
Born in Bethlehem.

Children, go where I send thee
How shall I send thee?
I'm gonna send thee four by four
Four for the four knockin' at my door
Three for the Hebrew children
Two for Paul and Silas
One for the little bitty baby.
Wrapped in swadling clothing,
and lying in a manger.
He was born, born
Born in Bethlehem.

Children, go where I send thee
How shall I send thee?
I'm gonna send thee five by five
Five for the gospel preachers
Four for the four knockin' at my door
Three for the Hebrew children
Two for Paul and Silas
One for the little bitty baby
Wrapped in swadling clothing,
Lying in a manger.
He was born, born
Born in Bethlehem.

He was born, born
Born in Bethlehem.

9. Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth- Bing Crosby & David Bowie

2006-12-17T22:23:00.000-05:00

Those of you who have never heard this song before might not know the two songs are laid over each other and intertwined. It's easier to give the lyrics for each song seperately. So here they are:

The Little Drummer Boy

"Come," they told me, - pa rum pa pum pum -
"Our newborn King to see. - pa rum pa pum pum -
Our finest gifts we bring - pa rum pa pum pum -
To lay before the King, - pa rum pa pum pum, rum pa pum pum, rum pa pum pum -
So to honor HIM - pa rum pa pum pum -
When we come."

"Baby Jesu," - pa rum pa pum pum -
"I am a poor boy, too. - pa rum pa pum pum -
I have no gift to bring - pa rum pa pum pum -
That's fit to give a king - pa rum pa pum pum, rum pa pum pum, rum pa pum pum -
Shall I play for you? - pa rum pa pum pum -
On my drum?

Mary nodded. - pa rum pa pum pum -
The ox and lamb kept time. - pa rum pa pum pum -
I played my drum for HIM, - pa rum pa pum pum -
I played my best for HIM, - pa rum pa pum pum, rum pa pum pum, rum pa pum pum
Then He smiled at me, - pa rum pa pum pum -
Me and my drum.

Peace on Earth

Peace on earth, can it be?
Years from now, perhaps we'll see,
See the day of glory,
See the day when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again.

Peace on earth, can it be?

Every child must be made aware,
Every child must be made to care,
Care enough for his fellow man
To give all the love that he can.

I pray my wish will come true
For my child and your child too,
He'll see the day of glory,
See the day when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again.

Peace on earth, can it be?
Can it be?

10. Fairytale of New York - The Pogues

2006-12-16T12:05:00.000-05:00

It was Christmas Eve babe
In the drunk tank
An old man said to me, won't see another one
And then he sang a song
The Rare Old Mountain Dew
I turned my face away
And dreamed about you

Got on a lucky one
Came in eighteen to one
I've got a feeling
This year's for me and you
So happy Christmas
I love you baby
I can see a better time
When all our dreams come true

They've got cars big as bars
They've got rivers of gold
But the wind goes right through you
It's no place for the old
When you first took my hand
On a cold Christmas Eve
You promised me
Broadway was waiting for me

You were handsome
You were pretty
Queen of New York City
When the band finished playing
They howled out for more
Sinatra was swinging,
All the drunks they were singing
We kissed on a corner
Then danced through the night

The boys of the NYPD choir
Were singing "Galway Bay"
And the bells were ringing out
For Christmas day

You're a bum
You're a punk
You're an old slut on junk
Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed
You scumbag, you maggot
You cheap lousy f@@@@@*
Happy Christmas your arse
I pray God it's our last

I could have been someone
Well so could anyone
You took my dreams from me
When I first found you
I kept them with me babe
I put them with my own
Can't make it all alone
I've built my dreams around you

*I hate sensorship, but I hate this word more and I don't ever want it to appear on my blog, so you're just going to have to suck it up.

Winter Passing

2006-12-16T11:54:00.000-05:00

Last night I watched Winter Passing. I watched it mostly because I wanted to send it back to netflix, so I could get Rudolph (the claymation version) before Christmas. I had initially really wanted to see it, but hadn't really been in the mood since it had actually shown up in my mailbox (I'm also currently having the same problem with Pollock). But I am so glad I watched it, because it was the most beautiful film I have seen in a long time. In fact, it may be the most beautiful film I've ever seen. I'm not sure, still thinking about that, but I do think it is my new favorite movie. I am rather partial to both Ed Harris and Zooey Deschanel, but I thought they both did an amazing job. Especially Deschanel. Plus she really is heart-breakingly beautiful. I'm not a huge fan of Will Ferrel, but he did a really great job as well. I also have been told I really need to see Stranger than Fiction. Which I really would like to see. But back to Winter Passing, there are really painful moments, but it left me with a really fulfilled feeling. And it has a beautiful quality about it. I just loved it and you should see it.

I also never wrote about seeing Green Street Hooligans a few weeks ago. I also loved that, but in a very different way. It was gritty and violent, but it was gripping. Also Charlie Hunnam is, well, absolutely gorgeous. So I pretty much couldn't take my eyes off him during the entire film. I also have a piece of advise for him: keep you head shaved buddy. Cus the girly blond hair look, so does not work for you. But who does that actually work for (sorry blondy boys, but I'm just not a big fan)? Anyway you should also see Green Street Hooligans because it was great.

11. O Holy Night - Tracy Chapman

2006-12-15T14:08:00.000-05:00

O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear saviors birth

Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new glorious morn

Fall on your knees
O hear the angels voices
O night divine
O night when christ was born
O night divine, o night
O night divine

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees
O hear the angels voices
O night divine
O night when christ was born
O night divine, o night
O night divine

12. Rock of Ages - Ben Kweller

2006-12-15T14:03:00.000-05:00

Rock of Ages
Let our song praise your saving power;
You amid the raging foes,
Were our sheltering tower
Furious they assailed us,
But your arm availed us,
And your word broke their sword,
When our own strength failed us.
And your word broke their sword,
When our own strength failed us

13. Jingle Bells - Lisa Loeb

2006-12-13T14:03:00.000-05:00

Oh what fun it is to ride

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.

Oh What Fun Oh What Fun

Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh,
Over the fields we go, laughing all the way.
Bells on bob-tails ring, making spirits bright,
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.

Now the ground is white, go it while you're young
Take the world tonight, and sing this sleighing song;

O Jingle Bells Jingle Bells
Jingle Bells Jingle Bells
Oh what fun it is to ride
Oh what fun

14. Holiday Inn Medley - Frank Sinatra & Bing Crosby

2006-12-13T13:44:00.000-05:00

Happy holiday, happy holiday
While the merry bells keep ringing
May your ev'ry wish come true

Happy holiday, happy holiday
May the calendar keep bringing
Happy holidays to you

~

Let's start the new year right
Twelve o'clock tonight
When they dim the light
Let's begin

Kissing the old year out
Kissing the new year in

Let's watch the old year die
With a fond good-bye
And our hopes as high
As a kite

How can our love go wrong if
We start the new year? ring out the old year, let's start the new year right

~

Upon a February morn
A tiny baby boy was born
Abraham, Abraham

When he grew up this tiny babe
Folks all called him Honest Abe
Abraham, Abraham

In eighteen sixty, he became
The sixteenth president
And now he's in the hall of fame
A most respected gent

That's why we celebrate
This blessed February date
Abraham, Abraham

~

Be careful, it's my heart
It's not my watch you're holding, it's my heart

It's not the note I sent you
That you quickly burned
It's not the book I lent you
That you never returned

Remember, it's my heart
The heart with which so willingly I part

It's yours to take, to keep or break
But please, before you start
Be careful, it's my heart

~

In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it,
You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter Parade.
I'll be all in clover and when they look you over,
I'll be the proudest fellow in the Easter Parade.
On the avenue, Fifth Avenue, the photographers will snap us,
And you'll find that you're in the rotogravure.
Oh, I could write a sonnet about your Easter bonnet,
And of the girl I'm taking to the Easter Parade.

~

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know

Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write

May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

15. Carol of the Bells - Phantom Planet

2006-12-13T13:22:00.000-05:00

this version of the song has no lyrics, it's all just carol of the bells played on electric guitar, but it's good so you should check it out anyway.

16. Blue Christmas - Sheryl Crow

2006-12-13T13:20:00.000-05:00

I'll have a blue Christmas without you
I'll be so blue just thinkin' about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won't be the same dear if you're not here with me

And when the blue snowflakes start fallin'
That's when the blue memories start callin'
You'll be doin' alright with your Christmas of white
And I'll have a blue, blue Christmas

You'll be doin' alright with your Christmas of white
And I'll have a blue, blue Christmas
And I'll have a blue, blue Christmas
And I'll have a blue, blue Christmas

17. The Christmas Song - The Raveonettes

2006-12-13T13:18:00.000-05:00

All the lights are coming on now
How i wish that it would snow now
i dont fell like going home now
i wish that i could stay

All the trees are on display now
and its cold now
i dont feel like going home now
i wish that i could stay

i wish that i could walk
i wish that i could walk
you home

All the lights are coming on now
How i wish that it would snow now
i dont fell like going home now
i wish that i could stay

Santas coming to town
with sequins in his hair
Santas coming to town
with sequins in his hair

18. Oi! to the World - No Doubt

2006-12-13T13:15:00.000-05:00

Haji was a punk just like any other boy
And he never had no trouble till he started up his Oi band
Safe in the garage or singing in the tub
Till Haji went too far and he plugged in at the pub

'Twas a cold Christmas eve when Trevor and the skins
Popped in for a pint and to nick a back of crisps
Trevor liked the music but not the Unity
He unwound Haji's turban and he knocked him to his knees

If God came down on Christmas Day
I know exactly what He'd say
He'd say "Oi to the punks and Oi to the skins
and Oi to the world and everybody wins!"

Haji was a bloody mess, he ran out through the crowd
he said "we'll meet again we are bloody but not unbowed"
Trevor called his bluff and told him where to meet
Christmas day on the roof down at 20 Oxford street

If God came down on Christmas Day
I know exactly what He'd say
He'd say "Oi to the punks and Oi to the skins
and Oi to the world and everybody wins!"

On the roof with the nun chucks Trevor broke a lot of bones
But Haji had a sword like that guy in Indiana Jones

Police sirens wailing, a bloody dying man
Haji was alone and abandoned by his band
Trevor was there fading and still so full of hate
When the skins left him there and went down the fire escape
Oi! Oi!

But then Haji saw the north star shining more then ever
So he made a tourniquet from his turban saving Trevor
They rappelled down the roof with the rest of the turban
and went back to the pub where they bought each other bourbon

If God came down on Christmas Day
I know exactly what He'd say
He'd say "Oi to the punks and Oi to the skins
and Oi to the world and everybody wins!"

If God came down on Christmas Day
I know exactly what He'd say
He'd say "Oi to the punks and Oi to the skins
and Oi to the world and everybody wins!"
Oi! Oi!

19. The Christmas Song - Al Green

2006-12-13T12:24:00.000-05:00

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like eskimos

Everybody knows some tofu and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys
And goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly

And so, I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although its been said
Many times, many ways
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas to.. You!

Iraq and a hard place

2006-12-12T13:26:00.000-05:00

Over the last few years I have come to hate the news. I pretty much never watch the news, because it makes me so upset. I've always hated local news because it was depressing, but I used to at least find national and international news interesting. That changed pretty much entirely once Bush took office. Every time I would read the paper there was more about Iraq, or some other thing he had done that pissed me off to no end. Most of the time when I would watch the news I would end up having to watch some maddening clip of him making some stupid speech or comment. Not only would it make me mad, but I just literally can't stand to listen to the man speak. It actually makes me go nuts. So I basically just gave up the news. Went cold turkey. I mean I watch the news every now and then. And sometimes I'll read sections of the paper besides Style and the Sunday Source, but not all that often. I realize that sometimes this puts me in situations where I seem kind of stupid and out of the loop, but I just get in such a funk from news of what's actually going on that I put up with that. And I do get a decent amount of news by way of word of mouth. I also know that people I really care about don't really care if I am sometimes out of the loop and have to ask them what is going on when they are talking about something. But the entire situation may change. Today Carla asked me if I had heard about the murders of sex workers in Ipswich, because Carla is my link to UK news. I obviously had not heard about them, but given my rather morbid streak I was intrigued and googled it. The first thing that came up was a BBC News article. So I read it. And was reminded how much I DON'T hate BBC News. So I went to the main headlines page and was confronted with "Growing pressure: US president is caught between Iraq and a hard place." Now that is a really fabulous headline. I mean how can you not love a headline like that. And a news outlet that uses it. So despite all the awful, and upsetting things that happen in the world everyday that I have been trying to avoid reading about for the last four years, maybe more, I am now going to try and keep up again via the BBC News. I hope that because they are a news outlet that doesn't make me absolutely insane I will actually be able to do it. Also from my point of view, things are looking up a little so maybe it won't ALL be bad news anymore. Cheers to that.

20. Run Rudolph Run- Bryan Adams

2006-12-06T12:53:00.000-05:00

Out of all the reindeer you know you're the mastermind
Run, run Rudolph, Randalph's not too far behind
Run, run Rudolph, Santa's got to make it to town
Randalph he can hurry, he can take the freeway down
And away went Rudolph a whizzing like a merry-go-round

Said Santa to a boy child "What have you been longing for?"
"All I want for Christmas is a Rock and Roll electric guitar"
And away went Rudolph a whizzing like a shooting star

Run, run Rudolph, Santa's got to make it to town
Can't you make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down
And away went Rudolph a whizzing like a merry-go-round

Said Santa to a girl child "What would you like most to get?"
"I want a little baby doll that can cry, scream and wet"
And away went Rudolph a whizzing like a Saber jet

Run, run Rudolph, run, run Rudolph, a running like a son-of-a-gun.

21. Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer-Jewel

2006-12-06T12:13:00.000-05:00

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
had a very shiny nose
and if you ever saw it
you would even say it glows
all of the other reindeer
used to laugh and call him names
they never let poor Rudolph
join in any reindeer games
then one foggy Christmas eve
Santa came to say:
"Rudolph with your nose so bright
won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
then how the reindeer loved him
as they shouted out with glee (yippee)
"Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
you'll go down in history."
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
had a very shiny nose
and if you ever saw it
you would even say it glows
all of the other reindeer
used to laugh and call him names
they never let poor Rudolph
join in any reindeer games
then one foggy Christmas eve
Santa came to say:
"Rudolph with your nose so bright
won't you guide my sleigh tonight"
then how the reindeer loved him
as they shouted out with glee (yippee)
"Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
you'll go down in history"

let it snow

2006-12-05T12:18:00.000-05:00

I absolutely love snow. I think it comes mostly from growing up in DC and having so little. Even though I'd usually get tired of it by the end of the season up in Boston, it still didn't break me of my love for snow. Actually I think it just made it stronger, at least in December, and maybe January. Maybe it also comes a from having a Minnesotan for a mother. Regardless, I love snow. It's not a love of Lorelai proportions, that would be hard to rival, but it is a strong and deep love for sure.

It has finally gotten cold here in DC. Most of November seemed to linger around 60 and sometimes warmer. Now that I've gotten used to real fall that was kind of hard. I mean who can really enjoy a gingerbread latte when it's 75 degrees out? I know that I can't. But that's all changed. It's been quite chilly the last few days, which I have loved. There have been coats and scarves and fur trapper hats in my life and that makes me happy.

And this morning on my way to work I had a perfect moment. Walking form the bus to Starbucks (part of my daily routine) I saw some little white flecks blow through the air. It was windy and my first thought was it was just street dust being picked up by the wind (the street I work on is a little dirty). But then there were more, and then the wind died down for a moment and I realized they were moving in an approximately downwards direction. And then my heart went: SNOW!!!! I instantly starting grinning ear to ear as I walked down the street. And people kept giving me kinda strange looks, like why is that girl smiling like a deranged person? And I just wanted to say to them, can't you see it's snowing! But I didn't, since I know not every one gets as excited by barely noticeable flurries as I do. By the time I got to Starbucks it was mostly over, but I did watch a guy in the crosswalk feel a flake fall on his cheek, I watched his hand reach up and then the grin spread across his face too. I went inside and ordered my gingerbread latte, and relished in the fact that winter has finally arrived.

22. Frosty the Snowman-The Roches

2006-12-04T12:49:00.000-05:00

Hey who's that over there?
That's that weird guy down the street
Oh yeah he's a snowman
The one with the funny nose
Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul
With a corn cob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made out of coal
Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale they say
He was made of snow but the children know how he came to life on day
There must have been some magic in that old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his had he began to dance around
Frosty the snowman was alive as he could be
And the children say he ca laugh and play but we don't believe 'um anyway
He's Real!
Frosty the snowman knew the sun was hot that day
So he said let's run and we'll have some fun now before I melt away
Down to the village with the broomstick in his hand
Running here and there all around the square tripping all over himself with the broomstick
He was walking in the streets of town right to the traffic cop
And he only paused a moment when he heard him holler stop
Frosty the snowman was happy on his way
But he waved goodbye saying don't you cry I'll be back again someday
Hippity hop hop
Hippity hop hop
Look at that snowman go
In his easter bonnet with all the frills upon it
He'll be the only snowman in the easter parade

23. Sleigh Ride-Johnny Mathis

2006-12-04T12:46:00.000-05:00

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring-ting-tingling too
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "You Hoo"
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you

Giddy-up giddy-up giddy-up let's go, Let's look at the show
We're riding in a wonderland of snow
Giddy-up giddy-up giddy-up it's grand, Just holding your hand
We're gliding along with a song of a wintry fairy land

Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we
We've snuggled close together like two birds of a feather would be
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you

There's a birthday party at the home of Farmer Gray
It'll be the perfect ending of a perfect day
We'll be singing the songs we love to sing without a single stop
At the fireplace where we'll watch the chestnuts pop
Pop! Pop! Pop!

There's a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy
When they pass around the coffee and the pumpkin pie
It'll nearly be like a picture print by Currier and Ives
These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives
These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling , ring-ting-tingling too
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "You Hoo"
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you

Giddy-up giddy-up giddy-up let's go, Let's look at the show
We're riding in a wonderland of snow-ow
Giddy-up giddy-up giddy-up it's grand, Just holding your hand
We're gliding along with a song of a wintry fairy land

Nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we
We've snuggled close together like two birds of a feather would be
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with
Lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with

24. Do You Hear What I hear-Whiteney Houston

2006-12-04T12:43:00.000-05:00

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
Do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the night, shepherd boy,
Do you hear what I hear
A song, a song, high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king
Do you know what I know
In your palace warm, mighty king
Do you know what I know
A child, a child, shivers in the cold
Let us bring him silver and gold
Let us bring him silver and gold

Said the king to the people everywhere,
Listen to what I say
Pray for peace, people everywhere,
Listen to what I say
A child, a child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light

Apologies

2006-12-04T12:41:00.000-05:00

So I've kind of fallen off on the whole Christmas Countdown Front over the weekend, and for this I must apologize. In my own defense, I went to 2 parties, a pizza easting session, a birthday dinner, the yarn barns and work, and I also had two migraines. But I am back, and now I will catch up on the countdown. Sorry about the not so scheduled interruption of service.

Everyone's favorite elf

2006-12-01T13:42:00.000-05:00

Because of my name I have often felt that it was fate that I should love Christmas so much. I pretty much have taken it upon myself over the year to be an ambassador of Christmas joy and cheer, and given my rather diminutive size this has lead some to compare me to an elf. Well the always inspirational Lesley has taken the comparison one step further. I have now become an elf.

25. Song for a Winter's Night-Sarah McLachlan

2006-12-01T11:33:00.000-05:00

The lamp is burnin' low upon my table top
The snow is softly fallin'
The air is still within the silence of my room
I hear your voice softly callin'

If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
Upon this winter night with you

The smoke is rising in the shadows overhead
My glass is almost empty
I read again between the lines upon the page
The words of love you sent me

If I could know within my heart
That you were lonely too
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
Upon this winter night with you

The fire is dying now, my lamp is growing dim
The shades of night are liftin'
The mornin' light steals across my windowpane
Where webs of snow are driftin'

If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
On this winter's night with you
And to be once again with with you

Happy Birthday lil bro

2006-11-30T12:35:00.000-05:00

So my little brother turns 18 today, which is beyond weird for me. Not weird in a bad way, but I just can't believe how old he is! I thought I would share with all of you what I wrote on his facebook wall. The funniest part is that it took three posts to say it all, so I will leave the breaks the way they worked out on facebook.

"how is it that it's almost noon and i am the first person to write on your wall for your b-day? tell your friends i said they were slackers. anyway, lil bro, i cannot believe that you are 18. really, i like literally don't believe it. in fact i think i'm taking back a year, you are not allowed to be 18 yet. why you might ask? well because i'm you're big sister and i say so (remember that one?). i mean i remember when you loved moles, and when you wouldn't wear anything but sweatpants in black or grey, and when you had chubby chubby cheeks. i remember when you still wore diapers, and the dinosaur blanky you used to carry everywhere. i remember the time you stuck the bean up your nose and we were so scared cus we lurved you so much and you were so little. i remember all the cars, and all the legos, and then all the computers, oh wait that's now. i remember the forts we used to build in the back of the minivan on road trips, and how i secretly felt bad when you weren't big enough

(sorry ran out of room on the last one, who knew there was a character limit on facebook wall post, so now i will continue) to go on all the rides with dad and i at disney world, although i never would have admitted it. i remember climbing "the mountain" in our backyard when they were doing the addition, and then when it froze and we just had that much more fun climbing the frozen mountain. i remember when you learned how to drive and i was scared half to death for the rest of the world. and i remember how i would come home form college and all of a sudden you weren't just my baby bro, but you were a real person, and that may have scared me more. i remember the day i realized that you weren't annoying and trying to come into my room anymore, but that you were really cool and fun to hang out with, and that when you came into my room, i actually wanted you there. but despite how growed up you are, you will always be my baby brother and i love you more than you know. hope i didn't

(part 3) embarrass you to much on facebook. oh and sorry i used to poke you when you were trying to take naps."

26. Christmas With You is the Best-The Long Winters

2006-11-30T12:29:00.000-05:00

We both hate the holidays
Our parents act crazy
And the mall is insane
Let's skip it all
And have a non-traditional non-denominational celebration

Christmas with you is the best
We'll have no turkey or guest
Sleeping late but before we get dressed
I want to give you a present

It was fun when I was a kid
And then it started getting strange
I got too old for toys and games
And now i have you
And I think we should choose
A non-traditional non-denominational celebration

Christmas with you is the best
We'll have no turkey or guest
Sleeping late but before we get dressed
I want to give you a present

We both hate the holidays
Our parents act crazy
Let's have non-traditional non-denominational celebration

Christmas with you is the best
We'll have no turkey or guest
Sleeping late but before we get dressed
I want to give you a present
I want to give you a present
I want to give you a present
I want to give you a present

Gaucamole

2006-11-29T12:03:00.000-05:00

So I have become kind of famous for my gaucamole. In fact I think it is one of the things about my person that is in most high demand. I have a secret suspision that my gaucamole was the real reason Lesley invited me to Chicago, seeing as how all the ingredients were there laid out ready for me when I was there. When I talked to Maria the other day she said "I miss you so much. Especially your gaucamole." I am beginning to wonder if my gaucamole has actually surpassed me in likability, and if therefore I should withhold it from any new firends that I make in the future for fear that they will love me only for my gaucamole. Or maybe it can be used as a tool. Maybe I can lure friends to me with my amazing gaucamole. This is potentially devious and manipulative, as my guacamole is fabulous and also rather addictive.

In truth I am not really sure what makes my gaucamole so good. It's essentially how my Mom makes it, although we do things a little differently. When people hear that I make really good gaucamole they assume I make it totally form scratch chopping up ingredients and all. I don't, I use salsa in my guac instead of fresh vagetables. I've been told this is cheating, but I promise I've never had any complaints. But I'm afraid I'm giving away too many of my secrets. I just sent Maria and email with detailed instructions since she said she had tried but had never been able to make it as well. I felt badly, so I gave her the most help I could. But from now on I'm keeping my secrets safe, since by telling her just how to make my gaucamole I may have released my hold on Maria forever. I will not risk losing more firneds over gaucamole.

27. River- Joni Mitchell

2006-11-29T11:32:00.000-05:00

Its coming on christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
But it dont snow here
It stays pretty green
Im going to make a lot of money
Then Im going to quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby cry

He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
Im so hard to handle
Im selfish and Im sad
Now Ive gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I made my baby say goodbye

Its coming on christmas
Theyre cutting down trees
Theyre putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

28. Christmas is Going to the Dogs

2006-11-29T11:26:00.000-05:00

So yesterday was a kind of weird day and I missed the boat on the whole Countdown thing, so here is yesterdays song one day late:

Get off your sled and go to bed
Don't you ever tire?
Throw a bone, I'm finally home
Curled up by the fire
Snow is falling from the sky like ashes from an urn
Sweet dreams, my little one
Now it's my turn

Well, Christmas is going to the dogs
We'd rather have chew toys than Yule logs
And things aren't looking very good, it's true
So I'll just lay here and chew

Now, when I sleep I like to dream
Of rabbits in the snow
Jumping right into my jaws
From their rabbit hole
Take one home and set him down right next to you shoes
Wake up to a big surprise
My gift to you

And Christmas is going to the dogs
We'd rather have chew toys than Yule logs
And things aren't looking very good, it's true
So I'll just lay here and chew
And Christmas is going to the dogs
We're scarfing down the turkey and egg nog
And things aren't looking very good, it's true
So I'll just lay here and chew
So I'll just stay here and chew...

29. Merry Christmas, Baby- The Beach Boys

2006-11-27T16:00:00.001-05:00

My baby she told me
She don't want to hold me (oh, no!)
And kiss my lips anymore (unh-unh!)
She's gonna leave me
And she don't believe me
That I'll be true now

Well maybe she don't love me
And is not thinkin' of me
But why'd she do it this time of year?
She knows that I'll miss her
And I'll want to kiss her
If just for Christmas

Merry Christmas, baby
Merry Christmas, baby
Merry Christmas, baby

Tell me, what did I do
To really convince you
That I'm not the guy anymore?
Take back my ring now
I'll do anything now
But please forgive me

I made my mistake but
I'm willing to wake up
And never mess around anymore
Oh why did we break up?
There's still time to make up
If just for Christmas

Merry Christmas, baby
Merry Christmas, baby
Merry Christmas, baby

I made my mistake but
I'm willing to wake up
And never mess around anymore
Oh why did we break up?
There's still time to make up
If just for Christmas

Merry Christmas, baby
Merry Christmas, baby
Merry Christmas, baby
Merry Christmas, baby