Where Have I Been?

I know, I know. It's been a while...

Sorry for the major time gap in entries, I've just been really busy working. I'm looking at newer cars, as it appears that my current one is beyond repair. Am I happy about having to start making a car payment? No. Am I looking forward to driving something nicer, newer, and with better gas mileage around? Heck yeah! I've got several different models in mind, and I'm narrowing my search as we speak.

I'm also about to have to spring for a new cell phone here in the next few weeks, so I'm trying not to wonder what other pricey item of mine will have to be replaced in the near future. You can bet I've been treating my iPod with kid gloves. Keep Murphy's Law off of my computer!

Other than this, I've been getting caught up on my TV shows, reading, and fitting in as many walks during the week as I can. You can see that I've kept pretty busy since my last post. What have all of you been doing? Catch me up.

I've Been Thinking A Lot Lately...

...about my dreams and visions for the future. It's not something I just tell any Random Joe, so feel privileged that I'm sharing some of them with you, my Dear Readers. I've been feeling pretty down about the state of my finances and personal life, and have been really anxious to "get the show on the road", but I realized something important, powerful. I hold the key to making these things happen. I'm not at all saying that God doesn't play a role, I'm merely saying that the things we want and need are in many ways, up to us.

I was settling down for the evening, after finishing a workout last week, and managed to catch a repeat of the day's Oprah. I'm not what you would call a fanatic of the show, I just find bits and pieces useful from time to time. The topic of the show was vision boards. For those of you that don't know what a vision board is, it's a physical manifestation of the things you feel you want, on a gut level, to be happy and get all there is out of life. They are usually collages put together with magazine clippings, quotes, and photos that you assign meaning to. You can also make a list. These are placed in a prominent place in your home to remind you to hold onto the visions you have for yourself and your life. For some people it's places they want to travel to, representations of what they want in a mate, career or personal goals, or that ever popular "perfect body" they want to have. For me, it's all of those things. I've just started cutting out clippings and hope to get this going soon.

Those of you that know me in more than just a blogging sense, know that it's my dream to start a charity that helps find funding for families dealing with cancer. This can be to pay for treatment, to cover living expenses while being treated, or even to put a child through college. I lost my father to this disease when I was just a baby, and his compassion and giving heart inspires me daily to make this a reality. I've been so down lately, when I've looked at my own finances, that I haven't looked around at all the opportunities to start small and give the way that my dad did while he was here.

A while ago, I started collecting soda tabs from aluminum cans because I'd read that the Ronald McDonald House recycles them for cash and helps to pay for children to receive dialysis treatments. This concept has been tugging at my heartstrings for a while now, and while on the phone with a friend I learned that a mutual acquaintance with a restaurant is doing the same thing. They set up glass jars on their tables and ask that anyone consuming a beverage out of a can place their tabs in the jars. This opened my eyes. I know owners of local eateries, coffeehouses, and bars, office workers, and school employees that would likely love to support such a cause. The cans were going to be thrown away, or recycled, anyhow. Who wouldn't want to do some good with their garbage?

It's a small thing that I can do now, to prove that I can someday be trusted with something much larger. I intend to contact the owners of these establishments and see if we can work out a deal where I pick up their donations once a month, and turn them into the Ronald McDonald House in their names. I'll keep you posted on how this turns out, and encourage you to start a similar program in your town. Do what you can with what you have!

The Case of the Missing Skirt...

For years, I've had this black, pleated skirt that I fell hopelessly in love with. We met, of all places, at a thrift store. I'm not knocking thrift stores, I just wasn't looking for anything. Isn't that what they say about all good relationships? I was there with a friend who was looking for parts of a Halloween costume. Little did I know that it would be with me for some of the best moments of my young life.

It was with me when I went to some amazing concerts. I wore it on dates. I made sure it was part of my ensemble when interviewing for jobs. It was my power skirt. When I wanted to look polished and classy, it was always there.

Two years ago, it went missing. I couldn't tell you what happened to it, because there wasn't a month that went by when I didn't wear it out somewhere. I feared the worst. I had convinced myself that it had either been left in the laundry room of my apartment complex, and was now making someone else's life better, or that I had left it in the car of a friend I no longer talk to. (It was in a bag, you dirty bird. Get your mind out of the gutter.)

I turned the house upside down, every 6 months or so, saying "If it's in here, it's here somewhere." I couldn't give up. It just didn't seem right. I needed it. It was my mojo seeker.

There's an event coming up that I want to look good for, and I thought just one more time, I'd look for it. If I found it, it was meant to be. If I didn't, I could finally let go of that nagging feeling, and promote another article of clothing. I had looked in every drawer, and closet that I could imagine having put it, and finally settled in on my last possible place. In my linen closet is a set of black bedsheets that I haven't put on the bed in, well, about 2 years. Folded up inside...the skirt.

I'm back. I'm ready for things to start getting good again.

*sigh*

It's a little late, being that this happened Wednesday, but I finally got to see Tom Waits in concert. I'd love to wax philosophical about it, but I can't. There are simply no words. If you're a fan, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

I can say this, however...I don't care how many rave reviews ScarJo is getting from her covers album. If she's that good, she doesn't need to ride in on the gravel-throated lothario's coattails. She should be able to carry herself. No one will ever convince me otherwise.

I Love This Website...

so, I know there are a few of you out there will, too. Maybe you can start writing your own passive-aggressive notes and send them to friends, family, or even complete strangers! Embrace your superiority complex, and let everyone around you know how you feel, kinda. Enjoy.

passiveaggressivenotes.com

Is There Anything They Can't Do?

I just know that somewhere Homer Simpson is "woo hoo"ing and drooling over the fact that today is National Donut (or Doughnut) Day. Enjoy this video, and then have one for me. I'm eating Gluten-Free!

The Swedish Chef makes donuts.

Hello, All...

I've been extremely busy getting myself ready for school, and nailing down some last minute details, but I did see a few things I thought I should pass your way...

First of all, have any of you ever wondered what the baby from Nirvana's Nevermind album cover looks like now? Wonder no more. I feel very old right now.

The Body Shop, Victoria's Secret, and, Anthropologie are all having some great sales. Here I am wishing I had the money to actively participate.

This is the cutest kitchen clock I have ever seen. You have to scroll down a bit to get to it, but it's bright yellow, and all Tupperware-y. You can't miss it.

I read this great article about how to tell what kind of produce you're getting.

And lastly, I found the coolest personalized art site, that creates beautiful images out of your unique chemical makeup. Take a look. I can't wait to have one made for me.

May 29th is...

End of the Middle Ages Day. Not really sure what to say about that, except note that the fall of Constantinople marked the end of the Middle Ages. Now, sing along with me, Kiddies:

"Istanbul was Constantinople

Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople

Been a long time gone, Constantinople

Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night

Every gal in Constantinople

Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople

So if you've a date in Constantinople

She'll be waiting in Istanbul

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam

Why they changed it I can't say

People just liked it better that way

So take me back to Constantinople

No, you can't go back to Constantinople

Been a long time gone, Constantinople

Why did Constantinople get the works?

That's nobody's business but the Turks

Istanbul (Istanbul)

Istanbul (Istanbul)

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam

Why they changed it, I can't say

People just liked it better that way

Istanbul was Constantinople

Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople

Been a long time gone, Constantinople

Why did Constantinople get the works?

That's nobody's business but the Turks

So take me back to Constantinople

No, you can't go back to Constantinople

Been a long time gone, Constantinople

Why did Constantinople get the works?

That's nobody's business but the Turks

Istanbul"

For those of you not hip to my little history lesson, check out this video from They Might Be Giants. Yes, it's the Tiny Toons version.

For All of You Tea Snobs Out There

I'm including myself under that heading. I drink a lot of tea. I mean a lot. I gave up coffee. There's just too much caffeine. I'm not a soda drinker, anymore. Talk about empty calories. That leaves me water, which I simply must flavor if I'm going to get in my 8-10 servings a day. Lemon and lime are good, but only get a person so far.

Tea. I like it green, black, white, and oolong. In my quest to try more types, I discovered another kind called rooibos. Never heard of it, but it sounded intersting. Then I stumbled upon this genius idea. If I wasn't so excited about it, I'd be jealous that I didn't think of it first. Enjoy. Perhaps curled up with a fuzzy friend and a good book.

If this isn't your "cup of tea", (I am totally patting myself on the back for that one), try some premade blends from Tea Forte. Though I don't have a lot that's good to say about my last job, I did get to enjoy some awesome brewed beverages while I was there. We sold the products in our store and always had something waiting for our customers. Sometimes it was the only reason I dragged myself in there. Don't take my word for it, go here.

This Just In...

Remember several posts ago, when I was talking about the new Joss Whedon show, Dollhouse? Well, a couple of clips have been leaked (thank you, Wired Blog), and it appears to be shaping up nicely. It looks like we're being given at least 13 episodes, which I just hope turns into more.

Keep your chin up, Jossy. There are quite a few of us rooting for you! And hey, if something goes wrong, we'll just send the Fox Execs. itty bitty dolly furniture, a la the "Save Jericho" campaign. That'll show 'em.

Beauty Review: Good News for Redheads!

I am so impressed by the Aveda products, I cannot even begin to tell you. One of my last posts was about the Damage Remedy treatment, and I'm still absolutely loving it. The only downside (or upside, if you choose to look at it that way), is that I only need to use it once a week, so I wanted to investigate some of the products I can use on a daily basis. I decided to take another leap and try their color depositing shampoo and conditioner. I am so impressed with it, I just had to share with you.

Madder Root Shampoo and Conditioner imparts color to dark hair and reds with henna. The shampoo smells a little like almonds, comes out an orange color, and suds up nicely. The conditioner is bright cherry red and smells like lovely lavender. Be sure to follow the directions carefully, though. The first time I used it, I forgot to take my wide toothed comb into the shower, and it didn't spread as evenly throughout my hair like I would have liked. The second time I used it, it was perfect. I combed it though, and tossed a shower cap over it, then went about my daily activities for 20 minutes before rinsing it out. My red is vibrant, and my hair is soft, just like it is the day I colored it. By now, it would have washed out to a strawberry blonde shade that's more subdued than the color I started out with. My only other word of caution is that the conditioner can stain palms. Just make sure to wash your hands right after use, and they will return to the normal color. This product is a must for anyone who wants to keep their shade bright and beautiful. It takes a little effort, but trust me, it's well worth it. They have other color depositing products for brunettes, blondes, and black and grey hair.

I have to say, I am really turning into an Aveda girl:)

It all comes back to Apple...

It seems that I've gotten another question. You know how I love these, and am always on top of good new tunes...

Anonymous asked:
who's the artist featured in the latest ipod commercial?

Anonymous, there are a couple of iPod commercials floating around right now. There's one for the Touch featuring Brendan Benson's "What I'm Looking For", a personal favorite. Then there's the one I think you're refering to, which is for the regular iPod. That song is called "Shut Up and Let Me Go" by the Ting Tings. Here are links to both videos:

"What I'm Looking For" iPod Touch commercial

"Shut Up and Let Me Go" iPod commercial

Brendan Benson's website

The Ting Tings on Myspace

I also feel it necessary to point out that Brendan Benson is one part of the Raconteurs collaboration. Looking for some new tunes? Also check out The Greenhornes. I know it's all about Jack White, but these guys are amazing. Give them a listen.

An update? Sure. Why not?

I apologize for the infrequent updates on this blog. The weather here has been absolutely beautiful, and I've also been picking up extra shifts at work to help cushion some of the blow from a ridiculous phone bill. I hope all is well with my readers and that they are enjoying the Spring-y weather, just like me. Please send me your questions and comments, and I'll post something of substance in the next few days.

In the meantime, please enjoy this link to a search engine that plants trees whilst you seek knowledge!

Incredibly Exciting News...

So, there's this rumor going around that Jason Segel, of How I Met Your Mother and Freaks & Geeks fame, is in line to write the next Muppet movie. Turns out the rumor is true. If it's possible, I think he just became more adorable than he already is.

New Music Added!

I updated some of the tracks on my playlist with new tunes. I also replaced some of the tracks and artists that were producing errors on the player. Look for newbies to the list, such as The Rosebuds, Pinback, Koop, and The Coral. Get out your groove shoes and enjoy!

I Am In Love...

With Aveda's Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment!

It's not something I like to advertise, but I color my hair. That's right. It's not naturally this red and sassy. Since red is a particularly hard color to hold on to, I color it often. This, and the heat styling I have to do to keep everything in it's right place, has left my ends fried and frazzled.

I sauntered in to my local Aveda store, when a blonde guy with fabulous folicles walks over to me and asked me how he could help. I told him, and he put this tube in my hand. He says he runs it through his hair once a week, goes out and sits in the hot tub for 20 minutes, and voila! Sounds great to me. I took it home, and 2 tries later, my hair is smoother and prettier. The color looks shiny, healthy, and I have no scraggly looking ends! The smell isn't phenomenal, but the results are worth it. I'll bet it works even better with the Damage Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner.

If your hair is looking a little on the haggard side, find an Aveda store, or follow this link. You won't be sorry.

Don't Ever Say I Didn't Give You Anything...

Are you sick and frickin' tired of not having jeans or bras that fit? Didya catch that Oprah and feel like she fitted everyone, but you? Never fear. I've come to your rescue with Zafu. Weird name, genius idea. What are you waiting for? Go. Be happy.

Nerd News Now

Lost Highway is finally on DVD, but then again, you diehard David Lynch-ers probably already knew that.

Joan of Arcadia fans will be delighted to watch this short film, staring Jason Ritter. Well, tomorrow they will be. It's not quite up, yet. In the meantime, catch up on all the other shorts in this series. They tell a story, so best to watch them sequentially. Look for Josh Hartnett, Saffron Burrows, and Lukas Haas.

There will be no more episodes of The Return of Jezebel James. Gotta say, as much as I love Parker Posey and Lauren Ambrose, the show was pretty painful to watch.

For years since it's release, people have been talking about a Boondock Saints sequel. Frankly, I think it's better left as is, but I won't stop myself from seeing it if it becomes reality.

Here is a feature about one of my favorite authors, Bret Easton Ellis. It's wordy, so be a reader first before commiting to the article. (sidenote: If you can somehow get your hands on the uncorrected proof version of Glamorama, you're in for a treat. I found one at a used book sale several months ago, and it is the coolest book in my collection.)

That's all folks. Going to the spa today for a little R&R. More later...

What's a Girl to Do?

I've been watching a lot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer this week, so Joss Whedon has crossed my mind a couple of times. I'd heard something a few months back about a new show he'd been working on, called Dollhouse. It's set to star the always beautiful, Eliza Dushku. I also understand that she's helping to produce, which should be interesting. It worries me a little that I haven't heard anything in a while, but just thought I'd get the word out there so we Whedon fans can start stirring some excitement.

This also brings me to post a problem for you, my readers, to help me solve. I loaned my seasons of Buffy to a friend and fan, after explaining how important they were to me and that they were to be kept out of reach of children and animals. They were returned to me promptly and in, what I thought was, excellent condition. I'm watching them now, and a few episodes seem a little glitchy. I say glitchy, and I mean that they hiccup in the dvd player over and over again until it finally seizes up and no longer plays the episode. I then have to turn off the player, restart the episode, and fast forward beyond the skipping segment in order for it to play. I'm wondering if it's terrible of me to ask that they replace the damaged seasons or if I should just chalk this up to a lesson learned and no longer loan any of my things to anyone? I mean, I have seen them a billion times, but that's part of why I love the show so much, it's very re-watchable. I don't want this to cause a rift in my friendship, and frankly, I didn't want to loan them out in the first place. What do you think?

Google. Is There Anything They Can't Do?

I was recently alerted by my brilliant and beautiful mother that Google has added a new feature called Goog-411. It's as easy as calling 1-800-GOOG-411 from your phone, stating the location and name of the business you want to connect to, and they will connect you for free. They will even map the destination for you, if your phone has internet capabilities. All the more reason for someone to buy me an iPhone, right? Here's a nifty tutorial.

Got a Question?

I haven't done an answer session in a while, and just found this comment from one of my readers...

Anonymous asked: "okay so this question is a bit late, given the date of this post, but here goes-several years ago, HP was running a series of adds for their printers/photo software, with some really good commercials, including one that featured the cure's 'pictures of you'....the question:there were several (really cool) clips that featured a song with the phrase "picture book" in it- sounded like an old song, with echoes of early stuff by the who, but i have no idea who did it-any ideas?"

Anonymous, you're probably refering to a song called Picture Book by the Kinks. This is a link to the commercial on You Tube. Is that the one you were thinking of? Hope I helped. Also, check them out on the Darjeeling Limited soundtrack. Great movie, perfectly matched music. One of my favorite actors, Jason Schwartzman, is in it.

David Archuletta, Schmavid Archuletta...

I'm about to make a serious confession here, so please, do not think any less of me. I have been watching this season of American Idol. This is, in part, due to the writer's strike leaving me without any new episodes of Scrubs, The Office, or Pushing Daisies. I have to admit something that might make me the creepy, old lady, but I have a totally harmless crush on Jason Castro. He reminds me of the very first boy I liked in high school. Aside from being adorable, this guy pulled off a Leonard Cohen song tonight that shocked me. The voice break was an accident, but the judges totally bought it as a "vulnerability". Double points for that. American Idol does Leonard Cohen? I mean, sure, it's one of the most recognizable tunes he's done, but still. I have no more words.

Well, I guess I have one more sentence: If I believed in text messaging, I would vote for the kid.

Hotties of the Month: Academy Awards Edition

I wasn't going to watch them this year, but Jon Stewart is just such a draw. It was actually a pretty good show, despite the fact that they forgot Brad Renfro in the "In Memoriam" section. Heath was there, of course, but no love for Brad. I remembered him in my own way the following night, by watching Ghost World and then trying to count the number of times my sister and I watched The Cure on cable.

Well, I suppose I'll give you my picks for March Hotties...





Your Male Hottie is Javier Bardem. Aside from being an Oscar winning actor, he paints and plays rugby. Me encanta. If you haven't seen No Country for Old Men yet, do yourself a favor and get to a theater. It is a brilliant adaptation of a genius Cormac McCarthy novel. It'll just help you to get through it to know how smoldering Mr. Bardem is underneath the psychosis and Prince Valiant haircut.



Your Female Hottie is the adorable Ellen Page. I did finally get to see Juno, and now I see what all the buzz was about. In interviews, Ellen is smart and sassy, like her character. She also seemed so laid back and humble. Like someone you would go grab a beer with. She even had Barbara Walters singing a Moldy Peaches song, which is something I never thought I would live to see. I'd commend her, but to be honest, it's a little scary to know that Babs is down with the Peaches. I might have to start listening to the Doodletown Pipers and Lawrence Welk to stay alternative. Keep your eyes on this gal. Her career is just taking off. I can't wait to see what she does next.

Day Off...

Kinda. I'm still in the middle of my phone crisis, and am tying up some loose ends with my job, but I am enjoying some time here at home with the dog, and thought I'd put in a beauty review of sorts, and then get to the nap-taking.

My review is of a beauty website called eyeslipsface.com. The idea behind this website is responsible wellness products, cosmetics, and beauty tools at an affordable price. E.L.F. believes that every woman deserves to feel great about herself without having to break the bank to accomplish it. They support PETA and promote cruelty free products that cost as little as $1. E.L.F. products have been featured in Allure, In Style, and Cosmo, just to name a few. It's a fabulous idea that's been a long time coming. Check it out here: E.L.F.

Has it Happened to You?

I recently viewed my cell phone bill and discovered an insane amount of overage minutes (we're talking near to a thousand, and all of my rollover minutes used). It would be simply impossible for me to have used the phone that much, and what's more is that "In an attempt to be a little more paper conscious" I can no longer view my bill details that I receive monthly. I tried to verify this information online, and because I am now in a different billing cycle, the call details for the last cycle are no longer available. The long and short of it is that I suspect fraud on the account. Either my phone was cloned, or the system left off a part of my plan, like mobile to mobile calling, or 7 pm Nights and Weekends. I'm asking you, my Dear readers, if you have ever had this happen to you, and what you did about it. I intend to speak with the fraud department this afternoon and set up the investigation into the mess. Please, fill me in if you're privy to the process. I want to know as much as I can about this!

Time to Unwind

I've had appointments and errands to run for the better part of my day, and now I'm home to rest, relax, and recoup. I thought I'd post some fun websites I've found that would help you do the same. Go ahead and change out of those binding work clothes, and put a charcoal masque on your face. By the time it dries, you'll be ready to enjoy the rest of your evening.

Just watching this as I move my mouse around relaxes me. This might be a good thing to save in your favorites, instead of using up all of that bubble wrap.

I love Video Jug. You can teach yourself to do everything, from the cheeky to the useful. Learn how to give a good head massage, and your friend or partner will likely return the favor!

Look into your local beauty colleges and see how much they charge for a relaxing facial or massage. It will usually be half of what you would pay in a spa or salon, and you'll be getting the same treatment.

This could really help you at work tomorrow. I'm not saying you should try it, I'm merely pointing out that you have options.

Rainy Day...

It's dreary and raining today, so I thought it might be a good time to update. I've been listening to a lot of new-ish music and thought I'd share. Jim Noir is a name not a lot of you have heard of, but you've probably heard his song, "My Patch", on the holiday Target commercial. The rest of the album is fantastic. It's sort of a cross between vocal pop and electronica. Great for indies, and hipsters. His website is fun and brightly colored. Just what you need on a day like this.

I'll admit, I didn't give the newest Modest Mouse album a decent chance. This is mainly because I thought they were getting away from their roots and becoming more radio-friendly. Johnny Marr's influence extends beyond his work with the Smiths and really breathes new life into the music, however. It's a good little album, and their innovative approach to videos is refreshing. It's great that they're getting their fans involved. It also appears that they are touring with REM, which makes me so happy, I can hardly contain it.

I've also been listening to a lot of Landon Pigg, who reminds me a lot of Rufus Wainwright. You've probably heard "Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop" on a Diamond is Forever commercial this holiday season. He's also been played on Grey's Anatomy, which has launched quite a few careers. Just ask Tegan and Sara, who were having mild indie success until their song "Where Does the Good Go" ended an episode. Now they seem to be popping up all over the place. The girls are on tour, by the way. I'll be seeing them in the next couple of months. Check your local venues for tour dates, or view their website.

Answering Your Questions...

I've gotten a question, after a dry spell. Let's keep this going, Dear Readers. I love helping whenever I can!

Anonymous said...
Do you know the name of the artist and song that is played on the new MacBook Air commercial? I think it sounds a little like the Weepies.

Anonymous, you're in luck. I love that song, and I investigated it because I'm always looking for new tunes. The song is called "New Soul", and the artist is Yael Naim. Here is a link to the video. Keep your ears open for her. Apple has a way of launching many careers for indie musicians.

February's Hotties of the Month: Musician Edition

I know, I know. I'm a little behind. It's just because I've been busy, not because I forgot!





Your Male Hottie of the Month for February is Conor Oberst, of Bright Eyes. Conor was born and raised in Nebraska and is one of the founding members of Saddle Creek Records, which has brought Rilo Kiley, Tilly and the Wall, and The Faint out to the forefront. Learn more about him on his website.





I have to point out that Conor is not Bright Eyes. Bright Eyes is a band that currently has 6 members. If you consider yourself an indie lover you've probably already heard of these guys and you own Lifted or The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground. If you're more of a techno-junkie, however, look for Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. It's quite a bit different from the other albums.





Your Female Hottie of the Month is Neko Case. Neko is probably best known for her collaboration with The New Pornographers. She's been doing fantastic solo work and touring for the past few years, and has several awesome albums to show for it. Neko is also doing some voiceovers for Dave Willis, the creator of Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Listen for her in the upcoming series Cheyenne Cinnamon and the Fantabulous Unicorn of Sugar Town Candy Fudge. Keep up to speed on her tour dates and album releases on her website.

Question of the Week...

Since I haven't gotten any questions from my readers for a while, I thought I'd turn the table and ask you all a question. I want to know what beauty products you can't get enough of. Is there a bath product or cosmetic staple you use that you want to tell everyone about? For guys, do you buy skincare or haircare that gives you great results? Do you have a tried and true fragrance that you love? I want to feature these products on my blog and give my other readers information on where to buy them. It'd be great to trade tips and faves with you, so send your answers my way!

I love Lulu's!

If you love handbags as much as I do, the ad that sometimes appears on the right links you to some really cute ones, so give them a peek...

They have some really cute shoes and accessories, as well. I'm not able to squeeze into Juniors-sized clothing anymore, but if I was, I would wear a lot of this stuff. Cute, classy, and slightly bohemian. It's also very affordable. Give 'em a click.

A Useful and Green Way to Clean!

I used to use Comet to clean out just about everything: the kitchen and bathroom sinks, the bathtub, sometimes even the commode. It works, but let's face it, it's not environmentally friendly, and it's kinda rough on your skin. I have a little suggestion that will give big results, and help save the Earth.

You know the boxes of Baking Soda you keep in your fridge to keep the smellies away? When you're done with it, you usually toss it out, yeah? Don't. Save it. For cleaning a small area you can mix a tablespoon of it with a teaspoon of lemon juice (you were going to use it it to flavor that water you're supposed to be drinking), and voila! You have a gentle, yet abrasive cleansing paste that smells great and cleans just as well as the Comet. Give it a try. It cleaned my stainless steel sink beautifully and removed stains from my shower. I'm a fan now, so I'll be using it from now on.

This Week in Geeky Bunny News...

For my Adult Swim fans, catch Meatwad, Master Shake, Frylock, and Carl in Season 5 of Aqua Teen Hunger Force. It comes out this week.

The Lego turns 50! Check out this nifty Town Plan playset! I would have been all over this as a kid.

I stumbled upon this converted garbage truck that is waaaay nicer than my own place. I never thought I'd say this, but I want to live there!

These little gems of inspiration come from another blog, and it totally bears repeating.

I use this website for 2 reasons: I need real-time weather reports so I know what to expect during the day, and I like to see what the weather is like in my hometown of Boulder, CO. NCAR is nifty!

I still haven't seen Juno, but I want to. I hope to create some free time Sunday and get myself to a theater during matinee ticket time. Anyone want to review it for me, without ruining the ending?

I Added A Couple of Songs...

...to my playlist from a couple of my favorite Bens - Kweller and Lee. They should make for a great mid-afternoon boost, since they're happy and peppy. I hope you enjoy them.

Something adorable, is the video for Penny on the Train Track. It features Ben Kweller's own Bubbie, who is just a delight. I'm a dork and teared up the first time I watched this because my heart is for grandparents. Love it as much as I do! I just want to give her a hug:)

Another Beauty Review...

...and this might fall into the "too little too late" category. I'll explain why in a minute.

I'd imagine that none of you are shocked that I'm featuring another Origins product here. What can I say? I'm a big fan. It's natural, not terribly expensive, and always lasts a very long time. If you haven't made your way into a store, don't waste another second. It's all good stuff. I'll remain loyal, regardless of the situation, because this was the first line to actually clear up my skin. No more acne, and reduction of overall scarring. What's not to love?

Now, getting to the review. My featured product is Origins Cocoa Therapy Deeply Nourishing Body Butter. The very first thing I noticed when I opened the jar was the intoxicating scent. It's heavenly cocoa, with just a hint of orange. It brings me back to childhood for a moment and slightly reminds me of Tootsie Pops, or hot chocolate with mini marshmallows. It put some on my slightly damp skin, and it absorbed beautifully. No mineral oils = no greasy afterfeel. I used it again later in the day to give myself a calorie free boost, and it still soaked right in.

Upon further investigation, I disovered that this moisturizer contains all the feel-good properties that is inherently in chocolate. It has Vitamins A - E, and lots of good for you minerals. It also has the anti-oxidant properties that are just as important for your skin as they are for you to eat.

There are a ton of other products in this line, though sadly, my local store only carries this one item. You can get a lot of them at Origins.com, however, it looks like they no longer carry the purse sized roll-on fragrance, or the cocoa-flavored tinted lip balms. This is what I meant when I said "too little, too late". Boo! The good news is, there is a team dedicated to finding discontinued products for customers, so if there are still any items out there, they will hunt them down for you, and you can buy up to 3 of them at a time. Just another reason I love Origins!

Busy as a Bee...

...but not too busy to post something for all of you to read! I found a couple of articles and websites that may be of interest, so ya'll soak it up. Who knows when I'll have time to post again:)

For those of you interested in being a little greener, but can't always avoid the plastic cutlery you get at those fast foodie joints, looks like there is a better solution. Let's hope we start seeing these soon!

Want to see what you'd look like with Hollywood Hair? This InStyle virtual 'do site will give you an updated look. It's okay. Only you and your stylist have to know who you were trying to emulate.

Just in case there is anyone who hasn't seen it, I have Robot Chicken's now famous Star Wars parody.

I know some of you are looking for jobs, or ways to supplement your income. This article comes from a UK publication, but most of it still applies here in the States. Give it a looksee.

Want to feel really stupid? Watch a chimp beat the socks off a human at a numbers game. (I couldn't have done this, so don't feel too bad.)

And finally, our friend the Etch-a-Sketch has gone digital. No more violently shaking out your mistakes and cursing under your breath!

That's all, Folks! Don't forget to send in your questions and comments. I'd still love to keep the posts going!

As Promised...

Here are my newest and truest faves, musically speaking:

I have been listening to a lot of oldies, and I don't mean 80's music. This includes a lot of Rosemary Clooney, and some Billie Holiday. I guess I've been in the mood for some jazzy, bluesy classics. I am now, and always will be, a sucker for Stevie Wonder. By this, I'm talking about anything done up until "I Just Called to Say I Love You". I'm talking about the funky stuff.

Aside from this, I've been catching up with some new albums. First of all, let me say that Dolores O'Riordan's solo work is fantastic. I've been really soaking up her unique vocals. Though still new this century , I've been enjoying Badly Drawn Boy's Have You Fed the Fish? (2002), and am so glad I heard "All Possibilities" before Target took hold of it and used it in an advertisement. This last year was great for music, as I've been listening to Blonde Redhead, Wilco, Spoon, Travis, and Tegan and Sara, who all put albums out during that time. I can't wait to see what this year has in store for us.

My guilty pleasures will always include pop and hip hop music. I generally stay away from the stuff, but I've adored The Streets, and Lady Sovereign. It's snarky British rap, so it's not for everyone, but I enjoy playing it loudly when I'm blue, and there's no one else around to make fun of me.

My favorite song to start the day? "Dry the Rain" by The Beta Band.

There's a lot more great music out there, however, I wouldn't have enough time or space to contain my thoughts on all of it. Look for some more musical highlights on here from time to time and I'll keep you in the good stuff. Deal?

What Are You Listening To?

I thought I'd turn the tables this week and seek your comments on the most played songs on your iTunes. What are you listening to that others might not know about? What are your guilty pleasure songs? Do you have a tried and true tune that you put on in the mornings to get your day started off the right way? Send me some comments, and I'll return the favor by sharing some of my faves with you.

Wow...

...do I have a lot of things to catch you up on!

Scrubs' Zach Braff posted a Myspace bulletin saying that if the Writer's Strike goes on much longer the show may not go on. He says "there is a good chance they will never be written or shot and the series finale will remain in the mind of our show's creator, Bill Lawrence..." NOOOO! (His dog is soooo cute!)

Who wants to go with me to Dallas to see Radiohead? The band has confirmed US cities they will visit on this tour.

Kimya Dawson, of Moldy Peaches and solo fame, has contributed to the Juno soundtrack. It is completely worth the listen.

Bono has designed a t-shirt for charity. No matter how tired I am of seeing him, I'm still proud of the humanitarian he's become.

Circle Cinema, here in Tulsa, is showing The Future is Unwritten, The Joe Strummer documentary.

More to come, so keep reading!

Been Awhile, Hasn't It?

I'm still riding the end of the 2007 wave, which means that I'm getting all my training in for the new job, and still working the part-time job to fill in my gaps. This essentially amounts to one more week of me coming home only to sleep and then I'll have some great updates for you. Please don't let me lose you, due to my crazy schedule. We'll be totally back on track by February!

The Wait is Over!

Your Hotties of the month are here! I had to take a small hiatus to complete a certification for my new job, (which I totally passed, btw), and now I'm here to bring you your monthly eye-candy! I'll admit, I've been watching some dvds I got for Christmas so in keeping with the TV theme from last month, I bring you...Hotties of the Month: House Edition!



Our first hottie hails from Melbourne, Australia. Come on. Who isn't a sucker for an accent? Jesse Spencer plays Dr. Robert Chase . Those of you hip to Aussie television drama may remember seeing him on the popular show Neighbours, with Natalie Imbruglia and Kylie Minogue. You can see him standing up for himself against the snarky Dr. House on Fox.











Our second hottie is a recent addition to the cast, Olivia Wilde. You may have seen her previously on the fabulous, but short lived, Black Donnellys. Good to see that she's back as 13 on this season of House. She rose through the ranks and avoided elimination, and hopefully she's here to stay. Don't forget to pick up The Black Donnellys on dvd. It is completely worth the money.






I'm off to enjoy the rest of my hard-earned day off. Send me some comments. I'm feeling a little forgotten!