SOTD No Doubt - Underneath It All - Live Acoustic

Have a happy, sunny 'reggae in the middle of winter' sing along- on me! :) weeeeeee!

'You Say You Want A Revolution"

A short, slew of things about this photo, the last of which is the main point of this post
*Point 1-I haven't been wearing much black on purpose. NY, winter, black- so easy, so boring, so cliche,(I have done a lot of it the past 2 months and have HAD it!) so despite this look of Wednesday, I promise you- I have been wearing apricots, whites and pinks!
*Point 2- It has been almost 3 weeks of consecutive 20 or less degree days and intermintent snow/slush/ice showers. A girl can't always look pretty.
*Point 3- That morning- snowstorm, 18 degrees, walk to work. Explains the black, the what are normally nice dress pants tucked into salty stained snow boots- and even though I can be a hat girl, I can't wear one throughout the day at work, but man I was too cold to take it off just yet.
*Point 4- funniest of them all and the point of this horrible photo of me not onlyHAVING to be taken, but posted. I took off my coat and had barley undressed and settled myself, when my co-worker looked at me and said :

"Jeez Trenny, all that's missing from your look today is a machine gun and a burning desire to start a revolution."

Oh shit- that was perfect. (I didn't realize she was that clever. I was impressed and hysterically laughing!)

SOTD A Fine Frenzy: Whisper

A lot of my music posts are older songs, and they have old memories attached to them, I know. And they shouldn't all be that way, because I love just as much current music.
A Fine Frenzy is one of my favorites of the past year and every time sweet Alison Sodul's voice comes on over the speakers at work, you will find me singing along.
If you love poets and writers who can turn beautiful poems into pretty little butterfly songs, you will love her. This whole record is wonderful.
She is exactly what I pictured in my mind before I saw her and I read her Bio:
"Raised by two artists in LA and 6 when her parents got divorced, - she grew up in artistic communities around California and traveled with her mom. Two poetic gypsy."
Perfect after seeing this, right?
Someone on last FM said about her
"Pretty girls that can sing make me happy."
Me too
**PS- If you are not familiar with YouTube postings, when this video is over you can click on any of the little scrolled boxes at the bottom of this video square and watch and hear, right here in this little square, a plethora of her other videos/songs. So my SOTD's are more abundant for you than just one!! xoxo

Sex Addiction?

We get every fashion magazine under the sun at work. Cosmopolitan Magazine is in the mix here, so on top of the latest fashion trends, I get all my monthly sex tips too- which is terribly depressing when you're single. I thought this article was interesting and the caption (uh, and photo) struck me. I am still, all these years later, as surprised as I was at 9 years old finding Cosmo in my friend's older sister's bedroom, at the blunt and rather direct way this magazine uses words and visuals to so openly talk about sex. I applaud them, but am sometimes surprised at just how far they go considering they are an open market magazine. Makes me wonder how much they fight being censored. I digress...
Anyhow, the preface reads:
"He cheated and said he couldn't help himself, blaming it on his 'disease'. But, is Sex Addiction truly a medical condition-or a lame excuse to be a bastard?"

In conclusion, it deduced that sex is like any other craving, ie food, alcohol, drugs, etc...but further it is an animal, natural instinct as well, something that we are born to crave and desire. Wrap that up with lust/love and you have quite a mix. A little more complicated than any other addiction. There were 3 psychiatrists, 2 doctors and 2 sex columnists interviewed for this article and at the end of the day, it was a split ballot. I found it interesting as well, that it was targeted at men. Even though I know it is a women's magazine, females are not exempt. If you have access to the Feb Cosmo- it is an interesting read. Ps- I cannot quite decide what it is either. But, having my own personal journey of self discovery, if it is a true addiction, one can 'man up' and get better. So, there really is no 'excuse'. Addiction or not. But, another swift try at having carte blanc on screwing the world and getting off for free.

SOTD Devo-That's Good

Goddamn- Devo was the best. And what a find- on Dave Letterman too!!! Two of my favorite things in Junior High--Devo and David Letterman. I actually remember being in 7th grade and staying up late to see this.
These guys were so aware of what a 'pop parody' they were and played it up- but the sad thing was, is that most people didn't get that they got this about themselves and took them as simple, kitcshy one hit wonders. They were/are actually super brilliant guys. Brothers, Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh (the originators of the group) are amazing engineers and coveted for many film scores and internet music projects presently. I've always considered them the 'Bill Gates' of pop music. Hmm....this might be a piece of the puzzle that explains my love for nerdy, smart geeky guys. :)
**And ps-- For anyone attending SXSW (ie 'South by Southwest'- a music extravaganza held annually in Texas) this year- Devo are playing. Good for them.

What love means to a 4-8 year old

My sister sent this to me today and I loved it. The risk of 'corniness' is high, but I think the simplicity of the sentiments are beautiful--and true. And, I know it's a little long, but I just couldn't find it in my heart to cut any out. (ps- this is actually a study from the early 1960's)

*A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?'The answers they got were broad and deep-simple and yet meaningful.

'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore.So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'Rebecca- age 8

'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'Billy - age 4

'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.'Karl - age 5

'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'
Chrissy - age 6
'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'
Terri - age 4
'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'
Danny - age 7
'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.
My Mommy and Daddy are like that.
Emily - age 8

'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.'
Bobby - age 7
'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,'
Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)

'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.'
Noelle - age 7
'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'
Tommy - age 6
'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'
Cindy - age 8

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.'
Chris - age 7
'Love is when your doggie licks your face even after you left him alone all day.'
Mary Ann - age 4
'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image)
Karen - age 7
****AND STARS COME OUT!!!

'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.'
Jessica - age 8

---

SOTD The Vandals - Money's not an issue

In staying with my little vandals handiwork blogpost, let's go with The Vandals today- an old high school punk rock favorite. I gotta laugh when I think of being 16- crammed in with mohawks and skinheads trying to rock these small venue concert situations. I'm lucky I wasn't smashed and killed in a mosh pit--- seriously.

Ah- only if money really WERE not an issue. We used to quote this song when a guy would ask us out to dinner in High School-
"Girl tonite, bring your appetite,
cuz money's not an issue."

Tight.

Vandals vs Politicians

*Vandalism by idiots= Not cool
*Freedom of speech=Cool
*What this little vandal wrote on the HSBC bank sign=pretty funny

I spotted this on the way to work this morning - it reads:

"Don't believe your politicians,
they are lying
Buy gold/silver NOW-
Save your families."

hahaha
Well, you must admit- he/she does have a point.

SOTD Swingdance in Jungle Book

In tribute to my Monkey House childhood obsession posted earlier.

January Jones and Random Thoughts

Last night I read a brief little Q&A with January Jones in Vanity Fair. First, I have to comment on the photos of females in Vanity Fair- they are simply put, awesome. They have a wonderful way of making a women extremely feminine and girly- there is always a vintage, 'Vargaesque' feeling to the photographs- 'done' hair, matted red lipstick, ruffles and polka dots. I like how girly, sexy and cheerful they make a girl. Anyhow, it was interesting that she had said she cannot relate at all to her character Betty Draper on Mad Men and I could understand. I have never been one to get caught up in a tv 'show'- save for an American Idol or a Project Runway type of show- as I find well written dialogue that makes me get hooked, rare. I don't know, just my sensibilities. But Mad Men, I think, is pretty brilliant- there is something about the male/ female relationships, the time period that is all at once attractive and repulsive. I sometimes think how nice it would be to live in a simpler world where men kinda man handled their women a little, took care of things financially- but at the same time, it is almost shocking and degrading to watch. January said she sometimes actually feels physical nausea delivering some of her lines or has a hard time keeping a straight face. I can understand this- I feel irritated sometimes when I watch the male/female interaction in this show and realize we've come a long way- I hope. I think it is one of the best shows that has come along in a long time.
Hmm...Outside of that, New York has been terribly cold. 18 some odd degrees walking to work this morning. I am a summer girl, by many miles- could live in a bikini or go naked -and the Winter has always been my least favorite. Despite this, I have learned to roll with it, except when it is this cold, I just find it so uneccessary. I look forward to the 30 degrees it is suppose to be towards mid week. This will feel almost balmy at this point.
That's all- just random thoughts of a freezing Wednesday morning.
Hope you have a good day. xoxo

Inauguration Day

***I didn't mean to be just 'fluff' with my postings on such a big day. I've watched alot of the Inauguration Day coverage from CNN to CSNBC to ABC-mostly CNN- (it always amazes and intrigues me the different levels of reporting, education wise,from channel to channel btw) and I want to acknowledge the significance of this day in the history of the country. At the moment, I don't have a ton of formulated thoughts. I'm sure they will come. I just couldn't feel completely comfortable having a blog, knowing that I didn't at least acknowledge the day here.

Well, day one for Barack and nothing to do to change it. And you know what they say- A president ages 3-4 years to the average citizen's 'one' each year that he is in office. It was interesting to see the aging of Clinton and GW Bush today as compared to a fresh faced, rather stress free looking, first day Obama. I hope he does his yoga and meditation each morning and avoids the wrinkles and dark circles that seem to come so quickly.

SOTD- Body Language

The hottest Queen Song and a pretty hot dance to go along with it. I want to share a pair of suspenders like that.

Sing it out Freddy!

When Botox and Restalyne actually work really well.

An old friend and I got in touch through, again, good ole facebook last week. His name is Jeff and I met him through my good friend Jane whom I worked with at Billy Joel's music company. He is still close with Billy and I guess from the looks of it, Christy Brinkley as well. And this recent picture from his facebook page just gives me pause, as it does each time I see her in person. She just turned 55 and I have to give her credit for using Botox and Restalyne the best way that I have ever seen a woman use it. She was, infact, using it years before it was mainstream and she must know all the secrets because damn- for 55 - she looks freaking good. My 50's inspiration! lol

"Georgie"

This is my one and only niece, Jordyn. My sister Shannon's daughter. When she was little, she was 'Jordy' and for me, has somehow morphed into 'George' or 'Georgie'. It's funny about familial, spiritual, unforced connections- how real they can sometimes be. You see, I have been living miles away in New York since Jordyn was born (she is in Illinois with my sister), but from the moment this little girl and I met, every time I could go to Illinois to visit her or she would come to NY to visit me- god even when she was two- we have always been huggers and lovers of each other and just connected like little soulmates. I could sit and tell her stories or listen to her stories, even when she was as little as 5, and we have always understood each other. She is a giggler and would tell stories while pacing and laughing and falling down, so expressive. She is so sweet and so compassionate that she inspires me. She is so sensitive-just like me too. People used to always tell her growing up that she looked like me and I've always thought "oh man, don't let me be like her wild "Aunt Jenny' from the Brady Bunch!" haha. She has told me in the past that I have inspired her- and the wonderful thing that she may not know is that she inspires me. When I think of her, I think about becoming a better woman in the world to set a good example for her. I have both succeeded and failed miserably, at times, with this. I am still working on this all the time. But I am so glad she is in my life, because it really does help me move forward in the world. Think about the little, younger people in your life. Get to know them more if you don't. Hear their ideas, their views on the world. Be inspired by them- teach them things, but also let them teach you things. These are gifts, you know. These little people that come into your life, like an automatic friend forever. I miss her so much. I love you my sweet Georgie Pie!

SOTD- ''Elephant Love Medley'' - Moulin Rouge!

This should have been my first music post.

"........How wonderful life is,
now you're in the world...."

God when I saw this in the theater- I wanted to stand up and sing with Ewan McGregor-- I am soooo Ewan McGregor!

'Witty Buggers'

There has been quite a surge in Facebook lately, I know. And some people that I am connecting with are so AWESOME! One, in particular, is a friend Jane (Janey as I used to call her- infact my other friend Jane is 'Janey too. Funny) Anyhow, she sent me this photo yesterday on Facebook. Jane was the daughter of my mom's best friend Mary and we were ALWAYS together and we were ALWAYS laughing. Here, we are nine and at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago (where I grew up)- at the monkey house to be exact. The monkey house was always my favorite being the Jungle Book fan that I was. We used to walk through and sing "I Want To Be Just Like you" by Louis Prima. haha. And, as per usual when a camera is on me, we had to come up with a theme, a pose, and since were in front of the monkey house, I said "how about 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil?" Jane now lives in England and the quote she attached to the photo when she sent it was "we were witty buggers weren't we?"
Indeed. It's funny to see and think of me as a little girl with funny ideas like that. Some things don't change.
*And man- I was a tan little girl. We weren't rockin' no sunblock in no 1970's- no way!!

SOTD Zero 7 Somersault

If someone came to me with an empty IPOD and could only download one band- this would be the band I would recommend. Not because they are my ultimate favorite (though one of them), but they are just so universally lovely in sound and I think their's is beautiful music good for your head and heart.
***Best Album-' Simple Things'***

"You put my feet back on the ground,
did you know you brought me around.
You were sweet and you were sound-
you saved me."

*Uh- take note of how WASTED Jimmy Kimmel is at the beginning announcement. Whew- have another vodka tonic Jimmy!!

SOTD Dixie Chicks ~ I Believe In Love ~

Long story why I am posting this- but all I can say is that I will write novels about love if that is the only way I can defend in
how much I believe in it.

True Beauty

"I just think happiness is what makes you pretty. Period. Happy people are beautiful. They become like a mirror and they reflect that happiness. "If somebody walks into a room and they're drop-dead gorgeous and sexy, it's really fun to look at. But if somebody is giving of their spirit and they make you laugh and feel good, that's a whole other level of beauty."

-Drew Barrymore Vogue March 2008

Nanatte Lepore Spring 2009

This is a pretty dress from the Nanatte Lepore 2009 Spring collection. If you are a girly girl and love dresses and color, this is the line for you. It is so nice to see the Spring collections after Winter, ESPECIALLY a NY winter where everyone tends to wear black. It's always fun to strut down the Manhattan streets with a pretty colorful dress on. Check out more of her stuff at
www.nanettelepore.com
She started from humble beginnings (her garage--hahaha that seems so Bill Gates cliche, doesn't it?)- and she's young and really understands and appreciates a woman's body- curves, butt, boobs and all that good stuff!

SOTD Yngwie Malmsteen - Heaven Tonight

Was checking out twitter friend Brook Baynes website at the end of the day today and he, tongue and cheek like, has used his old 80's guitar player promo pic for his twitter profile. He inspired my posting of my favorite 80's 'hair band' song. I wasn't a 'hair band' girl AT ALL,- even though I was 18, had long hair, big boobs, a tan and was in Florida with my brother during it's hey day! lol!!! But, since I love all music, I do like some of it.
Forgive me subscribers-but the day was bound to come.
*And if you watch none of this, just check out the all too phallic reference at 3:19. I mean count the hair band cliches in this video. Throwing the guitar- check. Explosions- check. Leather pants-check. Jesus- don't you always wonder what the hell these guys did backstage. Yikes!

Oh- and one more favorite Golden Globe Dress

Oh - and here is my other Golden Globes favorite look of the night. I know this is the one that's going to be panned by all the 'fashion critics'. (My friend Randy already told me that Stacey London, of the infamous show 'What Not To Wear", HATED it) But, alas, all the more perfect that I love it. Leopard print and the one look that is the most hated, many times, will usually be my favorite! C'est la vie. ( I can hear some of my friends saying "uh-- you mean 'tacky?' " lol)
But- hey- how boring would the world be without all the risk takers out there?

*Maggie's dress is a custom made version of a Spring 2009 Lanvin dress that was originally designed to hit just a the knee.

My Favorite Golden Globe Dress

This is my favorite dress from the Golden Globes last night. It is America Ferrara wearing Fred Leighton 'Jewels'. We were just talking this morning about how lovely and feminine a cocktail length dress is ( which is a length that traditionally varies from the knee to 2 inches below the knee) I think it is always the perfect combination of sweet and, at the same time, glamorous without trying to hard.

Kate Winslet- The Golden Globes

Humility. That's one of the most wonderful things in the world to see and the main reason why I can tolerate these award shows. When that one person gets up to accept a well deserved win and when they do, their passion for what they do and their gratitude is abundantly clear. Kate Winslet who won not one, but two Golden Globes last night (for The Reader and Revolutionary Road) was all humility and grace and gratitude and it was inspiring to me. I love how these shows (especially the Grammys, for me) can sometimes have such wonderful inspirational moments. I want so much to be a woman in the world like that. I can't wait to see Revolutionary Road----and don't even get me started about The Reader.

**Oh- and looking at the pretty dresses and makeup is not bad either;)**

NPR Radio

My best friend in college - early 90's- used to always listen to NPR. (National Public Radio) She was a political science major and would endlessly espouse the virtues of doing so. To me, it was more background noise than anything when I first started listening to it with her. I was used to Diane Rhem's (one of the daily anchors with a morning show "The Diane Rhems Show") voice and it soothed me as I wrote whatever random paper that I was working on at the time. Even though I would vote more often to put on music, she would always beg me to just listen to 'one more program' and I would give in. But the funny thing, and what they always say about developing good habits, is that consistency is the key.
You see, by year's end, I came to find that I missed it, if I didn't hear Diane's show in the morning or Fresh Air (another program on NPR) in the afternoon. My daily NPR fix as it were. Infact, I remember driving back to the Hamptons for the summer and rather than playing my music, I was like one of the 'old foggies' as I used to call them, listening to talk radio. Just like my Dad.
But you know what, listening to NPR is an important piece of my day- I make the girls put it on in the morning at work because you will always learns something. It always prompts discussions, makes us think about something new and more than just keeping us informed, it always teaches-but in a non teaching sort of a way. If you have never listened to a program on NPR or tuned in, I hightly suggest that you do. You can go here www.npr.org
to see daily show schedules and find something that speaks to your interests. It's fun- you can go from current politics, to eating tips, to a candid interview with a great writer or musician all in the span of a couple of hours. I think it is important to support something as integral as NPR with all the other trash radio out there. It has been helping my insomnia lately too-
Here's to good listening!

SOTD Angie - Rolling Stones

There are some songs that I play on the guitar that just make me feel really good, because they are so beautifully written and heartfelt that they move you like a song should and for me, this has always been one of them.
There are certainly not many bands quite like The Rolling Stones. Don't forget to have some of their stuff in your library. It seems like Mick and Keith will live forever.

SOTD Goldfrapp Ooh La La

MUST NOT MISS THEM IN THE SPRING IN NY! DATES TO BE RELEASED SOON>
Seriously, I saw Goldfrapp at Webster Hall about 5 years ago on their first major US tour and if you like live music with all the trimmings of style,fashion, sexiness and performance (including burlesque dancers, male androgyny reminiscent of the 70's, feather boas, and glitter and glam rock) go to see Goldfrapp. They really don't dissapoint.

30/30/30 and the Ab Wheel

Ok- so I did make a couple of resolutions. A friend of mine and I made a pact- that outside of any other regular exercise routine we may do, we will try, at least for a month to see how it goes, to do the military 30/30/30 routine. Someone that I know who went to basic training told me that one of the 'keeping in shape tricks' that they used to keep up with their physical fitness everyday when they were not doing the hour workout they would normally do, was the '30' routine.
Which is, simply, everyday do a litte proper stretching, and perform 30 squats, 30 push ups and 30 sit ups. He said that I would be amazed with, even doing just that, what a change I would see in my body in a month. Okay, so we have done it so far and I will report on my body status at month's end.
And just as a side note- if you really want a kick ass abdomen- you should try the Ab Wheel pictured above. It really should be touted a 'chinese torture device'. Guys, I tried this last night for my 30 sit ups and OOOOUUCHHH! Just 30 and my stomach is on fire. Laughing and sneezing is painful. This thing is one little tummy miracle, but damn does it hurt! Actually, I don't know if I should recommend it or steer you away from it! Anyhow, report to be given soon......and good luck with your body resolutions. Just take it one day at a time. ***

SOTD-Saturday Night Fever - John Travolta

Loved John right from the start! I mean- this just made chills go up my leg when I was a little girl. How cool is he? As someone commented " a woman likes a man who owns his shit on the dance floor."

*Aw man, poor John. For inspiring so many people to boogie down- we love you!

SOTD_ George Michael, well....MICHAEL BUBLÉ, Kissing A Fool (Video)

Last night I woke up at 4 am and suffered through an hour of insomnia. I flipped on VH1 Classic and they are going through some sort of 2009 songs for 2009- my dream come true! :)- Anyhow, when I turned it on, this was the video that was starting.
Remember the album Faith by George Michael? Remember how good it was? I hadn't thought of that record in a loooong time and it was awesome to stumble upon this.
Sitting in the dark and really listening to this was really perfect, at that moment. I love the line:

"People, you can never change the way they feel,
Better let them do just what they want,
for they will-
If you let them steal your heart from you."

That is soooo true.
**Happy surprise- I couldn't get the George Michael version to embed, so Michael Buble has to do and, actually it's not bad!

Philosophy Scrub and Peel-Amazing Stuff!

My mom got me this Philosophy skin care package over the Holidays and I so appreciate it because my mom always take the time to try and get for me, my brother and my sister, things that reflect who we are as individuals and I have to applaud her because we are all very VERY different people. She has always been the BEST present giver and shopper (and wrapper too!) **She even writes us songs and poetry sometimes!**
One thing my mom knows that is very important to me is health and as far as products and food, I definatley steer towards the Healthfood stores.
The easiest thing for her to have gotten me would have been the Body Shop or Bath and Body or something pink and bubbly and girly- but this set was ordered online and pretty pricey and known as one of the 'natural' lines as far as major skin care goes. Now, that's thoughtful.
Honestly, I have been using organic soap and rose and olive oil from the old granola healthfood store for years and feel that everything else has bad shit in it. Really. But, I did try the above products on my face the other night because I thought it was such a special gift and I was curious.
Well- even though it has a few chemically ingredients (and look - I am no saint and I am not hiding from everything outside of a little whole foods store!)-the above scrub/peel combo has made my skin feel the most soft and delicious it has EVER felt.
Seriously.
Girls -and guys for that matter- get some of this. It is only a once a week thing and should last you AT LEAST 6 months.
You will be amazed at how your skin feels!
**Thanks momma!**

SOTD Tweaka Turner - We Don't Need Another Hero

What the hell- let's make it the SOTD. My friend Michael- rockin it out. Ouch- the comments with 'I can't stop laughing'- well....uh...... I just can't........

Though- I do wish I would have been there to help him with that wig---whoa. Talk about needing a comb out. Michael! but you rock anyway! xo

'Working at the Car Wash'

Michael Cerachi was/is BY FAR my favorite karaoke partner. He used to come into the bar and after two hours of watching a bunch of buzzed people sing songs like Hotel California, he would walk in with his Tina Turner dress and wig and say "Trenny, when I rip off my jacket as 'Proud Mary' kicks in, catch it so it doesn't get stained on the floor. "
He moved to San Francisco a couple of years ago and performs with a self made drag group called The Tranny Shack. I think he can also be found on google under his drag name
"Tweeka Turner"
His you tube performance of "We Don't Need Another Hero' by Tina Turner is memorable.

The above pic was posted on his page the other day with a message that he wrote to the friend who sent it to him:
"Oh wow, 'Working at the Car Wash'! Remember going to the Haight to get the outfits and wigs? And what about our earlier performance of 'Hell Is For Children' by Pat Benatar a couple of weeks earlier?"
LOL!! Funny, good stuff! That San Francisco crowd better be appreciating his dope lip synching grooves as much as I did- I'm so jealous I'm missing them! He is a super sweet person- for real.

**He did a version- at my request- one time of "Spill The Wine" that literally made me pee in my pants a little- I was laughing so hard.

John Travolta and Kelly Preston

I am laying in bed- midnight- and I have to blog this- as I just read it online. Maybe I am the last to know. John Travolta and Kelly Preston suddenly and unexpectedly lost their 16 year old son today. And this, again, gives me pause in the New Year. With the same thoughts.
Look at how fast and surprisingly it can be gone---gone. Life really IS impermanent and no amount of money or fame or supposed perfection (in ANY of us) can change something like this from happening. Man, I am not purposefully trying to reference death to make a point on life. I've always hated that approach, it seems so morose and cliched. But, consider the news that prompted this blog and I am sure you understand. So, please, do not put too too much stake on those things. And stop putting your desires on hold. God that sounds so fucking trite every time I say it, but so goddamn true.
So, again, be easy on yourselves and be grateful for your life.

And..put kind thoughts out to John and Kelly, and for that matter, any parent that has lost a child so young and so unexpected- because that is about the saddest thing I can imagine experiencing in a lifetime. Seems so unfair. Your little creation- gone. I really wish them some sort of peace tonite.

My apologies for the 2 expletives, I really can't help it here.

The Quirky Girl

..............."I'D RATHER TELL PEOPLE 'THIS IS WHO I AM, TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT.' AND I LIKE SOMEONE WHO IS FUNNY, WHO CAN MAKE ME LAUGH. I WAS ALWAYS THE QUIRKY GIRL AND I'M MORE COMFORTABLE BEING GOOFY THAN THE SEX KITTEN."

Amanda Bynes. Cosmopolitan Jan 2009
**Couldn't have said it better myself**
(but if I had to be both, trust me, I can do it ;) )

Bob Marley-Three Little Birds

And my New Years SOTD to myself!

SOTD- God Only Knows The Beach Boys

This is my New Year's song to everyone and everything I love. Thank you for being in my life and making me so happy.
xoxo

xoHappy 2009xo

One of my all time favorite movies is Prelude to a Kiss. It is a very underwatched, underrated film from the early 90's starring Alec Baldwin and Meg Ryan. Most of my friends have either never seen it or, the ones who have, think I am way over extending myself to call it an 'all time favorite.' But, just one of those things you like, not because it is universally phenomenal or truly great, but great for YOU. You know what I mean?
Anyhow, without giving a long winded breakdown of the whole film- I will just try to give the basic premise. Alec and Meg meet, have love at first sight, get married and at the wedding an old man close to his death from Alzheimers exchanges bodies/souls with Meg Ryan ( I know, bear with me) So, Alec ends up becoming suspicious of the new bride just as the 'real' Meg (in the old man's body- which is not so physically appealing to Alec's young groom character) starts following him. One night in a bar, Meg (in the old man's body) and Alec finally meet and the connection is still there and they embrace, albeit awkwardly. Now, they need to figure out how to exchange the physcial bodies back. Whew- I hope this makes sense.
As you can imagine the overall lesson of the film is that it is not in someone's physicality or things you can list on paper, but thier spirit, who they are, that you fall in love with.
Which brings me to the point of this New Year's Blog post-- I SWARE there is a point!
In the end, when Alec finally traps the 2 of them together and the souls are finally switched back and rather than an old man to touch and love, he has all of Meg - spirit AND pretty face and body and is overwhelmed with gratitiude and love, this is the exchange that ensues :

Alec: There you are!
Meg: It's me! ( with her little sun dress happy smile and bare feet)
Alec: There's your hair, your soft skin, your toes! look at those feet (kissing her from head to toe)
**He then takes her head in his hands and they look each other square in the eye

Alec: Never to be squandered, the miracle of another human being
Meg: you're the miracle
Alec: No, your the miracle
Meg: You

Alec: You
And, end movie

Before your gag reflex possibly kicks in, it is very sweet on film and makes a great point.
It always teaches my mind and heart the same thing and a lesson I wanted to share for the New Year.
Never squander the miracle of another human being, person in your life: yourself, your lover(s) (as the case may be;), your family, friends, nor the miracle of your life: your talents, your opportunties to do things, say things, feel things-
**Life really is a short dream and a miracle**
People and moments will leave your life, many times before you are ready. You will sometimes be in the next decade of your life before you feel that you have finished the last.
So, my message for 2009 to all of you is:
DO NOT SQUANDER THE MYSTERIOUS MIRACLE THAT IS YOUR LIFE!

I don't mean this as a cliche- I really mean it. Be at peace in your mind, be grateful, and focus on what you want and just fucking do it.

Just do it.

With love

xoTrennyxo

Oh....and as the old man says to Meg and Alec in his closing line:

"And do yourselves a favor......Floss."