Drunk History - Featuring Jack Black

HEE-LAR-E-OUS! Just do yourselves a favor and watch it.

Christmas Dream

I want in on some of those 'secrets' for Christmas. Bikini clad on a remote island for Christmas....sounds alot better than a shopping mall and the snow.

A REAL Thanksgiving

My sister made the family dress (as a joke) as pilgrims for Thanksgiving and surprised her in-laws with the best joke ever when they opened the door. I mean, look at the hat on little Jaxon----that's crazy, hilarious and ridiculous. You gotta love a good (kind of f'd up) sense of humour. I think it would make Thanksgiving feel more 'real' in the traditional garb. I only wish I were there to rock a good Pocahantas!!! Well my niece and her boyfriend had the Indians covered.
Just too hilarious and weird--I LOVE it!

Levi's 501's-Girls Make It Easy On Yourselves

I tend to wear alot of dresses ( I love dresses) but I do very much love a good pair of jeans. I have said numerous times, much to the dismay of my readers, how much I loathe shopping. I know, I know, working in design-I just think shopping is such an unhealthy consumerism waste of time. But, that's just me. SO, when it comes to jeans shopping which must happen every couple of years, I know the deal, and I'm here to share it.

I know all the designer jeans that cost a ridiculous $220 a pair (ludicrous!) I know the designers and it is just denim y'all. Not only those, but one of my dearest friends, Teddy, was in PR for Calvin Klein 10 plus years, and I was blessed with numerous Brooke Shields 'nothing comes between me and my Calvins' over the years. So, I've worn them all.

Yet, nothing, and I repeat NOTHING, beats a pair of Levi's 501 jeans.

Every two years, when I need to re-new my jeans stash, I go into Levi's and grab a boot cut 501 and a straight leg 501. $39.99 a pair. Paid and out the door in 3 minutes.



Make it easy on yourselves girls. Stick with an original. You'll never go wrong in a good fitting pair of Levi's. Ever.

SOTD-The Man I Love- Ella Fitzgerald

It's that kind of a Sunday morning......

Bed

Lester Bangs-One Of Rock'sGreatest Writers

"Guys like us..we have the hardest time getting the girl. But, the good looking people, they've got no spine. We ache. Some of the greatest art and poetry come out of being the underdog. This strengthens your spine. We know the feeling. We are not caught up in love disguised as sex, sex disguised as love. There's just so much bullshit in the world...you must be careful who you trust."

-Lester Bangs. Creem Magazine 1976

Just reading his autobiography, and am coming across so many fantastic, jaded, 'could care less', too cool for anyone quotes, that are, ultimately, brilliant because of that attitude. I had to share the above one I just read. He quotes the band YES after he gets married to his great love Carol- he ends his reading by saying-

"Don't surround yourself with yourself"
'I've Seen All Good People'- YES

He claims she was the only woman that he felt both passion and unity with, yet still enough isolation in himself to continue feeling the rage he needed to feel to fuel his work. He says he would be a "dog" without her. I found that both beautiful and intriguing. That, it seems to me, is real love. But really, you only know real love when you're in it, so I am no longer interested in pontificating too much about it. It takes alot of courage, real love. And comes along, in a true sense only once, maybe twice in your life.
But it is true, the above---don't surround yourself with yourself.

Check Your Head Pillow Cases.

Check Your Head Pillowcases
$24.99
So what, so what, so what'cha want? You definitely want this funky, boss set of pillowcases! These fly pillowcases, named for the iconic Beastie Boys album, fight for the right to party with a black print of headphones on one pillow case and a turntable on the other. Give these as a gift to your favorite MC, or add them to your intergalatic, planetary-themed room. These pillowcases will make their owner the maestro of marvelous decor-yo, check it.

(Above was the actual photo and write up from a random catalogue-ModCloth- that we get in a pile of other fashion junk at the showroom- pretty funny. You best believe if I were sixteen, I'd rock these) and yo, if you really want them, go to modcloth.com ;)

Sarah Palin Drivel

I want to like ANY woman who runs for office, because, first off I am a woman. And, watching smart women say intelligent things and tackle a forum that is predominately men, is always exciting for a woman like me. I LOVE it.
After watching bits and pieces of the drivel that Sarah Palin was talking in an interview today , I believe more and more what Levi Johnston spoke of her in Vanity Fair a couple of months ago. Things that I didn't want to believe. How she would only go to events if there were free designer clothes, having her assistant call ahead to confirm all the comps she would get. Taking her daughter and using Alaskan tax payer money to stay at the Carlyle for weeks at a time--- laying in her bathrobe all afternoon, asking people to go out and get her McDonalds and Taco Bell. She even subtly threw John McCain under the bus in some of her comments. All 7 people in my office (and only three are artists/designers- the rest are business people) cannot stand her. One friend, whose mother was actually a Governor in his hometown of Eaton, Michigan for 12 years, thinks she is , and I quote, "Heinous". His mother told him at one point that it is good she quite her job in public office, because now she will make exponentially more with publicity and book tours than anything. (and I think to myself, is it all about money, AGAIN, over a real passion for public change?) Hey, maybe she will do Playboy. Don't think the offers haven't come in. But, it seems to me if you are under 50, a glasses wearing brunette, fairly attractive and relatively smart amongst a bunch of old fogies, there is no way you won't look good to a politically uneducated mass of people, right?

Read what an associate of McCain wrote:
V.P. McCain wanted Joseph Lieberman, a formerly Democratic Senator for Connecticut (and former running mate of Al Gore in 2000) who lost the Democratic senate primary to retain his seat in 2004. He successfully won it as an independent instead, and remains a third-party independent. He stumped quite heavily for McCain.
He would have made a far stronger choice for McCain, and perhaps he'd have retained many of the swing-voters who fled from the prospect of Palin.
McCain not having the ability to choose his own Vice President (I'm not convinced Palin was his choice at all) undermines the "maverick" title.

Another politician I don't trust. Another person I feel is in it for herself, before others...and who is lying. She talks in so many circles, I don't trust her. If any of you saw it, let me know what YOU thought. I am always open to amending my views. ALWAYS! And boys- hear her, do not be fooled because she seems hot in a political forum. Yes, all girls with glasses that are pretty will look hot in waders, hunting. A cute girl who can get dirt under her nails and can talk politics..that is nice, I suppose when most of them are 60 plus and men. But do you just want a chick who can wear knee length skirts and hunt, and talk manipulatively in a 'cute' way, in office because of those things, or because she really would be the strongest candidate. Please don't be seduced, especially when it comes to politics. It's your country and your life. But most of them are sneaky and money hungry, so who can you trust really?Convince me with facts other than those--please.

Rock n Roll Promises

I just read an email from a few weeks back from someone who reads my blog (I try y'all, but I rarely have time to read these as soon as you send them, so sorry if it takes me awhile to get back)
And I made him a promise----he wanted more music and 'random stories' as he called them--- and less spirituality on my blog for awhile.
Ok, ok, a little more of the former. I've got it. Even though you know you are just a big stoner(and you know who you are.)

Operation Shoebox

A couple of weeks ago in church,we were all issued memos to create a 'shoebox' for a little child in a third world (especially war ravaged) country. Many of you may have heard of these over the years. You get a simple old shoe box and fill it with items for the particular child of your choice. Of course, I chose a little girl. It's always easy for me to buy dolls and toys and things that are pink. :)
But, today,we were inspired to do another, for a soldier in Iraq. I loved this idea. So I am putting one together today. Just think about these guys over there for a minute, and all the creature comforts (as simple as good toothpaste and a new toothbrush) that they probably don't have. Think about how nice it is when you get something special in the mail. A trinket, a lovely handwritten card. Imagine then, how extra nice it must be for these guys who are in a desert environment, far away from anything familiar, fighting for us.
Send one of them something. You can, of course, keep it anonymous.
Here are some of things I put in (which boys always seem to like/need) Maybe it will give you some ideas.
*Toothbrush/ toothpaste
*Good Mach 3 Razor ( a boy needs a good shave)
*A couple of nice black and/or white cotton T-Shirts from Old Navy or Gap
*Nice white athletic socks. There isn't a boy I know who doesn't always need good athletic white socks.
*Chocolate or homemade cookies (yes these will preserve)
*A good, moisturizing lotion. The desert is dry and sometimes boys are not that best at taking care of their little old dry skin. Other uses are not of my concern. ;)
*And you know what I thought was a fun idea? I got two high thread count pillow cases and washed them with pretty smelling soap and made them soft. Sleeping on a pretty, fresh smelling pillow, over the startchy, basic cotton case the service gives you, may be a nice change.
*A flash drive with some of my Itunes new music on it. A boy can't have enough rock and roll.

Anyway- think about it. If it were you, you'd like it.
Go here for more info and mailing instructions:
http://www.operationshoebox.com/

Something else.
In the lesson this morning, the minister said something interesting and it really moved me. He was talking of how he had by chance caught the movie, 'The Passion Of The Christ" on a movie channel last night. He spoke of how he was again, moved by the scene where God was carrying the Cross up the mountain and had been- and was still being -terribly, terribly beaten. Yet still, when he got to the top of the mountain, he set the cross down and placed himself on it. For us. And then the minister said the thing that put it all together for me, and I wrote it down. He said:

"And do you remember what Jesus said? He said, 'Forgive them for they know not what they do.' Now I don't know about you, but I don't know many people that love like that. If you can strive to love beyond your own parameters, you may be living as this story has been trying to teach, and living the laws of God."

Isn't that moving? He knew that continuing to love although he was brutalized, and forgiving though he could have been angry, was the only was to save their souls and at the same time, keep his heart pure as well. Just thought I would share.

I Fear No Noreaster

Bring it on North East Noreaster. Me and my new knee high rainboots ain't scared of you.

But what does disturb me, is the cover of Newsday this morning. Not because he stands trial here, but because it reminds me of the poor state of affairs in this country. Obama's plan to pull at least (as he stated a number of months ago during his lies and empty promises campaign, as I like to call it) 130,00 troops from Iraq, has not come close to fruition, but if it had, there would be a full out civil war in Iraq. He doesn't know how to fight a war, how to keep democracy in the Middle East. And even though I do not wish for war, I am not a fool and I know that when it does occur, it is going to take time and effort and someone with war tactic experience to win one. They are training more men near Saddam's old palace daily, so don't be fooled-----more of our boys will be going over.

This country was fooled and seduced into this current Presidency and it scares me. There are more people in America who know nothing about this war than those who do know. And that scares me too. Life is more than a shopping mall. Wake up and fight for something.

September- Cry for you (acoustic)

SOTD-September - Cry For You -Acoustic

It's rare that I like a 'club' dance song. And even more rare still that they can turn one sucessfully into an acoustic version that still sounds sexy.
Well, September did it. I love the rhthym version AND this acoustic version. You should check it out too.
And remember, if you really need some dance music perchance, go European...it is always so much better than the American fuzz that gets released.
September is from Sweden. Go figure.

Video Dating - Found Footage Festival

This is G-R- Double O- Double S--GROSS--and reall!! Old found video dating service from 1986. Blarck!!! eeewwwww!
Note the old pervert who says he subcribes to both Playboy and The New Yorker. WTF kind of statement about his personality is that suppose to make?
And the guy who says "No Hamsters"-

Safety in Penn Station

I made a rule for myself long ago in New York City. When in doubt or scared (like late at night as I was last night) in Penn Station, I just stick close to the boys in the fatigues and berets for as long as I can while heading to my desired destination.

Then, I always feel safe

My Friend Paul, Director of The Nature Conservancy of Long Island

From Paul's blog today:

"I love the Biophilia Hypothesis. Hypothesis says that Humans are biologically programmed to love and need nature. Seems that education has come to teach that pollution is bad, recycling is good. That is definitely an advancement. What's missing for the most part is teaching interconnectivity between man and planet (as well as man to man) in all its forms: water cycles, energy cycles, air cycles, etc... That will be the key understanding that makes a difference when kids grow up and begin to truly think about tackling the tricky resource issues. That will be what they need to understand...are we preparing them to understand that?"

Wouldn't you agree? The Nature Consevancy is a great organization to be involved with if you are looking to donate to a worthwhile nature preservation organization. Over the past 15 years that I have known Paul, he has been part of saving so much land and so many lakes and rivers. In turn, also so many of the species that live there, that to watch him work and, at the same time, be so passionate about it, you cannot help but want to be a part. You can do this by donating, by recycling, by buying produce locally, etc..... there are so many ways. Just take care of the world around you. Try :)
(You can even start by not throwing something out of your window like a guy I saw yesterday. He was barreling down the highway and tossed his lunch wrapper out of the window like it was nothing. Like the world around him was his garbage pail. Seriously?)

http://www.thenatureconservancy.com/

The Big Decision

Strolling back from the Pier in Atlantic City today, I stopped for a bottle of water in this store, and right towards the front, a mother had just given her little girl a quarter to pick something from a cluster of gumball machines. The little girl stood there with her hands on her hips saying, "Hmmmm"... and I had to giggle to myself remembering what a monumental choice it was as a little girl, in front of those machines with a quarter. The quarter that felt like a shiny million dollars because you never had access to money.
So, think about things in that perspective for a moment. Actually think about things like that often. The big and small things in your life. I know it may sound corny, like the whole 'simplicity', think like a child philosophy. But it is so, so, damn true. You can get excited about anything you choose to, depending on your personal perspective. Try to look at things with that gratitude, joy and simplicity as often as possible. So many beautiful moments in nature and in life and with other people will start to become like little miracles to you.
xxoo

Another Day, Another Commute

High Heels- Check
New York Times- Check
Green Tea- Check
Book- Check
Extra Scarf incase train is cold- Check
Headphones- Check
Glasses-Check
Metro Card- Check

I've past my saturation point.

Daydreaming

Staring at the little statue on my desk.....daydreaming already. :(

NYT's Crossword

Attempting the NYT's crossword......with a pen. (You can get the Times anywhere in the world!)
How far will I get? ;)

Carolina

This is Carolina. She was at Joe's wedding a couple of week's ago, and she is close with him and his family. Because of that, I have been blessed to have known her for a little over a year. She is like an Italian mother figure type of friend, and the woman who inspired me to help at my church. She does so much community work and beautiful things for other people, that I couldn't help but be inspired by her and do what I could, also, for the people around me. She also lost her husband of 36 years just two years ago of an unexpected heart attack, and even though he was the love of her life, she presses on and does not feel sorry for herself. That too, is inspiring. Made me want to say to you---make sure to take heed of your elders. Their wisdom, their advice, their life stories. They have much to teach you. And you, in turn, can pass it down to the generations behind you.