New Year. New Resolutions.

I usually don't buy into the whole resolution thing but I'm determined to make them and follow them this year.

1. I opened a Twitter account that I resolve to use as a way to stay positive.  I plan to twitter (tweet?, twit?) one positive thing that has happened each day.  I'm still trying to figure this whole thing out so I'm guessing it's not going to be properly exciting for a bit but we'll see how it goes.

2. I resolve to eat a little better and a little less.  I was doing really well there for a while but I've definitely fallen off the wagon in the last few months.

3. I resolve to pay off most of my debts so that if the England thing pops up, I'll be debt-free as a bird.

4. I resolve to be a little creative.  I'll scrapbook more, create more, and design more...hopefully.

2012 was a pretty great but slightly uneventful year, but I finally feel that I've got a plan and I'm moving towards something.  Here's to 2013...the year I'll turn (cough, cough) 3-0 and will hopefully find Mr. Right.

Happy New Year!

Color Me Confused

For the record, I am by no means upset by this but I am completely confused by the outcome of the Ravens season.  We've positively stunk these last few games, and somehow we clinched a playoff berth last weekend.  Then today, we LOSE to the Bengals, and yet we gain a home playoff game.  How does this happen? But you know what, I'm not really going to focus on that too much...

Go Ravens!

Mrs. Queen Takes the Train

I saw this book at Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago and pretty much fell in love immediately.  Mostly for the sheer reason that the cover has a Union Jack, the Queen's seal and a lorrie.  But after reading it, I'm even more in love with it.  The storyline sounded straightforward.  The Queen gets annoyed with her position so she decides to go on walk-about around London. What I hadn't expected was that the Queen in the story was actually Queen Elizabeth herself.  The story weaved in real aspects from the monarch's life and times which was even more perfect than a fake Queen.

I think most people have this image of Queen Elizabeth as a stoic, almost rude octogenarian that's nothing more than a figurehead for Great Britain.  But after reading the story, you see a completely different side of her.  It's fiction I know and none of this may be true, but you get the sense she's a real person with real feelings and a real personality.  AND you actually like her and like her sense of humor.  You feel for her and for her predicaments, which is what I think Kuhn was trying to do.

Long story short, it's brilliantly written and such a unique idea. If you're a fan of England and all things Royal or just want a happy, feel-good story, I whole-heartedly suggest you pick it up!

Friday Five: Literary Edition

As I'm on vacation this week, I've been spending time doing lots of fun things and not really thinking of clever things to say on the blog.  The good thing is that when I get home, I'm sure there'll be more clever things to say.  The bad thing is that you are now forced to read the only top 5 list I could think of today: the top 5 books I've read this month.  Even though I should have been spending time wrapping and shopping and cooking and cleaning, I spent a surprising amount of time this month reading these fantastic books.

1.  "The Hobbit" by JRR Tolkien: I decided to finally read it to prepare myself for the movie.  After reading it, I'm not sure why I waited so long.  Wonderful!

2. "Greater than Fiction" Lonely Planet Anthology: I happen to LOVE Lonely Planet anthologies, and this one was no different.  I only wish they came out more frequently.

3. "A Child's Christmas in Wales" by Dylan Thomas: This one was a one nighter due to my new found love for all things GBR.  It's beautifully written and I only wish I could use the language and the metaphors Thomas used in everyday conversation without people looking at me like I had three heads.  If everyone spoke as beautifully as he wrote the world would be a more civilized place.  

4. "Mrs. Queen Takes the Train" by William Kuhn: A review to come soon but has arrived on my top 20 books of all time.  Positively brilliant and delightful.  Finished it in 3 days flat.

5. "The Londoners" by Craig Taylor: I think we all know why I've been coveting this book.  I just started today but I'm fairly certain I'll love it.

Happy Birthday!

This is my fab dad and today's his birthday.  I'd like to wish one of my favorite people in the whole wide world the absolute happiest of birthdays.

Love you bunches bud!

Phoenix Calling

This morning started with an early flight to Phoenix.  I had high hopes to escape the cold and dreary weather of the East Coast for some warm and sunny of the West.  Who knew that I would also be escaping snow, ice and rain as well?!  Unfortunately, it's still a little chilly (50-60s, which is cool to my standards) here but it's most definitely not snowing so all is good in my world.  After a yummy Mexican lunch (how any one can come out here and not gorge on Mexican food, I'll never know!) and some shopping, I'm dragging, thanks to a 3:00 wake-up call for a 6:15 flight.  It'll be early to bed tonight for another early morning trip, this time to the Airplane Graveyard in Tucson.

Sweet Dreams!

Merry Christmas!

The Stockings were hung,

By the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas,

Soon would be there...

 

Merry Christmas!  Hope everyone's holiday was as special and fabulous as mine!

Merry Christmas Eve!

 

 

Twas the night before Christmas,

And all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring,

Not even a mouse...

 

Merry Christmas Eve!

What to Say?

How is it that I have almost too much to say and not enough all at the same time?  I could talk about how excited I am for Christmas to come.  I really am like a kid in a candy store during this time.  I can't wait for family and friends to open the presents I've so carefully picked out, and of course I can't wait to open my own presents as well.

I could talk about the amazing snowhead teapot I received tonight which sounds like a completely off the wall gift but really isn't when you factor in my obsessions with snowheads AND tea.  Or I could talk about how the Ravens finally looked like a professional NFL team today when they pulled out a win over the Giants today for the first time in weeks.  And how good it was to see the Steelers lose and be eliminated from playoff contention.

Or I could discuss how proud I am of myself that I am completely packed for my upcoming trip with a suitcase that's perfectly balanced and not overweight.  I'm a stickler for a good packing job.  But I suppose none of this is interesting enough for an engaging post.  So I suppose there's nothing more to say than Merry Christmas! 

I'm Ready (Almost Entirely...)

The start of Christmas is about 48 hours away and I can finally (FINALLY!) say that I'm ready.  There has been much wrapping, crafting, and packing and shopping in the last 24 hours.  There is one small present left to be bought, 3 minor crafty projects left to be completed and a gosh darn package that's yet to arrive.  But everything else is complete!  I finally feel like I can breathe again!  I even had the chance to finish my book (in preparation for receiving a few for Christmas...I hope : ) and go out to dinner. 

Now, bring on Santa! 

Friday Five: Christmas Edition

First let me say, how happy I am that the world didn't end today!  We would most definitely have missed all the fun Christmas-y stuff and that would have been down-right depressing.  So since we get to celebrate the holiday this year, these are my top 5 favorite things about the most wonderful time of the year.

1. Christmas Presents: I mean, who doesn't LOVE presents?  As much as I like receiving presents, I love even more to give presents.  Yes I've been complaining for weeks now about finding things for people, but it's all somehow worth the stress if you find the absolute perfect gift for someone special.  I get more excited watching someone I know is going to love their gift opening it, than I do for opening mine. 

2. Christmas Eve party with lots of Christmas-y desserts:  We have been having a "family" Christmas party on Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember. I wasn't too excited about it the first year since it ruined the usual plans of getting ready for Santa by going to bed early (yes I was old even when I was little), but now I can't think of not having it.  In the last few years, it's gotten even more crazy and chaotic with the addition of 3 lively little ones, but it's also gotten more fun, which brings me to number 3.

3. Having little ones (not mine personally yet unfortunately, but nieces) to share the holiday with: Christmas is just so much more magical when you're seeing it through a little one's perspective.  Watching them tear through all the presents in front of them then, having snowball fights with stuffed snowballs, is too much fun!  Can't wait to have ones of my own to spoil rotten (not like I don't spoil these little ones already).

4. Christmas Cookies: Each year for the Christmas eve party, my dad and I bake to our heart's content about a dozen different kinds of cookies, cakes, pies, etc.  Of course, they never get eaten completely but they sure are yummy!  The best part is getting to share in the baking  with my dad.  We sure make a mess but eating all the yummy cookies is definitely worth it.

5. Christmas Eve Mass: I will not claim to be the most religious person but attending mass on Christmas Eve, is always something we've done as a family.  I've never been quite ambitious enough to try midnight mass so 4:00 suits me just fine. There's just something about seeing everyone dressed up in their Sunday best and knowing that it's just about time.  Everyone just seems a little bit nicer and little bit calmer, all the more ready to celebrate.

Grumpy Gus

Did you ever have one of those days when you were just grumpy for no particular reason?  Nothing terrible happened, actually everything has been going quite well-Christmas is next week, I'm wrapped for the most part, my last day of work before vacay is tomorrow, all in all it seems like I should be walking on sunshine.  But I just can't shake the grumps today.  Every little annoyance has bugged that much more and every little comment has sent me over the edge.  I mean, seriously, who gives notice that they're leaving for a fantastic new job, and spends the day apologizing for doing so?  That would be me. 

I'm sure it's just the gray, dreary, rainy, day that's making things seem worse and I hope I'll be back to my Christmas loving, cheery self tomorrow.  That is, of course, if there is a tomorrow.  According to the Mayans this may be my last post EVER.  Come to think of it, maybe that's why I'm so grumpy.  Afterall, if you can't be grumpy at the end of the world, what can you be grumpy about?

Writer's Block

I'm a bit of a reader, you could say.  I don't have any real preference.  I'll read just about anything, plays, novels, travel, fiction, cooking, even children's except books that are guaranteed to make me cry...I don't do sad.  In my reading, I've begun to notice just how good some writers are and that just makes me jealous.

It always floors me that someone can take some relatively simple words and create something beautiful.  I attempt to use 10-pointers and not to use the mundane so often but most authors can do what they do without the 10-pointers.  How exactly does one learn to do that or is that just a skill you're born with?  I suppose you can learn, since there are oh so many creative writing programs in universities around the world.  However, I'm fairly certain most were born that way, because I've been trying to learn for a while now and I haven't really gotten anywhere. 

Writing was never my thing.  I was much better at it than trigonometry, but I wasn't the girl with a notebook full of clever story starters.  But in recent years, I've become genuinely envious of writers such as Tolkien, John Rogers, Bill Bryson, or Stephen Fry.  Crafting a well-timed joke or explaining some far-off land so the reader feels that they are there or compiling an entirely new language for characters in your story, are unbelievable talents that I'd give my left arm for. (It would have to be my left I suppose, because I'm right handed and what's the point of being able to write well if you can't actually write...)

I suppose this was a bit of a tangent.  I was reading a short story today by Joyce Carol Oates and these thoughts just popped into my head.   There's just not much more to say than how in the world do I get some of that talent and how in the world am I ever going to accomplish anything if all of these talented people keep occupying my time with their talents?!

A Very Happy Birthday

This is my aunt.  She also just happens to be one of my biggest fans.  She's supported me 100% since I started writing this little blog and I couldn't let her birthday pass without telling her I love her and that I hope her day was as special as she is!

A Day Of Silence

Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-De-Ay

 

The bestie and I attended a Victorian Christmas Hall put on by the same crew from the Maryland Renaissance Festival.  And I have to say it was about the coolest thing ever!  There were steampunky costumes, (unfortunately I don't have an unlimited costume budget, but notice the super-nifty mini top hat I'm sporting?) a flea circus, and ridiculously corny and hilarious plotlines and jokes.  The venue was kind of random (a comedy club in a mall in Arlington VA) but everything else was too too fun!

A Heartbreaking Tragedy

As most of America is today, I'm still reeling from the events that took place in Connecticut yesterday.  I can't even begin to fathom the pain and suffering the entire town is feeling today, let alone what the children in the school went through.

But while most of us are banding together and hugging our loved ones just a bit tighter, some strong debates on Facebook (and you know how I feel about that) as well as in the media have started, which I find unfathomable.  The first of course is the gun control debate that seems to be raging, some going as far to say "imagine what may have happened if an upstanding citizen would have been "carrying" as well."   As if an upstanding citizen would "carry" a weapon into a safe environment for children.  One should focus on what might happen if a student were to have gotten their hands on the upstanding citizen's gun.  But that's another matter entirely and not one to be debated in the middle of tragedy.

What I find most troubling is those who are blaming society for this madness.  To a certain extent, we must look at what's happening in our country and within our judicial system.  But by blaming "society" as a whole, you are also blaming the teachers and faculty members that were injured or killed trying to protect their students, the doctors, nurses and medical staff that were treating the wounded, the first responders that ran in to help and the parents that are left grief stricken because they sent their children off to school; a place that's supposed to be safe and nurturing.  These people are heroes and if they must be blamed, they should be blamed for standing up and protecting in the middle of a horrifying situation. 

This shooting was an act of madness and rage and the only person that is to blame is the madman.

Friday Five: There and Back Again

I've been waiting to see this movie for about 9 years, since the last Lord of the Rings opened.  It most definitely did not disappoint, contrary to luke-warm reviews.  It was fabulous and I think I will be counting down the days until December 13 2013 when the next part opens!

1. The 48 Frame thing: I was worried because I had read a few articles that said it was distracting.  I will admit it took a bit to get used to wearing the funny glasses over my regular glasses. And everything just seemed a bit too crystal clear at first.  But after a while, it was amazing how crisp and real everything looked and how normal that was. 

2.  Martin Freeman as Bilbo: I had no worries at all that he would be fantastic.  He was pitch perfect as Bilbo, and I can't imagine anyone else playing the part.

3. New Zealand: It's been on my list of dream destinations for a while now but seeing it on film was awe-inspiring. The place just screams beauty.  Aside from the creepy Gollum they've built in their airport, NZ seems to be a truly magical and truly gorgeous place that I'm just itching to visit one day (How can you not love a place that has it's own shire and Hobbiton?).

4.  The Special Effects: Between the creepy as heck but spot on Gollum, to ginormous and terrifying Smaug (that we only got a teeny-tiny glimpse of this time around) to Radagast and his home in the trees to the ridiculously slow trolls, the special effects team truly outdid themselves.  You could almost imagine them all sitting in a room dreaming up what impossible creature they could create next.

5. And my most-favorite bit of all is the fact that I carried on the tradition of an opening day viewing with my dad.  I just love our geeky tradition and getting to spend time with him is always special! 

Party Hard

Aside from just finishing my work day a few minutes ago, today wasn't so bad.  I decided at the last minute to go to my office's holiday party at the Greystone Grill.  I would have preferred they saved the money and just given us bonuses but aside from that grumble, it wasn't a bad shindig.  The food was yummy and the company (even though none of us spoke to anyone outside of the people we talk to on a daily basis) was fantastic.  I'm very glad I went, especially since it will be my last party with that company.  Oh yeah, I'm feeling most guilty, seeing as these people who have been saying such nice things all evening, will be reading  my resignation letter in a few short days.  Not a great Christmas present but I'm sure it will all work out in the end...one can hope.

Power of Positive

I have this thing, I suppose you could call it an obsession.  I whip myself up into a frenzy each year about this time, because I believe that everyone on my list deserves the absolute most perfect gift.  And if I'm not able to create, buy, make happen that perfect gift, then surely the holiday will end in death and destruction.  So I spin around in circles crafting and cutting and buying and wrapping until each gift is perfect.  It may sound mad, but I swear there's a method in it.  I absolutely LOVE Christmas and I LOVE presents.  I receive amazing ones each year. (I'm fairly easy: I get excited about everything!)  So I feel that everyone deserves that happiness I feel when I open the most perfect present I've ever seen.

But you can see where this may lead to panic attacks and an all around frenzied appearance through much of the last half of December.  However, building on my new-found positivity and clarity, I've decided to de-freak myself out.  Each year I worry that nothing will be finished in time and no one will like what I've picked out and I will somehow offend someone with my carefully chosen gift.  But I've chosen to focus on the fact that no matter how much I worry, it always gets done.  I've not insulted anyone, and the holiday has always gone on without any hitches.

The funny thing is, it may actually be working.  There are ideas flowing where there weren't any yesterday.  Gifts have been purchased about which I'm super excited to see the faces of the recipients.  And the planning of what needs to be done doesn't seem as daunting as it did last week.  All in all, I'm beginning to feel less "OMG Christmas is coming, Crap!" and more "OMG Christmas is coming, Yay!"

Thank Goodness for small favors : ) 

Deep Thoughts

I heard a quote this evening (on Pinterest of course) that I'm only paraphrasing because I can't seem to find it again.  But it had something to do with appreciating what you have because it's what others are wishing for.  That's much easier said than done of course.  Afterall, I have a family that loves me, a warm home, and a brand new job that I'll be starting soon.  Some people aren't lucky enough to even have one of these things.  But of course, I'm still wishing for things, like a special someone, an unlimited travel budget or a little one.

I'm going to try very hard, especially since it's the holidays and I have so much when so many others have so little, to appreciate the good things in my life.  I really don't want to be bogged down by what's annoying me.  I want to enjoy the season's perks and all the happy things and people that are surrounding me.  So here ends my moping for the foreseeable future.  I promise to be joyful.  I promise to deck the halls, and fa-la-la-la-la, and spread the yuletide cheer for all the world to hear.

Maybe, just maybe a change in attitude will mean a change in prospects.

Monday Funny

Yeah, so this happened.  I'm not sure why, but I find everything about this at the same time utterly ridiculous and completely hilarious.  The headline is brilliant and pretty much sums up everything you need to know. The pictures are unbelievable and slightly adorable (if you're a fan of monkeys, I suppose).  Why this story made international headlines, I'll never know.  But on a gloomy dreary Monday, it was just the thing to make me and I'm sure countless others laugh like a lunatic.

Cover Me

So they may not be finely crafted works of art or even that difficult to make.  And it's a little difficult to see in these terribly dark photos, but the blankets turned out adorable!  I must say I'm pretty darn proud of myself.  I was able to knock out 4 of these babies in 2 days, along with 2 and a half other craft projects.  All in all, it was a pretty productive weekend and I'm finally feeling like I can breathe.  Bring on the holidays!

Christmasy at Last

For some reason, I've had a very hard time getting motivated to get Christmasy this year.  I'm clueless on present buying, I don't feel like shopping and the crafting ideas have been non-existent.  But in the last few days, I've finally begun to make some headway.  I ordered quite a few gifts online.  I've had some good ideas as to what to buy people.  And most importantly, I crafted.  I made an  adorable (even if I do say so myself) tie blanket for a little girly-girl I know.  If you know me, you know that things made with fabric are not my forte.  But for some reason, I got this idea in my head for the kiddos.  And for once in  my life my hair-brained idea worked out.  So much so, there are 3 more on the agenda for tomorrow.  (I'll share pics then.  Quite honestly, I'm too lazy right now to go get the camera.)

So, while I'm not nearly where I need to be (wishfully my shopping would be complete, and I'd be on to wrapping), I'm finally making progress.  And I'm finally feeling a little less grinchy.

Friday Five: Christmas Week 2

As a lifelong book worm, I just have to say there's something all together special about a Christmas book.  Because they only come out at the holidays and there's a limited amount of time that most stores highlight them, they seem more exciting than all other types of books.  Also, most writers don't waste their time on holiday material.  Those that do must really appreciate and understand what makes a good Christmas story.  So here are my 5 favorites.

1. "The Littlest Angel" by Charles Tazewell: I received this book as a gift from my dad when I was little and have been in love with it ever since.  It's always been our favorite book to read together, and I make sure to buy it as a first Christmas present for every baby I know so they can share the same feelings I have.  The pictures are gorgeous and the story is absolutely beautiful.  It really is just a special book that always gives me the warm fuzzies and it's made even more special that I share that love with my dad.

2. "Santa Mouse" by Michael Brown: This is the first Christmas book I remember owning.  My parents would read it to me each year, and Santa Mouse would even visit me on Christmas eve and place a small present in the tree; a tradition that continues today.  Sure, Elf on the Shelf is great, but I'll take Santa Mouse any day.

3. "Silent Night" by Mary Higgins Clark: I was never really a mystery fan (too worried that the murders in the books could actually be happening somewhere for real).  That is until I discovered Mary Higgins Clark.  This was my gateway to her fantastic body of work.  She's written multiple Christmas mysteries over the years; a few with her daughter and a few by herself, of which I've read all, but this one is my favorite. The story is hopeful as every Christmas story should be, but also keeps you guessing until the end, just like every mystery should.

4. "Blue Christmas" by Mary Kay Andrews: Much the same way "Silent Night" introduced me to Mary Higgins Clark, "Blue Christmas" introduced me to Mary Kay Andrews and her sweet Weezy Foley stories.  She's also a mystery writer but she's got a Southern Twist.  Not only does the main character carry over to 2 other fantastic mysteries, but they also take place in Savannah, GA, which just happens to be on my list of favorite places.  What's not to love!?

5.  "The Christmas Box"/"The Letter"/"The Timepiece" by Richard Paul Evans: I'm not such a fan of sad. I go out of my way to avoid unhappy endings in books, movies, and television, and this trilogy made me cry like a baby but, still, somehow, I loved it.  "The Christmas Box" was the first book I had ever read that moved me to tears.  I really didn't want to love it as much as I do since it made me weep like a 3 year old, but it's hard not to love a story with writing as beautiful as this story has.

Epic Fail

I was feeling so accomplished after making headway on my Christmas shopping, getting all my laundry done, making dinner and getting some work done, all in one day.  That is, of course, until I sat down to write this and my brain went blank.  How does someone literally have nothing to say?  Is that even possible?  I'm fairly sure it is because my brain has been wiped. 

Guess it's too much to ask to be ahead of the curve, productive AND clever all in the same day : )

Surprise, Surprise

I read a super cute post today about the 5 things no one knows about the blogger.  I share a lot so I'm not sure that there's much that no one knows but here goes...

1. I'm not freaking out about it but I'm slightly creeped out by the possibility that the world will end on December 21, 2012.  I'm not hoarding but the thought does stick in my head a bit.  Mostly when I think about moving to London: If the world ends, I'll never know what it's like to live there.  Although, a friend at work noted that the Mayans probably didn't have leap years and we do so technically if the prediction was true, the end would have come already. That makes me feel a bit better, but not as relieved as I'll feel on December 22.

2. I NEVER speak up on conference calls or in meetings.  I hate public speaking which has a great deal to do with it, but it's mostly the fear of being wrong.  Also, when I get nervous (and speaking up in front of a group would definitely qualify as nerve-wracking in my world) I talk really fast and repeat myself quite a bit.  So avoidance is my coping mechanism.  Email has been a God-send for me!

3. I'm no prude (and I slip up too) but vulgarity and crass language is enough to turn me off of people or movies immediately.  I know it's warranted some of the time and I know that we all have bad days but people or shows/movies that pepper every sentence with curse words or crude jokes, just sound less intelligent.  There are plenty of other ways to get your point across.

4. One of the many reasons I want to move to London is the ability to use words such as "Love", "lift", "blimey", "tosser", "mate" and "oi!" in everyday language and not have people look at me like I have 3 heads.  Ridiculous I know but doesn't "mate" just sound so much more elegant than "bro"?

5. I enjoy some random food combos.  Some people know about these but I'm fairly certain they all think I've been (as an old friend said about one of the combos) "raised by monkeys."
Canned Pears and Cream Cheese, Gravy and Cranberry Sauce (the kind in a can), French Fries and Milkshakes.  But I also hate other things that most people adore: Soda (it's the bubbles, they just feel funny on the tongue), Pickles, Alcohol, and Crabs (as close to a mortal sin as you can get in Maryland).

29 2/3

Being 29 and 2/3 doesn't nearly have the same connotation that Platform 9 and 3/4 has.  One is a pathway to a magical land and the other is a pathway to old-ness...Today I am officially 29 2/3 (not the best realization to make at 5 am - I already didn't want to get out of bed).  In 4 months, I'll be officially 30 and yet I have nothing to show for it still except for sticky-uppy grey hairs and (according to the eye Dr. this afternoon) "special" eyes.

When Monica, Rachel and Pheebs were this age, they had dates, parties every night, fabulous jobs and great hair.  So, I'd really like to know...Where's my Chandler?

Frosty the Snowhead

This is my Snowhead tree.  It's kind of like a regular tree only it's covered in snowheads.  You may ask, What's a Snowhead?  Well, they're just like Snowmen, only just the heads.  As you can see, I have some weird fascinations.  It started a few years ago with this crazy Hallmark card I bought.  I'm not sure what it even said anymore, but it was something to do with snowheads and I thought it was hilarious.  So whenever I saw one in a store, I got Turret's, yelled "Snowhead!" and quickly bought it up. 

Now that I have my own house with my very own Christmas tree, the snowheads have quickly multiplied.  My friends and family all think it odd, but they all buy me at least one a year, so they can't think it that strange. (Last year was a Neal Caffrey Snowhead, complete with a fedora.  I'm pushing Neal's creator for a Who-head this year with sticky-up-y hair and brainy specks, but she doesn't seem too keen on the idea.)  It wasn't until this evening, when we put the tree up, that I realized just how many I have.  I'm thinking I'll need a bigger tree next year.  I even have overflow on 2 small trees in my bedroom and my cube.  Yes I have a problem.  Yes most people (I'm sure, including you) think I'm weird.

But I can't help it and I don't care because I love them.  It's not Christmas until the snowheads invade.

Act HIV Aware: World AIDS Day 2012

In the year 2012, there are currently 34 million people living with HIV.  Since the beginning of the virus in the early 80s, more than 25 million people have died from the disease.  Yesterday was World AIDS day; a day to speak up and raise awareness about this global pandemic.  Though it's no longer a certain death sentence, there's still no cure.  And those living with the virus as well as their families and friends, need our help and support.  If you'd like to get involved in the search for a cure, be sure to visit the World AIDS Day site for information and resources.

Act Aware.   

#photoadaydecember

So after a November epic fail (I took a grand total of about 12 pictures), I'm trying to get myself back on track.  Instagram was having some insta-issues with email so that may have been half my problem but the other half was most definitely the subjects.  I just couldn't wrap my head around some of them.  But here's to a new month with some new inspiration...although I'm already slighlty stressing about what to take tomorrow for peace.

December 1: 8:00 (I know, I live an exciting life : ) 

December 2: Peace

December 3: Something I Held (Neal Caffrey the Snowhead)

December 4: Black and White

 

Friday Five: Chrismas Edition

I don't know about you, but my official start of the holiday season is when the radio stations start playing Christmas music around the clock.  Sure they play the same 10 songs over and over again, but it never fails to get me in the Christmas mood.  So as a start to (hopefully) a few holiday themed Friday Fives, here are my top 5 favorite Christmas songs.

1. "All I Want for Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey: But honestly the version I like the best isn't by Mariah Carey at all.  It's by the students and teachers in one of the last scenes in "Love, Actually", which just happens to be another holiday tradition for me, and just so happens to be the best romantic comedy ever made.  It's the perfect scene and song combo and I can never watch without getting a big stupid grin on my face.  And of course whenever I hear the song on the radio, the scene never fails to play in my head.

2. "Old City Bar" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra: If you've never heard TSO, imagine a Punk-Rock version of Manheim Steamroller.  They write 90% of their songs with some classics thrown in for good measure.  Their concerts are full of musicians wearing tuxedos and fancy dresses, full orchestras and electric guitars,  and lasers & fog.  It's entirely too difficult to explain and sounds ridiculous but it all works and makes for quite the spectacle.  I would probably list every one of their songs from their four Christmas CDs as my favorites (they are my constant holiday soundtrack usually starting in November) but this one, by far, is my absolute favorite.  It's not just a song;  it's a story and perfectly captures the feeling and the magic of Christmas.

 

3. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan: This is one of those songs that the darn radio stations never play.  It's just a fun version of an old classic.

 

4. "Carol of the Bells" by Manheim Steamroller: I'm pretty sure that even if you hate Christmas music, you are guaranteed to at least know Carol of the Bells.  And who better to perform it than the masters of Christmas music?  This has been one of my favorite versions of this song since I was little.

 

5. "Coming Home" by Sugarland: I'm a HUGE fan of Sugarland and will pretty much listen to anything they release.  Their Christmas album is absolutely fantastic so choosing just one was difficult.  "Coming Home" kind of falls into the same category as "Old City Bar".  It's pretty much a story and perfectly captures the feeling of family at Christmas.

 

*6. (Bonus because I couldn't leave this song off the list) "The 12 Days of Christmas" by Straight No Chaser: I've always loved this song.  It was a tradition to sing  and dance (oh yes, there were accompanying dance moves) this song in high school every year at the Christmas concert.  An entire auditorium full of high school girls , screaming "5 Gooooolllldennnnn Rings" was quite the sight to behold.  It's even more fun to try to teach all the moves to a group of 4-year olds, while desperately trying to remember how many drummers were drumming or ladies were dancing.  Though, I'm absolutely certain they looked much cuter than we did even if we didn't quite get the words down.  So I was super excited when this new version popped up on the radio last year. Absolutely no one I know likes it, but I happen to think it's brilliant!



Not Sure What to Say

I'm fairly certain that I've got some form of writer's block...blogger's block?(Is that even a thing?)   I've been literally staring at my computer screen for 45 minutes and haven't thought of one single thing to say, which added to last night's lame post, is enough to make me batty. 

I suppose I can talk about how karma let me down this morning when I woke up to find I was not a multi-millionaire.  I had plans.  I was going to give lots away to family and friends.  I was going to pay off my house and give it to someone who needed a place to live.  There was a list of charities that would be reaping the rewards.  Those darn plans should have been enough to tip the lottery scales in my direction, don't you think?  But, alas, it was not meant to be. 

Or I can talk about the highlight of my day which shouldn't really be a highlight, but because I'm a bit of a nerd, it is: I pre-ordered my Hobbit opening day tickets.  RealD 3D baby!  I even started reading the book today to prepare.  I know that as a sci-fi/fantasy fan I should have read it a long time ago, but I thought it would be as difficult to read as Lord of the Rings.  Little did I know that because it was originally a children's book, it's much easier to make it through.  So far I'm loving it!

Of course, neither of these things add up to an eventful or thought-provoking post.  You'll just have to forgive me for living such a dull life right now.  Soon, there'll be fun holiday happenings to write about.  So I promise in the coming weeks, I'll try not be such an old lady. 

Right Now

Right Now ~ I'm trying desperately to keep my eyes open long enough to write this post which is why tonight's subject is so utterly dull...

Right Now ~ I'm actively planning what I shall do when I win the $550 million in the Powerball this evening (Charities, family, friends and LOTS of travel if you must know)

Right Now ~ I've just finished "Shakespeare" by Bill Bryson and am planning on starting "The Hobbit" in preparation for "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey."

Right Now ~ I'm freezing!  I really hate winter. 

Right Now ~ I'm writing by the light of a mini-snowhead Christmas tree.  Can't wait to get the real one this weekend!

Right Now ~ I'm off to dream pleasant dreams of far-off lands and hitting the jackpot!

A Message to the Future

I've always been fascinated by the argument that Shakespeare wasn't Shakespeare; that someone else wrote the plays he's credited with.  It seems incomprehensible that we're not 100% sure who wrote some of the most influential works in the English language.  But I suppose it makes sense. Four hundred years is an awful long time. 

Though even in a time, when record-keeping wasn't paramount, it seems a bit sketchy that the greatest playwright who has ever lived, could stay so far off of the radar.  There is a total of seven years where there is absolutely NO mention of the man.  That is to say, we have no idea if he was living in London, Paris, or the moon for that matter, or if he was writing, acting or even working.  Is a disappearing act such as that even possible in today's world?

I think not. Some people may gripe about twitter, and facebook or blogs like this one ruining society by cutting into human contact, but the internet has a better chance of surviving the test of time than parchment did, don't you think?  And based on all of this information being sent into the Ethernet, what will scholars 400 years from now think about us?  Will daily status updates in 140 characters or less, provide an overall setting for our time?  Will blogs unlock the secrets of the holy grail?  Or will any of this information dump even matter in the long run? 

I recently read about Philip Henslowe, a theatre proprietor living in London during Shakespeare's lost years.  His diary still survives today and is fairly substantial because his records are so meticulous.  But even with this meticulous record keeping, his diary is full of things such as a "possible recipe for curing deafness, notes on casting spells and how to pasture a horse." (Bill Bryson)  I can only imagine the scholar who first opened this diary thinking he had the key to the age but found love potions instead.  How upsetting!

I'm sure that most of us fall into the Henslowe camp.  And because of that, I can start to see why it's so difficult to solve these little conundrums such as who wrote Shakespeare. But we're all living in the now just as the Elizabethans were living then.  If we only knew we were going to be awesome some day, I'm sure we'd all start to take better records so the future could learn how very awesome we were.   Hindsight is 20/20 afterall...

"Stars" in her Eyes

It was your average dull Monday here, nothing too exciting, nothing new.  However, it seems that other, more glamorous (depending on your definition of glamorous) have been busy over the course of the last few days.  It always amazes me that with all the good going on in the world, these are the kinds of things that make headlines.

Chris Brown keeps it classy by launching a profanity laced and vulgar "twitter war: with a female comedian that believed he should be in jail for beating his girlfriend.  Really?! How does this man still have a career worth millions and fans that worship him, while thousands of upstanding citizens are just trying to make ends meet? 

The kid from Two and Half Men launched a YouTube video biting the hand that feeds him by insulting the show that he's currently starring in.  Don't get me wrong, I personally think that Two and Half Men is filth too, but if I was on it, I don't think I'd think it was a smart business move to insult my bosses.

Then of course, there's the less than sparkly reviews of Lifetime's biopic, Liz and Dick.  Did no one see Lindsay Lohan playing an icon like Elizabeth Taylor as a bad idea before?  This falls into the could have been prevented category, I suppose.

Then, we have the less bad, and more sad end of the spectrum (and just for the record, I'm OK with this making headlines because the people behind this seem to be fine, upstanding, and talented), BBC's Sherlock could be delayed here in the States until...2014.  As someone who's finally caught up on this fantastic show, be still my heart!  I really wish someone had warned me I'd have to wait this long.  If they had, I'd have waited longer to catch up.

Let's hope for some more uplifting headlines in the coming days, because these are just depressing.  The glamorous lives of "stars" are supposed to cheer us up, not worry for the state of humanity.

Too Close for Comfort

As a fan of a fairly good football team, I think we take our Ravens for granted.  We just assume that they're going to win when they're playing a team that's 4 and 5.  But, no.  We're forced to sit on the edge of our seats for 4 hours, until the time when the whole darn shebang comes down to Justin Tucker's right foot.  Holy Moly!  And people wonder why I already have grey hair!

But we won, and I suppose that's all that matters.  9 and 2 baby!  Not a bad way to end a wonderful long weekend full of Christmas shopping, Christmas decorating, a new restaurant and lots & lots of turkey with the family.

I suppose it's time to bring on Monday...after all, it's the only way I'm going to see Friday : )

"I am Shakespeare"

I love reading plays.  In fact, one of my favorite things to do is to hit the Drama bookshops in NYC in search for new ones to check out.  That's actually where I found my new favorite: "I am Shakespeare".  It was written by Mark Rylance which is the reason I picked it up in the first place.  A few years ago the bestie and I were lucky enough to see Boeing, Boeing in NYC with Mark Rylance and a slew of other fantastic actors.  By the end of the play, my stomach ached from laughing so hard and one of the main reasons was Mark Rylance. 

So my expectations were pretty high when I saw that he'd written a play, and he did not disappoint.  Apparently, it was first performed at the Chichester Theatre festival a few years ago, but it takes a while to make it across the pond (another point in England's column).  It's meant to have audience participation so I'm sure it's even more enjoyable live but it was fairly brilliant to read.  It's centered around the question: Who wrote Shakespeare's works? (A fascinating topic, to me anyway, but that's a whole other post)  Personally, I'm in the camp that good 'ole Will wrote all of his plays but the characters, which include Francis Bacon, Shakespeare himself, among others, make pretty good arguments.  In the end, the question is never solved, just as it is in real life, but the comedy of errors up to that point, is so laugh out loud funny, that you really don't mind.

Friday Five: Thanksgiving Edition

A few (well 5 technically) of my favorite things about this particular time of year.

1. Stuffing: I know everyone goes ga ga over turkey, and I do love turkey, but my favorite part of the Thanksgiving feast is most definitely stuffing.  Stuffing patties, baked stuffing, stuffing in a turkey, and the best, turkey and stuffing sandwich.  Delicious!

2. A feast with family: You have to love a holiday that encourages you to share thanks with those you love and eat until your heart's content.

3. Black Friday sales: Although, the sales weren't as good this year, the whole craziness of Black Friday is infectious.

4. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: It used to be all floats and marching bands which was fun, but got a little old.  I'm loving the new addition of all the musical guests and performances of the show casts.

5. The official start of the holiday season:  I'm stressed as all get out about what to buy for pretty much everyone, but I suppose this time of year is pretty much perfect. 

Gobble Gobble

 

"For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends."

 

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

*

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful

I'm thankful for my fantastic family who are always there for me.  I love them dearly and couldn't imagine life without them.

I'm thankful for my niece who never fails to make me smile.  Life would be a much duller place without her giggles.

I'm thankful for the bestie.  As different as she and I are, I'm always astonished by how similarly our minds work.

I'm thankful for creativity.  Books, TV, movies, Food, Pinterest: It's everywhere and I love it! Clever ideas never fail to excite me.

I'm thankful for possibility.  What's here right now is pretty great, but the possibility of things to come is pretty extraordinary too.

I grumble so much over the course of the year; it's nice to focus on what's really good for a change.  And you know what?  There's actually quite a lot of that.

MMMacarons

As a reader of all things foodie, I, of course, knew what macarons were.  I just hadn't gotten a chance to try them yet.  The pictures I've seen in books and magazines are gorgeous.  Little bite-size snacks in a rainbow of colors ready to be gobbled up by some lucky foodie.  But I'd also heard that they were a pain in the neck and almost impossible to master because of the number of ingredients: 3.  That's right, there are only about 3 ingredients, 4 if you're going for crazy flavors, and anything made with that little, leaves a lot to chance.  But somehow through all of this, they've become the new "cupcake", in the land of sweets-fiends.  Basically they're the "In" thing right now that everyone is making and everyone is selling.  Everyone, that is, in big cities.

The problem I have with Maryland is that there aren't many good bakeries here, and even if you find a good one, they're not bound to have many macarons.  So it really was up to NYC  introduce me to them, seeing as I'm not getting to Paris anytime soon.  And try I did.

I started simply at Woops in the Park in Bryant Park with a double chocolate.  And O-M-G was it delicious.  I had always been skeptical that I would enjoy them because one major ingredient is almonds, which I hate.  I was pleasantly surprised that I couldn't taste the almonds at all.  All I could taste was the chocolate cookie which is like a brownie and the ganache inside.  Yum!

Then, it was on to Union Square where I had an Elvis. I feel terrible that I missed the name of this place because it was just as delicious!  How can you possibly go wrong with Peanut Butter and Banana?  Then, it was on to Le Maison du Chocolat in Rockefeller Center for more Chocolate goodness.  There was a small detour into the crummy when I tried a Coconut at Dean & Deluca.  While I adore Dean & Deluca's tea, they have no business making macarons: Ick!

On Sunday, I had yet another chocolate (Are you sensing a pattern here?) at Bouchon Bakery and it was fairly dreamy as well.  Lastly, I decided that I needed to go back to the beginning for some more Woops deliciousness.  Rumor had it that they made a Red Velvet with Cream Cheese frosting inside but they were sold out when I was there on Friday.  Indeed they did which I purchased...along with 5 of its closest friends. (I think I need to find a meeting!) Along with the Red Velvet I bought Lemon (for my mom which she loved, I hate lemon so I'll refrain from commenting), Chocolate/Peanut Butter, Sea Salt Caramel, Coconut, and Chocolate.  All (except the lemon) were just as delicious as the first.

So as you can see, they seem to be my new obsession.  And if you see them anywhere, I guarantee, the second you try them, they'll be yours as well.  So, my only question is, who's going to fun my trip to Paris so I can try them on their home turf?

Typhoid Mary

I had planned on waxing poetic on my new obsession with macarons. That is of course, until I caught the mother of all colds.  If I could keep my eyes open long enough, I'd tell you all about these little French Dreams and where best to buy them in NYC.  But, since I can't breathe through my nose and I've been praying for bed since I woke up this morning, that post will have to wait until tomorrow.
 Good Night.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzz...........

Weekend in NYC

There were macarons, homemade pasta, Chelsea Market, shopping, Christmas markets and lots & lots of fun to be had.

All in all, a fabulous way to spend a weekend!

Discovery Central

After an eventful, if not slightly chilly, 2 days in NYC, I've discovered:

Macarons: Where have these tiny little French dreams been all my life?! In 2 days I've tried them from 4 different vendors. I really must be stopped.

Chelsea Market: All kinds of decadent foods, all in one place.  Not to mention, an amazingly cool design concept.

Union Square: Crafty vendors have taken over for the next month and have been selling all sorts of wares (including macarons!) It was there that I had my first and only celebrity sighting so far: Dennis Franz.

St. Bart's does not have Christmas shops: After  a gazillion block walk to see yet another Christmas mart (I really like homemade stuff!) it was discovered, even though it was online, that there are zippo shops at ths gorgeous church this year. Not cool Internet, not cool!

I've got one more evening and most of a day left in this extraordinary city. I hope to have more discoveries, and definitely a few pics to share tomorrow.

Friday Five: NYC Edition

As I took off this morning for a chilly and shopping filled weekend in Manhattan, I thought I'd make today's Friday Five all about one of my most favorite places in the world.  My top 5 favorite things about the city that never sleeps are:

1. The walking.  I love that almost no one (even though, you'd never know it with all the traffic) owns a car.  Everything is within walking distance.  I'm sure living there, it gets a little old when it's snowing or raining but that's what the subway or cabs are for.  There's just something about walking to your office in the morning, stopping at the corner coffee shop for breakfast or hailing a cab when it starts to rain that says quintessential New York to me.

2. The food (obviously!).  You can find just about any kind of food that you desire somewhere in the city.  I searched Yelp earlier for "Manhattan Restaurants" - I got 5322 hits.  How amazing is that?  You could eat out every night of the week (if that number is to be believed) for 14 years and never repeat an outing.  My personal faves have always been John's Pizzeria (located on 44th in an old church with an absolutely stunning stained glass window in the ceiling) and Carnegie Deli (an old staple for everyone travelling to and living in Manhattan, but the corned beef and pastrami are to die for!) 

3. The chaos.  This is an odd thing to say but I love the hustle, the bustle, the noise and the crowds.  It's a little overwhelming at first, but it wouldn't be the New York without it .  If you listen closely enough, just walking a few blocks, you can hear accents and languages from all over the world.  The eavesdropping is perfection too.  New Yorkers are known to be loud so listening to these conversations is fairly simple and a perfect way to spend a few minutes...especially up near 5th and Park Avenues: It's like Lifestyles of the Rich  and not so Famous. (On another note, it bugs the heck out of me that in all the times I've been, the only famous people I've ever seen have been on a stage.  You'd think I'd at least bump into a Broadway star!)

4. The theatre district.  I love the theatre!  There's nothing better than seeing a show live and I've never understood people who've said different. Seeing a show on Broadway is about the most perfect way to spend an evening I can think of.  My favorites have been "The Producers" (with the original cast), "Wicked" (with the original cast) and "Phantom of the Opera (in the 3rd row).  But even when I don't have tickets, being among the crowds in the theatre district before and after show time is just a buzz.  I love scanning the crowds for performers and hearing what the audience thought or hearing thetregoers sing the tunes or quote the lines they've just heard. 

5. The history.  I love that you can walk down pretty much any street and find an historic building, or restaurant or site.  I've seen Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, been to the top of Rockefeller Center and walked around Strawberry Fields in Central Park.  I have pictures of the Twin Towers and the Empire State Building,  and the NY Public Library.  NY always seems to be overflowing with new restaurants and construction but the truth is that the buildings that formed the bedrock of the city, still remain, even if some are only in our hearts.