Girl of 100 Lists - 2012...

• "Be open to a change in direction. Know that the path I walk today will never lead to the same tree tomorrow." (thank you, Kurt Sutter)
• more experiences
• less things (however, if the 'experience' is to purchase a new 'thing' - a handbag, a pair of shoes, a dress - this goal may be broken, on occasion)
• stuff out
• furniture in
• friends in!
• London
• soda out (my sincerest apologies, Dr. Pepper. We were so good together.)
• read good things
• write good things
• do good things
• love
• Love
• LOVE!

Girl of 100 Lists - 2011.

family

two weeks in Hawaii

shark dive

third row for Duran Duran

a weekend of the Fixx

an 80s weekend with my favorite 80s bands

44

featured post at the3six5.com

cleared clutter in six weeks

people in my place for the first time

relapsed in six weeks

first piece of furniture in my place

writing - judged, defeated, pencils down

writing - fuck that, I'm good, resumed

friends - fun, laughs, love, bonds strengthened

Adele, Florence, GirlTalk, Mayer Hawthorne, G Love, Belle Brigade, ABC, Tony Hadley, Truth & Salvage Co

weddings

funerals

English Beat to close my year

NaBloPoMo 11.14 - 3 Wishes

1 ~ I wish for discipline.

Setting aside time to write is not easy. And I don't even have kids! I need to be able to sit and write without feeling guilty. Once I do sit down to write, my thoughts scamper to all things undone - laundry, house clearing, dishes, whatever. You should really get that done first, then write. What if I don't feel like doing the dishes? I typically won't do 'em; but I won't write either. I'm weird. I know. And, geez, let's not even talk about Something Shiny Syndrome. Those little things that distract me ~ Twitter, G+, Words with Friends, BlogHer, etc. What if I'm missing something? What if John Taylor tweets he's broken down in the Valley and needs a lift? What if the 37th retweet wins an awesome meet n greet with Nikki Sixx or Kurt Sutter or Donna Brazile or Matthew Perry or even Matthew Lewis?! I could miss it!

2 ~ I wish to be open.

Open to love, specifically. I believe myself to be. Somehow, though, I'm wrong. And, that's distressing enough as it is.

3 ~ I wish to believe.

Believe in myself. I am confident, but I don't believe in myself much. I recently found myself in a group which included one of my most favorite people on the planet. This person is intuitive and forthright and brilliant and funny and an immense pleasure to be around. As talk turned to politics and such, I walked away from the discussion because I didn't think I was smart enough to understand the conversation. I denied myself the joy of people and lively debate because I did not believe myself to be able to contribute to a conversation. How sad for me.

NaBloPoMo 11.3 ~ My Last Meal Menu

For today's post, I decided to use one of the NaBloPoMo writing prompts:

If you knew that whatever you ate next would be your last meal,

what would you want it to be?

For this post, I am giving myself all day to eat my last meal. Actually, I'm rather intrigued by the 'why would this be my last meal?' What dastardly deed did I do? Well, that's another prompt for another day...

Breakfast: a short stack of Tis the Season (pumpkin) pancakes from the Griddle Cafe in West Hollywood CA. My most favorite breakfast ever - pumpkin filling, melted butter, a dusting of powdered sugar. The Griddle pancakes are the size of a Frisbee. Serious. Most people attack the stack from the outer edge, working their way to the middle. No no no. Read this to get it right. OMG. I kinda want this right now.

Snack: malasadas from Leonard's in Honolulu and a cup of coffee.

Lunch: a selection of formaggi e salumi from Cube Marketplace on La Brea. Cube is one of my most favorite places to chill with friends, sip wine, eat good eats. Mole' salami has to be one of the meat selections. Actually, I'd be okay if it was the only selection. Cheese...mmm, cheese...brillat savarin, humboldt fog, a hunk of tasty parm would have to be included. And, the accoutrement! Almonds & assorted nuts, prosecco jelly, dried fruits, warm crusty bread, apricot jam, but no olives. I don't like olives.

Snack: 2 of my mom's awesome Dunkin' Platter cookies that have been popped in the microwave for 20 seconds and a glass of milk with ice.

Dinner: OK, I'm about to go CRAZY! Let's pretend I have a hollow leg or I won't get full or sick...Braised short ribs on a bed of polenta, spinach or collard greens, my mom's awesome potato salad (is it Thanksgiving yet?!), my mom's corn casserole, mac n cheese with toasted bread crumbs on top and King's Hawaiian dinner rolls. I would also have my favorite sushi rolls from Midori Sushi in Studio City ~ Ginger roll, Bonzai roll, Fire roll and Spicy Crab Nugget. Dessert would be my mom's awesome chocolate dessert and my grandma's made-from-scratch lemon meringue pie sans meringue.

Dang. That's a lot of food. ::shoulder shrug:: Go big or go home! :)

What would be your last meal menu?

30-Day Song Challenge - The Whole Thing!

I filched this from Tracey ~ a friend who has exquisite taste in music.

Today begins my 30-day challenge...a SONG challenge, at that! I do believe this is perfect for me :)

And here we go...!

day 01 (3.09) - your favorite song - Sweet Sweet Baby by Lone Justice

day 02 (3.10) - your least favorite song - Walk Like an Egyptian by the Bangles

day 03 (3.11) - a song that makes you happy - Roll with the Changes by REO Speedwagon

day 04 (3.12) - a song that makes you sad - At Seventeen by Janis Ian

day 05 (3.13) - a song that reminds you of someone - What a Fool Believes by the Doobie Bros. (there are loads of these...the problem was how to choose just one...went with the one that elicited the strongest feeling & memory)

day 06 (3.14) - a song that reminds you of somewhere - Highway 5 by the Blessing

day 07 (3.15) - a song that reminds you of a certain event - I Want It That Way by Backstreet Boys (as performed by Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms)

day 08 (3.16) - a song that you know all the words to - oh, not to brag, but the list of songs I know all the words to is quite long. So, I'm listing 2: Rapper's Delight by Sugar Hill Gang ~ the first song I remember learning all the words to. Bye Bye Bye by NSYNC ~ totally bragging because I know this song in sign language, too. Performed this with the ASL class I taught at Birmingham HS in Van Nuys.

day 09 (3.17) - a song that you can dance to - Geez! This, like day 08, could be a 30-day list unto itself. How in the world am I going to choose just one? Whenever I think of dancing, my first thought is the 2nd Friday Night Dances in Orange County with my girls from the tall club. We had some great times and forged wonderful relationships. So, for today, a song I can dance to: Dance With Me by Peter Brown, Dancing Queen by ABBA and Black Velvet by Alannah Miles.

day 10 (3.18) - a song that makes you fall asleep - Sweet Lullaby by Deep Forest.

day 11 (3.19) - a song from your favorite band - Tears of a Clown by the English Beat

day 12 (3.20) - a song from a band you hate - Run for the Hills by Iron Maiden :::ptooey:::

day 13 (3.21) - a song that is a guilty pleasure - Macarena by Los Del Rio. I'm serious.

day 14 (3.22) - a song that no one would expect you to love - Chances Are by Johnny Mathis

day 15 (3.23) - a song that describes you - no clue at all...(is that a song?)

day 16 (3.24) - a song that you used to love but now hate - every single song by the Ramones! Serious.

day 17 (3.25) - a song that you hear often on the radio - I don't listen to much radio anymore...but it seems to me Rihanna is on the radio ALL. THE. TIME.

day 18 (3.26) - a song that you wish you heard on the radio - I Want Your Hands On Me by Sinead O'Connor (featuring MC Lyte)

day 19 (3.27) - a song from your favorite album - Small Talk by Scritti Politti from their album Cupid & Psyche

day 20 (3.28) - a song that you listen to when you’re angry - Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine

day 21 (3.29) - a song that you listen to when you’re happy - Relight My Fire by Take That

day 22 (3.30) - a song that you listen to when you’re sad - Pieces of the Night by Gin Blossoms

day 23 (3.31) - a song that you want to play at your wedding - I Know You By Heart by Bette Midler + David Pack ~ it's on the Beaches soundtrack. Gah!

day 24 (4.1) - a song that you want to play at your funeral - Seasons of Love by the original Broadway cast of RENT ~ I want them there, at my funeral, singing.

day 25 (4.2) - a song that makes you laugh - I'm listing 3: The Earthquake Song by Little Girls, There's a Barbarian in the Back of My Car by Voice of the Beehive and the Fast Food Song by the Fast Food Rockers.

day 26 (4.3) - a song that you can play on an instrument - Face Down by Alpha Rev. (I play the stereo, so all songs in the history of songs can be played by me.)

day 27 (4.4) - a song that you wish you could play - the instrumental opening of Roundabout by Yes or the bass on Red Barchetta by Rush.

day 28 (4.5) - a song that makes you feel guilty - Guilty by Barbra Streisand & Barry Gibb (guilty of what, I have no idea)

day 29 (4.6) - a song from your childhood - Sweet Someone by Don Ho and Misty by Johnny Mathis (my mom and dad sing this together:) )

day 30 (4.7) - your favorite song at this time last year - Goodbye Girl by Squeeze ~ it was about this time last year I learned of Squeeze and the English Beat touring together. I couldn't get enough of Squeeze songs! This one stuck with me and nearly brought me to tears when I heard them perform on the first night of the tour.

30-Day Song Challenge - Day 8

day 08 - a song that you know all the words to: this list is ridiculously long as I pride myself on rockin' the lyrical knowledge. So, I'm listing two:

Rapper's Delight by the Sugarhill Gang ~ the first song I learned ALL the words to. Had it on vinyl, would write as much as I could gather, then lift the needle and put it back to the beginning until I had 'em all. Proud moment.

Bye Bye Bye by NSYNC ~ When I taught American Sign Language, one of my favorite lessons was having the kids learn their favorite songs in sign language. To this day, there are several songs I sign when heard on the radio. We'd learn the songs then perform for the school. It was such a fun time! I performed this song with some of my kids at an assembly ~ holds a special place in my heart.

30-Day Song Challenge - Day 7

a song that reminds you of an event ~ Spirit of 76 by the Alarm

reminds me of PhillyRocks 2009...a benefit concert for the Love Hope Strength Foundation (http://lovehopestrength.org/). It was a gorgeous night filled with phenomenal people, now friends, and awesome music. Cy Curnin, Glenn Tilbrook, Mike Peters, Nick Harper, Robin Wilson, James Stevenson...Shannon, Tracey, Tracy, Steve, Warren, Bill, Bob, Alex, Lily and Scot...this is for you oh my friends, oh my friends, oh my friends...

30-Day Song Challenge - Day 6

day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere - Highway 5 by the Blessing. Oddly enough, it reminds me of my 1st trip to Philadelphia. And, the person I met.

30-Day Song Challenge - Day 5

day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone - What a Fool Believes by the Doobie Bros.

Too many songs to choose from...so, I picked the one that elicited the strongest feeling and memory this morning.

30-Day Song Challenge - Day 4

day 04 - a song that makes you sad - At Seventeen by Janis Ian

There are loads of sad songs out there. There are very few songs that make me sad.

I've always been fascinated by this song because the story is familiar...I felt awkward and out of place and everything she sings about when I was 17 (and 13 and 15 and...)

30-Day Song Challenge - Day 3

day 03 (3.11) - a song that makes you happy - Roll with the Changes by REO Speedwagon

Reminds me of crossing the Golden Gate Bridge in a Mazda Miata...sun shining...hair blowing in the wind...laughing...and listening to this song :)

30-Day Song Challenge - Day 2

day 02 (3.10) - your least favorite song - Walk Like an Egyptian by the Bangles

The 30-Day Song Challenge - Day 1

It's not really a challenge, per se.

It's a meme. It's a list.

And so today begins my 30-day challenge...a SONG challenge, at that! I do believe this is perfect for me :)

And here we go...!

day 01 (3.9) - your favorite song - Sweet Sweet Baby by Lone Justice

Girl of 100 Lists ~ 20 Movies

This meme is makin' the rounds on Facebook ~ thanks, Liz

20 movies that will always stick with me...

[in no particular order]

1. Rear Window
2. Amazing Grace and Chuck
3. To Kill a Mockingbird
4. the Shawshank Redemption
5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
6. Angels in the Outfield
7. Akira Kurosawa's Dreams
8. Hair
9. Godspell
10. the Sound of Music
11. The Manchurian Candidate (the original thankyouverymuch!)
12. the Wizard of Oz
13. Sounder
14. Boyz n the Hood
15. Grease
16. the Goonies
17. Sixteen Candles
18. the Truman Show
19. Billy Elliot
20. Duel

So, tell me about yourself...In-Class writing 04.06.10

~ We have 12 minutes to write these assignments ~

Imagine sitting across from someone you admire and he/she says "So, tell me about yourself..."

*sigh*

I am witty and silly.
I'm a sushi addict, a beer drinker and lover of wine.
I only laugh when something is *very* funny; otherwise, it's a courtesy smile and a "Oh, that's funny."
I love Vegas, Hawaii and Wayfarer's Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes.
The ceremony of 'high tea' is one of my favorite things.
I love love love music! Johnny Mathis to Jonny Lang to Johnny Rotten.
80s hair bands still excite me.
I know all the words to all songs 80s.
I love the story songs of the 70s, like 'The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia' and all Jim Croce songs.
'At Seventeen' by Janis Ian makes me cry. Every. Single. Time.
"You love your loving; not like you love your freedom" hits me every time.
My go-to karaoke song is 'Rapper's Delight'
I'm gregarious and social, but only since the age of 30 when I was sorta forced to be/do so.
I'm a creature of habit who pushes herself to do new things.
I am a can't-get-me-off-the-dance-floor dancer! And if 'Dancing Queen' comes on, I am dancing!
I am the daughter of an opera singer and jazz piano player.
I'm a self-taught player of the stereo.
Like a Taurus, I am stubborn and patient.
I am slow to anger (unless I am driving - serious road rager, here) and have to walk away for fear of saying something very mean, hurtful.
I hold onto friends and grudges.
I trust easily.
I crush easily.
I like crushing.
I love loving.
I'm all of this and whole lot more.

Girl of 100 Lists ~ favorite bloggers

I read lots of blogs. I'll read something, click through to a link, read that, click back, read an interesting comment, click through to that person's blog, click back...vicious cycle that goes on and on. While I find posts that are interesting, many bloggers don't have me coming back for more. But some do.

There are a handful of blogs that I read faithfully. These folks are so hip it hurts. And I'd like to share those with you:

the slack daily by the Slackmistress ~ She is awesome! I am a huge fan of the woman and the blog. She's witty, she's got style, is a helluva writer *and* she dresses her dog for Halloween. Her posts about working at an 'agency' are too damn funny. Slackmistress makes me want to be a better writer.

betheboy by Will Betheboy ~ Will. When I'm around him, I just want to sit and listen to him talk. He's is wicked, funny and sharp. His writing is so slick, to the point. And I love all of his posts about his "smarter more attractive half!" Will makes me want to be a better writer.

communist dance party by The CDP ~ Thanks to Will for pointing me in the CDP direction. I love this dude! His essays are hilarious and smart and wicked; random topics, current events, Mixed Tape trades, even lists of the best video games and albums of all time! One could spend an entire afternoon/evening reading through the CDP archives (and this one has). But the highlight of this blog is the comments section. It's a whole community! The CDP makes me want to be a better writer.

greeblemonkey by Aimee Greeblemonkey ~ Everything from political views, monthly contests, general observations to the wonders of raising an amazing kid, this blog has it all. I love her photos, too! Greeblemonkey makes me want to be a better writer.

thirty daes - let's be honest about this by JNez ~ Unflinchingly honest and raw; unafraid to speak his mind about his life and the world around him. Posts tagged with 'cadence' are the most brutal and beautiful pieces of writing I've ever read. JNez makes me want to be a better writer.

OK, kids - hear me now, believe me later ~ put these in your RSS reader and...well...read 'em.

You're welcome.

Girl of 100 List ~ No Can Do

For some reason, I was compiling a list of things I can't do. It's not very long, of course.

But, it's a list nonetheless:

• I don't know how to parallel park. Well, I know. I just can't do it. Unless the entire curb is empty, in which case, I'm a pro! It may have something to do with gauging distances. I am nearsighted.
• I can't hold chopsticks properly. Lame, indeed. I just can't grasp it (pun intended). At Kuru Kuru last week, I studied the Ikea-like 'instructions' (read: pictures, not words) on the chopsticks wrapper, imitating the positioning. However, I failed miserably at the execution. Ack! Fork please!
• I can't wrap. How sad and pitiful. In junior high and high school, most text books had to be covered. My mom covered my books with Stater Bros. brown paper bags. (However, all of the rad decorating was done by me thankyouverymuch) Gifts. *sigh* I just can't gift wrap. I either cut way too much paper or not enough. So, gift bags are my friend.

And, that's all.

Ha! Not really. That's just all I care to share with you :)

Girl of 100 Lists ~ the hotel Phila PA

Club Quarters Hotel
1628 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia PA

In no particular order, here are my BOOs! and YAYs! for Club Quarters in PhilaPA:

• private hotel ~ no public restrooms or lobby, can't just walk in off the street. It's so non-descript from outside, no one knows it's a hotel. Most of my friends say they walk/drive by all the time and never knew it was a hotel! YAY!
• location location location ~ in Center City, in the middle of the hustle + bustle - shops (Sephora to the left of me, H&M to the right), food galore, walking to distance to most of the historic attractions I want to visit, great pub around the corner (YAY! Oscar's Tavern!). YAY!
• when I checked in, they only had a room with twin beds available. I know! I haven't slept in a twin bed since college. College! That wasn't just last week, kids. BOO!
• the hotel room is lovely - it truly is. YAY!
• free bottled water ~ Uh huh. I said it. Free bottled water. Each floor has a chilled filtered water dispenser below a rack of empty plastic water bottles. You can fill up any time you'd like. I know! YAY!
• club room ~ the lobby's club room has 3 computers, huge flat screen TV, big plush comfy couches and overstuffed chairs for hotel guests to enjoy. It's lovely and homey and inviting. Just needs a fireplace...YAY!

Overall, I'm totally diggin' Club Quarters. YAY!

Tomorrow ~ I'm with the Band

Girl of 100 Lists ~ Plus Size Fashions online

For the past several months, I've become disenchanted with Lane Bryant and the Avenue. When I want basics (tees, camis, tanks) or need classic pieces (button-down shirts, cardigans), I will visit those stores. But, I want trendy! I want fashionable! I want fun!

Torrid ~ www.torrid.com ~ hip, trendy and fashionable. I love that their TALL pants actually have a longer leg instead of a higher rise. The shorts, pants and crops have the perfect rise. The shoes go up to size 12 and are cut to accommodate a wider foot. Yippee! Always check out the clearance section ~ good deals to be found there.

Size Appeal ~ www.sizeappeal.com ~ for the confident curvy woman. Sexy tops, slinky dresses, great prices. It's shopping online, but the returns are no hassle.

Fashion Overdose ~ www.fashionoverdose.com ~ my current obsession! The styles are surprising and hip. Click on the 'Collections' link on the left side to see how they throw unexpected pieces together to make great outfits. The quantities are limited, so if you see it, buy it!

B & Lu ~ www.bandlu.com ~ love the variety; recently reviewed the four pieces I purchased here

One Stop Plus ~ www.onestopplus.com ~ one-stop shopping for Roamans, Jessica London, Chadwicks and the Avenue. Everything is here. Everything.

Igigi ~ www.igigi.com ~ sexy, sophisticated plus-size clothing is their tagline - and it's appropriate. I have one top from Igigi; love love love it! This site has a feature which lets you shop by shape (hellooooo ~ brilliant!). I'll admit, I have occasionally balked at the prices. However, you really can't put a price on quality clothing that fits.

Kiyonna ~ www.kiyonna.com ~ Ohhh, I love the Kiyonna! They seem to have their finger on the pulse of trends ~ gorgeous dresses, flirty tops, Spanx and Hollywood Tape (my personal lifesaver). Kiyonna has a boutique in Southern California which showcases its wonderful fashions.

If you're more about the mall experience, visit Macy's (the Self-Esteem line has *great* tops) or Nordstrom (Maggy London and Nine West dresses, Sweet Pea tops) or hit up Torrid to see their stuff up close & personal.

Oh ~ Old Navy has phased out their in-store plus-size selections/collections. These are now available only online at www.oldnavy.com - nice basics and surprising trendy pieces; if you like, buy it - the stuff sells out quickly!

For more reviews, links and all fashion-related things for the plus-size gal, check out Fashionista +

Girl of 100 Lists ~ 7 songs (II)

In her recent blog, my girl @Moneke tagged me. And you know me ~ never back down from a tag! Funny thing is, I filched this particular meme in May and now it's back.

Instructions:

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring summer. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to.

I am so random and weird when it comes to listening to music. What I'm listening to isn't necessarily 'shaping' my spring/summer; it's just stuff that sounds good, puts me in a good mood or is seriously rockin' my world.

May I present to you, My Seven (Prince is ringing in my head: "Oh seven and we'll watch them fall..."):

"Crazy" by Ray LaMontagne ~ I am in love with this cover! Thanks to E-Rich for turning me on to this song. I've known about Ray LaMontagne for a little while...and this cover of the Gnarls Barkley hit is so powerful and poignant. (hit the 'play' button next to the song to hear it - worth it)

"I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry ~ '...the taste of her cherry chapstick...'

"Tears of a Clown" by the English Beat ~ one of my all-time favorite songs by one of my all-time favorite bands! This song is so much fun when played live :)

"Everybody Get Dangerous" by Weezer ~ I can NOT stop listening to this damn song! It's Weezer! WTH?! I know. I don't care. This song rocks my face off!

"Hypnotize" by Notorious B.I.G ~ Ever since I heard this song in PhilaPA hangin' with Rome and Lys, this song has been in my head, on my iPod, in my ears. Something so incredibly smooth about this song...and, of course, my favorite line: "Timbs to my hooligans in Brooklyn" and I don't even know why!

"At Seventeen" by Janis Ian ~ I heard this a few weeks ago on Yahoo radio. I've always been attached to this song, related to this song. I think it's incredibly heartbreaking to those of us 'lacking in the social graces' and perhaps a bit silly to those who don't. I'll admit to having this on my iPod and to sniffling a bit each and every time I hear it.

"I Will Possess Your Heart" by Death Cab For Cutie ~ is this emo? I don't even know WTF emo is! But if it's this song? Damn skippy I'm with it! This song...I don't even know what to say! I love this song! Totally on par with the She Wants Revenge song "Tear You Apart".

There ya have it!