Objectophilia

If I possessed this syndrome, I would elect for a polyandrous marriage with cities.

Just saying.

Laundromats: the new adorable

Last week, my sister and I took 3 hour Sunday naps that were halfway punctuated by my other sister bringing us fresh cookies out of the oven.

We decided it was the best nap we'd ever had.

Today, I vegged out to good old Regina Spektor...from "two birds on a wire" to "ancient bruises"...ah, she's marvelous.


ALSO. Whether it's the darling Aryan-Euro boy or her luscious dryer lair, I'm kind of in love with this video:


I am no Harry Potter aficionada, but I would submit that she is a Moaning Myrtle laundromat equivalent (in a good way).

Also unrelated but worth a self re-quote,

"Nothing is the new fabulous."

"I have a cheekache from smiling"

I watched this gem of a movie the other night with my sis. From the hot pink and other neon 80s outfits to vintage SJP dancing around (even though the camera was ever so strategically zoomed out for the more complex moves), it completed my life in a way I knew not possible.

Here are a few choice quotes that, along with the title of this post, explain why this movie is EPIC.


(On deciding an outfit):
"Decisions are the worst!"


"I knew this was going to be cool, I just knew it!"


(Helen Hunt, responding to SJP's quizzical look as she changes on the school bus, reversing her Catholic school uniform skirt from plaid to black)
"Velcro: Next to the Walkman and Tab, it's the best invention of the 20th century."


"No fraternizing! Stay away from him, he's a boy!!!" -Nun


"You're taking a fashion risk, I like that." -one of the 'producers' at the 'DanceTV open call,' to SJP, who was wearing her schoolgirl uniform. (I strongly believe this is where the beginning of the SATC inspiration came.)

Click here for a trailer...DO NOT miss the pommel horse-ing nun at 1:22 :)

Where Jason Mraz and Adam Smith jive

For the past week or two, I've been reading Greg Mankiw's blog. He's an economics professor at Harrrrvard, and his blog is written in a way that, for the most part, is concise and well-understood.

And because my cousin took his class, and used to be an econ major, I shot her an email (she's in Hawaii for the summer) asking about him: Could it be true? Could there really be a free-market economist in Cambridge?! Huh?

She said that truth be told, most of the H'vard economics department is conservative.


HOWEVER,

I don't know whether to be more shocked about Mankiw's post today.
Whoa, did someone hijack his blog?
Really, loving a Jason Mraz concert, and even more, K'naan?

(I was laughing out loud at that music video almost as much as I was at THIS)

Wow, Mankiw, you're cool.


Now I have a grand idea:
a Kroks and Pitches original collaboration about Reagan and Obamanomics... to the tune of "Lucky"

???


(PS: In the video, Mraz is in Prague...TOO WEIRD: I was oddly obsessed with this song when I was there!!!)

To see the unforseeable.

"Why ponder thus the future to foresee;

and jade thy brain to vain perplexity?


Cast off thy care, leave Allah's plans to him--


He formed them all without consulting thee."

--Omar Khayyam, The Rubaiyat

Photos: Morocco, March 2008

To sue or surf?

You know, maybe I should do law school after all. Because lawyers seem to be the only ones these days cashing in (although, probably on credit) on those trying to deny the Great Recession.

CNN: "Alumna sues college because she can't find a job"

(hilarious and tragic in so many ways)

This is precisely the reason why in efforts to stave off the impending bleak job outlook, I picked up a minor at my university and am running off to Neverland in January.

Because I, technically a part of yesterday's class of '09, am enrolled at the most inexpensive university in the country (I think) which affords me that privilege.


I guess I can deal with the zoobies a little while longer.

It's the price to pay for being silly enough to finagle a way, in a landlocked USA university, to put international surfing expeditions on my transcript.

Hang loose!

A

Here's to napping naysayers

"Napping should have the status of daily exercise."

-James Maas, Cornell University sleep expert

Read full article here.


Here's to a restful, content weekend.

It was storming today, so I'm hoping to get some quality hammock time in tomorrow (and maybe a run too).

Pictures forthcoming from my daytrip to Ogunquit and Kennebunkport, Maine.

XO

To write, or not to write?

All this contentment has given me a lot of time to think about writing a book about my sojourn to New Zealand next year, where I will explore not only the majestic countryside but also the various themes of my life.

So naturally, I've had to calm myself down and make points of reference to some of the travel books I've read, so I can gauge how much of myself I would decide to weave into my potential travel piece and create something unique.

In a Sunburned Country- A travel book in its purest form, written by NY-Times acclaimed author Bryson who goes to Australia for the sake of travel writing. Although I appreciated his extensive research on the country and sense of humor, I found my urgency to experience Australia decrease (he spent too much time in the Outback), realizing Australia's real draw is the ocean (Great Barrier Reef and surfing 'mecca' Brisbane).

A Year in Provence- ethnographic account of an older, semi-retired couple who pack up their life in England and experience every European’s dream of living full-time in the countryside of Provence, France. However, they majority of the way they spend their days is not traveling to nearby chateaus or taking walks along the beach in Marseille, but reconstructing an old farmhouse they have purchased and interacting with their neighbors—pandering to universal themes of home ownership and community, not necessarily travel.
A TV Mini-series was produced, 1993.

Japanland: In Search of Wa- An American documentary filmmaker with day-job burnout and judo hobby, who spends a year in Japan scrappily forging her way around the terrain finding experience, joy and ultimately, peace with herself. I think this was my favorite of the four I mention here, because the author was an extremely compelling writer, personable and funny, who more often than not, left the reader to draw the more emotional conclusions. The adventures Karin Muller finds herself on are unforgettable: filming the Tamagawa cult in desolate mountains of which even the Japan Tourist Information Center has no knowledge, following a homeless man in Osaka, and also studying what fuels the traditions of sumo wrestling, geisha-dom, and the national pachinko addiction.

Eat, Pray, Love- A soul-searching adventure by Elizabeth Gilbert through Italy, India, and Bali that touched mostly on retreat, renewal, and re-learning how to give and receive love. I read this almost two years ago, and the most poignant thoughts that come to mind were a) her eating not one, but two crusty-soft pizzas in Naples (Eat), b) meditating in an Indian ashram and reaching a level of serenity never experienced before (Pray), and c) indulging in an outdoor shower in Bali (as well as the boyfriend she picks up there). And of the four, interesting to note this the only one with a highly anticipated movie deal starring Julia Roberts.

Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love) spoke on creativity in a recent TED conference. And I just love how raw, candid, funny and happily at ease she is about her creative process, that it gives me hope that I'm still in the right (write?) place. It is quite inspiring...

"[The belief that] creativity and suffering are somehow inherently interlinked...[that] artistry, in the end, will ultimately lead to anguish...is odious."

Don't miss her closing segment (starting at 15:38) how the creativity of expression is a glimpse of God.




Maybe I'm just grandiose and doe-eyed with all my thought processes of "The world is my oyster! I can be anything I want to be! I'm going to go soak up life for all it's infinite worth!" so I welcome your suggestions. Would you read a book about New Zealand, authored by yours truly?
(Doubtful sentiments also welcomed.)

Thank you in advance.

Contentment

Sun-kissed.
Family- blissed.
Nothing-missed.

Forest-soothed.
Lake-seduced.
Stress-reduced.

Makeup-free.
Care-free.
Pain-free.

Laughing.
Learning.
Cooking.
Cruising.
Discussing.
Dancing.
Reading.
Writing.

Swim suit-wearing.
Hairbrush-neglecting.
Sunset-watching.

Lobster-eating.

Content.

The Winker, edited

The August '09 Vanity Fair does not disappoint, with yet another giggle-inducing article about Mrs. Wasilla.

(Don't chalk this face up to Tina Fey's acting chops)

BUT the best part is that VF edited her gubernatorial resignation speech. Can you say hilarious.

(To me, correct grammar will always be sexier than politics.)

On a different note, the issue has some pretty rad pictures of Tim Burton's Alice and Wonderland.


I saw the following on Brunette Bombshell and decided it is my new life mantra:

Alice laughed: "There's no use trying," she said; "one can't believe impossible things."

"I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the queen.

"When I was younger, I always did it for half an hour a day.
Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

Ewe should come!

I am so un-containably excited for Neverland...

that I make up Never-words like uncontainably!


look at the full Flickr photostream HERE.

via Cup of Jo

I also hate Christmas, too!

(Kidding).

Okay, so the dislike of murderers, the inexcusably tight-wadded or, say...Massachusetts drivers ("MASSHOLES") is universal.

However, for me, I'm realizing, I dislike some things that most people like, if not, LOVE.

Consider the following grounds to call me a Debbie Downer:


Candy
Except for Trolli Peachie-Os about twice a year (I'm weird), high fructose corn syrup alone is not my kind of sweet fun. I prefer the old school sugar and butter derivatives.


Swings
Yeah, that old childhood park pastime. Well, they make me dizzy and nauseous.

I distinctly remember a kindergarten "Glad/Sad" workbook exercise and marking an image of an elephant swinging as "Sad." I was a sharp little tot, probably bored with such petty exercises and wanting to answer 'truthfully' to stir up some non-conformity.


Soda/Pop
When I tell people I don't drink soda, they usually respond with some kind of form of "Good for you/Oh man, you're so healthy/Wow, I wish I could give it up too."
No, people. Seriously, it's not even for health reasons.
It's simply because I think it tastes like candy (see above) in liquid form, and to top it off, IT BURNS.

Liquid candy + burn factor equals NOT my idea of fun. It continues to shock me how much of an anomaly I am this way. Don't other people see this???!!! Something that tastes rotten and HURTS YOU AS YOU DRINK IT (and I'm not even addressing the osteoporosis).

Might as well have NyQuil or Robitussin- stuff is all the same. The only soda you'll ever see me gag down is half a glass of Ginger Ale on airplane flights (to keep my stomach at ease).


Milk Chocolate
It has to be dark (without lecithin wax filler) or it's not of any interest. You can now see that without candy or any chocolate Hershey or Nestle products, how Halloween ties with Flag Day on my 'fun holidays' list.


Roadtrips
I must preface this by saying that wide open spaces intensely scare me because I conjure some strange grandiose subconscious notion that all civilization will vanish before I've had a chance to return.

So...long periods of time spent staring out at them? My idea of hell!

Oh did I mention I have legs (inseam: 35") and would rather be in bed to do most everything.


Dogs
How could I be so heartless? Well...my first experience with my little neighbor buddy's dog was really traumatizing.
It's name was Mistral. It was seriously hyperactive, bipolar, and also had some kind of vicious ailment like leukemia or something.
Dog was evil.

It was not disciplined properly I guess (but my memories of Mistral also involve my friend's mom yelling at it to stop and chaining it up), so it always jumped up and barked in excess quantity and decibel level. Nasty creature.

(Later, I would find out that 'Mistral' is the name for seasonal winds in Provence, France (like the Santa Anas of Southern California, I think). Well, as you can see, Mistral was the dog equivalent of an unwelcome Santa Ana.)

PLUS: my little sister Katherine was once bit by a dog (Siberian husky). Foul and wrong!

I'm sure if I had a dog like Old Yeller or Lassie, I would feel differently, but honestly, when I see a dog I see 'unnecessary mess' written all over it: unnecessary food going towards an un-eatable specimen who will crap unnecessary feces over MY terrain.

('MY terrain' being the world).

And why in the world would I want to go up and let something that doesn't talk 'sniff my hand'...for all I know, it's going to bite it off!

Help wanted for phobia instigation

I do not understand claustrophobia.
Truly.
I get a rush from huge crowds, I wear full-body blue suits with pep, and think that being sardine packed in a subway is, while not the most hygienic place, at least somewhat cozy.

In fact, I find wide open spaces ominous and scary (I'll explain more tomorrow).

Am I totally weird? Because I feel like everyone I know has some shade of claustrophobia and I'm missing out on some great club in which we can commiserate universally. I feel as though I'm sitting at home, while day after day, my friends attend a party I am not invited to. Please tell a story ("footnote it") below, and perhaps your stories will freak me out enough to develop it.

Yes, I'm asking you to take it upon yourself to help me become claustrophobic.

Thank you!

Kerouac-ian

1) Google Reader: I was stubborn enough to think that another Google creation would not be user friendly enough for me, and was comfortable with mastering the system of clicking on blogs as they updated on my home screen.
Old. School. I know.

But now, as you will see, I have de-cluttered my layout, condensed my link lists and started "following" more than linking. And it's awesome. You can leave Reader open in a tab and it updates like Gmail. Plus, you can "follow" other blogs besides those in the Blogger format and avert all the arthritic-inducing clicking. Win-win. Go Google.

My next project will be AdSense...still a little apathetic-slash-lazy to figure it out.

2) Finished Me Talk Pretty One Day.

From a writer's standpoint, it's a must-read for all the sharp interwoven details. But don't be expecting to be keeling over in "sidesplitting" laughter as all the reviews would have you think. I think my favorite part was Sedaris's commentary on the games he made up to learn French masculine/feminine words (Hey guys [talking to spoons in the drawer]! Well the lady of the night has arrived [about jam in the refrigerator]!).

2a) You know who IS funny? Dooce. But we already knew that (been reading her for, like, 5 years).

3) I said the phrase "stream of consciousness" in a sentence to some cousins who dropped by for a night and one laughed loudly and said, "Did you know Jack Kerouac's "On The Road" was originally published without punctuation because it was precisely that, a 'stream of consciousness.'"

Well, folks...cheah! precisely. Hence the new post label of 'Kerouac.' Hope you like it.

Blue Suit Riot: Episode I

Oh heeyyyy, what did you do today?
I went waterskiing in my new blue suit. yeah....

Strapping in.

The fluorescent orange dorkvest completes the ensemble nicely, don't you think?

Let's rock n roll!

Giddy up!

Literally COULD NOT SEE for the first 30 seconds up.
One of the scarier half minutes of my life.

(Everytime thenceforth when water sprayed my face, I couldn't see until the wind cleared the face enough to see again. Oh, the (totally-worth-it) travails of blue suit waterskiing...)

Spectators who came for me! (hah- completely by chance!)
Too bad I couldn't see their reactions...

Helen Keller School of Waterskiing

"Unzip me, I can't breathe!!!"

to be continued...

Goodbye Crocs??!!

One upside of the recession is that these Barney purple and Baby Bop Coral (I am the oldest of my sisters so I was watching that show well into my pre-teen years, thank you) uglies are dying!!!

In even better news, I got my blue suit.
And worn it.
I plan to go waterski in it right now. :)