About two weeks ago I received an email from Emily that asked if I would be able to visit her for a weekend in Dallas. Who would say "no" to that?? Within 24 hours, she had sent me my flight information and I was very much looking forward to seeing her. I'm not sure what I expected of Texas; the only time I had ever visited was during a layover in 2001 on my way to the world's classiest city, Cancun.
Here is the list of things that I learned during my travels to the great state of Texas:
-Horse decor is king.
-Don't ever pick the seat in front of an exit row. FAA regulations restrict you from reclining in your seat, but the FAA has no problem with the guy in front of you reclining into your lap.
-I'm pretty sure that my future husband is in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. There is a rumor that the second nicest guy on the planet (any man will have a hard time beating Mike Grosz for the title of "Nicest Guy on the Planet", but we've already established that in countless previous blogs) has a single younger brother that is just as kind as his older counterpart (who happens to be Em's boyfriend), but also has wit that would be "just perfect" for me. Even if this fella is a myth and belongs in the land of unicorns, I was impressed by the number of gentlemen that I encountered. And, really...what middle-aged 28 year old doesn't want to bag herself a gentleman that can throw down with some inappropriate humor?
-"Middle-aged 28 year old?," you ask. Oh, yes. A 15 year old referred to me as an old person. I was also told by Em that I should not try to relate to a 17 year old because he can see through my attempt at being cool. In my defense, I was just trying to engage him in conversation and ask where he was going to go to college. Needless to say, that night was not a good one for my psyche and I'm starting to think that I need to start looking into homes for older adults.
-Even though there is a parking spot right by where the shuttle picks you up, don't take it if it is under a tree. After your vacation, you will find that your car has more bird poop on it than there are stars in the sky.
-"Baloop" is a catchphrase used (in any and all situations) by Em's assistant. This morning she insisted that she was dropping me off at the airport as a friend and not because she had to as part of her job...which would lead one to believe that she was really dropping me off at the airport because it was her job to do so. Baloop.
-Aveeno Positively Nourishing Hydrating Body Wash (in the fig + shea butter scent) smells delicious. I suppose this really shouldn't be on my blog as much as it should just be on my shopping list.
-Everything that those Axe commercials promise is true. At one point, Em and I passed around Stephen's (or "Phen" as we affectionately refer to him as) body wash like it was infused with some crazy pheromone that we couldn't refrain from inhaling. I must warn you, though...if you attempt to buy anything in the Axe family of products, please put it in a nondescript container. With product names like "Whatever", "Snake Peel", and "Music" (I swear, I'm not making these up), you'll be hard pressed to convince a girl that you're not a douche when she sees them in your bathroom.
-Although it's breezy, 73 degrees, and you have sunscreen on, you can still get burned if you fall asleep in a lounge chair.
-Everyone is nice. At one point I was riding in a car with Em's boyfriend and his car died at a stoplight. Just randomly...the battery died. Within 2 minutes, two different cars stopped to see if they could help. I'm convinced that both cars that stopped were just leaving the same church service where they were instructed to love thy neighbor...even if that neighbor's car has died and you are wearing your Sunday best.
-You know that feeling you get when you're at a college football game and everyone is cheering for a common cause? I'm convinced that everyone in Texas feels that way every day about their state. It kind of made me want to buy a Texas state flag and tease my hair really high.
-As much as politicians try to push the issue, illegal aliens do not make up 82% of Texas.
-Baseball is huge and dads still go watch their sons play in a game on a Sunday morning (even when their son is 35 years old). Also learned during this baseball game? Disgusting bathroom facilities at ballparks are a nationwide epidemic and even if you're playing in the outfield and think there is no chance of a line drive straight to your nuts, you may be sadly mistaken (as we learned that a pop fly can also cause an issue).
-No matter how wholesome the movie that you're watching in your home theater (btw...Book of Eli still stands up in a second run through), if you leave the TV on Cinemax, you're bound to walk back upstairs after the party is over only to find that there is 140" of porn playing on your wall.
-It's not abnormal to wave at cows. They are whimsical and it is perfectly acceptable to pretend that they are not there to be eaten.
So that's what I learned in 2 days. I can't wait to go back to learn more.
*sigh* I can't deny it...my mind is a sponge and it's thirsty to learn everything that can be learned while on vacation.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
I've got nothing to say...
For some reason, words just aren't coming to me. Maybe it's not that I have nothing to say, just that I have nothing I want to share.
So...in an attempt to at least post something, I'm going to give you some of my favorite songs of the moment. Lucky you!
(I promise, I'll try to actually write something soon. I realize that this blog is kind of turning into my MySpace page....filled with music and random videos. And we all know how little anyone visits MySpace these days...)
I'd be interested to see if anyone can name every star in this video. Also, never have I thought that Adam Levine was THAT good looking, but who am I kidding?? The guy is hot.
This girl can belt it...and all while sitting, apparently!
For the life of me, I can't understand this video...but I can't get the song out of my head! Also, I think of Kristen Lervik every time I see the random girl in the Indian headdress (why is there a girl in an Indian headdress?!?!)....I don't know, maybe it's the eyes or something?? And does anyone else think that Two Door Cinema Club kind of sounds like Vampire Weekend? Oh, that's just me?? Okay...nevermind.
So, there you have it. Three songs I don't hate at the moment! What are you listening to?? Anything I need to check out? (Please, please, please don't say "Britney Spears"...)
So...in an attempt to at least post something, I'm going to give you some of my favorite songs of the moment. Lucky you!
(I promise, I'll try to actually write something soon. I realize that this blog is kind of turning into my MySpace page....filled with music and random videos. And we all know how little anyone visits MySpace these days...)
I'd be interested to see if anyone can name every star in this video. Also, never have I thought that Adam Levine was THAT good looking, but who am I kidding?? The guy is hot.
This girl can belt it...and all while sitting, apparently!
For the life of me, I can't understand this video...but I can't get the song out of my head! Also, I think of Kristen Lervik every time I see the random girl in the Indian headdress (why is there a girl in an Indian headdress?!?!)....I don't know, maybe it's the eyes or something?? And does anyone else think that Two Door Cinema Club kind of sounds like Vampire Weekend? Oh, that's just me?? Okay...nevermind.
So, there you have it. Three songs I don't hate at the moment! What are you listening to?? Anything I need to check out? (Please, please, please don't say "Britney Spears"...)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Not surprised one bit...
Was there any doubt that Ray LaMontagne would give an incredibly painful interview? I love the man...I really do, but if you've ever seen him in concert, you would know that he's really not a "talker".
You don't have to watch all 6+ minutes of this video from the Grammys, I just thought it was funny that the girl interviewer was so awkward with him.
Girl: Where did you travel from today? (*Notice she did say "today")
Ray: Here. I've been here all week. (Hey, he answered the question...)
Girl: So you've been in LA...but where are you usually based?
Ray: The Birkshires.
Girl: Birkshires. I love the top hat. (She has NO CLUE where the Birkshires are...but she does like his impeccable fashion sense with that top hat....)
Ray: Thanks.
Awkward!!
You don't have to watch all 6+ minutes of this video from the Grammys, I just thought it was funny that the girl interviewer was so awkward with him.
Girl: Where did you travel from today? (*Notice she did say "today")
Ray: Here. I've been here all week. (Hey, he answered the question...)
Girl: So you've been in LA...but where are you usually based?
Ray: The Birkshires.
Girl: Birkshires. I love the top hat. (She has NO CLUE where the Birkshires are...but she does like his impeccable fashion sense with that top hat....)
Ray: Thanks.
Awkward!!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
A.D.D.
Earlier today I was lying in bed watching a movie before I had to get ready for book club and I heard a door open. I was convinced that someone had just broken into my house, so I slowly walked downstairs with my cell phone in hand (you know, because nothing scares off a burglar/axe murderer like a cellular telephone).
When I got downstairs, I saw that both the front and back door were still dead-bolted, so I figured it was just all in my head (Sarah imagined something!?!? Shocker!!). I then proceeded to shower and get ready for a rousing discussion about the Holocaust at Kelly's house (yeah, that's apparently what we do for fun on a Sunday evening).
As I was walking out the door, I noticed that the shed in my (enclosed, mind you) back patio was open. This concerned me because, well, it is not a door that just accidentally opens. I closed it and went on my merry way to the Lake Wylie area.
After a lovely evening with some pretty spectacular ladies, I managed to let my wild imagination get the best of me. Suddenly I thought that not only was someone trying to steal something out of the shed, but someone was looking for a hiding space to come murder me when I got home.
At this point, I decided to get Julie on the phone (she puts up with my neuroticness) to stay on the phone with me while I searched the house.
I was giving her the play by play of where I was in the house, checking in every closet along the way. At one point, I got to the guest bathroom and saw a stack of magazines from when the "guest bathroom" was actually "Chris' bathroom" and I said something like, "Ohhh...I can probably throw those magazines away..." and went on looking under my bed and in the spare bedrooms for a murderer.
About 5 minutes later, Julie asked, "So...did you finish checking the house or did you get sidetracked with the magazines?"
I'm not sure why I found that so funny. Apparently, my friend believes that I am willing to risk my life to plop on the bathroom floor and read an outdated Details magazine.
Silly girl...she should have known that I would check the rest of the rooms for an escaped prisoner before I read up on men's 2010 fall fashion.
When I got downstairs, I saw that both the front and back door were still dead-bolted, so I figured it was just all in my head (Sarah imagined something!?!? Shocker!!). I then proceeded to shower and get ready for a rousing discussion about the Holocaust at Kelly's house (yeah, that's apparently what we do for fun on a Sunday evening).
As I was walking out the door, I noticed that the shed in my (enclosed, mind you) back patio was open. This concerned me because, well, it is not a door that just accidentally opens. I closed it and went on my merry way to the Lake Wylie area.
After a lovely evening with some pretty spectacular ladies, I managed to let my wild imagination get the best of me. Suddenly I thought that not only was someone trying to steal something out of the shed, but someone was looking for a hiding space to come murder me when I got home.
At this point, I decided to get Julie on the phone (she puts up with my neuroticness) to stay on the phone with me while I searched the house.
I was giving her the play by play of where I was in the house, checking in every closet along the way. At one point, I got to the guest bathroom and saw a stack of magazines from when the "guest bathroom" was actually "Chris' bathroom" and I said something like, "Ohhh...I can probably throw those magazines away..." and went on looking under my bed and in the spare bedrooms for a murderer.
About 5 minutes later, Julie asked, "So...did you finish checking the house or did you get sidetracked with the magazines?"
I'm not sure why I found that so funny. Apparently, my friend believes that I am willing to risk my life to plop on the bathroom floor and read an outdated Details magazine.
Silly girl...she should have known that I would check the rest of the rooms for an escaped prisoner before I read up on men's 2010 fall fashion.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
By Request...My Top Ten
I was having a pretty in depth ping conversation with the one and only Ms. Julie Everett the other day (okay, it really wasn't that in depth) and she mentioned that she would like to see a blog about my top ten all time favorite albums.
Seeing that my mind changes like the weather, I can't make any promises that this list will remain the same for longer than a week. I have come to the conclusion that I should probably make two different top ten lists; one for albums that mean a lot to me and the other for albums that are musically phenomenal. But no...she asked for just one top ten...so here we go...
Amos Lee - Supply and Demand
This is an amazing album. Although Sweet Pea was wildly overplayed on that AT&T commercial, you can't deny that the other 13 songs on the album (particularly Careless & Southern Girl) are works of art. I'm trying my darnedest to choose ten different artists for this list, but I could easily say that his self-titled album is also one of my very favorite albums ever, as well.
Ray LaMontagne - Trouble
Let's not kid ourselves...the man can write a dang song. "Try to ignore all this blood on the floor; it's just this heart on my sleeve that's bleeding." It's an amazing lyric...and it's not even from the best song on this album! As with Amos Lee, I could easily add another one of Ray's albums (Til the Sun Turns Black) to this list, but I shall refrain.
Jewel - Spirit
This one is a little embarrassing for me. I definitely don't find it to be a musically genius album (although, I still find Absence of Fear to be a beautiful song), but I was crazy-obsessed with it when I was about 18 years old. I would listen to it on constant rotation driving from Wentzville to St. Louis and back again. There is nothing like a stupid 18 year old girl listening to Jewel while driving to the east side of St. Louis to the only club that would let her in at 18. Ohhhh, how lucky I am that I didn't get murdered.
Ani DiFranco - Little Plastic Castles
Again, this album is one that has nothing to do with the genius of the music, but more to do with what the album represented for me around 2002. Sidenote though...I did quote As Is to Thomas just last week. See? Still stands up.
Third Day - Third Day
There is no voice on this planet like Mac Powell's. I have loved Third Day since they first came on the scene (before they grew to become Christian rock royalty) and here's a fun fact about Sarah, if you didn't already know: this is my favorite band ever. They have yet to put out a less-than-stellar album, but with Love Song coming from this particular album, I have chosen it for my top ten.
Newton Faulkner - Rebuilt By Humans
I kept going back and forth on whether I lean towards Newton's Hand Built By Robots album over his Rebuilt By Humans album. It almost feels like I'm choosing which child I love more...it's impossible. I "chose" Rebuilt By Humans because it's the album that actually was the inspiration for this blog.
Julie: Dang, this Newton CD is GOOD.
Me: Oh, yeah....definitely one of my top ten albums ever.
Julie: Oh, you should blog about that list.
*Annnnnnnnnnnd....scene*
But, much like Ray and Amos...I would probably put both of his albums on this list. Dang. Jewel SO doesn't deserve to be on this list.
The Script - Science & Faith
This one is a little controversial (at least in my own head). It's such a new album that I am somewhat shocked that it has broken into my top ten. Obviously, I don't know if it's going to stand the test of time, but it is absolutely solid enough that I can see it doing so. I was a fan of their first album, but I feel like S&F kicked the crap out it.
Dave Matthews Band - Crash
Come on....how could I not have Dave show up in my top ten? Close contender to favorite DMB album would be Before These Crowded Streets. The whole thing really just brings back floods of memories.
Matt Nathanson - Beneath These Fireworks
This guy can't do wrong in my book. This album beat out Some Mad Hope for the simple fact of Weight Of It All and I Saw. Needless to say, I'm stoked to see what his upcoming album has to offer.
John Mayer - Continuum
There isn't a bad song on this album. Not a one.
Seriously...I'm still angry that I have to leave Jewel on this list. She really did mean a lot to me at one time...
Here are some honorable mentions:
Mat Kearney - City of Black and White
William Fitzsimmons - The Sparrow and the Crow
Tim Brantley - Goldtop Heights
Vampire Weekend - Contra
Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes
Augustana - Can't Love, Can't Hurt
Ben Folds - Ben Folds Live
Cake - Fashion Nugget
Garth Brooks - Greatest Hits (Please don't make fun...I still love it...)
Joshua Radin - Simple Times
Justin Nozuka - You I Wind Land And Sea
Eric Hutchinson - Sounds Like This
Matt Wertz - Everything in Between
Matthew Perryman Jones - Swallow the Sea
Parachute - Losing Sleep
Matchbox 20 - Mad Season
Kings of Leon - Come Around Sundown
Steven Moakler - All the Faint Lights
Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams
Jon McLaughlin - Indiana
Ron Pope - The Bedroom Sessions
I guarantee there are more favorites (when you consider that there are 10,000 songs on my iPod...this is a very, very short list), but it's now 2:30 in the morning and my brain is fried.
So tell me, what am I missing??
Seeing that my mind changes like the weather, I can't make any promises that this list will remain the same for longer than a week. I have come to the conclusion that I should probably make two different top ten lists; one for albums that mean a lot to me and the other for albums that are musically phenomenal. But no...she asked for just one top ten...so here we go...
Amos Lee - Supply and Demand
This is an amazing album. Although Sweet Pea was wildly overplayed on that AT&T commercial, you can't deny that the other 13 songs on the album (particularly Careless & Southern Girl) are works of art. I'm trying my darnedest to choose ten different artists for this list, but I could easily say that his self-titled album is also one of my very favorite albums ever, as well.
Ray LaMontagne - Trouble
Let's not kid ourselves...the man can write a dang song. "Try to ignore all this blood on the floor; it's just this heart on my sleeve that's bleeding." It's an amazing lyric...and it's not even from the best song on this album! As with Amos Lee, I could easily add another one of Ray's albums (Til the Sun Turns Black) to this list, but I shall refrain.
Jewel - Spirit
This one is a little embarrassing for me. I definitely don't find it to be a musically genius album (although, I still find Absence of Fear to be a beautiful song), but I was crazy-obsessed with it when I was about 18 years old. I would listen to it on constant rotation driving from Wentzville to St. Louis and back again. There is nothing like a stupid 18 year old girl listening to Jewel while driving to the east side of St. Louis to the only club that would let her in at 18. Ohhhh, how lucky I am that I didn't get murdered.
Ani DiFranco - Little Plastic Castles
Again, this album is one that has nothing to do with the genius of the music, but more to do with what the album represented for me around 2002. Sidenote though...I did quote As Is to Thomas just last week. See? Still stands up.
Third Day - Third Day
There is no voice on this planet like Mac Powell's. I have loved Third Day since they first came on the scene (before they grew to become Christian rock royalty) and here's a fun fact about Sarah, if you didn't already know: this is my favorite band ever. They have yet to put out a less-than-stellar album, but with Love Song coming from this particular album, I have chosen it for my top ten.
Newton Faulkner - Rebuilt By Humans
I kept going back and forth on whether I lean towards Newton's Hand Built By Robots album over his Rebuilt By Humans album. It almost feels like I'm choosing which child I love more...it's impossible. I "chose" Rebuilt By Humans because it's the album that actually was the inspiration for this blog.
Julie: Dang, this Newton CD is GOOD.
Me: Oh, yeah....definitely one of my top ten albums ever.
Julie: Oh, you should blog about that list.
*Annnnnnnnnnnd....scene*
But, much like Ray and Amos...I would probably put both of his albums on this list. Dang. Jewel SO doesn't deserve to be on this list.
The Script - Science & Faith
This one is a little controversial (at least in my own head). It's such a new album that I am somewhat shocked that it has broken into my top ten. Obviously, I don't know if it's going to stand the test of time, but it is absolutely solid enough that I can see it doing so. I was a fan of their first album, but I feel like S&F kicked the crap out it.
Dave Matthews Band - Crash
Come on....how could I not have Dave show up in my top ten? Close contender to favorite DMB album would be Before These Crowded Streets. The whole thing really just brings back floods of memories.
Matt Nathanson - Beneath These Fireworks
This guy can't do wrong in my book. This album beat out Some Mad Hope for the simple fact of Weight Of It All and I Saw. Needless to say, I'm stoked to see what his upcoming album has to offer.
John Mayer - Continuum
There isn't a bad song on this album. Not a one.
Seriously...I'm still angry that I have to leave Jewel on this list. She really did mean a lot to me at one time...
Here are some honorable mentions:
Mat Kearney - City of Black and White
William Fitzsimmons - The Sparrow and the Crow
Tim Brantley - Goldtop Heights
Vampire Weekend - Contra
Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes
Augustana - Can't Love, Can't Hurt
Ben Folds - Ben Folds Live
Cake - Fashion Nugget
Garth Brooks - Greatest Hits (Please don't make fun...I still love it...)
Joshua Radin - Simple Times
Justin Nozuka - You I Wind Land And Sea
Eric Hutchinson - Sounds Like This
Matt Wertz - Everything in Between
Matthew Perryman Jones - Swallow the Sea
Parachute - Losing Sleep
Matchbox 20 - Mad Season
Kings of Leon - Come Around Sundown
Steven Moakler - All the Faint Lights
Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams
Jon McLaughlin - Indiana
Ron Pope - The Bedroom Sessions
I guarantee there are more favorites (when you consider that there are 10,000 songs on my iPod...this is a very, very short list), but it's now 2:30 in the morning and my brain is fried.
So tell me, what am I missing??
Sunday, February 6, 2011
My past life...
I saw this on SNL last night and I started having flashbacks to the last year at my old job. Ohhhh...how I don't miss it at all.
Can't you just picture this girl saying, "Sarah...you just have to do what you've got to do and if you need to sell your car and take the bus, then that's what you do. It's nothing personal."??
Seriously. It was like this on a daily basis. Long blonde locks and all.
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