Fake Bake

I live in Orange County so sometimes I have to do the fake bake. In the past I have tried professional air brush tans and walked away unimpressed. So now I am on a mission for a cheaper, do-it-yourself tan.


The other day I tried "True Blue Spa - Solar Power" from Bath & Body Works. It worked amazingly well. No streaks, great shade (not orange at all), and so far it's lasted a solid three days (the bottle says to re-apply after 3 days or use their lotion that extends the time between coloring - which you can use for natural tans too). I practiced on my stomach first and waited a day. It looked good so I went all out on my legs and was very happy with my results. I sprayed it on, let it set, and then before it dried all the way I used my hands to spread it as even as possible.


My friend swears by Jergens tanning lotions. She says her trick is to get the shade darker than you are (if you are fair skin, don't get the light, get the medium). I'll be trying this one next!

Weekend Fun for Everyone. Weekday Fun Only for the Faint of Heart.

Friday I visited the Nixon Library followed by another viewing of "Frost/Nixon". I heart Nixon. Go ahead, mock me. That guy was pimp and you know it! If you have not seen Frost/Nixon, I highly recommend it. Frank Langella does an amazing job and I am always a loyal fan of Ron Howard.

Saturday I took a little trip to the Los Angeles Getty. I think if I could live anywhere in the world it would be at the Getty. Monet left me breathless. Other favorites: Camille Corot, Fernand Khnopff, J.M.W Turner (of course), and Special exhibit of work by Irving Penn! After the Getty I went to an amazing restaurant called "The Nook Bistro". It's a must dine for the next time you find yourself in Los Angeles.

Today I find myself having a love/hate relationship with Radio Head and being sore from a hard core Tae Bo session with SD. Tonight: 2fer Tuesday at Hennessey's Tavern. It is an addiction.

Winter Check List

Decorate house for Christmas - CHECK
Purchase endless amounts of hot cocoa - CHECK
Get winter clothing out of storage - CHECK
Create playlist with songs about Christmas, snuggling, staying warm, etc - CHECK
Purchase windshield wiper blades - FAIL
Put heater by bed - CHECK
Find a hot guy to keep me warm - DOUBLE CHECK
Buy a Penguin - FAIL

Status: Almost Ready!!

Listening to Blue Ocotober and cringing.

To My Dearest Music:

Sweet, sweet music. It will not last. It can not last! This torrid love affair is killing me. One minute I love you, the next I hate you. You constantly cheat on me and yet something inside of me always takes you back. You don't deserve my love! You're so deep and thoughtful when it's just the two of us. I can listen to you for hours, slowly falling deeper in love with you. I'm on cloud nine! But then I walk out my front door and realize you've been having cheap, shallow relationships with the rest of the world. Do they mean more to you than I do? Do they know you better? How can I go on knowing you will never love me back? It's too much! This must end!

Sincerely,
Cyndi

P.S.
I know you sent that squirrel this morning to try to kill me.

Dear Diary,

Remind me to never go camping when it gets to below zero at night or see the move "Nine".

Love,
Cyndi

...I thought I had a peble in my sock
I pulled it off and shook out a wasp
It stumbled out lost, and without a pause
I'm stung as I was, still I stomped it...
(These Few Presidents by Why?)

Happy Halloween

Creepy human dog hybrid.

Patricia Piccinini creates these amazing sculptures. Check her out: http://www.patriciapiccinini.net/

She is a wonderfully disturbed artist.

Dear Diary,

I really need to stop trying to make friends with stray cats. Turns out they aren't the most civil creatures.

Love,
Cyndi

Two more sites to add to my daily routine...

Regretsy.com

PeopleOfWalmart.com

ROTFLMBO!

It's a great month for the art world!

I saw Ivanov this weekend in Fullerton. It was amazing! I've got some other great shows and exhibits lined up for this month as well. Can't wait...

I was given a great job opportunity based on my creative and artistic capabilities (had to take some tests and other things). Problem is, they are an LA based company. For shame.

So on that note, here is the song of the day:

Art Snob Solutions by Of Montreal

What’s up directors? Grab your knives!
It’s time to take all all of the lives
Of the people who cannot see the somnolent genius of Tarkovsky

Come on authors grab your guns!
It’s time to murder everyone who has never heard of Apollinaire
Send them all to hell it’s only fair

Cast them all into the flames if they don’t know any names
Of the principles of Arte Povera
Or are unfamiliar with le serpent mascara
That’s right mascara snake!!!

Come on painters alive or dead
Give all the cretins a boot to the head
If they don’t extoll convincingly
Tempered Elan era Kandinsky

Throw them all into a well if they cannot tell
An Arto Parv feast of repitition from a Schoenburg 12 tone composition

Come on artists the day is here
And your mission is very clear
Put an end to the bourgoussie
And death to everyone who’s never heard of me

My new instrument of choice.

Cyndi in the ballroom with the Pikasso Guitar...

I'm a little bit in love...

A Tale of Horror

I walked into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. Wow, was I good looking that day. I was styling my favorite pink dress I picked up on clearance for only $10. As I turned away from my reflection, I caught a glimpse of something small, black, and hairy perched on my shoulder. I immediately went into freak out mode. I waved my arms around, screaming "spider, spider! devil! get off of me!!" I ripped off my pretty pink dress to make sure the monster wouldn't get in my hair. I threw the dress on the floor with another scream of, "I hate you! Stupid...evil...SPIDERS!!" I huffed and puffed, thinking I had won the battle. Then I remembered something. I had to save the dress! I loved my dress and couldn't stand to think of a spider poisoning it. So I picked up little corners of the dress and slowly looked for the spider within the fabric. Finally I found him! There it was again, that small, black, and hairy creature. I shook him off the fabric onto the floor. "But wait! What's this?", I said to myself. "That's not..." Yes, my friends, you guessed it. It was only a bit of fuzz left over from doing the laundry.

So let this story stand as a warning to any piece of fuzz that comes my way. You are warned, Mr. Fuzz. I will find you and destroy you if you come near my pretty pink dress again.

Also, live reenactments will be held for those interested. :)

Compliments of Shawn and Awkward Family Photos (.com)

Also my new profile picture on facebook. I'm so proud of Shawn's sweet skills.

Concerts are fun, fun are concerts.

I went to Sunset Junction for the second year in a row. Last year it was Broken Social Scene, Cold War Kids and some other local indie type bands. This year I went because (drum roll, please) Conor Oberst was playin! I have a not-so-secret crush on him. The Submarines and The Delta Spirit were also playing, and some other cool indie type bands. AND (drum roll again, please) Jenny Lewis di a surprise performance!!!!

I am now uploading the video I took of Jenny Lewis and Conor Oberst. I will post it soon.

Beyond the awesome concerts, the festival was crazy weird. Last year was like a circus. This year was like a circus AND a sex-fest. People with "Love Condoms" t-shirts were passing out condoms and personal lubricant samples. HIV test booths. Gay and staight porn booths. I stayed by the stage most of the time because the festival was pretty scary for a good girl like me. :)

Dear Diary,
Today Ry Ry taught me what the medical device commonly known as a halo is. I'm both intrigued and disturbed.
Love,
Cyndi

picture

Let's play a game!

The game is called "WOULD YOU DATE THIS MAN??" Tell me, are the following things hot or NOT?

Guy #1. He turns to me and tells me about a movie he has just seen. It's called Nature Porn. Apparently it's educational porn about animals.

Guy #2. He takes off his shirt (we're going in the jacuzzi). Giant tattoo of a skull with smoke coming out of it's mouth. (Skulls smoke??)

Guy #3. Tells me he is willing to leave his wife for me.

Guy #4. Sees my stilettos in my trunk and asks to try them on.

ALL THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO ME THIS WEEK.

"Forget love, I'd rather fall into chocolate."

Cyndi is...

...wearing pearls, doing housework, and listening to east coast rap.

...almost finished reading Larry's Kidney.

...nursing a bruised ribcage.

...in search of the perfect flower.

"Get in the Car
And don't touch nothing
Sit in the car
Let discuss somethin'
Either we lovin' or I'll see you tomorrow..."

This morning...

...as I was taking a jog around my complex, I saw a man walking his bird. Parrot, to be more exact.

Still Laughing...

Thank you, Ry Ry.

Also compliments of Ry Ry:
Translation Party!

Listening to the Kooks...forgot how much I heart them.

Sandwiches...mmm....

If you know me, you know my love for sandwiches. So how have I not heard about this website?
www.buildaperfectsandwich.com

I took the "Sandwich Recommender" Quiz and this is what I got:
CHICKEN & BASIL SANDWICH
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Hellmann’s® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves
8 slices whole grain bread
4 medium green leaf lettuce leaves
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, grilled and sliced
4 slices provolone cheese (about 4 oz.)
8 slices tomato
2 slices bacon, crisp-cooked and halved crosswise

Instructions:
Combine Hellmann’s® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise with basil in small bowl. Evenly spread mayonnaise mixture on four bread slices, then top with remaining ingredients.
Also terrific with Hellmann’s® or Best Foods® Canola Cholesterol Free Mayonnaise or Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Light Mayonnaise.

AWESOME!

Mewo

I don't care if they are washed-up, sell-outs...I still love Death Cab.

"Neon Bible" will always be one of the greatest albums I've ever heard. Amazing.

It's my new goal to go to the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Maybe I'll even try to volunteer.

Can't wait to see Conor Oberst in two weeks.

Story of the day: I was driving with the top down on my car, got attacked by wind and went to brush my hair out of my face. The button on my jacket got caught in my hair. I had to drive with my hand up in the air and my head cocked to the side until I could find a safe place to pull over to detangle. Yes, I looked like a complete moron and yes, other drivers noticed, pointed, and stared.

Saw (500)Days of Summer and LOVED it. If you have not seen it, please watch the following preview for your consideration:

Facebook is so cold.

Dear Diary,

I once added a guy that I thought was my friend. He denied my request. Now (just to make sure that wound stays fresh) Facebook likes to put him under "people you may know". Thanks, Facebook. Rub it in some more.

Love,
Cyndi

"A blind killer with a broken leg?" hahaha

Dear Lovers,
Let's dance.

Why didn't I think of that?

You know those people who advertise on the side of their car? Great idea, right? I'm thinking I should start doing this. Maybe I should buy one of those magnets. Or perhaps go all out and get my business information painted right on my car. But why go through all that "trouble" when I can just do what this guy did -


This car was parked next to me in the grocery store parking lot. Brilliant. Simply brilliant.

What I'll need:
Permanent marker - check
The ability to write semi-neat and semi-straight - check
Sweet palm tree drawing skills - check

Done and done.

Two things I tend to dislike:

1. People
2. The DMV

And when they combine:

Today at the DMV I spent about half an hour standing in line just to get a number. I finally got my number and went off to find a seat. I found a nice spot at the end of a row with 4 empty chairs to my right. I saw a man eying me. He was probably about my fathers age, latin, and wearing a very nice suit. He came and sat right next to me...practically on my lap. Didn't he see all the other empty chairs? I didn't look at him and finally after a little while he asked me for a pen. I said I did not have one and then I suggested he ask the lady at the desk. He didn't budge.

My Movie

I want to make a movie. Here is the general idea:

A guy and a girl fall in love.
Girl gets weird disease that drives her to insanity.
Guy pines for girl and goes crazy.
Family has each lover individually committed.
By random chance the lovers live in the same insane asylum, passing each other in the hallways and are blissfully unaware of their love for each other.
The end.

It's brilliant. It has love, heartache and irony.

New Goal:

Learn how to ride a bike wearing a giant animal head?

Bat For Lashes - What's A Girl To Do

We walked arm in arm
But I didn't feel his touch
A desire I'd first tried to hide,
That tingling inside was gone
And when he asked me:
'do you still love me?'
I had to look away
I didn't want to tell him
That my heart grows colder with each day

Confession

I am that girl you hear singing Johnny Cash at 3 in the morning.

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine.
I keep my eyes wide open all the time...
...because you're mine,
I walk the line...

...Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you.

Random thought as I brush my hair.

I've decided to take SGT Walker's advice and become a ninja. Watch your back, kids.

Lumigram Clothing

Using fiber-optic technology, French company LumiGram has created a cloth that glows! It's not glow-in-the-dark, rather it actually casts a soft light - each clothing item comes with a battery pack that will keep your clothes glowing for around 12 hours after each charge.





Here's the website: LumiGram

I stole this from my friends blog, but I thought it was good enough to share... (thanks Sara)

Useless facts:
The female Adelie penguin, desperate to obtain the stones she uses to build her nest, visits the nest of a bachelor Adelie, goes through the entire courtship routine, and mates with him. But once the two have had sex, the female collects the stones she came for as a sort of payment, and waddles back home to her actual mate, who’s been keeping the nest nice and warm for her return! She then stays with him for the rest of her life. Sometimes, especially cunning females engage in the courtship ritual, minus the mating part, grab the rocks, and dash home. Luckily, the males of this species, unlike humans, do not seem to bear a grudge.

My Future Family Photo...

...will look a lot like this:

And I do believe my husband will have the same I-can't-believe-I-married-this-crazy-lady look that this guy has.

This is the hairstyle I want.

I think I can pull it off.

Quote of the day: "What's krumping?"

My response: "Well...you kinda move around like you're having a seizure but you keep it really controlled."

Them: "Um, how do you control a seizure?"

Me: "...you krump?"

Life is Expensive

Why do things cost so much? I have to get a new bed and furnish a house in a few months. I've been looking at prices on the "essentials" (mattress, couches, dining room set, etc.) - holy expensive, batman!

I'm thinking about taking the thousands of dollars this is going to cost me and using it to buy a new wardrobe instead. Sure I'll be homeless but at least I'll look hot!

Store I will NOT be shopping at for new wardrobe: American Apparel. We aren't speaking right now.

And we're back...

Amongst my recent travels:

- I found a lemon the size of my head. Biggest lemon I've ever seen. I picked it and made lemonade out of it. Awesome.

- I questioned why other states do not require restaurants to provide toilet seat covers? Seriously, it bothers me.

- I wondered how someone can live an hour away from a grocery store? Do these people not eat store bought icecream? It would melt on the car ride home.

- I found that new hotels are chosing to not put hot tubs in. I don't care if it's dangerous, I think it's a rip off.

- I decided that Rice Crispie Treats are the best dessert ever created.

Penguins

I want a pet penguin. Go ahead, call me crazy - but I've been thinking this one through for years. I'm convinced a penguin is an awesome pet. Here's why:

1. They are super cute.
2. From what I can tell, they are very well mannered and friendly animals.
3. They don't fly and they are not super fast so I don't think I will lose him.
4. I think I can build a very nice habitat with a pool and get one of the breeds that don't need to be in the extreme cold. I can put fish in the pool and let the penguin have a grand time hunting. Easy.

Did I mention how cute penguins are? Seriously, I want one.

Yummy-ish

To Whom It May Concern:

In case you don't know, this week (April 13th - 19th) is National Egg Salad Week! Please enjoy two egg salad sandwiches today (one for you and one in honor of me).

Thank you,
Cyndi


And just so you all have time to prepare...next week is National Karaoke Week. I am so excited.

I am debating between joining the French Foreign Legion or the Spanish Foreign Legion. I do not think I qualify for either, but here's hoping!!

Oddly enough, I think this desire was inspired by Franz Ferdinand.

My Shopping Habits

Where I typically shop -

For great basics and trendy throw aways: Forever 21, Target, H&M
For hip "now" clothing: Free People, Urban Outfitters, American Apparel
When I'm in a "spend a lot" mood: Bloomingdale's, Anthropologie
For one of a kind finds: second hand stores, thrift stores (I just scored an awesome vintage coat for $10 the other week. Loves.)

I am such a brat.

Dear Diary,

Today a guy tried to hit on me by complimenting my music taste. "...Damien Rice? Oh yah (stutter), I love them." Them? Boys should never pretend they know things they don't. Don't worry, Diary, I politely laughed in his face and walked away. Okay, I didn't really do that...instead, I listened to him talk about his "awesome" garage band. *sigh*

Love,
Cyndi

"Leave me out with the waste
This is not what I do
It's the wrong kind of place
To be thinking of you
It's the wrong time
For somebody new
It's a small crime
And I've got no excuse"
9 Crimes

Bunny, Bunny, how are you?

Happy Easter! Please hug a bunny today. If you can't find a real bunny, you can hug me.

Why I'm like a bunny:
I'm cute.
I'm cuddly.
My nose twitches.
I bite. [Just like my friend Singing Bunny (please see video).]



Best commercial ever.

And whatever you do - do NOT hug this man. I don't care what he tells you, he is nothing like a real bunny. Thank you.

Body Image - muscles

I swear my calf muscle is bigger than my thigh muscle. I think I'm deformed.

Men who have huge muscles are GROSS. I'm sorry, it's just how I feel.



Girls with big muscles are even more gross. I went to an art exhibit the other day that had a feature on female muscle builders. It was interesting, to say the least. If your face starts developing large muscles, I'd say that's when you know it is time to quit. I didn't even know the face could DO that.

Quote of the day:

"...I'm kind of a fan of get dirty parties.

Like, I really really want to have a mud party.

I want to wear a loin cloth at this party." - Ry Ry


Mud Sliding Party - The funniest videos clips are here

Looks like a fun time to me! I'm in!

"Art is made for the alone by the alone." - Luis Barragán

Edgar Degas - possibly my favorite painter (though I could do without all the nude paintings of women bathing. What is with that?).

He is regarded as one of the founders of Impressionism although he rejected the term, and preferred to be called a realist.

I would have loved to meet him. I bet he is such a wonderfully pretentious jerk. :)

Stage Rehearsal








L'Absinthe




Dancers at The Bar

I love a good book!

Here are the Top 100 Best Novels according to TIME magazine:
click

There are about a handful of books on that list that I have read and quite a few that I have no interest in reading. Please note that "Twilight" is NOT on the list. Thank you!

Sleep is for the weak.

I often have very vivid, bizarre dreams. A lot of the time I dream that my teeth fall out. It's always horrible because I can actually feel them falling out of my mouth in my dream. I feel embarrassed (because there are usually people around when it happens) and frustrated because there is nothing I can do about it. The last time I had such a dream I went to the dentist and he told me I just had to let them fall out, there was nothing that he could do to stop it.

It's a good thing sleep can bring wonderful dreams as well, otherwise I might just give up cold turkey.

"I know Ill miss her later
Wish I could bend my love to hate her
Wish I could be her creator
To twist her arms now

She stares up at the stars when
The stars fell from her hair then
I bent down to collect them
And then she was gone

Oh I sleep just to dream her
I beg the night just to see her
That my only love should be her
Just to lie in her arms..."

-Sleep to Dream Her, Dave Matthews Band

I like to pretend that Dave Matthews is singing about me. I am not ashamed to admit that I have a huge crush on him.

Fess up, Mr. Stair Inventer

I want to meet the man who first invented stairs. As I was huffing my way up a million stairs today I got to thinking - whose bright idea were these? Elevators, now there's a brilliant invention. Stairs? Ugh.

According to several sources, the oldest surviving stairs are those found in the ruins of Jericho. The Jewish Virtual Library claims these stairs are more than 7,000 years old. Yet there is no record of the person who invented them. Figures. If I were that person, I wouldn't fess up either.

It is a good thing stairs have such a great architectural appeal, that kind of makes up for their exhausting nature. Kind of. ;)

Dear Diary,
Today I decided to become a shoemaker. Not just any old boring shoemaker though. I want to make all my shoes out of feathers.
Love,
Cyndi

Dear Diary,
I changed my mind. I want to make shoes out of rocks. Turns out feathers aren't very durable.
Love,
Cyndi

Style Watch - shoulder pads!

Has anyone else been noticing the influx of over sized shoulders on the runways lately? I have been seeing this style more and more on the racks. I think we are all in for a nasty shock if shoulder pads really come back for women. They seem to be better designed than the bulky, sewn-in 80's style pads but I just don't know about this trend. I say let the shoulder pads stay on the football field and off of me!

Stars

I love this band.

Awesome music - check.
Awesome video - check.
Awesome concert - check, check!

(and if there are any other indie music fans out there, ben gibbard does a cover of this song that is way cute.)

grapefruit + avacado = love

This is my favorite salad of all time! It's so easy to make.

What you need:
2 medium or large red or pink grapefruit
2 ripe avocados
6 cups salad (I prefer arugula or spring mix)

-Peel the grapefruit, removing the white membrane. (Cut between the inner membranes to remove the segments of the fruit.)
-Peel and pit avocados; cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick slices.
-Divide salad mix between four plates; arrange an equal amount of grapefruit and avocado on each plate.
-Top with your favorite vinaigrette.

For a wonderful homemade vinaigrette, try this:
Juice 2 limes. Whisk juice from lime with 1 tbs fresh mint leaves, 2 tsp honey, 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil (or canola oil), 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp ground pepper.

Our greeting: A double thumbs-up.

Our credo: "Be More Awesome."

Our lifestyle: "Maximum Fun."

Throw caution to the wind, friend, and live -

The New Sincerity

Happy Cesar Chavez Day

Take work off. It's a holiday!

The Geeks Were Right??

Fire and Ice - Robert Frost
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
___________________________________________________

"Predator skills, chemical wars, plastic islands at sea
watch what the humans ruin with machines...
...when I saw the future, the Geeks were right." - The Faint


Who is right? The Geeks or Robert Frost? Perhaps neither. Perhaps both. You decide. Either way, I've decided this for you: it is a great poem and a great song.

Today I decided 5 things:

I want to own a Cherry Blossom Tree.
I want to make my own wind chime.
I want to learn how to makes shoes.
I want to marry Chef Gordon Ramsey.
The song "Girls & Boys" by Blur is unbelievably awkward...in a strangely wonderful way.

"Girls who are boys
Who like boys to be girls
Who do boys like they're girls
Who do girls like they're boys
Always should be someone you really love"

What? Those lyrics can't be right...and yet...they are.

Beauty Icon?

According to Vogue, Boy George is a beauty icon for this years hot new designs. Click for story.

Do what you want with this information (and maybe you too will dye your hair fire red. hot.) and while you mull it over...enjoy these lyrics.


"Give me time
To realize my crime
Let me love and steal
I have danced
Inside your eyes
How can I be real?
Do you really want to hurt me
Do you really want to make me cry
Precious kisses, words that burn me
Lovers never ask you why
In my heart the fire's burning
Choose my colour, find a star
Precious people always tell me
That's a step, a step too far
Do you really want to hurt me
Do you really want to make me cry...
...I could waste a thousand years
Wrapped in sorrow, words are token
Come inside and catch my tears
You've been talking but believe me
If it's true you do not know
That this boy loves without a reason
I'm prepared to let you go
If it's love you want from me
Then take it away
Everything's not what you see
It's over again..."

Do You Really Want to Hurt Me? - Culture Club

Dear Diary,

Today a stranger kicked me and I apologized to her. She looked at me like I was the crazy one. Maybe I am.

Love,
Cyndi

Movies I Loved

The list goes on and on, but here are 5 movies that I really enjoyed last year. Click on the title for the IMDB link.

Planet B-boy (2007)

Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

Son of Rambow (2007)

Young at Heart (2007)

Man on Wire (2008)

"Sometimes I get so lonely I forget what day it is, and how to spell my name." -Dagman, Lars and the Real Girl

The Harem Pant

Raise your hand if you want me to buy these pants. **Raises hand**

I love random trendy fashion and I love comfort. I also love genies. Could any pant be more perfect? I think not.

"Pull the blindfold down
So your eyes can’t see
Now run as fast as you can
Through this field of trees"
(In your harem pants.)

Song - Smokers Outside The Hospital Door by Editors

I Love Craigslist

Sometimes when I am bored I go to Best of Craigslist. It is amazing what people post. If you have not been there before, I would say it is worth checking out. Beware, however, of the adult content in a lot of the posts, especially the dating ones. Here is a little taste of the action:

"Vintage British 3 Speed Bicycle, Very Nice! - $30 (Dover)

Perfect for commuting and just leaving outdoors. Great for everyday use. Great "Winter bike"
I cant remember if it is a Mens or a Womens, but I know its a 3 Speed. Pick up only. Bring a shovel. "

And if that doesn't get you smiling, maybe some of these other ones will (click on title for link):
Thumb tack "Push Pin" Wonderful Item !!! $0.32
Dear Mr Scammer, I am sorry
I want some orange juice
Wanting to borrow a cat for a few days

Recipes of the Week

Here are some recipes I want to try but probably never will. If any of you try them (or have before), please comment!!

South-of-the-Border Chorizo Burger Wrap

• 2 dried chorizo sausages (4 oz total), halved lengthwise, removed from casings and cut in small chunks
  
• 1/2 cup cilantro leaves
• 2 large scallions, cut in 2-in. pieces
• 1 large jalapeño pepper, seeded and cut in large pieces
• 1 clove garlic, smashed
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2lb 90% lean ground beef
  
• 6 burrito-size (8-in.) flour tortillas, stacked and wrapped in foil
• Nonstick spray
• 6 slices (1 oz each) Montery Jack cheesewith jalapeño peppers
• 6 lettuce leaves
• 3/4 cup each guacamole, purchased or homemade, and salsa
  

Preparation

1. Burgers: Put all ingredients except beef in a food processor. Pulse until very finely chopped and blended. Scrape into a large bowl; add beef and gently mix to combine. Shape into 6 oval burgers, about 5 in. long and 3/4 in. thick.

2. Heat outdoor grill. Put tortillas on grill to warm while burgers cook.

3. Coat burgers with nonstick spray. Grill, turning once, 8 to 12 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted from side to middle registers 160°F. Top with cheese; cover grill 45 seconds or until cheese starts to melt.

4. Unwrap tortillas; place a lettuce leaf toward one end of each, lining up edges. Top with a burger; spoon on 2 Tbsp each guacamole and salsa. Fold opposite end of tortilla up and over burger and toppings, then fold in sides.

Mini Apple Charlottes

1⁄2 cup dried cranberries

3 Tbsp rum or water

1 stick (1⁄2 cup) butter

7 Golden Delicious apples (3 1⁄4 lb), peeled, cored and thinly sliced

1⁄2 cup sugar

1⁄4 cup orange juice

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 Tbsp grated orange zest

24 slices very thin sliced firm white sandwich bread, crusts trimmed

1 cup light vanilla ice cream, melted (optional)

Preparation

1. Heat oven to 375ºF. You will need a jumbo muffin tin or six 10-oz ramekins. Toss cranberries and 2 Tbsp rum in small bowl; set aside.
2. Heat 1 Tbsp butter in a deep 12-in. skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples, sugar and orange juice; cook, stirring frequently, 10 minutes or until apples are tender but still maintain their shape. Remove from heat. Stir in 1⁄3 cup of the soaked cranberries, the vanilla and zest.
3. Melt remaining butter in bowl. Using a 3-in. biscuit cutter, cut a circle from 6 bread slices. Brush butter onto one side of each circle and place buttered-side down into each cup or ramekin. Cut remaining bread slices crosswise into thirds; brush with butter. Line each cup with 9 bread rectangles placed vertically, buttered side against cup (bread will extend over top). (For a how-to, see womansday.com/charlottes)
4. Divide apple mixture among cups. Fold bread over filling, gently pressing. Bake 20 minutes or until golden. Cool in pan on wire rack 20 minutes. Using an offset spatula, lift charlottes from cups.
5. Sprinkle with the remaining soaked cranberries. If using, stir melted ice cream and remaining Tbsp rum, and serve on side.

Cyndi = Typical White Person

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/01/30/40-indie-music/

"If you want to understand white people, you need to understand indie music. As mentioned before, white people hate anything that’s “mainstream” and are desperate to find things that are more genuine, unique, and reflective of their experiences.

Fortunately, they have independent music.

A white person’s iPod (formerly CD collection) is not merely an assemblage of music that they enjoy. It is what defines them as a person. They are always on the look out for the latest hot band that no one has heard of so that one day, they can hit it just right and be into a band BEFORE they are featured in an Apple commercial. To a white person, being a fan of a band before they get popular is one of the most important things they can do with their life. They can hold it over their friends forever!"

It's so true. I'm guilty of being a typical white person. I'm not only guilty of #41, I'm also guilty of more than half the list of 123 things white people like. But in my defense on #41, I just like good music. I don't like sellouts. Most artists featured on commercials suddenly decided they were making music for the money. Forget the money, make the music because you are passionate about it. I WANT my friends to like my music. I WANT my bands to become popular. I just don't want their next CD to be crap because they sold out or their concerts to get too expensive and showy because they went main stream.

Thank you to Shannon for drawing my absolute whiteness to my attention. Loves.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Ten Saint Patrick's Day Facts

1. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, although he was born in Britain, around 385AD. His parents Calpurnius and Conchessa were Roman citizens living in either Scotland or Wales, according to different versions of his story.

2. As a boy of 14 he was captured and taken to Ireland where he spent six years in slavery herding sheep. He returned to Ireland in his 30s as a missionary among the Celtic pagans.

3. Legend has it that he used the native shamrock as a symbol of the holy trinity when preaching and brought the Latin alphabet to Ireland.

4. Miracles attributed to him include the driving of serpents out of Ireland. However, evidence suggests post-glacial Ireland never had any snakes in the first place.

5. Wearing green, eating green food and even drinking green beer, is said to commemorate St Patrick's use of the shamrock - although blue was the original colour of his vestments.

6. St Patrick was said to have proclaimed that everyone should have a drop of the "hard stuff" on his feast day after chastising an innkeeper who served a short measure of whiskey. In the custom known as "drowning the shamrock", the shamrock that has been worn on a lapel or hat is put in the last drink of the evening.

7. Popular Irish toasts on St Patrick's Day, include: may the roof above us never fall in, and may we friends beneath it never fall out.

8. St. Patrick's Day was first celebrated in America in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1737. Around 34 million modern Americans claim Irish ancestry.

9. It is believed that St Patrick died on March 17 in 461AD. It is a national holiday in Ireland, and on the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean, which was founded by Irish refugees. It is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland and a provincial holiday in the Canadian province of Newfoundland.

10. Dublin has a parade that attracts hundreds of thousands of people, while in Chicago the river is dyed green for a few hours. The biggest parade is normally held in New York, while the largest celebration in the southern hemisphere is in Sydney, Australia.

Spotlight - JMW Turner

Joseph Mallord William Turner (23 April 1775 – 19 December 1851) was an English Romantic landscape painter, watercolourist and printmaker, whose style is said to have laid the foundation for Impressionism.

One of my top 10 favorite painters, hands down. Possibly even top 5.

Flint Castle








The Burning of the Houses of Parliament, 1834
watercolor on paper







Fighting Temeraire

Just A Little Joy

I saw this band play live in Costa Mesa once and I loved them. Now they are considered one of the next LA local up and coming artists. I have no doubt the masses will love them just as much as I do.



"And if we work it out
Chances are bound we'd be standing around
for no one's better sake
Good-bye"

Music: Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo

"So I looked for your eyes
And the waves looked like they'd pour right out of them
I'll try hard, I'll try always
But it's a waste of time
It's a waste of time if I can't smile easily
Like in the beginning
In the beginning..."

If you don't know Yo La Tengo, you should.

If you don't know the love a good Autumn sweater brings, you should.

Like this one.










Or perhaps this one? (and I've always wanted that haircut)