Archive: July, 2010

Cherry on Top

July 30th, 2010 · · Birthdays, in passing 4 comments

Every Friday I post a 7 Quick Takes entry and was going to do the same this morning but realized I left my camera USB cord at home, making it impossible to share dance videos (not of me) and birthday pictures I was planning on sharing for 3 of the takes. Next week, it’s back on. I’m having a pretty happy birthday this year. Had a one on one birthday date with zee boyfriend at a DELICIOUS new restaurant in town. Last night was spent downtown after a night of comedy. Finally tonight, the last leg of celebrations include my birthday dinner with friends. I can’t wait to see them. Jon, my best dude friend is down for the weekend! He’s instructed me to put on my “fat” pants because he plans on eating Austin, Texas in 60 hours.

Being 27, isn’t that bad. I did have to do some reprogramming. I still feel young enough to think 28 is old. Must readjust my perspective. As my best friend’s mom said, we’re no longer spring chickens.

Summer chicken it is.

I was bummed this morning when I fished in my purse for my USB cord and couldn’t find it. What am I supposed to post now, I thought? I then logged on and saw that the lovely Suki @ Super Duper Fantastic gave me the Cherry on Top Award.

The award has three contingencies.

1) Answer this question that Tasha posed: “If you had the chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?”

I think I would become a Computer Science major instead of minor. Instead of majoring in Biology and Philosophy with a minor in CS, I would have tried: Double majoring in Computer Science and Biology and no minor. I enjoyed the taste of programming I had and think it would have been easier to look for jobs. But mainly because I liked the act of programming. The sense of accomplishment that comes with finishing and debugging a program and having everything work well was addicting.

2) Pick six people to pass the award on to. Their blog should be truly deserving.
ME @ Knitting for Bears, Brenda @ Numbered Confessions, Neville @ Neville’s Financial Blog (even though he’s probably not going to do it), Cindy @ Dorkyme.curious-notions.net, Martin @ This Rugged Life, A.J. @ Read A.J.

3) Thank the person who gave you the award, in the form of a comment on this post.

Done!


Happy Friday everyone :) Tell me something good.

27 Life Lessons I’ve Learned by age 27

July 28th, 2010 · · Birthdays 19 comments

photo credit

Today is my birthday. :) My birthday gift to you is this list.


27 Life Lessons I’ve Learned by Age 27



  1. Parents don’t always know best, but for the most part they do. The good parents at least.
  2. There is comfort in routines and growth in change.
  3. Forgiveness can squeeze out more years of a wonderful relationship.
  4. We hear this all the time, but really, sometimes the right thing to do isn’t the easy thing to do.
  5. Spend less than you make.
  6. Have an emergency fund.
  7. It’s okay to let people know they hurt you.
  8. You cannot put the inside of a crock pot on the stove top. It will crack or worse, explode.
  9. Read recipes all the way through before starting.
  10. If you tell someone something, he or she will inevitably tell his/her significant other.
  11. You can’t go on little to no sleep like you used to.
  12. Cutting a pineapple isn’t that hard as it initially looks. Most tasks are not as hard as initially perceived.
  13. Do not engage in battle with buffoons. Even if you win, you lose.
  14. If you can help it, don’t burn bridges. Even if you have to walk away from a relationship, do so cordially if possible.
  15. Sometimes you have to give yourself your own closure.
  16. Reading outside your comfort level and truly ignoring a book’s cover can take you to some surprisingly wondrous places.
  17. Treating someone respectfully does not guarantee equal treatment from them. That said, this does not mean you should withhold respect.
  18. You don’t have to like everybody. In turn, not everyone will like you.
  19. Your friends are your safety net when shit hits the fan. Invest in your relationships with them.
  20. No one can make you do anything. You can’t make anyone do anything.
  21. Spending money on experiences brings you more joy than material things.
  22. Ask for help when you need it.
  23. Apologize as soon as you realize you’re in the wrong.
  24. You do not have to splurge on a plane ticket to get to know another culture.
  25. However, whenever possible, responsibly splurging on plane tickets is worth every penny.
  26. New experiences and people broaden your perspective.
  27. I know we are an appearance centric society, but it behooves us to invest in our insides. Be virtuous, be educated, be interested, be passionate, always be improving your inner self. You’re boring otherwise.


What life lessons have you learned recently?

Book Review: Born Standing Up

July 27th, 2010 · · on the nightstand 3 comments - Tags:

A couple of days ago I finished Steve Martin’s memoir, Born Standing Up. This is the third book of his I read and I believe that’s all of them, which makes me feel very sad because I wish I had more of his words to devour. He has a very soft, gentle, tone and voice. Surprising originally because my preconceived notion of Steve Martin is that he is master of slapstick humor. Who knew he is also master of eloquent, unpretentious prose.

The memoir is not a juicy celebrity, name-dropping, tell-all. It is not a sensational read; there is no mention of drug rehab in this book. Steve Martin was pretty much completely sober and did not partake in the illicit drugs culture of the 60s and 70s. He dipped his toes once and had such an adverse reaction that he just steered clear, which really is kind of amazing. Drug free in show business, and during the 60s and 70s? I’m digressing. My point is this is unlike the stereotypical celebrity autobiography.

Martin chronicles his life from his start as a teen magician at Disneyland to the stand up comic who sold out shows. He walks us through the slow process of his evolution. How he took countless notes. How he studied that comedy is the build up of audience tension and then releasing the tension with the punchline. How he innovated a new comedy where he never releases the tension by never delivering a punchline. It’s quite remarkable, his work ethic, his determination, his creativity, his foresight. He is open with his failures, his nights where he did not elicit any laugh, his roller coaster ride between clubs, one night having a sold out show, the next having a mere trickling of a crowd. He lets us in on his first few romantic heartbreaks, his strained relationship with his family, and finally in the end, he tells us why he walked away from stand up comedy permanently in 1981.

I actually had a lump in my throat near the close of the book. His relationship with his dad was estranged through most of his life. We’re kind of lead to believe his dad was abusive and not supportive. Steve’s way of handling it was letting their relationship die. It seemed a justifiable decision. However, despite the heartbreak from his father and spending most of his teen years and adult years avoiding contact, he successfully resuscitates the relationship with his father and it was such a sad and beautiful story of forgiveness and redemption, I literally felt a lump in my throat.

This is not a laugh out loud book. You’ll smile a few times but the story of his life, oddly enough, is not really a comedy. If you’re a fan of his work, I recommend picking up this book and getting to know the man.

A couple of excerpts from the beginning of his book:

“One day I was particularly gloomy, and Jim asked me what the matter was. I told him my high school girlfriend (for all of two weeks) had broken up with me. He said, ‘Oh, that’ll happen a lot.’ The knowledge that this horrid grief was simply a part of life’s routine cheered me up almost instantly.”

“Despite a lack of natural ability, I did have the one element necessary to all early creativity: naivete, that fabulous quality that keeps you from knowing just how unsuited you are for what you are about to do.”

Girls’ Weekend

July 26th, 2010 · · Austin, new thing(s) of the week, pursuit of happiness, savory, the not so single life 14 comments - Tags:

Girls’ weekend was so good for my soul. Alex and Hillary left their towns to come spend the weekend with me in Austin. I will bullet point my highlights and then share snapshots of our weekend (save the food, I’ll save that for the food blog. Have you checked that out yet?)


Girls Weekend Highlights

  • I saw my very first firefly, thanks to Hillary pointing it out. It was fluttering and lighting itself around my apartment entrance. Sadly, by the time I ran into my apartment to grab my camera to video, it had flitted away. I will say its short presence has made my apartment entrance a little more magical.
  • Our conversations, stimulating, nostalgic, hilarious, superficial, and deep never ceased til we literally talked ourselves to sleep Friday and Saturday night.
  • We miss high school.
  • At the urging of Hillary’s boyfriend (awww!), we went engagement ring shopping for Hillary.
  • 3 girls, 3 bottles of wine Saturday night as prelude to a night out.
  • Constant eating. Weekend menu: gelato, escargot, duck confit, ratatouille, scallops, Gourdough’s, tacos, chorizo nachos, wines, cheeses, fruits, chocolate bars, chocolate truffles, pho, egg rolls, spring rolls, pear chocolate tart, pumpkin tea cakes!
  • Camping out on my living room floor and couch.

In short, a wonder-full weekend and I miss them already. We made plans to do this one more time before the year closes. Next time, we’ll go to Hillary’s city.


Question: If your best friend turned into a zombie, would you kill him/her?

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 13)

July 23rd, 2010 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America, lists, on the nightstand, pursuit of happiness, savory 8 comments - Tags: , ,


1.

Two of my dear high school friends, Alex & Hillary are coming for the weekend. We’re going to camp out on my living room floor. On our agenda for sure: booty shaking. All else will be decided on whim. :) Cannotwait.

Here’s a pic of the three of us from November. I think this is the last time I saw either of them.


2.

I liked this voice mail I got from my friend Davey. Mainly for the mumbled, “I like you.” Shared with permission.

I like him too. It’s not yet my birthday.


3.

On the walk to my car one day this week, I saw a statue hold a balloon and it made me smile.


4.

I’m on a SARK kick. Here’s my loot from the Austin Public Library.


5.


Click for bigger picture

I don’t know if I buy that a squirrel waved at her. I also don’t know if I buy that another squirrel waved at her previously disbelieving brother. I will admit, I might start discreetly waving at the squirrels on campus just to test it out.


6.

My little from Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America has a boyfriend. She tells me they have a lot in common. For instance, when people fall down, they both laugh. They also both like to “do pranks.”


7.


Beef Stroganoff Fail

I made my first marinara sauce from scratch on Wednesday. It was decent. I wasn’t feeling confident with cooking because I royally screwed up my first attempt of beef stroganoff on Sunday. The recipe said to cover and simmer for an hour. I had no idea I was supposed to stir occasionally! The sweet thing is, Alan scraped off some off the top (the edible portion) and actually complimented it! Aww.

King of Kong: Fistful of Quarters

July 22nd, 2010 · · silver screen 4 comments

Last night, Alan asked me if I wanted to see a documentary about gaming. I politely said sure but I stifled a “mehhh” and made silent plans of slinking off to dillydally online or catch up on my blog reading. During the first ten minutes I was already tiptoeing out of the room and pretending to clean up the kitchen. Alan, more persistent than usual, put the movie on pause and waited for me to sit back down. I resigned and gave in and I’m so glad I did! It didn’t take long for me to be pulled into this rather classic story of douchebag big shot vs good natured underdog. The douchebag big shot is Billy Mitchell, the world record holder for highest score in Donkey Kong. A record that stayed unrivaled for 20 plus years. Good natured underdog is Steve Wiebe, a middle school teacher who just wins your heart. Billy Mitchell. who looks the same as he did in the 80s, proved to be a cowardly and conniving title defender.

I was also surprised to find myself laughing out loud through out the film. It’s a very well made documentary and a juicy story made mostly out of archived video. The true story was so good, Alan was spot on when he said it is as if it was written. Trailer follows.

P.S. You can stream this through Netflix!

How Have You Changed in the Last Five Years?

July 19th, 2010 · · Birthdays, pursuit of happiness 12 comments

The above image is from a blog I subscribe to entitled Thought Questions. I thought as my birthday is next week, it’s a perfect question to reflect upon.

5 years ago I was just about to turn 22. My first serious relationship that had lasted four years just ended minutes ago. It was an ugly breakup. I was feeling pretty raw, disillusioned, and exposed. Thus far, it was the hardest year I’ve experienced but the most rewarding. The next five years, I’ve reinforced the friendships I managed to salvage from that breakup and made some really great new friends. These strangers kind of rallied around me despite not knowing me and haven’t left ever since. I’m not as sweet as I was before but I’m nice enough. I do more of what I want even if it means doing it by myself. I speak up a little bit more. I try to not publish private happenings online. I’m emotionally tougher than I was at 22. I’m no saint but if I were, I’d be the patron saint of broken hearts. I have a new empathy for loss of first loves I didn’t have 5 years ago and have taken many a broken heart under my wings. In 5 years, I’ve grown to be more confident, despite being aware of more shortcomings, and more forthcoming, despite cultivating public reservation.

I wasn’t aware while it was happening, but in the last 5 years I’ve grown a lot.


How have you changed in the last 5 years?”

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 12)

July 16th, 2010 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), letters, lists, resolutions 2010, silver screen 5 comments


1.

Harry Ransom Center

Throughout my life I’ve heard references to Who’s Afraid of Virgina Woolfe? in pop culture. In TV shows, movies, and books, and each time I wondered, what is Who’s Afraid of Virgina Woolf? about? I received an email from the Harry Ransom Center (a museum on campus) and they’re screening (for free!) the film. So I invited Brittany, my movie buddy along to be my date last night. Neither of us did any research to see what we were in for. I knew that an emotionally abusive couple invites another couple over for drinks. Other than that, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The lady who sat next to me said she avoided watching this movie for years because she heard it was intense. Here, watch the trailer.

Needless to say, it quite a ride. The dialogue was biting and hilarious which is just as well since we needed the comic relief! I can see why it was such a sensation back in the day. I’m still processing the movie but for now, suffice to say it was pretty good and pretty disturbing.


2.

A few hours after Who’s Afraid of Virgina Woolf? let out, I embarked on my second movie of the evening. The midnight showing of Inception. I won’t torment you by posting the trailer. If you haven’t seen the trailer, you must be living underneath a rock. The trailer has been out for what seems like a full year!

Thoughts and reactions: Alan said this may be the most fun he’s had at a movie ever, he didn’t want it to end, and he thinks everyone should see Inception at least twice. I on the other hand barely made it through. I agree it was pretty original, intricate, well woven, LAYERS, literally LAYERS of realities and fantasies happening at once. I liked the concept and the plot but the pacing was too slow for me. However, when reviewing Sci-fi and fantasy books and movies, you should know I have a hard time suspending disbelief and it’s usually not my genre. I walk in with my walls up. The other couple we went with both thoroughly enjoyed it.

2 movies. 1 night. 2.5 hours of sleep. Today will be a long work day.


3.

letter from france

I checked my mail for the first time this week yesterday night. Am pleased to have gotten 2 real letters! One from France from Ms. Brenda.


4.

letter from madison

The second letter from Madison from Ms. Jen. This has now upped my letters owed to 4 letters. Writing these letters is on the weekend to do list! I’m guessing at this rate, I’ve either already reached and or will exceed one of my New Year’s Resolutions of sending out 15 letters.


5.

book shelf

I’m all unpacked and set up in my new one bedroom apartment. I built this bookshelf with my BARE HANDS. NO HELP FROM BOYS. I’m the least handy girl I know. Brandi (previous roommate) helped me screw in some screws and that’s about all the help I got. It took me three days but never mind that, I’m a (mostly) independent woman, what what? YEAH. Do you see the black things attaching the bookshelf to the wall (top shelves)? I actually used plastic anchors and screws. I’m most proud of that. I had no idea what plastic anchors were! They’re plastic screwy things that you push into your dry wall to help “anchor” your screws and not ruin your dry wall. Do you hear that? I actually have some sort of clue of what I’m talking about.

Okay. Calm. My point is, my apartment is now homey (I only have one box of shoes left) and I built a bookshelf.


6.

I miss Houston. I miss the food and I miss the people. I think maybe in August I need to go down there. Plan a few good meals, eat some momma food… Replenish.


7.

Weekend obligations/chores: hang out with the little from Big Bros Big Sis’s of America, grocery shopping for next week, return stupid Time Warner cable box, laundry, write zee letters, cook a meal, and crank out some blog entries.

Hopefully some fun and sleep will come my way too! Happy Friday peoples.

Excerpts from Fear of Flying and Why Readers Should Keep a Reading Journal

July 13th, 2010 · · on the nightstand 7 comments - Tags: ,

Fear of Flying

I was going to do a small review of Erica Jong’s How to Save Your Own Life, a book I finished a couple of weekends ago but thought it weird to discuss a sequel without mention of the previous book, Fear of Flying. I read Fear of Flying (published in 1973) in 2006 and never typed up a book review for it. I’m a little fuzzy on the details but I do remember really loving it. So much so that I wrote 14 pages of quotes in my reading journal from the book. Since I am home without any pressing task or appointment (the laundry can wait!) I recorded a short video of the Fear of Flying pages in my journal.

I know I’m a little fanatical about themed journals but if you’re a reader, I think keeping a reading journal has some perks. If you’re anything like me, my memory fails me when it comes to movies and books if I don’t rewatch or reread two or three times, and even then, if a significant amount of years have passed, I’m completely useless in a conversation about the book or movie.


Benefits of keeping reading journals:

  • You’ll have your own version of cliff notes for the book or a collection of great quotations you enjoyed at your finger tips for perusal years later!
  • Keeping notes or jotting down quotations from your books also serves as a window to who you are. The quotations you pull at a certain time of your life correlate to whatever your circumstances and point of view may be at that time. For instance, the quotations I’m about to share that were jotted down in 2006 are a little more cynical than I am now. It’s indicative to who I was 4 years ago. At least 1/3 of these quotations I wouldn’t have jotted down if I were to read FoF for the first time now. A reading journal provides subtle clues to who you were when you read each book.
  • If you date all your entries, it gives you a tidy timeline and log of all the books you’ve read.

Excerpts from Fear of Flying I originally chose and transcribed in 2006

“How hypocritical to go upstairs with a man you don’t want to fuck, leave the one you do sitting there alone, and then, in a state of great excitement, fuck the one you don’t want to fuck while pretending he’s the one you do. That’s called fidelity. That’s called civilization and its discontents.”

“All natural disasters are comforting because they reaffirm our impotence, in which, otherwise, we might stop believing. At times it is strangely seductive to know the extent of your own powerlessness.”

“Because if you reduce everything to that level of indifference, everything becomes meaningless. It’s not existentialism, it’s numbness. It just ends by making everything meaningless.”

“All the problems of love are problems of maldistribution, goddamn it. There’s plenty to go around, but it always goes to the wrong people, the wrong times, in the wrong places.”

“But it would pass in time. It always did, unfortunately. The bruise on the heart which at first feels incredibly tender to the slightest touch eventually turns in all the shades of the rainbow and stop aching. We forget about it. We even forget we have hearts until the next time. And then, when it happens again we wonder how we ever could have forgotten. We think: ‘this one is stronger, this one is better…’ because, in fact, we cannot fully remember the time before.”

“It’s easy to be an intellectual with a mute wife.”

“And it all comes out so lame. I love your mouth. I love your hair. I love your ears. I want you. I want you. I want you. Anything to avoid saying, I love you. Because this is almost too good to be love. Too yummy and delicious to be anything as serious and sober as love.”

“Maybe marriages are best in middle age – when all the nonsense falls away and you realize you have to love one another because you’re going to die anyway.”

“There’s no such thing as security. Even if you go home to your safe little husband – there’s no telling that he won’t drop dead of a heart attach tomorrow or piss off with another bird or just plain stop loving you. can you read the future? Can you predict fate? What makes you think your security is so secure? All that’s sure is that if you pass up this experience, you’ll never get another chance at it.”

“It was as if my stomach thought of itself as a heart. And no matter how I filled it with men, with books, with food, with gingerbread cookies shaped like men, and poems shaped like men, and men shaped like poems – it refused to be still. Unfillable- that’s what it was. Nymphomania of the brain. Starvation of the heart.”


Tell me, what was the last good book you read?

Related reading: Peek through all my journals

Monday Writing Prompt

July 12th, 2010 · · Monday Writing Prompt No comments

This week’s writing prompt is:


Tuesday

*** What is Monday Writing Prompt? A brief explanation.