Golden Oldies

To keep us entertained for about half of the mini road trip to Iowa City last week, Jake and I each made a playlist to share. The theme was "oldies" and was defined as anything you'd potentially hear on an oldies radio station.

I had so much fun making this playlist and had even more fun listening to it. There is just something about the music from the '50's to the '70's - most of the "upbeat" songs you can't help bop around, or at least tap your toes. It's just feel good music.

Here was my playlist:

1. Think - Aretha Franklin
2. Try a Little Tenderness - Otis Redding
3. Down in the Boondocks - Billy Joe Royal
4. Shake Your Tailfeather - The Blues Brothers
5. (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher - Jackie Wilson
6. What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
7. Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
8. You Never Can Tell - Chuck Berry
9. The Joker - Steve Miller Band
10. Knock Three Times - Tony Orlando & Dawn
11. The Longest Time - Billy Joel
12. Joy to the World - Three Dog Night
13. Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
14. Ain't Too Proud to Beg - The Temptations
15. That'll Be the Day - Buddy Holly
16. On the Road Again - Willie Nelson

Check

I love making lists (of any kind) and love even more when I get to check things off of a list.

Yesterday morning I had made a list of about 10 things I needed to get done (without a specific need by date behind it) and I made the most of my free time after work and before volleyball to get over half of the things crossed off my list. Ahh, love that feeling of accomplishment, even if it's the most minute thing like, "return books to the library".

Message Bracelet

Usually I have a few ideas in mind whenever I am shopping for a gift for someone. This year, I wasn't set on any one idea for Les. While out shopping one afternoon, I walked into Blonde Genius with the intent of getting her a gift card, but on my way to the cash register, I came across the perfect gift, which is always a relief, especially when you aren't sure what you're looking for:


The message bracelet by Cynthia H. They are leather cuffs with inspirational words on them. It took me a while to decide which color/saying to go with but in the end I decided on the blush colored band with the words, "Keep the Faith". Much more personable than a gift card and I immediately thought of her upon seeing them.

I had never seen these before, so I did some research when I got home and found out that the artist, Cynthia Holvey, once a drug addict, designed these bracelets in celebration of her being 10 years sober. It's always encouraging to hear of a story of someone overcoming a hardship and turning into a success. (although I couldn't help but think how much cooler it would be if some of the profits would go towards a foundation related to drug abuse/rehab, but I couldn't find anything on that) Oh well, still a very cool idea and they definitely have caught my eye.

You can read more about Cynthia H Designs here.

BC '11

The 3rd annual Booze Cruise was this past Saturday and was once again successful. Although we were without 2 of our regular crew members (and missed them lots!), we still had a lot of fun.

I wasn't sure how the day was going to go when I got a phone call from Saylorville at 8 A.M. They called to tell me we couldn't boat because ours was broken. I panicked for about 30 seconds and then decided to call over to Big Creek to see if they had anything open and thankfully they did. Phew, crisis averted. Everyone met at the house, we packed up, and in true BC tradition, the boys rode in one car and the girls in the other, and we headed to Big Creek, with a pit stop at the Casey's in Polk City, another tradition of ours. Bobby played captain for the majority of the day and did a swell job. He looked like a professional as we sailed across the lake.

Some highlights include:
*Shot gunning a beer for the first time: My first attempt was a complete and utter failure. I was watching J-rod do it one way and Jake do it another...long story short, I got confused, most of it went all over Jake, and then I threw it overboard in a moment of frustration. My confidence was shaken but after a couple of hours and some positive encouragement, I decided it was time to try again, and that time was a true success.
*Jumping off the dock - We docked for a bit and all took turns doing jumps and flips.
*Les and I attempting to shove whole cupcakes in our mouths - a tradition we started on our maiden voyage. Stacy's cupcakes were a little too big so it took 2 delicious bites.

Booze Cruise is a day I look forward to every year. Such a fun way to spend the day - good food, good music, good friends = a great birthday celebration.

What's Goin On

Last post was July 25th?! Eek, where does the time go?

Let's see what's been going on:

*I golfed 18 holes a couple of weeks ago at Pleasantville (not to be confused with Pleasant Hill). Jake and I took on Stacy and Jared in our first ever golf outing. It was a great day to golf - a little warm, but thankfully the clouds hid the sun for most of the day. We played best ball off the tee, then best ball by partner after that. We played 9 holes and then took a break for lunch and then back on the course for another 9. (which was a great way to do it). It was a fun day and looking forward to another outing soon.

*I got to spend the majority of my Sunday with Les. We ran a few errands, made lunch, prepped for our meal drop-off, and played with Willy. It was a fun day and was happy to be spending 1 on 1 time with my roomie.

*Sunday night I played in my first ever slow-pitch softball game. Jake's team needed a sub and I reluctantly agreed when asked to fill in. I was so nervous, since I have never really played before. (I went to 1 softball practice in high school and after doing a miserable job at bat, decided the sport wasn't for me.) But it turned out to be a lot of fun. Everyone was so nice and I made contact with the ball every time I was at bat. And I even managed to score a run!

*Monday Jake and I went on a mini road trip to Iowa City for the Lissie concert. We first stopped for dinner at Oasis, a local falafel joint I've been wanting to try. We had planned on going before the wrestling meet we went to back in the winter, but lost track of time due to MegaTouch fun, so I was so excited to be eating there Monday. I had the Lamb pita sandwich and it was delicious. Can't wait to go back. Then onto the concert at Blue Moose. It was a small, intimate show, which is my favorite kind, and we were right up front to see Lissie put on an amazing show. It was a very late night, but I did get to sleep on the way home and it was definitely worth the 3 hours of sleep I got that night.

*Tuesday I celebrated my birthday and was definitely feeling the love. Lots of phone calls, texts, and facebook birthday wishes were sent my way all day. I had lunch with Lucas at South Union, got a cake pop from Stacy (yum!), and had some special visitors in the afternoon. My sister spent her 8th wedding anniversary with me and brought Regan along to celebrate my birthday, and even had homemade cupcakes in tow. (what a good sister, right?!) We went to the mall and I took Regan to Build-a-Bear (a belated birthday present for her) and then had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.

*And today after work, I headed East on I-80 for the second time this week and met my parents in Iowa City so they could take me out for a birthday dinner and a little shopping after.

So long story short, that's what's been going on lately :)

BossyPants

I'm a big fan of Tina Fey. I liked her in her SNL days and when Mean Girls came out, I grew even fonder. So, I was thrilled to find out several months ago that she had a book coming out. As soon as I heard this, I got online to put in my request for it at the library.

Fast forward a few months to last Friday...I had finally gotten an email from the library stating that they had the book on hold for me and that I could pick it up. I was planning on leaving for home right after work that day, but the arrival of this news changed my plans slightly. I decided it was worth the detour to go back out West first to get my book. After all, I had been without for several weeks and was jonesing to pick up a book and start turning some pages.

When I got to the library, I was caught off guard a little when I saw that there wasn't a hardback or paperback copy waiting for me, but an audiobook. For some reason, my first reaction was a little disappointment. But then I thought for a moment....actually this is perfect! I have about 6 hours worth of driving ahead of me this weekend - what better way to keep me entertained.

Did I mention this was my first audiobook? Crazy, right? I loved it. 5.5 of those driving hours flew by as Tina's voice filled my stereo speakers with entertaining stories. Bossypants is a great book, that loosely chronicles her life, from a young girl at summer theater camp, to her days at Second City in Chicago and then SNL, to 30 Rock and beyond, and the insights she's gathered along the way. A few of my favorite lines:

*In one chapter she addresses some "unanswered mail", as she puts it, from people who have expressed their opinions of her online.

"Tina Fey is an ugly, pear-shaped, bitchy, overrated troll"

Her response:

Dear Centaurious,

First let me say how inspiring it is that you have learned to use a computer.

I hate for our correspondence to be confrontational, but you have offended me deeply. To say I'm an overrated troll, when you have never even seen me guard a bridge, is patently unfair. I'll leave it for others to say if I'm the best, but I am certainly one of the most dedicated trolls guarding bridges today. I always ask three questions, at least two of which are riddles.

As for "ugly, pear-shaped and bitchy"? I prefer the terms "offbeat, business class–assed and exhausted", but I'll take what I can get. There's no such thing as bad press!

Now go to bed, you crazy night owl! You have to be at Nasa early in the morning. So they can look for your penis with the Hubble telescope.

Affectionately,

Tina

*When talking about unobtainable body images:

"But I think the first real change in women’s body image came when JLo turned it butt-style. That was the first time that having a large-scale situation in the back was part of mainstream American beauty. Girls wanted butts now. Men were free to admit that they had always enjoyed them. And then, what felt like moments later, boom—Beyoncé brought the leg meat. A back porch and thick muscular legs were now widely admired. And from that day forward, women embraced their diversity and realized that all shapes and sizes are beautiful. Ah ha ha. No. I’m totally messing with you. All Beyonce and JLo have done is add to the laundry list of attributes women must have to qualify as beautiful. Now every girl is expected to have Caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose, hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall ass, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a nine-year-old boy, the arms of Michelle Obama, and doll tits. The person closest to actually achieving this look is Kim Kardashian, who, as we know, was made by Russian scientists to sabotage our athletes."

*Replaying the first Sarah Palin skit, "...and I can see Russia from my house." That never gets old :)

I really could go on and on, but me listing quote after quote would be both silly and tedious. It's witty, honest, and sincere, and only makes me like her more. I highly recommend checking it out.

Water Cooler Convo

*Thursday afternoon*

Dick: Married yet?

Jane: Nope.

Dick: Getting closer?

Jane: Nope

Dick: You know, Jane, you aren't getting any younger.

Jane: I know.

Dick: Your clock is ticking.

Jane: Thanks.

Dick: Have your parents had that talk with you yet?

Jane: Nope.

Dick: I'm just kidding. You're what, 26? You have plenty of time. My wife didn't start having kids until she was 30.

Jane: Great.

Appropriate work conversation with a co-worker? Signs point to no. Any suggestions on how Jane should have responded?