Just as long as we’re together

I’m sick. Yes, all sick and twisted in the membrane. Ew. I know. I just had to do it, because I knew it’d gross Wendy out.  It grosses me out too. Hey hey! Personal shout out via blog post! Do people even say “shout out” anymore? Sheesh. If you’re wondering why I’m using all these cutesy terms, I’m asking myself the same thing. I have more important things to concern myself about, such as adult acne…I just stopped typing so I could touch my face with the back of my hand, to judge myself about any bumps on my face. So, let’s drop the sub.

By the way, I have nothing against Cypress Hill. In fact, I rather like them. In high school (maybe first year in college? I don’t know), Jenessa and I bartered some Cypress Hill tickets to some dudes who worked at the X-Large store or something. I think because it was a 21+ show, and we were only 18, or we had something more important to do that night? Anyway, that day, a couple dudes got some legit Cypress Hill tickets at the House of Blues, and a couple chicks got some new t-shirts.

I guess we can blame or THANK my cold/flu for my amusement about the abbreves (there I go again!)–I don’t know what it is. I don’t know if it’s a cold or a flu, but I know that it’s uncomfortable to the point where I used up two vacation/sick days because I was too exhausted to face the world without feeling dizzy or falling asleep.

Yes, it’s a persistent one, this cold (I’m just gonna call it a “cold” because the “cold/flu” thing is too laborious to me to type out every time. We all know what I’m talking about. If so inclined, I might use, “they.”). I’ve only left the house ONCE, in the last FIVE DAYS, because I had a laser hair removal appointment that I couldn’t reschedule because I’d already rescheduled it from sleeping through it on Saturday, which was the first day of my cold. Aside from that crucial appointment, I haven’t gone outside during these past five days, so I’ve entertained myself with sleeping and journaling.

You might be wondering what my blog title has to do with anything I’m rambling about right now. I was originally going to call this post, “Cabin Fever,” for obvious reasons. But as I started typing, I realized that I really DON’T have cabin fever, and being with myself for over 120 HOURS (I worked the calculator and 24 x 5 = 120)  is actually quite fun. So, I really don’t have “cabin fever.” I hope I don’t sound like a total blow-hard, but I do hope that if you ever catch this “cold,” you amuse yourself as much as I have.

I first heard of the term, “cabin fever,” from some young adult novel I read when I was 11 or so. I think it was Judy Blume’s Just As Long As We’re Together, but I’m not sure anymore, now that I’ve googled “Just As Long As We’re Together Cabin Fever” without the results I’m looking for. It doesn’t matter. Somehow, I linked the two.

Or we could get deeper and think about how you’re reading this, and if you’ve read this far (ew, a common stupid-blog-statement), you must really care about me. If so, I feel so honored. If not, I also feel honored. Good ol’ Judy. She writes good kid books and inspires good titles for my blog posts.

Well, this really turned out to be a freewrite that I’m sharing with you all. My original idea was to talk about how I was feeling down, and cabin-feverish, due to being sick, and share how awesome my L.A. trip was with some crappy pictures and anecdotes. When I say “crappy pictures,” it’s not a self-deprecating thing. I forgot to bring my camera, which happens when one packs a couple hours before her flight and is flinging clothes into a suitcase. But I had such an inspiring and happy week in L.A. last week, and I do wish to share with you. I’m tired, which is exciting because it’s only 10:42 pm, and I’ve been going to bed earlier these days. Goodnight!

Happy baking new year!

This holiday season was one of the funnest holidays I’ve ever had. Let’s start with a very important message:

It’s true! I do love you!

I also love the foodstuffs, which Charles and Regina slaved away on all day, on New Years Eve. Regina really put her Christmas gifts  (Flour and Milk Bar cookbooks) to use. Everything tasted as good as they looked, and just FYI, the winter-weight-look is so hot right now. So if you see me, and I look a little different, i.e. puffy or swollen, I’m just following the trend, thanks to these delights! By the way, the macarons perfection were learnt from a class, not the cookbooks.

The Flour cookbook had recommended to readers, that they master the basic brioche first, before trying the fancier brioches. Regina did not heed. So rebellious and so successful, as shown here with the brioche au chocolat that she and Charles made:

However, she did make the basic brioche, AFTER we enjoyed the au chocolat ones. Priorities:

And then the custom-stamped sugar cookies. Yeah, not the most attractive cookies, but they were made with love. And of course, I like that everyone thinks that my 80′s painterly cookie was the decided best-looking cookie. I don’t even need to point it out. I think you’ll know by how attractive it is.

Not my first time eating multiples of these. The texture….oh, the texture:

Just having a blast

Just had a blast last night at Slim’s, for the Priscilla Ahn show. This is a picture of Priscilla and Wendy. Aaron didn’t make the photo frame, but he played beautifully, as well.

Jason’s view of Hotel Frank lobby from 7/3/11

Last night…hanging with some handsomes

Hanging out with The Californian last night at Milk Bar on Haight. I hear they’re gonna cover “Boyz II Men” soon. I LOVE these guys!

My June and early July film reviews

Goodness. I HARDLY see myself as a movie reviewer. But here I am. I usually only see two or three movies in the theatre, a year. But this month was cinema-active for me.  I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this last month (maybe 2), so I’ll do a quick rundown if you care to see whether you have similar taste in movies as I do.

Tree of Life – BEEEAAAAUUUUTTTIIIIIFUUUULLLLLL. I really enjoyed it. I laughed and I definitely cried. This movie is for you if  (1) you have the PATIENCE for just looking at stuff, (2) you enjoy beautiful cinematography/photography, (3) you are interested in family dynamics, such as pressures, (4) you are interested in social history, (5) you are interested in costume design/history for relatively recent “period pieces,” (6) you’re not an insomniac.  update on 7/18: I reread what I wrote and item #6 makes no sense, hence my new strikethrough. What I meant to say is that you need to be able to stay awake during quiet and slow scenes that might put most people to sleep; just ask the person who was snoring behind me. I’m not kidding about the snoring.

After the movie was over, I was filled with emotions and happy that my friend, Luca, invited me to see this, because I probably wouldn’t have thought to see it on my own. Also, as the closing credits rolled, I heard sighs and groans of relief from numerous people who sat behind us, because they were so stoked that the movie was over. And I think Luca was one of the non-stoked groaners. As we walked out of the auditorium, he told me something like, “I think you’re the only person I know who would appreciate this movie, so I’m glad you came with me.” That was a nice thing to say, so I must say, this movie isn’t for everyone.

Anyway, feel free to let me know if you need more clarification because it’s been about 13 years since my journalism and critique class, and I can’t remember what and how I’m supposed to say stuff regarding film critique and not ruining things.

Green Lantern – Yay! Nick! Mary and I were planning on seeing something else, but when I saw it was Green Lantern opening weekend, I couldn’t help myself, and neither could Mary. It was superfun, and we complained about people who are anti-3d. Well, I complained, and Mary supported me in my opinion. I recommend! There was not a dull moment, and I had a blast.

Midnight in Paris – I went into this movie totally blind about the premise…about everything! I didn’t even know it was by one of my favorite auteurs, Woody Allen! Well, good thing, because I strongly believe movie experiences are usually based on expectations. And I always explain how true that theory is by how all my friends and I were terribly BUMMED OUT by Stick It, because we were riding on the high called Step Up. 

My point is, if you’re a die-hard old-school Woody Allen fan, and can’t get past the charm of Annie Hall or Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex but Were Afraid to Ask* (that asterisk is part of the movie title, rather than a footnote indicator for this post. I have to mention that because I have an actual footnote later in this post.), well, shucks, that sucks for you. But if you just like to enjoy fun, silliness, and romance, GO WATCH THIS MOVIE. Oh, and of course, you get to see Paris. It was SUPER nerdy art and literary fun. I could hardly contain myself with laughing out loud, but then again, I guess that doesn’t say much, because I’m always laughing out loud.  No, really. This is fun stuff. It MIGHT have you looking at your own relationship with your significant other (not doubting, just LOOKING AT). Yes, I’m a single lady, but I’m just sayin’. Oh yeah! Another costume favorite!

Bridesmaids - I just watched this last night and goodness, I’m in love with it! It’s kind of like if-Amy-was-a-movie* (yes, this is an actual footnote indicator). Ew, I totally just used third person, but so be it; it’s crude, and if I say so myself, it’s heartfelt, inspiring, and hilarious. Well, at least I hope that’s what I am. Uh oh, just thinking about this movie, I’m feeling that burning sensation in my nose just before I’m about to cry…Ok, I’m crying as I type. Anyway, I’m giving this movie TOTALLY the wrong representation with all this talk of water works. Beyond it making me cry (again, I cry easily), it is hilarious. Like, burst-into-ugly-guffaw funny, which I totally did with abandon. Or like, if you want to watch it, and need someone to go with you, I’ll totally go with you and watch it again. Woah, the watch-again? That’s serious high-marks. Give me a few more months, and this might be promoted to purchase-worthy.

*Update for 7/18: I meant that this was my kind of movie because of the overall level of crudeness, comedy, heartfeltness, and such. Not because I’m crazy as the protagonist, who is actually very loveable, but rather nuts. I’m only nuts-lite.

June highlights – phone camera style

What the heck? It’s July 17 already? Where did any of my June posts go? I guess up the corner where fudge is made…or NEVER made because I was too busy/lazy (same thing, right?) to post anything. I know I’m boringly repetitive when I say this, but I CAN’T BELIEVE you’re still reading my blog, and I feel touched that you care to check in with me.

Here are some highlights of my June month, which was > jejune and June-Gloom. All told through the story of crappy, yet awesome phone cameras. Yes, I actually have a theme-o-the-month. I’m STILL learning to use my good camera, but the phone camera takes crappy photos, usually, and I like that, so I will share that.

On  June 4, I finally got to see my hero, Adam Carolla, in the flesh! He played at the Palace of Fine Arts . I didn’t have time to wait in the long-ass meet ‘n greet line, so this is the awesome picture I took from the sidelines. No! I’m not being sarcastic or ironic at all! I’m seriously stoked about this picture. By the way, if you don’t believe he’s in this picture, feel free to click in closer. He’s the dude in the middle with the red plaid shirt.

Unfortunately, you may think that everything appears to pale from the Adam Carolla show. Noooo, it’s just the crappy phone camera, but the crappiness is the radness. Below, Mary and I are drinking the OFFICIAL Green Lantern adult bev. I think it was vodka (maybe rum? I can’t remember because it was THAT good. hardy har har), pineapple juice, and green food coloring. Yummy! Yes, I’m distracted by Mary’s bra, as well:

It only took me nine months to get some curtain rods mounted. No babies ’round these parts, but we gots me some curtain rods! I’m pretty proud of myself for finally putting on those safety glasses. Now we just need to buy and hang the curtains. Feel free to donate to the fund. The curtain fund, I mean. I can afford my own babies [as I slap away your hand whilst you offer me dollars]. Um, I don’t know what I meant by that, but yeah:

I got to hang out with Heidi! I don’t have a picture of us together from our recent hang-out, although I know some super unflattering ones exist. I know! It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. However, here’s one she took of Siobhan and me at Rickhouse.

The following picture is from July 4, but at the rate I’m going, I “minus well” add it to the June collection. Did I tell you that I used to think that’s what people were saying? I’m sure I did. It’s true. My little six-year-old ears were speaking advanced newspeak*.

After a wild and crazy July 3 night of pizza and beer, and getting home before 12ish, Jason, Nia, and I reunited for July 4 brunch at Eats. I know! They can’t get enough of me! Here we are, post-fed, just outside the restaurant. I was so happy to hang out with them. At the risk of sounding cheesy, spending time with them really rejuvenated my heart. I can’t believe I just said that and I almost deleted it, but I won’t. It’s the truth.

update 7/18: I forgot to mention that, although this is a phone camera pic (Jason’s iphone), it’s NOT crappy. Not sure if it means the iphone is superior or that natural light rules. Either way, I just have to clarify that I think this picture isn’t crappy.

*yes, I know I’m not using the term “newspeak” 100% correct, but I like to nerd out every frequent of the while. To my understanding, newspeak is contracting words without articles. But I can totally back newspeak if it’s about contracting words, selectively, such as “minus well.” I’m sure my sister will differ, because she hates puns.

And as we’re on the subject of literary references, I just want to say that there’s nothing wrong with misinterpreting newspeak, arguing with a friend about Harry Potter editions, or making friends with European children on the bus about how connected and excited we feel about Harry Potter.