I'm Back.

...Hi....

...Hello...

...Remember me??

So I've decided to give this blog another go.  New layout. Nice? I'm not sure if I like it so much, we will see how long it lasts.  Well, let me catch you up on what I've been up to.  I suppose lets start with February when I last blogged last.

I went to Napa Valley.  It was awesome.  Have you seen Bottle Shock?  (Last I checked it is on Instant Netflix, definitely worth the watch).  If you do watch it or have seen it, you will recognize this bottle:

I saw Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros a few more times.  Including this time:

They are so wonderful.  I nearly cant get over it.

Other boring news: I got a job, I got into the Graduate Program at Cal Poly Pomona and officially decided last week that I would actually try and do it.

Well...that was faster than I thought it would take. I feel like I have been doing a lot more than what I can remember right now. Maybe next post.

C'est La Vie.

Oh, New Years.  I think this is one of the most memorable that I have had.  Lets just say that I spent midnight on the side of the road with my friends changing a flat tire...thats pretty much how the entire night went.  But you know what? It wasn't as bad as it sounds... especially the part when a tow truck drove right by us without asking if we needed help!  I think that having a not so idealistic New Years will hopefully bring a better 2011...or at least this is how I am choosing to look at it.  I am adding to my list...#5- Don't be so timid.  I think that bravery and fearlessness is what I am going to need for this upcoming year of uncertainty.

On another note...This makes me so happy, even though it is rather old.

Christmas music is one of my favorite things about this time of year.  I am compiling a list here of my favorites, but I'm sure that I have missed a few...you know when you hear it on KOST and you think, "I love this Christmas song!" I am sure I will be driving tomorrow and will hear all the songs I should have added.

Baby It's Cold Outside

Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow

Its Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Last Christmas 

O Holy Night

Sleigh Ride

Random Finds #19

I need this.

This song is has been on repeat all week.

Juliet could have definitely used a Sassy Gay Friend.

My favorite parts: "Slow down crazy!" "I think you're 14 and you're an idiot. You took a roofie from a priest. Look at your life, look at your choices."


When I play Chopsticks, it sounds the exact same!

I'll try to remember this.


(Almost) Free Christmas Music

It's the day after Thanksgiving....

...and you know what that means? It means I can start listening to Christmas music!

As if I would start the Christmas music season with anyone but Sufjan?

Random Finds #18

And he dances?

The New Hallucinogen.

I want to see this.

I'd Like This.

Hey You.

Rose Colored Glasses.

I am in a terrible mood.  I hate being in horrible moods.  Can I just crawl in bed and wait for January?  Sure I'd miss Thanksgiving, Christmas, My Birthday, and New Years...but I think it would just be easier. It's not that I don't like this time of year.  Its quite the opposite actually.  I love this time of year: the weather, seeing family, the music, shopping for presents, Christmas jammies, etc.  I just can't shake this mood that I have been in for the past couple days...as you can probably tell from my previous post.  I don't want my blog to be just about all the happy things in my life, but also about normal things...I like reading this blog because she writes with such honesty, and I really admire that.  I refuse to write my own blog through rose colored glasses.  So yes, I am in a foul mood.  And, for now I will watch this video...it isn't really helping me get out of my horrid mood...but I don't care.

Random Finds #17

Of Course It Is.

She kind of deserves it!

It's mostly true.

I want this.

The Election.

I love him and his music too much for it to be healthy!

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

Yesterday I went out to the Grove in Anaheim with my friend to see Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros.  I had only really heard one of their songs, but I listened to their album all day in preparation (I'm weird like that!)  I really enjoyed their album, and was looking forward to seeing them play live.  Let me tell you!  They are A-MAZING.  There are around 11 people in the band, and they all play the coolest instruments.  I had so much fun (minus the 7 foot tall man who insisted on standing in the front! who didn't even dance around!), and if you haven't heard them yet...get on it right away!

I can't decide if this is my favorite song or if this one is (or this one too!--its a better version of the one that I have recorded below!-- Why don't you just listen to the whole album and those are my favorites!).  But I mean do I really have to choose a favorite?  I didn't think so.

I took these videos (they are horrid quality and super shaky because I was dancing around while taking the video!) and also the pictures (again horrible quality!).


Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros- "Janglin"


Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros- "Come In Please"

Blog Crawl: My Life is an Open Book

Beth From Hello, Splendor set up this really fun "Blog Crawl" and I was lucky enough to be included in it!  Heres My Life as an Open Book:

The Author: Myself, of course!  Who's going to be in charge of your life if you aren't?

The Setting: I have lived in Southern California my whole life...it is all I know... but also close to different fun cities to explore. One day I hope to be able to move somewhere more exciting, you never know what life can bring!
The Characters
The Main Character: Myself, obviously!

I like what that man says in The Holiday,

Arthur: "Iris, In the movies we have the leading ladies and we have the best friend. You, I can tell, 

are the leading lady. But for some reason, are behaving like the best friend." 

Iris: "You are so right.  You are supposed to be the leading lady of your own life for god sake!"

I love reading books, discussing books, finding new books...book things in general.  A writer myself at times, wine lover, travel lover, music lover, photographer in hobby, and list maker.

The Best Friends: These girls, these girls, these girls, this girl, and this girl.  The girls that keep me grounded, and provide perspective that I wouldn't be able to find within myself.  The ones that encourage me to pursue interests and who listen with an open ear to anything (no matter how ridiculous) I need to talk about.


The Love Interest: To be found...

The Villain: My own worst enemy...My harshest critic...myself.  Yes, I am the villain!  I sabotage myself, I second guess myself, I hold myself back... 

The Plot: I'm on the brink of graduating from college.... the thought of entering the "real world" is scary!  Maybe it is only for a short while, the possibility of pursuing a Masters degree looks better and better everyday....or maybe a job that will take me somewhere new and exciting...who knows?

The Twist:  Perhaps the twist is that there is no twist at all....or maybe it will come later like it does in a lot of my favorite stories/ movies....I guess we will have to wait and see!


The Soundtrack: (I know this wasn't part of the prompt, but I love music too much to not have it included!)  

1.) There Goes the Fear by The Doves

2.) Little Bit by Lykke Li

3.) Two Weeks by Grizzly Bear

4.) Mistaken For Strangers by The National

5.) For Emma by Bon Iver

6.) Your New Twin Sized Bed by Death Cab for Cutie

7.) Electric Twist by A Fine Frenzy

8.) Lovely 2 C U by Goldfrap

9.) Boy With a Coin by Iron & Wine

10.) Ragged Wood by Fleet Foxes

11.) Closer by Kings of Leon

12.) Sleepyhead by Passion Pit

13.) Lex by Ratatat

14.) Starstruck by Santigold

15.) Crystalised by The XX

Thanks for reading!  Make sure to check out Lauren at The Little Things We Do who posted yesterday, and Jules at The Diversion Project who is posting tomorrow!