each time the wind blows...

Today we laid to rest...and may he rest...one of the most influential and innovative artists of our time. Michael Jackson was larger than life and gave himself to the world through his music and humanitarian contributions. He was nothing short of a genius.



Michael Jackson's music has been a big part of my life and I thought I would share some of my top favorite Michael Jackson songs...but when I went through my CD collection I quickly realized I can't easily choose because each song is as brilliant as the next.



Here are a few though that I always keep on replay: Smooth Criminal, Dirty Diana, In the Closet, Who is it, Human Nature, Remember the Time, Scream, They Don't Care About Us, Stranger in Moscow, Earth Song, Never Can Say Goodbye, Shake Your Body, The Way You Make Me Feel, Bad, Off the Wall, Rock With You...and the list goes on....

I know his memory will live on in me as I continue to ride the boogie...because...Michael Jackson...



I just can't stop loving you....

music i can't live without: part 1

If anyone ever asks what is my favorite song…the answer is always the same:
anything by U2 and Golden Years by David Bowie!


No matter how bad of a mood I am in...hearing this song cheers me up straightaway!
I can't help but snap and clap along! I love the lyrics. They make me feel like if I am down all I need to do is pick myself up and everything will be fine...nothing can touch me!

It was originally released as a shortened single in 1975 and its full-length version followed on the Station to Station album. I have it on my Best of Bowie CD and on the A Knights Tale Soundtrack.

Golden years, gold whop whop whop 3x

Dont let me hear you say lifes taking you nowhere, angel
Come get up my baby
Look at that sky, lifes begun
Nights are warm and the days are young
Come get up my baby

Theres my baby, lost thats all
Once Im begging you save her little soul
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Come get up my baby

Last night they loved you, opening doors and pulling some strings, angel
Come get up my baby
In walked luck and you looked in time
Never look back, walk tall, act fine
Come get up my baby

I'll stick with you baby for a thousand years
Nothings gonna touch you in these golden years, gold
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Come get up my baby

Some of these days, and it wont be long
Gonna drive back down where you once belonged
In the back of a dream car twenty foot long
Dont cry my sweet, dont break my heart
Doing all right, but you gotta get smart
Wish upon, wish upon, day upon day, I believe oh lord
I believe all the way
Come get up my baby
Run for the shadows, run for the shadows, run for the shadows in these golden years

Theres my baby, lost thats all
Once Im begging you save her little soul
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Come get up my baby

Dont let me hear you say lifes taking you nowhere, angel
Come get up my baby
Run for the shadows, run for the shadows
Run for the shadows in these golden years

I'll stick with you baby for a thousand years
Nothings gonna touch you in these golden years, gold
Golden years, gold whop whop whop 10x

a lifetime of chocolate pavlova

The Lifetime Channel has this awesome new show on called Cook Yourself Thin. The premise is to take your favorite calorie filled dishes and revamp them with the hopes of dropping a dress size in 6 weeks…without sacrificing flavor. Thanks to Dish Network I am able to record every new episode so I never miss it and I am not kidding when I say I want to cook every single dish they have made. Not only does everything look absolutely delectable but it is also so easy to make. You can get all the recipes and watch full episodes online and they also have a cookbook…which is definitely on my to buy asap list!

I am dying to make THIS…

Chocolate Pavlova

Serves 6
Calories per serving: 337

For the pavlova
4 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon cocoa powder

For the topping
1 cup whipping cream
1 cup fresh raspberries
1/4 cup shaved dark chocolate
1/4 cup melted chocolate for drizzling

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Whisk the egg whites and salt on high speed until they hold their shape. Add the sugar gradually until the mixture stands in firm peaks. Add the lemon juice and whisk just to incorporate. Sift the cocoa powder into a small corner of the bowl and lightly fold it into the meringue using a plastic spatula. Do not overmix or you will lose the rippled effect. Pour the meringue onto the parchment-lined sheet pan in an oval shape, roughly 3 inches by 5 inches and 2 inches high. Place into the bottom of the oven and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

3. Switch off the oven without opening the door and leave the pavlova in the turned-off oven for one hour. Remove and set aside.

4. For the topping: Whisk the whipping cream into semi-stiff peaks and spoon on top of the pavlova. Sprinkle with raspberries and shaved chocolate before serving. Finish with drizzled chocolate.

bouncy bouncy...oh such a good time!

I don’t know how they come up with this stuff but the British have done again! Case in point…my new favorite TV show…The Mighty Boosh. I came across it one late night on the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim Channel and have been hooked every since! Even after extensive internet research and multiple visits to Wikipedia I still have no idea what “Mighty Boosh” means or what exactly to even make of this show but I love it!

It was created by and stars Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding who portray the characters of Howard Moon and Vince Noir. I don’t even know how to describe it but I liken it to what I imagine a drug trip would be like. There is a talking

gorilla named Bollo and some crazy pink head with tentacles named Tony Harrison and The Moon (this is genius by the way) is a recurring character that will interrupt an episode with some little irrelevant...yet comical...anecdote.

The one thing I do know...it is ridiculously funny! The Mighty Boosh is a pretty big deal…in-between live stage shows and TV there has been radio programs, books and CD’s…which I am all trying to get my hands on. For weeks now I have been singing this little tune…or what the Boosh call…a crimp…from my favorite season 3 episode entitled Party…enjoy!

eclipse chapters 15-epilogue

Book: Eclipse
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Chapter(s): 15-Epilogue

Page 345…Bella is worried that once she becomes a vampire she might not feel the same way about Edward and wonders…“Was there a human experience that I was not willing to give up?” I don’t know about her but mine would be food. Glorious food…coffee, red wine, cheese fries, kosher hot dogs, chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting…the list goes on. But on the other hand I would be too busy with feathers and broken furniture to think about eating…so food…we had some good times…it was fun while it lasted. I will remember you always.

Page 363…Bella tells Charlie she doesn’t know what to do about Jacob and he tells her…“The right thing isn’t always real obvious. Sometimes the right thing for one person is the wrong thing for someone else.” He is right…“the right thing” is a very subjective idea and one that I have struggled with many times. Often what you think is the right thing turns out not to be. Charlie continues…“So…good luck figuring that out.” Um yeah thanks Charlie…I guess!

Page 421…Bella asks Edward to either let everyone fight without his help or let her be there. This part makes me so mad. Could she be anymore selfish? Way to put someone you love in an incredibly difficult position. This book really shows her manipulative side.

Page 434 starts the chapter entitled Compromise. Bella and Edward go back and forth with the whole getting married thing and basically conclude that Bella will marry Edward only if he agrees to have sex with her before she becomes a vampire so she can experience it as a human. Well played Bella Swan…using your feminine wiles and raging teenage hormones to get what you want. Wait...a minute…are you crazy? Using sex as a compromise to marriage is so messed up. If this wasn’t an argument for their relationship being unhealthy I don’t know what is.

Page 450…Bella is trying to jump Edward’s bones…again (Believe me I don't blame her)…and he tells her…“You just promised to marry me before you do any changing, but if I give in tonight, what guarantee do I have that you won’t go running off to Carlisle in the morning? I am – clearly – much less reluctant to give you what you want. Therefore…you first.” You have been called out Miss Swan! It is totally out of character for Edward not to give in to Bella but I like that he is…even if it is just this once…at least trying.

Page 456…Edward tells Bella…“We’ll go to Vegas – you can wear old jeans and we’ll go to the chapel with a drive-through window. I just want it to be official – that you belong to me and no one else.” Well this sounds like my kind of wedding! But I have to say this scenario reminds me of another little love triangle…Carrie…Aidan…and Mr. Big! Aidan too wanted to “lock this thing down” and make it official. This attitude toward marriage is another reason why I fear it so. Maybe it is the use of the word official? Yes being married does afford a couple a reasonable amount of assurance that they will be faithful to each other emotionally and financially but divorce does happen. But aside from that I don’t like the idea of belonging to anyone. If I were to get married it wouldn’t be because I want to belong to anyone or have anyone belong to me. I would want to be together but belong to ourselves.

Page 528…Bella and Jacob kiss and she realizes that she is in love with him but not enough to change how she feels about Edward. This is sort of crazy to me. I am not saying it can’t happen but Bella is only 18. It is hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that she is squeezing in a lifetime of love and heartache into one year.

In conclusion:

Eclipse was a nice change of pace after New Moon. While we see some other sides to the characters throughout the book I feel Jacob has the best development. He really becomes the most interesting character since it is pretty much inevitable that Bella and Edward will end up together. Like I mentioned before reading about Rosalie and Jasper’s past was definitely the highlight for me. Now all I'm waiting for is Bella and Edward to finally do it!

the trick for carrying a dead body

There is no question about it…I LOVE to laugh! I have seen many movies that have me laughing out loud…but if you were to ask me about the last time I laughed so hard I could barely breathe...my reply would be the same every time…the restaurant scene in Mickey Blue Eyes!

Four of the funniest minutes in movie history ever!

hebrew national league

One of my favorite seasons is Baseball Season…and it is here! There is nothing I enjoy more than a cloudless sky, great seats, the smell of grilled onions in the air, and drinking some cold beer in the middle of the day! That was my reality last Friday at the Cubs vs. Cardinals game at Wrigley Field.

Chances are if you ever had a conversation with me and the topic of

baseball came up it immediately defaulted to Wrigley Field’s kosher hot dogs. I have been to many different ballparks and I have yet to find better hot dogs than at Wrigley Field. Now let me clarify...I am not talking about the hot dogs you get at the concession stands but the ones that are cooked alongside fresh onions on an open grill right in front of you at what I call the red stands. They are grilled to perfection then nestled in-between a poppy seed bun and for the piece de résistance topped with Guldens Spicy Brown Mustard. I guarantee it will be the best five dollars you ever spend.

You can’t say you have been to Chicago until you eat one of these dogs. I feel I must also mention the stand called Big Dawgs I discovered last year that has the best cheese fries ever! A boat of deliciousness will cost you $5.75...but it is totally worth it!

Club box seat: $65.00
Cold beer: $6.50
Kosher hot dog & cheese fries $10.75
Enjoying America’s favorite pastime: priceless

so let it be written...so let it be done

One of the greatest epic movies of all time is Cecil B. DeMille’s masterpiece, The Ten Commandments. With such talents as Charlton Heston, Anne Baxter, Yul Brynner, and Edward G. Robinson this film…with a running time of 4 hours…tells the story of Moses and his journey to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. Although I'm not very religious I have always loved this film and it has become a tradition to watch it every Easter Sunday.

The film is visually stunning with its grand scenery…vibrant colors…and special effects that are quite good for a film made in 1956. The parting of the Red Sea is one sequence that should be seen at least once by every film aficionado.

As great as this film is…every time I see it I can’t help but become frustrated with how easily led the Hebrews are. One minute they believe Moses to be the deliverer and the next they want to stone him. Even after Moses parts the Red Sea in front of their very own eyes a few words from Dathan and they are making a golden calf to worship and partaking in all sorts of debauchery. It really makes you look at the power of leadership and the power of fear.

I always come away from it though...at the very least...being reminded to be thankful for my own free will and the ability to think for myself.

my favorite brand!

Last night I had a dream about Russell Brand. I lost my purse and he was helping me find it…and then one thing led to another…and well lets just say it turned out to be a very good dream!

I have to admit that I love Russell Brand! He is intelligent, charming, very good looking, sexy, has a great English accent, and is hilarious! What's not to love? Not only does he have a successful career as a stand-up comedian, but he has also been in such films as Forgetting Sarah Marshall (which I might add I only saw because he was in) and Bedtime Stories. If that was not enough he has also made it onto my reading list with his book entitled My Booky Wook: A Memoir of Sex, Drugs, and Stand-Up. Sort of a Jack of all trades if you will. Now if he will only come to Chicago...I assure you I would be first in line for tickets.

p.s. we never did find my purse!

eclipse chapters 7-14

Book: Eclipse
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Chapter(s): 7-14

Page 158…Rosalie is telling Bella the story of her last night as a human and recalls…“And so I remember this, when so many pleasant memories have faded away completely.” This is one thing I will never in all my days understand…why is it that the happiest of memories seem to have an expiration date but the worst can be recalled as clear as if they just happened?

Page 167…Rosalie goes on to tell Bella about finding Emmett…“I got luckier than I deserved. Emmett is everything I would have asked for if I’d known myself well enough to know what to ask for.” This thought scares me. How do you know when you really know yourself? Maybe I have been asking for the wrong things?

Page 177…Jacob is explaining the whole imprinting thing to Bella and says…“But you have to see her – the one that’s supposedly meant for you.” What I wouldn’t give for imprinting to be real…that would make things SO much easier.

Page 194…Bella is questioning Edward about past love interests and he says…“I prefer brunettes.” Well isn’t that something…I happen to be a brunette. Just saying…

Page 275…Bella tells Edward…“I’m not that girl, Edward, The one who gets married right out of high school like some small-town hick who got knocked up by her boyfriend!” This bothers me. All she talks about is being with Edward forever so why the resistance? The fact that she is so worried about what everyone else is going to think kind of contradicts the idea that Bella is this unique individual.

Page 277…Bella thinks…“I was just having Anne of Green Gables flashbacks.” I only point this out because I love Anne of Green Gables!

Page 325…Bella thinks about getting married…“Then, just for a second, I saw that same odd vision of Edward and me on a porch swing, wearing clothes from another kind of world. A world where it would surprise no one if I wore his ring on my finger. A simpler place, where love was defined in simpler ways. One plus one equals two…” I don’t really understand what she is talking about. I don’t think love is or ever has been simple. I could better understand if she was saying something like, “I know what people will think about us getting married so soon but I don’t care I love him and it feels right,” but she never says anything like that. The kicker is that no one even really cares once she does tell them…not even her scatterbrained mom. Not that I don’t think marriage is serious but she seems to be making it a bigger deal than it needs to be. If I was so sure about the person I loved I would not have a single care about what anyone else thought.

Page 327…Jacob confesses to Bella…“Bella, I love you. And I want you to pick me instead on him.” You have to give Jacob props for putting himself out there and laying it all out on the line…that takes guts. Honestly…if you ask me…I think if anyone is a masochist in this story it is Jacob.

may you rest in peace…

Maybe it is just me...but I feel like nothing good is on TV anymore. This lament got me reminiscing about all the good times I used to have with some of my favorite shows that sadly are no longer on…but thanks to TV on DVD I can still enjoy…and without commercials!

Batman Beyond

On for 3 seasons, Batman Beyond takes place in the future where an elderly Bruce Wayne passes his cape to Terry McGinnis, a high school teen who happens upon the Batcave and discovers the millionaire's secret identity. They came up with some really cool new villains including my fav, Inque, and revamped the Bat suit. Will Friedle (the older brother from Boy Meets World) does the voice for Terry and I am not ashamed to admit I have a crush on a cartoon!

The Commish

For 5 seasons Michael Chiklis played police commissioner Tony Scali in this slightly offbeat police comedy/drama. Set in a small town, Tony's easygoing manner and clever intellect are much more useful to him than weapons in his fight against crime. Comedy and drama…you can’t go wrong…and who doesn’t love Michael Chiklis?!

Coupling

When Susan and Steve get together they join a crowd of best friends and exes who talk about all aspects of sex and relationships on their never-ending quest to find true love…result…4 seasons of non-stop hilarity! Jeff is definitely my favorite but all the characters are amusing and nothing short of self indulgent!

Dark Angel

Created by James Cameron, Dark Angel stars Jessica Alba as a genetically enhanced superhuman named Max who escapes from military confines and tries to live a normal life in a post-apocalyptic America. We follow her as she tries to avoid government agents who want to bring her back and search for others of her kind. It can’t go without mentioning Michael Weatherly and Jensen Ackles also star as the resident eye candy! Only on for 2 seasons I am still left with so many questions as to the fate of the transgenics.

Degrassi Junior High/High

What better way to relax after a hard day then watching 5 seasons of Canadian teens deal with the trials and tribulations of adolescence…and in the 80’s no less! Drinking, drugs, sex, teen pregnancy, leg warmers, over sized sweaters, and teased hair make this one of my all time favorite shows! No New Generation for me...I am old school baby!

Felicity

They are very few shows that I watch religiously…but Felicity was one show I never missed. Kerri Russell is Felicity Porter…a high school senior whose whole life has been dictated by her parents. After graduating she changes all that and follows her long-time crush Ben to New York and spends the next four seasons, going through the long and difficult journey toward adulthood. Anytime I feel life getting rough I pop in Felicity to help make sense of it all. But even after all these years...and as much as I love this show...I still can't forgive her for picking Ben over Noel…what was she thinking??!!!

eclipse chapters 1-6

Book: Eclipse
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Chapter(s): 1-6



To begin with, I really enjoyed this third installment of the Twilight Saga. Reading about Rosalie and Jasper’s past was definitely the highlight and I really liked how Meyer waits until now to go into detail about it instead of revealing everything in the first book.

Pages 28-29…In New Moon Meyer references Shakespeare and in Eclipse she goes with another classic, Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. Again, Edward offers another interesting analysis...“I don’t understand why you like it. The characters are ghastly people who ruin each others’ lives. It isn’t a love story, it’s a hate story.” Edward goes on to question Bella as to why she reads it over and over which she replies, “I think it’s something about the inevitability. How nothing can keep them apart – not her selfishness, or his evil, or even death, in the end…” Edward then says, “I still think it would be a better story if either of them had one redeeming quality.” Bella answers, “ I think that may be the point, their love is their only redeeming quality.” So this made me think…is that all it takes…is that all you need? Could you essentially be selfish and or evil and get away with it as long as you had one redeeming quality? It does seem easier to focus on one quality then a handful.

Page 40…Bella narrates…“Edward was quiet, playing absentmindedly with a strand of my hair.” I love that! I would instantly be in love with anyone who played with my hair!

Page 49…Edward tells Bella…“The outside world holds no interest for me without you.” On the surface that sounds like a sweet thing to say but underneath it speaks to the unhealthy part of this relationship. I think it is important to have interests outside of your relationship otherwise you become too dependent and alienate the other people in your life. Not to mention that Edward is always on Bella’s case to be human but he really isn’t letting her be.

Page 64…Edward and Bella get into a fight and Edward tells her…“Shut your window if you want me to stay away tonight. I’ll understand.” Bella goes upstairs and slams the window shut. She then thinks…“I stared at the shivering black glass for a long moment until it was still. Then I sighed, and opened the window as wide as it would go.” This was the first real mature thing I have seen Bella’s character do and for some reason it made me look at their love in a new perspective and see it developing. It takes a lot in a relationship to focus on what is really important and let go of little arguments.

Page 92…Bella thinks…“Someone like me shouldn’t be human. Someone with my luck ought to be a little less helpless." I don't know...I can't put my finger on it exactly...but this kind of rubbed me the wrong way. It sounds like she trying to rationalize her own shortcomings by saying that humans are essentially helpless?

Page 95…Edward leaves Bella a note on her pillow that reads…“I’ll be back so soon you won’t have time to miss me. Look after my heart – I’ve left it with you.” Now what I find interesting about this is that if I were to receive a note like that I would melt, be giddy like a little school girl, and be running to tuck this note away in my wallet so that I could carry it with me everywhere! However the very next sentence is Bella thinking…“So now I had a big empty Saturday with nothing but my morning shift at Newton’s Olympic Outfitters to distract me.” It doesn’t even faze her! He might as well have written, “be back.” It would be here where I would have to agree with my friend who thinks Bella is a snob.

twilight the movie vs. twilight the book

At last it is here! March 21st marked the release of the Twilight DVD. After seeing it 7 times in the theater I was anxious to finally own it so I could watch and re-watch it during my many sleepless nights.

As it is often the case...it is almost needless to say that the book is better than the movie but I enjoyed the film nonetheless.

What I liked:

Edward! Of course! I know some people were not crazy about him being picked to play Edward Cullen but I have no idea why because besides being gorgeous I thought he did a fantastic job bringing the character to life. He has a James Dean quality about him that helps add to the mystery of the character. One of my favorite scenes is in Biology when he introduces himself to Bella. His smooth voice and great laugh makes my heart race.

The dinner scene at the Bloated Toad is also one of my favs. Mainly because I want to eat there so bad. It looks absolutely charming…and that mushroom ravioli sounds delicious! What was up with the hair on that waitress though?

I also really enjoyed the scene when Bella goes to Edward’s house to meet his family. Who wouldn’t want to live there! I thought the mural of graduation caps was awesome…and I would kill to have Edward’s music collection.

The baseball scene is fantastic! It was so fun and I just thought it was all around cool!

Alice. I think she is so pretty and would love for her to be my best friend!

Esme. I just love her and wish she were my mom. It is almost too hard to believe she is a vampire.

Jasper. First off all I think Jackson Rathbone is so cute and I can’t wait until Eclipse comes out since he plays a big part in that book. I think his character is really interesting…so more Jasper please!

The prom scene is just visually stunning. It is hard to ignore the awe of the whole setting.


What I wasn’t crazy about:

Bella. There are some scenes where I thought she was good and then there are others where I can’t stand her in. For example in the beginning when Charlie gives her the truck I cringe at her reaction and at the end when she is in the hospital. I think she plays Bella way to awkward and I lose patience with her stammering and inability to form a sentence or even tell a joke. Like when she “jokes” about being kicked out of Arizona for not being tan…she looks like she is about to kill herself rather than adding comic relief. Then when Bella is at Edward’s house and he says, “What did you expect? Dungeons, coffins, and moats?” and she dryly replies, “not the moats.” This would have been a perfect opportunity to show another facet of her personality with a simple charming and shy smile while she says her line but she says it so serious the joke is lost. It is all about the delivery. I think that visually her and Edward look good together but she has got to lighten up. I really liked her hair and these really cool gray gloves she wears though.

Renee. I do not like Bella’s mom in the film with all her “Awe baby this and Ohhh baby that.” She sounds so condescending…my mom stopped calling me baby when I was one year old. I seriously hate all the scenes she is in.

In the book you learn about Esme, Carlisle and Alice’s past but they leave that all out in the film. They also left out the fact that Jasper has a special gift too. Knowing about each vampire is one of the most interesting things about this whole story so I am disappointed it was neglected.

They added the nomadic vampires killing people, which doesn’t happen in the book but didn’t bother me…I thought it was a nice addition to show the contrast between the two covens.

Overall I would say that what we are left with is what I like to call the Twilight Trifecta…great book…great soundtrack…great movie!

the music of twilight revisited

Music: Twilight Soundtrack

Every once in a new moon do I come across a soundtrack I love unconditionally and irrevocably…the Twilight Soundtrack is one such soundtrack. Honestly every song is incredible. Most notable is track 10…Never Think…written and preformed by yours truly Rob Pattinson. Favorite lines…

Girl save your soul
Go on save your soul
Before it’s too far gone
And before nothing can be done

Full Track Listing

1. Supermassive Black Hole – Muse
2. Decode - Paramore
3. Full Moon – The Black Ghosts
4. Leave Out All the Rest - Linkin Park
5. Spotlight (Twilight Mix) – Mutemath
6. Go All the Way (Into the Twilight) – Perry Farrell
7. Tremble For My Beloved – Collective Soul
8. I Caught Myself – Paramore
9. Eyes on Fire – Blue Foundation
10. Never Think – Rob Pattinson
11. Flightless Bird, American Mouth – Iron & Wine
12. Bella’s Lullaby – Carter Burwell


My only complaint, disappointment, sadness…the exclusion of Radiohead’s 15 Step and Let Me Sign by Rob Pattinson.

Why? For the love of god just tell me why?

new moon chapters 15-epilogue

Book: New Moon
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Chapter(s): 15-Epilogue

Pages 451…When Bella sees Edward on the tower she thinks…“it did not matter if he did not want me. I would never want anything but him, no matter how long I lived.” I respect that Bella went after Edward. I think when it comes to love you need to be able to look back and know that you did everything you could. What bothers me is that she is 18 and ready to give up any and all future chances at happiness. One thing I have been reminded of over and over is that it all seems really important…now.

Page 518…Edward is trying to convince Bella to stay human and she wonders…“Was this fixation with keeping me human really about my soul, or was it because he wasn’t sure that he wanted me around that long?” Right? I would totally be thinking the same thing!

Page 523…Bella tells Edward…“I don’t trust myself to be…enough. To deserve you. There’s nothing about me that could hold you.” I think Bella would be a less tolerable character if she didn’t have this sense of inferiority.

Page 527...Bella has an epiphany and realizes Edward really loves her and that is why she was hearing his voice. I have to be honest I found the whole voices in her head thing sort of lame. When I was reading I thought it was going to turn out that Edward never really left and was keeping an eye on her from a distance or he found a way to read her mind or something clever…but the whole thing left me feeling cheated. I thought Edward was really there and all it amounted to was a stupid epiphany…not cool.

In conclusion:

I did enjoy this book but I wasn’t as moved by it as I was with Twilight. There were certain parts that I could relate to but after awhile there is a sense that maybe this is not the healthiest relationship. My good friend wanted to know why Bella loves Edward so much…and how after only seven months of being together she falls into this pit of despair when he leaves. I have to admit that question made me stop and think because the only answer I could give was why does anyone love anyone? I think it was pretty crappy of Edward to leave…but I guess we all have to deal with the choices we make. It would have been more interesting to break up Bella's misery and read about what Edward was thinking and going through while he was gone. Maybe I could have bought the voices thing if maybe he was hearing her voice too...further demonstrating their connection. When I finished though I thought about what I would do…get over it or go for it? I would totally go for it!

only love can leave such a mark…

Music: U2

CD: No Line on the Horizon

Today is a day to celebrate all things Irish! And who better to celebrate with than my four favorite Irish guys…Bono, Edge, Adam, and Larry!

And what better way to celebrate than to kick back with a green beer and listen to U2’s latest creation…their 12th studio album, No Line on the Horizon! It is true that I have a biased opinion but…what can I say…I freaking love it! Seriously all the tracks are amazing! U2 pushes the envelope again yet never losing their unique sound. My instant obsessions…Magnificent and Breathe.

Track 2 Magnificent…this song is nothing short of magnificent...so it is not just a clever title. It has one of the best intros I have ever heard. Favorite lines…I actually love every line in this song.

Track 10 Breathe…this song has some funky lyrics and I love the music…the piano is great!

Happy St. Patrick's Day guys....can’t wait to see you September 12th & 13th at Soldier Field!

p.s. I adore The Edge's shirt in that photo....we were meant to be!

new moon chapters 8-14

Book: New Moon
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Chapter(s): 8-14

Page 201...Bella says…“I was like a lost moon – my planet destroyed in some cataclysmic, disaster-movie scenario of desolation – that continued, nevertheless, to circle in a tight little orbit around that empty space left behind, ignoring the laws of gravity.” I liked this description of how Bella felt…probably because I have felt like that before. Somehow when you can physically picture your pain…it makes it even worse.

Pages 216-217...Bella compares herself to an uninhabitable vacant house and no amount of investment on Jacob’s part could put her back in working order. Jacob deserved better but out of pure selfishness she would not send him away…she needed him. Bella admits to herself that staying close to Jacob will probably end up hurting him yet she does it anyway. Classic rebound. Breakups 101…the fastest way to get over your last relationship is to start a new one. Bella does struggle with the right and wrong of it but Jacob isn't oblivious to what is going on either...so I don't know...I guess I have mixed feelings about rebounds.

Page 219...Bella says…“One thing I truly knew…was how love gave someone the power to break you.” It is so true…stupid love.

Page 294…When Bella finds out that Jacob is a wolf she questions…“Did this mean every impossible fairy tale was grounded somewhere in absolute truth? Was there anything sane or normal at all, or was everything just magic and ghost stories?” God I wish! She goes on to say…“Wasn’t one myth enough for anyone, enough for a lifetime?” Umm yeah…one myth please!

Page 306…Jacob calls Bella a hypocrite for not being afraid of Edward but being afraid of him and says…“Well, I’m so sorry that I can’t be the right kind of monster for you, Bella. I guess I’m just not as great as a bloodsucker, am I?” BURN! Oh yeah he went there!

Page 340…Bella reminds herself…“Love is irrational. The more you loved someone, the less sense anything made.” Again…........stupid love.

run he gonna kill you!

Movie: Friday the 13th

In honor of Friday the 13th today…I went to see the remake of Friday the 13th! I have to say that for a remake I was surprised and quite enjoyed it. They added a bit of a plot which is good...I am big on plot...although with a slasher film I don't expect much. And in addition to all the slutty girls getting killed one of the good wholesome girls got killed too which was a nice twist. Of course I could have done without all the sex and boobs but what can you do?

In between all the running, screaming, killing and blood I think an important lesson can be found…

Three activities that will surely get one killed are….

1. having gratuitous sex and or showing your boobs
2. doing drugs and drinking
3. talking to yourself

Have you ever seen someone get an axe in the back while reading a book?

Just something to think about….

and it's coming closer...

Music: Kings of Leon
CD: Only by the Night



I saw Kings of Leon open for U2 on their Vertigo Tour back in 2005/2006 and my interest peaked straightaway. They had a sound I hadn’t really heard before. I rushed out to get their Aha Shake Heartbreak CD which I have enjoyed since…but I have to admit not as much as their newest release: Only by the Night. Every track on this CD is absolutely brilliant! My immediate obsession….Closer.

For those who like to sing along…

Closer lyrics

Stranded in this spooky town,
Stop lights are swaying and the phone lines are down
The floor is crackling cold,
She took my heart, I think she took my soul
With the moon I run,
Far from the carnage of the firey sun

Driven by the strangle of veins
Showing no mercy I'll do it again
Open up your eyes
You keep on crying, baby I'll bleed you dry
The skies they blink at me
I see a storm bubbling up from the sea

And it's coming closer [2x]

You shimi shook my bones,
Leaving me stranded all in love on my own
Do you think of me?
Where am I now, baby where do I sleep?
It feels so good but I am old 2000 years of chasing takin' it's toll

And it's coming closer [4x]


Kings of Leon…you had me at Taper Jean Girl!

chaser anyone?

TV: The Chaser’s War on Everything
Channel: G4



My new favorite TV show is The Chaser’s War on Everything on G4. It is a satirical comedy series presented by a bunch of blokes from Australia. The show is based on news reviews, studio monologues and confrontations with politicians, celebrities, and business leaders…you know…your basic tom foolery and shenanigans…and anyone who knows me knows I love shenanigans!

It has been on since 2006 but only just recently in the US. The first two seasons are on DVD...but I have not been able to find them anywhere yet so I can actually buy them.

In one episode they want to see how good the security actually is in places where signs are posted notifying patrons that the area is under video surveillance. So to test this out one of the guys goes to a number of places and steals all the posted signs! Genius! At one place he even unscrews a security camera without anyone even noticing! End result: bust a gut roll on the floor laughter!

Many of the stunts displayed have often attracted controversy but I just look at it as a reminder not to take yourself too seriously.

Please to enjoy…the bonehead challenge!

new moon chapters 1-7

Book: New Moon
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Chapter(s): 1-7



Ok obviously I read faster than I blog because I am actually done reading all of New Moon and am already halfway through the third book! I did say they were hard to put down!

As a whole I didn’t fancy this book quite as much as I did the first book simply because Edward is barely in it! In speaking with another friend who has read all the books…he described the first two as repetitive…and I have to agree to a point especially in this second installment. However, it did hold my attention and I still enjoyed it mainly because with the turn of each page I got closer to Edward's return!

One of the things that I love about Stephenie Meyer’s writing is her references to other classic works of literature. On page 17 Bella and Edward are watching a film version of Romeo and Juliet. Edward expresses that he has never had much tolerance for Romeo and Bella asks him why. Edward explains…“Well, first of all, he’s in love with this Rosaline – don’t you think it makes him seem a little fickle? And then, a few minutes after their wedding, he kills Juliet’s cousin. That’s not very brilliant. Mistake after mistake. Could he have destroyed his own happiness any more thoroughly?” I find his character analysis very interesting. The way Meyer introduces this Shakespeare classic into the story is pretty brilliant as it resurfaces later in the book. Side note: at the end of this same page Bella says that the movie caught her interest due in large part to Edward whispering Romeo’s lines in her ear…HELLO! Someone hose me down please!

Page 106…Bella is out watching a scary movie with Jessica when she realizes how closely she resembles the zombie in the movie and thinks…“It was depressing to realize that I wasn’t the heroine anymore, that my story was over.” She is only 18 so the words “my story is over” hold too much finality for me. The one thing you realize about break ups is that you are not going to die. In time she would probably be able to move on but at least she got her story. I would rather have five minutes of something then a lifetime of nothing.

On page 110 Bella moves towards a group of guys she thinks are the same ones who tried to attack her in the first book. She thinks…“I saw no reason for fear. I couldn’t imagine anything in the world that was left to be afraid of, not physically at least. One of the few advantages of losing everything.” She is right. There has never been another time in my life that I have had more courage to do anything than right after I have had a relationship end. I guess that is because you spend the better part of the relationship being scared of everything…loving someone, hoping they love you back, being rejected, being desired, having your heart broken, etc. that when it ends you are left with nothing but nerve.

Page 113….Bella continues to cope with Edward leaving and concludes…“Between pain and nothing, I’d chosen nothing.” I would choose nothing as well. There is only so much pain a person can handle. It is much more comfortable to be numb.

Page 118…Bella further scrutinizes her pain…“It didn’t feel like the pain had weakened over time, rather that I’d grown strong enough to bear it.” I guess this would be a good argument for whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I always considered that expression to mean make you stronger for the future and while that might hold true I see it more clearly from this perspective.

this is not a love song

Music: Nouvelle Vauge

My new quasi residence is Caribou Coffee. I have been spending most of my days there doing my two most favorite things…reading and drinking coffee. In an effort not to raise suspicion in regards to my massive amount of free time I have been hitting all the different Caribou locations in town. Besides the scrumptious coffee…there are a few reasons I prefer Caribou…first they are usually not overly crowded, they all have fireplaces and you can’t get cozier than that, and while I love the music they play they don’t have it blasting so I can concentrate on my book.

When I was there the other day I heard a new song I instantly loved! This is Not a Love Song sung by Nouvelle Vague. Apparently it is a cover originally from 80’s UK band Public Image Ltd. I prefer the Nouvelle version.

Coffee of the day: $2.11
Spending the day reading a great book and hearing new music: priceless

This is Not a Love Song Lyrics:

Happy to have
Not to have not
Big business is
Very wise
I'm crossing over into
Enter prize

This is not a love song

I'm adaptable
And I like my new role
I'm getting better and better
And I have a new goal
I'm changing my ways
Where money applies

This is not a love song

I'm going over to the other side
I'm happy to have
Not to have not
Big business is
Very wise
I'm inside free
Enterprise

This is not a love song

Not television
Behind the curtain
Out of the cupboard
You take the first train
Into the big world
Are you ready to grab the candle
That turn of vision

This is not a love song

twilight chapters 14 - epilogue

Book: Twilight
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Chapter(s): 14-Epilogue


Page 404…Jasper tells Bella…“You’re wrong, you know. I can feel what you’re feeling now – and you are worth it.” I liked this part. You don’t hear much from Jasper throughout the book so I found it enlightening to get another opinion. I know there are some people out there that don’t place their own worth in the hands of others, but I know it would make me think twice about whatever doubts I had after hearing something like that.

Page 473 – 474…Bella tells Edward…“I’ll be the first to admit that I have no experience with relationships. But it just seems logical…a man and woman have to be somewhat equal…as in, one of them can’t always be swooping in and saving the other one. They have to save each other equally.” I think Bella is talking about more than just saving each other but also about loving each other equally. While it sounds great in theory I have to admit here is where my skepticism steps in. There is always going to be some doubt as to the actual magnitude that someone claims to love you. So how can we ever really be equal? You might think that it simply rests in the type of person but I would expect even the most confident person to have a doubt or two every now and again. I mean even Edward questions Bella’s feelings. Granted because he can’t read her mind but that is just it…we can’t read each other’s minds so we never really know how someone really feels.

The top of page 495 starts with Edward saying to Bella...“Twilight, again, another ending. No matter how perfect the day is, it always has to end.” That also holds true for no matter how bad the day is. That is going to be my new serenity…Twilight. Whenever I am having a wretched day I am going to think Twilight and that no matter what the day has to end. And on the off chance I ever have a perfect day I will also think Twilight so I don’t take it for granted.

On the last page of the book Bella has made up her mind that she wants to be a vampire. Edward asks her…“Is that what you dream about? Being a monster?” She replies, “Mostly I dream about being with you forever.” This whole Bella becoming a vampire or not really confuses me. She is hell bent on it but Edward doesn’t want her to give up her human life, yet becoming a vampire will ensure that they are together forever. A lot of people are throwing the word “forever” around but it clearly means something different to everyone. Furthermore, he claims to be a selfish creature and that is why he didn’t stay away from her when he knew he should…so why stop now? The sexual tension in the book is so thick you would think that would be enough for him to just bite her already! Which leads me to say that I have a hard time believing that Edward really thinks of himself as a monster…especially because Bella doesn’t see him that way? He seems a lot more human than I think we are led to believe.



In Conclusion:

I guess the thing that got inside me as I held my breath the whole time I was reading the first book was the intensity of loving someone so avidly it can’t be real. It was like I stepped into the pages and was Bella. I felt it. If I think hard I am sure I have had those feelings in real life but compared to the roaring flame of Edward and Bella they seem like nothing more than a flicker. Not since Harry Potter have I enjoyed a book so much. I love how Stephenie Meyer describes not only the characters and their feelings but also their surroundings. I can’t thank her enough for bringing Edward into my life.

i've been tagged!

My favorite fashionista, Katie, has tagged me with the following three questions. Since she has already done it and is the only other person I know that posts regularly…I guess the tag stops here!


10 things I love:

1. coffee…red wine…and cheese fries (not at the same time though of course)
2. to laugh
3. going to a baseball game & eating a kosher hot dog on a poppy seed bun with grilled onions & spicy brown mustard
4. anything corduroy
5. going to see a movie in the middle of the day
6. traveling…favorite place…Dublin, Ireland
7. music
8. reading
9. when people play with my hair
10. inside jokes


10 things I loathe:

1. HMH
2. pants with any kind of writing on the butt (I prefer not to know you are juicy)
3. banks
4. secrets
5. listening to voice mails and returning calls
6. calories
7. when people use the expression “no worries”
8. small talk
9. getting an oil change
10. putting away laundry


10 random facts:

1. one of my guilty pleasures is watching the Disney channel
2. I have a fear of water I can’t see through and of my teeth falling out
3. the best cup of coffee I have ever had was in South Africa
4. one of the coolest days of my life was when I met Joel McHale from The Soup (love him!)

5. I have an obsessive nature about me
6. I have never been to a dry cleaners in my life
7. I am an insomniac
8. I am addicted to chapstick
9. I have kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland
10. earthworms have five hearts

twilight chapter 13

Book: Twilight
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Chapter(s): 13

This entry is dedicated solely to chapter 13, entitled Confessions…because it is my favorite chapter in the whole book and possibly my favorite chapter ever!

The whole book we see everything through Bella’s eyes but in this chapter we get to see things from Edward’s perspective…which I find intoxicating. (having said that I am weeping on the inside about the Midnight Sun debacle…more about that later)

Page 266…“I’m essentially a selfish creature. I crave your company too much to do what I should.” This made me think then later conclude that we all have a little vampire in us...as we are all fundamentally selfish creatures.

The next two sentences are two that Edward says to Bella that I just wanted to point out would make me stop breathing if ever said to me…

Page 273…“You are the most important thing to me now. The most important thing to me ever.”

Page 294…“If I could dream at all, it would be about you. And I’m not ashamed of it.”

Page 300…Edward says…“I never imagined anything like this. I didn’t believe I would ever find someone I wanted to be with…in another way than my brothers and sisters.” Ok on the surface it is just another spine melting thing Edward says but from a reader’s standpoint I want to know why. Why hasn’t he found someone in 100 years? There has to be some reason and I wish that was touched on. It would give me more insight into his character and it would enforce that Edward really does want to be with Bella and not just eat her. Also…if I met a guy who hadn’t had a date in 100 years I would see that as a red flag….just saying.

Page 302…Edward tells Bella…“The glory of first love, and all that. It’s incredible, isn’t it, the difference between reading about something, seeing it in the pictures, and experiencing it?” Boy is it ever! Edward goes on to describe jealousy as having read about and seen it many times but it shocked him to experience it himself. What I find interesting is that Edward is experiencing love sort of in reverse in regards to me as the reader. He has experienced reading about love and is now experiencing it in real life…and I have experienced love in real life and am waiting to experience what I have read. (A girl can hope can’t she?)

Page 303…He says…“I knew that if I continued to ignore you as I should, or if I left for a few years, till you were gone, that someday you would say yes to Mike, or someone like him. It made me angry.” This made me question…does Edward really want to be with Bella or does he just not want her to be with someone else. The old…I don’t want you but I don’t want anyone else to have you. Then I thought…aren’t we all like that at some time or another and if so, do we really ever love someone? Hell, I don’t know but I can’t help think about it.

Page 305…Bella tells Edward that it doesn’t seem fair that he had to wait 100 years for her and she hasn’t had to wait at all for him. That made me wonder…how long is fair? If I think that 28 years is fair and long enough to wait do I then just take what I can get, settle, or shape what I do have into what I wish I had, or do I wait another 28 years? Seriously if anyone knows the answer…please tell me.

Page 307…Bella asks Edward why he resists what he is and Edward replies…“just because we’ve been…dealt a certain hand…it doesn’t mean that we can’t choose to rise above – to conquer the boundaries of a destiny that none of us wanted. To try to retain whatever essential humanity we can.” I think this is an important message that applies to life in general. We are all going through our own vampirism at one time or another. Fighting not to turn into some distorted and unrecognizable version of ourselves. Ultimately I think we are all just trying to stay…human.

Page 311…Edward tells Bella…“I know love and lust don’t always keep the same company.” Bella replies…“They do for me.” This gave me a lot of pause. It makes me think…wildly…but about what I am not entirely sure…since I am not able to form any kind of concrete conclusion. On their own each is scary enough but together they are terrifying. I am struggling to think of my experience with each…separately and together. Can you really have one without the other? If so, is it worth it? It is strange how two words, each just 4 letters, can create so many questions…no wonder I hardly sleep.


In conclusion: Best. Chapter. Ever.