Why'd Nobody TELL me...

that Ben Folds does the music for Over the Hedge? Holy smack, that made the movie for me.

I'm rockin' the suburbs.

Step to the Beat, y'all

I'd love to relay in sordid detail the 30-second beat down between two teenage boys that I witnessed at the end of my street whilst getting my mail yesterday. However, I am woefully behind on my e-mailing. It's positively pathetic. Tonight I am going to try and catch up on all my unanswered e-mails.

So, I'll leave you with a few things to munch on until next I post something of interest.

I've been writing for a few other blogs lately. Check them out here and here.

Despite being an only child, I love to share, especially when a song gets stuck in my head. If you've been watching the Olympics, you'll probably recognize it.

And here's enough cuteness to crash your computer.



As a parent, you hope that your child will come to love or at least appreciate the same things you do. After our visit to King's Dominion on Sunday, I'm delighted to report that Little A is blossoming into a bona fide thrill seeker. Long may he ride roller coasters with Mommy and Daddy.

Strange News

Bone marrow biopsy update:  I'm up for biopsy number four.  Yup.  Apparently, the pathologist just couldn't tell whether the lurking blasts were healthy or diseased.  Couldn't tell?  Are my leukemia cells super ninjas or something.  Sheesh.

Depending on what the leukemia specialist here recommends, I may or may not have the biopsy on Friday.  Super.  

Amazingly, the doc also delivered some potentially good news.  If my counts continue to improve at the same rate they have been, I may be going home soon, possibly the same day as my biopsy.  But somehow, with this uncertainty about my chemo's success and yet another biopsy looming, I can't help but be guarded about my happiness.

Someone tell me that Dodge really isn't using an instrumental version of Weezer's "Sweater" to pimp some new vehicle.  'Cause darned if that isn't what the music sounds like.

Yesterday, I whacked off my hair in a little shortie pixie 'do.  Previously, I had sported a sorta reverse bob (Yeah, me and Posh!), and lately, me and the hair were quickly parting ways.  I figured cutting it short would ease the transition to shaving myself bald.  My hairdresser (and my neighbor and my friend) did a great job; I can style it so it looks less sparse.

The rash has spread over my entire body and in some places, gotten worse in color and appearance.   I look like some bad sci-fi monster.  The docs say the rash will probably last at least a week.  So awesome.  With my soon to be bald head, I'm going to look like the survivor of some sort of chemical accident.

Man, it just keeps getting better down here in LeukemiaTown. 

Mix Tape Monday: To My Unrequited

We weren't meant to be together, except perhaps with the intervention of a certain mischievous imp servant of The Fairy King. So I honed to perfection that purest form of love, and for many years after, it was the only way I knew how to care about another person. These songs are for what was and what never could have been.

1. Pop Song 89- R.E.M.
2. Just Like Heaven- The Cure
3. Pretty in Pink- The Psychedelic Furs
4. La Vie En Rose- Edith Piaf
5. 1234- Feist
6. The World at Large- Modest Mouth
7. Stories I Tell- Toad the Wet Sprocket
8. La Valse D'Amélie [Piano Version]
9. Circle-Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians
10. Never Seen Blue-Tori Amos
11. Pictures of You- The Cure
12. Nearly Lost You-Screaming Trees
13. Keep on the Sunny Side of Life- The Carter Family Singers
14. Unbirthday Song from Alice in Wonderland

Mix Tape Monday: Long Distance Requests and Dedications

First, thanks to everyone who expressed their concern regarding my crappy ticker. I have my good days and bad days. As long as I relax and get plenty of sleep (Both of which are contrary to my nature.) I seem to feel okay. Bright and early on March 17th I will report for my series of wacko tests, so I'll be celebrating the Feast of St. Patrick by running with some electrodes strapped to my chest. I'll be sure and wear my Guinness shirt for good luck.

I've decided to add a regular feature to my blog. I was doing pretty well with Five for Friday, and then I guess my brain ran out of steam. Maybe it'll pop back up now and again, however I'd like to dedicate Mondays to making mix (blog)tapes for my friends. Seeing as I like being all secretive and shit (Something which is contrary to the nature of blogging.), I won't name names. I have no clue who of my friends and acquaintances have stumbled upon my on-line babbling, so I'll keep things purposely vague. It's more fun that way.

And please don't expect a lot of indie or obscure stuff. My taste in music runs through a tributary just a hair off of the mainstream. I had a roommate in college who worshiped Pavement, Dinosaur Jr., and Sebadoh, and I liked that shit about as much as I liked the fact that she once knocked over a giant, butt-filled ashtray all over our carpet and never bothered to clean it up.

This Monday I'll be dedicating songs to my readers/commenters/fellow bloggers. Some of these songs have historical relevance to our friendship. The others... well, hit up iTunes and figure it out on your own.

And if I've left anyone out, let me know so I can put another dime in the jukebox for ya, baby.

Husband: "Superman" R.E.M.
Alex: "Ladykiller" Lush
Boo: "Fire With Fire" The Goxxip
Girl with Curious Hair: "Buenos Aires" from Evita
Jamie: "Cherry Bomb" The Runaways
Kim: "Friday I'm in Love" The Cure
Kolby: "Intergalactic" Beastie Boys
Mariah: "Sugar Magnolia" The Grateful Dead
Miss V: "Sea Lion Woman" Feist
Evie: "Human Behavior" Bjork
TK: "Sunday Morning Coming Down" Johnny Cash
Vermillion: "Got to Give it Up (Part 1)" Marvin Gaye
P'Nut: "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" Scissor Sisters
Neal: "Battle of Who Could Care Less" Ben Folds Five
Stacy (AKA Lightlysalted): "Love Me or Hate Me" Lady Sovereign

I Like You: The "Sing. Sing a Song." Edition

Today, the Central Virginia weather did another one of its neat tricks on us all. After several balmy days, the temperature took a nosedive. So it's an All Indoor Day for me and Little A. Just hanging around the house, makeup-less, rocking my salmon-pink sweatpants, and trying to get over this slightly painful bellyache I've developed.

And of course, when there are no outside diversions to break up the day, Little A and Momma A begin to grate on each other's nerves. I'm trying hard to not let His Toddlerness push my buttons too badly, and as part of that effort, I pause during these moments of sheer annoyance and dwell on something totally cool about my child.

Today's What I Like About Alastair:

He's a rock star, a music lover, and a dancing machine.

Who knows if this is solely biological or a result of his parents constantly keeping music going since he first arrived home from the hospital. One of the first albums we played for him was American Beauty. As an infant, we put on a lot of Johnny Cash, 40's era swing, and the soundtrack to Amelie (which totally delighted him). Car rides had to be accompanied by tunes or fussing would commence. As he got older, we broadened our play list to include more rocking stuff, and The Black Parade quickly became his favorite album. He also loves to be sung to and there are frequent requests that Momma or Daddy A serenade him with songs, everything from the "ABC song" to Sesame Street tunes to whatever comes out of our mouths.


When it comes to dancing, Little A is a Boogie Down Master. Throw on a rocking tune (His favorites are MIKA and Scissor Sisters.), and he starts a-twisting and pumping his arms. When we're in the car, he makes his toys dance, and sometimes just his various body parts. He'll call out from the backseat, "Momma my arms is dancing, " and sure enough, he's flinging his arms around to the music.

For over a year now, Alastair has accompanied me to weekly choir rehearsals at church. Normally, he hangs out with his Pappy at the sound board and plays. One night while our director was leading us in a song, Alastair came down and stood right beside her, mimicking her arm gestures. I don't think any of us were able to get through the song without cracking up. After rehearsal, we let him tinker on the piano and the drum kit. He even turns the pages of the hymnal on the piano, as if he's looking for the right song to play. His chubby little fingers spread out so gracefully across the keys.

Last week after choir practice, Little A spotted something on the stage. Pointing, he said, "Microphone". So my dad (who would probably have an aneurysm if any other little kid did this), handed him the microphone. Alastair held it up to his mouth, looking like he'd been singing karaoke for years, and proceeded to sing (with some assistance from me) the entire first verse of the Sesame Street ditty "Sing." All of the sudden he's found his inner diva. He liked to sing before, but now the music just won't stop. If it's not nonsensical songs or single subject songs (One word sung over and over), then he's warbling "Old MacDonald" and encouraging me to take over for a solo.

Sing out loud, Little A. Sing out strong. And don't worry if it's not good enough for anyone else to hear. Cause if anyone ever makes sport of your singing, Momma A gives you full permission to slap their lips off.

Little A rocking out to his favorite Sesame Street cartoon featuring "The Ten Song".

The Soundtrack to the Movie in my Head

Saturday night, Casa Amos hosted its annual Twelfth Night Bash. The Twelfth Night party started out seven years ago as a gift from us to our little cadre of friends and as a time for belated present exchange. It was a way to get together for the holidays that didn't interfere with the heavy calendar load of work/church/family obligations. The first year we had a fancy dress party and in preceding years hosted a sit-down dinner party, pizza and beer, chili buffet, and very nearly disastrous fondue party. Once I even tried my hand at baking a King Cake and since I've not baked one since, you can only guess how it turned out.

But every year, in keeping with traditional Twelfth Night revelries, we sit down after the consumption of much alcohol and play a game. Scatagories turned into Scatalogicalgories under the guidance of a one P'Nut Harper. There was a couple of years where inevitably Star Wars Trivial Pursuit got hauled out for a marathon session of geekness. In '06 Shana's husband Chad brought his poker set and tried to school us in the ways of the cardsharp. Last year, the 80's Trivial Pursuit game lasted for-effing-ever and got a little heated, especially amongst some of the couples. Unfortunately, this past Saturday night the hostess got a little too much of her drink on, and on top of having too little of her sleep on, she totally forgot to open up the closet and peruse the board games. So, no games in '08. However, we did add a new element to the soirée this year that proved just as entertaining.

Something about my recent distaste for holiday uber-consumerism inspired me to add a twist to my Evite. I asked everyone to make a mix CD with any (or no) theme and bring it to the party. I put all the CDs into little boxes and handed them out as the guests left. My point in this experiment was to give everyone a way to share the music they liked plus get a some new tunes for the new year. I had no idea if our friends would get into the idea or wuss out, but fortunately our peeps were up to the challenge and actually got jazzed about their musical selections. Hopefully everyone went home that night with a disc they enjoyed (Apologies to Mr. K who got Evie's GrrrlPower mix.). The mix CD swap is looking to be a new tradition for Twelfth Night, so start eyeballing your tunes now for '09.

Ever since I can remember, I've always had a movie or book being created in my head. Rarely would I ever share my ideas except with my husband who is talented enough to hide his "Gawd woman you are crazy" expression when I babble on about what new crap I am cooking up in my noggin. The mix CD I contributed to the swap is the soundtrack (or at least part of it) to the current movie/TV series that has been running in my mind for the last year or so. I'd tell you what the movie is about but it would probably end up sounding like the worst script treatment ever. It's best I keep this shit to myself anyway. In lieu, here are the songs on the soundtrack, and you try and figure out my movie:

1. Undertow-Lush
2. Supermassive Black Hole-Muse
3. Rusty Cage-Johnny Cash
4. Catch Hell Blues-The White Stripes
5. North American Scum- LCD Soundsystem
6. Listen Up!- The Gossip
7. Brand New Key- Melanie
8. Oh My God- Mark Ronson featuring Lily Allen
9. Fast as You Can- Fiona Apple
10. Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing- Chris Isaak
11. Putting the Damage On- Tori Amos
12. Like a Song Bird That Has Fallen- Reeltime Travelers
13. Hell Above Water- Curve
14. The Perfect Girl- The Cure

Jingle Jingle

There's a part of me that is gooey and cheesy and weepy; I don't let her out very often. She makes a crappy zombie fighter. But she loves The Muppets, competitive cheerleading, and Newsies.

And Christmas music.

She's the one who puts the radio on the "All Christmas Music Through Christmas Day" station the day after Thanksgiving. She's also the one who gets all misty at the first line of that song "The Gift" about the orphan girl and her damn bird (Damn bird!).

So hell with it; I love Christmas music with all my heart.

In case you'd like to let your gooey and cheesy side out to play for the holidays, here are a few of my favorite Christmas albums:

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas- Vince Guaraldi: How can you not relax while listening to Guaraldi's sparkling piano? With a vodka gimlet in one hand and a cigarette in another? How is it that I don't actually own this album? A travesty, I tell you.

2. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas-Burl Ives: Most folks know Ives as either the Snowman narrator in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer or Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. His soothing, butterscotch voice was part of my favorite childhood Christmas memories. My mom owned this album, on vinyl of course. I used to love to lay on the sort-of-but-not-quite-shag green carpeting in the living room, gaze up at the Christmas tree, and let Ives' voice wrap around me like a cozy afghan.

3. Chris Isaak Christmas-Chris Isaak: A fine compilation of standards and new originals, this album is heard frequently in Casa Amos throughout the holiday season. Isaak, ever the mournful crooner, shines most brightly on the disc's several "sad and lonely at Christmas" tunes.

4. Celtic Christmas-Lifescapes(Various Artist)-I bought this instrumental album several years ago off of a kiosk of holidays albums in Target, and it quickly became a favorite. Our annual tradition is to play it the morning after Thanksgiving. The arrangements of traditional Christmas songs are excellent, and not too Irish-y to give you that greasy Riverdance hangover.

5. A Very Special Christmas-Various Artists: This is the first (released in 1989) in the series of charity albums for the Special Olympics, and in my opinion still the best of the bunch. Who doesn't love "Christmas in Hollis" by Run-D.M.C.? And Sting's "Gabriel's Message" and Alison Moyet's "Coventry Carol" are sublime.

In My Ear

A music nut, I've never been. I have never been one that religiously follows the music scene or goes to a lot of shows. At best, I'd buy about three, maybe four, new albums a year. I've had my bands and artists that I've loved for some time, as well as the music that came to define a certain time period in my life. For the most part, I don't keep up with what's coming out on the musical scene and certainly not new stuff.

So it was weird that in the past year, I've bought close to a dozen albums and a little over half of them from new (or at least new to me) artists. Maybe it's the low prices you can find at Target or on Amazon. Maybe it's the well written reviews I keep reading in Entertainment Weekly. Maybe I am fighting my 30's and trying to remain relevant to all the cool kids.

I used to love to make mix tapes/CD's for my friends (and sometimes the guys I liked but not often because I generally kept that shit to myself). If I were to make everyone a mix of the best from my recent music binge, it would sound something like this:

1. Other Side of the World, KT Tunstall: I am not ashamed to admit that I first got interested in her music from hearing it on, not one, but two reality shows. I used to play this album a lot for Little A in his first few months of life. It's sweet, charming, and baby-friendly.

2. I Don't Feel Like Dancing, Scissor Sisters: Why the Sisters don't get more love here in the States is beyond me, especially with all the drivel that gets pushed on the radio. This album is one of the rare sophomore attempts by band that is as good, if not better, than its predecessor.

3. There's A Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered Honey, You Just Haven't Thought Of It Yet, Panic! at the Disco: This was one of those purchases I made because I wanted to qualify for free shipping on Amazon and the CD was only $7. After a few listen-throughs, these nutty emo-guys grew on me. Little A also enjoys rocking out to this album.

4. Knock 'Em Out, Lily Allen: Lily's my GIRL. I would so love to share a pitcher (or two) and plate of cheese fries. We'd smoke too much, get rowdy, and make fun of people. Alright, Still is a hysterical, brilliant pop gem. My favorite part about this song is the excuses she gives to sleaze bags hitting on her.

5. Welcome to the Black Parade, My Chemical Romance: I've already shared on this blog my affection for Gerard and the boys. The Black Parade is one of the few albums where I love every song. This also happens to be Little A's favorite album for riding in the car.

6. Keep the Car Running, The Arcade Fire: I heard good things about this band, then I made the mistake of seeing them perform on SNL. They looked like the therapeutic band at a mental hospital. But I bought the album anyway. Sometimes it borders on high mindedness that I normally find icky in rock music, but TAF pulls it off.

7. God's Gonna Cut You Down, Johnny Cash: Johnny's like the Tupac of folk-country music. He's been dead for two years and keeps releasing stuff. This is a great bad ass song about God. There needs to be more bad ass songs about God because God is a Bad Ass. And Johnny Cash was the perfect man to sing about it.

8. Stockholm Syndrome, Muse: Okay, this isn't new, and I didn't buy the album. But Adrian turned me on to it, and I enjoyed their show at W&M.

9. Body and Soul, Tori Amos: I could devote entire posts to my feelings on the recent albums of Cousin Tori. I was sorely disappointed with her last outing, The Beekeeper. I didn't connect with the songs, and musically I thought it was "eh". Her latest, American Doll Posse, has returned her to my good graces. It's no Little Earthquakes, and I don't know what half the songs are even about; but I like it.

10. Rehab, Amy Winehouse: It's bizarre that this incredible voice comes from a wafer-thin British chick with old school sailer tats and who wears a scary beehive weave and too much eyeliner. But damn; she can sing.

11. Sleep, My Chemical Romance: Just because the album's awesome. It warrants two songs on my mix.

12. Dashboard, Modest Mouse: Ten years ago, I would have hated this band. Admittedly, their stuff is not the most approachable rock, but I dig it. Zany guys.

13. Big Wheel, Tori: C'mon, it's TORI. Besides, she lets her freak flag fly on this one, using "MILF" in her chorus.

14. Love Today, MIKA: MIKA is like this cartoon mash up/love-child of Freddie Mercury, Elton John, and Jake Shears. He makes catchy and tart pop confections. It was hard choosing amongst several of those songs on his album, but this one rocks.

15 Kiss You Off, Scissor Sisters: I ran the Monument Ave 10K to this album and am pretty sure I sang aloud to this song whilst running.

16. Jambalaya, Harry Connick, Jr.: I love Harry. I love NOLA. 'Nuff said.

17. Smile (Version Revisited), Lily Allen: I prefer this version to the original which gets all the airplay. It's more booty-shaking. I'd put all the songs from Alright, Still and the Black Parade on here if I could.

Wanna copy of my mix tape? It's killer.

Good Thing We Ate At Paul's

Saturday evening, Adrian and I jetted down to the good old 'Burg to take in the Muse/My Chemical Romance show at William and Mary Hall. I felt colossally old considering the last show I saw at the Hall was Smashing Pumpkins in 1994. Sheesh. Some of the kids at the MCR show weren't even born yet.

Considering this was my first concert in quite some time (I had tickets for cousin Tori's last tour but a funeral took precedence.), I was excited, mostly to have a very non-mommy evening. Neither band disappointed.

While not as familiar with Muse's music (Adrian had played their stuff for me on occasion.), I loved their set. Very reminiscent of seventies rock. At least to me anyway. Maybe it was the lead singer dressed all in white or the glowing stage or the giant white balloons full of confetti that were let loose into the audience. I was also impressed by the large number of fans that were obviously in attendance for this, the opening act. Yeah, they're pretty darn good.

Being the geeky, MCR fan that I am, their set did not disappoint. It only reaffirmed my desire to run away with Gerard Way, even though he's less appealing now that he's returned to the jet black hair. Damn, he's a pretty fine entertainer, reminiscent of the showmanship of Freddie Mercury and the spastic energy of Mick Jagger. He danced about, ran all over the stage, directed a spot across the audience, let the crowd sing along during parts of songs. I don't know if I'd been to a show where that much audience participation was encouraged by the lead singer. There were quite a few "Hey Virginia!" shouts. It's pretty obvious that he loves to perform 'cause he hams it up big time. He was chatty in between songs as well, which I always enjoy. 'Cause if I want to just sit at home and listen to the album, I'd do that instead of shell out $30. It's nice when artists take a moment or two in between songs to talk to the audience and give 'em a little more.

They played The Black Parade in it's entirety and in order. Totally new experience for me there. No more wondering if the song I love was going to get played. Since I love every song on that album, I was in heaven, along with the middle-age woman a few aisle over who was totally rocking her ass off. How great was that.

Pyrotechnics and fireworks and cannon fire galore. MCR sure does know it's fan base. Which seems to consist of a lot of Hot Topic-esque goth teenagers

They came back for encore and played a few songs off of Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. Say what you like about their music, My Chemical Romance does put on one hell of an entertaining show.

Then unfortunately, they ate the chicken wraps from The Leafe. Shit, how embarrassing. They'll probably never come back to Central VA again.

Luckily, Adrian and I chose to indulge in greasy deli food and a pitcher at Paul's. Dodged that bullet, didn't we?

Figures

After a few good spells of warm weather in March, I start packing up sweaters and wintry clothing and pulling out my shorts and tank tops.

Then Virginia gets a nice spell of global warming.

Bam! A cold snap and snow on Saturday.

Daggit.

Hey, anyone gotten the new Arcade Fire album? I keep hearing good things about them, but upon watching the band perform on SNL, I got second thoughts. They looked kind of like a therapeutic band formed at the local loony bin. The music was so-so, but then again it was pretty poorly mixed.

Oh and SNL totally sucks now. Except for the guy who used to be on Keenen & Kel. He's a hoot. "I hate your face!"

Five Songs

Recently, Pajiba put up a call for its readers to flip on the shuffle feature of their Pods and post a comment listing the first five songs. It was an interesting read to scroll through the different lists. I also felt like a such a mainstream music lame-ass posting my own list compared with all the obscure and indie bands from other readers' comments. But then I reminded myself that musical snobbery is just veiled, small-minded bullshit.

It was a fun little game to see what my little old school mini iPod coughed up of my almost 1,000 songs when she picked the playlist. Just for shits and grins, I'll play it again while I type this entry and give you My Five.

Most of y'all are aware of my magazine addiction. Like many of my habits/obsessions (chocolate, Diet Coke, printed baby tees, Ryan Reynolds), my magazine problem isn't necessarily expensive, dangerous, or unhealthy, but it does clutter up the house and recycling bin a bit. But I have no immediate plans to give it up and currently receive somewhere in the neighborhood of 9 magazines a month. (Never fear. At least two of these are baby magazines that I am not going to renew this year.)

My good friend P*Nut likes to encourage my mag habit but getting me gift subscriptions. For my 30th birthday, he hooked me up with a subscription to Budget Living, a fun, hip mag devoted to trendy and cheap style. As my subscription came up for renewal, I decided to keep it coming. It was a fun read with some great ideas, nice layouts, and well written articles. Then, not long after my renewal, Budget Living stopped coming. I visited their website and discovered, oddly enough, through a thread on one of their bulletin boards, that the magazine had folded.

About a month later, I started getting this other magazine in the mail, Shop Etc. A letter from the publishers came shortly after to tell me that Shop, Etc. was going to be replacing Budget Living for the remainder of my subscription period. I got about five months of that magazine, which was basically like another version of Lucky, falling into that category of periodicals which Adrian finds curious-magazines about shopping.

After the October issue, I didn't receive another Shop Etc. and figured my subscription had run out. Then in February, I started getting Redbook along with another letter stating that Shop Etc. had closed up shop (heh, heh), and so Redbook was going to be my replacement for the remainder of my subscription. I've gotten about three issues of Redbook. So here's the thing, I think my original subscription for Budget Living ran out several months ago. Am I caught on this strange periodicals Mobius strip?

Curiouser and curiouser still is the evolution of my subscription that the publishers somehow view as rational. I went from a magazine devoted to being a thrifty hipster to one with the sole purpose of inspiring consumerism at an almost pornographic level to finally Redbook. Seriously folks, that is like skipping all over the evolutionary scale. It's like going from a pair of comfy vintage Levis to brand new Seven for All Humanity skinny jeans to Lee brand acid- washed mom jeans. So weird. But Redbook makes for an interesting read, and it is trying desperately to remain relevant by featuring a lots of sex-related articles and fashion spreads with some pricey duds.

The Jukebox in my Ear Played:

1. Miniature Disasters-KT Tunstall
2. Ring of Fire-Social Distortion
3. To Wish Impossible Things-The Cure
4. Not Over-Paul Oakenfold featuring Ryan Tedder
5. Juarez-Tori Amos

And for added bonus pleasure (because I type slow) 6. Lights-Scissor Sisters

What are your Five Songs?

Life handed us a paycheck..

...and we said, "We worked harder than this!"

I am going to have a good day today. The morning clouds were blushing pink and my commute was painless (except for the twat in the truck who couldn't fathom the concept of accelerating onto the highway).

Despite the fact that my annoying, fingernail-clipping (again on Monday),bobbled-headed co-worker's very presence turns me into a ball of tense, my day will be okay. I will not allow the fact that I spent the better part of an hour sorting out Outlook issues to ruin my day. So what if my calendar is crammed with useless meetings? Who cares that I am carrying four excess pounds somewhere on my midsection?

I will have a good day.

I'm looking forward to a three-and-a-half day weekend (albeit busy with social shit). Manicure on Friday. A trip to Williamsburg with the beloved is on President's Day. I've got Ice Bat on my desktop. My feet are clad in shoe happiness. Rectifying the lack of promised vampire action on last week's Alias, I found a new Sonja Blue book at Borders. I'm planning a great anniversary trip. While months away, April's shaping up to be a pretty damn fine month. My birthday aside, Tori is playing D.C. on 4/6, and the Blade Trinity DVD is released on 4/26. Boyfriend goodness! Yum.

I've consumed 4 pieces of gum already this morning. But today will be a good day. I will make it so. French Market coffee will help me get there.