Fashion Trend Alert!

Looks like red dresses with electric blue shoes are the new hottness.

3 Cheers for 31 Flavors

Of all the news that has happened this week, i.e. - Obama wins North Carolina and yet Clinton still won't go away, a cyclone kills more people in Asia than I can even fatham, gas prices in Chicago reach $4.09 a gallon, I think we need to take a moment to pause for the most shocking and upsetting news of all. Irvine Robbins, co-founder of Baskin Robbins, has died.

The man invented Rocky Road. He invented it.

Now I'm not sure if you, my loyal reader, know how much I love me some ice cream. Every night, starting in mid-April and going through September, I fix myself an ice cream cone. No, I do not eat scoops of ice cream out of a bowl. I fix myself an ice cream cone. Two scoops. And for the past couple of weeks I've been enjoying the tasty awesomeness of Pineapple Shebert.

So to me, Irvine is a bit of hero.

Without him, I just might be 5 pounds lighter and 20 pounds more miserable.

So three cheers for ice cream! And three cheers for Irvine!
And in tribute, please do share what your favorite type of ice cream is.

Rock the Vote

Scarlett Johnasson, 23, and Ryan Reynolds, 31, have been dating for about a year. He called off his engagement of 2 years to Alanis Morrisette back in Feb. 2007.
Scarlett and Ryan are now engaged.

Rock the Vote
A) Scarlett is pregnant and that is why they are engaged
B) Ryan just really likes being engaged and they will probably never go through with the wedding
C) This is for reals and they are totally in love

Birfday Boy!

Happy Birthday, Chris!

Filling Supreme!

I just got home from the dentist's office where I received my very first root canal.

I realized on the way to the drug store, where I picked me up some big, fat Vicodin pills, that I probably wouldn't have been so scared and shaken if the procedure was called something other than root canal. So Angie and I brainstormed some different names:
Filling Plus!
Super-Filling!
Filling Extraordinaire!

All of those sound much better than root canal.

But since Dr. Sean performed a root canal on me, instead of a Filling Supreme!, I am going to have to rely on romantic comedies and PJ's to make me feel better.

Well, I guess those Vicodin might help too.

Tick Tock, Tick Tock

I love this new Madonna song, 4 Minutes. The horns at the beginning are incredibly hook-y. And it makes me want to go dancing!!

A Coupling Non-Chart

IN: Purity and Miley Cyrus
5 MINUTES AGO: Purity and Jamie-Lynn Spears
OUT: Purity and Britney Spears

IN: Justin Timberlake and Madonna
5 MINUTES AGO: Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel
OUT: Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz

IN: John Mayer and Jennifer Aniston
5 MINUTES AGO: John Mayer and Jessica Simpson
OUT: John Mayer and Jennifer Love Hewitt

Pass the Cheer

A year and a half ago, I spent a long weekend in North Carolina visiting my friend, Joy.

During that vacation, Pete brought up the idea of re-using his Starbucks sleeve in order to cut down on his personal carbon footprint. It seemed like a simple idea but the more I thought on it, the more I realized the positive impact I could make if I also re-used my sleeve (considering I go to Starbucks every morning). I know it's not as great as if I re-used the cup or brought my own travel mug, but...hey, it's a start!

So last December I decided to try and use the same sleeve for one year. And it's almost 5 months later and I'm still rockin' the holiday Pass the Cheer sleeve. The guys that work my Starbucks said that if I use the sleeve for the entire year they will reward me with free lattes for a week!

There Will be Confusion

Chris and I watched There Will be Blood last night. All 2 1/2 hours of it. Um...I don't get it. It seemed sort of anti-climactic. Remind me why this was nominated for so many Oscars? Was it because it was long? Was it up for the Long Movie Award?

I think I'm gonna have to ask my film friends, Matty B, Josh, and Aaron, to please explain this film. Please explain all 2 1/2 hours of it.

Brightening Up

I was having such a bad day today because I went to the dentist, and although he's my friend he rarely delivers good news. So I called up Chris to tell him that I'm facing a possible root canal due to a cracked tooth. Eek!

But then I came home and found a bouquet of beautiful flowers at my doorstep! What a surprise!!! And there were tulips, which are one of my favorite flowers!

Thank you Chris for the flowers. They made my day much brighter. :)

Static

On Saturday afternoon, Chris and I road-tripped down to Indianapolis for their International Film Festival. His short, Static, was picked to play the festival. We met up with his partners BK and Stephanie. There were some technical difficulties for the first few shorts but by the time Static aired all was smooth sailing.
It was great seeing the film on the big screen and celebrating with the cast and crew!

Indignant + Sleepers = Awesome

On Friday night, Indignant and The Sleepers both played The Cubby Bear. What a night that was! At some point I started wearing Paddy's tie. I wonder what ever happened to it?

It is always a great time when my friends and I get together!! A the night wouldn't be complete without a creepy cab driver given Chris the thumbs up!

Catch Up in 8:15

Thanks Michi for the link! Get caught up on LOST in 8 minutes and 15 seconds. 8:15. get it? GET IT!?! :)

Favorite quote from tonight's episode: "Calm down, Chicken Little."

Sawyer rocks.

Cooper's

Last night, Cindy and I met up at Cooper's Tavern on Belmont. She had suggested the bar because of it's impressive beer menu. I enjoyed the $5 martini special! (mmmm....French martini's are delicious)
I met Cindy a couple of weeks ago at church and was so glad that we were able to grab drinks together and chat. She's incredibly friendly and intelligent and she loves to see live music too! We actually came up with an idea to have a church group that meets up once a month to go see shows together! I think we may start it up with the Death Cab for Cutie concert in early June. We also talked about seeing the White Rabbits together in May.
And she's getting tickets to Pitchfork, so now I am even more tempted to grab a pass for that as well.

AND!!! I found out that she was able to get into the Bible study that I am in, later this spring! How exciting!

Yay for new friends. :)

Iron and Wine

Last night Chris and I had dinner at The Schoolyard before he treated me to the Iron and Wine show at The Vic. Michi had told me that when she saw Iron and Wine, the entire audience was still and quiet. That wasn't the case last night. Everyone was talking and I couldn't make out what he was saying between songs, except the one time he said "Chicago" and the whole crowd erupted into applause.

There were 4 women to the right of us that looked bored out of their ever-lovin' minds. They sat on a bench and sent text messages the whole time. I wonder why they were there in the first place?

But Chris and I enjoyed the show and the evening and all the good stuff that comes when we hang out together.

When Life Gives You Lemons...

"Women your age are more likely to be mauled at the zoo then get married."

Yay! The strike is over!

Searching for the Yeti

Julia...not only have I linked to your blog, but now I'm going to blog about your blog! (Bob Lablog's Law Blog, anyone?)

She asks some good questions on here. Go ahead, folks...cross blog and rock the vote on church dating!

Rusty Faulkner

In junior high, three of my girlfriends and I always sat in the same pew every Sunday at church. Bethany, Shannon, Angie and I sat on the second pew in the aisle all the way on the right. We usually spent the hour of church whispering, writing notes on the bulletin, and planning our next slumber party.

Rusty Faulkner is a man who attends my church back home. He and his wife sat in the pew behind us.

Rusty was a veterinarian with red hair and a goatee. I remember thinking that he was one of the cool adults at the church and I always liked him. I used to imagine what he would look like in a lab coat, the way my dogs' veterinarian dressed.

One time, in all the years I went to Ankeny Christian Church, the four of us girls actually sat still and paid attention to the sermon. At the end of the hour, Rusty leaned forward, put his hand on my shoulder and complimented me on my decorum.

I had no idea what decorum was but I knew that I was so happy that Rusty complimented me. I went home that afternoon and searched the dictionary for the meaning of decorum.

I found out yesterday that Rusty had a stroke on Monday. He's now in his 80's, which I can't fathom him being a day older than the last time I saw him. I can't imagine him with any other color hair, than red.

I found out today that they have moved Rusty to hospice. That he won't be alive much longer.

I haven't spoken to Rusty Faulkner in years and yet I feel sad that he's dying. I feel sad for his wife. And I wish I would have had more Sunday services where I practiced excellent decorum. Just, if not for anything else, to have Rusty put his hand on my shoulder and smile at me.

You Shook Me All Night Long

An earthquake rocked Illinois last night and I slept right through it. It woke my mom up in Des Moines, a whole other state away, but me...I must be used to the El train or something because I didn't feel a thing.

What a bummer. I've been through two earthquakes now and haven't felt either one. The first was in L.A. but I was running at the time and just ran right through the tremor. And now this. I think this is God's way of confirming that I'm a tornado-girl.

A Sharp Dull Thing

*grins*

Flumonia's Rampage

Flumonia strikes again.

Cougar on the Loose

There was a cougar loose in my neighborhood, earlier this week. When my favorite Starbucks Barista warned me about the prowling cougar all that came to mind were awesome, smart-ass remarks.

So many jokes I think my mind might explode.

(but I am sad that they shot it)

A Sight for Sore Eyes

My backyard is beginning to bloom with life! Yellow and purple flowers are slowly opening up to greet the sun. This morning I stopped briefly to do the same, closing my eyes, taking a deep breath while tilting my head up towards the sun. It feels good to stop for a moment of peace and quiet, before starting my typically hectic day.
Spring is here!

Jeans

This is hilarious.

Brew and View

Pedro, Brenna, Lisa, Robin and I all met up on Saturday night to check out The Vic's Brew and View. I've lived in this city for almost 4 years and this is one of those things that I hadn't experienced yet, so I was really looking forward to it. And the movies showing were Juno and Semi-Pro! Which I wanted to see both films in the theaters one last time, so it was perfect!
And yes, I made everyone wait as the credits rolled on Semi-Pro and yes I clapped loudly when Josh's name scrolled by. :)

But here's the one problem with the Brew and View, you sit in a dark room, sipping beer, quietly, while watching 4 hours of movies. It makes you very sleepy. So I think it's important to go when funny movies are playing, so you can laugh and such.

Michi, we should go when The Rocky Horror Picture Show is playing. Now that would be an experience!

This is No Letterman's Top 10 List

Michi went to a work-related training on Friday. The seminar was about communication and the key note speaker asked each person to list off 10 things that person does well. Here's my list:

10 Things I Do Well in the Workplace and in my Personal Life:
1. I can always see the big picture and I know what steps need to be taken to reach a goal.
2. I'm very organized so nothing is missed or left unfinished.
3. I'm proactive. I don't wait until the last second to do anything.
4. I am welcoming. If I find out that someone is new to town or to a team, I am the first to welcome them, ask them to lunch, offer to show them around and introduce them to other people. I like to include everyone.
5. I stand up for what is right and argue against what I feel is wrong. This has gotten me kicked out of class, has broken up relationships and has limited who I can be friends with. But it's earned me respect from those who matter most to me and I respect myself for it.
6. I appreciate hard work and the good in people. I am quick to compliment on both.
7. I am humble enough to know that I don't know everything. I have incredible role models in my life and if ever I am faced with a situation in which I don't know what to do, I ask them for help.
8. I am helpful and giving. Even if I am overwhelmed at work, if someone stops by my desk and asks for help I will drop what I am doing to help them. Whether it's helping someone write a work review, helping when they are sick or giving the perfect birthday gift, I find great joy in helping/giving to others.
9. I know who I am and what I stand for. I don't apologize for either.
10. I am both right brained and left brained. I am creative and analytical. When I am faced with a situation that involves more than just brain function, I trust my gut. And I always, always listen to my heart. When I am involved with something (be it a project or a relationship) I am in it with my whole self.

Brunch Topics

Michi and I met up for brunch at Bleeding Heart Bakery today. She dined on a Blueberry Scone and homemade granola (which was sooo delicious). I opted for the Vegan Tomato Basil Bisque soup and a Raspberry/Green Tea Soda. What a great meal on such a dreary, wet day.

So we chatted about all sortsa things, one topic being guys and this question was raised:
Q. Could you date someone who had bad taste in music? For instance, what if he owned a bunch of Music Now! cds?

**We both agreed that we couldn't do it. We could not date a guy who listens to any or all of these: mostly Top 40, who's favorite band is Dave Matthews, Music Now! cds, gangsta rap, or any band found playing at Bonaroo. Now maybe listening every now and then would be ok (I did like the Lillywhite Sessions album by DMB) but if he's listening to this stuff on a daily basis, well that's a different story.

And that led to this question:
Q. Could you date someone who had bad taste in books? For instance, what if they thought The DaVinci Code was "the best book ever"!

**I piped in on this one almost immediately, because I faced this dilemma with the last guy I dated. He asked me if I had read The DaVinci Code and did I like it? I told him I had read it and it was ok but for quality reading, no...not so much. It's pulp fiction. Each chapter is 3 pages long. The book is one long cliff hanger.
He got upset and told me that it's one of his favorite books. And I lost a little bit of respect for him. (hee hee)

I think this stuff matters because it's all clues to a bigger picture about a person. They are hints to their personality: where they like to spend their time, what their friends are probably like, maybe even how open minded they are, etc.

Michi and I agreed, although these points may seem insignificant at first glance, they are quite the opposite.

Flumonia: A Recovery Story (Part 2)

Any good Lifetime made-for-t.v. movie must have two parts. In the continuing saga of Flumonia: Sean's Grandmother, played by Betty White, has also been stricken with Flumonia and the community has spent the week holding bedside vigils and prayer chains to will her the strength to beat this nasty illness. And after a week in the hospital, Grandma H., as everyone in town lovingly refers to her, has gained her strength back and has a new appreciation for life, family and community!
She decides, once being released from the ICU, that she should help all the little furry friends that have been displaced because of the tornado that ripped through the town. She then focuses her time and energy on opening up an animal clinic/shelter, named F5: Furry, Fluffy, Fortunate, Friends and Family, for all of the displaced pets in town. She arranges pet adoptions and finds loving families for all the homeless dogs and cats.

Sean - I'm glad to hear your grandmother is doing better. :)

A Lesson Learned

I've been renting the show Felicity from Netflix. I'm currently watching the third season. Felicity and Ben are going through a really rough time and are on the verge of breaking up. Felicity has spent days on the brink of tears.
Megan, Felicity's friend and roommate, is dating a guy named Sean who is roommmates and friends with Ben.
Megan and Felicity run into each other in their living room and strike up the following conversation:

Felicty: Ben didn't dump me he just said he needs to be alone.
Megan: What?
Felicity: Yeah, i mean we talked about it and he said he needs some time to go and figure it out.
Megan: Oh, guys just suck!
Felicity: Well what else am I going to do, let him...?
Megan: Not all guys suck just certain guys suck! I mean Ben sucks!
Felicity: What's your problem?
Megan: Nothing.
Felicity: Wait a second...Megan what are you talking about?!
Megan: Nothing. Nothing.
Felicity: Megan, if you know something and you're not telling me I swear to God I'm going to kill you.
Megan: Ok, but don't tell him that i told you because Sean told me...you know what, screw Sean! Ben doesn't want to be alone. He went to South Hampton with Avery.



Too bad everyone doesn't watch Felicity. There's good lessons to be had on friendship.

Sean - Thank you for pointing out that in one week I lost a 3 and rekindled a 10. So I'm still up 7! :)

Real Simple

A year ago this May, I took a trip out to Los Angeles to visit my good friend Karla. While staying at her and Aaron's place, we cooked up a dinner using a recipe from a Real Simple magazine. While Aaron and Karla chopped and diced up veggies, I helped myself to some wine while leafing through the magazine (I'm so helpful, I know). And guess what, I fell in love with the magazine.
What really caught my eye was an article about the best beauty buys under $10. Now I'm about the most frugal person out there, just ask Karla, and so of course this article peaked my interest. But there were also articles on organizing, cooking and health, which are all things that interest me!

So for the past year I've picked up the magazine while standing in line at the grocery store just to browse through it. I bought the magazine for my cruise through the caribbean for something fun to read. Finally, three weeks ago I actually ordered a year's subscription to it. I got my first magazine in the mail yesterday and I love it!

This is my new favorite magazine, for sure.

The Gospel According to Bif

Pastor Dave had recommended this book a couple of weeks ago so I went to Borders yesterday to buy a copy. I spent last night reading the first 50 pages and it's pretty funny. I like books that make me chuckle outloud.
Here's a brief passage:
You think you know how this story is going to end, but you don't. Trust me, I was there. I know.

The first time I saw the man who would save the world he was sitting near the central well in Nazareth with a lizard hanging out of his mouth. Just the tail end and the hind legs were visible on the outside; the head and forelegs were halfway down the hatch. He was six, like me, and his beard had not come in fully, so he didn't look much like the pictures you've seen of him. His eyes were like dark honey, and they smiled at me out of a mop of blue-black curls that framed his face. There was a light older than Moses in those eyes.

"Unclean! Unclean!" I screamed, pointing at the boy, so my mother would see that I knew the law, but she ignored me, as did all the other mothers who were filling their jars at the well.

The boy took the lizard from his mouth and handed it to his younger brother, who sat beside him in the sand. The younger boy played with the lizard for a while, teasing it until it reared its little head as if to bite, then he picked up a rock and mashed the creature's head. Bewildered, he pushed the dead lizard around in the sand, and once assured that it wasn't going anywhere on its own, he picked it up and handed it back to his older brother.

Into his mouth went the lizard, and before I could accuse, out it came again, squirming and alive and ready to bite once again. He handed it back to his younger brother, who smote it mightily with the rock, starting or ending the whole process again.

I watched the lizard die threemore times before I said, "I want to do that too."

The Savior removed the lizard from his mouth and said, "Which part?"

by the way, his name was Joshua. Jesus is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Yeshua, which is Joshua. Christ is not a last name. It's the Greek for messiah, a Hebrew word meaning anointed. I have no idea what the "H" in Jesus H. Christ stood for. It's one of the things I should have asked him. Me? I am Levi who is called Biff. No middle initial. Joshua was my best friend.

How Will You Spend Your Check?

Check this out.

a-haha! i just read what i wrote! "check" get it! get it! (wipes tears) gosh that was good...

Congratulations to Us

So good to hear from you too. :)

your friend,
me.

RIP Little Experimental Indoor Herb Garden

It's a very good thing that I wasn't in charge of the Garden of Eden.




Cause we all would be dead now.

Olivia Needs

So I just learned this new trick, well actually it's probably a really old trick but it's new to me!, put your name and the word "needs" in a Google search and see what appears!

Here's what I found:

Olivia needs a new camera!
Olivia needs a ride
Olivia needs a miracle
Olivia needs some comic relief
Olivia needs to act fast to fund her dream


...it's like playing with a Magic 8 Ball! Thanks Julia for the idea!

I Rise

*Cross-Blogging - you're right Angie, it's such a humbling experience when at the moment you least expect it, grace in the form of an answer falls upon you...for the question(s) you've been wrestling with.
I love this poem and it seems so appropriate to so many people right now.*

Still I Rise

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

Maya Angelou

Surprise

I received a pleasant surprise this weekend when my friend Sadia called me up on Friday night. She was in town for two days! So we made sure to meet up on Saturday night at The Black Beetle, in the Ukrainian Village. Just the two of us, drinking 312, catching up and remembering why we are such good friends. Remembering why it's good that we are in each other's lives.

I am always so happy to see Sadia. She has this incredible, contagious energy that pours from her soul and shines on everyone around her. She is so genuine with her love and I know that she would never, ever intentionally hurt any of her friends. Ever. She cares for people that much.

And being around my friend like that of course made me think of friendship on a broader scale. There are many different types of friends in the world. Some are meant to be in your life for just a brief moment and some are meant to last a lifetime. Some are meant to make you laugh and some are meant to help you cry. But all should be there to help you prod open your heart and explore the best side of you. And that's how you tell a true friend from a false one; whether they open up the best side of you.

This weekend I celebrated a true friend while also discovering a false one. It's surprising comparing the two side by side. All the energy I see Sadia pour out, investing in her friends, reveling in their joy. She puts a lot of effort and time into her friendships and all those people put all that effort right back into her. And the mutual love is just beautiful to experience.

Thank you Sadia for being a shining example of what a true friend is. I will spend my life doing everything I can to be the exact same thing for you. xoxo

BSG is BACK

The fourth and final season of Battlestar Galactica airs tonight! Woot!
Sarah and I have been anticipating this day for months!!

*Update: I think I've figured out who the final Cylon is. What an awesome episode that was!*

A Naming Ceremony

I believe it's time for a naming ceremony.

I have many friends that have names for the alternate personality that emerges when they've been overserved with drinks. For instance, Sean's alternate personality is named Hyde. Hyde likes to call people on the phone.
Timmy has an alternate personality named Stevie. Stevie is often angry and likes to pick fights.

So let's name my alternate personality, shall we? This is what I know about her, she loves to hug everyone. And I mean everyone. She hugs and says hello and talks to everyone. She is especially interested in petite women. But no matter how many drinks she has, she is always coherent enough to refuse hard alcohol. She will turn down a shot every time. She's a smart girl.

So what do you think her name is? My first thought was Jenni (with an "i")...

*After a morning chat with Sean, I have decided her name is not Jenni. Because his first response was to ask if her last name was Random. haha!*

IMHO

I've never actually seen the show Gossip Girl, but in my opinion, these guys look like a bunch of douchebags.

Especially the guy on the left.

Baby Schuh

I can now also announce that my best friend, Karla, is 14 weeks pregnant! Which makes me an aunt by association.

Weathered

From my good friend, the very talented Matty B:

Hi.

What does a television editor do when faced with months of no work whilst the writers go on strike (besides trying to use the word "whilst")? Make his own movie! My friend, Matt Webb, and I wrote a story about a woman who lost her fiancé 20 years ago and is now a recluse in her own apartment. She longs for human connection and fills her loneliness through doctors' appointments.

With time on our hands and fire in our bellies, we have decided it's time to make this short film. We will begin shooting at the end of April and in order to pay the crew, rent camera and lights, obtain the location permits, buy insurance, and more, we need to raise $25,000. So far we have raised $9,000, much of which has come out of our own pockets.

Would you consider helping us reach our goal? In return, we have various gifts that you can receive depending on the amount you give (taking our cue from public radio!) Any size donation will help. And if you aren't able to help us financially, but have other resources that you'd like to offer, feel free to email us. You can find links below that will take you to our website and donation page.

Thank you in advance for considering lending your support.

Cheers,
Matt

Here's the movie's website.

To pledge your support, go to: Fundable Site