//womanizer

I have been on this earth for 28 years. It doesn't seem like such a long time to me, but according to my parents, I am now a spinster. Someone hand me a kitty, and I'll be the quintessential cat lady.

Or better yet, find me a womanizer, and perhaps they’d realize that I’m better off alone.

Speaking of womanizers…

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I have NEVER understood how Betty and Veronica, the two bombshells of Riverdale, could fall so ridiculously for a womanizing ging with unappealing hair. Don’t get me wrong; I’m a big fan of ginger-haired boys. I find copper locks appealing… if they happen to be atop the head of a decent guy who knows how to treat a lady right.

Archie has his (arguably) good points, I suppose: he’s in a band, he’s a relatively dapper dresser, and he’s definitely a better catch than Reggie. As for his (inarguably) foul points: he is a coward, he isn’t half as entertaining as Reggie is, and he is a cheating bastard.

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If you know any boy who reminds you of Archie, let me know. I could make use of a miserable rat fink to get my parents off my spinster back. 

//happy holidays to you and yours

Season's greetings, folks. May it be one of warmth, joy and safety.

//s'more galore

I am a dangerous person to be around nowadays. According to my last count, I have gotten four people sick.

I'm still hacking and coughing up a storm, but I do feel much better. I think it helps that I've been spending most of my time browsing through food blogs. I'm still unsure as to what I want to cook up during Christmas, but I'm pretty sure that this needs to be a part of the dessert menu:

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A s'more pie! As if s'mores weren't amazing enough, there is such a thing as a s'more pie! You can thank Jessica over at How Sweet It Is for this amazing concoction (and the recipe!). I'm not all that fond of sweets, but I've got a huge weakness for the marshmallow + chocolate combo. 

It looks great when it's nice and intact, but it looks DIVINE when it's been sliced and served.

What are you planning on having for dessert during the holiday weekends?

//human behaviour

Doesn’t it just figure that one day before our craft show, I come down with the mother of all colds? I’ve been sniffling and hacking away all morning, and now I’ve resorted to clearing my throat every ten seconds, which can’t be pleasant for anyone who’s within hearing distance.

All in all, this has been a heck of a crappy way to start the weekend.

I don’t know about you, but I get some wacky cravings when I’m sick. I start dreaming about mashed potato and gravy with a big wicker basket full of Pillsbury Doughboy biscuits. I want to watch hours and hours of old school anime (Ranma 1/2, yeah!) or any show/movie with Tina Fey. And I want to bliss out on Björk music.

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Yes, I said Björk music; that woman’s songs deserve their own genre.

Björk: you either hate her or you love her. I don’t know anyone who can just shrug her off. I’m still not quite sure as to how I feel about her, but I know that her music never fails to hit the spot when my body wants some auditory balm.  

Now, let us all close our eyes and zone out to “Human Behaviour.”

//rape survey? really?

Two entries in one day! I’m on a roll!

You can thank CNN for this entry. This morning, I happened to open the CNN app on my iphone, and what did I see? THIS.

What is THIS? It’s a story about a fraternity at the University of Fremont that decided that it would be a great idea to create a survey which included the following question: “If you could rape anyone who would it be?”

 Yep, you read that right: who would you rape?

 Now, I’m all for the freedom of speech. My parents moved to the States when I was a mere lass of four years in order to reap the benefits of the United States Constitution, and I’m always aware and thankful of their sacrifice. Honestly though… does the First Amendment have any say in a situation where a fraternity openly creates an online survey asking members to decide who they would rape?

Way to go, Sigma Phi Epsilon, for underscoring the stereotypes that fraternities have to deal with on a daily basis. I realize that not all fraternity members are bigamists with a penchant for forced sex, but it’s hard to make that distinction when idiots like this make the front page of CNN.

Aaaaand now I'm done with my rant. Whew, I just needed to get that off my chest. 

//cupcake toppers

I promised a preview of what we'll be selling this weekend at our craft show this weekend. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to take pictures of our sweet new brooches, but I did steal a few pics of our cupcake toppers from our mates + rubbish store:

You can't tell me that these aren't pretty darned adorable. We have both the kitten and the narwhal in different colors and expressions, so if you're in the Capitol Hill area, you should definitely check us out.

//and we are back... hopefully

And we are back!

Sorry it took months upon months for me to finally get back on the blog train. Hopefully, this round will be a tad more interesting than my initial attempt. I adore my four current friends with a (slightly pathetic) fervor, but I can hopefully round up a few more.

Currently, Emily and I have been super busy putting together items for our first craft fair (huzzah!). I'll post up pictures of our new creations sometime next week.

We did take some time out from the craft room to buy a fake tree and decorate it with all sorts of goodies.

How adorable is the ornament in the third picture? Emily made it for me five years ago, and it is my favorite ornament in the whole entire world. We hadn't even thought to start up a business then, but I should've known that Emily's talents would one day blossom into a business venture.

As for the song of the week, I've decided to stick with the traditional and showcase some of my favorite holiday tunes. Today's is from A Charlie Brown Christmas... you know which one I'm talking about. The cartoon itself depresses me a wee bit (blasphemous, I know), but I love the tune.

//please stand by

Purchasing a home and putting in overtime at work have virtually robbed me of my blog time.

Fear not; I shall be back soon with updates!

//the way we get by

Remember the KEXP countdown I mentioned a few weeks back? Well, they've been currently going down the list, and they have less than a hundred to go. It's really fascinating to see what people have come up with. While I agree with most on the list, there are some that have me scratching my head and muttering, "Huh?"

As I'm sure that there are individuals who have said the same with the choices I've made, I shall not judge.

There's one band that I'd hoped would make it onto the list more often. They're definitely one of my favorite bands of ALL time, and they've been creeping up more often in movies and whatnot. 

Spoon, you may only have made it onto the list once, but all of your songs inhabit special little spaces in my heart. 

I leave you with the one song that did make it on to KEXP's list, and of course, one of my favorite tunes: "The Way We Get By."

As the weather is starting to get a tad chilly, stay warm this weekend, and do something titillating!

//the countdown for 1q84

After months and months and months of anticipation, the final countdown has finally begun!

Haruki Murakami, one of my favorite authors, has finally blessed us with what is said to be his magnum opus: 1Q84. It has already been released in Japan in three volumes, but all volumes of the English language edition will be released on October 25th.

This is Amazon's product description of the novel:

The year is 1984 and the city is Tokyo.

A young woman named Aomame follows a taxi driver’s enigmatic suggestion and begins to notice puzzling discrepancies in the world around her. She has entered, she realizes, a parallel existence, which she calls 1Q84 —“Q is for ‘question mark.’ A world that bears a question.” Meanwhile, an aspiring writer named Tengo takes on a suspect ghostwriting project. He becomes so wrapped up with the work and its unusual author that, soon, his previously placid life begins to come unraveled. 

As Aomame’s and Tengo’s narratives converge over the course of this single year, we learn of the profound and tangled connections that bind them ever closer: a beautiful, dyslexic teenage girl with a unique vision; a mysterious religious cult that instigated a shoot-out with the metropolitan police; a reclusive, wealthy dowager who runs a shelter for abused women; a hideously ugly private investigator; a mild-mannered yet ruthlessly efficient bodyguard; and a peculiarly insistent television-fee collector.A love story, a mystery, a fantasy, a novel of self-discovery, a dystopia to rival George Orwell’s—1Q84 is Haruki Murakami’s most ambitious undertaking yet: an instant best seller in his native Japan, and a tremendous feat of imagination from one of our most revered contemporary writers.

A dystopic [sic] novel about modern Japan? Tangled love connections? A mystery AND a fantasy all in three volumes? SOLD! 

//it's a dead man's party

Today isn't just Friday, it's the last day of September 2011. My, how time does fly.

To ring in October, I thought I'd travel back to the '80s with one of my personal favorites: Oingo Boingo's "Dead Man's Party." If you don't know this song, don't love this song, and don't love Danny Elfman... well, there aren't any polite words I can use to describe you.

Okay, okay, that's not nice. But honestly, Danny Elfman really outdid himself with this ghoulish tune. It's so much fun to dance to, and the lyrics are just smart.

Enjoy, and have a wonderful weekend and last day of September!

//shopping spree

I might've come across the most amazing website ever, and I'm a bit afraid to share it with the world. However, since I'm generally a good person, I'll share the love.

GeekStuff4U. Go check it out; you'll thank me.

A cockroach bag! Sure, it's disgusting, but it's so brilliant! And think of the attention you'd get as you stroll around with your stylish new pack.

//fall fashion

Happy Tuesday!

I'm not sure about what the weather is like where you're currently at, but it's starting to get quite chilly here in Seattle. I've been rummaging about my storage boxes, trying to locate my bins of fall outfits. 

I'm not complaining though. I love fall for so many reasons, one of the major ones being the fashion. The plaid shirts! The boots! The thick socks! My inner (pseudo) fashionista rejoices in the ability to boldly don outfits that are more suited for the great outdoors. 

Here are a few articles of clothing/shoes that are on my to-buy list for this fall season:

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 Any purchases you're looking forward to in time for the coming chill?

//top 500 songs!

KEXP is currently taking votes for the top 500 songs of all time!

If you don't know what KEXP is, boy, are you missing out. I'm sure every major city has a radio station that is similar to KEXP. Los Angeles has KCRW, Chicago has WLUW, Portland has KBOO, etc. etc. But KEXP is definitely something special.

Anyway, as I was saying, KEXP will begin a countdown in October for the top 500 songs of all time, and we (the listeners) get to choose what we deem worthy of being on that list.

I've already voted for my top 20 songs, which included tunes from David Bowie ("Young Americans"), The Cure ("Just Like Heaven"), The Clash ("London Calling:"), Tears for Fears ("Mad World"), Marvin Gaye ("Let's Get It On"), etc.

There's one song that I would have voted for twice (or even three times) if I could: Pulp's "Common People." I don't know what it is about Jarvis Cocker's voice that has me weak in the knees; honestly, it almost sounds like a male version of a Jessica Rabbit rasp. But I CANNOT get enough of it.

So here's to you, Jarvis. May you end up on KEXP's countdown, thereby cementing your reputation as one of the best Britpop bands. Ever.

By the by, if you're planning on voting, go for it. I believe voting ends today, so you'd better make haste!

Oh, and of course, Happy Friday. May your weekend be one chock full of lovely surprises.

//hard work pays off

Apologies for my absence this week. It's been a hectic and somewhat melodramatic few days, both personally and in general.

I would have written yesterday since I had BIG news regarding my Etsy treasuries, but I was so upset by the whole Troy Davis ordeal that I couldn't find the energy or will to blog about anything. I don't want to use this blog as a soapbox where I rant and rave about my ideologies and moral stances, but that was what I would've done if I had written yesterday.

Let's just say that I'm very saddened and disappointed by Georgia's Pardon Board.

Enough of that. Let me get back to why I was so thrilled on Wednesday evening:

We made it to the front of page of Etsy! Hurrah! 

If you're worried about this week's Friday tune, fear not. It'll be on a separate post; consider it an apology for my MIA status this past week.

//treasuries abound

Happy Monday, folks. I hope your weekend was as soothing as mine was. As it rained most of the weekend, I spent it at home, just watching movies and reading books.

//to love

Today's tune is one of great importance to me. It's an old Korean song that evokes memories of my my childhood, especially my mom. It was (and I believe still remains) her favorite song from her favorite band: "To Love" by The Sunflowers. 

It is a song that celebrates an ever constant, ever forgiving love. If that doesn't summarize my mom, I don't know what does. She's my confidante, my (sometimes) worst enemy, my joy and always my best friend.

the parental units

Mom, this tune's in honor of you. I know it's mid-September, but I just feel like randomly saying Happy Mother's Day. You can decide whether I'm 4 months too late or 8 months too early. 

//avast ye matey!

Etsy treasuries might be my new passion.

I've been on a treasury kick ever since I agreed to help my sister out by creating treasuries for her mates + rubbish store. Although it's time-consuming and a bit of a hassle, I've been able to really explore the different artists and talents that exist within Etsy. And honestly, I'm blown away.

For all you Etsy folks out there, kudos. Coming across such immense talent is both inspiring and humbling.

Unfortunately, I'm not an arteeest like the rest of you, but I do think I make a pretty neat treasury. 

What do you guys think?

//twisted over you

I'm the laziest person when it comes to my hair. I don't keep it long for the sake of vanity, but rather because it doesn't require any styling. It's usually up in a messy bun or tied in a low ponytail.

Sis, however, is the guru of hairstyling. It's not like she learned how to come up with all these styles. Just like she was born with the gift of art, she was born with the gift of twisting her hair into intricate and delicate styles that have me green with envy.

Not to be bested by someone who is three-and-a-half years younger than myself, I decided to take things into my own hands and see what Pinterest had to offer by way of my favorite hairstyles: braids.

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If you happen to find video tutorials for any of the hairstyles seen above, please send them my way. You're also more than welcome to send tutorials of other styles that you think might suit me. Who knows? Maybe I'll try them and post pictures up. 

//(the angels wanna wear my) brown specs

The #1 question folks ask me when they are inebriated: "Are your glasses real?" Actually, it sounds more like, "Ahh yo glashes weel," but I'm quite the salty dog when it comes to translating drunk speak. 

Let me use this blog as a soapbox to all you doubting Thomases out there: why yes, they are quite real, thanks. My optometrist's office, the Northwest Vision Clinic, is located in Ballard. Dr. Balter is amazing, and not just because his name's very similar to Battlestar Galactica's very own Dr. Gaius Baltar. 

If you're looking for my pair, however, you're out of luck (unless you live in Korea). I purchased my pair last year when I visited Korea. $50 including the frames and prescription lenses! Hurrah!

glasses: real. lashes: fake.

I'll freely admit that I love my glasses, and I feel naked without them perched atop the bridge of my nose. However, their main purpose is to serve as vision aids. 

After all this talk about glasses, I think it's only fair that this Friday's tune should come from the very dapper gentleman whose face just wouldn't look right without his signature glasses: Mr. Elvis Costello.

I wonder if Mr. Costello gets asked if his spectacles are real.

//mates + rubbish

Sis is the most amazing artist in the whole entire world.

Okay, okay, I may be exaggerating a bit, but not by much. My earliest recollections of her always include sketch pads and crayons. She would be sprawled on the carpet with a scowl of fierce concentration on her face as she would draw to her three year-old heart's content. 

Now, she's a bit of an artist and creates her own wedding cake toppers, cards, prints and whatnot. I'm so proud of my baby sis.

Take a glimpse at her awesome new cards:

Check her new cards out in her Etsy shop, Mates + Rubbish.

I've also heard a rumor that there may be a giveaway of some sort on her blog in the near future, so head on over to Beat + Rubbish!

//viva la reine

via On the Katwalk

Last week, I focused quite a bit on birthdays, and I thought I was well and truly done with it for the time being. Apparently, I was very very wrong.

This morning, I learned via Google that yesterday was the 65th birthday of... wait for it... Freddie Mercury.

It's unbelievable to think what rock today would sound like without the influence of Freddie Mercury and Queen. I don't know about you, but I can honestly say that my life changed for the better the moment I watched the music video for "Bohemian Rhapsody."

It's been 20 years since his passing away, but Freddie Mercury still knows how to make a splash. I would've loved to see the parties that were thrown in his honor yesterday.

Oh, and of course, the reissue of Queen's final five albums (with bonus material!) was released yesterday, so be sure to pick them up. You bet your sweet ass that I'll be doing just.

//toto, i've a feeling we're not in africa anymore

In the spirit of googling birthdays, I decided to see which musical artist had the birthday of September 2nd. And boy, oh boy, did I land on a gold mine!

Today appears to be the birthday of Steve Porcaro, the rock keyboardist and vocalist for Toto. I have always been obsessed with "Africa," arguably one of their best songs. Friends don't understand my long abiding love for "Africa," but it's such a compelling song.

Why don't I let you judge for yourself:

"Sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti." C'mon, that's deep.

//the aftermath

Picnics are fun...

...until the effects of the junk food and sun catch up with us.


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//shoes galore

I have a small hobby that involves snapping pictures of my shoes. I don't know if it can exactly be called a hobby; mayhaps, it's more of a quirk?

Alki Beach

Fort Worden State Park

Tillamook Beach

These pictures are not indicative of my love for shoes or the ground. I think they are merely signs of convenience. It is so easy to point my camera to the ground and snap away. 

Besides, my feet are very photogenic, are they not?

//happy happy birthday

I'm always curious about birthdays, so I decided to google, "August 29 birthdays." 

Happy Birthday to the following peeps:

John Locke (1632)

Ingrid Berman (1915)

Elliot Gould (1938)

Michael Jackson (1958)

Who knew that John Locke and Michael Jackson shared something in common? Well, regardless, I wish you a wonderful birthday, wherever you may be. 

//friday tune

There are some bands that should never ever disband. Pulp sits pretty high on that list for me, although they did get together for a short-lived reunion of sorts this year. Too bad they didn't think to visit Seattle.

Today's tune comes from a band that I adore. Their music consists of everything that makes my ears perk: fast tempo, electronic beats, sweet lyrics, and lovely vocals. I'm no music guru, but I know when a band is good. And this band is golden.

LCD Soundsystem: I have loved you and your beats since I first heard "Tribulations" in college. You have been on every one of my house party playlists, and that will never change.

Here's a live performance of "I Can Change" at Jooles Holland. It's my current favorite song from their latest (but hopefully not last) album:

I realize that it's only been a few months since your disbandment, but won't you consider visiting Seattle and rocking my world?

//don't dream it. be it.

Lately, I've been on a interior design kick. And by kick, I mean, I've been addicted to brilliant blogs like Design*Sponge and Re-Nest.

Every chance I get, I scope out DIY projects that I most likely will never ever even attempt. I greedily horde any pictures displaying houses that utilize the chevron pattern (my current favorite). Exhibit A, see picture below:

Despite all the evidences stacked against me, I'm not completely tetched; I realize that unless I win the lottery, I'm never going to afford a home with that perfect loft and the perfect reading nook and the perfect greenhouse and the perfect... the list goes on and on. But I also realize that it's never wrong to dream. So what if I can't afford a house with a greenhouse? It doesn't mean that I can't create a small haven in my backyard with a vegetable patch and a nice picnic bench.

As a way of sharing my little dream, here are a few pictures of DIY projects that are pretty to look at from Re-Nest:

Pretty! And blue!

//urban explorers

The sister (Emily) and I moved into a house on Beacon Hill a few months ago, but we never took the time to explore the area. Deciding that the situation needed to be rectified, we took to the streets with our handy Canon.

During our stint as explorers, we came across:

-Lots and lots of alleys

-A dead crow (I thought to take a picture but thought better of it)

-Dandelions

-A school

The school was by far the most interesting of the lot. I initially thought it was abandoned, but sis confirmed that the classrooms are decorated and equipped with the necessites... you know, books, chalks and whatnot.

Sis thought it would be an excellent place to take pictures, so we proceeded to do just that. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but the pics came out quite excellently.

What awesome sites have you discovered in your own neck of the woods?

//happy friday

I've decided that Fridays are going to be the days when I sign out for the weekend with songs that please me. Depending on my mood, it'll range from the most obscure '80s bands to the most obnoxious teeny bop hits.

Today, I bring you... Mr. Bowie. Why? Because I have loved him since the moment I stepped into my AP American History class in high school. My teacher (shout-out, Mr. Abreu!) had a huge poster of "China Girl" on the wall, and I'd stare at it incessantly while Abreu droned on about the Industrial Revolution.

Unfortunately, today's video won't be "China Girl," but rather, my favorite Bowie tune: "Young Americans."

Enjoy the video and your weekend. May it be full of awesomeness and sleep. Musn't forget sleep.

//maudlin musings

i need this this chart up on my wall

I am feeling ever so maudlin today. It's been one of those days where even the most trivial issues are blown out of melodramatic proportions.

My iPod chose this moment to play Mates of States' "Like U Crazy." I love this song ever so much, but it currently has me wallowing in self-pity. Why, oh why, do I not have someone that I can tell, "I like u crazy." Never mind the fact that the statement is a grammatical minefield; it's the emotions that's important!

Oh snap. Next song: Yeasayer's "Madder Red." Give a girl a break, yo.

Eff this s. I'm getting a chocolate bar. Here's to hoping that tomorrow will be a better and (less hyperbolic) day.

//freddie mercury love

Dearest Freddie,

I first learned of your existence in fourth grade when we sang, "We are the Champions" during chorus. Since then, I have been enthralled with your powerful voice and amazing (and often puzzling) lyrics. "Bohemian Rhapsody" saw me through hard times during my college years, as well as those drunken nights in karaoke bars when all I could do was mumble out, "scary bush, scary bush, will you do the flamenco" in my best falsetto voice.

Now the torch of our love for you has been handed onto the new generation, and infants watch and rejoice at the sight of your live performance at Live Aid.

Freddie, it appears that you will forever be missed.

Faithfully,

Maven Amy


P.S. Why do you screech out, "I'm adopted!" in "Another One Bites the Dust"? I've always wondered.

//embrace thy narcissism

I am always in awe of technology and the people behind them. Bless you, person/people who came up with the digital camera. And bless you, person/people who decided to stuff said camera into a phone.

I have taken so many self-portraits of myself with my iPhone that I've begun to annoy myself. I am also deathly afraid that someone will peruse into my photo album and determine that I am the modern-day Narcissus.

in the car...

...at work...

...and on the bed.

Here's the thing though: why in the world would Steve Jobs have thought to place a camera in front of the iPhone if it weren't for us to take self-portraits? Screw Face Time; you know you rarely use it anyway.