2011 "In & Out" List

Every year on January 1st, the Washington Post publishes an "In & Out" list in honor of the new year. This list represents what WP writers think should be left behind as "drab" in the previous year and what should be embraced as "way freaking cool" in the year to come.

Today, I'd like to share my own "In & Out" list that I think everyone should use as a basis for determining what will, in fact, be the epitome of chic & fly in 2011. (NOTE: Everything you are about to read is absolutely true. I am the Goddess of Cool)...

Out:                                             In:

1) Swooning over Vampires                1) Swooning over Weasleys

It's no secret that a vampire craze spread like chicken pox among our nation's female population in 2010. However, I believe that everyone's favorite ginger family will fully satisfy our nation's ladies come the release of HP7 (II) this summer.

2) Boring black computer speakers   2) Computer speakers shaped like animals!

For years, computer gurus have been using external speakers to increase their computers' volume. These speakers are plain, ugly, and absolutely no fun. I think that 2011 will bring the birth of amazing external speakers, (such as the panda speakers featured above).

3) Chicken                                          3) Chickpeas

I'm not really one to evangelize veganism. However, today... I feel no shame in using my blog as propaganda! Killing little chickens is NOT cool. Embrace the bean in 2011 & you'll save a clucking friend, have less unwanted hormones flooding through your body, & you'll help the environment!

4) Keypads                                          4) Touch-screens

I know that touch-screens have been around for awhile, but they are just SO much cooler than keypads. (They're practically magic!)

5) Barnes & Noble                     5) Amazon.com e-books (for Kindle)

If you're a bookie like myself, don't be an idiot. Save some money! (Save more by being a nerd & visiting your local library. I promise, you won't turn into one of the old ladies who work there.

6) Spaghetti                                         6) Spaghetti Squash

If you haven't tried spaghetti squash, go freaking buy one... NOW! It's amazing, it's a vegetable, & it's a great substitute for spaghetti. (Top it w/ tomato sauce).

7) Gals with long hair                          7) Gals with short hair

Short hair on girls is sexy... deal with it! Yes, if you choose to cut your hair, its insane awesomeness may be intimidating to those around you. But remember- they're only jealous of your guts to go short!

8) Watching "Jersey Shore"                   8) Visiting the Jersey Shore

I swear, I have NO ties to this state! (ahem)... But I do encourage road trips. Ergo- get off your ass and stop watching MTV. Go visit the beach and get your GTL on instead of watching Snookie on the tube.

9) Hallmark Cards                              9) Homemade cards

Let's not support the company that thought up such an idiotic concept as "Valentine's Day." (Although, I must admit- I do love the occasional flowers and chocolates)... Instead, work some magic & make your own cards! People will  love them and you can be much more creative and personable.

10) Acting like a douche bag                10) Smiling, Pleases, & Thank yous

Despite my occasionally cynical sarcasm, I am an optimist. I'm a firm believer that you can get what you want if you embrace the concepts of politeness, concern, & helpfulness. So let another car into the never-ending line during rush hour, bake someone cookies, recycle, hold the door open for someone whose arms are full. Your friendly acts will likely come back to you.... KARMA!
 

Well, there you have it! A few simple tips for getting your "cool" on in 2011. (There may be more tips in the near future). Happy New Year to all!

Wingardium Leviosa!

Updates....

1) Several months ago, I wrote a post about how I wanted to start writing a YA, (young adult), novel so I could make billions and retire at 27. I am pleased to say that I am trucking along quite nicely on the writing process. As of today, I have written 51,349 words. (Note- J.K. Rowling's first Harry Potter book was about 76,000 words)... I am, therefore, well on my way becoming a world-renowned author. All I have to do is finish writing and get published!... (Hmm, publishing, I should probably look into that...)

2) My 23rd Birthday is in 14 days. AHHH! I freaking love birthdays. They make me feel like a Princess. Everyone HAS to be nice to you on your birthday AND you get cake and presents. I'm so excited! For my party this year, I'm going to invite everyone I know to join me in watching the 7th Harry Potter movie in theaters. I realize that I also took friends to the movies for my 11th birthday, but that's besides the point. It's Harry Potter, baby, WOOO!

3) My parents celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this past Tuesday! Being the suck-up that I am, I spent endless hours making a scrapbook for them detailing their dating days, wedding, darling children, vacations, etc. I can proudly say that I am the favorite child! (This week, at least...)

Good vs. Bad Geekery

I went out to lunch today at an AWESOME little place in Dupont Circle called "Teaism" w/ my buddy Luna. The place serves a variety of Asian food and is also a tea house.... Asian Food + Tea = Pure Magic!... I had my first ever Bento Box and my own mini-teapot and cup. It was fabulous, here's a picture...

When I got home, I was still super excited about my "Teaism" experience so I went online to shop for my own personal Bento Box and mini Asian teapot. Of course, the first place I looked was Etsy.com. As usual, I got distracted and found a variety of interesting things that I would like to categorize for you now into the categorizes of "Good Geekery" and "Bad Geekery"...

BAD GEEKERY:

                                                

An anatomical crocheted eye-ball... WTF? I would not feel safe with that thing in my house just sitting there, looking at me.

 Pins of animals with mustaches... Why would anyone sport a pin that featured an owl or bunny with a mustache? Animals are cutest when they're babies, not pedophiles.

Fleece Squid Hat.... NOT OK!

GOOD GEEKERY: 

 

 Radish earrings, (exactly like those worn by Luna from Harry Potter!) Anything created with the intention to make the world of Harry Potter a reality is OK by me!

"I Love Apple Pie" stickers for a MacBook. Whoever thought of this is clever and awesome and I love them. I also love apple pie.

"Waffle Mousepad"... Amazing! I am a huge fun of fun mousepads. This one makes me feel all warm inside and makes me want to go hibernate in a log cabin with lots of maple syrup. MMMM...

I hope you enjoyed your lesson in "Good" vs. "Bad" Etsy.com geekery. As always, thanks for stopping by Life's A Musical!

Pumpkin Rum Couscous Cake

Because I was getting a little tired of eating nothing but hummus, peanut butter and soy milk, I bought a new cookbook a few weeks ago called "Vegan Planet"... It's an excellent cookbook with several delicious dishes. (NOTE: The only reason I think it's excellent is because I can actually consume all of its recipes)...

A few days ago, I went ahead and baked one of the recipes from the dessert section. I picked the dessert because I liked everything about its name: "Pumpkin Rum Couscous Cake"... 1) Pumpkin, 2) Rum, 3) Couscous... How could this thing NOT be delicious?

So I did a Whole Foods run to buy the "exotic" ingredients and made the cake. Basically... it tastes like applesauce on steroids...

I was expecting more of a pumpkin-pie dish, but the "cake" tastes like rice-pudding hit by a meteor of Fall spices and flavors. So I guess it's alright. It's better than the grape-cantaloupe smoothie my mom made me when I got my braces on in 4th grade. (She had to bribe me with Beanie Babies to get me to eat it)...

In other news, I'm being Curious George for Halloween! (Sexy Curious George, that is)... and Brian's being the Man in the Yellow Hat! (Pimped-out Man in the Yellow Hat, of course)... Here's the dress I'm wearing...

I know, I know... Monkey's aren't supposed to have leopard skin! (Details, people, details).... It'll look HOT!

My Trip to Paris.... (and literary realities)

Brian and I took a lovely little trip yesterday to PARIS! (Paris, Virginia... of course, obviously!)

We drove to a national park called Sky Meadows, (or something cute like that), and ended up hiking 9 MILES up and down a mountain. I was most amazed by how friendly the mountain people were. Outside of the city, people actually smile and greet you as they walk by. (It took me a few encounters with strangers to realize they were just saying hi and didn't want something haha)... My calves are screaming in pain today, but it was quite a rewarding experience.

NOW... After about two hours of hiking, something magical happened...

NOTE TO READERS: (if you are not a Twilight fan, please stop reading this post immediately!)

Brian and I were walking along the trail, holding hands and greeting all of the other mountain people, when we reached the top of the mountain and came across a large open meadow. Well, OBVIOUSLY, Bella and Edward's meadow immediately popped into my mind. I looked over at Brian and saw sweat glistening, almost sparkling on his skin. He was... my vampire! We'd found our special field where we could talk about being one anothers "personal brand of heroine."

As if the Twilight series becoming reality wasn't enough excitement... I went to buy new running shoes today and the sales woman asked if I wanted to try on a pair called the Brooks "Nimbus"... like Harry Potter's broomstick! Even before trying them on, I knew they had to be MINE.

SO... My weekend in summary: I found a secret meadow like Bella and Edward and now own sneakers that will make me fly like Harry Potter. Can't get much better than that...

The Thrills of Hills: "Drama Circle"

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "The Thrills of Hills: Drama Circle." A friend of mine recently came to me with a story so sitcom-appropriate that I feel a compulsive need to share it...

Jake lives down the street from me. He's tall, lanky, and friendly, the typical neighborhood dude. His best friend, Chris, lives across the street from him and they've been best friends for quite some time.

Several weeks ago, Chris' cousin, Brianna from NYC, moved in with him after landing a job in DC. She lives in Chris' basement and is apparently a very attractive, smart, and funny young lady. WELL- much to Jake's pleasure, Brianna has showed interest in many of Jake's attempts to win her heart. HOWEVER- Over the past few weeks, Jake and Brianna have had to sneak around Chris because he definitely does NOT, does NOT approve of their budding romance, (for reasons he won't disclose).

Jake and Brianna have had to arrange late-night meetings when Chris is asleep or else get together when he's away from home. They've developed strong feelings for one another and truly enjoy their time together. But they are constantly nervous about Chris' reaction to their relationship. (Are we already feeling the next Nicholas Sparks film?)

Anyways- Chris recently found out about the intensity of Jake and Brianna's romance because he walked in on them "canoodling" in Jake's basement. (GASP!)... Chris has been very mean to Jake because of this and they ended up having an enormous, foul-mouthed fight about it this past weekend... in front of Brianna! After the fight, Brianna got on her computer and starting sending messages back and forth with Jake. Jake told Brianna that he thought they should stop their romance because it was hurting Chris and he didn't want a relationship to ruin their treasured friendship. Brianna told Jake that she understood and went to bed.

The next morning at 7 am, Jake received a call from Chris on his cell phone, (who usually would never call at such an early hour). Chris said that Brianna had had heart palpitations similar to a heart attack earlier that morning and that an ambulance had had to come to their house and taken her to the hospital. The palpitations, as they later found out, were stress-induced.

Jake, feeling like he LITERALLY gave Brianna a heart attack, is now feeling like a very sad and guilty panda. Will Brianna move back to NYC because she can't stand living across the street from the unavailable Jake? Will Chris help stop Brianna's stress by giving his blessing to Jake and Brianna's relationship? Or will Jake start dating someone else and rub it in Brianna's face? Stay tuned for more...

My Visit from The Virgin Mary

One summer day when I was 2 years old, I was in the backyard of my family's house in New Jersey picking raspberries off the raspberry bush that grew along our fence... (Why my mother let me outside alone at the age of 2, I have no idea)... Anyway- Mom was doing the dishes at the time and just happened to peer out the back window while scrubbing. She saw me sitting next to the bush, red berries smeared across my face, having a full-on conversation with absolutely no one. She figured I'd invented an imaginary friend or something... which would be the excuse for any NORMAL child in this situation.

That night as she put me to bed, Mom asked who I had been talking to earlier that day in the backyard. Apparently, (and I honestly don't remember any of this), I told Mom that Mary, Jesus' mother, came to visit me and that she was beautiful. As she started freaking out, Mom asked me what Mary had said to me during our conversation. I apparently told her that Mary said I was a very, very special girl and that she loved me very much.

WELL- Mom instantly went and called my uber Catholic grandma who she thought must have put crazy ideas into my head about holy transcendentalism. Grandma told my Mom that she had said nothing of the sort to me and that I must just be a very, very special child. (Needless to say- I've been Grandma's favorite ever since)... My crazy uncle suggested we make our raspberry bush a place of holy visitation and start a businesses getting Catholic tourists to pay to see where the Virgin Mother descended.

The point of my story is this... If there really is a Virgin Mary and she really DID come and visit me that day, what was her purpose in telling me that I was so special?  Henry David Thoreau once said, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation"... According to Mary, I am NOT one of the masses. (Which is reassuring, because I've never been a fan of quiet desperation)