The sailors say "Khaki, you're a fine girl."

I talked a little bit last week about the fact that we sold my cute little Khaki, a 2005 Honda Element, but I thought she deserved her own post.

Let me start by saying that I have had a few cars in my life some of which were loved, some not so much. Khaki was definitely in the love category. She was initially bought to provide the dogs with a roomy area to travel to and from the manny. She was also low enough to accommodate our aging Husky and eventually aging Boxer. Khaki really was their car, and that was never more evident than when we all traveled together. Measuring out the livable space for the dogs versus the humans was quite hilarious as we realized the dogs had a roomy 2/3 of the cabin and we were cramped up in the other 1/3! They loved it, and after all we did get it with them in mind.
As I drove Khaki to the dealership, it hit me like a bus that in a few minutes I would be free of a vehicle in my name for the first time since I was 16. As is expected, when you get a car as a teenager it symbolizes freedom and independence. It's a rite of passage that we as adults take for granted, viewing the car as necessity. Driving down the road I began to have a heavy feeling in my chest, and an overall sense of dread. Although I know better now, at the time it felt like I was giving away a part of me. The independent me. Now before you go getting worried about my marital bliss/independencelessness let me say that the whole time I was upset I kept doing this whole schizophrenic "It's a CAR! What are you upset about, you baby!" "Oh my God I don't have my own transportation!" My brain was being logical, but my heart was doing what hearts always do.
So even though I walked away with $2400 extra from the sale, for a couple of days after I felt like I left a huge part of myself at the dealership. I know now that it was a symbolic loss. As stupid as it sounds, it felt like a loss of identity. I don't mind telling you that sitting in the driveway crying over my car really threw me for a loop. Crying over a car? What is happening to my hormone-wrought brain?!!!

Needless to say, all is well now. I felt sad and at a loss for a couple of days, but that soon faded and was replaced by a feeling of accomplishment as we finally became a one-car family. Khaki has gone on the serve a nice little old lady or as a first car for a boy with a dog (my fantasy) and we have our lovely ladies of the carport, Maude and Rhoda. All's well.

Wowee Wednesday

Keira Knightley

So this week's Wowee has been chosen because #1 hawt! #2 Keira has become my hero of the week for taking a stand on the rampant practice of making digital enhancements on photos/promo pieces for magazines, movie posters, and advertising in general. In a recent movie campaign for King Arthur (see example below) the studio took the liberty of turning Keira's nearly A into a full C. This apparently didn't go over too well since yesterday the media reported that she has insisted absolutely no digital enhancements of her cleavage were to be made for her upcoming film "The Duchess". Keira insisted that her figure stay in it's "natural state." That's one for the itty-bitty-titty-committee thank you! Honestly, my eyes have never been able to get past her gorgeous face and lips to notice her chest or lack therof. Now, she's even wowier!

I can't put my finger on it, but Cindy McCain always reminds me of a Fembot.

Broadway Monday

Jersey Boys Winner of the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical, Jersey Boys takes you behind the music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons and, as The New York Times says, "the crowd goes wild!" Following the rags-to-rock-to-riches tale of four blue-collar kids working their way from the streets of Newark to the heights of stardom, Jersey Boys features the hit songs "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Walk Like a Man," "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," "Oh, What a Night," and more.

In the last few years, Broadway audiences have been the beneficiaries of some extremely well thought out, and exciting musicals that fit neatly into the genre of Jukebox Musical. That basically means that a particular group or singer's songbook is opened up and a storyline is written around it. There is a graveyard of disappointments that proves it is important to rely on more than just a catchy pop tune to carry the show. Jersey Boys came along in the 2005-2006 season and immediately became an audience favorite due to the fact that it has a strong story to go along with a stellar group of songs. I dare you not to sing along and tap your toes!
Cutie pie, and Stephanie's husband, Sebastian Arcelus (third from left)

is currently starring as Jersey boy Bob Gaudio.

Currently playing to a packed house nightly at the August Wilson Theatre.

Get your tickets now!

Rise Up Sheeple!

This makes my heart feel all warm and tingly!

lifestyle change

For the last two years specifically we have been trying to reduce our carbon footprint, reduce our waste, recycle more, aspire to be more Gore-like essentially.

Two weekends ago we made another huge jump in changing our habits/lifestyle. Long having been a two car family, we realized that a majority of the time we really don't need two cars, and hey wouldn't it be nice to not have a car payment while we're at it? We had been toying with the idea of trading my beloved Khaki in on either an electric car or a Prius for a few months already.

We found a dealer in town that sells electric cars, but current legislation mandates that they be able to go at least 45 mph and most affordable options go 40 mph max. So electric was tabled until legislation comes around. tick tock.

Plan B: scooters

We live in a university town and scooters are everywhere! We figured that if twenty-something, flip-flop wearin', earbuds intact, half-drunk coeds can safely arrive at class sans helmets, surely we fortyish helmet wearing, rules of the road abiding, lucid, Nervous Nellies can take a shot at this! At 70-80 mpg the idea started to become more appealing. Our commute to work is 4 miles one way and we do that 4 times a day, 4 days per week. That figures out to be about two gallons of gas per week for the two of us. This started sounding better and better!

So, two days of hemming and hawing behind us, we are pleased to introduce to you:

Maude and Rhoda

(off to look for stickers to decorate!)

Impeach Bush July 25th

Call Congress today!

WE make this happen!

1-800-828-0498

big boy games

This post is merely to let all 3 of you know that I just beat Metal Gear Solid 4. Yep. This 41-yr-old girl finished a big boy game. On top of that, I defy you to find a big boy who finished it AND watched all of the cuts scenes. Geez the Japanese love the drama!

Woohoo for me!

edit: playing through for a 2nd time to use all the cool weapons acquired on the 1st. Who doesn't love a rocket propelled grenade launcher?!

Wowee Wednesday

Jaime Sommers

This week we are going back to what could quite possibly be my first Wowee. Now let me explain that at the time I didn't know I was feeling "wowee" after all I was just 9 yrs old. At the time all I knew for sure was I wanted to be just like Jaime Sommers right down to the denim skirt and plaid blouses (BTW,that was most likely the last time I wanted to wear a "blouse")

She was smart, powerful, pretty and half machine! What more could I want?! Who needs "Baywatch" when you can have Jaime Sommers in slow-motion? Bah!

Enjoy this blast from the past! When I watch it I am transported back to sitting on the floor in front of the TV, in my pajamas, wet hair fresh from the shower, ready for my hour of heaven!
My lunchbox
My dollBarbie Dream Camper? Oh so juvenile...

My wall poster (no, it is not still hanging)
My new favorite website

And because I know you are asking yourselves already, yes, yes I do have a Sleep Number Bed!

feeling like a bonafide grownup

We stumbled upon an estate sale a few weekends ago and found the most interesting/cool pieces for the house.

Much to our delight and advantage, most of the house was full of items which indicated that the clocked stopped somewhere in the mid 60's and early 70's.

We found this awesome teak buffet and hutch by ScanDesign and as luck would have it, it was exactly what we needed for the living room. BTW, we get an extra charge out of utilizing furniture differently than it's intended purpose. This piece looks so freakin' awesome in the room! An absolute steal at $300. It completes the groovy look we are magnetically pulled toward!

We went to pick up the hutch the next morning and found that no one had bought the matching table and chairs. Hmmm...we don't really need a set...but it's so beautiful...and it's in perfect condition...$250 you say? Well, okay, if you insist!

With the addition of these pieces, we are actually starting to feel like, and the house is starting to look all grown up! Now for some chotchkies...

Because we moved stuff all around, this great piece we got at West Elm, intended for behind the couch, now really sets off the foyer! We are going vintage shopping tomorrow in search of a starburst clock for the living room. Bowchickabowwow!

Broadway Monday

The Phantom of the Opera

In The Phantom of the Opera, a young singer, Christine, is charmed by a mysterious specter who haunts the Paris Opera house. Based on Gaston Leroux's famous novel, the musical's tale begins as unexplained accidents have been occurring throughout the Paris Opera, and the stuck-up diva, Carlotta, refuses to go on. Christine takes her place and is a triumph. At her opening night, she meets her childhood friend, Raoul. Alone in her dressing room, she finally meets the Phantom who has taught her to sing so beautifully. Taking her to his lair in the misty catacombs beneath the Opera House, the Phantom declares his love for Christine, but she soon learns his terrible secret. The story moves from the Phantom's underground hideaway to the dizzying roof of the Opera House, as the Phantom and Raoul battle for Christine's love. Now the longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera has played to over 80 million people in 25 countries in 124 cities around the world since its first performance. The New York production alone has enchanted over 12 million audience members in its over 20-year run. Be a part of the phenomenon by getting your tickets today!
We have had the honor of seeing this wonderful show a few times, and a couple of those were in New York which is even more spectacular. The show's recent ad campaign includes the line "Remember your first time..." and when I see it I always remember mine! What a gloriously beautiful show that grabs your emotions and flails them all over the theatre! Not many shows take you from disgust to sympathy and love for the main character. I cry every time I watch the Phantom's last scene. Then again, I am on the verge of tears with excitement any time I am in a Broadway theatre seat!

October 2003, New York City

Welcome to the

Do-Whatever-You-Fucking-Want

Government

I feel sure in saying that we as a nation/people/voters/lemmings are not intellectually ready for the satire intended on The New Yorker cover this week:

I mean, we just really aren't ready, or willing to see how ridiculous this topic actually looks when posed as a real news story every day on Fox News. There are too many Americans willing to fall for the easy pile-on mentality that has become our political environment. It's not that I agree with the decision to run this cover, (Lord knows it will be used against us) I just think that it should be more obvious to the editors that we can't understand this type of humor because it makes us think.

It's just pathetic that #1 this is happening in the first place and even needs to be a topic for discussion, and #2 in that light we are STILL too dumb to realize when we are being made fun of as a whole, and instead let the ignorant words "See! He is a terrorist!" slip from our lips.

We are so fucking rich.

Wowee Wednesday

Meryl Streep

Come on now, is there anyone as versitle and talented as Meryl Streep? Take a look at the filmography, and tell me she's not supreme!

In addition to being beautiful, and let me add that Meryl is aging spectacularly, she is absolutley kind, generous, and hilarious. You know how I love a tough, smart, funny girl!

Don't even get me started on her ability to become the part:

The French Lieutenant's Woman, 1981

Angels in America, 2003

The Devil Wears Prada, 2006

Mamma Mia, 2008

Doubt, 2008

Julie and Julia, 2009Wowee.