Monday, July 30, 2007

July's mixed CD (Before the month is over)


This mixed CD was not so much made up of my favorite songs by these artists, but by the songs that I can "see" when I hear them. As in, they start playing and I can almost see the scene in the movie they would be accompanying.

(Bonus points if you know which movies the ones that have already been in movies were in.)

You Should Be In Pictures

A Hazy Shade of Winter- Simon & Garfunkel
How Soon is Now? - The Smiths
I Want You- Elvis Costello
Want to be Bad- Tegan & Sara
Oceans Cracked- TubeTop
Make Good Choices- The Vernacular
Freeze the Saints- Stephen Malkmus
Think (Let Tomorrow Be) - Sebadoh
Do I Move You- Nina Simone
Sell All My Things- Rosie Thomas
I Finally Found a Jungle I Like- The Posies
Cemetery Song- Jon Auer
Méchant Pétard- Plastic Bertrand
Regret- New Order
Sick Of Myself- Matthew Sweet
Ultimatum (Live)- The Long Winters
Step Back- Letters To Cleo
Honey And The Moon- Joseph Arthur
You Are What You Love- Jenny Lewis With The Watson Twins
Baby's Coming Back To Me- Jarvis Cocker
Plainclothes Man- Heatmiser
Learn to Live With What You Are- Ben Folds
Various Stages- Great Lake Swimmers
I Won't Dance- Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
Mental- Eels
We Both Go Down Together- The Decemberists
Car- Built to Spill
Starz- Broadcast Debut
Lady Sweet- Big Star
Dumb It Down- Bell
Crowds- Bauhaus
Runaround- Arlo

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Hearst Castle Shortbread Cookies


I made cookies tonight. I got the recipe from this wonderful blog. They turned out perfect. Light and YUMmy! I rolled a portion of them in cinnamon just for an extra zip. I am looking forward to having them with coffee tomorrow!

Hearst Castle Shortbread Cookies

This is a shortbread inspired by the version published in The Castle Cookbook by Marjorie Collard and Ann Marie Lopez. The end result is a perfectly light and buttery shortbread cookie with just the right amount of sweetness.

4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
1 pound unsalted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 vanilla bean (optional)

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.

In a mixing bowl beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and beat again, scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl once or twice as you are mixing. Beat in the vanilla extract. If you have a vanilla bean slit it open along its entire length, scrape out the vanilla bean paste from the interior of the bean, and add this to the mixer as well. Add the flour mixture in two additions. Stir until everything comes together into a thick dough.

Turn the dough out onto a counter top and divide into two pieces, there is quite a bit of dough, so cutting it into two pieces just makes it easier to roll out later on. Press each piece of dough out into a flat patty an inch thick. Wrap each piece in plastic and chill completely in the refrigerator - about thirty minutes. When the dough is chilled, use a rolling pin to roll the dough out 1/4-1/2-inch thick. Cut the dough into desired shapes using cookie cutters or a knife and place on a parchment (or Silpat) lined baking sheet.

Bake for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are barely golden.

Makes 3 or 4 dozen tiny cookies - more or less depending on the size of your cutters.

Peter Pan-ish


There was one of those Aura photo booths set up at this fair I went to. Just for fun I decided I would go ahead and get mine done. When my photo was developed the guy running the booth gleefully exclaimed, "You have the Aura of a child! I've never seen this before in a full grown adult!"
Wondering if I had just been insulted, I asked him to explain further.
"Oh no, it is not a bad thing. Children are more energetic and their minds are open, and they have higher ESP. When we grow up we get tired, and busy and stressed and we close up. But not you! You are full of crazy energy and your mind is wide open. If you focused your energy you could blow the doors right off of this place!"
He was all lit up and excited when he was explaining this, it was sweet, but I figured he said that to all of the cute girls.
"It must be all of the coffee I drink." I teased.
"No, this is a very good Aura, you are a special girl!" He insisted, "See that white light above your head? Those are the spirits that are always with you. Not everyone has those."
That part didn't surprise me. So many people I have loved have died. If there are spirits that follow us around, I would be one to have an army.
He went on to show me other people's photos, and he was right, all of the adults had one solid color, the only people with layers like mine and that white and purple outer layer were the kids!

Well, we all like to feel special, and I am not one to refuse a compliment, so there you have it. You heard it here first. Even though my birthday is a week away and I am turning 147 years old, my Aura is not a day over 7! Oh, and I am never alone. I hope at the very least they don't peek when I am in the shower!

Here's the interpretation thing:
Red/Hot Pink: desire, vitality, power, the urge to win, to have success, intensity of experience, action, doing, love of sports, struggle, competition, force of will, leadership, strength, courage, passion, eroticism, earthiness, practicality, desire for possessions, sense of adventure, the survival instinct. A majority of young children and teenagers especially boys, have bright red auras.

Green: perseverance, tenacity, firmness, patience, sense of responsibility and service, self assertiveness, high ideals and aspirations, dedication, puts high value on work and career. Ambitious desire for respectability and personal attainment, deeply focused and adaptable. Green is also the color of growth and of dedicated parents, social workers, counselors, psychologists, and other persons focusing on creating positive change in the world.

Violet or Purple: magical, original, tends to be unconventional, often has psychic abilities, unusual charisma and charm, the uncommon ability to make their dreams come true, or manifest their desires in the material world, wish to charm and delight others and can easily connect with higher planes of consciousness. Playful, nonjudgmental, tolerant of others' eccentricities. Sensitive and compassionate. People who have purple auras appreciate tenderness and kindness in others. Not especially practical, they tend to prefer to live in a dream world of their own creation. You'll find many "violet or purple" entertainers, movie stars, free thinkers, visionaries, revolutionaries, and otherwise singular and magnetic individuals. Dark violet could indicate a need to take charge of their life, or perhaps, that the person needs time to spiritually ground himself or herself.

White: spiritually motivated, the ability to be open and receptive to the divine, or spiritual world. Can merge with ALL THAT IS. Probably unconcerned with worldly matters or ambition. Inner illumination, cosmic wisdom characterise the white energy. Young children, energy workers, and people who meditate intensely often will show bright white in their auras. Generally, white does not often appear in the auras of adults.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Lucky.

At lunch today I decided to poke my head in the thrift store next door to my office.
It was just a quick walk through to see if there were any new coats/vintage clothes/handbags.

I noticed a somewhat unremarkable bag that looks like it was circa 1940-something. I picked it up and opened it for no particular reason. Inside it had a teeny change purse. I opened that as well. In there were two of the most beautiful silver and rhinestone vintage looking earrings. They were so shiny and new looking that I initially thought they were knock offs made to look vintage. The purse was obvz the real deal as far as being from the 1940's so I thought there was a slim chance they had just been sitting in that change purse since the 40's.

I went to the counter and asked the guy what he would charge me for these earrings. I explained how I had come across them. He seemed interested in doing as little work as possible, so he said, "They are yours for 99 cents!"
DEAL!

I figured that even if they were knock offs, they are REALLY pretty and you can't beat 99 cents!

They have a marking on the back. I came back to the office and googled them. Turns out they are from 1941 Eisenberg ice collection. I found a pair on a website they are selling for $125.

I don't think I will sell them because they are so pretty and in perfect condition. It makes me wonder if they really did just sit in that change purse for the last 66 years waiting to be found by me.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Here she is!


My new niece, Carys Lynn Price. I swiped this photo from my brother's blog, you can see more of her there! Congrats big brother and lovely Laura. You two are in for an awesome ride.

She looks a lot like Darian did when she was a newborn. Too cute. Takes me back...

Also, Happy 55th birthday to my daddy!

Friday, July 20, 2007

First vid with the new camera!

It is a lot bumpy because it is the first time I used the camera and I was playing with the settings. Here is a video of Josephine & Angelita from The Triple Door show, 7/14/2007


See more videos at: http://www.youtube.com/dreamingviola

Enjoy!

Thursday, July 19, 2007

To film fest, or not to film fest, that is the question.

There is a film fest I want to try to enter. The deadline is Aug 10th but it is only a 7 minute film fest. I know, it seems silly since that is not too far away and I don't even have an idea yet (Or totally know how to use my camera for that matter) but it sure does sound like a nice challange!

Now I just have to think about what would be interesting for 7 minutes.

You can combine any genres, the winner last year had part home movies and part animation. The only rule is that is stays under 7 minutes and that somehow there is "a slice" in there. It could be a slice of life, lemon, pizza, pie... You get the idea.

7 minutes... hmmmmm...

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Babies are fun!

My sister in law's (my older brother's wife) water just broke! She is in labor right now.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that she gives birth before midnight because then she and Darian will both be born on the 18th of their respective months!

This will be my first niece! They are giving her a Welch name, Carys Lynn, which (I think) they are pronouncing Care-us, but still need to have clarified.

I bought all of these realy cute baby clothes, I have to get them mailed out today as she is a few days early and I had planned on posting them Friday!

Thursday, July 12, 2007

The girl in the leopard-skin pill-box hat



I think this video is both sad and beautiful.

Just the inspiration I needed...

Jon's Mom and Bill sent us a surprise anniversary/my upcoming birthday gift!!
I am SO STOKED!

They got us a Sony Handycam DCR-SR82
And a tripod to go with it!

Woohoo!

I have a feeling my YouTube account is going to be seeing a lot of action very soon!

Now I just have to decide what kind of movie I want to make first. Hmmmmm...

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Happy Leather Anniversary!


Today is our 3rd wedding anniversary.
I looked up what the appropriate gift would be for a third anniversary (ie 1st is paper, 2nd is cotton...) to my surprise the 3rd anniversary is leather. Now the first thought that pops into my head is one of Jon wearing some funny leather daddy hat or something equally as ridiculous on him. I know, that is so wrong on so many levels, but you must admit, one does not normally go out shopping with the plan, "I'm going to buy leather!" in mind. (Or maybe someone does, but I generally don't.)
I also noted that if you stay married 90 years (Which I doubt happens ever) the 90th anniversary is Granite!! As in rock.
I'm wondering if they were trying to imply a headstone with this one? I mean really, who is married 90 years? You would have to live to be 100 and get married when you are 10!

I decided to get him something he would actually like, and bought him a block of rentals at his favorite video store, some really interesting looking Jasmine infused beer from a local brewery and a map of all of the best wineries in WA state.

It is strange to think that 3 years have already passed. In some ways it doesn't feel like that much time has passed, and in others it feels like 30.
The lady who was ringing up my purchases at the store said it best when she said, "Three years!! Wow! That is a really long time in this day and age!"

Indeed.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Which came first, the cookie or the fortune?

I was pacing in my cube at work, and I stepped on the corner of a bag.
I hear: CRUNCH!
I think, "Oh no, what did I break now?"
I look in the bag and find a fortune cookie from a lunch I ate last week in a pile of crumbs and the little white paper sticking out of the pile.

I, of course, pull out the fortune.

This is what it says:

You will find your lost item within the next week.


I could not stop laughing.

Seattle Show Just added

SEATTLE: 7/14 DAVID BAZAN/JON AUER CO-BILL @ THE TRIPLE DOOR

JUST ADDED: DAVID BAZAN & JON AUER (SOLO ACOUSTIC)
Saturday July 14
8PM (All Ages)
$10 adv/ $12 day of

Don't miss this just added co-headlined show with two of Seattle's finest
indie rock talents! David Bazan of Pedro the Lion and Jon Auer of the Posies
will each perform solo acoustics sets in an intimate setting.

$10 adv./ $12 dos.
www.tripledoor.com

Sunday, July 08, 2007

For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her

When I first saw this photo of a billboard in New York I thought: Emily, you are my HERO!


But then my hero worship was ruined by this article that explains what was really going on:

"A billboard in LA and New York has gained a lot of attention and buzz recently. The billboard reads: ‘Hi Steven, Do I have your attention now? I know all about her, you dirty, sneaky, immoral, unfaithful, poorly-endowed slimeball. Everything’s caught on tape. Your (soon-to-be-ex). P.S. I paid for this billboard from OUR joint bank account.’ Some viewers thought it was a real personal ad, while others were skeptical. The billboard is actually part of a mystery ad campaign for a new cable TV show. This type of buzz is called viral advertising and allows companies to produce cheaper ads because most of the advertising is created by people talking about the ad and forwarding around the piece on the internet."

I almost wish it were real...

Where's The Beef?

I know it is bad for me and I know that about 80% of my friends would never be caught dead eating it, but there are certain times (Especially when I'm living in PMS city) that I really enjoy a good old fashioned fast food binge.
It only happens about once a month, but when it does, I want it to be, well, fast and convenient.
Because I choose to live in the biggest tree hugging, vegan loving, foodie food snob part of Seattle, I have access to all sorts or really amazing and cheap fancy food, but a good old fashioned greasy cheeseburger is getting harder and harder to come by.
We only have two fast food places within walking distance of my office. We have Dicks and Jack in the Box. Neither offer flame broiled goodness, they are both clamshell grill kind of places and (I know this is practically sacrilegious to say in Seattle) but I don't think their burgers taste a hell of a lot different! I know, people LOVE their Dicks burgers here, but after talking to several people, I think it is more about the secret sauce, which I think is nasty and always order my burgers without. I am a catchup and mustard and extra pickles kind of girl. Go anywhere near my patty with Thousand Island sauce or anything that even resembles Mayo and I'm gonna throw it back at you.

I'm personally a fan of a good old fashioned Wendy's burger or a nice "Have it my way" Burger King burger with the happy little grill stripes when I'm looking for a greasy meat patty fix. Neither of which are within walking distance of work or home. And who doesn't love a Frosty? Come on!


At least I still have Taco Bell for my late night, after the rock club cravings... for now. (I heard it is being closed by the end of the summer to build condos and they don't see it being reopened on the hill. BooHoo.)

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Dirty Muffins

My favorite commercial on television right now is the one where the woman goes to her boyfriend and asks "What's a muffin top?" No matter how many times I see it I giggle like a little girl every time I see it:




My LEAST favorite commercial on television right now is this one:




I mean seriously! What the hell? Did a bunch of men get in a room together and think: You know what would be a REALLY funny commercial? Let's compare girl parts to crustaceans and in a round about way make girls think their parts are gross and dirty.

OK, I have a problem with this commercial for all of the obvious reasons, but also any good Gyno will tell you that it is these kinds of feminine products that mess with the delicate female balance and causes the issues they are supposedly going to "fix" in the first place.

To me it is the equivalent of making condom commercials that pick on penis size. Dumb dumb dumb.

Monday, July 02, 2007

Dysfunctional TV relationships

I like Hell's Kitchen but I don't want to watch it anymore.

The fact that I like this show at all really disturbs me on a very deep level. I mean, I watch the show and see how Chef Gordon Ramsey talks to those young chefs in the kitchen. He yells at them and calls them horrible names that border on sexual harrassment and really, it makes my stomach hurt to watch! In fact, if anyone were to EVER try speak to me or anyone I care about like that in real life I would probably call the police! If I were talked to like that in my work place, I would bring them up on charges! It's just so wrong. So why do we watch it?

Seriously.

I've got to wonder if they find abused and already broken personalities to work for these shows. I've noted that most of their chefs are not even half as talented as the chefs on Top Chef. So, maybe they do find the people who grew up in broken homes or with mothers with addictive personalities and abusive boyfriends, so the young chefs don't think there is anything wrong with how he is speaking to them?

I know there is this great big cash/fame payoff at the end, but I don't care how much money is at the end, if that is the guy who you will have to work for/with forever and ever amen, it just doesn't seem worth it.

Every week, when they are brought to tears after being harrassed and picked on and screamed at, they are crying to the camera and between sobs they are saying, "It's ok. I was wrong. This is how I will learn to be better. He just wants me to be better."

Um, sound familiar? To me it is sounds just like, "He only hits me because I am bad and he wants me to be better. He really is a good person deep down."

Yeah. Gross.

So, I am confused as to why I even like this show starring a person who would be so awful to the point that he brings people to tears several times a week. I just don't get it.

Is it a weird voyeurism thing? I am watching from the safety of my living room and they are the people in the shiny box, so they are not real, so this must all be scripted so he really isn't as horrible as he seems? Kind of in the same way I love the Godfather and The Sopranos and think the mobsters on those shows are really cool, when I am totally anti-gangs and violence in real life.

Is this the first step towards prison execution reality shows?
Is this really what we are coming to?
Is watching people in a classic abusive and bullying situation really good TV?

Has anyone taken a gander at the very popular Dr Phil house or seen the ratings on Jerry Springer?

I guess I answered my own questions.

And yet I keep tuning in, and watching while I get stressed out and my stomach hurts. It is the proverbial car wreck I can't turn my eyes away from. It has to stop.

At the very least I have to stop watching it.