Friday Thoughts

I just have not felt the posting bug as of late. Not sure why. So here's some random thoughts for Friday . . .

• Not enough people in SLC know about Bruges Waffles & Frites. And that breaks my heart. Go eat some frites, people!
• I've been enjoying some Joshua Radin lately. If you aren't familiar with him, please remedy that.
• Thanks to following Pee Wee Herman on Twitter {yes, you just read that correctly}, I discovered a most hilarious Tumblr. Enjoy.
• Do I really miss winter and the snow and the cold and the mess? Yes, yes, I do. All this sunshine and warm weather is throwing me off. And making my scarves feel abandoned.

Happy Friday, y'all.

An Unusual Love Story

I am a sappy romantic. This is no surprise to those of you who know me and/or consistently read this blog. I, however, am not a huge fan of Valentine's Day, simply because of the forced expression of feelings that usually accompany it. But I heard a story today that warmed my sappy, cynical Valentine's Day heart, and I really want others to know about it. If you listen to NPR, then you probaly already heard this. If you don't, then you really need to check this out.

The comedian John Fugelsang shared his parents' love story on Twitter on the 1st anniversary of his father's passing. NPR found out about it and shared it. It's an unusal love story but a great one, a very moving one. A story about a priest and a nun and what happens when they fall in love.

Do You Remember These?

I know not everyone grows up in a house where music was played on a regular basis, but I did. And it's hard to not think of music when I think of being kid. My mom usually had something playing while she was fixing dinner or doing other stuff around the house.

And while the stuff she listened to may not have been my first pick {more likely it would have been Whitney Houston or NKOTB}, those songs are forever embedded in my brain. The Oak Ridge Boys came up in the office today, and one of my co-workers {cute little Nichole} had never heard their song "Elvira." That seemed impossible to me. So, I found it on YouTube and shared. That started me thinking of other songs.

I'm sharing some of them with you here. I'll warn you - when I listen to these songs, I have feelings of nostalgia and happiness. You may not experience the same feelings. Unless you have an odd thing for old-school country and awesome facial hair.







This makes me wonder if my kids will think the Foo Fighters and Weezer are so lame just because I like them and play them at home.

What are some songs that you were forced to listen to against your will as a child?

A Must Read

I just discovered this website. It's very interesting. And there's one letter that I think everyone should read. So good.

On the Road

For no logical reason I can figure out, I just can't take people seriously while they're driving a Dodge Neon.

anyone

For some reason, parts of this poem have been going through my head today, so I thought I'd share:

anyone lived in a pretty how town
by e.e. cummings

anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn't he danced his did

Women and men (both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn't they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain

children guessed (but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more

when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone's any was all to her

someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then) they
said their nevers they slept their dream

stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)

one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was

all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
wish by spirit and if by yes.

Women and men (both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain

The Guidelines

Dating is not my favorite thing. There are a lot of elements you can't control; it can be painful/awkward/dehumanizing; there's a lot of criticism that comes from people who should have no say or opinion on the matter. But the reality is, I want to find my own leading man, so I date.

Back in college, I came up with some guidelines for guys I date. I really am trying to not be too rigid, but a girl's got to have some standards. After much thought and introspection, here's what I came up with:

• He cannot wear a smaller size pants than me. Considering I am not an overly large person, I think this is a reasonable guideline. Plus, I like being reminded of "While You Were Sleeping" whenever this one comes up.
• He cannot have better hair than me. I would love to end up with a fella who I think is as dreamy as all get out. But when it all comes down to it, I prefer being the good-looking one in the relationship. He can have other great qualities, but if people are commenting on his lovely locks more than mine, I can't deal.
• He cannot wear more jewelry than me. Usually, like-minded people end up together. This guideline helps with that. If a guy has more metal in his face/ears or around his neck/fingers than I do, we probably aren't going to get along.

You may or may not agree with these guidelines, but so far, they've worked for me. Most of the guys I've dated for any amount of time have fallen within these.

What about you? If you're single, what guidelines do you have? If you've already found your someone special, what ones did you use? Did they work? What would you have changed?

Two of Hearts

I'm in a good mood this morning. Partly because of the memory of the following scene from "Hot Rod" and partly from other things. Bill Hader and Danny McBride crack me up. I would totally have a dance party with them.

Golden Globes 2012

I haven't had a chance to actually watch them yet, but I have had time to look over the gowns from the Golden Globes this year. And I must say, I was in no way blown away. I can't say that I saw a single dress that really rocked my world. Was that just me? Did you see any stunners that I might have overlooked?

For what it's worth, here are the handful of dresses that did catch my eye:

Clair Danes

Ms. Danes tends to be drawn to gowns that showcase her back. This one does it beautifully. And while it's not a jaw-dropping gown, it is elegant.

Helen Mirren

Will Ms. Mirren ever not make it onto one of my best-dressed lists? This is not my favorite of her gowns {that would be this one}, but she still keeps it classy and continues to school the younger gals.

Busy Phillipps

Again, not a particularly stunning dress, but I do enjoy that Ms. Phillipps went with a classic Grecian gown but with a bit of interesting fringe detail. I also adore her ring.

Michelle Williams

Stated simply, I love that Ms. Williams chose a dress that is modest. She shows us that you can dress up, keep covered up and still look incredible. Thank you.

Berenice Bejo

The lovely lady from Argentina stars in the silent film {and fast-growing hit} The Artist, and she showed up looking like a star. Of all the gowns I saw, hers is my hands-down favorite. The color is perfect for her, and {as is typical for my tastes} she chose a gown that has interesting details in the cut of the fabric. Bravo, Ms. Bejo.

Leonardo DiCaprio

To help keep things balanced on the men's side, Mr. DiCaprio showed up looking as handsome and dapper as he is always at these award show functions. We ladies very much appreciate it.

Thank you Just Jared and the Internet for all my pictures.

Down Under Love

The great country {and continent} of Australia has given us many treasures:

• Great slang - G'day, mate!
• Adorable animals - kangaroos, koalas
• Entertaining Movies - "Strictly Ballroom", "Man From Snowy River"
• Weird foods - Vegemite
• Rocking bands - INXS, AC/DC
• Amazing Architecture - Sydney Opera House
• Hot men - Hugh Jackman, Eric Bana and {new-to-me} Joel Edgerton

I find him to be incredibly delightful, charming and easy on the eyes. And as a note of interest, he'll be Tom Buchanan in the new Gatsby movie coming out later this year {directed by fellow Aussie Baz Luhrmann}.

Why have I not visited this wonderful land? Anyone want to go?

Say It Ain't So

If this really is true, then I'm going to be heartbroken for the rest of the day.

Maybe longer.

The Review

And once again I've made it through another year. 2011 was . . . what?

Good? Fun? Scary? Tumultuous? Exciting? Upsetting? Lovely? Disappointing? Survivable? Blessed?

Yep.

Here's to 2012, a very {hopefully} happy new year.

A Very Carson Christmas

Here's a delightful video with a taste of Carson to tide us over until Downton Abbey series 2 begins next month.

Merry Christmas

I love thee, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in they tender care,
And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

The Boss Man

Have I ever told you that my boss is a real bear?

Sheesh.