An anniversary

It's funny how sometimes we know something before we consciously recognize it. Earlier this evening I got the hankering to listen to The xx. I love them but I haven't actively played them in a few months so wasn't sure where the random need to play the album came from but who am I to argue w/the desire for some good tunes? I put them on and quickly melted into their hypnotic voices, smooth melodies.

It reminded me of my friend Tera, the one who introduced me to them. This in turn brought back a rush of memories of exactly when I first heard them...at the rental house we had on the oceanfront of Encinitas, CA where we were for a week for work. Descending the stairs to their hypnotic voices, smooth melodies with the sound of waves in the background and smell of coffee brewing in the kitchen. I can literally sense the cool tiles against my feet, the salty air and mist from the early morning sky.

I decided to give her a little shout out on FaceBook about this reminiscing and then it struck me. What is today's date? When was I in Jackson Hole last year? Valentine's Day. Count backwards...hold the phone, Encinitas was almost exactly one year ago. Had my mind known that and therefore triggered this desire to hear The xx, to be transported back there? I really think so. I think our minds have a stronger bank of recognition then we give it credit for...a greater ability to recognize the importance or significance of certain dates, times, places, smells.

The other day I was at yoga and I actually thought about this trip, particularly this one night, sitting on the beach after snowboarding at a secret spot all day. A cool air, a beach fire, a bottle of wine, a guitar and 3 great new friends. I went to this place during yoga as a place of peace, of feeling centered, feeling warmth.

I've traveled a lot and had many random happenings, interesting meetings, intense memories, but I must say that trip is one that will forever give me a smile, be a place of peace and balance in my mind, a sense of warmth and wholeness.

Happy Anniversary TD, DL and BB. All my love and happiness for our fortuitous weekend, sealing our lifelong friendships.

"When I find myself by the sea, in another's company by the sea. When I go out to the pier, gonna dive and have no fear." - The xx, VCR

Fake or real?

I had an interesting conversation with my dear friend Becky recently regarding fake eyelashes. Now, personally we both love them...well, the effect of them. But the discussion turned to the reality of falsies, what those who don't use them or who don't know you are wearing them, are unaware of.

I am a firm believer in lengthy eyelashes, luscious lashes, the kind that could fan a sweating man by simply batting them. I picture old movie stars giving that look to the male protagonist that stops him in his tracks. Generally that look involves batty eyelashes. I do believe though, in life and film, many people are unaware of this little prosthetic addition.

Ladies and gentlemen, these are not Kate Moss' real eyelashes:


Here is what we summarized, and what it really boils down to...are they worth it? Putting on false eyelashes is like intricate hand surgery..it should require extra special, separate training in the makeup and aesthetics department. Not to mention that application is occurring milimeters away from where you gain your sense of sight. Not only does it take a painstakingly steady hand, but rarely do you get it right on the first try which generally means a few twinges of pain as your involuntarily rip off skin cells and/or an eyelash or two. Once you get them on, think you are in the clear? Au contraire. For the next hour or so, you will be so acutely aware of your own eyelids it may drive you into mild insanity. On top of that, something about false eyelashes causes severe dryness of the eye. So, yes...all in all, they are quite a hassle and not comfortable whatsoever. But the look? Can't be beat.

I once heard someone say, "you've got to suffer to be beautiful, hell, I've been suffering my whole life." Take from it as you will.

2007...2008

The holidays are such a great time but also become hectic and time consuming, hence my lack of posting lately. Happy New Year. Haola Maka Heeki Hou (Happy New Year in Hawaiian...spelling questionable).

I spent a week in FL for Christmas and spent a good majority of it in my pajamas doing crossword puzzles, reading, drinking coffee and conversing with my family. We took the week to just relax...I didn't even meet up with old friends. It was quite nice to be honest...to just escape and mentally relax. I got a few minutes of sun although it was overcast a good portion of the trip and according to my mother there hadn't been a cloud in the sky for weeks...go figure.

My horse Krunchy

A highlight of the FL adventure was our trip to Busch Gardens for a day of roller coasters and bad food. My parents are such kids...they love rollers coasters! The only one they didn't get on was the newest one with a 200 foot, 90 degree vertical drop...yes, your face is parallel to the ground for a good 2-3 seconds...it was intense. A fun day was had.

After our upside down ship ride.

The day after returning from FL, Walter and I took a trip up to Montreal for the night to enjoy a little city fun. We walked around for a while, had some food and drink and narrowly escaped falling on the ice multiple times on the walk back to the apartment. We sadly missed out on the museums the next day as they were closed for the holiday.

A nice NYE was had at Becky and Ewen's with some close friends, good food and drink. Many people left before the stroke of midnight (are we really getting old this quickly??) but we stayed for the ball to drop.

Becky and I

Walter and I

2008 is here with a nice snowfall happening as I type this. Who knows what is in store for all of us but one can only hope it is full of fun, fortune, friends and family.

Sugar High

It's that time of year when all your hard work at the gym during Fall comes to a screeching halt with the tidal wave of holiday goodies that flood the office. I swear, every spare inch of desk and counter space in our office has a plate of sweet treats on it. Now, I'm not innocent bystander...I spent the past weekend being a nice combination of Martha Stewart and Santa's Little Helper by whipping up dozens of cookies...literally. So, one of the plates of sweets at my office is from my own little kitchen of sin.

I don't normally have a sweet tooth but something about the holidays changes that. I literally had a banana and 3 cookies for breakfast (at least I had a banana in the mix) this morning! I mean, my justification of needing to try each type is fine...but then I find myself going back for round 2. Do I think that the quality of cookie varies within one batch? Do I think that the cookies non-existing feelings will be hurt if I walk by without paying them notice? Nope. None of the above. I just lose control...it's like that little piece of us from childhood...the one that would cause you to lay on the ground kicking and screaming...it comes back...that irrational, out of control, ridiculous behavior, only now it's directed at copious amounts of cookies instead of My Little Pony's latest castle.

I suppose I could continue to pawn my cookies off on others...but let's be honest, I'll still sneak a plate full for myself.

Case of the Mondays

I've been really into the blog lately, and am loving it.

At the current moment, I'm sitting at my desk, looking out the window at what is one of the most beautiful days all year, yesterday being it's toughest competition. Days like this make me have a serious case of the Mondays. When it's raining and ugly out, I don't mind being stuck at a desk, starring at a computer screen all day. When there's a soft breeze, that crisp fall air, mid 70's and not a cloud in the sky, my desk is the last place I want to be. Sitting outside on Church w/a cup of tea and a good book. Taking a little drive, maybe doing a short hike. That is what I want to be doing right now.

At any rate. This past weekend was one of the more fun weekends of Fall so far. It began with one of my favorite things - Round Tha Hood, the south-end block party that is in it's 2nd year. The themes this year were Fireside at Emi and Kev's, Fraternity Party at Jessica's, Jazz Lounge at Sheehan's, Shotsville at Soe and Colin's and the British Pub at my place.

Fraternity Party!

House Hopping Ladies

Kev enjoying the wood bench at the Jazz Lounge

Scenes leading up to my finger being engulfed in a blue flame

It was a very successful event despite the torrential downpour and various other antics including, but not limited to a wood bench photo scene, Zima's and wine coolers, Colin poking people in the eye, Christina sliding down stairs and handles of Scotch.

Saturday was pretty much a wash due to Fridays antics, although I did manage to witness a french fry eating contest between Bannister and Isaac. My money was on Bannister and she came through in the end consuming just over 28 ounces of McD's fries (GROSS).

Isaac looked like he was experiencing serious vertigo at ounce 26 so called it quits.

After surviving witnessing that event, I met up w/Becky and we enjoyed a very delicious dinner at Tiny Thai. Apparently the host really liked us as he ended up seating us before people that had been waiting for 20 minutes. Good laughs and great convo, as always.

Sunday was one of those days that can't be beat. I woke up early, cleaned the house, walked to New Moon for coffee and a muffin and reading my NY Times, strolling and shopping on Church, riding a horse, baking and cooking then a little soiree at the Square for Mr. Wasuck's 31st. Good times rehashing the Round Tha Hood and listening to Bannisters words of alcohol wisdom - "Every season is drinking season".


Epic weekend complete. I'm in pretty much an amazing mood and feeling really great, really happy. I love fall.

Fall = Food, fun, films, flings, festivities

It's almost as if the earth's axis makes a full 90 degree change with the onset of Fall. I can feel it in the air, I can taste it in the food, I can sense it in the company of others. For me, Fall becomes a time of bundling up on the couch with a good book or movie. A time when my cooking goes into high gear and I even engage in some baking. A time when the bars get replaced with a close group of friends in a cozy living room with plenty of wine and spirits. A time when the chill in the air brings people together. A time when I relish retreating to the dark cave of movie theaters and enjoying an escape from reality, if only for an hour or two.

This past weekend a group of close friends celebrated the big 3-0 for Elisa. It was pretty much a perfect Saturday gathering...wine, a cozy home, lots of good food, hanging out on the couches, mingling.

I loved spending the whole day shopping for food then baking and cooking. The gloomy outside made me so pleased to be indoors, enjoying wafts of warm air from the oven filled with the smell of spices. Fall ignites the senses within me...colors liven up, smells deepen, tastes soften, touches warm the soul. It's really a great time of year.

Appreciation

It is a very true thing that sometimes we don't realize the value of something until it's gone, or soon to be gone. Sometimes it takes knowing that something will not be within reach to realize what it means to you.

Recently, news came to me of a move. I knew it was a possibility but it was still a bit of a shock. Not long after shock, I began to realize a lot of things. I realized how much this meant to me. I realized the things that had been shared. I realize the laughter that had transpired. I realized the doors that had slowly begun to open, obvious or not. I realized the warmth and comfort. I realized the honesty. I realized the companionship. I realized the consistency. I realized how different it had been, how much it had changed me. Realization then led to sadness. Sadness that it took the soon-to-be-removal for me to realize these things, appreciate these things. It made me sad that it means the finality of one aspect, the potential. Regardless of the capacity they exist in, it made me sad.

"Some people come in to our lives and quickly leave. Others stay for a while, leave a footprint in our heart and we are never ever the same."