The big 2-9

If you've never had Katie C's cupcakes then you just don't know how amazing they are. :) As my sister said "these cupcakes could end wars." I'm not big on cake and icing, but these are GOOOOOD!

I feel lucky to have such great people in my life. Took some pics of the table at Genghis Cohen as we celebrated the fact that I'm getting ooooold. Me, my babe, and Katie C post chow-down.

Anne, Rada, and Katie...we've celebrated a lot of birthdays together at this point. Katie obviously has seen me since my very first one and we've mostly had joint parties (not the drugs kind) since we were little seeing as our bdays are only 6 days apart.

Tami and RJ experience Genghis for the first time and really enjoyed our lazy susan centerpiece..as did the rest of us. Very useful for sharing!

This actually happened the weekend before my birthday...KT and I went to Urth Cafe and this is the random number they gave me while I waited for my food...almost like they knew! Creepy coincidence! Just kidding.

I had a very fun birthday weekend. Saw SCB on Friday at Molly Malone's and was able to get a lot of people out that night to celebrate that I hadn't seen in awhile. Plus the boys had a great show. Saturday was v-day and I'm not really into that whole idea. My idea is that you should probably tell the person you love something along those lines more often than once a year. Just seems like kind of a pressured exploited celebration of love to me...so we spent the day watching all of the Lord of the Rings extended edition movies back-to-back with a couple of short breaks to walk the doggie and get snacks at the store. We rallied quite well until 3 am. Made it through all 3 films! That's 13 hours, people. :) Dorky, yes...but a fun and unique day spent with my love.

Sunday we went to brunch and I relaxed during the day (been fighting a sore throat). That night was the dinner and cupcakes extravaganza. Thanks to everyone for all the facebook messages, texts, phone calls...it is fun to feel loved! Although my mom did all the work. Here's to looking forward to 30! It's amazing how life turns out. I feel very very blessed and lucky to be where I am with the people who are apart of my life. 29 years down....we shall see what the future holds!

Blessed and Bewildered

It seems that that is the way life goes.  When there is good, there is also bad.  I guess it is to make us appreciate things a little better.  To me, it already seems like 2009 is zooming by.  Of course January has been quite busy with these short weeks of work (holidays just kept falling on the days right around the weekend making it 4 day weekends...I'm not complaining!). :)  KT and I went to see the pops in Mississippi and had a great time.  I didn't drive for 5 days!!  That NEVER happens.  I drive so much for my job...and it's not just driving, it's LA driving.  Anyone who has done that, knows just how different it is to drive in this town.  Urgh. :)  

We got to go to some old favorites that aren't in LA...chik-fil-A, Mellow Mushroom, etc.  I got to take my time shopping instead of running in a store for my boss and then taking a quick power lap in the other sections perusing for myself.  My fam is hilarious and each trip I come back with some great quotes.  This year the winner was my aunt talking about tattoos...having seen mine and KT's.  She said "the only tattoo I'd ever get is a huge DNR on my chest."  Say this in a very pessimistic monotone voice and picture a tiny woman saying it.  Hilarious.  This is the aunt that called me once and said "open your door and listen....hear that?  It's my life...sucking."  haha  

Here's a pic of me with my other aunt, Betsy...but we call her Mimi.  Everyone does at this point.

I bought Big G a hoodie because it looked like her.  The woman loves pink.  Here she is being "street" with Katie while we played dominos.  

She also liked our new sunglasses and wanted to try them on for a picture.  It was hard to come out of this trip with any pictures.  Aunt doesn't allow it.  Grammy gets mad unless she's being silly and Dad refuses.  Good times.  

I feel like I'm going through a time of transition.  I'm going to be moving March 1st and that's exciting.  I'll be in Los Feliz which is an area that I love.  And there is a backyard for Arthur...he's going to be a happy pup.  It's always fun to make changes at a new place.  I want to paint!  For now though, I want to go home and start my weekend! :)

2008 wrap-up

2008 was an interesting year.  It is funny because I remember hearing my parents say that time flies and I'd look at them like they were crazy and think "but every day of 2nd grade seems like an eternity!"  Funny how your perspective changes as you age.  I honestly can't believe an entire year has passed since we spent New Year's at obrien's in Santa Monica and at the griffin.  But a lot has changed.

2008 was a year of upgrades....

I upgraded my love life.

I upgraded my apartment by moving out of the neighborhood that I just couldn't deal with anymore.

I upgraded my friendship requirements to those who are respectful and appreciative.

And last night I upgraded my phone to one that (fingers crossed) won't freeze, reset, and delete everything all the time like my BB curve did! :)

There are other categories that I look forward to upgrading in the future, but for now I'm pretty happy with those ones.  In just a month and a half I'll be 29....that is awfully close to 30.  And again I say, time flies.

I'm happy for a new year, new possibilities, new fun, new friends...whatever the future holds!

And tomorrow KT and I are going to Jackson, MS to see my dad, grandma, 2 aunts, cousin, and the Colonel.  Can't wait for a few days away with my hilarious sarchotic family!  

I'm lovin' it

So it's another one of those crazy weeks...the kind I love. :)  Starting tonight, I have something every night until Monday.  My boss' play opens tonight, and I've been told that "food and merriment" are to follow the performance, so that's pretty exciting.  I also didn't know I was going to go until about 10 minutes ago.  Best kind of surprise. :)

Tomorrow night is Butch Walker's last show of 2008 and it's sold out...and we'll be there.  Can't wait to see him again.  It's just going to be him and I've been told that it is going to be a pretty amazing special show for his LA crowd.  The new album, Sycamore Meadows is wonderful and has a lot of heart considering Butch's house in Malibu burned to the ground last year.  He's gone through a lot and used that to write some incredible music.  myspace.com/butchwalker

Friday night we are seeing The Submarines at the Echoplex.  Many people will know the submarines only because their song is the new background music for mac.  All the commercials are using the music for "You, me and the Bourgeoisie"...which I recommend anyone listen to (with the words!).  The new album is great and I'm fired up to see them for the first time.  And for $12!  What a deal.   I love their song "The Swimming Pool"...how great are these lyrics?

"When you kiss me in ways I'd forgotten, love is a swimming pool with no bottom." 

  

Saturday OURS plays the Roxy.  I'm going to be prepared this time for a very HOT show.  Jimmy doesn't like A/C...at least it isn't summer now, but still, it gets hot with all the people standing around and close together at a show.  I can't wait to see them again.  Haven't gotten to enjoy the full band since the summer and I missed the 2nd show because I was super sick and Cooper wouldn't let me go...(he's smarter than me sometimes)...it was a good decision, but I was bummed.  Looking forward to another amazing show.  

And Sunday night The Weepies are playing at hotel cafe.  I've never seen them, but Cooper is a big fan and I trust his judgment.  Plus if they're playing hotel cafe then chances are that I will have a great time.  Should be 5 very fun nights in a row!  

Friendship Phases

I am at a strange place. There are certain aspects of my life right now that are so incredible. And then there are others that are unfulfilled. Friendships are in transition. I've spoken to a lot of people recently who feel like there's "something in the air" with life.

I've always been a "keep in touch"-er. But at the ripe old age of 28 I'm just getting a little sick of making all the effort. It stinks to see people fall by the wayside. And I want to fight for them to be a part of my life...but you just can't make someone do that. I end up at the end of the day feeling very frustrated and unbalanced.

There are friends from college that I tried to keep in touch with...periodic phone calls (typically voicemails left and unreturned). Now that we're closing in on 6 years out of college I think I'm just a little worn out. Le sigh.

But when do you call it quits? Do you have friendship "break-up" talks? I don't know the formula.

Bottom line, I am very lucky to have some amazing friends in my life. And I think I have more than the average bear that I can count on...there's just a couple voids right now that I'm feeling pretty deeply. Hopefully hurt can be healed and something can be learned through this. But right now...I'm just sad.

Fall or something like it

The weather has been really weird here. Last week it rained in the midst of some super hot days and one semi-chilly day. Today it was 92 degrees...um, it is October. I'm in a tank top...what is wrong with this picture? Sometimes I miss "fall"...but it's fleeting.

This weekend my friend Darren had his bday party and we drove down to Orange County to hang with everyone. Per usual we had a great time. Here are some pictures of the festivities.

Darren and his wife Chelsie...love them. Coolest parents I know.

Me and the birthday boy, Cowboy Darren

Steve and I accidentally had coordinating ensembles...so goes a couple of "prom" photos.

One pose isn't enough...obviously.

There's the winner. <3

A weekend of Louis

The boys love each other. :) It is slightly adorable.

Look what I can do! For chicken sausage!!
I sit so very nicely when there is yummy-smelling human food close by and friendly people who feel sorry for me after being at the vet.

This picture is for my dad....my boy and I walked around the Grove/Farmer's Market for awhile Sunday afternoon and were looking through the cheap Hollywood touristy gifts. One was a bunch of personalized license plates. They had Brendan and Cameron and names that aren't that common, but no Molly. The next turnstile had dog ones for you to buy that said "My Best Friend" and then a dog name. I turned it around and said, "What, no Molly here either??!" But then I realized...Molly was the only name that was sold out. Ha. My name sure is popular with the canines.

Louis the pug has been itchy, poor guy. So Saturday meant a vet appointment for Mr. Pugmire. He was very brave but his tail went straight in spite of us reassuring him throughout the appointment. That's a typical pug trait..straight tail instead of a curl when tired or sad or nervous.

Afterwards we went to Hugo's and Louis was thrilled with his bites of sausage. He was a good boy.