St. Patrick's Day 2015

Janet Munro in Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959)

I'm currently writing this sitting at my computer, wrapped in blankets, with cramps and a splitting headache. I was supposed to be at work but I was sent home. Or rather, Craig had to come pick up my sorry ass. I was sent home yesterday as well, and quite frankly this is NOT how I wanted to spend my week! I even painted my nails green for the holiday, and now the main green thing I'm wearing is my FACE. Sigh. 

Craig and I celebrated the holiday yesterday as best as we could. I made vegetarian shepherd's pie with lentils and sweet potato (om nom nom!) and we watched The Quiet Man (1952) starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. YEESH. The movie is beautifully shot and beloved by many, but I just can't get behind a movie that features a man grabbing, pushing, and dragging a woman across town. By her arm! By her COLLAR! Yuck. I know the whole point of the movie was about quaint little Ireland and how things are different 'round these parts, but goodness. I think I'll watch Darby O'Gill and the Little People later. It's not a great movie either, but Sean Connery and Janet Munro are just so cute. Although it's been a while since I've seen that one...does he drag her around too?

OK I'm going to go overdose on painkillers (not really) and take a nap. Byeee!

4th of July Weekend!

I had a super fun 3rd and 4th of July! On the 3rd we had a parking lot picnic to watch the fireworks and then we had ice cream and watched Jaws (only the best summer blockbuster of all time!) and the next day we went to the Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade, then visited family at my mom's for a bit and finally went to my roommate's family's house for insane fireworks! It was a fun couple of days full of food, friends, fireworks, and even a little sunburn (whoops!). Isn't summer the best?

Christmas Tunes!

Since it's the first work day of December, I've begun subjecting my coworkers to Christmas music. And I have a LOT of Christmas music. Here are some of my favorites!

Bing and the Andrews Sisters? This thing is gold.

Best Tracks: "Mele Kalikimaka" and "Jingle Bells"

This album is fantastic! It's multicultural, multilingual, and multifabulous.

Best Tracks: "Auld Lang Syne" and "Elohai, N'tzor"

Frank. Christmas. That's all.

Best Tracks: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Adeste Fideles"

This album feels appropriate for sunny southern California, where the words "white" and "Christmas" don't make sense next to each other.

Best Tracks: "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "We Three Kings of Orient Are"

Not even ashamed of this one. Okay, I am a little. It's Liberace!

Best Track: Christmas medley...you've gotta hear it!

Lounge-y and fabulous.

Best Tracks: "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Mambo" and "(Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With The Bag"

See above description!

Best Tracks: "Warm December" and "Exotic Night"

A total classic for 90s girls. Remember when Mariah Carey looked like that?

Best Tracks: "All I Want For Christmas Is You" (obviously) and "O Holy Night"

Herb Alpert. Yum. For those who like their Christmas tunes with a lot of brass.

Best Tracks: "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Las Mañanitas"

Surf rock Christmas! Is there anything better than that?

Best Tracks: "Frosty the Snowman" and "Silver Bells"

If hearing this album doesn't make you want to go to a Christmas tree lot and take home a scrawny little tree, you have no heart.

Best Tracks: "O Tannenbaum" and "Christmas Time Is Here (Instrumental)"

The Ronettes and Darlene Love? Come on now.

Best Tracks: "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" and "Frosty The Snowman"

AW look at his little reindeer face! So cute. This one is only for fans of the movie, unless you like sickeningly sweet singing reindeer, or Burl Ives.

Best Tracks: "There's Always Tomorrow" and "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas"

Oh Zooey. I do like your singing voice.

Best Tracks: "Blue Christmas" and "Christmas Day"

The Squirrel Nut Zippers take on Christmas!

Best Track: "Indian Giver" and "Sleigh Ride"...their rendition of this classic is fantastic.

This album is magical to me. We used to listen to it every Christmas morning when we came downstairs to open our presents. There's not a more beautiful thing on this earth.

Best Tracks: "The Monastery Bells" and "Silent Night, Holy Night"...and the whole thing.

Have any I should add to my collection?

Happy (Day After) Thanksgiving!

There’s a lot to be thankful for this year. I’m thankful as always for my amazing husband who takes such good care of me. I’m thankful for my family, especially my crazy and awesome sister Dri. I’m thankful for reconciliation. I’m thankful for new beginnings. I’m thankful that Wednesday didn’t get eaten by that coyote. I’m thankful for my job, which is a lot of hard work but I get rewarded with little hugs and kisses and cuddles all day. I’m thankful for my fingers and my piano. I’m thankful for cinema. I’m thankful for my home. I’m thankful for my bed. I’m thankful for yummy food, especially pasta and cookies. I’m thankful for my friends, who are fantastic. I’m thankful for parties. And I’m thankful for being alive!

Halloween Soiree 2013

Oh dear, this post is quite late! I love Halloween, and we had to host a little shindig for our friends. Everybody did a great job with their costumes, the house looked pretty good, and we all had a great time! We had a costume contest and my friend Evan won for his Pee Wee Herman costume. He even danced to "Tequila" before leaving for the night! 

Until next year, happy hauntings!