A Whirl in my World

2010 in Books

2011-01-02T14:08:00.000-08:00

My goal for 2010 was to read 24 books and I rounded out with 25! The year brought some of my favorite books of all time: The Red Tent and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Looking forward to seeing what 2011 brings in books!

!!!!! - Do not miss it!
***** - Loved it
##### - Good read
:( - Disappointing

1. The Host by Stephenie Meyer *****
2. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows !!!!!!
3. Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout :(
4. Marley and Me by John Grogan #####
5. The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman :(
6. The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman #####
7. A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick :(
8. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant !!!!!
9. Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore !!!!!
10. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson *****
11. The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson *****
12. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson *****
13. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler #####
14. Perfection by Julie Metz :(
15. Little Bee by Chris Cleave :(
16. The Giver by Lois Lowry #####
17. Zeitoun by Dave Eggers !!!!!
18. One Day by David Nicholls #####
19. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer :(
20. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult :(
21. Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil by Deborah Rodriguez *****
22. Her Mother’s Hope by Francine Rivers *****
23. Her Daughter’s Dream by Francine Rivers #####
24. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot #####
25. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah *****

Spring has sprung!

2010-03-29T18:37:00.000-07:00

So many things to talk about!

Back to the Flat Iron
He's back!! Couldn't get enough of Ryan Cabrera when he conveniently dated Ashlee Simpson when her reality show aired? Have no fear, he has infiltrated the reality tv circuit once again. He went on a date with one the sisters from Pretty Wild, and now he'll be getting more publicity than ever on the upcoming season of The Hills. I wonder how long it took him to snag one of those media savvy girls. And it looks like he's back to his spike-tastic hair. Look at the height of that! Remember when he tried a more Justin Bobby-esque look? http://awhirlinmyworld.blogspot.com/2008/04/on-his-way-up.html She must be over that dingy look. Not sure if the spikes are a better alternative, but whatever makes you happy, girlfriend!

Stop Pouting and Start Dancing
Does Pamela Anderson know how to NOT act slutty? Apparently not from watching her on Dancing With the Stars. It's almost like she has a nervous tick that makes her pout her lips, tousle her hair, and coyly look over her shoulder. It's hard to watch. Unfortunately, she's a decent dancer. Maybe she should visit Kate Gosselin's rehearsal to help her loosen up and pump up the volume...of her new hair.

Out and Proud
Congrats to Ricky Martin! We've always known that you were shaking your bon-bon up the wrong tree. Glad you're out with it!

Not Going to Answer That Telephone
I'm a huge Gaga fan. LOVE her. But I'm not digging "Telephone" as a song and especially not the video. She can do better than this! All of her videos are edgy and artsy, but this one seems a little lackluster. And in my mind Gaga exists in a world of her own. One that does not include Beyonce. So having those two worlds collide does not do it for me. But the dance moves at the end are killer! But I'm not sure what's up with the patriotic get-ups in the end, and when is she going to ditch the pee-colored hair?

Cruising With Crazy
Have you seen previews for Tom Cruise's new movie Knight and Day? This writer/director is genius! They are totally banking on Cruise's reputation for being crazy, and I am totally digging it. He should do a promotional couch jumping tour.

Hot Mess and Loving It
Ke$ha can barely string a sentence together, but I promise if you put her album Animal on you will not stop dancing! This is not a lyrical masterpiece. Take the lyrics for what they are--poptastic and hilarious. It's all about getting drunk, hooking up and having a good time along the way. We can all relate to that.

Just don't expect her to actually sing. The best thing about her American Idol performance was the Native American headdress.

Now that's scary.

Heidi's Inner Beauty

2010-01-27T05:43:00.001-08:00

Have you seen Heidi Montag's new look? Whoa.

Beat-tastic

2009-12-28T14:11:00.000-08:00

2009 Remixed

LOL

2009-12-16T14:31:00.000-08:00

Need to laugh out loud?

Watch the music video I previously posted for "Empire State of Mind" and then watch this video with Stephen Colbert. It is sooo funny!

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

U.S. Speedskating

Tasty Tidbit

2009-12-04T10:46:00.001-08:00

While reading a book set in the 1930's and 40's, I learned that the name Charlotte Russe is not only a women's clothing for cheap and trashy trends. It is in fact a dessert that was popular during that time. It is a cold dessert of Bavarian cream set in a mold lined with ladyfingers. Russe is the French word for Russian and it's named in honor of the chef's Russian employer. That's a tasty tidbit for ya!

The Original

Modern Day

Screaming For Freedom

2009-12-02T12:51:00.001-08:00

The temperature outside is falling, so that means it's time to bundle up in our winter coats once again. This causes me great distress. Not because I have to freeze my butt off every day walking around the city, but rather because I have to see coat after coat with coattails screaming for freedom.

Coatttails screaming for freedom? You heard right.

When you purchase a new coat, typically the coattails are sewn together with a couple stiches to keep them in order during shipment and on the racks. These are meant to be cut after the coat is purchased. From my guestimate, 40% of people neglect to snip those stitches. Is it because they forgot or because they didn't know they were supposed to do that? Either way, it drives me NUTS. Do yourself a favor and make sure your coattails are flying in the wind. They want the freedom and you'll look much more fashionable.

Concrete Jungle Where Dreams Are Made Of

2009-12-01T13:51:00.000-08:00

Big lights will inspire you.

Become Your Own She Wolf

2009-11-05T09:56:00.000-08:00

Need some kickin' new music to spice up your life? These popular songs are guaranteed to get your booty moving on the dance floor or your shoulders swaying at your desk at work.

"She Wolf" by Shakira
"TiK ToK" by Kei$ha
"Funhouse" by P!ink
"3" by Britney Spears

Did I Really Just Say That?

2009-09-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

My feet are killing me. I'm on my feet all day, and my new shoes are not broken in. As I was gallivanting across campus today, I saw the three flights of stairs ahead of me that I had to tackle. I thought, no way, I'm taking the elevator. I always feel guilty taking an elevator when I don't really need it, but today I did. As I stepped on, someone in a wheelchair came in behind. I instantly felt like a lazy piece of crap. He then said, "How's it going?" Then in my typical nervous banter I told him my feet were killing me and I just had to take the elevator today. I was complaining about my feet hurting to someone in a WHEELCHAIR. He can't even use his feet and I'm complaining about overusing mine! I immediately felt like a total idiot. Note to self: Keep your mouth shut more often.

I Am Not A Student

2009-09-14T09:13:00.000-07:00

It's a new recruiting season. I'm back on college campuses rocking one presentation after another. I always work hard to separate myself from the students, since I'm often mistaken for one, and wearing a suit is key. I even have a fancy name tag. I was walking around campus in my new suit, feeling like a rockstar and ultra professional when someone from the college staff said to me, "Hey kiddo." Great. Just what I was going for.

Great Music, Great Price

2009-08-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

I'm an iTunes junkie, but I think Amazon may be pulling me over to their team. They offer some amazing deals! If you're looking for some new music, check out these great deals for a really low price.

Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus - $5.00 album
These guys are going to be big!

David Byrne & Brian Eno - Strange Overtones - FREE song
Nothing better than finding an old song that's new to you.

Demi Lovato - Here We Go Again - $2.99 album
There is no shame in Disney power pop.

An Oldie But a Goodie

2009-08-25T13:46:00.000-07:00

"Shadowboxer" by Fiona Apple just came up on my iPod shuffle. What a great song. What a great album. Tidal is the perfect listen for a lazy Saturday afternoon.

Not A No Pants Party

2009-08-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

Leggings are not pants.

Why do people not understand this? Leggings are merely an accessory for your legs, but require another piece of clothing (i.e. dress) to cover up your southern region. They are made thin with the intention of layering. They are not made to be the only layer between you and the world. "Shake what your mama gave you" does not apply here. Shake it after it's been properly covered. Please.

I Heart Hermione

2009-08-06T14:56:00.000-07:00

So I know this is delayed, but LOVED the new Harry Potter movie! It was surprisingly hilarious. It's expected that a ton of the details from the book are left out, but despite that, it was very magical.

I hate being a muggle.

It has inspired me to reread the series. I am already in the third and loving them even more than the first time. Sirius Black is mentioned in the first chapter of the first book--oh the foreshadowing!

For all of you out there who haven't read the books--DO IT. You are not too smart or too cool or too busy. They are a magically delicious and fantastically fun.

Losing an Idol

2009-08-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

There are two reasons to watch American Idol. Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell. And now Paula's leaving. I didn't think it was possible Fox would let her go. How will the show go on without her "friendly" banter with Simon? I won't be able to spend all season wondering what is in Paula's red Coca-Cola cup. Or watch her shake her groove thing to one horrible rendition of a 90's pop song to another. Kara is no match for Paula. We'll miss you, Paula. Good luck with your music career.

Forever On The Dance Floor

2009-07-23T11:37:00.001-07:00

Need a pick-me-up today? Watch this video. It will make you think every other wedding you've been to is lame. Be inspired all you bride-to-bes!

GaGa or Gag-Ga?

2009-07-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

Lady GaGa just became the third artist in the 16 year history of the Top 40 airplay chart to collect three No. 1 songs from a debut album. Who are the other two artists? Ace of Base and Avril Lavigne. While I do love me some GaGa, and in 1993 I went absolutely mad for Ace of Base, there is definitely someone missing from this list. John Mayer. You know it.

Bananas for Boden

2009-07-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon this great online store for really cute clothes. How have I not heard of Boden? I'm guessing because it looks like it's geared towards young and hip moms, and I just have the young and hip part down. Check it out--clothes for the whole fam! http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Default.aspx

You Down With OP?

2009-07-08T14:25:00.000-07:00

What's the deal with OP trying to revive the brand AGAIN this summer with ads full of young "celebrities." Dude, I was rocking OP in the early 90's and it involved a lot of neon colors. And if I was wearing it at 8, that definitely means Brody Jenner shouldn't be wearing it now.

The random smattering of young celebs includes a 90210 girl (I can see that) a boy from Hannah Montana or some other tween Disney show (also predictable), but then Joel Madden is there too. I thought it was Benji at first, but after some google image tattoo analysis, I can confirm it is Joel. Are they struggling to buy diapers for Harlow? And I swear the token black kid is T.I....but I'm pretty sure he's still in jail. And he's way too gangsta for OP. But not Brody Jenner.

Their tagline is "The original California lifestyle brand with the coolest clothing for girls and guys." Or not. And the clothes are only available at Wal-Mart. Do they even have Wal-Mart in California?

I guess we all would do anything for a nice chunk of change...even if you are Brody Jenner.

Is It November Yet?

2009-07-07T11:53:00.001-07:00

It's rare that I wish for November on a beautiful summer day, but the anticipation for New Moon in theaters is killing me!

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON trailer in HD

Magazine Cover Graveyard

2009-06-25T14:04:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what happens to the cover of a magazine that was planned for an upcoming issue until someone famous dies and then they are on the cover? Does it ever get released? My guess is no. By the next issue rolls around, it's probably old news. What would it feel like to be the person shafted from the cover? I would probably be pretty upset, and then feel guilty because someone died and their family is suffering. And then feel more guilty for being so selfish.

To take it a step further...think of all the media outlets working on montages and articles of a person life before they die. It really is necessary so the material is ready for immediate release once they pass. But I wonder if you have to be really sick, or just really old, for them to start gathering up pictures from grade school and quotes from your nearest and dearest. I wonder who is already in the works?

Looking to Make a Difference?

2009-06-23T13:05:00.000-07:00

Spend one hour a week visiting with someone in a nursing home. ONE hour. That's it. Everyone has one hour to spare. It will make a huge impact on the quality of life of that particular person. There are so many older adults eager for company, but continue to spend hour after hour alone. They will be so appreciative and you will have fun too. Spread some love.

Mr. Summer Are You Listening?

2009-06-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

Rain, rain go away. Come again...never.

Where is summer? Is it scared to show its face? Is it worried we might have too much fun basking in the sun and breathing in the warm air?

Mr. Summer, if you're listening, we are ready! We will welcome you with open arms! We'll throw on our tank tops and flip-flops and skip through the meadows. We love you and miss you. Hope to see you soon.

Quote of the Day: "You are such a bastard."

2009-03-02T19:19:00.000-08:00

WHOA! Huge drama during The Bachelor finale! I was elated when Jason chose sweet, genuine Melissa to propose to. I had visions of them running down the beach with Trista and Ryan into the sunset (with Ty and Max close behind). But then we all had the "most dramatic Bachelor moment." Literally. During the After the Rose episode when the couple usually spends the whole episode looking at each other with googly eyes, Jason dumped Melissa on her ass! And that girl stuck up for herself! Jason is a bastard. He fooled so many of us, Melissa. You will find your Prince Charming! Stay strong!

Just Dance

2009-02-10T16:11:00.000-08:00

Just in case you needed another reason to love him...

Blogging and Blago

2009-01-30T10:35:00.000-08:00

I have returned to writing on the web. I hope you haven't forgotten me. I've been anxious to come back to blogoworld (not to be confused with Blago, Illinois's corrupt former governor). Speaking of Blago...I've decided that you can tell a lot about a politician by their hair. If there is a question about the legitimacy of one's hair, there should be a question about the legitimacy of their actions. And have you every trusted a politician who slicks their hair back with a half gallon of Dep hair gel? Slimy hair, slimy person.

Ok, so it's obviously easy for me to get back to my random rambling. Wow. This feels good.

What jump started my need to blog again is my fascination with Mickey Rourke. His performance in the movie "The Wrestler" has been all over the media lately. When I first heard about a movie about pro wrestling, I automatically assumed it was some sort of spoof like "Not Another Teen Movie." Then when Mickey Rourke won a Golden Globe (thanking his dogs) I didn't know what was going on.

Have I seen him act? No. I am completely judging him by the way he looks and acts during public appearances. What bothers me most about him is his look. He has been nipped and tucked way too much. His pouty lips? Sick. And he has so much goop in his long straggly hair, he makes Bret Michaels' hair extensions look sexy. I just don't get it. And he's nominated for an Oscar? Yes, I may be too quick to judge his acting abilities, but I'm telling you...the bad hair...it makes me very skeptical.

Tired and Tortured

2008-10-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

My nightmares are back.

With my wedding only 8 days away, sleeping is a challenge. Exhausted I fall into bed, but once my eyes are closed my mind races. Once I am no longer tortured by restlessness and my mind and body doze off, I am often soon awoken by nightmares. I haven't had any like this since I was ready Harry Potter before bed every night and Voldemort would come out of my closet with a dagger headed straight for me in bed. I usually remember my dreams, but these nightmares are different. They are in realtime and I don't remember anything until I'm between that stage of sleep and awake and I am imagining someone in my room and I am sitting up to make a run for it and then I startle awake. It seems so real! Then I feel stupid for actually thinking it was really happening. It's kind of funny. Until I can't get back to sleep. I think part of the problem might be because my nightlight is burned out and it is way too dark. Maybe they make a Harry Potter nightlight that would ward off Voldemort and my nightmares.

Road Report #5: Furry Friend of Foe?

2008-10-01T13:37:00.000-07:00

While driving for endless hours on the open road with nothing but my iPod and my thoughts to entertain me, you'd be amazed at the things I ponder. One of them most recently: rodents. A rodent is defined as a relatively small gnawing mammal that has in both jaws a single pair of incisors with a chisel-shaped edge. That would encompass mice, squirrels, rats, chipmunks, hamster, and yes, beavers.

What spurred the rodent contemplation was my encounter with squirrels found in Western Michigan. Typical (or at least where I live) squirrels have different shades of brown fur like the one below.

However in Western Michigan they are black/dark brown. At first sight, it is very startling. I think they look like devil squirrels.

I don't mind squirrels. They are cute enough with their fluffy tails and I always do my best to avoid hitting them with my car. But I cannot say I love all members of the rodent family.

I have an incredible fondness for chipmunks. I don't know if it's the way they gnaw on acorns or how their little tail goes up when the scurry across the ground, but I want to keep one in my pocket and feed it little treats. Maybe it could sit on my shoulder. My love of chipmunks is curious because I am deathly afraid of its cousin the mouse. I ask myself, do I like chipmunks because of the cuddly characters Chip and Dale?
However, there are plenty of mice depicted in cartoons and Mickey Mouse has not helped me cope with my fear in any way. I try to tell myself that it is foolish to be scared of such a small helpless creature. And then I imagine one crawling up my pant leg or getting stuck in my hair and all rationalization is thrown out the window. Sick. I think it's their little finger-like claws/paws and the scratching noise they make. Gross. Do I like the popular hamster? No! They are mice disquised with jew-fros. Disgusting. What about rats? While I prefer to avoid them at all cost, they are not as scary to me because of their size. I feel like I could kick a rat like a football if I needed to. But tiny little mice are much harder to catch. What about beavers? Best rodent around. They are smart enough to build dams, have that big whopping tail, and the likelihood of encountering on EVER is very low.

Luckily for you and me, I will soon return home with less time to ponder rodentia.

Road Report #4: Dr. McSwimmy

2008-09-24T05:37:00.000-07:00

How would you like this guy operating on you?

Road Report #3: Shawn-John Wannabe

2008-09-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

So the majority of my days on campus are spent doing 10 minute presentations about the program in a variety of classes. Sometimes I'll do it as many as 15 times a day. It gets a little repetitive and I'm always looking for ways to spice it up.

My new thing this year is to close with the top 3 things about the program. I say,
"Just like David Letterman has his Top Ten list, I have a Top Three list. Mine isn't as long or as funny, but it's very informative." It cracks them up every time! And I still get a chuckle out of it too.

Some presentations are really lame because the students don't laugh at my jokes, but other times the room is on fire! After good presentations, I always have a skip in my step afterwards. And now I have a new move inspired our favorite gold medalist from Iowa, Shawn Johnson. I prance around like Shawn after she leaves the mat. Remember how she moves her arms in front of her as she walks? It's kind of an arm dance. I look awesome when I do it. And sometimes I'll do this move at the end in front the students. It gets a standing ovation every time.

Road Report #2: My Buddy and Me

2008-09-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

When I'm on the road my constant companion is my hotel television. One of my recent hotels where I spent seven long nights had an extremely limited channel selection. My two favorite channels--MTV and BRAVO--of course were not available. My other standby is TBS. Great for some laughs at The Office or Sex and the City. The picture is available, but the audio is really loud static. I think it's worse then not having it all because I can see what I'm missing. There are five channels in different languages and three freaking ESPNs. None of the big networks have started up their shows again, so the pickings are very slim. I repeat VERY slim. I thought I'd highlight some of the programs I am occupying my time with:

--Wifeswap: The drag-racing, messy, hick mom and the neat freak, image-obssessed mom ended up learning a lot from each other. It was heartwarming. No it wasn't. It was weird and awkward and I felt pathetic watching it.
--Dog the Bounty Hunter: Why is he dressed like that? And how are his wife's boobs so insanely large?--Mystery Diagnosis: As if I wasn't already paranoid about the health of my unborn children. Now I have to worry about melancholeractictheria too.
--Man vs. Wild: It was like a car wreck. I could not look away, but was so disturbed at the same time. Bear Grylls threw himself into some sort of mossy quicksand, but luckily he had a large dead sheep lying next to him. As his body was being engulfed by the moss, he proceeded to use the sheep as sort of a life preserver, throwing himself on top of it and wraggling his way out. It was disgusting.

I've moved on to a new hotel with a much more acceptable array of channels. Next week is a big with the premiers of Dancing with the Stars (who isn't excited to see Kim Kardashian's booty shakin' to the mambo?) and The Office. Things are looking up.

Road Report #1: Trouble Before the Tires Even Hit the Pavement

2008-09-08T15:43:00.001-07:00

Twice a year I go on a recruiting trip for work. It's starting to become routine with few problems. I'm sorry to say this trip has already taken a turn as scary as Harry Potter heading into the Forbidden Forest.

An hour before my intended departure to Michigan for two weeks part of my front tooth fell off. Yes, I said fell off. One might say chip, but the piece missing from my front tooth was much larger than one often refers to as a chip. A chip is chipper. This was a chunk. A funky chunk.

To those of you who do not know, one fateful day in fourth grade I challenged a friend to a bicycle race up the street. Not only did I lose the race when I skidded into a patch of sand and slammed into the pavement, but I also lost the bottom half of one of my front teeth thanks to the handlebar. I can still remember the traumatic moment when I first saw myself with a broken tooth smile. I screamed bloody murder.

Since that dreadful day 15 years ago, I have regular nightmares of my front tooth breaking out again and again. Sometimes I lose all my teeth. It's very scary. So when I suddenly felt a large piece of enamel in my mouth (that was then swallowed and is still lodged in my throat) it was a nightmare come true. Even worse was my slated absence from home for the next five weeks, and even more concerning--my upcoming wedding.

Tears were shed, fits were thrown, but eventually a solution was found. I delayed my trip one day and had my tooth repaired this morning. While I was very upset to miss a stop on my trip, I knew that I would not have much luck persuading large groups of people with the look I had going. So yesterday was spent in Chicago wallowing in despair that the repair job would leave me looking like a hungry rabbit and today was spent at my dentist's office. Much to my relief and yours, I left with a front tooth even better than the last.

I had hoped my toothy fiasco meant smooth sailing ahead, however, upon my arrival in Michigan I found my hotel room for the next seven nights doesn't have Bravo or MTV. No Project Runway. No Hills. And the tooth chunk is still lodged in my throat. This trip may be cursed. Stay tuned to find out.

A Musician Lost

2008-08-20T06:44:00.001-07:00

The world of music has lost a very talented musician. As quoted from the Dave Matthews Band website:

We are deeply saddened that LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of Dave Matthews Band, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, August 19, 2008, at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles from sudden complications stemming from his June ATV accident on his farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. LeRoi had recently returned to his Los Angeles home to begin an intensive physical rehabilitation program.

Jordan, You Make a Better Door Than a Window!

2008-08-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

Boy bands. No matter your love or hate for them, it is interesting to think about the dynamic amongst the group members. This thought was triggered as I applied makeup this morning and New Kids on the Block's video "Summertime" came on. In every boy band there are the "hotties" and the "not-so-hotties." The hotties are the ones who have lead vocals and are always in front of the camera in videos.

Jonathan and Danny, the "average Joes" (according to who?) are barely seen in the entire video. The longest shots of them are in the group dance sequence (could you really have a boy band video without a group dance sequence with matching outfits?) and then they are in the back row. It's an ongoing theme if you think about some of the most popular boy bands: Backstreet Boys, 'N SYNC, 98 Degrees.

How would it feel to be one of the average Joes? You have to think it's a major blow to the ego. Maybe it's worth all the sweet hook-ups from your celebrity status (or not-so-celebrity). All the perks but none of the downfall? Jonathan and Danny probably don't get bothered in public as much as Jordan and Joey, and they can probably attract hot chicks just as easily. But boys being boys there has to be a competitiveness that hopefully includes shouting matches and fist fights. It's probably more like a cat fight with hair pulling so no one breaks a nose. Or maybe they have hair product fights with all the gels, waxes, sprays and pomades they can find. With their shirts off.

Mayerama

2008-07-29T07:10:00.001-07:00

After yesterday's heartbreak, this is sure to start your day off on the right foot.

As If Monday Wasn't Bad Enough Already

2008-07-28T10:39:00.000-07:00

People.com released two stories this morning that stopped me in my tracks.

John Mayer Chops Off His Locks: Love It or Hate it?

"It’s been a few months since John Mayer showed off his Family Ties-inspired ’80s do and challenged PEOPLE readers to wax poetic about it with their very own hair haikus. And even after he brought his hairstyle back to the future, he still held onto his signature lush-locked look. But this past weekend the singer shocked and awed us when he sheared off his hair into an Army-issue buzz cut. We think that John looks pretty good no matter what, but we want to know what you think."

My reaction: HATE IT. David Beckham kicked a major goal for hotness when he buzzed his head, but John's land is lacking wonder without his wavy locks.

And if that wasn't enough to bring you down...

Bachelor Matt Grant & Fiancée Shayne Lamas Split

"Bachelor Matt Grant and fiancée Shayne Lamas have ended their short and often-rocky relationship, they tell PEOPLE.

"We tried hard to make it work but we realized that we were both heading in different directions," the two said in a statement to PEOPLE. "We truly care about each other and will remain close friends."

Neither would elaborate.

Grant, 27, and Lamas, 22, have been plagued with reports of trouble since their televised engagement on ABC's The Bachelor: London Calling in May.

One month later Grant told PEOPLE that he had moved out of Lamas's Century City condominium, citing a need for "space."

At the time Grant said the engagement was still on. "This stuff makes us stronger," he told PEOPLE.

Grant picked Lamas, an actress and the daughter of Lorenzo Lamas, from 25 female contestants vying for the English financier. In the show's conclusion, Grant not only presented the winning rose to Lamas, but also got down on one knee and popped the question with a 2.85-carat platinum and diamond eternity ring."

My reaction: Not surprising, but I was sure the fact that Matt called her "Monkey" meant it was true love.

Greatest Weekend EVER

2008-07-24T07:29:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was the all female celebration of my upcoming nuptials--the highly anticipated bachelorette party. It was a weekend affair that started Friday night with the ultimate male entertainment--John Mayer. Seeing a JM show could not be more fitting for my "last night of freedom." The show went to an extreme level when he came out for the encore without his shirt on! He was better than any stripper. Jen is a lucky girl. The only thing that could have made it even better would have been a shout-out from John. I like to think it would be something like, "This song goes out to a super sexy bachelorette out in the crowd tonight. Annie, I wish I could have snagged you up before Ryley did. You are one hell of a woman." Riiiiight...

The party kept rolling into Satuday and the theme was sexy safari and we were on the hunt! The party started at my hostess-with-the-mostess maid of honor's apartment for appetizers and gifts that also featured flawlessly directed entertainment by one of my bridesmaids. From there we boarded the party trolley that escorted all the sexy safarians to Chicago monuments where we would take group pictures. Tourists would take pictures of us too. They must have thought we were celebrities. That's how good we looked. One of the highlights for me was riding the trolley down Michigan Avenue hanging out the windows screaming at the onlookers. Typing it out now doesn't seem as cool as it was, but trust me--it was the bomb-diggity.

Of course the night would not be complete without hitting up the bars and dancing the night away, but before that, Anniepalooza continued with a scavenger hunt with people (man with a hairy chest), things (tampon), and dares (arm wrestle a large man) to be located or completed. One of the girls took the dare "make out with a stranger" very seriously and racked up some major points. Fun was had by all.

The morning left me with a headache, sore feet, and an overwhelming sense of love. To have all my best girlfriends make the trip to celebrate, reminded me of how fortunate I am to have them in my life. I'm happy to say none of them had to hold my hair back when the evening's libations resurfaced, but I know any of them would.

Aloe Vera Rubdown

2008-07-14T11:52:00.001-07:00

Two days at the beach watching a volleyball tournament in the sunshine brought on a nasty sunburn. Yes, I was wearing sunscreen, I just didn't reapply enough. This morning as I struggled through my morning run with radiating shoulders, I thought to myself, "I think I would actually pay money for someone to rub cold aloe vera all over my body." Dreams of getting an aloe vera rubdown led to the recollection of a fond memory from my days at summer camp.

The summer before my freshman year of high school I headed to the University of Iowa for 2 weeks of camp. Not your typical camp with campfires and rappelling (I tried that and found I didn't have much of an interest in archery or horseback riding), this was smart kid camp. We were there to learn! But of course, it was fun learning. And even if it wasn't, at 14 it doesn't matter what you're doing as long as there are cute boys around. And that there were.

When we weren't expanding our minds, one of the highlights was spending the day at the water park. Did we wear sunscreen? AS IF! Sunscreen was totally nerdy and although we were at smart kid camp, we were not nerds. So you can guess after all our fun in the sun we were roasted, toasted, and burnt to a crisp.

We needed relief. Aloe vera was the medicine we needed but our same sex roommate was not a sufficient nurse to apply the ooey, gooey goodness. We needed to get one of the boys from upstairs to do it. And so an aloe vera party was born in the lounge of the dorm. Bikini-clad girls and shirtless boys crowded around to get an aloe vera rubdown. And we didn't just stick to one partner. There was a lot of swinging going on. It was hot...mainly because our shoulders were so burned, but also because we had raging hormones.

Of course, once our counselors caught wind of our shenanigans, it went from rubdown to smackdown. Why do grown-ups always have to ruin all the fun?

Jesse?!?!?

2008-07-09T09:23:00.000-07:00

First of all, I can't believe DeAnna chose Jesse. Shocker! The producers did a great job throwing us all off. Poor Jason. I can't believe she let him get down on his knee! He deserves a good woman. Congrats to Jesse and DeAnna! I hope it's a fairytale ending.

And now for the YouTube video of the day. Surprisingly (or not), it's a song by Mandy Moore. I hope DeAnna never wants to sing this to Jesse. We all loved "Candy" when it came out in junior high, but her sound has really matured. I don't care for much of her stuff, but "Gardenia" really pulls those heartstrings. It's a beautiful song...especially if you have been crying your eyes out for weeks after a break-up and you want to continue to wallow in your sorrows. But if that's the case, maybe you should put on a little Gloria Gaynor instead.

Popaholic

2008-06-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

So I've decided my blog should be called "Video of the Day" since I seem so obsessed with posting videos for everyone to see. I hope I will eventually get over my infatuation with YouTube and develop an interest that is not connected to cyberspace.

But until then, I'm including one of my favorites right now. This video is H-O-T-T-T-T! It's a killer Maroon 5 song, but the addition of Rihanna and some crazy keys takes it to the level of ULTRA-killer pop sensation.

Whoever bashes pop music should be kicked in the shins.

Graham's Gone

2008-06-26T07:57:00.001-07:00

I know it's old news, but I am still in shock. Deanna gave Graham the boot. And he deserved it. He was a total jerk to her and then he had the nerve to write her a letter! Talk about mixed signals. Poor Deanna. All she wants is love and commitment.

Ladies, stay away from all those Grahams out there. It is easy to have a natural chemistry with guys like that, but that doesn't mean it will last. You don't need a DB like that in your life.

Simba!

2008-06-24T14:16:00.001-07:00

So I've obviously become a YouTube fanatic to an unhealthy degree with the amount of videos I post. But it's so much fun!

My new thing today was searching for all my favorite Disney classics. Why? Why not! I am always amazed at how I can still remember all the words to the songs. But can I remember any sort of historical or intelligent information? Of course not.

Below is a delight for all those born in the mid-1980s. Let me know if you get a little choked up. I did.

Who's Umbrella Would You Stand Under?

2008-06-18T14:21:00.000-07:00

Bustin' A Move

2008-06-18T13:24:00.000-07:00

If I could make my own music video, this is the kind of choreography I would bring to the table. Don't let the pet store setting distract you from his sweet ass moves.

No, Mary J.--MORE Drama In My Life

2008-06-10T14:44:00.000-07:00

I feel like I'm cheating on my fiance. Not with another man, but with one of my favorite reality television stars--Deanna Pappas. Every Monday I clear my calendar for two solid hours of me, Deanna, and 25 men trying to win her heart (and hopefully regularly parading around the house with their shirts off). We all remember the fateful day that Brad denied her the rose to his heart in a recent season of The Bachelor. It was heartbreaking and a waste of a good rose.

But she is back and ready to fall in love! She's the girl of any man's dreams. Heart of gold, killer body, and an irresistible Southern accent. She is "putting her heart on the line" to have the "fairytale ending" and she wants a man who is there "for the right reasons." She is not messing around! She's laid the smack down more than once and will undoubtedly do it again before she decides who is her one true love. She's breaking hearts, kicking ass, and taking names. How could you not be entertained???

Reality television has long time been one of favorite addictions. Though many people have recently caught on to the reality TV crazy, it has keeping my heart rate up for many years. I've been watching people make fools of themselves for half of my life and it all started in 1996 with Real World: Miami. To this day I will never forget the infamous scene when they tried to shove Flora's fat ass through the window to interrupt a sexy shower scene. From then on out I found nothing funnier or entertaining than the stupidity of other people being broadcasted for the world to see.

My love of reality TV has grown into a tree with trashy branches like Flavor of Love and Shot at Love and the educational like Top Chef and Project Runway. But a constant through all of them is the trunk that holds up the tree of reality TV: DRAMA. Ridiculous, crazy, drunk, naked, stupid drama.

And I eat it up faster than a fat kid with a Snickers bar.

DMB

2008-06-06T07:56:00.000-07:00

Dave Matthews Band. One of the greatest bands of all time has been rocking people's faces off since 1991 and they keep going strong. This year I am celebrating 10 years of infatuation with Dave, Boyd, LeRoi, Stefan, Carter and Butch. They've been very good to me over the years. We've shared ups (every concert) and downs (release of Everyday) and our love endures.

Summer after summer they hit the road to put on shows that never disappoint. I know the show I see tonight will be no exception. When you put a group of musicians on a stage together with as much talent as each of them has, it is synergy at its best.

Mix it Up

2008-05-06T14:51:00.000-07:00

I love a good mixed tape. There is nothing better than having someone carefully craft a sequence of 15-20 songs just for your listening pleasure.

A friend and I were discussing music and I mentioned that oftentimes lyrics are not what hooks me to a song. It's usually the hook. Pun intended. But I know I have more soul than that so I've compiled a list of some of my favorite soulful songs.

If you know me at all, you know that any musical list I put together will have an unhealthy amount of Mayer on it. But I can't help, especially in this category. In my eyes he is lyricist extraordinaire so it was unavoidable. You’re lucky the whole list is not all of him.

Most of these songs are great for listening to after a break-up and you want to cry your eyes out because they really pinpoint feelings that come out of the situation. There are some feel good songs too. The common thread is they all have soooooouuuulllll….

1. Split Screen Sadness – John Mayer: The second verse is my favorite batch of lyrics EVER. It’s absolute poetry… “It’s only the air you took and the breath you left.”

2. Back to You – John Mayer: My number one favorite song of all time. Particularly, his earlier version on “Inside Wants Out” that is more raw, and I think much better than the over-produced version on “Room for Squares.”

3. Elias – Dispatch: This song paints a picture of life in Africa with Elias. He’s a real person!

4. The Day Forever Died – Matt Wertz: Nothing worse than a surprise break-up. The title is perfect.

5. Meaning – Gavin Degraw: Love gives us meaning in this crazy world.

6. Belief – John Mayer: “Belief is a beautiful armor.” Offers a unique perspective about how people’s beliefs and opinions can work for and against them. Check out this BA video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEgUUTkqRRQ

7. Learning to Fly – Tom Petty: Nothing better than a good ol’ coming of age song that makes you think fondly of the good times that have come and gone.

8. Lost Myself in Search of You – Matt Nathanson: About wanting a relationship so badly you’re willing to put up with too much crap and turn into someone who's no good.

9. Grace’s Amazing Hands – Dave Barnes: One word. Beautiful. Has to be an acoustic version to be enjoyed thoroughly.

10. Beast of Burden – The Rolling Stones: The epitome of a love song; you can’t have your man or woman bringing you down.

11. Tracing – John Mayer: Going through the motions in a relationship, knowing it’s not going to last because it was never that good to start.

12. Stay Away – Dave Barnes: It’s hard to get your own heart jerked around, but maybe harder to have it happen to a close friend because your hands are tied.
13. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room – John Mayer: Things have changed in a relationship, and you both know it, but neither of you want to end it, but know that it is coming. The title is absolute genius and says it all.
14. Hallelujah – Rufus Wainwright: How could I not put this song on here?

It turns out most of these songs are on my "Greatest Songs of All Time" list so I guess I have more soul than I thought...

YouTubilicious

2008-04-24T07:05:00.000-07:00

Let's talk about YouTube. As of late, YouTube and I are having a torrid love affair. I can't get enough of searching for songs and seeing what pops up. I'm like a kid at the arcade with an endless amount of quarters.
But not everything I find puts a smile on my face.

When I search for songs it is inevitable that along with the "official music video" and numerous live recordings, there will be a frightening amount of home videos. These include lip syncing, sing-alongs, and the very scary a capella versions. What is curious to me is, what is their motivation? Do they think Simon Cowell is scouring YouTube for the next big thing? Is this the only way they see fit to artistically express themselves? I don't understand which voice in their head is telling them that it's ok to put such rubbage on the internet for all to see.

If you haven't taken time to peruse the neverending sea of musical waste, I'd like to share a couple of my favorites I've electronically stumbled upon.

The best part of the homemade goodies is the expression on their face at the beginning of the song. The music has cued up, but it's not time to sing yet, so they stare into the camera with an expression that says, I'm a natural performer. I am not intimidated.

This first girl is lip-syncing to the song "Mr. Larkin" by State Radio. Note the lead singer is male. She is female. Doesn't seem to bother her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TByvvw93Opo

If you liked that, be sure to catch her seductive rendition of "Save Tonight." It will make you swoon.

Through further YouTubical research I found this enjoyable nugget of 90's pop. This girl does all the hits of then and now including "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain. It's deliciously breathy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enJqb1OyrDE

These are some examples of the worst of YouTube. So what's the best thing about YouTube? Being able to watch music videos like this that will never be seen on MTV of VH1. It makes sorting through the trash totally worth it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ipo9SXBDLw0

On His Way Up?

2008-04-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

Don't ask me how it happened, but through some sort of online search I suddenly entered Ryan Cabrera's Myspace page and was absolutely aghast at what I found.

Let's all take a trip down memory lane...it was 2004 and Joe Simpson, the business man/father he is, somehow convinced MTV to bring America into the life of his youngest daughter Ashlee's drama-ridden life. As if Jessica and Newlyweds wasn't enough for us. We got a front row seat to the ups and downs of her new life as a musician and her awkward, PDA-filled romance with Ryan Cabrera. It seemed so convenient that Ryan was also an aspiring artist who just happened to be getting national exposure because of his business...I mean romantic relationship with Ashlee.

What I remember most about Ryan is not his melodious voice or his killer guitar riffs--I remember his hair. It was out of control. To this day, I do not know another person (famous or not) who has the need to spike their hair to such heights. I mean it was out of control! And with the blonde highlights to top it off, only delusional teenie-boppers with their raging hormones could call him attractive. Needless to say, he needed a makeover.

Once he broke up with Ashlee and the rest of America realized he was a piece of crap musician, we didn't hear or see from our spiky-haired friend for a very long time. So what HAS he been doing for the past four years you wonder???

Reinventing his image.

Please observe the picture to the right. That is indeed the same strapping young man who wowed the world with "On The Way Down." Makeover much? Can you understand my utter shock when I saw the new Ryan Cabrera?!?! While he is going for the I-look-like-I-don't-care-about-my-looks-so-that-makes-me-super-sexy look, I promise you he spends more time time coloring his hair, scrunching it with various gels and mousses, and keeping his unshaven look shaved, then he ever did before with his flat iron and hair gel. Seriously. You can find more proof of Ryan's drastic changes at http://www.myspace.com/ryancabrera.

And to Ashlee...Pete Wentz is a major upgrade. Even with the eye liner. Good work.

Jumping On

2008-03-26T13:59:00.000-07:00

I've jumped on the blog bandwagon. There are so many ideas and stories running through my head, it just doesn't seem fair to keep them bottled up. But I'm a little nervous about opening the hatch. Most bloggers still creep me out because of the amount of personal information they reveal to all who can connect to the wide world that is the web. Creepy. But I'll try not to let that hinder my new blogging life.

I'm going to start out my new life in blogosphere on a positive note and share something that will put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. What could that be you ask? Mr. Matt Nathanson. Wowsa. One of my most favorite musicians. He recently released a video from his album Some Mad Hope for "Come On Get Higher." Watch it. Love it. http://music.yahoo.com/promo-29644410