Ready for 2008 to be over

For the last couple of months, I've been telling people that I'm ready for 2008 to be over.

It's not that it was a bad year per se, just a lot of things happened that were firsts and not necessairly firsts that I wanted to have.

Here are the highlights of the bad stuff:

-I was in a relationship where I loved but wasn't loved back. The first time I fell in love, he fell just as deeply- I want that again.
-I was kissed by a unhappily married man and then a few months later I got wasted and texted some things I shouldn't have- which helped me completely forget about him- good riddance.
-I found someone in Portland that I can't stop thinking about but he's not calling me :(.
-My family is going through an on and off crisis- which is frustrating because I'm powerless to help and I don't live in the same city.
-I walked out on a job. It was the right thing to do but I've never done it before and it was scary and liberating, of course.
-I lost my grandmother but it was a good thing because she had been unhappy for so long- now she gets to boogie with Elvis. I hope the King was waiting for her with open arms.
-I met the wife that my grandfather has hidden for decades
-I had a former boss talk about my sex life at our office work place (now you know one of the reasons I quit)
-And to top it off- I had a very brief (thank god!!)sexual encounter with someone who doesn't know whether or not he has the hiv because he slept with someone who is positive (they used a condom or at least that's what he told me). Although the chances are slim to none- I can't wait to get tested to feel totally secure.

Now for the good:

-Two people I'm close with now live up here
-I found another friend group (this makes two- I'm a lucky girl) that takes as I am despite the fact that I am pretty different than everyone else and I love hanging out with them
-I have a new person that I consider myself to be very close to. I heart C!
-I have a new job that is interesting, I'm learning a lot and I ADORE my co-workers
-I really love being single right now
-I'm making more money than I used to!
-I went to the Bahamas and fulfilled a life long dream of swimming with dolphins!!!
-I'm taking graphic design classes so that I can fill my need to be creative
-My BFFs are up here for NYE!!!!!!!!!!!


I wish everyone a Merry New Year! Be safe and have fun- I know I will!!

xoxo,
Lauren in Seattle

Favorite New Song: Think of You by A Fine Frenzy

Last night I had a gift exchange with friends and my SS (Secret Santa) gave me a burned CD full of new music, so now I have a new favorite song. It's called Think of You by A Fine Frenzy.

I thought I would post the lyrics to share the love:

"Think Of You"

It's one hundred and nine degrees in this crowded room
No room to breathe with walls as cold as a gallery
This is no place for me
Such hard faces in smoke
The smell lingers in my clothes
It's a bad night to be alone
But that's the way it goes

And I think of you whenever life gets me down
I think of you whenever you're not around
And you rest your bones
Somewhere far from my house
Yeah, but you still pull me home

I thought I had it figured out in a brand new life
With a great big house
And green initials on the towels
I should be happy now
Well, you got yourself a family
And you planted roots down by the sea
I saw you once on the street
You didn't notice me

But I think of you whenever life gets me down
I think of you whenever you're not around
You rest your bones
Somewhere far from my house
Yeah, but you still pull me home

Just to put your mind at ease
You don't owe me anything
You paid me well in memories

And I think of you whenever life gets me down
I think of you whenever you're not around
And you rest your bones
Somewhere far from my house
Yeah, but you still pull me home
You still pull me home
You still pull me home

Jokes About Men: It's about damn time- there are enough jokes about women!

1. WHY DO MEN BECOME SMARTER DURING SEX?
(because they are plugged into a genius)


2. WHY DON'T WOMEN BLINK DURING SEX?
(they don't have enough time)


3. WHY DOES IT TAKE 1 MILLION SPERM TO FERTILIZE ONE EGG?
(they don't stop to ask directions)


4. WHY DO MEN SNORE WHEN THEY LIE ON THEIR BACKS?
(because their balls fall over their butt-hole and they vapor lock)


5. WHY WERE MEN GIVEN LARGER BRAINS THAN DOGS?
(so they won't hump women's legs at cocktails> parties)


6. WHY DID GOD MAKE MEN BEFORE WOMEN?
(you need a rough draft before you make a final copy)


7. HOW MANY MEN DOES IT TAKE TO PUT A TOILET SEAT DOWN?
(don't know.....it never happened)

(C'mon guys, we laugh at your blonde jokes!)


8. WHY DID GOD PUT MEN ON EARTH?
(because a vibrator can't mow the lawn)

Fun New Seattle Internet Findings: Lynne Alexander and Capitol Hill Blog

As this blog is not just about me but also the fabulousness that is Seattle, I thought of a new category: Fun New Seattle Internet Findings because I love to post about cool things I find out about Seattle and so much can be found online.

After I found the below perfect painting, I looked up the artist, Lynne Alexander, and discovered her fabulous website. She's agreed to a payment installment plan (because I am a broke 20 something) and I couldn't be more excited!



Then I found this cool Capitol Hill(my 'hood) blog that anyone can contribute to. Yay for community blogs. I browsed around and it's pretty awesome.

I really want this t-shirt!! But I'll have to wait until after the crazyness of the new year!

Sledging down Bellevue and Denny

The winter freeze that we're having in Seattle has caused a lot of problems, collisions, and bus accidents.

It has also created a sense of community. Last night, Sunday night, I hung out with about 60 strangers (plus my roomie and good friend) and went sledging down Denny at the top of Denny and Bellevue Way.

And a good time was to be had by all . . .

A shot of the crowd as we approached:



Evidence of sledging:











Peeps were using everything and anything to go sledging- couches, sandwich board signs advertising apartments for rent, laundry baskets, real sledges, trash bags, cardboard, couches, kiddie pools. . . you name it people were on it going down hill.

It was AWESOME!

Seattle on MSN: Buses hang over I-5 by Denny Way (This is on my walk to work)

If you head over to MSN.com, Seattle is featured as a top video (linked in on the post title).

Front page on King5.com.

Written about on this blog.

Denny way is completely shut down and I decided to include my own photos (coming) from the scence. News like this is never thisclose to my house.

Rude People

I read Slate Magazine about once a week or less to read their Dear Prudie article.

Today, she said something that I believe to be an absolute truth:

"Dear Out-law
The reason awful people so often get their way is that they are willing to do things decent people wouldn't dream of."

Then decent people feel bad saying no or are unsure how to deal with it properly.

Another Seattle Snow Video- City Bus Stuck

Seattle freaks out when it snows. Literally, everything stops working- especially public transportation.

See video below for further evidence.

Seattle Snow Video @ My Digs

Our courtyard is so pretty!

Seattle Snow Day! Lauren in Seattle Photo Diary: Winter Wonderland Walk to Work

I woke up this morning to see Seattle as a snowglobe and here is my photo diary:

Lauren in Seattle Snowy Walk to Work


This is one of the side streets in my neighborhood:



No one going down Olive Way:



Denny is one of the steepest hills from Cap Hill to Downtown and, again, no one going down:



I made a new friend :). It's this happy dog's first day EVER in the snow:



Another photo of Denny Way:



I-5:



Belltown:



Another photo of Belltown (I'm almost to my office!):

Fat and Broke- Essentially that's Me Right Now

I should be having a really bad day today and in fact, I almost let these external factors (being fat and broke today) really get to me and have a mini-pity feast at my desk.

But instead, I'm in a decent mood. I'm not sure how this is possible.

I felt a little shaky midday but I think it was because I hadn't drunk enough caffeine.

I'm fat because some how, despite not really altering my eating habits and actually going to the gym this year more than I ever have in my LIFE, I don't fit into one pair of jeans and several dresses. My other jeans have holes in them. Brand new holes that may have to do with my weight gain. Aweseome. Not. Beautiful dresses. My boobs especially don't fit in them any more. For most women, that may be a godsend but seeing as my top half is larger than the rest of me- it SUCKS.

Also, I paid for eyeglasses (much needed but extremely expensive), a plane ticket to go home for the holidays, Britney Spears concert tickets, and some other things that essentially have me BROKE. Seriously, I have under $40 in my bank account and I don't get paid until Midnight on Monday. This too, SUCKS.

I'm not quite sure how I'll make it through this weekend because my credit cards are pretty much maxed out as well. Seriously, I think I may have $40 available on each card. How pathetic is this?

I am tempted to just go into a spiral but for whatever reason, I'm not freaking out. I feel like I should be but I'm not.

I am so weird.

Current Playlist Obsession: Rachel Yamagata, Rhett Miller, The Thrills, and Whitley

I always have a playlist entitled, My Current Obsessions and I thought I'd share the playlist for anyone who loves great indie music:

Rachel Yamagata 1963 "I find it to be magical, I feel like I'm loving you in 1963'
Rhett Miller Come Around "I'm remembering the dress you wore when you broke my heart"
Rachel Yamagata Meet Me by the Water "Don't fit anywhere into my life, but that's okay"
The Thrills Saturday Night "Is this what they call love on a Saturday night? Is this what they call sex on a Saturday night?"
Rachel Yamagata Reason Why "But you only wanted me, the way you wanted me"
Whitley A Shot to the Stars "You're my lifeline, under a rest,And you can see it all on my chest,and in a lifetime of beauty and tests"

Ingrid Michaelson @ Nuemos- Be Ok

Ingrid performing her title song, Be OK, at Nuemos in Seattle, WA. The audience was begging for her to sing, so it was to much applause when she obliged.

Ingrid Michaelson Video @ Nuemos- Overboard

This video shows exactly what I meant by An Intimate Audience with Ingrid Michaelson- at the beginning of the video you can hear her joking about the movie Elf and how she wants everyone to say it together in holiday cheer.

Enjoy!

Is Ingrid Michaelson a Lesbian?

I don't normally do this (check my site meter because normally no one reads my blog) but I needed a break from my tedious tasking on working a spread sheet for the company credit card, so I thought I'd check my site meter for my status.

After looking through some referrals- I came across the most interesting one. It is a very personal question in regards to one of my favorite indie songstresses- Is Ms. Michaelson a lesbian?

Would her success or music be perceived differently?

Personally, I have no idea and sort of think it's none of my business BUT I can understand the curiousity. I understand that curiousity because I think it's human nature. Probably one of the first questions that spring to mind after figuring out if one is male or female, then- are they straight or gay?

I actually did this last night. I was out getting drinks with a co-worker and I couldn't tell if our YUMMY server was homo or hetero. In regards to musicians- I'm not sure that one's sexual preference matters in terms of a successful musical career or the meaning behind their lyrics.

Particular musicians that come to mind are Elton John and Ani DiFranco.

What do you think?

Daily Seattle Photo

Throughout the 8 years, I've lived in Seattle, it has snowed every winter. It doesn't usually stick and some times it really does stick. And of course, when it snows here Seattlelites do NOT know what to do with themselves. The city goes a little haywire.

It's just like when it rains in San Diego- it's such an uncommon weather event that no one knows how to handle it. Or maybe they just forget.

I say this because this past Saturday, the 13th, it snowed!!

Our weather went from a beautiful, non-stormy, mild winter to a frigid, snow staying, freezing to the bone wonderland.

It's been gorgeous and sunny but FREEZING:

Ingrid Michaelson Concert @ Nuemos Videos- Breakable

Ingrid Michaelson Concert @ Nuemos Videos- Die Alone

A while ago I blogged about a fantastic show put on by one of my favorite, favorite indie songstresses, Ingrid Michaelson.

I also promised some videos at the time which I haven't put up until now. This is one of my favorite songs, Die Alone.

Madonna Sticky and Sweet Tour Videos #3

Madonna Sticky and Sweet Tour Videos #2- Vogue

Madonna Sticky and Sweet Tour Videos #1- Like a Prayer Clip

I went to the Madonna Sticky and Sweet Tour down in San Diego with my sister on one of the most historical days of American history- 11/4/2008.

Here's one of the many videos I took while seeing Her Madgesty perform.

It blows my mind that she is 50.

Winter Song. . . Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles

Winter Song with Ingrid Michaelson


Two of my favorite indie songstresses- Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles are singing in the above video. I think this video is sooo cute and it puts a smile on my face.

Ingrid is coming to Seattle again, after an awesome performance at Nuemos. I was going to put a link up to buy tickets but it turns out that it is already sold out.

Perfect Fall/Winter Recipe: Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes

i picked up Season's Eatings by Martha Stewart a couple of weeks ago and this dish went over very well at my last dinner party:

The potato recipe:
Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes
3 med. Sweet potatoes (1 ½ to 2 lbs) scrubbed well
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
¾ cup of pure maple syrup
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice each sweet potato in half lengthwise and slice each half into 1 inch thick half moons.
2. Melt butter in a large cast iron or otherwise oven proof skillet (I just transferred from skillet to pan) over medium heat. Add sweet potatoes, toss to coat evenly. Add maple syrup, toss potatoes to coat and bring to a boil.
3. Transfer skillet to oven (or just from dish to dish)- cook, stirring occasionally until potatoes are golden, well glazed, and tender when pierced- about 20 minutes. Remove from oven, season with salt and pepper.


It's the perfect dish for fall/winter because it's a little sweet but is prepared with great fall/winter produce. Sweet potatoes always remind me of the holidays.

Enjoy!

Grey's Making Me Cry

As I type, I'm watching the one show I barely, rarely, ever, ever miss- Grey's Anatomy.

I just watched the screen when the woman who had no voice, says Hi to her husband and I teared up. I tear up whenever I watch this show.

Damn you Shonda Rhimes and all of the wonderful writers of Grey's- making me cry every Thursday.

This episode is all about taking a risk and realizing the value of love in a world where the middle matters and that is why we risk a lot for love. And finally- there are many couples that I'm absolutely rooting for to make it.

Notes:

-I love Cristina and Owen Hunt. After Burke left Yang was all about Mer and clung to her- now she's finally getting her own life and figuring it out. There is something so hot about their chemistry. They seem so different but they aren't and for whatever reason Hunt already gets Yang. Now, that's what I'm after.

-Yay for a healthy and happy relationship for MerDer but I do wish they'd get a little more screen time. How about some lovely, cuddly sex after Derek struggles with losing a 16 year old girl?

-I think Izzie has a brain problem because now they are making it very clear that Denny is in her head.

-Yay for Slexie!! They are a couple with a hell of a lot heat but I'm PRAYING Sloane doesn't hurt her.

-I'm a little confused about Callie- is she now gay? Bi? Which is it?

-Finally a little more about Sadie- I'm really curious who her dad is now and sort of why she's as fucked up as she is. Someone who looks for trouble like she does, does NOT come without baggage.

-George- you are growing and I loved, loved the epi when he was with the little kid (aka a little George- didn't the kid look like he could've been a kid George?), can we see more?

-Alex you are SUCH a good man with Izzie. Please fix Izzie- Alex deserves to be with someone who isn't crazy.

Thank you Grey's because I enjoyed this epi but please don't jump shark and keep on track with the characters.