Proving What I Already Know

That I'm brainy!!

Ha ha ha. I definitely don't consider myself brainy. I think I'm pretty smart but not brainy.

Although according to U.S. News Washington State ranks #3 for the brainiest states in the U.S. We are right behind Washington D.C. and Maryland.

To read what U.S. News used for qualifiers, click here.

This this the second article I've found over the last couple of weeks that featured Washington via a link on msn.com. Way to represent WA!

I think of you, whenever you're not around. . .

Woot! Woot! I am really, really excited because A Fine Frenzy will be playing at Neumos in November. Especially excited because Landon Pigg will be performing as well :).

I love, love Seattle for this very reason- all of my favorite indie artists come here to play.

A FINE FRENZY
The Polished Pop Songs of Alison Sudol


A FINE FRENZY, LANDON PIGG, AMONG THE OAK AND THE ASH

November 9th
7PM Doors
$18 ADV
Click Here to Buy Tickets
All Ages, Bar w/ID

Current Play List

It's been a while since I listed my current favorite songs in my current favorite playlist, I present October's List:

Incredible by Ingrid Michaelson
Say (All I Need) by OneRepublic
Come Home by OneRepublic and Sara Bareilles
Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap (thanks 500 Days of Summer soundtrack!)
The Tenure Itch by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Dream by Priscilla Ahn (Love Happens soundtrack- one of the only good things to come out of seeing that movie)
This Is For by Ingrid
Maybe by Ingrid
Once Was Love by Ingrid
We Will Become Silhouettes by The Postal Service
Young Adult Friction by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

The one song that is catchy, catchy, catchy and I find myself singing it aloud at work (often) is Once Was Love by Ms. Michaelson. Below are the lyrics for your pleasure:

Don't delay, something tells me I gotta go away
Maybe it's the way we always stay when our hearts have gone
We can't hold us anymore, no we've got to fold
Down to the floor, yes I know it's cold but baby our hearts have gone

Just because there once was love
Don't mean a thing, don't mean a thing
Just because there once was love
Don't mean a thing, don't mean a thing

Just because there once was love
Don't mean a thing, don't mean a thing
Just because there once was love

I gotta see if I'm filled up when it's only me
It's not your fault but you just can't be here
Now that my heart has gone, now that my heart has gone
Now that my heart has gone

Just because there once was love
Don't mean a thing, don't mean a thing
Just because there once was love
Don't mean a thing, don't mean a thing

Just because there once was love
Don't mean a thing, don't mean a thing
Just because there once was love

Everyone is hurting now and everything is burning down
But I can build back my new town today

Just because there once was love
Don't mean a thing, don't mean a thing
Just because there once was love
Don't mean a thing, don't mean a thing

Just because there once was love
Don't mean a thing, don't mean a thing
Just because there once was love

There once was love, there once was love
There once was love, there once was love
There once was love, there once was love
There once was love, there once was love

She writes the most up beat catchy yet heartbreaking break up songs. One of the many reasons why I girlcrush hard on her.

Today Should Be Going Fast but. . .

it's not.

Today is a really short day at the office for me because I have an errand for the office to run as well as a company event, therefore it should be going by fast. But it's not and I cannot figure out why.

I even did little things today that take up time- ate breakfast, I already ate lunch, and even checked my fav blogs . . . there is not much new gossip aka a slow news day, so reading through them went quicker than usual.

I even checked out one of my new favorite author's website, www.kristinariggle.net. Her debut novel, Real Life and Liars, is a must read for anyone who has a complicated family (that would probably be about 90% of the population). It's told from four different perspectives- the mother (the "wilted flower" hippie heroine), the responsible-alpha female daughter/sister, the unhappy-musician wannabe son/brother, and the young-wild-insecure youngest daughter/sister. It's solidly written with main and supporting characters all developing nicely and appropriately.

I also enjoyed reading her short stories that are online. Check her out if you have time.

Go buy Real Life and Liars if you need a good book about life and love (yes, I know that sounds cliche but I swear the book isn't).

New Freebie 5

I just realized that I have a new crush, therefore I have a new Freebie 5:

Joe Gordon-Levitt
James Franco
Jason Bateman
Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Clooney (always, always Clooney)

I came to this epiphany while I'm watching Dodgeball on FX. I think I started to fall in love with Jason Bateman during Juno but watching Dodgeball right now (literally I am watching it right now), has made me realize my new crush.

He's sexy, tall (from what I can tell), funny as hell, non-Hollywood-Hollywood, and has a slightly cockiness that's more confidence than arrogance.

Joe and James are still #1 and 2 because really they are who I am most in love and slightly (not really) attainable. Jason is married while Joe has a civilian girlfriend (who could me one day) and James is dating a non-Hollywood, non-famewhore girl. So that's why they stay in the top spots. But Jason is a definitive hot new freebie.

Le sigh.

I love fantasies.

Breakups by Zodiac Sign

So today is kind of going to be shot to sh-t at work because I don't really have anything to do. I have small projects to work on but that's about it. I really hate being bored at work. I prefer to be overwhelming busy.

Anyway, since the cats are away, I am going to be a mouse and play all day on the wonderful, wonderful internet. I found out how to best cope with a breakup based on my Zodiac sign via a link on msn.com.

Not that I have any man to break up with or not that there is any breaking up going on. But anywho, since I am a cusp baby (born on a cut off date)- here are my two ways of dealing with a break up:

Gemini
You love normalcy, but pretending nothing happened does not make things normal. You can multitask by reorganizing photo albums and removing the pictures with the ex - shredding of said pictures is optional. Friends of Gemini: your friend will be momentarily hysterical and then act like you're crazy if you think she's upset. It depends on which personality is in charge that day.

Cancer
The best therapy for an angry Cancer is to show your ex and yourself that life goes on! Going out on the party circuit and feeling available will quell that anger and create new reasons to be sentimental. Friends of Cancer: take your friend out to a fun place where you all can cut loose - within reason.

I have definitely gone the Gemini route before and immediately took down/got rid of all photographs (they are kept in a hot pink shoe box in my closet). Interesting.

Woot Woot! Def Not Preggers!

Of course, I finally decided to blog about the possibility that I could be preggers and the following Saturday I wake up at 6 am because I have the cramps from hell.

I ended up sitting on my toilet in my bathroom for the next hour and a half because it was the only comfortable position. My oh my hell these were painful. I used to never, ever have bad cramps until recently.

The pain was hellish but I was SURE glad that I am definitively not preggers!!!

Lesson learned- I have Plan B in my bathroom for a reason and next time I better use it just to clam my nerves. And now I'll definitively remember that I got my period on the 26th in September.

Woot! Woot!

Jo is on Twitter Now!

Thanks to The Leaky Cauldron HP fansite, I just found that JK Rowling (Jo to her fans and friends) has a twitter account!!!

Click here.

I love, love, love it :).

My Body Really Hates 2009

In regards to my body and my sexual health, I have been pretty lucky until this year.

Over the past year, there was the possibility of me sleeping with someone who possibly had HIV , then something I did not blog but constantly thought about blogging about- I had my every couple of months give or take STD/STI check up and found out that I had chlamydia. I freaked out and then got another call from Planned Parenthood (who I won't ever go to again after the run around I got) saying that I might have herpes. This scared me out of my f-cking mind because the herp is permanent. It's not crippling but permanent. Luckily, my fabu doctor at the UW Belltown clinic ran a western blot test (the ONLY 100% accurate test for herpes).

My doc was so fabu that she called me on her way out of the office to let me know that my test was negative for herp 2. I had herp 1 like 90% of the population (these are cold sores, etc.).

But the final reason why my body may or may not really hate 2009 is because I think I might be pregnant.

I had unprotected sex (he didn't come in but I know that doesn't necessarily mean sh-t) and I'm off of birth control (fabu doc's recommendation because my migraines were becoming more frequent) and my period hasn't come yet. It's been almost exactly four weeks since we had sex.

I am not really good at keep tracking of my period since I'm off bc and it's always been a bit wonky. The last time I remember having my period (I forget if it was my first day or last day of my cycle) was July 17th. I know I had it August but I can't remember when. I'm brilliant, I know.

Since at it is September 25th, I am starting to realize that I just might be pregnant. I am pro-choice and yes pro-abortion and that's what my decision would be. The big debate that I had with my roommate last night was- would I tell the guy?

I have a way to get a hold of him (we are facebook friends), so it's not like I can't tell him but he doesn't live here, we aren't keeping in touch but we have friends in common. What would you do?

Since I'm bored at work, I searched for "early pregnancy symptoms" and while I don't have any of them, I thought I would link to this list because symptom #16 is my favorite:

Early signs of pregnancy: #16

A Positive Pregnancy Test

On the other I found this list and it is very thorough. If you are looking for early symptoms, go there.

One thing I thought was interesting was that some of these signs are the same as I have when I am about to start my period- tender breasts, headaches, nausea. Interesting.

For the record, I really don't want to be pregnant, I don't necessarily think I am but I cannot deny the possibility.

This post is about the possibility.

When Having a Good Memory is Bad

I am cursed with remembering ex-boyfriends' birthdays. In general, I remember people's birthdays and unfortunately that extends to ex-boyfriends. Today is one of their birthdays. Since, he emailed recently I sent a quick note wishing him a happy birthday and hopes that he celebrates and has a wonderful day.

I did this because birthdays are special to me and I believe that they should be celebrated.

But I'm an idiot because I went to check his mom's facebook page out of general curiosity (we're friends) and then clicked on his current girlfriend's page (this is when I made an idiotic move). I had been wondering whether or not they are still together and lo and behold- her profile picture is of her among all of the girl friends in my ex's life. They are definitely still together.

And I am still alone.

Then I cried for a half minute.

The Blech to Not Gonna Do It Detox

So I just wrote not even, 4 hours ago that I was going to attempt the lemon/cayenne/syrup detox/cleanse but I can't choke down the mixture.

I have tried sipping every 1-2 hours and I'm supposed to drink approximately 3 quarts and well, hell that is NOT going to happen. The smell of the stuff makes me nauseated. The Detox is off.

I have a new found respect that Beyonce choked that shit down for 14 days. I do not have the stomach for this shit.

Lemon Cayenne Blech Cleanse

In an attempt to be healthier and to cleanse my body (not to mention drop a couple of pounds for a wedding this weekend), I decided to try the Lemon Cayenne Maple Syrup/Molasses Detox that Beyonce made popular.

When Beyonce had to lose 20 pounds for her role in Dreamgirls, she publicized how great this detox went for her.

Cheers for Beyonce and so far so no bueno for Lauren in Seattle.

After looking up the detox (directions can be found here and here), I decided to try the first step; which is a sea salt enema essentially- taken orally.

You add two teaspoons of uniodized sea salt to natural spring water, mix and drink a quart of it. Yeah, that didn't happen. I could barely finish an 1/8 of the mixture without my gag reflex kicking into gear. Like practically vomitting before I get a chance to swallow the whole mixture.

And Now, I am going to try to digest my first sip of- lemon, molasses (the grade B maple syrup at the expensive mini mart by my work was approx. $20, so I went with the diabetic substitute), without cayenne pepper (they didn't have it at the store) and natural spring water- as I type . . .

Well, my gag reflex didn't pop up but it's not delicious. I'm not sure if I'll make it through one day.

My Beautiful City

I used to post these daily but that stopped for one reason or another. So now I'm going to post them again.

This one is taken at sunset (I know, I know Captain Obvs) from a great little restaurant bar by my house, Captain Black's.

Tugs at My Heart. . .

Maybe because my ex and I have exchanged emails for the first time in months, maybe it's because I have been feeling empty lately, maybe it's because I sincerely miss being in love and being loved - whatever the reason - this postcard from postsecret just tugs at my heart. I think there might be something wrong with me these days but I have no idea what it could be and reading about this sacrifice in the name of love and hope - got me completely emotional.

I just had to share.

Even if no one reads this or I am only talking to myself.

Writing Tips

One of my dearest ambitions in life is to become a published author. I've wanted to write for years and I can feel it in my bones that I have stories to tell.

Currently, I am not writing nearly as much as I'd like but I am working harder and harder to brainstorm and really get to know my characters and their actions. I am posting some links that I found via Lisa Shearin's blog , the fabulous author of the Raine Benares series.

Side note: If you like a little Stephanie Plum plus some Harry Potter then this series is definitely for you. It's a butt kicking elf seeker that mouths off and lives in a magical world and has a (kind of) life or death mission.

She referenced a fellow author, Ilona Andrews, of the same publishing house about some typical writer struggles and I'm posting them so that one day I can come back and read them when I need some assurance. And hey they might even be helpful to someone else :)


A reminder of how to get writing done

Monetary Expectations (which any of these advances is A LOT of money to someone like me)

New Freebie 5

For those who aren't familiar with a particular Friends episode or haven't heard the term before- everyone should have a Freebie Five List.

Five Celebrities that you would be allowed to sleep even if you're in a relationship.

My Back in the Day List was:
Brad Pitt
George Clooney
Prince William
John Mayer
Ryan Reynolds

I've gotten older, wiser and a bit more refined in my list. I think it's my best one to date.

My New Better List:
Joseph Gordon-Levitt (I fell IN LOVE after 500 Days of Summer and this story is going to give me fantasies about him and there is something about him that so unconventionally HAWT)
James Franco
(brainy, cute, and smirkalicious. It was after MILK that he scored high up on my list)
Aaron Eckhart
Jeffery Dean Morgan
George Clooney

I use to go for blondies with blue eyes in my life but guys that are a little bit darker are REALLY doing it for me these days.

Best Lines of Lyrics from My June (Birthday Month) Playlist

'I led you on and leading's wrong'
Have I Been a Fool

'What I gave cannot be lended'
Have I Been a Fool

'Have I been too discreet/how long am I supposed to wait/I think about you nightly'
Can You Tell

'My bed is too big just for me'
Can You Tell

'When I look into your eyes/I tend to lose my thoughts'
Can You Tell


'Oh, baby I can't even explain/What I am supposed to do/It's hard to stay cool/Oh, when you smile at me/I get nervous every time you speak'
Can You Tell

June 2009 Playlist

After going to Sasquatch Festival and attending a movie at SIFF, 500 Days of Summer, I found a whole bunch of artists (that are new to me) and I wanted to share. So this is my playlist for June 2009 aka my birthday month.

Oh, La Ra Ra Riot
Have I Been a Fool Jack Penate
(best line: we've made amends but nothing is mended)
There Llama (iPhone SIFF trailer song)
Beautiful is Gone The Ruse
The Infinite Pet Spoon
Run My Mouth Ra Ra Riot
Heartless The Fray
Can You Tell Ra Ra Riot
Use Somebody Kings of Leon


The lyrics to Oh, La:
Say a word that's quiet, not half the way there
Somedays our future...it seems to hang on so tight
"Come quickly now the air hangs heavily today"
"Oh no, but what is that crimson in the shade?"

Oh la we've got a lot to learn from each other,
We've got to stick together.
Oh la we've got a lot to learn from each other,
We've got to stick together.

I wouldn't say the word now but this is not what I meant,
For a woman that's fallen over head and ears
And still so warm, but I'm lonely too,
Suddenly she is still and says, "I hope that things will be better here."

Oh la we've got a lot to learn from each other,
We've got to stick together.
Oh la we've got a lot to learn from each other,
We've got to stick together

The Fissures of Moving On

As I wrote before, the I Wrote This For You is a profound and beautiful blog and this entry reminded me of myself about two years ago.

My ex boyfriend, L, and I had been broken up for a couple of months and I found that although I was working on moving on, I had started a new job, I was dating (all things that are a recipe to heal a broken heart), small thoughts about him would creep into my head randomly all day long.

I would be getting tea for breakfast at work and I would remember that his favorite is chamomile.

I would cleaning out the dirt underneath my nails and remember that he'd comment on them.

It was as if I was rebuilding my foundation, a life without L, and yet these small insignificant thoughts caused fissures in the cracks of cement that was the material of my reconstruction. I realize now that it meant I hadn't fully moved on but it was haunting none the less.

Help Save Castle!

As I wrote before, I'm a huge fan of ABC's (aka the alphabet channel) murder mystery plus crime dramedy show, Castle.

From what I'm reading out there, so are a lot of other people. But will it be enough to save the show?

I really, really hope so. I personally plan on emailing ABC daily and I already pre-ordered the first season on DVD. Because this show has made my Monday nights so much better and even prevented from grabbing a drink with a date- it's THAT good.

There is a bit of a love story, GREAT sexual tension, some good, believable, healthy family dynamics (Castle is close with his daughter and mother which makes him a more dynamic, interesting, and likable character), and every murder mystery unfolds in an entertaining fashion. I already care about these characters. Plus this show has some of the best writing on television.

Which is a hard thing to find these days among the abundance of reality trashastic shows that are out there.

So please call, email, and write ABC to save the show!

Click here to leave a question for Nathan Fillion aka Richard Castle via Entertainment Weekly.

Email ABC to request a show renewal

Here are other directions to make sure we keep Castle on the air.

Here's the link to Amazon to pre-order the first season DVD.