"cake" ...??

I hope I never order a cake from a place that puts the word cake in quotations:

 Cake Wrecks

(specifically this post)

The recent post about "Growing Geek Girls" was pretty fun too...I mean, I totally would have loved the princess/darth vader cake! :)

i'mma let you finish

My friend, Jen, recently tweeted about this:

Winners of I'm Gonna Let You Finish/Kanye West Contest

If I had known about the contest I would've submitted this scenario as a contender:

Yo, Past Kanye....you're cool and all...I'mma let you finish. But Future Kanye is the best of all time...Future Kanye is the BEST of ALL TIME! [said by Present Kanye]

twenty-eight is great!

Yesterday I was completely perplexed. I publicize my birthday every year...but at work it seemed like EVERYONE knew it was my special day. It wasn't until yesterday afternoon that I realized a birthday announcement had been posted on our office intranet. Oops...I should probably check that more often...

Here are some of the highlights:

1. All the birthday well wishes/gifts/hugs

2. The "Birthday Homage" wall put up on my office wall...which you can see here 

3. Hanging out with great peeps at 219 West

4. Great food and treats

5. My new dress

(check out my pics over on the right hand side of the page...or here)

Some things I chose to forget about until today:

1. The parking ticket I got at work yesterday 

2. The massive hospital bill that came in the mail

cheers to another year of grace and wisdom...but not maturity! ha...I think I'm still a kid at heart as long as stuff like this makes my playlist, right?... 

Party In The USA - Miley Cyrus

mix it up

my happy year, pt. 1

1. No You Girls - Franz Ferdinand
   
2. Love Never Changes - Ledisi
   
3. Healer - Hillsong
   
4. Shiny On The Inside - Leona Naess
   
5. Wonderful World - Sam Cooke
   
6. The Climb - Miley Cyrus
   
7. We Are Golden - MIKA
   
8. Popular - Kristen Chenoweth
   
9. I'm Not That Girl - Idina Menzel
   
10. (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To - Weezer
    
11. Creep (Live) - Ingrid Michaelson
    
12. Southern Point - Grizzly Bear
    
13. Rollout (My Business) - Ludacris
    
14. Crying Over - Patty Griffin
    
15. Let Your Kingdom Come - Aaron Ivey
    
16. Bonfire - Third Eye Blind
    
17. Sober - P!nk
    
18. While You Wait for the Others - Grizzly Bear
    

my happy year, pt. 2

1. Freedom - George Michael 
   
2. Party In the U.S.A. - Miley Cyrus 
   
3. Got to Get You Into My Life - Earth, Wind & Fire 
   
4. Backfire - MuteMath 
   
5. Ah Mary - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals 
   
6. Off the Record - My Morning Jacket 
   
7. Alone - Heart 
   
8. Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear 
   
9. Stronger - Kanye West 
   
10. Defying Gravity - Idina Menzel & Kristen Chenoweth 
    
11. Shadows - Rufus Wainwright 
    
12. Battlefield - Jordin Sparks 
    
13. Motorcycle Drive By - Third Eye Blind 
    
14. Atomic Dog - George Clinton 
    
15. I Don't Ever Give Up - Patty Griffin  
    
16. I'll Come Running Back To You - Sam Cooke 
    
17. Found - Aaron Ivey     

And after their amazing show last night....I'm really digging a band called Sleepy Sun

jean-free at work

my newest project:

http://goodbyejeans.wordpress.com/

...in a nutshell, it means that getting ready for work is going to take a little more brainpower than before. :)

As for today, I'm playing Mel McDaniel's "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On"...

the happy number

Since I'm quickly approaching my birthday, I figured it was only fitting to research special reasons to celebrate my 28th year.  I honestly thought it would be difficult to top 'turning three cubed', but I was pleasantly surprised with my findings (once again, thanks to Wikipedia):

In math:

*Twenty-eight is classed as a perfect number because it is the sum of all it's divisors, and the sum of the totient function for the first nine integers (I always knew I'd reach perfection.----insert lightning strike here----)

*Twenty-eight is a happy number. (seriously, it does say this on Wiki...just look!)

In science, 28 is:

*The atomic number of nickel

*The fourth magic number in physics

and randomly, 28 is:

*The lunar month is about twenty-eight days

*The number of days in the shortest month of the Gregorian  calendar, February (except in leap years, when there are twenty-nine). All twelve  months of the Gregorian calendar have at least 28 days, regardless of the year.

*The number of letters in the Danish and Swedish alphabets (not counting W), and    also in the Arabic and Esperanto alphabets.

*The number of Chinese constellations, "Xiu" or "mansions" (a literal translation),  equivalent to the 12 western zodiac constellations.

*The number of dominoes in standard domino sets. (cuz dominoes rock!)

*The postal code of the province of Madrid, in Spain. (can I claim that I'm Spanish now?)

*Approximately the number of grams in an ounce, and used as such in the illegal  drug trade. (Hugs Not Drugs peeps!!)

*In Québec, François Pérusse, in one of his best-selling Album du peuple made a    parody of Wheel of Fortune in which all of the letters picked by the contestant were  present 28 times. As a result, 28 became an almost Mythical number used by many  Québec youths, the phrase "Y'en a 28" (There are 28 [Letters]) became a running  gag still used and recognized more than 15 years later. (I like running gags...just not runs or gagging.)

I'm Back!

After a short rendezvous with another blog site, I'm now back on blogger! For some reason, I just didn't feel the same mental/writing ease on the other site that I do with blogger (I know, I'm weird!). Plus I'm really digging my new skin!!

I'm currently working on another blog project that I hope to reveal soon...possibly this weekend. I'll keep you posted. 

However, I may get distracted from my project with the temptation to create my birthday playlist...especially since a new mixed cd would be reaaaalllly nice for my drive home on Friday... ;)

update

http://bmkeeler.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/like-sunshine-and-rain/

new month, new blog

i've been won over by a different blogging site (due to all the fancy charts, etc)...you can catch my new posts here:

http://bmkeeler.wordpress.com/

workday distractions

I would have loved to have seen this in person...




You should also check out Susan Boyle's competition...because my money's on this kid!

high heat tumble

Have you ever had completely inappropriate and unjustifiable reaction to something that really shouldn't be a big deal...but it just literally sends you over the edge?

Maybe so...or maybe I'm a little weirder than I thought.

Anyways...I totally had one of those moments this past weekend.

The offender: my dryer

You're probably wondering.... "How in the world does a dryer evoke any sort of emotional response from someone?"

when the better question to ask is actually: "How does a dryer send someone into a furious, angry tirade...making that same person question all recent decisions and life in general?"

Simple...it stops working.

Which probably would not have been an enormous issue under normal circumstances (or to any sane person).....

HOWEVER, the entire reason I just signed a 14 month lease for an apartment that is waaaaay more than I wanted to spend is because it has the oh-so-desirable full-size washer/dryer connections!!! Not so handy when my dryer DOESN'T WORK!

I was angry to say the least...and it didn't help that my discovery of my inert dryer came after I had just washed a full load of clothes (which included all of my jeans minus one pair). I was also in the midst of getting ready for a birthday party which meant that a.) I was severely limited in my clothing options and b.) I didn't have time to find the local laundromat...

Then along with the anger came the multitude of questions, like:

1. Did I make the right decision about my new apartment?

2. Should I move in with a random roommate?

3. Maybe I could kick my dryer, and it would magically work again? (bad idea, by the way)

4. Should I even be staying in Austin?

5. Why do I even care about these stupid material things?

6. How hard would it be to sell all my stuff and move out of the country?

7. Maybe God is trying to send me a sign???

Even after the angry fog lifted, I was still left questioning a lot of things about my life...and I may be heading down a new, unanticipated path (with begrudging) thanks to my dryer....

holy cow! we're campery!

HIGHLIGHTS

successes:

1. the tents lasted through the crazy winds

2. no one got bitten by a snake, hit by a deer or attacked by a cow

3. we had hot, yummy food, plus campery cosmos

4. breakfast breakdancing lessons

5. my old-school, man-sweatpants 

6. throwing rocks with the girls

challenges:

1. the shocking coldness, without a campfire (dang burn ban)

2. the park ranger waiting in the shadows to give us citations for all the rules we were breaking

3. the random streak of injuries 

4. the snake encounter

best made-up word:

campery - descriptor for people, places or things related to camping

ie. "I like your campery hat."

fun with names:

blesslie - blessings from leslie

dorian the explorer - if only dorian had an explorer, and not a 4runner

long-johnce - what johnce wears to keep warm 

best convo (for me):

[context: hiking....after coming up alongside antonio moments after I was "blazing my own trail"]

antonio: you know, bk....I sometimes forget that you're a small town girl, and then you say or do something that reminds me that you're from the country....

me: haha...yep

best quote:

[context: driving down a dirt road at night, and coming up unexpectedly on a cow]

jenny: HOLY COW!.......literally....

tent breakdown:

a. the "snuggie" tent - me and the girls in my tent had no shame in cuddling and snuggling for the bitterly cold/windy night; we were also careful with how much cheese was in the tent...because we wanted to avoid being attacked by cows... ;)

b. the "legit-campery" tent - these girls knew how to camp :)

c. the "bacardi-party" tent - these girls had a night cap...or two...

d. the "bromance" tent - the boys will not like this name at all...but it's true...gotta have the brotherly love...especially when it's crazy cold outside...

sidenote: there was an awful lot of talk about snuggies this weekend...I think some of us may need to purchase a snuggie...or two...

best made-up game:

tortilla toss - laura and jenny tossing a hot tortilla like a frisbee (even though we had actual frisbees with us)

best pit-stop:

dairy queen  - regardless of the fact that all the cars left at different times/took different routes home...we all ended up at the same dairy queen within the same time frame....obviously no one could resist the temptation of a hunger-buster or blizzard...

sxsw (+more) recap

bands i saw:
anathallo*
samantha crain & the midnight shivers**

amanda palmer

port o'brien**
loney dear*
m. ward*
beach house**
efterklang**

alela diane

coupleskate
we have band**
women

hatcham social
tinted windows
*performances i enjoyed
**new discoveries I really liked

best phone convo:

jh: soooo....you like women?

me: (dramatic pause)....ummm.....you mean the band???

[lots of laughter]

jh: yes, yes!...definitely meant the band, women.

me: then yes, I do like women (the band, that is).

[this was before I saw them in person....after seeing them live....eh]

textually challenged:

me: seen kanye?

la: yes I have why? 

la: oh not at sxsw I thought u meant before

me: seen kanye?

ad: we are on the hunt!!!

ad: okaybwe gotnwoed from the bar tender!!!! kanye fir sure!!!

[still slightly lost in translation]

me: seen kanye?

jh: seen elton?

this texting-convo has nothing to do with sxsw (other than it happened during the same time period), but I thought it was a funny:

jm: coffee in the crotch is not nearly as funny as on tv!

me: oh no! haha...ouch...I bet that's pretty painful...aim for your mouth next time! ;)

jm: i figured i'd be more alert if I took it in the crotch. :)

billy joel & elton john [face to face] set list:

your song (duet)

honesty (duet)

don't let the sun go down on me (duet)

my life (duet)

saturday night's alright (ej)

burn down the mission (ej)

tiny dancer (ej)

goodbye yellow brick road (ej) - one of my all time favorites by sir elton

i guess that's why the call it the blues (ej) - my favorite elton solo

daniel (ej)

rocket man (ej) - GREAT

levon (ej)

i'm still standing (ej)

crocodile rock (ej) - shocked that he played this

angry young man (bj)

moving out (bj)

allentown (bj) - surprisingly probably one of my favorites to hear live by billy

the ballad of billy the kid (bj)

zanizbar (bj)

don't ask me why (bj)

she's always a women (bj) - so, so good

scenes from an italian restaurant (bj)

river of dreams (bj)

we didn't start the fire (bj)

uptown girl (bj) - I was pleasantly surprised that he played this

still rock & roll to me (bj) - I LOVED that he played guitar for this one

only the good die young (bj)

the bitch is back (duet)

you may be right (duet)

bennie & the jets (duet) - my favorite duet of the night 

birthday - beatles cover (duet)

back in the ussr - beatles cover (duet)

candle in the wind - original version (duet)

piano man (duet)

throwing rocks...

This past Sunday, Megan and I got to catch up with two of my super-awesome guy friends (Troy & Josh)....and it was incredibly therapeutic for me. Great friends and tasty food are always a winning combination.

One of the funniest parts of the lunch was when the guys found out that my bridesmaid dress collection is almost in the double-digits. Troy then made reference to 27 Dresses, and he insisted that I get up on the table and sing "Bennie and the Jets"...because that would surely attract my Mr. Right. I graciously declined....Sunday lunch at Red Lobster just didn't seem to be the appropriate setting for such a performance.

After our lunch, Josh texted his apology for not bringing me rocks. He had previously offered to supply me little sharp rocks (mainly because I can't lift larger ones) to throw at mean boys.

I told him that I was okay with not getting rocks-to-throw for two reasons:

1. I don't want/need to go to jail on assault charges.

2. It would affect my standing on the "crazy/hot" scale. (see video below for explanation) 

It's almost funny how much (yet how little) has changed in the past 10 years. It definitely affirms my notion that I need to hang out with guys (especially these two) more often. Don't get me wrong...I have some amazing girl friends....but I need the balance of some laid-back guys who'll shoot straight with me (plus the bear hugs are nice).

new moon

Today at lunch, my fortune cookie provided me with this ambiguous message:

Luck will visit you on the next new moon.

and the word translation on the back:

Wait.

How annoyingly fitting....

Now I guess I should wait and see what March 26th brings!

Unfortunately, I doubt that it will involve two supernaturally-gifted guys fighting for my affection....but a girl can dream, right? 

Queen B's night to B Scene

This past Friday, I finally made it to the monthly B Scene party at the Blanton Museum. This month's theme was "The Birth of the Cool"....and I must say that I was thoroughly impressed with the event. Not only were the exhibits great, especially the temp exhibit featuring mod pieces from the 1950-60s, but they even had a station where you could make your own vinyl cover. I have never seen so many adults get excited over a glorified arts & crafts session (me included, or course). Here is my creation: 

After finishing our record artwork, me and three of the girls I had met up with decided to head downtown to have a drink. We got into a discussion of how none of us know how to flirt. I admitted that if I was batting my eyes it probably meant there was something legitimately in my eye....and with my luck, if I tried to coyly toss my hair, the chances of my tresses catching on fire from one of the many stand-up heaters was close to 98%. As we were confessing our flirting downfalls, a guy named Charlie approached our table...chatted and told us he would be back later. After he left, I believe it was Sally* who mentioned that touching the inside of a guy's wrist was a subtle way to show interest and flirt with a guy. But from that one statement, a bet was placed between Leah* and Sally*:

 

The Bet:

1. Leah* would have to touch a guy's wrist before we left.

2. Leah* would have to lick a guy's wrist.

I don't know where the second part of the bet spawned from....but I guess touching a guy's wrist was not daring enough...so licking was the most obvious (?) way to up the ante.

I jokingly observed, that if the question on most women's minds when appraising a guy was "can he build a table?"....then the majority of men are most likely asking "will she lick my wrist?"

Needless to say that when Charlie ventured back to our table, he was the target of Leah* and Sally's* dare. As we were playfully talking with him, Leah* asked if she could see his hands...and with great purpose she grabbed his wrist and leaned down to lick it the inner part of his wrist. Of couse, me, Sally* and Haley* all were in tears from laughing so hard. Poor Charlie never knew what hit him. He stood in complete shock for a moment...staring in awestruck wonder at Leah*. He had to sit down to regain his composure....Charlie just kept saying "I REALLY like you girls!" and he was (of couse) extremely fascinated with Leah* from that point on. He then asked for all of our names again....and when he got Leah's* name he commented, "I'll definitely remember you!". He quickly left to herd all of his guy friends over to meet us (which I'm sure they all got word of the wrist-licking excitement). I, of couse, squealed,  "it works! that's the question that men want answered!" 

Guys are truly wondering (whether they know it or not)...."will she lick my wrist?"

For four girls who don't know how to flirt, we had a shockingly flirty night. And amazingly with no awkward phone number exchanges, etc....just a good old fashioned ego-boost and an epiphany into the psyche of the opposite sex!

PS - I just had a weird revelation that I'm having a very Carrie Bradshaw-ish moment...with my written commentary on the experiences of four single women in the city.... 

*Names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved...well, except for me. :)

notes from a wannabe bgirl: part 3

In last Sunday's class, we were taught how to "battle rock"....which is basically "top rocking with weapons" (at least, this is how it was explained to me).  I would consider it more in the "choreography" category than the "stunts/tricks" side of breakdancing. As our instructor walked us through the movements, she explained that we needed to act like we were pulling out our weapons as we do the steps...and she specifically looked at me when she said the following:

"For all you ladies that have never handled a weapon, just act like you're pulling a gun from your purse."

I felt slightly indignant and frustrated that I couldn't immediately provide evidence of my weaponry skills...

I only wish I could find my 7th grade hunter's education photo where I'm rocking a neon-orange camouflage bandana (an oxymoron all in itself) to show how far back my skills go. Although I highly doubt a red ryder BB gun would be taken seriously on the street..... 

FYI - It seems as though hunter's education only existed in Southeast Texas...I used to casually refer to it, assuming that everyone had taken a similar class...of course, after a year or two in college, I realized this was not the case. Apparently, most schools were wise enough not to entrust their 7th grade students with weapons. 

My Personal Ad

In response to one of my crazy emails, in which I ranted and offered to bribe my friends with chocolate + mild entertainment (from me) in exchange for their company, Johnce suggested that I should submit the following personal ad to the Austin Chronicle:

SWF-ish. slightly entertaining. provides chocolate. keeps ranting tendencies to a minimum.

I am slightly intrigued to see who would actually respond...but not enough to actually do so.... :)

But maybe I'll keep an eye out for an ad like this:

SWM-ish. kind of a goofball. enjoys chocolate. likes a good random rant. can build a table.

PS - Oh....and the only reason that the ad is listed as "SWF-ish" and not just "SWF" is because I claimed that I had experienced a "SWF-ish moment" in the previously-mentioned-email. Just felt the need to clarify! :)

notes from a wannabe bgirl: part 2

This kid is so much better than me...it's not even funny...



this is definitely more my speed...

made-up word of the day: CARBOHYDRATED

carbohydrated (v):
1. To carb-hydrate.
2. To supply carbs to (a person, for example) in order to restore or maintain a healthy mental/emotional state.
Thank goodness she was carbohydrated, otherwise someone could have been seriously injured.
A woman who is not properly carbohydrated might endanger not only herself but those around her. 

notes from a wannabe bgirl: part 1

This past Sunday, I officially started my breakdancing class. Just thought I would take a moment to share what I learned:

1. I'm an uber-white girl.

It's not like I didn't already know this, but, at the same time, as much as I mentally assume that I have street cred...I soooooo do not!

2. Yoga classes would be a wise investment.

I was ignorant to believe that these movements would fall into the "natural" category.

3. Gloves with padding in the palms = awesome

I don't know if such a thing exists, but it definitely should!!

4. Dance studios with street level windows = bad

Even the random people on the street can witness my sad attempts at "battling"...

everyday will be like a holiday

1. Put your iPod or other music player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer. The name of the song is your answer!

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
The Payback – James Brown

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Once Again - Fusebox

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
I’m Afraid of Americans – David Bowie (that narrows my dating field immensely)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Three More Days – Ray LaMontagne

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Green River – Creedence Clearwater

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Angel of the Morning – The Pretenders (hahahaha….I LOVE this! But I really hope this is not the public opinion of me…)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Get Loose – Rob Blackledge

WHAT IS 2+2?
Levon – Elton John

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Everything Will Be Alright – The Killers

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
I Go to the Barn Because I Like the – Band of Horses (strangely, this is fitting)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
From God Above – Hillsong United (couldn’t have handpicked a better song)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Don’t Ask Me Why – Billy Joel

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Geek in the Pink – Jason Mraz (HAHahaha…seriously, perfect!)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Fallen from the Sky – Glen Hansard

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Same Girl – Jack Johnson (ummm…I seriously hope not, considering this is pretty much a breakup song...that would not bode well for my marriage)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Please Read the Letter – Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Now I’m Here - Queen

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
These Arms of Mine – Otis Redding

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Across the Universe – The Beatles

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Human – Jon McLaughlin

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
He Can Only Hold Her – Amy Winehouse (should have known that one her songs will one day attribute to my passing)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Tremble for My Beloved – Collective Soul

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Rich Woman – Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Bigger Than My Body – John Mayer

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
This Fire – Franz Ferdinand (yikes!)

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Something Good This Way Comes – Jakob Dylan (ooohh...the irony)

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Jenny Was a Friend of Mine – The Killers (hahaha….and she still is!)

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Misunderstanding – Genesis (oh, how I heart this song)

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Kissing the Lipless – The Shins (that probably would hurt)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday – William Bell