NEWS FLASH!!!!

I'm signing papers this afternoon and closing tomorrow. I'm so jazzed I can't even begin to tell you.

What this means is that you'll not hear from me for a while, and then I'll inundate you with pictures. I'm apologizing in advance.

I'm CLOSING TOMORROW!!!!

Because I have nothing else in my life...

I'm going to share a snapshot of my current favorite television shows. Yeah, I know it's summer and I should be out playing and having fun, tra-la-la. But, I live in Las Vegas and stepping outside my door immerses me in immediate "surface of the sun" tempatures and eau de pit bull urine. Added to that is the fact that I'm currently packing in the hopes that I will actually close on my new house at the end of the week, and I own a TiVo.

So here we go in no particular order:

1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
(on dvd)



Yeah. I know it's old news. I'm sure many of you have even kinda forgotten about this gem in the years since it left television. I can think of no better antidote to the Sparkly Vampire quagmire we now find ourselves living through (Sorry Jamie, Carly, Rachel, and Wendy. It's true. I may watch the Twilight movies, but they're subpar) than a big box of Buffy. If you want to watch vampires, watch them the right way. I mean, really. I got hooked this time when my sister Christy and I decided to have a "Best of Buffy" night right before we left for the cruise. We easily agreed on our #1 episode ("Once More With Feeling", season 6) But after that the list grew too long for one night. Heck, it grew too long for a week of nights. If you've never watched Buffy, I highly suggest you do.

2. The Good Guys
(Mondays, Fox)



I first started watching this show because Bradley Whitford is in it. I've had a little crush on him ever since he played Josh Lyman on "The West Wing", but it was clear from the very first episode that Dan Stark aint no Josh Lyman. He's sweaty, idiotic, sexist, disgusting and delightful. The show is equal parts Starsky and Hutch and Dragnet with a healthy dose of quirk and cheeze for good measure. Colin Hanks and Bradley Whitford are incredibly fun to watch whether they're finding themselves the unwitting target of the 2nd best assassin in the world by tracking down a stolen humidifier, or when they're about to be run down by "a flaming truck of some sort". If you enjoy silliness and quirky characters, watch it.

3.Royal Pains.
(Thursdays, USA)



I've always had a thing for cute Jewish boys and Mark Feuerstein is one of my favorites. He's had really bad luck in the past (he has been called "Sit-com kryptonite" along with another of my favorite people Lauren Graham), but in Royal Pains he's finally found a vehicle for his adorableness. I like the story, I love the characters, it reminds me of living in Long Island as a young missionary, and every episode feels like summer. It's never going to win awards for realism, but if you enjoy cute boys, highly improbably medical storylines, and beautiful scenery I'd watch it.

4.My Boys.
(Sundays, TBS, but I TiVo and watch it on Monday, Mom. Really.)



This is a little gem of a show with a bad time slot and a terrible address. TBS is kind of the red-headed step child of the Turner broadcasting family. If this show was on TNT with all of it's other golden children more people would know about it. Alas, it is not and I fear its days are numbered. Nevertheless, I love it. This season will suffer from the loss of Jim Gaffigan, but he never was the show. The show revolves around tomboy P.J. and her "boys", and it's clever, well written, and makes me laugh out loud every single week. Season 4 is currently on, but the first three seasons are out on dvd. I love this show so much I'm going to include a clip of my favorite moment ever: (The good stuff starts about about 2:20)


Kenny's letter is my favorite part. "When you tried to get me to buy the new Fergie album it made me feel so lonely." It kills me EVERY TIME I watch it.

5.Top Chef, D.C.
(Wednesdays, Bravo)


First off, let me tell you that last season (in Las Vegas) was incredibly superior to this one, but what can I say? It's Top Chef. I love it. I can't explain exactly why this show is so compelling. It might be Tom Colicchio, but as wonderful as he is, it's so much more than that. I'm not a huge fan of reality television, but I am a huge fan of this show.

6. Mad Men
(Sundays, AMC I TiVo it too Mom, I swear!)



It's BAAAAA-ACK. "Who is Don Draper?" Who the heck cares as long as John Hamm continues to play him. I know that in real life I wouldn't like the guy, but on television his arrogance and aura of mystery are part of the charm. It's been a long wait and there's always the worry that this season is where it will start sucking, but after watching the first episode I must say that I like where it has begun: Sterling Cooper Draper and Price working out of a tiny office space with no conference table and a phantom second floor, Don Draper out of place and sorts, Pete Campbell trying to get people to call him Peter. I like that Peggy's more willing to call Don on his crap, that a girl turned Don Draper down for once, and that Joan's back running the place; but mostly, I'm just happy to have Don Draper (and John Hamm) back in my life on a regular basis.

7. Memphis Beat
(Tuesdays, TNT)



Great music, seedy scenery, Jason Lee. What's not to love. I'm not a huge fan of cop shows (although there are two on my list) but I do enjoy a good character driven story. That's what appeals to me here. Plus, as much as I loved him as Earl, it's nice to see Jason cleaned up and de-mustachioed. The supporting cast (including the ALWAYS gorgeous and talented Alfre Woodard--one of those actors who improves the material, no matter what it is)is great, and I have really enjoyed the storylines thus far.

Let me 'splain....No, there is too much. Let me sum up.

Because my body has finally realized that it's summer time and therefore must hybernate, I don't have the energy to write about my fabulous Alaska Cruise/Seattle vacation.

Let it suffice to say that a grand time was had by all and that Alaska is one of the most gorgeous places on earth, and that Seattle is a wonderful city.

I'm hoping to write more later, but thought I'd post some pictures in the meantime.





The afternoon before the getting on the ship. Argosy Harbor cruise. What a beautiful skyline.


Doesn't this picture just scream "Summer Vacation"?



Cruising through Endicott Fjord. GORGEOUS water, ICEBERGS!!!


Christy and I in front of the Dawes Glacier from the Endicott Fjord. Second Day at Sea. It's hard to believe something can be that color in nature.






Downtown Skagway, Alaska. A cute town with a criminal past. LOVED it.



Some views from the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway trip


The Mendenhall Glacier. Maybe my favorite part of the whole trip.


Licking a piece of the glacier.




Getting rained on in Juneau





Ketchikan, Alaska. Raspberries. Totem Poles. Harbor. (Historical) Whore Houses.



Butchart Gardens, Victoria, B.C. Canada.



Back in Seattle in time for a HORRIBLE 90 degree heat wave. Whew! If they only knew.

There it is....kinda. I hope to post for reals later.

Secret Message Post

TJ's got the news:




That's right. I'm in ES-CA-ROW!!

Digital Mix Tape

I LOVE music. Music defined how I saw myself in high school, has helped me choose friends, and often expresses my innermost joy/sorrow/thoughts.

I was one of those girls in high school AND college who made mix tapes for my friends. I spent hours pouring my love and affection into each playlist and then more hours designing the covers.

This past week The English Geek wrote a post about her current playlist and encouraged her readers to do the same. I loved it and decided to do the same.

I spent some time thinking about this playlist, and a few more deciding on just the right words to express just what I love about each song. This isn't a list of my favorite songs, just a list of what I'm listening to right now. The heavy hitters, the songs in current rotation. Enjoy:

1. "Crazy Eddie's Last Hurrah" by Reckless Kelly. Who knew that a song about breaking up, drunk driving, and double homicide could be so much fun? I can't really explain why I love this song so much, but it might have something to do with all of the clever rhymes to "and I'm never getting over Joely".

2. "Empty" by Ray LaMontagne. The bleakness of this song moves me. I love the lines "I never learned to count my blessings,I choose instead to dwell in my disasters". I hate to admit it, but that perfectly sums up my feelings way too often. I'm a huge fan of LaMontagne, and this isn't the song that I love most by any stretch, but it is the song that's speaking to me right now. (But if you want some good stuff check out "Let it Be Me" and "Hey Me, Hey Mama" or "Shelter" AMAZING.)

3. "Hey Soul Sister" by Train. I'm a little bit embarrassed by this one, but I'll suck it up and share anyway. I can't explain they dichotomy of placing this effervescent pop song next to the dark and wistful "Empty" but there you have it: me in a nutshell. There's something about the way he sings "Hey" that gets me moving. I imagine myself dancing a quickstep to this every time I hear it and it puts a smile on my face.

4. "Sea Lion Woman" by Feist. This song gets me moving. It makes me want to clap a beat and stomp my feet. It's also one of the songs I have on my "working out" playlist. It's a great song to get you running/walking/moving, and Feist's a genius.

5. "Hotel Song" by Regina Spektor. "I have dreams of orca whales and owls, but I wake up in fear, you will never be my, you will never be my fool." Ahhhhhhh. We'll just ignore the part about illegal drugs, yes?

6."Silver Lining" by Rilo Kiley. There's something about the line "I was your silver lining, but now I'm gold." that gives me a little shiver of delight. Oh, and the girl can sing.

7. "Mouthwash" by Kate Nash. I love the happy piano at the beginning. I love that you can tell she's from London. I love that she sings about freckles. I love this song.

8. "Somewhere Only We Know" by Keane. Do I need a reason? It's just beautiful. The music, the lyrics, I love everything about this song.

9. "Island in the Sun" by Weezer. This is the ultimate summer song. I got to see Weezer in concert when they were first starting out. "Buddy Holly" had just hit MTV like a storm and they were playing the Utah State Fair Grounds. Tickets were cheap, my roommates and I decided to go. My brother and some of his friends drove down from what was then Ricks College (now BYU Idaho). The band ran onstage to the theme song from some 80's tv show (Magnum P.I.?) and had a plywood backdrop of the now famous Weezer W with holes drilled out for Christmas lights to poke through. They were young, raw, and I'll admit it: we left early. I'm ashamed, and will be forever. My brother stayed there 'til they closed the place down. I left. Who knew that those guys with the funny video would still be around all these years later? I certainly didn't, but I sure am glad they are. I'm sorry for doubting you Rivers, and thank you for writing this song so that I can celebrate the end of every school year.

10. The Old 97's. This band has been on pretty heavy rotation for a couple of years now. I love them. They speak to me. I love that my 8 year old niece Bethany and I can sing every word of "Question". Their music is fun without being cheesy, dark without being depressing. And Rhett Miller is dreamy.

11. "Grace Kelly" by Mika. If this were my niece Samantha's list "Lollipop" would be on this list, but it's always been "Grace Kelly" for me. There are so many reasons why I keep coming back to this one, but I won't bore you with them. Instead I'll just say, listen to it. I dare you not to like it.

12."Like a Prayer" by Madonna. When this song first came out, Pepsi paid Madonna a ridiculous amount of money to have the rights to play her video on commercial tv. I don't know why they were surprised that her video was controversial. I loved it. I still do. I love dark, curly haired Madonna. I know she's not the icon, but I love her. Plus, this song makes you dance in your seat. You can't help it. I am always happy when this song comes on when I'm at a red light and I can really get down.

13. "Pretty Girl from Annapolis" by The Avett Brothers. I was introduced to these guys by Melissa and Danny a couple of years ago, but I didn't really fall in love with them until I saw them perform this song on Ace of Cakes. Yeah. They have a series of "Pretty Girl from...." songs, but this is my favorite. I love the lines "My dreams fly me to a place near Baltimore. And I love this moment we're in, though we might never see this moment again" The lyrics may be about a boy who can't commit, but they remind me of a New Year's Eve spent in Annapolis with two of my favorite people on earth. I loved that moment we were in, and we never saw that moment again. But isn't that the point?

14. "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson. I recently got a 80's compilation (mostly because I was in the mood for "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler) and this song was on it. I'd forgotten how good he was. This was my favorite song in the fourth grade (when I had NO idea what it was really about) and Thriller was, hands down, the most played record in our house that year. This song took me back to the pre-creepy, pre plastic surgery Michael that I had a crush on. Through all of the creepiness I'd forgotten just how good he was. What a talent.

15. "California" by Rufus Wainwright. This song is simultaneously silly ("Thousand surfers, whiffs of freon and my new grandma Bea Arthur")and derisive ("Life is the longest death in California").


Sooooooo, what are YOU listening to? Tell me in the comments section, or blog about it yourself. If you do blog, let me know!

If you want to do more than read about these songs, I have my playlist posted on the blog under the title Digital Mixtape.

Things I'm Thinkin' 'Bout

1. This is right next to the most adorable thing I've ever seen:



and fyi, this is NOT how Austen reacts to being fed. When I feed Austen, he walks over, looks at his food and then at me as if to say "Mum, do you fink I'm gonna eat that rubbish?" (remember, my dog has a tough British accent) Then, he moves his food one kibble at a time to the other side of the rug and then MAYBE, if I'm lucky he eats it(If I'm not lucky I step on soggy dog food with my bare feet.).

2. For eleven years I've told my students, "Pick up that backpack. I don't want to trip and fall." or "Push in that chair, I don't want to trip and fall." It's just one of those things you say as a teacher, I don't think I ever really thought I'd ever trip and fall. Well, no more. Last week I did exactly that, and in case you're wondering, yes. I was wearing a skirt. Yes. It flew up. No. I didn't die of embarrassment. Yes. I did hurt myself. My left foot to be exact. Yes. That left foot. No. It's not broken, just really bruised and painful.

It was one of those moments when I realized, once again, how happy I am to teach the kids I do. At either of my previous schools that story would have circled the school twice by the time school was done for the day. At mine? Not a single kid mentioned it ever again. Maybe the whole skirt flying up, visible teacher's underwear experience was so emotionally disturbing, that they all silently agreed to never speak of it again. One can hope.


3. Two weeks ago, there was an episode of Glee guest starring.... wait for it..... Neil Patrick Harris and directed by Joss Whedon. Does life get any better than that? Maybe for other people, but for me? Not really. (I am one sad spinster.)

4. Next Wednesday my sisters Jennifer and Christy, and my niece Alyssa are coming to stay with for for a few days. I'm so excited that I can hardly stand it. I'm planning our activities and clearning out the guest room for them. Austen's very excited, or he would be if he understood anything that I say to him.

5. I'm in the middle of buying a home for the first time in my life. I've put it off for various reasons including mind numbing fear at the thought of that much debt and the desire to move away from Las Vegas, but I made some realizations. 1. I'm not getting out of here until the economy improves. 2. Housing prices in Las Vegas are currently ridiculously low. 3. Might as well own if I'm going to stay here for awhile.

I have an accepted offer right now, but it's a short sale at it's going to take awhile and the bank could turn the offer down. I'm trying to be patient. We'll see how it goes.

6. Another video that puts my dog parenting to shame:



I'll bet that dog doesn't put down his ears and crawl into his owner's lap when given a command. Hmmmph.

7. Summer is three short school days away.

Those nights in the country must be long....

Wow. That's all I can say. Wow.