Sunday's A Drag is anything but!

Today some of my best buds and I went to Harry Denton's Starlight Room for a fun-filled Sunday brunch full of delish eats, yummy mimosas and a fabulous drag show.

I'm not really the type to get starstruck, so I don't know what it is about these ladies that gets to me...but every time I see a drag queen I freak out as if it's really Madonna, not someone dressed like her circa 1995. I mean, seriously. Just take a look at my expression in this picture. It's like a kid meeting Mickey Mouse at Disneyland.

Anyways, for a "tourist event" this was pretty freakin' fun. Miss Donna Sachet was an amazing hostess and the girls really did an awesome job on the stage. The highlight for me was seeing "Beyonce" doing "All the Single Ladies." It took all the strength I had not to jump up and start dancing along. And my new Drag Crush is totally and completely Cassandra Cass, this transsexual diva is like a real life Barbie...only way more fun! She's amazing to watch perform and I can't wait to see her on her upcoming reality show.

Whether you're gay or straight, this is one of the most delightful and entertaining ways to spend a Sunday afternoon. If anyone wants to go check it out, count me in! I'd love an encore.

The way to happiness...in list form.

So I was going through some of the clippings and notes that I keep...I have so many of them it's scary! If these were actual pieces of paper and not computer files, my apartment would be wallpapered with randomness.

Anyway, I came across this list of things to do to make life a little easier...and consequently, less stressed and happier. It was in a doc titled "Be Happier Right Now."

I don't remember where I got it from, but I do know I didn't come up with it myself. I apologize to the writer, and please let me know if you've seen this before so I can give them proper credit (and check out what else they've written).

A few of the items here I do already, and some I KNOW I have to work on.

• Laugh at yourself.
• Keep stamps in the house.
• Keep extra cash in the house.
• Have a good book to read.
• Bring a hat and an umbrella.
• Don’t wear tight pants or uncomfortable shoes.
• Don’t let yourself get too hungry.
• Make a list.
• Always keep your passport in the same place.
• Always put your keys away in the same place — and keep an extra set of keys.
• Keep a Band-Aid and a small bottle of pain reliever in your purse.
• Make your bed.
• Never let your car’s gas level fall into the "empty" zone.
• Have at least one friend who lives in your neighborhood.
• Go to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual.
• Get up 20 minutes earlier than usual.

So, what do you think of this list?

This kitty LOVES his broccoli

And now combining topics from the last two posts...

Here is an adorable kitten crying over giving up his yummy broccoli. No joke!

This is the cutest thing I have ever seen. (Sorry, Archie!)

Archie, his shoe and this crazy purr...

Archie is quite the character, you all know that from his many guest appearances on this blog. One of the many reasons he stands out is his bizarre sounding "Happy Purr" that he makes.

It sounds like a coffee pot percolating or some kind of weird siren. People stop and stare at him and ask me if he's okay, and I assume so...until he does it so much he starts to burp and cough.



Maybe I should be concerned...

Does anyone else have a cat that does this?

Oh, another strange thing that Archie does is obsess over shoes. I finally gave him the pair in this video so he would leave my other ones alone. He scratches them, hugs them, sniffs, rolls, and drools on them. To keep his very short attention span, I also put catnip in the toe of this shoe and boy does he love that!

Mmmm...broccoli!

Farm Fresh To You has sent me a plethora of broccoli. I finally put it on my "exclusions" list (aka, "ick list") but meanwhile, Boyfriend and I made a delicious broccoli soup out of the piles of green goodness.

We based it on this recipe from Epicurious titled Broccoli Soup with Chive-Cayenne Oil, but added chili pepper flakes and lemon. (I can't take credit for either of these smart additions.)

It turned out super yummy and I was very glad that it didn't have all that heavy cream other recipes call for. We didn't make the chive-cayenne oil, but I think it worked just fine without.

Santa Cruz + BFFs = Awesome

Boy, the weekend flies by fast!

We went to Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz for a friend Amber's 30th birthday (oops, exuse me, ALMOST 30 celebration). Such a fun time in such a beautiful place.

These pics were taken by my friends Kim and Luke...thanks for being the group photographers. I was totally bummed that my phone ran out of juice and I couldn't take any.

This is one of my favorite places...and one of the many reasons why California is so freakin' awesome.

A fuzzy lil bit of sweetness

I am blogging from the road tonight...actually from the CalTrain, but you know what I mean.

While occupying our very slow trip home with my usual blog obsessions, I noticed Violet Pie had a new posting. Yay!

I adore these sweet--and just a touch creepy, but still super loveable--little figurines. Especially these lil bunnies. Trust me, these are cute buggers worth checking out!

http://violetpie.typepad.com/violet_pie/2010/03/another-litter-of-critter.html

Archie vs. The Crow

The update on Archie's leash training is that we are doing very well. He walks like a normal cat up and down the halls and is not longer afraid of the neighbors. I am getting plenty of curious looks from everyone, but over all we are having fun so who cares.

He's making lots of new friends....and one enemy, The Crow.

While we don't go outside yet, I have been taking him out onto the outdoor ledges that lead to the fire escapes. Archie LOVES it...the first thing he does is roll around and get dirty. (Don't worry, I keep a tight hold of his leash so he can't get near the edge.)

The last time we went for a walk, we decided to go to a different fire escape on the other side of the building. I opened the door, Archie stepped outside and he immediately started purring. All of a sudden we saw a big blob swoosh down from the sky. Then again. Next thing we know, there's a GIANT crow sitting on the rooftop across from us...and he looks pissed. He starts flapping his wings and hopping toward us. Soo freaky!

I yanked on Archie's leash and yelled for him to get inside. He was pretty spooked, but still pretty curious. Much more than I was. It was a good thing we left when we did, because as soon as I shut the door The Crow hopped right over in front of the glass panes and began cawing at Archie. Boy, was that bird pissed!

Archie was SO excited to have a playmate so close. He was making his little chattering noises and ducking around the door trying to get a better look. But honestly, the bird was really freaking me out. It wasn't afraid of anything and kept hopping closer to the window. Eventually I had to drag Archie away from the glass...I was afraid the thing was gonna try to break in!

We haven't gone back to that fire escape...and honestly, I don't think we ever will. I don't want to take the chance that The Crow will remember us and dive bomb Archie.

See, in the big city, Archie doesn't even need to leave the building to get a taste of adventure! I can't imagine what's in store for us when we head into the concrete jungle.

I'm smitten with...explodingdog

[title: my tummy is rumbling]

Explodingdog and I have had a rocky relationship. For a few years it was my one true web-love. Each illustration is inspired and named by a phrase that a reader has emailed in to the website. The results are very entertaining. My sun rose and set around the artist Sam's new drawings being posted of clever, witty little lollipop-headed men and chunky robots.

Then one day, it was like I didn't recognize those awkward little bodies anymore. Sam's style began to change and pretty soon I just couldn't bare visiting the website anymore. His drawings had lost their magic to me.

But I am SO happy to say, that like all interweb soulmates, I found my way back to Explodingdog. The style and cleverness that I so loved is back stronger than ever and once again pulling at my heartstrings.

Here are a few of my all-time faves. I hope you adore them as much as I do!

[title: where did i go?]












[title: when i am sad, i eat a cookie]












[title: I hate the coffee at work]












[title: i'm just a little southern girl]

10,000 Step Challenge off to a rocky start...

...but does that mean I'm going to give up? No way! I just have some extra steps to squeeze in here and there.

We went away for the weekend. I planned to go hiking hit my walking quota in that way, but there was no way I was able to, so I fell behind. And that's okay. It was still an active and super fun trip that I wouldn't trade for anything.

I am SO excited to see how many people are taking this challenge as their own. There's nothing like a strong support group to help push you toward your goal.

One thing I've been doing to get more steps in each day is walking to a farther bus stop when I go to work. It's only half a mile away from me, but doing it both ways adds up. And can you believe I actually get to work quicker?! It was a pleasant surprise.

So what have you guys been doing to jump start your stepping?

Make a Wish

I was doing research for a work project and came across this site:

www.real-wishes.com

It's too funny! Would anyone really believe this?! Usually I see this kind of thing in an email, and it includes a cute photo or a fun poem or something. But this HAS NOTHING...except that it will make your dream come true because 8 is a magic number!

Silly people...

But hey, if you believe in it, give it a try and let me know when your wish comes true.

p.s. That's a picture of a rainbow over the Bay Bridge from the view at our offices. I'm pretty lucky already to be living and working in SF, but it can't hurt to make a wish every now and again. :)

I'm smitten with...Daytrotter

I deeply apologize to those of you who I have not told about this website. I have been obsessed with Daytrotter and the brilliant musicians it has introduced me to for well over four years now. The site is all about their Free recordings of live sessions from their studios in Rock Island, Ill that are honest and captivating and really really awesome music! Oh, and they have great portraits for each artist/band.

















It's been a little while since I've been on their site, and they have made A LOT of valuable upgrades without sacrificing their mission... to share free music. In fact, its even easier now to listen to their recordings because they have a downloading app that automatically puts the songs on your computer and into your iTunes playlists with literally two clicks! Amazing!

















Okay, now be sure to check out the following artists' recordings when you visit (which you need to do right after reading this):

- Fourth of July
- Ingrid Michaelson
- Vampire Weekend
- The Lonelyhearts
- Hockey Night

Seriously, I am SO excited to be sharing this site with you all. It really did change my life.

Let's get dirty...

Yay!

So we are heading off tomorrow to go camping in Mendocino...and be there while our friends get married in the wilds.

I haven't been camping since I was a little girl (and come to think of it, I've never been to Mendocino) so this should be fun...

But dirty.

And there will be bugs.

OMG, I hate bugs.

Yikes!

Okay, well, no matter what it will be an adventure and a really fun way to celebrate the beautiful occasion.

Wish me luck!

PS: This isn't a picture of Mendocino. It's Lake Tahoe from when we stayed at a super nice, big house there...and that's the closest to "roughin' it" that I've done in a long time. :)

Time to get off my ass...

About a month ago, Boyfriend mentioned a study he read emphasizing, once again, the horrible health risks of a sedentary lifestyle. It's been proven that even if you exercise at the gym or go to pilates and yoga after work, sitting for long periods of time is STILL a health risk.

As a writer, I spend most of my time sitting on my butt in front of a computer (like I am right now) so our conversation really stuck in my mind...and scared me. Today, after the realization that the most I walked was around the block to grab lunch, I decided I have to make a change.

I have decided to start a personal 10,000 step challenge. I figure this is the best way to combat a sedentary lifestyle.

There's lots of similar challenges on the web, like this one and another from Kaiser...and okay, I totally stole their idea. But the whole point is to get off my ass and get moving. It will make sure I stay healthy and help with so many issues, especially stress and depression, which are constant struggles of mine.

So this is my challenge: 30 days. 10,000 steps a day...(lemme do the math)...300,000 steps.

I will be checking in with you all weekly and keep a daily counter going so that I don't get lazy and end up on the couch for a Law & Order marathon, which some of you know is a common occurrence.

Okay, so who's with me?

Anyone else feel like trying for 10,000 steps a day?

How do you say YUMMY in Japanese?

A friend and I took a walk break at work today and look at the deliciousness we stumbled upon. It's a Japanese sweets store called Minamoto Kitchoan, located at Market and New Montgomery.

Everything inside looked absolutely divine; you can really tell how much thought and effort goes into these desserts (and why they're also extravagantly priced.)

Most of the info for the store is in Japanese, so I don't know too much about all the goodies, except for that this sugar-coated sliced yuzu will be dancing in my head all night long.

And I really love those Lucky Cat gift boxes...I can't wait to bring that to a housewarming party.

How could you not LOVE this face?

Don't you just want to **squeeze** those chubby cheeks?!

I got to spend yesterday playing auntie to the most adorably-ugly (come on! it's true!) little puppy, Josie. My brother has wanted an English Bulldog for as long as I can remember. His then fiance, now wife, finally made his wish come true this past Christmas with this little sweetheart.

She has the whole family smitten...everyone but my parent's doxie. Can't please everyone. :)

I was a skeptic about this breed until Josie came along. And now I just can't get enough auntie time.

Can you blame me?

Happy Mother's Day

I am so happy to be going to Napa to see my mom and grammy. They are the best mom's in the entire world :)

They LOVE flowers, so to celebrate, here's some pretty florals for everyone to enjoy.

Happy Mother's Day!
xox

Iron Man 2

I went to go see Iron Man 2 tonight...which I didn't even know was coming out this weekend until my brother mentioned it. We always go see the comic movies together. And this was a great one.

Iron Man 2 was a fun-filled, action-packed flick. (I know, I should come up with something more poetic, but its a super hero movie, what more can I say...and its late.)

I love Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, seriously, he was made for the role. And Mickey Rourke was great as the villan. He was so creepy looking!

I say go see it. :)

Whale Watching...minus the whales

Boyfriend and I were SO excited (okay, I was the giddy one) to go out this morning and use my Groupon for San Francisco Whale Tours to go see Grey Whales migrating past the Farallon Islands. I've always wanted to see whales, and I LOVE being out in the middle of nature.

For unforeseen reasons, the boat had to come back after heading out for only an hour. I know...I was SUPER bummed, too. But the trip route took us along the Northern California shore, and it was GORGEOUS, so the trip wasn't a total waste. How could be out in the fresh sea air and sunshine with your favorite person not be awesome?!

The tour people were super nice and we were able to reschedule for later this month, so I will have a whole new adventure to share. In the meantime, here are some pics from our lovely, yet brief, boat ride.

Happy weekend, everyone!

P.S. My digital camera is totally wonky and makes the color all funny...I actually like the pics better that way. It gives them character!

Theatre for Change: Speaking Up - Standing OUT

DATE: Wednesday, April 28, 2010
TIME: 9:00 pm
LOCATION: San Francisco, CA

ACT 3:

"So what exactly does Queer mean?" my friends and I asked ourselves as we sat at our favorite sushi restaurant, dipping our chopsticks into wasabi and soy sauce.
"Why not just say, Gay?"
"or Lesbian"
"Trans-gender"
"Cross-dresser"
"Wait, what's the difference?"

We had just seen our friend JL's performance and it was causing quite a stir in all of us - gay and straight alike. It was a beautiful thing...having such an open dialog and it was thanks to Theatre for Change.

Theatre for Change is a project of the Drama Therapy program at CIIS (California Institute of Integral Studies). Created in 2003, the theatre's aim is "to use theater to raise consciousness about diversity at CIIS and beyond—in ways that reach (the audiences’) hearts as well as minds." Every performance has a different theme, and this time it was about the queer experience.

"Speaking Up- Standing OUT" is an ensemble piece addressing and expressing the wide spectrum of queer experience. Theatre for Change uses drama therapy methods- including "self-revelatory performance"- to explore and enjoy the complexities of being queer in the 21st century.

Seven performers share their personal experiences, strengths, and humor, looking at coming out, coming to San Francisco, coming to CIIS, queer rights, bisexuality, transsexuality, identity, addiction, gender expression and non-conformity, family relationships, shame and stigmatization, and being an ally. This piece is about searching for community, love, and acceptance.

Thank you, JL and Theatre for Change...

THE END

Wedding Photo Mania

One of the many great ideas my brother and sister-in-law came up with for their wedding was a photo booth where all of us could take photos. Two copies would be created; one copy you keep, and the other goes onto a wedding album page where you can write a note to the couple. It was SO much fun.

The best part, is that we can all share the memories (some of which are adorable, especially all the kissing couples, and most others are freakin' hilarious!) Check out the company's website here, photoboothroyale.com.

Fresh and Fabulous from the Farm

I recently started having fresh fruits and veggies delivered every other week and I LOVE it!

I use the service Farm Fresh to You, and so far its been awesome. The produce has been very fresh (it's all local) and there's a great variety of different types of veggies. You can even customize shipments so you don't get anything you don't want to eat (which reminds me to take broccoli off my list!)

Boyfriend and I have been enjoying learning about how to eat new foods and trying out new recipes. I will let you know about the exceptionally yummy ones.

The picture here is a dinner we made with rainbow chard, pink beans and bacon, fresh summer sausage and champs, a dish made with potatoes and spring onions. The chard and spring onions were from my shipment.

Below are the links for everything, in case you want to try a recipe or the service for yourselves...I highly recommend all of them!

Chard: This recipe is actually meant to be done with kale, but I think it works well with both types of greens. (I wasn't crazy about the pink beans, so I would recommend substituting with any white bean you prefer.)

Champs: A traditional Irish dish! Here's a link to learn more about spring onions, too.

Farm Fresh to You: Let me know if you want to try it, I have a special promo code that you might be able to use!

A wedding ends, and a marriage begins

*Sigh*

The festivities are all over.

It was the most wonderful wedding I could ever imagine and for the most beautiful couple, inside and out. I am SO happy for my brother and new sister...its a perfect start to their new life as husband and wife. :)

I will be sharing highlights in the next few days, so stay tuned!

(P.S. I borrowed this photo from my sweet sister-in-law-in-law. Great pics, Kelly!)