late night.

I was just telling someone today that if, in the late hours of the night, you resolve to do something, you should always wait until morning. Always sleep on it. Never hit send. Don't trust a decision made while your brain continues to race when you should be sleeping.

But tonight I've been using the quiet of the late hours to reflect and make note of the thoughts as they come. While jotting some of those thoughts down in my phone, I came across a quote I must have noted while reading a book:

"...there is more heartbreak in continuous disappointment than a void..."

First of all, of course I'm jotting down sad quotes from chick lit. Of course.

Second, true or not true? Right now, it feels pretty true.


I known I just said, "Never hit send". But I also know that during those quiet moments of reflection earlier I typed in my phone, "Write it down".

when disaster strikes.

We had an emergency preparedness lesson on Sunday.

Here are some things I learned:

• I'm completely unprepared for any sort of disaster. Unless a head lamp and blanket will keep me alive.
• Seattle has the possibility of being hit by an array of natural disasters: volcanic eruption, earthquake and/or tsunami
• A major earthquake is not an if, but a when. It will happen. (Did I mention a geologist was teaching us all about this? Legit.)
• If there's an earthquake, my old office (and maybe my new office) will sink right into the water.
• If the earthquake is strong enough, it could cause a tsunami and then my new office will definitely be a goner

In a nutshell, I did not leave the meeting comforted by all of the great things I can add to my 72 hour kit, but in panic about how I'm going to die in a natural disaster. (Okay, not really.) (But sort of.)

I was telling my roommate about all I had learned that day and an hour later I got a message that said, "I just had a mental image of you sitting at your desk wearing a life jacket because you're worried about a tsunami".

Funny.
And totally genius.

From now on, this is going to be me.

is this thing on?

Oh, hey there.

I've been thinking a lot about my personal history lately (basically, I need one documented) and am kicking myself for not keeping up on this corner of the internet for the last couple years. Life just keeps happening and how am I supposed to remember it all?

Here are some of the things happening in life:

• I've been traveling/playing a lot lately. Every other weekend for the last two months has had some big adventure. It's been wonderful and I wish I had unlimited time and funds to do whatever I want.
• I truly want to move to Alaska. Do I have to become a fisherwoman? A park ranger? Whatever it is, I'll do it. I was blown away and found myself jealous of the people who call it home.
• Nature has been rocking my socks lately. I equal parts love nature and hate to be dirty so I feel like I've just been scratching the surface of what is to be explored, but it's still rejuvenating my soul. 
• This summer I will learn how to swim. (Maybe.) But seriously.
• I was released of my RS duties and am now the ward chorister. I start getting sweaty about an hour before church starts because the thought of everyone looking at me is apparently too much. But when it comes down to it, it's really the best calling.
• I discovered the most delicious bagel at a wood-fired bagel shop near my house. Now all I do is dream about salt bagels with honey almond cream cheese. 
• I've played tennis a couple times this year. Rest assured I am still terrible, but it's been nice to hit around a little.
• I'm turning 31 in two months. So that's a bummer. 
• I want to become a morning person. I tried for a minute, but it's going to take some serious effort. 

More details to come on my latest adventures.

please.

I had forgotten about this song until my sister-in-law posted it the other day.

Obviously I'm super into it.




And while I'm posting videos, how about this Subaru commercial?


I mean, her little face? And when he says, "You look so pretty".
I die.

One more.

Do you love The Mindy Project? Because you should.
I can't even think about this episode without laughing.


Tommy Dewey needs to get back on the show asap.

out with the old, in with the new.

So, 2013 is here. That's fun, right?

Personally, I was happy to kick 2012 to the curb. I mean, I rang in the New Year on my couch, watching Sleepless in Seattle, alone, while battling the last of the flu I had been suffering through for six days.

That night pretty much summed up all of my 2012. Looking back, I have deemed 2012 the Year of Survival.

It was a hard year. Some days it felt like just surviving was the best I could hope for or accomplish. A year filled with a lot of emotions, ruts (of many different varieties), lots of hours at work, spiritual crises and changing dynamics of dear-to-my-heart friendships.

But there were a lot of good things too. A promotion at work, travels abroad, a once in a lifetime experience at the Olympics, spiritual progression and, because of the aforementioned changed dynamics of previously important friendships, I sought out and developed new relationships that have been fulfilling in different ways.

When all is said and done I think I came out on top of 2012, but I definitely hope 2013 is a step up.

With the new year comes a lot of talk about resolutions and goals. I had a hard time pinning down how I wanted to approach resolutions this year. Or if I even wanted to approach them. It's been something I've been mulling over for most of January.

The other night, as I was reflecting on my day, I asked myself "Were you your best self today?" That question had a pretty significant impact and I decided then that it would be my theme for 2013.

Be Your Best Self.

Whatever changes are necessary for me to be able to answer affirmatively to the question "Were you your best self today?" are the things I will work on.

Cheers to a new year and a fresh start! So far 2013 is leaps and bounds above her predecessor.

someday.

I climbed in bed a little early tonight and decided to revisit this space of the net (I'm trying to bring back "the net". Think it will catch on?) just like old times. But boy, those last few posts on here sure were downers. Let's move on to something happier, shall we?

For instance, how about that time I fell in love with the Eiffel Tower? That was fun.

Or that time I met some of the world's finest athletes? (Usually without many clothes on.) Also fun.

Maybe the time when I ate banana+nutella crepes regularly and didn't feel bad about it? Real good.

I'd love to tell you all about it. Someday.

learn.

I had a rough week. I won't go into the details, but just trust me on this one. After the dust started to settle I realized that I had learned a thing or two along the way.

1. Something that is seemingly small can have a very large impact.
2. I'm all too willing to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
3. It's important to get a second opinion. Or third.
4. I need to trust my gut.
5. My parents may be thousands of miles away, but they are still an excellent source of support.
6. Mom & Pop stores are where it's at. They may not be the cheapest, but the level of service they can provide is leaps and bounds above a big box store.
7. Even if someone can't offer a solution to a problem, just hearing "We'll get through this" is all I need.
8. Buying a Dyson will never be the wrong choice.

Here's to better luck next week.

through the cracks.

Last April I made a goal to get on stage and sing with my friend Stacey.

Stacey also had a goal and that was to record an album, and for the last 8 or 9 months she's been doing just that. Now she's at the point where the finishing touches are being added and she has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund these last stages of the project.

Check out her video below (I can promise you will be entertained) and if you feel like the project is something you'd like to support, head over to her Kickstarter page and donate. The best part is that any donation of $10 or more will get you a copy of the album when it's released. And, as if that wasn't enough, I sing with her on a couple of the songs.

Truly a deal that cannot be beat.

...i used to know.

the challenge.

I'm about to compare life to an MTV show. Get excited. Or scared.

There's a show on MTV that I still sort of love - in fact, it's the only show on MTV that I still sort of love.
The Challenge.
The premise is simple: Teams completing challenges for money or points or voting power and trying to stay in the game to compete in the Final Challenge. Winning the Final Challenge is where all the money is to be made.

The Final Challenge is typically a footrace of several miles where contestants stop at checkpoints along the way to complete some sort of task. However, during this race a time limit is given for these checkpoints and if the competitors don't complete the task within a certain amount of time, they get to move on.

I was thinking tonight that the producers of this show might be on to something. And that it might be nice if the trials of life were aligned a little more closely with MTV.

Yes, I just typed that.

I mean, you can struggle and work and try your best to get through a hard situation. You do all of the things you can think of to make it through. You try to figure out what it is you need to learn. But sometimes it feels like you can only muddle along for so long, right? Like if you haven't figured out what you're supposed learn by now it's unlikely you ever will, so let's just move on. Better luck next time, Champ.

Hey Universe, I think I've reached the time limit. Let's move on to something else.

birdy.

Bon Iver's Skinny Love and I have a special relationship.
It makes me sad, but I still love it.
There was a period in 2009 where I could not stop listening to it. It was literally on repeat for days. I mean, I was sad, but whatever.

So the other day when I was listening to the Hunger Games soundtrack (ps - soundtrack is SO good) on MOG, Birdy's version of Skinny Love shuffled up and I fell in love all over again.



You're welcome.

half.

Today is my half birthday.

It is also Pi Day.

I mean, I just feel like if everyone is already celebrating with pie, why not toss a celebration for my half birthday in the mix?

My dear friend Jenny made a pie today and dedicated it to me. So fun!

february.

Two people in the last two days have told me in one form or another that I need to blog more. Here's a recap of February. Based almost exclusively on photos from my phone.

• I had a rough day. Or two. And it maybe involved fairly uncontrollable weeping for an hour of church. Embarrassing? Yes. But the next day I came home to these beauties with a very kind note. People are good.

•  When the sun shines in Seattle, there is nothing better. And on a Saturday? The best. We took advantage by having lunch with a view.

•  After lunch we made our way to the new visitor center of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Our very own CK did the design and it was so, so amazing. I know some talented people.

•  I won an award at work. I mean, it was a little bit by default, but who's keeping track? The "trophy" for this award is a jumbo blow up whale (for "A Whale of an Idea"...clever) and it's hard to coexist with this thing in cubicle land.

•  I started reading East of Eden. It's dramatic. And sad. And really great. I'm on page 470 of 601 and it feels as though I'll never finish.

•  I got last minute (free!) tickets to Wilco. It was a really good show and fun to be able to let a Wilco-loving friend reap the benefits of my job perks.

•  Valentine's Day. My roommate went all out decorating for a party she threw (amazing, as usual) and then a few of us, including these ladies below, ventured off to another party. It was a good day, which is not always the case on the ol' V.Day.

•  Pickwick at The Neptune. Loved these guys and their surprising amount of soul.

•  Beauty & the Beast! This Belle's version of Home wasn't my favorite, but overall just as enjoyable as I'd imagined.

•  Susan had a birthday! So, I threw her a party complete with streamers, party hats and kazoos. You know, everything you'd expect for a 28 year old's birthday party. I also made all the treats, including a carrot cake from scratch. I was pretty proud of myself.

•  When CK asked me if I wanted to go see the Harlem Globetrotters my answer was obviously yes. A fun night complete with a Diet Coke and stadium nachos.

• Somewhere along the way I started taking photos of my beverages. Pictured below are a Friday afternoon meeting and [insert any given day of the week].

•  iFly! I was terrified. Terrified to the point where the guy had to grab me and literally toss me into the wind tunnel. Once I was in, I LOVED it.

So, that's what you've all been missing.
Thrilling stuff, I know.

conversation of the day.

Me: I just don't think spending $250 on a pair of sunglasses is necessary. I mean, you can get them at Target for $15.
New Co-Worker: Are you married?
Me: ...no.
NCW: Really?
Me: Really.
NCW: With that kind of low maintenance attitude I'd think guys would be lining up.
Me: Well, I guess I just have them all fooled.

honey badger.

This video is old news. HOWEVER, still funny.
(Also, I should warn you that you shouldn't watch if foul language offends you.)

Today I received an email from a co-worker who has been out of the office for a few months (hence being a little behind on the latest and greatest of YouTube) and it said:

Okay, I don't know if this is a compliment or not, but as soon as I saw this video I thought of you because I thought you'd appreciate it.

I'm going to go ahead and take it as a compliment.
And I'm not really surprised since we laughed ourselves to tears over this video. (Again, not for sensitive ears.)

conversation of the {fri}day.

Me: Have you told anyone yet?
NotMe: Just you. Oh, and Bill*.
Me: And Jimbo*.
NotMe: Oh yeah. And Jimbo. So you were third and third's the best of all the game.
Me: What does that mean?
NotMe: First the worst, second the same, third's the best of all the game.
Me: Is that how it goes? I always thought it was First the worst, second the best, third the turd...so in this scenario I'm the turd.

Apparently we grew up in different places. And it's clear which location was classier.


*Names have been changed to protect the innocent.

glitter girl

Last night Stacey had a show at the Skylark and invited me along to sing a handful of songs. The Skylark is a dingy, old bar in West Seattle, but I kind of love it. Maybe I have a special place in my heart for it because it was the first place I was brave enough to get on stage and sing. Maybe it's because the sound is more legit than anywhere else we play. Who knows.

Here's a very short recap of the evening in photos.

1. I had trouble deciding what to wear. I'm in hate with all of my clothes at the moment. But after finally picking an outfit, I went to the bathroom to fix my hair and found that I kind of liked what was going on. I got my hair cut in December (after looking at this photo for too long) and have hated it ever since, but something about last night just felt right. So I self-portraited it.

PS - I really need new glasses.

2. We've played at this bar a few times, but last night was the first night they let us use the "artist's room" which I guess is the equivalent of Green Room in TV land. It was interesting, to say the least. Dark, full of old mirrors and leopard print furniture and they even provided a couple products we might need prior to going on stage:

• Mary Kay moisturizer. You know, in case your face is dry.
• Glitter Girl. Because a girl needs to glitter on stage.

I'm so grossed out by this. And the Glitter Girl is almost gone. Ew.

3. Steph & Stace on stage.

All in all, a good night.

honey boo boo

Am I ashamed of how much I love this video? A little.
But I could watch the last :15 on repeat all day long.

Get More: TV Shows, Full Episode Video, Reality TV Shows

I'm gonna work the stage. Gonna work the stage.

the first loser.

I came in second, y'all.
I chose Green Bay in the second round of the Playoffs and that choice proved to be the end of the road for me.

My co-worker sent me this yesterday in honor of my loss.

important updates.

1. I sold the KitchenAid. But it went to a good home and I'll have visitation.
2. I've put the Dyson to good use, even cleaning houses other than my own. (You could be next!)
3. The NFL regular season is over and I tied for first with one other person in the Pick 'Em league.