At the risk of being really cliche, I thought we should do a resolution list since it is a brand new year. Plus, it’s good to have goals and I need something to fill the next 8 months of my life ...
Honorable Mention: Watch More Movies - With all the year-end movie lists going around, I realized that I don’t watch nearly enough movies. Nor do I make use of my Netflix account in any way that makes the monthly payments worthwhile. I’m also sick of having to say “Oh, yeah I haven’t seen that yet, but I really want to,” in conversations — so really this resolution is about saving face. Aiming high would be 2 movies a week, a realistic goal is one.
5) Exercise - If the basic premise of this list wasn’t cliche enough to being with, this is a pretty cliche resolution to start with, but a good one to have nonetheless. I don't have a weight goal in mind, I think I'm pretty much going to be where I'm at from here on out; I’m really more concerned with being more healthy, fit and toned. I also spent $60 on that work out video (which I actually like), so I should really make use of it. I'd also include in this resolution dancing more on my own (outside of class), which will keep my basic skills and choreographies sharp.
4) Clean regularly, in general, and my garage, in particular - Cleaning and organizing the garage was something I had aimed to have done during the summer ... so much for that. It's amazing how quickly things pile up. Other than the garage, I run a pretty tight ship at my place, but lately things have gotten a little slovenly with the holidays and traveling (not that that's an excuse since I don't have a job or classes to take up my time ... how DO I fill my days??). So after getting things to an acceptable level of clean, I'm resolved to keep it that way the whole year through. This means developing and actually sticking to a cleaning schedule. The idea is that if I do a little often (i.e. every week), then I won't have one massive job to do all at once because someone is coming to visit or people are coming over for dinner, etc.
3) Reduce My Carbon Footprint - I’ve been trying to do this for a while now, but without a specific plan. So I guess I want to do it more methodically, which I suppose would mean, firstly, doing a carbon audit and setting a reduction goal. (Mother Jones suggested in their recent issue that everyone try to reduce their carbon footprint by 22%, which seems reasonable, but that might be because that number doesn’t mean anything substantive to me and I’m not good with numbers ...). This is a pretty nondescript so far, so here are three things in particular I'm planning to do in addition to a carbon footprint audit and setting a reduction goal: 1) Bike More, Drive Less - once I get a bike rack and side baskets, I can start biking to my groceries; 2) Eat Right - by joining the local grocery co-op - something that also requires the bike rack; 3)
2) Stay in Touch with Family - Visiting family made me realize how little I stay in touch with them, which is sad in today's world of technology and even more sad given that I am constantly wired (even more so now with this new handy-dandy iPhone). I really have no good reasons eyond my own laziness and the fact that I'm pretty bad at e-mail, which are both lame excuses rather than valid reasons. In order to remedy this, I will aim to get regular (every week?) e-mails going with my cousins.
1) Learn Tagalog - This is sort of a corollary to resolution #2. Visiting the Philippines has made me really regret that I didn't buckle down and learn tagalog before I got there, especially since I shelled out the $300+ for Rosetta Stone. Filipinos are an extremely friendly peoples and most of them speak English, but it just felt kind of weird not being able to converse. I also wish I knew tagalog so I could talk with my grandma, who's English has become pretty rusty. So the plan is to do an hour of Rosetta Stone every day (at least during the week).
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Top 5 New Year's Resolutions
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Top 5 Dream Jobs
The following may actually become real job prospects if I don’t get into law school ...
Honorable Mention: Personal Gift Shopper - I am really freaking good at buying presents for people and I often feel like this amazing skill is seriously underutilized. The reason this gets honorable mention though is that while I like the idea of shopping for a living, I would rather be buying things for people I actually know and like rather than do someone else’s grunt work.
5) Trophy Wife - While trophy wife was your honorable mention occupation, this one actually makes my list. I think the fact that “trophy wife” isn’t considered a “real” job is just a testament to the reality of how under-appreciated women’s work truly is. Keeping a house is tough work! But soap box standing aside, yes, I am perfectly okay with marrying some billionaire and getting to do all the other things I couldn’t do if I had to bring in a salary—bake, nonprofit work, write Top 5 Lists. Also, I would get to run around in cute aprons all day.
4) Photographer - Not a wedding photographer, but a legitimate have-your-stuff-on-display-at-SFMOMA photographer. Photography is one of the few artistic endeavors that actually makes sense to me and is consequently my favorite artistic medium—most other art just seems either unnecessarily ornate or hopelessly inaccessible. It would be really neat to be able to create something for a living rather than be merely an appreciator of things.
3) Belly Dancer - Being a belly dance for a living would be awesome because it would mean that I was actually good enough to make money doing it—which is simply not the case right now. Add on the benefits of not having to muddle through a 9 to 5 every day, and performing doesn’t seem like such a bad gig. It would also be neat to have my own dance studio and teach people things. However, I do have reservations about a profession that is completely dependent on one's physical appearance—let’s face it, you could be the most talented dancer in the world, but if you’re fug you don’t have a chance. So there’s a whole host of different anxieties and pressures attached to being a performer, which is why this is the dream jobs list and not the list of things I could actually do.
2) Used Book Store/Coffee House Proprietress - Used book stores are some of my favorite places and there just aren’t enough of them. This job would bring together two of my great loves—books and coffee—and also let me be my own boss. It would be like the whole Barnes and Noble + Starbucks set up, but smaller and without being enslaved to corporate America. Emeryville is in serious need of a used book store, so this might not be such a pipe dream after all ...
1) Pastry Chef a.k.a. Baker - While I get that people need to eat and what not, cooking has always seemed like the most frivolous profession possible. So if I really didn’t care about making a difference in the world or fighting global warming and the depletion of natural resources, I would be a baker. I absolutely love to bake and if I could do it all the time AND be able to sleep at night, I would totally do it. But alas, I feel like I need to accomplish something meaningful first.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Top 5 Dream Careers
We've finally reached that stage in our lives where we can begin to put into action those "When I grow up..." dreams from childhood. As with everything else in life, it's never that easy, though, is it? This list is going to ignore that, however. Instead, it's going to focus on what careers I would have if anything were possible. Forget advanced degrees, the need for experience, or location. In my dream world, this is what I would be doing:
Honorable mention: Trophy wife
I'm not sure if this is an actual profession or not, but I would absolutely love to have a life where I didn't have to worry about money at all and could focus on charities, vacationing, and entertaining. I think I'd be pretty good at it, too
5. Adviser to the President
I said these were dream jobs, right? Working in the White House for a period would be a fantastic experience. I know I'd be completely burnt-out, but for awhile, being in on the action would be exhilarating. Plus, gotta love having some power and say in what happens in government. I'd also want to know what actually happens in the West Wing.
4. Travel writer
What is better than a job that pays you to travel around the world and experience new cultures? I don't think I'd necessarily be good at it, because I'm scared of diseases and getting mugged, but man it would be a trip. I would see parts of the world that I wouldn't go to ordinarily and there's no way to come out of that without a whole different outlook on life.
3. Rock Star
Who doesn't want to be a rock star? The rush of performing, having music be my entire life, and traveling the country performing. Also, that implies I would be very musical and able to write music... which is fun. I miss playing an instrument. Also, I could then adopt a rock star attitude
and be generally bad-ass. Win-win.
2. Scuba diving instructor/dive trip leader
This is actually my plan-B in life. Kenzie and I have it all worked out: we'll move to Fiji and open our own dive shop. She'll teach and I'll run the shop until I get certified and then we'll spend our lives underwater. After spending a few days out to sea on the liveaboard in Australia, I think that would be a fantastic life. You go out to sea for a week at at time and your whole life revolves around the Great Barrier Reef. That actually sounds like heaven.
1. Editor of National Geographic
Sigh. The dream that will never come. This is one of the best magazines in existence--it has culture, travel, art, and really cool subject matter. To be in charge of such a dynasty and oversee and shape its future would be fantastic. I still love print media production, even though it's not really a part of my life anymore, and the challenges would be fun to tackle.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Top 5 Places I'd Like To Live
In thinking about all of the various and diverse locations I could live... it makes me wonder if my life will be long enough that I can experience them all. Living in a big city, living in the countryside, living in the suburbs... I wouldn't mind trying it all. That requires a lot of moving, however, and we've established our distaste for that. I do agree that this election definitely clarified which states I shall NEVER EVER live (I'm looking at you Oklahoma, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Kentucky, etc.). That said... here we go:
Honorable Mentions: Portland and Austin, TX. Portland is a fantastic city, and in the "real world" it's high on my list (as my chances of living out of the country are SO SLIM). It's a true Pacific Northwest hub, with awesome bars and a vibrant intellectual scene. I'm a fan. Austin is here because it intrigues me. The music capital of the world? That sounds promising. However, as it is in Texas... we have a problem.
5. Dublin, Ireland-- We had such a kickass ten days in Dublin, that I'm dying to return. The people we met were great, the bars were so cool, and the literary history is unmatched. There is so much of the city that I have yet to experience, not to mention the countryside we barely had time to explore. I don't know how long I could be in the city, but I would enjoy every minute. Plus, the doors are just so awesome.
4. Washington, DC-- Living here for 3 months left me with a positive impression of DC. Having there always be something fun--and usually related to politics or history--to do was mind-blowing. I was never bored. And I loved being immersed in politics. That summer changed how I thought about politics and increased my desire to gain more knowledge and be a more active democratic citizen. There are a lot of important people and things in DC, not to mention the restaurants, nightlife, museums, events, and general craziness. We had opposite experiences, my friend. I'm sorry yours was so terrible. As long as I could stay above the self-righteous fray, I think I'd be okay.
3. New York, NY-- Even though I have only spent 36 hours in the city, I adored it. I enjoyed taking the subway, walking along the dirty streets, and being surrounded by culture. It's also probably a place I could handle for about a year. But what a year it would be... I'd probably never sleep. There is too much to do! The museums, restaurants, theater, cultural displays, history, not to mention people watching. The 24/7 lifestyle is appealing... for a bit.
2. Seattle, WA-- It's absolutely true: we are Pacific Northwest people. I happily and excitedly left Seattle for California five years ago... however my opinion of our hometown has changed considerably since then. I have a renewed appreciation of its music scene, laid-back vibe, friendly and intelligent people, festivals, greenery (both of people and landscape), and gorgeous skyline. Seattle truly has something for everyone without falling into the traps of a huge metropolis.
1. Sydney, Australia-- I don't think it's a huge surprise to anyone who has met me that I have a deep, deep love for Australia. Studying abroad there for three months was one of the most fantastic experiences of my young life. Sydney is the coolest city I have ever visited, hands down. Not only is it ridiculously clean, as in no gum on the sidewalks, but it is safe and there is a ton to do. Australians are a fun bunch- they're quirky and friendly, so the culture shock level is small. And, not a small component, I am a short plane ride away from the Great Barrier Reef. Weekend trips to go scuba diving in one of the coolest places on earth would be a regular happening in my life. What a perfect life.
Top 5 Places I Would Want to Live
Given that I am in the midst of my law school applications (yes, I am using this as an opportunity to procrastinate) and am considering the possibility of new locales, I felt that a systematic discussion of the places we would want to live was in order. As you observed during the elections, a cursory glance at a red v. blue state map gives one a pretty clear idea of inhabitable and not-so-inhabitable regions of the nation. Here are a few stalwart democratic places that made my list:
Honorable Mention: Los Angeles - The scourge of my social life almost makes the top 5, but solely on the grounds that my boyfriend and other people I like are there. And I would only live there under protest.
5) Ireland - I have this misguided notion that because the Irish are an island people and I come from island people, we have something in common. I also once heard someone describe the Irish as the black people of Europe, and I’ve always felt that Filipinos are the black people of Asia, so there’s also that. Also, as you know since you were there with me, I’ve been to Ireland and I liked it and would love to spend more time there. Dublin felt like a really safe city and it didn’t feel weird being there as a person of color (which I imagine wouldn’t be quite so true of places like Great Britain or France, especially France). I also felt like I needed a place not in the U.S. on my list.
4) New York, New York - I imagine everyone considers living in New York. It certainly would be fun to live at the alleged epicenter of the world. New York is probably one of the only places on the East Coast that I could tolerate living in, because we all know how D.C. worked out for me (I swear never to set foot south of the Mason-Dixon line ever again). I really like urban settings (the elevated prospect of mugging and violent crime notwithstanding) and its one of the greenest ways to live. All things considered, though, I have a hard time imagining living in New York indefinitely. It seems more like a temporary thing, which is why it comes in at number 4.
3) San Francisco - Having spent the last 4 years in the Bay Area, I know it’s somewhere I wouldn’t mind sticking around in for a while. I also think it would be fun (although outrageously expensive) to live in the City. SF seems to be the ultimate yuppie city and as most of those closest to me know, I am yuppie at heart. It’s a relatively small, walkable city with plenty of things to do and see. Progressive values are a big plus, but mostly, I like the idea of not having to make the 20-minute bart ride across the Bay—the tube is scurry!
2) Home, sweet, home: Seattle - As we have discussed before, we will always be northwest girls. The more time I spend away from Seattle, the more it becomes an enticing place to settle down (ignoring the herculean effort of moving). The most exciting things about living in Seattle: going to Mariner’s games ALL THE TIME, being close to my family, the opportunity to see Rowe all the time, no Peet’s coffee. Plus, to paraphrase the Blue Scholars (another Seattle perk), summer in Seattle is perhaps the northwest’s best kept secret.
1) The Magical City of Portland - Anyone who knows me for at least 5 seconds is aware of my obsession with this scenic Pacific Northwest city. Portland is truly a magical land of free light rail transportation downtown, beautiful bridges, spacious bike lanes and a gondola!!! (Seriously, a freaking gondola!). Also, for an inveterate bibliophile, the prospect of living near Powell’s bookstore is one that makes me hysterical with glee. The city’s only downside: no baseball. But given Portland’s seemingly endless wonders, a somewhat frequent three-hour drive up to Seattle during baseball season seems like a small price to pay.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Top 5 Childhood Books
I read a lot as a kid, so this list was rather difficult. I actually remember my parents having to goad me into going outside to play (yes I am a nerd—and damn proud of it too!). It was really interesting putting this list together because it allowed me to see where my older reading interests—and interests in other media—came from. Since your list was comprised entirely of novels, I decided to limit mine to novels as well. Which leads me to believe that we should do a Top 5 Picture Books at some point in the future.
Honorable Mention: Soup Should be Seen and Not Heard by Beth Brainard and Sheila Behr
I know this seems like a weird entry, but I was seriously obsessed with this book, which probably explains why I'm so concerned about decorum and manners. Once I started studying sociology at school, I began to look back at my upbringing and pinpoint certain key moments of socialization. I think this book is certainly one of them.
5) The Bunnicula Series by James Howe
This series about a vampiric bunny who sucks the life juices out of vegetables combined my interests in the paranormal and adorable animals. Looking back on it, the series was kind of morbid given that the family cat Chester, convinced that Bunnicula may eventually be dangerous to humans, makes countless attempts to kill him. Also, major points for the great book title The Celery Stalks at Midnight.4) Nancy Drew - My good friend, Wikipedia, informs me that Nancy Drew was written under the collective pseudonym Carolyn Keene. This was probably my introduction to literary sleuthing and laid the foundation for a future interest in Patricia Cornwell's Dr. Kay Scarpetta books. Looking back on things, I'm glad that I had a kickass, independent-minded and intrepid fictional role model, even if Nancy was blonde, blue-eyed and affluent. Also, more paranormal stuff ... I think I see a pattern taking shape.
3) The Lewis Barnavelt books by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland - More paranormal stuff in these gothic horror novels for young adults. When Lewis Barnavelt's parents are suddenly killed in a car accident, he is sent to live with his uncle, Jonathan, who turns out to be a wizard and who lives next to a kindly witch. Together, Lews and Jonathan combat evil forces that are hellbent on destroying teh world. The covers for these dark books were appropriately illustrated by the macabre artist Edward Gorey. Clearly, my love of the horror genre was cultivated at an early age.
2) Anything by Roald Dahl but specifically The Witches (again with the paranormal!), James and Giant Peach and Boy, Dahl's autobiography. Like the rest of my list, most of Dahl's writings have a dark undercurrent to them, which is probably why I liked them. Dahl also wrote some really great, scandalous adult fiction which I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of his children's books.
1) The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle - I borrowed this book from the library constantly when I was a kid. Consequently, nostalgia has kept me from buying the book because I have been unable to locate an older edition similar to the one I used to check out (pictured). I do, however, own the cartoon movie which is done in the same style as the Hobbit animated feature (Beagle actually worked on that project as well). I learned on Wikipedia that The Last Unicorn is actually regarded as one of the best fantasy books ever written (or an avid fan of the book wrote the wiki post). As is the case with the rest of my list, this was a pretty dark read about a unicorn who sets out to find out what happened to the rest of her kind. On the way she runs into some pretty colorful characters as well as a sideshow that contained a scary harpy.
Top 5 Childhood Books
I've been feeling nostalgic about how much I used to read as a child... and I don't know if it's because the books were way more interesting, or if I'm now spending a lot of time reading really boring articles. Either way, it gives me warm fuzzies to remember my faves...
Honorable mention: Jacob Have I Loved- I can't tell you anymore what this book is about, but I know that from 4th-6th grade I read it over and over and over again.
5. The Ramona series by Beverly Cleary. Hilarious. I think I spent most of 2nd and 3rd grade with my nose buried in the Ramona books. She did such fantastic things that I wanted to know more. Perfect for the 8-9 year old set.
4. Everything by Judy Blume. That woman knew how to write angsty teenagers! And they were funny, cool, just dorky enough, and like people I would hang out with. What a brilliant "young adult" writer.
3. Sweet Valley Twins- Again, loved the characters and the worlds that were NOTHING like mine. I think it's the same reason I enjoy soap operas... because I would never be like these beautiful, blonde twins who did some crazy stuff. Nice escapism at a young age. I fully admit to it--not Nobel Prize lit here.
2. Babysitter's Club- I will admit that I wanted to be Mary-Anne. More than anything in the world. I wanted to live in that world when I was younger... because, as silly as it seems, the characters seemed so grown-up and independent. They ran their own business! They looked out for the little kids! They had relationships! And planned cool events! I wonder if I sat back down and read them if my love would endure...
1. Boxcar Children- These were originally given to me for my birthday by Grandma Neva and I could not get enough of the children's crazy shenanigans. Who honestly lives in a boxcar to hide from their scary rich grandfather and then, after realizing he's a sweet old man who loves them, proceeds to solve mysteries?? Why Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny. What great child protagonists. And there were so many books! It definitely catered to my speedy reading.
Top 5 Songs I'm Listening to on Repeat (two months later)
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Top 5 Songs I Am Listening to On Repeat
When I find a song I really dig, I usually end up putting it on repeat for a good week, which is kind of embarrassing since I've got my iTunes and iPod synced with last.fm (the fact that I am evening linking to my last.fm profile is incontrovertible proof of my status as a masochist) and sometimes these songs are guilty pleasure pop songs (i.e. Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone"). The following are the Top 5 songs that have been getting the repeat treatment in the last few months..
5. TV on the Radio - "Ambulance," Desperate Youth and Bloodthirsty Babes
Having just recently started listening to TOTR, I realize that I came to the party a little late. But this song has fast become one of my favorite TOTR tracks if only for it's poignant lyrics. This song perfectly imagines love as a horrible, nasty car crash, which sort of captures the essence of what love is often times all about. Also the notion of having someone there to sweep you up and take you to the hospital after you've smashed into another car head on is kinda sweet, right?.This imagery, as morbid and dark as it is, sort of gets to the essence of what love is often all about. It's all fun and games until you crash—or perhaps thats once the real fun can begin?
4. Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos- "Fighters," The Cool
I have to admit, it took me a while to like Lupe Fiasco, mostly because I felt like he ruined the amazing backing track on "Daydream" from his first album Food & Liquor with some pretty insipid lyrics. I decided to give him another go upon the recommendation of some pals and was pleasantly surprised with his second album, The Cool, as a whole and with "Fighters" in particular. It's a groovy, downtempo track built on a great keyboard loop with a heaping dose of melancholy, which for some reason is always really refreshing for me on a hip-hop track. It's a simply produced, rather minimalist track that features Lupe's swaggering flow nicely.
3. Mates of State - "The Re-Arranger," Rearrange Us
I've been a fan of Mates of State since Bring It Back, which is an all around solid album. Unfortunately, Rearrange Us didn't really do it for me except for this gem. With driving piano and intricate interwoven harmonies that are perfect for singing along at the top of your lungs, this is Mates of State just the way I like them—which is to say, on repeat.
2. Bic Runga - "Sway," Even Better Than the Real Thing Vol. 2
For those who aren't familiar, Even Better Than the Real Thing are charity compilations of covers performed by Irish artists during the Ray D'Arcy radio show. Caley and I picked up Vol. 1 when we traveled to Dublin in high school and it seemed to be playing everywhere we went (Damien Rice was also on every single billboard). I recently discovered that Volumes 2 and 3 existed and got hooked on this track. This is an unusual choice for the compilation series given that Bic Runga (pronouced "Beck") is not an Irish artist (she's from New Zealand, but apparently she's HUGE in Ireland) and this is not a cover (unless you can cover yourself), but an acoustic version of her most popular hit.
1. Estelle feat. Kardinal Offishal - "Magnificent," Shine
My brother recommended this UK chanteuse to me and I've been hooked on "Magnificent" for the last 48 hours. Estelle lies somewhere between fellow compatriots Amy Winehouse and Martina Topley-Bird with a touch of Lauryn Hill. "Magnificent" has an upbeat reggaeton beat perfect for dancing and a catchy sing-a-long melody. I also appreciate the strong woman content, with lines like "You're not gonna be the one to tell me how much I'm worth." Estelle basically says, "Boy if you wanna get with me you better get your shit together." I feel that. As for Kardinal Offishal, I don't rightly know who he is other than the fact that he spells his name like something from a lolcatz caption and is Canadian ... in other words, really freaking cool.
