What Happened?

I just caught the tail end of High Society on tv and it got me thinking... what the hell happened to us? We've gone from Grace Kelly to Snooki. From Frank Sinatra to Justin Bieber. I know it didn't happen over night, I know about 55 years have passed since this movie opened and that several things have led to this. The whole decade of the 80s should just be deleted from history. But seriously... what has changed that took our idea of entertainment from high class, to pop culture trash?

In the 50s and 60s, celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Paul Newman, Elvis Presley and Audrey Hepburn were famous because they were talented and because they were good role models. Now we're all talking about the prosthetic penis Lady Gaga wore to the MTV Video Music Awards, and how Chris Brown is trying to make a come back after he battered his famous girlfriend. Why do we accept this as entertainment?! Don't we deserve better?

Smart, sharp, thought-provoking television shows like Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip are cancelled after 1 season while America's Next Top Model is going on to it's 17th cycle.

I understand that at the end of an 8 hour work day, people don't always want to have their thoughts provoked. They'd rather sit on the couch, stare at the television, and be talked to. But what about movies? Who wants to see a film called A Good Old Fashioned Orgy? Ya know what... don't answer that.

I know, I know. I'm ranting about something that A: will never change and B: makes me a bit of a hypocrite. I'm watching an episode of  That 70s Show as I'm writing this. But come on Hollywood... give us a little more to work with! Here's hoping the fall television line up won't leave me disappointed...

I leave you with the rant that was made in the pilot of Studio 60 about art v. commerce. Pretty much sums up my point perfectly.

"This isn't gonna be a very good show tonight and I think you show change the channel. You should change the channel right now, or better yet turn off the TV. (audience laughs) No, I know it seems like this is supposed to be funny, but tomorrow you're gonna find out it wasn't and I'll have been fired by then. This isn't supposed--this isn't a sketch. This show used to be cutting edge political and social satire, but it's gotten lobotomized by a candy-ass broadcast network hell-bent on doing nothing that might challenge their audience. We were about to do a sketch you've already seen 500 times. Yes, no one's gonna confuse George Bush with George Plimpton, we get it. We're all being lobotomized by the country's most influential industry which has thrown in the towel on any endeavor that does not include the courting of 12-year-old boys. And not event the smart 12-year-olds, the stupid ones, the idiots, of which there are plenty thanks in no small part to this network. So change the channel, turn off the TV. Do it right now… And there's always been a struggle between art and commerce, but now I'm telling you art is getting is ass kicked, and it's making us mean, and it's making us bitchy, and it's making us cheap punks and that's not who we are... We're eating worms for money, "Who Wants to Screw My Sister", guys are getting killed in a war that's got theme music and a logo. That remote in your hand is a crack pipe...And it's not even good pornography. They're just this side of snuff films, and friends, that's what's next 'cause that's all that's left. And the two things that make them scared gutless are the FCC and every psycho-religious cult that gets positively horny at the very mention of a boycott. These are the people they're afraid of, this prissy, feckless, off-the-charts greed-filled whorehouse of a network you're watching."

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What happened?

Positivity

Once I stop bitching for long enough, I'm able to open my eyes and see how lucky I truly am in life. I wish I could see that in the middle of some of my rants sometimes...



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Song of the Moment...

Keane - Everybody's Changing

"So little time

Try to understand that I'm

Trying to make a move just to stay in the game

I try to stay awake and remember my name,

But everybody's changing and I don't feel the same."

Gratuitous Movie-Still of Yourself



500 Days of Summer

Come on dowwwwwn....

Here's what I'm thinking about being for Halloween this year:

What? Doesn't everyone start getting their ideas ready 2 months in advance?

No? Just me?

Okay.

Take Me By My Little Hand....

And go like this...

the twist

Helane

My dear friend and co-worker Helane seems down today so here's a little something to cheer her up!



Puppy 1

Puppy 2

I love you Ms. Helane! And tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!!!

GPOYW 8/24

The strongest (and brunettest).

Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead

Sounds Like Me

This Karen Walker quote reminds me of me.



Is this something I should be worried about?

A Homecoming

I went to the lake with my mom and dad this weekend - we had such an amazing trip! The only downside to the weekend was having to leave Lyla at home alone. My sister and brother-in-law went over to feed her and entertain her a few times while I was gone, but I hated the thought of her sleeping alone at night! She's always waiting for me at the door when I get home, so I could just imagine her sitting there waiting for me all weekend!

When I got home, she was weaving between my ankles as I walked around the house doing this and that, telling me how much she missed me. Then I accidentally elbowed her in the face (I didn't see her on the love seat and I turned around too quickly and clipped her right in the eye socket) so she spent a little while under the bed.

Ooops

She eventually forgave me though. She spent the rest of the night with one paw on my arm or leg somewhere so I couldn't leave her again... or hit her in the face.

I'll never understand people who don't have pets...

Midnight Margaritas!

It's Friday... enjoy this bit of cuteness to start your day!



Heehee

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Redecorating

My sister said she'd help me start redecorating my little condo! We'll have to start with my bedroom paint color. I'm definitely leaning towards neutrals since my living room color is a little bright:



Behr Dragonfly Blue

So for my room I'm looking for a bit of a greyish gold color. I have this bedding:

 

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that has both gold and grey in it - so I think that might be perfect. Although I know it's not smart to base something as permanent as a paint color on something as disposable as a duvet cover, I think a neutral color would be safe.

I have light wooden furniture (nightstand, dresser) but I'd really like a window treatment of some sort to add to the decor of the room. I also think some artwork would be nice since I have nothing on my walls but a (broken) clock.

Thanks to Pinterest I have a whole virtual bulletin board full of ideas! Here are some of my favorites that I'm seriously considering:

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I love the 3 framed pictures above the headboard. I just recently purchased a beautiful off-white headboard so some artwork would look great above it.

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The window treatments in this photo are just gorgeous, and i love the pop of green that the flowers give - could easily buy some fake peonies (my sister's and my favorite flower) and plop them in some decorative vases!

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I would love to have bay window seating... And with the way my windows are in my bedroom, I think maybe I could... but it would make my room smaller than it already is. So I might have to save that dream for my next home...

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Call me crazy but I think it might be beautiful to have mirrored tiles make up stripes on one wall like in this bathroom! It would add an element of glamour to the room!

I have a bunch of ideas... I just need the time and the funds!

Jessica! Help!

me & my sis on her wedding day

GPOYW

Pam Halpert (nee Beesley)

Back to School...

There are very few things that give more anxiety than the idea of a new school year. I do have to admit, however, that I loved school supply shopping! Here's what I'd buy if I were heading back to class this fall (and money were unlimited):

Fendi Canvas Tote

J. Crew Jericho Tote

 

Kate Spade Journal


Lilly Pulitzer Journal

Felt Tip Pens

Report "Gonzalez" Flats

Hunter Wellies
A new tote bag, some comfy yet adorable shoes and some amazing stationary, and I would be all set. Who needs all the books and other crap? Totally overrated.

Wall Art

I just bought this print from Etsy for my condo. I think it sums up my view on life pretty perfectly!

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I'm putting it up in my dining area  (let's be honest here... my kitchen table is actually a giant hamper, so technically it's my laundry area) and it looks perfect against the green-blue walls. They're the exact same color as the green-blue in the bird!

I also have this canvas print that I got before I went to college in 2004:

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but this one is a little bigger than the bird one. So I think I need a third one that's the same size as the bird one, to put on either side of the Vogue one...

What do you guys think of this one:


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????
I think the two smaller ones on either side of the bigger one might look pretty! And they've all got the same color scheme for the most part...

Or are these all kind of childish pictures and maybe I'll regret them one day when I'm a little older and want to replace them with something more "cool"...?

I'll Show You What I Think of Your New Work Out Regime...

 More animals being dicks... here

Like A Drug

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Carreer

Oh Lacy... Thank you for bringing this Jim quote into my life:

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I Love...

My mom's & my favorite movie!



The Notebook

It's Official - I'm Obsessed....



Harry Potter

July

I pride myself in being a somewhat immobile person. If I had it my way, I'd never leave my perfect little home. People would come visit me for some socialization, I could work from my trusty laptop, and my fridge would magically restock itself every Sunday morning. Alas, the world is not a perfect place and I have to leave and do things. I have a very hard life.

The month of July in particular was a very busy month for me with very little time to lounge/nap/overeat at all!

Sunday, July 3rd we had my Grandma June's 85th birthday party. We went to dinner at a fancy seafood restaurant - I tried a piece of crab leg meat and cried.

Here's a picture of her as we're singing happy birthday to her

If you're reading this and knew June at all, you can almost see her saying "Won-der-fuuulll!" This picture actually sums her up quite perfectly. Red, white and blue attire, empty vodka martini in front of her, and genuinely happy amongst her family. WHAT a gal.

The next week was busy at work, but I made time to have a pesky mole removed from my knee. More on that as it heals, but for now, let me just say this: ew.

Grandma went into the hospital on July 6th with pnemonia. My sister, Scott and I went to visit her on the 8th and she was her usual silly self, only slightly less animated. She complimented my sister on her dress and complained about the hospital food. After we left the hospital that night we went to Clancy's, a restaurant near our parent's house, because my dad's band was playing. I stayed for about an hour and a half, but had to leave early because I was dog sitting for my aunt and uncle.

The next day, the 9th, was filled with showers. Baby showers, wedding showers, couples showers... only one of which I was able to attend... Monica and Michelle, I'm sorry I couldn't be at yours! I swung by to visit grandma again, and then that night was an event for a charity that Matt works with at a bar called Mandarin. Normally, this place is pretty much a hub for creepy, foriegn men but it was a private party - whew.

The next week was moving along smoothly - we went to see The Little Mermaid at The Muny and had third row seats! It was so much fun to be able to see the orchestra and to see the actor's up close. I won't lie and say that I wasn't disappointed in the costumes. I fully expected Ariel & co. to be swimming through air, not shimmying/walking.

If you look closely you can see Ariel and Flounder just standin' around shootin' the shit. Disappointing, but not a show-ruiner. It was still entertaining and good family fun.



That weekend, Matt and I headed down to good old Steeleville, MO for a float trip - my first ever. Nothing about camping has ever sounded appealing to me. Why would anyone voluntarily sleep & pee outside? But everyone assured me that I would have a good time, so I agreed to be adventureous for once. Little did I know we were staying in a manor... not in tents.

Much better. Sleeping accomodations for all, two working showers, and air conditioning. The first night there was "jersey night". While the rest of the girls looked cute in their NBA jerseys with swimsuits underneath, I rocked my high school Powder Puff jersey with "Big Al" on the back and a mustard stain on the front. Class, class, class.

It was a five mile float, which roughly translates into about 5 hours on the river. With 3 coolers packed and around 17 people, you would have figured we would have been set. 3 hours in, someone shouted those fatal words that everyone dreads: "Oh shit, we're out of beer..."



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We continued floating but it had changed somehow - tensions were running real high. It went from a leisurely float down the river (still can't figure out which one) to a race to get to the end where there was more beer. I believe one day I'll go to the banks of that river and set up a beer stand. $20 for a 12 pack of can Keystone Lights.

All in all, I will admit that I thouroughly enjoyed myself on that trip. I got thrown from the raft at one point, but Matt rescued me while proving his manliness at the same time. Guess I'll keep him around. And might I take this moment to point out that there is NO graceful way to climb onto an already floating raft. Maybe instead of the beer stand I should invent a raft ramp. Shit... please don't steal my ideas...

The next weekend was my friend Monica's bachelorette party in Nashville, or as I will call it from here on out, NashVegas. Eleven girls + eleven prom dresses + gay bar. I never passed a math class legitimately (lots of begging and crying had to take place), but I do believe that equation equals a damn good time.

I'm very upset that I'm not in this picture. I was the photographer. The bride, Monica, is the gal in the white prom dress. Me-yow.

Many events took place on this trip, including but not limited to:

 - a brief stay at a drag show, which we were thrown out of after the first number

- a limo ride with about 10 lesbians

- an x-rated text message sent to one of the girls from a band member of the band we watched on Friday night

- midgets dancing on a bar

- a lingerie dessert menu

-2 real cute puppy dogs who some of us tried to kidnap

- a ride on a mechanical bull

- dancing on a stripper pole at an 80's club that played rap music

I'd call that a successful bachelorette party...

While in Nashville, I received the news that Grandma June had taken a turn for the worst, and that she would be moving back home and having hospice. Six short days later, she had passed, heading to heaven to see our Grandpa John, Grandpa Maury and Grandma Ziggy. I'm going to write an entire post about her soon, but it's a little too raw to do right now.

 We spent the last few days with her at her home, holding her hand and telling her how much we love her. Then last Friday, the 29th, she went. The weekend was spent celebrating her glorious 85 year life and reminding each other how lucky we were to have had her for so long.

LONG MONTH. Lots of joys, and one giant woe. As it stands right now, I'm looking forward to a quiet, drama-free month of August... stay tuned to see how that will undoubtedly blow up in my big-chinned face.