the blisslist

beer is proof that god wants us to be happy {December 28, 2009}

2009-12-28T00:00:00-08:00

Not gonna argue with Ben Franklin on that one.

I just discovered that my favorite bar, The Monk's Kettle, is hosting a tasting of North Coast Brewery's Old Rasputin tomorrow. I love this particular stout. It is delicious and a little sweeter than Irish stouts. And it smells like coffee! The event is a vertical pouring, which I've never experienced on a beer. Tasters will sip Old Rasputin in its original state, Rasputin XI aged in oak bourbon barrels, and their newly released anniversary brew, Rasputin XII (which is aged in oak barrels as well.) Oooooooooo!!!

My surgery is tomorrow, so I can't go. Beer + crutches + painkillers most likely = me, face planted on the floor, Old Rasputin sticky in my hair. My mother staring in horror. The ridiculously hot handlebar-mustached waiter (you know who I am talking about if you frequent Monk's Kettle) remembering me forever as the handicapped girl who got sloppy and disrespected Old Rasputin. We can't have that.

Instead I'll just be at home reading a book and listening to music. I've revisited Dan Auerbach and Bill Callahan over the last few days—check out the songs below! They've been plucked from two of my most beloved albums of the year, Keep It Hid and Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle. As many of you know, Keep It Hid is a solo effort from mister Auerbach—who is the stellar vocalist/guitarist for The Black Keys. Mister Callahan has performed in the past as Smog, but he shed is old moniker for his last two records—which haven't been drastically different from what he produced as Smog. No matter. He always was pretty damn amazing.

Trouble Weighs a Ton - Dan Auerbach | website |
My Friend - Bill Callahan | website

And no.
I have not accidentally grown a beard.

all this talk of ovulation .... {December 27, 2009}

2009-12-27T11:30:00-08:00

I'm terribly infatuated with "Ring Ring" by Brooklyn-based Sleigh Bells. Folks, I hope you like your tunes with a side of YAY WONDERFUL—and get this: the song is just a demo. This duo barely even has a myspace page. I want more!!!!

Ring Ring - Sleigh Bells | website

Time to start my morning before heading down Valencia Street for some last minute shopping. I am going to braid my hair like this today. Candy cane tea & sweet maple oatmeal first.

Then braids.

Bye!

Update: Success has been had!

(image via the beloved urban weeds)

let's call the whole thing off {December 23, 2009}

2009-12-23T18:57:49-08:00

So ...

I'm having surgery in 6 days. Voluntarily.

Fist pump!

Over the past few months, notions of hiking the entire John Muir Trail have settled into every crack & corner of my mind. It has become a very real goal, and I'm excited. I have a time frame in mind, and it's the reason why I am having foot surgery. I must have an overactive joint fused and pinned in order to handle the trail. I must do it. Come on, have you read this?

The downside: a hard cast for three months, a sedentary life working from home, being very reliant on my friends, no driving, no concerts, no hiking. Scaring small children with the longest crutches in the world. Sobbing & hiccuping into my pillow at night, cursing mister John Muir ....

My dear friend, Azin, once announced at a staff lunch, "Some people are addicted to crack. Liz is addicted to walking." She's right. I just might lose my mind, folks. The blog situation is different now. I will need an outlet, and I plan on posting here during my recovery. The nature of my blog may change slightly, since I have an ever-burgeoning interest in design & typography—but music is still the love of my life. My ardor is steadfast and true.

In the meantime, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. Here's to blogging in the new year—I'm raising my gigantic bottle of vicodin to you!

♥,
Liz

ps. Turn your ears toward "Jackson" by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood. I've been mesmerized with this Johnny Cash cover for weeks & weeks, and it finally made its social debut during my Farewell to Mobility Party last Thursday. Leading up to the party, I had fantasized about breaking into song & dance and pulling everyone into a stomping, very well-choreographed hoedown in my flat. Unfortunately, my hoedown didn't happen. I was attempting to be a good hostess, and I spent most of the evening in the kitchen. My unknowing friends are mostly likely very grateful for this fact.

And so, the supreme awesomeness of my Farewell to Mobility hoedown must live on in my mind ..... "Jackson" is one hell of a song though, ♥ both versions!

Jackson - Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood |
Jackson - June Carter & Johnny Cash |

We got married in a fever,
Hotter than a pepper sprout,
We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson,
Ever since the fire went out.
I'm goin' to Jackson,
I'm gonna mess around,
Yeah, I'm goin' to Jackson,
Look out Jackson town!

(image by ashley thalman)

so long, blog {November 21, 2009}

2009-11-21T10:19:55-08:00

Ten-fifteenish already ... I have a bulgy day ahead of me, so I must be brief. Guys, I'm taking an indefinite leave from blogging to focus on a few sprouting projects, and dream elsewhere for a spell. I hope you don't delete me from your readers—I will check-in & revisit the blisslist in a few months and maybe we can be besties once more!