welcome to my blogosphere.

Forgot to Mention

2012-06-09T14:03:00.000-04:00

I've moved! Pardon the dust, but please join me at my new little cyber location.

xox LJ

Quote of the Day

2012-01-18T10:04:00.000-05:00

"My upbringing was faith-based, but we believed you should love all others as you want to be loved, because everyone should be treated equally. That's helped me have an understanding of people on different journeys and in different walks of life. At the end of the day, we're all the same, because we all want to be loved. As long as love is the key, we're in good shape."
- Nick Jonas, to the Advocate

Quote of the Day

2012-01-16T16:41:00.000-05:00

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

One More Addiction: The Head and the Heart

2012-01-12T20:13:00.003-05:00

I love hipsters in v-necks and flowy dresses who sing pretty songs. They're probably my favorite kinds of people.

They hail from Seattle and they're called The Head and the Heart. Although every song on their debut album is impressive, "Rivers and Roads" is by far my favorite. Everything about this song makes me happy.

I'll be the first to admit this video is a tad too weird and full of hipsters for my taste (especially the 3:50 shot of all the sockless feet playing in the dirt), but it really is a beautiful song.

Have I ever mentioned how much I like boys with beards?

A Simple List on Why I Hate the Holidays

2011-12-24T02:07:00.001-05:00

1. I am a retail manager.

Need I say more?

Okay, I'll say more. During the 'happiest time of the year', customers often turn into evil Xmas gremlins, yelling at associates about things that we obviously cannot control. Example A: "HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY NOT HAVE THAT GIFT SET THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS?!" or B: "Your merchandise smells/looks/tastes like crap!". Well, happy shopper, if you shopped ahead of time like a smart person we would have said product. And if you hate our store then... why are you shopping here?

Also, this means I get to work insane hours like 2:30am on Black Friday and 7am during extended mall hours. I don't get to take time off during the holidays, and my blood pressure is sky high because of the amount of caffeine I have to consume. Happy girl.

2. I'm sober.

This means I either A. sit around being lonely a lot while all my friends are out getting black out drunk or B. am forced by my kind soul to chauffeur my wasted friends around to holiday parties and bars. Being sober during the holidays does have its up sides though. I also tend to get a lot of 'me' time which means that I typically have perfectly tweezed eyebrows, bake a lot of fun stuff, and catch up on cheesy reality shows (Kourtney & Kim Take New York is getting pretty intense this season).

3. Other people's families make me feel awkward.

It's no secret I'm painfully awkward and a little bit shy. Being introduced to friends' (more specifically, boyfriends') parents kind of make me want to die. I get harshly judged by not sampling Uncle Tom's special turkey (love animals, don't eat them!), and spend hours hearing about the girl my love interest dated during his most awkward years. Considering this year will be my first single holiday season in... a long time, I find myself very lucky to not have to deal with that this year.

4. People are crazy enough to wish for snow.

I live in Michigan. We get enough of that pesky white stuff as it is. So on years like this one, when we are lucky enough to not have gotten any snow on Christmas, crazy people are praying for it. And they usually get their way. So on top of residing in one of the most boring states in the USA, we now are snowed in our houses as well.

5. Christmas makes me broke.

I do not like being broke. I spend wisely each month in order to maintain a healthy savings account. I can afford everything I need, and then some, all on my own. I work really hard for my money (see #1). I still don't understand why CHRISTmas has become all about gifts, but like a typical American, I buy into it. I stress myself out over my nephews not having enough gifts, and take it upon myself to compensate for any possible lost smiles on Christmas morning. And so, despite the fact that I rarely ever receive gifts, I spend as much as I can on family without starving the next week, and even buy all the pretty, expensive wrapping paper.

That said, I really do enjoy the hot beverages, delicious food, and classic films that come along with the holidays. The cold weather snuggling is nice, too. I hope you get lots of hugs from those you love and have a wonderful time celebrating the holidaze.

xx LJ

Heads Up Girl, You Can't Rule This Place

2011-12-17T21:15:00.001-05:00

So hooked on this song right now.

Countdown to the New Year - 2011 in Tweets (Part Deux)

2011-12-16T23:36:00.000-05:00

My friends all ask why I never go out anymore and this is why. Ever since this night, the slightest bit of booze has given me a gnarly hangover. I'm pretty sure I'm allergic to alcohol. Or I'm just really old now.

So yeah... this happened.

I'm pretty sure the release of Bright Eyes' The People's Key was the highlight of my year.

The customers I experienced at my last job were the worst in history. It got to the point where I left nearly every shift in tears, so yeah, eventually I just decided to find a job I love instead.

Quote of the Day

2011-12-14T20:24:00.000-05:00

"Is that not the purpose of education? Vis-a-vis belief structures - to replace your belief structure with facts? I don't like the show NOVA, because it is harmful to my belief structure that the ocean tides are controlled by monsters."
- Jon Stewart, on the controversy surrounding TLC's new show All American Muslim

Linkworthy

2011-12-07T12:58:00.001-05:00

Wisconsin has a bad case of Mitten Envy - via Mlive
Disappointing facts on popular music - via Buzzfeed
PETA's launching a porn site - via Venture Beat
Rembrandt & The Face of Jesus comes to Detroit - via Huffington Post
Rick Perry hates the gays (and sucks at life) - via Washington Post

Countown to the New Year - 2011 in Tweets (Part Une)

2011-12-06T23:09:00.000-05:00

I guess it just dawned on me that the year is coming to a close, and considering 2012 is when the world will allegedly end, I am determined to make this New Year's Eve a good one. In the next 3 weeks or so leading up to 2012, I will share my favorite memories from 2011 in the form of my tweets. Oh, what fun.

Note the location of these tweets: Carpenter, Ann Arbor. I have many nice things to say about Ann Arbor, but I never want to live there again. The end of 2010 was bad, because I hated my job and I hated where I lived. Basically.

Speaking of the job I hated, guess who had to open on New Year's Day? This grrrrl. And yes, it was raining. On New Year's Day. In Michigan. I'm still confused.

This New Year's Eve, I will remember not to combine champagne and margaritas. I hope my roommate Ian will do the same. Our cat didn't drink margaritas, but she was puking that morning. She died about a month later - R.I.P. Nakita Cat.

Obsession: Keys and Codes Remix EP

2011-11-28T09:27:00.001-05:00

Death Cab For Cutie's latest release Codes and Keys has been on repeat for the last few months or so, so when I heard about the accompanying remix EP I had to take a good, long listen. I normally hate remix albums but this one's got me excited!

Listen to it in its entirety on Spotify.

Linkworthy

2011-11-08T12:19:00.000-05:00

The Biebs swears he is NOT the father - via Huffington Post
Facebook thinks rape jokes are not really a big deal - via ZDNet
Lindsay Lohan gets another slap on the wrist - via The Washington Post
Google publicly opposes the Defense of Marriage Act - via The Advocate
Two Muslim cab drivers vow to keep a Jewish bakery kosher - via MSNBC

Quote of the Day

2011-11-07T10:08:00.000-05:00

"I don't have tips actually but I am a believer of the fine art of discretion."
- Sarah Jessica Parker, to FOX FM's Matt & Jo Show, on being part of a successful celebrity marriage

R.I.P. Steve Jobs

2011-10-05T22:02:00.001-04:00

"Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do."

Thanks for changing the world. May you rest in peace.

What's Your Number?

2011-10-03T01:51:00.000-04:00

Anna Faris is twenty-something Ally in What's Your Number, released this weekend. A recently unemployed Bostonian with a less-than-stellar taste in men, she succumbs to the harsh reality that she's slept with too many men after reading an article in Marie Claire. Determined not to sleep with more than 20 men (and end up alone forever, according to the magazine), she begins a frantic search for a reignited flame with one of her many ex-lovers.

With the help of her neighbor Colin, played by Chris Evans, she tracks her exes down one by one. Some are working in the same bar they were nine years ago, and some are busy changing the world, but Ally begins to realize exactly why each of them didn't work out. And of course, in typical blockbuster fashion, the girl has a very hard time resisting the guy with the guitar.

This film was as entertaining for my boyfriend as it was for me - a true romantic comedy. Not the sappy, chick-flick style romantic comedy, but a truly hilarious movie. Set in Boston, one of my all-time favorite cities, everything was pretty, from the skyline at night to Ally's shabby-chic apartment.

Although Joel McHale, Andy Samberg, and Chris Evans all make appearances in the film, Anna Faris completely steals the show. She is a true girl's girl; cute and loveable, with a stroke of comedic genius. Anna Faris has been on the silver screen for awhile now, with films like Scary Movie, House Bunny, Lost in Translation, and of course my favorite, Smiley Face on her resume, so I am excited to see her stealing the spotlight once again in this week's release of What's Your Number. I think she's brillant - wishing her lots of success in the future!

Weekly WTF?!

2011-10-02T03:02:00.001-04:00

celebs
SNOOKI'S HAWKING SLIPPERS. The WTF?! does not lie in the fact that she's selling them, I wouldn't expect any less from the mini Guidette. The WTF?! comes from the fact that I think I kind of want a pair. I'm sorry, but they look really comfy...

Oh, and in case you were wondering, she didn't kill any animals to make them. They're made out of the same thing sweaters are made of, that wool stuff.

internet gems
THIS VIDEO made me laugh a little.

Until I realized that every single one of her videos are the same, and then I just got instantly creeped out.

Hold on, this one's different:

Even creepier. Skip to 0:16 to get my drift.

fashion
FOREVER 21 ARE COPYCATS. While browsing their online store, I ran across this super cute lace cardigan... oh wait, but I already have it. And I bought it from Target a year and a half ago? Literally, the exact same thing.

& in my personal life...
SOMEONE'S TRYING TO HACK INTO MY GOOGLE ACCOUNT. For the past week or so, I've woken up to text messages from Google with password reset codes. I've gotten locked out of my account twice for failed login attempts. What gives? Creepy hackers, please stop. My email contains no nudes!

If You're Not on Spotify, I Don't Know What You're Thinkin'

2011-09-30T02:35:00.003-04:00

Spotify is like iTunes + last.fm + Pandora... basically a revolution in social music. Okay, or maybe it's just a cool way to share music with your friends.

Either way, it's pretty addicting, considering I can now look up pretty much any song I want to hear and listen to it in full, not to mention I get to spy on my friends' fave tracks.

Download it for free here.

Quote of the Day

2011-09-23T23:17:00.000-04:00

"I've worn women's jeans before because they fit me. It's not a trend; it's just, whatever works, works."

- The Biebz, to Life & Style magazine

Um... okay.

Song of the Moment

2011-09-22T21:02:00.002-04:00

"Body and Soul" - Amy Winehouse & Tony Bennett

2011-09-14T07:35:00.000-04:00

The much-anticipated Amy Winehouse & Tony Bennett recording "Body and Soul" was released today, which would have been Amy's 28th birthday. It was the last recording she ever made.

Watch the video in its entirety here.

Thoughts?

Obsession: Sally Hansen Salon Effects

2011-09-08T14:03:00.000-04:00

I never do my nails. I am impatient, cheap, and they usually chip or break so quickly that I just don't see the point. Yesterday, while I was flipping through the pages of this month's Cosmo, I ran across an ad that instantly moved me to buy. Sally Hansen has come out with stick-on strips made out of real nail polish in countless fun little designs. No dry time, no trip to the salon, and no mess. I picked up a set in the pattern "Laced Up" for 8 bucks and some change (about a third of the cost of a salon manicure) and got to business.

The enclosed instructions were extremely easy to follow. Simply select the right size strip for your nail, peel off the protective covering, and stick on. They came with a cuticle stick and nail file to help smooth the strips onto your nail and to file off the excess.

The strips are delicate and flimsy, so be careful with them. They do stretch, which is nice, and since they're so thin, they don't really bubble or fold over. My pictures don't do them justice - the pattern is gorgeous and they look great, even for my first time applying them.

Difficulty: Moderately easy. Requires a steadier hand then traditional polish, but as long as you follow the instructions, they should come out fine.

Price: They look like they cost way more than 10 bucks. And they supposedly last for 10 days. I say this is a win.

Tips & Tricks:

Make sure to wash your hands and use nail polish remover before applying. This will ensure the surface is smooth and dirt-free, making your manicure last longer.
Groom your nails before you try these. They are not artificial nails, just polish strips, so if your natural nails are unruly and jagged, they will not look good.
Sleep on it. I was not that impressed with these right after I put them on. After doing some normal daily activities and sleeping, I loved them. I think it helped them bond better and smoothed them out.

Stuff Vegetarians Eat: Frito Pie

2011-09-07T18:11:00.000-04:00

The response I get when I tell people I'm vegetarian is always the same, "Well what do you eat?!" Truth is I eat pretty much the same things any carnivore would eat, my ribs and "chicken" are just made out of soy. I hate salad, I love veggie corn dogs, and I consume an average of 3 large cheese fries from Sonic a week.

When I do feel like cooking and eating something (a little) healthier, I usually just scrounge through my cupboards and make up something fun. That's exactly what I did today. I bring you Veggie Frito Pie (no, it's not actually a pie, but it could be if you added crust, and mush just sounds gross).

Looks pretty gross. Surprisingly delicious.

What You Need:

1 large bag of Fritos (try tortilla chips for a healthier option)
1 can of black beans
1 can of vegetarian refried beans
1 can of corn
Mexican rice (I like Uncle Ben's - quick, easy, and a good portion size)
shredded cheese (I used sharp cheddar)
sour cream
1 taco seasoning packet

How You Do It:

Cook rice, according to directions on box.
Combine black beans, corn, and refried beans, and heat on stove top. Stir in taco seasoning.
When both are done cooking, combine in a large pot or bowl. Mix.
Place desired amount into a serving bowl. Add a handful or two of chips.
Top off with sour cream and cheese.
Enjoy.

This usually makes a hefty lunch for me and my boyfriend, plus leftovers. Also tastes yummy wrapped in a flour tortilla.

Review: 11/04/08

2011-09-05T01:06:00.000-04:00

11/04/08 has been sitting in my Netflix queue for months now, and tonight I finally found the time to watch it. I heard that it was a collection of footage of election night 2008 from various locations around the world. What I didn't know was that 11/04/08 is an ongoing video project created by director Jeff Deutchman. He is asking for viewers to submit their footage from that unforgettable night here.

It is November 4, 2008. The first time in history that a black Democrat is running for president and a Republican woman is running for vice president. No matter the outcome, this election will go down in history. The cameras start rolling at 8am and don't stop till 4 the next morning. Countless Americans from Portage, Indiana to Los Angeles, California await the final announcement. A woman in Brooklyn is interviewed hours before the polls close, claiming she voted McCain, and that the majority of Obama supporters only liked him because he was black. A man in New Orleans tells the camera man that he hadn't voted in 20 years - but he did today, and for Obama.

Deutchman proved in his film that this election did not just touch the lives of millions of Americans, but also the whole world, really. Footage is shown from New Delhi, Paris, and Berlin. A group of twenty-something girls in Geneva are inspired by Obama's youthful vision. A young couple in a shopping center in Dubai is interviewed - adamant Obama supporters.

Back in the states, a long-haired, adolescent boy, maybe twelve or thirteen, makes phone calls for Obama in a black Motorhead t-shirt. A sixty-something small-town black woman references the 1955 Emmitt Till slaying - and breaks into tears thinking of just how far we've come in her lifetime. A community organizer recounts her days in the field, knocking doors and working 16-18 hours a day.

And then the final announcement is made. Barack Obama has won the election. A dance party is happening in the streets of Brooklyn. A man hops out of a shiny white car and belts out James Brown's "I Feel Good" in Berlin. Crowds of community organizers huddle together for a toast.

This is our moment, this is our time.

I fell in love with this film. I was surprised to learn how many people all over the world were so interested in US politics. Perhaps it brought me back to the best time of my life, the time I spent campaigning for the President. If you were not involved in the 2008 election, or if you hate Obama, I wouldn't recommend this film. Otherwise I think you will find it delightful.

Rating: 5/5 - Must See.

Mobile App of the Week

2011-09-02T22:35:00.000-04:00

Techies, rejoice. The latest addition to the site will involve me fiddling around on my smartphone, and telling you about cool ways to waste time on yours.

App: TV Listings
For: Android, iPhone
Price: Free on Android Market

Because this year I've learned that I am a lazy slob, and Jersey Shore has slowly but surely taken over my life, I decided to purchase a basic cable package. Considering I've been living in the stone age without cable TV for years, I'm not exactly on top of the latest programming. I am also without a remote for the television in my room, making it a pain to check the TV Guide Channel (hey, it's college).

TV Listings has all that I need, in a simple little package. Type in your zip code and cable package, and scheduled programming is displayed. Search for shows, and toggle to different dates so you can plan your life around TV, like I do. My favorite feature? Schedule reminders up to 3 hours ahead so you'll never miss your favorite show. The only bummer? Only your default cable package will show up, so all you nomads will just have to rely on the crusty old hotel directory.

My Fellow American

2011-08-31T23:42:00.000-04:00

Little known fact about myself - my father is a Muslim. And since the insanity that was 9/11 happened, I've gotten a whole lot more grief about it. Sometimes it's an awkward stare, other times I get lots of questions - "Why don't you wear that thing on your head?" and "How is he Jamaican-American if he's Muslim?", but mostly it's utter disgust. American media has programmed us to believe in Big Bad Muslims, instead of getting to know our normal, hardworking, educated Muslim family down the street. Islamophobia is alive and well, mainly out of ignorance, if you ask me.

My Fellow American is a social media project in which normal Americans have the opportunity to share a story about a Muslim in their life, aiming to unite us as a country and look at Muslims as one of us - a Fellow American. Emmy Award winning filmmaker Robert Gardner directed a short film for the site, spawning a slew of responses from every day people and a few notable names. Russell Simmons' contribution to the site can be viewed below.

Learn the facts and sign the pledge here.