LIVE BAND KARAOKE!

Ohhhh yes - here we go!!!
As promised, here is the video of me rockin' OUT Pat Benatar-style in Atlanta for Live Band Karaoke. It was so much fun, I almost peed. I couldn't hear myself singing at all (it was pretty noisy, and they didn't have a speaker set up to hear anything back), so I just belted it all out. Check out the kudos at the end from the announcer dude too. A tad embarrasing, yet also hilarious. ;) Big thanks to Jake Sharon for his editing expertise on the video! Here's a link to his website, as he's a comedian as well as a talented video editor: http://jakeisfantastic.com/

Enjoy!!!

Backstage at Red Rocks

This weekend I got the awesome opportunity to run around backstage at Red Rocks for the Carlos Mencia show. I think the coolest thing about it was hearing the roaring laughter of close to 6,000 people. No wonder celebrities get big heads! It was kinda weird being one of the only chicks backstage not wearing platform shoes, with my boobs all hangin' out. Then again, I wasn't there to be a groupie. I can only imagine the shenanigans that go on when the rock stars are there... it must be magical and kinky, all at the same time.

Yet another reason work a little bit every day on getting closer & closer to being a rock star.

FIRST WIN!!!

OHHHHH HELLS YEAH!!! My softball team won our FIRST GAME last night!! It was so amazingly-awesome, I can't stand it. Everyone played great, and we even made a TRIPLE PLAY! It was a fantastic night for all of us, I must say.

So GO TEAM EVIL TWIN! You guys rock my socks off. Yeee hawww!!! :)

How awesome does THIS sound?? What a great summertime drink! Yum yum yum.

PINEAPPLE SANGRIA
Makes 8 servings.

3 cups pineapple juice

1 bottle dry white wine, such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc

1 cup brandy (pear brandy is nice but not required)

1 ripe pineapple, cut into 1-inch chunks

1 cup pineapple soda

1 bunch fresh mint, roughly chopped

1 orange, sliced

In a pitcher, combine the juice, wine, brandy, pineapple, and soda with ice and stir. Pour into large wineglasses and garnish with the mint and orange.

More yummy cookies!

Had another experimental cookie-making time this weekend!
I used the regular chocolate-chip cookie recipe (on the back of a bag of chips), but instead of making plain Chocolate Chip, I added 1/2 bag of chocolate chips, 1/2 bag of butterscotch chips, and about 1 cup of unsweetened all-natural coconut shreds (from whole foods). The result was a delicious mix of sweet & tangy! So enjoy!

Also I think I realized the magical key to full and gorgeous cookies. Only SOFTEN the butter before adding it to the recipe, DO NOT MELT! I microwaved the butter last time to soften it, and went a little overboard. In order to not waste it, I used it anyways, and the cookies went as flat as Claire Daine's chest. Anyhew -- just remember that. I usually just measure from the tub of vegan butter spread, and it seems to work just fine straight from there, since it's already softer than a stick.

Make sense everyone? This will all be on the quiz next week.

Except for the part about Claire Daines. Only because that was WAY outta line. Natural boobies are the best! Way to not get the fakies, Claire. I commend thee. :)

Juno - What about Mark?

This weekend I watched the movie Juno for the first time. It was great -- I really loved it! Some of the funniest dialogue I've ever heard. I really hope that if I ever get pregnant, and my water breaks, that I remember to yell "Thundercats, GO!" So hilarious!!!

The only thing that bothered me was that I felt like the character of "Mark" (played by Jason Bateman) was a little misunderstood. He's the guy that's married to "Vanessa" (played by Jennfier Garner) that want to adopt Juno's baby. I guess what bothers me is that he's painted as kind of a jerk. Yes, he makes a pass at a pregnant 16-year-old, and yes, he does leave Vanessa because he's not ready to have a baby. But here's the big thing: he gave up who he truly was to be with this woman. All of his music, guitars -- his real passion in life -- were being stored in a closet or in the basement. Vanessa didn't love him for everything that he was, and he was adjusting his life to keep her. Then Juno waddles into their lives, and she sees all of these things about Mark that his wife doesn't -- so of course he finds a kind of attraction to her! Juno likes Mark for everything that he is. That's the way he wants his wife to see him too, but she can't do that.

I kind of felt like he was left as the "bad guy" in the story though, and that made me sad. I don't think he's entirely the one at fault for the whole situation. Maybe he shouldn't have married Vanessa in the first place -- because clearly she didn't love everything about him. Also, Juno made him not only realize that he was not ready for a baby, but that he was making mistakes in his life and he had to change something about it. Divorce and broken hearts all suck, but it looks to me like he made the right decision. He finally started to see what would make him happy in his life, and wanted to stop living it entirely for someone else. But the movie didn't go into his new life, or his newfound happiness. They left him as the guy who left his wife with a baby and hit on a 16-year-old. And to me, that's quite a bummer.

Other than that -- I thought the movie was fantastic. Really great, super funny, and touching too! However, if you've seen it, please re-consider Mark and his decisions. What would you have done in his place? And if you haven't seen the movie -- sorry I ruined part of the plot for you. ;)

xo

Softball Game Ouchie

Last night my softball (Davis' Evil Twin) played Davis' Red Head Step Child. (Don't ask about the names -- all my friends work at Davis Partnership Architects, and there are 3 different Davis teams on the league. OK I guess I just explained it!)

We were gearing up for our first big win, with hope sparkling in our eyes -- which every member of the team smeared eye black underneath for good luck. Boy, did we look intimidating!

The game was a close one -- we were in the lead for a while. But the Step Childs ended up taking over in the end, and winning the game. So sad! But I'm still hopeful.

We definitely made some awesome plays though --- such as Wade's ground ball to first that turned into a home run hit due to numerous ball fumbles! And Geneva & Katy's kick-ass double play -- Katy on first getting that out, then throwing to Geneva as catcher where she practically tackled Kara at home base getting another out! It was so exciting. I even caught an in field line drive, which I quickly celebrated with a victory booty shake.

A couple of injuries this time as well.... Kara made a great dive to block a ground ball, but it decided to pop up at the last minute and bitch slap her right in the face! She's OK though -- just a swollen lip and a little bit of blood. Of course the next inning she was tackled by Geneva at home (see "awesome play" above) -- but that's what playing hard is all about! I got a good raspberry of a skinned knee too while sliding into 3rd. Apparently it wasn't necissary though, since nobody was even throwing the ball that way to tag me out! But hot damn, did it look good. I ruined my favorite pair of workout pants in the process, but again... playing hard!

So that's the lovely little synopsis of my softball game from last night. It was quite a game, lots of fun, and a little painful (for some) -- but a blast nonetheless.

Wish us luck for our first big win next Thursday!! :)

Lean Pockets are Plastic

Check THIS out. Lean Pockets have been recalled because someone found bits of PLASTIC in the chicken! How messed up is that?? This is one of those times I'm glad I'm vegetarian. That is sooooo gross.

Here's the article I found online:

What's in your freezer these days? If Lean Pockets make the list of frozen goods in your house, listen up. Nestle recently announced a recall of 200,000 lbs of frozen chicken that might have been used in the convenience food, which is sold in stores across North America. The recalls applies specifically to Spinach Artichoke Chicken Lean Pockets--they come in boxes of two pockets--with a best before date of November 2009, package code of 8144 544616 and establishment number of 8144 544616. It's believed that the perps hit stores around May 23rd.
The recall was initiated after two complaints were registered about the product to the USDA. It's believed that the chicken may contain bits of plastic.

Cat adopts a Bunny!

Who doesn't love Kitties & Bunnies???
Sorry -- I'm such a nerd. I had to post it 'cause it's so freaking CUTE!!! :)

Hippies Love Labyrinth

Last night a group of my friends and I gathered up our blankets and beer and headed up to Red Rocks to see Labyrinth at "Film on the Rocks". For those of you who don't know what that is, every summer they do a film series at the infamous Red Rocks Amphitheater where they show awesome movies, that you can enjoy on a blanket outside with your friends while drinking an ice-cold $7 pint of beer, and eating a delicious $4 jalapeno cream cheese-stuffed pretzel.



Anyhoodle, last night we were thrilled -- our childhood nostalgia could come out & play while we watched one of Jim Henson's great muppet creations combined with the magic of David Bowie's music (and hair). Unfortunately after the movie started rolling, and the cheers began to subside over the awesome power of Bowie's presence -- we realized that the dialogue was a little difficult to decipher. My friend (who had never seen the film) leaned over to me at one point and said "I have no idea what the heck is going on!". I felt so sad for him because although I know the movie by heart, many moviegoers were having trouble enjoying it because the sound guy all thought we had super hero-like heightened hearing abilities, and could hear all the gentle mumblings from a 1/2 mile away.


What made things worse, was that somehow we ended up smack-dab in the middle of dirty hippie mayhem. A huge row of them decided to plop their hand-made organic unwashed hemp blankets behind us, and make our lives a living hell. Drunken shouting at their friends, stepping over us barefoot numerous times to use the bathroom, spilling beers, and pot smell loomed in all its glory. One especially drunken young man in their group (I would like to call him "pony tail visor wearing dude") decided to cozy up to our poor friend Tina and have a chat. Although I don't know what was said, I can only assume it wasn't one of the most intelligent conversations she's been a part of.


Twenty minutes before the movie ended, a few of us got fed up and left -- therefore missing all the traffic and ending our dirty hippie experience. However, Tina sent me an email today that made me wish I would have stayed a little longer. I guess Pony Tail Visor Wearing Dude was getting a mad stare-down by a girl very upset and annoyed by his rude drunken behavior. Apparently she was so bothered, that she eventually went and gave him a good slap across the face! I guess the rest of the crowd was just as bothered by him, because they all began to cheer, and he walked off to wallow in humiliation.


I can only hope now that he's realized that wearing a pony tail and a visor, getting wasted, then shouting at people isn't the way to win a girl's affections. Or anyone else's affections for that matter!

The End! :)

Summertime, and it's flyin' by fast!

This summer has been flying by SO fast!! I know they say "time flies when you're having fun", and boy-oh-boy is that true. So far my summer has been packed with all kinds of crazy good times including (but not limited to):



- The Flip Cup Tournament (see pic at right)
- Numerous outdoor lunches at Illegal Petes & Wahoo's Fish Tacos
- Softball league (Team Davis' Evil Twin! I can't wait until the day we win a game)
- Volleyball in Wash Park
- The ZOO
- Camping (various locations, drunken debauchery, bug bites, sunburns, sparklers, random hilarity, etc)
- Film on the Rocks
- Girl's nights on the town
- Happy Hours
- NYC / Atlanta trips
- 5k Races & Duathlon Training

So yah, it's been a really great time. I know it sounds kinda weird, but I'm sort of hoping it starts going by just a smidgen faster. OK -- before you get on my case, it's not because I WANT there to be less summertime for any reason! But the sooner October rolls around, the more money I'll have saved up (hopefully) and the sooner I'll be able to get into my own apartment again. My parents have been so wonderful about my whole "staying with them" for the past year and a half, and I'm definitely not looking forward to paying for my own groceries again. ;) But I'm ready to get my own place, and move on to that next phase of my life!

So summertime -- it's not that I don't love ya. We've had so many good times as it is. But I'm looking forward to moving on to my new relationship with the Fall. It's not you, it's me!

“He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.”

- Bessie Stanley as published in the Lincoln Sentinel on Nov. 30, 1905.

Video: "Where the hell is Matt?"
14 months in the making, 42 countries, and a cast of thousands.

Don't know if you have seen this video yet, but I LOVE IT! It made me smile so much -- it's the greatest thing ever.

Enjoy!

I'm back from Atlanta!

I had a wonderful time visiting Phil over the 4th of July weekend. He definitely did his homework with finding awesome places for us to stuff our faces with delicious food, and enjoy the wonderful Hot-lanta weather. OK, we enjoyed it more with A/C -- but it was still dang fun!

On the far left is me & Phil getting ready for a night on the town. We were on our way to meet up with his friends Kaveh & Homa at a Brazilian restaurant for deeeelicious tapas! The flowers to the right were ALL over the place around the city -- in bright fuschia and red -- they were so lovely I had to snap a picture.

The bottom pic is of me singing "Heartbreaker" by Pat Benatar at LIVE BAND KARAOKE! Yes, you heard that right, folks. They had a live band play all night, where you could pay a mere 5 bucks to sing your favorite rock song. I channelled the power of Benatar and had an awesome time. Phil is now officially my biggest fan. I told him I'd get him a backstage pass when I play at Madison Square Garden. And just in case you're wondering -- I'll have the video up soon. Just 'cause I love ya. ;)

To the right (purple pics) are just me & Phil stuff. The first one was right before I rocked out onstage karaoke-style (Phil says I look like Courtney Cox in that pic -- which is cool with me, 'cause she's hot stuff), and the 2nd one is right after a yummy breakfast at Bluebird. They had the greatest home made biscuits & veggie-gravy I've ever had. We got in to eat just before the sky opened up and started POURING down rain. There's an old graveyard across the street from the restaurant, and I told Phil if the rain kept up, we might be dining with the dead.

Below is a picture of the inside of Phil's fridge. I always said that he was the most organized and cleanest boy I knew. Here's the picture to prove it! If you look closely, you'll see that all the yogurt container's labels are facing forward.... :)

To the right of that, is the vegetarian omelet (complete with vegetarian sausage) breakfast that Phil cooked up for me. The coffee is Gevalia (I drank 3 cups... yowza) and in that wine glass is a Mimosa! Why the hell is this guy still single?? He must hide his culinary skills for only an elite few. Makes me feel all special & stuff.

So there's the gist of what all went down during my fabulous 4th of July trip to Atlanta! We did catch some fireworks on the 4th, and hit up a go-kart racing place (where we just ended up playing arcade games all day. I kind of kicked Phil's butt too -- but don't tell him I told you).

All-in-all it was a great trip, and I'm so glad I went. Can't wait to hear how all of your weekends were spent! :)

Airport Ride, Cookie Exchange

My wonderful friend Nikki is giving me a ride to the airport today. I told her I'd give her money for gas since it's so darned expensive -- yet she refused (isn't she just the sweetest). So I felt the need to give her something to say "thanks", and found my way by baking her some cookies. I love making 'em, and I love sharing 'em. I ended up making a gajillion, so I brought half the batch to work, and they were a hit! Here's the recipe for ya:

Chocolate-Chip Butterscotch Pecan Cookies
1/2 bag Chocolate Chips
1/2 bag Butterscotch Chips
1 cup chopped pecans
1 tablespoon cinnamon
(follow the directions on the back of the Chocolate Chip bag for regular cookies, then add all the other stuff above. Simple as that, and it sounds so fancy, eh?)

So enjoy! Remember, when you cook with love, it goes into your food. Makes it all the yummier. :)

Off to Atlanta, GA!

Hey again!

Yes, I'm in love with the idea of this new blog SO much, that I'm writing twice in one day. Hooray!

So I'm off to Atlanta, GA tomorrow afternoon to visit my friend Phil who just moved there a couple of months ago from Ohio. I think it's going to be a really fun time. Haven't seen him in a year and a half -- since Amy Newsome's wedding (formerly Hamm)! ;) So it's been quite a while. We've known each other for a while (since my college days), and just for fun, here's a pic of us from those good ol' days. I think I was 20 when this pic was snapped. My hair is still just as rockin'.

I'll take lots of pictures while I'm there!

Hope you all have a WONDERFUL 4th of July weekend!!!

It's TIME for Bloggin'!

Hey Everyone!

Just decided to start my own blog. Yup, a whole lil' blog site deditcated to all my funny little thoughts, experiences, and life stories. Hopefully you will enjoy it!

I figure it'd be a good way to keep my friends & family up to date with what's going on with me. Not only that, but it'd give me a great outlet for bitching to everyone about stuff. Ha! I'll probably post some fun recipe stuff too, since I like doing things like that. But who knows what the magic of the blog will bring!

So welcome welcome -- and enjoy my bloggie.

xo

Beth