If you're not willing to sound stupid, you don't deserve to be in love....

Cue Aqualung's Brighter Than Sunshine...... and picture Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet standing naked together in the moonlight. 

One of my favorite quotes is spoken in the movie A Lot Like Love: "If you're not willing to sound stupid, you don't deserve to be in love." 

I love this movie.  Judge me all you want - it's a great movie!  I love a cheesy chick-flick, but I wouldn't really classify this movie as such.  It's more than that - it's deeper somehow.  I'm not going to lie - it has its moments, but it's an honest and frank look at relationships and destiny.  Timing is everything - and I really believe that.

The story follows Oliver and Emily - and begins 7 years in the past.  The unlikely pair meet on an airplane - Oliver a straight-laced college graduate and Emily, a chain-smoking, grunge-rock free spirit.  They join the mile high club and then spend the day together in New York, where Oliver reveals his grand plans to Emily over double shots of Jack Daniels and a pitcher of beer.  In 5 years time, maybe 6, he will have his ducks in a row (or in a LINE), be a successful businesman, wealthy, and have a beautiful wife.  He gives Emily his parents' phone number, tells her to call him in 5 years time so he can prove himself to her, and he can give her his address where she can mail him the $50 he won. 

Fast forward a few years later, Emily is dumped by her boyfriend, and finds herself alone on New Year's Eve.  While digging through her little black book trying to round up a date, she stumbles upon Oliver's phone number, calls him up, and thus begins a series of choice encounters the two will share over the next several years.  Everytime they reconnect, they are in different stages of their lives - both looking for something, but the timing is never right, yet a deep bond is formed that keeps them seeking each other out.

The movie is warm, funny, and oddly touching.  One of my all time favorites.  And the soundtrack is great to boot!  The first time I saw this movie, I caught the last 45 minutes or so on HBO and just knew I had to watch it..... so I bought it on Amazon.com.  I've watched it countless times since, and many friends have borrowed it as well.  Give it a try...... I'm sure you'll feel something.... and if not - hey, you got to see Ashton/Amanda standing in the buff - it's a win/win situation!

Here's the trailer:

Edward, is that you?

So, obviously I'm super excited that The Amazing Race is back!  And I'm clearly more excited that Kynt (who is going by Kent now???) and Vyxsin are back.  These 2 crack me up - I love 'em!  I'm looking forward to the next few months - finally - something to watch on Sunday night again (besides Jerseylicious - which I also love).  I just wanted to share Kent & Vyxsin's new photo - love his alabaster skin - it's very Edward Cullen!  How can you not root for this team?

Ahh, Pisa...

I've never been to Pisa in all the times I've traveled to Italy.  There isn't much to do there, which I suppose is the reason we've never made the trip.  I'd like to stop by, snap some pictures, just to say I've been there.   I've always wanted to go, with a nice wide-angle lens, and capture one of these pictures showing everybody essentially trying to do the "Pisa Pose." 

Wordless Wednesday

I'm making my mom a scrapbook with pictures of Morgan, and I'm kind of making a mess in the dining room!

The Grammys - in my words

I usually don't really "watch" awards shows.  Sure, they're on the TV, but they're usually in the background.  Last night, however, I actually watched the Grammys.  And I have some thoughts..... naturally.  Many are in the form of a question - because I was thoroughly confused at times......

1.  I don't like Lady Gaga.  I blogged about this some time ago - over a year ago actually.  She's so weird and just UGH.  If she was seriously talented, she wouldn't need all the fan fare and ridiculousness.  Get over yourself, Lady Gaga.  And what was with the egg?  I don't get her. 
2.  I miss Lenny Kravitz's dreads.  I know they've been gone for some time now, but seeing him again last night sans dreadlocks - it just wasn't working for me as much as his other looks.  I love Lenny - and I always will, but I miss the hair.  Sidenote - you know he's 46 years old?  46!  He looks amazing!
3.  Why does Christina Aguilera look like a fat, hot mess?  She seriously looks like she should be living in an over 55 community with that platinum hair.  Yuck.  Amazing voice though - I don't care if she screws up the lyrics or falls down - girl can sing!
4.  Why are J-Lo and Marc Anthony so awkward together?  Marc Anthony seriously creeps me out for some reason. 
5.  Do people actually like Rhianna?  I don't. 
6.  Did Eminem age 30 years between the year he starred in 8 mile and last night?  Did making those Detroit and Brisk Iced Tea commercials put a strain on him or something?  Dude looked old!
7.  What the HELL was Cee Lo Green wearing?  I loved his performance with Gwyneth Paltrow, but he looked like a supersized Dodo Bird.
8.  Who the hell are Arcade Fire and how did they win Album of the Year?
9.  I am personally happy and satisfied that Justin Bieber did NOT win Best New Artist.  I'm not sure who the chick who won is - but I'm just glad the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences does not have Bieber Fever.
10.  I'm happy Lady Antebellum won - their performance of "Need You Now" is the only performance from last year's Grammys that I actually remember, but enough already - I'm totally sick of that song - Cee Lo should have won!
11.  Jennifer Hudson looks FREAKIN AMAZING!  I can't get over it!  She's absolutely stunning.  Makes me want to sign up for Weight Watchers just so I can feel as great as she looks!
12.  I totally dig Bruno Mars.  I shouldn't like him - everything in my gut tells me that I shouldn't.  But I do. 
13.  Mick Jagger is what????  300 years old?  Eat a sandwich, man.
14.  Florence Welch (who performed in the opening act) should have sang The Dog Days Are Over instead.  Sidenote:  I watched the movie Eat, Pray, Love this weekend for the first time.  I wrote a review on Amazon if you want to check it.  I was PISSED that her song was not actually featured in the movie - yet it was in all the trailers for the movie. 
15.  Barbra Streisand (not Barbara, Barbra!) - one of the most elusive singers of all time - makes an appearance at the 2011 Grammys and sings Evergreen from like the 1970s?  Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful song, and Barbra is an amazing talent, but I was hoping for something a little newer maybe.  My mom was/is a huge Streisand fan, and subsequently I know pretty much every lyric to every song she sings - scary - yet true.

And there you have it - my Grammy wrap-up!

I {heart} you, Carpisa

Last time I was in Italy, my cousin recommended I stop by this store called Carpisa in downtown Ventimiglia.  They sell handbags, luggage, and related accessories (belts, wallets, totes, etc.)  And they're CHEAP!  I would describe it as the Forever 21 of handbags. 

I instantly fell in love!  The bags were cute - really cute - and good quality.  Plus, nobody back home would have ever heard of Carpisa, so of course I had to have one many, as did my mom.  We bought several bags..... looking back now, I should have purchased more.  For the past 3 years, I've hunted these bags down.  The stores are a dime a dozen in Italy (over 500 is what their website said) - I saw them all over Rome - but they don't have a website that lets you purchase online.  BUMMER.  I've looked on eBay and have found a few, but they're the ugly ones (of course). 

I'm not even joking, but I have gotten more compliments on my yellow Carpisa tote bag than on any other bag I own - including my Louis Vuitton bags.  What does that tell you? 

If anybody has ever heard of this brand or knows where you can purchase their handbags online, I would love to know!  And Carpisa..... please please please start selling your products online!  Next time I visit my family, I'll have to bring an empty suitcase with me just to fill it up with my purchaes....... hindsight is 20/20 after all. 

Wordless Wednesday

I hate my job. 
And yes, that's a tomato on my desk.

Back with another one of those block rockin' beats!

So, OK.  I am a music snob.  I judge people by the type of music they listen to.  Personally, I have a laughable/ridiculous collection of music.  It's shameful, really.  Here's a little sampler platter of my extensive CD collection:
-Joey Lawrence - Joey Lawrence
-D2: The Mighty Ducks Soundtrack (didn't know there was one?  Boom - now you know!)
-*Nsync - *Nsync
-2 Unlimited - No Limits (don't lie - you still jam to this at football games)
-David Arkenstone - Citizen of Time
-Enya - Paint the Sky With Stars (a true favorite - don't hate)
-Britney Spears - ....Baby One More Time
-Wu Tang - Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers)

But enough about those...... I will say there are (many) other, just as embarrassing additions that I don't feel like naming.  Maybe one day. 

My favorite time period for music is the mid-nineties.  The time when I first started high school.  Music was just GOOD.  Always has been, probably always will be.  You know the time period - when the likes of Green Day, No Doubt, The Cranberries, Nirvana, Collective Soul, Lenny Kravitz, Alanis Morisette, Smashing Pumpkins, Sublime, Stone Temple Pilots, Chili Peppers, Fiona Apple, Silverchair, etc. started emerging (and back when you could still watch a music video on MTV).  And you know what - most of them (save the bands where their singers ODed/died/quit) are STILL churning out amazing albums.  Even hip hop was better - LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, Pras, Mya, Tu-Pac, Snoop Dogg, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, etc. etc. 

Music was just good in the mid-90s.  There were amazing one-hit wonders too!  I've included links to youtube so you can re-live the greatness:
-Spacehog - In the Meantime (my favorite one hit wonder EVER!)
-Dishwalla - Counting Blue Cars
-4-Non Blondes - What's Up?
-Blind Melon - No Rain
-Blur - Song 2
-Chumbawumba - Tub Thumper (senior year of high school - I loved to hate this one)
-Veruca Salt - Seether
-Mazzy Starr - Fade Into You
-Meredith Brooks - Bitch
-Semisonic - Closing Time (saw them live)
-Tracy Bonham - Mother Mother
-Marcy Playground - Sex & Candy (a TRUE one hit wonder - trust me, I bought their whole cd which was crap!)

Of course, I do have a soft spot for the "classics" as I call them:  U2, The Beatles, The Doors, Queen, Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, etc.  That's just good music - I don't care who you are!

I could go on and on - but I won't!  My point?  I'm kind of weird about my music (clearly).  Music lately just hasn't been doing it for me.  And when I say lately, I'm talking about this past decade or so.  Sure there were some gems mixed in, but over all - it was kind of a let down coming from the peak of amazing (in my opinion) from the mid-nineties.  That's the music that really created the soundtrack that defined youth.  I grew up (literally) with that music, and it will ALWAYS hold a special place in my heart.

Having said that, lately, I have surprised myself with my musical choices.  I frequent the gym (not really), but I frequent spinning class - and by frequent, I mean I go once a week.  So lately I've really enjoyed music with a good beat that I can really exercise to.  I've been drawn to a lot of LMFAO and Lil Jon - don't judge me. 

Some of my recent favorite songs to listen to include:
-Cee Lo Green - Fuck You (or Forget You depending on whether it's on the radio or not)
-Florence + the Machine - Dog Days Are Over
-Enrique Iglesias - I Like It
-Black Eyed Peas - Time of My Life
-LMFAO - Shots
-David Guetta - Getting Over You
-Katy Perry - Firework
-Wiz Khalifa - Black and Yellow

Just had to get that all off my chest.... suddenly I feel like pulling out my old yearbooks and photo albums.  Maybe I'll throw my Alanis Morisette CD on and reminisce.  Maybe not!

My TRAVEL Bucket List

I have a lot of interests..... and I go through phases with them.  I guess you could call them "hobbies."  I like reading, drawing/painting, photography, scrapbooking, and general arts & crafts.  One thing that I have always had a passion for is traveling.  I love it!  I once made a statement that I wanted to visit every continent (even Antarctica) before I die at least once. 

D's family is from Argentina - and his parents moved back there a couple of years ago.  We booked tickets to visit them this June (God willing - so long as we don't have another San Francisco/Monterey debacle).  And that got me thinking of all the places I want to visit...... my Travel Bucket List if you will. 

I'm pretty much all over the place as far as places I want to visit...... and I am reserving the right to add and/or amend any of these places as I see fit. 

1.  Machu Picchu - Peru.  I've been talking about this one for some time now.  I'm trying to convince D to take a side-trip when we're in South America so I can experience this!

2.  The Galápagos Islands - Ecuador.  Not too far from Machu Picchu! (hint, hint)

3.  Cinque Terre - Italy.  Of all the times I've traveled to Italy, I've never been!  Usually we're too busy visiting with family and friends - although last time we visited (2008) we managed to take a few days and visit Venice and Rome (my first time to Rome!)

4.  Seychelles.  A couple of years ago, they went to Seychelles on The Amazing Race and I was breathless!

5.  The Maldives.  While we're talking about random island nations in the Indian Ocean, I'd like to go here too!

6.  Santorini - Greece.  B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.  So romantic.  I'd love to honeymoon in Greece.... I'm just sayin!

7.  Cappadocia - Turkey.  I love places that are different and unique.  Cappadocia definitely fits the bill!

8.  Egypt.  I know, I know..... not right now - obviously - but I'd love to visit - you know, when things calm down.  I've had a few different friends who have gone and they have loved it!  Oddly enough, a few weeks before everything happened in Egypt, D mentioned that it's a place he'd like to visit one day.  Key words - ONE DAY.

9.  Barcelona - Spain.  My mom was lucky enough to visit Barcelona a few years ago - as a chaperone on a high school field trip.  I was so jealous!

10.  Lake Tahoe - Nevada.  In the winter.  I've never seen snow.  Born and raised in South Florida and I've never gotten to experience true coldness.  I'd love to go skiing one day in beautiful Lake Tahoe.  Truth be told, I'd probably try it, fall and/or hurt myself, and then spend my time sipping hot cocoa in the jacuzzi at the lodge - but so be it!

11.  Japan.  I want to see cherry blossoms.  And Mount Fuji.  And eat lots of sushi! 

12.  Sydney - Australia.  My best friend's cousin moved to Sydney for work and he absolutely loves it..... so who knows - maybe this one will pan out!  When he was living in New York City (also for work) we visited him and stayed in his apartment - so why not Australia?

13.  Savannah - Georgia.  This one isn't too far away - it's practically right at my fingertips.  I'm thinking it would be a sweet, romantic, long weekend.  I'll have to throw that idea out tonight - who knows......

14.  Hawaii.  Okay - first of all - doesn't this picture look like it came straight out of a travel agent's office from 1989?  Seriously.  Or is it just me?  Anyway - I've always wanted to got Hawaii - I think most people do.  Who wouldn't? 

15.  San Francisco - California.  I'm slightly bitter (okay - I'm a lot bitter) about having to STILL list this one.... but it is what it is.  One day, one day.......

I'm sure I will continue to add more places to my bucket list, but for right now it's pretty ambitious - and I'm totally fine with that.  Now to start planning my time line!



February Photo Hunt Challenge

Wordless Wednesday

Home from the gym.....