politics schmolitics

so i never talk politics on my blog. and this is no exception. i'm not going to spout my beliefs, endorse any candidates, or rally for any propositions here. i actually won't do that anywhere, but that's beside the point.

i've been inundated with television ads over the past several weeks, all focusing on the upcoming election. they are telling me to vote yes for proprosition 8892, then immediately afterwards i see another ad telling me to vote no on proposition 8892.

i'll be the first to admit that i'm confused by all the ads. i can't tell you what any of the props actaully stands for. and my confusion is just compounded when they bring up things in the ads that actually have nothing to do with the topic at hand.

i saw one this morning that really made me laugh. it said that millions of children are born each year with asthma, and that they are suffering at the hands of our dependence on foreign oil. millions and millions of children & babies can't breathe. because of oil.

what? what the hell does that have to do with anything?*

my husband has asthma. i looked at him this morning and apologized for him being a casualty of war. he just laughed.

i can't wait for the elections to be over so we don't have to listen to this crap anymore!


*i'm not stupid, i can figure out what they were trying to say.

anniversary bliss

on monday tim and i celebrated our 2 year anniversary - and we did it in style, courtesy of tim! he whisked me away to napa for the weekend, taking off of work monday so as to enjoy a full 2 day weekend (saturday doesn't count b/c tim has MBA classes). it was a weekend filled with excess - eating great food, drinking excellent wine, and getting some much needed R&R with my loved one in a gorgeous setting.

we got up there saturday night and checked into an awesome hotel called The Carneros Inn. our "room" was actually its own little cottage with a front patio, and a private side deck and garden. it looked like it was furnished straight from williams sonoma home, which is just right up my alley! the bathroom was huge with yummy marble & a heated tile floor. i love those! there was a gorgeous arrangement of lilies waiting, and a bottle of champagne. he did a great job!

sunday morning we had to get up extremely early for a "surprise" activity. it turned out to be a hot air balloon ride through the valley. it was absolutely gorgeous! we took a million pictures and enjoyed the peacefulness and serenity of viewing the world from above. we also enjoyed the bubbly of a champagne brunch afterwards. we were finished by 10:00 am, so after an amazing morning, we still had an entire day left wide open to enjoy.

we visited some boutique wineries and tasted some phenomenal wines. we couldn't resist splurging on some great reds, and i thoroughly look forward to enjoying those when tim will let us indulge... probably 2010 or so! in case you're looking for some not-so-mainstream cabernets, we highly recommend Reguschi (Re-goo-shee) & Robert Sinskey. de-lish.

the rest of the afternoon was spent lounging around the room & patio drinking a bottle of champagne. it was exquisite time together, which we don't get too much of these days between busy work schedules and tim's school. (i can't wait til we have kids... that alone time will disappear completely, i have a feeling.) we had another lovely dinner and i even got a new bauble! a, both phat and fat, cocktail ring. i love love love it!

monday we slept in and thoroughly enjoyed the thought of coworkers schlepping around the office while we lingered in bed and wasted the morning away. but alas, after a huge breakfast on the terrace by the zero-edge pool overlooking vineyards, it was time to pack up and head back to the city by the bay. the sight of the golden gate bridge as we crested the hill on the 101 made me cranky as the reality of getting back to our normal lives set in. our fantasy world full of delectable food and wine, devoid of responsibilities, disappeared into the fog and made me sad.

i wish we could permanently be on vacation. although i guess without a day-to-day of work and normalcy, we wouldn't be able to truly appreciate the specialty of celebrations like this weekend. oh who am i kidding, i'd appreciate it every single day!

You can see some pictures here: Napa Pics

go (red)

i want everyone to get on the (red) bandwagon.

i know, i know. i wasn't too into it when i first heard about it either. another company jumping on the bandwagon with t-shirts whose profits go to "help" people.

but after watching bono on oprah last week, i am in full support of this initiative. it is an amazing way that we can help african mothers infected with HIV to get the medicine that will prevent them from passing the deadly disease to their unborn children. who wouldn't want to contribute to that?

so go to your nearest Gap store and buy a t-shirt. i, personally, love the two that say Hamme(red) and Bo(red). those will be a part of my wardrobe shortly.

thanks for your support.

inspiration is everywhere

for the past couple of weeks i have frequently found myself pretty subdued, wanting to lay low, wanting to read a lot, and often in deep thought - well, deeper than usual. whether i am driving in the car, or just sitting around the house, my trail of thought wanders to more profound subjects than i intended. like the meaning of life, what we can do while we're on this earth, what we're meant to do here on earth, and wondering how my life will turn out. you always picture it one way when you're younger, but what does life really hold?

the death of my aunt has affected me in more ways than i would have thought. when she passed her husband said something that i am trying to consciously do: "All I can ask is that we each try and live our life with a little more compassion out of respect for DJ. That alone will make the world a better place, and that would make DJ proud." so i'm trying. amidst my road-rage frustration this morning, i halted mid-scream and said "i'm going to be a nicer person than this." it might not make a difference to anyone but me, but i think that is a start.

i am also trying to find joy and depth in the simple everyday, just as she did. i tend to pause more now, and notice life happening around me. and i try to imagine how DJ would describe what i'm seeing - she had a way with words like no other. she could take the ordinary, and make it beautiful. i did this yesterday when i saw a group of seagulls flying overhead. i imagined her standing there with me, pointing out how they appeared surreal in their formation, as they flapped their wings but gained no distance because of a headwind - so they continued to just float up and down in place. DJ's archive of adjectives was more extensive than mine, but hey i'm trying.

the admiration for my aunt continues to be with me, and i want to discover more things that inspire me. my brother in-law just shared the following with me, and it's one of the most moving tales i've ever heard. i have such extreme admiration for this man. and i can't help but wonder, what if that is me one day? what if i face the same fate with a child? will i be strong enough to give them a life they can enjoy? will i be able to handle it? this man and his son are truly amazing and extraordinary.

please read the story, then watch the video at the bottom. if you are not moved by this, i declare you heartless.

http://cjcphoto.com/can/

the soundtrack of my life

Thanks, Sarah - I love this!

The Rules: Put your iPod, or whatever cheap imitation you use, on shuffle. The first song is your Opening Scene. The next song matches the next category and so on. There are 21 categories total.

Here goes:

Opening Scene: Beat Up Ford – Jack Ingram
This is an Austin musician, so very fitting that this would open up this TX girl’s life/movie.

Wake Up Scene: This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
I can just picture the sun streaming into the windows, birds chirping outside, and I hope out of bed with a big smile on my face. Yep, that happens every day.

Average Day: Extraordinary – Liz Phair
Hell yeah, I am extraordinary! Although I don’t drive naked through the park or run stop signs in the dark.

1st Date: It Ends Tonight – All American Rejects
Wow, way to start a relationship!

Falling in Love: Stolen Away on 55th and 3rd – Dave Matthews Band
Romantic little ditty by the old reliable Dave – he makes everyone fall in love.

Fight Scene: Inside of Love – Nada Surf
Hmmm, maybe it’s a slow motion fight scene? Or maybe this is post-fight, and it’s me sitting there sulking and crying.

Breakup Scene: I’m Sorry Now – Jude
This is from the Dawson’s Creek soundtrack – the album of which USED to be the soundtrack to my life, prior to this little exercise.
Pretty appropriate – it’s about a break up.

Back Together: I am Missing – Dashboard Confessional
Not sure what this song is about, but it’s an upbeat sounding song. So maybe Tim and I are holding hands and running through the streets together with big smiles on our faces. We’ll occasionally stop to kiss and he’ll pick me up and twirl me around in loving bliss.
That would never happen by the way.

Secret Love: Dreamgirl – Dave Matthews Band
Guess I’m a lesbian lover. Or maybe this is the song that says I’m someone else’s dream girl. I like that better.

Life’s OK: When You Were Young – The Killers
Good beat, so yeah, life is okay. I really like this song.

Mental Breakdown: Hey Ya – Oukast
The repeating “alright alright alright alright alright alright alright alright alright alright” will cause a mental breakdown.

Driving: Mr. Brightside – The Killers
This is a remix of the original song and it’s a little “chill” and 9 minutes long… so good for a drive.

Learning a Lesson: Breathe (2 AM) – Anna Nalick
I think this song is about an abortion, so I guess there’s definitely a lesson there. Luckily one I have never had to learn in real life!

Deep Thought: Dancing Queen – ABBA
Yep, this flaky dingbat is not capable of deep thought. Her head is just full of ABBA and dancing around with arms in the air.

Flashback: Every Little Thing She Does is Magic – The Police
Good flashback.

Partying: Behind These Hazel Eyes - Kelly Clarkson
I guess this night of partying is a Girls Night Out.

Happy Dance: Good – Better Than Ezra
This oldie makes me happy. It was goooooood living with ya, uh huh!

Regretting: Low – Coldplay
I guess this is fitting… I’ve never really listened to the words. Let’s see…”The sky could fall, could fall on me. The parting of the seas.” Hmmmm.

Long Night Alone: Gutters Full of Rain – David Gray
Anything from his old albums in the 80s are perfect for long nights alone. And also for slitting your wrists.

Death Scene: Sexual Healing – Marvin Gaye
Wow, I don’t know what to say here. The sex was so good I just keeled over and died? Tim would love to think he had that kind of power! I mean not so much to actually kill me, but you know.

Closing Credits: Let it Burn – Usher
Because after all, it’s been fifty-eleven days and umpteen hours. It’s time to say goodbye.

get down on it

i have to thank nanayfazz for sharing this site. when i put this together last night i laughed until i cried. and i definitely needed that! so thanks.

and click below to enjoy leo.

yeah, yeah

i know i've been MIA lately, but it's for good reason as you all know.

and every time you open my blog and see that there isn't a new post, i hope that kelly's little ditty of "Since U Been Gone" runs through your head.

because you know you love it. and you know you miss me, too.