A Blog of a Good Time

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-18T10:00:00.003-05:00

#8 - The Steel Fork

Because I'm a fatty...

Just because...

This idea is straight up stolen from Steeltown Anthem because this esty store is straight up awesome.

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-17T10:00:00.002-05:00

#9 - Night's Stay in the Duncan House

For those of you who might not know I love buildings. And architecture. And design. And excellent sentence structure. And while It might not be Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece, the Duncan House is still a Frank Lloyd Wright house. And you can stay in it!! Like walk around and pretend you live there. And be awesome.

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-16T11:28:00.003-05:00

#10 - Bike PGH

Can I get a bike? Especially after mine was stolen off my front porch. Thanks, Bloomfield! This bike is from TREK Pittsburgh but there are a lot of great bike shops around the city.

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-15T10:00:00.002-05:00

#11 - Self-portrait from Mario Zucca

I worked with Mario for an event and he was so amazing and so immensely talented. I desperately want to be immortalized in ink and notebook paper by him.

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-14T10:00:00.002-05:00

#12 - Pittsburgh Pierogi Ornament

Nothing is more Pittsburgh than a pierogi which is why I need this to be hanging on my tree.

You can also go over to I Heart Pittsburgh and register to win this little guy.

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-13T10:00:00.003-05:00

#13 - Flea Market Finds from Pittsburgh Jean Company

So who knew the Pittsburgh Jean Company had more to offer than supa-dupa jeans? I sure didn't but its "Flea Market" portion of its website is filled with Americana pieces that I would love to have. I have no idea what I'd use these vintage barn pulleys but isn't that what Christmas is for?

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-12T10:00:00.001-05:00

#14 - Sweaters from Decade

I am a seriously in love with cardigans. And this one reminds me of rich mahogany and pipe smoke.

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-11T10:00:00.002-05:00

#15 - Huichol Beaded Animal from Mexico Lindo

This place is full of super cool Mexican folk art that would look really great in so many places in my apartment.

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

#16 - Summer Classes from Pittsburgh Glass Center

Ok, ok I miss learning. That is the nerd in me talking but any of these multi-session classes would be probably just about the coolest thing ever.

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

#17 - Le SOLEIL Bianca

If it were ok to snuggle with a lighting fixture then this one from Perlora would be on my couch right now.

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-08T10:00:00.002-05:00

#18 - Beer for East End Brewery

A growler. Or five. Duh.

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-07T10:00:00.003-05:00

#19 - Pittsburgh Handcut Map

I wish I could find the the video of how these maps are made because it is a painstaking awesome process.

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-06T10:00:00.003-05:00

#20 - Messenger #3

Truthfully, I'd take any of these bags from Moop.

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-05T10:00:00.002-05:00

#21 - Chairs

Not sure this would hold your spot on the street during the winter but it would be a nice addition to any book shelf

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-04T10:00:00.003-05:00

#22 - Penny Handwoven Scarf

Ok so this is from the other side of the state but it's still from PA... And it's pretty. Really pretty so I don't care.

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-03T10:00:00.003-05:00

#23 - 2012 Bicycle Calendar

Designed by my good pal Mundania Horvath, this limited edition 2012 calendar is a steal at only $18 +shipping. Especially because who doesn't love an old-timey man with a mustache on a bike?

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

#24 - Pittsburgh Dining Cards

Its slogan says it all: Support Local. Enjoy Delicious Food. Save Money.

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2011-12-01T10:00:00.003-05:00

Happy 5 years, people. Can you believe it? No, it hasn't been five years since I last wrote anything. It's been 5 years of me telling you what you should be buying me! And to make this year extra special I'm keeping it local. So prepare yourself for 25 of the most amazing Pittsburgh-made and Pittsburgh-related gifts you've ever seen!

#25 - Sally t-shirt from Steel City Cotton Works

Every design in the Steel City Cotton Works collection is stellar but this Sally shirt is just as iconic as the woman herself. And would look really great under my Christmas tree so thank you in advance. Plus they are so darn comfy and soft.

Home Improvements

2011-08-26T09:30:00.000-04:00

I've recently become obsessed with furniture, design and furniture design. I think it stems from that imaginary house I've been building in my mind since 7th grade when I decided I wanted to become an Architect. As you may know that dream never came true. Thank you Mrs. Washburn for ruining my Architectural lifestyle and keeping my Julie Dream House a distant dream instead of a reality.

Anyway... I'm not bitter... really. So since I don't currently have the know-how or the resources to build that Julie Dream House, I've resorted to destroying my apartment with "projects." One of those projects included spray paint.

I became the owner of 1 can of chalkboard spray paint last year. That can has followed me to 2 apartments. Mocking me all the while. I finally got up enough courage to use it last week. I decided to paint a door in my kitchen. Well the recessed area of a door. Does that have a name? Recessed door area of the door?

I taped the edges of the door and most of the wall to prevent spraying places I didn't mean to. As luck would have it, I was too short to do the actual spraying of the door so I roped my brother into helping. Now I don't know if you've ever read a can of spray paint but I'm pretty sure a child would know it's not a good idea to spray paint indoors unless you are a huffer.

I assured him that everything would be fine. I opened windows. Had the ceiling fan going. And that I had a Masters degree. I knew what the hell I was doing. He started spraying. About 1 minute in, we both starting seeing unicorns. About 2 minutes in, I decided getting and turning on a box fan was a good idea. About 5 minutes later, we discovered that was a really bad idea.

We didn't notice until we stepped back to observe our handy work that the whole kitchen now had a nice green tint. The walls. The floor. The cabinets. The stove. The windows. You name it and it was green. And don't forget our ears and noses. Nothing like blowing your nose and having green spray paint pour out of it.

Even after a through cleaning I'm still finding things that are green. Good for me and forever lives in my apartment next!

SONG OF THE DAY: Florence + The Machine - What the Water Gave Me

Idlewild & SoakZone Fun

2011-08-23T16:34:00.005-04:00

I don't write as often as I may want to lately. Despite my lack of time or inspiration, I'm still given amazing opportunities. It's probably my charm. And amazing hair.

The good people at Smarter Social Media gave me passes to relive a few childhood memories at Idlewild & SoakZone. They reached out to me and praised my "family blog." I responded with confusion. They said no worries, you can still go. I yipped with joy. And that is how memories are made people.

I planned to get to Idlewild at 11:30 a.m. last Saturday. I got there at 4 p.m. I am a stickler for being on time. I hadn't been to the park since about middle school for my Dad's work picnic. Remember when Dads had work picnics? What happened to that? What happened to a good ole' fashioned all-expenses-paid work picnic full of as much RC Cola as you could possibly drink? I want my 1992 back!

Since I hadn't worn mis-matched clothes or a perm since I last been to Idlewild, I was nervous things would be different... just like me. This is turning into an after-school special. I walked in and was immediately transported to my youth. Most of the park was exactly how I'd remembered it. The Whip was still awesome, looking at the Carousal still made me sick and I still only wanted to eat funnel cake. The only difference was I was now too big to reign my terror over Jumping Jungle.

I made my way around the park taking in the sites and sounds. Oh haiii Hootin' Holler'! I missed you Fish Pond! I'll never forget you Mister Rogers Neighborhood Trolley!

Since I wasn't in the mood to start a riot, (circles = barfing) I stuck to a few basic rides: the Whip, the Wild Mouse and the Rollo Coaster. I rounded that out with some games where I won a woolie mammoth and a monkey tucked into a banana. Can you say "the ultimate?" I also won myself a drink when I beat my Idlewild-companion at mini-golf. ore like demolished but we won't get into details.

Basically, I had the best Saturday I've had in a very looooong time. And because of it, I think you should too!

Smarter Social Media game me 4 tickets to Idlewild & SoakZone to give away. All you have to do is tell me your favorite thing at Idlewild or SoakZone to be entered to win. Winner will be selected on Friday, August 26. Please include your email so I have a way to contact you if you win!

Hottest Dance Yet: The J-Walk

2011-07-01T09:27:00.005-04:00

Many weird things and habits make up the life of Julie Gong. I'll share just one now because I don't want you to know how weird I really am.

Jaywalking. I can't do it. I mean I can. Of course I can. I just HATE to jaywalk. Like will wait to see that little white stick-figure flashing to walk across a deserted street with tumbleweeds rolling across it hate.

People find this both alarming and annoying. Alarming because everyone and their mother jaywalks. Annoying because as they are crossing the street, I am standing safely on the sidewalk anticipating the walk sign. I can't help it if I put safety first people!

I haven't always feared jaywalking. When I lived Downtown, jaywalk was my middle name. I'd jaywalk within inches of my life and not give a shit. Just like the honey badger.

Then something happened. I'm going to blame the fact that I started driving more once I moved out of Downtown. For almost a year I rarely drove. Then, once I moved to hell and then Bloomfield, I started having to drive more. This made me come in close contact with pedestrians and the rage developed soon after.

Pedestrians are assholes. People in cars are assholes. You put the two together and you have a bunch of assholes not giving a shit about anything. That equals death.

Being that I've been on both sides of the coin I know how an entitled pedestrian and a raging driver feels. As a pedestrian you anxiously wait for the moment you will be tapped by a car so you can pound on someone's hood and throw shit at their car. As a driver you anxiously speed through intersections hoping you won't land in jail. Oh the joy of it all!

Mix all these feeeeeeeelings together and you have the reason why I don't jaywalk. It's just easier to wait. And you know... live.

SONG OF THE DAY: City and Colour - Northern Wind <.>

Kayaking... in a River.

2011-06-27T11:43:00.006-04:00

We like land in my family. Some people, Republicans, like water. They like standing on it. Sitting on it. Acting like they're better because of it. Doing all sorts of shit on it and in it that my family would never ever do. We just like land. And being dry. And not throwing up.

Besides drinking it and showering in it, I grew up not giving one shit about water. That mentality has followed me into adulthood. Water makes me panic. Not nearly as much as squirrels do but panic nonetheless. I guess when you grow up being tossed into a pool by your older boy cousins while they create a whirlpool of death because it's "fun" even though you don't really know how to swim so you clutch onto the side of the pool in your Mickey Mouse bathing praying that someone will drag your limp body out of the pool it creates a slight fear of water.

Want the list of why I hate water?

1. Drowning - no big deal.
2. Waves - terrifying.
3. Drowning.
4. Being wet.
5. My hair turns into a rat's nest.
6. Motion sickness.

I could go on but that list mostly consists mostly of drowning. And sharks.

Regardless, I avoid water at all costs. So it's still a great mystery to me why I agreed to go kayaking last Tuesday. For some reason my tiny brain didn't even think me sitting in a tiny death boat on top of the water would be a problem at all.

I walked over the Roberto Clemente bridge confident. Pretty sure at this point I still didn't realize I'd actually only a small piece of plastic separating me and drowning.

I strapped my life vest on, grabbed my paddle, sat in my kayak and as the Venture Outdoors worker pushed me into the water the idiot fog lifted and I began to panic. It was a familiar panic. The kind of panic I used to feel as a child when I was forced to talk to someone. Like I was going to die.

I started paddling and talking to myself like a crazy person. "You are not going to die." "You are over-reacting." "Stop being such an asshole... OMG YOU ARE GOING TO TIP OVER AND DROWN IN THIS DIRTY RIVER." "You're ok. You're ok." This internal dialogue of crazy went on for the entire 30 minutes I pretended to enjoy myself.

Highlights of the 100 foot trip down the river: Nearly crashing into the River Cop house, not turning my head and strangling my paddle. So as you can see I had a really great time. So much fun that I can't wait to go back and try it again.

SONG OF THE DAY: Washed Out - Within And Without (whole album via NPR)

William Fitzsimmons: It's All About the Beard

2011-04-06T09:17:00.005-04:00

Last night I was thoroughly impressed by the talent that is William Fitzsimmons. He is articulate and clever and funny. Oh boy, is he funny. His off-colored banter was almost as good as his soulful voice. And that voice is soulful. You can actually feel the heartbreak and pain in each beautifully crafted song.

That heartbreak even made me tear up a bit when he started playing "If You Would Come Back Home." Some things just resonate and this song clearly did. It always does though. Like most of his songs do. If you've ever been lucky enough to experience love and heartache, listen to his music. It's like he reached into your chest, pulled out the ache and said everything you couldn't.

He even came right down into the middle of the crowd to play one last song, Good Morning. I was an inch from him while he swooned that sweetness. Can you say smitten?

Often I go to concerts and am unimpressed by everything (thank you America for providing me with unrealistic expectations). That's probably why I typically don't venture too far from my listening comfort zone. It's just easier. It's not that I'm not open to new music. It's that people suggesting new music is like looking at other people's vacation pictures. Usually there's only one interesting picture in the bunch of the person drunk while a Mexican bartender does a body shot of their stomach. The rest are of them making people pyramids with their friends on the beach. And no one wants to see that.

Thankfully I found William Fitzsimmons all on my own. And thankfully he's originally from Pittsburgh or I may have never seen him play live. Because bands and artists I like don't actually ever come to Pittsburgh. Screw you Philly. If he ever comes to Pittsburgh again or a city near you... see him. Trust me. Better than good.

SONG OF THE DAY: William Fitzsimmons - Afterall

Kirk Is A Mother Fucker

2011-03-28T15:09:00.005-04:00

I, like 98% of America, hate the gym. I like to jam my face with Dorito's and Cheeto's and Cheese Balls and basically anything that contains artificial cheese or ingredients. Because of this I have to drag my dead-lifeless body to the gym after work.

Some days I'm like Aerobic-Fun Barbie (I don't think that's an actual Barbie. I only had two growing up because Barbies are stupid and I was more sophisticated and played with Trolls). I bounce from one exercise to the next all the while wearing a pink and yellow headband and leopard-print leotard. It is like an Olivia Newton John video. Other days, I'm like the Pillsbury Doughboy, trying to figure out exactly how many sit-ups I'd have to do if I ate a dozen donuts. It's more like an episode of Biggest Loser.

The Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde syndrome has caused me to become easily bored with my work-out routine. To combat my often lack of ambition I've taken up "Spinning" -- I put that in quotes because I'm not taking an actual class, I'm spinning with Kirk. Kirk... well, he's a mother fucker. Kirk is the instructor on the Spinning videos. Kirk might not be he actual name but big deal. He looks like a jackass and Kirk seemed fitting (see: Kirk Cameron).

Kirk has been ruining my life for about two weeks now. Him in his spandex shorts, never-ending endurance and chipper "you can do it fatso" smile of his. He reminds me of the sort of child that was forced into pageants and actually liked them because he got to wear a bolo tie and sing Dolly Parton on stage.

Soon he's going to ruin my reputation at the gym because I constantly tell him he's a mother fucker... out loud. When other people are riding next to me. Looks like I'll be looking for a new gym soon.

SONG OF THE DAY: Mac Miller - Another Night

Things I Find Ridic (Right Now)

2011-02-03T13:26:00.005-05:00

1. Automatic toilet paper dispenser at work
Why? Please don't tell me how much toilet paper I need to do my business. You can tell me how much soap I need and determine the length of my paper towel but you, automatic toilet paper dispenser, need to die. Especially because you alert everyone in the bathroom that I could possibly be doing unlady-like things in my stall. Beat it.

2. Canned Soup
You either have meat in you or you suck. I just ate a vegetable and noodle combo today that smelled like a cat. Is that even possible for regular old soup to smell like a cat? How do you mess up soup? Especially soup that contains only noodles and carrots? You are the worst, canned soup. The worst.

3. Work
Who decided we needed to do this? Everyday. When I was in elementary school I used to say, "I'd like the beat up the person who created math." I bet the same jackass who created math also created "working for a living." Probably a man. Because they are great at ruining my life.

4. Sunny days in Winter
Most people would see this as a good thing. A bright spot in the bleak days of our forever Winter. For me, it's horrible. Sun = warmness. Sun in Winter = Lie. When I see sun I automatically think it's going to be warm outside. I'm like a goldfish. Of course it's never warm outside in the Winter. I don't care what you say, forty degree and sunny is not warm.

5. Weather People
You are all liars. Every single one of you. You make everyone in Pittsburgh crazy so how about you stop "predicting" what "may" happen 12 days from now and spend your time brushing your silly newscaster hair.

6. Things that smell like candy but are not
Mean. You're just mean. You make me hungry for candy but if I ate you I'd either become 1. deathly ill or 2. the girl in the office who eats lotion.

SONG OF THE DAY: J. Cole - Higher

The Wheels on the Bus

2011-01-28T10:06:00.005-05:00

I've recently taken up riding the bus to and from work. Want to know why?

1. I love the smell of farts in the morning,
2. Being judged by people who look homeless raises my self esteem,
3. I like having strangers put their junk in my face,
4. I really like when people try and see what I'm text messaging,
5. I enjoy the panic attack that pulling the "stop request" string at the right moment brings.

Should I go on...?

It's really not that bad. Seriously. The real reason I take the bus is because I get to sleep in an extra 30 minutes and I don't have to clean off my car. Oh and the environment. It's always the environment, Al Gore.

I should have actually waited until I was inappropriately touched or yelled at to write this but it's been in my head every night for a week now and I'm tired of thinking about the bus when I could be thinking about people... naked.

I think the lack of excitement is because I ride the 87. Apparently the crazy people don't live in the Friendship/Bloomfield area. The closest I've come to bus excitement was when a girl fell into a seat. Not very exciting. Not even very funny. Maybe if it were in slow motion like this it would have been worthy of my time. "Get your motors runnin cause here we go, I'm bringin chocolate sauce, and pouring it slooooowwww."

It could also be because most people aren't drunk at 8:30 a.m. I think that might be the real problem. Or maybe it's because I'm not drunk at 8:30 a.m. That would make everything more interesting then.

SONG OF THE DAY: Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers (Dave Sitek Remix)

Sonoma Grill

2010-12-29T10:46:00.006-05:00

Sometimes I have the privilege of doing neat things. One of those recent "neat things" just happened to be a sampling at Pittsburgh restaurant Sonoma Grill.

I've done it before and I'll gladly do it again (wink wink).

There are a lot of things that go into the great restaurant recipe: food, character, atmosphere, waitstaff. That last one makes a huge difference for me though. I've had some terrible meals saved by the friendliness of an amazing waiter/waitress. James at Sonoma Grill was knowledgeable of the menu and also so very friendly. A+ in my book.

We started off with the Jerked Shrimp grilled a la Plancha with Citrus Salsa, Plantain Chips and a Toasted Papaya Seed Dressing. Sometimes jerk seasoning is well too jerky. This one was not jerky enough. The shrimp was grilled nicely and the salsa was a nice compliment but I wanted a smidge more seasoning to really bring out the flavors.

We followed up the shrimp with the Wild Mushroom Flatbread with roasted tomato, Firefly Farms Allegheny Chevre, Kalamata Olives and Cilantro Pesto. I like variety and the three mushrooms used, Shitake, Oyster and Portobello, really kicked this dish up a notch for me. One of the main reasons I enjoy going back to Sonoma Grill is that they embrace the whole grow local, eat local philosophy. You can really taste the difference fresh organic ingredients made in this dish. Only because I find Kalamata Olives too salty, even for an olive, would I like to see those removed or replaced with something else in this appetizer.

For the main course we chose Prosciutto Wrapped Diver Scallops with local Kabocha Slaw, Blood Orange Syrup, Micro Cilantro and Quinoa Tabbouleh. Scallops are hit or miss for me. These were a total hit. They were buttery and rich and cooked to perfection. For a brief instant I was transported to the shore where seafood is fresh out of the water and they know how to cook it.

Sampling or not, I'm headed back to one of the very finest Pittsburgh restaurant's, Sonoma Grill, very soon. And because I'm nice, I think you should try it out for yourself.

Leave a comment stating the one dish you'd love to try off of it's menu for a chance to win a gift card to Sonoma Grill!

Winner will be selected on Monday, January 3 at 2:00p.m. Please include your email so I have a way to contact you if you win!

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-25T11:00:00.001-05:00

#1 - A Sandbox Loft Condo

I don't really think this is asking too much. I mean Natalie Wood asked for a whole house in Miracle on 34th Street.

Merry Christmas, everyone. Thanks for sticking around through this very hectic year!

SONG OF THE DAY: Judy Garland - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (one of my favorites although it makes me want to cry every.single.time.)

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-24T11:00:00.003-05:00

#2 - Travel Atomiser

Hey pervs this is not what you think it is. But it would come in handy with all that traveling I should be doing.

SONG OF THE DAY: DJ Prato - Mele Kalikimaka Hawaiian Christmas (Prato Remix)

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-23T11:00:00.000-05:00

#3 - Mad Men

Good god I love this show. Also, I need this to figure out how those women had the energy to make their hair look like every.single.day. I'm thinking booze.

SONG OF THE DAY: Hey, It's Christmas Vol 1 (A whole album for your listening pleasure!)

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-22T11:00:00.000-05:00

#4 - Custom Made Stamp

I seriously need this. And you need me to have this as well.

SONG OF THE DAY: Darlene Love - White Christmas

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-21T11:00:00.000-05:00

#5 - Toothbrush Subscription

There is nothing more important to me than oral hygiene. That is why this is an amazing f**king idea (I feel like I can't swear in a Christmas post).

SONG OF THE DAY: LehtMoJoe - Christmas Swag (Paul McCartney vs. Soulja Boy)

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-20T11:00:00.002-05:00

#6 - Vases by j. mendicino

I feel like you can never have too many vases. Especially not really cool super awesome looking vases.

SONG OF THE DAY: Hold Your Horse Is - Wonderful Christmas Time

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-19T11:00:00.002-05:00

#7 - Ra Ra Riot Concert Poster

Ra Ra Riot might be one of my favorite bands. I try and see them every time they come into town. I went to this show and it was amazing. And this poster is just so darling that I want to buy 12 of them.

SONG OF THE DAY: Vandaveer - Merry Christmas Baby

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-18T11:00:00.000-05:00

#8 - Like/Dislike Stamps

I need these for work. ASAP.

SONG OF THE DAY: bgm - Christmas Don't Be Late

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-17T11:00:00.005-05:00

#9 - Pittsburgh Neighborhood Print

I love Pittsburgh. I love all its nooks. This little print would remind me what a great city I lived in everyday.

SONG OF THE DAY: Kanye West - Christmas In Harlem

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-16T11:00:00.000-05:00

#10 - Colonel Littleton No. 3 Grip

If I were an old man or you had an extra $825 laying around this would be a perfect gift.

SONG OF THE DAY: James Brown - Soulful Christmas

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-15T11:00:00.000-05:00

#11 - Easy-to-Grow Mushroom Garden

I don't even really like mushrooms but this is amazing.

SONG OF THE DAY: Mayer Hawthorne - Christmas Time Is Here

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-14T11:00:00.000-05:00

#13 - Michael Kor's Watch

I go through jewelry phases. I've been in a watch phases for about 5 years. I don't actually buy many watches because I like really really expensive watches but I do like to look at them and pretend they're on my wrist.

SONG OF THE DAY: 5oh! - Home Alone (Christmas Dubstep Remix)

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-13T11:00:00.000-05:00

#13 - Agnes Candelabra

I'm positive I'd catch my apartment on fire if I had this. At least it would look pretty going down in flames.

SONG OF THE DAY: Sufjan Stevens - Christmas In the Room

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-12T11:00:00.000-05:00

#14 - Veuve Clicquot Traveller

I really like picnics. I really really like picnics with booze. So uh... duh! This little guy even already comes with a bottle of booze!

SONG OF THE DAY: An Introduction to Sunshine - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-11T11:00:00.000-05:00

#15 - Year's Supply of Cupcakes from Vanilla Pastry Studio

Actually I'd just take one every once and awhile. A chocolate/peanut butter one to be exact. These are the kind of cupcakes I'd gladly punch a stranger for on a regular basis if that meant I got just one... or two.

SONG OF THE DAY: Eels - Everything's Gonna Be Cool This Christmas

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-10T11:00:00.001-05:00

#16 - Framed Pictures of Things Katie Ate

A few of these would go perfect in the dream kitchen I have pictured in my head. She makes food look almost too beautiful to eat.

SONG OF THE DAY: Slow Club - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-09T11:00:00.000-05:00

#17 - Diamond Silver Ring

I asked my pal, Sarah, for a little help on today's gift selection. Being that she's the queen of fashion, she delivered something shiny and fantastic... just like Christmas presents should be.

Sarah: "B said, if you like it then you should put a ring on it. Jay isn't going to put a ring on this finger anytime soon, so instead..."

SONG OF THE DAY: Wham! - Last Christmas (Who doesn't like Wham? Not Sarah. Or me for that matter. I love you always and forever George Michael!)

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-08T11:00:00.003-05:00

# 18 - GAP Shopping Spree

I've been privileged enough to be a GAP brand ambassador for a little over a year now. They've sent me all sorts of fabulous goodies, most recently jeggings. I laughed at jeggings until I put those bad boys on. Now I can't get enough of them really. Jeggings to work. Jeggings to play. Jeggings in the bathtub. I love them and really every little thing GAP does. So I totally wouldn't hate a GAP shopping spree. Hint hint, nudge nudge.

Obviously those babies have nothing to do with a shopping spree but they're just so darn cute I want to eat them. Which is exactly like a shopping spree.

SONG OF THE DAY: Lady Gaga feat. Space Cowboy - Christmas Tree

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-07T11:00:00.000-05:00

#19 - The Essential New York Times Cookbook

You'd think being a food blogger and all that I'd be able to cook. If grilled cheese counts, then yes, yes I can. If not, well then I definitely need this book filled with more than 1,000 updated recipe classics.

SONG OF THE DAY: Coldplay - Christmas Lights

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-06T11:00:00.000-05:00

#20 - Ghetto Blaster

This would have totally come in handy when I was cruising around the streets on my Huffy listening to Amy Grant.

SONG OF THE DAY: Boca Chica - Not on Christmas Eve

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-05T11:00:00.001-05:00

#21 - Cake Prints by Paul Ferney

I've been in love with Oh Happy Day for awhile now. I've also been in love with cake all my life. So ever since Jordan's husband started his "Cake Print" series I've been desperately wanting one for my collection.

SONG OF THE DAY: Bright Eyes - Blue Christmas

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-04T11:00:00.002-05:00

#22 - Wood Whale

I've always love whales. I've also always loved desk organization. So this is like chocolate and peanut butter to me: a perfect combination.

SONG OF THE DAY: Blitzen Trapper - Christmas is Coming Soon

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-03T11:00:00.001-05:00

#23 - Design Love with Morgan Satterfield

I desperately want to be friends with Morgan Satterfield of The Brick House. Actually I want her to renovate my non-existent house and then realize how keen I am and become my friend. And then we can have coffee and talk about design and skip through estate sales hand-in-hand together.

SONG OF THE DAY: The Mynabirds - All I Want is Truth (for Christmas)

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-02T11:00:00.000-05:00

#24 - Paris 48 49N, 2 29E by Ami Sioux

Photographer Ami Sioux's book, Paris 48°49N, 2°29E, is absolutely beautiful. She asked 50 people to draw a map of a part of Paris that was significant or important to him or her. Then, Ami visited each spot to photograph it. I will be taking in your sweet smells my fair Paris soon... very very soon!

SONG OF THE DAY: Erlend Oye - Last Christmas

25 Things You Should Buy Me

2010-12-01T11:00:00.001-05:00

And we're back. Four years and still going strong. This is probably the biggest and most consistent happening in my life. Big shocker that it involves you buying me things. My favorite kind of holiday.

#25 - iPad

I'm seriously surprised I haven't already bought one of these for myself. If I could have a baby with Apple I would. I just love everything they do that much. Not enough to put one of those Apple stickers on my car, but enough to seriously talk about putting one of those stickers on my car.

SONG OF THE DAY: Willie Nelson - Please Come Home For Christmas (We've hugged. It's special)

Just Like a Unicorn...

2010-11-22T08:01:00.000-05:00

You know how you can start your night out with the intention that it will be completely normal and low key? The traditional definition of "normal and low key" is is like a unicorn or a funny political skit on SNL to me. A myth. Because it doesn't happen. Ever. My normal and low key night looks a little something like this...

I started my night off by getting pulled over. I should have immediately turned around, parked my car and hid under the covers after that. Why did I get pulled over? Oh, the police thought I was a drug dealer because my windows are tinted. Oh ok officer... you mean this isn't Florida? Really? Seems like Florida. Oh, and those 12 Escalades that just drove by with black tinted windows were ok but my Honda Civic with windows you can still see in deemed me a gun toting drug dealer? My bad. My bad...

After my run-in with the law, I went to dinner with a very lovely someone. We cooked our food in a boiling concoction of goodness and ate till a nap in the booth was almost necessary. We call it a night right there and you have a pretty normal and low key night. A night most adults have on a regular basis. This 28 year old "adult" of course didn't call it a night. I called it the beginning of a long and somewhat painfully pleasurable journey.

We walked to 5ive after dinner. A pseudo fancypants bar that is trying too hard. Much like the other pseudo fancypants bars across Pittsburgh land.

I should have known things were going to be messy when we ordered a shot. I avoid shots at all costs. It's just that I welcome peer pressure. I'm working on me people. We decided on lemon drops. Fine. Easy peasey. I mean I already have vodka coursing though my ice-cold veins anyway. I mustered up the courage after the cheers and took the shot... like a man... in two gulps. Two very painful gulps. Since I'm a somewhat seasoned fun lover you would have thought I'd notice a major mistake like a shot that was made with salt instead of sugar. I didn't. Nothing like have a mouth full of ocean to let you know your night is about to get better.

I or anyone around me should never be allowed to make decisions after even smelling booze let alone drinking it. So after the shot of ocean, the gang decided to go to a strip club.

I've been to a few strip clubs in my days. I don't understand the appeal really though. I mean I guess why wouldn't you want to watch naked ladies with flaming skull tattoos, back piercings and c-section scars gyrate on a stage? Perfection! Silly me...

Apparently I enjoyed it enough to be there until almost 4:00 a.m. Time flies when there is free booze and sin I suppose!

The taxi dropped us off back at our starting point in Station Square and this is where normal people get in their cars and drive home. We decided to pull into the bus parking lot and put the seats down and take a nap. This might have been fine if 1. we had something other than coats to keep us warm, 2. we were in the woods, 3. we were hours away from home. Actually no. Even with those things this scenario never would have been fine. Who naps in the trunk of an SUV? Go me.

We woke up to the Raiders bus driver gently rapping on our window. So like I said a completely normal and easy Saturday night for me.

Hair Don't

2010-10-15T11:06:00.001-04:00

Have you ever walked into your hair stylist and said, “chop it all off!” Yeah, me either. Wouldn’t that be fun though? Probably not. I’d cry most likely after it was over. I did however walk into my hair stylist yesterday and ask her to even out my hair color a bit. I’m pretty blonde in the summer because 1. Blondes have more fun (duh), 2. It naturally gets lighter in the summer, 3. More homeless people talk to me, and 4. Hair dye… and since it’s now fall (kiss my ass rain and cold) I wanted to be a smidge darker. You know… tame down my lion’s mane. Or “Texas Hair” as it’s often been called. I can’t help it if I have full body and luster.

I must have temporarily started speaking Japanese to my stylist when we started talking color though. I said, “Even it out and make it a bit darker. NOT BROWN THOUGH. Really… not BROWN!” and she heard “Make it brown. Like really dark brown. “ I sometimes put too much faith in people. I also sometimes put too much faith in people actually understanding what I’m trying to convey to them.

I made about 12 mistakes yesterday 10 of which happened in the two hours I was getting my hair did. Mistake number 7 came when I didn’t make her blow dry my hair all the way dry because I was just going to visit my parents and didn’t feel like sitting there. When I got to my parents and dried my hair I saw the actually color… ugly.

This is getting fixed fast. Not one homeless person asked me for money on the way to work this morning… and I can’t have that. I have an ego to think about here.

A Love Hate Relationship

2010-09-21T09:55:00.000-04:00

Watching Grey's Anatomy before going to bed is a terrible idea. Watching Grey's Anatomy when you're about to have lady time is a more terrible idea. TMI? Deal. I'm having a moment here, people. Welcome to my life last night.

I didn't watch Grey's last season because I had class on Thursday. Lie. I watched The Office because that was more important at the time. Steve Carell and the gang make my belly hurt with laughter. Stanley Hudson is a dreamboat. So I decided, while finishing up something I should have finished oh about a month ago, I would catch up on Grey's. Good idea at first. Bad idea immediately after that.

Season 6 starts off with George dying. Good. Great. Grand. Start the sad feelings inside. Hello old familiar love-hate relationship. The love is that it sometimes makes me feel mushy inside, like I get exactly what lame emotions it is trying to portray. Like the stages of grief. I get that. Luckily I haven't had to deal with someone actually passing away for awhile now, but I get it. Someone doesn't have to die for you to go through the stages. The worst stage: the one that surprises you when you think you're ok. The one when you think you've been taking steps forward. The one when you actually think you just might live again.

And that's the hate... it reminded me its the final stage. The hardest one that no one is ever ready for but the one that tells you the fight is almost over and you'll actually be able to live and breath again.

SONG OF THE DAY: Explosions in the Sky - Your Hand in Mine

Just Nonsense

2010-09-17T10:00:00.002-04:00

It's Friday bitches! You know what that means... it’s Just Nonsense time!

So if you haven't figured it out yet I've come out of retirement. Sad day for everyone. I know you were just getting used to me writing every day (<--- lie). I really wasn't planning on coming out this soon. I thought for sure you'd get to hear me complain about how awful enjoying my life was for at least a few more weeks.

Two days ago I went to Mellon Park to eat lunch on my lunch break. I've only been to Mellon Park once and it was filled with bums. I was hoping for a change of scenery this time around. Thankfully it was filled with less people who would ask to touch my hair and shout at me because I wouldn't give them money. While I was enjoying my 8th grade packed lunch, I noticed a gross amount of pigeons meandering around. Pigeons are no where near on the terror level of squirrels but they're close. They're like flying squirrels otherwise known as awful. While I was busy making sure the pigeons weren't going to attack me, I noticed a man feeding them. I want to stab people who feed pigeons. It only encourages them to come closer and try and touch you. Anyway that man then bent down and picked up THREE fucking pigeons. He then walked out of Mellon Park with those three pigeons in his arms to do god knows what. Probably eat them. You better believe I will be in Mellon Park today to see if he comes back to pick up his lunch.

Currently I don't have cable. I don't watch tv often so this shouldn't be a big deal. It is a huge deal because all of a sudden all I can think about is tv. BECAUSE OF COURSE. In lieu of watching tv, I've taken up watching movies. Lately terrible movies. Movies that have Renee Zellweger and Nicolas Cage in them. Kill me. Instant Netflix is really ruining my life and my mind. Speaking of Nicolas Awful Cage, he was just as terrible in his early movies (Valley Girl) as he is in recent movies. Valley Girl might be one of the worst movies ever. Great soundtrack, terrible everything else. I have about one brain cell after watching this. It did inspire the sound for Song of the Day though.

SONG OF THE DAY: Electric Youth Right Back to You (Demo Mix)

Just Nonsense

2010-09-10T15:11:00.003-04:00

It's Friday bitches! You know what that means... it’s Just Nonsense time!

My retirement didn't last long. I'm like Michael Jordan. I just can't stay away. I've immensely enjoyed retirement, a life of leisure. It suits me. Like today, I met a friend for lunch at Harris Grill and had a beer. You can have a beer at 1:00p.m. when you're retired and it's fine. No one is judging. No one cares and you know what that beer tastes ten times better.

I saw The Social Network last night. Yes, it just came out today. Did you forget that I'm awesome already? I had 2 advance screening passes and didn't want to miss my husband, Justin Timberlake, sporting a NSYNC throw-back hairstyle. I also wanted to see how Facebook was created. Surprisingly I wasn't disappointed. It was actually a pretty good movie. It also might be the digital media nerd in me that found this movie so entertaining. Whatever the reason I thoroughly enjoyed the film. I especially enjoyed the creepy man walking up and down the aisles looking for people with cell phones recording it.

I'm pretty sure Google and God are the same person. Same company. Same whatever. They are both high and mighty. So it really concerns me when I type something into Google's search bar and nothing shows up. Not one result. It's a very rare occasion like a unicorn. And unlike unicorns, I don't like it... not one bit.

SONG OF THE DAY: Kele - Everything You Wanted (Fred Falke Remix) . .

Tiny Drummer In My Hand

2010-09-09T13:33:00.004-04:00

Have you ever walked into a bar and the music screeches to a halt and everyone turns and stares at you? Like in the movies...? Take away the music screeching to a halt and that sums up my night. Can someone say awkward?

My old co-worker won tickets to see Tyrone Wells at Club Cafe so she naturally asked me because I am awesome. I was a little ahead of schedule so I went to Jack's to wait for her. Uh, mistake. I have zero problem walking into a bar by myself, cozying up to the bar and drinking beers. That is never the problem. The problem is that the creepiest people find the need to talk to me despite the fact that I try and put on the meanest and unfriendliest face. My old co-worker has this theory pertaining to this phenomenon that regularly happens to me called: You're Blond. She thinks that people talk to me more because I'm blond. I think she is full of shit because I think people can just sense that I'm actually pretty friendly. :::cough, cough::: But it always seems to happen when she's with me so maybe she is right. Whatever. So I was at Jack's for maybe an hour and 4 creeps talked to me, 1 touched my shoulder and 1 told me I was beautiful. That is one and half beers of torture. This face is my gift and my curse.

Thankfully my co-worker showed up and we promptly busted into Club Cafe. In the middle of a performance. That was acoustic. And quiet. And awkward. We then promptly left and went to Dee's Cafe to wait for Tyrone.

This post was way funnier in my head last night.

Typically I don't like the kind of music Tyrone Wells plays. It is boring, sappy, doesn't allow me to dance, and causes ladies to swoon and feel like their partners only really love them if they can write a mediocre love songs. That's why I spent most of my time making fun of the drummer who was tiny and a man who had a constant manboner.

The drummer who we dubbed "Tiny Drummer" was close to my height and had on the tightest baseball-t I've ever seen. He was screaming to be made fun so in honor of him I wrote a song called "Tiny Drummer" to the tune of Tiny Dancer by Elton John. Instant classic. Manboner on the other hand was swaying and singing and shouting "yea man" every time Tyrone started or ended a song. He also had a sweet half mullet. And a manboner.

Despite my mockery, I did actually like most of his songs. His voice reminded me of Ben Harper at times and sadly I fell under his trance because a lot of his songs got to me. Especially the Song of the Day. Overall, a good show and good night. Especially because it ended with Pizza Solo.

SONG OF THE DAY: Tyrone Wells - Need

Wood Burning Fun

2010-09-08T09:12:00.001-04:00

Have you ever been accused of being a teenager breaking into cars? I have. On Sunday actually. Good times. It was probably because I was supporting some major Justin Bieber bangs and the cop was transfixed.

On Sunday I went over a friends to celebrate the labor-free holiday known as Labor Day. I'm totally confused about that but that's another story. Since it was brisk outside, there was a fire. Around 3:00a.m. we ran out of wood. Naturally what do you do when you run out of wood? Look around your yard and see what you can burn. One tiki torch, one tiki torch fluid container and five beer boxes later we were again out of things to burn. So I volunteered to scavenge for wood aka steal from the neighbors. My partner-in-crime and I went into the house and got flashlights for our mission.

Flashlights lit, we ran across the street into the neighbors yard. Just as we ran down her driveway, wouldn't you know it, a cop drives by. He yells at us to come back to the car. We do which to me means I am old. He begins to scold us and accusing us of 1. being teenagers, and 2. breaking into cars. We assured him we were 28 and 30 and that we were merely stealing wood not cars. He lectured us about looking like teenagers and being dressed like thieves and sent us on our way. Once we were around the house my partner promptly pulled her pants down and peed herself laughing. And then fell in her pee.

We returned with 2 sticks never to be sent on a mission for wood again.

SONG OF THE DAY: Holy Ghost - Static On The Wire (RAC Remix)

Perspectives: A Bee Story

2010-09-07T15:39:00.003-04:00

I was living dangerously on Labor Day.

SONG OF THE DAY: Allan Guevara - You Know

Just Nonsense

2010-09-03T08:53:00.006-04:00

It's Friday bitches! You know what that means... it’s Just Nonsense time!

Remember this... the last Just Nonsense was about a year ago. I know. I can barely believe it either. I probably have even less interesting things to write about now than I did then. I'm most certainly getting cooler with age.

I went into a shoe store yesterday looking for pants. I'm lying. I was looking for a pair of Nike AirMax that wouldn't make me have to trick on the corner for a month to pay for them. That of course didn't happen. What I did find were 97 different styles of "Shape Up" fitness shoes. Why would anyone in the fucking world want these shoes? I don't even feel bad making fun of you if you have a pair of these and we are friends... simply because both you and the shoes are idiots. Sandals? Boots? Tennis shoes? Really... really. Every fucking style of shoe ever made in the history of the world is now also a shape up fitness shoe. I obviously have a lot of bitter to get off my chest.

Speaking of shoe shopping... do you want to know how to feel pathetic in an instant? Go to the mall at 2:00p.m. during the week. 97% of the people there are 130 years old and are either sleeping on a bench staring at death or slowly walking right in front of every where you want to go.

My new neighborhood is filled with asses. Apparently unbeknown to me they own the street and every parking space on it. Everyone knows Pittsburgh has ridic parking rules: chairs in a space = don't park here or I will key the shit out of your car. What I didn't know is that my car is the only car not allowed to half park on the sidewalk on a street filled with people who half park on the sidewalk. Because of this I received my first, I'm assuming of many, passive aggressive note. It read as follows in old person handwriting: "Please don't park on the sidewalks ~~witch~~ which are meant for people." You fail neighbor. You fail.

SONG OF THE DAY: Sufjan Stevens - I Walked . .

Retired

2010-09-01T13:00:00.000-04:00

I've gotten the "now what" question about 197 times since graduating. Oh I have a master's degree now. It's sessy. Thank you. Do I have to have a "now what" answer? Because I don't. I have the "I'm traveling" and the "I'm freelancing" and the "I'm 100% lying to your face and just talking out of my ass right now" answer. All those "answers" mean I'm currently out of work. Otherwise known as I'm retired.

It's ok. Really. Retirement is exactly how people describe it: fantastic. I can go to coffee shops in the morning and read the paper. I can take meandering walks through the neighborhood with no real purpose. I can nap at 2:17 in the afternoon when everyone at work is hating their life. I can do anything at anytime.

Yes, I might get a little bored of doing exactly what I want to do but I think I'll be ok. And just in case, I've been applying for some new careers. And when you say "fist pump" in an interview how can you not get hired?

SONG OF THE DAY: Matt and Kim - Camera

Stomping Around

2010-08-31T08:38:00.005-04:00

I haven't lived many places. Six different places to be exact. That is a fairly small number of "homes" in my book at least. Or in the book of a lot of people my age. I am just a dedicated liver I guess. And not the organ because we all know my liver hates me.

I have a feeling my "home" number is going to dramatically increase in the near future. Probably similar to a doe-eyed college freshman's number minus the STDs. Actually I might get a STD from the place I live now. Or rather from the skank-ass neighbors that live above me. Excuse me, the skank-ass elephants that live above me.

I'm a loud walker. I would make a horrible thief and not because I look bad in black. Because I am loud and don't like masks. I stomp around and frequently drop things but I am not even close to being as loud as the jackasses that live above me. I'm pretty sure they drop weights on the floor for fun. And I know what that sounds like because I did that to my boyfriend in college at 6:00a.m. when he was being an asshole. That's not being crazy, that's called keeping it real.

I don't know what they do up there but it involves jumping and running and stomping and throwing things on the ground and practicing wrestling moves and I am one day away from throwing things off my ceiling. And two days away from standing on my kitchen counter and tapping on the ceiling with a broom for as long as I possibly can. Yes, this is not mature. And yes, I could probably deal with the constant stomping but what fun would that be?

SONG OF THE DAY: Jamiroquai - White Knuckle Ride

Free Time

2010-08-30T20:19:00.004-04:00

It's weird to have free time. After not having it for two years I don't know how to act. I can't seem to remember what I used to do after work or at all really. Oh yes, it usually involved acting like a complete moron and/or climbing something. It's all coming back to me now, Celine Dion.

This past weekend was the first time I had absolutely nothing to do. I mean not one thing. Like if I wanted to I could have sat in my underwear on a couch and stared at the wall for at least 48 hours and not felt guilty about it. Not once. Now that would have been completely pathetic but that doesn't matter because I could have done it. And after two years of not having more than 48 hours of free time it would have been fantastically wonderful.

Instead of staring I spent the whole weekend doing other very productive things like: wearing a child's bear hat, working on my tan, sitting, drinking vodka, laying, eating, lighting candy cigs on fire for a dollar, drinking vodka, napping, walking, running through the streets, getting a ticket, drawing, and putting together chairs.

SONG OF THE DAY: Ratatat - Drugs

Falling for Fall

2010-08-27T14:08:00.002-04:00

If I could bottle today and keep it forever I would. I love this time of year. The transition from hot summer nights to cool fall days.

Fall has always been my favorite season. The colors. The smell. The temperature. The sweaters. The feeling. It conjures up so many good memories. Better than good memories actually. Especially of the past few years. The kind of memories you get intertwined and lost in. The kind of memories that can't actually be real because it's just not possible.

I can feel fall coming. And as it draws near, I wonder what it's going to look like this year? Different. A lot different...

SONG OF THE DAY: Ra Ra Riot - Foolish

Here I Go Again On My Own...

2010-08-25T11:16:00.003-04:00

I liked my 168 days of perspectives. It not only forced me to pay better attention to my surroundings but forced me to be consistent. Well almost consistent. More like pretty close to almost being consistent. While I love taking pictures, I miss writing. This blog has evolved with me over the 6 years I've been writing it and that's why I keep it. It's my little slice of life... that lucky (or unlucky) for you, you get to experience. So there will be more perspectives and more writing. Just more of me generally because I've missed having good times for your viewing pleasure.

Day 1

2010-08-24T11:32:00.003-04:00

I moved. To a less exciting neighborhood. Out of the city. Not far away but far enough. That the constant buzz I grew to love is just a faint whisper now.

SONG OF THE DAY: Miami Horror - Holiday

Things I Learned at the Beach

2010-08-23T11:30:00.004-04:00

1. Don't start drinking at 3:00p.m.
2. Don't stay at a "motel"
3. Don't pee in an alley
4. Beach cops hand out real fines
5. Don't take your phone on the beach at night
6. Don't try and kayak in the ocean
7. Be sure to shake the lead singer's hand at some point during the night
8. Be-friend bartenders
9. Hot people at the beach are more rare than unicorns
10. Waitresses at Hooters are serious dumb dumbs
11. Never go back to a Hooters
12. Saying "wipe that smirk off your face before I do" is not appropriate to say to someone you just met
13. I can talk to anyone
14. Don't pawn those anyone's off on your friends and skip away
15. I never want to live as a refugee
16. Dancing alone on a dance floor will always be more fun for me than dancing with people
17. I either whisper or shout
18. Ten year olds are fucking annoying

168 Perspectives...

2010-08-12T21:08:00.002-04:00

Day 168:
I went for a walk tonight. That walk quickly turned into a sprint. A full on sprint that seemed to last forever. I'm full of so many emotions that it just happened. Once I finally stopped, I came across him. I don't know who he is or what he's about but I know that feeling--that lost feeling. That unknown feeling. I had it 168 days ago. I was barely breathing 168 days ago. I was walking in a blizzard. An actual blizzard. So caught up in myself that I failed to see all that was around me. Failed to see things were crumbling--lives, loves. Things I didn't even see... until I forced myself to... well... look beyond myself. It may have taken me 168 days but I'm looking beyond myself now. And don't plan on looking back anytime soon.

Thank you for joining me on the ride...

SONG OF THE DAY: DeVotcKa - How It Ends

168 Perspectives...

2010-08-11T20:03:00.003-04:00

Day 167:
one of the first things i put up on the blank walls by my desk. one of the last things i'll take down.

SONG OF THE DAY: Robyn - Hang With Me

168 Perspectives...

2010-08-10T22:15:00.002-04:00

Day 166:

deconstructing.

SONG OF THE DAY: Lo-Fi-Fnk - Sleepless

168 Perspectives...

2010-08-09T21:14:00.002-04:00

Day 165:
home is where the heart is.

SONG OF THE DAY: The Kinks - Sunny Afternoon

168 Perspectives...

2010-08-07T17:16:00.002-04:00

Day 163:
i'll never be unappreciative of the calmness that laying in a park brings.

SONG OF THE DAY: The Naked and The Famous - Young Blood

168 Perspectives

2010-08-06T13:55:00.002-04:00

Day 163:

SONG OF THE DAY: Robyn - Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart (Alicia Keys Cover) . .

168 Perspectives...

2010-08-05T22:55:00.001-04:00

Day 162:
the roof alone is worthy a look-see.

SONG OF THE DAY: Raphael Saadiq - It's a Shame

Dear Grad School

2010-08-03T23:11:00.001-04:00

Hi. Hey. Two years huh? I can't believe it either. How time flies when you let it. I can still remember the anxious anticipation I felt talking about you, looking through your information packet. That feeling was intoxicating. The challenge was undeniable.

I know we've had our differences. I know I've been bitter. I mean you weren't even my idea to begin with. Oh, the things we do to impress. Whatever the reason, I'm glad. You've brought incredible opportunity and heartbreak to my life. Memories that I could never forget. Memories and lessons that are etched not only in my mind but my heart. And for that... I must thank you.

You've been my burden for two years. My crutch. And I'm afraid that now since you've gone, so have I. What do I do next? Where do I go next? You've been the constant. The one thing I've depended on. My better half. I've anticipated the break-up of us. I've known it was coming from day one. I've even counted down till our demise. Hell, I had a party to celebrate. But who knew it would be this hard to let you go?

Maybe because it marks the end of everything that felt right and true during those two years. The end of things I fought so hard for. The end of things I tried so hard to excel at. Maybe it's just the end of everything that was... or maybe it's the beginning. The beginning of the life you've helped me build. The life that helped me finally prove to myself that I was better than good.

So the tears I've cried... they're not for you dear friend. They're for me. They're for me and my beginning.

Always,
Julie

168 Perspectives...

2010-07-31T14:02:00.002-04:00

Day 156:

SONG OF THE DAY: Kid CuDi - Mojo So Dope

168 Perspectives...

2010-07-30T10:21:00.000-04:00

Day 155:

Neon Hitch - Cooler Than Me (Sia vs. Mike Posner)

168 Perspectives...

2010-07-28T20:35:00.002-04:00

Day 152:
liberty tunnel.

SONG OF THE DAY: Arcade Fire - Empty Room

And the winner is...

2010-07-27T23:33:00.002-04:00

lucky comment #9!

Genelle... you are the winner! I'd show you the screen from the random number generator site but I'm using my mother's baby computer and it only has Mircosoft Works on it. I've never even heard of Microsoft Works. So you'll just have to trust my honesty.

So Genelle, just contact me at JulieGong@gmail.com before Noon on Friday, July 30 and you'll be the winner of a free jean certificate from the GAP!

Thanks for entering everyone!

168 Perspectives...

2010-07-24T12:25:00.002-04:00

Day 149:
in case you forget...

SONG OF THE DAY: Little People - Basique

168 Perspectives...

2010-07-22T16:56:00.002-04:00

Day 147:
so much farmey goodness at the farmer's market this afternoon.

SONG OF THE DAY: Ra Ra Riot - Boy [i heart this band so...]

Sun Washed Style

2010-07-21T21:11:00.003-04:00

My mother suggested I wear it with a nice pair of jeans. I suggested I didn't want to wear a Canadian tuxedo. Obviously I don't get my sense of style from my mother...

I came home to a package the other day. My favorite kind of package... one from GAP. I've always been a GAP fan. It was those commercials. I couldn't help but want to dance around in khaki pants and drink coffee out of over-sized mugs. Oh 1994. I miss you.

As you may (or may not know) I am a brand ambassador for GAP. This means I am certifiably cooler than you are. Really though... I am. Because of this, I get the latest and greatest in GAP fashion. The latest summer fashion? Sun bleached denim. I'm not a light wash wearer by any means. I'm already pale enough. But this jean jacket they sent me... I wouldn't want it any other way. It's soft and worn in a way that looks like I've been having great times in it for years. Me likie.

Oh so you want some sun bleached denim from GAP? Well... today is your lucky day. I'm giving someone a chance to pick up some sun-bleached GAP JEANS! So exciting!

All you have to do is...
1. leave a comment telling me how you're "lightening up your summer?"
2. leave your name and email address
3. winner will be drawn at random at 5:00p.m. on Tuesday, July 27 2010

*Must be a U.S. resident to be eligible.

*GAP gave me the jean jacket for free. For FREE! All these thoughts are my own.

168 Perspectives...

2010-07-19T22:00:00.002-04:00

Day 144:
rain delay.

168 Perspectives...

2010-07-18T18:02:00.002-04:00

Day 143:
creative airspace.

SONG OF THE DAY: Paper Tigers - The Bully Plank

168 Perspectives...

2010-07-16T14:28:00.000-04:00

Day 141:
see that? kobe beef meatloaf at avenue b. go get it. you can take the onions off. happy birthday dinner in july. really...

SONG OF THE DAY: Tokyo Police Club - Wait Up (RAC Mix)

168 Perspectives...

2010-07-15T09:12:00.000-04:00

Day 140:
movement. forward movement to be exact.

SONG OF THE DAY: Dragonette - Easy (Fabian Remix)

168 Perspectives

2010-07-09T16:15:00.002-04:00

Day 134:

SONG OF THE DAY: Sky Ferreira - Animal (Miike Snow cover)

168 Perspectives

2010-07-08T15:52:00.003-04:00

Day 133:

tunes. beers. friends. a healthy combination for good times.

SONG OF THE DAY: Calvin Harris - The Rain

168 Perspectives...

2010-07-07T21:09:00.001-04:00

Day 132:

night fever.

SONG OF THE DAY: Kelly Rowland - Commander

168 Perspectives...

2010-07-05T21:39:00.003-04:00

Day 130:
driving while taking pictures is a delicate science.

SONG OF THE DAY: Radical Face - Welcome Home, Son

168 Perspectives...

2010-07-04T21:32:00.005-04:00

Day 129:

doing my duty as an american... watching fireworks from the best view in pittsburgh.

SONG OF THE DAY: Bob Dylan - Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

168 Perspectives...

2010-07-02T13:04:00.004-04:00

Day 127:

SONG OF THE DAY: The Temper Trap - Love Lost . .

168 Perspectives...

2010-06-30T16:55:00.003-04:00

Day 125:
the insides of a bank vault lock.

SONG OF THE DAY: Tame Impala - Solitude Is Bliss

168 Perspectives...

2010-06-29T22:46:00.001-04:00

Day 124:

a new window can lead to an entirely new perspective.

SONG OF THE DAY: Fanfarlo - Finish Line

168 Perspectives...

2010-06-28T23:03:00.002-04:00

Day 123:
the south side hills are alive...

SONG OF THE DAY: Geographer - Kites

Vacation All I Ever Wanted

2010-06-24T16:15:00.001-04:00

Vacation is a wonderful thing. Vacation as an adult is an even more wonderful thing [read: booze]. Vacationing as an adult with your parents is well... different? It's not different bad or different good. It's just different. Like you're stuck in a time warp where you're not sure if you want to die or stay forever because while you're parents are paying for your dinners, they also tell you to be home by 11:00p.m.

My family never went on many vacations growing up. I guess riding in the car while my brother and I tried to kill each other in the backseat was not my parent's idea of a great time. And people say I'm dramatic. I never even came close to killing him by the way although he most certainly deserved it at the time.

When we did go on vacation it was either to a historical battlefield or the beach. I don't know about you but historical battlefields are just about the most awful fucking thing you could ever visit as a kid. Why do parents think that is fun? I mean walking around a field in 90 degree weather looking at people dressed in 30 layers of clothes churning butter is a real swell time if you ask me. Thank you parents for filling my summer with education!

When we were lucky enough to hang up our colonial clothes, we went to Cape May, New Jersey. If you haven't noticed in recent years, I'm pale. And so is the rest of my family. We have beautiful pale ivory skin. Basically we glow so needless to say the beach isn't really our best pal. On more than one occasions I've left the beach with a red hand print on some part of my body for lack of sun screen applying patience. Lucky for us Cape May had a variety of other things to do if you are 97 years old. A child's dream! Now I'm being dramatic. Not really though.

This time I didn't mind so much that my first family vacation in 14 years was going to be in Cape May. If you don't know, Cape May is the oldest historical seaside vacation spot. It is filled with Victorian houses and Russians. Every little girl's dream! Since I neither of those things are very exciting, I tried to eat my body weight in seafood. And I must say it was wonderful. I had clams, mussels, oysters, lobster, shrimp, crab--if it swims it was in my mouth at some point over those five days.

In addition to mercury poisoning, I enjoyed some cocktails. Surprise. One particular night I took my dad to dinner. After dinner I took my dad to a pub where he consumed bloody mary's and I consumed vodka waters. Since I've built somewhat of a tolerance to my summer drink, I was not nearly as shitfaced as my dad. Shocker, I know. Now if anyone was ever confused as to whether I was my father's child the following proves it: he made me dance. It is not often that you are transported to a land full of magic where you get to witness a parent act absolutely ridiculous. This might have been my one opportunity and lucky for you I had my camera. Here are the best 57 seconds of your life.

Dance Fever from Julie Gong on Vimeo.

168 Perspectives...

2010-06-18T12:58:00.000-04:00

Day 113:
perfect sunset to a perfect vacation.

168 Perspectives...

2010-06-17T13:02:00.002-04:00

Day 112:

168 Perspectives...

2010-06-16T13:04:00.002-04:00

Day 111:
there is nothing better than a good pub in my book. and this one is far from ugly.