Steel Magnolias and Velveeta

Retirement.

2010-11-07T10:41:00.003-06:00

Hi there. Long story short:

I switched positions at my work. This was an unexpected happening but also an answered prayer. My life is much less stressful. It's given me a chance to actually work on things I need to get done and have the emotional freedom to do them all well.

That being said, I have been super busy outside of work getting things in order at mah home, acting stuff, writing stuff, improv stuff, you name it. This is leaving me very little time to blog. It also doesn't help that my new position at work leaves me with no internet access. I don't even have time to read the ridiculous amount of blogs I subscribe to on my Google reader or even check Facebook that much (probably a good thing).

So I'm done for awhile.

Maybe I'll come back. Maybe with a new blog. Maybe not. We'll see.

Au Revoir for now!

Making It Work

2010-10-24T22:23:00.002-05:00

I put peddle to metal and got the main walls finished, done, painted, FINITE today. I then took it one step further and organized two bookshelves, swept, added more junk to the pile of "why am I still holding on to this" and just kicked some all around condio booty. Not finished, but did good.

I'm real proud of myself.

It was difficult. It's difficult to paint walls when there isn't a place to move furniture to so it's out of the way. I did a lot of creative gymnastics to get everything accomplished. It's also difficult to leave of pile of "why am I still holding on to this" crap in a corner, when that corner needs to be multi-purposed for actual everyday use. In the words of my most favoritist of TV personalities, "make it work."

Hi Tim.

That's the look he gets right before he says those beautiful words.

It's true though. We all gotta make it work. Personally, things are not ideal a lot of the time. I'm an actor. I would like to be paid to be on a hit TV show and make movies on my Summer breaks, and someday only make movies and write them and be able to take actual vacations to Hawaii or London or Paris or Prague.

But, that's not my current situation. So I make it work. Right now it's by pouring most of my frustrated energy into having fun with my condio. Don't ask me what I'll do when I finish all my condio projects. Cause...I don't know where I'll be able to vent frustrations in a productive manner after this.

So for now....turn up this jam and dance.

Too much candy...

2010-10-23T14:51:00.003-05:00

I'm munching on used to be melted, now solidified again, Halloween candy. I need to stop. I can't stop eating it and I can't stop staring at this living room:

(apartmenttherapy - Keely's Parisian Chic VOTE 4 it!)

I love it. I'm obsessed with it. I've wanted a black wall forever. I keep listening to people tell me a shouldn't paint a wall black, "it will be so depressing." Too bad so sad friends. I'm finally gonna do it.

Kombuchwhat?

2010-10-21T20:44:00.002-05:00

I've been drinking the GT's Kombucha lately. Now that it's back at the Whole Foods that is.

I saw people drinking it before. People like Bethenny Frankel (you watch it, don't lie), my friend Jillian, Lincoln Park stroller moms who don't actually have a stroller their nanny does that, you know...all those people.

Then the drink was pulled from shelves for not being honest about the tiny minuscule amount of alcohol in it. I mean, the label did say it was "fermented" so really, what did people think that meant?

Anyway, it's back on the shelves and I obliged. I obliged several times. I really like it. It makes me feel good inside.

Problem: it's pricey. It's like buying a vente latte every morning. So I don't. I can maybe MAYBE buy one a week. Also, it does make me burp. But not near as much as I thought. It actually just made me feel a little jittery and really clean. Sounds weird, but it's true.

Part of me feels like this is one of those things that rich waspy people do. That it's not really healthy for me etc, but the label says it's healthy. So I believe it. I'm not a Kombucha expert. I assume GT (the brand) is so they know more than I do on the subject. If the Russian/Chinese/Japanese cultures of the world have sung it's praises for hundreds of years, why can't I sing along with them?

Bottoms up!

Ladies...

2010-10-20T22:01:00.003-05:00

And if that's not enough for you...

And you guys, I don't even think she was actually in Germany when she filmed this! She's amazing!!

Breeeeeathe

2010-10-19T09:04:00.003-05:00

(evajuliet)

I love this print. It looks kind of manly, like it would be hung in a barbershop. It's also very girly to me because I consider myself girly and I am very attracted to art prints with words. I have several prints I've ordered that include sayings or words.

Side note, my great grandpa owned a barber shop. Holla.

Life!Life!Life!

2010-10-18T08:33:00.003-05:00

artwork by Jandy

Look at that sweeet piece of art. John made this for me for my birthday and put it in a frame. He made it in Excel. EXCEL! The man is a pixel art genius. The coin count at the top is our anniversary. He's a neat boyfriend. Perhaps I should keep him.

This week I'm pushing my organizing and cleaning and painting of the condio. Believe it or not, I'm still not done painting. Probably because I haven't been that organized about much lately. I'm getting better. I read the blog Apartment Therapy as much as I can (it's amazing, read it). The guy who came up with the blog/runs the blog/owns the blog, wrote this book:

I started it a long time ago, but only got past the first two chapters. I'm determined to finish it. At the beginning of the book he tells this story about a guy who couldn't get his life or work together after a break-up and his home in turn was a disaster. He got his home together and not only did his emotions begin to heal, but he got tons of work coming his way.

I'm not saying that getting my condio in full working order as a place that reflects my personal style and taste will get me acting jobs and I'm not going through a break-up. I would however like to come home, throw my purse on the couch and not have to stare at a wall with five paint colors on it and a bag of clothes that needs to be taken to Salvation Army like yesterday.

2010-10-17T19:36:00.002-05:00

Birthday Week has ended.

I am exhausted, motivated, many pounds heavier (thank you multiple birthday dinners), and also really thirsty.

I'm not thrilled to be beginning this week. I'm REALLY FREAKING HOMESICK.

It's insane. It's bad. I'm sad. I want my mom and my dad and Texas. Like, yesterday.

I promise to make this the last time I whine about being so homesick lately. I'll never get past it if I keep talking about it so much.

On that note, enjoy these lovely musical sounds.

Nighty night y'all. Rest up so we can party next weekend all over again...for some reason I'll make up halfway through the week.

Happy Birthday to Yours Truly

2010-10-14T23:36:00.002-05:00

(paisleybeetle)

It's mah birthday, pop the champagne.

Posts will NOT be daily because I'm celebrating.

Yipeeeeee!

Dream No More

2010-10-12T18:13:00.004-05:00

Growing up I watched lots of old TV shows thanks to my dad. One of my favorites was Get Smart.

I had this secret dream that when I got older I would play Agent 99 in the movie remake of Get Smart. I would take my dad to the premiere and Don Adams would be there and I would introduce him to my dad.

Thanks Anne Hathaway for being a dream crusher.

Thanks.

From the bottom of my heart.

Thanks.

Yes, I know that Don Adams passed away before the remake came out. This is all Anne Hathaway's fault, regardless.

It's Birthday Week Y'all

2010-10-11T08:16:00.010-05:00

As I mentioned yesterday, the beginning of this week is rather hectic for me. It's all good. Just lots of lines to memorize and then promptly execute.

I felt a little thrown off yesterday because it was damn warm. I didn't grow up with a real fall. I grew up in Texas and moved to Southern California shortly after high school so fall was not part of my vocab. HOWEVER, my body needs the change. It needs the cooler weather, the leaves changing, the crisp smell in the air. I need the weather to change and inspire me to make changes.

Cheesy. Yes. True. Also yes.

This week is also pretty exciting because it's my birthday week. This Thursday I get older. Pretty exciting that I've made it another year.

I read this post on Habitually Chic recently and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy in inside. This quote also made me proud to be an October baby:

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October." - Nathaniel Hawthorne

Ah, wouldn't it be grand to be sitting right there all day reading a book? Oh well. Let the day begin and let me be oh so happy about it. After I finish my coffee. And eat something. And take a shower. And memorize some lines. And pay some bills. And well...you get the idea.

(P.S. Blogger is once again the stupidest thing ever. It won't let me NOT type in italics right now. Even if I type this elsewhere and paste it, it switches it to italics. I HATE BLOGGER. I even went into Edit HTML and took out the part that is making it italic. IT'S STILL FREAKIN' ITALIC.)

Moving and Shaking

2010-10-10T14:13:00.002-05:00

For me the first few days of this week are PACKED. I'll officially be running at full speed. This song gives me that drive. I hear it and I feel like I have to move in fast motion.

I wish there was an official music video for this song. Janelle Monae is amazing, and her videos are AWESOME. I just watched the one for Cold War:

Beautiful.

Two songs for this Sunday? Y'all are lucky.

Pumpkins and More Pumpkins!

2010-10-09T18:19:00.004-05:00

There is pumpkin everywhere.

There was pumpkin in my last post.

I'm getting excited because it's the time of year for a Molly tradition: Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake.

It's like the best pumpkin pie you'll ever have. In fact, if you don't like pumpkin pie you'll like this. I promise. I know people who can vouch for that statement.

Here's Paula's famous recipe:

Ingredients:

Cake:

1 (18 1/4-ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 egg
8 tablespoons butter, melted

Filling:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with an electric mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

To make the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter, and beat together. Next, add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mix well. Spread pumpkin mixture over cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Make sure not to overbake as the center should be a little gooey.

Serve with fresh whipped cream.

recipe courtesy of paula deen.

This is best the next morning, fresh out of the refridgerator with a giant cup of coffee and whipped cream stirred together. Just sayin...

Texas, My Texas

2010-10-08T09:13:00.005-05:00

It's no secret that I'm a Texan and proud of it. Texas is amazing. If you've never been, you're losing out.

I'm SUPER homesick right now. The last time I was able to go home was May. I won't be going home until December. That is an eternity to me.

One of my dearest friends was married around Halloween a few years ago. I spent the day after her wedding carving pumpkins with her and her husband. Guess what I carved:

No, not the smiley face. The Texas. My lopsided little Texas.

Texas I miss you! My heart is with you always.

That's all.

Green Tea

2010-10-07T08:33:00.002-05:00

My grandmother is the reason I drink coffee. She fed it to me as a wee child. Recently during a phone call with her she said she has switched to green tea in the morning because it's not as harsh.

This morning I also decided to try green tea instead of coffee. My green tea is from Argo, and too sweet, and very gingery. I love Argo Tea. This tea is just okay. It has ginger pieces in it. Now that I'm down to the bottom of the cup I keep taking big sips with ginger pieces in it that feel super strange in mah mouth.

The main part though, I'm definitely not awake and I've finished the whole cup. Argh-ooooo!

Oh You Silly

2010-10-06T08:46:00.005-05:00

Sometimes when I read the Red Eye, I have the urge to find some Silly Putty, press it against the paper, hold it up to a mirror and then read it.

It might the Red Eye more interesting OR more factual.

Feel The Power

2010-10-05T08:53:00.009-05:00

I like using power tools. I like being handy. Growing up I would watch Bob Vila with my dad. Bob Vila is the sh*t y'all.

I don't own any power tools. I have dreams of renting tile saws, circular saws, staple guns, things I have absolutely no need for at this point.

Actually that's not entirely true. I would like to make extra money by restoring old gross flea market furniture and selling it on Craigslist and Ebay to people who have too much money to burn. I just don't have a place in which to restore furniture nor the time and money to start figuring out how the best ways to restore furniture.

I never realized until today though that so many fun tools come in so many fun colors:

Maybe someday I'll be a regular girly Bob Vila, who stars on a hit one hour drama on AMC.

It's real buzzy at the beginning, but it gets better. Oh Bob...

Blahblahblah

2010-10-04T08:48:00.007-05:00

I seemed to be in a bit of a funk this week. I don't have anything particularly exciting going on this week so maybe that's why.

I need some excitement!

At least I can just close my eyes and relive my skydive.

I have to say...sometimes when things get really bad or I'm a little down, I remember what it felt like to jump out of an airplane. Seriously, things slide into perspective real quick.

Also, saying I'm in a "funk" is a cop out. I honestly believe I have a choice in how I feel. I can choose to stay funky or just force myself to be happy. May the force be with me. And you, if you need it.

Higher Altitudes

2010-10-03T11:29:00.005-05:00

Songs! Because it's Sunday!

This song came on my iPod today and it made me happy. So peaceful and sweet. It was pretty chilly all weekend and even though it's supposed to warm up a little this week, we all know that Fall is coming.

Jessie Baylin is a great singer/songwriter. I adore her voice. She's also, supposedly, ScarJo's bff. WHOA. Not really that big of a deal.

OH.

For those of you wondering, I in fact made an apple pie. I couldn't let the delicious fall apples pass me by. That being said I had never made an applie pie before. I opted for a caramel apple pie. I messed up my apple layering though. It turned out to mainly be a caramel pie with some apple added. Still really good. :)

I also managed to blog every day this week. I promise I won't throw the daily themes in your face anymore. They will just be the inspiration.

Enjoy the start to a new week!

Pumpkins or Apples?

2010-10-02T13:35:00.003-05:00

Sweets! Because it's a SWEET Saturday!

I found a delicious sounding recipe for Pumpkin Cupcakes:

Ingredients

Makes 18

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together, brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, and eggs. Add dry ingredients, and whisk until smooth. Whisk in pumpkin puree.
Divide batter evenly among liners, filling each about halfway. Bake until tops spring back when touched, and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes, rotating pans once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.

Thank you Martha.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to use a regular cream cheese icing or this yummy maple sounding icing, thank you Ina .

Now that I'm home and making an ingredient list I'm suddenly feeling guilty. Apples are still in season. I should probably make something with yummy tasty delicious apples. They don't always taste this good. But apple cupcakes don't sound as appetizing you know? I could make an apple pie...hmmm...wait a sec....

AHHHH!

I'll let you know what I decide.

That FACE!

2010-10-01T08:44:00.006-05:00

Friday is all about what makes the heart sing.

This little guy basically has my whole heart. At least the part that his big sister doesn't have.

Mr. Gavin, my nephew in case you haven't heard me sing his name a million times a day, is knocking on 6 months now. I've only gotten to see him for one short trip since he was born. Gah, look at that old man face and tell me you don't love it? I DARE you.

Sometimes I think that I am missing something and that I shouldn't be here anymore and I should be where my little niece and nephew and the rest of my family are.

Then I remember how ticked off they would all be at me if I gave up pursuing my dreams to spend more time with them. They wouldn't spend time with anymore and it would defeat the whole purpose.

Besides, I'm supposed to be working toward supporting my parents in a "lifestyle they would like to become accustomed too." Those are my dads words.

I also want to be the kick-ass aunt who makes and buys kick-ass Christmas presents.

Cheers!

2010-09-30T09:12:00.004-05:00

I'm thirstday. Yeah, I meant it that way.

I like having cocktails. I think it's fun and makes me feel like a cool kid. That being said, I don't like fruity girl drinks. Don't like them. I mean, every once in awhile they're okay, but I like a little manly alcoholy taste to my cocktail. Sometimes really sweet drinks just taste like sugar to me.

One of my favorites: The Manhattan.

Here's a simple recipe for one of the greats:

Dash angostura bitters
2 lemon twists
4 ounces bourbon whisky
1 ounce sweet vermouth
Ice
2 maraschino cherries

Pour 1 drop of bitters into each of 2 tall stemmed cocktail glasses and swirl to coat the inside of the glass. Pour any remaining bitters from the glasses. Rub the lemon peel over the rims of each glass and place inside the glass.

In a cocktail shaker, combine the bourbon, vermouth, and 6 cubes of ice. Shake well until mixed and chilled, about 30 seconds. Strain and divide the mixture between the 2 glasses. Garnish each glass with stemmed cherry and serve.

recipe from emeril lagasse

Snacks!

2010-09-29T09:04:00.006-05:00

Wednesdays theme is to go Wayback. Wayback could mean something from 5 years ago, something from 20 years ago, something from 100 years ago.

Today's memory is all about my favorite snack. I ate a lot as a child. I did. Each morning was either 10-12 bowls of cereal or 6-8 bowls of oatmeal or cream of wheat. I was also a skinny tiny child, cause I know what you were thinking.

Whenever I cam home from school I would have what I still think is the best snack every, slices of velveeta melted on a bagel. Yuuuuummmm...

You're thinking, "that looks disgusting." My mom and I are thinking, "don't knock it til you try it."

Seriously. I bought some today so I could relive my memrees. Julia Cameron style*.

I did buy wheat bagels though. As a kid it was bad for ya white bread bagels ALL THE WAY. Gotta do what I can. Also, this is a really cheap filling meal. It's not healthy but it's cheap. Cheap is what I need nowadays.

*The Artist's Way. You're not really a writer until you've committed to that book and lived it and breathed it and beat yourself up over it. I kind of honestly believe that.

I Would Run Too

2010-09-28T08:47:00.002-05:00

So Tuesdays theme is....

Tomboy Tuesday (CHEESE CHEESE!)

Tuesday is to celebrate men that rock or manly things that rock.

This video may not seem very "manly." Originally I had written a post about the versatility of suit jackets, but then I saw this video. The facial reactions of every man in this video are...priceless. The judge's reaction at the end, when the touching of the...the things...begins, is my favorite.

Busty Heart on Das Supertalent- by nappyxheadedxho for ONTD
Uploaded by samiam2546. - Classic TV and last night's shows, online.

Today we're going to celebrate the men in this video. Cause they made me laugh and everyone needs a good laugh now and then.

A Very Monolgue-y Monday

2010-09-27T22:53:00.013-05:00

I have this new idea for the blog, and it gives it a theme, and it gives it some all around loveliness. I love and adore lots of things and most of them are unrelated to each other.

In my quest to blog 7 days a week, here is the deal. Steel Magnolia’s and Velveeta is getting some new shoes in the form of daily themes. I could reveal them all right now, but I’ll let you enjoy them as they make their debuts. Since today is Monday here’s a glance at Molly Monday (yes, the names are this cheesy because I like cheesy things).

Mondays will feature something awesome from my weekend, something awesome coming up this week, something awesome that happened that day, or the exact opposites: cruddy, ranty, sucky things that need a space to live for awhile.

Today’s Molly Monday features this:

I spent two and a half hours tonight taping a monologue for a casting, contest, webseries something or other. This is just a still from the vid. I’ll put the whole video up later, once I know it’s okay to do that. For now, enjoy that ugly face mug.

Monologues are a funny thing. Really, can one show an entire range of acting ability in a one minute monologue? No, no, one cannot. But apparently that is the way it is, so that’s the way we role.

I had to write an original monologue for a virtual acting showcase once. I’ve since used it in a real audition. I also booked that real audition. Nevermind that I didn’t accept the project once I read the script and realized I had to run around in my skivies for some college kids. I have standards y’all. For real. No offense college kids but I want to build my reel with things that don’t make directors think I’m interested in porn or Skinemax.

There is nothing wrong if you think porn is your calling. It’s your life. You should do what you want with it.

Also, that original monologue was inspired from my favorite short film I’ve ever written. In a nutshell it was about the ghost of Mary Kay murdering a woman for selling Avon. Very light and fun, like me.

As for the themes, I will say now I reserve the right to switch things up every once in awhile. As much as we would like life to be so simple, things happen and inspiration falls to new things. I’m going to keep it going strong most of the time but every once in awhile, I’ll throw in a loop a two.

It’s on.

P.S. I'm so TICKED off at blogger right now. I just spent an hour trying to format this stupid blog post so all the stupid text would match even though it DID match, and LOOKS like it's all the same in the preview box. Oh Blogger, Ima ticked atta you. You betta go hideaway.

2010-09-26T23:35:00.002-05:00

Uuuuuugggghhhh.

I just discovered this beautifully tear-jerking rendition of one of my favorite beautifully tear-jerking songs.

Uuuuuugggghhh.

I'm trying to wind down on a Sunday night. I spent most of today cleaning and memorizing a monologue. Tomorrow will be much of the same with a little 6 hour workday in the middle. I want it to be Sunday night forever. Sunday nights are the best. Everyone's lazing, watching TV, taking bubble baths, digesting large delicious meals...everyday and every night should be a Sunday night.

2010-09-21T09:22:00.003-05:00

I'm having a Dido moment.

I've been struggling to find a "theme" for my blog. I don't think my life is interesting enough and most of the blogs I read have themes like, "interior design," "celebrity gossip," or "food."

Then again, Rachel Zoe has an entire show only about her and her life. All she does on that show is work. How interesting is that...really?

Well, she does have celebrities sometimes.

Celebrities could come into my life sometimes.

You don't know.

They could.

2010-09-19T16:29:00.003-05:00

I've been homesick a lot lately.

This song reminds me of home.

Hey Texas, I miss you.

Also, I want real queso. Not "queso fresco" or whatever that crap is Chicago restaurants try to pass off as queso. It's not queso. Someone ship the real stuff to me. Please.

2010-09-14T13:46:00.003-05:00

You guys, it's models.

My agency had a party. Like the kind of party wear people wear sunglasses inside and your name has to be on "the list" party.

I had never been to one of those before. It was awesome. Also hilarious. I didn't think I was going to know anyone either, but thankfully the universe had other plans and I ran into several people I knew. Free drinks and fancy looking people who think they are badass (myself included, I bought a new "hip" outfit) equals, greatness.

There was also a fashion show. This was the end of the fashion show.

You guys, I've been to a fashion show. You know. No big deal or anything.

I'M JUST WINNING RIGHT NOW.

That's all.

2010-09-09T11:18:00.001-05:00

Yep. Uh-huh. Yes.

2010-09-08T09:40:00.003-05:00

One should always ask oneself if they care about what is going on around them. If one finds oneself not caring, one should proceed to walk away. Even if it is just to grab a Pumpkin Spice Latte and are forced to return once that transaction has taken place. It will be worth it.

The Year of Molly.

2010-08-31T17:08:00.015-05:00

This is a picture of me taken somewhere between 13,000-14,000 feet above the earth.

This is me conquering the world.

Just a little inspiration for the year.

Now, how bout I not blog for forever?

Recently (meaning the beginning of August) I declared this year (August 2010-August 2011) the Year of Molly. I have lots of goals, back-up goals, just really all around goals that I intend on conquering this year.

2010-08-14T23:01:00.003-05:00

This is part of my very first Chicago apartment. It's actually the only other apartment I've lived in here, until my fabulous new condio. It was Christmastime: lights around the window and my little silver and white Christmas tree candles (teeny tiny, on the table).

I found a few pictures of my first apartment and noticed how organized everything was. Everything had a place. The pictures were hung, the shelves were arranged, everything had a home in mah home.

After perusing these photos for awhile I looked up and saw my current living situation:

An empty desk that needs to be taken to Good Will, piles of paint supplies, piles of paperwork and office supplies, dirty dishes, a bag of clothes for Good Will, a couple of half painted walls, art prints still in mailing tubes and empty shelves. I became immediately disgusted with myself and began an organizing spree.

I hope it lasts a loooooooooooooong time.

We shall see...

2010-08-10T16:40:00.002-05:00

I picked this photo at random from my computer. Yes that's me. You've now seen me at my worst. I had just gotten my wisdom teeth out and was instructed to gnaw on tea bags.

Those are not fangs, they are the strings from the tea bags.

That is not blood, I was gnawing on Passion tea bags from the Bucks.

2010-08-09T14:52:00.002-05:00

Meet my boyfriend John. Isn't he cute? So cute he needs to be eaten.

2010-08-06T12:01:00.003-05:00

This is the view from my "desk." My "desk" is really my breakfast bar.

I'm taking a lot of time off from day-job work this month to work on real life work: writing, music, agenting (securing additional), and other acting pursuits. It's nice to focus on the things I care about in life more.

That being said, this morning I have accomplished the following:

1) Slept in.
2) Coffee
3) Cleaned the kitchen
4) Uploaded an episode of Friday Night Lights to my iPod for viewing at the gym
5) Watched an episode of For Rent, Bethenny Getting Married, and The Glades
6) Read some blogs
7) Sent e-mail to agent
8) Blogged

Only 1 of these things accomplishes the real reason I have today off. I'll get to the rest though. I did only wake up 2 hours ago. I also did several of these at the same time. Multi-tasking is something I do well and far too often.

2010-08-05T07:15:00.002-05:00

A picture not from my phone!

Miami. John, a couple friend, and I went there last year. On the last day, John and I snuck into a fancy hotel pool and stared at trees. These were the trees.

Miami is great. Miami is expensive. Miami should probably be saved for when I am rich.

Sweeter Than Sugar Pie

2010-08-04T09:56:00.002-05:00

This is picture text from my momma. That's my dad (aka: Grandpa) hanging with Lyndie and Gavin.

I. Heart. This. Picture.

That's all.

Times Square

2010-08-03T10:27:00.006-05:00

I was inspired to partake in this little idea for the month of Augus t. I apologize that my pics will be cell phone pics. My camera is unusable at the mo and has been for some time.

Let's here it for Times Square!

I had never been there at night, so this past weekend while visiting I walked there at 2am with a friend. I almost find it more overwhelming during the day than at night. The first time I ever visited I was in shock that lights could be so bright during daylight hours. At night I sort of expected it I guess. Still crazy and still too ridiculous.

My friend Dan who I was walking with works in advertising. He had never been to Times Square before. I have to admit, hearing him talk about the advertising business and relating it to Times Square gave me a whole new perspective.

Also, I've come to the conclusion I don't really desire to have my face on any lighty lighted billboard in Times Square. So for those of you working on my billboard, you can stop. We'll save it for somewhere else. Maybe Miami? We'll discuss soon, promise.

FALSE.

2010-07-23T20:19:00.004-05:00

No one finds out about an audition two weeks prior to the date.

Sorry I've been absent. Went to Texas. I don't do ANYTHING while I'm in Texas except eat and watch trashy television. Shut your mouth and stop the protesting. I do not ONLY eat and watch trashy television on a regular basis. Sometimes I go to auditions (I get 5-24 hours notice) and wake up early to sit at a desk...and eat while I watch trashy television.

Fireflies

2010-07-06T16:10:00.002-05:00

Why does a cheesy emo-ey top 40 hit make me smile so much?

Even Ke$ha does it these days. She’s not emo but for sure not “credible.”

I wish that I was joking, but I’m not.

Something about the simplicity of the chords, the lyrics that don’t apply at all to my life, and the weird hope you can feel the performer emitting. Their little hope that says, “I’m probably not the best musician, I may not really be able to sing even. You don’t know that because of Pro-tools and my producer over-producing my mix. Regardless, I get to do something fun for a living! Help me do that! Come see me live and buy a t-shirt because I really don’t make that much money off of record sales!”

I like these things right now.

Fireflies by Owl City, Break Your Heart by Taio Cruz and Luda(cris), Your Love Is My Drug by Ke$ha, California Girls by Katy Perry....

I’m a regular 16 year old suburban girl so happy for Summer, but secretly waiting for school to start so I can reinvent myself yet another year in a row.

Ahhhh, the joys of being a 16 year old....

I’m not ashamed to admit my bad music taste. I have it sometimes. I also have very good taste. The bad taste passes in phases. The good taste is always there. Like Dave Brubeck. Dave Brubeck is always in good taste in my book.

Not to bring it down BUT:

Lady Gaga does not feel like these other pop sensations to me. She feels...kind of...dirty. Like the mean girl on the playground who stands by the one good climbing rope so nobody else can use it. She doesn’t use it either. She just stands there. So no one else can use it.

You might be thinking Ke$ha feels this way too. She doesn’t. She doesn’t know what she’s getting herself into yet. She’s still “green.” Give a year and another album or two and she’ll be hot on the Gaga’s heels to mean girl territory. Until then, your love is my drug.

Don't actually watch this video. It's creepy. Press play and switch back to the other blog you were reading.

The Drama Of No Drama

2010-06-28T15:55:00.002-05:00

I'm not a drama person. I'm just not. I will gossip with the best of them, cry when my DVR cuts off the ends of my shows, and throw my mascara during once-a-month fits of rage. But as far as getting along with others, I'm drama free. I don't like it and don't have time for it.

I've had drama friends. We all have. You know the ones. You're out, having a nice time, and all of sudden they are mad at someone else in the group for talking to someone else who they actually like but because they are "drama friends" and there are margarita's around, it suddenly becomes the knock down drama drag out of the year. Every night you're out with this person. I avoid friends like these.

The people you choose to be friends with are easy to manage though. You've chosen them. You either accept their flaws as they accept yours and grow buds of friendy-friend petals OR you realize the flaws are too great and you're at a point in your own life where your flaws are so great you can't deal with their great flaws.

The hard thing comes when the drama comes from people you can't choose. You might be thinking: family. I'm thinking: co-workers. I'm very fortunate to have a family that is drama-free. We just don't have deep-seated drams. I'm lucky that way and I count my blessings everyday.

Co-workers, corporate America, Hell, whatever you want to refer to it as, it's not your choice. For example, take my situation. I'm an actor, but not a well-paid one majority of the time. Therefore, I work in le office. I choose to work in an office because retail does not offer flexible schedules and being waiter means I have to watch every episode of Top Chef much later than the original air date and time. I want it to be my CHOICE to watch shows days later, not a necessity.

Enter my slice of the corporate pie.

I listen and hear about this drama, that drama, this person, that person, oh guess what so and so did, ALL DAY. All day. Sometimes, I am pulled into the drama because it involves some sort of aspect of my job. It's like these people don't have lives. They hate their jobs just as much as they hate everything outside of their job. Everything is a big deal and every problem has a solution that causes a greater problem and no solution. I wish that I could go into detail but I can't right here.

Several years ago (not long after I began at this gem of pie piece) I made a pact with myself to not care and not get involved. So I don't.

Not getting involved and not caring causes way too much drams you guys.

I get so worked up and upset about trying not to care, hearing things I don't care about and being dragged into something I have nothing to do with that my shoulders and back are tense and I can't enjoy my lunch breaks for fear of what drama I will have to avoid when I walk back into the building.

I am actor. I should be going to work, coming home and everything is roses, except for occasionally when sh*t happens and something isn't roses for a day or two.

Instead, I come to work, handle way too much responsibility (whole other blog post there) and drama, come home, spend two hours trying to un-tense my shoulders and brain, only to realize it's time to sleep before the next wave of nightmarish Hell begins.

Avoiding things is not healthy but getting involved and feeding unnecessary drama is also not healthy.

The avoiding drama is killing me. Maybe literally.

My Little Secret

2010-06-24T16:18:00.001-05:00

I have this thing. The majority of people in my life right now don't know this about me.
I only ever want to hang out in places that would play St. Germain or any music from the Saint Germain Des Pres Cafe series of discs. These two things are only related by similar names, they are not the same.

Example:

This is a live version of St. Germain performing his song Sure Thing.

That. That's the only kind of place I want to hang out.

So that kind of makes me a nu-jazz, house, weirdo.

I don't care.

Chances are if you see me hanging in a Wrigleyville bar, I am thinking:

There's not enough white decor.

There are not enough candles.

I do not like sports that much (anymore).

If I order a martini I will be judged.

They probably don't even have champagne.

I want to be wearing heels and cute shiny black or cream colored dress.

There is no dance floor. How can I create a dance floore?

Oh we're leaving now. Well, all the better then.

I promise I'm not a snob. I just know what I like.

Rainy Day...

2010-06-23T07:43:00.008-05:00

Tascha

It's rainy. I enjoy rain so much. Not only is it rainy but when I walked out of my home this morning the sky was beautifully black and gray. The stormy kind of rain is my absolute favorite. Especially right now because it's reflecting my inner turmoil. Turmoil meaning I'm trying to get out of a rock and a rockier place with my job.

Enter my Etsy search. I really like Etsy. It's awesome and I've purchased several awesome things through there, all art prints. My budget is tight these days so since I can't purchase these items myself, I'll put them here in hopes that one of the 3 people who read this might purchase them instead.
blancucha

michelemaule

groundwork

emilyjanowiak

Enjoy this rainy Wednesday.

My Long Distance Lover

2010-06-22T15:22:00.004-05:00

photo from this adorable Etsy shop.

I often joke that I have a long distance relationship. His name is New York City. We hardly see each other, but our bond is so strong there is no reason to break up just yet. Besides, we really should live in the same place before we decide this relationship isn't worth pursuing anymore.

I don't know what it is about him that made me fall in love so hard.

The first time we met was by a series of events that some might call a disaster but I call fate. I was flying from Los Angeles, California to Tirana, Albania (final destination was Erseke, but couldn't fly there, had to take a bus). My crew and I were to change planes in Newark, NJ. But alas, we were delayed due to weather. Even though we made it on time for our next flight, that flight was international AND another airline. They would not let us through security or check our bags since it was less than an hour before the plane was due to depart. There was lots of yelling (I mean, a lot) and some manipulating until finally Continental provided us a hotel and some food vouchers*.

Our new flight did not leave until 9pm the next night. What is a group of ladies to do when stuck in Newark, NJ for 24 hours? Not hang out in Newark, that's for sure. The woman in charge of missions at our church (this was a church trip) told us to go have fun in New York City for the day.

We did.

I've never been the same since. Isn't it amazing how when you love hits you everything is just right in the world? There's no bad, smells or honey and roses, and my waist felt 2 inches smaller?

Just great.

I'm going back for the Del Close Marathon in July. I can't wait.

I'm coming soon.

*This is only the beginning of what would later be referred to as the Travelpocalypse/Greatest Trip of My Life. Ask me and I will tell you all about it sometime.

Happy Birthday Grandmother!

2010-06-16T10:49:00.008-05:00

Today is my grandmothers 85th birthday.

Isn't she beautiful?

My grandmother, Ms. BillE Allison* mother of Karen Allison Wilbanks (that's my mom in case you hadn't gathered), is an amazing woman. She works out at Curves 3 times a week and works in her garden the rest of the time. She has a cup of coffee every morning and a crossword. She's the reason I drink coffee. She also recently decided she deserves to have cable/internet after all these years AND my mom took her for her very first manicure and pedicure. She's living the high life these days.

Going to grandmother's house as a wee one was special for several reasons:

She is super loving and caring

Bubble baths with Mr Bubble

Trips to the PigglyWiggly for treats and toys

My mom's original set of barbies, my uncle's original GI Joes, and books from my mom's
adolescence (Oh yes, I'm talking about the Five Little Pepper's Midway AND the original Nancy Drew novels)

Cuddling in bed with grandmother before sleepy time

My special coffee she made every morning: a teeny bit of actual coffee, cold milk, and sugar

Her adorable two-room house on the farm

Picking strawberries from her strawberry field

Eating the strawberries after they had been in the freezer for a few days.

I still enjoy going to grandmother's in the morning for a cup of coffee, no milk or sugar these days though. Now that I'm older she tells the most wonderful stories from her childhood and adulthood. I love hearing her stories. I wish that I could be in Texas more often in order to hear them all the time. She does have a cell phone now which helps.

My grandmother was 1 of 5 sisters. Unbelievable. All of her sisters have suffered terrible illnessess and ailments in their old age, but my grandmother, for reasons no one knows but are thankful for, is still perfectly healthy. She doesn't really try to be healthy either. I mean, she works out, now, but she doesn't cook anymore. She survives on a diet of frozen meals and the occasional dinner out on the town. Of course, if I was 85, I would probably do the same thing.

I am so lucky to still have this amazing strong and oh so stubborn woman in my life. I didn't get the lucky card when it came to number of grandparents. This woman is the only grandparent I've really ever known. My dad's parents passed away, his mom before I was born and his dad when I was a baby. My grandmother's husband passed away when my mom was 13. She never dated or remarried again. Grandmother always says that she had her one love and was lucky and blessed to have him, even if it was for a shorter time than most people get to spend together.

Yeah, now I'm tearing up too.

This is the same woman who once told me, "If he doesn't turn you on he's not worth your time." There. That should bring a smile through the tears.

I can't wait to give her a call and wish her happy birthday over the phone. I can't call yet though. Wednesday mornings she goes to Curves so she won't be able to answer my call. She's such a busy body that BillE.

Happy birthday grandmother! I love you!

*that is exactly how her name is spelled, upper-case E and all.

Retracted Apology

2010-06-15T15:32:00.003-05:00

I'm not sorry anymore. I found out today that all gas, from all companies, goes to one big place and then is shipped to gas stations.

AND BP's are not necessarily owned by BP, they are franchised out.

AND this poor guy who owns this franchise is probably hurting because of all of BPs bad publicity so he needed my money (well, Zipcars money). Since it's a franchise, BP doesn't see much of the profits anyway.

I don't feel bad anymore.

I'm Sorry World

2010-06-14T20:04:00.003-05:00

This has been bothering me so I have to put it out there. I'm not joking. I feel really bad.

I rented a ZipCar this weekend. The rule is the car has to be returned with at least 1/4 a tank of gas. I was at about a half tank and thought, "I'll be nice and fill this car up for the next person so they don't have to worry about it." I had lots of extra time and was already done with my car requiring errand. I pulled into the closest gas station to my home.

A BP.

I didn't even realize it until I had already pulled in. Other people were using it. I used it. I used BP gasoline. I feel like a punk. Seriously.

I'm sorry.

I could've gone somewhere else but I didn't know what was close by and was running a huge gamet of emotions. I have a thing for cars. I miss mine TERRIBLY and when I drive another car and have to give it back, I get really sad. I know that's weird. I'll explain sometime.

I'm sorry I am such a let down. I really am.

Ugh.

I also took the free pass for a shoreline cruise that someone left in the parking pass slot.

I like to think they left it there on purpose. Really, someone's grandma probably couldn't get on the cruise when the family arrived at the boat.

I'm sorry. I want to use it for a date with my boyfriend.

I'm sorry for everything.

Especially the BP thing. Really, that's the only thing I'm sorry for.

BurgerQuest: We Have An Almost Winner and a For Sure Loser

2010-06-10T15:02:00.006-05:00

Today was Epic Burger. Mr. Jandy and I took to the newly opened Epic Burger by my work.

Nom noms. Twas very good.

I had a junior burger on a wheat bun. John had a double on white.

Guys, it's good. The "Epic Sauce" is a type of thousand island dressing. I smell an In 'n Out wannabe and that's no problem with me. In 'n Out truly is the greatest burger, but is not eligible for this contest since there aren't any here in Chicago*.

I really really really like the wheat bun too. It was messy. The sauce is a little thin. The junior burger was a great size. It wasn't junior at all, it was a regular burger. The double was too much meat and too much sauce. Poor John had saucy hands and went through a lot of napkins. The fries were delish. They were very similar to Five Guys. Not too thin, not too crispy, browned just right and salty.

Extra credit was awarded because they carry Dr. Pepper, but extra credit was promptly taken away because they only carried Diet Pepsi. Diet Pepsi is the worst of the diets.

Honestly, this may be my favorite burger. I don't really know. I feel like I would need to blind taste test both and see. Wheat bun = good. But Five Guys has jalapenos = double good.

Super close race. We'll call it an almost winner.

The loser: Moody's Pub. Seriously? I want to know what was happening in the world at the moment this burger was voted best in Chicago. Was there a meat shortage causing every establishment to only get horrible meat? Dry meat, dry bun (at least it was sesame seed), no flavor, fries eh. Not at all worth the trek north.

That's all for now on that.

*An In 'n Out Burger is opening 10 minutes from my parents house in Texas. I cried when I found out. Seriously. I had tears. I can't wait. It will supposedly be open by the time I go to visit in July. SHUT UP WORLD. THAT'S TOO PERFECT. WORLD, AHHHHH. YOU SCORED.

Dear CoCo Before Chanel,

2010-06-03T15:05:00.002-05:00

You are a good movie. Not great, but good. Very interesting, pretty and engaging.

However, I've had you from Netflix for a over a month and a half. I hope you understand it's not personal. This is a prime example of why I only get 1 movie at a time. I barely have time to watch the 1 movie I do get. Also the reason The Wire took me almost a year to complete.

I'm sorry.

It's hard for me to sit and watch anything. Usually I only have time put a movie (or TV show) on while I am getting other things done and right before I have to go to sleep. That's about 30-45 minutes a day.

You are foreign.

I can't read subtitles while I do other things.

I wish that I could.

More than that, I wish I could sit down and watch something without doing anything else.

I was going to send you back, but I'm not now. I am going to keep you. I will make my best effort to finish you this weekend. I think it's time that you move on with your life, as I with mine.

I wanted to send you this note so you know it's not entirely personal. We will finish what we started.

Best,

Molly

Already Reminiscing...

2010-05-28T08:33:00.003-05:00

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

Hilarious.

Equally hilarious.

And that pretty much sums it up.

Eeek.

2010-05-27T09:32:00.003-05:00

See that guy? Jumping out of a plane?

That will be me very soon.

John and I bought a GroupOn to go skydiving. I have wanted to skydive FOREVER. Now that I'm actually about to do it I could not be more terrified and excited all at the same time.

Seriously.

I just watched this video and my stomach was turning cause I know that's gonna be me falling towards the ground. My dad has skydived twice, but both times he was all alone. Going tandem wasn't required then so him and his buds would just jump. NUTZ.

I love that the guy jumping couldn't even look out of the plane. I know I won't be able to. I also don't know how I'm going to keep my arms out, which I think you have to do. For some reason I feel like if my arms are holding on to those little straps I'm not actually going to feel like I'm falling.

It comforted me to see that the instructor was talking to the guy as they fell. I think I'll feel a lot better hearing another human beings voice so close to me so I know I'm not falling alone.

All of that is just speculation though. I'm sure I will actually be sh*tting my pants. I mean that almost literally.

Maybe if I think of it as "diving" and not "falling" I will feel better. But, really, no, because I don't know how to dive very well.

Eeek.

Lost

2010-05-25T09:50:00.004-05:00

Don't read this if you haven't watched the finale.

I really enjoyed the end of Lost. It made the show worth it for me. Now normally I could care less if someone doesn't like something I don't or likes something I didn't, but with this finale there is one thing that I don't understand. How come so many improvisers weren't satisfied by the finale? I'm friends with a lot of improvisers so their opinions are the ones I hear the most.

Here's what I'm getting at. The finale basically said, all the stuff on island, all the mysteries, the sci-fi, the polar bears, didn't matter. The relationships were what was most important. That's true for life too. When we die, it's not going to matter what we did here on Earth. We will die. That's just part of it. Unfortunately when I die I may never know why, in one single day, I was called "big legged", sat on a business card for Overeater's anonymous on the bus, and then turned on the TV to an Oprah show about overeating, when in fact I'm not "big legged" or an overeater. It's just one of those things.

The same is true in improv. No one walks away from our shows thinking, "Oh man when that one guy took a gun and started shooting the other girl and she screamed, "I'll find you" and then she died but that was right after she gave birth to an otter that became the next Jesus, but before he became Jesus he had wanted to break curfew too much so he was grounded over and over again. Otter! What's the significance of an otter?" They think, "That was funny. My mom used to ground me a lot too." And we work hard for that. We work hard not to make the scene about the otter, but about the mom and son instead.

I mean, that example is kind of a weird, but you get it I think.

It's never about the things, it's about the relationships. Most of the time TV and movies are about the thing, the plot. The good ones aren't though. Take The Wire. It's not really about drug deals. It's about the people involved. You take any of those characters, set them at a breakfast table and watch it for 2 hours. It would still be intriguing.

Side note, one thing Lost doesn't get much credit for is the acting. The actors on that show bring such complex characters to a level that is so real and identifiable, even if you've never killed someone or been the daughter of a super rich Korean guy. That goes for the writers as well.

I mean, sorry if you were banking on polar bears or 4 toed statues or time travel to come together and solve the mystery of the island (read:life). The mystery of life will never be solved, but at least we have each other until it's over.

Am I RIGHT?

Plants Vs. Awesome

2010-05-20T11:36:00.002-05:00

I like to think of myself as a cool person who watches shows like The Wire, does the NYT (that's short for New York Times) crossword puzzle, reads books like The Awakening and Grapes of Wrath, all while cooking dinner using fresh herbs and organic oils. You know. Cool. And fancy.

Then I am reminded that my inner child is who really runs my life when things like awesome stupid games come along.

Enter Plants Vs. Zombies:

I can't stop playing. I can't stop. Using plants to defeat zombies? I mean, hello. How much more green can you get? Using plants that grow naturally (yes, I know the plants in this game are not actually real plants) from the earth to war with evil? The world should try this sometime instead of bombs. Just saying.

My favorite plants are the following:

The corn:

You will notice a pat of butter on the zomb-friend's head. The corn shoots butter! It's so cute! and then it pelts the poor zomb-friend with tiny kernels. Adorable!

The blue mushrooms:

They freeze all the zomb-friends. That way they just get pelted and can't move. AHH, great!

And of course, this isn't a plant, but I love the little notes between levels written by the zomb-friends:

I'm such a dork and also 8 years old. That's okay thought, right? Right? Guys, it's okay?

Also, "zomb-friends" is my word for "zombies." It sounds much less threatening. Right? Guys, right?

I DO Have Taste

2010-05-18T08:32:00.005-05:00

Lately, some of my friends have been making fun and/or rolling their eyes when I say what colors I'm using in my place. I dusky blue accent wall, hot pink accents and some yellow.

Um, hi. Is this a lovely inspiration board from an interiors store where people design for a living? Oh it is? Oh did they use a dusky blue, hot pink and yellow color combo? Oh, they did?

SEE.

I'm not weird.

*Click on the pic for a link to the blog where I found this picture

I Have No Patience

2010-05-04T12:24:00.003-05:00

I bought my first big girl couch about a month ago and I'm awaiting it's arrival as we speak. It's very exciting really.

I also leave at 7pm tonight to go to Texas for a week. Very exciting as well.

Last night, John helped me throw out my old couch. It was time for him to be retired to dumpster land and live out his days.

That leaves only my bed to sit on right now. Well, the only cushioned thing to sit on. My bed is also in my bay window giving me a perfect view of my street. So naturally I am constantly looking outside for a Roy's Furniture truck to come gliding down the street.

It's killing me.

They are delivering between 11am-3pm. But of course, every minute that goes by that I don't see the truck, I panic.

- What if they inputted the date wrong and think it's tomorrow?

- What if they already tried to buzz me but I was in the bathroom?

- What if it wasn't really Roy's who I spoke to on the phone but a kidnapper and I am unknowingly waiting to be blindfolded, gagged, and thrown in the back of a small private jet that will take me to Russia where I am questioned on my knowledge of the entire Real Housewives series?

Valid fears.

Alright, back to more waiting.

If you don't hear from me soon, please don't send help. No one needs to get messed up with Russian spies. It's risky business. Tell my mom I love her.

(Yep. Your eyes aren't deceiving you. My walls are two different colors. I haven't finished painting yet. Sue me. I'm BUSY. Gees.)

I Am A Horrible Person

2010-04-30T08:14:00.003-05:00

I wrote a sketch once about a family who's daughter had gone missing. They were eating dinner at the dinner table and in the chair where the daughter would normally have sat, they had put a portrait of her to "represent" her being there.

The sketch originally took place on the set of a Dateline type show where the family was being interviewed about the daughter's disappearance. Sitting next to the son was a portrait of the daughter to "represent" her in the interview.

It was very dark, a little sick, and (to me at least) absolutely hilarious. The family would talk to the portrait like she was really there, except for the mother who would just cry every time she spoke.

The more I describe this sketch, the more horrible I realize I am.

The real reason I'm explaining all this is because, well, look:

Click Here.

That's right folks. It's real. It's. Real. Oh dear. I think I feel really embarrassed and ashamed and also dumbfounded. Eeesh.

Yummy Healthy Treat

2010-04-28T11:18:00.002-05:00

Friends, I'm trying eat healthier. I'm not talking about dieting or trying to lose weight or anything, just in general eating better so that I am actively taking care of my body and not filling it with processed foods junky junk.

One of my favorite treats (drumroll please....)

Look, I'm not a huge protein bar fan or really fan of any kind of diet or supplement bar, but these are an exception. They are so yummy.

They come in so many flavors and are made from real organic ingredients and not gross protein powder. They taste like a really chewy sweet granola bar. Nothing weird inside that looks like nougat but tastes like cardboard. The one I just finished eating was "Kettle Corn." Lots of nuts, pieces of popcorn, chocolate chips (the real kind, not Hershey's), cashews, crispy brown rice.

Ugh. I sound like one of those people, but I'm telling you. My body deserves the best (as does yours) and these are a delicious and very filling treat that isn't bad. And when I say filling I mean, seriously filling. Might be nice if you had to eat breakfast in a hurry...

Anyway. I encourage you try one. I like them. Yay!

Pro Bar did not endorse this blog. I just like sharing things I like.

Fear

2010-04-26T19:03:00.004-05:00

Every time Caroline (Real Housewife of New Jersey) says the word "family," chills run down my spine. I mean seriously. It's not just "family" when she says "family.". It's like..."family:"

Shudder.

I would be lying if I didn't say that I absolutely love Caroline despite the spine chills. She's my favorite New Jersey Housewife.

What do YOU do when you run into your boyfriend at an audition?

2010-04-22T12:14:00.009-05:00

In my case, I gave him a big kiss. THEN he suggested that we spontaneously BurgerQuest and try MBurger, which happened to be nearby.

It was delish. We ordered single cheeseburgers with fries and a chocolate shake to split. I mean this in a good way, it was like a glorified McDonalds burger with a glorified frosty from Wendy's. I love both of those things. To enjoy a similar flavor with quality ingredients and a slightly better flavor, I'm totes in. It wasn't greasy at all. I was really surprised and out how un-greasy it was.

The fries were AWESOME. Crispy, then, soft on the inside, just salty enough. Yum. They say "delicious" on the wrapper for a reason.

We also got to enjoy a nice view of the kitchen at Tru. The executive chef of Tru also runs MBurger. Tru is one of the first restaurants I wanted to go to when I moved to Chicago.

I STILL HAVEN'T BEEN THERE.

I heart Gale Gand who is the executive pastry chef/partner of the Tru. Someday I will go there. She also owns More Cupcakes, mmmmmmmmm-yummmmm. John thought is was weird that we were watching the chefs while they worked. I couldn't take my eyes off of them. They probably thought I was creepy.

Go to MBurger! Five Guys is still the favorite but I think MBurger might be a close second. I really want to go back and try a caramel shake (not on the menu....I smell an In N Out wannabe!) and the actual MBurger which includes bacon and their secret sauce. I love secret sauces...and secret things not on menus.

RIP

2010-04-20T16:58:00.004-05:00

4 of my friends will get this. I said goodbye almost a month ago. I don't feel any regret.

Yes, it's the theme music from Farmville. Yes. Farmville has theme music. Bite me. Don't bite me. That was a figure of speech. Seriously. Stop biting me. Ow. Stop. Dahmer, seriously, stop. I'm not food..ahhh...AHHH, you guuyyysss.....I....AHHHHHH.

Homesick...

2010-04-14T16:11:00.010-05:00

is me.

I am usually lucky enough to go home once every 3-4 months. I haven't been home since December. You're thinking that was only 4ish months ago. I'm thinking that this year has been jam packed and it feels more like 8 months ago exactly.

If I was home in the Tejas right now I would be...

Lunching here:

2nd lunching here:

Dinnering here:

2nd dinnering here:

Hugging these two muffins:

And smelling freshly cut grass:

You're thinking that it's warm outside and I will smell freshly cut grass soon enough. I'm thinking it's Cubs season and once the landscapers start coming out to plant new and replace everything that died over the winter, there will also be brand new puke and beer smells thanks to the Cubs and my proximity to their stadium.

Whew. Run-on sentence.

See? That's why I want to be there. No offense Chicago.

This post has made me realize how hungry I am. Just in general. I'm really hungry right now.

The Wire

2010-04-09T13:57:00.002-05:00

I love the Wire. Actually love it. I started Season 5 this week. I am running a variety emotions right now. Excited to start a new season, anxious to find out how it ends, so sad that is going to end and terrified of what I will have to watch when it's through. No show can compare.

I mean, seriously. If Hollywood would make mores shows of this quality no one would want to watch reality television. Actors would have work again! A lot if it! I can only dream of being a part of something this well made, well produced, well written, well acted, well directed...I'm gushing. Forgive me.

If you're someone that hasn't watched The Wire yet and you are sick and tired of hearing or reading about people who love it so much, don't get bitter. Take next Monday off, rent the first season, and sit at home. I'm telling you. You'll get it. Promise.

Who's that girl...

2010-04-05T12:33:00.005-05:00

...listening to Britney Spears at her desk, not ashamed?

...deciding how to divey up the three cupcakes she brought to work today?

...obsessively thinking about where she could hide her half-finished crossword on her desk instead of in her purse so it's easier to finish?

...counting down the seconds until she leaves for lunch with the bf?

...noticing a really funny taste in her mouth after taking a sip of the water from the office "cooler?"

...realizing that although she appreciates the free treats her co-worker brings her, she doesn't like eating pop-tarts because they make her feel dirty and processed?

...running through audition scenarios in her head that involve walking in and finding Meryl Streep is in the room to read across from her?

...sniffling every thirty seconds because something makes her nose stuffy all day long and she is convinced horrible deadly mold is growing in the walls around her?

...making up things to type on her blog while looking really really deep in thought as if work is really hard and she needs to concentrate hard-like?

Oh, it's me.

Typical thoughts at noon on a Monday.

BurgerQuest Update - Bad Apple

2010-04-02T10:53:00.005-05:00

A couple of weeks ago my parents were in town and John and I took them to one of our BurgerQuest locations, The Bad Apple. Here's the thing. The Bad Apple is really good. We had fried cheese curds as an appetizer and they were AWESOME. There were so many delicious looking things on the menu. The burger? Not so much. We ordered their version of the regular cheeseburger which had Provolone instead of American or Cheddar (I capitalize cheeses).

The bun was eh, the cheese wasn't very tasty, the meat was dryish and tasty in other parts. The fries were good, but I made a giant mistake. I ordered the truffle fries to be "different." Big mistake. I'm not joking, my stomach was messed up for 2 days. I don't know if it was the truffle oil, maybe it was rotten (is that possible???) or the fries themselves. I had some of John's fries and they tasted fine. Mine continued to taste for several days (sorry, graphic but true).

I want to go back to the Bad Apple and NOT order a burger. I am looking at their website and they claim to have won the Best Burger in Chicago award. That critic was drunk or hungover. Or maybe we got old meat. Either way, next time I'm ordering a yummy sandwhich and a variety of appetizers. NOT a burger. Did I mention I wouldn't order a burger there?

Obligatory eating shots:

Sorry, no shots of the Wilbanks folks eating with us. But they were there. And they had so much fun. Seriously, we all agreed that this was a good place to eat unless you wanted a really good cheeseburger. Then you should go to Five Guys. They are still the front runners after the 4 places we've been. I promise to update on the rest of the places soon.

Spotted:

2010-03-30T15:14:00.003-05:00

A 20-something emoish adult male at the workplace wearing the blue and green delias ski jacket I purchased in the 7th grade. Who knew I had the taste of a 21st century 20-something emoish adult male at the age of 13?

I have google searched and google searched a total of two times (no more because I'm feeling rather lazy about google searches today) and could not find a picture of the jacket. Instead you will have look at this picture of my adorable niece at snack time.

Your heart just melted like a popsicle in summertime. Side note: She picked that shirt out of her closet all by herself today. She has good taste, huh?

Laura Linney

2010-03-24T12:30:00.002-05:00

She's great. This show looks great. Oh Showtime, why do you cost extra?

Did a little Imdb search and the writer is a woman named Darlene Hunt. She has a lot of acting and several writing credits to her name. I recognize her. One of those awesome character actors who can make a living without calling the paparazzi in order to raise awareness of her fame in order to book roles. She actually auditioned and probably still does.

The relationship with the brother looks super interesting. His name is John Benhamin Hickey and he's from, PLANO, TX. That's the school district where my mom teaches. My parents live in the town next door to the south. Texas represent.

Ummmm...yay for woman actor/writers, yay for Texans, yay for Laura Linney AND Oliver Platt. Yay. Now I will patiently wait for it to come out on DVD...or my mom to record it onto a DVD...or something.

Admitting My Mistake, Possibly, I Don't Know

2010-03-17T10:51:00.003-05:00

After all my paint wishy washy-ness I ended up with this color. I think I hate it. I also think I love it. So basically I'm still in a state of paint wishy washy-ness.

Sometimes the wall looks orange, sometimes it looks red, sometimes it looks hot pink. I really wanted to do some sort of aqua/turquoise color or black (click here for how cool a black wall can be) but I thought that would clash with the ugly slate (not the black so much, but the turquoise yes). As much as I would love to re-tile the fireplace (read:fun project!), I don't want to sink a lot of money and time into this place. Let's face it, it's a studio and I will sell it someday or at least move out and rent it to someone at some point when I'm 40 and can afford it (slightly kidding about the age there, slightly).

Huh. I just don't know if I like it or if I don't like. That probably means I don't like it. I've already found a color I would change it too.

The weird thing? John likes it. I thought he would hate it. His opinion is important to me, of course, but I am the one who actually lives here so it's more important how I feel about it.

Which, again, I don't know how I feel about it.

Huh.

BurgerQuest!

2010-03-16T10:09:00.006-05:00

John and I are on a mission. It's called BurgerQuest. We want to find the best burger in Chicago. None of this fancy schmancy dancy burgers with horseradish ragu sauce. No. The best plain old cheeseburger money can by. We have made a spreadsheet that keeps track of where we've been, where we want to go, and how we felt about the burger itself.

We talked about engaging in BurgerQuest long ago, but now it is happening. YES.

The first place we went (Well, we've been to The Counter too but before we were keeping track) was Five Guys. It is a chain, yes, but holy crap, yum. The burger was so good. Check out these happy photos of people consuming a cheeseburger at Five Guys:

MMMMM, so yummy my eyebrows went up.

So yummy Jeannie had to run across the street from her illegal sublet apartment and join in on the yummy.

So yummy John had to stare up at the ceiling in pure yummy-ness.

So yummy.

The burger was melt in your mouth good. The cheese was so gooey. Everything was so gooey I got mushy bun. Mushy bun is the best. Not like a wet mushy bun, but you know, when the mayonnaise (or mustard if you're John) and the cheese and the greasy meat all run together and the bread warms up because the flavor is so hot and bothered...you know. That.

I wish I could say the same about the fries. They were too done on the outside and not done enough on the inside. I ate all of them though. I have these weird thing where if you even remotely fry a potato in some form and set it in front me, I will eat it. Period. All of it. The end of potato. El fin.

We decided to order regular cheeseburgers everywhere we go. Should make Kuma's interesting from what I hear. But that's okay. I don't want my burger masked in flavor, I want to know your burger is the bet tasting on it's own. With cheese.

I will keep you posted on our next BurgerQuest locale.

Weekend Project

2010-03-15T09:13:00.007-05:00

The real title of this blog post should be: I Am Awesome. It felt too vain. But really, it's true.

John agreed to help me hang shelves in my place this weekend. When he arrived he announced that he would show me to hang the shelves but then I was responsible for hanging them myself. What a great challenge. And I aced it. John supervised and had to help push in a few screws, but other than that, yours truly became Shelf Queen (self-proclaimed). I. Am. Awesome.

The bathroom shelves were also hung, like so:

Now if only that ugly completely difficult to use medicine cabinet would go away, everything would be grand.

Well actually that's not true either. I may have newly hung shelves all over my place, but this has only made realize I have nothing to put on them. I have been on a huge clean-out-everything spree, which is good, but now I have no books, no candles, no vases, nada. I have some pretty artwork I ordered off of the internet, but no frames so they sit in plastic sheets and cardboard tubes.

I think I feel an Ikea trip coming on...who's in? I. Love. Ikea.

Peaches and Cream

2010-03-09T10:11:00.001-06:00

When I was little, my parents took me to a doctors appointment at this really pretty glass building with a fountain in front. After the appointment they said, "Throw a coin in the fountain Molly and make a wish." I wished for a Peaches and Cream Barbie Doll. When we got to the car, there was a Peaches and Cream Barbie doll in the backseat waiting for me. How awesome is THAT?

Pictures From My Phone (Pt 2)

2010-03-05T12:22:00.005-06:00

And we're off on another CRAZY adventure...

I'm excited about the next 3 pictures because they are pictures of food. I love food. I love to cook. I made this meal for John and myself to enjoy on a nice fall evening. My parents were really into the whole "Next Food Network Star" show or whatever it was called. They talked about it all the time so I started occasionally tuning in. The winner was Melissa D'Arabian (or something French sounding like that). On the first episode of her show (her ""prize") she made this menu: Salad with Homemade Balsamic Vinegarette, Potato and Bacon Torte (yes, I just had a Dan Quail moment and almost put an "e" on the end of potato) and Applesauce Granita for dessert.

Wait, are you supposed to capitalize recipe names? I just did. So yes, in my world you are.

This salad dressing is amazing. You should google it and make it. She got the recipe from her French mother-in-law. Secret ingredient: soy sauce. No lie. It's so tasty. Use field greens. Put down the bag of Romaine. You've overdone your life with the Romaine. Try something bitter and peppery. I dare you.

That is not an "M J" for Michael Jackson, it stands for Molly and John. Hoooooow cute. This was the most delicious fattening thing. Lots of heavy cream, and Gruyere (melt my heart), bacon, butter and pastry crust. I did not make my own pastry crust because I didn't want to. Someday I will though. I will.

Okay so the granita was not that great. It was topped with a yogurt sauce that was really yummy but the granita was just cold and watery tasting. Oh well. If only there had been chocolate involved. It also made so much granita that it eventually froze into a giant applesauce blob that was completely inedible.

Cooking is fun, delicious, stressful, therapeutic and messy. It's great.

Pictures From My Phone (Pt 1)

2010-03-03T11:32:00.008-06:00

I have been reluctant to blog lately because I don't have a digital camera that 1) takes good pictures and 2) connects to my computer.

I discovered I have an abundance of pictures on my phone for whatever reason. They pretty much document the last 9 months or so of my life in one way or another.

Here are a few to start off with:

This was August of last year, sometime around Lyndie (my niece) and her rockin' 1st birthday party.

My sister has tons of pictures of just Lyndie. No one else in the photos, just Lyndie. It's as if Lyndie has no parents or family and instead has a photographer following her around, taking pictures at her every waking moment. There are a few pictures of her with my sister, her husband and some other miscellaneous family members but it could be argued that they are random strangers found by the photographer since they only appear once or twice in a given photo album of 300+ pictures.

To combat this, I always try and ask someone to take pictures of Lyndie and me together. It never works out because Lyndie never stays in one place. Ever. She is too used to being to star of the show or something. My attempt at having a picture together failed miserably in this instance. Instead I look slightly amused by grass and Lyndie looks like she found a cupcake growing out of the ground.

This is my grandmother (and me). She is one of my favorite women in the all the land. She's amazing. Super strong-willed, independent, caring, loving, and stubborn as a mule. I hope to be just like her forever. Including the stubborn part.

This day we took her Luna De Noche. One of my favorite Tex-Mex places back home. Margaritas that are so tasty, salsa that is so tasty and sour cream enchiladas. And awesome chimichangas. And lunch specials. Oh man. Now all I want is Luna. Sucks that there isn't any good Tex-Mex in Chicago.

This is the harbor by my condio. I had lived in my place about a year at this point and honestly, had never walked east. I had no idea how close the lake actually was. There's a lake, a golf course, a giant soccer field with a hug hill (fun to run up and down), and pretty views of downtown. I don't know why I had never walked east. Just hadn't.

That's all for now. I know these are pretty exciting pictures. There are more I will post eventually.

Oops, There I go Being All "Responsible"

2010-02-11T13:01:00.005-06:00

I don't make enough money to cover all of my expenses. It's a fact. I know this. It's why I originally took on my other 2 jobs. Of course that means I am making the same amount working 3 jobs that I make working the more hours at the 1 job. (Those 2 extra jobs are almost done, hurrah!). I am lucky enough to have a supportive family and other income that I can rely on from time time (read: stripping*). It all works out because I don't worry to much about it.

However, I recently decided to redo my budget so that it actually works for me and isn't a sometime success and sometime total guessing game.

That was a mistake. I should have just kept going the way I was.

The sometimes guessing game/sometime success strategy, kept me from worrying and put my faith in something bigger than me to take care of my needs. I'm a big fan of not sweating stuff that I know isn't entirely in my control. It's hard, but a good thing to remember. Some might say, "But Molly, your job is in your control. You can quit! Get something that pays better." That's not the case. I'm an actor. That comes first. That means I have to have a job with extreme flexibility, which is what I have. Trust me. That is hard to find. REAL hard to find. The only other thing more flexible than my main part-time position is unemployment. I'm not kidding. It's that flexible.

I am good with money, so it's not like I'm crazily spending or anything, I know my limits. I always pay of credit cards each month, actually rarely use them at all, and the only debt I have is my mortage. That I'm okay with. I guess I just didn't realize the reality of my limits.

Some of this strain is because I own a condo. Actually, most of it is because of that. I don't mind it that much. Fine, I have to fix my a/c. Fine, I have to get my chimney swept. I like that I have my own a/c and a chimney.

My new budget doesn't actually change anything at all. It keeps me in the same place that I was before. But because I took the time to really figure out how I made it through last year, it scared me and sent me into a mini-freak out.

This does make it hard to keep friends and boyfriends around.

You: Let's go see a movie!
Me: Ummm....
You: Better yet, let's go drinking, and dancing, and take cabs!
Me: You should do that! Have fun!! Call me after if you want to sit on my couch and eat Ramen together. But you have to bring your own Ramen, I have exactly enough to last through Saturday.

Or

John: Let's get dinner tonight.
Me: We got dinner last night.
John: We have to eat.
Me: No we don't. We can survive for at least 3 days on only water. People who fast can do it, so can we.
John: Are you just trying to get me to pay?
Me: Never...yes.

We've all been here. I know. A lot of you are probably there with me. I'm getting over it though. At least I have a job, a roof over my head, clothes (although, they are deteriorating into stringy messes fairly quickly), some semblance of food to put on my table, and love. Cause all you need is love right? If only that weren't true. I'd be a bajillionmilliontrillionaire.

Someday I'll be a full time working actor, I will, and then it won't matter. You don't believe me. But that doesn't matter. I believe me.

*Not really. There are several sources of other income, acting gigs, savings, mom...you get the idea.

Happy Thoughts

2010-02-03T14:15:00.004-06:00

Winter is really killing me right now. Here my happy things for today that have made me slightly brighter and a little less sad:

Thank you Sweet Leaf Iced Tea for your refreshing flavor and your nice little words:

Thank you little yellow bracelet. Yellow like the sun, blue like the sky. Someday I will meet those two friends again:

Thank you Lost for being awesome, set on an island for the most part AND for keeping my on my toes:

IcandothisIcandothisIcandothis...

Speaking of Lost...WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALT!

That was a good season premiere last night. I'm so excited to see what happens. And to know who the Others really are (I think that's who those temple peeps were...). AND that we got to see old characters all over again.

How to Survive Self-Inflicted Torture

2010-01-29T12:08:00.010-06:00

My alarm is set to go off at 6am. I hate the sound of all alarms, so I have it set to radio. My choice of station is NPR. Soothing voices are a-okay with me first thing in the morning and I swear NPR has some of the smoothest sounding voices (not including CarTalk).

At 6am this morning my alarm went off and the soothing voice from the speakers immediately declared, "Its 6 degrees at 6am on this Friday morning..."

Why would I want to get out of bed after hearing this, no matter how smooth the voice is?

I've had to coach myself over the past few years on how to deal with winter and how to make it through. Honestly, I don't mind winter, cold, ice, or snow. I do mind how long Chicago's winter is. It's torture, but the self-inflicted kind since I do live here by choice.

The beginning of winter is so nice. Hot chocolate, Christmas, Christmas cookies, cinnamon, nutmeg…and then depression and negativity abound.

Here's how I cope:

1) House Hunters International

This show is great. My true favorite episodes are the European and Asian destinations, but thankfully (during winter) those are few and far between. Since this show mostly features families looking for vacation homes or retirees looking for sun, most locations are tropical.

Roatan

Costa Rica

Ooooooh. Let's go.

2) Craigslist – Los Angeles

I used to live in LA, and although it’s not my favorite place in the world, it’s warm right now and I’m not. I get on Craigslist a lot and look at rental properties in parts of LA I could never afford. They have to have pictures in the ad. The pictures remind me of LA and the climate and I can actually visualize myself being there since I lived there and know the ‘ol Angel pretty well.

This is not a rental in LA, but a lovely house on the canals in Venice, CA. Also great. You get the idea maybe.

3) Dexter.

Dexter is set in Miami. Miami is warm. Just watching a show set in a warm climate makes me feel warm. Because Dexter is also a super amazing, quality, awesome, well made show I am mentioning it.*

See how ridiculously content these people look, kind of? I mean yeah, one is a serial killer and there is a limb hanging from the boat in the background. BUT it’s a boat! On an ocean! Don’t you see? It’s warm! Who cares about the threat of serial killers? They have a warm climate and Dexter to do the bad gusy in before they hurt too many more people!

4) Salads and Fresh Fruit.

Mmmmm…

Ahhhhh…

I know I want to eat Velveeta Shells and Cheese, biscuits and gravy and fried chicken all winter BUT fresh food is so pretty and colorful and light! And healthy! I can take away the weight of winter blues with a little fresh veggie and fruit, easy as pie (fresh fruit pie).

5) Gym.

Why Britney? Why not? Working out feels so good and makes me, literally, warmer. I mean come on? And by the time people see me in the spring they gonna be so shocked. I actually have the beginnings of a 2 pack. I’m not joking right now.

There are plenty more things that remind me this time will be over. Even if it really never will be over because it won’t because it feels so cold and I’m dying…wait. No I’m not. I will live through it and so can you. Negative thoughts, leave me alone!

*I am refraining from talking about Real Housewives of Orange County. Yes I watch it. Yes I hate myself a little bit for watching it. At the same time I love myself a little bit for watching it. Don’t watch it though. It rots your brain.

This Too Shall Pass

2010-01-25T21:38:00.001-06:00

Click here.

I hate it when you can't embed videos...grrrrr...

Alright. That moment passed.

Book Love: Lush Life

2010-01-20T08:28:00.002-06:00

I've been reading the book Lush Life by Richard Price. I love it. It's very riveting. It's a homicide/mystery (but not really?) set in New York City. It's written so realistically I actually feel like I'm living in the book, which is scary because it's about homicide.

Here's the thing. I kept describing this book to people as The Wire, if The Wire was about homicide and set in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Last night a friend asked me about the author so I opened the book jacket and began reading about 'ol Richard Price. Guess what? He won an award for co-writing episodes of The Wire. I feel like a semi-genius for recognizing a similar writing style. I'm not, but I feel like one.

Now go read this book.

Possibilities?

2010-01-19T14:00:00.003-06:00

Maybe?

Hmmm?

I still don't know. This poor fireplace wall is gonna start resenting me for being so indecisive. It's only because I care so much Mr. Fireplace.

photo credits, top: Benjamin Moore, bottom: Apartment Therapy

Attention Molly's Condo:

2010-01-16T17:11:00.002-06:00

MISSING SWEATER

I am missing my giant purple sweater. You must have it somewhere. I know you know the one, it's giant, purple, goes almost down to my knees, can look really casual with jeans, or with leggings can be passed off as a dress even though it feels more like big comfy pajamas. Please return it.

Thanks.

Your humble owner,
Molly

Newest additions to Casa de Molly...

2010-01-15T11:08:00.010-06:00

As some of you who know, I am redecorating and painting and all-together make-overing my home. It's taking a long time. I don't have a lot of excess funds to do this with. I do however have my two hands and a chipper spirit towards the whole endeavor. Who cares if I've only painted 50% of the walls so far? That's 50% more then I started with. This month, thanks to Christmas, I have some excess funds with which to get moving again.

Here are my 3 most favoritist recent additions to the homestead:

A lovely new mirror from Pier One.

Lovely new bedding from Target.

A lovely new art print.

That last one is my personal favorite, probably because it is the most recent item purchased. It's a print done from a watercolor/acrylic illustration by the talented Katie Daisy. Check out her Etsy shop and swoon.

It feels good to make my place my own. This weekend my goal is to clean out my closet and storage unit to make room for the things I actually need to store, not things I threw in there when I moved because I was too lazy to sort through everything at the time.

I am still having issues deciding on a paint color for my fireplace wall. I just can't make up my mind. Hopefully sometime soon I can make it to Ace in between cleaning out mess piles to get some paint samples. Then maybe I'll make my mind when I see them taped/painted on the wall. Or it will just make me that much more confused.

We shall see...

Inspiration for the day...

2010-01-12T14:14:00.003-06:00

Click here.

If they can find peace and common ground, why can't everybody?

For A Day Like Today...

2010-01-08T07:54:00.002-06:00

May today be filled with the kind of happiness and rosy cheeks only the bubbly can bring.

It's all too much...

2010-01-07T21:43:00.003-06:00

I'm addicted to entertainment. What's going on? I currently have 2 library books, a third on the way, 2 books borrowed from people, 2 books I have been reading for 2 years, an entire season of Futurama and Chuck Season 1 borrowed from friends, along with 2 discs of The Wire to watch from Netflix, a DVR full of various TV shows and movies, a design blog addiction, and a Nintendo DS with two games left to beat: Super Mario Brothers and Professor Layton and the Diabolical box.

The funny part? My life is kind of like this right now. I work 3 jobs up to 6 days a week, I'm on 2 improv teams, one of which rehearses twice a week, I play piano, I write, sing and probably my favorite part are the auditions and acting related events. Not to mention I am enrolled in two classes, one improv, one acting, a gym nut, try to cook regularly, bake sweet things and am smack dab in the middle of cleaning out/painting/re-furnishing my home.

Sometimes I sleep too. Honestly all I care about are my family, my friends and my boyfriend. I would like to take all of them to an island where we can live together, read together, watch movies together, make funny short films, form improv teams and start performing together, cook meals for each other, make music together, watch whole seasons of great TV shows on DVD for at least 5 hours a day...and...that solved nothing.

I'm not complaining at all or trying to prove that I'm busier than anyone else so please don't take it that way. I just would like to simplify my life. And I'm going to. I just need to finish this episode of Modern Family I'm watching while playing Professor Layton and checking my Farmville.

Words of Wisdom?

2010-01-04T20:56:00.003-06:00

This entire thing is worth watching, but for this blogs sake start watching at 2:57-3:29. Harvey Keitel is honoring De Niro.

Hey, it's the truth.

Sing-Off

2009-12-30T19:01:00.003-06:00

My mom recorded all the episodes of NBC's The Sing Off. So naturally, while I was lazing on my parents couch over Christmas week, we watched all of them within a two day period. Nota won*. And they are my favorite. Here is my favorite performance they did. It's more than awesome.

NOTA!!!!

* Sorry if you didn't know that already.

Music Babe

2009-11-13T21:21:00.003-06:00

I love music. I play it, I sing it, write it. I usually get inspired to write and play by buying and discovering new music. I live on a pretty tight budget these days, so discovering new music is super hard because listening to the 00:30 clips on iTunes isn't really enough. It's enough for me to think, "Oh man, that's so cool I want to hear..." That's when the clip ends. I sometimes look up stuff on YouTube but YouTube has terrible sound quality and I'm super picky about sound quality. For example, when I buy new headphones I need at least $100 in my pocket for some Bose or JBL. Someday I will get the really cool ones. You have to get a mold of your ear made and they custom make them to fit only you, and they are crazy noise reduction style.

Someday...

So, I'm perusing iTunes at this current moment and just fell in love with an album. It's only $7.99, so I'm think I should get it but at the same time I should also pay my mortgage. So there's a trade-off.

Buy the album in my honor until I make up my mind, please:

Sondre Lerche and The Faces Down Quartet, Duper Sessions.

I'm just gonna buy it. I have to, right? I have to because if I don't, Sondre Lerche and some other songwriters won't get paid, and they need to get paid right? They have bills too. I'm only contributing to their well-being, which is helping someone else. Treat others how you want to be treated and all. He's from Norway. Support Norway. They've never hurt anyone, right?

Okay.

I bought it.

So much for that. Of course, $7.99 isn't a lot for a splurge, right?

Justify, justify, justify.

Uh-oh.

2009-11-04T12:39:00.004-06:00

I own this bikini.

Gretchen and I have the same taste in swimwear. What does that mean? What does it all mean now? We definitely don't have the same taste in men. Although, as of last season of RHofOC Gretchen was my favorite. But that's not saying much since I really think all those womens is crazy.

Click the pick for a website that I kind of hate that I found.

Old Movies: The Suspense of It

2009-11-03T11:46:00.005-06:00

I love old movies. I love them. I can watch TCM all day, never leave the couch, and be completely content. Sometimes I'm that guy who says, "They don't make movies like they used to..." Not ashamed. I REALLY love all old movies, but especially in the genres of suspense, thriller, and drama.

Here are a few of my favs:

It's wonderful. I've eaten at the restaurant from the opening scene. Also, this is a great nap movie.

Blind Audrey Hepburn? Go it. Creepy Alan Alda? Got it. Drug smuggling? Got it. Creepy scene where everything is in the dark and someone is chasing Audrey Hepburn but can't see her because it's dark until she opens the fridge and the fridge light reveals where she is but she doesn't know that because (as mentioned earlier) she's blind so she still thinks she safe but she's not? Got it.

I mean, what's not awesome about a child star who grows up to loathe her sister who becomes famous as an adult for actually being talented and not just cute? I mean, so many things can happen when themes like jealousy and family are involved.

Of course not pictured are Rebecca (Alfred Hitchcock) and Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte (gotta love those Bette Davis eyes). Both good as well.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh movies. They are so much fun times.

ADORABLE.

2009-10-28T09:06:00.001-05:00

I also think that the people laughing may have been what actually scared the baby, not his own sneeze. If that's the case, those people are evil for scaring a poor infant ellie the elephant. Regardless, I now want a baby elephant.

Making Winter Count

2009-10-13T21:17:00.004-05:00

Last year was the first year winter actually almost killed me.

I was miserable.

I hadn't had a problem with it before. I embraced it. I dealt with it. Last year was almost the death of me. My mother actually said to me, after the winter had past, that she thought she was going to have to come up here and do something about my attitude.

I am not going to let that happen this year.

I was riding the train the other day and a scene for a script popped into my head. Usually when I write a script I see the scene visually in my head: The setting, the weather, the props, the people. I see them doing an action. Then I figure out why their doing it and write the scene down. It's also very important for me to feel what the temperature of the room or place is and what the room or place might smell like. Yeah, I'm a little nutzo.

Another important thing is music. I usually make a playlist. I don't necessarily write while listening to the music. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't, it's more just to have. I secretly want to be a music supervisor. Make millions acting and writing and then retire to be a music supervisor for film. So grand.

This song is the first official song on The Winter Screenplay playlist.

Click on the handy little box, listen to the sample, buy the song and enjoy.

The Texas State Fair...

2009-09-25T17:19:00.004-05:00

...is one of my favorite things in life.

I love it.

I love Big Tex...

I love the Texas Star...

I love the new fried food that comes out every year, this year it's butter...

I love the petting zoo, the midway, the car show, the exhibits about JFK and The Battle Of San Jacinto, and I love the heat.

My parents are there as I type this. I hope they enjoy it. I hope they try the fried butter. I hope they sit in all the new cars. I hope they feed the llamas. I hope they learn about Texas History.

I miss you State Fair of Texas. I miss you Fair Park. One of these Octobers I'll make it back to Texas and, you should know, you will be the reason.

That and I'll have a job where it doesn't matter if I leave town at any time because I'm rich and taking days off doesn't mean I don't get paid, it means I have a day off.

**Update** The parents did try the fried butter. It apparently tastes like a dinner roll with butter. So there ya go.

New Obsession

2009-09-21T11:14:00.002-05:00

This coffee place blew my mind a little bit:

I had past the shop a few times but assumed that they only took cash and I never carry cash. I pretty much assume any place that looks "emo" and "hippy" only takes cash. I was wrong. They take Visa and Mastercard. But that's beside the point.

The coffee is pretty decent especially seeing as how they roast it themselves. There is a coffee roaster right next to the bar where they guy brews the coffee. It's incredible! Not only that but they don't just keep a pot full of coffee waiting for you. No no. When you order a cup of coffee (regular old coffee) he grinds the beans right then for your cup and your cup only. THEN he brews it in a cup!! It's crazy!!! No machines needed. It is done in something similar to this contraption:

Only replace the red and black mugs with pretty classic white, the steel box with a plank of wood and the styrofoam cups with pretty white mugs. It was amazing. I felt like my cup of coffee was something special made only for me. Because it was kind of.

It was a little pricey and the pastries were not tasty (at least the brownie sample I had was not tasty) BUT the coffee was pretty cool. I am impressed.

I've had coffee roasts I like better than the one I was given but, regardless, the process to make it made it the best cup of coffee ever. Yeppers indeedy.

Hollywood, Is Everything Okay?

2009-09-04T11:16:00.004-05:00

These movies, and their titles, are real:

Judge accordingly.

Why

2009-09-04T08:07:00.002-05:00

didn't someone tell me about this website earlier????

Rappers That Suck

AH! It's gold. Pure gold.

Quote of the day:

2009-09-03T13:26:00.003-05:00

"I sometimes think I will things into happening. Mainly pertaining to Rufus Wainwright." - Sir Dave

Oh Dear...

2009-09-02T15:50:00.002-05:00

There are a lot of things I could say so I'm just not going to say anything. Oh, except I think this is from Wife Swap which I never watch. This clip is a great example of why I don't watch Wife Swap. Okay, now I'm not going to say anything.

For Your Friday Enjoyment...

2009-08-28T09:37:00.001-05:00

Click here:

Genius.

Who loves this shtick as much as I do?

Dear Red Shirt Guy At Gym,

2009-08-23T11:59:00.002-05:00

Hi.

Cutting to the chase: Your over developed pectoral muscles actually look like man boobs. Perhaps you should start to concentrate on another area.

Thanks,

Me

P.S. Blonde trainer at the gym, if you're reading this, I've finally figured something out. You look like Amanda Peet if Amanda Peet was blonde. It's been bugging me. We always seem to be in the same place at the same time at the gym. I knew you looked like someone but I couldn't figure out who. I know we're both actors and I've seen you at auditions but that wasn't it. It's that you look like a blonde Amanda Peet. The color of you eyebrows leads me to believe that you would actually look like Amanda Peet if you went au natural. I understand the blonde in that case. No two actresses can look alike. I get it.

UGGGGGGGH. Adorable.

2009-08-20T14:50:00.002-05:00