Monday at work.

Mike Phillips and band (all horn players are Prince's New Power
Generation)

Press any key to enter.

Going live in 15.

Shot with my Hipstamatic for iPhone
Lens: Roboto Glitter
Flash: Off
Film: BlacKeys B+W

Mushrooms, Monday

Almost walked into a spider web too.

Summertime!

I was researching new music to add to the Spa channel and ran across an actual Music Video for a new age song! How funny. And it's pretty good too. Happy Summer!

Mushrooms, Thursday

They got mowed down Friday.

Three quotes

Three quotes that have stuck with me this week:

"I don't abide small talk, small talk makes me say strange and stupid things."
~Ben Prisk

"Life isn't measured in minutes. life is measured in moments"
~ Mark Batterson

"I watched Star Wars a few days ago and remembered that I am not much different than the person I used to be."
~Jason Carlock



What moments or thoughts stick out for you this week?

Hoth Ice Bar Hothies

Jason swears that if we lived anywhere near Orlando, FL that we would have attended the Star Wars Celebration 5 Lucas convention over the weekend. Thankfully, Sirius XM covered the event and actually did a really good job. Every time I tuned in I was facinated about the voice over actors, panels featuring various actors from the films and other reunions and interviews. But it's radio...and you miss out on the costumes and all the visual stuff. It was an inspiring weekend actually - after teasing Jason that I was going to make him a birthday cake that looked like the Death Star - seriously wouldn't that rock? He decided to purchase the Starwars Trilogy. So we heard the Awesome Jon Stewart/George Lucas Main Event interview (find it on You Tube in 8 parts) and went back to the movies to realize they are just as good as the last time we watched them (which was when we still used a VCR.) Anyway - back to the Sirius XM channel that covered the event - I'm here to fill you in on what you heard but couldn't see...how 'bout some Hoth Hothies.





And more from Star Wars Celebration 5 here:



And now we'll all want one...

This little heart o' mine.

About 4 1/2 years ago Jason and I both quit smoking. Our journey has been nearly the same up until this point (although he quit one week before me and didn't eat NEARLY as many jellybeans as I did in the process.) That seems like forever ago - but it was the beginning of something new for both of us. We reconnected on new levels and joined a gym shortly after we quit smoking and like a light switch "click" we were off on a new path - a healthier one - and I'm happy to report that neither of us have gone back after quitting cold turkey. (Yay us!) I hardly remember it now, but I struggled for a while with not having that social outlet at work, or stress reliever to turn to. I'll even wager that since we both quit smoking, Jason and I have encountered epic sized stressful situations that would be instant triggers, but we somehow held our ground. And I should have own stock in Trident gum. I chewed so much of that stuff. It was the bubblegum flavor - and I can't stand the taste now. Like cigarettes, I'll never buy Trident again.

It's kind of amazing when you feel strongly enough about something in your heart- what you'll do to see it through. Jason and I made the decision to quit smoking and stuck to it. Pretty amazing stuff - I amazed myself to be honest. Since then, I wouldn't say I'm super extreme when it comes to all the things I believe in or in my quest to be a healthier person - but rather that's all my heart knows to do now.

In fact, I've been relying on my heart a lot lately. Not so good when you're navigating rough waters at work, but rewarding when an opportunity dear to my heart - like supporting local farmers - comes around. (We now own a CSA 'Community Supported Agriculture' share of organic crops - something I have researched at length since I quit smoking! see pic) Or -like, when it comes to my career, my work ethic surprises me sometimes- because that's how my heart works. And when I married Jason, I knew without doubt he'd be my one and only forever. Cause my heart knew. Sometimes you just know things. (Come on- you know what I'm talking about!) And through all of this, Jason and I have walked in step with the positive and healthy changes in our lives. Giving us strength to endure lifes challenges along the way. More recently, for example, as if Jason and I were both tapped on the shoulder at the same time - we both - and I'm not kidding - it happened seperatly in both of us within a month - decided we should look for strength through God. Life has an intersting way of moving you forward. And 2010 has taken us on yet another journey together, and I think we're both better people for it. I can feel it in my heart.

Mercury in Retrograde begins August 20th

Ok, so Mercury isn't in retrograde just yet... but if you even halfway believe Susan Miller and her guide to astrology...you know when Mercury is in retrograde it's a time of reflection and going back to repair things, clean out closets...old relationships, stories and ideas pop up out of nowhere...that sort of thing.

When Mercury is in retrograde, it is also suggested you avoid signing important papers (like closing on a house) or buy electronic equipment (like a new TV) -for fear of getting a lemon - or something of that nature. My friend Ross is always asking when Mercury will be in retrograde so he can plan his next electronics purchase. In fact, if he's having a particular bad day he will go out of his way to check the status of Mercury with me. It's pretty amusing. So Mercury will be in retrograde from August 20-September 12, 2010 Please don't buy a laptop at this time. Or er...whatevs...I'm not even sure if this stuff is truly real.

So, in related retrograde news...this falling in the old relationship category...I just discovered this article in Spinner magazine where Morrissey revealed his Top 13 albums of all time. On this list –the no-brainers like the Ramones and Velvet Underground – and then - as odd as it may seem – coming in at #11 on the list - Morrissey (who ranks very high when it comes to singers I love) picked an album that I sang backing vocals on. I don't usually mention old flames on my blog or in conversation, I've truly moved on in my life - but back in the mid nineties I dated the lead singer of the punk rock crooning band the Smoking Popes and I sang backing vocals on one song on their 1995 album Born To Quit on Capitol records.

Safe to say it was a long long time ago, and I’m fuzzy on the details when it comes to our relationship’s demise. I’m pretty sure, not long after this album was released, he broke my heart and went on a nationwide tour with Green Day. A story with true street cred among the indie rock kids I guess.

I haven’t thought about this memory in so long – so it was pretty funny to see the list Morrissey made, and to find I contributed to it.

True, I sang on that album back in 1995 - but that seems like lifetime ago. However, it's pretty cool Morrissey has heard my voice. I guess you never know who's listening.

Here's the article:

Morrissey Reveals Top 13 Albums Of All Time.

Happy 7th Birthday, Leia!

To my BFF forever! Sometimes all a girl needs is her dog. Happy Birthday Leia!!

Happy Birthday Cake!

For Jason's birthday I made a giant homemade hostess cupcake...and
yes! The frosting in the middle is white! It's the little things :).
Can't wait to sing "happy birthday" and cut it !

Happy Birthday Jason!

Wow! Herbie ROCKS.

Music appreciation! This song "Space Captian" is from the Herbie Hancock THE IMAGINE PROJECT, and even better LIVE. Herbie at the piano, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums (one of the best drummers ever!) and featuring Susan Tedeschi on vocals and Derek Trucks on lead guitar (the two are married) Enjoy!

Herbie Hancock on Letterman. Recorded August 3, 2010.