Be it faux-hawks, dancing, or the city of Florence, the cast members of "Jersey Shore" love to declare everything their "best thing". Here are some of MY Best Things.
As I think I've mentioned before, I became a full-on Australiaphile after I lived in Sydney for 4 months on a study abroad program. It was one of the most fantastic experiences of my life to date. Since today is Australia Day, I'm dedicating this post to my favorite country, it's wonderfully friendly and lovely inhabitants, and all the people I met while I briefly lived there.
Let's take a trip down memory lane, shall we?......
Blue Mountains
sleepy koala
penguins!
WOMBAT <3
right before one started humping my leg
Melbourne
Great Ocean Road
Twelve Apostles
Hunter Valley wine tasting adventure
surf camp!
7 Mile Beach surfing
echindas
baby 'roo in the pouch!
Fraser Island 4WD/camping adventure
Fraser Island shipwreck
the dingo that might have stolen our bag of wine
sailing in the Whitsunday Islands (wish I was able to find more pics - especially one of Whitehaven)
I WISH my suitcase & belongings looked like this. (image source: blog.difflearn.com)
I'm going on vacation on Friday!! I can't wait - I feel like it's been a really long time since I had a true vacation. My trips to Utah and NYC were so much fun but very busy, and because I stayed here in LA for Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years, I feel like I didn't get to fully check out and kick back. I've felt sluggish and not 100% ever since I got sick on New Years Day and I'm really looking forward to a week of relaxation. I'm flying in to Fort Lauderdale on Friday night/Saturday Morning and then boarding Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas for a week-long cruise to the Carribean. Oasis of the Seas & its sister ship, Allure of the Seas, are the largest cruise ships in existence. Below is a little YouTube tour.
So excited!!
BUT before I can go I have to pack. Blargles. I tried to start a list on Monday night and got as far as:
-Sunscreen
-Dresses
-Flipflops
-Bathing suits
It's simply physically impossible for me to pack or even focus on a list any time prior to "the last minute". My parents used to show up at BU to help move me out of the dorms at the end of a school year and be furious at my lack of packing. The night before I left for Australia my friend from down the street had to come over and help keep me on task. I don't know why it's such a problem - you would think that I would be so super excited that my clothes would just pack themselves. They don't.
Also, this usually happens:
image source: gattinamycats.blogspot.com
That's not my cat, but my cat sure does like to curl up on my stuff at inopportune times.
The good news is if I forget anything I'm sure they sell anything you could possibly need on the ship. The bad news is that it probably costs an arm and a leg. I'll get it done, don't you worry, it may just be that I'll be running to catch my plane. And we all know how well that goes.
The starting line-up was released today. I haven't been able to get past the first picture:
This puppy's name is Aberdeen. Aren't you just DYING of cute? I love the fun facts for each puppy - Aberdeen's is that she's saving to buy a sailboat.
Whoever at Animal Planet came up with this inspired bit of counter-programming is a genius. I will actually sit and watch the entire show from start to finish. Did you know that all the puppies that play in the Puppy Bowl are available for adoption? I'm sure the applications come pouring in right away. And if puppies aren't your thing (really? who are you?) there's always the kitty half-time show, the chicken cheerleaders (they used to be bunnies - I wonder why they made that change?) and the hamster blimp pilots. SO MUCH CUTE!
I've been invited to what sounds like an EPIC Super Bowl party this year, but I'm considering not going because I'd rather stay home and watch the Puppy Bowl in my pajamas. Decisions, decisions. In the meantime, which is your favorite puppy?
In our house we almost NEVER watch live TV. We watch lots and lots AND LOTS of recorded TV, but almost never at the time it actually airs. This means we get to skip all the commercials and get through 3 hours of programming in about 2.5 hours. Awesome! But I have a secret: I'm one of those rare people who actually enjoys watching commercials. Not every commercial - because there are a lot of crappy ones out there - but definitely the really good ones. What does "really good" mean?
A) The commercial features a dog or other really cute/funny animal doing something cute/funny.
B) The commercial references a movie or television show in an interesting/funny way.
C) The commercial features an awesome song (that I can sing or hum along to).
I realize that this is all, of course, completely subjective, but let me give you a few examples.
This post was inspired by this "game day teaser-commercial" (since when is that a thing?), which I saw yesterday when it was posted on FB by the American Humane Association:
What's great about it (besides for the dog dressed as the AT-AT at the end) is that it doesn't even mention Volkswagen until the very end, but you already know what it's for because it reminds you of this incredibly genius ad from last year:
I also happen to really love the commercials for the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas. Here's the one that airs frequently (isn't the song great?), followed by a longer, much more expensive/difficult to produce version:
Here's another fave:
And how about this classic from the late 90's:
You just can't go wrong with horses and dalmatians.
What are some of your faves? Let me know in the comments and maybe I'll do a follow-up post!
Wow, January is a popular month for birthdays. I was too busy to post yesterday so first I would first like to wish a belated very happy birthday to three fabulous ladies I admire, all of whom celebrated their birthdays yesterday:
image credit: deadline.com
1) Zooey Deschanel. As you already know, I really enjoy her show "New Girl" on Fox. Last night's episode, which centered around Schmidt's birthday, was no exception. The first act was so LSHWC funny that we had to pause and rewind at least 3 times. The "We're bronemies. He's my fremesis" lines, and the single-syllable word examples were absolutely hilarious. I realize Zooey might not be super involved with the writing of the show, but I hope she enjoys being on it as much of the rest of enjoy watching it. Happy belated birthday Zooey!
photo from Vogue
2) Michelle Obama. She's uber-intelligent (she graduated from both Princeton AND Harvard - with honors!), she's powerful & influential (since she's taken on our nation's childhood obesity problem, the The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act was signed into law and schools around the country school have stepped up to the plate - more info here), she's stunning - see right - (her smile is magical, I love basically everything she wears, and she's been on the cover of Vogue!), she seems like a super-loving mom, and she's MARRIED TO THE PRESIDENT! If that doesn't describe a true role model, I don't know what does. The below photos aren't really related to it being her birthday, but I thought they were so beautiful that I just had to include them. Happy belated birthday Michelle!
3) Betty White. America's favorite Golden Girl turned 90 yesterday. 90! NBC commemorated the event by broadcasting a special in her honor. Clearly, I'm not the only one who wanted to wish her well. As Newsday pointed out, "Nearly 14 million people tuned in to her "Betty White's 90th Birthday" special last night! Yes:
That's a huge number, and for NBC an almost unheard of one. Consider
that just under 17 million checked out the Golden Globes which means . .
. Betty White is nearly as important as the Golden Globes." Even the President took a moment out of his busy day (and his own wife's birthday) to send Betty a message:
Happy belated birthday Betty!
Today a number of my own friends celebrate their birthdays. I wish to give a shoutout to two very close friends in particular: my former roomie and BFF since the age of 13, Lesli, and fellow Terrier and current collaborator/partner on exciting film projects, Mike.
When looking up the attributes of the Capricorn I found this: "The Capricorn is the strong friend, they will always be there to help,
they are very sympathetic, caring and helpful to a friend in need. A
Capricorn will get someone back on their feet again with a steady plan
for success and for all this, they expect nothing in return." I truly can't think of a better way to describe both Lesli and Mike. The happiest of birthdays to you both and all the best in the year to come!
As I think I've mentioned before, I became a full-on Australiaphile after I lived in Sydney for 4 months on a study abroad program. It was one of the most fantastic experiences of my life to date. Since today is Australia Day, I'm dedicating this post to my favorite country, it's wonderfully friendly and lovely inhabitants, and all the people I met while I briefly lived there.
