Holiday shopping!

Here are two more pics from a couple of weeks ago, when we went shopping in Pasadena. Here we are with a couple of big balls.

And, a big statue. It was cool, and windy, so I took the oppurtunity to wear my favorite jacket. Oh, and Casey, the bag by my feet has a gift in it... just for you (sort of)!

New Console and X-Mas Decorations!

So, I've had this big empty wall in my apt, that I've been dying to fill. When I worked at Arcanum in Savannah, I found a console that I wanted, but couldn't afford. Luckily, I have a job that pays well enough that I can charge this console and pay it off over the next couple of years ;)

It's an antiqued gold frame with a dark shell top. I finally have a place to put my lamps! They've been sitting on my bedroom floor since '87!
We also hung a couple of pictures in our bedroom. I just got so tired of having big empty walls!

I also have my "Winter Tree", I wanted a tree that reminded me of the cold weather, so I bought one without leaves! Not to mention, my fave holiday is Halloween, and this tree brings that feeling into the winter.

So, with uplights and creepy ornaments and birds, I have my Christmas decorations!

Cyndi nominated for a Grammy!!!

Cyndi Lauper's latest album "Bring Ya To The Brink" has been nominated for a Grammy in the Electronic/Dance album category! This is great news, although her song "Into The Nightlife" should have been nominated for best dance song. In her nomination category, she's up against Robyn (Swedish pop star), Kylie Minogue (for her amazing album "X"), Daft Punk (blah), Moby (blah), and the Brazilian Girls (they have some fun songs, but don't think they should win).

Hearst Castle

Here are some photos of our drive up to Hearst Castle last weekend. We drove up the PCH and it was quite lovely. Here's a pic of a vineyard we drove by. If I'd had it my way, we would've stopped and gotten drunk...I wasn't driving.

Here's the ocean. If I'd had it my way, we would've stopped and gotten in the ocean after having drinks at the vineyard.

Here's a horrible picture of me with some other people. Okay, that's Tyler on the left and Adam in the middle. At least if I'd had those drinks I'd have an excuse for why I look like two scoops of fruit loops.

This is a pool (yes, there was also an indoor pool) at Hearst Castle. I wanted to go swimming so bad! Except that it was pretty cold, and you know what cold water does to boys!

Ah, the warm...er interior of the castle. It was very pretty.

The Christmas Duel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My5Bzf0PQhc

The above link will take you to the new Christmas song, sung by Cyndi Lauper and The Hives (perhaps I should say, Cyndi VS The Hives). I've been listening to this over and over (available on iTunes now). Lyrically, it's not the most family-friendly X-mas tune, but musically, it's very similar to Phil Spector's "Christmas Gift". If you enjoy the classic songs, "Marshmallow World" by Darlene Love, or "Sleigh Ride" by the Ronettes, you will enjoy this song. Slightly... okay, completely offensive lyrics and AMAZING vocals definitely make this an original holiday tune.

Thanksgiving photos

RE: My earlier post - Here are the pics from Thanksgiving! The first is from dinner. Me on the left, Tyler, Crazy Chris, Adam, and Crazy-faced Gabe. Jess was behind the camera. She also cooked most of the food and it was yum.

The below pic is actually from the day after Thanksgiving in Pasadena. Again, Jess was behind the camera. Me on left (again), The twins (Kristin & Kim), Gabby, and Tyler. And a really big tree! You probably can't tell from this photo, but my hair was killer that night.

There will probably be more photos to come...

Long weekend... not long enough

Well, Thanksgiving is over and I had a full weekend. After spending the holiday with friends and eating lots of food, we did a bit of travelling. Friday night, a group of us took the metro into Pasadena for the tree lighting ceremony and some shopping. It was a lot of fun, and a stranger flirted with me, which is always nice. Saturday, we woke up early and drove up the coast to Hearst Castle. We took a tour of the castle at sunset, which was amazing, and then drove back to L.A. Finally, on Sunday, we went to see Milk at the Arclight. For those of you that don't know (you know who you are ;), Harvey Milk was the first openly gay person elected to a government position in the U.S. It was an AMAZING movie, and was oddly relevant to today's issues (Prop 8, etc). And, if you're wondering why there's a picture of Doris Roberts above, it's because she was eating at a nearby table at the Arclight cafe. We tried to get a picture of her, but it was too difficult.