Saturday, July 12, 2008

My dad invented the indy rock look!





My dad's birthday is coming up and we were talking today about how cool I think he looked when he was a teen. He doesn't think the look was cool back then, but he is ultra hip by today's standards. Just look at these photos! Isn't he adorable?!

Friday, July 11, 2008

FOUR (going on thirteen)


Four years ago today....

So, that makes this our Linen/Silk anniversary.

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Put the lime in the coconut... (or don't)

My latest food passion is actually a beverage, and it is awesome!
I purchased my first box of Vita Coco on a fluke. Sometimes, while I am on my lunch break, on days when it is not so nice outdoors, I wander through the nearby QFC. I walk up and down the isles looking for new and interesting products. I generally end up purchasing some kind of beverage. Our neighborhood QFC seems to have an unusually large variety of strange beverages. They have a whole isle of chilled goodness.
On one rather dull afternoon my eyes found their way to a box of Vita Coco.
For those of you not in the know, I am a coconut freak. I love all things related to coconuts. I love the taste and the smell equally. If I am handed a box of candy, I always look for the coconut flavor first. If I am purchasing shampoo I always go for the one with the strongest coconut scent. As a child I used to eat shredded coconut as a snack.
I picked up the little juice box looking package and flipped it over to check out the label. It said it was only 60 calories. That is good, then I looked at the ingredients for the dreaded High Fructose that I try very hard not to drink. Under ingredients it reads: NATURAL COCONUT WATER.
That is it. Period.
Then I read the description on the side.
The part that caught my eye reads:
This 100% pure life enhancing beverage has also been proven
to increase vitality, ease digestion, cure hangovers, and literally save people's lives.


Damn, Gina! That is a lot of big talk for a little box of coconut juice.
I cracked it open and took a big swig. First, it isn't really sweet. If you are going into it with the mind-set you are going to get that candied coconut flavor many of us have become accustomed to, you are not going to like it. But it has a strange addictive quality. By the time the juice box was empty I was still wanting more and feeling quite refreshed and hydrated. I went back and purchased every box that they had at the local market since it is the only place I've ever seen it. (Every box was only six boxes, BTW) And went on a search for more. I mentioned it to my co-worker who has been in the know about this product for some time and she gave me the hot tip that the best place to get it is at Whole Foods because it comes in much larger boxes and is more cost effective! So I had Jon run down and load up the cupboards and I have been drinking one every day since. It is my late afternoon treat that I find myself looking forward to. I don't know if it has "Saved my life" but it sure has improved the quality of my afternoons! And it's packaging is sure way more convenient than poking a hole in a coconut every time you want a drink! (I'm guessing it is probably cheaper as well.)
I'd be curious if it actually cures hangovers. Since I don't really drink, I don't know. Any of my drinking friends want to give it a whirl and report back on how it goes? I could see the benefits of drinking it after a workout. I've done that and I do feel quite refreshed. It is GREAT over ice on a really hot day.

As I post this I am cracking open a box and raising it to you. Cheers!

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

This American Life

I was catching up with This American Life on Showtime. I had only seen one episode, that came as an extra on some DVD I rented ages ago, but I really enjoyed it.
One of the episodes that Jon and I watched was about a man named Michael Phillips. He was born with a medical condition that has left him immobile and dependent on machines. His mind is sharp though. He is wicked smart! Right now, he communicates with his computer.
As we watched the show, and listened to his words (Delivered by Johnny Depp, no less!) I found myself really impressed with his love of life. I found him to be very inspiring. I also felt kind of ashamed of a lot of the things we all take for granted on a regular basis.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think he has set out to be some kind of inspiration, in fact, I get the impression that all he wants is to have a life of his own. To have the same sense of independence that we all take for granted. My impression is that he does the best he can to stay positive and to make the best of his situation.
He is the best kind of hero, the reluctant hero. The person who is a fountain of inspiration just by how they live, not because they set out to be one.
I found his blog after we watched the episode, and saw very little complaining . I probably bitch more on my blog than he does on his. He is a really good writer and I love how he expresses himself and the way he finds inspiration in so many things. He is full of insight and low on BS. We could all learn a thing or two from him. I highly recommend checking out his episode of This American Life and his blog. I've added him to my links as I'm looking forward to following his adventures for many years to come...





And being caught in between all you wish for and all you seen
And trying to find anything you can feel that you can believe in

-Joseph Arthur

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Amazing Gracie

This weekend I spent a good chunk of time playing with Gracie.
Gracie is my beautiful quilted maple guitar. She is a Tacoma. I hate the fact she is named after such an ugly city, but they make a damn fine guitar.
She was a gift given to me by a dear friend. The only stipulation was that I had to promise I would play her a lot. She is quite possibly the most expensive thing I own. I would have never been able to afford her, so I feel very blessed that she made her way to me.
Jon says she is one of the best sounding acoustic guitars he's ever played. He used her all over his last record. I play living room concerts for my cats with her on a regular basis.
Whenever I'm feeling down, I can pick up that guitar and play a song and I immediately feel 20xs better.



(In the photo, Gracie is peering from around the corner while Rose is on my lap. Rose is my 1969 custom SG. Another dear friend had her customized for me. He owned a guitar shop and thought that I needed a pink SG. She doesn't get played as often as she should, but she sings when she does get played! Darian has been playing guitar for about a year now. I hope to give her Rose someday, if she chooses to stick with playing. She should! She picked it up really fast and is quite good already!)



I don't think I fit into his Indie world
Guided By Voices and Velocity Girl
Eric's Trip and Rocket Ship, Rancid and Rocket from The Crypt
Bikini Kill and Built to Spill, it's plain to see that I don't fit
He says my songs are too deep and gloomy
He wishes that I could be more like Jenny Toomey
Just give me my Joni my Nick Neil and Bob
You can keep your Tsunami, your Slant 6 and Smog
-Mary Lou Lord
 

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