Stuff this white person likes.

Today I noticed #104 on Stuff White People Like. Girls with bangs. Included is a picture of my girl Jenny Lewis.

This picture of me:



...is right after my sister cut my bangs for the first time about 2 and a half years ago. When she did it, I gave her this picture:



I wanted them like this Jenny Lewis picture:



But I decided against it.

It made me laugh. I often feel like Stuff White People Like follows me around. Other examples of things from their list that I like:

#18 Awareness
#32 Vegan/Vegetarianism
#40 Apple Products
#41 Indie Music
#48 Whole Foods and Grocery Co-ops
#53 Dogs
#54 Kitchen Gadgets
#63 Expensive Sandwiches
#68 Michel Gondry
#69 Mos Def
#75 Threatening to Move to Canada
#83 Bad Memories of High School
#88 Having Gay Friends
#94 Free Healthcare
#97 Scarves
#100 Bumper Stickers

I love the blog, check it out.

Sing along. [Part Two]

Ten Songs I Think Everyone Should Hear [this week].

1. Your Rocky Spine - Great Lake Swimmers



"I was lost in the lakes
And the shape that your body makes
That your body makes."

I recently started listening to Great Lake Swimmers. I think they're fantastic. They are also Canadian.

2. Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect - The Decemberists



"And here in spain I am a spaniard
I will be buried with my marionettes"


I was obsessed with this song for awhile. I still love it. I love that they say "lioness" in it. That is one of my favorite words.

3. Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins



"Time is never time at all
You can never ever leave
without leaving a piece of youth"

Nostalgia, for sure. I remember hanging out with my friends in middle school. We'd listen to Smashing Pumpkins, surrounded by incense and black light posters. Seriously.

4. How My Heart Behaves - Feist



"I’m a stem now
Pushing the drought aside"

Another Canadian. I didn't take this album out of my car last summer. It's all great.

5. Alice by Moby



"I told you I'm not the culprit
I'm the only one you notice"

"One of these things is not like the others..." Okay, this doesn't really mesh with the other songs but it's Moby. This song is interesting. I appreciate that.

6. Deep Red Bells - Neko Case



"It looks a lot like engine oil
and tastes like being poor and small"

How great is that lyric? I just really love Neko Case.

7. Society - Eddie Vedder



"society, you're a crazy breed
I hope you're not lonely without me"

I'm still not sure how I felt about 'Into The Wild.' I did like Eddie's songs in it. Hard Sun is another good one.

8. Small Blue Thing - Suzanne Vega



"With my knees against my mouth
I am perfectly round
I am watching you"

It's Suzanne Vega! Come on.

9. Summertime - The Sundays



"Hello partner, tell me love cant fail"

The Sundays are so my sister's band. I love them, as well. We were listening to this song on the way to lunch yesterday. Annabelle and I were singing in the backseat.

10. The Trapeze Swinger - Iron & Wine



"please remember me, seldomly
in the car behind the carnival
my hand between your knees, you turn from me
and said 'the trapeze act was wonderful
but never meant to last'"

This song makes me cry. It is long. It is well written. It is great.

Yummy!

Ten Vegetarian/Vegan Celebs I Fancy:

Milo Ventimiglia



He's just pretty, right? I don't watch Heroes [gasp!] but I loved him as Jess on Gilmore Girls.

Moby



I'm a sucker for a bald man. It is true. I love his blogs, too.

"Could you look an animal in the eyes and say to it, 'My appetite is more important than your suffering'?" - Moby

Casey Affleck



I love him for being really nice to look at. I also love that he said he was married in Payless shoes. [because they were vegan]

Natalie Portman



You cannot go wrong with Natalie. She's a vegan and a talented actress. Also...inappropriately attractive.

Mos Def



Does anyone not like Mos Def?

Anthony Kiedis



I think the Chili Peppers are bad ass. They've continued to make decent albums. He's a cool guy and a vegan!

Missy Higgins



I just really appreciate a girl who can pull off a short haircut. I like her music, as well.

Chris Martin



He's a vegetarian and just amazing. I mean, have you heard 'The Scientist?'

"Come up to meet you
tell you I'm sorry
You don't know how lovely you are
I had to find you
Tell you I need you
Tell you I've set you apart"

Gah! It's not at all relevant to this blog post but I just had to do it. So sexy.

Jenny Lewis



Ah, my girl, Jenny!

Kate Winslet



I want to be Kate Winslet.

There you go. I was inspired by my trip to Maine's Vegetarian Food Festival on Saturday.

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." - Albert Einstein

Oh, totally.

I discovered the fun you can have with Photobooth video and iMovie last night:



The music is Melvina Reynolds "Little Boxes." It is the theme song of the first season of Weeds. We just finished it a couple of nights ago. I felt inspired.

Let it out.

Five movie moments that make me cry:

1. Garden State - Bathtub scene.



Andrew Largeman: Fuck, this hurts so much.
Sam: I know it hurts. But it's life, and it's real. And sometimes it fucking hurts, but it's life, and it's pretty much all we got.

I feel as though I've grown out of this movie recently. Maybe I just hate Zach Braff. However, that moment is still beautiful. I love a good bathtub scene.

2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - "Am I ugly?" scene.



Clementine: When I was a kid, I thought I was. I can't believe I'm crying already. Sometimes I think people don't understand how lonely it is to be a kid, like you don't matter. So, I'm eight, and I have these toys, these dolls. My favorite is this ugly girl doll who I call Clementine, and I keep yelling at her, "You can't be ugly! Be pretty!" It's weird, like if I can transform her, I would magically change, too.

Even the blanket they're under makes me cry. I love the way this scene was shot. It is truly lovely.

3. Philadelphia - The last hospital scene.



The whole scene is heart wrenching but the moment when Joe puts the oxygen mask back on Andrew's face knocks me over. It is intimate and beautiful. I've taken care of a man dying with AIDS. It was the day in my life where I learned absolute reality, it just was. This scene reminds me of that.

4. Good Will Hunting - "It's not your fault" scene.



Sean: No. Listen to me son. It's not your fault.
Will: I know that.
Sean: It's not your fault.
Sean: It's not your fault.
Will: Don't fuck with me Sean. Not you.
Sean: It's not your fault.

I love that Robin Williams could tame himself for this movie. I love when Will just lets himself go.

5. Brokeback Mountain - Jack's bedroom scene.



This movie depressed me for weeks. It's a "punch you in the gut while you're already down" kind of movie. The second Ennis shows up at Jack's parent's house, you're already sad. When he finds the shirts, if you're not crying and ready to throw up from the sadness, then I don't think you get it. Oh, Heath Ledger, I miss you.

Dear Dr. and Mr. Crowe:

I found our Halloween costumes for this year.

LA LA LA LA LA

Love this video.

Note to self: Seriously contemplate riding a skateboard around town.

More, more, more.

Five things I want but won't buy:

1. Razor Pocket Mod Bistro Scooter in Mint from Target.



Why not buy it? Well, a lady of my stature should not be riding on a tiny scooter.

2. Red hair.



Why not buy it? Because I'm a natural brunette. Dark brunette. Being a redhead takes time, dedication, and an inappropriate amount of money to be spent on hair. I did it once for about a month, it was tiring.

3. Sleuth Typewriter Necklace from the Paraphenalia store @ Esty.



Why not buy it? I really have no need for a necklace that, as lovely and interesting as it is, I probably won't wear. I'm drawn to typewriters lately.

4. Red velvet cupcakes.



Why not buy it? Because I know myself too well. I know I think I want to bake but about 15 seconds in, I change my mind.

5. Fisheye No. 2 White Edition Camera



Why not buy it? Well, there are like 100 places my money needs to go and it does not include buying a camera that I don't know how to use that will continuously cost money to use it. However, it is really, really, really tempting.

Sing along.

Ten songs everyone should hear [this week].

1. 'I Like Giants' by Kimya Dawson



"...but if you ever hear someone say you are huge,
look at the moon, look at the stars, look at the sun,
look at the ocean and the desert and the mountains and the sky,
say I am just a speck of dust inside a giant's eye,
I am just a speck of dust inside a giant's eye,
I am just a speck of dust inside a giant's eye,
and I don't wanna make her cry 'cause I like giants."

Listen, I didn't like Juno either but it's not Kimya Dawson's fault.

2. 'Napoleon' by Ani DiFranco



"...I hope that you are happy,
I hope at least you're having fun,
'cuz everyone is a fucking Napoleon."

Do I even need a reason?

3. 'Do The Whirlwind' by Architecture in Helsinki



"She said you'd given up,
Your folks told me you should be left alone,
On a mountain top knocking the aeroplanes down with stones."

This is an indie dance song...sort of. It makes me dance and I think that's important.

4. 'Easy Silence' - Dixie Chicks



"...and the way you keep the world at bay for me."

Say what you will. The Chicks are talented and this song convinced me of that. They pissed some people off, grew some balls, and hot damn that album is good.

5. 'The Past Recedes' by John Frusciante



"I'm a figure of forgotten speech,
I'm out of reach,
I can't play it safe,
but I might just in case."

John might be more recognized as the guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers [or his mid-90's heroin addiction] but I'm madly in love his solo work. He might be an acquired taste, but I certainly think he's worth a try.

6. 'Falls To Climb' by R.E.M.



"My actions make me beautiful
and dignify the flesh.
Me. I am free. Free."

I may be one of the few, but I think 'Up' had quite a few gems. This being one of them. I cry no matter when I listen to it. The end is just...love.

7. 'The Background' by Third Eye Blind



"And they say where's that crazy girl,
you dont get drunk on red wine and fight no more,
I don't see you anymore since the hospital.
The plans I make still have you in them,
'cause you come swimming into view,
and I'm hanging on your words
like I always used to do,
the words they use so lightly,
I only feel for you,
I only know because I carry you around,
in the background."

They never made a decent album after but this whole album was good. Nostalgia could be partly to blame, I still listen to this all of the time.

8. "Changer" by Anais Mitchell



"speaking of loving you, I do."

The sister and I saw Ms. Mitchell with Ani DiFranco, she was great. I love this song, her voice is so sweet.

9. "Mango Tree" by Angus & Julia Stone



"I wish I had a mango tree,
in my backyard,
with you standin next to me."

I don't even remember where I found out about this band. It's a beautiful little EP. A man singing about a mango tree? I'm sold.

10. "A Sight To Behold" by Devendra Banhart



"It's like finding home
in an old folk song
that you've never ever heard
still you know every word
and for sure you can sing along."

Oh, Devendra. I've had your back for awhile. I love this song, it feels old. [He's dating my everyone's homegirl, Natalie Portman, now.]

There you go. Playlisting...Abby-style. Go get your iTunes on.

Cue 'Fathers and Daughters.'

Happy Father's Day to dads/daddies/papas everywhere.



My 1st birthday circa 1985. When both of us had less gray hair.

Oh, so punny.

My sister [Dr. Crowe] and I [Nurse Abby] went to see 'Sex and the City' [the movie] at the Nickelodeon on Friday night.



I think we watched the show together once. Ironically, it was the other time we lived together [circa '02] when it was still a show on HBO. I remember Miranda having to wipe her bed buddy's face off with a tissue. I was scarred. However, I did watch the full series again within the last couple of years on TBS or the CW or wherever it was. I liked it but it was never one of "my shows."



I was excited about the movie though. I appreciate crazy fashion and sex talk just as much as the next gal. I was also excited to finally go downtown [that's what she said] for the first time since we moved here. I had my first downtown driving adventure, which wasn't so much an adventure. We actually live close. We walked around downtown for a little while. We saw a busker [♥]. Then we made BFF's with the ticket man. Okay, not really, but he was fun.

Elderly man [to ticket man]: Is the movie any good? [not SATC]
Ticket man: It is excellent. Really good movie.
My sister [to elderly man]: He says that about every movie. *laughs*
Elderly man [stuck in 1952]: That's what's the colored man said too.
All of us [in 2008]: ...*insert crickets*
Ticket man: Nah, not Sex and the City.
My sister [to ticket man]: One...for Sex and the City, please.
Ticket man: That's an excellent movie. I love it when she tries on all of the dresses. Fabulous.

We love you, ticket man.

The movie was great. I really enjoyed myself. I teared up ["NO!" - Charlotte], I laughed, it was all good. I think because I wasn't a crazy-mega-fan that I could sit and enjoy it without crazy-mega-fan expectations. It was sweet. It made me think of a few things:

1. I don't really miss having a core group of girlfriends very much but for a minute or two, I did.
2. Jennifer Hudson seriously has an Oscar?
3. I want to wear heels all of the time, but I won't because it's impractical.
4. Plan an NYC vaca, asap.
5. I'm going to pun Carrie Bradshaw in the face.



All-in-all a good Friday night. I got some Subway [veggies & cheese w/ honey mustard, check it out] after and the night was complete.

Things I Like This Week.

1. Jenny Lewis


If I could be anyone else, I think I'd want to be a former child actress turned kick-ass musician and ex-gf of Jake Gyllenhaal. So...Jenny Lewis. She's quirky, talented, and beautiful.

2. Portland [not Oregon]


Ocean, good people, a great downtown, etc. I've lived here for less than 2 weeks but it's pretty boss.

3. Nursing


I'm pretty much the least likely candidate for a nursing career. I'm afraid of germs, vomit, people ordering me around, etc. That's why when I committed to it, I really committed to it. Not only do I love it but I'm good at it. The point is...do things you are afraid of. As of last Saturday I am a registered nurse [I passed my NCLEX hard].

4. My Own Private Idaho


This movie contains some of my favorite things. Gus Van Sant, the 90's, Flea, homoeroticism, narcolepsy, and quotable quotes. "...like a fucked up face." Watch it.

5. My Soon-to-Be Apartment Makeover

Before:


6. Mindless Entertainment


Graham is my jam.

7. Sunglasses


I don't need them to be attractive or practical, forget that shit.

8. Fashion Photography


Sure, fashion magazines make you feel worthless and fat but they have talented photographers, as well.

9. Katherine Moennig


If only we could all be as cool as Kate.

10. Ani DiFranco Live


There is something about listening to music live, especially Ani. Seeing Ani DiFranco live in Portland last January is part of the reason why I sit here and enjoy my life in Portland.

Things Overheard This Week:
My brother-in-law accidently drove the U-Haul into the EZ Pass lane on the I-95 and the guy said he was going to get a ticket. Mark asked if he could just back up and avoid the ticket. Here's the ad-lib version of what went down.

Toll Booth Dude: No, I can't let you do that, it's unsafe.
Mark: I'm backin' my shit up!

And he did.