Five Friday Fundamentals - August 22, 2014

i. Listening:  I have a new appreciation for Tori Amos now that I've seen her in concert. So, I've been listening to her a little more than I usually would. Also earlier this week I was perusing my last.fm account and came across some artists that I haven't listened to in a while. The Dresden Dolls being one of them. I've been listening to "Dirty Business": "To the ones who hated me the most, a toast! - you really had me going, for a second I was nervous." And "Coin-Operated Boy" which is one might think is cute at first, but then you focus on the awesome lyrics, and realize that it's not so "cute" after all. The other resurrected group that I've forgotten about are the wonderfully wicked gals in the group The Pierces. I've blogged about them before, back in 2011 (why does that seem so long ago!?). 

ii. Reading:  I'm still plowing through Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, although I haven't been able to read as much as I'd like. Before bed I've been exploring little snippets of Philosophy, which seems like an unusual thing to read before bed but in fact it makes sense to read a non-fiction book before going to sleep - that way I won't stay up all night trying to finish a book I'm completely invested in.  I've also been doing a bit of research on a topic slash life-change that I'm considering, but I'm not ready to make it public yet . . .  

iii. Wearing: Today is black and red day. Black jeans, black and white polka-dot top and red pumps. I've had this outfit planned since Wednesday and I really wish I had plans after work because I feel this is a really fun Friday night outfit. But alas ... this cuteness will only be seen by co-workers, unless plans to go out happen within the next 3 hours, which actually ins't all that unlikely.  I love spontaneity. Also can I just say I hate humidity - can I please wear my hair straight one of these days?    

iv. Watching:  The ONLY thing I've been watching lately is West Wing. I'm just about halfway through Season 4, and I only have two questions I want answered right now: 1) Why did Sam leave!? 2) When are Donna and Josh going to just admit they love each other?  I already have an idea of writing a post about my favorite West Wing episodes coming up after I finish the series.  So, stay tuned . . . . 

v. Wanting: A fresh start. I want a redo in more than one area of my life.  Recently I've been thinking about where I see myself going and I'd really like it if I could undo some of the things I've done and make different decisions. However, every day is a new beginning ... so why look back when I can look ahead. Maybe some really wonderful things are on the horizon and I have no idea.  

Five Friday Fundamentals: June 13, 2014

Hallelujah! I'm so glad it's June!

 i. Listening:  At the moment there are two artists I've been really listening to.  The first is IggyAzalea. While I really love hearing  Fancy on the radio multiple times a day, I think my favorite song of hers is a tie between Work and Black Widow.  I love the energy of basically the entire album!  The other is quite obvious - Mrs. Carter.  I would post some of my favorite Queen Beyoncé songs, but then I'd end up posting her entire discography.  So, I won't do that.  

 ii. Reading:  I'm currently reading Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.  I've had this book for ages and I'm just now getting around to reading it.  I can't comment much on it right now bc I'm only about 75 pages into it, but so far I'm really enjoying it.  I'm looking forward to learning more about the secrets of Rebecca and the unnamed protagonist.  

iii. Wearing:  Casual Friday!!  Skinny jeans - which are now fitting a little better since I've lost about 10 pounds; a gray tee-shirt which I'm pretty sure isn't even mine, but leftover from mixed laundry from months and months ago; and my purple gladiator-like sandals, which are so very comfy.  To top it off - my hair is in a bun because standing under a hair dryer in this muggy weather was NOT happening today.

iv. Watching:  A few weeks ago on a dreary Saturday, I spent my time by watching the ENTIRE season of Hollywood Game Night, so that has kind of been my obsession lately.  The other show that I've been guilty of watching marathons of is Modern Family.  USA does 2 hour themed marathons a couple times a week, so that's been my guilty pleasure in the evenings when I can catch it. Plus, I took the Which TV Mom are you? quiz and got Gloria - which surprised me. 

v. Wanting: I'm super excited because yesterday I bought my ticket for my FIRST Tori Amos concert!  She's been one of my favorite artists since I was in high school and believe it or not, I've never see her live.  But all of that will change in August!  So I'm wanting the weeks between now and then to go by rather quickly.  I'm also wanting to spend all my weekends at the pool reading, which is totally doable if the weather cooperates!  

Five Friday Fundamentals

 i. Listening:  I’ve always gotten great satisfaction out of creating perfect Pandora stations.  Right now I have a few that I’ve been listening to frequently and which I think are truly exceptional.  1)Pharrell Radio – which is probably my favorite station to listen to in the morning when getting ready for work.  A little Robin Thicke, Outkast and Jay-Z always helps to get me started with my day. 2)The Spill Canvas Radio – which totally channels my “angsty” phase of life (circa 2007). Bands like: Taking Back Sunday, The Used and Something Corporate. Finally and most obviously 3)Beyoncé Radio – I mean, duh. I’m obsessed with Mrs. Carter.

This is what my computer sees today. 

 ii. Reading:  I started reading The Fault In Our Stars by John Green a couple days ago and I already know I'll end up finishing it tonight.  I'm envisioning a glass of wine, reading and crying - since I already know it's going to have a sad ending.
 iii. Wearing:  As per usual for Casual Friday at work, I’m wearing jeans and a spring-y type top, since it’s nearly 80 degrees out.  Thank you Cleveland weather – I’m enjoying you these days.  
iv. Watching:  I’ve been enjoying Shark Tank and Dateline, as always.  However my newest obsession has been reruns of Will & Grace.   

v. Wanting:  To finally get cable in my apartment.  First they came on Tuesday, only to tell me that I needed to have a new cable cord installed, which was supposed to be yesterday.  However, the guy who came on Tuesday never submitted the work order, thus I spent a whole day waiting around for nothing.  Now I guess it’s going to be installed next Tuesday.  We shall see. 

Five Friday Fundamentals

In an attempt to start resurrecting my blog, I’m creating a new subset of recurring posts called Five Friday Fundamentals.  This is an effort to succinctly provide an overall snapshot of certain aspects of my week and/or daily life.

So here is the first installment of Five Friday Fundamentals and a glimpse into my world, at the moment.

 i. Listening:  Chris Pureka.  Especially the song 3 a.m, from her album Driving North. I must have cried every time I listened to it, when I first began listening to her. She is very similar to Patty Griffin, who I have adored for a very long time. Chris Pureka is folky, expressive and the lyrics are so hauntingly beautiful. “Oh, and these things I just want to tell you still, but you stopped listening, oh well, didn’t you? So maybe I should go get lost, or maybe I should go get drunk, or maybe I should just forget about you".
 ii. Reading:  I’m between books.
 iii. Wearing:  I’m brightening up my little corner of the world with this top in bright yellow from Banana Republic and a colorful scarf, with skinny jeans and nude pumps. I truly am loving and appreciating casual Fridays.    
iv. Watching:  These days I’ve been obsessed with Dr. Oz and The Dick Van Dyke Show, which despite it being so very ‘60s, the show is still smart and funny. Here’s an interesting blurb on the portrayal of feminism in the show. My Dick Van Dyke Show obsession goes back to December when I developed a huge crush on the adorably funny, Rob Petrie – any guy who can make laugh, will win my heart. For this reason, I think I need to date a comedian.

 v. Wanting:  To get my hair done … I'm in need for another change.

FYI - Coming Soon! A real blog entry … I promise.