7 Happy Inducing Things

I look at the picture above and wonder if it's really that simple. Do the gods simply roll a die to decide who's going to have a good day? If so, lady luck was on my side this morning because today has been and continues to be a phenomenal day. See the proof below in chronological order.

1) I used iTunes to make a genius playlist based on "Secret Heart" by Feist and it is SO! GOOD!

2) Work was exciting and productive.

3) My friend Sean has had a crush on a boy for months and he stopped by my office today to tell me the adorably sweet story of how Mark kissed him. YAY!

4) I met the daughter of the guy who founded the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

4) I had lunch with my friend Annie. On the menu was pizza topped with goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes and spinach. A) Who thought of those ingredients and B) Can I have his/her autograph?

5) I got to call a small group of students to tell them that they were accepted into a highly competitive university program. Their excitement = better than heroin.

6) I'm about to make chocolate chip cookies.

7) Women's figure skating is on tonight and Rob is coming over.

Seriously, I was so overjoyed when I got home from work I didn't even know what to do with myself. First instinct was to call my Mom, but unfortunately, she's on a plane and unable to answer.* Thus, I did the only other thing I know how to do when I'm "totally, completely and incandescently happy"** which is, of course, to put on red lipstick. How are things so good right now? Keep it coming, universe!

*Sara, I'm jealous you get Mommy and Daddy for the weekend!

**Courtesy of Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, duh!

Crime Alert!

Because I work for a University, I'm constantly getting "crime alert" emails that share details about campus robberies and other unlawful incidents. The indiscretion that dominates these crime alerts? The cell phone snatch.

The "cell phone snatch" is exactly as it sounds. Assailants will literally run up to people using their cell phones, grab the phone out of his or her hand, and run off. As someone who regularly talks on the phone while she is en route to various locations (Hi Mommy--thanks for talking to me all the time!), I am very perplexed by this idea. Doesn't it seem kind of absurd? What's the motive? I'd be willing to bet that the thieves already have cell phones and even if they don't, it's likely that the rightful owner would immediately turn off the service.

What am I missing here? ::strokes imaginary beard::

I'm obviously no Samantha Waters (automatic +10 for "Profiler" reference), as I have no understanding of the criminal mind.

In a Betsy-run universe crimes of this nature would not be allowed. Not because stealing is wrong, rather, it is SO INCONVENIENT to replace a cell phone/all the information in a cell phone. Big pat on the back to people who back up their address books on their computers, but since I'm not one of them, I shudder to think of how screwed I would be if an attacker tried to pry my Blackberry out of my hand. That's right potential robbers, it will be a mayjah fight to get my phone away from me, so don't even think about it.

Hey--You're still thinking about it, aren't you? STOP IT. Not an option for you.

Anyway, the real kicker is that Campus Police used to encourage students to talk on their phones while walking as a safety measure. Oops. Someone change that in the freshman handbook...

In truth, this is just one more reminder that I live in a city and need to be careful with myself and my belongings. Stay safe, DC!

Top o the mornin' to ya!

First things first, I hope you read the title of this post with an Irish accent. Moving on...

I enjoy sleep. Like, REALLY enjoy sleep. I invested in an awesome mattress, and there is no place I would rather be than my bed. Consequently, there are few things that I find compelling enough to make me wake up early. It's a short list, but see my list of exceptions below:

1) Yoga. Stretching feels unbelievably amazing and it's such a nice way to start the day. Anxiety, I banish thee!

2) Watching Family Guy before work (aka what I do when I don't wake up to do yoga).

3) Anything that involves taking care of friends. Example: some of my favorite friends are coming over for dinner tonight so I got up an hour early to make corn muffins from scratch. I have a feeling that I'm going to regret this decision when I wake up from an accidental desk nap at 3:30pm.

4) Getting to the DMV super early so I'm first in line! Please note that last time I had my vehicle issues handled by one of America's most disgruntled employees, I got to the office an hour and fifteen minutes early only to be third in line. Third! The wait wasn't a problem, but the indignity of not being first was highly frustrating. Next time, I'm getting there an hour and a half early so I! Can! Win!

5) Blogging. Or at least I did this morning. ::smiles::

Have a great day, Universe!

Two Days, Six Movies

It's snowmagedden in DC, so I haven't been oot and aboot much. Thankfully Rob, in all his splendor, has been a wonderfully entertaining friend. We spent the last two days holed up in his apartment eating WAY too much ice cream and filling his living room with belly laughs. Check out the weekend in film recapped below!

1) The Devil Wears Prada

Oh Andi Sachs, what I wouldn't give to look EXACTLY LIKE YOU (post-makeover). So gorgeous, so chic. Where do I sign up?

2) Don't Drink the Water

It's official--I really enjoy Woody Allen movies. You win, Rob.

3) The Green Mile

John Coffey vomits magic. VOMITS MAGIC.

4) Talk to Her

One of Pedro Almodovar's finest. Equal parts interesting and creepy.

5) Minority Report

Precrime, what a concept! Plus, I hope we have cool technology like that in 2054. Minus the retina scans, bien sur. They're a little too Big Brother for my taste.

6) Schindler's List

A terrifying look at the horrors of life in Nazi-occupied Poland. So gruesome, yet not gratuitous. What a masterpiece.

And thus I sign off to get some sleep before returning to work after the snow-caused sabbatical. One day until the three day weekend!

I think it's love!

Valentine's Day is approaching, so it's only natural to think about what I love in my life. Outside of family and friends, there are two things I love above all else: 1) Musical theater soundtracks and 2) Anthropologie.

There are still a few days left before V-Day strikes, but in the spirit of love and adoration, I want to share some of my current favorites off the Anthropologie website. In no particular order...

Tiny Tucks Tunic

Airmail Skirt

On-the-Horizon Shorts

Abuzz Cardi

Star Sprinkled Cardi

Blooming Saphire Wrap Dress

Tassel Fronds Dress

Acrobatics Wedges

Mirasol Wingtips

Rough Draft Heels

I don't even want to know the grand total of these items combined, but perhaps one or two will come home with me as a special gift for myself. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to me!

Superbowl Sunday with Vida, Noxee and Miss Chi-Chi Rodriguez

The Superbowl is on and like the rest of the country, I have major plans.

Yes, I'm about to start watching "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar." I'm also planning to pull out (don't say pull out...) a few wedges of Laughing Cow cheese to spread (don't say spread...) on multigrain toast. It is going to be a WILD afternoon/early evening.

Is that not what you're doing?

Oh, and can someone call me after the game to tell me who won? Don't want to sound like an idiot at work. My boss is a Saints fan. Wait...the Saints are playing, right? Maybe? ::sighs::

Sing, Sing, Sing!

Record amounts of snow in DC has left me housebound since approximately 3:45pm yesterday. Not having the option to make plans has been liberating, as it's left me with 23+ hours of Betsy time. I've filled the last day and a half with cat naps, movies in bed, yoga, eating chocolate chip cookies and singing.

It's all been magical, but I think the singing has been my favorite part. Why you ask? I rediscovered my collection of vocal jazz! The velvety voices are so evocative--how could I have forgotten? My neighbors will tell you that I love singing any genre of music (sorry 'bout them thin walls!) but jazz makes me feel different. I think the appeal comes from the unencumbered structure. Performers are encouraged, if not required, to play around with the tempo and melody. Furthermore, the classic songs feel so conversational that I can't help but relax when I sing them, as if I'm casually recounting my heartbreak/drinking problem/lullaby of birdland to an old friend.

How wonderful would it be to sing in a small, smokey lounge? I would love to be the background noise for all the romantic happenings I imagine in those types of venues. The execution of public performance is extremely difficult, and I doubt I have enough desire for the follow-through. But goodness, I do love these evenings at home giving DEVASTATING* performances in front of my bedroom mirror.

*No public performances = no reviews = no one to contradict my brilliance! :)

Why hello again, old friend!

The last few months have housed some life transitions major and consequently, I have been more than a little lazy re: updating the blog. No more!

To be honest, I've felt a little uninspired/tired. That, I recognize, is a meager excuse for shirking my blog responsibilities. I am constantly surrounded by tremendous people and terrific stories. I can surely find SOMETHING to write about each day, no? Plus, I feel the ticklings of an inclination that years from now, the happenings of my 22 year-old life will be fun to remember.

And thus this is a rebirth, like the phoenix from the flame. My hibernating enthusiasm is ready for spring!

Thank you universe, for your patience. And thank you Sara, for your text message nudging.