Bad Romance

So... The first time I watched this video I wasn't sure what to think. There are definitely elements of drop dead sex appeal with overwhelming waves of freak nasty. Then you actually get to see her face which isn't all that bad looking. As the hours rolled on I found myself wanting to watch it again... and again... I know. What's wrong with me?! Maybe if I share it with you I'll be able to stop myself?

UPDATE: they removed it so you'll just have to google it and find it yourself=)

Mi Casa Es Su Casa...

Welcome my lovelies!
As you walk through my front door you'll notice the little sign above the kitchen door which reads "Mi Casa Es Su Casa" (translation: my house is your house).
So, without further adieu... take your shoes of and come on in!

Just to your right there is our little sitting area/laptop nook. This is where I sit and read all of your clever blogs while I look out that window and am grateful that I'm in here and not out there on hot days like today!!
Yes, it's a little messy...
Yes, that's a Passion Iced Tea from Starbucks...
Yes, that's a lava lamp...

Straight through the doorway is my itsy bitsy kitchen where I will create for you an exquisite masterpiece... I don't often use cookbooks but the few I happen to have are in boxes right now because we have mold abatement going on in the basement... long story.
But no worries! The air is clean and my kitchen is always open.
Perhaps I'll make you the squash penne I referred to in this post? Or, if squash isn't your thing I can whip up a little homemade marinara... Ms. Salti has been kind enough to give you all that recipe!

Due to my lack of cupboard space... or my ever increasing amount of kitchen paraphernalia... I have a wire rack in the kitchen with all of my tools, spices, entertaining dishes, bake ware, the bread-maker is on the bottom (don't tell anyone I use it!).

Where are my manners?! Let me get you something to drink... I have to admit I'm a little cleaned out after the bachelorette party I just attended. I would not recommend drinking the cooking vermouth. Patron happens to be my favorite but I also have some beer in the fridge along with a healthy supply of SoBes.

Here's the garden where I'll be picking some of our veggies for dinner tonight. Maybe you'd like to go and commune with the honeybees?
Hey... enough Patron and I'll commune with anything you put in front of me!

Or maybe you'd like to have a sit on my favorite swing under our large Catalpa tree? The shade cools things off nicely.

If you're like me you like to put on a little music while cooking... and if you can't find something in our collection then you don't like music. This is just the CD collection too... the records are on the floor. I didn't take a picture of those!
Here are some of my faves...

Recognize anything you like?
no? Too bad... you can leave now;)
hahahaha... just kidding... I'm bad at picking favorite music and movies! I have a lot!!

Now that dinner is ready let's throw on a movie while we eat. Here are a few I thought you might like...


I tried to pick a little something for everyone... it's so hard to please people these days!! Picky, picky=)

All of my books are in boxes as well (mold abatement) but if you look to the right of my blog there... down a bit... you'll see my book montage with a list of a few of the things I've read. I've conveniently left out all of the ever boring books that make me look as smart as I am. You don't need me to tell you that. Only dull people brag about how intelligent they are by showing off with their old college books;) tee hee hee . Nothing but love!
Someday I will take a picture of my bookshelf when it is back up and running.

Well... I hope you've enjoyed your evening as my guest. I enjoyed having you.
Stop by again sometime!!

A Good Old Fashioned Lovestory

Instead of Sponge Bob the other morning I opted for one of my old favorites. Bas Luhrmann's adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I used to watch that movie several times a week before I had kids but haven't watched it in some time for whatever reason...
guess I've been busy...
Anyway... they loved it. The imagery. The story. Everything.
They were constantly asking me why things were happening and what the characters meant by what they said (even in high school old English can be a little tricky to navigate and they're only 2,4 and 7). I was surprised how quickly they caught on.

I'm sure my parents would argue that it's a fairly violent version of Romeo and Juliet to introduce the kids to but I'd like to hear someone argue that it was a non-violent story!
Not the point of this post however...
The point was to find out what your favorite versions of the tale have been over the years?

Perhaps a play you saw? I'd love to hear about it.

Franco Zeffirelli's movie was the first version I saw as I'm sure is the case for most of you. I think it was after I moved to Salt Lake after living in Hollywood (mid 8th grade). The teacher was very nervous because we saw the actors ass. Oh no. I just though it was cool that they would show that in Utah. I was sure they would be so uptight compared to what I was used to... but I guess I was being a little judgmental (very rude, I know, I repented later that night).
I loved it then but it's been so many years since I've seen it. I actually have it on vinyl... I should pull it out and listen to the soundtrack. I remember it was amazing.

I think we also saw the Los Angeles Ballet perform it when I was younger. Although this is not a picture from that performance I would also love to hear if you enjoyed the ballet version of it more than the others and why.

The story has evolved for me over the years which is why I enjoy it so much. Each stage in life it seems as though you understand the characters in different ways and you begin to identify with various people from the story. Of course I'm sure I will always feel that surge of passion as they are falling in love because that's just the genius behind the writing... but I think you understand what I'm getting at.

Baz Luhrmann made Shakespeare accessible to everyone though and that is something not easily done. That's something that every English teacher, actor, director, ballerina, and joe schmoe has been trying to accomplish for a very long time now. I think I'm also biased because I happen to love every movie he's ever directed (yes, Strictly Ballroom too).

So... Romeo and Juliet. Watch it. Listen to it. Read it.



A little culture won't kill you.
(and if it does I don't know what to tell you... I'm sorry... that definitely wasn't my intent)

Michael Franti- All I Want Is You

(before you click play push pause on my playlist off to the right)

You didn't think I'd forgotten about Michael Franti did you? There are so many great versions of each song on the web but not all of the sound quality is that great so I decided to stick with the original on this one. I want you to know this is the last thing I'm watching tonight before bed...

Sweet dreams

(as the saying goes)

xoxo

Deer Cupcake Award

The Rules:
Respond and rework.
Answer the questions on your blog, replace one question you dislike with a question of your own invention, and add one additional question.

What is your current obsession? I think I'm getting rid of this question because I'm so lame right now that I don't feel like I'm obsessed with anything cool or worthy of being obsessed with.

Where are you right now? I am sitting on the love seat in my front room with my feet propped up on a pillow, several pillows behind my back, in Salt Lake City, Utah in the US (specific enough?)

Do you nap a lot? I take offense to this =) I used to nap a lot! I nap more than Erica and less than my almost 3 year old. I love naps... mmmm... it's the Leo in me.

What's one of your favorite movies? Mystery, Alaska will always be one of my favorite movies. Although you all have to realize that I have at least a hundred 'favorite' movies depending on the genre and the day. If you haven't seen Mystery, Alaska it's great.

What's one thing you're looking forward to? Being out of debt. I know there will be some form of debt around at one point or another... but the kind of debt we're in now is just unhealthy. It could be much worse though... I'm being positive (small voice in head is sinking)

Who was your childhood crush? Childhood Crush? Or first love... kind of the same thing for me... James Jones. Still good friends with the fam.

What is your current favorite Song? All American Rejects "The Wind Blows"... it's on the playlist on my blog if you want to check it out. I love it. Not often I fall head over heels for a song the first time I hear it but I definitely fell hard for this one. Like "Come Undone" by Duran Duran... same kind of thing!

What would you like to get rid of? Can't be redundant or I would say my debt... so I guess I would say the distance between my mom and I. We've always been in the same city and now she lives 11 hours away! Too Far! A girl needs her mother... especially this girl...

What in life are you waiting on? I think I'm waiting on life to get easier. I'm constantly thankful for what I have but I always find myself wondering when things are going to ease up a bit. It's a never ending wave these days. But like I said earlier... it could be worse!

What is your favorite thing to do on a weekend night? Toes with Tata (aka Ms. Salti) =) Especially if we have ice cream at cold stone and do toes!

Why did you start your blog? I used to write a lot before I had kids. Before I started blogging I started feeling like I had lost a lot of my creative drive with writing, music, etc. and I felt like blogging was a good way to express that again. A positive outlet for me as well as a way to get feedback from my friends.

If money was not an issue, what is one thing you would purchase for yourself? An Island resort (hey, money's not an issue, right)

What is your best feature? I like my eyes. Always have. No matter how I feel about the rest of me... I'm always having a good eye day=)

Nick and Norah... Yummy...

Don't give me any bullshit about the economy this, and my budget that, and I don't have enough money or time to go out and rent a movie. You're talking to the wrong girl. I'm broke, I have three kids, I'm on a medication that saps my libido and makes my hands numb... so I don't want to hear it. Go out and rent a movie. And if you want my recommendation for a movie (take it or leave it I won't be hurt, promise) then grab yourself Nick and Norah's infinite playlist. There is one scene in particular that they could have left for the director's cut... but I'm not the director so no biggie. Anyway, it was great. Great soundtrack, great lead actors, great plot, just fab all around.
Any good new movie ideas for me? Please... do tell...

Love Me Unique... My daily dose of Franti=)

Hello loves... I have an otherwise non addictive personality... except in blogland. Join me in my adventures of discovery here as it pertains to Michael Franti. Found this one yesterday. This man is in a realm of his own. Hope you enjoy.
Aurs

Michael Franti- East To The West

This is a performance I found on Youtube from a festival in Ireland. These guys are just crazy good. I've been reading on their website all morning and I really enjoy what Franti says about playing different venues... you should go check it out. Of course... I could be a nice, advanced blogger and supply the link... hmm... or I could just leave the adventure to you=) It's not good to be lazy!
I know I said it before but the show here in Salt Lake was just so so so good. Wow. Such a great vibe. I can't believe it's taken me so long to see them.

A little Earth Day fun at the Galavan Center

Sometimes I can be such a dud. Erica (Miss Salti) asked me last week if I wanted to go to a free concert at the Galavan center on Wednesday and I was like "I don't think so... we've got a lot of housework to catch up on". I'm boring, I know ...
Anyway... Wednesday night rolls around and she text me again to see if I'd changed my mind so I asked Trent what he thought because we actually finished folding the mountains of laundry that covered the the surface of our humble queen bed. He asked what time it was at and before I could get the words out of my mouth Aidan wanted to know if he could go wherever I was going. It was pretty much decided at that point.
So, we decided that just I would go with Aidan. I went down and asked my dad if he'd like to be let out of confinement for the evening on 'good behavior' since he'd been such a good boy lately and brought lots of good treats home for the family=) For those of you confused right now... my dad lives with us and I give him a hard time because he spends a lot of time in his room in the basement on his computer. Anyway...

Salti picked the three of us up and we headed downtown. The crowd was great. We've gone to concerts down there for a long time now and I've always enjoyed the diverse crowd that shows up. Whether you're a Dead head or a pop star you seem to fit right in. The music was great! We had a good spot to stand and enjoy watching the bands perform.
Did I mention that there were a lot of really hot people? I'm not just going to say men... I've always been able to comment on the beauty of ALL people and there were beautiful people aplenty there. Not that Erica or my dad were capable of noticing anything but the beautiful men that seemed to be surrounding us... giggle, giggle... but that's okay=) And they were freaking loud enough about it too! The women behind us were laughing about their dialogue! It was getting a bit x-rated for a while... I'm sure either of them would be happy to enlighten you if you asked (or don't ask, they'll tell you either way).
Oh yes... and heaven forbid anything should ever happen to my wonderful husband... BUT...
I found my next husband too;)
Spearhead was absolutely incredible... I'll have to dig up some background on them and blog later...
xoxo
aurs

He's hairy and he can sing... I'm in love!

My Favorite P's

Ms. Salti has carried on this tradition of taking a letter from the alphabet and listing the top ten things that you enjoy starting with that letter. I have my suspicions of why she chose the letter "P" for me... but we shall see=)

1. Pals... Nothing like having people around that you can snuggle with in your comfy's...

2. Pearl Jam... if you read my blog you already know how much I love these guys!

3. Popsie... Man I love my pops. Isn't he a good looking guy! I'd like to think I get a lot of my sense of adventure and spontaneity from him.

4. Penis (don't judge)... let's face it... if a good majority of us ladies didn't enjoy the male member... you wouldn't be sitting here reading this blog! Let's hear it for the Penis!

5. Pajamas... why aren't all our clothes as comfy as our pajamas? I don't know... but I love mine. Even when they consist of nothing more than my birthday suit=)

6. Posting... okay, no, I don't post with a typewriter (although that would be kind of cool). But blogging has really become a wonderful way to process my daily affairs and get to know those around me a little better.

7. Pot... although I don't smoke currently, it's not like I haven't. Should be legal... should be encouraged over tobacco... but for now we'll just say that it's a lovely drug if one chooses to partake.

8. Powder... I've only had the opportunity once to board in powder (though not this deep) and it was pure nirvana. Mmmm... apparently I'm supposed to have a powder howl... and someday if you're lucky you'll get to hear it;)

9. Photography... Thanks to Ansel Adams for allowing me to post this... not that he's around anymore... but thanks anyway! Having a photographer for a father, or a father for a photographer, I grew up with a love of the camera. Very much like journaling is for me... a way to relive the moments of your life...

10. Pregnant Bellies... Yes, this is my first pregnant belly with my Scuffers kitty on top. After I got over the puking, stretch marks, and all that other stuff... being pregnant was liberating for me. As women we're always encouraged to watch our weight, suck in our gut, etc... being pregnant is the one time in your life where a big belly is absolutely beautiful. It makes sense that I'm a labor and delivery nurse. The magic is not lost on me and I enjoy taking a woman through the journey of a pregnant belly to a new baby. And yes, I love rubbing pregnant bellies! But only if I'm given permission!

As promised...

There are just so many incredible artists and bands on my play list right now that I decided to save three for another post.

Pink Floyd was such an obscure group for me while I was growing up. I knew who they were but didn't really consider myself a fan until my junior year of high school. I had this crazy vagabond of an older boyfriend and he absolutely loved them. It got me listening to Dark Side of the Moon a lot more and after that I was intrigued with their sound. It wasn't until a lot later that I started listening to some of their earlier stuff. Some of it is a bit abstract for me but I can appreciate the journey that they went through as a band. Every once in a while you'll catch a guitar riff off another band's album and recognize it as one of theirs. They are definitely pioneers to a great deal of music over the last 20+ years. Wish You Were Here is one of my favorite songs of theirs. Painful, romantic, filled with imagery. When he sings "we're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year" it's so simple but precise.

Yummy... Okay, not all of them are yummy. If you doubt what my type is... just look for the two with the longest hair in the group.

Pearl Jam=) Mike, Stone, Matt, Jeff, and Eddie. Is it strange to feel like you have a relationship with a band that you've never met in person? When Ten came out it was immediately part of my life. I loved their music from then on out but didn't fully appreciate each song or the band as a whole until I met Trent. We fell in love during our trip to Seattle to see these guys play. Hands down the best live performers ever. I expect it's along the same experience that fans of the Grateful Dead had. Fans travel around to all the shows... you get to know the people around you. Their music is beautiful, their messages are powerful. For those of you who stopped listening after Jeremy and Better Man... might I suggest you catch up. Their music is moving. I feel at home when I listen to them.



And that 's how they look on stage too... Mike is the ham with his guitar. I often get the impression that he picks people out of the crowd to "make love" to with his guitar. Stone seems to hold it all together...caries the group along... he lives up to his name. Eddie... mmm... armed with his wine bottle and notebook you never quite know what you're going to get. Quiet and unassuming he unleashes his inner beast on you when you least expect it. Matt joined the group a while back from Soundgarden. I get so lost in his drumming... he's incredible! Jeff and that bass... you can feel his notes reverberating through your body with every strum. Love you guys!

The only band that could possibly follow Pearl Jam for me would be Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Their music is incredible...what else do I say? Always been there for me. Ever changing. For a long time my friends and I had this theory that Bob Dylan and Tom Petty were the same person. There are so many songs where they sound identical... creepy. They must be from the same womb. I finally saw them on the same stage some time ago, so I guess the theory is a bust. I have always admired that they could come out with a total classic rock song like Into the Great Wide Open when no one else was playing music like that... and be incredibly popular! Just goes to show that music is more than just it's genre.

Thank you boys...you make my life rich.

A Little Night Music

After reading Erica's blog earlier today I had to laugh at how true it is that music is involved in everything we do. Granted, I think I listen less since I've had Taryn (the house is usually too noisy to hear music) but it doesn't mean I'm not thinking about it constantly. I've tried leaving my play list up for the past few days and the kids seem to like the variety...

So, I thought I'd give you all a little taste of the music that soothes my savage beast...

Enjoy!

I remember always knowing who The Doors were as a kid and loving their music. It wasn't until I got to high school that I bought my first CD (thank God for lunch money) and it was the Best of the Doors that I purchased. I listened to those CD's non-stop for months on end. It could be that these guys either spurred on my sexual revolution, or that the two just happened to coincide. Whichever way it happened, I put them on (any album) and am automatically taken to a carefree, sensual, soulful place. Jim's not bad to look at either...
Supertramp came along my Junior year in high school. And yes, I realize they were a band much earlier than that... but for the sake of this blog I'll refer to bands when I first "met" them. My boyfriend at the time loved the song "Give a little bit" and he spent the summer dropping hints as to what the song was. A first love never quite fades... and for me the music never really faded either. I don't love all of their music, but there are a few tunes that mellow me out and make me joyful.

Sia I've only heard recently with here new song "Breathe me." Erica played the song for me and the love was instant. She has a beautifully haunting voice. As I listened to more of her music I realized how talented she is. I'll have to get back to you on her... our relationship has just begun... chances are you'll be hearing her on my blog for a while.

Oh Led... mmmm... here's another group that I've been aware of for as long as I can remember. Nothing compares to their sound. Their persona as individuals and as a band is legend. The first album of theirs that I fell in love with was The Song Remains The Same. The versions of No Quarter and Stairway on that album are hands down the best. Also a very sensual band for me (and billions more, I'm sure) they also allow you to explore your thoughts and feelings by just listening to the music. And no, you don't have to be high (though I'm sure it wouldn't hurt). We bought one of their DVD's a while back with a bunch of remastered concert footage and that was a trip! I'd only ever listened to them... but watching them perform... I can see why so many women wanted to bear their children... and I think it's safe to say that Robert Plant "wears to the left."

Joss Stone is another that Erica got me hooked on several years ago. I couldn't believe that she was white! I couldn't believe she was so young! She is incredible. Fabulous, soulful voice. She can sing the blues along with Roberta, Aretha, and Gladys. We saw her perform up at Deer Valley last summer and it was an amazing show. My respect always doubles for a performer when they can blow me away in person as well as on their record.

John Mayer wasn't that hard to hear of. He's been popular since he first came out and I enjoyed his songs then but wasn't by any means addicted to him. With his album Continuum I officially became a fan. I can honestly say that I put the album on and just let it cycle over and over because I enjoy each song wholly. I find myself insanely jealous of the many women he dates and wish that I could find myself lost in the sheets with him singing to me from above. Too much? Tough... it's the truth... and it'll set you free.

Erica and I started listening to Joan Osborne in high school. I wasn't crazy about her "what if God was one of us" song... but as soon as I listened to the album I knew I was in love. It will forever be a deep dark dream of mine to sing "Dracula Moon" in a smokey little blues bar. When I've got a cold and my voice is scratchy... you'll often find me belting it out in the car (solo performance only) The woman has soul... and it oozes out when she sings... covers you from head to toe... and leaves you wanting more.

Fiona, Fiona. I'm happy to say that Fiona is incredible whether she's horribly depressed or incredibly happy. You go girl. So many people thought she was just a whiny girl when she came out but that just made Erica and I love her all the more. Her songs make me want to rip off my clothes and grab a man! You think I'm lying... just try it. Wickedly talented, devastatingly sexy... we love her.

Can you guess? I couldn't tell at first... but it's Eric Clapton. I think it's safe to say I have a thing for men with lots of hair. Maybe one of those weird Daddy things that most girls grow up with. Oh well, I don't care... Eric Clapton joins the list of those that have been around forever for me. My mom's favorite song was always Layla and I heard a variety of his stuff growing up.
"Wonderful Tonight" took on a special meaning for me during (you guessed it) high school when it contributed to my new found awareness of my 'sassy' self. I think of two guys when I hear this song... and I don't regret either. He absolutely takes you places with his music, evoking emotion you didn't know you had...

Oh Bob Dylan... he's one of those I melt to. I also have to thank my first love for introducing me to Bob. What's there to say that hasn't already been said when it comes to him? I love that in this picture you get a taste for just how original his style was at the time. He was (and is) a bit geeky, crazy sexy, a little James Dean, amazing with words... you never had to wonder what was on his mind... he wrote it down and sang it to you. If you're feeling something and want a song to match the mood... he's got it. I've heard people say that he's a great songwriter but not a great singer. I would disagree. His voice intoxicates me. And I doubt that will ever change.

I didn't mean to put the Bob's together... but together they are. Bob Marley has also been around for me for a long time. I get to credit myself for him. I knew when I first heard him that I liked what I heard. Even if I couldn't explain why. As I got older I began to understand his message and the vehicle in which he chose to spread that message. You could just stereotype him as reggae, but I've heard other reggae and it doesn't move me like he does. Also beautiful, passionate, deep... his wonderful smile and large hands reach out as you listen. Even if all you do is move your body to his music... you have to agree it's perfect.

I love the Beatles, but I chose to use the version's of the songs from the movie "Across the Universe" because I enjoy the movie so much. Whenever a filmmaker can take a song and put it into context that brings out the meaning of that song... I'm a fan. This movie is so beautiful! The Beatles have always been there for me. The first album I bought of theirs was The Magical Mystery Tour. I've since acquired a few more and even turned Trent into a follower. Whatever adventure those boys were on they took you along with their music.

I know this doesn't cover everyone on the play list... but I'm sure I'll get to the rest soon...

Hope you discover something new, something old, something to chill to...

Feelin' Groovy

I really am feeling a bit groovy tonight. I think, if you're lucky, you have those times in your life where something exciting, new, or interesting happens and it changes your attitude. Sometimes it changes just your inner iPod, if you will. Over the years I have been lucky enough to surround myself with wonderful family and friends. I work hard to make myself the best person I can be so that my life will be enriched with new people who broaden my horizons. I'm reminded daily that I must not be so bad because the people that surround me are pretty damn amazing. So, it's because of you that my play list is on groovy today. I feel alive, spunky, daring, sexy, inviting, and yes... groovy.

xoxo


Auri