Free music

If you are like me and you love She & Him and you just can't wait to hear their new album (out March 23), jump on over to NPR. They are streaming the ENTIRE album for free. And it's quite fantastic!

TV time

If you have been reading my blog for a good length of time, you know my love, deep abiding love of sci fi. I love it. Loooovvvveee it. Space ships, aliens, futuristic. I love it.

Just few years ago, my TV sci fi love was Battlestar Galactica. I miss it. But the creator decided to say goodbye. That's fine. They completed the story.

Fun fact....they decided to do a prequel.
It started this winter. A whole new world of stories about 50 years before BSG.


It started a little slow, but has since captured me. And it has some of the most beautiful sets. This one is on the pilot. Wouldn't you LOVE to live in a house like windows like that?! I sure would.

Caprica is filmed in Vancouver (same place as BSG). Again, such beauty. It's now filmed on sets that look exactly like this. I love the modern feel to the Graystone's house. The clean lines.


The other family, the Adama's, dress in a lot of dark colors. Blacks and blues and deep reds.

And then there are the Cylons.

They seriously look real. The special effects are fantastic.


Kids in Caprica escape to V-world (virtual reality). They wear these weird V-bands.


One of the best things....it's scored by my favorite composer, who also did BSG. Here's a taste...



Alright, I'm done being a geek. For the moment, at least.

Key West

We enjoyed Key West. The sun was out and it was semi-warm. And that water....


It's almost un-believable. So blue and yet so different blue and yet another blue.


Mix that with the sky in all it's shades of blue. Plus some palm trees. Palm tree silhouettes make me ridiculously happy. Like giddy happy. I'd put some in at camp if they could survive 2ft of snow in the winter.


It's pretty beautiful to stare at for an hour or two. Just soaking in all those blues. They are soothing and calming. They seem to melt away stress and worry.

Even the birds seem content to stare out into the blue-ness for hours.


But, of course, there is one big horrid monument for people to take pictures next to just to prove that they were there. I can't make fun though. I totally did that on my first trip here.

But I'd rather have that blue in the background any day....

Friday Finds

I found a few things that were interesting this week, so I thought I'd share.

This post. Those photos. Oh, those photos. I have no words.
Side story....when I was at Sundance, I was walking around Main St. That's where all the stars usually were and where my brother was stationed for the festival. As I was walking, Justin Lyon walked right by me. I gasped and grabbed my brother's arm and said, "Oh, my gosh! That's one of the photographers that I just LOVE from Mammoth Men. That's him! He just walked right by me!" Such a cool moment!

Check out this video on Tara's site.

I really love these engagement photos.

The prettiest camera bag I've ever seen. Wants it badly!

After watching the first 2 episodes, I think I'm really gonna like Parenthood.

Zach Braff's Facebook updates make me happy. I can't help it.

Lots of cute dresses in the new RVA update.


Have a beautiful weekend everyone! We're having nothing but rain, but that's okay. That just means spring is almost here!

won't you please

(source)

Your help, if you will.

I need some new music. I'm not a big music person, so I go for LONG periods of time with nothing new. I'm talking months/a year. I just don't go searching for it.
Lately, I've been listening to nothing but this sermon series (which I just finished and LOVED. you should download it right now), This American Life and Harry Potter on CD.

Yesterday, I sent The Bro a text begging for new music. He usually has 1 or 2 or 15 bands I've never heard that he thinks I'll like. I've spent the day going through the list he texted. (I love myspace music!) I never know what to try, so I always need help.


So, won't you please tell me what are you loving lately?

New music for everyone!

I so enjoyed hearing what every had to say about Alice! I tried to answer everyone that wrote something. It's crazy how different people are, isn't it! Love it!

Her Majesty

Cruise ships are really big. They are really pretty too. Lots of wood side rails. (and Miami's pretty port on the right)



They are so big that it's hard to fit them into one frame. They seem to go up and up and up. And in the back of this one there was a nice 360 degree lounge that had beautiful windows for viewing. One day we (Mom and I) sat there for a while watching people climbing on the climbing wall right outside of it. And play dodge ball. A couple balls even went accidentally straight into the drink. We waved goodbye them as we sailed away.

When these monsters leave their port, it's quite an event for all on board. Everyone is outside snapping photos and enjoying the view. Even if it is a little chilly and super windy.


The informal dining room, full of yummy delightful treats, was surrounded by windows as well. I got kinda sea sick here at one point on the trip. It was a really WAVY day. People were trying their best to walk with trays of food and not fall on their face. I was trying my best not to throw up my lunch when we hit those stomach dropping waves.


And of course, they all have pools and hot tubs. Unfortunately, this one didn't see much use past this day because it was so chilly. It was pretty though.


There are so many places to just enjoy the fresh air. Meet new friends. Eat ice cream cones (always available poolside). Wear your sunglasses and read a book in a lounge chair.



Yes, they are big. Especially when your mom insists that you take the stairs from your room on deck 2 to eat on deck 11. Every day. 3 times a day. But hey, eating that much requires that many steps too, so thanks Mom. My waistline thanks you, too.

Alice

It seems to be highly debated across the blog world/entertainment news/friends as to whether this movie is "good" or "eh." I will say this...don't expect the Disney version. This is NOT the Disney version.


It's delightfully dark/gothic/Tim Burton. And I loved it. Alice's dresses....I die. I would wear them in a heartbeat, especially the red tulle one.


Wonderland was crazy, amazing, intriguing. The story was so-so, but the characters were fantastic. So perfectly cast. Even down to the caterpillar voice of Alan Rickman. And of course it's no surprise I loved Johnny Depp. I love him in about anything he does.


I thought it was positively delightful. I saw it in 3D, although it would have been just as wonderful on a regular screen. Except for the end credits. They were really pretty and life-like in 3D.

Anyone else see it? Thoughts?

Miami: day 1 and 2

After a LONG day in the air. Finally my headache was about gone. The Dramamine was wearing off. I was on a beach, albeit a chilly one. It was wonderful!




The next day, our cruise boat left Miami and I sat on the deck and snapped some photos. While it wasn't as amazing as sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge or the Lions Gate Bridge (Vancouver), it was quite beautiful in it's own way.


That picture perfect sky didn't hurt either. I could stare at clouds all day....


We sailed past many beautiful homes, condos and hotels. And the palm trees. I adore palm trees. Their silhouettes are divine.


Bye, Miami! See you in a few days!

quickedy-quick

I ran out of time today to write a proper post. Workin' the long hours lately. So instead here's a photo of a pretty sign I found in Miami. One of my favorite color combos of all time. And stars, too!

Oh, and I was pleasantly surprised at how pretty Miami was. The Art Deco area of town was like a drive through art gallery/step back in time.

caught

Whenever I finish taking a group of photos, I love to upload (download?) them onto my computer and instantly look through them all quickly. Like a flash fast slideshow. Almost always, one particular shot will stand out. Always for different reasons. Usually it's "I can't believe I finally shot that the way I was seeing it in real life."

This is the one that popped out as I sped through my rather meager pile of photos from my trip. No particular reason other than I just like the way it's framed. It was taken at the southern most point in the US on Key West. There is a concrete pier that really isn't that lovely to look at at all. But that really doesn't matter anyway because the water is so perfectly, amazingly blue that you don't even notice the pier.

More photos to come....

G....you were right. I love it!

Help. I've fallen in love with another TV show. This one has been in the "long wait" section of my Netflix queue for a few months now. It finally arrived while I gone last week. I popped it in last night and couldn't stop watching it. Good thing I only get one disc at a time or I would still be glued to the TV.

It's quirky, adorable, funny, and nerdy. All my favorites things in one little TV show. Plus they have adorable outfits. I love Leonard's hoodies under his jackets and Sheldon's random shirt layering mixed with plaid pants.

So, if you are in need of a little nerd comedy in your TV viewing, try The Big Bang Theory. Just beware of the theme song. It may be the most annoying song in the entire world!

blue planet

Can we please discuss the beauty of water? Water in the Atlantic ocean from 35,000 ft above. It's stunning. I wish that I had dug out my SLR from the depths of my carry-on to snap this, but my point and shoot did okay.
The tones and shades of aqua. The fact that I could see the waves in the sand from that high! It was incredible. And the sudden change in color from deep, dark blue to crystal clear aqua. My nose was pressed to the glass for a good 20 minutes.



This, however, was not the case on the way TO Miami. Oh, dear. Let's just say that migraines+motion sickness=disaster. It wasn't pretty. I got real familiar with those little white bags in the back pocket of the seat in front of me. My poor mom. She was there for the whole show. But hey, who better to take care of you when you feel like your brain has been put through a meat grinder!



Anyway, I'm back on solid ground. Non-moving solid, dirt beneath my feet ground. Although yesterday it did still feel like I was on a boat for most of the day. Our little cruise turned out a little different than we expected. The weather was quite chilly. And the winds turned us away from our tropical island.

But I did swim with the dolphins. I did sit on a beach in the sunshine (albeit in jeans and a tee shirt). I did relax and read and eat way too much yummy food. I did see the southernmost point in the US. I did press my face up to the glass at the incredible aquariums at Atlantis. I was on vacation and it was wonderful.

More photos to come....


ps....I missed you all!

ppssss.....I answered your comments that you left while I was away. Thanks so much for writing! It makes my day!!!

Headed home

You have to see this album in Flickr. Such a creative idea!

Oh, and I'm on my way home. Work, work, working this weekend!

Finally found the sun

After the wind cancelled our beach day yesterday, we finally found the sun. Just had to go a little further south than we thought. Hello, warm sunshiney beach.

move in here

(source)

I want to immediately move in to this room. I think it must be in an old, seaside house in the Northeast like Maine or New Hampshire. I bet the house has a widow's walk and secret passageways and a large front porch.

There is just so much to love. The simplicity of paint color. The neutral tones in the quilt. The bed alcove! The stove right next to the window for watching a winter snow storm. The lanterns hanging on the walls! LOVE! The mirrors. All the different wood textures on the walls.

Yes, I would like to move in here, please.

Superheroes

If you had to pick your favorite super heroes, who would they be? I have this discussion with The Bro every once in a while. Mostly because we greatly disagree on a major one. He chooses Batman. I choose...

every time. Batman is too moody and dark. Superman is kind and all powerful. He can fly and bullets bounce off him. Plus, he's handsome and kinda bumbly/awkward around Lois Lane which makes him even more endearing.

My other favorites are....

Jack Bauer, of course. You don't mess with him. He always saves the day. Part of his super powers hide in his awesome jeans and man bag. He's never without them.



And Buffy. She's sassy. She heals super fast. She's stronger than any vampire around.


Who are your faves?

Miami sunshine

Ah, Miami. It's warm. The sun is bright and wonderful. The boat is about to sail. Vacation is heaven on earth.

Must find

I really want to find an old View-master. We had one growing up. They still have a sprinkling of magic in them. Like looking through a window to a secret world.

Must check the basement at my parents' house. Maybe it's still there....