Roman Radio on my ipod

I am first to admit to having what most people would classify as bad taste in music.

I'm not a musical person, I don't appreciate music properly - though most of you know I do long to be a lounge singer...which actually supports my bad taste in music as a general rule.

(total digression too - how cute is the Italian man in my photo by the Spanish Steps? He's so metrosexual)

My ipod is of course full of an eclectic mix of songs and artists. From Johnny Cash, 50cent, Flo Rida, Bollywood hits, movie soundtracks, Linkin Park and The Carpenters - just to name a few. Just the other day, I ran across a song I had forgotten about. I now realize I need to cycle through the full scope of my music library and not just my typical "go to" playlists.

It was an Italian song - pop music Italian - the kind you hear in the car in Italy as your driver is chain smoking and whipping through traffic with reckless yet confident abandon.

So I went onto itunes and looked the artist up. I had not found her on there before, but since itunes has been updating itself more often - low and behold there she was. I ended up finding all sorts of Italian Contemporary Pop music - now I am hooked. I was jamming last night, dancing in my underwear like I love to do. Then today - rocking out on the airplane. I don't normally dance in my seat on aircraft - but this is the most fabulous music! It's my own little secret that I am sharing with all of you. Run, don't walk and download a few songs!

Giorgia - I guess she is quite famous. She had a greatest hits album - and I must admit I liked every song on the album - she can really sing.

Madreblu - Certamente was the song I have had for years. I actually sing along to this song quite beautifully. I think she is complaining about some guy she can't get out of her head, and now she can't sleep. We've all been there. The album is Necessita.

Tiziano Ferro - this guy is a trip. He kind of scares me but I like it.

Old Lady on 5th Avenue

If you want to feel like an old lady.....stop on by Saks Fifth Avenue and have Eduardo put some $200 eye cream on you.

He will then hold up a mirror so you can see your wrinkle eye vs. your more youthful eye.

All day I walked around looking like I was firm on one side and a stroke victim on the other.

No, I did NOT buy the $200 eye cream.

But now I kind of wish I did.

By tomorrow my wrinkles will return and I won't be so humiliated.

Seriously - I can feel how firm the skin is there now - I may just invest and slather that all over.

Suckered by the Universe

The world is changed. I feel it in the water.........

I can't seem to get Lord of the Rings out of my head lately. They are playing it over and over again on cable...so that could be part of the problem....but when I am having a life moment...I like to recall familiar lines that seem relevant.

And saying "the world is changed. I feel it in the water" seems appropriate right now.

I'm also still loving to say....."I have no memory of this place" also from LOTR. It is a line that applies to a multitude of situations...and can relieve tense moments when said out loud.

Anyway...back to the original intent........the world is changed. I feel it in the water.

I'm not going to deny that it is entirely possible I am experiencing some sort of mid life crisis. With the birthday just passed.....and a new year just begun....it makes a person reflect.

I have been reflecting. I have also been a bit torn. Just struggling with some life decisions and choices.

On my birthday, I received a free tarot reading.

That was some scary shit.

My good friend Andi can tell you, that in a moment of life crisis, I love a good tarot reading.

I can analyze that crap for hours. Much to my own harm probably.

I held onto the reading for a day or two, read it about 50 times, then finally threw it away.

A few days later, another crisis hit when someone on Facebook posted a link that said our zodiac signs were all jacked up. Suddenly I was no longer a Capricorn but a Sagittarius. That freaked me out. But all is well. It turns out I am still a Capricorn. Phew.

So then, yesterday comes.....I receive an email of all things with some sort of 2011 reading. I don't know where this stuff comes from.....but I get suckered in and read it.

It turns out that cosmically speaking, this is going to be a very eventful year for me!

(shuh....I totally knew that! the world is changed. I feel it in the water!!!)

Apparently something truly exceptional is going to happen to me this year. And I am going to witness 4 separate events that will have a profound impact on me.

The first one on January 4th.....ummmm, January 4th is over. I don't recall an event occurring.

The second one - (this is my favorite one) will occur between January 22nd and the 4th of June. kind of a long window for an event.

The third one will occur on March 11th. I am considering taking this day off so I can witness the event.

and the 4th one will occur in early summer - which is to say the first part of July.

As I read...as was totally sucked in.

In each of these 4 periods a very unusual and special event will occur that will have repercussions that impact 2011 and the rest of my life. Apparently the event between January 22nd and June 4th is major. It is described as the most intense event.

I'm kind of scared.

In addition to life events....I am scheduled to have some pretty impactful encounters with people.

There is one person who is bad, bad, bad and I have to avoid.

But there is another person that is going to come into my life that is good, good, good. I hope I don't avoid the wrong person!!!!

The thing went on and on about all of my major life changes.

And being the mid-life-sucker-idiot-indecisive person that I am.....I totally paid for another analysis. I have NEVER done that.

I was totally sucked in.

They give me a free tarot reading.

A free mini astro chart....

and suddenly I am spending my own money for a deeper look inside.

I can only hope that after spending my hard earned money so stupidly, I can get my own brain around some of my real life dilemmas.

Perhaps as I peruse my astrological chart......I can then take my next few dollars and plunk it down for a therapist.

Because......the world is changed. I feel it in the water.

Something is coming.

Let Them Eat Cake! Qu'ils mangent de la brioche!

Marie Antoinette actually never said that.

It is just a nasty rumor spread by radical French Revolutionist propagandist punks.

And really, brioche isn't cake.

Yes, it is rich, decadent and delicious - but most definitely NOT cake.

And if you think about it - saying "let them eat cake" is actually quite nice. If I was a poor French peasant and the queen was offering up cake - I'd be 1st in line.

If I have not already mentioned in this blog before - I have read at least 5 biographies on Marie Antoinette. I highly recommend you pick one up.

And the Sophia Coppola movie with Kirsten Dunst? I am a fan. Lots are not - but I am.

Anyway, Cake has been a big subject the past few days.

I love cake.

I am never one to run from cake.

But a dilemma arose over whether or not to "Let them eat cake" at an upcoming bridal shower I am hosting.

It is a bridal brunch. BRUNCH.

I didn't even think cake would be an appropriate option.

Brioche maybe....but not Cake!

Certain parties began to insist that cake was a must.

I have struggled and struggled on this.

Those of you attending the shower must wait until the actual event to see if it is cake or no cake.

I'm still undecided....which is ironic.

Because I love cake.

The wedding cake is my favorite part of weddings.

The birthday cake is my favorite part of birthdays.

The question of cake is even more ironic because tomorrow is my birthday.

And I am hoping cake is involved.

Will Tim come thru with a cake? Or will I have to be irritated that he didn't and buy one on my own?

Like the cake at the shower question - the answer lies in the future.

As I reflected on cake. I pulled out some old birthday photos.

This one is me on my 1st birthday.

Clearly disappointed that no cake has yet appeared.

However, the cases of liquor on the right has my cousin Matthew on the full on waddle in his green jumpsuit.

By the next photo - I am now looking more excited. They put me in the high chair. That must equal cake. The presents I'm sure were a thrill - but you can almost see the look on my face that says, "What? No Cake?"

(and side note - why give a card to a one year old? really?!)

I do like how many photos there are of me and family gathered around cake.

It is a highlight.

I even sport a 'cake' themed hat in one photo.

What a striking fashion moment that was!

And no party hats appear on the 1, 5, 6 year old Annette, but on 17 paper cone hats are rocking the house.

Check out how I am about to nose dive into that delicious cake! Everyone else...eyes on the camera, Annette....eyes on the CAKE!

(actually, Nan wants some of that cake action too.)

My Mom even once sent me a package on my birthday when I was alone in Austin.

It had a box cake mix, a bottle of vegetable oil and a can of frosting and candles.

All I had to do was add water.

Wasn't that sweet?

Mom knew my love for cake knew no bounds...even if I had to make one on my own out of a box.

Oh for the love of Cake!

Nappy

I love a nappy in the afternoon.
and I don't mean a nappy - like a diaper.

But a nappy like a nap.

Whether it is curled up on the couch under a blanket - or stretched out on the bed in the sun...nappies are pure heaven.

I longed to take a nap today - but finally had to deconstruct Christmas - so no nappy for me.

Tony and Bebe did not have to deconstruct Christmas.

So they napped all day.

This of course served to make me:

1. very jealous

2. unable to concentrate on Christmas deconstruction - because I can't resist a peaceful animal. I have to hug and kiss and snuggle with them.

Needles to say - deconstruction took all day.

But at least it's done now.

Farewell Winter Holidays!

Time for a nap.

The Perfect Storm = Jo Malone

I have been super cranky for no reason. I think it has just been a perfect storm of contributing factors that have led to my bad attitude the last few days.

For shame, because my Caps kicked Penguin ass on New Years Day. (I think Sidney Crosby cried....wah...little punk bitch).
So it was a great kick off to the New Year.

But I think I am just a little weary and tired post holiday. And I am about to partake on a bit of a whirlwind of activity. So of course I begin to obsess about stupid things.

I also am having that weird food tasting thing. When none of the food I eat tastes normal. When I question whomever is with me if their food tastes ok - they look at me weird. Tim says it is just my weird food tasting time. I guess it's like my period....only different.

And while I am loving my new Kindle - the book I am currently reading is kind of freaking me out. It's called The Emperor of All Maladies. It is essentially a 'biography' of cancer. It is not exactly light, bedtime reading. In fact - I go to sleep imagining Leukemia cells in my blood - and the image is not a good one. I need to remember that I can be borderline hypochondriac. When I was younger, I often diagnosed my own illnesses after consulting the medical dictionary on my parent's book shelf. I think the book should have been hidden from me. It's not normal to self diagnose things like TB and Marfan's Syndrome on oneself. This book is kind of taking me back - and I don't want to self diagnose cancer in any form. Ugh.....it is creeping me out now.
I think finishing this book is going to be a long task.

Knowing that sleep would not come easy with cancer on the brain - I went thru the stack of books under the Kindle and picked up Where Men Win Glory - I am now disturbed that such a nice man like Pat Tillman was killed. And by friendly fire no less. Knowing that officers in the Army and officials in the Pentagon and White House lied about his death by friendly fire - and then tried to take the focus away from bad press like Abu Ghraib and Fallujah - by parading his story to the media makes me even angrier.
So for the past few nights I have been plagued by disease and corrupt officials.
Suddenly the bad attitude is revealing itself to have a cause.

And to top it all off, I let myself be bothered by "the beast". Most of you know of whom I speak.
I hate when I let the 'beast' push me to the edge.
Just as I hit the precipice today - I pushed back and stood up for myself.
Huzzah for me!
I felt I deserved a reward for being such a strong and powerful woman.
So I treated myself to a bottle of perfume and a bottle of Chanel nail polish.

The selection process took some time. I was really digging this fragrance called Flowerbomb!
I put it on and let it settle - it is a tad sweeter than I normally wear - but really nice.
But then - to my horror - I recalled that the 'beast' had shown me the fragrance once - so on principle I didn't buy it.
What if he smelled me and thought he influenced me to buy it?!
Better to have someone ****gift**** it to me. (hint....Tuesday is my Birthday!)

So then I wandered over to Jo Malone - I have never been able to settle on a fragrance - they have so many to choose from.....but after lots of sniffs - I settled on the Nectarine Blossom and Honey. I don't know if it is my new signature fragrance.
I have been all about my India for so long now - but as with most things - when people in my family start to wear it - it is no longer a signature for me - so I have to change things up.
I'll keep you posted.

And the Chanel nail polish? If you are a woman and have not treated yourself to a bottle of Chanel nail polish - run, don't walk and buy you some.
It lasts forever. The color goes on great in one coat - (but i still do 2 just because)
I bought Steel. I love my vampy hands.

So in conclusion - after a hot bath, a self manicure with Chanel nail polish - and a spritz of Nectarine Blossom & Honey cologne - I'm going to drift off with a good book and a better attitude......

The Don't List for 2011

I don't really make hard, fast, specific resolutions each year.

I try to keep it fairly simple.
When asked my resolution for the New Year early last week, my response was a simple,
"don't be a fat ass"


If you think about it - being a fat ass encompasses a whole bunch of topics and resolutions.
In order to not be a fat ass, one must excercise regularly, eat well and not spend hours on the couch.
This I can handle.


It also includes things like - don't eat an entire bag of m&m's even though they are delicious and make you happy.
don't spend an entire Sunday watching Bridzillas when you could be cleaning, cooking, reading a good book, volunteering or moving your fat ass.


Project Ass Reduction is in full swing, I have excercised on average 6 days a week for many weeks now.
I feel better, I look better and knock on wood - will not get a cold.
I'm actually proud of the fact that I took on PAR during the holidays.
If you can make it there - you can make it anywhere.
Truly my resolution began before the New Year - and I have already made it past the one week when they say all people fail.
So I love being a success in 2011 on the 4th of January already.

I am bucking the system and throwing in another resolution.
And that is to not kill plants.
or to try not to kill plants.
The pressure is on people.
I have had 2 live houseplants.
One has survived for more than 2 years.
One has survived for 1 year and 5 months.



That is a world record in the plant kingdom.
The only reason they live is because they are succulents.
That means when I forget to water them for 3 months, they continue to live.



Last week, post Kwanzaa celebration, I came home with a 3rd plant.
The poor thing is not a succulent.
I am worried.
To make matters worse - this plant is a trimming off of a plant that was my Great Grandmother's. The plant has sprouted many other plants - and my Aunt told me there was no way I could kill it.
Yes, I can kill it.
I don't know what it is, and I don't know how to care for it.
I'm afraid to water it because I overwater.
I'm afraid to not put it in the right spot because what if it gets too much sun, or not enough sun. It's by a door - is that too drafty? But if it is not by a door, everywhere else is too dark - does that mean it will die from lack of sun?
Help me Mary Mother of God to not kill this plant.
How pathetic would my legacy be to Nonnie Alpha if I killed this.
It is like a family legacy.
So I have to resolve to not be a plant killer.
This one could be harder than not eating an entire bag of m&m's.

Perhaps he knew, as I did not, that the Earth was made round so that we would not see too far down the road.

I just finished crying my eyes out. I am a sucker for a good romance....and Out of Africa just ended.

That music is so sweeping and gorgeous.

It's cinematography glorious.

Meryl is divine - and I don't even like Robert Redford as a general rule - I mean, after all - his name in the movie is Denys Finch-Hatten. Can you pretend to have an English accent at least?!

But in all honesty - a man who would wash my hair could have whatever accent he wanted.

sigh......

All day I will walk around saying "I had a farm in Africa...at the foot of the Ngong hills...." I'll say it in my head, because Danish accents are not anything I'm skilled at.

2011 has been wonderful so far.

I had a fabulous New Years Eve....

My Caps won the Winter Classic.

And I woke up today to watch Out of Africa.

I have decided that the best course for me in my life is to move to Africa and take up a passionate love affair with some brooding wanderer. When it's over, I can come home to Denmark(or DC) and start life all over again.

Smarter and wiser after my life changing experience.

Doesn't that sound like a wonderful plan?

I'll have to tell Tim of course, but I think so long as he knows I'm coming back he'd be ok with it.

I'm constantly harassed by my family for loving movies like Out of Africa and The English Patient - but come on...! Let a gal have her moments!