So I didn’t do a Swoon List on Friday, which wasn’t really a mistake. The reason I even started doing that was because I was in a funk. I’d lost my verve. I’m happy to say that I feel like the mojo has returned. Plus I kind of lost the joy of writing it. If something isn’t enjoyable to me, I’m not going to do it just to keep doing it. The Swoon List served it’s purpose, and it just might show up every now and then if I’m so inclined. happinessIn the meantime, I’m also kind of mulling over a few ideas in my head about some projects, and at some point I hope to share them on the blog.
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I’ve been in a mood lately to unencumber. Lighten my load. Streamline. I feel this way every spring, but it’s a little more intense this year. I crave simplicity and clarity, so this annual exercise is more of a relief than anything else. I have a stack of books to donate to Big Brothers & Big Sisters, as well as 3 trash bags full of clothes. I spent yesterday going through papers and making stacks to shred, file, or toss. I consolidated all of my Navy stuff (except uniforms) into one storage bin. I organized all my gadgets, with their myriads of cords, chargers, USB cables and installation CDs.
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And Easter. I think I celebrated it by cleaning. Sometimes I like to cook up a nice dinner and all that, but this year I felt like skipping that and spending time on my projects. I’m one who likes to feel like I accomplished something at the end of the weekend, either some productive projects or some hard core relaxation. However, I spent most of the day thinking about things that have been on my mind lately that have made me happy (not unlike my reflections during another recent holiday). So.
Lightning. Waffles. New boxers. Cadbury Mini-Eggs. Big Love marathons. New (to me) books. Getting something personal in the mail from a REAL PERSON. Consideration of my next tattoo. The smell of rain. Hugs. The sun streaming through my sunroof on to my face. March Madness basketball. Chocolate chip cookies out of the oven. A new notebook. Delicious hand-cut soap. A pint of perfect microbrew beer on a sunny day. Lazy weekend mornings. Belly laughs from a baby. Playing fetch with a dog. The cool side of my pillow. Dreaming about a tropical vacation.
The people who know me well know that I love Jonatha Brooke. She’s an incredible singer, songwriter and musician. One of my favorites. So I might swoon a lot here.
I first fell in love with her when she played on Letterman back in 2001. Besides the fact that I thought she was hot in her Starsky & Hutch tee, I loved her music (I’m such a sucker for a woman with a guitar). If I’m on a road trip, her music is playing.Hell, her music is playing most of the time, whether I’m on the road or not.
But then I saw her play live, and I was really hooked. She’s wonderful to see in concert because her interaction with the audience is genuine and witty. She announced in one show that if Jennifer Lopez could change her name to J. Lo, then she could go by J-Bro. But she’s got soul, too. Her songs and lyrics are amazing to me, and she sings from the heart. Ah, that voice.
She is beautiful, charismatic, funny, and down to earth. Meeting her after a show is always a highlight, and I’ve had a few opportunities to talk to her (one of the few times in my life I can remember being truly flustered, and that’s saying something). Continue reading
(Just because I’m on vacation doesn’t mean I can’t give you a nice little Friday distraction … I’m nice like that.)
One thing I like about Jennifer Garner is that she’s just so damn nice. Doesn’t she seem that way? I don’t particularly care that her acting career is chock-full of romcoms and fair-to-middling tv shows (Alias was all right, until it just wasn’t anymore. I did love her in Juno, though; she just seems like one of those women with whom you could just chill.
Niceness aside, she’s also pretty easy on the eyes. I dig the girl-next-door demeanor she exudes, and I like the fact that she seems comfortable with a beer at a baseball game one minute and completely dolled up the next (I love that versatility in a woman). And even though I love her serious, sexy side, I had to include some photos of her smiling, because THOSE DIMPLES. Enough said.
NO, that’s not Alice Pieszecki from The L Word. It’s Leisha Hailey, and she’s much more than a character from a television show. She’s also a musician, rocking out in groups like The Murmurs and Uh Huh Her. She’s got that perfect mix of intellect, sexiness, quirkiness and charm. And I dare you resist those eyes or that killer smile. It can’t be done.
(And yes, dollface, I forgive you for the horrible yogurt ads you did to make ends meet.)
Welcome to the Swoon List, Leisha.
And hey, why not throw in a video, too? It has Leisha AND a unicorn!
So tonight is a big damn deal. I’m heading to my friend’s house for Thai food and a screening of Best In Show. That is one of my favorite movies, and it got me thinking about an actress who, in my opinion, doesn’t get nearly enough attention.
Please understand. She is one of my favorite actresses, ever. A huge reason I love that movie, and Waiting for Guffman, and For Your Consideration, is this week’s Swoon List honoree – Parker Posey. She never fails to crack me up, whether she’s a Dairy Queen employee or a narcissistic publishing executive. All I know is she makes every movie better just by being in it (okay, and by making me laugh). I want to have drinks with her and laugh at her. I mean, with her.