And Then It Happened...

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

I met Weezer.

I was enchanted by their Blue Album, but Pinkerton is my favorite album (of all time). The feeling of having your favorite album signed by a band is something exciting and somewhat personal. For those who are not too familiar with the band, my blog is named after one of the lyrics from their B-sides track called, "Susanne"-- a video of the song is posted in my last entry.

Rivers Cuomo's voice, Brian's rhythm guitar playing and Pat's drumming (and most recently Scott Shriner's bass riffs), provided the soundtrack for many milestones in my life and whether or not you're a fan-- there's something to be said about Weezer's shelf life in the music industry.

I found out early Friday morning that the band was going to be doing a meet and greet locally, and I got permission to get off of work early to do a dispatch for the Orange County Register. There are very few 'famous' people I'd like to thank for their contribution to pop culture, and Weezer was at the top of that list.
Check out the full story here.
The article link can also found on Karl's Corner at Weezer.com and on their Facebook fan page.

When I met Rivers, I did not scream and I did not pour my heart out. I simply admired the robot he was drawing on the red table cloth, thanked him for his music, held on to the few moments of eye contact and close physical proximity and made my way through the line to meet the rest of the band. And it was still intimate enough for me.

The article above does not truly address my admiration for the band. It's simply cold, hard facts about a local autograph session. But after seeing them at the Hollywood Palladium near the front row three weeks ago and meeting them face-to-face, I've internalized how lucky I am to have met a band that has shaped my musical tastes at a very early age. Although, I wasn't a huge fan of their albums after Pinkerton, I still smile when I see Rivers' face on my computer screen, on MTV, a magazine cover and even commercials (Rock Band for DS). The band looks like they're having fun and that's all that matters.


It's not just a song,

Moving

Monday, October 26, 2009

Time to bring out the boxes and Space Bags.
Wish me luck. It's going to be a very busy few months. Wishing you all the best. Packing tips are welcome.

Have a great winter,


I leave you with the song that inspires me (and this blog):
"Suzanne" by Weezer
Performed in my hometown

Hello Kitty Art Exhibit

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Back from Chicago, and not a moment too soon!
My mom did event planning for Sanrio in the early 1980s, so I was really excited to hear about the new art exhibit featuring Hello Kitty in Los Angeles.

Miss Kitty: she's an acquired taste.

I can honestly say I've been a Hello Kitty fan since I was born. Hello Kitty was introduced in my life at a very young age, and I'm glad that something so simple is being appreciated by millions today. (I'm not too keen on the pink HK and some of the newer designs i.e. tan Hawaiian Kitty, so I'm so glad they're using the original red bow and blue jumpsuit as the icon for the event).



In a few days, I will be attending (hopefully this Sat., they call it the super fan day):

Three Apples is an exhibition event celebrating Hello Kitty!

Hello Kitty has long been a muse to artists & designers worldwide and has brought smiles to fans 35 years. Now, in honor of her 35th anniversary, Sanrio is proud to bring a very special celebration to the US!

Contemporary artists and Hello Kitty fans including Gary Baseman, Ron English, Buff Monster, Camilla d’Errico, Luke Chueh, Deph and Yosuke Ueno are just a few of the 80+ amazing artists that have interpreted their vision of Hello Kitty in one-of-a kind pieces on display.

Three Apples is a multi-dimensional exhibition and celebration of all things Hello Kitty; the first ever event of its kind in the US! The celebration takes place over a three-week residence at the Royal/T café / shop / art space in Culver City, CA. Three Apples is open to the public, free of charge and will feature an art exhibition, unique product and design displays, pop-up shop, and special events for fans of all ages – all celebrating Hello Kitty.

Red bow in tow,


See you there!

CHICago Bound

Monday, October 12, 2009

Here I come Illinois. Soon my face will be a reflection on your famous bean. And I will be stuffing my face with Hot Doug's. Mmm. Bring it.



This weekend, I'll be a time zone away in the Windy City.
This will be the third new city out of state that I've been to this year.
The first being Seattle, Washington in late winter.
Then spring time in Eddyville, Iowa.


I can't wait to discover what Chi-town has to offer aka I'mgoingtoeatthistownup. I hear the food is amazing.

I'll be staying at the White Hall Hotel, a landmark destination in the heart of downtown Chicago. According to the hotel's website, the Whitehall Hotel offers a European sense of grace and grandeur-- just my style. After meticulous restorations, it's “one of the eight great small hotels of the U.S." according to Fortune Magazine.

I look forward to feeling the chill of another city and being out of my comfort zone once again. I intend on packing heavier than usual... I'm thinking I might have to revisit my Washington wardrobe of coats and boots- hooray!

Here's hoping Monday through Wednesday FLY by-- and if you know of any amazing places (or places to avoid!) in Chicago- please share. Have a great week, and stay warm!

It's starting to feel like cuddle weather,

Savory Sundays

Sunday, October 4, 2009

I was feeling very experimental today and created something very, very special. Chocolate Hazelnut Walnut Brownies.

My mom has been on this baking kick and has been making cupcakes. I got inspired so I kicked her out of the kitchen. I used her plain chocolate brownie recipe but added crushed walnuts and a few pieces of my favorite chocolate ever-- Ferrero Rochers, into the cake mix.

Photo courtesy Sugar Punk! Check out the site for a similar (and much better and more authentic) recipe, other yummies and amazing photos.

After tasting the result, I think I've found my new holiday specialty: hazelnut chocolate brownies. While I'm on a sugar high, I might try to make cupcakes with Nutella frosting. A new hobby may be brewing. Or not. Only time will tell.

So HazelNUTS,

Water Cooler Rant

Thursday, October 1, 2009

UPDATE: 10/5/09. My boss is in Phoenix today. I busted out the Lysol wipes and will soon do a system clean up. It looks like I'm in the clear. He's been text messaging me with to-do tasks. All day. What a welcome. Happy Monday!

I want to share with you something slightly... nightmarish.

I've been gone for a few weeks celebrating my birthday and recovering from minor otolaryngologic surgery (I'm fine and almost at 100%). But I recently learned that while I've been gone, my boss (a cross between Michael Scott and Al Bundy) has been working at MY desk.

When a colleague texted me about this situation it made me cringe to the core. There really isn't anything incriminating on my computer but the thought of my boss being at my desk (with full access to my Outlook work e-mail, internet browser history, and desktop) made me slightly... nervous? I don't really have anything to worry about... but still.

I have my own office, don't share computers with other employees and with little micromanagement, the seduction of the internet sometimes lures me from my workload. So glad that before I left for my sick leave, I made sure that I was responsible enough to clean up my desktop.

When you're out sick, the last thing you think of is your boss sitting at your desk while you're bed-ridden. But hey, things like this happen. Right?! Tell me they do. His computer has a virus and it came at the worst time. I go back to work on Monday after a week off...

Cue the violins,

This Is It Trailer

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Have you seen this yet?

Michael Jackson's This Is It is a 2009 film documenting Michael Jackson's rehearsals of the concert series of the same name, both on stage and behind the scenes. The film will comprise of Jackson mentoring his team for the 50 shows, as well as him creating, developing and ultimately staging the high-tech performances. The footage was filmed at The Forum and the Staples Center in Los Angeles.




Hundreds of hours of rehearsal footage will be sliced up for the limited release. I mean, it seems really interesting... I'm not sure if I'm digging on the limited two-week release in theaters. But will ending up watching it somehow.

Tell me about it if you're lucky enough to catch it in theaters,