Archive for September, 2006

111 Favorite Albums

{ September 30, 2006 @ 2:34 pm } · { Music }
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Some of my All-Time Favorite Albums, both old and new, that I think everyone should know about/own … if you don’t already.

* In no particular order …

1. Speak For Yourself – Imogen Heap
2. Poses – Rufus Wainwright
3. Grace – Jeff Buckley
4. Bachelor No. 2 – Aimee Mann
5. Villa Elaine – Remy Zero
6. Begin To Hope – Regina Spektor
7. Comfort Eagle – Cake
8. Plans – Death Cab For Cutie
9. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot – Wilco
10. Exile In Guyville – Liz Phair
11. Dulcinea – Toad the Wet Sprocket
12. Pinkerton – Weezer
13. Happenstance – Rachael Yamagata
14. Under The Iron Sea - Keane
15. Say I Am You – The Weepies
16. Songs For Silverman – Ben Folds
17. Love in the Time of Science – Emiliana Torrini
18. We Were Here – Joshua Radin
19. Extraordinary Machine – Fiona Apple
20. O – Damien Rice
21. Ganging Up On The Sun – Guster
22. So Tonight That I Might See – Mazzy Star
23. Funeral – Arcade Fire
24. Time Without Consequence – Alexi Murdoch
25. Waiting For Your Letter – Cary Brothers
26. Satellite Rides – Old 97’s
27. Letters – Butch Walker
28. Z – My Morning Jacket
29. In Loving Memory Of … – Big Wreck
30. August and Everything After – Counting Crows
31. The Bends – Radiohead
32. Kill The Moonlight – Spoon
33. Mezzanine – Massive Attack
34. Final Straw – Snow Patrol
35. 12 Memories – Travis
36. Gold – Ryan Adams
37. Susie Suh – Susie Suh
38. Half-Life – Duncan Sheik
39. Bleed American – Jimmy Eat World
40. Amos Lee – Amos Lee
41. Kill Them With Kindness – The Jealous Sound
42. Tidal – Fiona Apple
43. Musicforthemorningafter – Pete Yorn
44. Details – Frou Frou
45. A Rush of Blood to the Head – Coldplay
46. Strange and Beautiful – Aqualung
47. Odelay – Beck
48. North – Elvis Costello
49. Whatever and Ever Amen – Ben Folds Five
50. Give Up – The Postal Service
51. Debut – Bjork
52. On A Wire – The Get Up Kids
53. From a Basement on the Hill – Eliot Smith
54. The Joshua Tree – U2
55. Dilate – Ani DiFranco
56. Violent Femmes – Violent Femmes
57. Oh, Inverted World – The Shins
58. Illinois – Sufjan Stevens
59. Two Cinema - The New Pornographers
60. Our Endless Numbered Days – Iron & Wine
61. Let There Be Morning – The Perishers
62. Tourist – Athlete
63. How We Operate – Gomez
64. A Girl Called Eddy – A Girl Called Eddy
65. Trouble – Ray LaMontagne
66. Stop All The World Now – Howie Day
67. The Beekeeper – Tori Amos
68. Takk – Sigur Ros
69. Fumbling Towards Ecstacy – Sarah McLachlan
70. The Kitchen Tapes – Lori McKenna
71. Good News For People Who Loves Bad News – Modest Mouse
72. A Century Ends – David Gray
73. Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
74. Murmur – R.E.M
75. Central Reservation – Beth Orton
76. Disintegration – The Cure
77. Purple Rain – Prince
78. The Singles – Depeche Mode
79. Every Breath You Take: The Singles – The Police
80. The Immaculate Collection – Madonna
81. Appetite For Destruction – Guns ‘N’ Roses
82. Hysteria – Def Leppard
83. Slippery When Wet – Bon Jovi
84. Pink Moon – Nick Drake
85. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel
86. Moondance – Van Morrison
87. The White Album – The Beatles
88. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John
89. Born To Run – Bruce Springsteen
90. Blonde on Blonde – Bob Dylan
91. G.P. / Grevious Angel – Gram Parsons
92. Fleetwood Mac – Fleetwood Mac
93. Hell Freezes Over – The Eagles
94. Abbey Road – The Beatles
95. Tea For the Tillerman – Cat Stevens
96. Sweet Baby James – James Taylor
97. Anticipation – Carly Simon
98. Both Sides Now – Joni Mitchell
99. Tapestry – Carole King
100. Pet Sounds – The Beach Boys
101. The Essential Johnny Cash – Johnny Cash
102. Kind of Blue – Miles Davis
103. Winter Into Spring – George Winston
104. Dusty In Memphis – Dusty Springfield
105. Talking Book – Stevie Wonder
106. Greatest Hits – Al Green
107. I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You – Aretha Franklin
108. Still Bill – Bill Withers
109. The Very Best of Marvin Gaye – Marvin Gaye
110. At Last! – Etta James
111. The Best Of Sade – Sade

* There are other artists that I positively adore, but figured if I put each and every one of them up, I would be here for too many days. These were all listed off the top of my head, and I’m sure I will construct another list like this sometime in the future with everything else not mentioned here.

* All of these albums can be found at Amazon.com. If I get really motivated later, I might add links for each. Who knows?

* Also, almost all of the other albums by the artists above are well worth checking out. I just put the ones I, personally, couldn’t imagine living without.

Unlikely Heart I & II

{ September 25, 2006 @ 3:12 pm } · { Writing/Poetry }
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By request …

(I wrote the two below in late 2004.)

Unlikely Heart

It’s an unlikely heart,
the one I save for you …

One made of
cellophane and twine,
left tangled and seemingly open,
yet sealed, still see-through.
It’s funny how it beats
with so little motivation
and gravitates the hours
like a distant ringing bell.
Even more like an alarm
growing weaker, and fading
into the mundane scream
from never being attended to
(not even to kindly bang snooze).
It waivers in the air,
you’ll hear it if you listen.
Sit very still, remain attentive.
The urgency at times
would astound you.
It pumps in waiting,
as if on hold;
hoping you hear,
waiting for you to come around,
maybe for the first time,
maybe once more.
It feels sedated;
not dead, only slightly numb.
In need of warming,
you must place it between your hands;
calmly untie the tangle,
gently cut through the mess.

It’s an unlikely heart,
the one I save for you.

©

… … …

Unlikely Heart II

It’s an unlikely heart,
the one I save for you …

Meant to live
in fantasy,
where love isn’t
so vulgarly out of style.
It aches for sentiment
and thrives on sincerity,
which is no wonder
the beat is frighteningly
faint and slow.
Struggling to survive
in these cruel and bitter times;
starved of real intimacy,
awkward in its advance.
It was never meant to flourish
in a time when two bodies
creating friction
is the only form of
a joined and fulfilling beat.
Neglected in its needs,
it passes the hours alone.
Locked, not quite broken,
you must peer beneath the surface,
gingerly turn the key.

It’s an unlikely heart,
the one I save for you.

©

MySpace – Like Crack, Only Cool

{ September 22, 2006 @ 4:50 pm } · { Random }
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It’s crazy, isn’t it?  This little thing we call MySpace.  In reality, it’s just a whole lot of people who have created their own pages and linked them together, but what it has turned into for most of us is an addiction worse than crack.  Yes, crack.  I don’t smoke crack, nor have I ever, or will I ever, but … crack, MySpace certainly is. 

There are so many people MySpace, it is absolutely insane.  I find (or am found by) people on there that I haven’t seen, or heard from in years and years and years.  It’s nice to “catch up” and “keep track” of old friends.  Of course, there is the occasional person you don’t want to ever find you, but, for the most part, the whole finding old/current/new friends thing is pretty neat.  I light up like the 4th of July when I see a new Friend Request from someone I know.  The unexpected ones are always the best.  You’re going about your day, things are a little drab, you sign onto MySpace, and BAM!, Susie from kindergarten has sent you a friend request.  I’m telling you … 4th of July.  Beautiful.

So, there are the fun friend requests, then there are the “opposite of fun” friend requests.  These would include requests from those scuzzy people who send you messages along with it in an attempt to somehow, as if by miracle, actually hook up with you.  You know the ones, the girls and guys who are half-dressed, sending you things like, “Your eyes are beautiful, add me, I’m packing 10 full inches, we’ll chat.”  I’m sorry … what?!  (And,yes, I have gotten that very message … a few times.)  All of my girlfriends have gotten propositions on there as well, and I’m sure all of you guys, too.  It’s in poor taste, but, you know, to each his own, right?  Whatever blows your skirt up, I say!  Mine, not so blown up by messages like that.   Deny!

Aside from the messages that lack anything even remotely resembling class, there are some people who do meet on MySpace and start dating in the real world.  (No, not the TV show.)  I’ve actually known a couple of couples (ha!) who now have extremely successful relationships based on this kind of meeting.  I think it’s great.  Just to clarify, as long as it is tasteful, I don’t begrudge anybody who uses the Internet (including MySpace) for whatever means they see fit.  I know some people who find it downright weird.  I’m not one of those people.  While I’ve never met anyone via the Internet and come anywhere near close to dating them, I’m definitely of the opinion that whatever works for you is just fine by me.  Let’s face it, we are living in The Time of the Computer Screen.  Embrace the greatness that is the Internet!

Back to MySpace (specifically), I think one of the most amusing features on there is that you actually have to rank your friends.  But how do you rank them?  By length of time you’ve known them, if they live where you live, who you know best, if you’ve slept with them?  And then there comes the issue of family being on there.  It becomes difficult to decide what to do by way of rank.  What I have discovered because of MySpace (gee, thanks, Tom!) is that my Top Friends tend to change.  There are spots that are soundly secured, of course, but I will admit that I do feel closer to certain friends at certain times than I do to others.  When that happens, I do like to pull a little switcharoo.  Trust me when I say, though, that rotating definitely has the potential to cause some serious strife.  Moving someone from the 7th to 8th spot can turn into what seems like the second coming of “You Need To Calm The Heck Down.”  And then there is the issue of having a boyfriend/girlfriend who is also on MySpace?  What do you do then?  Move that person to my #1 spot?  Because that is what everyone does.  It’s the declaration of, “This person is my #1, NOT yours!  Back the eff off!”  As fate would have it, I have never had a boyfriend who is on MySpace at the time when we were dating.  I can assure you that if I did, he would certainly be my #1.  If I like him enough to actually call him my boyfriend, heck yes he would be moved to the magical spot.  Why?  Because it’s just what you do, because there is an unwritten MySpace Code of Conduct, and we all must abide.  Otherwise … anarchy.

Okay, now I’ve come to my favorite feature on MySpace … the music!  I just love it.  Not only can you create your own page, design it to fit your personality, talk about whatever the heck you want to talk about, find old friends, meet new friends, rank these friends, post bulletins, and keep a blog  … but you can also add a song to your page.  I am one of the biggest music lovers/nerds you will ever in your life meet, and it just tickles me pea green that I can choose my own song to fit what I am feeling/thinking/listening to/loving at any given time.  Sometimes the message is clear to others who check your page, sometimes it is not.  Most of the time, I, personally, put up songs that have some deeper meaning in my life than simply, “Oh, I just thought this song sounded neat.”  There have been times, however, that I have put up a song just for “shits and giggles” (as my mom’s boyfriend often says), and have been bombarded with messages about what the song means.  Most of the messages have to do with my romantic status.  While I’m currently single, I will still put up a more lovey-dovey song from time to time, just to mix things up a little.  When I do this, the inevitable messages ensue of, ”Please tell me this doesn’t mean you are getting back together with *him*!”, or, ”Oh my gosh, who’s making you so happy?!”  (Uh … me?!)  It’s okay, if you do this, please continue.  It shows an active interest in what is going on, and I enjoy it.  I do think it is funny, though.  Funny, interesting; not funny, ha ha.  Because, really, you can tell an incredible amount about a person by the song they have chosen to put up on their page; hence, the reason I adore it so.

Actors, musicians, authors, and such are on there as well, making themselves more accessible to their fans than ever before.  I think this is great.  It not only allows them to promote their current projects, but it also let’s their fans see first-hand that, wait, they actually are real people.  Holy shit, that’s weird!  Yes, I know it’s shocking, but people are people, famous or not.  For this, I must admit that I admire those who create their own pages, and stay humble amongst the silliness that is screaming celebrity wonderlust.  (I’ll save that for another rant.)  I admire those who actually maintain their own pages even more.  Kudos to them!  It’s awesome.   

Oh, and I also think it’s funny how everyone likes to “pimp” their MySpace.  I’ll admit, I like to “pimp” mine from time to time as well.  The only problem with me “pimping” my MySpace is that I’m not a guy.  Can a girl actually “pimp” anything?  I don’t think so.  Maybe I could “whore” my MySpace.  It sounds a little disgusting, but who knows?  Maybe it’ll catch on, much like the aforementioned “pimp”, and we could then collectively attempt to change the derogatory meaning of the word to hold a more positive connotation.  Instead of meaning, “I sell my shit on a corner”, it could then mean, “I’m a rockin’, cooler than cool, badass babe.”  Hmmmm … I’ll have to ponder it a little more, but I think I just might like that.  From now on, we ladies are “whoring” our repsective MySpace pages.  Sounds a little lofty, but it just might turn out to be something of a thing.

So yeah, this is my Ode to MySpace, if you will.  “Hi, my name is Sarah, and I’m a MySpaceaholic.”  *”Hi, Sarah.”*  “Hi.”  Seriously, though, it rules, Tom has done a dandy job, and I admittedly check my page far too often.  I know a lot of you are with me on this one.  It’s so seriously like crack, only way, way cooler.  Either way, you know what they say … you’re nobody until somebody MySpace Friend Requests you.  ;)

Playlist #2 – “Come Here Boy”

{ September 19, 2006 @ 1:30 am } · { Music }
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The playlist below is what I call my “Come Here Boy” Mix. Its purpose is to say something between, “I’m crushin’ on you … feeling all twitterpated and mushy,” and, “I want to attack you … in the sweetest way possible.” I put it together with a feeling, not a particular guy in mind. This means that I haven’t given it to anybody. I do encourage all of you ladies out there to download these songs (or some that are similiar) from iTunes and give it to your guys. If they know what’s good for them, they should enjoy it quite immensely. Because, really … there is almost nothing more romantic than a mx CD. Check it out:

1. It’s You – Michelle Branch (Lyrics)
2. Sleeps With Butterflies – Tori Amos (Lyrics)
3. Sandalwood - Lisa Loeb (Lyrics)
4. Be Be Your Love – Rachael Yamagata (Lyrics)
5. Possession - Sarah McLachlan (Lyrics)
6. Fade Into You – Mazzy Star (Lyrics)
7. Making Waves – Gemma Hayes (Lyrics)
8. Here With Me – Dido (Lyrics)
9. Come Here Boy - Imogen Heap (Lyrics)
10. Light On My Shoulder – Susie Suh (Lyrics)
11. Kissing You – Des’ree (Lyrics)
12. Slow Like Honey – Fiona Apple (Lyrics)
13. Come To Me – Bjork (Lyrics)
14. Porcelain - Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Lyrics)
15. Paperweight - Schuyler Fisk ft. Joshua Radin (Lyrics)
16. For You – Tracy Chapman (Lyrics)
17. Come Away With Me – Norah Jones (Lyrics)
18. By Your Side – Sade (Lyrics)

* Oh, and if anyone reading this has any other suggestions that could be included, please feel free to respond. This particular playlist is meant to feature only female artists, but I’m always up for hearing about new/different music. :)

“The Last Kiss” (My Take/Review)

{ September 17, 2006 @ 1:38 am } · { Movies }
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“The Last Kiss” was amazing.

There is no other way to say it, I absolutely adored the movie. I appreciate anything that is honest and evokes genuine emotion. Hands down, this movie did both. I can understand how someone younger might not understand the plot quite as well as I, and other late-20/early-30-something’s might; however, the message is resoundingly clear, no matter your age. To me, it was all summed up in the conversation on the porch between Michael (Zach Braff) and Stephen (Tom Wilkinson). I don’t want to give too much away (or butcher the actual, exact dialogue from the film), but I will give the line that was in the trailer … “What you feel only matters to you.” For anybody who has ever really loved, cared about, truly and deeply felt something real for another person, this line makes perfect sense. It is one of those that seems so simple, but is so deep in meaning and value that most of us completely miss it every time. The conversation went on to say something about how it is what you do to the ones you love that matters most. This is so, incredibly true. Only you know how you feel. It means nothing to the one you feel it for until you show them, PROVE it to them. How can someone know the flutters in your heart if you don’t only show them, but make them feel the flutters as well? Again, this is where most of us miss it. We think that our feeling is enough. In truth, it usually isn’t. Love is almost inconsequential if not reciprocated, felt, and equally respected by both people in the relationship. To me, “The Last Kiss” proves this point very clearly.

The time in the character’s lives is definitely a pivotal one. I know because I am rapidly approaching that age. Well, I’m there, actually. While I am a few years shy of their ages, I very much know exactly what is being stated and conveyed throughout the movie on a very personal level.

There is also an older, 30-year marriage that is portrayed in the movie between Anna (Blythe Danner) and Stephen (Tom Wilkinson). I have obviously never been married, much less been one half of a 30-year marriage, but I can imagine that it would involve some of the feelings and problems shown by the two. Between the lack of passion from one, and the need of it from another, I could still completely identify.

Aside from the very basically profound statement at the core of the movie, the acting was also phenomenal. I am continually amazed by Zach Braff in his ability to be humerous, emotional, clueless, unlikeable, loveable, and incredibly sexy all at the same time. The real trick is that he does it all seemingly with such ease. Jacinda Barrett also did a fantastic job at playing Jenna, Michael’s pregnant girlfriend. I, for one, have been cheated on, and I can say with authority that she played the part to a T. The physicality, the psychotic emotions, the uncertainty, the feeling of being torn between the love that begs you to stay, and the pride that screams for you to go; she played all incredibly well. With that, I must again mention Zach Braff’s performance. His portrayal of a man who is the cheater being seduced by a younger, very beautiful woman was perfect. The reluctance mixed with the flattery and carnal want, then the blaming and lying. He acted it out so well. Both performances were amazing, truly. Also well worth noting is Rachel Bilson, who played Kim, Michael’s seductress. She is obviously beautiful and could simply sit in front of a camera, not doing anything, and be totally believeable in this role; however, she manages to bring a more likeable, vulnerable aspect to her character that is unexpected. She makes it impossible to not like Kim, even feel a little sorry for her when all is said and done. I suppose that is one reason I enjoyed the movie so much; each and every character, no matter how undesireable their behavior, was very well understood and easy to identify with.

I enjoy movies with some truth attached to real life. Sure, I also enjoy movies that take me away from real-life problems and emotions, the struggles that we all deal with from day to day. More than anything, though, I like movies that make it possible for me to see something on screen that I can also pinpoint inside of myself. In turn, I have an uncanny amount of respect for movies that really move me. With most people how they are today, sincerity and genuine emotion are often cast aside and have somehow even become the victim of tremendous balking. It’s a shame that this vulnerability in looking inside is as absent as it is in most aspects of life these days. This movie does not ignore any part of relationships, which means it does not ignore the problems and doubts and questions and fears that must be faced to fully connect and make any union work. We should all allow ourselves to feel more, and be more honest about who we really are. “The Last Kiss” does that with its characters. In fact, when you really sit down to think about it, the movie accomplishes this to an almost overwhelming degree.

I recommend it to everyone. In fact, if any of you where I am want to go again this week, count me in. I’m there!!

Random Playlist #1

{ September 16, 2006 @ 4:32 pm } · { Music }
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A sample of what I have been listening to today while writing …

1. Someday You Will Be Loved – Death Cab For Cutie (www.myspace.com/deathcabforcutie)
2. Pressed In A Book – The Shins (www.myspace.com/theshins)
3. The Hardest Part – Coldplay (www.myspace.com/coldplay)
4. Nothing Like You & I – The Perishers (www.myspace.com/theperishers)
5. Designs On You – Old 97’s (www.myspace.com/theold97s)
6. Hello – Schuyler Fisk (www.myspace.com/schuylerfisk)
7. Two Points For Honesty – Guster (www.myspace.com/guster)
8. This Is The Last Time – Keane (www.myspace.com/keane)
9. I’m Not Afraid - Remy Zero (www.myspace.com/remyzeroofficial)
10. Honestly – Cary Brothers (www.myspace.com/carybrothers)
11. Shine – David Gray (www.myspace.com/therealdavidgray)
12. It’s Good To Be In Love – Frou Frou (www.myspace.com/froufrou)
13. Anyone – Athenaeum (www.myspace.com/athenaeumnet)
14. Answering Bell – Ryan Adams (www.myspace.com/ryanadams)
15. Grazed Knees – Snow Patrol (www.myspace.com/snowpatrol)
16. See You When You’re 40 – Dido (www.myspace.com/dido)
17. For Us – Pete Yorn (www.myspace.com/peteyorn)
18. Promise – Butch Walker (www.myspace.com/butchwalker)
19. Jesus, Etc. – Wilco (www.myspace.com/wilco)
20. Star Mile – Joshua Radin (www.myspace.com/joshuaradin)

*** Each respective MySpace linked above does not necessarily have the exact song that is on my list, but they are all still very much worth checking out, if you haven’t already. ***

Merry Saturday!!

“The Last Kiss”

{ September 15, 2006 @ 5:18 pm } · { Movies }
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“The Last Kiss” comes out today!! I haven’t even seen it yet, but am still going to recommend that everyone see it this weekend. (I’m going tonight.) I haven’t been this excited about a movie in a long time. It looks like it’s going to be REALLY, REALLY good!!

The trailer can be viewed here … www.lastkissmovie.com .

Don’t forget that the soundtrack kicks some massive boo-tay, too. You can listen to snippets, as well as purchase it here … Soundtrack .

I will, of course, give my thoughts, feelings, opinions, and such on the film after I see it TONIGHT!!

Happy Friday!!

Oh, AND!!!!!!!!!!!!! … go here … www.rehearsals.com to see some footage of the soundtrack being performed live. It is so, freaking fantastic, I don’t even have the words …

One last thing … I’ve seen that I’ve gotten a crazy number of hits on here in association with “The Last Kiss” quotes. I, myself, don’t have those posted. I would add a few that I remember, but don’t want to flub any of the lines. There is a website, however, that deals with that very sort of thing. As soon as they are added, quotes from the movie can be found here … “The Last Kiss” Quotes .

For the “What the Hey?” of it …

{ September 14, 2006 @ 4:57 pm } · { Random }
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Some Things I Am Loving Right Now:

Discovering the empowerment of dreams that can be made into reality.

The dream of “both feet in”, and not knowing exactly what it means … but dreaming nonetheless.

Winnie the Pooh quotes. (Seriously.)

iTunes.

“The Last Kiss” soundtrack.

Painting.

Being alone while allowing for opportunity, opening up, all the while being happy with just me.

Learning how to build my own website.

Honey Nut Cheerios.

Finally having enough “balls” to sit down and start writing a book. Yes, a novel.

Prospects … mystery … the unknown … and the intriguing …

LA!!!!!! (In November.)

Acknowledging my addiction to MySpace.

Long, cute shirts over jeans.

Pro/Con lists. (In excess …)

Little Miss Sunshine. Go see it. Now!!

The shops on South Congress in Austin, Texas.

Sheets with that wonderful “clean laundry” smell.

Cotton sleep shirts.

Re-bonding, if you will, with a friend who I have missed greatly.

Seeing “Catapult” performed so perfectly live that it literally made my mouth hang open.

Booming thunder, followed by the smell of rain waking me up at 7am on a Monday.

Playing cards with my family.

Letting my mom teach me how to knit.

New glasses frames, and hearing the term “Hot Teacher” in association.

This line by Susie Suh … “Yeah, I may have suffered some burns, but I am living my dreams and am who I want to be.” (Again, dreams into reality … and soon.)

Singing out loud, horribly.

Mix CD’s.

Really believing “that one” fantasy just might find a way to come true …

Records. As in, vinyl.

Conversations about music … good music.

The recognition that I am about to be a quarter of a century old.

Scrapbooking.

New people, new experiences, broadening horizons.

Friends who “get” me.

My magnet that says, “On with the dance! Let the joy be unconfined.” – Lord Byron.

Fun.

Silliness.

The word “giggle”.

This … right here, right now.