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Ode to Lisa G.

One of the my B.F.F.s was out here this past weekend and I told her that on Monday, I was going to post a blog just about her because she is officially the #1 reader of Heart Shaped Cut-Outs of Cheese, so this here...is my ode to Lisa G.

Lisa G. and I met waaayy back in 1995 in 7th grade band class. We both played (or pretended to, at least) the clarinet (that is until my case was invaded by fire ants due to a (presumably) FAT kid stuffing chocolate in the velvet casing the year prior to my rental, I digress...) Lisa and I always got lucky with our schedules and had a number of classes together. In Science glass, I used to share my Starbursts with her. I confessed a number of years ago that I was actually just passing the red and yellow ones off to her since they weren't my favorite but nonetheless, it brought us together.

Lisa came over every day after school and it's a damn shame that my mother reads this on a regular occasion as well because I would just LOVE to tell you all the trouble we used to get into together. But don't worry, ma, most of it just consisted of listening to punk rock and sitting on the driveway.

Here are some memories for Lisa and I to share together. Now I realize that most of you will not understand but HEY! don't get upset...this is an ode to LISA after all. Ok here goes...

Lisa G. What up Girl?! MXPX, Backside Ollie, The Huntridge, Camping in Newport Beach, Disneyland, Walking to the movies, YOUR BLACK TRUCK, my head breaking the whole back windshield, Corpus Cristie, TX trip, Me getting so drunk and then so sick in Andy's car and us going to NY, NY at the crack of dawn the next day, Courtney's house and the night of the jeans, Your blue Koston's, 90210, The beach, the beach, the beach, You going to D.C. with just Carl, Jeremy Chilton, Michael Jackson "brace yo'self!", Happy Campers, Jesse Hidemma, i.d.s taken in SD, You passing out, The trailer, Notes passed back and forth in the halls of Brinley Middle School and Cimarron Memorial, Stevie and Gustavo, N*SYNC Pop Odyssey Tour (do you remember that message Justin left on your phone singing Dirty Pop?!?), Elton John complete with OUTFITS and GLASSES, In N Out's potato stop, Mega Mixes Vol. 1-245 with me talking to you in between songs, 25th Birthday party and the night of the flower (see above), Tye dye tanks, disc golf, 4th of July, Party of the Duffy Year One and Two, Big Buck Safari....

The best part is those last few mentions happened just recently which just goes to show that our friendship continues to be the source of so many unsurpassed memories.

After all...there are good times and then there are good times.

I love you, girl.

Meet Katie, the World's Pickiest Eater

Some of you may be wondering why there is a photo of me at age 3 above (it's not just to show off my wicked bowl cut), those of you who DO know me, know that that picture is there because I eat the exact same things today as I did then. No joke.

I was at Panda's wedding last month and was talking to Chloe's husband, Alex, and brought up the interesting FACT (notice that FACT is capitalized) that I am the World's Pickiest Eater. Now most people will argue with this FACT, saying "No, no, my brother Joe is the world's pickiest eater." To which I reply with, "Oh yeah? Has Joe ever been hypnotized to get him to try new foods?" Oh no? That's what I thought.

It's true, Pep had me hypnotized at age 18 in the hopes that I could be tricked into trying new foods. My poor mother was worried sick about me because my diet consisted of mostly yellow foods, no greens...anywhere...I'd never eaten a salad. Lettuce? Ick. Get. It. Away.

I do not know if any of you have ever been hypnotized but it actually is a cool experience and depending on the person, it can really work. I went in and talked to him about why I think I'm such a picky eater, how I can just assume that I won't like a food, why I want it to change, etc. etc. I then came back for a session and the magic began. His whole line was "Freedom from control, equals choice." If I gave up the need to control what I would eat/try, then I would have a whole world of choices. One of my complaints going into the session was that I was tired of eating the same 5 things (grilled cheese, chicken fingers, plain pasta, pizza and seafood which I've never had an issue with, oddly enough.) The session worked, I listened to my tape every night before I went to sleep and before I knew it, I was eating Macayo's salsa and Olive Garden's salads. (progress, kids, progress)

So this all lasted a wonderful month or so until I went to visit PY in Philly and forgot my earphones. I was forced to listen to the tape aloud with giggles the whole way through. That was the last time I listened to it and I have since searched for it but alas, no luck.

Let me give you some examples, in case you've never been out to eat with me and this way, if somehow, someday we DO go eat together, you will expect this...

In N Out: Grilled Cheese Plain, just the cheese and the bun

Any Chilis, Applebees, Fast Food Joint that I want a chicken sandwich from: Um, can I please get a #7 plain just the bread and the meat?

Macayos: Plain cheese quesadilla, no sour cream, no garnish (garnish?!? gross.)

Jimmy Johns, Subway, Port of Subs, etc.: Turkey and provolone on white. No, nothing on it. "Nothing?" Yes, nothing, now please just give me the damn sandwich and be happy you didn't have to pile a bunch of stuff on it.

Paymons Mediterranean Restaurant: Just hummus, please.

Catching a trend here? I think you get the point. In my defense, I've improved A LOT over the past year or so. Work has made a huge difference since somehow I have fallen into this PR food/restaurant niche and take journalists to restaurants I represent on a fairly regular occasion. When a journalist is reviewing a restaurant, typically the chef will send out a tasting menu. I want my client to get a good review so I can't exactly turn down anything. Hence, I have tried fried alligator, chilled pea soup, caviar, crab cakes and a ton of different barbecued meats. I also had my first bite of steak this year.

Baby steps. Baby steps.

Lipstick Hottie

As a T.G.I.F., I decided to post a photo of the sexiest guy on TV right now. Robert Buckley and trust me, the name does not do him justice. He plays Kirby on one of my favorite shows, Lipstick Jungle. Hubba, Hubba ladies...brace yourselves...


Yeah...I knew you would thank me :)

Knochers' Ingredients for Happiness

This was the first weekend in awhile when I really started to feel like myself again. I had someone ask me what I like to do on Friday night and I explained that I was recently rediscovering the answer to that question. I started to think "what makes me happy?" and I came up with this list which includes the big and little things in life that tend to make my day in one way or another (in no particular order).

1. Friends. Saturday night we had game night over at Lauren's house and I get more excited for those activities these days than going out raging at the bar. The atmosphere of just a few friends, some good ol' beer bong, dogs running around and lots and lots of laughs.

2. Family. I don't know if you know this about me but I talk to my mom on the phone at least three times a day. My cousin is coming out this weekend and I am overwhelmed with excitement. My dad and step mom are coming out in December and I cannot wait to show them my humble abode. I'll add Gordon and Sienna here. Sienna, if you know her...you understand when I say she is in charge. Gordon has just become the best companion and has truly filled a void that I don't know what I would've done without over the past month.

3. Movies. I friggin' LOVE going to the movies. I see everything (I saw The Women, OK?) I love almost everything I see, if you can entertain me for two hours or so...I have no problem handing over my $8.

4. Letters. It's funny, over the past two weeks...I have picked up three pen pals. It started with my baby intern that moved away and then my Bookie in Florida and then my dearest Lisa G. wrote me and just like in high school (like she said) I wrote her back right away. There is something about getting a letter, card or package that really makes things so much more sincere and personal.

5. Music. I know this is a big one for everyone. Music + Dancing can both go here. I am your typical pop-loving princess with a strong stripe of hip-hop in her blood. Jay-Z, Kanye, Biggie...give it to me...JT, Britney, Rihanna, Elton...anything I can move to. Recently, I've been in a throw-back kind of mood listening to my own personal classics like The Get Up Kids, Saves the Day and Coheed and Cambria. Those albums conjure up such nostalgic feelings.

6. Big Buck Hunter.

7. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with multiple cheeses.

8. Baking. Cooking. (for sure Pep is going to comment on this one.) Over the past year or so, I've taken up a little cooking and baking. My list is still short and simple but I really do enjoy actually following a recipe and enjoying it. The past two Sunday mornings I have made blueberry muffins. I love blueberry muffins.

9. Stargazer Lillies.

10. The beach. Anytime of the year. I mean of course I prefer to spend 8 hours basking in the sun and the sand but even a short walk in December barefoot in a hoodie does the trick. I breathe so easily by the ocean, it gives me a sense of calm I only feel in those moments.

11. Domino Magazine. Rolling Stone. US Weekly. Entertainment Weekly.

12. My job. And I realize that I am really lucky to say that. I work in a fun environment surrounded by creative people who are all very driven. My team is small and personal. I feel very accomplished for such a young age.

13. Joe's Stone Crab. If I'm ever mad at you (which I'm sure I won't be), this is the place to take me to to make up for it.

14. The MAC Counter.

15. Traveling, trips. I haven't been fortunate enough to travel anywhere outside of the United States other than to Ensenada, Mexico on a cruise or two but I love taking trips. Lauren and I are going to see The Giz and my cousin at the end of the month and I've got a countdown on my Google page for it. I love experiencing different places and this passport is burning a hole in my pocket.

16. Decorating. The condo I am in now is really the first time I've had a blank canvas to work with and I've really enjoyed pulling this place together. Especially over the past few weeks when I have really gotten creative with the crafts (inspired by Nie).

17. Golden Spoon.

18. Reading. I do more of it in the summer but I am trying to make it a year-round thing. I love getting wrapped up in a book. My favorite one I read this year has to be The Time Traveler's Wife. Seriously, pick it up if you haven't already.

19. Gossip Girl. At least until LOST comes back in January 2009.

20. Pictures. Taking, looking, creating, hanging, posting...

21. New outfits.

22. Wine.

23. Road trips with mix c.d's themed for the car ride.

24. Clip-art based work emails with Lobo.

And of course....heart shaped cut-outs of cheese.

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