Listening to...

Feeling inspired is tough some times.   Even if I have no problem feeling some sort of inspiration 6 days a week, it doesn't matter.  One moment of feeling less than excited about life is no bueno.   I am an inspiration junky.  Enough is never enough.  I always want more, more more.  Learning, observing, analyzing, thinking, thinking thinking...that's what I do.  But on a day like today where the sky is pure white, the air is turning frigid, and all of the to-do's on my list are done, I feel the only place I belong is on my couch with the TV turned to some mindless HGTV show (House Hunters!). This is one of those days that I must turn to one of my short cuts.  My little trip down memory lane that instantly brings me back...way back.

My So Called Life!

It only aired for one season, but in that time it totally changed my teenage life.  Of course I wasn't even allowed to watch it, so the ritual of sneaking off to catch a glimpse of Jordan Catalano wherever I possibly could became increasingly special, freeing moments for me.  Other than the book, Go Ask Alice, few other things spoke to my clogged, emotional teen brain like this show and that's why even now, when I need to feel anything, really...I watch a snippet and let it take me back in time. Here's one of my fave scenes...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQAAQeNnC-E

My commute...

Most days my commute into Times Square is a a mish mash of crowds, clutter, congestion, and noise. And yet somehow, it is almost always amusing.  Today, I had the pleasure of witnessing:

-A business woman bustling beside me cloaked in a fleece Superbowl Snuggie.
-A cabbie honking and screaming to two pedestrians only to ask a question about the Packers.
-A lone pineapple atop a public trash can cover.
-And one high-stepping fellow who managed to keep perfect pace with me all the way to my office...no matter how many cars I jumped in front of and bicycles I dodged.

Things that make me laugh...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-yLGIH7W9Y

Aaah, the things we say...

My personal favorite is, "Are you near a computer?!" 

I've been guilty of that one since weather.com came onto the scene.  First step, leave the house.  Second step, look up down and around in complete bewilderment.  Third step, remove phone from purse and call husband.  Fourth step, hang up and dial Mom when husband's voicemail sounds.  Fifth step, "Mom!  Are you near a computer?  You are?!  Thanks! I need to know if it's going to rain today."

I've never gone back for an umbrella, but I think just knowing helps.

FREE NYC

FREE dessert at the teal food truck between 36 and 37 on 7th Avenue!  While supplies last!

Christmas Music Musts...

Springsteen - Santa Claus is coming to town
Mariah - All I Want for Christmas is You (duh.)
The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping
The Royal Guardsman - Snoopy's Christmas
The Killers - Cowboys Christmas Ball
Lennon - Happy Christmas
Wham - Last Christmas
Beach Boys - Little Saint Nick
Trans Siberian Orchestra - Nutrocker
Darlene Love - Marshmallow World
Zooey Deschanel & Leon Redbone - Baby, It's Cold Outside

Quick! Download them before it gets too late!

Did I forget any?

Fixer Upper - Motel edition

Found the coolest dream motel fixer upper in Burbank, CA this weekend.  Nothing on the website admits that it may have formerly been the divey-est creepiest pay-by-the-hour motel, but I just know it had to be.  It had an essence.

Pulling up, Tangerine still looks a bit like a crappy motel with an orange paint and wood panel face lift, but luckily we weren't scared off.  Not to mention it had stellar ratings online and only cost a hundred bucks.  Once inside, my jealousy reached an all time high.  Someone had defintely bought an old motel and made it into their passion project.  This place was awesome.  The layout...old skool motel.  Everything else...A-MAZING.  Poured concrete floors, huge new king size beds, modern lighting, flat screen telly's, and the cutest little pool area I've ever seen.

Staying at Tangerine made me realize you don't need to knock down everything old in order for it to be better.  Old is still cool, as long as it's clean.

I also realized...I really need to buy a motel.

http://tangerinehotel.com/relax.html

 Street view

 Signage

 Cutesy poopsie pool and cool pavers.

 Loving all the tangerine!

 and of course the pool!

Flying...

This is how I roll.

Bagel + Wine = Airplane time.

Listening to...

A little Tom Petty to get in the mood for a day filled with laborious query letter writing and book submissions!  Let's hope one of these finally makes it into the hands of an agent wanting to add Diary Girl to their list. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TlBTPITo1I&feature=related

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!