summer theme songs

I see my mouth moving when I talk to you,
I do,
I see my lips and I feel like a kid
I can't keep anything hid
Cause I've been under the paper you were writing on
you left your impression long after you'd gone
on me,
marks only I can see.
-Sarah Harmer, Almost

Saturday - Focus Groups

Whew. What a fabulous weekend.

Saturday evening involved helping Ryan and Kirk clean their apartment and move stuff. At one point, Kirk suggested we stop for a short break and run across the street to Mex for a margarita. One turned into 4 each. Needless to say, nothing was accomplished after that.

The 4-Margarita Focus Group (Ryan and Kirk and the yummy margaritas.)

Later Saturday night, courtesy of Ben, we were able to see the
Dave Matthews Band Laser Light Show at the Planetarium. Julia participated in the Focus Group, while Ryan and I frantically searched for his missing car keys, which turned out to be at the bottom of my bag. Julia, ever on my wavelength, suggested the only thing I would have, had I taken part in said Focus Group: screw DMB, what about Tori?

Ben then gave us a tour of the catwalks inside the dome.

Behind the scenes.

Home to bed without any beer....:-(

Strawberry Shortcake - the ol' fashioned way

Just like Grandma used to make it. It's the least I could do in return for Julia's gracious hospitality.

1 Quart Strawberries
1 Cup Sugar

Hull and slice strawberries. Mix them with the sugar in a bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour.

2 Cups Flour
2 TBSP. Sugar
3 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Salt
1/3 Cup Butter
1 Cup Milk
Extra butter and real whipped cream

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Grease round layer cake pan (8x1"). Stir together the flour, 2 TBSP. sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the butter. Stir in the milk until just blended. Spread dough in pan and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool. When cool, split the biscuit in half horizontally and spread with butter or margarine. Cut into portions, and spoon the berries into the center and on top. Top with real whipped cream.


The way real men whip cream! (Matt)

Go to Strawberry Heaven!


the Shortcake


Mmmm! Julia wolfing down the shortcake. It was gone in roughly 30 seconds.


Julia and me - post food-gasm.

Total Relaxation

It was a comedy of errors last night. After spending all afternoon running around, I ended up being slightly late for my gig in Farmington. HOWEVER, as luck would have it, five minutes before I was supposed to play, the entire town lost power. Hah! So there were no keys. Instead, I banged on the bongos a little, did a little Keith Partridge-action on the tambourine, and sang my heart out.

We finally got on the road last night at close to 10pm, to head to Jamestown. I am now there. I had quite the leisurely morning - sleeping till 10am, having a cuppa English Breakfast, perusing Julia's Real Simple magazines, then having a fabulous shower. Mmmm. Wonder if she'll let me move in.

goddamn weddings

From Ryan. 'Nuff said.

It's off to Jamestown this evening, after my gig in Farmington. May not be posting till Saturday. Or later, depending upon how much trouble I get myself into.

"tasted like ice cream"

Lauren

For all you ice cream aficionados out there...today's Democrat & Chronicle features area ice cream venues around town. Sadly, the story is not available on-line, so I scanned the photo they showed. It's Lauren, my good friend! Even though ICW didn't get a dazzling review, there's something to be said for free ice cream when friends and family work for the place. Heh. I get free ice cream. *sticks out tongue*

Like Yo-Yo Ma on Speed

I was eagerly anticipating this year's Grassroots Fest in Ithaca, until I discovered that it just happens to be the same weekend as Julia's wedding. !&@^%@$*!^@%*&^%@^%#%*&^#^%#^

The principal reason for going this year was to see Hank Roberts. A few years ago, Sue heard him, bought his CD, made a copy of it for me, and I fell in love.


Hank Roberts

'...hailed by the New York Times for his ability "to shift the best elements of classical music, pop, and jazz into something new".'

Another one bites the dust

Congratulations to my dear friend Joe and his new wife Kelly, who were married yesterday in Cleveland!

grrr...

What he said.

On today's agenda:

-waste all afternoon blogging and instant messaging
-phone calls
-purchase and replace printer ink
-more scheming about a certain Mad Tea Party
-explain to Mom why I'm still in pajamas at 3pm
-find my iron
-get birthday-gift-calligraphy-thing framed
-have beer
-possibly misbehave
-remember to eat something

Here I go again...

...this time with Julia's help.

We have begun a new project. As if I wasn't addicted to blogging already:

Fiercest Calm: A Photo (Beer?) Blog Between Friends

Hmmm....a MAD Tea Party?!

The Evolution of a Relationship

I love my friends!

"I don't cook, but I can bake ok."

Yesterday afternoon, my Mom and I attended Julia's Bridal Shower/Tea. I'm sure Julia will post a full account herself, however I do want to state for the record, that I had a lovely time. The ladies looked fabulous, dressed from head to toe in pastels (notice the black Anne and I are wearing), hats, and even some white gloves.


The Bridal Party - Anne, Julia the Bride, and me. 

By far, however, the most enjoyable part of the afternoon was watching Julia open her gifts. Julia loves presents. I didn't shoot any photos of that because Anne and I were swamped with the traditional Bridesmaids' duties. Anne took copious notes on the gifts, their givers, and the comments Julia exclaimed while opening them ("When you pick it up, it opens!"). Meanwhile, I created a stunning bouquet from the ribbons and bows Julia gingerly pulled off each package, despite our raucous chanting, "break it, break it!". I think it's stupid, but supposedly the Bride will have the same number of children as the number of ribbons she breaks while opening shower gifts.

 

Anne, Holly, and Julia enjoying cucumber sandwiches sans the crusts, scones, and a lovely selection of teas.

Also, kudos to Julia's Mom for not making us play any of those ridiculous bridal shower games, i.e. make a wedding dress for the bride out of toilet paper.

My Music Personality

There was an article a few days ago in the D&C about personality types based on the sort of music one enjoys. So I took the test, and here are my results: My Music Personality

I scored high in the following categories:
Reflective & Complex - People with high scores on the reflective and complex music-preference dimension tend to be open to new experiences, creative, intellectual, and enjoy trying new things.

Edgy & Aggressive - People with high scores on the energetic and aggressive music-preference dimension tend to enjoy taking risks and engaging in thrilling experiences. They also tend to be dominant, imaginative, and energetic.

(This last one amuses me. I wonder where Tori falls??)

To take the test yourself here.

faded black against
the liquid night sky
alone
silently
in one fluid move

Happy Birthday To Me!

The celebration began at midnight this morning at TJ's, and will continue throughout the afternoon and into the evening...

Beer Makes Everything Better

For a brief account of my weekend, visit Julia's post, since she and I were pretty much together for the majority of Saturday and Sunday.

Friday: What did I do on Friday? I can't even remember!

Saturday: I didn't enjoy the October Project show as much as Julia. So what? It just wasn't the same without the warm, smoky voice of Mary Fahl. However, despite the at times ear-splitting feedback debacle, there were some moments when, musically, OP's planets were aligned.

After the show we headed to O'Loughlin's where I was forced to perform some heavy-duty eye-rolling toward my hockey-fan companions.

Sunday: I worked in the morning, then headed over to Julia's to help assemble bridal shower favors. Sunday night, I attended my first "hockey" game. If you could call it that. Rollerhockey. I felt like I was in a Corey Haim/Corey Feldman movie. Too bad the team we were rooting for lost. Ah, well. Beer makes the agony of defeat feel pretty damn good:
 

Ben and Ryan drowning their sorrows and numbing their injuries.

October Project won the battle of OP vs. OP. Now if only f***ing Ticketmaster would cooperate. 

I hate stupid drunk people who take their clothes off in public places.