Those Were the Days

I must say, present day is treating me rather well. After a wonderfully relaxing weekend, I went out after work last night to sing songs, as I do most every Monday night. On this particular Monday, however, my friend Angie also was celebrating her birthday, which made the songs a little more festive and caused the evening to run a little later than a normal Monday of singing.

I also drank a little more than I should on any given school night and am a tad tired, as a consequence.

The rest of the week will be a bit more mellow before what should be a fantastic weekend of more singing, my friend Roland's birthday barbecue, live music, Margarita Club and maybe even some vintage clothes shopping. Oh, and last week I was summoned for jury duty, but I never actually had to go to the courtroom. After five days of checking to see if I needed to report, I was able to consider my jury service completed. Now, that is my kind of jury duty.

For some reason, all these good times today are reminding me of fun times in the past. So I offer you, dear readers, this walk down Sassyland Memory Lane:

In 1974 I was the flower girl in a wedding. My mother's friend Rhonda was getting married and apparently trusted me not to fall while I carried this basket of flowers.

I mentioned in my last post that I was a Girl Scout way back when. Here's proof (can you find me?). This photo was taken in 1980 or '81.

Jumping ahead in time a bit... When I was a junior in college I took a semester abroad and studied in Scotland. One weekend during that time in 1991, all the Brown University students studying in the United Kingdom gathered in Wales for a little excursion. And to stand on the edge of this bluff.

After I graduated from Brown, I continued living in Rhode Island. With all due respect to the Ocean State, I didn't last long and couldn't wait to hightail it back to California after just over four years. On the day before I returned west in November 1996, I enjoyed a farewell champagne brunch with some of my closest friends at the Providence Biltmore hotel. Do we look happily sated in this picture?

Christmas 2001. Big, multi-racial families like mine are the best.

I like this photo from my birthday party in 2002 because my friend Daryl looks like he is channeling Lenny Kravitz.

I am hardly fat now, but I don't think I will ever be this thin again. I almost look downright bony. This is my friend Renee and me posing at our friend Melissa's wedding in 2003. I still have that dress I'm wearing. I wonder if it still fits...

Rainy Sunday Bliss

While I think we all can agree that gorgeous, sunny weekends are super fun because you can go out and play in all that sunshine, sometimes a rainy weekend day is pure bliss. Especially if you have no place you have to be on said day.

Yesterday was exactly that kind of day for me. The only thing I had to do was a little shopping (groceries, Walgreens and Pure Beauty), and I got all that done in about half an hour while the rain was just sprinkles. Plus, the Girl Scouts are out in my neighborhood these days, so I picked up a few cookies during my shopping excursion. A box of Thin Mints now is safely tucked in my freezer, with a box of Do-Si-Dos (known as Savannahs back when I was a cookie-peddling Girl Scout) taking residence in my cupboard. I wonder how long those boxes will last... Oh, I also did hit the gym to get a little exercise, but when your gym is two blocks from your front door, it's almost like working out at home.

Otherwise, I relaxed and enjoyed the extra hour of daylight, even if daylight on a cloudy day isn't quite as exciting as sunny daylight. I got all of my household chores done on Saturday, leaving yesterday free for vocal exercises/singing practice, snuggling up to movies like (500) Days of Summer and Oceans Eleven (the 2001 remake, not the Rat Pack film, but good nonetheless) and reading a book.

When you don't have to be out in the rain, fighting your way to work or trying to make the best of damp social plans, wet weather is a lovely thing indeed.

March showers feeding some March flowers just outside my kitchen window.

My backyard enjoying a Sunday afternoon bath. This photo also was taken from the dry comfort of my kitchen.

I add this shot as evidence that my books soon could take over my living space. Too bad they can't help with the housecleaning.

Pretty Drinks and Lovely Evenings

I think I like cocktails not because of the delicious flavors and not because of the alcohol, but because they are so pretty. I met this particular cocktail on Friday night when Andrey, Carla, Olena, Kevin and I paid a little visit to the bar at the Four Seasons. (For the record, the cocktail was as tasty as it was attractive, and it came with candied ginger on the side).

Saturday evening saw me grabbing dinner downtown with my friend Mary Beth and then wandering over to the Burritt Room, where we quite pleasantly discovered that Franco Nero was playing. Good music, good cocktails and lots of giggling filled the rest of the night.

I'm enjoying all of this merriment in my world at the same time Japan is dealing with potential nuclear meltdowns in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami a few days ago. I like to keep this Chronicle light and happy, but what's happening in Japan is just awful. And scary. Plus, much like the death of Brendan (my karaoke friend who passed away a few days ago), it's a reminder that life is precious. The New Year's resolution I made at the beginning of this year was to pursue happiness, and I now am even more committed to doing exactly that. Because you just never know what tomorrow will bring, my lovelies. You just never know.

So embrace and enjoy life as best you can. That's what I intend to do.

Sobering

Sober Nixon had a second rehearsal with our new guitar player last night, and things are progressing swimmingly. He's learning our set list slowly but surely, and he plays really well. Or least he seems to play well to me. Even though I played guitar myself for a few years back in the '80's, I don't claim to be any kind of expert. I'm so excited we finally found a guitarist we like, though. As much as I love my karaoke habit, I miss my cover band habit.

I'd also like to develop a song writing habit, but we'll take things one step at a time.

Far more sobering than Sober Nixon is the earthquake in Japan. Never underestimate Mother Nature, gentle readers. The good news, in my world anyway, is that my mother in Honolulu is fine, given that the tsunami generated by the massive temblor did little damage by the time it reached Hawaii. We also sustained minimal tsunami-related damage here in Northern California, although some boats and harbors have been damaged, and one poor fellow in Humboldt County was swept out to sea when he and his friends decided to head to the shore to take pictures of the tsunami. He is presumed to be dead.

May I say again: never underestimate Mother Nature.

I think all my new books really are starting to overwhelm me. The problem is that I'm impatient. I've been buying so many books lately, and I want to read every one right away. Last weekend I picked up a copy of Dorothy Parker's Complete Short Stories, and I have had to sit on my hands to keep from tearing into it.

However, my slightly obsessive habit of reading books in the order I purchased them continues. To that end, Dorothy has to wait, and I have to work through the many novels ahead of her.

So in an effort to move the book queue along, I have started reading two books at once. Chronic City by Jonathan Lethem is my new public transit book, and Robert Goolrick's A Reliable Wife now serves as my at-home reading. Because I'm reading them simultaneously, however, I haven't made much progress on either, and I can't really tell you how much I like either one yet.

Do you happen to remember an episode of "Gilmore Girls" when Lorelei teases Rory about bringing so many books she doesn't really need to school that she can't fit them all into her backpack? I'm not in high school anymore, but I may be the adult, real-life version of Rory.

Closing Chapters

A chapter has closed here in Sassyland, gentle readers.

For the last five years, I have written a monthly column for one of San Francisco's neighborhood newspapers. It being a very small operation, the paper's publisher hasn't been able to pay me for my contribution, but that hasn't bothered me. I like to write (why else would I have a blog?), so I figured I'd do the column, which is a sort of a cool things happening around town guide, as a volunteer side job. I've spent 60 months tipping readers off to what I believe to be the best in live music, theatre, book signings, parties, museum exhibits and other San Francisco happenings. It's been a bit of fun, and every once in a while researching my column would lead me to a neat event I wouldn't have known about otherwise.

Good things sometimes come to an end, however, and I decided in January that five years of writing for free was enough. So my last column is running in the paper's current issue. It's the end of an era for me and the (few dozen at most) people who read my column with any regularity.

From now on, if you want to know what I believe to be the cool things happening about town, you'll have to ask me directly.

On a significantly more shocking and unfortunate note, I learned this afternoon that a major chapter has closed on a guy who frequented my favorite karaoke den in town. He died. I didn't know this gentleman very well; in fact, I didn't even know his last name. However, he was a staple at this karaoke joint and was very nice. He sang everything from Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin to Disney show tunes and 80's pop, and he would always work the crowd. He was young, as well... probably about my age. And yes, I still consider myself to be young.

I bring this up because it's a pretty clear example of how none of us knows what tomorrow holds. So live everyday and pursue happiness, gentle readers. We all get caught up in our routines and get stressed out and worry, but it's important take time to do things that make us happy. For me, those happy pursuits include singing songs, going to music shows, exercising, giggling with my friends, reading good books, crushing on silly men and visiting L.A. and Hawaii. In fact, I'm posting a picture I took in Waikiki a few years ago because that beach is one of the happiest places on earth, in my opinion. Just looking at this photo makes me smile.

I hope looking at it reminds you to pursue your own brand of happiness, whatever that may be.

San Francisco Saturday

I hope your Saturday is treating you well, gentle readers. I have had a wonderful day after a Friday night of live music. In fact, I've discovered a new local band to love: The Bye Bye Blackbirds. They were first on the bill at the Hemlock Tavern last night, just before Tippy Canoe and the Paddlemen, the band I had gone to see. Tippy was, of course, fabulous, but I also really liked The Bye Bye Blackbirds. I love it when I stumble upon good bands.

Today was combination of socializing and getting things done, and the weather was rather lovely (it's supposed to rain tonight and/or tomorrow). Errands, cleaning, exercise and mimosas make for a very lovely Saturday, and I snapped a few pictures along the way this afternoon.

Brunch with Scott (who wrote Fated, the book I gushed about in the previous post) and Brad. We did have food, as well as mimosas, but this photo should give you an idea of the tone of our meal. That's Scott's elbow in the background, by the way.

View from a MUNI bus. Given that I both live and work in the City, I spend a decent amount of time on public transit. So I see many views like this one.

The lily that guards my front door. With a lily just out front, I guess that makes my apartment a "lily pad." Don't worry, I won't give up my day job for a career in comedy.

I love that in San Francisco you can turn a seemingly random corner and all of a sudden have a view of the Golden Gate Bridge (or in some neighborhoods, the Bay Bridge).

A Most Excellent Twist of Fate

Okay, I will just say upfront that I know the author of the book I currently am reading. However, that has no bearing on the gushing I am about to do.

You may remember from this post that on New Year's Eve I went to my friend Brad's party and chatted with his author friend Scott. Fated, which I bought on December 30th, is Scott's second novel, and it is so good. I'm only about a third of the way through it, but so far I absolutely love it. It's extremely clever and very readable. In fact, it's such a fun read that I almost wish I had waited until my Hawaii trip next month to crack it open. Fated would be a perfect beach book.

Even without a beach, however, Fated still is quite a good time, and I highly recommend it. Scott actually gave me his business card (which I have been using, ironically enough, as a bookmark) on New Year's Eve and asked me to let him know what I thought of his book once I read it. If he even remembers doing that, he probably assumed I didn't like it because... well, that was December and this is March. But as I have mentioned on this space before, I have to read books in the order I buy them, and there were a few novels in the queue before Fated.

Maybe Scott will be surprised when I contact him to tell him how much I like his book, or maybe it's been so long that he'll have no recollection of ever meeting me. Regardless, I'm glad fate (or Scott) brought Fated into my path.

Speaking of reading, I think I finally have to acquiesce that my book buying habit has gotten a little out of control. I've been in a purchasing frenzy over the last few weeks, and it's getting ridiculous. Since my local library branch recently got a fancy new makeover, I may actually get... gasp... a library card and start borrowing books instead of buying them.

Maybe, anyway.

In other news, my weekend is filling quite nicely with lots of fun things. Tonight I'm going to see my friend Michele, aka Tippy Canoe, perform with her band Tippy Canoe and the Paddlemen; tomorrow my friend Brad and I are getting together for brunch and mimosas; and on Sunday I'll be doing some singing and then cocktailing with my friend Christine. I'd be jealous of the life I get to lead, were not mine.

Angels of the City

Well, good evening, gentle readers. I am back safe and sound from my little L.A. sojourn, and while it's nice to be home, I always find it hard to leave Southern California. My trip was a bit on the mellow side this time around. I stayed with my sister Patti in Los Feliz, as always, but I hung out in that part of town the entire time, which is unusual. No jaunts to the West Side, no journeys to Disneyland, no day trips to my hometown of Pasadena. I kept this visit basically confined to Los Feliz, Silver Lake and Hollywood.

With one exception, that is.

On Tuesday night Patti and I did venture into Burbank to sing songs at place called Dimples. Dimples has to be seen to be believed. It's basically a karaoke dive bar filled with cheap, worn Hollywood memorabilia. Tuesday was "Men's Night," and as a consequence, the joint was practically empty, but I didn't mind. I sang four songs in just over an hour then bid Dimples goodbye and moved on to the next adventure.

As I mentioned in my last post, I continued practicing my photography skills by snapping a bunch of pictures during my mini-vacation. Have a look.

Pink sky and palm trees over Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake.

Malo Cantina, just before the frenzy of delicious tacos began.

The heart of Hollywood.

Capitol Records.

The famed Pantages Theatre. The Academy Awards ceremony used to be held there back in the 1950's. This week, Avenue Q is playing.

This is my favorite building in Los Feliz: The Los Feliz Manor. It's a fantastic art deco apartment building on Los Feliz Boulevard.

Even though I've never set foot inside, I fantasize about living in the Los Feliz Manor, should I ever move to L.A. Of course, if someone wanted to buy me one of the multi-million dollar homes just a block or two away from the Los Feliz Manor to live in, I wouldn't argue.

The Griffith Observatory and the hills below.

Rodney Drive.

And finally, sunset above the clouds as seen from my flight back to the Bay.

Walking In L.A.

Greetings from glamorous Hollywood. Or Los Feliz, as the case may be. I'm currently on a little mini-holiday in Los Angeles, and so far it has been so much fun.

I arrived yesterday afternoon, just in time for the Academy Awards. While I watched it on TV, just as I would have in San Francisco, I was watching on a TV that lives only three miles from the Kodak Theatre. So I was practically there in person. Tonight, my sister Patti and I went to celebrate her birthday at Malo in Silver Lake, where every Monday is taco night. So yummy and so cheap on Mondays. You must try it. Unfortunately, the evening at Malo was not so pleasant for the cute hipster guy sitting at the table next to ours. It had nothing to do with the restuarant, but about halfway through his dinner, someone I assume to be his agent called and told him he had not been chosen for an acting job. He seemed pretty unhappy after taking that call. No one said Hollywood is easy.

I'm here in the City of Angels until Wednesday evening, and I've started taking bunches of pictures, which I will post upon my return to the Bay. Until then, it's sunshine and movie stars for me.

Our Castle

Tonight I spent the evening in a castle. Edinburgh Castle, to be precise, on Geary Street in the Tenderloin. Should there be any doubt of this claim, I snapped the above photo of some of their beer taps.

My co-worker Bob turned 60 a couple of weeks ago, and bunches of us gathered at Edinburgh Castle tonight to celebrate. Yes, Bob had a 60th birthday party at a bar in the Tenderloin; he is that much of a rockstar. The party was an early affair, and we Bob-revelers pretty much had the place to ourselves from 6 p.m. until around 9. It was drinks, cake and fish and chips for all. The hipsters that started to trickle in beginning at about 8:30 or so looked at us with expressions of disbelief, but I'm thinking that's just because they just aren't accustomed to so many people being in the joint so early in the evening.

An oldies dance party began at Edinburgh Castle at 10:00, and I had every intention of staying to enjoy the tunes, but by 10 all of my other co-workers were gone (except Ted and Joe, who gave me a ride home), and I'd had two beers and a shot of Fernet. That's the equivalent of six beers and three shots for a normal person who is not the lightweight I am.

The party was fun, and I believe Bob had a great time, but tonight's soiree is not the most exciting thing going on in my world. Not even close. What is most exciting is that Sober Nixon has found a new guitarist! We've only played with him once, but I think he's going to work out, and I am just thrilled. In fact, that sound you hear is the shuffle of my feet as I do a serious happy dance.

So be warned, Sober Nixon has songs to sing and now a guitarist to play them. We just might turn up at a bar or club near you.

Beautiful Mornings

I am not a morning person. I never have been. From the time I was I child, I always have preferred sleeping late, and frankly, I think waking up to an alarm probably is a form of torture in some part of the world. Or at least it could be.

However, for the past few weeks, I really have been enjoying my mornings. I always exercise before work, but lately I've been able to enjoy longer and more productive workouts because I've been getting up about 15-30 minutes earlier than usual. I also have time to eat a little breakfast at home, which I haven't done on a regular basis in years (my reasoning had been that exercise took the place of breakfast time). Plus, I have been leaving for work a few minutes earlier, making my commute significantly less stressful than when I engaged in my previous habit of stepping out of my apartment at the last moment possible before risking being late for work.

Not only has all of this eliminated the hectic, hurry-hurry-hurry-don't-be-late aspect of my mornings, but I've been in a noticeably better mood as a result of getting up earlier. My morning happiness has been bleeding further and further into the afternoon, and I credit the longer workouts and stress-free morning routine. (Of course, the euphoria does come to an end eventually, and at that point, I generally want an afternoon nap.)

The best part of all of this is that I've found that it really isn't hard to get up a little earlier. Since I have a difficult time getting up in the morning, anyway, those extra minutes really don't make a difference. And I'll trade 15 minutes of shut-eye for an extended period of morning-induced happiness any day.

**Note: This is probably quite obvious, but I did not take either of these pictures. I found them on the Internet, thanks to Google images. Neither my photography skills nor my camera are nearly so good.**

Hello, Lovers

Normally, I wouldn't presume that you care about the crap I buy for myself, but I am so giddy with excitement over these purchases, I just have to share.

This evening the postman brought me the new purse I bought at sample sale on the Kate Spade website last week. Isn't it just lovely? I actually have the same bag in pink (also procured at a steep discount last summer), but black is better for nighttime use and always is in season. Not to brag, but including tax and the shipping fee, I paid less than half the original asking price for this little gem. Frankly, I couldn't have afforded it, otherwise; Kate charges a pretty penny for her merchandise.

I am so thrilled to have this bag, I can't even tell you.

Plus, the parade of books I have been ordering online is starting to arrive. I'm so looking forward to digging into this Sam Lipsyte novel. It will have to wait, however, as I have a queue of six books ahead of it. For some reason I have to read my books in the order I purchase them. I have no idea.

Life isn't all about shopping, though. There also is music! Tomorrow we're auditioning another guitarist for Sober Nixon. I'm really hopping it goes well, so keep your fingers crossed or pray to the pop music gods or do whatever you feel comfortable doing to wish us luck. Thanks!

If You Can't Save Ferris, Join Him

Yesterday was Presidents' Day, and while many people had the day off, I was at work. However, today I more than made up for that. While virtually everyone else was emerging from three-day weekend hangovers and returning to their jobs this morning, I got to sleep in.

You see, my dear friend Gabriella, whom I have known since the 2nd grade, was in town for business today, and we planned to meet for an early dinner at around 4 p.m. Instead of negotiating to leave my job early, I simply decided to burn a vacation day and enjoy my own personal February holiday.

After getting some exercise, I met my accountant for our annual tax appointment. Couldn't hurt to be a little productive on my day off, could it? That was done just before noon, leaving me lots of time to wander downtown in the sunshine. I procured a Specialties milk chocolate chip cookie for nibbling (if you've had their cookies, then you know), popped into Tiffany to admire all the jewelry I can't afford, visited Borders Union Square to, that's right, check on the liquidation discounts, and snapped pictures of things I see all the time because I am lucky enough to live in the City by the Bay.

Not bad for a Tuesday, wouldn't you say?

Market and New Montgomery Streets.

Tea time at the Palace Hotel.

The Ferry Building as the sun is thinking about setting.

Late afternoon bubbles.

Me and Gabree. Not the best picture of me ever taken, but it gets the job done.

As seen from MUNI: Pacific Heights once day has turned to night.

Nothing To Say?

There is word that blogging could be on the decline. A recent New York Times article suggests that blogging is just so very 2005, with young people drifting away from the blogging habit. Our youth has become too busy to write lengthy blog posts, the article says, and they apparently are annoyed that nobody reads their blogs. If you refer to a recent post of mine about some criticism of this little chronicle, you'll see that a lack of readership doesn't bother me in the least. That just may be a sign that I'm not terribly young (the article does go on to say that people in my age range still enjoy blogging).

Another reason, according to the article, that traditional blogging is becoming less prevalent among young people: the popularity of Facebook and Twitter.

That's right, those social networking culprits are at it again. Apparently, more of us now are posting cell phone pictures of what we had for lunch on Facebook, instead of on blogs (I know you've seen those pictures in your Facebook news feed). And a 140-word Twitter update seems to have become more attractive than lengthy written discourse. I have to admit that I can understand this phenomenon. A couple of years ago both Facebook and Twitter distracted me enough to leave this site unloved and ignored.

All of this said, there are some (specifically, a blog or two) who dispute the article's assertions and say blogging is as strong as ever. If young people are leading the way, however, and the blog truly is on the decline, what about the old fashioned diary? Will parents and younger siblings everywhere no longer be tempted to tamper with the fake locks protecting books filled with the juicy, hand-written nuggets of adolescent life?

Forget any potential blogging decline, that would be tragic.

If you don't have any diaries to read, I can recommend two of the blogs I like: The Bay Area Brit and Metropolis. Enjoy them before we all become dinosaurs.

Another Saturday Night

A rainy Saturday afternoon in San Francisco gave way to a very cold evening, but I kept warm over dinner and cocktails with the lovely and talented Chris, followed by beer and parlor games with some of the other kids.  How many phrases, titles, or names can you think of containing the word "jack"? How about "happy"? Now try "hot". Oh, yes, we were those people at 21st Amendment last night. Play your cards right, and perhaps one day we'll let you play with us.

So many choices

The Lavender Splash: vanilla vodka, lemon and real lavender

The dinner was delicious, but the desserts were to die for.

Fed and happy.

Strong beers

Zeeshan and Carla

Heidi, Rico and Joel

Sweet Addiction

I have an addiction problem. Some people are addicted to alcohol or drugs or sex; I am addicted to buying books. Heaven forbid I would walk into a library and borrow a book. No, I must purchase my literature and fill my apartment shelves and table tops with stacks of books.

A girl could do worse. With my addiction, however, comes a confession: I love Borders Books and Music.

Yes, it's true, my first choice for book shopping is one of those dreaded chain outfits. Make no mistake, I frequent independent book stores, as well. My favorite is Skylight Books on Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles. I like that store best because the staff plays the most excellent obscure but accessible music on the store sound system. It definitely adds to the book buying experience. (Like I need anything to further encourage my book buying habit.) Green Apple Books here in San Francisco also is awesome. But back to Borders. You can imagine my distress when I learned that Borders has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Truly, it makes no sense to me. In my opinion, Borders should be able to survive on what I spend there alone.

To add insult to injury, I found out that the two Borders locations I frequent most in San Francisco will be closing. What is a book addict to do? Don't say go to the library. The upside to this dilemma is that I imagine the closing stores will have to liquidate their inventory, and that can only mean one thing: sale prices.

Sales are generally a good thing, but that leads me to another problem. My large book shelf already is full, and I'd like to avoid filling every surface in my home with books. Plus, I already have several recent purchases that have yet to be read and more on the way. In the last week I've ordered four novels from borders.com: Home Land by Sam Lipsyte, This Is Not A Love Song by Sarahbeth Purcell, The Help by Kathryn Stockett and the one I'm most excited about, A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan. These selections have not even arrived yet, and already I'm thinking about hitting the doomed San Francisco Borders locations this weekend to check out the potential discounts.

I told you I have a problem.

By the way, I currently am reading Lulu Meets God and Doubts Him by Danielle Ganek. I just started it this week, but so far, it's pretty good. When all is said and done with this Borders store closings ordeal, I might need a forklift for all the books I may purchase.

I guess it's also time to buy a new book shelf.

Little Bits of Happiness

Sometimes the little things in life are the ones that make us the happiest. For example, back in December, my friend Christine gave me a $25 iTunes gift card for my birthday. That's probably the best gift anyone could give me, aside from maybe a gift card for the nearest bookstore or a date with Jon Hamm.

What only cost Christine a mere 25 bucks has made me so happy over the past couple of months. I've been having the absolute best time shopping for music, both purchasing songs I hadn't heard before, like "Commit" by the Blakes (thank you, iTunes Genius recommendation), and ditties I'd forgotten about, like "Secret" and "Tesla Girls" from 80's new wave popsters OMD.

I also did a little digging and discovered Marianne Pillsbury, who not only graduated from my alma mater, Brown University, but also does an excellent cover of Prince's "When You Were Mine." With all due respect to Prince purists, I think I like this version better than the original. To be honest, I don't know any other Marianne Pillsbury music, but her Prince cover is top notch.

Other little things have put a smile on my face for the past couple of days, as well, such as learning that the Kate Spade purse I have been coveting for months currently is on sale, so I actually could afford to buy it. Happiness does not only come in the form of shopping, of course. Sober Nixon is holding a second audition with a potential guitarist tonight, and if this guy works out, that will make me giddy with joy. I had no idea finding a guitarist would be as difficult as it has proven to be, but I'm determined to have patience.

You can bet, however, that once the new Sober Nixon line up is complete, and we actually perform again, that will be one happy day.

Love and Chocolate

Happy Valentine's Day, my lovelies! I hope you are having a wonderful day full of love and joy. I am donning red, enjoying chocolates and generally riding the Valentine's Day high. Okay, at this point it might just be a sugar high, but I truly have been in a good mood since I got up this morning.

Back when I was in my early to mid-20's (also known as 13,000 years ago), I was fooled into thinking that I had to dread Valentine's Day if I didn't have a boyfriend on February 14th. How incredibly silly. Whether you're in a relationship or not, love is everywhere, and I, for one, always have a great time acknowledging that love every year. Plus, chocolate is delicious whether you're dating someone or not. If you need a help getting into the mood this holiday, I can recommend a few of my favorite songs about love. Off the top of my head:

• The Very Last Time-- Pat Johnson and the Maydays
• It Must Be Love-- Madness
• You're All I Need To Get By-- Marvin Gaye and Tami Terrell
• Crush Story-- Too Much Joy
• Hold Me Tight-- The Beatles
• True Love-- X
• I've Been Waiting-- Matthew Sweet
• You've Really Got A Hold On Me--- Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (yes, it's a song about completely unhealthy, dysfunctional love, but that totally counts)
• Sweet Darlin'-- She and Him
• Be My Baby-- The Ronettes
• Beneath the Blue Sky-- The Go-Go's
• River Deep, Mountain High-- Ike and Tina Turner
• Rhythm of Love-- Plain White T's
• The Real World-- The Bangles

Tonight I'm going to continue celebrating by singing a few songs and enjoying a few cocktails. And knowing me, probably eating some more chocolate.