Dear Angela,

I miss you. I miss what we used to be. I thought of you today, when I was trying not to cry as I sat at the computer, beside two seemingly Spanish girls in the hostel in Barcelona. It made me want to swan dive over the wall and fall into a messy pile on the lobby floor.

Months before your wedding you have to create your guest list. You begin your list with the obvious family members, then add your close friends. You then move on to your neighbors and you can’t forget your parent’s friends who have watched you grow up. Then you have your co-workers and the family members of your best friends (I mean in some cases they are practically family)! Then you take that list and double it (because the groom no doubt has a similar list) and when you finally step back and look at the GIANT list you have both created, you need a moment to catch your breathe. That is a lot of people you are going to have to pay for to eat, drink and dance the night away at your big event. But how do you know who to leave out? Where do you start making cuts? Feelings are at stake here.

Ever since I can remember, I have always envisioned my wedding HUGE! I’m talking everyone I know and then some. But over the past years I have had the pleasure of experiencing  these “HUGE weddings first hand. As much fun as I have being a guest, I sit back and watch the bride and groom move from table to table thanking people for coming, repeating the line, “It’s so good to see you” and never actually seeming to snag enough time to enjoy their food, or drinks or even the dance floor. There are hugs to be given and hand shakes to be exchanged – and with a wedding this size, it could take hours.

All this has caused me to re-evaluate my “HUGE” wedding dreams. I have begun to wonder how people can get away with this though. Having a smaller wedding and truly only inviting those closest to you. Then it hit me – DESTINATION WEDDING!

I can’t even count the number of brides in the past month that have said they were having a destination wedding! These ladies are brilliant! They are clearly a few steps ahead of me. You can still invite the large number of guests you would if you were staying in town , but realize that not everyone will be able to make it (work, kids, life… whatever). Those that are closest to you (whether they are friends or family) will figure out a way to be there. Another way to keep the idea of a smaller wedding within reach would be to consider a smaller bridal party. It is easier to coordinate with the travels – and you can, in some cases, help your bridal party pay for a portion of their “trip” (something that might not be possible if you had 8+ girls). It could become your wedding party gift (which would be so helpful). For the other girls, if they are your close friends/family, they will no doubt still attend.  A perfect example of this was Keri’s wedding (one of Twirl’s owners). She decided to do a destination wedding – and opted to not have all 16 of her closest friends in her bridal party. All of her closest friends were of course still in attendance, but she chose to only have her future sister-in-law and best friend stand up for her. It was Perfect!

So aside from creating a smaller wedding, it becomes a mini vacation with everyone. The groups can split up the couple days before the wedding. Girls can do their girl stuff and the guys can do their guy stuff! Then everyone can come together for the wedding and have a wonderful time. The bride and groom can enjoy their wedding as much as their guests…with all their guests.

Regardless of where you have your wedding or how many people attend, this is your day! I hope it’s one to remember!

xoxo

In Edward’s absence, Bella got emotionally imbalanced and psychologically disturbed, hearing what she called as ‘velvety,
beautiful voice’ in her head. She could not believe that he had decided to leave, compelling Bella to be oblivious about him ‘as if he did not exist’, thinking that was the best to get her off perils. Edward wouldn’t give in to her request of being changed into a vampire to keep them eternally inseparable. It shook Bella off her normal senses, getting cold without conscious effort at fortifying blocks of truth to a conclusion that he didn’t like her after all.
The moment that Victoria was hunting Bella to avenge her mate’s (James) demise down Forks and La Push raised some levels of hysteria though which was rather less significant to lifelessness at Edward’s while of inexistence. So came Jacob Black’s rescue with Sam Uley to lead the pack, of werewolves, slaying Laurent and keeping an eye and ready claw on the rest of his coven for Bella’s safety, sealed in away even from the slightest threat. Jacob underwent intense struggle on the process of revealing his true identity before which, he and Bella had some nice things to share like the motorcycle adventure, where Jacob truly came in handy on her secret deprivation. Upon discovering that he was a werewolf and it was his pack that saved her life from Laurent’s assault, Bella did not have second thoughts of wholeheartedly accepting him, as a friend worth of lifetime trust.
This, however, was not sufficient to release her from delusions of Edward talking to her mind whenever she got near danger. Bella often revisited the forest that once sheltered the Cullens and decided to jump off the cliff one time to dare sorts of hell close by, believing strongly that, that was the only way to keep hearing Edward’s warning voice. Even as she drowned in the black currents, her feelings were safe from anxiety as if every fear were instantly washed off upon such vivacious hints that clamored ‘Edward did exist’. Up to that point, she was spared.
It went too abrupt that Edward didn’t take note of those details carefully, with a sweeping assumption that Bella committed suicide yet missing the puzzle piece that Charlie meant to be gone for Harry Clearwater’s funeral, one very unexpected phone call. Hurriedly so, Edward consulted the ‘Volturi’ with the solid intention of ceasing to live without her. But the Volturi wanted to keep him (for his special talents) and would not grant his death wish, so he opted to just expose himself under broad daylight to burn away. When Bella learned about it through Alice, she didn’t waste a second and flew off, at all cost. She stood by Edward at the nick of time, dragging him away from the sun’s wide view until the next thing they realized was dealing with the inviolable Aro (of the Volturi) whose mad curiosity about Edward’s unique decision as a vampire stared red at Bella with cunning inquisition on which his cohorts kept attentive watch. At the slip of fortune, he was mad convinced by what Alice had forethought to be Bella’s later conversion on account immortality. Soon, they three were escorted out of the Volturi’s chambers and gathered with the rest of the Cullens.
In their privacy, Bella and Edward paid each other debts of explanation they’d grown thirsty of when the spatial difference was at the remotest it could get, breaking to the faintest of touch.
Back to Bella’s place where the infuriated Charlie, having had enough, had lain on a serious anticipation, Bella and Edward came across Jacob midway down the nearby forest, stopping at a distance assuredly buffered from his zone. The men’s calculating, concentrated gazes didn’t flicker as they shifted colors and brief utterances held the air stung with a founding edge of future crises between what used to be ‘legends’. Bella understood that she was the major subject of it all when Jacob implied it at reminding Edward that when a vampire bites a human in the land they were bound to protect, the truce would be over. At this, he nodded to settle so that they could leave before tendencies blurted out of control.
Bella was mad at the same time filled with compassion to the point of regret for Jacob, having chosen Edward to be with. She had promised to get back to him one day with remarks in the hope of patching up their friendship which he would have thought betrayed.
Bella brought the Cullens to vote over her transformation. On the contrary, Edward wanted to keep her soul intact and not abolish her rights of humanity. Where this opposition led was what the third sequel (Eclipse) was looking forward to answer.

I was always taught that if you’re going to do something, you might as well do it right. And in my mind, there isn’t a more apt application for such a life theory than in the adaptation of popular novels into films. When you think about these popular literary franchise — many of whom have rabid fan bases — it is hard to imagine making a movie (or in this case, two) out of them that are subpar. As we’ve seen with the Harry Potter franchise, the key is to take the story from the books and build upon it. Find good actors, dazzle the fan base with great special effects and make the film’s accessible enough so that folks outside the fan base will be drawn in, and ultimately drawn into the world of the books as well. It’s a reverse method of getting people to read more — make the movies interesting enough, and folks will go after the rest of the story.

Not so with the Twilight franchise, at least not up to this point. With the release of New Moon, the second in a line of four films to be released by Summit Entertainment, the Twilight franchise has succeeded in doing only one thing: appeasing its built-in fan base. Which is sad, because such a rabid fan base deserves something better — something that will reach out to the rest of the world and invite others to see what they see. Sadly, this is not that case — and while its easy to say that some people just won’t “get” this operatic tale of love seen through the eyes of a teen girl, I would rather blame lazy filmmaking.

New Moon picks up where the first Twilight film left off, with Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) locked in a heated, yet abstinent, love affair. But after a freak accident at Bella’s birthday party puts her life in danger, Edward leaves her in hopes of giving her a chance at a normal life — one that doesn’t involve brooding over a vampire. Left with emptiness in her heart, Bella weeps for Edward for several months, eventually emerging slightly from her depression to forge a new friendship with the constantly shirtless Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), a now-meaty friend who is going through a few odd changes himself. As Bella digs deeper into Jacob’s life, she soon finds out that he isn’t all that he seems either.

From there, we find out about the true nature of Jacob and his tribe and — spoiler alert — their sweet ancestry of being werewolves. At this point, director Chris Weitz sets in and delivers two of the few shining achievements of New Moon. One is the development of Jacob as a character, aided by a solid performance from Taylor Lautner. After a movie and a third of watching Bella with Edward, it is almost sweet to see her engaging with someone who might have some depth to them, even if he does turn into a giant wolf from time to time. As well, Weitz delivers a wolf-on-wolf action sequence during Bella’s discovery of the wolf pack that is quite awesome, and reminiscent of his crowning achievement in The Golden Compass, the epic polar bear fight scene. It was the only point in the film when New Moon was exciting, and not bogged down with slo-mo action or brooding, hollow shells of romantic archetypes.

newmoon-review2

The rest of the movie is about as moving and engaging as watching a 24-hour golf marathon on television, in French. Sure, there is something there if you’re really interested in it and you speak the language, but to anyone sitting on the outside it is just another surface-level romantic melodrama that is poorly paced. On top of that, the Twilight films (can’t speak for the books) give us two main characters who are increasingly difficult to like, let alone adore (let alone root for). Bella is a whiny, weak-willed character whose sole preoccupation is finding a man through which she can define herself, and Edward is a creepy 109-year old vampire who is trolling the high school halls for young girls.

On top of that, Robert Pattinson’s performance is excruciatingly stale. I get it, he’s playing a vampire who is supposed to be without emotion. But he’s also playing the exception to the rule, the vampire who falls madly in love with this beautiful human girl and will do anything and everything to keep her safe. There should be something beneath the surface, something added to Edward to make him feel like the exception — and in Pattinson’s incredibly hollow performance, we see none of that. The same can be said for Kristen Stewart, who delivers once again a performance that makes Bella feel like a caricature of an overly dramatic, perpetually confused teen. If she is to become an icon for young girls everywhere, then I weep for an entire generation.

Beyond character problems and failure to craft an engaging, purposefully paced narrative, New Moon mostly suffers from an insider baseball complex, in which the only folks who can truly engage in the story are those who have intimate previous knowledge of these characters, whether it’s from the first Twilight film or Stephenie Meyer’s series of books. This fact cripples the film’s ability to reach out beyond its core audience, leaving many an audience member confused, bewildered and downright bored.

But as someone who has seen both films and read enough of the books to know what it going on, I can tell you that the most disheartening thing about this film is that while its fan base will be satisfied with it — especially the hanging ending that feels tacked on — they really aren’t getting their fandom’s worth with these movies. There is a story within Stephenie Meyer’s books that could make for a good movie, and a method by which these movies could be accessible and engaging. It just seems as if Summit and their respective creative teams can’t find it. That said, thanks to the nature of the story (the added action of the werewolves and the rush to find Edward in Italy), director Chris Weitz has lucked out — and in turn he has found himself the director of a movie that, while not good in the least, is at least more engaging than Catherine Hardwicke’s first film. Should this trend continue, the infinitely more capable director David Slade may actually give us something worth watching with the next installment, Eclipse.

The Upside: It plays to the fans, and does have a few action scenes (mostly with the wolves) that are pretty fun to watch.

The Downside: Poorly structured, poorly paced, poorly executed CGI in places and characters that are unlikeable, despite the fact that we should be rooting for them. An inaccessible mess.

On the Side: Each member of the wolf pack had to have papers proving their Native decent. Spencer is Lakota (Sioux), Pelletier is Cree-Metis, Meraz is Purepecha (Tarasco), Gordon is Hualapai, and Houseman, who was discovered at an open casting call, is Cree

Angela Simmons Was Spotted Rocking Some Attention Grabbing Party Rock Life Leggings Yesterday While Having Lunch At Toast In L.A…More After The Jump You Can Pick Up These Leggings From Party Rock Life Here

Eu me lembro de quando estava cursando uma disciplina do sexto período na faculdade e tinha um colega que conversava bastante comigo sobre literatura. Sempre trocávamos dicas de livros e, sinceramente, sempre tive um pouco de dificuldade em encontrar pessoas que tenham esse mesmo interesse que eu. Ele comentou que tinha ido a uma livraria no final-de-semana e havia comprado um livro (“Crepúsculo”) que estava em lançamento, sobre vampiros. Ele achou a história muito interessante e me indicou dar uma olhada. A princípio não me interessei muito, mas fui procurar pelo livro. A história não despertou totalmente a minha curiosidade. Mas comecei a ler e tive uma surpresa muito agradável.

Pensei que o livro fosse dedicado ao público mais velho, mas a medida que avaliei a história, a linguagem e as descrições, percebi que atingiria mais diretamente aos jovens e, principalmente, às garotas. Afinal os meninos, geralmente, gostam de uma literatura com um ritmo mais rápido e com menos romance. Edward, para eles é retrógrado com todo aquele amor romântico e, para as meninas, um sonho de consumo e o protótipo do príncipe encantado da era moderna. Fiquei ainda mais curiosa quando soube que havia a especulação para uma produção para o cinema.

“Crepúsculo” é o primeiro volume da saga vampiresca escrita pela autora americana Stephenie Meyer. O ponto de vista da história é narrado pela protagonista, Isabella Swan, que cresceu com pais separados, morava com a  mãe, Rene e o padrasto, mas muito a contragosto, teve que ir morar por um tempo com o pai, Charlie, um policial na cidadezinha mais chuvosa dos Estados Unidos, Forks, em Washington. Bella é descrita como uma adolescente tímida e desajeitada, mas ela desperta a curiosidade e atenção de toda a cidade assim que chega. É bem recebida e faz novos amigos, como Jessica, Tyler, Angela, Eric e Mike, mas mesmo assim, ela sente que não se encaixa e considera a cidade um tédio. Apesar de Bella detestar a cidade e não se sentir a pessoa mais confortável do mundo em ter que morar com Charlie, ia levando a vida numa boa, sem maiores problemas, até frequentar as aulas de biologia.

Já na primeira aula, Bella percebe que o seu colega de mesa de estudo é um dos garotos descritos como estranhos da família Cullen, mas que para ela ele é descrito como “perfeito”. No entanto, ele demonstrou sentir um verdadeiro desprezo por ela assim que ela se dirige à mesa. Assim que Bella se senta ele sai e a sua expressão a deixa atordoada e, ao mesmo tempo, arrasada. Ele parecia detestá-la. Bella descobre que ele havia se dirigido a coordenação da escola solicitando que o trocassem de turma nas aulas de biologia, deixando-a ainda mais perturbada. Recebendo um não como resposta, Edward teria mesmo que assistir as aulas próximos a Bella. Mas nas aulas seguintes ele, misteriosamente, se ausenta. O que chama a atenção de Bella, que percebe não apenas a sua ausência, mas a de todos os Cullen. Curiosa, ela descobre que eles saíram para para um passeio a campo aberto, atividade que todos da família faziam juntos nos raros dias ensolarados da cidade.

Ao regressar, Edward se mostra mais aberto e mais simpático a Bella, chegando até mesmo a pedir desculpas pelo seu comportamento anterior. Eles começam a se dar bem e despertam curiosidade em alguns alunos da escola. Mike não se mostra muito satisfeito com esse relacionamento, mas não passa de ciúmes, e os outros Cullen a olhavam com uma distância reservada.

Um dia após o término das aulas, Bella estava no estacionamento indo em direção a sua velha caminhonete quando surge um carro desgovernado em sua direção. Do nada Edward surge e evita que aconteça uma tragédia. Consegue parar o veículo que ia em direção a Bella e ela sai ilesa do acidente. Mas nota que o local do carro onde Edward colocou a mão impedindo o impacto, ficou uma mossa profunda. Ela achou aquilo muito estranho e quando tentou conversar com ele a respeito, ele diz que ela estava confusa e não fez nada demais, desconversando e pedindo que ela esqueça o assunto.

Os novos amigos de Bella a convida para um passeio na praia. Bella comenta com Edward e pergunta se ele não quer se juntar ao grupo. Quando Edward descobre para onde ela vai, declina ao convite de forma estranha. Na praia ela reencontra o amigo de infância, Jacob, pertencente a tribo indígena local, Quileute. Curiosa sobre Edward e sua família, Bela se aproveita do interesse que Jacob demonstra ter por ela, para tirar do garoto as informações que precisava. O menino revela a ela que os Cullen não podem entrar em território da reserva, pois os seus ascendentes Quileute tinham um acordo firmando com os vampiros de respeito pelo território um do outro. Porém Jacob revela que tudo isso não passa de lenda. Mas Bella fica com uma pulga atrás da orelha.

Após isso ela pensa em quem os Cullen realmente sejam. Relaciona todos os acontecimentos anteriores e chega a conclusão de que eles eram vampiros.

Bella vai com as amigas a uma cidade vizinha, chamada Port Angeles, para fazer compras. Entediada com as amigas provando vestidos, sai pela cidade a procura de uma livraria e diz a elas que as encontraria para jantarem. Bella acaba se deparando com um grupo de homens que a perseguem. Quando a alcançam, Edward aparece num carro salvando-a, mais uma vez. Bella fica intrigada com a chegada inesperada de Edward e ele demonstra estar com muita raiva dos homens e acaba desabafando dizendo que eles pensaram coisas muito ruins para fazer com Bella e estava com vontade de matá-los.

Eles se dirigem ao restaurante da cidade, onde Bella encontraria as amigas, mas eles chegam muito tarde, já quando elas estavam indo embora. Mas Bella fica para jantar com Edward e depois ele a levaria para casa. Bella nota que ele nunca comia, nem na escola e nem lá no restaurante. Bella, na volta, no carro discute com Edward a respeito das suas teorias. Ele então a leva para a floresta e confirma o que ela pensa que ele seja. E mostra a ela todas as suas capacidades como vampiro. Confessa para Bella que sentiu muito desejo de beber o sangue dela e, com isso, justifica o seu comportamento no primeiro dia da aula de biologia. Diz que o sangue dela tem o cheiro mais gostoso de todos que ele já havia sentido.

Edward releva também a sua história e o seu poder especial: ler mentes. Mas conta que nunca conseguiu ler a mente de Bella, o que sempre o deixou curioso. Os outros vampiros também tinham poderes especiais e individuais. Ele destaca que sua irmã Alice era capaz de prever o futuro, o outro irmão Jasper, o de controlar e equilibrar as emoções humanas. Edward conta que a sua família é diferente dos outros vampiros, pois Carlisle é muito pacífico e estabeleceu como regra para toda a sua família que os Cullen não beberiam sangue humano e sim sangue dos grandes animais da floresta. Explica que quando eles estão com “sede” a coloração dos olhos fica mais vermelha e quando saciados eles ficam com os olhos caramelados. Bella, realmente é uma menina diferente, se fosse qualquer outra adolescente da cidade, ficaria aterrorizada, mas ela ficou apenas cada vez mais fascinada e curiosa a respeito da família de Edward, sua história e a respeito dos vampiros.

Diante de tantas diferenças e problemas que essa relação poderia significar e ter, eles assumem o namoro. Edward então leva Bella para conhecer a sua família, os pais, Carlisle e Esme e os irmãos, Emmet, Rosalie, Jasper e Alice, que se tornou uma grande amiga de Bella. Por outro lado, Rosalie demonstra ficar incomodada com a presença de Bella e com a relação que ela constrói com o irmão. Ela fica muito encantada com a grande casa branca e aberta na floresta, onde a família morava. Com o fato de Bela ter ficado curiosa com o fato de não haver caixões, Edward explica que isso tudo não passa de mito e lenda, afinal os vampiros não dormiam, não havendo necessidade de caixões para dormir.

Concomitante as descobertas feitas por Bella, alguns acontecimentos estranhos acontecem em Forks. Montanhistas estavam desaparecendo e aparecendo mortos e um amigo de Charlie foi assassinado. Comovendo a toda a cidade e também despertando os institutos protetores dos pais. Charlie dá a Bella um spray de pimenta para ela se defender. Mas ele ainda não sabia quão pouco uso o spray teria para os reais causadores de tanta confusão.

Após algumas semanas, a família marca um jogo de beisebol na clareira da floresta. Todos estavam se divertindo quando no meio do jogo aparecem três vampiros intrusos. Apesar de toda preocupação e planos da família para Bella não ser notada nem sentida, um vento contrário estraga tudo e Jasper, um vampiro caçador fica enlouquecido de vontade de beber o sangue de Bella. Edward e os demais preparam um plano de defesa, eles lutam e Edward foge com Bela.

Um plano foi feito para proteger a menina e a sua família. Bella teve que mentir para o pai dizendo que tinha rompido com Edward e queria ir embora, para ficar com a mãe. Charlie fica arrasado e também com muito ódio de Edward.

Bella volta para sua cidade natal, Phoenix, no Arizona, na companhia de Alice e Jasper. Eles se hospedam em um hotel enquanto o resto da família tenta localizar e matar James. Como um bom vampiro farejador, James percebe que os Cullen tentaram despistar Bella e ele consegue descobrir onde ela está. O telefone celular de Bela toca e ela vê que a chamada foi feita de sua casa, preocupada, atende. Sua mãe parece estar desesperada e o tempo inteiro chama o seu nome. James fala com Bella e diz que sua mãe será morta se ela não for ao encontro dele na antiga escola de Balet que a menina frequentava. Em um momento de distração de Alice e Jasper, Bella foge e vai ao encontro de James, mas quando chega lá descobre que tudo era uma armadilha. O vampiro pegou uma antiga fita caseira em que Bella se escondia e sua mãe ficava desesperada a sua procura e utilizou as frases de Rene para arrastar Bella para a morte.

James investe contra Bella, faz um vídeo enquanto a tortura. Em uma queda, Bella se corta em cacos de vidros, sangrando e despertando os desejos mais sombrios de James que não resiste e morde a mão da garota. Alice nota a ausência de Bella e usa seus poderes para descobrir onde ela está. Consegue falar com Edward e eles vão em defesa de Bella. Quando James estava mordendo a mão de Bella, os Cullen chegam e Edward a salva mais uma vez. Suga o sangue dela para retirar o veneno que a transformaria em vampira. Parecia que ele não conseguiria parar de sugar o seu sangue, tamanho o frenesi que demonstrava estar sentindo, mas Carlisle o desperta do seu transe e Bella é levada para um hospital.

Após após dias no hospital, Rene volta de viagem para ver como estava a filha e Edward finge estar dormindo próximo a cama de Bella para ouvir a conversa dela com a mãe. Bella retorna a Forks e vai, contra a sua vontade, ao baile anual da escola. Lá, a sós, ela insiste para ele a transformar em vampira, idéia que Edward rejeita e é enfático na sua decisão.

“Crepúsculo” é um sucesso de vendas, traduzido para 37 idiomas, tendo uma grande aceitação e receptividade dos leitores, principalmente do público jovem. O romance foi escolhido como o melhor da década pela Amazon, ganhou diversos prêmios, incluindo o “Top 10 Livros para Jovens Adultos” da American Library Association, entrou na lista de Best sellers do New York Times e Best seller de 2008, no USA Today. No Brasil, os livros de Meyer emplacam há meses, as primeiras colocações nas posições de mais vendidos em diversos veículos de comunicação diferentes. O primeiro e o segundo livro da série ganharam uma adaptação para o cinema. Para mim, é um livro que recomendo a todo adolescente ler, pois está repleto de angústias e incertezas típicos da juventude, além de garantia de muitos momentos de diversão e lazer.

(I have decided to have a gratitude series this week. Yesterday was my first entry. This is number two.) Feel free to add your ideas!

Recently I have been thinking about how to motivate the crew at my household a little better. It is evident that where I am getting positive results in many areas, other areas are lacking. After evaluating this a little closer I think I need to go the more positive route and that is hard to do some days.

This quote seems to have have an impact on me-

“I have yet to find a man, whatever his situation in life, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than he ever would do under a spirit of criticism” (Richard Evans’ Quote Book [1971]

We are probably a like- I expect things, I expect the kids to clean their rooms, clean up after themselves, not waste time etc. It is difficult to not criticize when I see them wasting time or making a mess. I have been reading a ton on gratitude this month. That seems to be something I always need to work on. The quote above came from one of the talks, I think I can definitely apply it.
Do you practice expressing appreciation in your home?

Often when I call my mother or see her, which is less frequent since we are live far apart, she often throws her arms around me and tells me how much she appreciate and loves me. Not a phone call goes by that I don’t feel appreciation or encouragement from my parents, they have offered that up to my husband and children as well. I love that about them. It gives me self-confidence.

The other thing that I need to get doing more frequently is hand written notes. I used to write a stack every Sunday afternoon and mail them out to people. I don’t know if they made a difference, but it did with in my own soul. I wish to return to that practice. It helps others to feel the spirit of approval and is a lost practice.

So the question today is whether we are exercising the spirt of criticism or the spirit of approval in our lives.

Hmmmmm……lots to work on!

Track Listing

1. Alternative
2. Kanata no delight
3. Alternative (off vocal version)
4. Kanata no delight (off vocal version)

1. Alternative

After such an amazing single in “Spiral/Link”, I was honestly expecting something more explosive from angela.  The beginning to me felt too drawn out.  After the beginning it does become more of a dance track, but it feels like an awkward version of Ayu’s “evolution” with the uber fast chorus.  atsuko’s vocals continue to prove she has the strength to do songs like this, but when they are congested and sound messy, it’s definitely taking a strong risk and sadly, I’m not too fond.

2. Kanata no delight

I was more interested in the B-side for the era.  I really loved the strings in the song and since KATSU wasn’t making this song out to be mess central, Kanata no delight was a joy to listen to and would fit as a good anime opening.  Hmmmm….this should’ve been the A-side IMO

So angela once again begins an era off with a pretty bad A-side but makes up for it with the B-side.  I’m not sure why, but if KATSU was trying to replicate the awesomeness that was “Spiral” then he missed by mashing atsuko’s vocals in the chorus.  Kanata no delight was clearly the better track and even though it doesn’t have the same spark that the last single had it’s not too bad.  Oh well…

Today on Alphabet City: Long before he takes real estate advice from an Oscar-winner, Jon Paul battles Japanese Power Rangers to score his first NYC apartment.  Guest star: Marcia Gay Harden.

As repeat viewers may remember, on last week’s Kitchen Knightmares I served a fishy dish to the editor of Washington Heights’ neighborhood newspaper.  Well, turns out he survived to tell the tale—literally, he wrote all about it in this week’s Manhattan Times, the opening of the piece tells the story of how I found our current brownstone thanks to encouragement from actress Marcia Gay Harden.  Reading it reminds me that I’ve always been blessed with good Big Apple real estate karma.  While many young transplants spin tales of tiny Manhattan studios with tubs in kitchens, I escaped those nightmares when I first moved here in 1996.  Instead, I did battle with costumed characters to score my first pad in the East Village.

Here’s an excerpt from Alphabet City’s Epsiode 2: Will He Make It After All?

Just like when Mary first arrived and battled Rhoda over an insanely well-designed apartment, I had a similar fight over my first NYC home—only not with my best friend.  In my sitcom set-up, my pal from college Angela and I joined forces and battled a group of Japanese Power Rangers.  The East Village apartment we desired was in a newly renovated building, and while it was slightly more than we could afford, it had two levels, and a backyard, perfect for my foofy dog Winnie who was accustomed to carousing in her own grassy yard in Texas.

JP with Winnie in backyard of first NYC apt

Only thing standing between us and our new sitcom set were seven Japanese kids who had just graduated from high school, dressed head-to-toe in colored leotards with matching helmets, and flashing a wad of cash.  Their parents were willing to pay the entire year’s rent up front.  It was an offer that John the Greek landlord, just venturing into the realm of NYC real estate, could hardly refuse.  Our shot at a fabulous pad was slipping away.

But if there’s one thing I learned from Mary, it was a little charm goes a long way.  I invited John the Greek Landlord to lunch—he looked like a guy who didn’t miss a meal.  Over latkes and applesauce at Leshko’s Polish Diner just down the block, Angela and I asked John about his family.  He beamed as he showed us wallet-size pics of the strapping young men.

“It’s a very big Greek family.  All my sons in the business with me,” he said.

I wondered if any of them were single.

“Well, I can’t wait to meet them,” I said.

“Must be so wonderful with them being so close for you to look after them,” Angela added.

“It’s so hard for us moving to New York from Texas, so far from our families,” I chimed in.

I looked away out the window—like I was about to cry, when actually I was about to burst out laughing at the lie I was telling.  Angela was certainly close to her family—but I was purposely escaping my crazy brood back in Dallas.  My father’s parting words echoed in my head.

“This will be the biggest mistake of your life.”

I turned back to the landlord, and went for the close, ready to pick up the check, intending to pay with money I had borrowed for the apartment’s security deposit.  I leaned in, looking him squarely in the eyes.

“John, let’s be honest, after all the blood sweat and tears you put into that amazing apartment, who would you rather have in there?  Two good kids from Texas that are going to care for the place like a real home?  Or the hard-partying Power Rangers who will trash it in a year?”

While thinking about the cash the Asian superheroes were flashing, John looked at Angela, then at me—my eyes pleading with him for a break.  He smiled.

“Alright, it is you who will have apartment.  Welcome to Alphabet City.”

After dreaming about this moment for over 20 years, I grabbed the keys to my first New York apartment—and the beginning to a new sitcom life in the Big Apple.

With Thanksgiving around the corner isn’t it time to start count the good old blessings? I have had so many domestic things to think about and alot of work to do that sometimes it is easy to get off the path of displaying an attitude of gratitude.

So today I am going to think of 10 things that I am grateful for, and I don’t want to list the regulars like- gospel, husband and children, home and Apple- which are all at the tops and we should be thinking that daily. Today I really want to find 10 things that I am grateful for that I really don’t think too much about!

Hot Water- I love to get up every morning and take a toasty shower. After showering for 1.5 in Japan with cold water, since we couldn’t afford hot water as missionaries, the shower is a luxury.

Spring- I love spring and love to watch the entire earth wake back up.

Flip-flops- I have been wearing those my entire life, and have ruined my feet because of them, but absolutely love them.

Airplanes & Cars- if you think about it, flying is the outstanding thing that we completely take for granted. It is amazing, totally amazing.

Toasty Fires- Something about sitting around a fire makes me happy. Fires just mesmerize you and calm you.

Sunday Dinners- I love my tradition of cooking up a huge meal every Sunday and seeing the family eat until we are exhausted.

Skiing- I love to be in the mountains. I think you are closer to God when you ski:)

Cut Flowers- Americans really need to get on board with this one. Nothing adds freshness to a house like cut flowers.

Sharpie Pens- Can’t live without them.

Bookshelves- crave them. I dream of a library like Thomas Jefferson,

Fresh Paint- brightens your day.

Breakfast food- love it every morning!

See look how easy that was! I have so many things to be thankful for that I haven’t recognized lately all around me! I am going to keep adding to this list this month.

Now go make a list- you will feel just great! Get thinking about it!

Aqui tenemos el nuevo single de Angela, alternative, usado como op-ed del anime「アスラクライン2」

-Track List-
01. オルタナティヴ
02. 彼方のdelight
03. オルタナティヴ (OFF VOCAL VERSION)
04. 彼方のdelight (OFF VOCAL VERSION)
*ttp://www.megaupload.com/?d=86U87K0R

Pass: konoe@kmc

Yes what a day in Rome!!  This was one of the best days we had in Italy thanks to a few cousins of mine!!  The drinking started very early this particular day it was insane!!  Not to mention this was one of the only days it didn’t rain.  Any how we parked the car about a “k” from the Colosseum so we had to do a bit of walking yes I can still hear the protest from the girls!! hehe.  Anyway on the way to the Colosseum we had to pass one of Rome’s oldest buildings as I looked up this is what I saw it couldn’t have been more perfect!!  Talk about being in the right place at the right time!!  This shot to me shows off Rome it’s character you felt like you were a part of history!!

I have finally made progress in my life in areas that I have been agonizing a month over and the sad thing is none of these areas really affect my eternal salvation

The bottom line is occasionally you have to work on things that are strictly material in your life.

Indeed it is time for an update-

I am launching a photography business. I told you that I was giving a fall giveback with photography to see if I liked it and could handle it. I have shot 35,000 pics this decade alone and shot about 1000 on my fall demo. Bottom line- absolutely loved it actually more than my day job. Scary huh! So I whipped up a website and a business plan which should be ready tomorrow and it is a launch. I will do it when I want and weather permitting. Happy that I made it this far and followed through! I think this is my biggest success this month.

I hired Mike my painter to paint- We started with my bedroom that is all we were going to do. Next he did my doors outside, my main bathroom, my living room and now my family room. It is a little out of control. Bottom Line- I love it. I loved sweeping all of my accessories out. I loved just getting rid of stuff. We are going to have a new look in bedroom, bathrooms and family room.

I found furniture for my family room and ordered it- 2 leather club chairs and the couch that I posted about 3 posts ago. Bottom line- huge accomplishment for me to decide on new stuff and make the purchase. I am not good at furniture and just have a hard time spending on anything other than travel and photography.

I cancelled NYC for Thanksgiving. Brian was too tied up that week and I decided with the minor house remodel to kick it here. Everyone is happy. Bottom Line- I am going to miss it- but will make a weekend trip with the kids when a weekend presents itself.

I decided to hold out on the new camera. I am going to shoot with mine until I can earn a new one. Bottom Line- smart tax move, its a write off and I love the challenge. Deep down- I am lying if $2500.00 extra falls in my lap that is the first thing I am buying.

I let go my Brazillian house cleaner again- Bottom line- Hillary wants to earn money to visit a friend in Sweden for her birthday, she is doing a great job! I feel really bad for my house cleaner- she is not that great at cleaning, but I like it all picked up. Double bottom line- the kids need more responsibilities. She cleaned out all of my kitchen cupboards downstairs and now is cleaning them with a tooth brush!

We have new leadership in our area for church (they serve for about 10 years over an area called a Stake). Bottom line- Extremely happy about the choices-all are fabulous men! Happy for a new era!

We have a new financial advisor- bottom line we are saving more that is the goal!

My big trip- I haven’t been anywhere major for 6 months and nothing has presented itself that is affordable or doable with the two older kids. I have my eye on Southeast Asia…..Thailand and Cambodia and as usual europe. Bottom line- it will come to me……..being patient, being patient! Sad thing is Southeast Asia rainy season will kick in if I don’t get going this winter. I need another financial depression to drive the prices down- I can’t believe I just said that.

So that is the bottom line- whalah!

HOLY HELL!  New Moon Mania is now in full force, people!  The premiere was tonight in Westwood, CA and a billion trillion fans and celebrities were there.  I caught a little bit of the livefeed on the red carpet.  Anya Marina (from the soundtrack) was doing the red carpet coverage, and she’s an idiot.  Her voice was annoying and she spent a LOT of time talking about herself.  Twitter was much more entertaining, especially with the LTR girls there.  Pretty much everyone looked beautiful, even Rob!  Surprised?  No, no, of course not.

Kristen was… well, she was gorgeous.  Her dress was amazing, take a look, I picked the extra big size for you:

I think I’m in love!  I can’t wait to see her tonight on Conan O’Brien, word from the east coast Twitterers is she did a good job.  It’s so cool to see the difference between Kristen now and Kristen one year ago.  LOVE. IT.  Go here if you want to take a look at everyone in more detail.  My other favorites were Anna Kendrick (Jessica) and Dakota Fanning (Jane.)  My least favorites were sadly, Stephenie Meyer and Christian Serratos (Angela.)  Major fails, sorry ladies!

I'm sorry!

So currently there is a show on my television right now called “Love Bites.”  It’s on MTV.  Basically, the entire premise of this half-hour show is debating whether or not Rob and Kristen are dating.  GROSS!  Why, MTV, WHY?!?!  You guys suck.  One minute you’re talking about the media invading their lives, the next minute you’re interviewing some a-hole paparazzi who swears he saw them making out or something.  Nice life MTV.  I hate you.  Changing the channel now.  I guess I can endure a few minutes of Jay Leno to see what’s going on with Mr. Taylor Lautner tonight.

We also have this.  People Magazine just named Rob the sexiest man alive.  Well, maybe.  That’s the word on the internet street, at least, but I couldn’t find anything official.  Sooo…. congratulations?  I guess?  Who cares.  I guess it’s kind of a big deal since that title usually goes to older men… nope, still don’t care.

Fact or Fake?

Ooh!  Taylor’s on!  He looks the same every day.  Girls are screaming.  He brought his grandma.  Awww… and now they’re showing an embarrassing clip from his past.  He hung out with old people in Vancouver to escape the crazy fans.  His laugh makes me cringe.  It’s kind of nerdy.  Sorry.  Oh crap!  Now they’re showing an exclusive clip from the movie!  I getter get out of here!  That’s it for tonight, I hope you all enjoy your week!  Thanks for reading!

PS:  This doesn’t have much to do with anything, but Jamie Campbell Bower (Caius) tweeted this today: “I like Johnny Flynn’s new EP.  Named Sweet William.  Pretty Pretty Pretty. x”  I smiled so big when I read this.  Why?  Because he has over sixty thousand followers and he can get the JF-word out much, much, more effectively than I can.  Thanks Jamie!  I heart you now.

PPS:  I saw the movie “Pirate Radio” yesterday.  It was awesome.  So fun and funny.  It stars a young actor named Tom Sturridge, who just happens to be a good friend of Rob.  After all this New Moon business dies down, I will discuss my theories on how these two friends (along with 3-4 other young British boys) are either a) clones or b) robots.  Stay tuned.

PPPS:  THREE MORE DAYS!!!  WEEEEEEE!!!!  Okay, now I really gots to go, we’re having a huge windstorm here in Seattle and my power is going to go out any second!  Yipes!