As long as I am advertising products

Phollower and I took a trip to Trader Joe's for my birthday and found two new products that I love. Both of these are, of course, Trader Joe's brand.

One is Dead Sea Salt Caramels. The caramel is really buttery and creamy. The chocolate is thick. And there are pieces of sea salt on top, for that great chocolate and salt taste. As Phollower said, it is as if Zoe went to the chocolate shop and said, "You know what these need? Bacon. No? How about salt?" (Zoe has not met a food she would not "improve" with salt or bacon (or both).)

The other is apple cranberry butter. I really like the Trader Joe's, 0% fat greek yogurt (plain, blueberry, and pomegranate). They were out of the pomegranate, and since we drive over 1 hour one-way to get there, I asked one of the clerks if they had anymore in the back. They did not. But he said to buy the plain and mix this apple cranberry butter into it. He did not lead me astray. It is tart and yummy and low in calories (20 for 1 Tbsp).

Of course, all Trader Joe's brand products are awesome. But if you have a Trader Joe's nearby, I recommend giving these two a try, in addition to your usual fare.

One for the girls...

I went to Chicago for a conference this weekend. It was good, but we spent a little time shopping at the HUGE Macy's there when we had a bit of free time from the conference. I really love that place. They have a WHOLE FLOOR of shoes!!!

I tried these Michael Kors boots on, just for fun (look at the price, yikes!). They were too tight on the calf - by a lot. I have fat calves, due to hockey (and ice cream).

I also looked at these shoes in brown. They were on a good sale, but they didn't have them in my size.

So I settled on a pair of black, pin-striped Michael Kors pants. I love Michael Kors, but this is my first clothing item designed by him. I can't find a picture at Macy's of the pants I bought, but trust me, they are really cute.

Go Blue States

Our state went BLUE, first time since the 1960's. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!

The NHL hockey season has started

....insert happy dance here....

I am way overly excited about the start of the season, as usual.

That is all.

Ani DiFranco

Ani DiFranco has a new album out. I just saw she is on Sirius Satellite radio, channel 33, at 3 PM this week. So just two days left. Sorry - I just saw it!

For those of you who don't know of her, she is a singer songwriter from Buffalo, NY. She is all Indie, has her own record label, and pretty much rules. I tried to get a youtube video and could not find one I love. So I had to settle for one of a song I love.

Craig Ferguson on Suspending the Campaign

Phollower and I LOVE Craig Ferguson. We think he is a riot. Lately he has been discussing the election quite a bit in his monologues and he is absolutely on the money (in my opinion). Here is a bit from his monologue after McCain suggested the "campaign be suspended." It is absolutely fantastic. If you don't have time to watch the whole 2 minutes, start about 1 minute in where it really picks up.

OOOO....More Vampires!

Sorry I have been scarce lately. Work has been busy with the start of the semester. Things are so crazy this time of year!

But I had to post about this new show on HBO, Trueblood. It looks so cool. I HOPE HOPE HOPE it is as good as it looks. It starts on Sunday so I will fill you in after I watch the first episode.

Breaking Dawn by Stepenie Meyer

It was awesome! Those of you not wanting to start the series, knowing that in the 4th book, the author could do something bone-headed, need not worry. It is not like the 7th book of the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. All I can say is to dive in and go for it. And when you are finished, email me (SylviatheSU@gmail.com) to tell me what you think and what you think will happen to the characters now. Not giving anything away, but I could see 2 more books, not sequels really, just two more stories about the same characters as possibilities. I can't wait to hear what you guys think.

And, the audiobook is out on Friday for those who prefer to listen.

The Twelve-Year-Old Girl in Me

The fourth book in the Twilight series is coming out on Saturday. I am so excited, I can barely sit still. And EVERYONE around me knows about it! Those of you who read this blog have seen my inept and gushing reviews of the first 3 books, so I am sure you are groaning now. I even took a day off last week and spent about 1/2 of the day reading Stephenie Meyer's (the author's) website and blogs about the books and the movie (coming out 12-12-08). This type of excitement is much like how I felt the first time Zoe, B.P., Phollower, and I went to see Melissa Ferrick. She came out after the concert to sign CDs, shirts, etc. We waited for her, talked to her, and then returned to the car (where Phollower waited) giggling like school girls. In the car on the way home we rehashed what she said, what we said, what happened. Phollower told us we were acting like 12-year-old girls, a comment I (we) have heard many times since then.

Phollower does not mean it in a negative way. He thinks it is cute that I act like that. I have to agree that acting like a 12-year-old girl is alright. To the best of my recollection, as a teenager, I never acted like a teenager. I was pretty serious kid, worried a lot, and never felt comfortable with myself. While I may not always be comfortable with myself now, I do feel comfortable being excited about stuff, showing I am excited. I think part of my comfort comes with the security of knowing, as an adult, the stuff I am excited about will happen. Those things are in my control. But I also know having a husband like Phollower who is so into being happy and relaxed and who is so accepting has gone a long way to helping me be comfortable with showing how I feel on the outside. Spending (wasting) a 1/2 day reading about a fictional book is an indulgence I would never have allowed myself, before Phollower. Finally, I know having great friends who share their emotions with me and who are comfortable with themselves has taught me not to be ashamed of my emotions. So thanks to those of you closest to me, you will all have to endure at least one more post about Twilight (after I read the book, no spoilers of course!)....well maybe 2 depending on how the movie is.

I hope all of you looking forward to the book get some sleep before Saturday!

Tegan and Sarah Concert

Zoe, BP, Phollower, and I went to see Tegan and Sarah the other night. They told entertaining stories, interacted with the audience, played great music. All the things you could ask for in a concert.

It was an interesting crowd - different than we expected. There were the usual teenagers dressed like Tegan and Sarah, of course. And most of the crowd was women, again not unexpected. We had the usual giddy girls around us, who seemed intent on taking pictures of themselves through the concert (blinding us with flashes) and texting everyone they knew. But there were some unexpected audience members as well who I can only say reminded me of the "NASCAR crowd" - nothing against people who like NASCAR, you just don't usually see them at Indie concerts. One woman started giving them the middle finger about half-way through the concert after they asked her to stop screaming for a bit. She had been screaming like a teenager starring in a Friday the XIIIth movie. I, personally, was in favor of her not screaming until after she was far, far away from me.

Zoe has also written a review of the crowd, although different odd ball shenanigans here.

Unexpected crowd dynamics notwithstanding, I think I speak for all of us when I say - see them if they come to your hometown.

This American Life - Live Simulcast

Phollower, Zoe, BP, and I went to the This American Life simulcast last night.

For those who are not familiar with This American Life, it a radio show where they present a set of stories about everyday Americans, all which fit a weekly theme. I am not doing it justice with that description since it is absolutely fabulous. You can listen to all back episodes by clicking the link for the show (above). You can download a free episode each week from iTunes. In fact, according to the creator, Ira Glass, it is the most downloaded podcast in America most weeks. There is also a new (second season about to start) TV version of the show on Showtime. Info on all of this is, in fact, on their website.

Sorry sounded like an ad there for a minute.

Anyway, the live show was hosted by Ira Glass and features clips of the new Showtime season, outtakes from the season, a Q&A about putting the show on, both radio and TV. It was amazing. I have loved this show for so long, over 10 years. It was such a treat to see Ira Glass live. I guess I don't have anything discerning to say, or least nothing that makes me sound less like a 16 year old at a "boy band" concert. But really CHECK THE PODCAST OUT.

And the neighbors bought ear plugs

Phollower and I purchased a digital piano yesterday! It is a full 88 keys. It sounds so much like a piano that it really is unbelieveable. I have wanted a piano ever since we moved here. I took lessons as a kid, until I was about 14. And I really miss playing. We have been waiting to purchase one until we were sure we would not be moving again, since they are so heavy. Even though we have no plans to move, this piano is light (and less expensive than a real one). Phollower and I carried it on our own, meaning it weighs less than the TV (which required Zoe and another friend, Porter, to help Phollower to get it in the door).

Anyway, I have been playing pretty much non-stop since it got in the house. This means the house is filled with non-rhythmic plinking, which is often inhamonic due to the notes I miss. Phollower is being sweet, saying it sounds good and I am improving. Does he want to get laid or what? I am sure the noise is causing the neighbors to wonder exactly how long the torture will continue. My refresher lessons start next week, so I estimate it will continue for longer than they had hoped.