the little things in life that make us happy.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Park La Brea


Living Room ^



Ton Bathroom ^


Ton Bathroom

Linen closet ^


Living Room^


Hallway ^


Ton room ^




Ton view ^


big closet in jaime's room




closet doors


Jaime's room ^




Jaime's bathroom ^



One of Jaime's views.. Variety Building



Retro double oven ^


Retro aluminum countertop/sink


Living room again


Front door/ closet ^


cafeteria kitchen



The Viewwwwwwww! You can see the hills when its not hazy in the morning!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Swans and the Swimming by Iron & Wine




"take me again," she said, thinking of him

"to the pond with the swans and the swimming."
far from his room the familiar perfume
how it felt to her when she was naked
lessons she learned when her memory slurs
as they marvel with love at the sunset
walking away at the dark end of day
she will measure and break like a habit
oh, how the rain sounds as light as a lover's words
and now and again she's afraid when the sun returns

"take me again," she said, thinking of him
"i don't care for this careful behavior"
a brush through her hair, children kissing upstairs
keeps her up with her want for her savior
the sun on the sand, on her knees and her hands
as she begs for her fish from the water
but turn them away, she's a whip and a slave
given time she may find something better
oh, how the rain sounds as light as a lover's words
and now and again she's afraid when the sun returns

- Swans and the Swimming
Iron & Wine


AG

Friday, May 7, 2010

Two of Us by The Beatles




Our blog is slowly turning into a lyrics page, and I DONT HATE IT!

Ok, so this one is dedicated to Rae. Not so long ago we were listening to it and decided it was one of our songs due to the nature of our lives. It's one of my favorite Beatles songs, and as our time here is coming to an end, I think its perfectly appropriate. Take it away..

"Two of us riding nowhere
Spending someone's hard earned pay
You and me Sunday driving

Not arriving on our way back home

We're on our way home

We're on our way home

We're going home


Two of us sending postcards

Writing letters on my wall

You and me burning matches

Lifting latches on our way back home

We're on our way home

We're on our way home

We're going home


You and I have memories

Longer than the road that stretches out ahead


Two of us wearing raincoats

Standing solo in the sun

You and me chasing paper
Getting nowhere on our way back home

We're on our way home

We're on our way home

We're going home


You and I have memories

Longer than the road that stretches out ahead


Two of us wearing raincoats

Standing solo in the sun

You and me chasing paper
Getting nowhere on our way back home
We're on our way home

We're on our way home

We're going home
."



AG

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Trouble by Ray LaMontagne





As Rae and I watched the chick flick A Lot Like Love, a song began playing in the movie. I recognized it right away and knew I'd heard it before. So we looked it up and found Trouble by Ray LaMontagne. His voice is raspy and deep, yet melodic and soft. It reminds me a bit of James Morrison, my other favorite voice out there. Not only does he have a great, unique voice, but the lyrics are great. They are simple and repetitive, but in a good way. Sing to me rayyyyyyyy.

"Trouble...
Trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble
Trouble been doggin' my soul since the day I was born
Worry...
Worry, worry, worry, worry
Worry just will not seem to leave my mind alone
We'll I've been...
saved by a woman
I've been saved by a woman
I've been saved by a woman
She won't let me go
She won't let me go now


Trouble...
Oh, trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble
Feels like every time I get back on my feet
she come around and knock me down again
Worry...
Oh, worry, worry, worry, worry
Sometimes I swear it feels like this worry is my only friend
We'll I've been saved...
by a woman
I've been saved by a woman
I've been saved by a woman
She won't let me go
She won't let me go now


She good to me now
She gave me love and affection
She good tell me now
She gave me love and affection
I Said I love her
Yes I love her
I said I love her
I said I love...
She good to me now
She's good to me
She's good to me"


AG

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

No Woman, No Cry by Bob Marley



One of my favorite things to do in the last weeks of school is to make my summer playlist. It is full of songs that I can picture myself singing when I'm cruising in my Nissan with the windows rolled down, bass bumpin'. One of the first songs I put on this year's list was No Woman, No Cry by Bob Marley. I've always been a slight Marley fan, but never too enthused about any of his songs. I listened to this song again while sitting at school, sipping my iced coffee. Whoa, man, Marley's got more to say than "smoke weed...everyday." I always thought this song was misogynistic, a man saying that if you don't have a woman, you'll be free and you'll never have pain. And was I wrong. He's saying, "You know, there's lots of shit in this world, but don't cry about it. Remember the good times in the past and the good friends you've had. Everything's gonna be alright." Now that's a message we can all relate to.

"No, woman, no cry;
No, woman, no cry;
No, woman, no cry;
No, woman, no cry.

Said - said - said: I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown,
Oba - obaserving the 'ypocrites
As they would mingle with the good people we meet.
Good friends we have, oh, good friends we've lost
Along the way.
In this great future, you can't forget your past;
So dry your tears, I seh.

No, woman, no cry;
No, woman, no cry.
'Ere, little darlin', don't shed no tears:
No, woman, no cry.

Said - said - said: I remember when-a we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown.
And then Georgie would make the fire lights,
As it was logwood burnin' through the nights.
Then we would cook cornmeal porridge,
Of which I'll share with you;
My feet is my only carriage,
So I've got to push on through.
But while I'm gone, I mean:
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
I said, everything's gonna be all right-a!
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right, now!
Everything's gonna be all right!

So, woman, no cry;
No - no, woman - woman, no cry.
Woman, little sister, don't shed no tears;
No, woman, no cry.
---
[Guitar solo]
---
I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown.
And then Georgie would make the fire lights,
As it was logwood burnin' through the nights.
Then we would cook cornmeal porridge,
Of which I'll share with you;
My feet is my only carriage,
So I've got to push on through.
But while I'm gone:

No, woman, no cry;
No, woman, no cry.
Woman, little darlin', say don't shed no tears;
No, woman, no cry.

Eh! (Little darlin', don't shed no tears!
No, woman, no cry.
Little sister, don't shed no tears!
No, woman, no cry.)"

RN

Monday, April 26, 2010

The Rolling Stones


It's an age old question: Beatles or Stones? My answer has always been the Beatles, but lately they just sound whiny to me. Emo before Emo existed. I wanted something more rock 'n' roll, more raw, more Keith Richards falling out of a tree, so I started listening to the Stones. And man, they're blowing my mind. Mick Jagger is so sexual, when you listen to his voice, you can almost see him grinding, writhing around on a stage. All he's saying is, "Fuck you, let's fuck." And it's awesome. And the best part is, there was this rumor that Jagger and Bowie effed. Yeah, that's right, EFFED. Supposedly, the song Angie is Jagger's apology to Bowie's wife after she walked in on the two hotties naked in bed together. I guess we'll never know if Jagger actually put it in Bowie's poop shoot, but WHO CARES?! Two of the most well-known influential men of rock 'n' roll were in bed together. And there was another rumor that the police walked in on Jagger eating a Mars bar from his girlfriend's cooch. That, they found out was false, but you have to be a pretty big badass for a rumor like that to start going around. Yeah, so what Bob Dylan gave Paul McCartney his first joint? JAGGER EFFED BOWIE! I don't even care that they look like walking skeletons now, they made and still make great awesome super rocking rock music and they can keep making it until they are real corpses!

"Rape, murder, it's just a shot away."

RN

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Shooting the Shit


*see note

One of my favorite things to do is sit in our front window in one of the two awesome chairs I gleaned from the trash, turn on a record, watch the hot valets outside (see previous post), light a few candles, dream about sipping red wine, and shoot the shit. Alaska and I do this frequently and it's so refreshing. Whether we're talking about religion, Emile Hirsch, future baby names, or our families, we can talk for hours. It's easy to get lost in conversation, talking and talking, without realizing what time it is. Sometimes we take a break to belt out some Fleetwood Mac or get some chips and salsa, but for most of the time, we just sit and talk. Mrs. Tyler Perry and I do the same thing at work when we are cross eyed from cleaning slides of brain tumors. It's already 3 o'clock? Who knew? Does what we're talking really matter in the long run? Of course not, but it's nice to tell someone else meaningless things about your life and hear their meaningless stories at the same time.

"When I look at you, I want to dress up in a deer suit, have you shoot me, make me into deer jerky, then shit me out and then shoot the shit."

*this photo is literally the first thing that comes up when I Google Image searched "shoot the shit." I have no idea what it is, but it's funny. And I thought it was a lot more appropriate than the multitudes of ass fucking porno stills that also came up.

RN

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Iced Coffee



So I think it's safe to say that I have an addiction to Iced Coffee. I think it's also safe to say that I have it at least once a week - and some times multiple times in a week. Whether it's Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks or Caribou Coffee, it's pretty much delicious. I can never turn down Iced Coffee. It's ice cold and delicious and always quenches my thirst. What an epic invention, putting ice cubes into hot coffee.

Rae had a $10 Starbucks gift card and we managed to spend the entire thing in less than 24 hours. Saturday night we got some on the way to Trivia night and it only made us have a greater time. Today we went and Rae got a special treat. She ordered a Grande Iced Coffee and the guy made her a Venti, then I ordered a Grande and some girl made me a Grande. Then WAINS we owed $0.44 and only had like $0.41. It is clear that the guy at the register wanted to DO Rae as he rambled on about his Ex-girlfriend and made her an extra large coffee, so we got off the hook with not having enough money. It was hilarious.

Anyways - any time of day I would give my appendix for an Iced Coffee.

Would you?


AG

Monday, April 12, 2010

Julianne Moore Dance


On Saturday was my sister's wedding shower so Alaska and I took a nice trip to Skokes for the festivities. As I was making couscous salad I hear my sister call from upstairs, "Rae, can you do my hair?!" After a few bobby pins and a lot of hairspray...perfection. Then, of course, Alaska and I had to do our hair too. Alaska, in her little black dress and leopard flats put a bun on the back of her hair. "You're so 60's!!" I exclaim. So, of course, we turn on Green Onions by Booker T and the Mg's and do our best representations of 60's dances. Our favorite -- the dance that Julianne Moore dances in A Single Man. She turns on Green Onions and shimmies her way over to Colin Firth, only moving her shoulders back and forth, her arms straight out on front of her. She continues to do this, bending her knees, and moving her perfectly straight arms up and down, once in a while saying "woo!" while Colin does the twist in front of her. So funny and so 60's. Every 60's dance party we have, which is a lot, one of us always has to do the Julianne Moore dance.

RN

Monday, April 5, 2010

Guaranteed by Eddie Vedder



This song is from one of me and Rae's favorite movies Into The Wild. Its by artist Eddie Vedder, and the words are truly inspirational. He wrote this song reflecting the life and views of Chris McCandless, and did it amazingly. It's so natural, so organic - and mostly just beautiful. Enjoy.


"On bended knee is no way to be free
Lifting up an empty cup I ask silently
That all my destinations will accept the one that's me
So I can breathe

Circles they grow and they swallow people whole
Half their lives they say goodnight to wives they'll never know
Got a mind full of answers and a teacher in my soul
And so it goes

Don't come closer or I'll have to go
Owning me like gravity are places that pull
If ever there was someone to keep me at home
It would be you

Everyone I come across in cages they bought
They think of me and my wandering but I'm never what they thought
Got my indignation but I'm pure in all my thoughts
I'm alive

Wind in my hair I feel part of everywhere
Underneath my being is a road that's disappeared
Late at night I hear the trees they're singing with the dead
Overhead

Leave it to me as I find a way to be
Consider me a satellite forever orbiting
I knew all the rules but the rules did not know me
Guaranteed."

- Eddie Vedder


AG

Friday, April 2, 2010

My Mom, Paula



Last night, my friend Mary called me crying because her mom had hung up on her. As she was talking to me, I grew more and more appreciative for my own mom. Paula is awesome and she loves me. I could Dexter someone and she'd bail me out. Yeah, loves me that much. She is always supportive and can make the worst situations seem better. And, she's hilarious.

I used to think my mom was a big lame. But, I was fourteen and everyone thinks their mom is a big lame when they're a young teen. Then I grew up and got less stupid and realized how cool Paula is. Yeah, sometimes we don't see eye to eye. And sometimes I think she needs a makeover, but overall my mom is the best mom in the whole world. I know everyone says that, but I'm the one that's actually right.

Here's a few things Paula has done for me that are awesome!
1. She told me when I was going to school that I needed to help people and do what I love instead of making money.
2. There was a vase of flowers waiting for me in my room when I came home for Spring Break.
3. She left me the Across the Universe soundtrack on my Senior homecoming night with a note that said, "for my homecoming queen!"
4. She went in Forever 21 with me and bought me a shirt because she knew I liked to look there, even though it was on the opposite side of the mall from her stores.
5. She has made me dinner every night since I was born and makes sure to leave me extras if I'm not there to eat.
6. She helped me put on an egg costume that I made for my high school's production of Alice in Wonderland.
7. She called the insurance company and got my tow truck payment revoked after I got the car stuck in a hole.

Little things always mean the most. I love my mom!

RN

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Stevie Wonder Impression




The REAL Sir Duke!

One day, back in our humble abode in 2 E. Hell, Alaska and I were doing something that had to do with Stevie Wonder. I can't remember what, but that doesn't matter. Anyway, I said "Stevie always plays like this." I promptly threw my head back, my eyes closed, and my mouth open. Using the coffee table as my piano, I played a short number, swaying back and forth emphatically. Alaska responded, "If you had hair like that, you'd play like that too." We laughed for hours.

Later, our lovely roommate Lovely Angelina put on a Stevie Wonder record and Sir Duke started playing. Alaska said, "This is the perfect song for your impression!" So we both threw our heads back, mouths wide and played Sir Duke on the coffee table along with Stevie.

Now, whenever Stevie (especially Sir Duke!) comes on, I have to do my impression. It never fails to get a laugh, and usually a, "that's EXACTLY what he looks like!" Yeah, I know, I'm awesome.

No, disrespect Steve, I just luv ya!

RN

Clarke's



I love Clarke's.

Clarke's is a diner in Belmont that is just awesome. Every time I go I always say, "I want to come here every day, once a week at least!" The food is good and the atmosphere is cool, and the best part is people watching through the window. They have breakfast all day which is the best shit ever, and really good milkshakes. I can't wait to go back.

Clarke's can brighten even the worst of days.

AG

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Wild Harvest Organic Lemonade



Now I have never been a true lemonade fan, I usually only drink it once in a while, often in the summer months. But Rae discovered Wild Harvest Organic Lemonade a few months ago, and ever since I have been hooked. Best lemonade I have ever had. Hands down.

Not only is it tangy and delicious and made with organic cane sugar, BUT it's almost always BUY ONE GET ONE FREE! Bad news Sally. Constant stock of it in the cabinet.

I will never give up on this lemonade.

When life gives you lemons, throw them out the window and go buy Wild Harvest Organic Lemonade at your neighborhood Jewel-Osco.

AG

Robert Pattinson



Call me immature. Call me a follower. Call me whatever you want, but I will still love R-Patz. This dough-faced British god may seem like an awkward hunchy mess (not quite as bad as his Twilight counterpart K-Stew) but he is much more than that. He is also more than Edward Cullen, the irresistible sparkling vamp wonder in the Twilight Saga. He is also more than a brooding hunk with messy greasy hair and a smile that could make you melt. Ok, maybe he's not more than that...
If you were one of the many who think of Patz as Ed himself, then you obviously haven't heard him sing. His mumbling voice conveys so much emotion. He does a cover of Van Morrison's "I'll Be Your Lover Too." As a classic rock lover, I had to listen to the original and compare it to Patzy. I figured I would like the original better, because, ya know, it's Van Morrison. But R kicked Van's buttocks. His voice is so buttery, so full of emotion, it sounds like he's crying right there in the studio.
Not only can this god sing, he can also ACT. Again, forget Twilight. The hulking squinty mess that is Edward cannot even stand up to R's other roles. I first watched How to Be, a little Indie British film full of dry British humor. But Patz was cute. Alaska watched Little Ashes and just about died. And Remember Me, his new flick to make people forget about his media alter ego vamp boy. SO GOOD. He's got some acting chops! Can't wait to see him do more normal roles and PUT OUT AN ALBUM! I will sleep out in front of Walmart if I have to.

RN

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Waking Up Early



Great minds think alike, so Alaska and my posts today are quite similar. Today we woke up at 7 a.m. Granted, my room looks like midnight at any time of the day, due to the lack of windows, so I couldn't really tell the difference. Oh, but I knew. My eyes were heavy and I was cold. Too tired to even think about getting up. But I had an obligation (see previous post) so I rolled out of my heavenly comforter. By the time I had to leave for class at 10 am, It felt like it should be about 2 in the afternoon, because I felt like I had been awake for so long already. And, by golly, I had been awake for a while! When I get home from class at 6:30 tonight, I know I'll be exhausted, but it will be a good exhaustion. I can go to bed early and wake up tomorrow for another run. I may be extremely tired by Friday afternoon, but waking up early feels so great! It leaves me energized and ultimately gives me more useable hours in the day! WHAT UP??!

RN

Running by the lake in the morning



This morning Rae and I went for a run at 7 am. The sun was already shining and it wasn't too cold. We walked over to the Museum campus and arrived alongside the lake.

As we ran we could smell the saltiness of the water and feel the cool breeze. The sun was shining and cast a long reflection on the water, causing it to shine and glitter as the water moved. As birds flew and people ran by us we saw a brief image of their silhouettes against the bright sky. Picture-perfect images.

The atmosphere of the calm lake against the harsh city is really something. It motivates us to be healthy and makes us want to run in that spot every day. Being stuck in the city all winter, it seems we lost our appreciation of the good things Chicago has to offer. As the warm weather approaches we will take advantage of this inspirational setting, running every morning we can.

"It's not about what you lose, it's about how you feel" - Rae Nicholson

AG

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Say Anything



This morning I was listening to the radio and the song "In Your Eyes" came on - reminding me of one of my favorite movies, Say Anything. The tale of Lloyd Dobler and Diane Court is one for the books.

Today you probably think if John Cusack as an out of shape action movie star, but in his day, John was adorable and irresistably charming, the perfect level of dough face. Ione Skye was likable, despite her minor speech impediment and god-awful fashion sense.

The two go from an akward first date to true love in a matter of weeks, just naturally fitting perfectly into each others lives whether they wanted to or not. One of my favorite moments being when Lloyd stands outside her house with a boombox raised high above his head, playing their song "In Your Eyes." They overcome some minor setbacks ("I gave her my heart and she gave me a pen") and soon live happily ever after. It ends just the way you want it to, which doesn't happen so much in the movies anymore.

To know Lloyd Dobler is to love him. Diane Court is about to know Lloyd Dobler.

AG

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Shitting




Everyone knows the feeling when your large intestines start rumbling and the only way to relieve it is to sit down on the john and let it out. Taking a dump, pooping, laying a deuce, busting a dookie, dropping a load, whatever you may call it, shitting is great. Sitting there, after eating one too many one dollar cheeseburgers from McDonalds, your stomach lets out a low grumble. You cross your legs, shift your weight, talk louder, do anything to keep other people from noticing that you really have to shit! Not being able to hold it in anymore without a colon explosion, you run to the bathroom and drop trou. You let it out into the porcelain bowl of wonder. You instantly feel better and decide to eat some more cheeseburgers. What a vicious cycle.

My friend once told me a story about her creepy suite mate that she intimately called "Weird Al" because this girl not only looked just like the lovely Al Yankovich, but she was also the president of her own Weird Al fan club. "Al" would take laxatives and thoroughly enjoy spraying her shit all over the toilet. My friend and her roommate used to hear her various bathroom noises and then hear her giggle. If you like shitting as much as "Al," you may have a problem. Otherwise, you're just another average American who likes talking about shit, shit jokes, farting, and shitting. Even Elvis died while on the shitter. I think I may go shit right now.

RN

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

The HOLLYWOOD Sign


The Hollywood sign is a landmark that anyone in the world could recognize. As simple as it is, large white letters on a mountain, there's something so fascinating about it. Every time I look at that sign it makes me happy.

The best part about it is that it pops up out of nowhere while you are driving around Los Angeles. You look in your rearview mirror and it just so happens to be in perfect composition, or you look down a random street to your left and you see it, if only for a brief second. Every time I just want to take a picture of it. It's like I can never have enough pictures of it.

I think what is so special about it is that its a strong reminder of where you are. You are in HOLLYWOOD - the land of fame and celebrity. A place full of opportunity. That simple sign does not let you forget where you are and why you are there. For me, it's a reminder of finally being in a place I dreamed of my whole life. A dream becoming a reality.

"Here I am for the first time. Look to the right and I see the Hollywood Sign..."

AG

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Sweating



I've always been a pretty sweaty person, needing super extra deodorant applied at least 15 times each day. And that was from just sitting all day. But, when I'd play sports, run, work out, or exert any kind of additional energy, I would be dripping. My armpits, my head, my forehead, my back, my legs. Ugh, pretty picture, I know. But the thing is, I always feel so much better after I've sweat out a lot. I feel lighter, less doughy, totally exhausted but so EXHILARATED. It is like detox without all the peeing and shitting.

This weekend, Alaska and I were feeling really cooped up and trapped in Maison Devils, so we decided to blow the dust off of our sneakers and take a walkrun outside. Even though I could feel my fat ass jiggling with every step and my lungs burned, I felt great. And afterwards, wiping the sweat off my brow, I felt so much healthier and PUMPPPPPEDDD!

RN