This:

Julia Wertz is the best.

Because the truth is that gossip's as good as gospel in this town.

Things have been a bit intense around here lately. A couple of weeks ago my car broke down (I believe I mentioned this in my last post, but I don't keep track of these things) and I had to pay to have my starter replaced. No big deal. On my way home from work on Thursday my car died once again, this time in the middle of rush hour traffic. I somehow managed to get my car in to a parking lot and called my dad. Turns out my transmission decided to just up and quit on me. Delightful! So now I have that $5000 hospital bill to look forward to and what I can only assume is going to be a $1200 repair for my piece of shit mode of transportation. I love trying to figure out how I am going to pay for these things when I make so little money. Did I mention I don't have health insurance anymore either? My life is like one big practical joke! I can't even really look forward to my birthday (which is officially 1 month away), because I can't plan a fun way to spend my birthday money as it will obviously be spent on car repair #3980958. 

In other news, I'm never making plans with anyone ever again. I don't know if its my stupid phone that has no service or a lack of people who actually want to spend time with me, but I just don't give a shit anymore. I'm tired of moping around all weekend and bursting into tears randomly when I don't hear back from friends. So instead I will focus my attention on productive things such as growing some herbs for my favorite bunny, reading all the books I can, making mix CD's for myself, craftin', baking and house cleanin'. I might also make up a few imaginary friends to talk to when I can't get a hold of anyone else. That seems reasonable for someone who is almost 24, right?

I'm just going to go listen to s'more Bright Eyes and pretend I'm 16 again. 

xx

Sunday Nights Are Slow Surrender

Happy Sunday.The weather is absolute crap here! But it's cleaning day and there was a comic book convention today so all is well. Tonight is Gibson's 4th birthday party. I wish someone had bothered to let me know earlier in the week so I could have done something special for him! Things have been busy enough as is I suppose. 

This has been such a fun last couple of weeks. Amber's 24th birthday was a success- she loved all of her presents and I'm really happy that she liked her handmade gift! My beautiful and talented friend Sarah graduated this weekend, so I am really excited for her. Kyle and I went to her art exhibit last week and it was really great. I can't wait to have something of hers to hang in our home. Oh yes, last weekend was Free Comic Book Day and Kyle and I had loads of fun going around to three comic shops. I bought a really awesome Space Wolverine action figure & a Wolverine bobble head, some comics (Morning Glories, iZombie & Sugar Shock). It was a pretty excellent day. I almost forgot! My cousin Craig and his awesome girlfriend Angela announced last Friday that they are having a baby. We were surprised in a pretty adorable way, they had customized M&Ms made that they brought to family dinner that said "Coming November 2011" and such. Twas adorable.

This weekend has also been nice, minus all the sinus crap. Friday night Amber and I had dinner, went shopping for toys (because we are five year old boys) and saw Bridesmaids. What a fantastic movie. I honestly thought I was going to wet my pants on more than one occasion. I haven't enjoyed a movie that much in a long time. Speaking of movies, Kyle & I rented a few this weekend that we actually took the time to sit down and watch. First up was The Prestige which didn't impress me as much as I wanted it to, but wasn't bad by any means. We also finally got to watch Blue Valentine which I've been dying to see. It was sad and depressing like I expected, but not nearly as much as I thought it might be. Ryan Gosling & Michelle Williams were simply perfect. 

All in all I would say May has been pretty awesome. I can't wait for it to get officially warm out so I can start wearing dresses. It's so damn cold today and I wish I didn't have to leave, but I do. So long!

xx

Afternoon Delight

I didn't mean to abandon my blog. I promise. I've been so busy doing stuff. A lot of exciting things have been going on recently, and I promise that I will get around to writing about it soon. But I'm about to enjoy some chicken strips and The Prestige. So I hope everyone is having a delightful weekend.

xx

P.S Go see Bridesmaids. Right now.

Oh man this weekend was long! Spent some time with friends, had a delicious lunch with Rachael at Little Saigon, hung out with Amber & Nan, and spent way too much time with family. We had several celebrations to attend and we got some really awesome stuff for Easter-excellent candy (of course ), the cutest little bunny flash drive, a spoon ring, lots of cards, an excellent brunch, shirts, ties, and all sorts of other goodies. We made another batch of banana bread this weekend and it's more delicious than the first one. Right now I'm about to take over the most awesome birthday present ever (Kyle & I have been taking turns working on it) and finish this episode of True Blood.

xx

Icon

 

More on this later.

So we saved the world together for a while, and that was lovely.

I totally just realized why I have been so bummed out lately.

I MISS LOST!

Seriously though, am I the only one?

I love Michael Emerson so much. So very much.

Weekend Update

Sorry for being so absent lately, I started my new job this week and I haven't had time to catch up on blogs in a long time! The job is going really well so far and I dig my hours. The fact that it's right around the corner from my house is an added bonus. We've been pretty busy 'round these parts. Watched season one of Modern Family which I love love love. I am so glad I finally got a chance to sit down and watch it. In fact, I found it on sale today for 19.99 so I picked it up along with season two of Parks & Rec for 9.99. This weekend we had about a million tornado warnings, so that kind of ruined best friend Friday date night. Instead we waited til the storms passed, Amber picked up Kyle & I and we went to meet up with Corey at Taco Bell & then went to pick up a few copies of Harry Potter (one for me and one for my grandma). Saturday we woke up early and cleaned the house, went over to visit my grandma and then I met up with Amber. We had lunch at Panera and saw Scream 4 which was quite possibly the worst best movie I've seen in a long time. The cameos alone were worth it. After the movie I came home and watched Harry Potter with Bun until Kyle got home from his parents house. So far today I've been to Target and out to lunch with Brian. So happy he came home for a bit this weekend. We had lunch in the beer garden at Dublin and caught up. Good times. So that basically covers the last few days. I know it's not very exciting, but it's been a good week. I'll be back soon with more fun updates. I promise. 

xx

What have you guys been up to? Seen any good movies, read any good books?

Precious

Dear Nathan Fillion,

I adore you. 

Always,

Morgan

xx

via:The Mary Sue/The Chronicle

Things have been quite busy around these parts lately. My apologies for a lack of updates, I've just been trying to keep myself busy and not get sucked in to the internet which we all know is a very serious possibility. So to keep myself entertained I: planned all the things I want to bake in the next week (mostly just more banana bread and chocolate chip cookies), caught up on some television, spent lots of time with Bun, had brunch with Regan, read Bossypants, Girl & some other book I can't remember, ate several bowls of cereal, talked to my grandma a lot, went to Sarah's and had delicious hamburgers, hung out at Erin's, saw Paul (the movie...it was decent), and talked with my mom. I mean there were other things that happened, some things I'd rather not share but that's the gist of it. Currently Kyle is watching Hot Fuzz, I'm doing some detective work and Bun is tearing up a box with gusto.

Hope everyone has a delightful weekend. I'm hoping for a walk in the park, some brownies, a good episode of SNL & perhaps a tiny road trip.

Banana Bread

Kyle & I made the most delightful banana bread and it was super easy. If anyone is interested, I can provide you with the recipe.

Nathan Fillion approves.

So does Kyle.

Things To Do When You Are Unemployed:

-Eats lots of ice cream

-Take several bubble baths

-Spend time with your rabbit (or dog, cat, goldfish-whatever)

-Hang out in saunas

-Wash your hair

-Do all of your laundry

-Make CD's 

-Watch National Geographic or old episodes of Law & Order: SVU

-Call your grandma

-Sweep the kitchen

-Make cookies & banana bread

-Go through your closet and bag up things you no longer wear

-Make pillows with your old t-shirts

-Run up and down the stairs

-Load the dishwasher

-Rewatch episodes of Buffy & Reaper

-Work on birthday presents for friends

-Floss your teeth after every meal

-Take silly pictures

-Read Harry Potter out loud to your significant other (my friends think this is really lame but Kyle and I have fun switching back and forth before bed)

-Rent crappy movies 

-Check the mail several times a day

-Make grocery lists

-Read as many books as possible (I've read four since last Friday)

-Put together outfits for your first day back to work

-Make up silly dances

Baby I'm Howlin' For You

Things I love about this weekend (so far):

Gathering at Dublin Pub with the best of friends, ponyshoes, giving Kyle birthday presents, sleeping in til two, getting to wear an awesome dress, tracking down a comic book that I haven't been able to find anywhere, collecting things for crafting, lots of episodes of Reaper & How I Met Your Mother, text messages from long lost friends, raspberry mochas, Kyle suited up (suspenders or not), getting a new job, watching Whip It and testing derby names, cleaning house from top to bottom, warm weather, Little Saigon with Erin, quality time with El Bunstro, huge cases of Mountain Dew, telling Carl stories, making mix CDs, finding a Joe Meno book that was lost six years ago, and so much more.

(the dress)

Today Was A Good Day (I Didn't Even Have To Use My A.K.)

Things that were awesome about today:

-Found out about a possible job opportunity that sounds right up my alley

-Got to use the sauna (twice)

-Spent some time playing with the Bunster

-Had the most delicious raspberry mocha concoction

-Acquired the new issue of Bust & read it cover to cover

-Went to Hooters with my two favorite ladies (the wings were horrible, but the conversation was good as always)

-Started reading a new book (Ten Miles Past Normal)

Yesterday was pretty awesome too, but today just put me in a straight up good mood. I finally saw Black Swan last night with Kyle & Erin and I really loved it. Everything about it. In fact, I would totally watch it again. Kyle & I also watched Tangled which was super cute. I don't generally get in to Disney movies these days (because I am almost 24, and I want to be a grown up someday), but it was so damn funny. Plus Zachary Levi. You just can't go wrong when he is thrown in to the mix. So, in all it's been a nice week regardless of the fact that I've been stressing about money and work and all that jazz. It's sort of like a mini-vacation. Tomorrow I have to go in to the agency I work for and fill out some new paperwork and what not, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that I get this job at the clinic. 

Until then, I got some books to read and zzzzz's to catch.

xx

Day 26, Books I'd Like To Read This Year:

-Bossypants by Tina Fey

-This Is A Book by Demetri Martin 

-Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Book by Joss Whedon

-The View From The Top by Hillary Frank

-This Girl Is Different by Jennifer Hope Wichman

-Fray by Joss Whedon

-Mr. Funny Pants by Michael Showalter

-Damage by Anya Parrish

-Wither by Lauren DeStefano

-Why Moms Are Weird by Pamela Ribon

-Kiss & Tell by Mari Naomi

-Just Kids by Patti Smith

-Geek Girl by Cindy C Bennett

 -Everfound by Neal Shusterman

-My Not-So-Still Life by Liz Gallagher

-Bumped by Megan McCafferty

-Girl Wonder by Alexa Martin

-Market Day by James Sturm

-BodyWorld by Dash Shaw

-Special Exits by Joyce Farmer

-We3 by Grant Morrison

-Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

-Bite Club by Rachel Caine

-Overbite by Meg Cabot

-My New York Diary by Julie Doucet

-Dead On The Delta by Stacey Jay

-A Visit From The Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

-Spaniel Rage by Vanessa Davis

-Kill Your Boyfriend by Grant Morrison

-Role Models by John Waters

-The Film That Changed My Life: 30 Directors On Their Epiphanies In The Dark by Robert K. Elder

-Destroy all Movies!!! The Complete Guide To Punks On Film by Zack Carlson

-A Sickness In The Family by Denise Mina

-How To Understand Israel In 60 Days Or Less by Sarah Glidden

-Learning To Love You More by Miranda July

-Rats Saw God by Rob Thomas

-Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O'Roark Dowell

-XVI by Julia Karr

-Girl by Blake Nelson

-Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard

I could go on for days.

Miracles For Minimum Wage

First off, I would like to thank everyone who left me comments, sent me emails and in general just attempted to cheer me up this weekend. It means a lot to me, so THANK YOU. 

Onward,

We had a pretty interesting weekend, which included me bursting through the front door in tears on Friday evening. Kyle is a real champ when it comes to lady breakdowns, he spent some time comforting me and then we decided Steak & Shake might do a better job (Just kidding, I really needed a fucking cheeseburger after all that crying). Our friend Erin met up with us and we spent a lot of time catching up and laughing, which was much needed.

Saturday we spent some time cleaning up the house and preparing for Jessie & her boyfriend Matthew to come over. It was our first time having overnight visitors, so I wanted to make sure everything was perfect. Kyle made the most delicious white chili ever (I can totally give you guys the recipe, it's amazing), and I made some muffins. We spent most of the night watching movies (Trainspotting & Clue), Nan and Amber stopped by for a bit, we played one round of Clue, several rounds of Scattergories & in general had a really nice time.

Sunday my parents stopped by to bring me the paper and a bath rug for our downstairs bathroom. Went to visit my grandma, watched a movie (The Freebie), did some light grocery shopping, went on a hunt for the new Bust (couldn't find it), made some sugar cookies, took a long bubble bath and started reading a new book (The Locket).

I guess that brings us to the end of this weekend update.

Sorry if I'm kind of a bummer for the next week or so. I'll try my best to stay positive.

xx

Born To Lose

So things suck really hard here at the moment. Last night on my way home from work I received a call that my entire department was being laid off due to work volume. I am so incredibly bummed. I mean not only do I work my ass off, but I had really decent pay and I actually loved going to work every day. Now I don't know what to do with myself. I mean, Kyle and I just moved in to this new place and our bills didn't exactly go down, so I am really scared about not being able to pay my side of the bills. I don't like feeling helpless or lost, but that's precisely how I feel right now.

Words of wisdom anyone?

xx

We live to dance another day, it's just now we have to dance for one more of us.

This song makes me miss my grandfather so much it makes my heart hurt a little bit. I don't talk about him often, but he was quite possibly the nicest man I've ever known. So funny, caring, and incredibly talented. He went to Juilliard when he was just 15 to study the French Horn. Music was a huge part of his life and he shared it with all of us.

Whenever I hear this song I think of him. I know it's weird because this song is actually about Frank Turner's friend and it's called Long Live the Queen and everything, but I find it fitting.

xxx 

Day 25, Things I'd Rather Be Doing (Plus Some Other Junk) :

-Travelling (I miss getting to go on vacation, it feels like I will never get to take one again)

-Soaking in a bubble bath

-Getting a massage

-Catching up on books

-Watching TV/Movies

-Baking some muffins

-Hang out with friends

  

...and some lists I haven't had time to post:

Day 24, I Make Lists For:

-Everything

(That's a cop out right?)

Ok, ok

-Groceries

-CD's I want to buy/download

-CD tracks for mixes

-Things I need to get done

-Bills

-General planning

Day 22, Today I Saw:

-Kyle rolling around in bed

-The Bunster

-Traffic

-The newspaper

-Qik-N-Ez

-Cloudy skies

-An email from my best friend

-Myself

Day 21, Things To Do This Spring:

-Ride bikes with Kyle

-Plant a tiny garden on our balcony

-Wear skirts/dresses

-Watch True Blood

-Drive with the windows down

-Read outside

-Walk to the park with friends

-Take a mini-road trip

-Spring cleanin'

-Find a place to swim

-Learn my grandma's favorite recipes

-Camping trip

Day 15, Road Trip Must Haves:

-Rocky Horrow Picture Show soundtrack (my friend Rachel & I would listen to this album on road trips and dance the whole way to our destination)

-Fruit snacks (pom & blueberry)

-Trail mix

-Sammiches

-Mix CD's (especially Gangsta Rap Volumes 1-4)

-Magazines (Bust & EW)

-Cash/credit cards for emergencies

-Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss

-Bag full of clothes that I won't wear

-Shoes (all kinds)

-Journal/notebook

-Pillows/Blankets

-Moutnain Dew/water/juice

-Camera

-GPS/map/directions

-Emergency kit

-RCR hoodie

-Coat

-Sunglasses

-Chapstick

-Car charges

-Excedrin/medicine in general

So, I think that just about catches me up on the lists I was missing, minus a few that I haven't had time to attempt.

xx

Chew

Exciting news from Showtime:

Showtime has plans to develop Image's hit comic book series "Chew" for the small screen, Deadline reports.

Launched in 2009, the ongoing series is written by John Layman and illustrated by Rob Guillory. It deals with a police detective, Tony Chu, who happens to be a "cibopath," someone with the supernatural ability to gain a psychic impression of an object by eating it. Throughout his investigations, Chu comes up against a variety of other people with different food-related abilities.

The article suggests that "Chew" will go into development as a half-hour series with the pilot to be directed and executive produced by Stephen Hopkins.

I'm excited for this! Kyle and I both just recently started reading Chew after a few friends recommended it to us. I can imagine this show is going to be pretty gnarly.

via: Pop Candy/ComingSoon.net



Alternative To What?

I dont even like pink and I am fucking in love with these. I bet I could just bedazzle the crap out of my old skates and they would look almost as awesome as these.

via: Little Chief Honeybee

Bohemian Rhapsody

So, I'm not normally the kind of girl that would swoon over engagement photo sessions, but this one kind of stole my heart.

via: La Belle Bride



Julia Wertz

Is my soul twin.

I thought this would be appropriate for today's prompt which as you can see below was Guilty Pleasures.

If you want to check out more of her stuff (and you totally should) go to her website here or her blog here. I seriously love all three of her books (Fart Party Volume 1, Fart Party Volume 2 & Drinking at the Movies), four if you count the I Saw You... anthology. I can't wait for whatever book comes next.

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog: The Book

So, I don't know about you but I LOVE Dr. Horrible. A ton. I was so excited to read on Pop Candy today that there is a new book coming out on March 29th that includes the full shooting script (I am a total nerd for movie/tv scripts), photos from the set, sheet music & more.

If you are interested you can preorder it here & you can also buy Dr. Horrible & Other Horrible Stories, which I own but seem to have misplaced. I think maybe I let someone borrow it and forgot who that person might be. Oh well, we already have too many books.

(Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, Joss Whedon, Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion, Felicia Day, Zack Whedon)

Day 23, Guilty Pleasures:

(These things really don't make me feel guilty)

-Enjoying 90's boy bands

-Making really bad mix CD's for Amber/Listening to really bad mix CD's that Amber has made for me

-Ridiculously long bubble baths

-Watching cheesy Lifetime movies (Seriously, just sit down in front of a Lifetime Original Movie and TRY to change the channel)

-Eating raw cookie dough straight out of the tube

-Eating spray cheese straight out of the can (I know, I'm disgusting!)

-Silly singalongs (Dr. Horrible, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Grease, Grease 2, Hairspray, Once More with Feeling and so on)

-Reading silly girl magazines

-Reading more YA books than "grown up" books

-Collecting socks

-Spending way too much time on Etsy or Amazon

-Buffalo chicken ponyshoes

-Obsessing about SNL

-Listening to Bright Eyes to fall asleep

-Eating entire veggie trays

-Finding the perfect gift
-Re-watching all my favorite shows (Buffy, 30 Rock, HIMYM, Big Bang Theory, Angel, The O.C., SNL, Daria, True Blood, Dexter and so on)
-Loving Mary Kate & Ashley (always & forever)

 

Etsy Love

Here are a few things I've been lusting after recently:

Honey Boney Large Canvas Tote Bag

I Heart Derby Girls Roller Derby Shirt

Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock T-Shirt

Cat Girl Art Print

X-Men Mutant Knit Fingerless Gloves





Roger Ebert's Film Festival

I was so stoked today to see that the line up for Ebertfest is out!

My boyfriend went to U of I in Champaign (College of Media), and he volunteered to work the festival last year, so we got to see tons of great movies. It was such a blast and I really hope we get to go back this year. The films we saw last year were: Song Sung Blue (beautiful and heartbreaking), Vincent: A Life in Color (I missed a huge portion of this film, but was able to sit through the panel which was fascinating), Trucker (I got to meet Michelle Monaghan, which was awesome-we talked a lot about Robert Downey Jr.), and Barfly. I almost peed my pants when Roger Ebert waved at me, but was shockingly cool when I met an actress I really love. If you live anywhere near Champaign you should really consider going.

This years schedule is:

Wednesday, April 27

-Metropolis

Thursday, April 28

-Umberto D

-My Dog Tulip

-Tiny Furniture (I've been dying to see this!)

Friday, April 29

-45365

-Me & Orson Welles (also been dying to see this, plus Richard Linklater will be there for the panel!)

-Only You

Saturday, April 30

-A Small Act

-Life, Above All

-Leaves of Grass (fantastic movie)

-I Am Love (I've heard great things about this & Tilda Swinton will be at the festival, which is pretty cool even though she totally scares the crap out of me)

-Louder Than A Bomb

To find out more about this awesome festival you can visit the Ebertfest website right here.

Day 20, Celebrity Crushes:

So, I know I've been a bit behind on 30 Days of Lists, but here is a list I can get down with:

 -Frank Turner

-Matt Skiba

-Billy Idol

-David Bowie

-Zachary Levi

-David Tennant

-Nathan Fillion

-Jimmy Fallon

-Michael Emerson

-Michael C. Hall

-Adam Brody

-Christopher Meloni

-Daniel Radcliffe

-Hayden Christensen

-Jason Segel

-James Marsters

-Joss Whedon

-Seth Meyers

-Jorma Taccone

-Dustin Lance Black

-Daniel Brühl

-Michael Cera

-Woody Allen

-Alexander Skarsgård

-Neil Patrick Harris

-Robert Downey Jr.

-James Spader

-Conan O'Brien

-Paul Rudd

-Ryan Gosling

-Natalie Portman

-Juliette Lewis

-Tina Fey

Diablo Cody

-Kristen Bell

-Kat Dennings

Those are the majority of my dude & lady crushes!


Yours?


xx

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2

So, so excited (also slightly teary-eyed)

So Tonight I'll Raise My Glass To Us

This weekend has been super awesome. 

So far I've: participated in a trivia night, spent time with some amazing friends, tried Mountain Dew flavored vodka, got a huge box full of Girl Scout cookies, bought the new issue of EW (with Nathan Fillion on the front), joined the best friend to see a pretty awesome/awkward basement show, went to the comic book store, talked about roller derby a lot, received really sad news, received really good news, & got some really nice emails.

I am officially ready to call it a night.

Goodnight, and have a pleasant tomorrow!

xx 

P.S. This picture makes me very happy. It's super old, but Amber & I have been in love with Matt Skiba for...as long as I can remember.

Dressing On The Side

I would like to take a quick minute to tell you about my favorite place to buy shirts on Etsy:

Dressing On The Side. I am now the very happy owner of three of their world class t-shirts. I ordered one on Monday and it arrived to me by Wednesday and I have already worn it twice this week. The designs are adorable, especially if you are a foodie, love wearing the softest shirts in the land, or just want some conversation pieces. The girls who run the shop are so pleasant, and I think that makes all the difference in the world.  





Excellent prices, super fast shipping, delightfully soft t-shirts, what more could a girl ask for?

Check them out here & here.

On a more important note, please consider donating money to the relief efforts in Japan.

There are so many ways to get involved & I urge you to find a way to do so. If anyone is interested in links, please let me know and I would be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

xx

Slide

All I have to say about these is WOAH.

via: the hairpin / Kobi Levi