Lainie’s Friends and Family

So, that's what a sunburn feels like...

2008-08-17T21:58:01Z

Six hours in this was cathartic.
Originally uploaded by Melle Music.

I spent about 5-6 hours in the pool yesterday. I forgot to put on sunscreen.

Needless to say, my bra strap is causing me pain (pain I have NEVER experienced) and it's not because it's tight or anything. Also, my nose is red and has already started to peel.

I used to punch my friend on the leg when he told me he was sunburned.

I will not do that again (maybe...it's kind of funny so I'm not making any promises)

I am brown and I burned! What the heck? So, you fairer skinned people better be putting on some sunscreen because this sunburn thing SUCKS!

Why would anyone want to even go through the act of getting a sunburn so that they can be tan? Looking like leather is NOT sexy.

OUCH!

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The Most Disgusting Informercial Ever! The Ped-Egg

2008-08-14T18:33:45Z

Hi! Last night, I was watching one of my favorite shows - Kitchen Nightmares - and the commercial for the Pink Ped-Egg came on. Part of the proceeds go to breast cancer research which is good but it is the most disgusting tool ever. Here is the commercial - at 30 seconds get ready to be disgusted.

Ped-Egg Commercial

It collects your dead skin shavings!?!?!?!?!?!?! WT?????? Gross!

AND THEN you can just open it up and toss them in the trash!

Ok, it's better than having them all over your floor but seriously, ewwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And how gross is your feet that you have THAT much in the frickin' Ped-Egg!

Plus, it's a whole commercial featuring nasty feet. Is anyone else disturbed by this?!?

Ok, time to do some work even though this is my last week of vacation :( I know, feel sad for me because I've had like 8 weeks off. I need to just STFU. Wah.

Have a happy whatever day it is. (I am holding on to my unawareness of days til the very end people because then reality will set in)

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Missed Opportunity : seeing Joe Strummer at Hootenanny

2008-08-14T04:09:40Z

Joe Strummer "Johnny Appleseed"

Crankypants has me thinking about Joe Strummer because of that radio show. I am never anywhere on Mondays where I can listen to the show so it really sucks for me.

Anyway, I remember I was visiting San Diego one year and it was the year the Hootenanny was at the Embarcadero next to the convention center. I was in the Explorer with my ate (sister), brother-in-law and Noah, who was like 8 or 9 months old and we pulled into the park. It was packed and there were barriers and I looked around and I thought, "o.m.g. it's the Hootenanny! Joe Strummer is here!!!"

I looked at my ate and I was like, "We should go!"

Then we looking at the little sleeping baby.

Nope.

Then he passed away...and I missed him!

I really love him still. He changed my life. Joe Strummer and the rest of the Clash anyway.

so here he is singing "Johnny Appleseed." Amazing amazing man.

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Snoring dog and poolside reading

2008-08-13T21:24:26Z

Old Girl

Spending the week hanging out with Kimmi at the Z's house. It's been nice though I have to admit that I am missing my space. Kimmi's actually been different this time around. She is usually moping around the house looking for the Z's and kind of stays on the couch but this time she's sleeping in the same rooms I'm hanging out in. She pretty much ONLY sleeps because she's so old. I tried to walk her this morning and she stood at the top of the stairs and just looked down like it wasn't gonna happen. She tried so that was ok. She has arthritis and a thyroid problem. Old Girl. I try not to push her because it pretty much wipes her out.

She's kind of wiped out right now. But I have to say one thing, that dog can snore! OMG! She is sooooo LOUD! Not shaking the room loud but oy! It's hilarious. I did not know dogs could snore so loud.

I think, we had a breakthrough too because last night she actually slept in the same room as me and she NEVER does that. So, yay!

I have been trying to not rush in the mornings, even though I motivated to go running this morning at the hiking spot. I also talking to this man who beat me to the parking lot. I know, it's not a race but geez, he was fast! I ran past him after the half way point where these flowers are and next thing I know he's stretching in the parking lot. WTH? I was running! Gah! Though, I was having trouble this time because my breathing was just not getting into synch with the rest of me. Does that make sense? I really have to run every day so I can improve on my pace and distance. I am thinking about running a half-marathon. I am not about 26 miles and you know, I'm a-ok with that. 13 is far enough for me :)

Anyway, spending some time catching up and bombarding my friend feed with Adele videos. So here's one for you

Adele - Heart of Stone

Have a great day every body!

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Saying Hello To The Neighborhood

2008-08-12T00:22:08Z

It's been a while since I have last written because I have been in San Diego for the past week. I will go in depth more but I have to say this was a most enlightening week for me - some good but mainly not so good. Putting that mirror up to your face for self-evaluation can be a real painful thing. It's ok though...it's what I learn and hopefully put in to action above everything else.

Like my I.C. said to me before saying see you later, "stay happy."

So, I am going to try to stay happy. I think, I had a bit of trouble being as authentic as I could have been because I was going through a bit of family drama and then I was just nervous. Always nervous. I tried to wash the nervousness away by surfing but it did not work too well. I was a little too scared to father out in the water even though it was mellow. It was weird because I've paddled out just fine before but there are good days and not so good days but at least I was out for a couple of hours.

More later! Will be back in L.A. tomorrow for some dog sitting duties and poolside fun times :)

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Friday Favorite on a Sunday : Linda Cancao [Brazilian nu jazz yumminess!]

2008-08-10T18:35:45Z

DSC_8215

10 Linda Cancao

Barrio Jazz Gang

Spectrum

I'm going to try and balance things out with something summery and light...

I've been enjoying this track a great deal lately. Enjoy.

I hope you all are having a great summer.

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It's In Our Hands.

2008-08-10T18:19:13Z

DSC_8086

4-02 Overture

Björk

4-16 It's In Our Hands

Björk

Live Box

Björk

Hello again,

I've been away from Vox for about two months now. Its been crazy busy - and I realize I havent shared any music here in quite a while.

Anyway, I've been taking care of a lot of things - mostly family related. Its really amazing just how much a person can accomplish once a decision to commit to every task has been made -- and seeing it through gets easier when there are less distractions. I didn't realize how much I enjoy being quiet and just doing what I'm supposed to. I usually like staying connected to everything... but that has changed a lot in last couple months... actually in the last six.. I've had to make pretty tough decisions that have affected my life completely. I've had to focus a lot on taking care of my family. This is both an incredible and painful responsibility.

During this period I've been listening to a lot of Bjork. Particularly this Live Box set that I purchased a couple weekends ago.

Bjork speaks well to my [very] emotional side. She's been a great companion during my solo drives. A great companion while contemplating life on a level far deeper than my usual. Her huge orchestral productions - namely, Vespertine and production on the Dancer in the Dark soundtrack are my absolute favorites. (Homogenic is a close second, or third).

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08.08.08

2008-08-09T05:52:26Z

So I was watching the Olympic Opening Ceremonies on Friday night. And at nearly 1 am, I am still sitting here, half dazed by what I think is the most impressive Olympic display I have ever seen. I nearly missed them this year, had it not been for surrogate family.

I can't say anything that hundreds of thousands of other more eloquent people won't say better. I will say watching the opening ceremonies remind me again how amazing, varied, colorful and brilliant our differences and our similarities are.

Let the games begin.

PS...Nike? You got me again. Another classic.

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Deep Breathe In, Slowly Exhale

2008-08-05T21:21:27Z

Capitola Wharf

After the most mind-blowing weekend of my life, I am feeling a lot calmer in the last 24 hours.

Then, of course, today, I read this interesting, thought-provoking article in Psychology Today called Dare to be Yourself. First of all, why do I always forget that I read the most engaging and interesting articles in that magazine. Probably because I'm not a psychologist but you know, it's fascinating and helpful. I had to copy down a number of quotes from it because it was validating and I kept nodding my head in agreement as I read parts of it. Basically, it is about being authentic and how that is one of the most difficult things we can be. Or in other words "Keeping It Real" and not like Dave Chappelle's skits, which I LOVE!

But I began to wonder, what else am I supposed to take from this? Aside from the validation of being as authentic to myself, which will therefore pass on to those around me, but what else? A bit more empathy? (thank you Daniel Pink) However, what is that balance? Do you struggle with having too much empathy? I do not. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest), I would give myself a 3-4. Not too balanced but I'm working on it.

Because now I need a laugh, I'm gonna watch Dave Chappelle Season 2.

Best of Dave Chappelle in the movie Under Cover brother 1

This isn't from Season 2 but you know, whatever. I'm keeping it real! LOL

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Song of the Moment: Lizz Wright - Speak Your Heart

2008-08-04T22:35:24Z

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