a little ray of sunshine

It's been a rough couple of weeks:

• I caught a serious cold Thanksgiving weekend that still lingers, even two weeks later. Colds seem so harmless until you get one and remember just how awful they can be. Crappy sleep, fatigue, sinus pressure, painful sore throat, uncontrollable coughing -- all no fun. Getting sick at the onset of the holidays is not ideal. My natural inclination to plan ahead and be super-organized has been thwarted by the overriding need to get what little rest I can. Thus, though my shopping is almost done, I haven't even begun to work on my Christmas cards, mail packages, wrap gifts, or plan my holiday baking schedule. One silver lining, though, is that by some miracle, no one else in my family has gotten sick (knock on wood).
• What little energy I do have is being consumed by the Christmas Breakfast being held this weekend, for ~350 people, that I am co-in-charge of. I am co-responsible for feeding and entertaining a whole heap of folks. One interesting lesson I've learned during the past few months of planning: everyone has an opinion about how things should be done, and no two opinions are the same. In other words, it's impossible to please everybody. Also, making changes from the way things were done in the past -- even when done with a lot of thought, prayer, and the best of intentions -- will cause backlash that requires very thick skin.   
• Guess what decided to die last week? No, not the beta fish that has lived, despite total neglect, for almost 4 years in a bowl on our kitchen counter. Our furnace! If you're keeping track, which I know you aren't, that means that in the past 18 months we've had to replace our air conditioner, hot water heater, and furnace. And who doesn't want to spend thousands of dollars on fancy home upgrades no one will ever see and will only notice if it stops working? Home-ownership demands so much more than just a mortgage payment. I love my home, and am grateful for the comfort it provides, but I wouldn't mind a break from having to tap into our "rainy day" savings quite so often.

The little ray of sunshine in what can only be classified as a trying couple of weeks, came in the form of this movie preview, recently released:

I feel better now.

Oh, and I promise Part 2 of my Australian adventure will be posted at some point this month. Try to contain your excitement.

In the meantime, why don't you tell me what you would do to entertain 350 people who don't want to participate in anything and would much rather just talk to their friends? I've considered forcing folks to do all sorts of awkward skits, getting-to-know-you games, or relays (because the pass-the-orange-from-neck-to-neck game would be hilarious). What do you think?

Anticipation

There are few feelings I enjoy more than anticipation. In fact, I like looking forward to some things so much that I often have to temper my expectations or risk feeling let down when the long-awaited event actually occurs. I've been thinking through the next few months and I've realized that I have A LOT to look forward to before 2011 comes to a close. Shall I write a chronological list of the excitement to come? Yes? Well okay then, here goes:

School Starts

It's been a loooong summer, friends. We've had many wonderful adventures including a trip to Six Flags Great America, a jaunt up to Michigan to pick fresh, ripe peaches and blueberries, a day spent exploring the great city of Chicago, and visits from dear old friends, family, and both sets of grandparents. Add to that days spent at the movies, at the children's museum, at the ice cream parlor, at summer camp, at the zoo, and countless nights at swim meets and you can see why I am just so. dang. tired.

I want my life back. I crave structure and need routines. My family functions best when have a schedule and when that schedule includes school. We all like each other more when we've seen each other less. School starts on Monday for my girls and Wednesday for my boy. Freedom is so near and I can hardly wait to reduce the number of hours each day that are available for my kids to bicker with each other. Being able to run to the grocery store by myself and listen to the music of my choice in the car are extra added benefits.

Finishing the Basement

We've been in our house for five years and the only purpose the basement has ever served up until this point is as a dumping ground for all of our unused stuff. Old furniture, boxes of college textbooks, spare computer parts, holiday decorations, outgrown clothes... they all live down there in that abyss. It's a massive waste of space and an easy way to ignore accumulated clutter. The following picture, just one portion of our basement, proves all that I have just described:

But now we've scrimped and we've saved and we're finally ready to pull the trigger and turn our basement into usable space. The work begins in September and will hopefully be done early October. Once complete, we'll have a large rec room, area for guests to sleep, a place to put the treadmill (which now resides inconveniently in the master bedroom), a full bathroom, storage space, and a wall devoted solely to a large screen for TV/movie viewing. All the toys and crafts will have a new home, and I will be able to reclaim my family and living rooms. Just don't ask me how, in the next three weeks, I am going to manage to clear out my entire basement. I'm seriously considering renting a dumpster and pitching everything!

Another concert? Why not?

There are so few musicians that Scott and I both enjoy that when one of our favorites passes through town, we make every effort to go see them live. Next month we get to go see Alison Krauss perform and I am very excited! Do you know her music? Chances are, you've heard this song before:

Her voice is truly the most beautiful one I have ever heard. I cannot wait to spend an evening in the city, sitting next to the guy I love, listening to such angelic tones. (<------Holy crud, that was cheesy. Geez). Anyway, you know I love a good concert and this one will be fantastic, I am sure.

The Death Cure


Have you read The Maze Runner? It is such a fantastic book series! The third and final book in the trilogy is coming out in October, I've got it pre-ordered, and I can hardly wait! If you liked the Hunger Games, I think you'll like this series. In fact, I might like The Maze Runner series a bit more. There's less violence (though there certainly still is some) and no blatant underlying political agenda, which makes it a more compelling read in my opinion. There are lots of unanswered questions and I cannot wait to see how everything is resolved. Anticipating a book release is always tricky, though. I'm having to manage my expectations and remind myself that the author will write what he wants and I'll just be along for the ride when I read it.

Super Amazing Awesome Surprise

I apologize for having to be annoyingly vague, but I have the most spectacular, amazing, once-in-a-lifetime event to look forward to in October. I've spent the past few weeks trying as hard as I can not to get my hopes up, because if what I think is going to happen really happens, then I'm going to be so very excited! Until it's 100%certain, with all the details in place -- and right now I'd say it's about 90% of the way there -- I won't mention it because I don't want to jinx it. But just know that it is awesome and you'll hear all about it once I'm ready to believe it's actually real.

Sisters Weekend

Every year or so, my mom, all of my sisters, my charming sister-in-law, and I get together for a spouse-free, kid-free long weekend getaway. In years past, we've gone to Chicago, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, San Francisco... This year, in early November, we are headed to my parents' house in southern California to spend time with each other and my sweet 93 year old grandmother. I love these weekends! I'm ashamed to admit that I appreciate my sisters (and my mom) way more now than I ever did growing up. Now that my nearest sister lives over 1500 miles away, these rare times of togetherness mean so much to me. We haven't planned out every minute of the time we'll have yet, but I'm certain there will be lots of laughter and at least one meal at The Cheesecake Factory -- it's a tradition!

ZEMAS Reunited

Ladies, it's almost that time again. Last night I was at the movies (Crazy, Stupid, Love -- go see it if only for Ryan Gosling) and this trailer came on before the show.

At the end of the trailer Scott turned to me and said, "Uh, yeah, you can go see that with your ZEMAS friends." Such a good husband! It looks predictable and contrived, but it has Zac as part of the ensemble so you will find me in the theater at the beginning of December when it opens. Mark my words.




So much to look forward to! I'm still hoping to find another race, preferably a 10k, to add to my list of things to do by the end of 2011. Overall, though, I think I've got a solid 4 months ahead of me.

Now I want to know what you're looking forward to. Tell me, what's coming up in your life? Got anything, major or simple, that has you quivering with anticipation?

ZEMAS

On a scale of one to ten, one being equivalent to "okay, she's a little bit odd" and ten being roughly like, "wow. she's a pathetic loser!" how bad is it that the highlight of my day was seeing these photos...

...and discovering that a certain inappropriate crush of mine is currently filming a movie called The Lucky One, based on a Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook, Dear John) novel?

I'm thinking another gathering of the ZEMAS (Zac Efron Mutual Admiration Society) will take place sometime next year. Ladies, brace yourselves.

Oh, and if you can't wait that long, I'll try to find a way for us to convene and watch Charlie St. Cloud at my house once I get my hands on a copy. It's totally on my Christmas wish list.

2 weeks, 2 concerts

After a decade of deprivation, my concert-going drought ended a few weeks ago when I attended not one, but TWO amazing concerts. The artists (and the shows) could not have been more different, but I loved them both—and, in an effort not to forget the good times that were had, I will now devote the rest of this post to describing the highlights of each night.

First up... Michael Bublé!

The thing about buying tickets to a show in an arena that you've never been to before is that you really can't tell from a seating chart what your seats will be like. I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that our seats weren't awful. Seated next to me were four 40-something Canadian ladies who had come to Chicago for the weekend just to see the show. They were actually really nice and considerate, talked hockey with us (I fudged my way through that conversation), and weren't even obnoxious after their fourth or fifth beer. That's one thing I'd forgotten about at concerts—holy crud there's a lot of booze. And when people drink they soon after have to pee, which explains why there was a constant stream (pun intended) of folks headed up and down the aisle all evening. But we didn't care!


Some highlights:

• The opening act, Naturally 7, was a really incredible a cappella group. The way they could manipulate their voices to mimic instruments like harmonicas and drums was impressive. Even Scott, who sang with an a cappella group in college, approved.




• Bublé mentioned Team Canada's gold medal , and when members of the crowd began to "boo" he yelled "Suck it, Chicago!" He then went on to joke about how Americans must get so bored following the medal count during the Olympics, since we always lead it. :)


• Half way through the show some random woman in the audience interrupted Michael while he was talking by shouting at him. He ripped into her and it was hilarious. "I don't come down to the 7-11 where you work and interrupt you!" So funny!


• He opened with "Cry Me a River" and at the end of the song there were some pyrotechnics. Later he said something like, "Did you like the fireworks? Good. That stuff (only he didn't say stuff) was expensive!"


• He mentioned how he got engaged recently and indicated that the ring he's wearing on his left ring finger is something men do in his fiance's Argentinian culture, "At least, that's what she tells me."


• He sang a few of my favorites, like "Everything," "Home," and "Feeling Good." When he sang "Me and Mrs. Jones" the cute woman next to me who was celebrating her birthday, was so excited. Her last name is Jones, and that song, she felt, was meant for her. :)

At one point he came off the stage and walked through the audience, mounted a "b-stage" directly in front of us, and sang a song or two there. He started to sing Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" and then deadpanned "I wish I wrote that song."

He closed the show with "Song for You," which is a beautiful song that he makes amazing by lowering the microphone for the last part and just belting it out. So incredible!


(Our seats were not nearly this good. I just poached this video from youtube.)

We had a wonderful time. The crowd was really diverse, a mixture of young and old. People watching was a joy. We hit the jackpot when we spotted a Kim Kardashian wannabe, wearing what I can only describe as a slutty prom dress, accompanied by a man twice her age who was definitely not her father. Wish I'd snuck a picture. We have vowed to go back the next time he swings through town, so it seems I won't have to wait another decade to attend my next concert.

And now... John Mayer:

To say that the John Mayer concert and the Michael Bublé concert were like night and day would be an understatement. The crowd was younger, the music was louder, the venue was bigger, and the vibe was hip-er. I loved every minute of it! Scott was really not interested in seeing John Mayer live. Though he likes his music, Scott really isn't much of a concert-goer in general. Thankfully, I got four tickets and we brought friends along!

Karin and Joe made the night super fun! We wandered through the United Center before the show began, then took our seats and listened to the earsplitting opening act, Michael Franti and Spearhead. At one point, Michael Franti came singing through the audience, stopped directly in front of us, noticed that we weren't screaming like idiots, then turned around and went the other direction. I would've taken a picture but I didn't want to bother turning on my camera. Besides, he was really sweaty and I was more concerned with not getting wet.

At some point during the evening, we invented a game called “slut bug”—our own version of “slug bug” where every time a really scantily clad girl walked by we punched each other. There was a lot of punching going on—girls seem to really like getting dressed up for John Mayer. It's fun to imagine what they are thinking when they're getting ready for the concert: "Maybe if I wear this sequined halter top and flail around like a lunatic, John Mayer will notice me!"

Other highlights:

• Some fool proposed to his girlfriend onstage during the opening act. If Scott had done that, I would have said no.


• During Michael Franti's final song, he invited pretty much whoever felt like it to come up onstage. In addition to hordes of skanky girls, there were these guys running around the stage in masks and capes looking ridiculous. A few days later I found out that it was actually John Mayer and some of his bandmates dressed in disguise. It wouldn't have induced me to go up onstage, but still...


• John Mayer and his band were amazing. So fantastic! He played many of my favorite songs, like Assassin, Free Fallin', Good Love is on the Way, and Stop this Train. There was no "Your Body is a Wonderland," which was FINE with me. It was the last night of the tour, and everyone on stage seemed to want to end strong. The concert was delightfully long, with John Mayer coming on at 9:30 and ending close to midnight.


• During "Half of My Heart," after Mayer sang the lyrics "Made a plan to stay the man who could only love himself" he added "And how's that working out for you, man? Crappy! (only he didn't say crappy)" which, from what little I know about his personal life, seems to be true.


• Mayer talked about how much he was looking forward to returning home to LA, which prompted the audience to "boo!" He went on to have this little exchange with the crowd: "You're booing me because I'm going home? I can't wait to be home! It's gonna be awesome. [More booing] What just happened here? This is great. Actually, this is essential to a passionate relationship... A little bit of grit... How am I going to bring you back? How can I possibly get back what we had about 35 seconds ago?"


• In addition to Free Fallin', he covered parts of Homeward Bound and Don't Stop Believin', which I'm fairly certain were the songs Scott recognized the most all night.


• We tried not to mock the teenage girls sitting next to us who spent the entire time inadvertently blocking our view and/or texting.

I remember going to a Dave Matthews Band concert once where he essentially ignored the audience and jammed incessantly after each song. I must admit I had feared that John Mayer might do the same. I was grateful he didn't ignore the 17,000 of us who came to hear him play. His interactions with his band and the crowd were perfect.

So, a big thanks to Michael Bublé and John Mayer for bringing me out of retirement—I’m a born-again concert-goer because of them. And thanks to my sweetie for allowing me to drag him along. I think our next big night out will be one of his choosing. Maybe a night at the Lyric Opera? I'll keep you posted!

The Candidates

I know you've been eagerly awaiting the announcement of my new celebrity boyfriend. I broke up with my last one because it turns out he's a lying, cheating sleazebag. Now, I will freely admit that there are times when I find arrogance attractive, but not from someone who claims to be a family man but is really just a massive idiot.

So I need a new celebrity crush. Why, you ask, don't I just promote one of the other men from my original list to the #1 slot? Frankly, because I don't want to. I like them where they are. Plus, I'm fickle, and whoever becomes the new #1 might not stay there forever, but my adoration for Josh and Zac is unwavering (for now).

Here are some of the men I've been considering for the title of Rebecca's New Celebrity Boyfriend:

Jude Law - His qualifications include the fact that he is British and completely dashing. He's definitely had some of his own struggles with fidelity in the past, but I have to admit that I like him in that "reformed bad boy" kind of way. Plus, have you seen The Holiday? I dare you to watch that movie and not come away from it with a crush on him.

Joel McHale - I like guys who are funny, and this guy is really funny. Not like Jim Carrey "hey-everybody-look-at-me-'cuz-I'm-so-funny" funny, but sarcastic, witty, observational humor funny. He's also really handsome. Add to that the fact that he is a devoted husband and father, and that's enough to make him a celebrity boyfriend candidate.

Ian Somerhalder - I could never watch anything beyond the pilot episode of Lost because I'm a total wimp and it was kind-of scary, but apparently Ian was once a cast member on that show. I love him because he plays "sexy brooding vampire guy" (also known as Damon) on The Vampire Diaries, my new favorite guilty pleasure TV show. He's like a younger version of Rob Lowe. It totally works for me.

Hugh Dancy - Another suave Brit to consider. Loved him in Confessions of a Shopaholic, The Jane Austen Book Club, and the fantastic period drama, Daniel Deronda. He seems like a nice guy, is married to the super classy Claire Daines, and did I mention he has a sexy accent? Definitely a contender.

David Anders - Have you heard of him? If you used to watch Alias, you know him as Julian Sark, the most appealing villain ever. If you've never seen Alias, I insist you Netflix season 1 immediately. You won't regret it. To be honest, I don't know much about David Anders. I know that despite his flawless British accent (there I go again) on Alias, he's actually from Oregon. I know he's going to be guest starring on Vampire Diaries soon. The truth is, sometimes the less I know about a celebrity, the more I like him. Does that make sense? It's easier not to get disappointed by a celebrity crush who isn't super famous and hounded by gossip. Like this next guy...

John Mayer - Ugh. I know I shouldn't like him... I know he's wrong for me... I know at some point he'll let me down... But I can't help it. I really like John Mayer. I like his musical talent and his insane guitar skills. I like his songs. I like to avoid reading interviews he's given so as not to tarnish my own idea of who he is and what he's about. I'm not sure he could ever really be my celebrity boyfriend, though. As much as I'd like to think that I could be the imaginary girl who could hypothetically change him, he is probably destined to forever be one of those famous people who has it all but really has nothing.

So, those are the options. Do you have an opinion? Tell me what you think. Oh, and if you're ever looking for a way to waste an entire afternoon, go ahead and do google image searches of all your favorite celebrities. Guaranteed to kill hours on end.

**a note: I know all I ever do is post about useless stuff like famous people who are hot. Sorry. I guess you'll just have to have a real conversation with me sometime if you'd like proof that I'm not a total lunatic.

Guilty (TV) Pleasures

We've all got them, right? Shows we watch that we're not really willing to admit that we watch. For me it started my freshman year of college. My roommate, who meant so much to me that I can't even remember her name, brought with her to our tiny dorm room a portable TV and an obsession with the soap opera Days of Our Lives. Everyday at 2:00 pm, we watched the lives of Salem's elite unfold on that 12 inch screen. By the end of winter semester I was hooked. When I planned my schedule for sophmore year, I made sure that I had no classes during that precious 2:00 hour. Yes, I was that pathetic.

The good news is that I gave up watching Days shortly after my first baby was born. To be honest, I pretty much gave up watching any daytime television that didn't involve Dora or Elmo. But that doesn't mean I've stopped having shows that I'm embarrassed to admit I watch. So, it's time to confess. Here are just a few shows that I will now admit that I love. Two are no longer on the air, but that's what TV on DVD is for, right?

Dawson's Creek

This is where my love for Josh Jackson began. Who can resist his charm? Let me share with you some classic season 3 moments from one of my favorite episodes:



And:



The OC

Another great, dearly departed show. I love Ryan. And season 4 with Ryan and Taylor together was so much fun to watch:



And now for my current guilty pleasure...

Gossip Girl

I know this show is trash. I know I should dedicate my time to more worthwhile pursuits. I cannot help myself. Here is just one reason why:





So, now you know. I've got a serious thing for bad boys on trashy shows. Pacey...Ryan...Chuck. Or maybe I just like a pretty face...

Josh Jackson



Ben McKenzie



Ed Westwick



Okay, so maybe it's more about the men. You know what? I'm okay with that.
__________________________________________

I've told you my guilty TV pleasures. Now you tell me yours...

Mailbox Surprise

Many months ago, in January '08 to be precise, I did something impulsive. Those who know me well know that I have a [mildly inappropriate] crush on a certain teen heartthrob. So, I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be fun if I could get said heartthrob to send an autographed picture to someone who wouldn't be considered too old for this kind of thing, my sweet 7 year-old daughter? I wrote a quick, non-stalkerish note, enclosed a picture of Aubree and a self-addressed stamped envelope, and sent it off to an address I may or may not have found on a fan site. Whatever.

So, since I do in fact have a life, I’d completely forgotten about this adorable little whim until yesterday, when – 11 months after the fact – an envelope addressed to my daughter in my handwriting showed up in the mail. Imagine my surprise and giddy delight at the following picture which the envelope contained.





Unfortunately, there are a couple of problems with this otherwise fantastic and completely unexpected parcel:

1. I didn’t think to get one for my 5 year-old, Clara. This is not good. Clara MUST have everything that Aubree has, and more. I do not know how to solve this particular dilemma, apart from taking a black marker and adding Clara’s name to the picture. But since that would severely damage the authenticity of this precious keepsake, it cannot be done.

2. I’m not sure I’m entirely comfortable letting my daughter have a picture of Zac Efron feeling himself up.

The other real problem: the immature part of me that did this whole thing in the first place is now scheming to get autographed pictures from other celebrity crushes. That’s bad, right?

My celebrity boyfriends...

I am fortunate. I married a man with an amazing amount of self-assurance. Scott doesn't have a jealous bone in his body - which means I am free to indulge in some celebrity crushes without hurting his feelings or making him feel threatened. So, without further ado, I provide for you a list of my celebrity boyfriends:

1. Tiger Woods - Shall I list the qualities that make him an ideal candidate for my #1 celebrity boyfriend? Um, he's hot. And built. And the best in the world at what he does. Plus, he's a family man. Only true devotion would cause me to be excited about watching golf on tv. I DVR'd the U.S. Open so I could watch it again. That's what good girlfriends do. Plus, Scott tells me that if I ever get the chance to run off with Tiger Woods, he'll gladly be the rebound guy for Tiger's swedish wife. I think it's a fair trade.

2. Joshua Jackson - Two words: Pacey Whitter. If you have no idea what I'm talking about then how sad for you. I love me some Josh Jackson. Who cares if he's dating the chick from National Treasure? I know he'd leave her for me.

Okay, this one's a little embarassing...

3. Zac Efron - I know, I know. He's 10 years younger than I am. He wears his hair in his face when it would look so much better combed back. He likes to sing and dance. I recognize that this is a totally inappropriate crush, but I just can't help myself. If I were a preteen, I would have pictures from Bop magazine of this guy plastered all over my bedroom walls. But I'm not 12 - I am a responsible adult. Who has seen HSM and Hairspray more times than I can count. I am not ashamed. Okay, maybe just a little.