Soundtrack to My Life: Summer '08

I'm slowly learning how to use HTML: You can click on the name of the song and it will take you to the lyrics!

1. Lupe Fiasco - Hip-hop Saved My Life
2. Rilo Kiley - Silver Lining
3. Bob Marley - Could You Be Loved
4. Duffy - Mercy
5. Usher - Love in this Club
6. Annie - Chewing Gum
7. The New Pornographers - Myriad Harbour
8. Sia - Little Black Sandals
9. John Legend - Used to Love U
10. The Bird And The Bee - La La La
11. Ornella Vanoni - L' Appuntamento
12. Peter, Bjorn and John - Young Folks
13. Ruff Endz - Someone To Love You
14. Mika - Grace Kelly
15. Duffy - Serious
16. Garbage - I Think I'm Paranoid
17. Sia - The Girl You Lost to Cocaine
18. Incubus - Pardon Me
19. Collective Soul - Run
20. Nikka Costa - Everybody Got Their Something
21. Lenny Kravitz - If I Could Fall in Love
22. Hole - Celebrity Skin
23. Frank Sinatra - The Best is Yet to Come
24. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
25. Akon - I Wanna Love You
26. South - Paint the Silence
27. Beyonce - Crazy in Love
28. Heart - Alone
29. Camera Obscura - Lloyd I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken
30. Nelly feat. 'N Sync- Girlfriend

31. John Legend - Slow Dance

32. Mariah Carey - Touch My Body

33. The Coral Sea- Look At Her Face

JAMES IS A NUTMEGGER-HEAD!

So last night I fell asleep at 1 AM but because of the SAN I took (Sunday Afternoon Nap), I woke up wide awake at 3 AM and couldn't fall back asleep til 5.


And I got to thinking... Crap, I'm really sad that my brother James and his girlfriend/my sister-in-law-even-though-it's-not-official- but-I'm-going-to-still-call-her-that, Alysia are moving to New Haven, CT where James will become a "Yalie", perusing the aisles of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library and the Sterling Memorial Library, used in the Indiana Jones films (Cool!).

I'm going to miss my brother, who not only took my birthday away from me (we share the same birthday, May 11th, James in '82 and me in '86. And I realize that technically James was born first but I still say he pilfered the one day I could call my own), but also left scars on my back from the pinching wars we had when I was 10 and he was 14.

I can't believe I'm going to freaking miss his sarcastic remarks about my reality TV fetish and my new-found vegetarian lifestyle. I'm going to miss the DDR/Guitar Hero mania. Not so much his DDR outfit--------------------->

But definitely the parties. James and Alysia always added to the "cool family" factor.

Ok James, I guess it's cool that you got accepted to Yale, will be getting two master's degrees and a Ph.D., and have a full-ride/fellowship and will become a Yalie Socialite for the next 7 years.

And I guess it's cool that I'm moving to New York City next summer and New Haven is on the end of the Metro line so it's super easy for me to visit.

And I guess it's cool you're going to the same school as Rory (Gilmore Girls).

But it's definitely bizarre you will be known as a "Nutmegger" instead of a "Conneticutian".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutmegger

I love wikipedia. They know EVERYTHING.

This is so WEIRD.

Go see this video:

Teenage Pregnant Pact Video on MSNBC

A group of sophomore girls at a highschool in Gloucester, MA pade a pact to get pregnant and raise their kids together. This year there were 17 girls pregnant at the school, as opposed to the average of 3.

Run, Run As Fast As You Can

I like to run.

Thus far, the only way I've been able to track my mileage while running is by driving my route in my car and subtract the starting mileage from the ending mileage.

This makes my life a whole lot easier, running-wise:

Map My Run

It's a map of the United States with cities and streets, and you can draw out a route where ever you want, in any state you want, and it tracks the exact mileage for you. I can spend tens of minutes (because spending hours would be past borderline pathetic) making running routes all over my neighborhood and I LOVE it.

Get off your lazy bum and run!!

Interesting fact: Running shoes last for about 500 miles, so try to keep track of how much you run, then buy new shoes!!

Note To Self and Others: Can You Stop Being Flaky? Please?

flake [fleyk]: adj.

1. to lower (a fore-and-aft sail) so as to drape the sail equally on both sides over its boom.
2. to fall asleep; take a nap.
3. to never return a phone call even if it is urgent
4. to make promises over and over again one cannot keep


If all you need to do to save someone's life is to make one phone call, don't you think you can take 5 little minutes out of your day to make the phone call? Instead of promising and promising to make the phone call, can you just DO it? Can't we all actually do what we say we're going to do instead of making false promises to please people and to avoid confrontation?

I am extremely fed-up with the fickle world. Many would probably laugh at me right now, because I used to be the Queen of Flaky-Triple-Booked-Can't-Say-No-To-Anyone. But now that my whole summer is in the hands of the most flaky and flighty person in the world, my eyes have been opened to my erroneous ways. Now I must make apologies to those who I've been flaky to recently to forever purge myself of this hideous habit:

Drew- I thought I mailed your card, but it fell between the seats in the car!! Going out in the mail TODAY! Love you, Miss you!! We'll get the Wii set up next week so you can beat me in boxing :)

Banana Republic: I'm sorry, 8-10 hours a week wasn't enough. I've moved on to a 40 hour work week. But sorry I never called to tell you.

Mom: I WILL clean today! Kitchen, bathroom, family room, everything.

Carol: I really WILL never take anymore shoes/ANYTHING from you without asking!

I promise from here on out to call when I say I'm going to call, send letters when I say I'm going to send letters, clean when I say I'm going to clean, not borrow Carol's shoes without asking again, and properly quit from a 1 1/2 month stint at a clothing store.

To the person who holds my future summer job in her hands: CALL RED CROSS TODAY AND GET ME MY LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO FILE TWO YEARS AGO!!!!

Is it really that hard? Is it really THAT hard to do what we say we are going to do?

Live a little and actually DO what you SAY. I need to start on my summer tan ASAP.

Ode to Sushi: 2 Haikus

Red Raw Fish Yummy
Rice Rolled Up Seaweed Sticky
Eat and Eat til Full.

Spicy tuna good.
Soy sauce, dishes, chopsticks, crab.
Vegas, crunchy, best.

You Really Don't Want to Put This On Your Skin!/Life Update

Friends and Family of Me/Consumers: Be on high alert for the following ingredients in your beauty-related/hygiene products:

1. COAL TAR: Used in dandruff shampoos and anti-itch creams. Is a known carcinogen (any substance or agent that tends to produce a cancer ). Coal-tar based dyes such as FD&C Blue 1, used in toothpastes, and FD&C Green 3, used in mouthwash, should be avoided.

2. FRAGRANCE: used to conceal hundreds of ingredients, including phthlatates, which harm the endocrine system.

3. HYDROQUINONE: Found in skin lighteners and facial moisturizers, it's a neurotoxin (A toxin that damages or destroys nerve tissue) and is allergenic (A substance, such as pollen, that causes an allergy).

4. ALUMINUM: Used in eye shadows as a color additive. Also used in deodorants. Listed as carcinogenic, toxic, and mutagenic [capable of inducing mutation (used mainly of extracellular factors such as X-rays or chemical pollution)].

5. TRICLOSAN: Used in almost all anti-bacterical products, including soap, toothpaste, cosmetics. Often contaminated with dioxins, which are highly carcinogenic.

6. P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE: Found in regular hair dye. Can damage nervous system, cause lung irritation and severe allergic reactions. Listed as: 1,4-Benzenediamine; p-Phenyldiamine; 4-Phenylenediamine.

7. LEAD AND MERCURY: Lead can appear in toothpaste as a naturally occurring contaminant of hydrated silica. Is a neurotoxin. Mercury is found in cosmetic preservative thimerosol.

If in doubt about a particular product you own, visit www.safecosmetics.org which has a database you can search by typing in your product.

SOURCES:"Gorgeously Green" by Sophie Uliano, Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org), dictionary.com


UPDATE:

The Knabe side had a family reunion/Memorial service for my Grandpa Knabe over Memorial Day weekend. It was great to see everyone and I think it was the first time the whole family has been together since Christmas '94. My sister Kellie and I were able to sing "Be Still, My Soul" without any complications at the Memorial service. Good thing, since we only started practicing about 12 hours before we performed.

I had the privilege of playing lifeguard for the family BBQ at Uncle Don's house (Good luck Don at elections tomorrow for LA County Supervisor! You'll kick butt on that 19 year old girl and "Dr. J"), where I bonded with Drew, 4 yrs. (who is my favorite EVER and who I owe a movie night with!!!), who invited me to his 5th birthday party next year, Christy, 4 yrs, the most adorable little girl ever!, and Olivia, 2 yrs (sister of Chloe). And I had to keep an eye on Chloe, the most enthusiastic little 4 year old I have ever met, who was NOT afraid of the water slide or the deep end, kept giving Don and her mom minor heart attacks and who I had to dive after many a time to keep her from the deep end/getting smashed by other swimmers at the bottom of the slide.

For Memorial Day, I went out on a family friend's boat with Curt, Svea, Matt, Briana, Chris, Steph and the kids around the canals in Long Beach... beautiful day, beautiful water! Pictures to follow soon.

As for now, I am just working at Victoria's Secret and about to start as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and water aerobics teacher... at least I'll get my tan back this summer!

I can't wait to go to the dog beach with Diane, Carol, and the girls, Nora and Peanut. It's very therapeutic.

I need a girls weekend at the beach with Tawnie again ASAP.

The Most Immediate and Efficient Way To Help Survivors in China and Myanmar (Burma)

Monday May 12, 2008 was a day of destruction and devastation in Southeast China. They were hit with a 7.9 magnitude earthquake. The latest death toll estimates are as high as 50,000 (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24642170/). Thousands more are homeless and stranded in remote mountain villages.


You can donate to many charities and rescue organizations to help the victims of this earthquake. The best place to donate (and by "best", I mean what percentage of your donation actually helps those you donate to) is through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The people who run this organization are paid by the Church, not from percentages of donations, so 100% of your donation goes to those who need help. The Church Humanitarian Services are usually the first to arrive with supplies to disaster areas in the world. We were one of the first to arrive with fresh water and food in Myanmar and China. Visit http://www.lds.org/ldsfoundation to donate online, right now. This is the easiest way to give immediate help to those suffering in China and Myanmar. Not only have they lost all their material possessions and homes, but many have lost their families. Weather has also hindered rescue efforts, and the death toll in Myanmar is now estimated at 78, 000 (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080516/ap_on_re_as/myanmar).

I can't imagine a huge earthquake or cyclone in California, killing over 25,000 people. It breaks my heart to see the destruction and homeless casualties of these natural disasters.

If you have the resources, help any way you can. Give up a night out to dinner, or a new pair of shoes. They need our help more than you or I need to eat out, or complete an outfit.

I have an aunt and a cousin from China, so I take a special interest in what happens over there. I have watched many news clips and read many articles on the earthquake. I hope that if you read this blog, it isn't the first time you are reading about the earthquake.

If you have the time, go to MSNBC.com and watch this video on the earthquake and survivors in China.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24650541#24650541

I BELIEVE

I believe in:

1. "Going Green"
2. Not eating fast food. Or red meat. Or pork. Or partially hydrogenated oils, except when it's in Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
3. Wearing red nail polish.
4. Therapy.
5. Facials and Massages.
6. Dancing With the Stars/American Idol/America's Next Top Model.
7. Wearing cute shoes even when they hurt.
8. Looking pretty for no one but myself.
9. Reading and expanding my knowledge daily.
10. Watching the news so I know what is happening in the world (Unlike Tawnie, who, bless her heart, found out about the writer's strike that started in November, in February, from me during a phone convo, when she asked why The Office didn't have any new episodes and she would faithfully turn on the TV every Thursday from December-Feb., hoping for a new episode).
11. My religion.
12. Owning a Storm Red Metallic Mercedes CLK350 Cabriolet
13. Volunteering for those less fortunate so I can stop being so self-involved and realize there are people who have more problems than I do.
14. Actually volunteering and not just saying "I volunteer". (EX: I just signed up to be a patient companion for Hospice).
15. Getting my chocolate fix. And homemade Cream Puff fix.
16. The Little Mermaid.
17. Saving money.
18. Spending money.
19. MY BEST FRIEND: Annie, our Australian Terrier
20. Running on the bluffs in Bakersfield.
21. THE BEACH.
22. Having a fantastic broadcasting career.
23. "Me" time.
24. Good friends who get you through the day: Tawnie, Diane, Brooke, Britt, Monica, Jocelyn.
25. Cleaning to relax.
26. MY I-POD (and i-Tunes... and fantastic playlists with fantastic names)
27. Fiber-One Cereal with a little bit of Honey Nut Cheerios. Mmmmmmm.
28. Victoria's Secret and Banana Republic, but only because I work there and get amazing discounts.
29. JOHN LEGEND.
30. Salsa Dancing.
31. Making goals, writing them down, posting them on the wall to read every day.
32. Day-planners.
33. Gold jewelry.
34. Contemplating becoming a minimalist.
35. Making lists.
36. YOGA. In the morning right when I wake up and at night before I go to sleep.
37. Keeping a journal.
38. New York City life.
39. Never looking back.
40. Learning from my mistakes.
41. Gardening (weed whacking is my fav.)
42. Attempting to cut back on TV but not quite doing it because right as Dancing with the Stars ends, So You Think You Can Dance? starts.
43. The LAKERS. NEVER THE JAZZ. I hate them. I do not believe in them and never will. EVER. The only reason I KIND of liked them before was because they had Derek Fisher, who has since returned to the best team ever.
44. Sports Center (ESPN... I've WORKED for ESPN before. So I can say it ["I believe in Sports Center"] and mean it).
45. Eating sushi once a week. At least.
46. Keeping in touch with friends and family.
47. Singing in the car.
48. Late night phone conversations.
49. Living where I want to when I grow up (living on the Mountaingate Country Club in Los Angeles, CA, plus owning a condo in Newport Beach, even though there if there was a huge tsunami it would destroy my home and probably me. Maybe I should invest in a Helicopter?)
50. Reading political memoirs.

Wish Lists: A Temporary Fix for Those of Us Afflicted with the Impulse to Shop

It's unbelieveable. It's the best feeling in the world. I can't describe the feeling of elation each time I purchase an item of clothing, a pair of shoes, or a great piece of jewelry. It's inconceivable that a single purchase can bring me so much bliss. I walk away from with that bag in my hand, convinced that my wardrobe or shoe collection is complete, and that I won't ever have to shop again. And that lasts about... 3 days.

And with these inescapable impulses to purchase that "IT" item, I have spent too much money in my life on shopping, coming dangerously close to being in "the red", and dangerously close to calling my daddy to bail me out. Yes, I am aware that makes me sound like a spoiled brat. And I am ashamed to admit that I used to even think of my dad as an option to bear my money burdens from my careless addiction.

Oh the plus side, in recent months I have been phenomenal at saving money and staying in "the black", and NOT SHOPPING. But, sadly, only because it was a "do or get thrown out of your house and die" situation. And I have a car bill to pay. But those cravings still come every now and then, in full force, and I can't do anything about it.

Or can I?

Thanks to the internet, I have found something to help that somewhat abominable impulse:

WISH LISTS.

Most clothing and shoe websites have these wish lists, where you can create an account, and add items you see and like to your list. You don't actually buy what is on the list, but it saves your favorite items for you to look at over and over again, as much as you like.

It's almost as good as buying the clothing, and it temporarily staves off my craving to purchase something new. By clicking the "Add to Wish List" link, I get a small feeling of delectation, a promise of what the future might bring, if I ever have surplus money to spend, as I so, quite often, longingly yearn to have.

For those of you who are probably wondering: I am NOT a credit card harlot, and I am not in any sort of major debt. I don't owe thousands of dollars, and most of my purchases are under $100. Sometimes even under $10. Money that is NOT credit. So take back those condemnatory thoughts that I am reckless and irresponsible and not thinking about my future.

My name is Tracie, and I am a responsible Shopaholic.