Fourth (ish) of July Friday

This one feels hard to write.  Not because the Fourth of July is particularly sentimental or some such, but because SO MANY ideas came to me when I was on my way to work and “Hot for Teacher” by Van Halen started playing on my iPod.

Do I take the most appropriate (and frankly, super obvious) approach of talking about our history and all of the fore-fathery stuff?

Do I say something politely patriotic?

OR

Do I talk about the things that I love most about what we have available to us here in the US?

In no particular order, and certainly not limited to these items below, this is what I love about the place I live.  And I recommend you absorb every single thing on the list.

Independence Day – The movie from the great year of 1996.  Take time to savor the scene right after Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum destroy the aliens when they strut across the Salt Flats in Nevada smoking cigars.

Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen – Just try and tell me this isn’t one of the best albums ever.  Actually don’t.  You’re entitled to your wrong opinion.

Captain America – Let’s be clear.  I’m talking about the comic book hero.  The movie was great and all, but Cap looks best in print.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – one of the loveliest books I ever read in my American Lit. class. 

Mark Twain and Walt Whitman – crazypants authors who shocked people at every opportunity.  Incidentally, July 4^th is also Tom Sawyer Fence Painting Day.

Van Halen – What is more American than a band that has dramatic break ups, reunions, and really really loud drum solos?

Image from here.

Happy First Day of Summer Friday!

Wednesday was the first day of Summer!

I firmly believe that there are few better places to be in the summer than Portland.  Having spent big parts of my childhood in the Chicago suburbs where the humidity during the summers smashed you flat against the sidewalk, summer here always feels like a big, wonderful, blue sky-filled breath.

Now, admittedly, as I write this, it’s cloudy and kind of sad out, but Wednesday was 80ish degrees.

So I’m going to do some suggesting for all of us to take advantage of the UH-MAY-ZING things that happen in our lovely hometown (or adopted hometown, as the case may be).

Movies in the Park – which start next Friday

Trek in the Park – totally nerdy, but super funny and a great crowd attends

Shakespeare in the Park – this year it’s Hamlet, which is one of my least favorites of the Bard’s plays because he’s such a whiney fool, but still.

Brew Fest – 25^th anniversary this year, which is kind of cool.  And usually the weather is lovely.

Concerts in the Park – Some of these are a little more my parents’ flavor, but you know.  probably lovely.

Sand in the City – The beach.  In the city.  And for a good cause.

Also, in general, the Portland Art Museum has free admission the fourth Friday of every month and there is a Farmers Market in NW Portland on Thursday afternoon evenings-ish.

Image from here.

Happy 90's Music Friday!

Hello Friday Lovers!

Even though I was born in the 80’s, I am, without a doubt, a child of the 90’s.  My favorite color is flannel.  My favorite band will probably always be Third Eye Blind.  Secretly, I think Val Kilmer was a pretty good Batman.  And let’s be honest, the two best, most relatable movies ever are Reality Bites and 10 Things I Hate About You.

Recently, I’ve been back on a 90’s music kick. (ok, fine, I’m always on a 90’s music kick.  All the good music stopped in 2000).  And I have created the world’s greatest 90’s music playlist.  In the midst of clicking “add to on the go” a couple hundred times, I came across a few gems that I had to share with my Friday Friends.

Pick your favorites.  Watch.  Listen.  Enjoy.  And believe me when I tell you that your favorite Friday-er was the best flannel-and-torn-up-jeans wearer ever.

Peaches by the Presidents of the United States of America

No Rain by Blind Melon

Steal My Sunshine by Len

Buddy Holly by Weezer

I Will Remember You by Sarah McLachlan

Wear Sunscreen by Baz Luhrmann

Image  from here

Sing-a-Long Friday

Today, my Friday Friends, I’d like to do some advocating.  I am advocating for Sing-alongs.

We live in a weird city (thank goodness).

Between Cinema 21 and the Hollywood Theatre, there are just about 10 million sing-alongs throughout the year.  You know,10 million-ish.

Last year, I went to a Mary Poppins sing-along.  Last weekend, I attended a Hedwig and the Angry Inch sing-along.  For my birthday last year, I went to a Rocky Horror Picture Show “sing-along.”

I’d never claim to be a good singer.  But two things I am good at is dressing up in silly costumes and “singing” really loudly without feeling embarrassed.

This is one of the big reasons I love living in Portland.  The fact that I own a pair of sequined heels essentially for sing-along type events is mostly normal here (again, ish), and for this I am grateful.

I recommend attending a sing-along at least once in the coming months.  More tend to be scheduled as we get closer to summer, but the wait is worth it.  And if you ever need a “singing” buddy, you know where to find me.

Image from here.

UPDATE: How was my New Year's Eve?

Apparently, New Year's Eve is the busiest time of year at the happiest place on earth.  A fact that we did not know when booking our trip.  The park was at capacity every day we were there (read: 85-90 thousand people).  Those of you who know my little idiosyncrasies know that I’m not for close contact with people I don’t know, so this was a bit overwhelming.

BUT

Disney has brought back Captain EO, which was one of the major highlights of my trip.

Overall, it's one of the best things I've ever done, worth every penny, minute, and bump in the crowd. I definitely plan on going again (at any time of year other than early January). 

Be happy and safe this year!

*image from here.

Happy Rex Manning Day Friday!

I am a lover of all things 90’s.  When plaid started coming back into style, I nearly passed out from excitement.  When Everclear (read: 1 of the original members) came to play in a small hole-in-the-wall bar in central Illinois during my senior year of college, I quite literally screamed after buying tickets.  When I feel like I really need to get into spreadsheet-level focus mode, I usually put on some loud grunge music.

When my friends and I discovered the glory that is Empire Records (on VHS), rented it, and watched it in the basement, we fell in love.

So we made an official tradition.  Rex Manning Day.  Every year on October 20^th (the date the movie was released), I still watch Empire Records, watch this, and remind myself not to dwell, not on Rex Manning Day!

*images from here and here

Happy Freddie Friday

Monday was Freddie Mercury’s birthday.  He was and still is one of my very favorite voices in the world of rock.  Queen reminds me of The Mighty Ducks and college football games. 

I’ve spend this week remembering horrible lip-syncing to the high notes in Bohemian Rhapsody (I just love those four faces singing in the dark).  And of hearing Under Pressure for the first time, then playing it 6 more times in a row.

A few months ago, I read a pretty amazing account of one kid’s love of Queen.  The graphic novel, Freddie and Me by Mike Dawson, is full of lovely art, fantastic story telling, and, for me, a very relatable love for a very talented man.

Happy belated Birthday Freddie. 

*Images from here and here