My Dad, the Blogger

Many of my friends have heard me talk about my dad. Some are even his friends on Facebook! Yes, my dad is on Facebook. And no, I'm not creeped out by it like some kids are of their parents. A big reason is that my dad still thinks he's in high school and/or college a lot of the time. He does fireworks in the back yard, goes fishing and hunting with his friends for weekend get-a-ways, and dresses like most of the frat-stars you encounter in any college setting. Not to mention he is one amazing cook - chili and grilled ANYTHING are his specialities. Maybe I'm biased because I've grown up on his cooking, but seriously, good food.

Earlier this afternoon, my dad called to tell me he loves reading my blog and ask me a few questions about how to set his own up. Not only does my dad have a Facebook, now he has a blog. He's been a free-lance writer for one of the magazines in town a few times and those articles were hilarious. As he figures out how blogging works (and after I set him up with a better background haha), I'm sure you all will see why I love my dad SO much!

My dad and me 4-wheeling, 1996

Favorite Friday

It's not so much a favorite Friday as a "I'm currently more-than-slightly obsessed with" Friday: Tori Spelling.

Tori and Dean with their kids Liam and Stella

My mom got me hooked on Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood on Oxygen a few months ago, a TV show following Tori and Dean and their children and friends through random, every-day life. After watching about a season a half of their show and seeing Tori go on book tours, I decided to finally start reading her books! This week I finished sTori Telling, her first book about growing up as daughter of TV mogul Aaron Spelling, starting her life as an actor, her first marriage, and meeting Dean.

Tori is seriously hilarious. I found myself laughing intensely at least once a chapter. She starts with growing up with the parties, the ridiculous Halloween costumes, and the Madame Alexander dolls she received as birthday gifts (every year which led to a doll museum in the Spelling Mansion which is now for sale - and has been). She goes through her life with auditions, living under the Spelling name, and finally falling in love (or falling in love with the idea of falling in love). It's really a great book and a light, easy read. I'm a slow reader and I think it only took me a few days to finish. I'm anxious to finish my current read (Someday My Prince Will Come by Jerramy Fine) so I can get on to her next books: Mommywood and Unchartered TerriTori.

For those of you on Twitter interested in Tori Spelling and her precious family, follow her here. A few months ago, she (or Dean) started a Twitter for their son Liam to tweet some of the funny things he says but it hasn't been updated, but you can find it here.

If It's Not Broke...

There's an old saying: if it's not broke, DON'T FIX IT. In the past few months there have been a random group of companies changing up their logos. Why? God only knows.

Gap was the first, or the first that I'm aware of, October last year. The former (and still current because of the backlash from the new) logo was/is CLASSIC. A navy box with GAP written in a serif font. Everyone knows when they see a navy box, it's Gap. However, someone who had probably been using photoshop for about a week decided to come up with this and for some strange reason, Gap loved it. Everyone else? Not so much. Not even close.

When Gap leaked their new logo out for the masses, the reaction was astonishing. To Gap. I don't know a single person that liked it, personally. I hate it. The old (and still current, thank God) wasn't broke, so why'd they try to fix it?

A month later, Urban Outfitters declared a new logo. Since I've been to Urban a total of maybe 5 times in my life, I'm not as familiar with the old logo (thus I can't describe it off the top of my head, like Gap), but I believe it was something like this:

To me, like Gap's, this is classic. It's simple, you know the store's name pretty immediately. However, just a short month (almost to the day) after Gap's unsuccessful redesign, Urban came out with this and while it's not nearly as bad as Gap's, it's still not the best. It looks like I made it in Word with the word art function. When I was 14.

Now I know Starbucks has redone their logo, but all they've done is zoomed in on what's in existence and removed the words. Not to mention, I kind of like it. No, you don't actually READ that it's Starbucks, but I think they've been around long enough, most people recognize the little green mermaid.

Today, NBC/Universal announced a logo change. No more peacock. Am I the only one that loved the cute little peacock? He's (or she's) presh and brightly colored which is always fun. But today this beauty (read sarcastically) was released.

Yes, it's more simple than the rainbow peacock, but I'm pretty sure they've used the peacock long enough that everyone says, "Hey, NBC!" when they see it. Maybe they did it to incorporate Universal more in the corporate branding, and from what I hear the peacock isn't disappearing from TV, but still. I just don't understand.

If it's not broke, DON'T FIX IT. What are your guys' thoughts?

Who Knew?

Who knew that at 22 you could be so old? I went to the doctor last week and they decided to take some blood. Now let me tell you, I am SO not a fan of having my blood taken. When I was 14 I passed out after they pricked my finger and ever since it's been an ordeal for me when I go to the doctor and they take blood. I've been lucky that in the past few years they haven't had to take blood, and since I don't donate blood (due to the passing out), I haven't had it taken from my arm, aka the big kid way. So Thursday was my first experience and being pale definitely came in handy as well as the fact that I got really lucky with the lady that did it. She kept me distracted and talking about how I want a dog, dogs with diabetes, etc. I didn't pass out, but I did feel yucky. Well, they've discovered some new things about me because of this.

I'm anemic! Yay (sarcasm). So now I'm on the quest for an adult vitamin, with iron, that isn't ginormous. The big reason I didn't graduate to an adult vitamin when I was too old for kid vitamins is because adult ones are all HUGE. Seriously. But this is probably an explanation for why my body reacts the way it does when I have blood taken, which I guess, is nice to know. However, I'm not looking forward to going to this new doctor where they will again take my blood the big kid way.

I have border-line low thyroid... ism? I don't really know how to phrase that, but basically this is probably why I'm always so tired. And the tiredness is probably why I feel like I've been super sensitive to random things around me in the past few months (I mean in addition to being stressed out about the big girl job search).

And as for the big girl job search, I'll update you tomorrow - I don't want to jinx anything today. But this weekend it hit me how ready I am to move out and have my own routine (a real one, not this unemployed routine) and organize my stuff because right now I don't know where half of my stuff is because it's been packed since May.

So basically, I'm old at 22, I'm ready to move out and get a puppy (because I found the most perfect one last week), and someone needs to hire me. Welcome to GrownUpLand...?

Favorite Friday

We're in a Glee draught, so when E! tweeted about the upcoming "Thriller/Heads Will Roll" mash-up not being half bad, I HAD to listen! I didn't even know this mash-up was coming so as an MJ fan and a Yeah Yeah Yeahs fan, I'm pretty excited. Amazon says it'll be available Feb 8, so I'm assuming it'll be in the post-Super Bowl episode or right after.

Until then, just listen to Thriller and Heads Will Roll separately and imagine the awesomeness to come.

In My Dreams

In my dreams, this is how I dance. I wish I could dance like this in real life.




This group made it through to the finals on Live to Dance...

What the Hell

I saw this on iTunes a few nights ago in the top downloaded songs and then I heard it on the radio the next day or so and it's safe to say I'm a little obsessed. Avril Lavigne seems to always understand me when she releases a new album and with this song being so awesome, I can't wait for the rest of this album.



What do you guys think? Love it, hate it, not sure about it?

Favorite Friday

I'm at a loss for a good Favorite Friday, so since I started my week with Garrett Hedlund in Tron and I just got home from seeing Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader, I thought I'd share one of my favorite leading men. Shallow? Yes. But, I know I'm not the only one who rediscovered their love of Ben Barnes as Prince Caspian. Seriously, can I meet him? These past two years have done him some good. And that scruff looks mighty fine on him.

Ben Barnes as Caspian in Prince Caspian, premiered in 2008.

Very nice.

Ben Barnes as Caspian in Dawn Treader, premiered in 2010.

See that scruff?

This has been your shallow favorite Friday.

Quote of the Moment

It's probably on every girl's facebook somewhere, but it's exactly how I feel right now and I need it out there.

"I'm selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best" - Marilyn Monroe

Introducing, Jessica!

One of my sweet friends just started her own blog over at LiveJournal! All she's got up right now is an intro post about her, but I'm positive her future posts will be a good read!

Jessica and I have known each other since first grade. Yes, that's right, since we were 6/7-years-old. We've been friends since we were 10/11-years-old. Jessica is one of those girls that I can always rely on if I need to vent or just have a good laugh.

This picture is of Jessica and me almost EXACTLY 3 years ago. I think the flash got covered up by the photog which is why the color is slightly off and despite my wearing glasses due to the amoeba incident, it's definitely one of my favorite pictures of us.

Without further ado, here's Jessica!

Cool.

Back on the job hunt after being lead on for two months is cool. Let me know if you hear of anything, it's greatly appreciated. Got a fairly good lead I'll be working on tonight, but with my luck, who knows.

New Look and Britney!

Britney Spears and Lady Gaga have BOTH promised new albums in the coming months and I couldn't be more excited! BritBrit's new single was supposed to be released today, but was leaked a day early and I'm a little obsessed. It's not her best by any means, but it makes me want to dance so I say it achieves her purpose. It's fun and I can't wait for more singles from her and Gaga's singles/album later!

Hold It Against Me - Britney Spears


Oh and what do you guys think of the new look?

A 90-Year-Old's Advice

I got this in an e-mail from my mom the other day and loved it. Thought I'd share...


Written by a 90 year old
This is something we should all read at least once a week!!!!! Make
sure you read to the end!!!!!!
Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio.

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught
me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.”
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Favorite Friday

Ok, I really tried not to make my Favorite Friday TCU related this week since all of my posts this week (and probably last week too) were so TCU heavy, but I just found this on SpitBlood, a TCU sports blog and had to share!

This week's Favorite Friday is a live view of the renovations to Amon G. Carter Stadium! It's awesome! They've cleared out what was the top of the west side and they've got posts up for the south end zone expansion. I'll definitely be adding this to my daily repetoire (macbook says this is misspelled but I honestly have NO idea how to spell it correctly) of websites I visit. Enjoy!

Surprisingly Good Article from Texas Monthly

Texas Monthly, with its headquarters in Austin, Texas, take pride in being full supporters of the University of Texas, which is all fine and dandy, however, they pay very little attention to the other major schools in the state. As Texas has had an off year and TCU has just completed what can only be called a stellar year, a TCU alum at the magazine has written this lovely article: Rose to the Occasion. Although I hate that it's only coming because they won the Rose Bowl and not because TCU is actually a good football team (shocker, right?), I'm glad they're getting the recognition much deserved.

Happy New Year!

Happy 2011, followers! I hope you all had a great first few days of 2011, I know I have!

In case you've been living under a rock or are not a sports person, TCU WON THE FREAKIN' ROSE BOWL!!!

I've started uploading my photos to flickr so I can get them on my blog more easily in the future so here's my first test:

Saturday was a long and exciting day for me! I started by waking up at 4:40 am after a few hours of sleep to go to the Rose Parade. The floats were AMAZING. I can't explain how in awe I am that everything on those floats is flower-related. Flowers, seeds, rice, it's crazy! It's sooooo beautiful!
This is one of my favorite floats from the parade. It depicts one of America's greatest presidents, ronald Reagan throughout his life.

DSCI0112
Originally uploaded by FMKey88


After the parade, my mom and I walked back over to the buses and our caravan of buses had a police escort to the Rose Bowl. It was so surreal being there! I still can't believe we made it there AND WON! After hiking to the tailgate (on a golf course, swanky), we ate and I took some pictures with friends. We hiked back tot he stadium from the golf course and watched one of the coolest games I've ever watched. It comes SO close to the Utah 2009 game, but isn't quite as awesome. My mom said it's a different awesome, which is definitely true. After the game, we boarded the buses and headed back to the hotel where we ordered room service and passed out. Go frogs!