Upbeat Playlist

Upbeat Tunes November 2012 from goshgeegolly on 8tracks Radio.

My friend Debie said yesterday,"I noticed you have not been updating your blog everyday. As a devoted reader, I demand answers."

She's right, of course. I was writing checks my butt couldn't cash.

When I said everyday, I actually meant every weekday. Or rather, every Tuesday and some Fridays.

In penance, I give you a fun Friday playlist. Some background: last year for Christmas, I gave Joe a Shuffle mp3 player and promised I would make him playlists every month, which I managed to do, more or less.

Months into this project, I discovered that Joe only listened to his Shuffle while working out. Hence, he would skip every song that wasn't "upbeat." I had no idea, so I was just putting songs I dig on there. Like Joanna Newsom's "Baby Birch," an 8 minute harp song rumored to be about abortion. So good, I just listen to that song on repeat and weep. But apparently it isn't the best soundtrack for working out.

A lot of the music I like is what Debie deems "sleepytime music." So for this playlist, I tried to go outside the box and choose music that Joe might actually like: "Upbeat music." Which in my brain translates to a mix with a bit of electronica, some indie, and way more top 40 rap and stripper anthems than you might expect. Hope you enjoy!

Turkey Day

Thanksgiving Dinner, 2012

Norman Rockwell meets 2012. Don't worry, this picture is staged. We did talk to each other, instead of staring at our respective smartphones at the dinner table. When you see your parents semi-successfully navigating Android phones, doesn't it make you feel like we are truly in a brave new world?

As for the dinner itself, my brother smoked the turkey outside on the grill, while my mom labored over the sides. In accordance with tradition, I made a mess hall's worth of mashed potatoes. Mostly for myself. It's my favorite food after all.

Other than that, I didn't do too much work. I showed Joe my room at my parents' house, untouched since my teen years. Which means the creepy White Stripes poster is still on the wall and there are stuffed animals everywhere. "Look, I'll show you all the stuffed animals I treasured as a child," I said to Joe, gesturing at an entire bookcase of teddy bears and Beanie Babies.

"Please no," he said, with true fear in his eyes. Then he relented. "Maybe just the most important one or two."

"Well, they all have a long and complicated backstory," I said.

Hope everyone had a delicious dinner and a restful holiday weekend! And I hope your turkey was as gorgeous as this bird!

Tunes Tuesday, "Candles," Daughter

A quiet heartbreaker from the British singer dubbed Daughter. Her stage name is practically un-Googleable, but you won't forget her voice. So pretty.  All her music is this gorgeous.

Along those same lines, have you heard "Love is Won" by Lia Ices? It was used to great effect in Girls.  I love Lena Dunham and enjoyed the show, but Hannah hit a little close to home for me. Wants to be a writer, delusions of grandeur, check and check. No Adam for me though, thankfully.

Weekend Notes

This is the DC Miso ramen from Sakuramen, Adams Morgans' answer to Toki Underground. Do you see why it's DC-inspired? I'll give you a minute.

OK, time's up. The pork belly is the reflecting pool, there's a Washington Monument, and the little radish is a cherry blossom. How cute, huh? My waiter explained all of this to me, or else I would've just devoured it without noticing.

So besides a ramen trip, this weekend I helped set up for a photoshoot that my company is working on today, went to two of my roommate's yoga classes, visited Buffalo Billiards twice in one weekend which is strange. I also went to LIV's Fatback dance party, a soul/funk/oldies/90s party where people dance like crazy. After all these years, it's still fun and still crazy crowded! I ended up dancing next to a former coworker, which is always funny. He was there for the same birthday party that brought me there too.

Also filed under coincidences/birthday parties, on Friday I headed to my friend Carolyn's surprise party at Buffalo Billiards. The bus took forever to show up at the bus stop, and there was only one other guy standing next to me waiting. He was carrying a large sheet cake. I get to the party after eating a quick dinner, and there's that same guy. We were both heading to the same place! I saw him and thought immediately, "Awesome, there will be cake."

Kate Getting Married

Photos courtesy of Lauren C.!

Last Friday, my friend and wonderful college roommate Kate married the love of her life, Dan, in such a beautiful setting. Who knew that the ruins of a 18th century gristmill in Powatan, Virginia would go on to have such a robust life as a wedding venue?  I heart the string lights over the ruins. They are so beautiful and a really nice touch.

Our friend Tori gave us a quick synopsis of the history of the site as we walked to the ceremony. She said it was owned by a relative of Thomas Jefferson and we joked it was his brother Jeffrey "Jeff" Jefferson.

Anyway, Kate and Dan were so happy, the food was awesome, and the DJ did a great job —and may the record note that that he played "Gangnam Style not once, but twice!