In Which I Binge

Here's a secret: I listen to Spotify when I'm at work.  Okay, that's not a secret--here's the secret part: I almost always put it on private just so people can't see how many times I listen to the same things.  

(It's unfortunate that play counts don't appear on Spotify because I like knowing just how insane I am with the repeat button.)

Since lately I have taken to blogging about completely useless bits of "information", it seems entirely appropriate to blog about some of my recent binges.  And just to make it a little more interesting ("interesting"), it's not just music.  Let us proceed!

Hurts Like Heaven - Coldplay


I'm still binging on all of Mylo Xyloto but this has been my favorite by far recently.  The best part of any run is when this song pops up.  Sometimes I resort to mentally hounding my iPod until it plays (it totally works).     

You & a Promise - Howie Day (a name I feel stupid writing every time [Sorry, Howies of the world])


This is just a small part of my binging on every Howie Day song in existence on Spotify.  It's so hard to pick a favorite, but this one was my first favorite.  *ramble*

(Sorry for the barfy video)

You Won't Feel a Thing - The Script


Truth be told, I had never heard of these fellows until last month.  But, well, let's just say we're very well acquainted now.  They get bonus points for being Irish.

Les Mis 

Well.  It only took me fifteen years but I guess I like Les Mis now.  I blame Alfie Boe entirely for this, and more specifically I blame Alfie Boe singing this, a song I have spent most of my life despising:


I just love his little bearded face.

Cadbury Eggs

I mean...does this NEED any explanation?  

(Does anyone else think the filling used to be runnier?  Or maybe it seemed runnier because I was a mere child then and didn't know it's best to just cram it all in your mouth at once.  Did I just admit that to the world?)

Creature Comforts 

Drewbles gets the credit for us watching these.  The premise is that everyday people are interviewed around the country on any number of subjects and then the interview audio is set to claymations with various animals (the same interviewee is always the same animal).  It started in the UK, with two seasons, and then there's an American version that was one (seven episode) season.  I think the US version is more outright funny, maybe because Americans are more prone to say ridiculous things, I don't know, but the UK version has its own gems.  The American version is on Netflix instant so what are you waiting for?  Binge away!

An Impressive Cake

I'm sure the Internet at large has been waiting with bated breath to learn how to make my patented Oreo cake.  Wait no more, Internet at large!  Now you too can amaze the world with your cake making skills.

 Bonus hint: it helps if your candle levitates.

A Theory

I figured out why Tyra Banks is so weird--she's from The Capitol.  How else to explain the many different hairstyles, the jumpsuits and the general insanity of Modelland?  She probably thinks of ANTM as her own Hunger Games, in which she plays the role of Effie Trinket. 

 

 

And really, there's no other way to explain this:

Right?

(Gifs from here)

Some Pictures of Some Stuff

I am a coughing invalid today.  I got the black lung, Pop.  So here, have a blog post.  These are some things that have happened in the last week or so:

 There was this madness.  There was also the madness of us running in it. 

I made this happen.

 This happened!  I made it for Easter dinner with Drew's family, which was also his sister's birthday.  Now that I haven't had a cake collapse in months, I will take most any opportunity to try a new one.  

 

It's a strawberry-lime cream cake and it was delicious!  Four layers of cakey creamy tastiness.  I added little decorative lime slices to it later but didn't take another picture. 

Speaking of cakes, I made the strawberry cake again for Drewbles's birthday, but swapped out the strawberry frosting for chocolate cream cheese frosting.  (I was going for a chocolate-covered strawberry effect)  So, that happened too.  

Also, this happened.   

I write like
Stephen King

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

I guess that's what comes from a lifetime of reading Carrie and only writing about things like dismemberment and death.  Oh wait, I mean I guess that's what comes from a seeing the end of Shawshank Redemption at least a dozen times on TV. 

*cough cough*

Yes Please

Okay, so I'm not technically on Pinterest, but I understand how it works.  In theory.  Basically, I write a blog post tutorial about something really awesome that I created and then it sets fire to the Internet via manic pinning.  Well, friends, I finally have an awesome, Internet-set-firing tutorial.  Have you been wondering how to make a birthday for a special someone extra special?  The answer is this: 

A paper crown!  How is this new devilry accomplished?  Here, let me show you. 

The first (and most important) step is to not make the crown until the last minute, preferably the last thing you do before bed.  This way you can say you live your life with spontaneity.

Secondly, don't buy anything special for the crown.  Just grab some paper you've had sitting around for years months.  Gather your supplies in another room and get ready to make a mess.  It's best if the victim object of your crown is in the next room, totally aware that you're doing something crafty--heighten the suspense!

Third, fold your paper in half.  Be sure to match up the corners and make a super neat fold, just like you learned in first grade.  This project is all about perfection in the details!  

Fourthly, cut out triangle shapes from the folded edge to create the crown effect.  Be sure your shapes aren't TOO even--in fact, make them kind of jagged and weird.  After all, you want your special someone to know that you made this yourself. 

Fifth, since you haven't measured your special person's head, assume that the two slips of vaguely crown-shaped papers will be long enough.  But just in case, tape the two pieces together with the barest bit of overlap, for maximum size.  Commence crossing your fingers because you don't want it to look SILLY for heaven's sake.

Now for the fun part: decorating!  Of course you'll want to use highlighter markers, for the maximum "What does it say?" effect.  You can write and draw whatever comes to mind!  Don't think about it too long though because it's late and you want to get to bed.

Et voila!  Your crown is done and it's fit for a king with a gold shortage.  The next day you can cram it onto your special someone's head and, naturally, they will be delighted and praise your craftiness.

Stay tuned for my Oreo cake tutorial!