Sing it Bruce

To say my friend Poly is a huge Bruce Springsteen fan would be the understatement of the year. She's devoted, loyal, passionate, rabid. Yeah, that's more like it—rabid. Me, Ive always liked Bruce, but never quite dipped to devotion. When I rediscovered Asbury Park a few years ago, I was more than impressed, granted, but that's about as far as it went.

Then I heard "Girls in Their Summer Clothes" from his new CD Magic. At first I didn't even realize it was Bruce. Magic? Oh, it's magic, alright. It's dreamy, wistful, romantic and lovely, while simultaneously evoking the gritty sights, tastes and smells of the Jersey boardwalk in July. His voice is throaty and full like I haven't heard before. It dips and swells with the surf breeze. It's the stuff swoons are made of.

Now maybe this perfect song won't turn me into a Poly-approved devotee, but I dare say Bruce could sing that song over and over, any day of the year and I'd hang on every note.

> Here's a link to the video on youtube

She went away
She cut me like a knife
Hello beautiful thing
Maybe you could save my life
With just a glance
Down here on Magic Street
And the girls in their summer clothes
In the cool of the evening light
The girls in their summer clothes
Pass me by, pass me by

Leading lady material

Have you seen the movie "The Holiday" starring Kate Winslet? It's pure fluff, but I love it. I've seen it about six times, and every time it comes on cable, I get sucked in again. Buried deep in all the fluff is this one really poignant moment when Kate's character is weeping to her octogenarian friend Arthur about her cad ex-boyfriend for whom she desperately pines. Arthur says, "In every movie there's a leading lady and a best friend. You're leading lady material, but your acting like the best friend!"

Kate suddenly sees the light, and replies, "I should at least be the leading lady of my OWN LIFE!" Damn straight, Kate.

There are lots of us women out there who have let ourselves be treated over and over again like the best friend. I know I have. I could rattle off half a dozen guys who I fell for hard, who never intended to be in a committed relationship with me, but kept me around (flirted, called, hugged, maybe even swapped spit) because I was a devoted, loyal friend who made them feel handsome/sexy/desirable.

They're not all cads. Some of them truly mean well, but they just don't know how to resist letting a woman pine for them -- it's too flattering! And we help by letting them -- and probably by believing that "best friend" is all we deserve anyway.

Turn the tides, girls! Take back the star on your dressing room door, and think of those men as fans of YOURS instead of the other way around. They need you way more than you need them anyway! The man who appreciates your generosity properly will make you the priority you deserve to be.

Good Shopping Karma

How often do you put a store's sale on your calendar? And how often do you make a list of things to look for at that sale? And further, how often do you actually go to the sale, with your list and find everything on it? Dare I say, it's as rare as the Eagles in the Superbowl?

Yesterday was REI's member garage sale. I got there around 11am, though there had been people camped out overnight waiting for the doors to open (maybe I'll consider that someday when I can actually buy a kayak and other larger equipment). It was jammed. The line was long, but moving quickly. I felt a flush come over me as I considered the possibility that they would be all out of the stuff I was looking for.

But after a brief, yet worthwhile detour through the shoe section (where I scored two pairs of Keens for about 75% off), I found what I was looking for in the climbing section. I got the shoes and harness that were on my list, and they were both on sale!

I went prepared to spend $100 on the climbing shoes alone. Instead, I spent a little more than $100 on EVERYTHING!

So in two weeks when I go back to the rock climbing gym, I'll have my very own gear to break in... which excites me to no end! I guess the moral of the story is, sometimes it really pays to mark your calendar and make a list. At the same time, don't be so overly focused that you miss out on the detours!

Laws of Attraction

A friend recently encouraged me to read the book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. I was reluctant. It's been on Oprah, and it's on the best seller's list, and it's new-agey and I was sure it would be cheesy.

Turns out it is sort of cheesy, but once you get past the cheese, there's so much meat! The premise is that life's key (the secret) is the law of attraction. You attract your life with your thoughts and energy. So if you're constantly thinking about what can go wrong, you'll attract the bad stuff. But if you set your sites on what you really want, you'll attract it into your life.

Hardly a new concept, the secret. It's been around for eons, and the book talks about that. I remember exploring this concept in the early '90s when I was going to semi-regular meditation group. But if it's new to you, or if you're only just now ready to embrace the concept, its age is irrelevant. Now is what matters.

One of my favorite lines in the book is "the most important thing for you to know is that it's impossible to feel bad and at the same time be having good thoughts." I've been walking around with that in my head all week, and I've received more compliments and had more attention paid to me this week than I can remember in awhile! This stuff flows out of your pores.

I also like that it's inspiring me to truly envision the life I want. And further, to actually imagine what it would FEEL like to have that life. Try to imagine that you have it NOW and feel it. I was brought to tears the first time I tried it.

Ok, now I'm sounding new-agey. But that's ok. My feet are still planted firmly on the ground... but why not let my mind float a little? It feels good to feel good.

This is the Year of Pinpoint Aim

I get the Free Will Astrology e-newsletter by Rob Brezsny every week. It's not like me, because I've never really been a horoscope reader. But week after week (even year after year), it's amazing how spot-on it is. Rob seems to know what's on my mind, and his predictions and assignments speak to my personal journey! This week's was so stunning, I had to share it... partly so I can keep re-reading it. It's incredibly inspirational and hits the bullseye of what I want for myself this year. Thanks Rob!!

Aries Horoscope for week of January 17, 2008

I urge you to spend 2008 turning all of your pretty good but half-developed
notions into a few brilliant, fully formed ideas. While you're at it, melt down
your hundreds of wishy-washy wishes and recast them into three driving desires.
This is the Year of Pinpoint Aim, Aries, also known as the Year of Lasering Your
Focus and the Year of Seeing with Fierce Clarity. Psyche yourself up for a major
campaign to cut the crap so the essence can shine.

My new friend the WindStopper

I recently splurged on the Women's WindStopper SYNC Jacket by EMS that has turned out to be one of the best clothing purchases I've ever made! EMS emailed me an invitation to review it, so I figured I'd reprint it here:

Unexpected Features Make it Even Better

I live near the Cooper River in NJ, and there's a terrific 4 mile loop around it that I walk several times a week. It gets pretty windy in the fall/winter, so buying this jacket was the end of my "it's too windy" excuse for braving the colder months!
And what's even better are the little unexpected details:

-- The underarm zipper vents allow me to cool down if I get sweaty without unzipping the front, exposing my chest.

-- The zippered arm pocket which is perfect for my iPod.

-- The little zippered pocket inside the hip pocket so I can secure my keys without closing the whole pocket.

-- The extra sleeve length tucks easily into my gloves.

This is a GREAT jacket and I have been raving about ever since it arrived.

Waiting for the Eagles to fly

The Philadelphia Eagles' season only ended a week and a half ago, and I'm already anxiously awaiting the 2008 season. This year was painfully ... painful. But next year could be amazing. Seriously.

As long as McNabb and Westbrook stay healthy, that's at least half the battle. The other half has many parts, including acquiring some new offensive weapons, remaking the special teams and more consistently aggressive play calling.

It was so frustrating to see the team play better than their record suggested week after week after week. Their stats were generally good, but somehow the boys just lacked the focus to win. A few points here and there, and we'd still be fighting in the post-season.

I'm partial to Donovan McNabb. He's the biggest reason I love the team so much. So the main reason I'd like to see us go all the way is so he can retire with one of those coveted rings on his hand! He truly deserves one. It would look good on him!

There's no doubt in my mind those Birds will at least go to the playoffs next year. As for the you-know-what, we'll have to wait and see.

2007's Bests & Favorites

In my opinion:

Best New TV: Man vs. Wild (favorite episode is the one where Bear catches a salmon in a stream, and takes a raw bite while it's still wriggling in his hands -- now THAT's sushi!)
Best Reality TV: Survivor (it never gets old)
Best Drama TV: ER (ok, maybe it's old, but I still LOVE it)
Best Comedy TV: The Office (I've never been so delighted to cringe, and that Steve Carell is swoon-a-rific)

Best Movie(s): Once (heartbreaking romance and music); La Vie en Rose (I cried from how beautifully acted it was); Juno (refreshing and lovely and inspiring)
Best Netflix: Big Love, season 1 (Mormon fundamentalists on TV? Righteous!)

Most satisfying album: Raising Sand by Alison Kraus & Robert Palmer
(download "Gone Gone Gone")
Dirtiest single (in a good way): Icky Thump by The White Stripes
Coolest new discoveries: Dr. Dog (download "Worst Trip"); and Lily Allen (download "Smile")

Jewelry trend: huge rings (bigger is definitely better)

Favorite dessert: Tres Leches cake at Casona in Collingswood
Favorite entree: Pulled pork with peanut bbq sauce at Tortilla Press in Collingswood

Best concert: Soweto Gospel Choir in Verizon Hall (they come back next year, and I can't suggest strongly enough that you DON'T MISS IT)
Best theater: Wicked at the Academy of Music (gotta love a good prequel)