10 things I Lavaed about 2010

Fresno.  The year started out in a major way for me when my little blog 31 Days of Fresno took off.  I've met a bazillion cool folks through it, got some awesome TV, Newspaper, Radio and Blog time from it and more than anything really embraced my hometown even more than ever.  This freakin' city rules.  We may not be San Francisco or LA but we're Fresno, and we have our own flavor of awesome.

Lime Crime.  New cosmetics obsession for a new year.  I bought my first Lime Crime in March and I'm addicted.  Bright colors, dreamy fun.  Plus Doe Deere is a DOLL. 

Foreign Exchange.  Started working with World Heritage Student Exchange Programs in February and I've met some absolutely amazing people through the experience.  All of my host families are wonderful and welcoming and my students are so much fun.  I'm learning a ton (Like they don't have peanut butter in Russia!  What?!) and realizing that no matter where they're from the teenage experience is pretty universal.  That comforts me- we all have to go through it!  I am so lucky this fell into place for me and I look forward to meeting many, many more students and host families as the years go by. (and if you're interested in hosting hit me up!)

Forts. This has been the year of the fort in my house.  What started out as a few chairs with a blanket draped over it has become this massive feat of architecture where the sofa, recliners and blankets all come together to build a "Cary's House".  My kids are hilarious and even though they've completely wrecked one of the chairs irreparably it's been so fun that I almost don't die a little each time I notice the sagging arm rest.  Closely related- Newspaper Hats made a big splash with the terrible two this year.

Karaoke. What started as a girls night out on a whim has become the beacon of my week- if I can just make it through work I can have karaoke on Saturday nights.  More important than the song choice and the length of the rotation, though, are the friends I've made.  I'd be sunk without them, and I'd definitely not have any fun facebook profile pics.  In November I even took the show on the road and rocked the mic at Aurora and Chuck's Scorpio Birthday Blowout.  This was the first time I attempted costume changes and it was a great success.

Photo by Jennifer Emerling

Burlycise.  This year I really reformed my eating and fitness habits and have pressured the people I love (ie my derby team) to do the same.  I was even holding "Burlycise" workouts at my house for my teammates who needed some extra cardio.  Burlycise even took me to motel drive where I posed in a thong leotard and got oggled by drunk old men and hookers.  Awesome, definitely a highlight.

The Giants.  Taking up much of my year and giving me a new reason for living I finally have found a major sport that I don't just passively follow but aggressively and desperately obsess over.  It started when I noticed how cute the pitching staff was for the Giants and from there things got real silly.  I'd like to think it was my presence that helped them with their World Series win. 

Hanson.  New album, new video, amazing tour.  They're on my list every year but THIS YEAR THERE WERE FLASH MOBS.  That made all the difference.  And I didn't even get to meet them like I have in the past.  Powerful stuff, man.

Vanna's Choice.  My favorite of the main-stream yarn, I work almost exclusively with it for most of my projects, buying fancy high-class stuff for special touches.  Good feel, soft and it just works up so beautifully. 

Russia.  I finished War and Peace.  I have 2 Russian exchange students and one Ukranian who speak in Russian together and make me giddy with delight.  I even bought a "Teach Yourself Russian" set, but I am a big fat language failure.  Doe Deere is Russian and I wanna be her.  Basically I can't get away from Russian influence and I absolutely love it.  Bring it ON.

There were many other things I LAVAed, but these stick out.  I'll lava more later.

Lava out.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I Lava Guest Bloggers: Jennifer Emerling

2010 has come and gone, and I've overcome some big challenges and learned some even bigger lessons that I'm eager to implement in the coming year.  Even though there were tough times, there were unforgettable bright spots that made this year really special to me.  Here are a few that the uh-may-zing Kim Burly has invited me to share:

Theme Parties

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How did YOU ring in 2010? If you were me, you did it with the utmost style: being voted the Totally Rad 80’s Prom Queen was one of my proudest moments this year -- a title I have milked nearly every day (and have not let anyone forget) since being crowned. The 80’s Prom was just one of many parties I happily attended this year, hosted by my amazing friends (namely LeAnne, my office wife extroadinaire!) at Sunday Funday. I also attended a V-Day Crush Brunch in which I insisted guests be subjected to cheesy teen magazine quizzes and vote for Team Jacob or Team Edward, a backyard camping party, and of course the epic Halloween Freakshow, where my secret identity as a unicorn was made public for the first time.  Oh and, let's not forget that I ended the year parading around San Francisco as a zombie elf for SantaCon, naturally!

2-Dimensional Toys

It’s no secret that I have a weird fascination with Sarah Palin, in a purely ironic sense (though many people miss the sarcasm completely), so of course I jumped at the opportunity to buy Going Vogue: A Sarah Palin Magnetic Dress Up Doll.  I was the best $12.95 I spent all year... until I found Flat Cat!

Yes, that’s right: he’s a 2-dimensional cat with stand-up easel, guaranteed never to run away!  Unless, of course, he’s been kidnapped by people you thought were your friends.  In any case, he’s had some weird and wonderful adventures over the past few months, and I can’t wait to see what kind of trouble he gets into next year!

Birthday Road Trip in New Zealand

My dad helped me make one of my dreams come true this year by gifting me a road trip on the South Island of New Zealand for my 25th birthday.  I still get emotional when I think back on it, as it was hands down the best gift I have ever received. Ever.  I decided that from here on out I will be on a road trip each year on my birthday, and New Zealand was the perfect place to start this new tradition.  I highly recommend everyone do a birthday road trip at some point!

Adventures in Alaska

While I have spent a fair amount of time bitching about working in the tourism industry, without my job as a photography tour guide I wouldn’t have had all of the amazing life experiences that I’ve accumulated over the past two summers.  This year (although hard) was no exception: I made some new friends (Erin, James, and Adriane, of note) and bonded more with old friends (Emily and Sierra)--all of whom tolerated me in fangirl mode when a cruise ship filled with Twilight fans came into port one rainy day in August.  I’ve had some spectacular experiences with animals that not many people get to experience in their lifetimes, and, in addition to seeing it every day, I’ve hiked to, flown over, landed on, and kayaked to the amazingly beautiful Mendenhall Glacier.  Even though NO ONE got my jokes about the Elusive Alaskan Snow Slug (see also: glacier), and I spent too much time convincing bored and impatient tourists that you can see the whales better while wearing 3-D glasses, I had a lot of fun dorking out in Juneau.

Leadville, Colorado

I’m really amazed at the opportunities that fall into my lap just by being a photographer.  If it wasn’t for serendipity, I would never have met Amy, Peter, and Sam -- an amazingly warm and super fun family who put me up in their home for two months this past winter while I worked on my Leadville project.  Words consistently fail me when I try to express the humility I feel for their hospitality and openly inviting me be a part of their family for that moment in time.  Leadville owns part of my soul, in part thanks to them, but also because of the quirky nature of the town and jaw-droppingly beautiful landscape that surrounds it.  I am itching to go back and refuel the passion that started me on that journey, and I hope that when I do return, I can bring with me an adequate expression of my gratitude.

What I Wore

I only briefly got into this (resolution for next year!) early in 2010, but it was SO MUCH fun while it lasted!  I did a twist on the popular theme “What I Wore” as seen on all kinds of great blogs (Gala Darling and Nubby Twiglet being my faves), except I only wore my Prom Queen jacket and changed the scenery.  My mom said I couldn’t use these pictures in our annual holiday card because I looked too “weird," but I told her it was the best I've ever looked!

Being Featured in American Photo Magazine

This was the only true milestone in my freelance career for 2010, and it meant a lot to me!  I felt honored to be featured back in May; they did a beautiful job and Aimee Baldridge did a fantastic write-up!   Hell, it even got me out of a traffic ticket the very first day I drove for work with my brand new CDL.  Who knew that the one cop in Juneau with a subscription to American Photo would recognize my photos and let me off the hook in front of a bus full of tourists?  (though I never heard the end of it)

Launching My Website

It’s embarrassing to admit, but I really did drag my feet for over 2 years before I finally launched my website. But man, it lifted a huge weight when it was done!  I’m already hashing out plans for a re-design in 2011, complete with a blog facelift and even putting together a few other websites.  I think it's going to help focus my goals to successfully run my freelance business, which I am also excitedly working on!

Betsey Johnson

I lava Betsey -- lava her HARD!  I’ve always been a fan, but this year I finally started to invest in Betsey apparel.  I have quickly acquired a collection of her tights, leggings, watches, earrings, and a badass wallet and purse.  One day I will buy a sparkly pink and/or turquoise Betsey party dress, but in the meantime I am super stoked by all the cute accessories I’ve collected from her this year!

Coming Home

As much I travel--and love doing so--it feels really, really good to come home.  I’m pretty lucky to be surrounded by a super cool set of friends and one really awesome brother who patiently wait for my return after two months east, six months north (waaaay north), and so on.  I wish they could join me on every journey I take so that I never have to be torn between two of the most satisfying aspects of my life

I Lava Contentment

For whatever strange reason I've been completely okay with the world all day today.  Smiling for no reason at work (with no one around!  Probably creepy, actually.) and just enjoying the feeling of feeling good.

It's kept up all day, and I'm singing pop songs with renewed vigor.  Skipping the sad ones.  Seeing clearly.  Ready to do what it takes to keep the feeling going.

It's amazing how my normal state of being for my entire life suddenly feels like a luxury after being in the D-U-M-P-S for months. 

I'll never take optimism and positivity for granted again. 

I'm ending this with my new favorite ass-shaking kitchen-dancing song.  Dancing alone is okay, and it feels so good.  Even the mile high pile of dishes can't put a damper on me tonight.  Note to self- remember how this feels so you can return to it next time you're down.  Oh wait, that's what this whole freakin' blog is about.

I Lava Guest Bloggers: Yvonne Vallejo

The wonderful, glamorous, and multi-talented Kim Burly asked me to write a blog about shit I loved in 2010 and I nearly wrecked my underwear. First because I LOVE Kim Burly and we’ve been friends for a really long time, and second because I love writing about stuff I love. Kim’s got a good thing going here being positive and sharing the things she is enthusiastic about whether it’s skincare, Patsy Cline, or What I Wore Today.  But, I digress…here’s my High Fidelity style Top 10 Lavas of 2010:

1.       Opportunity:  For me, 2010 was a year of opportunity. I began writing and promoting my blog (www.titsandgiggles.com) heavily, and actually getting places with it! Who would’ve thought my little ol’ funny blog about sex, relationships and battery powered lovers could get me anywhere?! LAVA! Now I get asked to do guest blogs, add links to my blog, I get asked questions about sex and relationships and am now I’m on a local podcast (www.dirtydowdy.com)  2011 is just going to be bigger and better!

2.       Red Lipstick: The first tube of lipstick I ever owned was red, I was 14 and the whole pin up look and swing dancing were in. I’ve been hooked ever since…however, this year was different: I made a conscious decision to make red lipstick my official signature. Boy, has it stuck in an incredible way: customers at work recognize me by it, friends notice when I don’t wear it, friends buy me new tubes in different shades. My favorite color of the year: MAC Russian Red! I LAVA THE RED LIPSTICK!

3.       New Friends:  This year has brought so many new and amazing people into my life & I have twitter to thank for most of them! I’m so grateful to have connected with so many people through Twitter, my blog, and elsewhere as well. It is always awesome to meet kick-ass Fresnans with the same interests!

4.       Paul McCartney: I’ve been a huge Beatles fan for most of my life, and I got the opportunity to see Sir Paul McCartney in San Francisco with my best friend Tanya on July 10^th. This day was full of crazy shit: exploring SF by foot, Japantown, getting lost on the public transportation system, and almost being late to the show! We made it, we laughed, we cried, we danced. It was the most kick-ass day of 2010 and I got to share it with my best friend and call some of my favorite people during selected songs. There were surreal moments like when he played “Two of Us” which is mine and my boyfriend’s song, “Eleanor Rigby” and “Helter Skelter” which was the song I was hoping he’d play. I keep the ticket on display on my makeup station so every morning I get a little reminder that it really happened.

5.       Supporting local music: When we were at the Paul McCartney concert I had this epiphany—years ago when I was still under 21 I went to so many local shows, and then I just stopped.  While seeing Sir Paul I made a promise to myself that I would make it a point to see more shows and support the local music scene once again. I did an okay job in 2010, but 2011 will be bigger and better!

6.       Glee: I must admit, I didn’t start watching Glee until this summer when my best friend pretty much sat me down and watched nearly the whole first season with me. I was involved in theatre in High School so it definitely struck a chord (pun intended) with me. It is pretty cool that this show seemingly about an underdog high school glee club deals with big issues like teen pregnancy, homophobia, and bullying with a lot of gusto.

7.       The Cooking Channel/MLB Network:  This year we got Direct TV after talking about it for years. Among the perks of all these amazing channels like TCM are the two channels I was really stoked for: The Cooking Channel and MLB Network. I LOVE to cook and bake, and The Cooking Channel was such a surprise the first time I saw it: lots of different cooking/baking shows, lots of different styles! I absolutely LAVA Chuck from Chuck’s Day Off-- I have the huuuugest crush on him. The MLB Network has proved to be my favorite TV channel, which says a lot because I rarely watch television shows (with the exception of Glee/shows on dvd/Netflix.) I can actually sit down and watch the MLB Network for hours because when you boil it down, I’m just a giant nerd for baseball. This channel has successfully kept my off season depression at bay.

8.       Alcohol:  2010 was full of drunken good times. Some were good, some not so good. The good times include all the Four Lokos I consumed and then all those times I showed my boobs to rooms of people while under the influence of said Four Lokos; drinking beer in Storyland while watching Sea Wolf play an acoustic set. The bad include drinking Sailor Jerry rum on a completely empty stomach and getting drunk too fast at Swedefest 6 which required my friend Eny to drive my car, feed me hot dogs, and tie my shoes. Sailor Jerry and I broke up…I’m strictly a Captain Morgan girl. I like to jokingly say that I have joined the Junior Alcholics Club, but really I’m a 2 drink drunk that just likes to have fun.

9.       Twitter: I’m an old-hand at twitter, it’s not a secret. Somehow, though…my twitter account BLEW UP this year! I have over 400 followers and in July hit 5,000 tweets! It’s almost January and I’m approaching the 9,000 tweet mark! I LAVA YOU MUCHO, TWITTER!

10.   The Jonas Brothers: My numero uno guilty pleasure. Judge lest ye be judged. I admit I spent copious amounts of time watching Jonas and Jonas LA on Netflix this summer. It makes me feel dirty because I’m so attracted to all the JoBros…and they’re really young. I feel like a jr. cougar, and that’s hot!



Yvonne and I have been friends for oh-so-long, meeting on livejournal and taking it to the lomo-obsession level.  She's my princess chicken, and she's pretty swell- for a Dodger fan.

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I Lava Jim Croce.

This actually isn't lifting my spirits at all, I'm down down down in the dumps today and I got the line "It's been so long since I have felt fine" stuck running through my head.  I couldn't remember where it was from.  A quick Google lyrics search revealed that Jim Croce was just pulling through for me again.

Well things were spinning 'round me
And all my thoughts were cloudy
And I had begun to doubt all the things that were me

Thanks, Jim.  Every fuckin' time I need you, you have a song for me.  I lava you, it's too bad you died so young. 

(And it's not just because you're the whole reason I wanted to play Roller Derby in the first place.)

(Also, my almost-two-year-old is now in lava with Jim Croce, too.  After one verse of "These Dreams" she's sold.  She keeps demanding "Mama! More Jim, It's Beeeautifullllll!"  Good taste, this kid.)

I Lava Guest Bloggers: JLH

When Kim 'Burly' Schuller asked me to be a guest blogger on her Lava blog I was and have remained honored.

I've met Kim ONCE in 'real life'. Yet, through the virtual world that is Facebook, I feel like I know Kim better than I know some of my own family. It's a funny thing about Facebook. For all it's 'downside', it brings people together and forms friendships that last longer than many I've had with people I see on a daily basis in, again, 'real life.

Kim asked that we list ten things that we liked in 2010...I found 2010 to be such a blur of ups and downs that I think I would have to look at this list as things that got me through 2010 (and other years as well) I dunno if these are in an 'official order' but they are what are 'on my mind' as I'm listing.

10. Music. In all forms and varieties. Some people think I'm strictly 'KISS' or 'Sammy Hagar'. Many would be surprised to know I rarely listen to KISS. They are more of a 'break in case of emergency' type of thing for me when I need inspiration, need to get out of a funk, or something along those lines. My ever changing moods are driven by music. Finding that ONE song to get you motivated, thinking, crying, whatever you're needing to do, music provides it.

9. Pets. Fish, dogs, cats, turtles, gerbils (illegal in California), etc. will always get you to smile. Even the worst day can be put on hold as your dog is looking at you to pet him. Also, Pets don't judge you, yell at you, or send you bills so they are pretty cool.

8. Facebook. What would like be, now, without it? As stated earlier some of the best friends you can have in 'life' now are on Facebook. Mainly because they can't just show up at your house, eat all your food, and leave a mess. It's the best of both worlds. I am proud to say I am addicted and will be until the next social network comes around

7. Cinco De Tahoe - Held the weekend nearest 'Cinco De Mayo' Sammy Hagar plays two nights at Harrah's Casino and it's a weekend of partying on a level above most others. I encourage anyone who's never been to go. It's something you won't regret and will wanna go again and again.

6. Working on-air on radio in Fresno. Something I've wanted to do since I was 8 years old happened. Working on 105.1 The Blaze from January to December was an experience I would not trade for anything. If I never work in radio again, I can say I've been on in Boston and Fresno and that's the two places I always wanted to be anyway. I thank everyone who dug what I did and who knows, I may do again soon. Performing stand-up is something I still enjoy on occasion as a great creative outlet and 'hobby' and it's always been a vehicle I use to get elsewhere.  Radio always being the ultimate goal. Yet, I have enjoyed the gigs I performed this year and felt a lot of growth even though I performed much less this year than years before. If that makes any sense.

5 thru1. is it crazy that I have a short list? I'm at 5 and I'm like...what else can I say I enjoyed this year? The only things that stand out are My Wife and Kids. I've been married to my Wife Stacey for 10 years now. Together 13. We've produced two well behaved, handsome, GOOD kids thus far.

Through Good times, bad times, and all points in between, we've beaten odds, statistics, and expectations time and time again as to not having a lot and making due with what we have, when MANY others would AND have thrown in the proverbial towel around us.

Having accomplished that and still finding ways to amuse, intrigue, and love one another is a driving force to us. We may not always 'get along' but going to bed every night saying 'I love you' happens every night. This making every night in 2010 worthwhile on some level.

So, in short...What I LAVA most about 2010.....My Wife and Kids and all the things that keep life interesting on a daily basis.

I wish you all a wonderful and prosperous new year...AND..Even when it gets old, I hope it stays wonderful and prosperous then too~

JLH~~

Jon Law Hastings is a funny, funny guy.  Follow his facebook for his adventures (a woman breastfeeding and driving?!) and all things rock n roll.  He even made a KISS skeptic like me into a fan!  Turns out I WAS Made for LAVAin' KISS.

I Lava Guest Bloggers: Guinness Wrecker

I've had several false starts on this blog. When I think back on 2010, I come up with a list of all of the things that happened that defined me: Got started in a new career, made some amazing new friends that I have a standing Saturday karaoke date with, something about a marriage, did some awesome stuff with my hair, etc. But Aurora wrote that blog yesterday, so I'm screwed. Then I thought to myself, "Self, what did you really love about all of these things?". And I answered myself, "Well self, I really loved you. You made my 2010 uh-may-zing." So, what's so great about me? BEHOLD, BITCHES!

1.) I am a genius. Irish. Ninja. It's true. Just wanted to get that one out of the way. I can drink you under the table, then kick your ass and still write a thesis on the elements of man displayed in "The Brother's Karamazov". 2010 was the year I stopped feeling guilty for realizing how awesome that is. I now allow myself to own what's positive that sets me apart from the crowd, rather than dwelling on all the ways I just don't measure up.

2.) I fall in love-a LOT, and for not very long. But I'm single now. And it's fun. I've spent most of my life trying to be respectful and respectable, but you know what? I spent a good portion of the last year living like I was in a Guns 'N Roses video for 5 minutes at a time, and I don't regret any of it. So mothers, lock up your sons in 2011, because I'm not changing.

3.) I could spend all day sewing human flesh. Or taking blood out of it. I finally found a career that pays me for doing that. I am, and always have been, a lot of things: artist, writer, photographer, activist, humanist, amateur anthropologist, student, teacher, mother, lover, fighter. They all spawned from my basic love of humanity and human beings. People fascinate me on so many levels: psychological, spiritual, cultural...anatomical...cellular. The workings of the insides and out of a person are just so amazing. And like all amazing things, I like to poke it with a stick. A sharp, hypodermic stick. I can now do that in a way that helps other people, AND nets me a paycheck. Ballerado.

4.) I have the greatest group of friends I've ever had. 2010 was the year I found people who give as much as I do. Even more, usually. They've supported me, bought me food and drink, driven me to wherever the good times were, brought me eggrolls when I had pneumonia (pneumonia-there's something I did NOT lava in 2010), rubbed their awkward boners on my thighs (you had to be there), listened to all of my whining and bitching AND brought tater tots and bacon salt to watch "The Expendables" with me. How did I get so lucky? These ladies are the greatest. I lava you Cho, Nicole and JLam.

5.) KimBurly. Ugh, what can I say? The bitch is my soulmate. She's the Wilson to my Zito. Which means I fell in love with her and gave her syphilis. It can't be helped. The universe has to follow some sort of order. I lava her so hard it makes my ovaries blue. The first time I remember seeing her, I knew we belonged together. It was actually in 2009, but we really came together in 2010, so it's applicable. Deal with it. Anyway, I was skipping derby practice to attend a gay rights rally. It was the one downtown right before Meet in the Middle. As I was walking up, I saw her. She was holding a toddler, wearing nearly 4 inch heels and a minidress. And bright red lipstick. She was a goddess. I knew that day that we would grow old together. And we will. Probably in an old folks home throwing tapioca on each other and calling it "lincecum" and getting spongebathed by a 23 year old male nurse, then telling him, "You know, we don't have ANY teeth" and winking. Like I said, soulmate.

These 5 things all became mine in 2010 and sealed my hope for a glorious 2011. I came to terms with a lot of things that have caused me heartache in the past, and I was rewarded by being surrounded by love and support more than I have ever been. This past year has made me realize that I am happy with my life while also having the courage to strive for even more. I can now claim, for the first time in my life, "I lava me". Thank you 2010.

Photo by Into The Void Photography.

G. Wrex is the author of the FABULOUS blog Taking Down Chuck.  I lava her hard, this woman has changed my life!  She is my world's 2nd most powerful juggalette.

I Lava Sephora in JCP.

Okay, so I work at JC Penneys which has the RAD-ASS PERK of an associate discount.

Um, yeah.

So I spend a LOT of time in the Sephora we have in store (even though there is another one on the mall elsewhere).

So uh, today I made BFF's with my new eye makeup brush set.

tokidoki.  Awesome.  The last one there.  I've lusted after it for months and now it's mine.  MINE!

It's all part of my plan to buy rewards for myself every two weeks I keep with my calorie tracking in hopes of getting my ass less terrifying and more tight.  I'm in major lava with eye makeups right now, why not make that my non-food reward?  Having these cute brushes will just make it that much more enticing to eat right so I can justify buying all of the limecrime and sugarpill I can stomach.  Within reason, of course.

I Lava Amazing Grace

In the midst of my guest bloggers I'm still out and about in the world, Lavaing new and exciting things. 

Right now I'm lavabsessed with Amazing Grace by Philosophy.  I got a free sample from Sephora and I'm HOOKED.  It smells the way the best hug in the world feels. 

It's basically taking me to the places I want to be every time I move a little bit. 

And isn't that what a fragrance should do?

I Lava Guest Bloggers: Aurora Pringle

I'll be honest, 2010 was sorta crazy for me--I moved back to Los Angeles from Visalia, got married, found a "grown up" job and then was let go of. I've loved it. These were my favorite of all those glorious moments.

Being commissioned for the film, "Boys Don't Date Girls with Dead Mothers".



This is a project close to my heart, and when I was asked to put together artwork for it, I knew that this was going to be special. My friend lost her mother to cancer when she was a teenager, and this is her story. Beth is an amazing film maker and is putting this project together on her own. You can help. She's put together a Kickstarter project, where you can view her trailer and film distribution plans. It's important, and I think you'll see why.


Ms. International Playgirl, Gala Darling.



My favorite version of Gala has to be single, new-in-New-York, pink haired cutie. She's now with a boyfriend, comfortable-in-New-York, and a white haired pixie, which is fine. This year her blog has grown by leaps and bounds, and it's exciting to see her projects as they unfold, particularly her book, "Love and Sequins". I love a lady with substance and a mind for business. You're killer, Gala!



Eating Potstickers!

I was doubly blessed in the food department this year. Ben started making potstickers, and his version is so tangy and peppery that it's always a treat when he serves them for dinner. I also managed to get some of Cho's legendary potstickers when I visited Fresno over the summer. So delish!


Getting my pink on.






When my job ended, I needed to do something to kick start a feeling of empowerment. Since I am no longer working a corporate 9-to-5, I embraced the chance to dye my hair pink. I've had it turquoise and blue in the past, but that was a long, long time ago, before I felt like I had to get a job with insurance. It might sound silly, but dying my hair pink was a way to give myself permission to believe that I can make a living off from my art. Nobody from the corporate world is really going to take an interest in a pink haired lady. Seriously.


Art is work, and work is art.



This leads me to...really getting down and dirty with the hows and whats of starting my own business! I get excited every day about the future. It's not hard to get out of bed. I work like a bat out of hell and I am loving what I do.

Getting married to Ben.

I'm always tempted to can the mush, but I'll also be the first to admit that I never really thought I would get married. This is what you get when you meet a dude while he's on tour. Three years later, he's part of the family and you are part of his. One of the best decisions I ever made was getting hitched to my best friend.


Karaoke Action.

Harnessing my inner diva and letting her out for karaoke! It's true-- a few years ago I was one of those people who wouldn't karaoke unless I was accompanied by someone else. Now I love it. The key was finding a trademark song, and you can't go wrong with a '90's classic. I learned to love karaoke so much that my friend Chuck and I had a joint karaoke birthday party. Jenn and Kim came down from Fresno and we partied at a family restaurant, belting our hearts out and doing costume changes. Act silly and be ok with it. Go home happy.



Moving from Visalia to Los Angeles.

I was happy to be in Visalia because I wanted to be near my family during a difficult time. I was also happy to be around my friends again. However, the job situation was a beast for both Ben and I to contend with, and when life presented an opportunity to move back to Los Angeles, we went for it. I still feel the magic here-- I can do anything I want with my life, and be happy. Now if it would just stop raining! Which it will, because it's a beautiful paradise here.


Making New Friends.



Namely, my homies Michelle and Jamie. When I had the full time job, I didn't have time to spend connecting with people. Now, it's part of what I do! Michelle and Jamie have both provided me with moments of both generosity and inspiration. I don't think they've even met each other yet, but someday I hope they do. Perhaps in 2011? Get ready for the world to explode with awesome!



Bethany Cosentino and Best Coast.

I'll admit that I don't have much of an interest in new music anymore--and, in fact, much of it is limited to new releases by bands that I already have an established relationship with. Best Coast is different. I started listening to them because they went on tour with Weezer, and some part of me is still a little in love with that band. Their album "Crazy for You" is perfect California girl pop, just what I need to break it down and know that Bethany did it, and so can I. Bethany, I know you are from L.A.--let's be best friends, have sleepovers, and cry together, my darling.

Aurora Pringle is the author of the blog Les Trois Mois, an artist living in LA and one of the truest friends a girl could ask for.  She's the ultimate schmate, I smolder for her.