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Rebecca's Big Adventure

#FBF Tournament of Roses Parade

12/30/2016

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Flashback to New Year's Eve 2009 decorating a Rose Parade float for Cal Poly =D
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And New Year's Day 2010.  We won the Bob Hope Humor Award =D
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101 Coffee Shop

12/28/2016

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I spend so much time immersed in travel research that sometimes I can't remember where the ideas for certain things even came from. Case in point, the 101 Coffee Shop in Hollywood. I don't recall what put it on my Adventure Radar, but there is has been for some time now.

Formerly the Hollywood Hills Coffee Shop (as seen in the movie Swingers) the landmark got a makeover in 2001 and it is now a celebration of 1960s diner culture. But the best part? They have something called a Waffle Brownie Sundae. I mean...

So when my Mom and I were on our way down to Orange County we pulled off the 101, got turned around for a minute or two (Hollwyood after dark is not the best time to try to find a place you've never been before), and then there it was, in all it's neon glory. The 101 Coffee Shop with a giant arrow pointing the way.

We were tired from our drive, but I immediately pepped up when I saw the jukebox. I'm knee-deep in an Elvis phase right now, so I fed my dollars into the slot and chose several Elvis hits, then went back with more for the Beach Boys, Johnny Cash, Elton John, and Ray Charles. I was so glad no one else happened to be interested in picking songs just then! I love picking my own soundtrack.

I think I ordered some sort of salad and/or chicken dish and I'm sure there were fried involved (there always are), but of course the star of the night was the Waffle Brownie Sundae. It was just as mouth watering as advertised.
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Okay, so the photo doesn't really do it justice, but trust me, it was amazing. And yes, that is a reindeer in the window behind me with blue balls =) Merry Christmas!
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Street Art Surprise

12/28/2016

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My Mom and I took a quick LA trip this week and while we were out and about I was secretly hoping that I'd see a WRDSMTH. If you don't know who WRDSMTH is, pop on over to Appreciate the Arts and check out our piece on Ephemeral Art. He's basically one of my favorite street artists and I had yet to see one of his pieces in person. But, seeing as a lot of street art is impermanent, I had no way of knowing if I would find one. So I left it up to chance and...
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I was unbelievably excited! And not only did I find this piece, but...
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And...
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It's a Pushing Daisies Party!

11/7/2016

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Happy birthday to me! Every year I get so excited to celebrate my birthday because it means I get to celebrate something that I love. This year, I'm celebrating my love for Pushing Daisies. I recently became obsessed with this show (that ended in 2009) and everything about it. The love story, the cinematography, the quirkiness, the pies.

I planned for weeks leading up to the big day to make sure that every last detail screamed Pushing Daisies. I designed a re-creation of The Pie Hole on my sideboard to display all of the various pies I would buy and/or make. I turned my desk into Emerson's Cod's detective agency, and I decorated my table to look like a field of flowers. I made cups with the show's catchphrase "The facts were these" and stuck little bees to everything and recreated the pie shop's menus. We had a murder mystery dinner and ate Chinese food and tried to guess the murderer. And the best part? Everyone dressed up! I was Chuck, Michelle was Olive, Erik was Emerson, Henry was competition Ned, Jason was everyday Ned, and Tenaya was Vivian. At the end of the night we watched the show and played Pushing Daisies bingo. I have so much pie leftover and it is awesome!
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Hey Hey I Saw The Monkees!

10/30/2016

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What is an adventure if not a dream realized?  For decades kids have dreamed about joining a rock and roll band, making music, and going on tour.  In 1965 four such kids were thrown into the ultimate rock and roll adventure when they were cast as the Monkees. 
 
What started as a quirky TV show about four guys in a band living at the beach quickly turned into a runaway train and made the Monkees not only a real band, but a band that rivaled the Beatles in popularity.  A popularity that still continues today.
 
And thank goodness for that because it means that fifty years after their inception, I can still pick up the entertainment section of the paper to see that they’re coming to town to play a show.  And not a sad, off-strip Vegas reimagining of the Monkees.  This is the real deal.  Original members putting on a rock and roll show for fans of all ages.
 
I suggested a family reunion of sorts when I heard the Monkees were coming to Vina Robles Ampitheatre in Paso Robles since my mom and her sisters are Monkees fans.  It was going to be me, my mom, two of my aunts, and their husbands (my uncles).  Then one aunt dropped out because her daughter was getting married and her bridal shower ended up being the same day (congrats cousin!).  Then the other aunt dropped out because she hurt her shoulder (boo for injuries!).  So my mom and I were left with six seats and only two of us.  What to do, what to do?  Well we ended up putting together a ragtag group of friends that had never met but, because most of our friends are super awesome people, got along great.
 
In anticipation of the concert, I made a Monkees shirt, bought a green wool cap, and saved up my pennies so I would be able to splurge on souvenirs.  On the big day we arrived just in time for me to buy a Psychojelly shirt with a drawing of Micky’s face on it (hard to explain), a program, stickers, a mug, and two keychains.  I splurged hard.
 
I always have a difficult time describing concerts I’ve attended because they’re such in-the-moment experiences.  There’s the initial thrill of excitement when the house lights go down, the energy that spreads through the audience as the first notes blast out of the speakers, the smiles that are so big they make your cheeks hurt.
 
For me, Monkees concerts are the best because they bring back so many memories.  Memories of getting my first cassette tape which happened to be a Monkees greatest hits.  Watching every one of the TV shows over and over during the summer.  Flipping through my aunt’s old Tiger Beat magazines.  Singing along to their CDs in the car.  Visiting friends in Arizona and watching the Monkees 1996 special.  I know every word to every song and I find that, for one night, I don’t care that I’m singing in front of strangers and clapping like it’s my job.
 
This particular show was especially fun because my mom’s best friend drove up at the last minute so she could go with us and one of my very best friends (all the way back from junior high band) brought his boyfriend along to celebrate their anniversary.  We sang, we danced, we laughed at the people who forgot the words because they were wine drunk.
 
The Monkees are still absolutely fabulous entertainers and put on an amazing show.  They played their hits, their personal favorites, and a couple of new ones (see: Good Times album review in Random).  They paid tribute to Davy Jones, bantered with each other, and joked around onstage.  We left the show that night feeling the natural high that only music can give you.

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Happy 7-11!

7/11/2016

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It's the Slurp-Slurpeest time of the year!  Go get your free one!
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Year In Books: 2015 Edition

12/31/2015

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As is now tradition (two years in a row constitutes a tradition, right?) here is a list of the books I read in 2015 described in 5 words or less. Enjoy!

1. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
     Jace and Clary kiss.
2. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
     Spoiler: Jace isn't dead.
3. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
     Jace saved, then lost.
4. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
     Jace rescued from dark side!
5. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
     Best YA series ever!
6. The Lace Makers of Glenmara by Heather Barbieri
     Reminded me of Calendar Girls =)
7. Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
     Adjectives love nature.
8. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
     Almost as funny as movie.
9. Don't Point That Thing At Me by Kyril Bonfiglioli
     P.G. Wodehouse meets Ian Fleming.
10. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
     Infinite New York City night.
11. Funny Girl by Nick Hornby
     Sixties British sitcom rom-com.
12. Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
     Two authors =  YA magic
13. Naomi & Eli's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
     Two almost likable protagonists.
14. Finding It by Cora Carmack
     Started off eh, got better.
15. The Friends of Eddie Coyle by George V. Higgins
     Raylan Givens' favorite book.
16. The One-Minute Manager by ?
     Written in 1981.
17. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
     Dystopian Cinderella.
18. Fish! by ?
     They throw fish in Seattle.
19. Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull
     Pixar is always inspiring.
20. Playing for Keeps by R.L. Mathewson
     Contemporary romantic fiction = smh
21. Fun Is Good by Mike Veek
     Forgettable.
22. Lady Windemere's Fan by Oscar Wilde
     Who can match Wilde's wit?
23. Dad Is Fat by Jim Gaffigan
     A 290 page comedy special.
24. Wonderful Tonight by Pattie Boyd
     George Harrison half my fave.
25. Grey by E.L. James
     Ew.
26. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer Smith
     Two kids meet on plane.
27. Dave's Way by Dave Thomas
     The history of Wendy's.
28. The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale
     Why do I bother?
29. One More Thing by B.J. Novak
     Quirky collection of stories.
30. Invisibility by David Levithan
     YA sci-fi romance.
31. Down the Rabbit Hole by Holly Madison
     Entertaining autobiography.
32. We All Scream for Ice Cream by Lee Wardlow
     Delicious history of ice cream.
33. Murder Amongst Angels by Tony Piazza
     Murder with a twist.
34. Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson
     Literally laughed out loud.
35. Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
     Super cute and funny.
36. My True Love Gave to Me by Stephanie Perkins
     YA Christmas collection.
37. The Mystery of Art by Jonathan Jackson
     Artists in God's image.

The themes this year appear to be YA, management, humor, and books that I found at yard sales =)
As usual, some were awesome, some were pretty good, some were okay, some were not worth the time. I'll let you figure out which ones were which! Okay, I might tell you if you message me... Happy reading!
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My Favorite Blogs

10/26/2015

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Hello and welcome to My Favorite Blogs Week!  Everyone adventures in a different way - maybe you create things, maybe you go places, maybe you just like to soak up all of the wonderful things around you.  Whatever method you choose, we are all adventurers.  This week is a salute to the bloggers/writers I find inspiring.

Top Art Site/Blog

Winner: Doodlers Anonymous
Doodlers Anonymous is a favorite for so many reasons.  For starters, it's full of doodles.  Every kind of doddle from every kind of doodler.  Then they have featured artists, hand-drawn wallpapers, special challenges (doodle your ride, doodle a bookmark, etc.), and even a store where you can buy a Doodlers Anonymous t-shirt (Hello my name is...) and awesome coloring books and even The Quintessential, Quirky Compendium of Cats.  Basically if you doodle you will love this site.  www.doodlersanonymous.com

Runner Up: Street Art Utopia
I secretly want to be a street artist, so Street Art Utopia gives me a lady boner whenever I look at it.  They have "declared the world [their] canvas" and add beauty where once there was none - walls, staircases, sidewalks, etc.  Some works of art are done stencil-style (a la Banksy), others are full-on murals, and still others fall into the "Who thought of that?!" category (like the giant clothespin on top of a hill that looks like it's pinching the grass).  www.streetartutopia.com

Runner Up: Wrdsmth
Wrdsmth is a "writer doing time in Hollywood" who also loves street art.  He found a way to combine his two passions by stenciling old-fashioned typewriters on random spots around LA and then pasting up different messages.  Two of my favorites are "Stop and smell the moment" and "Will write for ever".  Some messages are funny, some are thought-provoking, but each one is its own unique work of art.  http://wrdsmthinla.tumblr.com
Top Fashion Site/Blog

Winner: New Dress A Day
New Dress A Day author and fashionista Marisa Lynch started her blog  in 2009, right around her birthday, just like I did.  Her mission was to create 365 dresses in 365 days with only $365.  (Luckily she had an awesome $1 pile sale in her neighborhood where she scored armloads full of mumus and miscellaneous outdated, but hilarious, dresses).  I didn't discover NDAD until a few months later, but once I did I was addicted.  I still follow Marisa's blog religiously and am always inspired by what I find.  Her recent Halloween series of costumes based on movies (filmed at the actual locations) was both awesome and hilarious.
www.newdressaday.com

Runner Up: DisneyBound
If you love fashion and Disney, then you will probably love this blog as much as I do.  If you've followed me for any length of time you know that I will dress up any chance I can get.  DisneyBound's Leslie Kay creates outfits that are inspired by Disney characters, Disney movies, Disney events, Disney anything and everything!  The idea is not to look just like a character, but to capture the essence while still looking like a normal, though very well-dressed, person.

disneybound.tumblr.com
Top Author Blog/Site

When they're not writing incredibly witty, award-winning books, many authors blog.  And thank goodness they do.  Here are my favorite Author Blogs:

Winner: The Bloggess
The Bloggess aka Jenny Lawson is one of the funniest people I know.  And by "know" I mean I read her blog all the time and want to be just like her some day.  This is the way she describes herself: "I wrote for the Houston Chronicle, but I needed an uncensored space to say the f-word and talk about ninjas so I started this blog.  I tweet a lot.  Also, I can balance live cats on my head but no one will pay me for it.  Yet. My book (Let's Pretend This Never Happened) debuted at #1 on the NYT best-seller list. I assure you, no one was more surprised about this than me."  She doesn't say anything in there about taxidermy, but don't worry, you'll find out all about it.  Her book is, to steal a phrase from her blog, like crack but less whack.  If you need a good laugh, you need to go to this blog.  Now.
www.thebloggess.com

Runner Up: NA
Yah right, there is no runner up!  The Bloggess wins all titles. Forever.

Top YouTube Channels
 
I'm breaking format a bit to bring you some of my favorite YouTube Channels.  I knew which channel was going to take the top spot and which would be runner-up but then I made the grave mistake of actually getting on YouTube and 45 minutes later I was super confused and my dog was scratching at the door because I forgot to take her out.  So here's a random collection of stuff.  Enjoy!  Also, maybe don't look at this list while you're at work because you might fall down the rabbit hole and get fired.

Winner: Barely Political
Barely Political has some of the best parody music videos in their Key of Awesome series.  The new Taylor Swift is especially awesome.  And you have to watch "Kristen Stewart" explain various holidays.  Ooh ooh, and watch YouTube Complaints 2014.  I could be here all day...

Runner Up: Garfunkel & Oates
More funny music videos!  Only this time they're from LA folk duo Garfunkel & Oates aka Kate Micucci and Riki Lindhome.  They sing about everything from bad dates to pregnant women and it's especially giggle-inducing when they use profanity because they look so sweet and innocent.  Don't be fooled!

Runner Up: How It Should Have Ended
Some movies just need new endings.  And they need to be animated.  And funny.  (I'm sensing a theme here).  Start with The Lego Movie and Jurassic Park and I'll see you in a few hours after you've watched every other one too.

Runner Up: Mystery Guitar Man
This guy has been a YouTube staple for years and uses "crazy videos, short films, stop motion, video effects, and music" to create mini masterpieces.  I can't even tell you where to start with Mystery Guitar Man because so many of his videos are must-see.

I would now like to apologize for all the time you are about to waste.  I'm sort of sorry.  Actually I hope you have endless hours of fun.  You may want to get snacks.
Update:
I had so much fun compiling this list that I thought I'd throw in a few extras.  You've probably noticed that none of my favorites are all that scholastic in nature.  That is intentional.

Daily Odd Compliment
http://dailyoddcompliment.tumblr.com

Hyperbole and a Half
www.hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com

Hello Giggles
www.hellogiggles.com

HaHas for HooHas
www.hahasforhoohas.com

The Pioneer Woman
www.thepioneerwoman.com

Roadtrippers
www.roadtrippers.com


Roadside America
www.roadsideamerica.com

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Year In Books: 2014 Edition

12/31/2014

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I read a lot of books.  All kinds of books.  Last year was a tough year for reading, but this year I managed to read 50 books.  Not too shabby, eh?  Some of them turned out to be favorites, some of them turned out to be a waste of time, some of them were book club selections, some of them were recommendations from friends.  Below is a list if said books, described by me , in five words or less:

1. Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield
    Mix Tape Anatomy 101
2. The Tesseract by Alex Garland
    I only read half.
3. The Darling Buds of May by H.E. Bates
    Delightful British romp.
4. The White Queen by Philippa Gregory
    The TV show was better.
5. Her Mad Hatter by Marie Hall
    Would love to re-write myself.
6. Happier at Home by Gretchen Reuben
    Re-hash of The Happiness Project.
7. Turn Around Bright Eyes by Rob Sheffield
    Rob Sheffield is brilliant.
8. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
    I wish it was real!
9. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
    YA so good.
10. Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
      One night adventure.
11. Matched by Ally Condie
      Book club. Ugh.
12. Eating the Dinosaur by Chuck Klosterman
      @robsheff recommendation
13. Crossed by Ally Condie.
      Make it stop.
14. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
      New favorite author.
15. Vampire Academy by Richelle Meade
      Not a fan.  Sorry, Michelle ;p
16. 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
      Cute enough.
17. Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark by Ridley Pearson
      Save the Magic Kingdom, kids!
18. The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson
      Better than first 13 envelopes.
19. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosch
      Read. All. The. Pages!
20. Kingdom Keepers: Disney at Dawn by Ridley Pearson
      Save the Animal Kingdom, kids!
21. Kingdom Keepers: Disney in Shadow by Ridley Pearson
      Save Epcot, kids!
22. Kingdom Keepers: Power Play by Ridley Pearson
      Take a break already, kids!
23. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
      Best male characters ever.
24. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
      I heart Cassandra Clare.
25. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
      Love happy endings.
26. Moonwalk by Michael Jackson
      Curiosity, lead the way.
27. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
      Super creepy kids book.
28. I Don't Know What You Know Me From by Judy Greer.
      Everyone's favorite sidekick.
29. sTori Telling by Tori Spelling
      Candy Spelling gives me anxiety.
30. The Selection by Keira Cass
      Who will the Prince choose?
31. The Elite by Keira Cass
      Prince hasn't chosen yet.
32. The One by Keira Cass
      He chose!
33. The Idiot Girls' Action Adventure Club by Laurie Notaro
      Funny.  Has adventure in title.
34. David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell
      Insight as only Gladwell can.
35. Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton
      "No time for jokeless history!"
36. Man in the Music by Joseph Vogel
      MJ musical exploration.
37. Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die by Willie Nelson
      Willie is awesome. Period.
38. Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
      Peter Pan prequel.
39. But Enough About Me by Jancee Dunn
      I want to meet her.
40. Let's Spend the Night Together by Pamela Des Barres
      Groupies do it better.
41. 7 by Jen Hatmaker
      Living with less.
42. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
      Anybody want cobbler?
43. J.M. Barrie Ladies Swimming Society by Barbra Zitwer
      Old ladies rock.
44. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
      Ah, young love.
45. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
      Never grow up.
46. Eats Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss
      Grammar is amusing.
47. The Moment by Larry Smith
      125 life changing moments.
48. Quick Service by P.G. Wodehouse
      Love the Wodehouse.
49. Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan
      "Hot pocket!"
50. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
      Best book to end on.


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Actualizing our Potential

12/2/2014

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"We are all functioning at a small fraction of our capacity to live fully in its total meaning of loving, caring, creating and adventuring.  Consequently, the actualizing of our potential can become the most exciting adventure of our lifetime."

~Herbert Otto

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