The Dreams That You Dare to Dream

really do come true.

On Friday night, I went to see Rhett Miller at City Winery.

Rhett was cute and entertaining, as always.

Then he began introducing the song Fireflies, a duet he recorded with Rachel Yamagata.

Usually, when he sings this song solo, he looks in one direction when he sings his part, and the other direction when he sings her part.

I've had this dream (a fantasy really) that one night, he'd begin introducing the song, and some friend of mine (usually the friend that lives in Mississippi, who would totally do something like this), would point at me and yell out that I could sing it with him.

So he'd nervously call me up onstage, and as soon as I'd start to sing, the crowd would go wild!  And Rhett would just smile in amazement.

On Friday night, it happened.

Just not to me.

(Which is actually a really good thing, because I am a terrible singer.)

Still, it was pretty cool.

It Ain't Easy Being Green

Two good friends, who love finding great deals at thrift stores, decided to go shopping "together", despite living on opposite coasts.  And, to make things more interesting, agreed - in advance - on a theme for each month's "Goodwill Hunting".

This month:  It Ain't Easy Being Green (in honor of spring, and St. Patrick's Day)

I was so excited when I saw these Cath Kidston plates at Housing Works, a local organization that provides care for New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS.

Cath Kidston is an English designer who designs housewares, clothing and accessories, that are practical, but fun.

These plates were marked $2.99 each (regularly $8.50, now on sale for $6 each, at www.cathkidstonusa.com).

And, some of the polka dots are GREEN!

I had to have them.

When I went to pay for them, though, I noticed something even greener on the counter behind the cash registers.

So I asked, "What's the deal with that green thing back there?".

Turns out, it was there because it didn't have a price tag.  But, once I saw it, I made him ask.  Another guy looked at it, shrugged, and said... "10 bucks?".

I said, "I'll take it!".

Altogether, my total should have been $22 (4 plates at $3 each, plus $10 for the bag), but for some reason, they only charged me $20 (and I wasn't going to argue).

So, for $20, I got 4 cute Cath Kidston plates and the perfect green bag (just in time for St. Patrick's Day!).

Check out my friend at Lemons & Chambray to see what great deals she was able to find.

Next month:  April Showers!

What I Read - 2010

I recently read the article Timothy Hutton:  Literary Sex God (he's cute and smart!).

In the article, he mentioned a literary blog by Lisa Kenney, so I did a search, and found Eudaemonia, which, in addition to her summaries and opinions, also provides links to all the books she's read over the years.

Sometimes I post "book reports", but I read A LOT more than that.

So, to start, here is "What I Read" in 2010...


Disturbing book that made me think "what if?".  (I now have a backpack with food, water, and other necessities by the window to the fire escape.  You know, just in case...)

Sweet, sad love story.

The very interesting story behind Facebook.

I loved The Alchemistbut this was just ok.

LOVED this book!  LOVED IT!

This book prompted a LOT of debate among my friends.  It'd be great for a book club.

I love Chanel - her clothes, and the way she lived her life.

Creepy, but entertaining.

Funny, but entertaining.

A really disturbing story (that I didn't like), set in Iowa (that I did like).

An interesting story that we all know, recommended by the woman working at the bookstore next door to this church.

Everyone loved this series.  (Everyone but me.)

Not nearly as good as it could've been.  (Read my book report here.)

Interesting book about the life of Frank Lloyd Wright.  (Read my book report here.)

AWESOME sequel to The Pillars of the Earth (yes, they're both over 1,000 pages, but they are SO worth it!)

Interesting story about the MIT students who figured out a method of cheating Las Vegas.  I was nervous for them!

LOVED this book.  And the movie!  (Read my book report here.)

I bought this book (appropriately) at City Lights Books in San Francisco.  It was ok.  Written by a woman who briefly dated Jack Kerouac.

This book was recommended by someone who basically is Knulp.  The moral is that we are all living the life we're meant to live.  (Good stuff)

The narrator is Death, and its an oddly-written book.  But, I loved it.  It's set during WW2 and is really sweet and sad.

Interesting story, but a boring book.

Inspirational, but so much easier said than done.

I picked up the poster for this movie when I was cutting through the lobby of a theater in San Francisco.  So, I had to read the book.

If you want to read any of these books too, just click on the image.

(And let me know what you think!)