Anatomy of a Surprise
September 23rd, 2007 Rachel
In other news…
Adam approves of the vegan apple puree juice. Mmmmmmmmm…
Perceptions
February 6th, 2007 RachelIf you’ve known me for a while, and seen me out with my Toronto group of girls, you’d probably think “Wow, she’s on the shorter side.” Between my band of 5′8″ - 5′11″ ladies, my 5′6.24999″ is piddly in a group photo.
Then I move to Los Angeles, go out with a group of equally fabulous girls, and realize that I’m at least four inches taller than each girl in the room. In some photos I’m standing an entire head above everyone else. All of a sudden…I’m a giant.
The way we look at things, the opinions we hold as true, they’re so dependent on the circumstances, people, and experiences surrounding us. And they’re fluid…at least they should be. This month, I’m tall, next month when I’m back in Toronto for Canadian Music Week (where I’ll be meeting up with some of my favorite people, taking in some fantastic music, and participating in a panel discussion on music recommendation engines that should be very interesting), I’ll be a shorty pants again.
Perceptions, opinions, and beliefs only become problematic when you think they’re fact. Don’t forget what’s informing them, and don’t hesitate to take in new information (even if it’s contrary to what you want to believe) in order to tweak or modify your thinking. That’s how we grow - stubborn convictions are nothing if they get in the way of actual thinking.
Mixin’ Delicious
February 4th, 2007 RachelAlright, here’s my running/driving playlist for February — also viewable on FIQL, and all the songs below can be found amongst the tremendous amount of goodies on The Hype Machine. Hey Anthony — can I get a blog badge that streams my current favorites?
You may notice a certain trend - I’m reveling in all things MSTRKRFT, as well as loving Peter Bjorn and John. A video you can’t help but love can be found here — Thanks Davide!
Grace Kelly - Mika (Also has a sweet video — Thanks Kel!)
Young Folks - Peter Bjorn And John
Be Good - Tokyo Police Club
Listen Up! (MSTRKRFT relick) - The Gossip
Paris 2004 - Peter Bjorn and John
Woman (MSTRKRFT remix) - Wolfmother
Oh My God (Kaiser Chiefs Cover) - Lily Allen
Monster Hospital (MSTRKRFT remix) - Metric
Let’s Call It Off (Girl Talk remix) - Peter Bjorn and John
2 More Years (MSTRKRFT remix) - Bloc Party
Gold Lion (Nick Zinner remix) - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Young Folks - Peter Bjorn and John
Wicked time last night at Les Deux — lots of laughs (including some choice snickers at a certain once-was too old to possibly be a high school student and yet did actor…) and great company!
[UPDATE: Jenny has some more choice details regarding yesterday evening…]
How to make your friend faint (or need a smoke)
December 7th, 2006 RachelHere’s a selected transcript from a recent IM with one of my best pals (and bridesmaids!)…to set the scene from my point of view, I had just arrived in Vegas on Monday — Al was at work, so understandably in a different mind space.
Rachel: I found a dress!
AH: where did you find it? What does it look like? Details woman details!
Rachel: BCBG – black with ivory trim with black lace overlaid on top of the trim…kimono style, sleeved, v-neck, loose, elegant, shiny, COMFORTABLE, but stylish
AH: it’s black?
This is where I first started to hesitate. Black is bad? Since when? Have I committed a Billboard faux pas and didn’t know it? Hence my justifying below…
Rachel: there were some trendier items that actually looked quite amazing but for that much money I wanted it to work at a business thing, at mod…whatever
AH: long or short
Rachel: just past the knees
AH: nice…can’t wait to see the pictures
Rachel: i’m so excited!!
Insert a bit of conversation that lasted long enough for me to not pick up on why Al would be talking about bridesmaid dresses all of a sudden. Seemed random, but she’s an attentive friend and a darn fine bridesmaid so it didn’t surprise me that much.
AH: so what’s the plan for the bridesmaid dresses… they should probably be knee length, or just below the knee…
Rachel: yeah, that’d be about right - remember no air conditioning, so floor length might be too hot
AH: Is your mom ok with the non-traditional dress?
Rachel: non-traditional?
AH: you know what I mean… white… long….
Rachel: i haven’t picked a dress… :^)
AH: i’m really confused
…This is where I stared at my computer for about three whole minutes trying to understand how we got here…
Rachel: OMG I was talking about the dress for tonight…HAHA…I just realized where the confusion lay
AH: OK… gave me a heart attack
Rachel: that’s why you were like “it’s black?”
AH: Dude seriously… gave me a heart attack…
Rachel: I’m dying…that was too funny
AH: “I can re-wear it at MOD” comment…holy crap…I was actually sweating…I love the dress, but not for your wedding
Rachel: you are SO nice - i can’t believe you weren’t strangling me through the computer
AH: I was trying to find a way to suggest changing into that dress after the ceremony…that way you can dance…I think I actually need a cigarette
Kids. Don’t try this at home.
Love you, Al. 
