New Loot.

Twenty One Dollars.

That's how much money I spent yesterday.

Twenty One dollars got me:

• brown suede ralph lauren boots {in PERFECT condition}
  
• 6 fabulous vintage cards
• "Spanish Through Pictures" book {for my Dad, who seriously struggles with the language}
• a fabulous green canvas bag with a leather strap
• 2 black work t-shirts {old navy and gap}
  
• brown v-neck T
• purple, tie-back top
• 1 fabulously sexy pair of dangly earrings
• 1 sassy pumpkin-colored macrame belt
• 3 scarves
  
• 1 sexy dress {for my Mom}
  
• 2 bitty bunny soaps {for Gina}
  
• 2 vintage decalart water applied decals

Literally, two full bags of great stuff for only 21 dollars. And I could have kept shopping...but I'm trying to cut back!! Ha. Basically everything in the store was 50% off, and when prices were really only $1-$4 to begin with that makes for some cheap stuff! The most expensive purchase I made were my fantastic boots, that look like they were MADE for me, which were 20$ {which I got for $10!}.

This stop was totally random, which made the great purchases that much better. Stabley and I had gone to our favorite Indian restaurant for lunch {Bombay in the English Creek Center}, and she had decided to drive the back roads. I've lived here forever, and still don't know the 'back roads', so it was a fun little addition to our trip. On our way to lunch I saw a sign for a thrift store {I'm like a HAWK when it comes to thrift stores, antique stores, and consignment shops}. I had forgotten about it until we were on our way BACK from lunch. We drove past it and a few seconds later I asked Sharon if she wouldn't mind stopping in for a peek. Just a peek. Only a few minutes....

Anyways, it's rare that I share the names of the thrift stores and antique stores that I like. What can I say...I want to keep the good places a secret and horde all the goodies for myself. I'm awful like that. BUT, this place was great, and the woman who owned the place threw in the vintage cards I had picked up for free. So here it goes {and don't go telling ALL your friends, this is priviledged information}:

BARGAIN BOUTIQUE
3073 English Creek Avenue
EHT, NJ 08234

Hours:
Wed-Thurs 10am - 6:30pm Friday 10am - 7:30pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

Enjoy It While You Can.

"Enjoy it while you can."

This phrase has been said to me more times than I'd like to count.

One night while waitressing, my table asked me about "my life". What I do in the winter, where I went to school, yadayadayada...basically finding out if there is more to me than being "just a waitress" {which there is nothing wrong with}. This happens often with my tables - random chitchat about where I'm going and where I've been. After telling them about singing and surfing, traveling and experiencing new things - they always say the SAME thing "Enjoy it while you can". They say it like one day I won't have the option of 'enjoying' my life anymore.

Today I got out of the water after a brief but satisfying surf session. Two women approached me and were laying on some praise for my "fluid and beautiful" surfing style. They asked if I had traveled any for surfing, and I told them that I spend a few months in Costa Rica during our cold Jersey winters. They both sighed and said "Well, enjoy it while you can!". Well ladies, Costa Rica isn't going anywhere, nor is any of the other wonderful places that I plan to visit. I don't plan to quit surfing anytime soon, so I think I'll be enjoying that for years to come as well. What exactly is it that I have to enjoy while I still can?

People talk about their youth like it was decades ago...that life is not fun, but serious and duty-filled. I work, I pay my bills, and I certainly have a ton of fun. My parents are still "enjoying" it....why wouldn't I? So for those who keep telling me to "Enjoy it while I can"....well, I WILL enjoy it - not "while I can", but til the day I drop dead - hopefully with a satisfied smile on my face.

Enjoy it people. Whatever "it" is. Enjoy it every.single.day.

Whipped Cream Cheese.

MmMm...Philadelphia Whipped Cream Cheese
{also comes in CHIVE!}

...and not just any whipped cream cheese, Philadelphia whipped cream cheese.

I'm not crazy over nice things, but I'm passionate for nice food. This morning I was enjoying 1/2 of a sesame seed bagel with whipped cream cheese, some sliced tomato, a little sliver of onion and some grey sea salt. Three bites into the bagel I decided that there is NO cream cheese like whipped cream cheese...and I couldn't believe that I ever ate anything other than whipped cream cheese. The rest is just inferior. Inferior, un-whipped cream cheese.

I realized that there are few other things that I'm pretty specific about...

Inferior: Regular Ice. Superior: Crushed Ice.

Inferior: Mustard. Superior: Stone Ground Brown Spicy Mustard.

Inferior: Table Salt. Superior: Esprit Du Sel Grey Sea Salt {Island of Re, France}

Inferior: Saltines. Superior: Rosemary Crostini's

BREAD: anything in plastic bag is inferior. Fresh baked bread only.

busted boards and chocolate frosty's.

i've been complaining now for some time about my Thule racks. they gotta go. the little "feet" that hold the board only ding my rails,and they are constantly moving. the straps have started to dry rot and are on the brink of breaking...so ive been substituting bungy cords. BUT, ive been busy - and when i'm not busy, im tired...so it keeps getting pushed onto the back burner. well, today i payed the price.

i was driving to check the waves, with my board in tow. it was in it's board sock {another contraption i don't understand...i get more dings on my board putting it IN and OUT of the sock than if i just left it out} and strapped down with bungies. right after passing over the bridge i heard a snap, and then gazed in my rearview to see "la reina" {my beautiful, favorite purple board} spinning in the air and then crunching down onto the gravel. goddamnit! the tail was smashed to smithereens...even the wooden stringer had shattered. all i could think was "fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck...fuck!!!!!!!". i brought the board back to my parents, put one of the LB's from their house on my car, strapped it down twice and then drove slowly back to the beach for a surf.

this afternoon i dropped the board off to a friend who'll reconstruct the tail for me. i was super depressed and decided to try and cheer myself up with a Wendy's chocolate Frosty. Well dontcha know it - it worked!! Well, a little bit. Frosty's hit the spot. not too thick and not too thin. you definitely can't drink it with the straw that they put in the bag...a spoon is necessary for consumption. I once knew a girl who would dip her french fries in her frosty...that's not really my thing though i DO love french fries, I'm more au natural when it comes to this delicious treat. But no matter how you enjoy your frosty...the point is that you are bound to enjoy it.

so...my board will be ready in about a week - and until then, there's frosties!

work. work. work. and.....work.

Wow.

It's been a long time since my last blog.

It has been a busy couple of days...I've put in more hours than I'd care to count, but my "savings" envelope certainly gained a few ounces...getting that much closer to my saving goal.

Lemme see, lemme see. Callen has arrived from Costa Rica. I've said hello, given him a hug and that's about it. I passed him today on my way to work, he was riding Billy's bike. Emily Corkill came in from NYC to visit, and I hung out with her on the car-ride back to my place from the bus station, and for a few hours on the beach today. Woo-fuckin-hoo. Emily had a good time though...and they let me live vicariously through them by updating me with photos from all of their goodtimes.

They went....to Busch's.

They went...to Carol's Custard.

They went...yard-saling.

I went...to work. Then to work. And then to work.

Did I mention that Shawn's in Maine for 10 days making a wooden board, camping and surfing? But, I'm not complaining...I'm keeping my eye on the prize {aka Ecuador and Costa Rica} and have been busy planning my trip to the Galapagos Islands!! Boom. Life is good.

BLUEBERRIES.

Blueberries!
Good for the body and soul.

Last year, Stabley took Shawn and I to pick blueberries at a farm off 49. The Allen Family Farm "You Pick Blueberries", on 26 Tarklin Road in Belleplain, New Jersey. The season is just about ending, and Shawn and I have been too busy to pick this year - but luckily we had some free time today to get out there before the gettin's gone. The bushes were all pretty picked over, but we still managed to pick just under 7 pounds (3.5 pounds shy of LAST years pick). Not bad considering that all of those blueberries we picked today cost a whopping SIX dollars. Yes, six dollars.

Eat Blueberries -
cause they're GOOD for you...

Health Benefits

Blueberries are literally bursting with nutrients and flavor, yet very low in calories. Recently, researchers at Tufts University analyzed 60 fruits and vegetables for their antioxidant capability. Blueberries came out on top, rating highest in their capacity to destroy free radicals.

An Antioxidant Powerhouse

Packed with antioxidant phytonutrients called anthocyanidins, blueberries neutralize free radical damage to the collagen matrix of cells and tissues that can lead to cataracts, glaucoma, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, heart disease and cancer. Anthocyanins, the blue-red pigments found in blueberries, improve the integrity of support structures in the veins and entire vascular system. Anthocyanins have been shown to enhance the effects of vitamin C, improve capillary integrity, and stabilize the collagen matrix (the ground substance of all body tissues). They work their protective magic by preventing free-radical damage, inhibiting enzymes from cleaving the collagen matrix, and directly cross-linking with collagen fibers to form a more stable collagen matrix.

Cardioprotective Action

While wine, particularly red wine, is touted as cardioprotective since it is a good source of antioxidant anthocyanins, a recent study found that blueberries deliver 38% more of these free radical fighters. In this study, published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, researchers found that a moderate drink (about 4 ounces) of white wine contained .47 mmol of free radical absorbing antioxidants, red wine provided 2.04 mmol, and a wine made from highbush blueberries delivered 2.42 mmol of these protective plant compounds.

A Visionary Fruit

Extracts of bilberry (a cousin of blueberry) have been shown in numerous studies to improve nighttime visual acuity and promote quicker adjustment to darkness and faster restoration of visual acuity after exposure to glare. This research was conducted to evaluate claims of bilberry's beneficial effects on night vision made by British Air Force pilots during World War II who regularly consumed bilberry preserves before their night missions.

Protection against Macular Degeneration

Your mother may have told you carrots would keep your eyes bright as a child, but as an adult, it looks like fruit is even more important for keeping your sight. Data reported in a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology indicates that eating 3 or more servings of fruit per day may lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, by 36%, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.

In this study, which involved over 110,000 women and men, researchers evaluated the effect of study participants' consumption of fruits; vegetables; the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E; and carotenoids on the development of early ARMD or neovascular ARMD, a more severe form of the illness associated with vision loss. Food intake information was collected periodically for up to 18 years for women and 12 years for men.

While, surprisingly, intakes of vegetables, antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids were not strongly related to incidence of either form of ARMD, fruit intake was definitely protective against the severe form of this vision-destroying disease. Three servings of fruit may sound like a lot to eat each day, but by simply topping off a cup of yogurt or green salad with a half cup of blueberries, tossing a banana into your morning smoothie or slicing it over your cereal, and snacking on an apple, plum, nectarine or pear, you've reached this goal.

A Better Brain with Blueberries

In laboratory animal studies, researchers have found that blueberries help protect the brain from oxidative stress and may reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Researchers found that diets rich in blueberries significantly improved both the learning capacity and motor skills of aging animals, making them mentally equivalent to much younger ones.

Promotion of Gastrointestinal Health

In addition to their powerful anthocyanins, blueberries contain another antioxidant compound called ellagic acid, which blocks metabolic pathways that can lead to cancer. In a study of over 1,200 elderly people, those who ate the most strawberries (another berry that contains ellagic acid) were three times less likely to develop cancer than those who ate few or no strawberries. In addition to containing ellagic acid, blueberries are high in the soluble fiber pectin, which has been shown to lower cholesterol and to prevent bile acid from being transformed into a potentially cancer-causing form.

Protection against Colon Cancer

Laboratory studies published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry show that phenolic compounds in blueberries can inhibit colon cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis (programmed cell death).

Extracts were made of the blueberry phenols, which were freeze-dried and further separated into phenolic acids, tannins, flavonols, and anthocyanins. Then the dried extracts and fractions were added to cell cultures containing two colon cancer cell lines, HT-29 and Caco-2.

In concentrations normally found in laboratory animal plasma after eating blueberries, anthyocyanin fractions increased DNA fragmentation (a sign that apoptosis or cell death had been triggered) by 2-7 times. Flavonol and tannin fractions cut cell proliferation in half at concentrations of 70-100 and 50-100 microg/mL, while the phenolic fraction was also effective, but less potent, reducing proliferation by half at concentrations of 1000 microg/mL. Bottomline: eating blueberries may reduce colon cancer risk.

Protection against Ovarian Cancer

Among their rich supply of phytonutrients, blueberries include a flavonoid called kaempferol. Research calculating flavonoid intake in 66,940 women enrolled in the Nurses Health Study between 1984 and 2002 revealed that women whose diets provided the most kaempferol had a 40% reduction in risk of ovarian cancer, compared to women eating the least kaempferol-rich foods. In addition to blueberries, foods richest in kaempferol include tea (nonherbal), onions, curly kale, leeks, spinach, and broccoli.

A significant 34% reduction in ovarian cancer risk was also seen in women with the highest intake of the flavone luteolin (found in citrus). Int J Cancer. 2007 Apr 30; Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 May;79(5):727-47.

Healthier Elimination

Blueberries can help relieve both diarrhea and constipation. In addition to soluble and insoluble fiber, blueberries also contain tannins, which act as astringents in the digestive system to reduce inflammation. Blueberries also promote urinary tract health. Blueberries contain the same compounds found in cranberries that help prevent or eliminate urinary tract infections. In order for bacteria to infect, they must first adhere to the mucosal lining of the urethra and bladder. Components found in cranberry and blueberry juice reduce the ability of E. coli, the bacteria that is the most common cause of urinary tract infections, to adhere.

Shawn kept trying to take my photo,
but the sun was in my eyes....

We use most of the blueberries for smoothies. BUT, I've also used them for blueberry pancakes, blueberry french toast, to put on salads, eat with yogurt, and to BAKE a PIE with. An easy pie is to just buy a pre-made pillsbury pie crust {a double pie crust, one for the top - one for the bottom}. Mix about two pints of blueberries with 4 tablespoons of corn starch, 1/2 cup of sugar, zest of 1/2 a lemon about 1/4 of the juice from that lemon. Mix it up, throw it into the pie crust, place other pie crust on top...bake at 400 for 25minutes and then 350 for another half hour. BOOM. delicious. top with some good vanilla bean ice cream and you are in heaven. For a really yummy, and NUTRITIOUS salad... start with some greens {not romaine, and no iceberg lettuce...more like a spring mix or red leaf}, top with a handful of blueberries, some almond slivers, a bit of Gorgonzola if you'd like, and then dress with a lite balsamic vinaigrette or a raspberry vinaigrette.

This photo was taken by Sharon Stabley. June 2008.
Shawnie, Me, and my big-ass-jungle-booty...
{which is thankfully gone}
headed to pick some blueberries.

Kickin' it OldSkool.

I finally had a day off. A FULL day off - start to finish. I woke up at the crack o'dawn, made myself a latte, and then hopped in the car to begin my trek to my old stomping grounds. I went to college at Montclair State University...that's where I met Gina. I had worked in Brooklyn and spent MUCHO time in the city...spending time there with G and also with my friend Miss Emily Corkill, who lives in {my beloved} Chinatown. I felt it was time to visit some old faces and friends...and to eat, obviously- what else would i do! - in the city that I love. I arrived in Montclair in 2.5hours and met G at the MSU Train Station stop. We hopped the train and headed into the city for our day of adventure {and gluttony}. Both of us were ravenous so we quickly hopped on the subway (the A to W4th, taking the B or D then to GRAND), walked a few blocks up after getting off at Grand, at stopped at 118 Eldridge Avenue at Vanessa's Dumplings *AKA* "DOLLAR DUMPLING". For a bank-breaking $7.50 {yes, that paid for BOTH of us} we had an order of fried pork and chive dumplings {4/$1}, sesame pancake with vegetables {$1.50}, sesame pancake with roast pork {$2}, an experimental steamed bun with red beans- which was eh, no bueno {$1} and two cans of diet coke {$2}. We got there just in time because minutes after we ordered there was literally a line around the block. Vanessa's has been my go-to dumpling place in the city ever since the day that Emily Corkill introduced me. Boom - it's the best and I will NEVER stray {what can I say...the fabulous prices and deliciously greasy dumplings always keep me coming back for more...}.


We shopped and bopped our way through Chinatown, making our way to my favorite asian bakery on Canal street: Tai Pan. Tai Pan makes BOMB coffee...when I order it I ask for cream and sugar -- it's the one and only place that I've ever let anyone add cream and sugar FOR me. MmMmMm it's just delicious. We passed up on the red bean pastry in a sweet bun- had to save room for the next venture....

CANNOLI'S!!!

And these weren't just ANY cannoli's...these were from Ferrara's Bakery in Little Italy. MmMmM. G and I prefer the mini ones -- they are just so cute, delicious, crunchy shell- creamy inside. Perfecto! They also have them with chocolate dipped shells, but we opted for the original today. We sipped our Tai Pan coffee, indulged in our Ferrara cannoli's and then set off again into the big city {which really isn't that big at all}...

We hopped the B Uptown to Rockefeller Center. We were half in a food coma and half just plain ol' delirious - so we decided to shop!! I have a small obsession with Anthropologie -- it's the only other place that I enjoy to shop aside from the thrift store. They have OBNOXIOUSLY expensive prices {$300 shirts, $500 dresses, etc. etc}, but their stuff is beautiful and I can sometimes afford their SALE stuff. Well goddamnit, Gina and I could NOT find this store. We walked and circled and went up, then down, then over and then back to where we began. We kept seeing their {BEAUTIFULLY decorated} window advertisements, but alas - no store!!

We finally found it after I almost had a mini-meltdown, and I spent too much on a dress and a bag - but hey...I had the money in my "play" money envelope, so whatever. Stressed over the money that I spent and the time spent FINDING the place to drain my wallet - booze was callin' my name, and Gina has having a hankering as well. We posted up in Bryant Park to soak up some sunshine and suck down some Sauvignon Blanc. MMMM. There was a bunch of hustle and bustle because work was ending, so all the "suits" were at the outside park bar sipping martini's. Gina and I giggled over their ludicrous, expensive outfits - and gossiped about how we would NEVER join the "real world", sipped some more, admired a pair of ludicrous, expensive shoes and then decided that we should head back to the train before we were late or too tipsy. Man, I love Gina.

We got back to the train just in time so that we would make it for dinner. Yes, didn't I tell you - we had big dinner plans! More food, of course. Kara Bocchino {and old roomate and classmate, graphic designer}, Bobby Liqouri {and old classmate, sculptor extraordinaire- currently building dinosaurs for museums}, and Tiffany {old friend and old roomate of Gina, acting school didn't work out, so now she's a baker - tho I think her calling is stand up comedy} were meeting Gina and I at {MY FAVORITE!} GREEK DELIGHTS in Montclair for dinner @ 7pm. We all arrived a few minutes late...then hugged, chatted, laughed, gossiped, bickered, laughed more, ate, and had a fantastic time for the next 3 hours. I wish that I could have stayed there with them all night, but I had to teach yoga this morning at 7am...and the 2.5hour car ride was not looking too fantastic. SO, we said goodbye and I hit the road around 10:30pm...riding the whole way home with a smile on my face, thinking about the great time that was just had - and the many that were had over the past few years with those very special people.

Kara, Me, Gina and Tiffany. Minus Bobby.
Paco took the photo...he's a much better waiter than a photographer.
My new, semi-expensive dress, that I changed into in the car on the way over.
GOOD TIMES.

Jack Daniel's & "Luxury" Burgers

Tuesday.

Every Tuesday for the rest of the summer I'll be playing the Whitebriar...but this Tuesday I have off. SO, I woke up late - had some delicious coffee, puttered around the house and then went to Pilates at the community center. The power-walk there warmed me up, and because I haven't been to class in over a month I got my ass-kicked. The 80 year old man who was next to me in class was smokin' me. Damnit. I walked home, defeated. When I got back Maude and I cruised to the thrift store to scope some eclectic new gear and then made our way to my parents house, because Maude needed a BATH. She's been itching her ass like crazy. I've spritzed apple cider vinegar on her hot spots, yelled at her when she's itched non-stop and given her some vitamins. Nada. So, I threw her in the tub, lathered her up and let the soap sit and work it's magic. I only found 2 fleas, but maybe those two are the ones responsible for reaking havoc on her skin. Die, damnit. She was so cute sitting in the tub, bubbled up, that I had to take a photo.



On the way back to our place I stopped at John & Mary's to clean their house. Well, to start it. It usually takes me a few days, especially after their grandkids have been visiting. I bleached and scrubbed and swept and swiffered and vacuumed the downstairs and then jetted home. Shawn and I were having guests for dinner...my Dad and JamieD. Shawn was going to make his world famous "LUXURY BURGERS"...a mixture of beef and bison- with choice, top-secret seasonings. He also grilled some corn and for starters we had steamed clams. I threw together a blueberry crumble pie and BOOM. Dinner. JamieD and I were sippin on some Jack and Gingers...well, several Jack and Gingers, and the boys drank beer. Now all that's left is a pile of dishes........I think it's Shawn's turn to do dishes.....

Music & Veganism

Music & Veganism. One thing that is close to my heart, and one thing that is very foreign to me.... none-the-less, Music & Veganism is a blog created and maintained by my dear friend, and fellow musician, Charlotte Littlehales. Charlotte is a fabulous musician...like, phenomenal. The first time we met was at the World Cafe's WXPN Beta-HiFi Emerging Artists Music Festival a few years back. I had just started performing, and this one of my first 'big' gigs with my original music. Her and I shared the stage and I was just in awe of her and her band {at the time they went by Des Mer...which means 'of the sea', sexy right??}. Her music was jazzy and classy and deep and captivating. I remember looking up her myspace before we 'competed' against eachother {yes, this was a 'battle of the bands' type thing} and my heart dropped when I heard her music. I thought "Fuck. This girl is amazing. Damnit. What am I doing?!?!" haha. Over the years she has provided me with a ton of information about being a working musician and has offered insight into my music. It's been a great partnership. Also over the past year she has been a great wealth of information when it comes to natural remedies, diet and health. Woohooo for that!! SO, I thought that I would introduce you to her wonderful blog, which covers two of my fave things: FOOD AND MUSIC!

This is what Charlotte has to say about herself on her blog:

Hi! This is where I’m supposed to write stuff about myself.

Some things you may like to know about me is that I’ve been meat-free since either 1994 or ‘95 (it runs together), and vegan since 2001. A lot of people have helped me through the diet restricitions over the years; especially, of course, my parents. Neither of my parents are or ever will be vegetarian, but they always let me do my own thing… and for a long time, my mom fed me, since I was only 9 or 10 when I stopped eating meat. Nice, huh?

In addition to being vegan, I’m a musician in Philadelphia, PA. This is my music website. I work at a popular grocery store to support my music, and I play with three great musicians and friends around the city. I’m not very good at updating my shows on my website, but my myspace page is usually up to date, so if you’re interested, check there!

Lastly, I live with my boyfriend Phil, and we love to cook wholesome, delicious food together. I usually only post recipes that I made, but sometimes I post stuff Phil made because he’s such a great cook! Those are usually my favorite.

Thanks for visiting!

I'm no vegan, but I can definitely get down with some good vegan eats -- and I've tried some of Charlotte's fabulous and satisfying recipes. SO, check out her site. Check out her music. This chick rocks. Literally.

BLOG: http://www.charlottelittlehales.com/blog/

MUSIC: http://www.charlottelittlehales.com/

MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/charlottelittlehales

Workin' like a dog....

....well, downward dog. { for all you non-yogi's- downward dog is a yoga pose}

Yoga, cleaning houses, waitressing and singing have consumed my life lately. I don't even know the dates, I just know what work consists of Monday's, what needs to be done on Tuesday's...so on and so forth. And really, I don't mind it so much. I'm enjoying the work, I'm definitely enjoying the money {the SAVING of money}, and I'm feeling super productive and proud of the work I'm doing. The only thing is my legs. They ache. From my toes to my ankles, from my heels up to my knees. I'm not sure if it's the Lymes Disease, if it's too much candida yeast, or if it is just overworking them - but some nights I lay in bed and just feel like bursting into tears. The other night Shawn put some lotion on my stinky, sore feet and rubbed my toes and my heels - it was the most enjoyable thing I've experienced in months! I think I might invest in one of those foot soaks/foot massagers, because it's the only relief that I get. Well, whenever I start to feel fried -- beat down from the busy days I just try to keep my 'eyes on the prize'. I start to daydream about Ecuador - the oriente, the Galapagos, the Amazon and the Andes. I ponder about all that I'll see and do there...and then I focus on my months in Costa Rica. I plan the surf trips I'll take when I'm there and all of the fun that will be had. I plan out my second record - the songs that I'll put on it, the venue I'll have the record release, and the dress that I'll wear the night of my performance! Yep, whenever I'm feeling tired - I just try and think about the bigger picture.

SO: for anyone in support of my bigger picture....I'm at Mildred's every night of the week except Tues and Thursday. I have gigs on Tuesday's and Thursday's {see post below}, I am available to clean houses any day except Saturdays', and Yoga is on Wednesdays Fridays and Sundays from 7-8am, $10pp on 41st @ the Beoujouis's Beach House. NAMASTE. I hope that everyone is enjoying their summer...whether they are working or on vacation!

P.S.

Pat from Esterillos sent me some photos from her time here. These are some highlights.

The Big Pig Feast.

Dad. "shredding".

Snapper, the Filet-Man

Dad, teaching the boys how to shuck clams.

59th Street Pier, OCNJ

Pat's MONSTER Flounder

Mom and I, Workin our Magic in the KITCHEN.
I'm baking my "famous berry pie".

Goddamn Shoobies.

I was flipped off, yelled at, and given the death stare more times today than I'd like to count. Rude people in lines, angry-aggressive drivers and P.A. attitude.

After taking Maude on a long walk today, I decided to set-off and run some errands in Somers Point. My first stop was Santori's Produce and Vegetable Outlet....my go-to for cheap greens. As I was pulling in someone walked in front of my car, so I slowed to a stop and let them pass. Once they had passed I was going to accelerate but there was a car a few feet ahead of me pulling out of their spot, so I stayed where I was - giving them room to exit. Well don't you know that some guy yells at me "What the hell are you doing?!", dramatically throwing his hands in the air, because I hadn't moved my car, and he wanted to cross the parking lot into the store {why he didn't just walk AROUND the back of my car is beyond me...}. As I got inside, the man who was in the big hurry was waiting in a line of 50 people for deli meats...HA. That's what you get, bastard.

Leaving Santori's was no different -- with someone getting out of their car to direct traffic, yelling orders, so that his wife could pull out.

I was going to Starbucks to meet Paulie for a coffee, but he was going to be late so I decided to kill some time at the thrift store. While I was waiting in line to check out, and older woman literally bumped me and cut in line. Pushed her way in...obviously in a huge hurry to purchase her 3 towels. Oh well.

Had a soy latte @ Starbucks, chatted with Pablito, and then hopped in my car...ready to defend myself on the warpath that lie ahead. I turned the key and turned to exit the parking lot when a car drove by at 40 mph, slammed on the breaks, gave me the finger - then pulled away. Another old lady. I hadn't even put the car in reverse yet- I guess that she was just warning me not to....

A tad bit stressed out for all the assholes, I made my way to my last stop: KMart for some basic Hanes tanks. A man approached me and I thought "Oh man...here we go. What is it now?". But to my surprise he came up and applauded me on being so polite, and he insisted that I must not be from New Jersey. He had been in the thrift store when I was there earlier in the day, and commented on how polite I was with the women who worked there, and how well I handled the rude-lady-butting-in-line. AH, breath of fresh air.

Someone stole my spot in the long line at the gas station, but I didn't let it fluster me. I just laughed. Now I'm at my parents house, getting ready to jump into the pool, eat some good food, then head out for a wonderful gig.

Giggity Giggity.

Sven, Myself and Christian
Coffee Comedy, June 25th

The fourth of July is literally days away. The madness is about to be full swing. I'm definitely feeling the exhaustion setting in. Perhaps I'm still tired from the past two crazy weeks, and work picking up.... Last night I played at the Whitebriar in Avalon from 9 til close, came home, slept for a few hours and then was up at 6:15 got ready and headed out for 7am yoga at the Bougeious's house on the beach. Shawn joined me today for an intense flow yoga...it was awesome. It started to drizzle in the final minutes of the session, and it was a constant flow of rain as we laid in shavasana {corpse pose}. It was actually pretty magical. A perfect cool down for the internal heat we were producing. Shawn and I returned home, ate some green eggs, and then laid down for a powernap. Shawn slept for a few minutes...I slept for several hours - literally not rising from bed until quarter of one! Thank goodness I actually woke up, because I have to leave for work by 2pm! Yep, I have to open at the restaurant today! How unfortunate...especially because the sun finally came back out.

Right now I'm making myself a cup of coffee and going over the next few days of work...and weeks ahead of shows. If you haven't made it out to a show yet this summer, I hope to see your face at one of the upcoming. Show dates are updated frequently on www.myspace.com/cailincallahan, but here is a current rundown of my upcoming gigs:

Whitebriar Inn, Avalon NJ : Tuesday's @ 9pm {until close...11-12}.
Free. Covers and Originals.

Busch's, Sea Isle City NJ: 9pm until midnight. Free. Covers and Originals.
Thursday July 2nd
Thursday July 23rd
Thursday August 13rd
Thursday September 3rd

Coffee.Comedy, Sea Isle City NJ: 7:30pm. $8. Original Music.
Thursday August 20th
Thursday August 27th

Stay tuned for more to come. Now I gotta run and get to waitressing....