Thursday, August 27, 2009

call me crazy....


I think I could live at Starbucks. Yes, I love the small, independent coffee shops. And yes, I will drink that Santa Barbara Snickers Blended Java Jones. BUT...there is just something about Starbucks that leaves me with a warm, fuzzy feeling on the inside. Of course I realize this warm fuzziness is probably a direct result of drinking hot beverages that actually physically increase my body's temperature, but I like to think of it as a more magical experience than that. Don't get me wrong; I have my complaints about the empire. As a whole, however, well done Buckies, well done.
I know it's silly, but I get SO EXCITED to go to the Bucks. Something about the ability to order whatever you want, and the anticipation of receiving "the regular," or something you've never tried before...it just rubs me the right way.

One semester in college I spent a significant amount of time in my ALL TIME FAVORITE STARBUCKS, on the corner of Victoria and State Street in Santa Barbara. By the end of the semester, I knew almost every barista, and going to Starbucks was more like hanging out with friends than anything else. (I realize that buckies can get expensive, and YES, there is a lot of initial investment that goes into the process. (buying drinks, meeting the barista's, etc.) But I'm a firm believer that there is a good return on investment once you get to know the barista's, and they HOOK YOU UP!)

To note: Starbucks is far better in the fall and winter time. I mean, what can be better than drinking a latté or cappuccino in chilly weather while sitting at a window table. There are few things I appreciate more than a good book or a good conversation over a cup of coffee. And if you even dare to add a little Ray Lamontagne or Mindy Smith to the mix, watch out.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Kapsie and Jeff Jeff in SB

Mom and Dad were in town this past weekend for a wedding, and we were ACTIVE. Let's just say we strolled the art walk, went sailing, rode bikes for a picnic at the mission, Kapsie and I went SPEED WALKING from downtown to Shoreline Park, we danced at a wedding, and we ate lots of food. Good food. Cantwells, The Palace, Palazzio's, and of course, the Hotel Santa Barbara Scones because YES I will be eating these please, HELLO, my parents are staying here for FREE. (Thanks again Maddie!! :) )







Thursday, August 13, 2009

huzzah!


I'm related to a celebrity.



a pregnant goldfish is called a twit. i know. weird.

Tim and I discovered a GREAT find at one of my all-time favorite stores in Santa Barbara. The store is called "Random." I can only assume that it's called this because it is a one-hundred percent accurate representation of what the store entails. This store almost defies explanation. They have everything from bootleg Asian sports jersey's to Martha Stewart wedding books.

Here is a cross section of what I have purchased from Random in the past.
- A Cake Platter
- SPY artwork
- Picture Frame
- Antique Books
- Thank-You Cards
- Dice
- Buttons
- Dept. 56 North Pole Christmas Decorations
- Used Christmas lights
- Glass Bottles
- Knives
- Extension Cords

That's a short list friends. One of the best parts of this store is that things are relatively inexpensive, and if you feel like something is overpriced, you HAGGLE. But enough about the other fabulous finds I've purchased; the point of this post is to display what was perhaps the most EPIC find of all. I'm convinced I should purchase this to incorporate in Abbey's wedding somehow.




Dino is about 12 feet tall. And look...his tail comes off! If that's not made for convenient travel.....

It's like he's BEGGING to be in the wedding!

Monday, July 27, 2009

I have twenty three years

Twenty-three years. I has them.

While I liked the symmetry of 22, so far I'm digging 23. I'm obviously much more mature than I was at age twenty-two. Probably better looking, and an all around better person. Maddie and Michelle made me feel SUPER SPESH [as in special] on my b-day by throwing me a splendid garden party with some of my best buddies. Michelle cooked a fabulous smorgasbord, and Maddie used her artistic capabilities to ensure proper birthday ambiance. It was the perfect end to a great day. Starting my day off with a dozen roses, and breakfast with my man wasn't too bad either.
Before I continue documenting the delights of my life, I would like to take a moment to discuss the recent addition to our neighborhood. This addition is our new next door neighbor. I have yet to meet him--or bring him freshly baked goods, as all good neighbors should--however I have heard him. Yes, heard. The man is a snorer. A BIG snorer. I'm not sure if it's a condition, habit, or perhaps freedom of choice--but he's definitely perfected the art of the snore. Deep, rumbling, and close to breaking the sound barrier, our neighbor has definitely gotten our attention via his sleeping habits. That said, I can't wait to meet him!

In other news, I went to the BEST WEDDING EVER on July 25. Jessica Caswell and Ryan Bennett. Seriously...one of the better nights of my life [I can only imagine how great it was for them]. The wedding was at Montecito Covenant Church, and the reception was at the Doubletree Hotel on Cabrillo. (HELLO ocean view!) Ryan and Jess are two good friends from Westmont. They have been dating for the past five years. The wedding was such a celebration of their relationship, and commitment to Christ, and each other. The ceremony and language of the vows was beautiful. Everything about the wedding felt so right for them [it's kind of hard to explain]. ANYWAY, enough mushy gushy about my friends, the wedding reception ROCKED. Essentially, the wedding guests were comprised of all my best friends from Santa Barbara and Westmont. We had a happy hour on the balcony of the hotel while we waited for Ryan and Jess to get to the reception. It was absolutely unbelievable up there. So beautiful. I had one minor incident with a seagull and his pervasive desire for my snackies--which eventually ended in a dive bomb that I barely squeaked away from--but other than that, perfection. After they arrived at the wedding, we had a delicious meal of filet mignon. I mean, it was good. Meals like that make me exceedingly glad to be a carnivore.

The real highlight, in my opinion, was the EPICNESS that was the DANCE FLOOR. Oh man, I am definitely having dancing at my wedding; and let me just say, that my friends better be bustin' a move. Part of what makes the dancing so great is audience participation. The wedding guests were a winning group, almost all of them were out there shaking their thangs on the dance floor. The DJ was good too, not one of those cheese ball wedding DJ's that make you lose your appetite for the first red meat you've seen in months [steak is expensive!]. The music was just a delight. Great mix of classics, 80's, country, and then...HIPPITY HOP! Todd and I were out there from the first song to the last, dancing our little booties off. [shoutout by the way, to Todd's supreme dance skillz.] We also got to dance with the bride and groom, which obviously made me feel SO special :). Something about newlyweds makes me feel super honored when they talk to me, let alone bust a move next to me.

So congratulations to Jess and Ryan!! I'm just thrilled for them! Thank you for inviting me to a fabulous wedding!

Thursday, July 09, 2009

En Route

Did you know that Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, AZ is America's Friendliest Airport? Me neither. I'm not sure how this claim is going to hold up against other American airports, [DIA has the best smelling bathrooms, BY FAR] but the totally free Wi-Fi is nifty. And the Starbucks located right next to my gate isn't half bad either [if you disregard the marked up prices, of course].

I forgot to set my alarm last night. Good thing I was woken up by my mother's panicked voice, "Sarah you have to get up. Abbey hurt her neck."QUOTE: Kapsie.
It probably took me a good three seconds to register this statement, but that wasn't the quick response time Kapsie was looking for. Bear in mind that it's about 6:30 ante meridian. After about ten seconds I was up in a jiffy. Long story short, it was an exciting morning spent at the chiropracter's office watching the doc tweak Abbey's neck [adjustments, as the he called them] in quick movements that were unexpected and nauseating to witness. But I think they made her feel better, which was really the point of the whole situation. Turns out the silly girl flattened the discs in her neck and decided to pinch a few nerves to boot. Well, THAT should teach her to sleep on her stomach. Ska-DOOOOSH.

Let's see let's see...what else. Well, I've been affirmed yet again that Colorado is one of the best states, if not THE best state,
in the union. This is not said flippantly, it's factual. Just feeling the fresh air fill your lungs is evidence enough of the state's seniority. Sure, people complain about the altitude, but they're pansies. Yes, it takes getting used to, but it is SO WORTH IT! Yesterday I took the beautiful drive up I-70 to Breckenridge with Sandy, Bentley, and Mom to look at the sleigh riding business the Tate's purchased, Two Below Zero. Check out the website, www.dinnersleighrides.com. The biz is located in Frisco, CO, which is about 9 miles West of Breck. What's pretty snazzy about this area of Colorado is that you get to go through the Eisenhower tunnel to get there, which ALWAYS provides a challenge to those following the belief that one must hold one's breath whilst in the heart of a mountain. Two Below is nestled right on the edge of the Dillon Reservoir, with a backdrop of the mountains. Not too shabby.

One thing I've also realized is that adequate protection from the sun must be worn at all times, particularly at higher altitudes. My feet and shoulders have a rather interesting tan line at the present.













Sandy, Kapsie and I had lunch in downtown Breckenridge. Once again, my love for Colorado was confirmed. We ate on the outside patio against a BEAUTIFUL view of the ski resort; we were served by a man with a handlebar
mustache; and I found an authentic shawarma on the menu. For those of you who don't know what this is, sad. For those of you who have experienced the joy of a Doner Kebab, you know my bliss.



Some other highlights of my trip home are getting so see my family, rainbows, and helping my sister plan her wedding! And in one final thought, DEATH TO THE PINE BEATLE!



Friday, June 26, 2009

traveling

Today I’m flying to Colorado to spend some quality time with the family, and to help my sister as she plans for the big day.  I obviously say “the big day” to try and sound more clever when referring the to day of her marriage, her wedding day, the day she says “I Do.”  As I look back on it, it’s really not clever at all. I digress.


To start the traveling process, I took the Santa Barbara airbus down to Los Angeles Airport--LAXY as I like to call it.  I was checked into the airbus by one Jim Whitehead.  I think Whitehead is a very unfortunate last name--no offense to Jim, because he really was quite nice; monotone, but nice.  And he drove that bus like a pro, only scaring me senseless once as we careened around the curves of the PCH (why we took the PCH, I haven’t the foggiest).  I’ll be the first to say that Mr. Whitehead’s bus doesn’t quite hug the curves like my little Honda.  But we made it, and I believe the only appropriate word to adequately express my thankfulness is, of course, huzzah.


I would also like to make a note regarding a condition I have which I will henceforth refer to as unexplainable queasiness and potential fainting (UQ for short).  My UQ comes at the strangest of times.  A few examples.  Once UQ struck as I was watching a video of a very flexible human, for no apparent reason, my poor self was so uncomfortable with the situation that I ended up fainting in class.  UQ also gets me when I see old people with visible bruises, or if I see very, very skinny people.  UQ also strikes right before I travel, usually the morning of.  I get this nauseous feeling in the pit of my stomach when I think about taking a bus, a long car ride, or plane flight.  I once thought to blame this on motion sickness, but I’m the kind of girl who can ride roller coasters all day and feel nothing but exhilaration.  There’s no explaining it...it’s an anomaly.  All this to say, UQ struck once again as I was on the SB Airbus, and I had the distinct urge to either faint, or perhaps vomit.  I was anticipating the sneak attack from UQ, so I was mentally prepared to handle the situation appropriately.  I don't mean to brag, but I was a champ.  It usually passes after a few minutes of purely unexplainable, and not very pleasant body sensations.  I take particular pride in this specific success story, because not only was I fighting UQ, I was also battling against Whitehead’s death defying driving.


So here I am sitting in LAXY, just loving the people watching. This wholesome recreation is readily available at any public location, but something about airports just increases the people watching joy; specifically in L.A.  Los Angeles, a city filled with ridiculous people.  Something in the water here has created a menagerie of bizarre people wearing bizarre things, and obviously acting at the calibre you would expect from those who wear the word JUICY proclaimed proudly on their tooshies.  Yes, these are the same people who wear sunglasses inside, stiletto’s with their sweat pants, and carry large rodents in their purse that some genius started marketing as dogs.  It’s a well known fact that NYC has a huge rat population in the subway system.  I see the “sm

all dog” situation here in L.A. as much worse than New York’s rat issues.  Not only are the Chihuahua's here in “So-Cal” visible during the day, but they are allowed to be taken into public locations and even petted by the envious newcomers in L.A. who are seeking approval by the ludicrous standards of the self proclaimed rich and famous.   


Enough about other people, back to focusing on myself.  I’m flying Southwest to Colorado.  If you’ve ever flown Southwest before, then you’re aware of the trepidation beginning to build in my very core as I wait to be boarded.  If you’ve never flown this airline, let me enlighten you. I believe it can be summed up in three well chosen and poignant words.  No. Assigned. Seats.  It’s pretty much a free-for-all when it comes to getting seated on the plane.  I feel strongly that some people save all their pent up aggression between Southwest flights, building it up inside until the next time they can release it on Southwest newbies upon time of boarding.  


I realize I might be portraying this whole situation somewhat incorrectly as there are a few loose rules about boarding time.  You are given boarding group A, B, or C; and then an additional number associated with your boarding group anywhere from 1-60.  Boarding group A, numbers 1-30 gets to go first, followed by A 31-60; and then so forth through C 31-60.  The Southwest pro’s have perfected the ability to check in at exactly the right time to ensure themselves group A.  The super pro’s, if there is such a thing, get A 1-30.  I have no idea how it’s done, and am consistently stuck with group C, which is where I think the real aggression lies.  By the time I get on the plane, there is heavy competition for the, gasp, ONE WINDOW SEAT IN THE BACK.  After that seat vanishes in seconds, you’re left to go for the limited aisle seats.  Trust me, those get snatched up faster than you can say Davey Jones Locker.  As a result, and as has always been my case, you must resign yourself to the middle seat; usually located next to those with unfortunate metabolisms.  


So as you can understand, I’m starting to get a little nervous about boarding the flight.  I’m definitely planning to throw some elbow’s, but there’s no telling what might happen if UQ hits me in a clutch moment......