Trying to make this shit happen

1. Start on and finish a book I got back in November:

2. Cut back, but not completely cut out, on this:

and since I'm at it, cut back on this, too:

3. Spend more time with these ladies:

Also, spend more time with my friends. We work so much, live fairly close to each other, and still don't hang out as often as we should.

4. Spend money on mini trips and not on shoes.

5. Be a better S.O. for this guy:

6.  Stop saying that everything sucks, because it really doesn't.

Everything has to come to an end

Since everyone is doing this, here's my best of for 2011:

Best (sweetest) thing I heard someone say:

"Hold on to me, my love"--an elderly man saying this to his wife who could barely walk.

Best creepy moment:

Getting scammed into checking this place out

I swear to this day that we were being watched by Tom Cruise the entire time and that we were going to die a horrible, horrible death.

Best road trip:

We drank, we head banged, we conquered at Scion Metal Fest 2011 in Pomona, CA. 

Best "I need to start using ear plugs now" moment:

My ears wanted to bleed after Neurosis was done with their set.

Best purchase:

It's a tie between car insurance and my new Marc by Marc Jacobs purse.

(And just to throw it in there, worst purchase was those black Onitsuka Tiger shoes I bought on Black Friday. They're basically overpriced shoes made out of recycled cardboard.)

Best date with the Bearded Man

Our day in SF.

Best FUCK YEAH! I'M SO EXCITED!!! moment:

Watching, listening to Henry Rollins interview Dinosaur Jr. and then seeing Dinosaur Jr. play so loud they rival Neurosis.

Also, getting hired at my internship, and then a week later my mom got hired at her job after being unemployed for almost 2 years. 

Best anything:

Every other day that I didn't mention. The days where I all I did was go to work, come home, go out, eat food, drink beers, read, window-shop, run errands, make horrible jokes, go on bike rides, make plans but never follow through cause all of the above goes on instead, start on and sometimes finish projects, and watch tv.

I think 2011 was a pretty damn good year. 

My first

Homemade pizza!

I don't think I can ever go back to ordering pizza again...well, maybe if it's from Pizza & Curry. I had told myself earlier in the year that I wanted to attempt to make a pizza. Off to Trader Joe's it was to get the ingredients:

Pre-made pizza dough

pesto sauce

mozzarella

chopped pancetta

sliced Roma tomatoes

Assemble it any way you want, stick in in the oven at 400 for 15 minutes and there it is!

Just add your favorite beer.

FINALLY!

I finally saw the man, whose pose partly inspired the name of this blog, in person last night. You can read all the details of the night here. 

I'm still kicking myself in the ass for not bringing along the camera for the show. But it's okay, because in March, I will have another opportunity to see him again.

I was soooooo giddy!

BOYCOTT AMERICAN LICORICE

This past Monday, workers at American Licorice went on strike. All they're asking for is fair health care benefits, and in return the company wants to get rid of the union altogether. Bearded Man's mom has been working for this company for some 20 plus years and she's one of the people on strike. These are very confusing times, we work so hard at our jobs only to be told they want to get rid of you, that there's no money, that health care is too expensive. What the hell's going on in this country? Today we got a chance to go out there and join in on the strike. It truly was a family affair, people brought their kids and grandchildren. We were all there to support the people we love and who work so hard.

Bearded Man supporting his mommy.

Bearded Man's mommy, Hilda, has been working for this company for the last 20 years. 

This little girl was supporting her grandma. It was sweet.

Nora was supporting her mommy too.

Some of the American Licorice workers.

Our shift was over. Bearded Man decided to pose next to the Christmas tree the workers on strike had set up this week. 

Next time you go the movies, say no to red vines or sour punch straws. This company wants to get rid of their union workers, these people have families to take care of. 

I've been in my head too much

1. The holidays are here again, another year has gone by.
2. I'm afraid of making plans, but there a lot of good things in store for 2012.
3. Health Science
4. Why am I always so tired now?
5. In a fit of rage, I got rid of all my pending DIY projects and now I have to start from scratch again.
6. My bills have gotten paid on time now that I rarely leave the house.
7. I need to get out of the house more.
8. I need to spend more time with my sisters.
9. I need to spend less time thinking about things have happened or that never will happen.
10. Where do I begin with planning a wedding?
11. Stop thinking about my own mortality.
12. Start working out again.
13. Really, do #12, don't just say it.
14. My jokes really aren't funny.
15. Find 2 ugly christmas sweaters.

I need to get back in tune with the rest of the world.