Farewell summer...

It's Labor Day weekend which can only mean *sigh* summer is over. Rats, it's time to wear socks again. I dread the day I have to put away my sandals. It breaks my heart. I like Fall, I really do; I like the changing leaves, I like haunted houses, I like the cool evenings, I like being able to drink hot chocolate again, but going back to wearing shoes is just so very, very sad. Goodbye flip flops...I'll miss you most of all.

A couple of things I'm digging right now...

1. Twisted Four Layer Protein Bars - Normally I'm kind of eh about protein bars but these are so tasty. I take them for my breakfast when I'm in a hurry. They combine pretzel, caramel, chocolate, peanuts, nougat and chocolate, peanut butter or vanilla coating--and they have 15 grams of protein! I like the peanut butter and chocolate ones best. Kind of a salty/sweet snack plus all that protein to keep you going. You can buy them in a big box at Costco.

2. The Irish band The Script. They are all over the singles charts in Britain and I've fallen in love with them. Their songs "Breakeven" and especially "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" are completely awesome. You can download "We Cry" on iTunes, but it's not my favorite. It's much more R&B than the other songs, which are totally chill. You can check out their live Abbey Road 2008 performance of "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" here:





3. Limited Edition Snickers "Rockin' Nut Road Bar" (Rocky Road) - I heart Rocky Road ice cream, it's probably my favorite so when I saw this at Sev the other day, I had to give it a whirl. Dark chocolate--good. Almonds--good. Marshmallow--good. Caramel--good. What's not to like? The dark chocolate just makes it that much better. If you like Rocky Road stuff, I suggest you try it.

Same Zip code. New Drama.

I'm ashamed to admit I'm kind of looking forward to 90210 v2.0. Mostly because Jessica Walters/Lucille Bluth is making her return to network TV as a boozy grandmother. Welcome back, Lucille! I love her. Also Aunt Becky from Full House is on it (she'll always be Christian from RAD to me). I have no clue who any of the "kids" are. Shannen Doherty and Jennie Garth are reprising their roles as Brenda and Kelly. Can Dylan be far behind? Ah, how I've missed those awesome sideburns...see ya at the Peach Pit, y'all.

Gilmore v. Bluth

Just something to think about: In a fight between Emily Gilmore and Lucille Bluth, who would win?

Back in time...

I found a new ridiculous website. It's called Yearbook Yourself. You upload a photo of yourself and then you get to see what your yearbook photo would have looked like had you gone to high school in 1952 or 1966 or 1974 or 1988. It is a real treat. Boy I'm glad I wasn't in high school in the 80s or in the 50s--my photos from those decades were brutal. Anyway, enjoy!

Things that break my heart a little...

I hate it when people mess with the classics. There are some things you just don't touch. Don't get me started on the remastered Star Wars Trilogy and the new song at the end instead of the far superior Ewok jam...grrr. Moving on, I read something yesterday and it greatly disturbed me. The geniuses at Hasbro have decided to update the beloved board game Clue. There is now a spa and a theater in the mansion(I can't tell if they got rid of the conservatory or not), Colonel Mustard is now a football star and they got rid of the lead pipe! Gah! How dare they! They have added (as weapons) a trophy, a baseball bat and an ax. Needless to say, I will be keeping my version circa 1985. This is Emily, in the office, with the Diet Coke...

...don't waste my time.

One of the best movie clips ever.

JEM -- Jealousy Music Video

One of my favorite Jem songs. They should bring back Jem. Care Bears and My Little Pony are fine and all but Jem rocked! Plus the clothes she wears are back in style.

The American Mall

I'm intrigued by this new show on MTV called The American Mall. Supposedly it's MTV's answer to the HSM phenomenon. It's High School Musical for a slightly older audience. Seeing how it's done by some of the same producers, choreographers, writers, etc. of HSM, I'm sure it's got some similarities. It premieres tonight on MTV. Please have a classic ballad like "Gotta Go My Own Way" (I love to sing along to that in my car), that's all ask. Plus, it stars Taylor from The O.C., so that's a good sign, right?

9 to 5: The Musical

Nine to five, what a way to make a livin' barely gettin' by... If you've never seen the movie 9 to 5, it is an 80s classic. If you've ever had a nightmare boss, you'll enjoy this flick. Plus, it has one of the best theme songs--EVER! Anyway, it's been adapted into a musical and starting in September they are going to premiere it in LA. It stars Megan Hilty, Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block and Marc Kudisch. That is one killer cast. I'm hoping to make my way down to LA this fall to see it, otherwise I'll have to wait until 2009 to see it on Broadway. Dolly Parton has written the music and lyrics for the production. Dolly doesn't get enough credit for songwriting. She really is stellar. I mean the woman wrote I Will Always Love You! For Dolly's sake, here's hoping it's a smash hit. Go here for more info and fun little video clip.

Loser of the week

I've always been kind of on the fence about Carlos Boozer. He'll do something lame, then redeem himself. That seems to be his MO. I was disappointed to see that he and Dwight Howard thought they were too cool to wear their hats in the Opening Ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics. I understand it was hot outside and the hats were nerdy but everyone else had the decency to wear theirs. For pete's sake even Kobe Bryant was wearing his hat and he thinks he's too cool for anything and everything. I just think there's a time and a place for things and when you're representing your country on a world stage, you conform. You represent. You act classy. So anyway, Carlos will have to have some good games to earn his way back into my good graces. Okay, rant finished.

..and I don't have to take it!

A co-worker of mine has been getting inappropriate text messages from a former intern of ours. I think he needs to show her this powerful public service announcement from the 1980s.

Straight up now tell me...

Today at work we were talking about the first cassette tapes we ever owned. I received Whitney Houston for Christmas in third grade. It was the first. Here's the list:

1. Whitney Houston Whitney Houston-- Greatest Love of All will always hold a special place in my heart (49th Street Galleria? Matt took the high notes.)
2. Paula Abdul Forever Your Girl -- I was sure I knew exactly who "Cold Hearted Snake" was written about.
3. Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation -- "Black Cat", anyone? Still a classic. "Escapade"?
4. Roxette Look Sharp -- Too many good songs on this, but "The Look", "Half a Woman, Half a Shadow" and "Dressed for Success" are still favorites.
5. Martika Toy Soldiers -- ...we all fall down...like toy soldiers.
6. A mixtape by Becca R. -- it had the Cocktail soundtrack, "Hungry Eyes" and "Lose Control" by Eric Carmen, and some Belinda Carlisle, "Circles in the Sand" (I think).

What were the first tapes you owned?

Lone Star Taqueria

I always like to try new places, so when a friend recommended the tamales at Lone Star Taqueria (2265 Fort Union Blvd. just east of Dan's), I knew I had to check it out. It's got great tamales and really good fish tacos. Make sure to get a Lime Jarritos with your meal. The food seems more suited to a shack by the beach in Cabo or something. Everything is fresh, quite inexpensive and it's always crowded. Try it out, let me know what you think.

Sur la Plage...

I'd so much rather be in Laguna today instead of here at this desk, with this ringing phone, and this pile of stuff. It's been one of those weeks so excuse me while I dream of Orange Inn orange juice, Bandera ribs, sand in my toes, watching an indie movie at the little theater, hanging out in the hot tub, Nana's drawer of goodies...if I still had a summer break, I'd be in Laguna Beach right now. Sometimes being an adult just isn't worth it.