So, even if you aren’t a Christian, you might still love this video. Jason Castro is beyond adorable. (but shhh… don’t tell Boyfriend…)
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August 25, 2009
Delilah
When I was just a small Winnie, toting myself to and from the library with books like Tar Beach and Superfudge in my clutch, I dreamed of something adorable. There were lots of shiny cars in the parking lot. Tons of glinty metal. I only wanted one thing though. So I read my books. And I walked my walk. And eventually I got my license. With my license came Lucy, a well loved Saturn. One sad day, Lucy met her fate, escorting me across the street (to the library of all places) when someone blew a stop sign and smashed into her right side. Poor Lucy was totalled in a fender bender.
After Boyfriend and I put Lucy to rest last night, we embarked on a new adventure. Tonight, we will welcome home Delilah, my very own something adorable. http://www.vw.com/newbeetle/gallery/en/us/#/exterior/2/
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August 18, 2009
The Obituaries
After reading the book Relationship Obituaries by Kathleen Horan, I was inspired to write a short obituary of my own. Thinking back over the years, I realized there is really only one relationship worthy of obituary status. He did not break my heart, but it’s still a tale worth telling.
Cause of Death: Case of Mistaken Identity
Winnie and Peter
Born: September 2004
Died: March 2005
The couple’s first real outing consisted of a Broadway show and shopping on 5th Avenue. Some say this was a tell tale sign. Winnie ignored the very symptoms that would squeeze until the vital signs were null. She brushed off the Abercrombie and Fitch labels; right down to belts and socks. She mindlessly passed him the tissues during The Notebook. She held her ears when he screamed louder than her at the sight of a spider. She even just shrugged when her father had to change the headlight on his car. It was a dark time for both when the dead and dying were more concerned with the condition of nail beds; his of course. It’s okay to use daddy’s credit card for 5th Avenue expenditures as Daddy’s Little Princess. However, Daddy’s Little Prince doesn’t sound nearly as precious. The deceased is survived by few family friend connections and one Billabong sweatshirt cast off by the offender as “so last season”.
Famous Last Words: “Would you mind if I took back that Gap coupon?”
The book really is better, but the website will just have to do…
…and go see 500 Days of Summer while you’re at it.
It was excellent 
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August 9, 2009
Some Fleeting Thoughts
“You do not get what you wish for; you get what you work for.”
I have no idea who said this quote, but i thought it so truthful, it needed to be shared. There are so many things that we all want to see happen in our lives, it’s important to remember that we are the only ones who can start the progress.
It hit me today how thankful I truly am for all of the things I have in my life, and all of the opportunities that I have to work for the things that I want. I guess having an extremely supportive and wonderful family along with an equally supportive, wonderful and extra stellar boyfriend help as well.
Just count your blessings.
and listen to this song because I love it.
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July 28, 2009
Learn Something New Every Day
They say you learn something new every day. Although most of us may never learn who “they” really are, I’ve been trying to pay attention to what my life is attempting to teach me.
This weekend I learned some disturbing statistics that plague New York City. While watching the documentary “Very Young Girls”, I was startled to see the subculture of sex trafficking that exists just an hour from my house. This ugly sect of society thrives on the innocence and vulnerability of troubled young girls. The men who peddle these girls through a life of prostitution are feeding off of their need for love and attention. Once they are in, the opportunities for escape are scarce. The scariest part is that when those opportunities do present themselves, the girls are less than willing to take it. They still feel loved by what has virtually become their ‘owner’. They still crave that attention and elusive feeling of security. The desperate situation of trafficking that we are exposed to generally comes to us in the form of some other country that exists in the back of our minds. Check out this cool organization formed to help women escape a life of abuse and addiction found in prostitution here in New York: http://www.gems-girls.org/
… and remember, the average age of a girl trafficked in NYC is 14 years old.
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July 25, 2009
Smile!
Five Things To Make You Smile, Winnie Style
1.) The triumphant return of HBO’s True Blood. Sookie is seriously stupid, but I still can’t get enough. And really, Eric is wierdly hot. http://www.hbo.com/trueblood/season2/
2.) Katy Perry on the cover of Cosmo’s August issue. Her article shows the world her true colors… and the fact that she will“just be the girl who sang ‘I Kissed a Girl’.” What, did you want to be known for? Your grammatically shocking “Ur So Gay”? I guess it was funny the first time. And proves that your lack of intelligence surpasses the frivolty of your lyrics. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWbLkXhGEmo
3.)Beetles! http://www.vw.com/newbeetle/gallery/en/us/#/exterior/1/
4.) This fabulous movie… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqNgsnsMnsI… but you should really read the book first.
5.) My hero. http://www.jasminestarblog.com/
Have a Great Day!
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July 22, 2009
“Babies Aren’t Cheap Man”
MTV”s “16 and Pregnant” is my new vice. One girl on each of these episodes finds herself in a pre-marital, (and in some cases just past pre-teen) predicament. It’s a definite guilty pleasure how much I enjoy this show. There’s absolutely no reason for the public to be witnessing these girls’ trauma, and yet we just can’t seem to stop. I think the show does a good job depicting the actual pregnancy, perhaps lacking some details on the pre-pregnancy ventures. I know we all understand the birds and the bees factor, but some younger viewers may not understand the lack of thought and responsibility that went into creating another human life in these situations. Normally these shows provide a glamourized version of teenage parenthood, but I think they stick to the facts pretty well. Some parents are totally unsupportive. Some completely behind thier child. Others full of hate. And yet still more full of love. Give it a look and decide for yourself.
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July 7, 2009
long live the book store!
I scoured a war zone tonight. There was red tape everywhere. Books big and small scattered across the floor in a fit of outrage. Pages were torn, jewels were missing and even Twilight was frightened and alone, abandoned by the masses. Can you imagine? The bargain racks were so overburdened they were buckling under the wieght of literary masterpieces. The war is being waged in every town. Wander into your local Borders and perhaps you will see for yourself. (Don’t even get me started on independent book stores. Let these guys do the talking: http://www.indiebound.org/) It’s a war on print that intensifies everyday.
Don’t you like seeing your newspaper on your driveway in the morning? It just seems like a part of life that should be stable in these constantly shifting times. My children should be able to read Where the Wild Things Are with the pictures in front of thier faces and glossy under their little hands. I really feel the Kindle couldn’t satisfy me like a new hardcover book. So while I am pondering the dying art of print, I realize that maybe I am the only one who cares this much. I just don’t understand though. How can we urge the death of an entire market?
The feeling is akin to an existential crisis for me. I am questioning the devotion between myself and written word. Would it really be that terrible to have all of my books in one wieght free space? What would I really be sacrificing? Why has print been this important to me all along? I wonder about the possibility of my insistence being completely irrelevant. Maybe I am forcing print with reasoning along the lines of Mersault’s trial. I have to say though, if it is in the theme of absurdity that I beg for print to be permanent, then by all means, label me absurd. As irrational as some may find the protest of print’s death, I find their new age methods to be just as unappealing.
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June 29, 2009
Scan Happy
I’m in love. With the scanners at Stop and Shop. Do you have them? You go around and scan your own products. Bag your own tomatoes. Stick them with a sticker and out the door you go. I wanted to scan everything in the store. It has crossed my mind how people could possibly be honest. How Stop and Shop is surviving. I guess the human race deserves more credit. I stood in the middle of the bread aisle, scanner in hand, thinking about how one day I’ll be shopping for a whole family. I definitely have an unhealthy obsession with the grocery store. I have an even unhealthier obsession with the idea of shopping for a family. How many juice boxes I’ll need. What I’ll make for dinner on Wednesday. There’s a possibility I’m the only college student alive who dreams of clipping coupons and buying the right organic blueberries. I might need to get out more. But, seriously, the scanner DOES NOT help.
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June 24, 2009
Mommywood
Dear Tori Spelling,
I’ve gotten to know you and Dean fairly well this season. I’ve adjusted to Mehran’s place in your marriage. I’ve gushed over the utter adorableness of your lovely Stella and your little Liam. I get it. Your family is wonderful. As is your family life.
So my real concern is just a question. What exactly are you so busy with? Every time the camera asks for a confession, you answer with a complaint; I am just so busy, I can’t figure out how to balance everything, does Dean realize I’m home with these kids… etc. This is simply scratching the surface. What is it, Tori, that you are balancing? What is it that you cannot possibly fathom accomplishing in the hectic days of Barney’s oblivion and nanny aided afternoons? (and really, let’s be honest here, it’s not just the afternoons.) So Tori, can I help you in some way? Perhaps entice Dean with a dangerous sport or sell one of your children? What else can we do for you?
It is possible that this is not the best market to be selling your mansion. It is also possible that whining about your life is not the best idea. I’m glad you were the Grand Marshall of the Mother Goose parade. Just let Dean sleep already.
I’m just saying, kids cry, dogs “bust ass” on the carpet, mothers work and life still goes on.
Sincerely,
Winnie.