Shampoo Solo

Entries from March 2008

I’m the One That’s Tattooed on His Arm

March 29, 2008 · No Comments

To: Meredith & Scott
From: Male Friend Who Shall Remain Anonymous
Re: McSweeney’s

It goes without saying that I have the McSweeney’s book of lists on my coffee table. It also goes without saying that my friend Lucy has no interest in college basketball, so she’s been reading it when she and her husband come over to watch hoops. She’s hooked on it.

Anyway, we’re sitting at my house last night and she says, “I was at the McSweeney’s site today and read the best list. It was ‘Other Things There Will Be, In Addition to Blood.’”

This struck me as adorably cute, the kind of randomness that happens only in romantic comedies and rarely, if ever, in real life. It also got me thinking about some of my favorite McSweeney’s list, and while I do enjoy many, my No. 1 most favorite of all times would have to be Airlines That Never Took Off. There is a bar/lounge we frequent often called the Continental; immediately after reading that list it was forever renamed the Contimental.

Categories: Daily

Sometimes I Wish

March 26, 2008 · 2 Comments

That someone would tell me that I had a voice like ginger ale. You know … soothing. Sadly, I have a voice that sounds like glass being chewed.

Categories: Daily

Six Songs for Sunday

March 16, 2008 · No Comments

1. Mercy — Duffy (Currently the free single of the week on iTunes, first exposed [to me] by the guys at Asylum, a site all dudes should be reading; Duffy’s like Amy Winehouse without the drugs, showcasing a ‘Stand by Me’ beat without any of that Sean Kingston annoyingness.)

2. You’re a Wolf — Sea Wolf (You can download this one for free from Spinner, then be prepared to listen to it on repeat endlessly.)

3. Flat on the Floor — Carrie Underwood (This was the second song she performed on ‘SNL’ a few weeks ago; it was stronger live, but it proves Carrie can do more than smash headlights when she’s angry.)

4. Don’t Bring Me Down (Live) — The New Pornographers (From the Soho show iTunes is currently selling. An American classic as performed by my absolute favorite band.)

5. Work That — Mary J. Blige (I normally despise Mary J., but even I can’t resist a song this catchy; a coworker shared it with me for an office mix CD.)

6. Open Your Eyes — Snow Patrol (Currently showcased in the ‘Stop-Loss’ trailer, which proves this song can make me want to watch anything.)

Categories: Pop Culture

On Irrational Despondency

March 10, 2008 · No Comments

Downturn Tests the Fed’s Ability to Avert a Crisis
In the last seven months, policy makers have cut interest rates, injected money into the banking system and approved a fiscal stimulus package in an effort to keep the economy from slipping into a recession. Often, the moves seemed to work at first, only to be overtaken by more bad news.If the housing boom was a manifestation of irrational exuberance, some say it has swung too far in the other direction, to irrational despondency.

I have a theory on this, this irrational despondency.

There is something inherently romantic about pinching pennies — there is challenge, there is drama, there is danger, there is hope and there is hopelessness.

Can a mortgage that’s $50,000 underwater can feel more valuable than one with that much equity?

The answer is yes — because it’s an opportunity to show fortitude, for those of us who have never, in our adult lives, really been tested.

We can reuse plastic bags.
We can forgo bottles of pinot noir.
We can use the library.
We can eat leftovers.
We can tighten our belts.
We can dream up our stories.
We can visit parks and museums.
We can walk.

Making ends meet — there is romance in such a predicament. And there is freedom in unsurmountable debt.

Look, I’ll be the first person to admit that I’m a classic consumer (yes, just two posts down I’m oogling Marc Jacobs dresses). But this movement toward irrational despondency is to me like the flip side of the coin (a much smaller coin) for people who haven’t found fulfillment through luxury goods, through fancy vacations, through equity in their homes, through having and spending money at will.

So what will the irrationally despondent learn?

The conclusion is foregone — why, that they best things in life are free, of course.

It’s simple … almost too simple, and too obvious, but that’s what makes it so brilliant, and so right on time.

We’ve been so wrapped up in the rat race, in acquiring and in investing, in buying bigger and bigger cars and pricier and pricier handbags, that we’ve forgotten our center. This is a chance to be grimy, strong, solid, steely, creative and clever — and those are things we can’t do or be when we have everything we need within reach.

Categories: Daily

Color Me Unhapppppy

March 9, 2008 · No Comments

–When and how did it get to be 10 p.m. on Sunday night, without me noticing, or GETTING TIRED?
–Matt Damon has knocked up his stupid wife again. George, you can go ahead and knock up boring-but-eats-scorpions-Sarah whenever, I now, finally, see it coming.
–I didn’t win at bingo despite coming extremely close about 18 times. And there are only 20 games, total.
–Last year at this time, I was outside, wandering, hand holding. 2008 IS TOO COLD.
–Work = PBBBBBBBBBBBT.
–Where the HELL is the April Vanity Fair, Mailperson?! Someone’s gonna get cut if it doesn’t come soon.
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Categories: Daily · Pop Culture

Marc Jacobs Is Toying With Me

March 8, 2008 · No Comments

I love this dress. I love how wrong it looks together, how completely mismatched, how it’s kind of how, in another life, I used to dress on a regular basis.

I tried it on today, and THANK BEER it didn’t fit me very well. It also made me think about what Marc Jacobs must fantasize about. DUDE, YOU’RE WEIRD.

cubscout

This dress is actually called The Meredith. THANK BEER it is ugly; if it was the slightest bit cute, I’d have no choice but to buy it.

mjmx

My current clothing focus: Figuring out what to wear to the Derby. The Kentucky Derby,  y’all.

Categories: Daily · Fashion

Pop Quiz, Not-So-Hotshots

March 2, 2008 · 2 Comments

blackeyetreated2.jpg
Scott has a black eye. How did he get it?

A. He wouldn’t listen / He was asking for it.

B. Hockey.

C. Our latest bank heist went south.

D. A frisbee hit him in the face.

E. None of the above.

Categories: Us