The scream to prove to everyone that I exist

Hey, so you know how I like Frightened Rabbit? Like, a lot? A lot, A lot? Well they came to Boston in April! Since they are one of the two bands I vowed to go see even in Boston if that's the closest they came, I headed down by myself to see the magic.


So, I was pretty close on the side of the stage, but I haven't mastered my camera yet. Let's pretend that instead of blurry, these photos are artsy.


They were amazing. There's no other word. They blew me away and they changed my life. I mean that.


Yes, that's a pretty halo right 'round Scott Hutchison's head and that's because he's kind of angelic. And yes, I mean that too, just not in the conventional angel kind of way. They were all glowing with something I can only think to describe as kindness or purity. Something really special, and I know that sounds cheesy, but these guys... I mean, have you HEARD them?

There was an epic sing-and-clap-along at the end of "The Loneliness and the Scream." Do you know the song? If so, you'll know which part I mean. It was one of many moments during the show that gave me chills. (If you don't know the song, you can hear it below- pay attention at 2:40.)

It makes you want to sing WHOA-OH-OH and clap like crazy, right???

It took me a very long time to get home because I may have gotten lost trying to get out of Boston, then it took me forever to find something to eat on the way home. For the 4+ hour stretch I was blasting Frightened Rabbit on my car stereo and singing at the top of my lungs. The early, early mornings in Maine are foggy so the moon and rising sun and skyline of trees were hazy, whispering, nodding.

It was all so pure.

eyes in the back of my head

So, I have a stat counter on this here blog (statcounter.com) and sometimes it's really interesting or funny to see the search words and phrases that direct readers/browsers to this page.

Other times IT'S TOTALLY FREAKING WEIRD and makes me cringe. Fortunately many of the people with, um, unique searches don't stay long to actually read.

They're obviously in the wrong place.

The internet is so weird.

Three years in a blink.

On June 6, my little babycakes turned three years old.

THREE! YEARS! OLD!




Here is a photo of the three of us first thing on his birthday morning. Sleepy and excited.

His party was a week later- the Wild Things party he's been talking about for almost a year. I made a banner and giant character illustrations, and a cake that looked like Max that Liam specifically requested. The party guests (well, the kids) made a Wild Thing craft that I forgot to get pictures of! But when I read Where the Wild Things Are to everyone, the kids were so cute and involved in the story, roaring back at me and showing their terrible claws. It was such a great birthday party.






Liam's been telling me all of the things he can do now that he's three years old, like drinking soda, driving cars and motorcycles, and drinking coffee.

Not quite yet, baby.




*I am having trouble with sizing... please forgive the slight cutoffs on the right sides of the photos. The banner, in full, says, "I love you so."

The List

Dear Reader(s?),

I'm going to talk about a potentially controversial subject that I've seen bitchy internet cat-fights over (because what else are BabyCenter message boards good for? You know, aside from trying to vent/learn/teach about our lives as moms? That's right- bitchy internet cat-fights.) and I want to say this is THEORETICAL. This is something some couples think about for fun because we're human, have senses of humor, and it's NOT. REAL.

That's right, ladies and gentlemen. I am talking about The List.

You know. The List of celebrity crushes you'd make it with if ever given the chance. Free pass. And your spouse can't get mad at you for it because of The List. And since Gabe and I have an overly exceptional level of comfort with each other and we have EYEBALLS that recognize the attractiveness in other human beings, our lists are no secret to each other.

And yet! The world still turns! We are still a strong couple! We are not heading straight for divorce because we joke about celebrity crushes!

Plus. You know? I would think it's totally weird if Scarlett Johansson showed up, hit on Gabe and he didn't take the chance. I mean, I would. She's hot.

So here, readers, is My List.
(Please note, I borrowed all of these photos from the internet.)

1. JOHN KRASINSKI

This is no secret to anyone who has ever read my blog in the past. I'm a John Krasinski lover, maybe a little bit too much, and watching him on screen makes me giggle.
YOU KNOW HIM FROM: The Office, duh.

2. JAMES McAVOY

At first when I saw him as a faun in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe I was like "WHO IS THAT ADORABLE FAUN, oooh and he plays a cute little flute!" I felt a little weird for being attracted to a half-man/half-goat and then I reconciled myself over the fact that it was James McAvoy, and it was ok.
YOU KNOW HIM FROM: Atonement, Wanted, The Last King of Scotland

3. PETER SARSGAARD

During a conversation five or so years ago when Gabe and I were talking about The List, I removed someone and added Mr. Sarsgaard. Then this happened...
GABE: Peter Sarsgaard? You think he's cute?
NORA: Cute? No! Are you kidding me?? He is smoldering.
(...And that's how I feel about Peter Sarsgaard.)
YOU KNOW HIM FROM: Garden State, Kinsey, An Education

4. MARK DUPLASS

Mark Duplass is a fairly recent addition to My List, and it's based mostly on his role in The Puffy Chair, which you should watch. He seems like he'd be comfortable to hang out with and listen to music. Yes, I definitely make random stuff up like that about people I've never met.
YOU KNOW HIM FROM: The Puffy Chair, Humpday, Hannah Takes the Stairs
(He's currently starring in USA's The League and he used to be in the band Volcano, I'm Still Excited)

5. MICHAEL C. HALL

He is the newest member of My List since I started watching Dexter a couple months ago. You know the opening credits where he pulls his t-shirt over his head and stares into the camera? (If not, you can see a photo here.) Holy shit. That's why he's on The List. That and the fact that he plays a serial killer who can be a little dopey when it comes to relationships, yet Dexter Morgan is still so likable.
YOU KNOW HIM FROM: Dexter, Six Feet Under

And now I want to hear all about Your List!