This just in...

Homosexuality is OK!

I know I should be studying, but this radio bit had me going on the way to class. Bullying, no matter what your beliefs, is wrong. This sounds like Tennessee v. Scopes trial all over again. Which I know that some people still dispute. But really? Can't we all just get along?

Click here to hear the bit (it's only 5 minutes).

Another Day

This week I have been spending time studying for my Political Science exam, so I'll leave you with one of my guilty pleasures, Pomplamoose! I heard of them while they were being interviewed one weekend on NPR and one of their covers had been "September" which I think is one of the catchiest tunes around. I don't think a bad mood can possible last while listening to this multi-talented duo!

Plus, Nataly reminds me of my friend Genna, who I hardly ever see :o)

What music makes you smile? 

Hope your week is off to a great start!

Pumpkin Party

Autumn is by far my favorite time of year. It means football, cool breezes, lots of layers and going to the cider mill! To be honest, I've been cheating on the cider mill now that we live in Detroit by making sure I pick up cider, donuts and a crisp basket of apples from the vendors at Eastern Market every weekend...I mean, those cinnamon sugar donuts are to die for, aren't they?!

This year, we decided that instead of going to the Detroit Fall Beer Festival, we would go to 3 Cedars Farm in Northville with some of my friends from high school. I forgot how drastically the scenery chagnes driving west on 6 Mile Road, especially once you go through Salem Township; it feels like you went straight from Suburbia to a small town up north!

Lucky for us, the rain held out and we only got a few sprinkles by the time we had found our pumpkins! We headed back to my friends house to carve pumpkins and there was quite the competition when it came to carving. I opted for a more traditional, no template needed Cat-O-Lantern, which is hard to tell compared to everyone else's designs (until I put a candle in it!). I can't decide which one I like the best, although let it be noted, the zombie pumpkin was made by a first-time pumpkin carver!

Hooray for Fall! Hooray for Friends!

Hope you had a great weekend!

Just because...

I know that I am missing out on the Frank Turner/Lucero/Social Distortion show tonight at the State Theater,  I thought I would antagonize myself a bit with one of my favorite Frank Turner songs.

• Photosynthesis by Frank Turner

More Frank Turner music on iLike

I really enjoy all of those bands, although I haven't had the pleasure of seeing Social Distortion live yet. I was planning on going, but once you figure in the service fees, it doesn't fit in my budget. Looks like I'll have to wait for Frank and Lucero to come back to smaller venues - those shows are always the best!

Sunday "Spiffy Pop"

Oh, what a weekend! As an avid Autumn enthusiast, I was a bit frustrated by this 70-80 degree weather we've been having. I just switched out my Spring/Summer clothes for Fall/Winter the weekend prior and not to mention, the fact that our apartment is south-facing and now only offers heat, turns the studio into a greenhouse! But we are surviving, even if it means keeping all of the blinds closed and doing a little shopping during the hottest part of the day.

I just so happened to run into Forever 21 on a mission for the Chiffon Rise Print Top I had spied on their website, but I wasn't wearing my patient pants and decided to give up. On my way out, I happened to come across a handful of nail polishes in colors I had been looking for so I guess I didn't make out too bad. I can't wait to wear the Taupe with the Gold Glitter on top! Looks like I made out like a bandit for most of the colors; I posted a link for the one still available online.

                                        love & beauty: Purple, Dusty Blue, Taupe and Clear/Gold

When we got home from our shopping excursion and an impromptu geocaching adventure with some friends, the apartment was a bit cooler and I decided to take a stab at my homework for tomorrow. Now everyone knows it is almost impossible to do homework without a little snack! Luckily, I had had the forethought to buy some yellow popcorn kernels from the Eastern Market on Saturday. I always loved it when my Mom used to make it growing up and I am trying to find more reasons why we should get rid of the microwave. I figure that if I couldn't make decent popcorn on the stove, the microwave would have to stay.

I was surprised at how easy it was and I suppose you could say the outcome was Dani - 1, Microwave - 0.

  

Stove Top Popcorn 

What You'll Need:

• stove
• large pot with a lid
• 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
• 3 Tbsp vegetable oil
• salt or seasonings

1. Measure kernels and oil into a large pot. A heavy-bottom pot is best, but any pot will do.
2. Cover the pot with the lid and turn the burner's heat to Medium (I used 4 on my electric stove). If your pot's lid is tight and doesn't allow steam to escape leave it slightly ajar.
3. Gently shake the pot to evenly spread the oil.
4. When the popping slows, remove the pot from the burner.
5. Add salt or seasonings if you wish - you can even add butter!

Well, I guess I've run out of excuses to start my homework! I hope you had a great weekend!