30 Days About Me: Day 8

Day 08 — A photo that makes you angry/sad

Well initially I wasn’t sure if I would find a picture to go with this because I couldn’t think of a picture that would make me feel angry or sad. I guess most of the pictures I remember are of happy memories… but then this one came to mind.



It makes me more sad than angry, but the 2 feelings are definitely there. My friends and I drove to Blacksburg the Saturday after the shooting in 2007. It was a spur of the moment trip, obviously. But 5 of us hopped in my parents’ van and drove directly to campus. The drillfield was filled with people, students who were still in school, alumni, family, friends. Just a lot of people.

I didn’t really know many people who were still at Tech when the shooting occurred since I had graduated long before it happened. But I found my friend who was in Vet school and though I knew she was ok, though I knew she wasn’t anywhere near Norris Hall when it happened, I immediately burst into tears when I saw her. I think it was more of a relief and some of a “Wow, this really did happen.” Up until we actually visited the campus, the whole event was still surreal.

This photo is of Norris Hall. I still can’t drive by it without my heart dropping…

30 Days About Me: Day 7

Day 07 — A photo that makes you happy

First off, let me apologize for the slacking these last few days. I don’t feel that I have failed the challenge just yet because as my friend Deviled Megs pointed out, “It’s not 30 CONSECUTIVE days.” I’m sure you noticed that I didn’t post on Sunday… well I’ll tell you that A) posting a blog every day is pretty exhausting and B) Sunday is a day of rest anyhow. Not posting the last few days was mostly due to the fact that I just didn’t have time. It’s been a busy week and since this post relates to a picture, well, I couldn’t do it during the day because my pictures are at home. Anyhow… moving on…

It is pretty hard to find ONE picture that makes me happy, because there are really so many. Obviously pictures evoke memories, which is why we take them. I have a lot of happy memories, so how do I choose??



This picture is from our wedding… obviously. No doubt there are many pictures from this day that make me happy, but this is one of my favorites. This is during our best man’s speech and I’m pretty certain he’s telling a funny story about Bruno. I mean, that’s what BM speeches are for, right? This photo makes me happy because it’s just pure joy and honest laughter – nothing staged. My photographer did an excellent job of capturing a lot of true moments, and I love her for that. This is the wedding picture I have at my desk at work. I love to see my husband smile and well, laugh. Laughter is a strong part of our relationship so there’s definitely no surprise to see it here.

30 Days About Me: Day 6

Day 06 — Whatever tickles your fancy

A few weeks, er, probably months by now, my friend left the States to embark on a 2-year adventure in Egypt. She was offered an opportunity to teach over there and decided, “Hey, why not?” So for her friends that miss her dearly, she started her own blog to keep us up to date with the happenings in that far off land.

I of course, started to follow her blog. And by follow, I mean click the little button that says, “Follow this blog.” Pretty simple. So she in turn gets a notification that a certain Blythepoo is following her blog.

“Is this you?” she asks. “The profile seems to say that it is, but I’m not sure.”

“Yep, it’s me.”

I am Blythepoo. So where does this name come from? Well, quite a random story actually…

A few years ago I was shopping in Carytown, (Richmond) and wandered into one of my favorite stores, World of Mirth. Perusing the shelves I came across a small rectangular book that caught my eye, This is Blythe. Who was this Blythe? I had to know!

Turns out, Blythe is a doll, much like Barbie, but with a big head and booming in the Asian culture. Seriously. My mom’s friend went to Hong Kong and brought one back for me – he said it was a madhouse in the toy store for this thing. But what is there to really love about Blythe, because a big head and fun clothes just aren’t going to cut it. Gina Garan, author of This is Blythe and a few other books in the series, uses her time to pose Blythe in various scenes, wither various clothes, and take pictures of her. Yep, she models Blythe and photographs her. It sounds creepy, and most people think it is, but it is also hilarious. The scenarios she photographs Blythe in are so random and funny – it’s great.

So I became slightly obsessed with Blythe shortly after discovering her (again, another trend with the obsessions) and spent my time buying all sorts of things associated with Blythe off of Ebay. It was awesome. Naturally, when I needed a blogger name, I went with Blythepoo. The “poo” at the end roots all the way back to high school, but was definitely appropriate in this case.

30 Days About Me: Day 5

Day 05 — Your favorite quote

Hmm… now this one is a toughie in a sense that I don’t often refer to quotes, or think of them in my daily life. But if I had to pick one (which I do) I would chose:

“Only through imitation can we achieve originality.” - Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck

I read this book I think in college, again to fulfill a reading requirement. I’m pretty certain I chose this book because it was short and involved a dog. Turns out, I really liked it. This book is a non-fiction work that follows John Steinbeck through a drive around the country.

I don’t remember where in the book this quote was, or what it was referring to. But I remember liking it. I like it because I feel like it directly relates to my line of work – Interior Design. In our industry, there is so much competition for the best design and honestly I feel that a lot of the top award winners have very similar designs – whatever the trend is. Everyone is imitating everyone else, but adding their own twist. Then sometimes, the twist really stands out and apart from the crowd. Initially there is imitation, but it leads to originality in a design. It has to start somewhere.

30 Days About Me: Day 4

Day 04 – Your favorite book
This was a very easy one, and I figure it’s because I don’t read that much.

Lost Boys by Orson Scott Card

No, it’s not the Lost Boys everyone thinks about, that I think they made a movie of. This is a science fiction novel about a Mormon family in North Carolina. Writing that out, it sounds like a pretty odd book. Science Fiction about a Mormon family? But trust me, it’s amazing.

I first read this book in high school, I think to fulfill a reading requirement. I came across the book randomly and decided it looked good. I’ve decided that most of the books I like have children or teenagers as the main character and this book was no different. But when I took this book, I had no idea how much I would love it. I remember reading it and being so enthralled in the story, staying up late to finish it and expressing all emotions as I read through it – happiness, fear and I definitely cried.

And I still do. This is the book I’ll pick up every so often when I need a book to read (mostly at the beach) and I still breeze through it and love it just as much. I told my friend about the book, and she mentioned that Orson Scott Card had a well-known book called Ender’s Game that SHE loved, so we traded. I did enjoy Ender’s Game a lot (a child is the main character, again), though it was way more sci-fi then Lost Boys. I think the only reason my book is classified as sci-fi is because of the author. Apparently all of his other books are very sc-fi. Either way, HIGHLY recommended.

Side note, although Lost Boys is my favorite book, my favorite author is Augusten Burroughs. I have read all his books (ok not his latest one yet) and I really really enjoy them.

Close 2nd

Bee Season by Myla Goldberg (I was SO pumped when this book became a movie)

30 Days About Me: Day 3

Day 03 — Your favorite television program

Ok so if I thought choosing a favorite song was hard, well that doesn’t even compare to choosing a favorite TV show. You all know how important TV is in my life. It’s sad, I know. But I’ve been like that my whole life – I blame my parents. My dad and I have the exact same approach to coming home from work, or wherever… come through the door, turn on the TV. Most of the time I immediately sit on the couch to watch it, but sometimes, I don’t. I just leave it on as I filter throughout the house. It’s my background noise. Bruno likes music, I like TV. When Bruno’s not home, I sometimes have both TVs on just so I don’t miss anything as I move room to room. We have a TIVO and a DVR because of the overwhelming amount of shows we both watch. Most of them are mine, but Bruno is starting to catch up.

So asking me to choose my favorite show? Oh wow… When I was little, there was no hesitation to answer, “Mr. Ed!” Yes, the old black and white TV show about a talking horse. I loved it. Throughout the years I went through Full House, The Wonder Years and then on to Dawson’s Creek. Oh Dawson’s Creek, how you ruled my life for 6 seasons of bliss. My mild obsession with Katie Holmes may have had something to do with how much I treasured this program, but you could find me keeping up to date, every week. When we were in college and we didn’t get the WB, my mom would record them for me so I could catch up when I had the chance. My roommates and I drove to Wilmington, NC freshman year specifically to scope out the set and the filming locations. Notice a trend here? So yes, my love of Wilmington stemmed from my love of Dawson’s Creek.

But alas, I honestly wouldn’t peg Dawson’s Creek as my all-time favorite show. You are shocked, I know it. But I must come out with the truth. The show that beat out Dawson’s Creek is one that aired at the same time, but I didn’t get into until Dawson’s Creek was over. Drumroll…

Gilmore Girls

This probably isn’t a really big shock to be the show that beat out my beloved DC but just the fact that something beat it out is pretty amazing. Comparing both shows, Gilmore Girls makes me laugh more – the one-liners and dialogues always keep a smile on my face. Granted, DC was obviously more of a drama then GG, but in the end, I think it’s the comedy that wins me over. I like the characters of GG - they aren’t all sleeping with each other. Some of the storylines of DC were a little too far-fetched and I really hated the annual Halloween episode. When I grab a DVD set to watch for a long road trip, GG is the one I will turn to most often.

Close 2nd (after Dawson’s Creek)

Sex and the City – I didn’t get into this show until after it ended because we didn’t have HBO. But I will watch reruns over and over and love them! Bruno can attest to this…

30 Days About Me: Day 2

Day 02 — Your favorite movie

Well this one is a no-brainer. If you know me at all, you know the answer to this one:

10 Things I Hate About You

I just love love love this movie. I love the storyline; I love the actors; I love the setting; I love the music. Yep, pretty much just love this movie. I originally set out to see it because one of my favorite actresses at the time, Larisa Oleynik, was in it. I was a tab obsessed with The Secret World of Alex Mack. After seeing it twice in the theaters, there was no turning back. Sure I saw Save the Last Dance in the theater a few times… and by a few I mean 4… but that movie never had the impact that this movie did.

I’m not sure why though. Maybe it had to do with the fact that I’ve always loved Seattle and here comes a movie that is filmed there, filled with young actors and funny lines I could relate to. Ok, maybe the portrayal of high school life was a bit exaggerated, but let’s be honest, how often are they not exaggerated?

A few years ago, Bruno and I took a week-long trip out to Seattle to spend Thanksgiving with his sister and her husband. A day or 2 was all we needed in the city, so what else could we do for the rest of the time? How about we IMDB the movie to find all the filming locations and be movie tourists for the day? So we did. We travelled around the outskirts of Seattle and down to Tacoma, taking pictures of as many sites as we could. It was a dream come true. Ok maybe not really, but kinda. I was definitely oozing excitement all day and had a perma-smile across my face.

Stadium High School


"Can you help me find the Feminine Mystique? I lost my copy."


Bianca and Cameron frolicked here.

30 Days About Me: Day 1

Day 01 — Your favorite song

You know, I have to say that choosing 1 favorite song of all-time is pretty hard. My favorite songs change so much… not everyday because that’d be a little much, but probably every few months. I’m certain this is the case for everyone simply based on the fact that our music tastes change along with the music we listen to. I know I wrote in a previous post how much I love the Oldies and for the longest time I would claim my favorite song to be “My Girl” by the Temptations. I think it mostly stemmed from the fact that I loved the movie with the same name and loved the Oldies, so the 2 kind of went hand in hand. But I don’t think I would say the same now. When I think of what a favorite song is, it’s one that you turn up loud and sing along to anytime it comes on. It’s the one that you search specifically on your iPod for every now and then because you want to hear something you love. So what one is that…

Friends of mine would surely chime in saying, “I Want You to Want Me!” since that is my go-to song on Karaoke and is the ending credits song to my all-time favorite movie (save that information for a later post). But as much as I do love singing that song, I wouldn’t call it my all-time favorite. Other friends may say, “It MUST be ‘NSYNC something or other because you were like, obsessed with them.” True, I was. I admit it and I’m not ashamed. But no, they do not reign on the all-time list.

Well folks, I must say that the winner is… and I’ve really put a lot of thought into this because there are a lot of songs I love. But the award goes to:

Ants Marching by Dave Matthews Band

This is by no means a biased decision just because my husband happens to be in a DMB Tribute Band. I was a fan of Dave way before I met Bruno. Under the Table and Dreaming is the only DMB CD I own and I bought it for this song specifically. I DO instantly turn up this song when it comes on and sing to it every time. This song makes me happy, brings me a lot of memories and has such a catchy beat that I can’t help myself. I love that it is such a crowd pleaser and that I’m guaranteed to hear it every time I see Crowded Streets perform. It will never grow old to me.

Close 2nds…
If I Had $1 Million by Barenaked Ladies
Everything by Michael Buble

I know I'm not so great at posting...

So to keep my limited number of followers entertained, I will be embarking on the "30 Days About Me" challenge. I found this challenge through another random blogger and thought it would be a fun thing to do for the next 30 days. I mean, who doesn't like to talk/write about themselves all the time?? I couldn't really find an official list per say of topics, but this one seemed pretty good...

Day 01 — Your favorite song
Day 02 — Your favorite movie
Day 03 — Your favorite television program
Day 04 — Your favorite book
Day 05 — Your favorite quote
Day 06 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 — A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 — A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 — A photo you took
Day 10 — A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 — A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 — A fictional book
Day 14 — A non-fictional book
Day 15 — A fanfic
Day 16 — A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 — An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 — A talent of yours
Day 20 — A hobby of yours
Day 21 — A recipe
Day 22 — A website
Day 23 — A YouTube video
Day 24 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 — Your day, in great detail
Day 26 — Your week, in great detail
Day 27 — This month, in great detail
Day 28 — This year, in great detail
Day 29 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 — Whatever tickles your fancy

I hope you are looking forward to this challenge as much as I am!

Hey Gross Girl

I just don’t get it. I really don’t. When you work out, especially after an actual Body Pump class, you are sweaty. You are stinky. You are just plain gross and in desperate need of a shower. Most people love that shower right after a tough workout. It takes away the grime, makes you smell good and is really refreshing. Obviously this post is headed in the direction of, “There’s a girl at the gym who doesn’t shower after her Body Pump class!!” You heard it here folks, this isn’t a lie or a one-time deal. This girl is a repeat offender and I just don’t know how she can stand it.

She doesn’t even wash her face. Gross. She comes in, direct from class, maybe towels off a little bit, and puts her WORK CLOTHES on. Overtop of her sweatiness. How do I really know she’s sweaty? Because her hair is wet. Wet with sweat. She doesn’t rinse at all… she actually blow-dries the sweat from her hair.

I always watch in disbelief, but try not to stare. And I think others are doing the same. Today, when she was blowing-drying her sweaty hair, a friend of hers came in and exclaimed, ”Man you’re quick!” clearly thinking that she had already showered and was drying showered hair. The girl simply smiled and said, “Yep.”

Meanwhile, I see another woman looking at the sweaty girl with a disgusted look on her face, thinking the same thing I was… “She didn’t shower and that’s why she’s so quick!” I just don’t get it. Maybe she thinks that her 25 min walk to work will reduce the stinkiness, but I know that couldn’t have been the case this summer. I’m just glad I don’t have to work with her.

Was I born in the wrong year?

Sometimes I amaze myself. I amaze myself at the ability to remember lyrics to songs dated waaaaay before my time. The other day, I was listening to Sirius “60’s on 6” and I found myself singing and harmonizing to the tune of “Summer Song” by Chad and Jeremy 1965. Yeah, who knows that song? And why do I know it?

I grew up listening to Oldies. When we would make our 8hr drive to New York in the middle of the night, my dad would have Oldies on. My first concert was The Beach Boys. I listened to Oldies until 7th grade, when I decided rap music was going to be my thing.

But I love them. I really do. And sometimes I find it amazing that other people don’t love them as much as me. That they didn’t grow up on Oldies. I will ensure that my children listen to the Oldies because although the lyrics are insanely cheesy, it’s just good music. Am I 60 years old for saying that?