Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots

I saw Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots tonight at La Jolla Playhouse after rave reviews from my friends, and of course, because the music is by The Flaming Lips. Despite my interest in seeing a high tech performance featuring some of my fave alt music, I had recently absolved myself of going to the theatre. I had gotten to the point where I was purely going to plays and performances because I thought I should. I thought it was SO me. Arts lovin' culture maven musicphile. What? Boring.

As a kid I went to the Guthrie in Minneapolis, in my 20s I experienced American Player's Theatre in the romantic prairie setting of Spring Green, Wisconsin. I even framed my whole 30th birthday around a trip to NYC to see The Producers. In San Diego I've had my share of The Old Globe and the Playhouse. I've been to the Opera! Whatever. I was OVER IT. It was time for me to Be Sarah, the Sarah who falls asleep mid-act-one and wants to duck out during intermission.

Until now. Yoshimi was lovely and amazing. Fresh and futuristic. Heartbreaking yet joyful. The artistic direction took my breath away, and I didn't even nod off once. I can't say I'm back in the game for good. But I will tell you that it was worth it. And that it really was ME, from the inside out.

I Gotta Be Me

Ever since reading Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project, I've been simmering on one of her "commandments". Be Gretchen. The idea is simple, but it was refreshing to hear a personal account of this awful human habit of forcing ourselves to be/like/do things that are simply inauthentic, for the sake of (perceived) approval and acceptance

In the wave of this new appreciation for BEING SARAH, I had to post this pic of model Abbey Lee Kershaw, with gorgeous pink ends. I started changing the color of my hair when I was 13, much to the horror of my mother. For a while it was the L'Oreal color mousse, then I moved to hydrogen peroxide and Sun In (welcome to the '80s!). But for years, I've wanted to have some pink in my hair. Unfortunately, my 9-5 would not appreciate this application of authenticity. Still, there are many more ways to keep true to myself and the lyrics from this little diddy, Hit or Miss by Odetta, serves as a soulful reminder.

Sitting here All by myself Trying to be Everybody else

Can't you see I gotta be me Ain't nobody just like this I gotta be me Baby hit or miss

Sarah's Commandment #1. I Gotta Be Me

Meatless Monday: Gary's T-Night Tacos

We did it again! Continuing on the New Year track we vowed to stay meatless on Mondays--even the Mister, who planned his lunch around Fresh-n-Easy offerings, and snuck in a chicken thigh at 11-something last night.

Tonight's recipe was awesome, and direct from Laurie David's Family Dinner cookbook. We are a taco-lovin, bean eating bunch so Gary's T-Night Tacos seemed a perfect match. Using two onions (Shhh!), black beans and the secret ingredients of maple syrup and tamari, this hearty filling made fantastic tacos (and burritos for the boys).

For toppings we used thinly sliced cabbage, fresh avocado, chopped tomato and cucumber, Greek yogurt and shredded cheese. Instead of the dressing suggested for cucumber salsa, I used a lime cilantro dressing I had already made for another recipe. The boys ate theirs without the dressing, but with most of the other toppings.

Max ate about 2/3 of his, Beck finished his off, and, well, the pan is now empty. I consider it a success!

Oh, and after dinner we got all cuddly and weepy watching this awesome cover (from some locals) of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros "Home". Then, this great studio clip of the real deal...

Soundtrack for a Broken Heart

I tend to really like songs about heartbreak. And not because I'm consistently heartbroken, it's just they are SO compelling. There are two right now that I'm SUPER into, which deal with a lot more than a broken heart...Kiss With a Fist by Florence + The Machine, Love the Way You Lie by Eminem featuring Rihanna. Okay, Florence is AWESOME! I would rock her outfit, her fire, her 'tude. Love it.

On the serious note of "more than a broken heart," check out  Eve Ensler's "Global movement to end violence against women and girls" VDAY and V Girls ...

Here are some of my choice selections, in no particular order: Heartbreak Warfare, John Mayer Love The Way You Lie, Eminem (feat. Rihanna) Irreplaceable, Beyonce Kiss With a Fist, Florence + The Machine (see above) The Last Day Of Our Acquaintance, Sinead O'Connor Already Gone, Kelly Clarkson Breakin' Up, Riley Kiley Sun Comes up It's Tuesday Morning, The Cowboy Junkies (Really, an optimistic one...) Bleeding Love, Leona Lewis Good Year For The Roses, Elvis Costello Need You Now, Lady Antebellum Every Rose Has It's Thorn, Poison With or Without You, U2

SIDEBAR Love The Way You Lie features  a fine F-Bomb dropped by Eminem, early in the song. This was picked up quite clearly by Beck, as we worked on an art project in my office. Someone was up for testing me...

B: "Hey, he said some bad words" PAUSE "He said fu#kin'." Me: "Yes, he did, so we'll skip to the next song." LONGER PAUSE B: "Because he said 'fu#kin' ?" Me: "Yep."

Back from Sabbatical

Dear Diary, I'm taking this quiet moment sans children, husband still in bed, to get back on blog track. It's so easy to let the daily grind take over my creative space-physically and mentally. I finally cleared a path in my office, and made room on my desk for a laptop. Forget that though...I'm drinking hot java, looking through a window with a view--hummingbirds, bunnies and a roadrunner are my friends today. Amy Winehouse and Rilo Kiley also keep me company. I love RK's "Under the Blacklight" album which i recently downloaded. a bit of country, pop and indie. Just right. Latest accomplishments: #1. I mastered the Mojito--pitcher style. While I pretty much cashed out my supply of fresh mint (found growing on the side of the house, SCORE!), I think it was well worth it. #2. Jarrod deconstructed our 80's style patio "gazebo" so that i will be able to turn into a chic cabana. Curtains arrive tomorrow. I'm getting garden inspired for our backyard redux, and I'm also scheming a facelift for the main bath. Marimekko shower curtain? Needs to be bold. COLOR. Yellow. So solstice-y....Cheers!