Hello again,
I'm going to use a tactic to trick myself into posting at least once a week by introducing [insert drumroll here] a weekly music playlist. Essentially, it'll be a look inside my iPod, in a manner of speaking. It'll be music that'll fit my mood for the week, or just random songs that I'm in the mood to hear. It will be updated weekly and, on a personal note, will be interesting to revisit in the future to see where my head was at a week ago, a month ago, or maybe even a year ago.
With that said, here is this week's playlist featuring two songs for every artist that appears (always played in shuffle mode to surprise myself):
John Legend - Green Light (w/Andre 3000)
John Legend - Save Room
Jason Mraz - Geek in the Pink
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
Rihanna - Rehab
Rihanna - Disturbia
Reik - Inolvidable
Reik - Vivo en Sueños
Pink - So What
Pink - Sober
If you are not familiar with any of these songs, I strongly encourage you to download them (as I shake my head and stare at you indignantly). Then again... it may not be your cup of tea so do what you will with the list.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
My new-found love affair with Ikea:
I had lunch at a quaint Vietnamese restaurant with my favorite little lady on Sunday - Sofia - and her parents. Jorge and Dana were telling me about their visit to Ikea this past weekend and commenting about the cute things they found for Sofia. Jorge, in his very Jorge-like way, raved about the food court there. Needless to say, I was compelled to visit Ikea myself. (For those who are wondering... NO... it wasn't the food court that sold me... lol)
Quite impulsively, I decided today was a good day to go. I drove down to Red Hook, Brooklyn to finally check out the furniture emporium. With Google Maps in hand (via my awesome Centro!), I made it to Ikea. Though even if I had basic directions, I would have made it. Every 200 feet there is a small green traffic sign leading you to "Ikea Plaza".
DUUUUUUDE!!! I do not believe this place. It is amazing! I now see what all the fuss is about. I was hardcore against the idea of Ikea back when they first invaded the U.S. But daaaaamn they know what they're doing. The layout is perfect for those who want to wander through. I went with the thought of making this a personal recon mission for my apartment. Instead, I came back with a catalog and thoughts of buying something every two weeks when my paycheck clears. LOL!
The place is evil! Evil I tell you.... and I LOVE it!! I can see myself becoming an Ikea-holic! If any of you know any Ikea Anonymous groups (or an equivalent Ikea-addiction recovery program), please let me know now so I know where to turn to when things start getting out of hand.
As Swedish names swimmed in my consciousness, I decided to follow the hunter instincts ingrained in my DNA to get me back to the Belt Parkway. Surprisingly, I inadvertently ended up on the left lane of a 3-lane road that led me directly to the Verrazano Bridge. I hadn't realize that this roadway was neither the Belt nor the BQE until I saw a sign indicating that the exit that I JUST frea-king passed (aaarrrggghhh) was the last one before the tolls. Ikea is EVIL!!! Plenty of signs leading you there and none leading you back to major roadways! *sigh*
And so, I ended up in Staten Island. Not for long, though, as I didn't want to get caught up in afternoon rush hour traffic. But damn it I paid to get into the forgotten borough, I could at least sight-see from the comfort of my car (and accompanied by a certain playlist that may have been mentioned above... ahem). There really is nothing special IMO but I might go back with my camera in hand to take pictures along the waterfront (which I didn't get to actually see... but I suspect I would be able to get some nice shots from that side of the city). Not wanting to be stuck in that part of the city for longer than necessary, I used Google Maps to get back to the Verrazano and I was back to home base in no time.
Anywho... these are my misadventures for today. Hopefully there'll be more as my wanderlust has not been satiated... I may need a trip before the new year... how many vacation days do I have left at work?? hmmm...
Until next time, faithful reader. . . . .
