The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.55

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

Read

Do you know those writers who can spin a phrase and make it sound eloquent and comical and profound all at the same time? One such author I discovered approximately 10 minutes ago is Anne Jackson. She writes about church and relationships and writing and current events and mad church disease with impressive brevity and longevity. Her blog, Flowerdust, finds itself in my daily "Must Read" folder.

Watch

In case you're new to the rabbits I chase, you should know Lost gushing will commence in approximately 44 hours. Since it's easier to appreciate my TV crush if you know the plot and characters of this PHENOMENAL show - consider watching this 5 minute recap of the previous 5 seasons by Mike and his Italian family.

Listen

I absolutely loved Colbie Caillat's debut album Coco. So much so that I pondered becoming a blonde and learning to play the guitar. But the upkeep on both of those requires a commitment gene I simply don't have. Her second album, Breakthrough, is another beachy keen experience. This song, Fearless, is my anthem. At least for the next 67 minutes.

The Post About Segregating your Snack Mix

This is my second favorite snack.

It's tied with Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets.

You might argue that nuggets are technically a "meal."

Ta-may-toe. Ta-mah-toe.

Everything in the Chex Mix does not make the digestive cut.

I used this candy dish to toss the wasteland that is pretzels.

If you're reading this and honestly like pretzels, raise your hand.

{images: Jamie}

The Post About I'd Like to Thank My Agent

Any blog award modeled after this thought-provoking lighting fixture is one I'm desperate to receive.

And, my stars, I did.

And not just from any presenter, but from one of my favorites - Laurel Mills from It is What It Is.



This is what I recently wrote about Laurel's blog: At It is What it Is, Laurel spins stories about all kinds of things that always seem to resonate. She tackles pop culture and you start searching the web. She wrestles with religion and you begin to meditate. She writes about family and you call your Mom.

I don't actually know Laurel, but I feel like I do. And I love bloggers who can swing that.

There are two requirements when you receive this award.
1. Share 5 random facts about yourself.
2. Bestow the award to 5 other bloggers.

5 random and revealing facts:
1. My Christmas trees are still out and proud. And I don't feel bad.
2. I love Jane Austen novels and Star Wars - equally.
3. Huggers sometimes make me nervous.
4. Five o'clock shadows also make me nervous. But in a good way.
5. I watch Sonny With a Chance. And I don't feel bad.

5 blogs you should visit:

A little reading and married life and photography and craftiness and Kentucky and weeks in review. All well-written.


She's moved a lot. She runs every day. She's a chaplain in the military. It really is never a dull moment.


She journals the things that inspire her. If I did that, I'd journal about her.


My friend who needs to go to college. Her writing deserves notice and it won't get it at Best Buy.


Mad skills. For finding neat things. And creating neat things.

The Post About a Cashier and His Poor Choice in Women

This weekend, I met and fell in love with this Red Velvet Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory. Sidebar: I ate it for breakfast the next morning.

Before arriving at The Factory, I stopped to buy some reading material at Books-A-Million.

Because my shelves could really use more books. I have a problem.

As I made my way to the front with three new publications, an adorable cashier in his early twenties came to check me out.

Here's a transcript of our conversation:

Faux-hawk: Hi. How are you?

Me: Great! How are you?

Faux-hawk: Umm... Well... I'd be lying if I said I was okay.

INSIDE JAMIE: When I asked "How are you?" dude - that was actually rhetorical.

Me: Is everything okay? (shoving books closer to his register.)

Faux-hawk: Umm... no... It's women.

INSIDE JAMIE: Ugh. There's cheesecake waiting to marry me.

Me: Well, we can be tough on guys.

Faux-hawk: My girlfriend broke up with me.

INSIDE JAMIE: Ring it up. Ring it up. Ring it up. Do it now.

Me: That's too bad.

Faux-hawk: I really loved her.

INSIDE JAMIE: Just nod sadly. And shake your keys.

Faux-hawk: She's a lesbian.

Me: Alrighty, then.

{image: Jamie - part of my Project 365. All previous photos can be found at Flickr.}

The Post About a Rainbow Brite Library

Sunday afternoons are a dangerous time in the Rabbit household.

I can wake up from a nap and decide to paint a room. Suddenly, I find myself in a hardware store grabbing blue tape and fuzzy rollers.

I have to fight that impulsive girl.

She's a HUGE pain.

She tried to rear her ugly head roday, but I fought her off with a stick.

Unfortunately, it was a stick of gum and I found myself in the middle of this:


She wanted me to paint the walls, but I compromised by painting some shelves. With books.


Dewey Decimal is rolling over in his grave.

So how do you display your books?

{images: Jamie}

The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.54

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

Read

My co-worker who I refer to in this blog as Jim in order to protect her identity is actually named Jem. When I first met her in my 2nd interview, I assumed she was named for Jem and The Holograms. She reminded me she wasn't born in 1988 and there's a much more famous Jem. Who's actually a boy. Jem is one of the fascinating characters in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. A book that should be required reading for every child stuck in a pretend world of daisies and cowboy fights. For every adult too.

Watch

I don't know what it is about PBS, but I always come back. Perhaps Grover was using subliminal messages while I learned lessons about collaboration. Nonethe... my season pass is already in place for this year's Masterpiece Classic. Every Sunday night, 10 new adventures as previewed in the video above. Rupert Penry-Jones appears in 2 of them. Yes boys, THAT Rupert Penry-Jones. You're welcome.

Listen

Confession. I adore Christina Aguilera. I love her when she's stuck in a bottle or missing most of her pants or a mom with playdates. As long as she's singing. She sang "Lift Me Up" a single from her upcoming album at the Hope for Haiti Now telethon on Friday. And whatever it is, she brought it.

The Post About Project 365: Day Twenty-One

"Some people are settling down, some people are settling and some people refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies." Carrie Bradshaw

{image: Jamie - part of my Project 365. All previous photos can be found at Flickr.}

The Post About Attention Defic...What Was I Saying?

My name is Jamie and I have hyperkinetic disorder. This is also lovingly known by parents and school counselors and bosses as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

There are various symptoms, but mine are the following:

1. Not giving close attention to details or making careless mistakes. I often think much faster than I type or talk so I leave out words. Like verbs. My co-workers learn to fill in the blanks.

2. Becoming easily distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds. I have the peripheral vision of a rabbit. Not a blog coincidence. This means I always see the "shiny" and fall in love. For at least 5 seconds.

3. Not finishing work, chores or duties. I have to set a timer in order to finish housework. For example, if I do laundry for 20 minutes, then I get to read magazines for 20 minutes. A superficial cleaning of my home takes a minimum of 11 hours.

4. Losing or forgetting things. I regularly find my TV remote in the fridge. Or the bathroom. Or not at all.

5. Disliking things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time. This includes sitting still for more than 27 minutes. I need the following to navigate meetings, sermons, or waiting for jury duty: candy, paper, pen, iPhone, and more candy. Preferably, sweetarts.

{image: Jamie - part of my Project 365. All previous photos can be found at Flickr.}

The Post About The Card is Yours

This was such a fun giveaway. I asked for your Rabbit Reader Recommendations and they came fast and fierce.

I'm ready to read new books and buy more music and start watching Tru Blood. Can there be too many vampires in one girl's life?

I wanted to share one favorite that Randomizer did not choose but I wanted you to see it...

"As I got sober in the last year, hearing the stories of those in the rooms of AA. That has been the best experience, strength and hope that I can break out of my former lifestyle and turn over a new leaf. In those rooms I learned how to be a lady and not a drunk. I learned how to be a good mother and better wife. 10 months ago I was in jail and today I am a homeowner, student, I run AA meetings along with my husband and life is better!" RainMommy

Inspiring, huh?

And the lucky winner is...

"The best thing I heard this year is Jason Mraz. I love his music. He sings through his heart and soul." FOKXXY

Congrats! Email me at jamiesrabbits@gmail.com to collect your bounty!

{image: Jamie}

The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.53

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

Read

It was both a blessing and a curse to have you recommend things to read and watch and listen to this week. The curse is that my pocketbook took a hit from all the intriguing titles appearing in the comments. One book mentioned more than once was Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I tried not to download it from Powell's straight to my laptop, but something came over me. I read it in one sitting in 8 hours and my eyes and bladder were worse for it. But oh my. It was lovely. Time travel, saucy romance, and great Scots.

Watch
Any television series described as "Juno meets Gilmore Girls" is bound to make the Tivo cut. Life Unexpected is the newest drama on the CW (so there's sure to be cute clothes, evil glares and possibly a vampire). It's the story of a 15-year-old girl in foster care who needs her biological parents to sign off on her emancipation. Instead, they choose to take custody and see if they can swing raising her. The show premieres Monday night at 9/8c. Here is the first 9 minutes in case you need convincing.
Live video by UstreamListen

I've previously recommended singer/songwriter Joy Williams and now she's become 1/2 of the band The Civil Wars. I think I might love them more. Especially since the other 1/2 is Alabama fella John Paul White. This song is "Fallen" which can be found on their album Live at Eddie's Attic. Bonus? You can download that LP for a limited time for free by clicking here. They also have another delightful EP called Poison & Wine.

P.S. Winner of the $25 Amazon Gift Card will be announced in two shakes of a ham hock. Or as soon as I return from a quick meeting. There are refreshments, so I must go.

The Post About Project 365: Day Fifteen

This can be found in the lobby of my place of employment.

I ring that bell every time I leave at the end of the day.

Softly.

I think I might have a small slice of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

More confessions to follow.

{image: Jamie - part of my Project 365. All previous photos can be found at Flickr.}

The Post About Facebook Blunders

I love good manners.

I love knowing how to set a place setting.

I love wedding invitations that are not e-vites.

I love emails that are not IN ALL CAPS and include punctuation marks.

But many do not love good manners. Especially when it comes to Facebook. And sadly, some of those people are my friends.

Albeit, their posts are likely hidden.

Here's a quick and easy guide to keeping your friends from hiding you.

Tagging Under The Influence
The influence is called hatefulness. If you tag pictures of folks that are clearly from a bad angle and in bad lighting and their eyes are half-closed, then you're hateful. I shall call your tag and raise you a remove tag.

Passive Aggressive Updates
I understand conflict is inevitable in life. However, put on your big girl pants and deal with it directly with the person. No one thinks you’re artistic or cool when you say things like “Your flaming always burns me and I hate you.” No one except other passive aggressive people.

Major Announcement Fail
If I find out my brother died because my Mom thought it was easier to let everyone know via a status update, then I’m not giving the eulogy. Same goes for weddings and pregnancies. Your closest friends, who are probably not the same people as the ones who just gave you turnips on Farmville, should find out major changes in your life from you personally.

Potty Mouth
One day, you will want a reference or a date or a job or a home or something nice in your life. And the person who will be able to give it to you will not have been amused by your &%#@! language. Calm down.

Mass Messages
It’s actually not the mass message that’s the problem. It’s those of you who reply to all of us to say “K.” Stop it.

Religious Persecution
I love God. Hopefully that’s evident by the life I live. However, some feel inclined to threaten me by posting status updates like “If you really loved God, you would not be ashamed to proclaim it like 90% of the pagans on FB.” They'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.

Application Excess
I will not be faulting you for Bejeweling or fighting the Mafia or discovering which Twilight character you are because I hide those applications from updating in my feed. Carry on.

And now one for Facebook.

Silly Suggestions
Please do not assume I need to reconnect with Mark. I talked to him IN PERSON last night. Plus, he’s too busy figuring out what type of drag queen he is to reply to my wall posts.

Do you have any Facebook pet peeves?

The Post About Praying with Ulterior Motives

A conversation transcript between my friend Caryann and me as we discussed her 4-year-old nephew.

Caryann: Please pray for my nephew Matthew. The doctor found a mass in his abdomen that concerned him enough to ask for an ultrasound.

Me: I will pray it is something he swallowed without anyone knowing. And therefore, it will make a fabulous story. Or better yet, I’ll pray it's missing when they take the ultrasound. Not everything in life has to be about comedy.

Caryann: Actually, that would be kind of cool if it were a hobbit.

{image: Jamie}

The Post About Project 365: Day Eleven

A teeny tiny guitar from Venezuela on my bookshelf.

Sometimes I pretend I'm John Mayer, squish my face, and play through the bridge.

Do you ever pretend? Tell the truth.

{image: Jamie - part of my Project 365. All previous photos can be found at Flickr.}

The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.52

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

This weekend is a very special Rabbit Recommends because it's #52. I've been pointing you to things I love for one whole year. As I reviewed all the previous picks for reading, watching and listening - I realized I could stand by them with full confidence. And now I share with you my absolute favorites from that year-long batch:

Read

Entertainment Weekly will always be my pick for best read - behind the Word of God, of course. It doesn't just highlight great things to read, watch and listen to of its own - it has great articles like The Bullseye, The Hit List, The Must List and Sound Bites that always leave me quite pleased. By becoming a subscriber, you too can have it land at your door. Or at least in a box near the road.

Watch

I love television. I'm glad my parents let me watch it ad nauseum. I'm content in having skipped college study groups to watch Friends and ER. I'm perfectly fine with the fact that I know more about actors on the small screen than most historical figures. And my favorite is this: Lost. Its final season begins on February 2. And I'll be there with my nerdy friends gathered around a box of Mr. Cluck's chicken. You can discover how AWESOME it is by watching all 101 episodes for free on Hulu.

Listen

This was hard. But I have to admit, my favorite singer-songwriter of all is Patty Griffin. She has this unique voice that reminds you she's been happy and hurt and everything in-between. This is Up to The Mountain. But all of her songs are worthy of a download with some of my favorites being Rain, When It Don't Come Easy, Every Little Bit, and Forgiveness. Her new album, Downtown Church, will be available on January 26.
--------------------------------------------------------
Now what would an anniversary be without a gift? So to celebrate, I'm giving away a $25 gift card to Amazon, my first-choice for all things pop culture-y. This is enough to buy you a year-long subscription to EW, the 1st season of Lost, or 3 of Patty's albums. Good, no?

How To Enter
Leave a comment answering the question:

What is one of the best things you've read, seen, or listened to in the last year?

**2 Extra Credit Entries**
Each of the following will give you one extra entry in the giveaway. Please make sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do!

1. Be a fan of Jamie's Rabbits on Facebook. FB Fans get great bonus links to stuff I don't post here...

2. Be a follower of Jamie's Rabbits on Twitter. Twitter Followers get 140 characters of snarky commentary on life...

**You can accomplish both of these easy breezy tasks by clicking on the links.**

Important Details: Must enter before 11:59pm CST on Saturday, January 16 to qualify. Winner will be chosen randomly using Research Randomizer and announced on Sunday, January 17. The gift card will be emailed. Obviously, anonymous folks can't win unless they leave a name in the comment.

The Post About Your a Looser

Caryann: I get really annoyed by grammatical errors.

Jamie: It's always the ones like "It's/Its" or "There/They're/Their" or "Effect/Affect" that get folks messed up.

Caryann: I want to correct some people but I know they might get their feelings hurt.

Jamie: What I don't understand is "Lose" and "Loose." How do you get those mixed up?

Caryann: What did you say?

Jamie: "LOSE" and "LOOSE."

Caryann: Do you mean "lose" like Alabama is going to lose to Texas in the National Championship?

Jamie: No, I mean "loose" like Caryann is loose like a harlot.

May the SEC overcome it's its enemies.

{image: Jamie}

The Post About Signing Out for the Storm

I'm not at work. I won't be there tomorrow. And maybe not Friday.

I haven't rebelled. No stolen post-it notes. No torrid affair with one of the only 4 male employees.

I'm out because Winter Storm Twenty-Ten is coming. Two inches of snow is making its way to sweet home Alabama.

But we will overcome.

Because we have milk and bread and a National Championship to win.

{image: Jamie - part of my Project 365. All previous photos can be found at Flickr.}

The Post About Ten {Obsoletes} on Tuesday

It's a new decade. We shall call it Twenty-Ten. Do not give into the temptation to call it Two-Thousand-Ten.

One extra syllable will ruin your life.

Recently, New York Magazine featured "Rust in Peace" an article listing items considered obsolete at the end of the naughts. Here are a few of those, plus some bonus Jonas.

1. Yellow Pages: You see it on your porch or in your mailbox and you sigh. Door stop.
2. Foldable Road Map: My father loves poring over intersections and scales and creases that fall on state lines. But now we have access to satellites that can get us lost. Who needs paper?
3. Film Cameras: Talk about a leap of faith. How can you take a picture that you can't instantly delete?
4. Answering Machine: Do folks still have landlines to plug into these boxes?
5. Encyclopedias: I read and re-read about the wedding of Princess Di and whats-his-name in my 1981 Brittanica. Now, Wiki garners all my attention.
6. Floppy Disk: It wouldn't hold one Kelly Clarkson song. Ergo, useless.
7. Newspapers: I love The Birmingham News. Online. I actually have weekend delivery, but that was for the comics umbrella and coupons.
8. Rolodex: I have one. Very vintage. And unused.
9. Cassette Tapes: I sorta miss the art of fast forwarding and rewinding. And the thrill of randomly stopping at the beginning of a song.
10. Handwritten Anything: It's unfortunate, but I keep up with folks by lurking outside of their Facebook profiles. I expect them to do the same.

Any other outdated items still wandering about? Want to challenge the list?

{image: Jamie - part of my Project 365. All previous photos can be found at Flickr.}

The Post About Project 365: Day Four

Personally, I prefer "sunny-side-up."

"Few cases of eyestrain have been developed by looking on the bright side of things." Anonymous

Would you consider yourself an optimist or a pessimist?

{image: Jamie - part of my Project 365. All previous photos can be found at Flickr.}

The Post About Project 365: Day Three

It was 20 degrees when I woke this AM - and I'm from the Southeast United States where we like our humidity and our unfrozen pipes.

I don't think I needed this much whipped cream, but who's worried about need this early in the month?

{image: Jamie - part of my Project 365. All previous photos can be found at Flickr.}

The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.51

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

Read

I tend to avoid anything that raises my heart rate. Like Kate Spade stores and elliptical machines. But The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson was worth the risk. Book #1 in this trilogy is the tale of a prison-bound journalist and tatted up investigator who are hired by a wealthy senior citizen to solve the cold case of his niece's death. Definition of a page turner.

Watch

I really love Beauty and The Beast. Not because of the diversity of characters or because of the emphasis on sacrifice. It's all about the hot guy the Beast turns into at the end. Seriously, I am attracted to the bitter prince. Very attracted. The video above is a bridge. Between those who harbor an affection for a cartoon character and those who love a particularly ripped werewolf.

Listen

In the 5th season of American Idol, Taylor Hicks won. I firmly believe that's because folks from Alabama learned how to text in 2006 and made a commitment to win something. And as a proud Alabamian, I was ashamed. Katharine McPhee was clearly the better talent. She has a new album "Unbroken" coming out on Tuesday and I've had the privilege of a preview. It's great. With co-writers like Ingrid Michaelson, Rachael Yamagata, Paula Cole and Kara DioGuardi - I would expect no less. This song is my favorite, Say Goodbye.

The Post About Project 365: Day Two

I may have lied to you yesterday. I ranted about how I wasn't going to resolve.

But I am.

I'm participating in Project 365, a picture a day photography project.

I'm trying to capture some moments. And possibly become better at taking pictures in the process. Because right now, I stink at photographing anything that breathes.

Or moves.

Or has an attitude.

We'll see if that changes.

I may post the results every day or every other day or once a week. I'll let my mood dictate the rules. I also make no guarantees regarding quality. Remember what I said about things that move. Plus, some photos may be taken by Konrad and some by Bugs. And they have different skill levels.

Here's #2:

These candies are one my major food groups. They can be found in three rooms in my house just in case I need to eat my feelings and not walk so far.

{image: Jamie - part of my Project 365. All previous photos can be found at Flickr.}

The Post About Not Running 5K Races

Resolve?

I think not.

I've decided that doesn't work out in the ways I'd like.

I'm not a size 4.

I don't have organized closets.

I haven't memorized the book of Psalms.

And I don't speak fluent anything.

However, 2010 will be a new chapter.


Let's see where restless takes us.

{image: Jamie - part of my Project 365. All previous photos can be found at Flickr.}