« 2006: Month by Month | Main | Pirate Mittens »
December 14, 2006
I say it's my birthday
So, twenty-five years. A quarter of a century on this here earth. It feels like it should be a milestone of some sort, is it? I know if I had a car my insurance rates would go down drastically. And I'm no longer in the 18-24 year old demographic. Umm, I can now get laser eye surgery if I want. Hmm, is there anything I'm missing?
So you'd think I would have learned a thing or two in my ripe old age. Gained some wisdom I can share with the masses. Eh, not really. Nothing that didn't come off as totally obvious and/or cliche. Well, maybe, except for these:
1) New Yorkers are the only people in this world who call coffee w/ milk "regular coffee." If you ask for a regular coffee anywhere else, you're gonna get a cup of black joe. I found this out the hard way.
[Some chick bring over my coffee]
Me: Excuse me, miss. I ordered a regular coffee.
Chick: Yeah, regular. (nods to cup)
Me: Uh, this is black.
Chick: Right.
Me: There's no milk in it.
Chick: Yep, didn't put anything in it. Black.
Me: But I ordered a regular.
Chick: (sensing for the first time I might be a few grapes short of a fruit salad) Uh. . .
2) Nice shoes are always worth it.
3) Diet Coke tastes significantly better out of the can than from the bottle.
4) The underground walkway that connects the Port Authority Bus Terminal to Times Square is the Seventh Circle of Hell.
5) Chloe Sevigny is really pretty.
6) I have yet to find the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. And I have feeling I never will. Because it is a myth and does not exist.
7) People who tell you they have a good sense of a humor usually have the worst. Or none at all.
I'm just like a regular old walking Wikipedia, aren't I?
So with it being my birthday and all, I actually have a present for you. No joke.
I made you guys a little mixed tape. Seeing everyone's top ten lists these days inspired me to whip this out on whim. A compilation of different songs that made me take notice in 2006. Just click the link below and download the mp3 right onto your computer. The songs aren't ranked or anything. Just a random selection of songs that came out this year that I like, that's all.
There are some obvious choices (Cat Power, Gnarls Barkley), some that need to get a little bit more attention (The Radio Dept.), some that released gussied-up versions of songs that they released last year (Sufjan Stevens, Of Montreal) and well, Joanna Newsom. I put her at the end for a reason. You know, for those who haven't developed an ear for her yet. ;) I personally think her new album is pretty awesome. Give her and peace a chance, won't you?
Anyhoo, take a listen. Let me know what you think. And enjoy.
Posted by Sandra at December 14, 2006 06:02 AM
Comments
Happy Birthday!!!
Posted by: Allisone at December 14, 2006 06:30 AM
Happy birthday, girl! I feel the need to quote Sex and the City: "Welcome to my box!" (Uh, that would be the box you check for 25-34.)
Posted by: Sarah at December 14, 2006 08:12 AM
Happy, Happy birthday. Hope your day is full of birthday joy (and fast emails). Thanks for the mp3, can't wait to check it out!
Posted by: Schrodinger at December 14, 2006 08:22 AM
A "regular" here in New England is with cream and sugar. Learned that one the hard way....
I thought of the same thing as Sarah from Sex and the City - welcome to the box! (though I am still a box ahead of you...)
Hope you did something fun on your milestone day!
Posted by: Stacey at December 14, 2006 08:23 AM
Happy 25th birthday! Seems as though you have learned what's really important (shoes!) in life. Thanks also for the mp3s! Can't wait to check them out!
Posted by: Kim at December 14, 2006 08:31 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You have passed along some valuable bits of wisdom here, although, I do happen to know that the perfect chocolate chip recipe exists. A good friend of mine in grade school had a secret family recipe for the absolutely most perfect chocolate chip cookie. But, unfortunately, it was *secret* so she couldn't share it :(
Thanks for the mixed tape - can't wait to listen to it.
Posted by: Lisa at December 14, 2006 09:09 AM
Happy birthday!
I really hope you find the perfect chocolate chip recipe by sat... Oh, and I agree about the circle of hell thing. I once walked from Port Authority on my way back from Ikea and had purchased more than I could carry. Nonetheless, I dragged (literally!) my stuff all the way to Times Sq. I now have a coffee table with scuff marks... And, hey, I thought a regular coffee was with cream and lots of sugar? I learned that the hard way too!
Off to listen to my mixed tape!
Posted by: Veronique at December 14, 2006 09:29 AM
Happy birthday!!!
Oh I love the mix tape idea! I can't wait to get home & download it to see what your song choices were!
I'm with you on the diet coke but I have never heard of that coffee thing til now!
I may have the perfect chocolate chip cookie. It is a secret family recipie but, for you.....
;)
Posted by: Leah at December 14, 2006 09:34 AM
Happy birthday - and thanks for the mix tape - looking forward to listening to it.
Posted by: Elizabeth at December 14, 2006 09:39 AM
Happy Birthday, Sandra!!!! Aw, if only I could give you a birthday hug and a squeeze!
Posted by: Michelle at December 14, 2006 09:43 AM
Happy birthday! You know, here in Canada if you order at the national (and I'll say it, very gross) coffee chain Tim Horton's, a regular is with one milk, one suger. A double double is two milks, two sugars. Anywhere else though, regular means "medium."
Thanks for the mixed tape -- I'm a rock critic and I've been having a hell of a time coming up with my top picks for 2006. I just haven't been feeling it.
Oh, and re: cookies -- I like the Oatmeal Pecan choc. chips from Epicurious, though I usually omit the pecans. Make 'em with dark chips and with a little less oatmeal than called for and they're near perfect!
Posted by: elizabooth at December 14, 2006 09:54 AM
Happy Birthday and thank you for the mix! I can't remember the last time someone made me a mix tape. Perhaps my sophomore year college boyfriend who was trying to get me to appreciate country music. (oh, what was I thinking.)
I have a recipe - I'd be happy to share if you'd like it! I like my cookies crispy, not chewy, so it's perfect for me.
Posted by: MeBeth at December 14, 2006 10:00 AM
Happy birthday! This mix is just what I need to get me through a boring morning at work.
Posted by: kristin at December 14, 2006 10:05 AM
Happy Birthday!!!
On point number 4, you are SO correct, seventh circle of hell indeed. It's so terrible I will go OUTSIDE and walk across just to go back down into the subway I hate it so much!
And THANK YOU for the mixed tape, especially because I'm a loser and totally unhip and don't recognize a single title up there (you can scoff and kick me now, I KNOW!) I can't wait to get home to listen!
Posted by: Katie at December 14, 2006 10:15 AM
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDRA!!
25 years. that's nothing. just wait till you turn 30 and your body falls to pieces ;) anyway, love your lists today. couldn't agree more!
i'm downloading the mix tape :) can't wait to listen.
Posted by: gleek at December 14, 2006 10:39 AM
happy birthday sandra! i'm downloading the mixed tape now, thanks!
Posted by: amanda at December 14, 2006 10:39 AM
Well, well, well. Happy birthday young lady! I didn't realize you were such a young buck! For some reason, I think everyone around me is my age.. maybe I should stop doing that. It's good for the older friends but not so good for the younger ones. And number 2.. yes, I DEFINITELY agree!
Posted by: Angela at December 14, 2006 11:09 AM
Happy birthday!! Yesterday was my roommate's birthday. Par-tay!
Looks like we took a liking to a lot of the same songs this year!
The "regular" coffee thing is the same in Boston, but only at Dunkin Donuts.
Posted by: Ashley at December 14, 2006 11:14 AM
Happy day to you!!!!!!!
Posted by: Sachi at December 14, 2006 11:14 AM
i was just going to say the exact same thing as ashley. if you go to dunkin donuts anywhere in mass, a "regular" is coffee with milk. since i'm not originally from these parts (although i've lived here for 20 years) i don't make any assumptions about coffee. i'm very specific when i order. coffee, black, no sugar.
happy birthday december birthday girl. man there are a lot of december birthdays (i'm the 20th). december birthday people really are the best especiallys sags ;)
as for the best cookies. i don't pretend to have the best recipe. but one i do like -- use the oatmeal raisin recipe off of the quaker oats box, but replace the raisins with the exact same amount of chocolate chips. there may be nuts in the recipe -- i don't add the nuts (i may add extra chips).
Posted by: maryse at December 14, 2006 11:25 AM
At 25 you can rent a car!! Happy Day!
Have you seen the HBO show Big Love? Cloe Sevigny looks completely unattractive, perhaps because her character is such an evil bitch.
Posted by: Lynn at December 14, 2006 11:28 AM
Happy birthday! I think it must be New York AND Canada (or at least Toronto) where they put milk in "regular" coffee. I had almost the exact same exchange, but opposite when I was there.
Girl: How would you like your coffee? Regular?
Me: Yeah. (thinking to self that "regular" is a strange way to say black)
-coffee comes-
Me: This has milk and sugar in it!
Girl: You ordered regular...
Me: Exactly!
Girl: Uh....
My favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe is the Ghirardelli ultimate chocolate chip cookie recipe, but I substitute in Guittard dark chocolate disks (way bigger than chips) and use lots of pecan chunks.
Posted by: Cookie at December 14, 2006 12:30 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! hope your birthday is happy. enjoy 25, its a GREAT year. ^_^ and what a wonderful present to your readers! you have made this keyboard warrior very happy... i'm listening to it right now. its like a piece of home right here in the HI. i'll try to supply you my mom's choclate chip cookie recipe. its pretty darn good, imo.
Posted by: joy at December 14, 2006 01:15 PM
Happy happy, Sandra!
Posted by: Skylar at December 14, 2006 01:29 PM
Happy Birthday Chick! Thanks so much for the mixed tape..I'm listening to it now - I'm thinking I'll have to bit torrent some of these albums.
Oh and I totally agree - there is no perfect chocolate chip recipe...but...I have no problem looking and tasting!
Posted by: Marie at December 14, 2006 01:30 PM
Happy birthday! And when I was in London three years ago, I discovered that "Coffee Americano" would get me a coffee with milk. In case you ever go to London. Which I recommend. Happy birthday! :)
Posted by: Julie at December 14, 2006 01:48 PM
Happy Birthday!!! And I am thoroughly enjoying your mix. :)
Posted by: Jessica at December 14, 2006 01:58 PM
Over here (Boston), a "regular" is a coffee with cream and sugar. At least, it is at Dunkin Donuts!
Posted by: Danielle at December 14, 2006 02:09 PM
happy birthday! and hurrah for indiefolkrockmixes that rule!
i heart joanna newsom and of montreal... thanks!
Posted by: heatherfeather at December 14, 2006 02:44 PM
Happy birthday :)
Now go rent a fabulous car and revel in your quarter century age! (I had a quarter century crisis and bought a car for my 25th birthday.)
Posted by: Teenuh at December 14, 2006 02:45 PM
Happy Birthday! Off to listen to the tunes.
Posted by: brooke at December 14, 2006 04:08 PM
Happy birthday! I agree with you on the chocolate chip cookie recipe. It. does. not. exist. Believe me, I've tried a whole lot of them.
Posted by: Stephanie at December 14, 2006 04:43 PM
Happy Birthday!
And thanks for the music. I know I'll like it.
Have you heard RAY LAMONTAGNE's version of Crazy?
/Joanna
Posted by: Joanna at December 14, 2006 05:24 PM
happy birthday sandra! nice mix--thanks for sharing!
Posted by: valerie at December 14, 2006 06:05 PM
Happy birthday! =D And thanks for the music--I'll give it a listen!
Posted by: Tiffany at December 14, 2006 06:17 PM
Happy birthday!
... And if you ask for a regular coffee here in Canada, you're getting one cream and one sugar. =D
Posted by: Kay at December 14, 2006 07:28 PM
Happy Birthday Sandra!!! You rock! And I love the idea of giving other people presents on your own birthday....well, kind of..
Posted by: kat at December 14, 2006 07:55 PM
Happy Birthday! I love you 10 songs list.
Posted by: BrownPants at December 14, 2006 09:49 PM
¡°¡°¡happy birthday!°!°!°
i hope you have a great day!
*-*
Posted by: Verito at December 14, 2006 10:35 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAy!
your list was hilarious! :)
Posted by: Jen da Purse Ho at December 14, 2006 11:45 PM
happy happy birthday! thanks for the tunes + coffee tidbit. ;)
Posted by: winnie at December 14, 2006 11:50 PM
The perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe exists and Adrian at Helloyarn.com has it! Look to her blog for the Chocolate Chip White Chocolate Pudding Cookie recipe. It. Is. Amazing! Would a knitter lie?
Posted by: Lori at December 15, 2006 05:13 PM
Happy birhtday!
I also think that Regular is with milk and sugar...as do people in Rhode Island and Massachusetts (outside of that is beyond my scope). I think the bigger problem is that people are stupid.
Posted by: Jenn at December 15, 2006 07:40 PM
i'm so sorry that i didnt' see this yesterday! i'm such a bad blog reader. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY PIE!!!
i can't wait to download your top ten list. you are so young and hip. you make me feel like i need a walker!
Posted by: carrie m at December 15, 2006 08:18 PM
Happy belated birthday. I hope you had a wonderful one.
Posted by: isel at December 15, 2006 09:49 PM
happy belated birthday! sorry i missed you at le point tomorrow, but i will be seeing you tomorrow, eh?
thanks for the mix, man. i love joanna newsome, and love to play her even more to annoy chris (he doesn't get it yet).
Posted by: jess at December 15, 2006 11:31 PM
Happy birthday, you! And thanks for the mix. My flatmate loves Newsom, but I have yet to develop the appropriate ear. ;)
Posted by: Sharon at December 16, 2006 07:27 AM
happy birthday!
Posted by: amanda at December 16, 2006 12:06 PM
Ummm, here in New England, a regular coffee refers not to the size, but to the addition of cream and sugar.
Posted by: colleen at December 19, 2006 01:21 PM
You can now rent a car too. Thanks for the mix. Happy birfday
Posted by: Virginia at December 19, 2006 02:16 PM
In Massachusetts "regular" coffee means with cream and sugar! My husband had to warn me when I first moved to Marblehead! Now that I live in upstate NY, I still have to force myself NOT to ask for Regular when I get his coffee! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Lisa L at December 19, 2006 04:12 PM
Happy birthday! I vaguely remember being 25. Life gets better & better as you get older, in many ways.
Ah, regular coffee. Here in California, "regular" is the opposite of "decaf" -- just a cup of black coffee.
Hey, email me, and I'll send you the chocolate chip cookie recipe I use. I don't know that it's perfect, but it's worth trying.
Posted by: Erica at December 20, 2006 10:15 PM
Happy belated birthday,
Thanks so much for the gift - it's really brilliant - brightening up my morning right now.
:)
Posted by: Nicola at December 22, 2006 05:21 AM
I love mix tapes! My friends and I just revived the whole mix tapes/burned cd phenomenon from college and now we give them to each other for all holidays. It's awesome!
Posted by: Sarah at December 22, 2006 09:42 AM
The best chocolate chip cookie recipe that I have found is the one on the back of the Mrs. Fields brand of chocolate chips. I have only found them at the Shaw's in my town in MA. But they are by far the best I have ever made and I am now the chocolate chip cookie girl and am forced to make them fairly often. So try some out yourself and don't share!!
Posted by: Stephanie at December 22, 2006 10:51 AM