Hi Everyone,
In case you haven't noticed, I've been a terrible adventure blogger, but things have been pretty crazy around the Villa. First off, I'm moving (again). Second, taking adventures can be expensive. Third (and most importantly), I've started a new co-blog with the incomparable Beth Rodio. I'm fantastic at updating it - once a week! Check it out: http://ashleyandbeth.wordpress.com/. You will LOVE it!!!
*Ashley
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Non-Adventures
My friends have been really great lately giving me suggestions for possible adventures. They all have at least one thing that they'd love to try but haven't gotten around to. I appreciate all of the feedback, but here are a few ideas I will NOT be exploring:
1) Shot-gun wedding. Thanks, but I'll pass.
2) Getting a tattoo and then having it removed. Yes, this would be 2 separate adventures, but neither appeals to me.
3) Sky-diving. I have zero interest in jumping out of a plane with a mere piece of fabric as my safety net.
4) Marrying a stranger in Vegas. If I won't dance with a stranger, I certainly won't marry one.
5) Karaoke. Listening to people with bad voices perform annoys me more than it should. Putting myself up for that kind of judgement? Will. Not. Happen.
I still want to hear about your "things I want to do" list. Remember, they don't have to be grandiose; they must only be something I haven't done before.
*Ashley
1) Shot-gun wedding. Thanks, but I'll pass.
2) Getting a tattoo and then having it removed. Yes, this would be 2 separate adventures, but neither appeals to me.
3) Sky-diving. I have zero interest in jumping out of a plane with a mere piece of fabric as my safety net.
4) Marrying a stranger in Vegas. If I won't dance with a stranger, I certainly won't marry one.
5) Karaoke. Listening to people with bad voices perform annoys me more than it should. Putting myself up for that kind of judgement? Will. Not. Happen.
I still want to hear about your "things I want to do" list. Remember, they don't have to be grandiose; they must only be something I haven't done before.
*Ashley
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Adventures
Hi Friends,
This is probably going to be one of my shortest posts ever...either you're welcome or I'm sorry. :) I'm prepping for my 27th year of life. It's going to be all about adventures, exploration and trying new things. That's where you come in. What are some things that you've always wanted to do but have never gotten around to? I'm taking any and all suggestions, so please post away! Thanks!
*Ashley
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
My Life, etc.
Over the past few months, I've really thought about what I want to do with my life. I've come up with various scenarios, but I think my ideal life (for now) would go something like this...
Winter
The holiday season must be spent with friends and family. I would reside somewhere on the Peninsula close enough to the city for a night out but far enough not to deal with the traffic, parking and homeless people. I would spend my time ice-skating, decorating and drinking hot chocolate. I would catch up on my reading, TV and go to a movie every week. Lots of sleeping.
Spring
I would join my best friend, Adam Shankman, on the So You Think You Can Dance audition circuit. In between auditions, we would fly back to LA to work on the films he's directing/producing. I would probably have a starring role in at least one. After work, we would attend the hottest restaurants, clubs and parties and generally soak in our awesomeness. The next day, we'd do it all over again. What do you say, Adam?
Summer
This is the time to travel. I would take my family and friends to exotic locales, foreign countries or tropical destinations. We would surf, safari and sin. (That is only a half joke.) I would encourage all sorts of shenanigans. It's our time off, let's have fun! :)
Fall
It's time to say good-bye to adventures and experience autumn the way East Coasters do. Here I come New York City! Tim Gunn, my East Coast BFF, would send a limo to retrieve me from the airport. After settling into my swank loft, we would attend the poshest fashion shows and hobnob with Manhattan's elite. Theater, fashion and shopping would rank above all else. Of course, I would be committed to public appearances, but I would still have plenty of time for pampering. How about it, Tim?
So, that's the plan for now. What do you think?
Winter
The holiday season must be spent with friends and family. I would reside somewhere on the Peninsula close enough to the city for a night out but far enough not to deal with the traffic, parking and homeless people. I would spend my time ice-skating, decorating and drinking hot chocolate. I would catch up on my reading, TV and go to a movie every week. Lots of sleeping.
 |
| Christmas! |
I would join my best friend, Adam Shankman, on the So You Think You Can Dance audition circuit. In between auditions, we would fly back to LA to work on the films he's directing/producing. I would probably have a starring role in at least one. After work, we would attend the hottest restaurants, clubs and parties and generally soak in our awesomeness. The next day, we'd do it all over again. What do you say, Adam?
 |
| BFF 1 |
This is the time to travel. I would take my family and friends to exotic locales, foreign countries or tropical destinations. We would surf, safari and sin. (That is only a half joke.) I would encourage all sorts of shenanigans. It's our time off, let's have fun! :)
 |
| Safari |
Fall
It's time to say good-bye to adventures and experience autumn the way East Coasters do. Here I come New York City! Tim Gunn, my East Coast BFF, would send a limo to retrieve me from the airport. After settling into my swank loft, we would attend the poshest fashion shows and hobnob with Manhattan's elite. Theater, fashion and shopping would rank above all else. Of course, I would be committed to public appearances, but I would still have plenty of time for pampering. How about it, Tim?
 |
| BFF 2 |
Monday, August 2, 2010
Live from Hell...
Every year my family takes a vacation. No two vacations are alike, which in our case is a blessing. Our family vacations tend to bring destruction either to us personally or to the cities we temporarily inhabit. The first family vacation that went awry occurred about 5 years ago. We drove to Tahoe in our old minivan. It was a silvery blue Ford Windstar with the license plate “4MEGALS,” which my father explained signified our Irish heritage and the 4 girls in his life. He nearly always followed up with, “not because I’m Mexican and it’s for Miguel.” He laughed at that joke every time he told it. He laughed alone.
On this particular trip, our car broke down on the mountainous rode into Tahoe. Green goop leaked from somewhere inside the guts of the car. My younger sister, Lindsay, and I decided to broadcast a fake news program to detail the dramatic incidents that unfolded. It started when I held a pretend microphone to my mouth and said, “This is Ashley reporting live from hell…” A tradition was born.
Since that first fateful broadcast, we’ve been fortunate enough to be renewed season after season to report more catastrophic events in the Summers family vacation series. We travelled to New York the summer of 2001. A few months later, 9/11 happened. The summer before Katrina hit, guess who frolicked on Bourbon Street? On another trip to Tahoe, Lindsay broke her arm sledding down a mountain. These are just some highlights. We have played a part in many natural and man-made disasters over the last decade.
Being stuck in a foreign place with your family might seem like an awful idea. You might be right. Your Mom might insist that she doesn’t have any preference on restaurants even though you ALL know that she wants Coco’s. And then when your Dad suggests it, you’ll want to roll your eyes as she feigns surprise. Your sister might annoy you at night by turning the thermostat to Death Valley-like temperatures and keeping you awake because she hears things outside. But when something major happens, I guarantee you’re going to want the people who would do anything for you by your side. Even if they do embarrass you with mildly offensive racist jokes, at least they’re trying to make you laugh.
*Ashley
On this particular trip, our car broke down on the mountainous rode into Tahoe. Green goop leaked from somewhere inside the guts of the car. My younger sister, Lindsay, and I decided to broadcast a fake news program to detail the dramatic incidents that unfolded. It started when I held a pretend microphone to my mouth and said, “This is Ashley reporting live from hell…” A tradition was born.
Since that first fateful broadcast, we’ve been fortunate enough to be renewed season after season to report more catastrophic events in the Summers family vacation series. We travelled to New York the summer of 2001. A few months later, 9/11 happened. The summer before Katrina hit, guess who frolicked on Bourbon Street? On another trip to Tahoe, Lindsay broke her arm sledding down a mountain. These are just some highlights. We have played a part in many natural and man-made disasters over the last decade.
Being stuck in a foreign place with your family might seem like an awful idea. You might be right. Your Mom might insist that she doesn’t have any preference on restaurants even though you ALL know that she wants Coco’s. And then when your Dad suggests it, you’ll want to roll your eyes as she feigns surprise. Your sister might annoy you at night by turning the thermostat to Death Valley-like temperatures and keeping you awake because she hears things outside. But when something major happens, I guarantee you’re going to want the people who would do anything for you by your side. Even if they do embarrass you with mildly offensive racist jokes, at least they’re trying to make you laugh.
*Ashley
Friday, March 26, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Rant
Falling asleep is very difficult when you can hear your upstairs neighbor snoring. That's where I'm at right now. It's a bad sound like nails on a chalkboard or a tree going through the chipper. It's worse still because it's constant. And, I can only imagine how ugly it looks. Mouth open, nostrils flaring, drool. So readers, I hope you're frolicking in your dreams while I'm living this nightmare. Sigh.
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