Just wanted to take a little break from the monotony of celebrity crushes – and random insights to how much I don’t like myself sometimes, I guess? – to introduce you, reader, to a few of my real-life buddies. I’ll probably make this a semi-regular thing, as I’ve got loads of friends (seven) with goodness to share. Without further doodoo!

Ok, so there’s no way I could write a more put-together introductory paragraph about It’s a King Thing than the one written by lead singer, Brian Mietz, on their official website:
It’s a King Thing is from the Haddons, the Hills and the Heights of suburban Philadelphia. Their music can be defined as rock songs with a pop sensibility. Influences include The Lemonheads, the first two Weezer albums, the first two Weston albums and a bunch of tons more. Our band’s songs can beat up your band’s songs.
Please also take a minute to read each member’s bio (on the above website) written by one of the funniest dudes I’m too shy to talk to in person, Nick Minetola. And probably read the other stuff he wrote that is linked there as well. I did a while ago and just did again because.
It’s a King Thing’s new album Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo. is now available for free download on said above website. Give it to anyone and everyone you know that can make them the next New Kids on the Block! | Become a Fan

(I like this picture because it makes her on television, like Martha Stewart or Julia Child.)
Now we leave the block and enter the kitchen, where Jaime bakes things, takes drool-worthy pictures of them, and rubs it in your face on Cream & Sugar Kitchen. No joke, I’ve tried to eat through my computer screen on more than one occasion while browsing the goodies she’s made over these past several months.
But not only does she give you the direction to make these things yourself, she speaks to you on a friendship-type level. She’s also not afraid to get real and quippy on yo’ ass. She writes like she speaks and, being a big fan of that kind of blogging myself (OBVS, Y’ALL), it’s refreshing. Though we live, what?, ten minutes away from one another?, I don’t see her as often as I wish, so I like to think we’re having a conversation through our respective websites.
You can follow her quipping on the daily at her Twitter.

And then we have Ghouls on Film. You may remember me bragging about a girl named Sara back in November and, well, I’m just going to continue to do so here.
She currently writes for Comcast’s Reel News (I wish I could link to just her stories, but you’ll have to scroll through for “SaraC” – or check it all out!), but her true love is horror films. She’s enlisted the help of your very own narrator (and the above Jaime, among other friends) to contribute to the blog as often as they’d like. Thus far, I’ve written two pieces (bloop! bloop!), but please read the rest – add it to your Google Reader, link it on your blog, tell your friends. Let’s make this a big deal, right?!
On top of the above links, you can also find Sara on Twitter (where she helps you find the pieces she wrote by linking to them after she writes them) and as for Ghouls on Film, you can now Become a Fan.
Never forget to check the above “Exit” link to find other people and places I find wonderful, as well!
Thanks for the shout-out, pout-rout! You’re more than a merch-girl. Actually, you’ve never been the merch-girl. We’re not “that kind of band.”
I was merch-girl once! For, like, five minutes. By accident.