Matthew McConaughey announced that his girlfriend is pregnant by releasing this quote:
"We are stoked and wowed by this miracle of creation and this gift from God, and so excited for the adventure that will come in raising this child, being a mother and a father, and shepherding him or her through this life. . . . from moms and dads, to family to community, it takes the best will and support from everyone to raise the healthiest children we have in society. . . . Wish us the best, keep us in your prayers, and God bless evolution. Thanks for being fans of me and my work and now this new and miraculous chapter in my life, as me and Camila and our child do our best to just keep livin."
The overall announcement is sweet and well written by a man who is most famous for not owning any shirts. However the part that I'm still chuckling about is "God bless evolution"...
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Righteous Man (an old old draft)
As some of you know, my dates usually end in one of two ways. Either the guy gives me an awkward hug/handshake or he tries to maul me, so last night was a welcome change. Let's start at the very beginning which is, as Maria von Trapp sang so eloquently, is a very good place to start. The nice boy who asked to take my picture on New Year's Eve asked to take me out last night. We met up at Bourbon and had a really great time talking about everything from the results of malnourishment in children to religion to baseball.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Spur of the Moment Date
Is it spur of the moment if we've been trying to get together for a couple weeks now? I met Luke out at the Red Derby where we chatted with each other, the owner and the bartender. All very nice people who solidified my decision to make this my new neighborhood bar. The food looks fantastic, is inexpensive, it's a short bus ride up 14th from me and feels like I'm hanging out at a friend's house. We ended up playing a game of pool, then doing the crossword in the City Paper. I know, I'm a dork. Just before midnight, I realized how late it was getting and that if I didn't leave soon I'd be walking home which is not a good thing to do alone in that neighborhood at night. So Luke walked me to the bus stop, waited for the bus with me and gave me a quick good night kiss. All in all, an enjoyable evening and a great start to the YODA. We'll see if my luck continues to Thursday.
How Are You Still Working Paul Moyer?
So, I may or may not at times listen to Star 98.7 online while at work. Shut up - I work in a fairly high traffic area and I need something completely non-offensive. Granted, some of the songs they play offend me with their banality, but that is the price I must pay to listen to music instead of the attorney down the hall who does Google searches for his wife while she's on speakerphone. All of this is a lead up to say I got to start my morning with one of my hometown news anchors. Oh Paul Moyer, how I miss your inability to present the news in a way that doesn't grate on my very last nerve. Just seeing your face brought back the many years spent cringing in horror at your newscasts.
Monday, January 07, 2008
A Little Catch Up
The weekend between Christmas and New Year's Eve I was invited to go up to Baltimore for the Ravens v. Steelers game. My compadre Niki went to school with one of the Steelers and he offered up a hotel room for Saturday night and tickets to Sunday's game. I won't lie. I was more excited about spending time with my friend (she's in PA and I never get to see her) than the actual game since I am a 49'ers fan. That said, it was pretty fun being a guest of the team and having dinner with Nick. He's a super nice, funny guy and was incredibly generous that weekend. He took us out to dinner, then drinks (water for him) where we watched the Pats eke out their 16th win. The game itself was freezing cold, wet, and windy...first time ever I've been too cold to drink beer. Plus, Ravens fans are, unbelievably, more obnoxious than Orioles fans. Must be the city.
New Year's Eve I was all set to stay in for the night, having turned down a number of invites to do things, I really just wanted to have a calm NYE. Well, that ended at around 9:30 pm. After getting harrassed out by my friends and being assured that if I got all pretty we would NOT be hanging out at James' house, I trudged up to Columbia Heights (really, only 8 minutes away) whereupon entering James' house I found everyone ready to spend the evening in, offering the truth fact that telling me we would go out was the only way to get me out of my house. Damn their logic. I rallied them up enough to hoof it over to a local bar, The Red Derby (my new favorite neighborhood bar btw). We were able to get seats at the bar and had a lovely time drinking inexpensive beer. Having helped the bar staff open a couple bottles of champs right before midnight scored Mary and me two bottles to share between us. The boy next to me asked me to do a shot with him, and who am I to say no? He then asked if he could take a picture of me because he thought I was pretty...which was a little odd, bordering on creepy. He turned out to be a pretty nice, normal guy who kept asking if he could take me to brunch. Instead we are going out this Thursday. Let the Year of Dating Appropriately begin!
New Year's Eve I was all set to stay in for the night, having turned down a number of invites to do things, I really just wanted to have a calm NYE. Well, that ended at around 9:30 pm. After getting harrassed out by my friends and being assured that if I got all pretty we would NOT be hanging out at James' house, I trudged up to Columbia Heights (really, only 8 minutes away) whereupon entering James' house I found everyone ready to spend the evening in, offering the truth fact that telling me we would go out was the only way to get me out of my house. Damn their logic. I rallied them up enough to hoof it over to a local bar, The Red Derby (my new favorite neighborhood bar btw). We were able to get seats at the bar and had a lovely time drinking inexpensive beer. Having helped the bar staff open a couple bottles of champs right before midnight scored Mary and me two bottles to share between us. The boy next to me asked me to do a shot with him, and who am I to say no? He then asked if he could take a picture of me because he thought I was pretty...which was a little odd, bordering on creepy. He turned out to be a pretty nice, normal guy who kept asking if he could take me to brunch. Instead we are going out this Thursday. Let the Year of Dating Appropriately begin!
Saturday, January 05, 2008
A Dark Spot on the History of Baseball
No, I'm not talking about the steroids scandal that we're in the midst of, I'm speaking of the day 3 years and 2 days ago when that bastard Arte Moreno renamed my California Angels to include Los Angeles. Before you ask, yes I'm still angry. I'm pretty sure Gene Autry is too.
Pssst!
So, after a long 9 month absence, I'm back. I'm not going to promise to post regularly. I'm not going to even attempt to sum up the time I was gone from here. I'm just going to pick up like I was never gone and you're going to be okay with it. 2008 has started off pretty good and considering that it has been declared the Year of Dating Appropriately, it will probably prove to have at least a few entertaining stories.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Song of the Night
Race Cars and Goth Rock - Butch Walker
What I can I say I come from racecars and goth rock
And what can you do, you're just California gridlock
I'm a broken down camaro overheated, but you'll never know
You're the one that caused this crash
Saw him and the Let's Go Out Tonites last night at 9:30. Absolutely one of the most fun shows I've ever been to and this comes the night after seeing Super Diamond. Three concerts in one week and I'm off to Boston in a couple days to have a lady date with my mom for Snow Patrol. I love Spring. All kinds of good shows! We're moving offices this week, I've got a date Friday and a full weekend and I've got a lot going on so more later kids. Kisses!
What I can I say I come from racecars and goth rock
And what can you do, you're just California gridlock
I'm a broken down camaro overheated, but you'll never know
You're the one that caused this crash
Saw him and the Let's Go Out Tonites last night at 9:30. Absolutely one of the most fun shows I've ever been to and this comes the night after seeing Super Diamond. Three concerts in one week and I'm off to Boston in a couple days to have a lady date with my mom for Snow Patrol. I love Spring. All kinds of good shows! We're moving offices this week, I've got a date Friday and a full weekend and I've got a lot going on so more later kids. Kisses!
Friday, March 23, 2007
Was It a Date?
Rounds Two and Three:
The night after I went out with Bryan (who I keep talking with and I think would be interested if I cast out the dating line-I don't have time right now) I met XM at my bar for drinks and some food. It was a really great time. I adore him and love spending time with him. I just don't feel a strong desire to get the guy naked. It's incredibly unfortunate. We both spoke of dates we've been on since we stopped dating, it's been long enough to do that, especially since we were friendly and dating others when we first met. We stayed a couple hours and then he walked me to my corner where we hugged goodbye. No forceful, out of nowhere kiss this time which was nice. Right after I got home, I received an email from him giving me the link to a website we'd been laughing over (http://marmadukeexplained.blogspot.com/ - hilarious stuff people). Since then, we've emailed back and forth a couple times, but nothing serious, so I'm fairly certain what started as a date for one of us, ended not as one mutually which is perfect.
Flash to this past Monday when XM met Angie and me out for trivia night. First, thank God he met us out - I had been feeling out of it all day and was fairly useless in all things trivial (even more out of it Tuesday - turns out it was the beginning of a really bad stomach/intestinal flu - I've been home sick two days and it totally is not fun), moving on. So, we had a great time at trivia and it wasn't uncomfortable at all because, hey, last time wasn't a date, right? Well, he kept brushing his leg against mine, would let his hand linger on mine when taking the pen, drank out of my beer a couple times (hope he didn't catch my cooties), kept catching him staring at me (granted, that could have been the Evil Twin hair). He offered to drive Angie and me home. She lives on the Hill so she suggested dropping me off, then dropping her off at U Street so she could catch the bus and I agreed it made sense. He shot me a look that I can only describe as disappointed and then started to suggest another plan, which I interrupted to point out that the one we had made the most sense. He's just a hard one to read.
More importantly, we came in second place! Which meant $20 off our bar tab (first is $100 off). I think we fared very well considering there were only 3 of us, compared to the 5 veterans who beat us. We will be going back and we will be bringing a stronger team!
The night after I went out with Bryan (who I keep talking with and I think would be interested if I cast out the dating line-I don't have time right now) I met XM at my bar for drinks and some food. It was a really great time. I adore him and love spending time with him. I just don't feel a strong desire to get the guy naked. It's incredibly unfortunate. We both spoke of dates we've been on since we stopped dating, it's been long enough to do that, especially since we were friendly and dating others when we first met. We stayed a couple hours and then he walked me to my corner where we hugged goodbye. No forceful, out of nowhere kiss this time which was nice. Right after I got home, I received an email from him giving me the link to a website we'd been laughing over (http://marmadukeexplained.blogspot.com/ - hilarious stuff people). Since then, we've emailed back and forth a couple times, but nothing serious, so I'm fairly certain what started as a date for one of us, ended not as one mutually which is perfect.
Flash to this past Monday when XM met Angie and me out for trivia night. First, thank God he met us out - I had been feeling out of it all day and was fairly useless in all things trivial (even more out of it Tuesday - turns out it was the beginning of a really bad stomach/intestinal flu - I've been home sick two days and it totally is not fun), moving on. So, we had a great time at trivia and it wasn't uncomfortable at all because, hey, last time wasn't a date, right? Well, he kept brushing his leg against mine, would let his hand linger on mine when taking the pen, drank out of my beer a couple times (hope he didn't catch my cooties), kept catching him staring at me (granted, that could have been the Evil Twin hair). He offered to drive Angie and me home. She lives on the Hill so she suggested dropping me off, then dropping her off at U Street so she could catch the bus and I agreed it made sense. He shot me a look that I can only describe as disappointed and then started to suggest another plan, which I interrupted to point out that the one we had made the most sense. He's just a hard one to read.
More importantly, we came in second place! Which meant $20 off our bar tab (first is $100 off). I think we fared very well considering there were only 3 of us, compared to the 5 veterans who beat us. We will be going back and we will be bringing a stronger team!
Shamrock Shenanigans
Last weekend was a bit out of control. What started out as drinks at our bar on Friday night to plan a fundraiser turned into lots of drinks at Buffalo Billiards and me waking up at a...friend's...house 20 minutes before my 9:45 am hair appointment Saturday morning. Luckily he lives within walking distance of Mazza so I was only 5 minutes late, but probably still buzzed from the night before. So much for the Year of Good Decisions. I would chalk it up to a momentary lapse of reason if the rest of the weekend hadn't happened...although according to my coworker, I can blame Saturday/Sunday on what has been deemed my "Evil Twin" hair because it is now way darker than I have ever had it before, near black actually if I'm not in direct light. It will mellow to a nice chocolate brown, but for now it's pretty damn dramatic. I like it. Anyways. I was starting to get a headache at the end of my hair appointment, so I made plans to meet my friend James for brunch at Wonderland. Bottomless bloody marys were just what I needed to take the edge off my headache. The plan was to go for a couple hours, head home for a nap and then head out for St. Patrick's Day. Well, that didn't happen. I ended up getting home from brunch (actually from drinks Friday night) sometime around 2 am Sunday morning. It was crazy. Seriously. At one point I said "What about me says 'coke whore' because I'd like to change it immediately" because I was offered coke more than once by a couple people. Me. The girl who has never even tried any drugs nor smoked anything in her life (except maybe 3 puffs off Agie's cigars from time to time).
Anyways, the Year of Good Decisions is back in effect. I've got a pretty busy weekend, but will try to catch up - I've been incredibly remiss in posting my adventures. I'm sure you're all dying to know what's been going on (she says sarcastically).
Anyways, the Year of Good Decisions is back in effect. I've got a pretty busy weekend, but will try to catch up - I've been incredibly remiss in posting my adventures. I'm sure you're all dying to know what's been going on (she says sarcastically).
CBS Can Kiss My ASS
Maybe I should just chalk it up to living on the East Coast, but I much prefer to blame the network. It's bad enough they rarely show entire PAC 10 games on the network, even during March Madness, but to show commercials instead of cutting to the last minute of a 7 point game? And then when coming back from those damn this is our country truck commercials to just show a graphic of the score when there is more than 7 minutes left of the other game? GARRRRGH. CBS, if it weren't for How I Met Your Mother, I'd never watch you again...after the tournament of course because this Ohio State/Tennessee game is pretty darn good and my brackets are kind of depending on the Buckeyes.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Let's Play a Game
It's called "Was it a Date?".
Round One:
After a drink with coworkers last night, I headed over to Dupont to meet Bryan for dinner. I haven't seen him in about 10 months, so I wasn't sure how to greet him. He took care of that by giving me a big hug. We had a really great time at dinner, there was some flirting, catching up, a little digging on his part as to what I've been up to the last 10 months or so. He kept teasing me about my voice - I've been fighting a cold all week. When the check got there, out of reflex, I grabbed my wallet, then when he put way too much, I gave him some back. If I'm going to pay something, at least let me pay my part. We stayed talking for another 30 minutes and then decided we both needed to get home. He put me in a cab, gave me a hug and said good night. I don't think it was a date, but there was definitely a vibe (at the risk of sounding like Larry the neighbor on Three's Company) like it was. I'm confused.
Round One:
After a drink with coworkers last night, I headed over to Dupont to meet Bryan for dinner. I haven't seen him in about 10 months, so I wasn't sure how to greet him. He took care of that by giving me a big hug. We had a really great time at dinner, there was some flirting, catching up, a little digging on his part as to what I've been up to the last 10 months or so. He kept teasing me about my voice - I've been fighting a cold all week. When the check got there, out of reflex, I grabbed my wallet, then when he put way too much, I gave him some back. If I'm going to pay something, at least let me pay my part. We stayed talking for another 30 minutes and then decided we both needed to get home. He put me in a cab, gave me a hug and said good night. I don't think it was a date, but there was definitely a vibe (at the risk of sounding like Larry the neighbor on Three's Company) like it was. I'm confused.
Song of the Day
Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect - The Decemberists. This one goes out to George Costanza aka Art VanDeLay.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Nancy Drew's Guide to Life
After receiving an electrical shock to the system, find as many men as possible to vigorously massage you. - Mystery of the Glowing Eye
How convenient that tip of the day is considering that in the last two days, I've heard from four guys I used to date. Two were completely random, out of the blue and the others I've stayed in contact with intermittently.
The Not Randoms
1. Bryan and I went on a couple dates, had a swell time, but I had just broken up with Paul and wasn't ready to be dating so I let it cool off, with us occasionally chatting every few months. The last week or so, we've been trying to get together for brunch and it keeps not working out, so we're going to dinner tomorrow night. I'm really looking forward to it. He's such a funny, charismatic guy that it will be anything but dull. I'm unsure if it's a date though.
2. Steve. Steve and I have a checkered past to say the least. I was seeing him two years ago, before I met ex-boyfriend, then when we supposedly became exclusive, I stopped seeing Steve, as well as SAM (his real name completely escapes me) and Ryan. Steve and I have met up over the past two years every now and then, even with him having a girlfriend, who I'm pretty sure he's living with now. It gets to be sticky sometimes because there is still a very strong attraction there on both our parts, but in this Year of Good Decisions, I think I should be okay tonight when we meet for drinks. I am completely sure this isn't a date, at least from my point of view. Guess it will depend on how many drinks we have.
The Randoms
1. Boyscout is back people. If he wasn't so damn good looking and tall and funny....sigh. Anyways, he caught me online last night and we ended up chatting for about an hour. We'll see what happens there.
2. XM. Yep. XM is back too. After I stopped the secret dating, it took some time, but he got unmad at me and we went out as friends for dinner and drinks and had a lovely time catching up once it became unawkward (this was during football season, so like 5 months ago maybe?). I never know what's going to happen with this guy. When we said good night that night, we hugged, as is customary, and then as I was turning to head home, he grabbed my face (much more gently than that description sounds) and kissed me smack on the lips, pulled away, smiled, looked me in the eye, said good night and walked away. So weird. Anyways, last night I was out to drinks with a coworker and I mentioned XM because we're looking for people to share our Nats season seats with and I thought I should shoot him an email to see if he's interested even though I haven't talked with him forever. So I get home and see an email from him. After a couple bantering emails back and forth, we ended up on the phone for an hour or so and now we're having drinks Thursday. Again, unsure if it's a date or not, but given his track record, he probably thinks it is.
I knew I should have stayed on hiatus. This is getting exhausting.
How convenient that tip of the day is considering that in the last two days, I've heard from four guys I used to date. Two were completely random, out of the blue and the others I've stayed in contact with intermittently.
The Not Randoms
1. Bryan and I went on a couple dates, had a swell time, but I had just broken up with Paul and wasn't ready to be dating so I let it cool off, with us occasionally chatting every few months. The last week or so, we've been trying to get together for brunch and it keeps not working out, so we're going to dinner tomorrow night. I'm really looking forward to it. He's such a funny, charismatic guy that it will be anything but dull. I'm unsure if it's a date though.
2. Steve. Steve and I have a checkered past to say the least. I was seeing him two years ago, before I met ex-boyfriend, then when we supposedly became exclusive, I stopped seeing Steve, as well as SAM (his real name completely escapes me) and Ryan. Steve and I have met up over the past two years every now and then, even with him having a girlfriend, who I'm pretty sure he's living with now. It gets to be sticky sometimes because there is still a very strong attraction there on both our parts, but in this Year of Good Decisions, I think I should be okay tonight when we meet for drinks. I am completely sure this isn't a date, at least from my point of view. Guess it will depend on how many drinks we have.
The Randoms
1. Boyscout is back people. If he wasn't so damn good looking and tall and funny....sigh. Anyways, he caught me online last night and we ended up chatting for about an hour. We'll see what happens there.
2. XM. Yep. XM is back too. After I stopped the secret dating, it took some time, but he got unmad at me and we went out as friends for dinner and drinks and had a lovely time catching up once it became unawkward (this was during football season, so like 5 months ago maybe?). I never know what's going to happen with this guy. When we said good night that night, we hugged, as is customary, and then as I was turning to head home, he grabbed my face (much more gently than that description sounds) and kissed me smack on the lips, pulled away, smiled, looked me in the eye, said good night and walked away. So weird. Anyways, last night I was out to drinks with a coworker and I mentioned XM because we're looking for people to share our Nats season seats with and I thought I should shoot him an email to see if he's interested even though I haven't talked with him forever. So I get home and see an email from him. After a couple bantering emails back and forth, we ended up on the phone for an hour or so and now we're having drinks Thursday. Again, unsure if it's a date or not, but given his track record, he probably thinks it is.
I knew I should have stayed on hiatus. This is getting exhausting.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Nancy Drew Tip of the Day
Carry a police whistle to scare off creeps. - The Secret of the Forgotten City
Are you listening Courtney?
Are you listening Courtney?
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
I Am Evidently Going to Hell
I just had this conversation with a coworker:
Liz: I'm giving up beer for Lent.
Me: That's why I'm Episcopalian - Catholic Lite
Liz: I'm Episcopalian too. Actually baptized and confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church though.
Me: I was never baptized. So scandalous - especially when I was teaching Sunday School.
Liz: Ooooh. You're going to hell.
Me: According to my Christian Doctrine teacher Freshman year of college, I shall burn in hell for all eternity.
Liz: Yeah. That's too bad. At least it's something you can change.
Me: I've met me. I'm pretty sure there will be things higher on the list to discuss with St. Peter.
When I got back to my desk "Straight to Hell" by Matt Nathanson was playing. I can't make this sh*t up. Seriously. iTunes never lies. I'm doomed. So having fun on the way down.....within the constraints of the Year of Good Decisions of course! If I could withstand the temptation of this weekend, I'm golden.
Liz: I'm giving up beer for Lent.
Me: That's why I'm Episcopalian - Catholic Lite
Liz: I'm Episcopalian too. Actually baptized and confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church though.
Me: I was never baptized. So scandalous - especially when I was teaching Sunday School.
Liz: Ooooh. You're going to hell.
Me: According to my Christian Doctrine teacher Freshman year of college, I shall burn in hell for all eternity.
Liz: Yeah. That's too bad. At least it's something you can change.
Me: I've met me. I'm pretty sure there will be things higher on the list to discuss with St. Peter.
When I got back to my desk "Straight to Hell" by Matt Nathanson was playing. I can't make this sh*t up. Seriously. iTunes never lies. I'm doomed. So having fun on the way down.....within the constraints of the Year of Good Decisions of course! If I could withstand the temptation of this weekend, I'm golden.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Great Things Named Orson
Wells
Kyle MacLaughlin's character on Desperate Housewives
My band of the weekend. Check out Orson. They released an album last December, made big in the U.K. and are finally here in the US.
More to come from me this weekend. I'm not on call for the office and I've got most of my school work done so I should have some time to post.
Kyle MacLaughlin's character on Desperate Housewives
My band of the weekend. Check out Orson. They released an album last December, made big in the U.K. and are finally here in the US.
More to come from me this weekend. I'm not on call for the office and I've got most of my school work done so I should have some time to post.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Cold as Hell? That Doesn't Even Make Sense
Today I heard a guy on the bus say "Man, it's cold as Hell this morning". Granted, the newspeople were saying "If you don't absolutely have to go outside, you shouldn't", so it is very cold, but doesn't bus guy know that Hell is full of fire and brimstone, not ice? If it were cold then you could cuddle for warmth, go snowboarding, ice skating. There are all sorts of fun wintery things you could do if it were really cold in Hell. And if there are fun things to do, by definition, it isn't Hell. Then again, it would be awful if you didn't have the proper attire. Still, I'd much rather freeze to death than burn to death....although if I had my druthers (what does that mean?) I'd like to go in my sleep.
And God said "noted".
And God said "noted".
Monday, January 29, 2007
Gotta Listen Kids
Check out Paolo Nutini. He has a four song EP on iTunes and it is completely worth the $3.49 or whatever they are charging for it. Last Request is a great song and the other three are just as enjoyable. His voice has this scratchy, soulful quality to it while at the same time being one of the smoothest I've heard in a long time. Oh yeah, did I mention he's only 19?
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Stomp
Friday night Cindy and I had a lady date. We met at my office at 5:45 (which proved to be a good decision! on my part because I would not have been able to get out of there before 8 otherwise) and headed over to dinner at La Tosca, a Spanish tapas restaurant. It was Restaurant Week in DC and we took advantage of what was usually their Wednesday night tapas special which is basically all the tapas you can eat plus a dessert for $30.05 a person. I didn't feel like making any decisions and Cindy was up for adventure so I asked the waiter to just bring us his favorite dishes and had him surprise us with glasses of a nice, spicy rioja. It was fabulous and delicious. During dinner we caught up on what's been going on in each other's lives and kept an eye out for her husband and two kids who were coming into the city for some thing at the MCI Center. We never did see them, but we did see Abby walking by who, wih her husband, hosted Heather's going away party that we threw last weekend (story to come very very soon).
After dinner we headed to the Warner Theater for Stomp. Our cab driver was IN SANE. We get into the cab and he cranks up the radio and says "great song, yeah?". We just started giggling and agreed. That song (Irreplaceable by Beyonce) ended and the next song was "Turn the Page" by Bob Seger which just got him more pumped, especially when Cindy said "I need a shot". It's true. Everytime that song comes on it seems wrong to not be throwing back a shot of JD. Maybe that's why I don't listen to it that often. Anyways, we had great seats and a wonderful time. I saw Stomp with my mom and Aunt Denise when it first made the rounds about 10 years ago in CA and really enjoyed it so when Cindy was looking for someone to go with I immediately said yes. These performers are incredible percussionists. They are able to make sounds with just about anything; brooms, sand, their hands, lighters, bags, etc. Anyone who doesn't leave that show wanting to be a drummer, I don't want to be friends with.
After dinner we headed to the Warner Theater for Stomp. Our cab driver was IN SANE. We get into the cab and he cranks up the radio and says "great song, yeah?". We just started giggling and agreed. That song (Irreplaceable by Beyonce) ended and the next song was "Turn the Page" by Bob Seger which just got him more pumped, especially when Cindy said "I need a shot". It's true. Everytime that song comes on it seems wrong to not be throwing back a shot of JD. Maybe that's why I don't listen to it that often. Anyways, we had great seats and a wonderful time. I saw Stomp with my mom and Aunt Denise when it first made the rounds about 10 years ago in CA and really enjoyed it so when Cindy was looking for someone to go with I immediately said yes. These performers are incredible percussionists. They are able to make sounds with just about anything; brooms, sand, their hands, lighters, bags, etc. Anyone who doesn't leave that show wanting to be a drummer, I don't want to be friends with.
Check This Chick Out
Rachael Yamagata. I've been listening to her album "Happenstance" off and on over the last couple months (even though it's been around since 2004) and it just keeps getting better. Absolutely fantastic voice, somewhat husky, vulnerable but strong. Her songs have been featured in The Last Kiss and my personal favorite comedy right now How I Met Your Mother (Wanna go to the mall today Mark?) I know I've raved about HIMYM before, but yet another reason to love the show is their music selection. Gotta love a show that features Bon Jovi, The Decemberists, Bloc Party, the Femmes and has The 88 playing a prom. Fantastic.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Band of the MLK Weekend
I've been working tons so far this year and I've been under the weather with a pretty bad cold. I'm going to be spending this weekend catching up on things like laundry, cleaning my house and seeing how many of my friends outside of DC are still alive (and still friends since i've been pretty MIA as of late). That said, I have been in need of some good old fashioned fun music and found it in Gym Class Heroes. Their album As Cruel As School Children is quite entertaining. More later - kisses.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Don't Forget The Robot
How I Met Your Mother is the new Arrested Development. A great, funny show that no one is watching and critcs love. Barney "The Barnacle" is quite possibly one of the funniest characters ever on television. A warning: This song will never, ever, ever leave your head. That said, throw on your rubber bracelets and grafitti coat and head to the mall....today.
Happy New Year Everyone
So The Year Of Good Decisions has begun leaving The Year That Kicked My Ass behind. There isn't a more excited girl in the world, let me tell you.
My long, holiday weekend has been pretty fun so far. Very quiet and relaxing. I've been going non-stop for awhile now and feel like I haven't been home for like a month. My apartment is a disaster, I've got tons of laundry to do and I've just been too tired to do any of it. So I intentionally went into this weekend with little to no set plans other than New Year's Eve.
The weekend started Thursday with pizza, beer and movies at Agie's. After some "I call bullshit" from Tim and Agie regarding the lack of loving between me and Bob Tuesday night (seriously, I turned him down - I'd tell you if I didn't), we may or may not have watched Borat which was funny stuff. Not as funny as the hype has been, but I usually don't enjoy watching nice people get made fun of. Other than those few parts the movie had some hilarious moments along with a very, very disturbing scene involving naked hairy men and wrestling. Seriously. My eyes will never be the same again. *shudder* After that we threw in The Comedians of Comedy. Fan-freaking-tastic. Three of the four comedians are hilarious. I've got to make sure I put the rest of the dvds in my Netflix lineup (even though I've had my three movies for about a month now).
Friday I left work at a decent hour, came home, made dinner, watched The Break Up (which was an entertaining flick - glad I didn't see it when it came out, but more glad that I watched it - some of the situations were a little too familiar to parts of early last year) and went to bed sometime around 11.
Saturday I ran a bunch of errands which included grocery shopping for the first time in about a month. I hate not having fresh vegetables and fruit in my house but I've been working so many hours during the week (and a lot of weekends) and traveling on the weekends I'm not working, it's been very difficult to go to the store. I really need to get better this year about making time to do things I really need to do (see: The Year of Good Decisions) especially with school starting in 3 weeks. I guess I can look at this withdrawal from society because of work as a test run for when school begins - at least this way I won't be stopping having a lot of fun cold turkey. I'm slowly weaning myself off the fun. Shoosh. Let me fool myself a little longer please. Anyways, after errands, I met Jim at Dupont for Babel which we've been trying to see for about two weeks now (see: working a lot of hours). It was a really good movie despite some problems (no need at all for the Japanese story line - it felt very contrived and really was only there to see a naked Asian girl). The fact that there were a couple times where you knew exactly what was going to happen, yet there was still a strong feeling of suspense was impressive. The acting was fantastic and the vignettes in Morrocco and Mexico were really true to life. After the movie we went to Raku for dinner which was really good. I love that place. Then we walked to Jim's so I could meet the new lady in his life Natalya (named after Borat's sister - the 4th best prostitute in Khazakstan). His friend works at the Humane Society here in DC. A couple weeks back they raided a house that had over 15 cats living (if you can call it that) in squalor that they took in which meant they needed to make room at the facility. Jim was kind enough to take one of the cats that had been there for two months. She is so cute and lively and driving Jim nuts with her energy. He's very cute with her though. Dotes on her like no one I've ever seen. That's why I send Charlotte to Chez Jim anytime I'm gone for an extended period of time. He treats her like she's on vacation too. Anyways, after the visit with Natalya, Jim drove me home and I again went to bed fairly early (around 1).
Sunday was more errands and a lot of lazing about between loads of laundry. I like to have tv on in the background while I do housework rather than music. With music I get too involved with what I want to listen to at any given moment and spend more time setting up a playlist or forwarding through songs to be really effective and get anything done efficiently. I've found that bad television works much better and is far less distracting. So, I settled on Ugly Betty and went to work tackling the mound of laundry in my closet. I totally got sucked in to an Ugly Betty marathon. Damn that show. It's really quite fun, even though it's incredibly predictable and she's just so darn cute you can't help but love her, huge, bushy eyebrows and braces be damned. I headed over to Heather's for champagne before what has now become our annual Logan Tavern New Year's Eve dinner. Sarah and her husband were there already and then we met Tori and her boyfriend at the restaurant. Such a great time at dinner. It's always incredibly good food and I couldn't have asked for better company. I'm not a huge fan of big, extravagant NYEs - I'd much rather have a nice evening with friends than get all dolled up and pay tons of money to hang out with a bunch of people I don't know whose sole goal of the evening is to find someone to kiss at midnight. Ugh. Anyways, after dinner we headed to New Vegas Lounge for great live music and dancing. My Year of Good Decisions decree was a hit with my friends who have all decided to have their own themes for 2007. Heather's is The Year of No International Incidents since she is moving to South Korea in a couple weeks, Britton took a liking to The Year of Good Decisions and has decided he will follow my lead, and Sarah has decided that 2007 for her will be The Year of The Banjo. Evidently she received a banjo as a gift from the gentleman who made it (I didn't get all the story - sorry, it was really really loud) and decided that she should probably learn to play it. We all headed home around 1 and it was looking like yet another early, quiet evening for Plan B. I ended up talking to a bunch of folks and got to bed around 4. Not too bad for NYE, although I do see a nap in my future.
My long, holiday weekend has been pretty fun so far. Very quiet and relaxing. I've been going non-stop for awhile now and feel like I haven't been home for like a month. My apartment is a disaster, I've got tons of laundry to do and I've just been too tired to do any of it. So I intentionally went into this weekend with little to no set plans other than New Year's Eve.
The weekend started Thursday with pizza, beer and movies at Agie's. After some "I call bullshit" from Tim and Agie regarding the lack of loving between me and Bob Tuesday night (seriously, I turned him down - I'd tell you if I didn't), we may or may not have watched Borat which was funny stuff. Not as funny as the hype has been, but I usually don't enjoy watching nice people get made fun of. Other than those few parts the movie had some hilarious moments along with a very, very disturbing scene involving naked hairy men and wrestling. Seriously. My eyes will never be the same again. *shudder* After that we threw in The Comedians of Comedy. Fan-freaking-tastic. Three of the four comedians are hilarious. I've got to make sure I put the rest of the dvds in my Netflix lineup (even though I've had my three movies for about a month now).
Friday I left work at a decent hour, came home, made dinner, watched The Break Up (which was an entertaining flick - glad I didn't see it when it came out, but more glad that I watched it - some of the situations were a little too familiar to parts of early last year) and went to bed sometime around 11.
Saturday I ran a bunch of errands which included grocery shopping for the first time in about a month. I hate not having fresh vegetables and fruit in my house but I've been working so many hours during the week (and a lot of weekends) and traveling on the weekends I'm not working, it's been very difficult to go to the store. I really need to get better this year about making time to do things I really need to do (see: The Year of Good Decisions) especially with school starting in 3 weeks. I guess I can look at this withdrawal from society because of work as a test run for when school begins - at least this way I won't be stopping having a lot of fun cold turkey. I'm slowly weaning myself off the fun. Shoosh. Let me fool myself a little longer please. Anyways, after errands, I met Jim at Dupont for Babel which we've been trying to see for about two weeks now (see: working a lot of hours). It was a really good movie despite some problems (no need at all for the Japanese story line - it felt very contrived and really was only there to see a naked Asian girl). The fact that there were a couple times where you knew exactly what was going to happen, yet there was still a strong feeling of suspense was impressive. The acting was fantastic and the vignettes in Morrocco and Mexico were really true to life. After the movie we went to Raku for dinner which was really good. I love that place. Then we walked to Jim's so I could meet the new lady in his life Natalya (named after Borat's sister - the 4th best prostitute in Khazakstan). His friend works at the Humane Society here in DC. A couple weeks back they raided a house that had over 15 cats living (if you can call it that) in squalor that they took in which meant they needed to make room at the facility. Jim was kind enough to take one of the cats that had been there for two months. She is so cute and lively and driving Jim nuts with her energy. He's very cute with her though. Dotes on her like no one I've ever seen. That's why I send Charlotte to Chez Jim anytime I'm gone for an extended period of time. He treats her like she's on vacation too. Anyways, after the visit with Natalya, Jim drove me home and I again went to bed fairly early (around 1).
Sunday was more errands and a lot of lazing about between loads of laundry. I like to have tv on in the background while I do housework rather than music. With music I get too involved with what I want to listen to at any given moment and spend more time setting up a playlist or forwarding through songs to be really effective and get anything done efficiently. I've found that bad television works much better and is far less distracting. So, I settled on Ugly Betty and went to work tackling the mound of laundry in my closet. I totally got sucked in to an Ugly Betty marathon. Damn that show. It's really quite fun, even though it's incredibly predictable and she's just so darn cute you can't help but love her, huge, bushy eyebrows and braces be damned. I headed over to Heather's for champagne before what has now become our annual Logan Tavern New Year's Eve dinner. Sarah and her husband were there already and then we met Tori and her boyfriend at the restaurant. Such a great time at dinner. It's always incredibly good food and I couldn't have asked for better company. I'm not a huge fan of big, extravagant NYEs - I'd much rather have a nice evening with friends than get all dolled up and pay tons of money to hang out with a bunch of people I don't know whose sole goal of the evening is to find someone to kiss at midnight. Ugh. Anyways, after dinner we headed to New Vegas Lounge for great live music and dancing. My Year of Good Decisions decree was a hit with my friends who have all decided to have their own themes for 2007. Heather's is The Year of No International Incidents since she is moving to South Korea in a couple weeks, Britton took a liking to The Year of Good Decisions and has decided he will follow my lead, and Sarah has decided that 2007 for her will be The Year of The Banjo. Evidently she received a banjo as a gift from the gentleman who made it (I didn't get all the story - sorry, it was really really loud) and decided that she should probably learn to play it. We all headed home around 1 and it was looking like yet another early, quiet evening for Plan B. I ended up talking to a bunch of folks and got to bed around 4. Not too bad for NYE, although I do see a nap in my future.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
R.I.P. Gerry
This has been a tough week, first James Brown, now Gerald Ford. My coworker Michele and I had a conversation today about who would be the third. My bet is Fidel Castro. That might just be wishful (as awful as that is) thinking on my part because I really would love to go to Cuba.
I'm All Out of Christmas Miracles
Okay, I'm going to try to get a couple hours sleep before I've got to shower and get pretty for work. I feel Red Bull in my future. Man, not sleeping sucks. Wish me luck!
The Best Present Ever?
The running joke last week was based on the "Dick in a Box" ("DIAB") video Justin Timberlake and Adam Samberg did on Saturday Night Live a couple weeks ago. If you haven't seen it, click above and watch it before you read any further. I'll wait.
Okay, so all my friends have decided to tell me they hate my new job because I'm always working and have been pretty much on radio silence for the last month, other than very set, scheduled plans. It's very unlike me, but my point of view is this: It's getting me ready for when I have to become a hermit when school starts January 24th. Moving on. Tuesday I get some ims from Agie telling me they are drinking (and have been since 1 pm) and that I need to come out and join them. From about 5:30 to 8:30 I got ims from Tim, Bob, Herb and Agie telling me to come over and keeping me entertained by asking questions like "Guess what Tim got me for Christmas? It came in a box." to which my reply was "You should give him your box in a box." My mom would be so proud. Anyways, the joke kept coming up so that when I got to their house there was talk of actually doing Step 1: You cut a hole in the box. It didn't end up happening that night but there was a lot of drinking by everyone but me (my year of good decisions apparently started early, although given last Friday night, it may not have stuck - thank goodness for dry runs...no pun intended). Bob and I went to bed around 11:30 because we needed to get up at 7 for him to drive me to the metro. It would have been a great plan except for the shots. It was really warm in the guest room. He was really drunk and naked. Which was a problem really only when he decided to walk around the house while everyone was still up giving me no option but to text Agie saying "We are not having sex. We are not even making out. Please let that be known even though he is walking around naked." He put the moves on me (not unexpected given our brief, but semi-sordid history), I said "not when you're this drunk and not in Agie and Tim's house" and he proceeded to throw up the rest of the night. Now, I'm not saying he was sick with rejection, I'm just pointing out more good decision making on my part (again, reference the Social D/Bouncing Souls posts about how I need to avoid crushing on this guy) and a miserable night of sleep for both of us. He got me to the metro barely in time and apologized for his behavior. No biggee from my point of view, plus I had to get to work.
Flash forward to Debby and me in HiTimes Sunday. At one point I asked her "What do you want to get? Other than a piece of Todd of course." Which started us giggling. She then revealed she had DIAB stuck in her head which caused us to giggle even more (again, we're 12, we admit it). So Todd comes back with some recommendations for wine and asks if that was us giggling he heard way back in the storeroom. It was and I then felt obligated to tell him what was so damn funny. He had not seen the video so I made him promise he would YouTube it when he got a chance. I"m confident he'll be thankful. Our next errand involved getting her mother a gift certificate and since I was in desperate need of one, getting me a manicure. I noticed I had a missed call from Agie so I called her back and found out from Bob, who answered the phone, that Tim had called my number and handed the phone to Bob telling him he had a call. After Bob apologized to me again for the other night, and I again told him he really had nothing to apologize for, and then he apologized again, I got Agie on the phone and told her how we had the song stuck in our head. She thought it was due to the pictures she had sent which showed steps one (cut a hole in the box) and two (put your junk in the box) which had been done at the Christmas Eve dinner they were having. I gotta tell you, the pics are priceless but I shall hold onto them for potential blackmail purposes in case I need another early ride to the metro.
The rest of the night I was getting texts from Agie's phone saying things like "Are you ready for step 3?" (That's where you make her open the box....) It got to the point I had to tell Bob to start using his phone just so I could kinda keep track of who was texting me. It was highly entertaining especially since I didn't get the pictures until I woke up Christmas morning. There is much, much more to the story, but I shall protect the box givers at this point. If New Year's finds us all together I can only imagine the trouble we're going to get in.
Okay, so all my friends have decided to tell me they hate my new job because I'm always working and have been pretty much on radio silence for the last month, other than very set, scheduled plans. It's very unlike me, but my point of view is this: It's getting me ready for when I have to become a hermit when school starts January 24th. Moving on. Tuesday I get some ims from Agie telling me they are drinking (and have been since 1 pm) and that I need to come out and join them. From about 5:30 to 8:30 I got ims from Tim, Bob, Herb and Agie telling me to come over and keeping me entertained by asking questions like "Guess what Tim got me for Christmas? It came in a box." to which my reply was "You should give him your box in a box." My mom would be so proud. Anyways, the joke kept coming up so that when I got to their house there was talk of actually doing Step 1: You cut a hole in the box. It didn't end up happening that night but there was a lot of drinking by everyone but me (my year of good decisions apparently started early, although given last Friday night, it may not have stuck - thank goodness for dry runs...no pun intended). Bob and I went to bed around 11:30 because we needed to get up at 7 for him to drive me to the metro. It would have been a great plan except for the shots. It was really warm in the guest room. He was really drunk and naked. Which was a problem really only when he decided to walk around the house while everyone was still up giving me no option but to text Agie saying "We are not having sex. We are not even making out. Please let that be known even though he is walking around naked." He put the moves on me (not unexpected given our brief, but semi-sordid history), I said "not when you're this drunk and not in Agie and Tim's house" and he proceeded to throw up the rest of the night. Now, I'm not saying he was sick with rejection, I'm just pointing out more good decision making on my part (again, reference the Social D/Bouncing Souls posts about how I need to avoid crushing on this guy) and a miserable night of sleep for both of us. He got me to the metro barely in time and apologized for his behavior. No biggee from my point of view, plus I had to get to work.
Flash forward to Debby and me in HiTimes Sunday. At one point I asked her "What do you want to get? Other than a piece of Todd of course." Which started us giggling. She then revealed she had DIAB stuck in her head which caused us to giggle even more (again, we're 12, we admit it). So Todd comes back with some recommendations for wine and asks if that was us giggling he heard way back in the storeroom. It was and I then felt obligated to tell him what was so damn funny. He had not seen the video so I made him promise he would YouTube it when he got a chance. I"m confident he'll be thankful. Our next errand involved getting her mother a gift certificate and since I was in desperate need of one, getting me a manicure. I noticed I had a missed call from Agie so I called her back and found out from Bob, who answered the phone, that Tim had called my number and handed the phone to Bob telling him he had a call. After Bob apologized to me again for the other night, and I again told him he really had nothing to apologize for, and then he apologized again, I got Agie on the phone and told her how we had the song stuck in our head. She thought it was due to the pictures she had sent which showed steps one (cut a hole in the box) and two (put your junk in the box) which had been done at the Christmas Eve dinner they were having. I gotta tell you, the pics are priceless but I shall hold onto them for potential blackmail purposes in case I need another early ride to the metro.
The rest of the night I was getting texts from Agie's phone saying things like "Are you ready for step 3?" (That's where you make her open the box....) It got to the point I had to tell Bob to start using his phone just so I could kinda keep track of who was texting me. It was highly entertaining especially since I didn't get the pictures until I woke up Christmas morning. There is much, much more to the story, but I shall protect the box givers at this point. If New Year's finds us all together I can only imagine the trouble we're going to get in.
Christmastime in the OC
So since I seem to have been hit with the insomnia stick, I shall post about this weekend. I ended up flying home, well to LA, on Friday, getting in around noon. I gotta tell ya, the extra $1 I paid to fly first class out there was very much worth it. Plan B's legs need room people. Debby picked me up at LAX and off we went to enjoy our weekend. We did a little errand running and shopping and grabbed a bite to eat. We ended up not having dinner with Jimbo and Nicky as originally sorta planned so we headed out to have a yummy dinner at World Cafe in Santa Monica. We both felt the need to be more social (first mistake) and so went to a bar nearer her home...I would love to tell you the name of it but am unable to...we ended up talking to a group of Entourage-ish guys (think not known and without a caustic, but lovable Ari character) whose house we ended up going to (second mistake). I was way too tired and drunk to be socializing, especially with strangers. Thank God for Debby. She got us home where I passed out from exhaustion (remember, I'd been up since 1 am West Siiide time) and booze.
The next morning (Saturday), my cousin Brett came to Santa Monica to take me to breakfast at my favorite breakfast spot in all of OC, Mutt Lynch's. During the drive I got to talk with him about how he was doing since being back from Iraq. I'm happy to say he's changed but in a he's older and more mature way rather than a he's gone to war and been scarred kind of way. I'm unhappy to report that the following quote is taken verbatim from our conversation "I have no problem fighting for oil". Sigh. Regardless, it was incredibly good to see him and hang out with him. I love my family very much and my cousins are like the little brothers I never wanted, but have always been glad to have. So, Blaise and Alan (a dear friend from high school who I just reconnected with after some 10 odd years of being out of touch) met us for breakfast and then Michelle appeared with her daughter who is almost a year old and is already starting to talk a bit. Man, she's cute. Still don't want one ever. The surf was gnarly...biggest, strongest waves I've seen in Newport without a storm. After breakfast, Blaise and I headed down to the parlor to get our ink done (see post below for final product). After that, we headed out to the 909 (dread!) to my aunt and uncle's house in Chino Hills. It was so great to hang with them again. I haven't seen most of their family for about 3 years. I'm pretty sure the last time was after my grandmother died so it was great to spend time with them on a joyous occasion. We had great food, good laughs and played games until about 8:30 when I pulled the plug because Blaise still had to drive me back to Santa Monica (see? I can be a good friend too). During the visit, my cousins and aunt managed to talk me into going to Kyle's wedding in May in Hawaii. I feel as though I'll be playing favorites with my cousins since I didn't go to my other aunt's kids' weddings (there have been two in not fun states and bad times) but I've been assured no one's feelings will be hurt so I'm off to Hawaii next Spring. Woo hoo.
Sunday (Christmas Eve) was spent having brunch with the girls at Duke's, right on the beach in Huntington. So beautiful. I tell you, if I were at all the settle-down, get married, have kids type I would move back to Huntington in a second. But I'm not so DC is it for now. Don't get me wrong, I do want to settle down and get married, just not the kids part. Anyhoo. It was really great to see Terri and Laura again and Debby's sister Ann is always entertaining. Near the end of the meal, we noticed Tyson, the skateboarding bulldog (click on title above for link). He is the cutest thing ever. Seriously. The dog loves to skate and is so sweet. I went and took a couple pics for Agie (the owner of two bullies who are too too lazy to even try skating), talked to Tyson and his owner and got to feed him some water. After brunch, Debby and I ran a couple more errands which is where our giggling started. For any of you who have had the pleasure (?) to be around us, you know how we giggle. I'm not a big giggler. Seriously. I love to laugh, but giggling is something really only Debby can bring out in me and boy did she at HiTimes. We were tasked with getting her brother a bottle of wine for his stocking as well as some wine for Christmas Eve dinner and a special request from Tim for a beer Agie likes. We ended up being adopted (for lack of a better word) by this guy Todd who is, as it turns out, the future Mr. Plan B. He was tall, good looking, funny, able to banter with me, had one full and one 1/2 sleeve and was intelligent. Plus he picked out a kick ass white wine that I loved just by me telling him I like dry, crisp citrusy whites. Sigh. If only he lived here. I'm sure we'd skate off into the sunset together. Shut up. Let me believe in my own, personal Christmas miracle at least until the New Year. So, during our foray into the wine cellars Debby and I get a certain song stuck in our heads (I will say more on this in a separate post since this one is turning into a novella) and we ended up giggling like 12 year olds the rest of the time we were there. People were quite amused by us. Dinner with Debby's family was great fun. It's always so nice to spend time with her family. They are so welcoming and loving it was as comfortable as hanging with my own family, almost more so probably.
The next morning I woke up, got a stocking from the family, had breakfast with Debby, her parents and her brother and then headed off to the airport, to which I arrived 1 and 40 early for my flight. This was one time I really didn't mind since we were driving from OC to LA and had no idea what the traffic was going to be like. It gave me time to relax and call my parents to wish them a Merry Christmas. After my delightful first class trip to CA, I decided to burn some miles that I have sitting around and upgrade for my trip back. I got on the plane and looked at the front row to see someone in my seat. As I was looking up, I said "I'm sorry, I think you may be in my seat". I really wish I would wait to say things sometimes. I looked up and Jimmy Kimmel was starting to stand while apologizing and looking down at his girlfriend Sarah Silverman. I just said "Oh. I'm sure you two would like to sit together" (I'm a total dork). He was very nice, asked if I was sure it was okay. I said "Well, where is your seat?" trying to be jovial. It worked and his seat was the next row down and a window so I was stoked. Oddly enough, one of the last people to get on our flight was Tanya from the Real World (Chicago maybe?). During the flight the 5'2" girl in front of me decided she needed to recline for the really long, cramped hour flight. As her seat hit my crossed leg I mentally cursed Jimmy Kimmel and then as we were walking out, I did it verbally. I found myself next to him and behind Sarah coming out of the plane and said "I want you to know I had the only person in our section who reclined in front of me and it's all your fault" and I shook my fist at him and said "Damn you Jimmy Kimmel" as he and Sarah (who is really very stunning and pretty in person) chuckled. He pointed out that she had reclined as well but that wasn't good enough. I should have extorted seats for his show or something. Too little good thinking too late! The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful and I got home about 11:45 Monday night. Worked a full day today and thankfully the week is promising to be very quiet which I need after working 12-14 hour days who knows how many weeks straight now.
Okay, I'm closing up this post and writing up the song one.
The next morning (Saturday), my cousin Brett came to Santa Monica to take me to breakfast at my favorite breakfast spot in all of OC, Mutt Lynch's. During the drive I got to talk with him about how he was doing since being back from Iraq. I'm happy to say he's changed but in a he's older and more mature way rather than a he's gone to war and been scarred kind of way. I'm unhappy to report that the following quote is taken verbatim from our conversation "I have no problem fighting for oil". Sigh. Regardless, it was incredibly good to see him and hang out with him. I love my family very much and my cousins are like the little brothers I never wanted, but have always been glad to have. So, Blaise and Alan (a dear friend from high school who I just reconnected with after some 10 odd years of being out of touch) met us for breakfast and then Michelle appeared with her daughter who is almost a year old and is already starting to talk a bit. Man, she's cute. Still don't want one ever. The surf was gnarly...biggest, strongest waves I've seen in Newport without a storm. After breakfast, Blaise and I headed down to the parlor to get our ink done (see post below for final product). After that, we headed out to the 909 (dread!) to my aunt and uncle's house in Chino Hills. It was so great to hang with them again. I haven't seen most of their family for about 3 years. I'm pretty sure the last time was after my grandmother died so it was great to spend time with them on a joyous occasion. We had great food, good laughs and played games until about 8:30 when I pulled the plug because Blaise still had to drive me back to Santa Monica (see? I can be a good friend too). During the visit, my cousins and aunt managed to talk me into going to Kyle's wedding in May in Hawaii. I feel as though I'll be playing favorites with my cousins since I didn't go to my other aunt's kids' weddings (there have been two in not fun states and bad times) but I've been assured no one's feelings will be hurt so I'm off to Hawaii next Spring. Woo hoo.
Sunday (Christmas Eve) was spent having brunch with the girls at Duke's, right on the beach in Huntington. So beautiful. I tell you, if I were at all the settle-down, get married, have kids type I would move back to Huntington in a second. But I'm not so DC is it for now. Don't get me wrong, I do want to settle down and get married, just not the kids part. Anyhoo. It was really great to see Terri and Laura again and Debby's sister Ann is always entertaining. Near the end of the meal, we noticed Tyson, the skateboarding bulldog (click on title above for link). He is the cutest thing ever. Seriously. The dog loves to skate and is so sweet. I went and took a couple pics for Agie (the owner of two bullies who are too too lazy to even try skating), talked to Tyson and his owner and got to feed him some water. After brunch, Debby and I ran a couple more errands which is where our giggling started. For any of you who have had the pleasure (?) to be around us, you know how we giggle. I'm not a big giggler. Seriously. I love to laugh, but giggling is something really only Debby can bring out in me and boy did she at HiTimes. We were tasked with getting her brother a bottle of wine for his stocking as well as some wine for Christmas Eve dinner and a special request from Tim for a beer Agie likes. We ended up being adopted (for lack of a better word) by this guy Todd who is, as it turns out, the future Mr. Plan B. He was tall, good looking, funny, able to banter with me, had one full and one 1/2 sleeve and was intelligent. Plus he picked out a kick ass white wine that I loved just by me telling him I like dry, crisp citrusy whites. Sigh. If only he lived here. I'm sure we'd skate off into the sunset together. Shut up. Let me believe in my own, personal Christmas miracle at least until the New Year. So, during our foray into the wine cellars Debby and I get a certain song stuck in our heads (I will say more on this in a separate post since this one is turning into a novella) and we ended up giggling like 12 year olds the rest of the time we were there. People were quite amused by us. Dinner with Debby's family was great fun. It's always so nice to spend time with her family. They are so welcoming and loving it was as comfortable as hanging with my own family, almost more so probably.
The next morning I woke up, got a stocking from the family, had breakfast with Debby, her parents and her brother and then headed off to the airport, to which I arrived 1 and 40 early for my flight. This was one time I really didn't mind since we were driving from OC to LA and had no idea what the traffic was going to be like. It gave me time to relax and call my parents to wish them a Merry Christmas. After my delightful first class trip to CA, I decided to burn some miles that I have sitting around and upgrade for my trip back. I got on the plane and looked at the front row to see someone in my seat. As I was looking up, I said "I'm sorry, I think you may be in my seat". I really wish I would wait to say things sometimes. I looked up and Jimmy Kimmel was starting to stand while apologizing and looking down at his girlfriend Sarah Silverman. I just said "Oh. I'm sure you two would like to sit together" (I'm a total dork). He was very nice, asked if I was sure it was okay. I said "Well, where is your seat?" trying to be jovial. It worked and his seat was the next row down and a window so I was stoked. Oddly enough, one of the last people to get on our flight was Tanya from the Real World (Chicago maybe?). During the flight the 5'2" girl in front of me decided she needed to recline for the really long, cramped hour flight. As her seat hit my crossed leg I mentally cursed Jimmy Kimmel and then as we were walking out, I did it verbally. I found myself next to him and behind Sarah coming out of the plane and said "I want you to know I had the only person in our section who reclined in front of me and it's all your fault" and I shook my fist at him and said "Damn you Jimmy Kimmel" as he and Sarah (who is really very stunning and pretty in person) chuckled. He pointed out that she had reclined as well but that wasn't good enough. I should have extorted seats for his show or something. Too little good thinking too late! The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful and I got home about 11:45 Monday night. Worked a full day today and thankfully the week is promising to be very quiet which I need after working 12-14 hour days who knows how many weeks straight now.
Okay, I'm closing up this post and writing up the song one.
Objects Are Smaller Than They Appear
In addition to having Jimmy Kimmel steal my seat on the flight home (never fear, I still got to sit in first class while managing to make him and Sarah Silverman laugh), seeing Tyson the skateboarding bulldog in person at Huntington pier, and spending time with family and friends, I finally added on to my back tat (and now, I can honestly say I'm done).
Don't mind the crackly skin - it's about to peel - but thought you might want to see my new art. The artist was really great (didn't hurt that he was cute) and has studied Asian lettering in a number of different countries. A lot bigger than I intended, but smaller looked not as good. Plus, now I can totally pass as a member of the Japanese mafia. The left is grandfather, middle love (he prettied up my existing one) and the right is grandmother.
Hope you all had as merry a Christmas as I did and that I get to see you all soon!
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Second Artist of the Day
He's a cute boy with a kind heart and a guitar. No wonder Plan B enjoys him. Mat Kearney - check him out.
So Much to Tell, So Little Time
Fighting with Verizon - should have internet at home within the next 2 days (way to give me a small window there). I've been slammed at work so there's been no time to update. For now I will leave you with the artist of the day - Joshua Radin.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Songs That Make Crabby PlanB Happy
I had a 40 minute bus ride this morning complete with smelly, loud homeless people and no iPod for salvation. So I was a tad crabby when I got in this morning. Luckily, it is a short holiday week (telling my coworker Michele about the time my brother, grandfather and I ended up at Kmart buying canned cranberry sauce one Thanksgiving cheered me up - more on that story later) and both my partners are gone today so I can listen to music a bit louder than usual in my Fortress of Solitude (henceforth known only as FoS).
On to the songs:
Dem Jeans - Chingy (hilarious)
Love You Til The End - Pogues
All of My Days - Alexi Murdoch (love, love, love this guy)
Fire Island A.K. - The Long Winters
And my personal favorite of this month:
Earthquakes and Sharks - Brandtson
"Earthquakes and sharks to start us off,
If Chupacabras ain't enough,
Black widows, spiders and killer bees,
There ain't no shade. There ain't no trees.
Black bears and heat, polluted air.
There's traffic jams beyond compare.
That's all I got to warn ya bout Mexico and California."
On to the songs:
Dem Jeans - Chingy (hilarious)
Love You Til The End - Pogues
All of My Days - Alexi Murdoch (love, love, love this guy)
Fire Island A.K. - The Long Winters
And my personal favorite of this month:
Earthquakes and Sharks - Brandtson
"Earthquakes and sharks to start us off,
If Chupacabras ain't enough,
Black widows, spiders and killer bees,
There ain't no shade. There ain't no trees.
Black bears and heat, polluted air.
There's traffic jams beyond compare.
That's all I got to warn ya bout Mexico and California."
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
New Toy
I'm so far behind and fully plan on catching up but for now I'm going to rave about my new shuffle (object to left is larger than actual size). It is quite possibly the cutest thing ever. I can't wait to go running with it tonight (or tomorrow morning dependent on possible dinner plans)!
Things to catch up on:
- The Prestige
- 2 concerts (Barenaked Ladies and Broken Social Scene)
- My ongoing consternation with Apple over my computer I have yet to receive (yes, I realize patience is a virtue, but this is borderline ridiculous)
- The past two weekends and upcoming plans
Friday, October 27, 2006
Finally!
Here is a picture of my going away cake. Not only does the cake resemble me, but my old boss resembles the blue monster. In fact, he kept playing with the blue monster saying "I'm blue because she's leaving". lol
Wednesday Night
Wednesday afternoon I got word that a former co-worker was in town from NYC and that there was a possibility to have drinks that night. I got the call around 7 that Ben and Shawn were in Dupont so away I went. I adore Shawn, she is such a great person and so much fun to be around and Ben's just, well Ben is Ben and he is fantastic and always entertaining. I met up with them at Cloud in Dupont where we were the only three white people in the entire place (it was pretty full). We went from there to The Big Hunt (love that place and haven't been for quite some time) and then on to Ebbitt's for some much needed food. It was a really fun night with some secrets being spilled but I figure we don't work together anymore, the two of them are pretty discreet and they know I am as well so all is good.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Song of the "ohmygod i'mworkinga15hourday onmy5thdayofwork" Night
Matt Nathanson (yum) - Lost Myself in Search of You
And as you slipped away I couldn't admit that we were through
As you slipped away I found I lost myself in search of you
I was holding you so tightly when you needed help
I guess insecurities catch up to you when you're lying to yourself
But I wasn't lying when I told you all that you could be
But it was no use, you never really ever listened to me
I was holding you so tight but now I've let you go.
I really just love listening to him. I never notice I'm singing along with him (especially at 10:20 pm in my Fortress of Solitude) until a really good lyric or melody comes out and I realize I was singing without paying attention to what I was saying so I have to rewind the song and listen again.....
And as you slipped away I couldn't admit that we were through
As you slipped away I found I lost myself in search of you
I was holding you so tightly when you needed help
I guess insecurities catch up to you when you're lying to yourself
But I wasn't lying when I told you all that you could be
But it was no use, you never really ever listened to me
I was holding you so tight but now I've let you go.
I really just love listening to him. I never notice I'm singing along with him (especially at 10:20 pm in my Fortress of Solitude) until a really good lyric or melody comes out and I realize I was singing without paying attention to what I was saying so I have to rewind the song and listen again.....
Late Night
It has been a crazy week and it's only Tuesday night. I'm still at the office, waiting for some final edits on a presentation for tomorrow. At least I'm getting some stuff done while I wait. And I had yummy dinner. It doesn't happen often but at least when it does they treat us well.
Album of the Day
Pilot Speed - Into the West.
One of my concerns when I started this new job was that I wouldn't be able to listen to music during the day at whatever new desk I was given. Fortunately, in my new Fortress of Solitude I can, so I've been spending the last couple days with this newish album and I'm really digging it. Back to work. Just thought I'd share.
One of my concerns when I started this new job was that I wouldn't be able to listen to music during the day at whatever new desk I was given. Fortunately, in my new Fortress of Solitude I can, so I've been spending the last couple days with this newish album and I'm really digging it. Back to work. Just thought I'd share.
Monday, October 23, 2006
The Lost Weekend
It was a really weird, random, booze-filled weekend. I feel like it flew by but I did so much. I met Heather and Angie at the 9:30 at 6:30 for the Matt Nathanson/Carbon Leaf show. Man we had such a good time. I love both of those girls to death and anytime we're hanging out around music it's just a ton of fun. My future husband Matt is so entertaining. You may remember him from previous posts (he opened for Tori Amos forever ago and more recently Pink). Everytime I see him I fall a little bit more in love with the guy. He's so funny and often crude in his between song banter (he read from a soft core porn novel a couple times during the show), but then his songs are full of love and wonderful sentiments that any girl would love to hear. I turned to Heather and said "I would have sex with him on that stage right now" and she smiled a bit and said "me too". Now, many of you don't know Heather, but let me tell you that comment is a testament to how gosh darn sexy My Matt is - I don't think in the 3+ years I've known her I've ever heard her talk about sex or making out or even kissing. Just saying. Carbon Leaf was fantastic as always. It was just a really good show. Ran into the ex at the end of the night and I'd had enough beer to pointedly and good naturedly say hello. We started talking and the next thing I know, Angie and I are hanging out with him and his friends at the pub across the street. Seriously if anyone had told me that he and I would be anywhere near enjoying each other's company I would have laughed at them. A lot. Anyways it was nice to hear some things he had to say to me and good to know neither of us hates the other.
Saturday I got to send this message to some friends: "At least you didn't wake up next to your ex-boyfriend who then walked with you to Whole Foods and bought the groceries for brunch with your friends who hate him because you left your card in a bar...." He was super cool when he didn't need to be and that's why I can never completely hate the guy. Yeah, he treated me poorly while we dated, but he has flashes of being this really great guy. WE ARE NOT GETTING BACK TOGETHER. Let me be really, really clear on that. But maybe we'll be able to be friends. We shall see. Given our track record it is quite doubtful but as always I am hopeful that people can change.
The girls came over for book club brunch which was exactly what I needed after my night/morning. I really love our book club. Sarah told us a story about coming home to find her husband wearing a medal around his neck. Evidently he won it in a fencing competition. Against 10 year olds. I can't do the story justice in the written form, but trust me when I tell you I am laughing while I type this. Towards the end of book club Agie got a call from her (our?) friend Cindy who is the sister of a guy in Good Charlotte. They were playing the 9:30 Saturday night and she was able to get us tickets at the last minute after having told us she couldn't. I was supposed to go to a reception for a friend of mine but the ride situation was getting sketchy and I was going to be one of four hundred. I figured since it wasn't the actual ceremony (no way I would ever blow one of those off - I always consider it an honor to be invited to a wedding) and since it was going to be such a huge reception I wouldn't be missed and I'd much rather take the two of them out for dinner after they get back from their honeymoon and congratulate them on a more personal level. Plus, I got them a really nice present. Does that count for anything?
The show was great. We went out for dinner with Cindy and her family after the concert thank goodness. Food was the only thing that saved me from feeling like complete death yesterday given that I'd been drinking for about 12 hours and had quite possibly been still buzzed when I woke up Saturday morning. I told you - total unplanned binge weekend. I'm detoxing for the rest of the month.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Family Visits
Second day went as well as, if not better than, the first. Third day is fantastic but that's just because I'm wearing jeans at my desk and it is Friday. Still ghostly quiet, but I'm coming to appreciate it.
I ended up not hanging out with my cousin the other night. I was exhausted from the activities of the two nights previous and he didn't get in until 10:45 (woke me up from my nap on the couch when he called). I was all kinds of ready to rally and meet him out since I haven't seen him forever, but once he heard my froggy voice and found out it was my first day at a new job he let me off the hook. Such a good guy. Plus, turns out the new company he's flying for comes through DC pretty regularly so there is a good chance I'll see him soon. It's kinda weird how all of us cousins are now adults with these busy, sometimes exciting grown up lives. I remember when all of them were born and now one is married with a son, another is married, one is engaged, one is with the Army in Iraq. It's good to know some of us can get along and enjoy each other as adults. When it boils down, family is really all you have and I am so thankful I've got a good one. I'm really looking forward to Thanksgiving with my mother, brother and sister-in-law in Boston. I haven't spent a holiday with the family for years and it's about time we start up again. I'm pretty sure I'll go back to Cali for Christmas or at least a few days around then. Brett gets home (Texas - ick) from Iraq next month and then is going out to CA for Christmas and since both he and his mother have said I should come out, I'm going to do my best to get out there since it's been about two years since I've seen them. Man, come to think of it, my brother's wedding was the last time I saw any family other than him, his wife and my mother. I'm a slacker. Definitely going home for Christmas now.
I'm going to go now since I'm rambling. This weekend should produce some good stories, but you'll have to wait until Monday to get them since I haven't had time to go purchase my computer yet.
I ended up not hanging out with my cousin the other night. I was exhausted from the activities of the two nights previous and he didn't get in until 10:45 (woke me up from my nap on the couch when he called). I was all kinds of ready to rally and meet him out since I haven't seen him forever, but once he heard my froggy voice and found out it was my first day at a new job he let me off the hook. Such a good guy. Plus, turns out the new company he's flying for comes through DC pretty regularly so there is a good chance I'll see him soon. It's kinda weird how all of us cousins are now adults with these busy, sometimes exciting grown up lives. I remember when all of them were born and now one is married with a son, another is married, one is engaged, one is with the Army in Iraq. It's good to know some of us can get along and enjoy each other as adults. When it boils down, family is really all you have and I am so thankful I've got a good one. I'm really looking forward to Thanksgiving with my mother, brother and sister-in-law in Boston. I haven't spent a holiday with the family for years and it's about time we start up again. I'm pretty sure I'll go back to Cali for Christmas or at least a few days around then. Brett gets home (Texas - ick) from Iraq next month and then is going out to CA for Christmas and since both he and his mother have said I should come out, I'm going to do my best to get out there since it's been about two years since I've seen them. Man, come to think of it, my brother's wedding was the last time I saw any family other than him, his wife and my mother. I'm a slacker. Definitely going home for Christmas now.
I'm going to go now since I'm rambling. This weekend should produce some good stories, but you'll have to wait until Monday to get them since I haven't had time to go purchase my computer yet.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Last Day & First Day
So my last day of work was yesterday, and my first day of work is today. It's been a crazy week and it's only Wednesday!
Monday and Tuesday were spent training my replacement. The poor thing is completely overwhelmed with all the procedures and information I threw at her. Luckily my old/her new boss is out of country today through Sunday so she can spend the rest of this week familiarizing herself with all the stuff I showed her. She seems like a good egg but I have a couple concerns. Only time will tell if they're valid.
Monday night we went to a reception for the Latin American Chambers of Commerce. Ben and Courtney (those bastards) ditched me and left me talking with a very weird lady. About 10 minutes later I was able to get out of her verbal clutches and headed over to the group of people I knew. Courtney saw someone she knew so she walked over to say hello to her and the group she was with. Ben joined her and met with quite possibly the rudest action I've heard of in a very long time. He had just finished telling the group what Courtney does and was saying "and I..." when someone walked up to the group. Instead of acknowledging that Ben was speaking, everyone turned to the person and started talking to him leaving Ben talking to a bunch of backs. He continued what he was saying with something along the lines of "...am an astronaut. I work on the moon." Then C & B got caught talking to a really scary lady who seemed to be obsessed with the pumpkin soup and was a VERY close talker. I like to think that was kharma smacking them around for leaving me with weird lady earlier. After the reception C, B and I went to Old Glory for some food and then to Mie n Yu for cocktails. Good times.
Yesterday we had cake and cocktails for my going away which was fun. Courtney and I decided I needed a Barbie cake (picture to be posted later) so we set about finding a bakery that would make us one and then kept it a secret from most everyone. It seemed to be a big hit and was fairly tasty. Plus, the doll was brunette with blue eyes and wearing a Xanadu headband. You really can't ask for more from a going away cake. After work, we went out for drinks at Local 16 and Stetson's (who knew they had a trivia night?) which was probably not the best idea. I'm exhausted today! Seeing as how I've almost made it through my first day though I can say it was worth it.
My first day here has been really good so far. The people I've met in my group are all friendly and fun (two associates are out right now so there still could be some conflict - we'll see) and very happy to have me aboard. They're being very nice and easing me into everything, no trial by fire for me thank goodness! I'm sure the pace will pick up once everyone is back in the office but even then from the sound of things, it's going to be pretty low key. I'm really excited and happy that it seems I made the right decision. Whew!
Tonight I'm doing laundry and cleaning the house since I'm having book club over Saturday. Also I might meet my cousin out for a late drink. He's flying in to DC for the night and I haven't seen him since my brother's wedding two years ago so it'd be nice to hang out with him. He's the closest in age to my brother and I and is the only cousin to have a kid thus far. Unfortunately, I think he may be flying into Dulles which would mean I don't get to see him since he doesn't land until 10:30. Grrr.
Monday and Tuesday were spent training my replacement. The poor thing is completely overwhelmed with all the procedures and information I threw at her. Luckily my old/her new boss is out of country today through Sunday so she can spend the rest of this week familiarizing herself with all the stuff I showed her. She seems like a good egg but I have a couple concerns. Only time will tell if they're valid.
Monday night we went to a reception for the Latin American Chambers of Commerce. Ben and Courtney (those bastards) ditched me and left me talking with a very weird lady. About 10 minutes later I was able to get out of her verbal clutches and headed over to the group of people I knew. Courtney saw someone she knew so she walked over to say hello to her and the group she was with. Ben joined her and met with quite possibly the rudest action I've heard of in a very long time. He had just finished telling the group what Courtney does and was saying "and I..." when someone walked up to the group. Instead of acknowledging that Ben was speaking, everyone turned to the person and started talking to him leaving Ben talking to a bunch of backs. He continued what he was saying with something along the lines of "...am an astronaut. I work on the moon." Then C & B got caught talking to a really scary lady who seemed to be obsessed with the pumpkin soup and was a VERY close talker. I like to think that was kharma smacking them around for leaving me with weird lady earlier. After the reception C, B and I went to Old Glory for some food and then to Mie n Yu for cocktails. Good times.
Yesterday we had cake and cocktails for my going away which was fun. Courtney and I decided I needed a Barbie cake (picture to be posted later) so we set about finding a bakery that would make us one and then kept it a secret from most everyone. It seemed to be a big hit and was fairly tasty. Plus, the doll was brunette with blue eyes and wearing a Xanadu headband. You really can't ask for more from a going away cake. After work, we went out for drinks at Local 16 and Stetson's (who knew they had a trivia night?) which was probably not the best idea. I'm exhausted today! Seeing as how I've almost made it through my first day though I can say it was worth it.
My first day here has been really good so far. The people I've met in my group are all friendly and fun (two associates are out right now so there still could be some conflict - we'll see) and very happy to have me aboard. They're being very nice and easing me into everything, no trial by fire for me thank goodness! I'm sure the pace will pick up once everyone is back in the office but even then from the sound of things, it's going to be pretty low key. I'm really excited and happy that it seems I made the right decision. Whew!
Tonight I'm doing laundry and cleaning the house since I'm having book club over Saturday. Also I might meet my cousin out for a late drink. He's flying in to DC for the night and I haven't seen him since my brother's wedding two years ago so it'd be nice to hang out with him. He's the closest in age to my brother and I and is the only cousin to have a kid thus far. Unfortunately, I think he may be flying into Dulles which would mean I don't get to see him since he doesn't land until 10:30. Grrr.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Bouncing Souls, Poker and The Departed
See? I told you I would get better!
This weekend started at 7:40 Thursday night when Agie called to tell me to get to Bar Pilar asap. They had an extra ticket to the Bouncing Souls show at the Black Cat and wanted me to join them. Even though I had just gotten home from work and was already in my jammies, I love the Bouncing Souls and she talked me into it. 17 minutes later I was sitting with Agie, Tim and Bob drinking a beer. I will never be accused of being high maitenance.
The show was great. I probably should have worn more substantial shoes than my flips, but so be it. Bob and I started talking with this girl and her fiancee at the bar. She was pretty drunk and a bit annoying so I left them to their conversation. Bob came back and he and I had the following conversation which made me wonder why men, even into their 30s still act 12.
B: She told me my girlfriend was awesome.
PlanB: I can only assume she was talking about me because I totally am.
B: I told her you aren't my girlfriend but that you are really cool. And that you're really pretty. Because you are.
PlanB: Okay. Thanks.
If you think I'm pretty, just tell me. Don't tell me by telling me you told someone else. Boys make me laugh sometimes.
As they were dropping me off after the show, I got numerous invites to a poker game at Bob's house. What girl can resist a chance to go to Bowie two weekends in a row? Evidently not this one so Friday night I rushed home, changed and found my way out there once again. Really fun night even if I kept coming in third. Agie and Tim got to sleep in the guest bed this time, Bully slept on the futon. I was ready for the couch until Bob graciously offered to let me sleep in his room. Against my better judgment, I followed him down the hall.
Anyways, see previous post about avoiding crushing on this boy. It would not be a good thing for anyone, trust me. I'm okay so far and I have no idea when I'm going to see him again so it shouldn't be an issue. I think it is just because I spent four nights out of eight having a lot of fun with him. I'll be over it soon.
Saturday I came home, took a quick nap and then went to get my hair done. I ran by the Cingular store to reactivate my 949 cell number since the blackberry will be no more in two days (yippee!). I picked up a snazzy new phone while I was there and am so far loving it. That night Heather and I had a movie date and watched The Departed. Really good movie. Great cast and some really funny lines especially about the Irish and how pig headed and stubborn they can be which I have a vast amount of experience dealing with between family and exes.
Today was spent in the office getting things in order for when my replacement starts tomorrow so I can focus on training her instead of straightening up my desk.
Okay. I'm off to talk with the boy scout!
Most Random of the Day
The Boy Scout is back. Completely out of the blue he contacted me today after what? A couple months? He had told me that he was going to be really busy with closing down camp and on top of that his grandmother got really sick so he was going back to PA as much as he could so it would be a bit of time before we could see each other again. I said I understood and left it at that and never heard from him again. Until today.
Turns out his grandmother passed away and he had to fire a bunch of people including the camp caretaker. Which boils down to he has been home maybe 10 days since our last date a couple months ago. He apologized for dropping off the face of the earth. I told him I, of all people, understand how life can sometimes just take over and get crazy and make you disappear. I've have the impression based on all our previous interactions that he's a pretty sincere and honest guy - man was an Eagle Scout and in the Order of the Arrow (for all you out there who aren't boy scout geeks it's a very small, select group of Eagle Scouts) for God's sake.
Here's the thing. Our second date was pretty great. I haven't had a date that fun and comfortable in years and years. I'd really like to see him again but how can I tell if he's being honest or just an asshat? Ugh. I'm taking a chance kids. He's supposed to call me tonight to chat more. I'll keep you updated. This could be good - I need a distraction from Bob before I start to crush on the guy.
Turns out his grandmother passed away and he had to fire a bunch of people including the camp caretaker. Which boils down to he has been home maybe 10 days since our last date a couple months ago. He apologized for dropping off the face of the earth. I told him I, of all people, understand how life can sometimes just take over and get crazy and make you disappear. I've have the impression based on all our previous interactions that he's a pretty sincere and honest guy - man was an Eagle Scout and in the Order of the Arrow (for all you out there who aren't boy scout geeks it's a very small, select group of Eagle Scouts) for God's sake.
Here's the thing. Our second date was pretty great. I haven't had a date that fun and comfortable in years and years. I'd really like to see him again but how can I tell if he's being honest or just an asshat? Ugh. I'm taking a chance kids. He's supposed to call me tonight to chat more. I'll keep you updated. This could be good - I need a distraction from Bob before I start to crush on the guy.
Story of my Life
All last weekend (Columbus Day) I felt like I was back in high school. In a good way. Neither Agie nor I worked Friday - her last day at work was Thursday and I took a vacation day. The original plan was to spend the day in Baltimore then go to the Social Distortion show that night at Sonar. It turned out to be a really crappy day weather wise so we nixed the day part of the plan and went to see The Last Kiss. Pretty good flick. After the movie we went to El Tamarindo for some yummy grub (third time that week for me - first was dinner with XM Saturday, second was dinner with the girls on Tuesday for Katie's last night in DC, more on those later) and then headed to Agie's to meet up with the boys (Tim and Bob-her husband and his friend).
The Social D show rocked. It was so good to see Mike Ness in action again. This was probably the 12th time I've seen them, maybe more, but the first time in about 8 years. Man it was fun! I can't remember the last time I was in a pit - very glad I decided to wear my Docs. Tim and Agie hung in the back while Bob and I went up to the front. I've been in more than my fair share of pits so I know how to avoid getting hurt by the guys moshing and crowd surfing but Bob decided on his own to be my guard, kept his arms around me and kept saying in my ear "you owe me. I'm taking elbows in the back for you." even though I didn't need one, I couldn't have asked for a better guard. Bob's a pretty tough looking guy. He's about 6'3", bald, has half sleeve tats on both arms, was wearing Dickies and a wife beater and is one of the most genuinely nice guys I've ever met. And he's funny. I never had a chance. I am such a sucker for that kind of guy, but that's later in the story.
The next day we went to Bob's house in Bowie (for those of you not familiar with the area, it is f a r r from DC) for a kegger/bbq. So much fun. Almost too much fun. At one point a group of us went to the brand new skate park down the street from Bob's. It was good fun to listen to the kids there saying things like "that was totally awesome" and "wow, he's really good" while watching these guys in their 30s shred up the pool. Took me back to the days when some friends of mine used to drain people's pools to skate.
In order to protect the not innocent I will not go into too much detail about the remainder of the evening, but here is a list of some things that happened:
- 2 people streaked down Bob's street. One got paid $40. The other did it just for fun. The one who got paid ate it right as he started to run and tore up both his knees.
- Mexican wrestling masks were worn at various points in the evening, only sometimes while wrestling.
- A chainsaw made an appearance towards the end of the night. Three people used it trying to cut a stump down enough so it would fit in the chimnea. Didn't happen so it went on top where it caught on fire.
- Things burned in the chimnea include, but are not limited to, hats, tshirts, a skateboard deck, one of the aforementioned wrestling masks.
- Number of people who passed out, woke up before everyone else and went through the entire day without knowing they had a bulls eye drawn on the back of their head in silver sharpie, 1.
Since none of us were in any condition to drive, we crashed at Bob's. Somehow, the single guy ended up with the guest bed, Agie and Tim got the futon and I woke up (clothed) with my head on Bob's shoulder with his arm around me, hand on my head petting my hair and a kiss on the forehead. Not a bad way to start the day.
Sunday I had lunch with Heather at Busboys and Poets which was yummy. Then I came back home, took a nap and just did things around the house which is pretty much what I did Monday too. All in all, a really memorable weekend I would have to say.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Overheard on Metro
"Those poor little west coast kids just can't learn about American history like we can here." I wanted to correct the little old biddies but I held my tongue.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Songs of the Friday the 13th
Good Time - Leroy
Roller coasters. Holy roller. I got shot down in Southern California.
El Salvador - Athlete
Fly to El Salvador. I don't know why and I don't know what for.
Pain Killer - Turin Brakes
Summer rain, praying someone feels the same.
I'm on a bit of a Zach Braff music kick lately. Went to two really good shows - one last Friday, one last night. Saving it for the next post.
Roller coasters. Holy roller. I got shot down in Southern California.
El Salvador - Athlete
Fly to El Salvador. I don't know why and I don't know what for.
Pain Killer - Turin Brakes
Summer rain, praying someone feels the same.
I'm on a bit of a Zach Braff music kick lately. Went to two really good shows - one last Friday, one last night. Saving it for the next post.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
The Tower Crumbles
It has not been a good month for a few of my favorite things. Tower Records has been bought up by a liquidator and is going out of business. Sad day. I can't even begin to list how many record releases, appearances, free shows I went to at Tower locations. Sure, they got to be overpriced in recent years but it was one of the few places you could go and know they'd have that new release by the not so well known band you loved or that import you'd been looking high and low for and had almost given up hope of finding. And who can forget the U2 video filmed on the roof of the Sunset location? Sigh. More importantly about 3,000 people are going to be losing their jobs. Tough times. Click on title for a fairly good article detailing the transaction.
Couple Things
I know I've been absent as of late but I have a very good reason. I gave notice last week and my last day at the only job I've had so far in DC will be October 17th. My first day at my new job will be the 18th, so there isn't going to be any fun/down time between the two unfortunately. So instead of relaxing in the now calm environment of our office (which is under construction) I've been spending the time after our crazy events at Mount Vernon crazily finishing up a bunch of stuff and writing a manual for the person who will be filling my shoes. Luckily she starts Monday so I'll have two days to train her before throwing her to the wolf.
The main reasoning behind the job move is that my base salary is a significant amount more than I'm making now which will help me to pay for school. Also, it's a much lower stress position so I won't be exhausted every night when I get home and will have energy to focus on school work. I'm very excited and very scared at the same time that I'm finally doing what I've wanted to do since I was 12. I'm now on a five/six year plan to finish my degree and most if not all of law school (Mon Dieu they exclaim!) so I'm biting the bullet and getting myself a really, really nice MacBook Pro and wireless internet at home. After that is all set up, my posting will get back to a more regular, once a day schedule starting next week hopefully.
The main reasoning behind the job move is that my base salary is a significant amount more than I'm making now which will help me to pay for school. Also, it's a much lower stress position so I won't be exhausted every night when I get home and will have energy to focus on school work. I'm very excited and very scared at the same time that I'm finally doing what I've wanted to do since I was 12. I'm now on a five/six year plan to finish my degree and most if not all of law school (Mon Dieu they exclaim!) so I'm biting the bullet and getting myself a really, really nice MacBook Pro and wireless internet at home. After that is all set up, my posting will get back to a more regular, once a day schedule starting next week hopefully.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Song of the Morning
Oh no we gotta go. We're not gonna live forever.
Dracula from Houston - Butthole Surfers
On the metro coming home from a bbq in Bowie that started yesterday at 3. This is a great song to travel home to.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Monday, October 02, 2006
Go Fish
This weekend saw the last games of Tim Salmon. Even though he never hit the elusive 300th home run, he is the all-time leader in home runs for the Angels. He was consistently on the leaderboards during his storied career with the Angels which spanned two decades. Aside from his stats, his love of the game and obvious joy playing makes him one of my favorite players in baseball history (well, that and the fact that he stayed with the Angels his entire professional career - an anomaly in these times of free agency). Good sportsmanship in professional leagues is rare these days so it is with a heavy heart I say farewell to one of the great sportsmen of our time.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Saturday Night Recaplet
So of course The Killers were a no show on Saturday night but it was a great night nonetheless. Since I'm pretty much dead to the world until Thursday and my blackberry is having issues the story may have to wait a couple days, but it's a good one. It involves injury (to me), a bar fight (independent of my injury), a really cute head of security who I may just see again and early morning spent with the staff of the bar (felt like college all over again). All in all, a very fun night.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Song of the Day
Good Life - Francis Dunery
Putting together some music for the party tonight and came across this oldie.
Speaking of good music I've been told by a friend of a friend of someone in the know that there is a good chance The Killers are going to be playing a bit in a small club after their concert tonight. And I will be right down the street. Hopefully word on the street is right and Matt gives me a heads up if he hears anything more. Man, that would rock.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Is It October Yet?
Just leaving the office for home. Cancelled plans with Matt and am going to go straight home, pour a glass of wine, get in my jammies and go to bed since I need to get up by 8 am tomorrow. Second interview went well today, should find out about the job early next week. I have an interview with another firm Monday. I am ready to move on. I really don't want to go through another Mount Vernon.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
I'm Alive
But just barely. Good God it's been a busy month! I've been on dates, interviews, out with friends, reconnected with a dear friend from high school who has missed me as much as I've missed him, need to finish telling about my trip home to CA, I get to hang out with The Duke of York a couple days next week (which is part of why I've been so out of touch), saw a couple really good shows, had 2 coworkers give notice so their last days are the same week that Katie leaves for Guatemala, which may also be my next to last week at work (be kind to me the first week of October - it is going to be really rough). I'm exhausted just typing this and I know I'm missing some stuff. I promise I will return to normal after September 27th.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Be Kind and Don't Roll Your Eyes
I know. I know. I've been bad again. Work has kicked into high gear and I feel like I'm slowly dying from lack of fresh, outside air. I will try to catch up on the past few week/ends' activities this evening while watching mediocre television and talking to the new boy. New boy you say? Yeah, and I'm invoking first trimester rule and not talking about him anymore. So there.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Have I Told You Lately That I'm Brilliant?
We're in the midst of planning a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of a museum we've helped fund the building of and I am in charge of finding enough fabric to serve as the ribbon. I had the height and width of the building and needed to figure out the length diagonally across. I busted out the Pythagorean theorem and lo and behold the hypotenuse is 36 feet. Who knew Mr. Parr was correct when he said we would need the things we learned in Geometry?!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
So Totally Stoked
The Snow Patrol concert that I've been looking forward to since May is finally happening this Sunday night. Oh, wait, it gets better. Just found out a little band called Augustana is opening for them who, thanks again to Debby even though I figured out I had one of their songs already, I have been listening to a lot lately. Two good bands for one low price. And, I might have a date that night before the concert with a real live, nice cute boy. Oh, it's a good week.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Song for a Rainy Day
Anna Nalick - Paper Bag
As I was running through the park to work with my jacket over my head (no umbrella at home because I left it in New Jersey) my iPod gave me this song to enjoy. Good album, totally underrated and eclipsed by her song "Breathe (2AM)".
As I was running through the park to work with my jacket over my head (no umbrella at home because I left it in New Jersey) my iPod gave me this song to enjoy. Good album, totally underrated and eclipsed by her song "Breathe (2AM)".
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Song of the Rainy Day
Evanescence - Call Me When You're Sober
Getting ready to head up to Philly for the day. Should be a really fun time.
Monday, August 28, 2006
California Love
'Cali is where they put they mack down'
By default and due to sheer exhaustion on my part in addition to being the title of this post, that is now the song of the day. Thank you Tupac.
I went home this weekend to visit a very few friends and see babies (oh goodness they were cute). It was a quick trip but probably my favorite one I've taken since moving here almost four years ago. It was relaxing and fun and the first time I've not been ready to leave and come back to DC. Calm down Debby, that does not mean I'm moving back.
Friday Debby picked me up at LAX in her convertible and we cruised down to Venice and had yummy Mexican food and margaritas on a patio. Then we ran a couple errands, including her buying a new 27" TV. I'm convinced the moving and installation of this new TV was a not so subtle attempt by Debby to make me think she can't possibly be okay not living with me anymore. It almost worked when she sprayed the cleanser into the cable box to dust it. We watched a movie and took a nap (as is our pattern whenever we visit each other, dating back to when we would have 'cave day' at our house and watch movies all afternoon) then headed out to drinks with her friend Paul and his roommate (name is escaping me so we shall call her Kathy) Kathy. We started at this neat little eclectic bar/cafe and then headed over to Barney's Beanery on 3rd Street. That's where the trouble began.
Debby and I had joked about what the plan would be if we got separated. I kabashed the talk because it was supposed to be a quiet night since we had to get up early the next day. I really should know better than to curse myself that way. We get to Barney's and during the course of the next couple hours about eight to ten men come up and make friends with us (mostly Debby - she's way cuter and I was more interested in baseball than the boys). I ended up spending a lot of time talking to a young man (26ish) named Scott whose friend James (also 26ish) was quite taken with Debby. James was a sweet guy, very nice, funny, smart. Totally not Debby's type physically. He isn't an unattractive man, but he's a software engineer - I'll just leave it at that. We all do the exchange cards bit and most everyone leaves. Scott left with Debby and I and walked us (well, me, Debby was way ahead of us) home.
We all went up to the apartment, Debby went straight to bed and Scott and I hung out for a little while. Next thing I know I'm waking up around 7:30 and see a note on the coffee table by my head. Let me make it clear I was alone and fully clothed. Here's the note:
Such a sweet boy. After I stopped chuckling I read it to Debby who joined me in wondering where he got the paper. After she finished giving me grief I checked my blackberry and found this from her suitor:
"Subject: So yes, I'm skeptical :)
Plan B,
So yes, I'm writing right after I got home because on the skeptic scale of if Debby is going to call my # I'm about 90%. I hope you had fun with Scott, though at the time of writing it remains to be seen how much fun...heh.
Anyways, if you put in a good word for me that's great. I know Debby is not the forceful type and that's ok. And its ok that she's 30 something or whatever (doesn't matter). What really matters is that I know she has a brain w/ intellect and a job that she loves.
I hope all is well.
-- James (from Barney's in Santa Monica) :)"
Thank God she has a brain with intellect and isn't "the forceful type". What does that even mean? Young boys are so sweet and cute when they are sincere.
By default and due to sheer exhaustion on my part in addition to being the title of this post, that is now the song of the day. Thank you Tupac.
I went home this weekend to visit a very few friends and see babies (oh goodness they were cute). It was a quick trip but probably my favorite one I've taken since moving here almost four years ago. It was relaxing and fun and the first time I've not been ready to leave and come back to DC. Calm down Debby, that does not mean I'm moving back.
Friday Debby picked me up at LAX in her convertible and we cruised down to Venice and had yummy Mexican food and margaritas on a patio. Then we ran a couple errands, including her buying a new 27" TV. I'm convinced the moving and installation of this new TV was a not so subtle attempt by Debby to make me think she can't possibly be okay not living with me anymore. It almost worked when she sprayed the cleanser into the cable box to dust it. We watched a movie and took a nap (as is our pattern whenever we visit each other, dating back to when we would have 'cave day' at our house and watch movies all afternoon) then headed out to drinks with her friend Paul and his roommate (name is escaping me so we shall call her Kathy) Kathy. We started at this neat little eclectic bar/cafe and then headed over to Barney's Beanery on 3rd Street. That's where the trouble began.
Debby and I had joked about what the plan would be if we got separated. I kabashed the talk because it was supposed to be a quiet night since we had to get up early the next day. I really should know better than to curse myself that way. We get to Barney's and during the course of the next couple hours about eight to ten men come up and make friends with us (mostly Debby - she's way cuter and I was more interested in baseball than the boys). I ended up spending a lot of time talking to a young man (26ish) named Scott whose friend James (also 26ish) was quite taken with Debby. James was a sweet guy, very nice, funny, smart. Totally not Debby's type physically. He isn't an unattractive man, but he's a software engineer - I'll just leave it at that. We all do the exchange cards bit and most everyone leaves. Scott left with Debby and I and walked us (well, me, Debby was way ahead of us) home.
We all went up to the apartment, Debby went straight to bed and Scott and I hung out for a little while. Next thing I know I'm waking up around 7:30 and see a note on the coffee table by my head. Let me make it clear I was alone and fully clothed. Here's the note:
Such a sweet boy. After I stopped chuckling I read it to Debby who joined me in wondering where he got the paper. After she finished giving me grief I checked my blackberry and found this from her suitor:
"Subject: So yes, I'm skeptical :)
Plan B,
So yes, I'm writing right after I got home because on the skeptic scale of if Debby is going to call my # I'm about 90%. I hope you had fun with Scott, though at the time of writing it remains to be seen how much fun...heh.
Anyways, if you put in a good word for me that's great. I know Debby is not the forceful type and that's ok. And its ok that she's 30 something or whatever (doesn't matter). What really matters is that I know she has a brain w/ intellect and a job that she loves.
I hope all is well.
-- James (from Barney's in Santa Monica) :)"
Thank God she has a brain with intellect and isn't "the forceful type". What does that even mean? Young boys are so sweet and cute when they are sincere.
Screaming Mimis
What kind of person lets their kids run around LAX at 10 pm screaming in what can only be described as a high pitched squeal? Bad parents, that's who. I hope they are not on my plane. Although if they are on my flight I suppose I will be grateful they were being unruly hellions in a big terminal rather than a small plane for 6 hours with no hope of escape. There is always a silver lining.
Friday, August 25, 2006
So This Is The South
One of the things I do before any flight is have a Bloody Mary, unless I am traveling for work and then I have 2 (just kidding). It was too early to have one at National so I decided to partake in my ritual during my brief stopover in Charlotte. It's a damn good Bloody, but man the atmosphere is making me work to enjoy it. The bar is smoky and filled with what look to be rabid NASCAR fans on their way to a fishin' trip with the good ole boys. I don't know that I've ever been more aware of the fact I have breasts than I am now. Thank God I said yes to the dollar more extra shot!
Code Orange Travel
About the only complaint I have is that they made me take my flippers off to walk through security (which was this odd chamber type thing that blows air on you). Oh and they didn't announce that we couldn't take onto the plane any beverages we had purchased after going through security until about 5 minutes to boarding. More warning would have been nice. All in all a fairly pleasant trip so far even though we haven't left the gate yet.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Befuddled Bothered and Bewildered Am I
I'm flying home tomorrow and decided it would be in my best interest to find out what I can and cannot have in my carry-on so as to avoid any unpleasantness at the gate tomorrow, because believe you me I would throw down before throwing out my lip gloss.
The link above will take you to the official TSA website but here are some highlights:
Aerosol spray bottles and cans No (Makes sense. Off to a good start.)
All creams and lotions including Neosporin or first-aid creams and ointments, topical or rash creams and ointments, suntan lotions, moisturizers, etc. No (Argh. I get dehydrated when I fly and like to keep moisturized. So much for the hand lotion.)
Cigar Cutters Yes (Really? Okay I guess.)
Corkscrews Yes (For all the toasting to the feeling of safety instilled by not allowing hand lotion on the plane? I could use it to stab someone if they try to nab my lip gloss though.)
Cuticle Cutters Yes (Another sharp object. Awesome.)
Gel-filled Bras Yes (At least we'll have good cleavage to distract from our dry, withered, unlotioned hands.)
Knitting and Crochet Needles Yes (Rad. The sharp objects keep coming.)
Lip gels such as Carmex or Blistex; Liquid lip glosses or other liquids for lips No (Now not even my mouth can be moisturized. Grr.)
Liquid sanitizers No (Sweet. I'm totally picking up a cold on my trip.)
Nail Files Yes (And the sharp objects keep coming.)
Personal lubricants - Up to 4 oz. Yes (Insert mile-high club joke here, ie 'See? Parts of you can be moisturized.')
Safety Razors - including disposable razors. Yes (What reasoning did these people use? Seriously.)
Toy Transformer Robots Yes (Don't they know they're more than meets the eye?)
Before you get all up in my grill, let me say I get that due to recent happenings there needed to be changes in what can and cannot be in a carry on and I am more than okay with it. I would much rather be inconvenienced for a bit and arrive safely than be on a flight that had something harmful on it. But could you make the new regulations make a bit more sense please? How is it okay to bring on RAZORS but not Carmex??!?!??
The link above will take you to the official TSA website but here are some highlights:
Aerosol spray bottles and cans No (Makes sense. Off to a good start.)
All creams and lotions including Neosporin or first-aid creams and ointments, topical or rash creams and ointments, suntan lotions, moisturizers, etc. No (Argh. I get dehydrated when I fly and like to keep moisturized. So much for the hand lotion.)
Cigar Cutters Yes (Really? Okay I guess.)
Corkscrews Yes (For all the toasting to the feeling of safety instilled by not allowing hand lotion on the plane? I could use it to stab someone if they try to nab my lip gloss though.)
Cuticle Cutters Yes (Another sharp object. Awesome.)
Gel-filled Bras Yes (At least we'll have good cleavage to distract from our dry, withered, unlotioned hands.)
Knitting and Crochet Needles Yes (Rad. The sharp objects keep coming.)
Lip gels such as Carmex or Blistex; Liquid lip glosses or other liquids for lips No (Now not even my mouth can be moisturized. Grr.)
Liquid sanitizers No (Sweet. I'm totally picking up a cold on my trip.)
Nail Files Yes (And the sharp objects keep coming.)
Personal lubricants - Up to 4 oz. Yes (Insert mile-high club joke here, ie 'See? Parts of you can be moisturized.')
Safety Razors - including disposable razors. Yes (What reasoning did these people use? Seriously.)
Toy Transformer Robots Yes (Don't they know they're more than meets the eye?)
Before you get all up in my grill, let me say I get that due to recent happenings there needed to be changes in what can and cannot be in a carry on and I am more than okay with it. I would much rather be inconvenienced for a bit and arrive safely than be on a flight that had something harmful on it. But could you make the new regulations make a bit more sense please? How is it okay to bring on RAZORS but not Carmex??!?!??
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
CA Terminology of the Month
In honor of my upcoming trip home I have decided to bring back the phrase "macking". As in "I can't believe they were macking in front of everyone". Use it well, use it wisely, just make sure to use it.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Booze and Strangers - A Classic Combination
Friday after our staff lunch Courtney and I headed out to find a fun happy hour. Local 16 wasn't open yet, neither was Bar Pilar so we ended up at Saint-Ex, or rather the location at which The Night Of Which We (Katie and I) Never Speak occurred. It was daylight and we stayed upstairs so I figured I would be safe. And I was. James met us out and we headed over to Bar Pilar. More friends met up with us, a couple of each of our friends and it turned into a really fun evening.
So one of James' friends was getting ready to leave and I gave her my card since we had a really nice time talking with each other (she won me over when she kept telling me how great my hair is lol). A couple minutes later she and her boyfriend reappeared and she asked "do you know anyone in Marblehead?". I told her that my brother and sister-in-law live there. Turns out she knows my SIL. Random. She was invited to the wedding, which was beautiful, but was unable to attend and has since lost touch. So I got SIL on the horn and they chatted enough to trade info. See? Boozing with strangers can be good! Just not on TNOWWSNS.
Sissy Move
I was all for intentionally walking Bonds for the rest of his career so that he wouldn't get any more home runs and set a new record. The guy is a complete asshat who plays the game for fame and money not (to quote the title of a Kevin Costner movie) for love of the game (my 2nd favorite of his movies btw). In any other circumstance I think it is a sissy move.
I'm home watching the Boston/Anaheim game (go Angels) and Snyder (Sox pitcher) just did it. Granted they are coming off losing 5 straight at home to the Yankees which hurts anyone except a Yankees fan. Even given that, sac up and pitch and don't hide behind "strategy".
And now I'm paying for popping off. Sox have bases loaded with no outs. Argh.
Monday, August 21, 2006
"I Asked You to go to a Green Day Concert
You said you never heard of them. How cool is that?"
Even though my day started with basically being sexually assaulted on the bus (Mr. Man just could not keep his crotch from rubbing against my shoulder. Then when I stood up he kept touching my ass.) this song snapped me out of my funk and has turned the day around.
El Scorcho - Weezer
Even though my day started with basically being sexually assaulted on the bus (Mr. Man just could not keep his crotch from rubbing against my shoulder. Then when I stood up he kept touching my ass.) this song snapped me out of my funk and has turned the day around.
El Scorcho - Weezer
Friday, August 18, 2006
Song of the Half Day
We have our staff lunch today at Lauriol Plaza so we only have to work until noon. Woo Hoo! iTunes is on Party Shuffle for the occasion and I found myself singing aloud to this song in my office (which I rarely do).
Heard the World - O.A.R.
Not exactly an uplifting party song but the chorus is catchy as all gets.
Heard the World - O.A.R.
Not exactly an uplifting party song but the chorus is catchy as all gets.
Hair Today, Blonde Tomorrow
I've been in a rut with my hair the last few years and am totally bored with it. The most change I make is with color (lighter brown in the spring/summer, dark brown or auburn in the fall/winter). So I went to a new sylist yesterday. She does the hair of a girl here in the office and it always looks amazing so I figured "Why not? What do I have to lose?". She was fantastic, spent a long time with me figuring out what I want, what makes me happy, what I haven't liked about past haircuts/color.
So 3 hours later (hello short work day) I walked out of the studio much blonder than I've ever been and somehow I'm kinda liking it.
So 3 hours later (hello short work day) I walked out of the studio much blonder than I've ever been and somehow I'm kinda liking it.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Another Update on Crime
You guys might not find this as fascinating as I do, so I will just say it gets more and more interesting and possibly sinister as time goes on. If you'd like to know the latest developments, click above.
Buses and the City Girl
I took the bus to RFK Stadium three times in seven days. Two were completely uneventful but the third (actually second in the timeline) had enough crazy for all the busrides I'll take for the rest of my life. I've attached a diagram so as to make the storytelling easier.
Tuesday I was on vacation and ended up meeting everyone at the game. I didn't have a set plan on how I was going to get to the game since I was leaving from home. I figured I would take whatever bus came first. I ran into Christine who was walking home, we stopped and chatted and while we were doing that the 53 came by so I hopped on that, asked for a transfer and took it to the D6 which goes right to the stadium. Other than being late for the game, no drama.
Last night Agie and I left from the office and decided to catch the D6 which stops catty corner from our office. Again, no drama. More on last night in another post.
That leaves us with Friday night. I again was on vacation (I had more than the max number of days you can carry over so I needed to burn a couple) so Courtney and I met up at 15th and U to catch the 96 which goes straight to the stadium. Mistake #1. Never again my friends. I don't know what maelstrom of insanity we got caught in but wow. Our ride started out peaceful enough. We sat in the front of the bus and she filled me in on the happenings I had missed out on in the office and what was going on with a couple former co-workers. A few stops later a number of people were going to get on the bus, among them some elderly ladies, so I suggested we move to the back of the bus so that they wouldn't have to maneuver through the bus and up the few stairs to get a seat. Mistake #2. We sit down and resume our chatting and among the people getting on the bus are three guys who shall henceforth be known as 'Cosby Sweater Guy' (due to the 3/4 length Cosbyesque sweater he had on - odd fashion choice given the shorts and black high tops he chose to pair it with, moving on), '40 Man' (he had a 40 of some type of malt beverage in his paper bag) and 'Gin Guy' (who had a fifth of gin in his paper bag, and it wasn't his first judging by the smell of him). Gin Guy strikes up a conversation with 40 Man about booze and Courtney and I just kinda giggled. At some point a couple got on, Big Mama and Detroit Hat Man and sat in front of the stairs. They would have completely escaped our notice considering we were being amused by Gin Guy alternately passing out and talking to himself except for their argument which escalated from a simple disagreement to a full-blown, slaps flying fight in minutes. It was bad people. Sample things we couldn't help but overhear - all from Detroit Hat Man:
"I love you. I say these things because I love you so much. You're stupid."
"When we get off this bus, I'll show you what I'll do to you. You won't be able to walk"
"I'm drunk and you're high. We should talk about this later."
"Revenge is sweet like p***y." (Sorry, just can't bring myself to even type that word)
At one point he was standing in the aisle yelling at her. He never laid a hand on her. All his abuse was vocal. She, on the other hand, got in quite a few good slaps including one where she grabbed his face and slammed his head into the window. Good times.
Sometime during this altercation 40 Man got off the bus and a nice little lady took his place. Gin Guy perked right up and came over to stand above her, essentially trapping this poor woman in the corner. Despite his best efforts to make a connection with her ("I'm from Africa and I came here to meet women" her reply "Well, you should have gotten off at Union Station. There are plenty there.") she repeatedly let him know that she did not want to have anything to do with him and that she was not available (she's engaged). Two young guys got on and sat between them and that seemed to quell his interest in anything but his empty gin bottle (he had finished it about 10 minutes after he got on the bus). Somewhere in Eastern Market he asked if there were more buses behind the one we were on. We all said yes to get him the hell away from us (enough drama with the fighting couple) and he exited the bus. I looked back and saw him open the gate to someone's yard and go in, presumably to hurl or nap. I didn't watch long enough to find out which option he went with. One down, two to go.
Two stops before the stadium, with Courtney cowering beside me (I continually asked her if she wanted to switch buses, take a cab, etc. to get away from the scary madness but she didn't want to leave the nice lady alone) the fighting couple got off the bus. As soon as they got off the bus they threw down their bags and she rushed him. She was not a small woman. He was not a large man. I turned to the three guys (two young and Cosby) and said "my money's on her - she can take him". They all agreed. The lady sitting by Courtney said "she's pregnant". We all gave the same opinion which was she was too big and jiggly to be pregnant. The woman said "No, she's pregnant. I know her.". Okay, um, if you know her how could you just watch that happen? Although, Big Mama could have taken the lady too so maybe she was wise to stay out of it. Detroit Hat Man ended up hugging Big Mama to him while she beat him around his head until she tired out and they just walked away from each other.
Upon entering the stadium, Courtney and I immediately got margaritas and tried to erase the horrors we had just endured. We watched most of the game and then headed to the concert where we encountered more odd people. Good times. Good times.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
When I Hear Music
It makes me dance (that one's for you Mark). It has been a kick ass week for live music. What a great way to spend the week leading up to my birthday! Yay! I like when life likes me :)
Monday I saw Pete Yorn (he's so dreamy) at an instore at Olssonn's in Dupont. He is so incredibly good live, especially in such an intimate setting. Granted, it was stifling hot in the store, but so totally worth it to see him up close and personal. Yum!
Last night after the bus ride from hell (story to follow tomorrow) and the Nats game, Courteney and I headed to 9:30 and caught Ari Hest opening for The Clarks. I have no clue how I know The Clarks, but I love them. They are super fun and even more so live and Ari Hest is cute and talented to boot.
Tonight Melissa and I went to 9:30 to see Mae. Opening bands were good and Mae kicked ass. They were so good. I love shows like that! It was super great to hang with Mel - I haven't seen her forever so it was awesome to catch up with what is going on with her. There are some friends that when you are with them you don't notice anything around you and she is one of them. I was so out of it I didn't even notice a super cute boy giving me the eye. Okay, chances are good I wouldn't have noticed on a regular day, but I usually catch on before it has to be pointed out to me by the guy doing the hitting. I am completely oblivious to that stuff. Regardless, it was a fun, mellow night.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Scary Senator Clinton
This is just odd. And vaguely disturbing. This bust (no pun intended) is now on display at the Museum of Sex in New York. It is by the same artist who created the sculpture of Britney Spears giving birth on a bearskin rug. I can't make this up - click on the link above for the Brit statue. If I were Hil I'd be a bit perturbed by the wrinkles but the beautiful line of her shoulder makes up for it I guess.
Update on Crime
The story about the man stabbed near my home gets stranger and more intriguing as time passes. Basic details that have trickled out over the past week include:
- He was found inside the home in a second floor bedroom.
- He was stabbed with a knife from the kitchen.
- There were no signs of breaking and entering and so far nothing has been reported missing.
- Two of the three people who live in the house have lawyered up and are not commenting while the third has seemingly cooperated with the police.
- There may have been a fourth (fifth if you count the victim) person present.
Full article above.
- He was found inside the home in a second floor bedroom.
- He was stabbed with a knife from the kitchen.
- There were no signs of breaking and entering and so far nothing has been reported missing.
- Two of the three people who live in the house have lawyered up and are not commenting while the third has seemingly cooperated with the police.
- There may have been a fourth (fifth if you count the victim) person present.
Full article above.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
A Bit Too Close To Home
I joke about living in the hood realizing that I live in the safest quadrant of the city. Lately there have been a number of assaults in Adams Morgan which is a short walk from my house but nothing in my neighborhood. I'm pretty smart about when and where I walk and generally am not out alone at night after a certain hour. Other than hearing gunshots in my alley and my apartment getting slightly robbed awhile back there hasn't been too much crime in my immediate area. Until last night.
About four blocks from my house (easily a 5 minute walk) a 32 year old man was stabbed to death just before midnight. I'm not one to be too terribly disturbed by this type of thing. I'm a safety girl. I take precautions (as mentioned above) but I may start taking cabs home from 9:30 the next couple concerts.
About four blocks from my house (easily a 5 minute walk) a 32 year old man was stabbed to death just before midnight. I'm not one to be too terribly disturbed by this type of thing. I'm a safety girl. I take precautions (as mentioned above) but I may start taking cabs home from 9:30 the next couple concerts.
If I Could Marry A/C I Would
A coworker and I were going to walk home from work last night until I received a call from Agie saying this:
"I am walking outside right now and can't breathe. My throat is dry and my tongue feels as though a layer of dirt is on it. And I've only gone 2 1/2 blocks. Don't walk!"
So I opted for the bus. My coworker had to stick around later than I did so I headed out on my own. Just as I began to appreciate the soft breeze blowing as I stood waiting for the next bus a man who can only be described as creepy and troll-like lit up a cigarette. There is little in this world I find more disgusting than smoking on a Code Red day with temperatures above 100 (the fact that the gas station in our neighborhood allegedly sells mayonnaise by the scoop is up there). He ruined my breeze that bastard and on top of it he kept pacing closer and closer to me. Thankfully a bus came about five minutes later. Unfortunately all the windows were open which meant no a/c. Normally it isn't too bad. You can get a cross breeze going if the bus doesn't have to stop too often. If it does it can get to be an oven inside (see previous story about hellish commute). I got a prime seat by a window and settled in with my pod for the ride home. Just as I began to enjoy the soft breeze blowing in the window the creepy, troll-like smokey man sat right in front of me. The odor that emanated from this man was a combination of not bathing and a stale, burnt cigarette smell. It was nauseating. I couldn't get off that bus fast enough.
This morning's commute (it feels odd to call it that since it's only about a 10-15 minute bus ride) was much more pleasant. The bus was cool and just a bit crowded but not too. I got off at the stop I usually do so I could cut across the park. It's a bit longer but a really lovely way to start the day. The park is so lush and green and the fountain is refreshing. Unfortunately, the fountain was being cleaned and after waiting on the corner for less than a minute sweat was forming on my forehead from just standing in the sun. It was 8:35 am.
Needless to say, I was a bit crabby. And then I saw that practically every bench in the park (it's a full city block - lots of benches) had a homeless person on it probably literally close to dying from the heat. My life is not that bad.
"I am walking outside right now and can't breathe. My throat is dry and my tongue feels as though a layer of dirt is on it. And I've only gone 2 1/2 blocks. Don't walk!"
So I opted for the bus. My coworker had to stick around later than I did so I headed out on my own. Just as I began to appreciate the soft breeze blowing as I stood waiting for the next bus a man who can only be described as creepy and troll-like lit up a cigarette. There is little in this world I find more disgusting than smoking on a Code Red day with temperatures above 100 (the fact that the gas station in our neighborhood allegedly sells mayonnaise by the scoop is up there). He ruined my breeze that bastard and on top of it he kept pacing closer and closer to me. Thankfully a bus came about five minutes later. Unfortunately all the windows were open which meant no a/c. Normally it isn't too bad. You can get a cross breeze going if the bus doesn't have to stop too often. If it does it can get to be an oven inside (see previous story about hellish commute). I got a prime seat by a window and settled in with my pod for the ride home. Just as I began to enjoy the soft breeze blowing in the window the creepy, troll-like smokey man sat right in front of me. The odor that emanated from this man was a combination of not bathing and a stale, burnt cigarette smell. It was nauseating. I couldn't get off that bus fast enough.
This morning's commute (it feels odd to call it that since it's only about a 10-15 minute bus ride) was much more pleasant. The bus was cool and just a bit crowded but not too. I got off at the stop I usually do so I could cut across the park. It's a bit longer but a really lovely way to start the day. The park is so lush and green and the fountain is refreshing. Unfortunately, the fountain was being cleaned and after waiting on the corner for less than a minute sweat was forming on my forehead from just standing in the sun. It was 8:35 am.
Needless to say, I was a bit crabby. And then I saw that practically every bench in the park (it's a full city block - lots of benches) had a homeless person on it probably literally close to dying from the heat. My life is not that bad.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Reason 523 It Is Good To Be A Girl
We don't have to wear long sleeves, pants and ties in 110 degree heat. Thank goodness for skirts and strappy sandals.
When Did My Life Become This?
Not only is it hot as Hell outside but I now find myself trapped in Hell. I've spent the better part of my day researching bunting. "But you love the baseball Plan B" you might be saying. Yeah, not that kind of bunting. I'm having to find 100 yards of 36" bunting to hide a fence for an event we're doing in September. This should be easy, no? No. I am working with people who want to see swatches of each before they make a decision. Seriously.
Song of the Day
There's a Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered Honey, You Just Haven't Thought of it Yet - Panic! At The Disco
A different song from the same album came on shuffle this morning and reminded me how fun the album is (even with songs like 'The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide is Press Coverage') and with the weather outside (hey! by 9 pm it will only feel like 106!) I need all the joy I can find in life.
A different song from the same album came on shuffle this morning and reminded me how fun the album is (even with songs like 'The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide is Press Coverage') and with the weather outside (hey! by 9 pm it will only feel like 106!) I need all the joy I can find in life.
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