distractions...

Grammys...schmammys.

2010-02-02T19:56:00.000-08:00

The Grammys seriously sucked this year. The theme of the night was pretty much just covering other people's music for no apparent reason. It reminded me of a Super Bowl half time show or something. You know I watched the whole thing though--including the red carpet, which was the best thing about the whole night.

It did spark some great conversations though:

DJ Gordon: "I enjoyed seeing Lady Gaga's butthole and her vagina sides."

Me: She must have to get a brazilian every week. Like, it's a line item in her contracts: "Pay for my brazilian. Because my butthole will probably be out at some point in the night."

Oh, Gaga.

I wasn't really that into you...really.

2010-01-09T14:06:00.000-08:00

**Update**

I have now seen this movie a handfull of times, thanks to HBO and the fact that there was nothing but reruns on over the past month.

Here are my thoughts:

Overall, I did like it. I knew I would. There are some cute moments and I sure have known someone who reminded me of most of the characters.

This movie strengthened my dislike for both Kevin Connelly and Scarlet Johanssen. Kevin Connelly has always annoyed me on Entourage and he pretty much played the same unlucky in love schmuck in this movie as well. Scarlet Johanssen is just annoying period, and I hate her lips. At least they portrayed the fact that sometimes...just sometimes...chicks are not that into dudes either and dudes are annoying and don't get the picture.

It also however fueled my ever growing love for Gennifer Goodwin. Even though her character GiGi was the kind of girl you want to take into your arms and shake the shit out of while telling her to snap out of it, she was adorable none the less and I want to move into her apartment and steal her wardrobe.

I don't really know how the movie applies to the "lessons" of the book, because as I mentioned below, I would not touch that book with a ten foot pole. It was entertaining though, and I'm sure in years to come, when I see it on TNT or TBS on a Saturday I will end up watching the whole thing and not taking a shower until 4 o'clock in the afternoon. It's just that kind of flick.

I am sort of disappointed that I didn't hate it. I always wanted a reason to write an expose...

Original post from 2/3/09:

I have officially been courted, woo'd, and bedded by this "He's Just Not That Into You," movie. I can't believe it. I hate myself for it, but I can't, as in CAN. NOT. help but be drawn to it. The stupid commercials are funny and charming. There are very attractive young actors in it. The stupid songs in the commercials are good. My two favorite Jennifer (Gennifer)'s are in it. I actually want the soundtrack!!!!

Perhaps you don't get it. Maybe you don't understand. Well let me explain...

When this stupid book came out like 4 years ago, I saw the authors on the Oprah show and I was horrified at what they were preaching to American women. So much so that I actually ORDERED the transcript of the show because I was going to write this big ol' expose on why this book is a piece of shit and why women in America are way smarter than these people are making them out to be. I mean I realize there are some pretty dim broads out there, but these women in the audience were like crying and shit and this guy was seriously warning them not to "waste the pretty" because pretty soon they will be dried up old hags with no prospects and living with thier elderly grandmother and her seven cats.

I don't know exactly why it enraged me so, but it did. I think it's because I have never been an idiot woman, and I feel like this book--and of course Oprah--were making the female population out to be huge dummies. I don't know about any other women, but I have dated more guys who I just wasn't that into and who didn't get the picture either! I don't understand why it has to be Him who is not into Her. Men are not really that good at picking up signals either, believe me!

Well, I never wrote that expose, hell, I never even read the transcript. But, the one thing that held true for all these years was my hatred and disgust for this book, the authors--specifically Greg Behrendt, and lastly, for the fact that women need an effing book to actually TELL them that when a guy doesn't call them it's because he doesn't like them??? WTF else would it mean? I get it, it made for a great episode of Sex and the City, but that is a TV show!

So, after years of holding on to this bitter pill about this book and the ideas surrounding it, the movie comes along and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I look forward to the next time I see it (or at least previews of it). My ears perk up when I hear a song from it's soundtrack. I'm like a love sick teenager.

Maybe I'm becoming soft in my old age, but I feel like I should give it a chance. If I hate it, I can always dig out that Oprah transcript and start my expose...better late than never right?

Where's my dinner, biotch?

2010-01-09T08:55:00.001-08:00

"What do you want to eat for dinner?"
"I don't know, what do you want?"
"I don't care, whatever you want..."

An hour later...you are either eating take-out, again, or making some very unappealing meal out of whatever is left in the fridge.

Sound familiar?

I don't doubt that everyone has had this conversation and has wandered around the grocery store, dropping random things in your basket only to get home and realize you spent a lot of money on food and you have absolutely no plan for using it.

Pizza, again? Blarg.

After living together for a few years and experiencing this struggle with what to make for dinner EVERY night of the week, Sean sent me a link to a Lifehacker post about making a meal plan. We decided to go ahead and try the template from Unclutter and we've been using this method for just about a year. We started out using the exact template they created but over the year we have edited to fit our exact needs. You can see our template here.

In a nutshell, we make a menu of meals for two weeks, go shopping on Sunday or Monday and we get all the food we need to eat for those two weeks. Occasionally, we will make a trip to the store the next week to stock up on fresh produce. We keep a record of all the meals we make so that when planning the menu we have a running list of what we've had over the past few weeks and also we have a great list of ideas to choose from. There is a space for a shopping list on the side, so as you put the meal in, you can list the ingredients needed right away. We add anything else we need for lunches, snacks, household items ect., print off the list, head to the store and get our shopping done quickly, affordably and (usually) without any bickering over what we do and don't need. Now, if only that pesky produce boy would find another job and stop talking to us every time we are in Jewel...but that's a story for another day.

Now, while I am singing the praises of the menu, there are a few things to take into consideration.

Sometimes it's damn hard to think of what you want to eat for 14 days straight!
I would say I have a love/hate relationship with the menu. The minute the words "we need to make a menu" come out of Sean's mouth, my eyes start to roll back in my head, I slouch down in my seat, let out my signature groan and with the attitude of a thirteen year old girl, say "I don't care...just pick something." (I know, he IS a lucky man to have me). But, every time we finish the menu, I feel relieved that we have a plan and I'm glad we did it.

Nothing sounds remotely appetizing when you aren't hungry and you are looking at a list of meals in a spreadsheet.
You have to use your imagination and remember that next week when you come home from work starving, you really ARE going to want to eat Pad Thai. You may not have a taste for it now, but eventually you will want to eat it.

You have to keep things interesting.
Make sure you are putting meals on the menu that you are going to be excited about eating. In the interest of saving time and "just getting it over with," you may want to throw the meals on without any thought or plan. But, when the next week rolls around and you have both breaded chicken and breaded pork chops on the menu, you are going to want to barf and end up ordering a deep dish pizza instead. $25.00 later, you are on the couch in a shame spiral and you still have pork chops in the freezer and produce going bad on the counter.

What do you mean you don't want to eat sausages again?
I got two feet of this stuff in bulk!

Every few weeks, I go online and look up new recipes. I really like realsimple.com and the Food Network for finding easy to make meals or you can check out more homegrown sites such as No Take Out and The Kitchn to get inspired to make creative and impressive meals with easy to follow recipes. Make sure to peruse the grocery ads to see what's on sale, it might spark some ideas for meals and will help save you additional green.

Remember that sometimes, it is okay not to make dinner.
Don't get burnt out on the menu. If you decide to go out for dinner, it's okay to skip a meal but be smart about it. Some meals have ingredients that expire sooner than others, so if you need to skip a day, you might need to move the meals around in order to not waste ingredients.

While it does take thought, effort and planning in advance, the payoff in the end is well worth it! Coming home from work and being able to just make dinner right away without even an ounce of thought as to what the hell you are going to eat is a huge benefit. We've saved time and money and we no longer have to have the dreaded "What's for dinner?" conversation. Plus, miraculously, I actually enjoy cooking dinner now.

If this plan seems a little too stringent for you, you are in luck. There are lots of useful links on Lifehacker or you can find more ideas just by doing a simple google search. With all the meal planning Web sites out there, and templates for making menus, you can be sure to find the system that works best for you and you can stop eating the same five things every week.

Warm it up...

2010-01-06T18:12:00.000-08:00

The holidays are over...everything is boring and ice cold from here on out. Or at least until April (at the earliest). The only good thing about the cold is getting to wear sweaters.

Currently, I am looking for a big, chunky, cream color sweater. And...I found the perfect one!

Not the perfect price though.

Look at the buttons!

Even with my $25.00 gift card, do I dare spend that much on this sweater? I do love it so. And I would get a lot of wear out of it...

In the mean time I went searching for some less expensive alternatives.

The gap has one...I don't necessarily love the ribbing on the sleeves though.

Meh...

There's this one from Urban that is cute. Doesn't look as warm, although the model looks like she is warm enough not to wear a top under it...

ooh la la

Nothing compares to my very favorite sweater. Sigh.

This is my year for sure...

2010-01-03T18:05:00.000-08:00

Hello baby new year...what's that you have with you? Ah, I see...optimism, new starts, fresh expectations and a new set of 365 days to accompany them.

2009 was all about the wedding. Planning the wedding...having the wedding...recovering from the wedding...our honeymoon...and then came the holidays. It was a pretty awesome year and it went by really fast. It wasn't without it's stresses though. Both Sean and my dad got laid off. Sean was lucky enough to find a new job (or two) pretty quickly. My dad was not so lucky and still is looking for something new. I'm hoping that 2010 will bring those new opportunities to him and to other people who found themselves in the same boat this year. I also hope that at some point this year I might be faced with a new and improved employment situation for myself. I've been at my job for almost 4 years now and I often struggle with the fact that it's secure and pays well but I am so bored and I feel like I'm wasting away. I realize that opportunities don't often just show up on your door step, so I guess this leads me to my "to do" list for 2010. I don't like to make resolutions, but I think making a list of things I'd like to accomplish is a better idea.

1. As I mentioned above, I need to seek out a new and improved employment option. I don't really even know exactly what I want to do, but I know there has got to be something better out there!

2. Make improvements to our house in the kitchen, family room, and some various fixtures throughout. We've been here for 4 1/2 years now and with the way the market is currently, we will probably be here for a bit longer. I'd like to take the opportunity to make some enhancements to the house that will, by the time we do sell it, help it gain value. And at the same time make it a better living arrangement for us while we are still here.

3. Continue to knit and learn more advanced patterns and techniques. I really like knitting! It's become a fun hobby for me and it doesn't take up a lot of space at home. I'm going to start making a hat next week and I hope to learn more and more patterns this year!

4. Take a trip to the Pacific Northwest and down the California coast. This is the trip I most want to take this year. I've always wanted to go down the California coast and I've recently really become interested in the Pacific Northwest and I'd love to see Portland and Seattle.

5. Lose a few lbs and get back into the shape I was 4 or 5 years ago. I'm sick of not being able to fit into my pants. If I lost even 5 lbs and toned up, I would feel much better about myself.

6. Quit smoking for good. I don't smoke during the week, yet I can't seem to kick the weekend habit. It might take me the whole year to do, but I want to be totally smoke free by the end of 2010.

7. And I realize this is not 100 percent up to me (nature has to agree as well), but I'd like to start our family by the end of 2010 too...and by that I just mean to have a little bun in the oven by then.

8. The final thing is to start writing here again. I don't really have a fabulous idea for a blog, but for now I will just write what I want and see what happens.

So that's it. That's my wishlist for 2010. I hope this year brings everyone an easier time of it.

Cheers!

k.

Too Legit To Quit...

2009-05-11T16:09:00.000-07:00

Seriously? WTF is happening with these pants?

Harem Pants, shorts, and jumpsuit? Gah. Source: NYMag

Why am I seeing people promote this kind of fashion???

Not good. Not good at all.

Every party needs a pooper, that's why we invited you....

2009-01-19T20:24:00.000-08:00

At work, they are hooking up a television so that people can watch the inauguration tomorrow--nice right? However, that announcement came with this special caveat:

"Please budget your time appropriately and use good judgment in viewing tomorrow’s event so as not to spend a prolonged amount of time taking in this piece of history."

Riiiight, I'll try to make sure I don't prolong this piece of history. I mean, it's not really even that big of a deal.

I'll probably end up watching it on my blackberry, thanks though, party poopers.

Blah.

Mogul

2008-12-24T12:51:00.001-08:00

Russel Simmons has done it all. The Rushcard. Bizarre.

Happy Christmas!

Yay Economy!

2008-11-10T15:48:00.000-08:00

Today Sean got laid off from his job. 3 other people in his department were let go too. All due to budget cuts. Please keep your eyes and ears open regarding jobs. I guess I am grateful to work where I do during this time. My job seems to be pretty secure and I hope to keep it that way.

No Whammies...

2008-11-02T20:30:00.000-08:00

Sean and I have had this hanging in our office for quite some time now. Ted (Sean's Mom's boyfriend) gave it to us. He got it when he was campaigning for Obama in Texas. Never did I think I would have a framed picture of a presidential candidate in my house, non-ironically at least, but it's the best thing we have hanging on our walls (besides Sean's set of stylish fake mustaches).

I voted already, last Saturday. I waited longer than I probably would have if I just went on Tuesday, but I didn't want to risk anything. I wanted to make sure I got my vote in. The suspense is seriously killing me though. I just want to know what my future holds.

We got tickets to the rally in Grant Park and we'll be going down after work. We're taking the blue line so that we don't risk getting stranded in the city if the Metra sells out. I'm taking my brother as my guest and Sean is taking Ted as his. I think it's going to be a really awesome experience and something I'll remember for a long time.

I'm really nervous.

Happy Halloweener

2008-10-31T08:17:00.000-07:00

You can download this cutie card, designed by Emily of Inside a Black Apple here.

Halloween pot-luck at work. Yummers. Sean and I are going to our second costume party tonight. I'm going as a cat, again! I don't care, it's easy and cute.

Have a Happy Halloween!

"I'm going to be a sexy _________"

2008-10-14T16:09:00.000-07:00

Halloween is coming and we actually have two parties to go to this year! I have no costume yet and no real leads on one. Last year, I had the best effing idea for a "couple's" costume:

Yes, I know. Awesome. You don't have to tell me twice. I don't think I could pull it off this year though, maybe next year after I chop my hair post wedding. Well, enough reminiscing about great ideas that never came to fruition because NO ONE had a Halloween party last year.

On to some ideas for this year. Now, there isn't much time left but I thought of some "cute" ideas.

1. A retro/vintage waitress costume:

Something like that, but a little more stylish. I've been having a hard time finding exactly what I'm looking for. I thought it would be way easier to find an retro waitress outfit.

However, what I have found out is that there are quite a few "sexy waitress" costumes. Shocking, I know.

...she's gonna give it to ya!

I'm not even going to go there with the whole choking the chicken thing...oh wait, I just did.

Look, it's Kendra! Even Playboy is cashing in on the sexiness that is the 50's waitress!

This one though, not so much. She actually looks a little haggard, like she really is a waitress. And is that a lunch box or a bowling bag? What's with the glasses? This isn't the sexy secretary/teacher/school girl shoot! Get it right!

So, obviously I didn't have much luck with the whole waitress get up. I thought maybe Alice in Wonderland would be cute. I have blonde hair...it's a start.

Okay, so I found a couple Alice costumes and this sweet photo of Paris Hilton

"Hi Sexy"

The normal costumes were pretty hideous, but in my search, I found that there was actually a Web site called www.buyaliceinwonderlandcostumes.com that had this disturbing evolution of Alice.

Observe:

Future sisterwife.

totally normal and appropriate

This is labeled as the "Child Teen Sexy Alice Costume." So, incase you weren't already worried about sending your 12 year old daughter out trick or treating, you can just dress her up like a whore and she'll get a real treat from that weird neighbor with the stutter!

And here we have the "Teen Alice in Wonderland Costume." Nice to see that Susan Summers is still getting work.

This is still a little too pilgrim/amish/compound for me.

This is the only costume that I would consider wearing from this Web site. But, in fear of sounding to slutty or too much like Tim Gunn a la PR, it's a "little to matronly." Plus I can see from here that it is definitely made of some sort of shiny synthetic and the last thing I need is to be itchin and scratchin' all night. I'll leave that up to the poor drunk sole who gets it on with the mystery man in the mask and ends up having a mystery rash the next day.

She'll probably be wearing something more like this...

Or perhaps even this!

Maybe I could find a friend to go as the "sexy Mad Hatter."

Don't think they aren't worried about the plus size and or maternity sportin' ladies. This lady might be carrying her 65 year old second cousin's child, but they aren't discriminatin!

And the topper...last but not least, the "Plus Size Sexy" costume.

I have to add this one last costume, because it is so effing ridiculous. I present to you ladies and gentleman, The Sexy Cherry Pie!

I mean as if pie wasn't sexy enough as it is, they had to go and make a slutty halloween costume out of it!

OH God! One more, I promise!! This one is too good!

It's called: "Weird Sexy Pilgrim Costume--Hester from Scarlet Letter." The description on the Web site says: "Hey, there’s a sexy costume for every occasion." HA! Making the Scarlet Letter sexy!?! Looks like someone just gave up on their sexy costume description writing job.

Okay, enough of this nonsense. If you are bored and would like to look at ridiculous costumes that I'm sure you will see plenty of young women sporting this Halloween, you should go here.

I guess I'm going to have to keep looking. In the end I'm sure I'll end up being a cat...just like last year...and I'll probably make it sexy. What? It's Halloween. Meow.

this just in...

2008-10-08T20:54:00.000-07:00

...well it's been a long time coming, but my extended family is slowly but surely imploding. Note to self...time to take on new identity and start penning "fake" memoirs.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

2008-10-02T15:10:00.000-07:00

WHY, GAWD, WHY????

I just received the sad, day ruining news via my friend, via Best Week Ever, that my dream pet, Rupert has passed away.

RIP lil' buddy, RIP. We hardly knew ye.

No I must go back to balancing financial spreadsheets for a meeting tomorrow.

Today is the worst day, ever.

OH. MY. GAWD.

2008-10-01T16:12:00.000-07:00

Please, please, please try to tell me this isn't the cutest thing you've ever seen. No, really, go on...I frigging dare you!

His name is Rupert and he was saved by being delivered via c-section after his Mama was hit by a car.

Here is the article on him at the Daily Mail and here is more on the Muntjac deer species.

Oh man, I can't stop staring at him.

I'm weak from the weekend...

2008-09-22T08:38:00.000-07:00

This weekend was fun, but I am so exhausted! I even drank coffee this morning and I'm still having a hard time keeping my eyes open! I am also totally not able to focus on anything work related today. Total case of the Mondays. So, with that being said, I'll post some photos instead.

My long-time fabulous friend, Michelle, was married on Saturday. The wedding was beautiful and the reception was totally unique and so fun. First wedding I've ever been to where I actually ate and enjoyed the dinner. And they had Lou's for everyone as a late night snack! I was sooo stuffed, but you better believe I shoved a piece of that pizza in my mouth anyway!

Very Grace Kelly!

Making their grand exit. So cute. They were so happy!

Michelle and Ryan. This was like almost midnight and her makeup still looked great. I am totally going to need to get some of those lashes!

Me and my friendo. I can't believe how fast the last year went!

My brother and I had a duet of "Time to Say Goodbye" by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli (I only know the name of this song because my Mom can't get enough of that blind man). Basically it consisted of us babbling in Italian and me trying to hit the high notes. That was the last song and then they turned on the lights had and they were playing "American Pie," and everyone on the dance floor had their arms around each other swaying to the song but the three of us didn't know anyone besides the bride and sort of the groom...so we just decided to act like fools while we waited to say goodbye to the happy couple.

Truly Outrageous!

Just two guys and they're having a good time...having a good time.

I give this wedding an A+. Even though, as I mentioned before, we didn't really know many of the guests, we still had a blast and it was awesome to see how every detail that Michelle had planned out came together in the end. Only downfall of the night was getting stuck in the express lane on 94 and missing like three of my exits on the way home. Oh well.

Side note, my hair is really getting long! I feel like it has just had a total growth spurt in the last couple weeks. Hurrah!

hrm...

2008-09-21T18:04:00.000-07:00

I have just come to the realization that I really don't care for the Smashing Pumpkins. I think I used to try to like them. God knows why. But no, I don't. I don't know why this is relevant but I feel like it is.

That is all for now.

Huh?

2008-09-05T11:44:00.000-07:00

A woman I work with--who is a freelance designer--just told me she spends $1275.00 a month on her health insurance. After she got done complaining about how crazy this is, she ends her sentence with "I'm like even thinking of voting Democrat this year!"

hmmmm. Ya think?

Also, there is a 40 something secretary that sits near me who answers the phone "Suuup?"

WTF is going on?

Reader's Digest Version...

2008-08-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

Because I have drawn this out way too long, here is the short version of the rest of LA.

The LaBrea Tarpits. Pretty cool. There is also a museum that shows all the animals that have been found in the pits. It's totally prehistoric and I recommend it.

Hermosa Beach...also known as "two white people from the midwest stand in the ocean."

Muscle (Venice) Beach. It was dirty and full of wierdos.

But luckily they were having a muscle contest...there are so many things wrong with the photo below, but I'll let you find them for yourself since I'm trying to keep this short.

View from our hotel balcony in Century City.

Fox Studios to the left in the photo below.

Two of Hollywood's hippest hangouts. The Roosevelt and the Scientology building.

Probably the most touristy thing we did was go see the hand and footprints at the Chinese Theater, but you kind of have to do it...and it was pretty cool to see how tiny people's feet used to be.

After Sean left, I went to dinner with people from work, in Santa Monica. We took a short stroll down the Santa Monica Pier afterward. It smelled like fish and the only cool thing about it was the way the ferris wheel looked.

That's about it. I worked the rest of the time and never really saw the light of day, except I got away one day to go across the street and try some Pinkberry. I don't get the hype...it's frozen yogurt. I'd much rather have dippin' dots.

good read.

2008-08-24T13:21:00.000-07:00

"In the end, hipsters are sold what they think they invent and are spoon-fed their pre-packaged cultural livelihood."

read this.

via Sean, via Adbusters.

All good things must come to an end...

2008-08-17T13:05:00.001-07:00

I don't use the word "amazing" very often. I think that it's overused and most often cliche. But I cannot think of any other way to describe my birthday this year. One solid week of celebration, surprises and really and truly feeling loved and appreciated by my family and my friends. Last night I ended the week in a very fitting way by being surrounded by people who made me feel like I was the most important person in that very space and time. Even though everyone I love and miss could not be with me on the day or even last night, I got wishes and thoughtful surprises from near and far!

It made me realize how lucky I am to have so many awesome people in my life--and all in a different way, shape or form. And most of all, I am so lucky to have Sean, who went out of his way to make this birthday the BEST birthday I have had probably since I was in second grade and my Mom surprised me with a huge box of little token gifts that included a hot pink wig so I could pretend I was Jem. He covered it all, right down to the surprise happy birthday serenade over butter cream cupcakes. I cannot remember the last time I had a room of friends sing happy birthday to me.

I didn't do the best job of taking photos, so I only got a few of the people hanging in the garage and missed out on getting a lot of people who were enjoying the nice weather outside. :( Next time I will be more on the ball with the photog-ing. It's hard to man the camera when you are having so much fun!

Cupcakes!

Just a tad bit happy about it...

SK and Ryan--about to crack into the champagne.

Trying to take a cute picture, take 4. I'm jealous of Dre's post-vacation tan. All I get from the sun is a burnt up nose.

Garage hangz. Stephanie, Nathan and Biker Jon came to live it up in the suburbs!

Ryan tells Courteney tales of crazy girls!

Cat Blog, I had to do it.

So, if the greatness of the birthday is any indication of the way the year will go, I think 27 is going to treat me well.

.trouble breathing.

2008-08-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

I've had a rotten couple of days. My Grama passed away Tuesday night. I've been fully engulfed in the postmortem since Wednesday. Yesterday was the wake. 7 hours in a funeral home. Today I feel so tired that I swear I could sleep all day. People have been great and really supportive.

She was 91. The last four years were spent in a nursing home. Hopefully she is a lot happier now. My Mom is taking it well, we knew it was coming but she is still sad. I mean, it's your Mom. She was an excellent Grama. She will be missed.

I have to go back to work on Monday. I'm dreading the mess that has piled up since Wednesday.

I'm exhausted.

'ems fightin' words...

2008-07-22T15:59:00.000-07:00

John McCain's peeps are steamin' mad over the media's love affair with Barack and what else is there to do about it besides make a You Tube video about it. It's actually pretty amusing. I think the best part is Tucker Carlson describing his love as "9th grade...sealed with a kiss love."

McCain party...jealous much?

Of course there are some super comments on the You Tube page:

"Liberal media is a joke! Why not give Obama a rim job and get it over with than ask him some questions about his constant flip flopping on the issues."

"john mccain = the downfall of america"

and immediately following...

"Barack Hussein Obama = The Rise of Islam"

"Blame it on love and the media. Totally Mclame. "

"Restore the constitution. Down with old man McCain! "

"yeah, i was pissed how biased the media was against Hitler back in 41. It was ridiculous. Thank god for FOX. "

"McCain hates love. "

Bollywood!

2008-07-17T19:53:00.000-07:00

Saturday night we decided to head to Hollywood with our lovely LA tour guides Jen and Dennis. Since we were still staying in downtown LA, we had to hop on the train and take a short ride to the Hollywood. Fun Fact: Jen and Dennis live down the street from the Capitol Records building with their cat, who is very cordial as well.

One cannot say the same about all of Hollywood's inhabitants. It was a sad day for all young Jewish boys who wear slim fitting jeans and can't hear so good due to standing too close to speakers for so many years.

For this was the day that Sean would be called a "faggot" by a gutterpunk with a cigarette sticking out of his stretched out lip ring hole. It went a little something like this...

We were minding our own business, trying to find Jen and Dennis' apartment when we realized we were going the wrong way down the street. As Sean was straining to read the addresses up ahead, said gutterpunk--a young man himself--probably in his late 20's, approaches with his friend (who I must point out was probably in his late not punk at ALL and who was driving a jeep cherokee). He's bitching about "kids these days," muttering something about how they don't know anything about yadda yadda yadda. Sean is walking a foot or so ahead of me and I hear this guy ask him "Do you remember 1979?" and Sean doesn't answer him, then he says it again "Hey! Do you remeber 1979?" and Sean goes "No." Well, because he was born in 80, so how could he remember it? Gutterpunk does not like this answer very much and replies with a disgusted "Whatever, Faggot!" as he shakes his head (he may have spit, I don't remember. But, for this purpose we'll say that he did) and loads his "art" into his friend's Jeep. The guy seriously couldn't have been more than 30, so I doubt he even remembers 1979. Plus, do Sean and I look like snot nosed little pip squeak know it alls? Or homosexuals for that matter? I of course laughed out loud and shouted, "I always knew you were gay." Sean was oblivious, determined to get us to our destination--we were without our GPS afterall. Pratically naked out there! As soon as we crossed the street and were going the right direction I asked him if he heard the guy call him a faggot. He said he didn't even hear it...but why if he did...that guy would have paid for it! I tell you, his friend would have had to put both seats down in the Jeep and lay him out in the back! Probably not, but let's just pretend he would have.

I didn't get a picture of this villian, but let's just say he looked something like this, but a little taller...less exagerated liberty spikes, really tight leggings, and of course he didn't have this on his jacket, but it's hilarious none the less. (You can make your own right here)

I would say Hollywood is pretty crappy and in general it isn't very pleasing. Also, we saw a dude walking down the street with a full catheter bag taped to his leg which was accentuated even more so by his denim cutoffs but not to be out shined was his total aloofness about the fact that he had a bag full of piss...taped. to. his. leg.

Most of the stores cater to the stripper/exotic dancer/prostitute/skank population and the manequins look like this:

(source)

Besides that, there are suit shops. I'm sure this is all making sense now.

So, after taking in a little window shopping, we filled up on pasta and got ready to drink. Our destination was the Beauty Bar in Hollywood. Sean and I had been wanting to go there and even though Jen and co. had already been there, they were nice enough to go back again!

Cute, right? They have ladies doing manicures and apparently you can get a martini and a manicure for $10. I don't like martinis so I didn't partake in this little deal.

Everything was super retro and just really cute. The photo above is looking at the DJ Booth and the "dance floor." The only bad thing about the place was how crowded it was. Although every time I went out to smoke and there were people walking by, they couldn't believe how packed it was...so I guess it's never as crowded as it was when we were there. However, the people were pretty friendly and surprisingly the hipster factor was way less painful then I thought it would be.

A view of the bar. Funny story--when we first got to this place it was like three people deep at the bar. So, Jen and I hung back while Sean got us drinks. Dennis had to run back to the apartment, so he wasn't there yet. After we had our drinks in hand we were waiting for Sean and I guess it probably looked like we were on the prowl. You know, we must have been just WAITING for a dude to hit on us, because I mean, why else would we be standing there, right? Right. So...I heard the lamest pick up line ever. Not only was it lame, it was very toot your own horn-ish in my opinion. This guy turns to me and asked me if I'm shy. He has an accent and I can't fucking understand him. Jen thinks he says Bi. It's really loud, obviously. He asks again and I just stare at him, knowing this is like the worst trap ever. I decide to throw caution to the wind and I say "no, why do you ask?" And dude says "Well, we've been standing here next to each other for ten minutes and you haven't talked to me yet!" I was so amused, I didn't know what exactly to reply with. I politely explained that we were there with our boyfriends and he looked completely dumbfounded. Now. For the "What I should have said was..." moment. What I should have said was a) you're ugly--but he wasn't. b) I don't like foreigners--but he was British, that's not really foreign. c) I'm really nervous! You're so hot! but...that could have back fired. or d) Oh! I thought you asked if I liked guys! Sorry, I thought that would have been obvious by me NOT talking to you. If I did like guys, I would have been all over you in a second! Men...I tell ya.

I also wanted to tell him to NEVER use that again, but I had already done my charity by not being a total asshole to him, so I just walked away and enjoyed the rest of my night.

All the way past the bar, by the window is where we camped out. There was a plastic covered couch that by the end of the night was covered in drinks, stickiness, and oh yeah...a drunk Indian dude's puke. By the end of the night I also didn't give a crap about any of that because I was having so much fun! The DJ was so good. He played old Marvin Gay, Ol' Dirty, LCD Soundsystem, and like a 1,000 other good songs from rap to indie rock. Jen and I tried to make it out on the dance floor, but decided to retreat back and make our own instead.

When the lights came up, I did not want to leave.

Obviously we were having the best time ever

BIG thanks go out to our awesome hosts, Jen and Dennis, for showing us a great time!

Well, that's the end of day 2. Don't worry...there are only two more days left...I think.

Until then...

Life on Mars

2008-07-09T21:14:00.000-07:00

Heeeeeeeeeeey....you still with me?

Ladies in Gents...without further ado. LA, day 2.

First of all, I apologize for not updating this. The first post was so exciting and then I totally just left you hanging...sort of like when your favorite T.V. show breaks for the summer and the cliff hanger is just terrible. You swear you won't go back to watching it in the Fall, but like clockwork, there you are all cozied up to the Hills on Monday night just DYING to see how Audrina gets her attitude on! Hrmmm...wait, that doesn't happen to you?

Pshhh whatever. Never the less, I got unmotivated, So You Think You Can Dance, Flipping Out, Tori and Dean, and like 1,000 other reality T.V. shows came back on, I had to travel for work, got sick, wished America happy birthday, thought I had meningitis (not really) and now I'm pretty sure I have vertigo...but only in my right ear.

As you can see, I'm stalling. I'm not gonna lie...memories have faded...things are way less vivid. My fondness for LA still lives on, yet I had to re-read my last post to remember where I left off...Thank Allah for digital photos.

We started day 2 by heading to Silver Lake.

If I ever moved to LA, this is where I would want to live. It has an actual neighborhood vibe to it. It's filled with adorable stores, little cafes, and cool houses. Very artsy...even the postman was hipper than me (not a huge feat, but still!).

A view from the hill where we parked out trusty Versa.

We had lunch at the Town and Country Cafe. It got mixed reviews on Yelp! but I thought it was really good.

They had "real" coke in a glass bottle...mmmmmm.

Although I look slightly "special" here...I was also very happy. And I don't even realize that things are about to get 100 percent better...see below.

If I ever went to prison, and say perhaps I had to be sentenced to death...I would probably consider this a good option for a last meal. It was the best grilled cheese I've ever had. Sometimes with cheddar cheese, it gets oily or the cheese gets too hard right away, this was not the case, gooey and good. The fries were perfect and I was actually depressed when I got full and could not finish the whole thing. I miss this sandwich, I do.

After lunch we walked around for a bit and ducked in quite a few of the shops in the area. There were some very cool/kitchy stores and record shops...the usual. I didn't buy anything, because most of it was too pricey. It was neat to see things that I see on the internet on design blogs and stuff in person though.

We took a short drive to find this place called The Circle. Our travel guide (yeah, we had a travel guide and it mostly came in handy for referencing addresses and places to eat--though some of the reviews weren't really spot on...including this one) touted it as " hidden jewel of a place where samples and overstock items including designer tops, pants, skirts and, on occasion, accessories can be found. " I really wouldn't go as far as calling it a "hidden jewel." Yeah, I guess this stuff was "on sale" but it was still like $45 bucks for a tank top that I could get from target for like 10. Call me cheap...I just couldn't get behind it.

So, oh well. We got the hell out of that place and headed to the Griffith Observatory. Well, first we actually stopped a the CVS to buy a gallon of water which lasted pretty much the whole trip and saved us probably like $20 bucks. So, if you don't feel like a loo carrying a gallon of water into your fancy hotel--I suggest stocking up.

Okay, back to the observatory. I think this was probably one of the most enjoyable things we did while we were there. It's free and the view is amazing. Not to mention the workout you get hauling your ass up the hill to get to the actual observatory. (click on the pictures to make them larger)

This was about half way up the hill. The view was already pretty cool.

Looking to the right, where we started was at the end of the long line of parked cars.

Getting closer, the HOLLYWOOD sign finally came into view.

I am outwardly thrilled. I promise that Sean was too, even if he isn't as obvious as I. Maybe it was all my jibber jabber about Paula Abdul's Rush Rush video being filmed here with thespian, Keanu Reeves channeling James Dean a la Rebel Without A Cause? Or maybe he was just tired. It was a long walk.

We made it! Pretty spectacular.

Look at the majestic view behind us. Glorious. Also, please note, I will be wearing that shirt again in the future. I was having some wardrobe issues on this trip, I don't know why I packed half the shit I did. I ended up re-wearing a lot of things because of it. I'm just saying, I'm not trying to get away with anything here.

Even though it was overcast, the clouds looked pretty surreal up this high. I would have liked to see the view at night.

Pictures obviously don't really do the place justice. It was the shit. And I have to again say that it was FREE! Unless you want to pay for some show where you look at stars, but I did that when I was in 5th grade and once was enough.

The only bummer was that the HUGE telescope was not running because of the cloudy sky.

But, if you ever needed incentive to go visit something, I think that getting to look though this monster would do. No?

Two thumbs up for this place.

Okay, I'm tired and I'm sure you need a break from all this recap excitement.

Next up, day 2-part 2: Hollywood, Sean being gay bashed, Beauty Bar, and the drunk Indian Guy puking inside of it.

uncle...

2008-06-29T19:19:00.001-07:00

I'm not giving up on finding a new direction--job wise--just yet. But, it's hard to get motivated to update my resume when all I see are job postings like these:

Managing Editor for Exciting, Readable B2B Mag.
Today's Machining World

Today's Machining World. Excellent.

or...there's always The World Jewish Digest, The National Safety Council (where coincidentally, my ex-boss works), or perhaps I could relocate...to Matoon, IL and work for the Journal Gazette.

Blarg.

Bathing Suit Update

2008-06-27T18:33:00.001-07:00

My bathing suit arrived. The jig is up...I need a work out or two..or three.

All things considered...it's a nice suit.

Workin' on my fitness...

2008-06-23T15:51:00.000-07:00

Well, not exactly. But I NEED to be! I haven't bought a new bathing suit (let alone a bikini) in almost 7 years. I just keep telling myself that since I only wear it about once a year, it's okay that it doesn't really fit me anymore. Well, I broke down and purchased a new one in a larger size. It was on sale and it looks to cover the booty pretty moderately.

(Urban Outfitters, top and bottom $19.99 each)

So, much to my dismay, I already know I am not going to look like this little gazelle in the suit. I hope it's not terrible, I'll find out in 5-7 business days! By that time I'll also probably have finished off the pie plate of chilli dip that I have leftover from Saturday night poker. You would think that a group of men would have been able to polish it off themselves, instead I am left to do the deed. Maybe they just bought a new bathing suit. I don't know.

Anywho, for the past year, I have been in and out of exercise. Never being able to stick to anything. I need to find something that I really enjoy and can do on my own. No more depending on someone to motivate me. I've got the two tiny pieces of cloth above to do that!

In other shopping news...Friday will mark day 1 of wedding dress shopping. I'm totally pumped. My Mom and I are going to the city to White Chicago, Weddings 826, and the Bridal Salon at Macys.

Nevermind the fact that we still don't have a ceremy site or an officiant. Details people! DETAILS!!!

Now, if you'll excuse me...I'm going to spend some quality time with my turkey chilli dip while I still can.

It's your life...

2008-06-19T17:44:00.000-07:00

...you can decorate it any way you want.

Lately I've been day dreaming about quitting my job and traveling the world. These people did it....why can't I?

Oh wait. I'm getting married in a year and I have a mortgage...maybe I'll just try to find a new job first.

It rained in Quebec every day, just like the weather channel had predicted. For some reason, I had a glimmer of hope that it would turn out better. Oh well. It was neat to be in a different country for a little while but speaking "french-lish" started to take it's toll on me after a while. I took a few pictures when I was able to get out and walk around.

I'm still planning on finishing the LA trip posts. I didn't have as much downtime in Quebec as I imagined I would.

That's all for now.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could live twice in just one life and then we'd know what to do?

C'est si bon?

2008-06-12T21:22:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm not totally sure...

I'm going to Quebec tomorrow. Which is awesome because I've never been and I'm going for work and really only working 2 out of the 4 days I will be there...but as usual, the weather is going to be shit!

C'est la vie...

I think I'll have lots of "internet" time, so I'll try to post the rest of the LA trip. I know, I know...Thank God, right? How would you survive without knowing what happened on the other 4 days of my vacation.

Rest easy...it's coming soon.

ttfn.

LA Woman...

2008-06-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

I hate The Doors, but I do love me some LA. We spent 5 days making the most of our vacation and seeing just about every person, place and thing we wanted to. (And of course, some that we didn't...mostly in Hollywood, but you'll have to wait for that.)

Up first, "Day 1: I love LA, my rental car, and not being at work!"

We arrived in LA and the weirdo's appeared before we knew it! It was a pretty long flight. This lady was apparently cramping up or something.

Originally, I was standing to her right, next to Sean. That was of course before she threw her leg up on the luggage carousel and started stretching out like she was going to run a marathon or something. I took like 20 pics of this lady stretching her shit out, but I'll spare you. I couldn't stop laughing, so most of them are blurry.

After the hilarity that was waiting for luggage, we made our way to the rental car place to pick up our transportation. This would end up being the best decision we could have ever made on this trip.

Side note: At this point, less than an hour into my vacation, I got upset about something dealing with work. I screamed obscenities in the Enterprise Rental Car garage while Sean looked at me like a crazy person and the sales girl reminded me I was on vacation. This is only important because I think it allowed me to get it all out of my system and I can honestly say I forgot I even had a job for the next three days...eeeeenddd scene.

Anywho, we had made a reservation for a compact car and Salesgirl tries to get us to upgrade to a PT Cruiser or something just so that we could have power locks and windows. She obviously must have been confused regarding the definition of "upgrade" or about what exactly a PT Cruiser looks like...because I mean really...upgrade? To a PT Cruiser? So, Sean explained to her that he drives a 1994 Honda Civic that doesn't even have POWER STEERING on a daily basis, so thanks, but no thanks...we'll stick with the car that doesn't make us look like complete buttwads.

We ended up getting the car we wanted, the Nissan Versa. Without this car (or any really) we never would have been able to get all the places we did! And on one (that's 1) tank of gas for the whole week!

Here she is, in all her little red glory. My favorite part about having the Versa, was parking...especially valeting...it when most cars in the parking lot or hell, even parked on the street, cost about 4 times the price. It was a good little car and I miss it.

So, moral of the story: If you ever go to LA and you want to see more than your hotel bar, rent a car. Moreover, rent a cherry red Nissan Versa (and pronounce Versa like Vhairsa to make it even more fun). *You may be thinking that this is still a buttwad car, but nah...it's pretty much the coolest.

SO! In the rental car, we program our GPS...yes, I said GPS! The one thing that may have been even more crucial in the ultimate success of our vacation was this beauty:

(Garmin) I have no idea if this is the exact model we used, but it looks like it. Not important. What is important, is the fact that this thing is awesome and got us everywhere we wanted to go. I can honestly say we never got lost once. And after about a day with this thing, you start talking in the same accent as the woman who reads the directions. We were lucky enough to get this one on loan by a very trusting, very kind, Ted. But if you don't have your own Ted or you happen to be a clutz, a clepto, or just generally un-trustworthy, and no one will let you borrow theirs, you can always rent one when you go to pick up your Nissan Versa. It's not that much more and TOTALLY worth while. I don't think I've stressed that enough.

Okay, back to the trip to the hotel. Everyone says traffic in LA is the worst. We really didn't experience anything worse than what we would driving on the Kennedy, but it was a holiday by the time we got there. I think this is why it was pretty light. We did notice however that there aren't very many speed limit signs on the highways. We saw one the whole time and we came to the conclusion that it's because you really don't go over 35 the whole time. I say it's not so bad because at least you're moving...unlike in Chicago, where you can sit in the same spot sucking up the exhaust of the cars around you for 10 minutes before inching up and doing it all over again. Which brings me to one more difference, the cars emit cleaner exhaust. You can tell when there is a car around from another state because you suddenly remember what exhaust smells like and then you remember how much you hate it.

We're en route to our destination, the Hilton Checkers, in Downtown LA and we find Indie 103.1, an awesome radio station that we pretty much listened to the whole time. It was like the perfect sound track to the perfect trip. Sean was already privy to it's goodness as he listens to it online at work. I am not allowed to do such things at work, so this was a great discovery to me.

We pass the staples center, where later that night the Lakers would win a basketball game against the Spurs and send various douche bags cheering into the streets. We get into the downtown area and I kind of feel like I'm in the Loop. I was a little disappointed at first.

There are a few cool things to see in the downtown area, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and FIDM, where Lauren Conrad "studies" fashion!!

We didn't get to see any of the above attractions, but we did pass by them on the way to our final destination, our hotel. The hotel was overall very nice. We didn't spend too much time there, pretty much just to sleep and get ready, but the staff was nice and the digs were splendid. Small, but splendid. (It's a boutique hotel.) There is a pool on the rooftop, which we never went up to see because it was all of 60 degrees and cloudy the first two days we were there. It looks cool though.

After checking in and getting settled, Sean stole wireless internet from someone near by and searched for a place for dinner. I sat on the bed, ate flavorblasted goldfish and fruit snacks and I watched three back to back episodes of the "Dog Whisperer." I was on vacation! I can do what I want!

We decided to have dinner downtown because we were meeting up with Jen, Dennis, Eric and Jen afterwards for drinks. We went with Engine Co. No. 28. The restaurant is an old renovated firehouse and the food is delicious! I had the Southern Style Pan Fried Chicken. I stuffed myself silly full of it's fried goodness and the mashed potatoes that accompanied it. When we were walking there, Sean was able to see lots of spots from his skate videos in real life. This was exciting for him. I would experience this same joy later when I saw the Bolthouse offices where Heidi "works" as well as various other locales from "the Hills."

After our meal, we rolled ourselves down the street to the Figueroa Hotel. On the way there we passed many a proud Laker's fan. Go sports!

We ended our night meeting up with everyone at the hotel's Moroccan lounge.

We tried to sit outside, but alas it was freezing and it started to rain.

We saw plenty of shorty shorts, shorty dresses, and a really odd blond Asian girl who was wearing a dress that was EXACTLY the same color as her skin.

All in all it was a great night!

(Note: I'm pretty much wearing this scarf in every picture, as it was unseasonably cold while we were there and I wasn't really prepared for cold weather.)

Sean ended the night by spotting a car wash that he was convinced (and then later may have changed his mind?) was from some rad skate videos. He screamed about it for like two minutes, then I pushed him into a cab and we went back to the hotel. He would go on about this car wash for the next two days until we saw another one that made him second guess himself. In the end I'm not really sure what happened with the great car wash debate of 2008. But it was an honor just to be in their presence.

Day 1...over.

Next up, day 2: The best grill cheese of my life, the world of "cool" that is Silverlake, and drunk Indian guy pukes at Beauty Bar in Hollywood, plus much, much more!

TTFN!

Idol Threats

2008-05-21T19:15:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness I didn't delete American Idol before fast forwarding to the end...low and behold, George Michael? Whipping his gay little hands around...Paula...in tears.

yeah, maybe we should all be prayin' for time.

He couldn't have done Faith or Freedom?

OMG he is going on tour???

Ryan Secrest looks uncomfortable. George looks like he wants to tickle him.

This was a worthwhile three minutes.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

2008-05-12T21:51:00.000-07:00

My life is pretty boring right now...mundane...very "ground hog day"...

Then sometimes, a friend messages you and you spend some time talking about people shitting on the sidewalk.

Proceed

In other news, I've found a new "hate" at work...

Dear person who uses those paper toilet seat covers, but doesn't flush them when they are done,

I understand that you don't want to touch something that has touched someone elses' ass...hence the paper seat cover. I tooooootallly feel the same, which is why I'd appreciate if you'd take the time to flush the piece of butcher paper that was just touching your bits and bobs so that I can actually use the toilet. I don't care how you do it...use your shoe to push it in...a crap load of TP wrapped around your hand...get creative, it's your own ass for God's sakes...just get that sucker in the bowl and flush it down. It's really not a lot to ask, is it?

kthnxbi.

Greetings and Salutations...

2008-05-06T07:47:00.000-07:00

I just received an e-mail with the most salutations I've ever seen in one e-mail. He was really covering all his bases.

"I am very sorry regarding my inability to send you these items which you were in dire need due to my busy schedule in my new assignment.

Please write me by the earliest.

Thank you,

Bye Bye

Have a nice day,

With regards,

P. B."

You can't polish a turd...

2008-04-30T18:39:00.000-07:00

I got my passport today. The photo is horrid. I look bloated, pissed and like I have a receding hairline. Is this how an international traveler is supposed to look? How embarrassing. Oh well. At least I have a passport now and my job paid for it. Now I have an excuse to buy a fancy passport holder. Do I need one? Hell no. But I will buy one regardless. I'm just doing my part to stimulate the economy.

Here are some that I like. Because I know you care.

flight001

Also from Flight 001 and my fav, so far:

Dunce Girl

I basically want to buy everything on the Flight 001 site. It's like Disneyland for people who love buying miniature shampoos and luggage.

A lil' Duct Tape for ya:

Think Geek

I like everything on this site, but most of it is sold out.

Especially this one below. Boo Hoo.

E-bags has some good classic stuff in fun colors:

Belle Hop

Abas

Belle Hop 2

and in case I go bat shit insane anytime soon...I'll purchase this:

Love Is

Looks like I have some big decisions to make.

I am watching American Idol. I don't know why I did this to myself. Probably because I hate myself. I liked the one Irish girl that was on here (if for nothing more than the cutaway shots of her frighteningly tattooed husband) and now she is gone. Now I hate everyone. Especially David Cook. He is the gayest. I wish it would just be over and "So You Think You Can Dance" would start. Shut up, I like it.

I still need a new gig. Help a sistah out.

We have a winner!

2008-04-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

Headache update: went to the doctor today and hormonal migraines it is!!! I'm going to try using a different birth control pill and see if that works. Fingers crossed!

Also, a pussycat doll has remade "Rio" by Duran Duran. Waaaah?

Jesus Land

2008-04-11T18:30:00.001-07:00

While I was sitting in my room in SLC, I was watching this game show called "Amnesia," where people have to answer questions about their past. Friends and family come on and tell little anecdotes about the contestant while they sway to music being pumped into one of those glass boxes so that they can't hear the story being told. Then, they are asked trivia questions about details from that story. I've come to the conclusion that I would be very good at this game. My brain is filled with people's names, stupid details, and things that no one else ever remembers happening. Who wants to be on this show with me? This also made me hope that I never get to the point where I don't remember these things. I like having useless knowledge of my past.

Saturday, I actually got out of the hotel and convention center and although I didn't see any of the "historical" crap in SLC, I did make it to the cupcake place.

It was everything I hoped it would be. Cute, adorbz, and tasty. The people were nice and the cupcakes were so delicious that I bought a box of six to bring home with me. They took a big beating when they had to go through security, but even if they weren't as pretty when they got home, they still tasted great!

Here are two photos from the Mini's Web site of two of the varieties I sampled:

The PB Fix: Chocolate and Peanut Butter. mmmm.

The Snowball: Vanilla with meringue and coconut.

I also tried the mocha latte, the black and white cupcake, the Breakfast at Tiffany's (it had blue frosting and silver sprinkles!), the lemon pie (I have a new found love of lemon curd), and the chocoholic. All get two thumbs up.

Some photos from my walking excursion in Salt Lake:

The mountains really are pretty awesome. I wondered if people who live their get used to having that as their background.

Nightlife in Utah. Looks like "Bliss" didn't really work out too well, building is for sale.

This was interesting. These were up and down the sidewalk on the street we walked up. And next to everyone, there was something written in blue marker...most of the others were references to Bible verses. WWJD? Hire a better PR firm?

Inside of Mini's cupcake bakery. My very own religion.

The display case with all the cupcakes.

On the way back to the hotel we had lunch at a cute coffee shop and then went to the airport. I finally got back to Chicago at 10:20, home by midnight. It's nice to be back.

Misery Index

2008-04-10T22:34:00.000-07:00

It's 11:30 p.m. in Salt Lake City. I have the loudest neighbors ever. I can't sleep. I have to be back in the booth at 8 a.m. Another 9 hours.

If I am here next year, I will buy someone a plane ticket to where ever this wretched conference is and you can please be my guest to come kick me in the ass.

What. The. Fuck. am I doing here?

In other news, I'm watching the first season of Weeds. This show is amazing.

Can I get an Amen?

2008-04-09T19:00:00.000-07:00

Greetings from SLC, Mormon capital of the USA! I've already gotten married and I have 6 new sister wives! All that accomplished in one day! Yeah, I know how to multi-task.

I kid, I kid.

The majority of my day can be summed up as 50% annoyance and 50% motion sickness.

Flight got delayed an hour.

We finally boarded and I realized I'm sitting in front of the ONLY child on the plane. I get nauseous even thinking about what he's going to be doing to my seat for the 3 1/2 hour plane ride ahead of me. But guess what? That little tot passed the eff out before he could wreak any havoc on my equilibrium.

In the end I was actually saved, because the dude sitting in the window seat of my row could have been sitting behind me. Then I would have projectile vomited or probably just huffed and puffed and gotten all shitty about it. This guy was a straight up crazy person. When we were on the ground he was fine, but as soon as we took off, he went pretty nuts. he kept opening and closing the shade, pulling out his newspaper and folding and unfolding it and ripping articles out of it, touching his face violently and shaking his leg rapidly. THEN...and this is when I really felt for the guy in front of him...he pulled out this huge carry on from under the seat so harshly that I was just staring at him with what I could feel was a very twisted look on my face. I don't even know how it fit under there in the first place, but he yanked that sucker out with purpose and shoved all his newspaper clippings in there and then shoved it the hell back under the seat from which it came. I just looked around and no one else was seeing what I was seeing. Of course.

After that I watched some episodes of Always Sunny In Philadelphia to cleanse my hateful mind.

We landed. People fucking take forever to get off the plane. An old ass lady is talking on her cell phone...my friend behind me yells loudly for her to get off the plane. Funny.

We get our luggage and are getting in a cab when some old guy in line behind us (who looked like Martin Landau) asks the person who gets the cabs for people where my friend and I are going. As in this dude is taking it upon himself to share a cab with us? Unsolicited? In the end he wasn't going where we were, but I kind of wish he was. I was in the mood to treat someone, and he was in the perfect position. But alas, I just trash talked him as we made our way to the hotel. Carsickness quotient is high. I see some mountains and it starts raining.

So, all in all the total travel time from door to door = 8 hours. Ugh.

I apologize for my change from present to past tense up there...I do not however feel like correcting it.

Hotel is nice. I have a smoking room, which means I don't have to stand outside to smoke at night which is good because it's freezing here today and oh yeah, it was snowing. Will I ever escape the snow???

The scenery is majestic of course, snow capped mountains and stuff. I'd hoped for a nice view. Such is not the case:

The mountains are probably behind those buildings, I'm guessing.

Tomorrow I have to work 9 hours in an exhibit booth. Same day, different city.

I'm going to try to see some of this Godly place.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is rehearsing tomorrow night...might go heckle them..might not. Not sure yet. Actually I think it would be interesting to check it out.

I do want to go to the Family History Library which is the world's largest collection of genealogical records. It's open until 10 p.m.! Crazy.

So, that's about it for now. I'm happy to be out of the office. I'll leave you with this photo I took of our "new" phone paging system at work:

Good Morning, Charlie...

Amen.

happiness is...

2008-04-06T21:14:00.001-07:00

...watching three hours of the Food Network and reading the internets, on the couch with a drowsing meowsers next to me.

...opening the windows and not wearing socks.

...Richard Walker's.

...shopping sprees at forever21. When do I have to stop shopping there? My mom says never, since it's forever and all.

...only having 2 days in the office this week.

I'm going to Salt Lake on Wednesday, for 4 days. I hope to go here while I am there. The weather looks to be pretty shitty the first two days then better on Friday and Saturday. But it doesn't look like I'll be missing anything here. Warm weather, when will you be here to stay?

That's about it for now.

I enjoy being a girl....

2008-03-31T20:46:00.000-07:00

In the morning when I drive to work down Schaumburg road, I pass three of those hokey church signs all in a row. I need to find a better route to work.

Speaking of work, I'll be in Salt Lake City next week for another one of those God forsaken math conferences. I effing hate math...like so much...why am I still doing this?

I'll be going to L.A. in May, hopefully that will be fun.

I've been looking on almost a daily basis to see what opportunities live out on the interweb. I've come to the conclusion that there aren't any.

I've been tracking my headaches for the last three months. I'm almost convinced they are "hormonal" How gross. Like...not only do you get to have your "woman time" but for 3 days before hand you get to have a sweet migraine!

I'm working on a little recap of the last four years of my life...via online journal and blog. it's going to be very narcissistic and you will like it, damn it.

That is all for now.

Have you tried....?

2008-03-03T20:45:00.000-08:00

"Yes, I have. Thanks!" Or "No, it's not really what I'm looking for, thanks though!"

This is my daily life now. People at work ask me how the wedding planning is going and I tell them, it isn't, really. Then they become concerned and start to ask me if I've looked into such and such venue or reception hall or banquet hall...and I have to politely find a way of either telling them, "yes, I've thought of that already" or "Now, I just told you what I DO want. Why would you even suggest that to me?"

Now, there is a huge difference between the people who know you and your personality giving you advice (even those who work with you) and people who know what you sometimes do or wear or talk about at work, giving you advice. It's painful and sooo time consuming. Someone actually told me I "looked sad" when I was receiving said "advice" today. This is not good. Why is no one picking up on my body language? No one will talk to me about anything else and I don't even try to bring it up.

Annie--I thought you said people were going to be running the other direction? Why isn't this happening? Am I doing something wrong? Maybe I need to be more overjoyed and less melancholy when people ask me about it?

I don't want to be rude, and I know people are trying to be helpful and take an interest. With that said, Make it Stop. I can't imagine what it's like being pregnant or having a child for God's sakes. I'm going to have to wear ear plugs...or learn sign language so I can pretend I went deaf from conceiving the child. Wait--could I pass that off as a side effect of wedding planning??? The deafness, not the conception. I don't need to open that can of advice worms...

Oh, I have a headache too. Shocking.

Cake on 5...

2008-02-21T20:38:00.001-08:00

Today I was alerted to this note on the microwave at work. I shit a brick, then took a photo of it...luckily I always have my camera with me now. Although it's completely maddening that someone would go out of their way to write this...it's "so us" when it comes to the people I work with. My friend added in the "There's medication for this."

The first thing that popped into my mind was how funny this would be to post on a Web site that posts passive aggressive notes. I explained the Web site to my friend and when I got home I went to post it on the site. And lo and behold, I found this:

Edit: I took the link off because this blog was linked to their site and I don't need people I work with being all up in my biznaz. If you want to see the post just go to the site that hosts the notes.

It's a copycat job! Someone in my office reads this Web site and copied the job from Baltimore. My mission tomorrow is to find out who posted that post-it and bond over a love of passive aggressive notes.

Don't write me off...

2008-01-30T19:22:00.000-08:00

1. i cannot, cannot, CAN-NOT stand this weather anymore.
2. the other thing I cannot stand is a close second, and that would be my current source of income.
3. i keep going over the years from when I graduated college until where I am now and I wonder why I didn't try harder to make something happen for myself back then.
4. that leads me to then ask why I can't do it now.

Long story short...I'm in a rut. S...O...S.

In other news that you probably don't want to read about, (but you will...because you are already here and well, this is the only 'News' that i have right now) I created that swell place to write about planning the wedding. I haven't added anything to it yet...but it's there whenever I feel so inclined.

wouldn't it be nice

Also, I'm watching Lost. I've never seen a single episode of this show, and I don't understand a word of it...but I think it's funny that A) Jack's name is "Dr. Shepard" (like, he's the original McDreamy and shit) and B) that "Mike" from Las Vegas is on here playing a total serious Dr. and he has a junior high mustache. and C) This Hurley guy totally looks and talks like this lady i work with...yup I said lady.

Okay, seriously...this show is a total bummer. I guess I can see why people watch it though. Pretty mysterious.

In regards to point 1. from above...I've found a house in Nashville which has a pretty nice climate. I will be moving soon:

ummm...yeah.

Blarg.

2008-01-20T20:13:00.000-08:00

I can't believe tomorrow is already Monday. This weekend went by too fast. I spent most of it on the computer looking at all things wedding related. I've sent out some inquiries for vendors, so we'll see. I'd like to find a place soon so I can actually have a date, etc. Other than that, there was a "What Not To Wear" marathon on today, so...that was today.

Speaking of the wedding...I really want to have a separate space to write about the planning, the details, etc. But, I cannot think of what to call it. I'm at a loss. Hopefully something will come to me soon because I have a lot to talk about!

Other than that...

I'm tired. Goodnight.

True Love

2008-01-15T19:45:00.001-08:00

Okay, first of all, I have WAY too many pictures of the Spice Girls saved on my computer. Secondly, look at this picture. Thirdly, go read what the Fug Girls have to say about it because it's pretty funny. All I can say about it is that I love that Posh decided that if she was going to clutch anything, it was NOT going to be Scary Spice! and also why haven't they just built a Posh robot and programmed her to look like she's actually interested in being there? honestly, I bet it'd be a lot cheaper. But also a lot less awesome.

Dolla Dolla Bills Ya'll

2008-01-15T17:21:00.001-08:00

Last we left off, I was hanging out with "Rude Boy" who was dressed as a skin head, until he ran off into the sunset. I pity the fool who is sitting next to that guy on the plane. What a nightmare.

Anywho, so the flight to California is a little over 4 hours. We've already been sitting on the runway for an hour before we even take off. I'm surrounded by really old people and really young babies. You'd think the babies would be the problem, but not so. The old people behind me were the kind of people who have to narrate everything and state the obvious. The two in front of me smelled like a mixture of York Peppermint Patties and nicotine but they were pretty quiet. The two behind me had no odor, but they take the cake for annoying old people. Old people on planes are seriously the worst.

Here's a little glimpse into my hour on tarmack:

Please imagine this in a very monotone old person voice.
Old guy: This is awful
Old lady: What is going on?
OG (pretending he knows what he's talking about): They should be giving us updates on the take off. That's what they should be doing.
OL: This is awwwwfuuuuul
OG: Look, that Korean plan just cut in line in front of us.
OL: This is awful.

It's like, 'really? you think this is awful? you know what is awful? listening to the sound of the two of you effing yammering back and forth and complaining about it!'

Then they start reading off all the names of the different airlines.
OG: American Airlines
OL: hmmmm.
OL: Delta
OG: hmmmm.
OG: United
OL: What?
OG: UNITED!
OL: hmmmm.

this went on until we took off. I had to save my precious battery on my Zune so I could watch back to back episodes of Always Sunny in Philadelphia and listen to my "airplane" music. I have certain albums and artists that I always listen to on the airplane. Almost always they include Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens, anything by The Get Up Kids, Interpol's Antics, a little Band of Horses, Death Cab, and then I listen to some more upbeat stuff when I feel sleepy. This time I listened to the new Lupe Fiasco (which is so good) and Smoke or Fire. I don't sleep on planes when I'm by myself. A) because I'm a freak show I and I feel like I'm going to snore, talk in my sleep, or twitch violently or something and that shit is embarrassing and B) Because I'm even more of a freak and I think someone is going to like dig through my shit when I'm sleeping. Thanks, Mom for making me a safety freak. Thanks, A lot.

Anywho, so I'm in the air and I'm thanking Jesus that I don't have a talker next to me. I have a window seat, but it doesn't matter much because this is what pretty much all of America looks like from Chicago to California:

(I almost feel guilty posting these pictures. Not because you'll be jealous of my trip or anything, but because they are so boring. But then again, I can probably come up with something witty to say about them. So here goes.)

Yup, one enorme crop circle. I literally took this one like a half hour later because I couldn't believe I'd been looking at the same boring shit for that long:

I then close the shade, buy a $5.00 sandwich because it's now like 1 p.m. cst and my stomach is eating itself, and I watch my stories for a while.

When we got closer to the West coast I opened the shade again. The scenery changed..and if at all possible, it became uglier:

I then read the entire New York Magazine I bought and it was a good pick. I mostly enjoyed the feature about the 50 reasons to love New York...even though I don't live there, it was a pretty cool idea and also a piece on the Wu-Tang Clan's new album which includes a guide to help you identify your favorite ruckus bringing mother f-ers. It's a hoot and definitely worth a gander.

My favorite fact about Method Man, besides the fact that he is the 'heart throb' of the clan:
he is "According to GZA, stoned on average “eighteen hours” a day."

So that was a good way to spend some time.

OH! Finally! We are here! Sunny...San Diego!

er...wait a minute! I forgot, the west coast is being hit with torrential rains! Just my luck!

Waaaa...Waaaa...welcome to San Diego.

Depressing.

That's about enough for now, isn't it? More at a later date.

I will now leave you with one of my favorite things about the T.V. strike:

Coney's beard.

Also, I plan on having an outlet to talk about wedding stuff, but I haven't created it yet. And no, it will not live on the knot.

1/11 (never forget)

2008-01-11T16:43:00.000-08:00

Whatever they say about absence...I'm sure it's true.

G-mays' last night of BFF Hangz.

Frown Town.

Farewell.

A Whale's....

2008-01-08T22:31:00.000-08:00

Vagina....

That's right. I'm in San Diego. I've been here since Saturday, leaving tomorrow. I actually can't believe it's already time to go. The trip went by really fast and was pretty pleasant as far as trips that take you to math conventions go. There have been a few downs, but mostly ups.

Saturday started out with my car service being late to pick me up because the tool box driver they sent went to Target to buy digital camera at 8 in the morning and had to wait around for someone to come to the electronics department to ring him out. Seriously? Why are you telling me that? I was fine with thinking you were stuck in traffic or had to stop for gas. But you HAD to...like seriously HAAAAAAAAAD to buy a digital camera right before you picked me up? Whatever douche...could you please take 90, not the fucking Elgin O'hare just so you can give me the historical background on why it doesn't go from Elgin to O'hare. I realize your a "professional" driver, and I use the term very loosely, but I'm not retarded nor have I just moved to the northwest suburbs. I get it. NO? Fine. We're here? Great. Buh-bye.

Well, it's a good thing my flight has been delayed an hour. Wouldn't want to have missed it due to my new friend Talky McTalks A lot and his acclaimed wealth of information.

Curbside check in...it's cold. Of course there is a family of 15 foreign people in front of me and the inside looks worse. I wait. The old lady directly in front of me is going to Baltimore and obviously hasn't flown in a while. She gives the skycap her credit card and he barks at her "Don't give me your credit card! Where are you going? I.D.?" I feel bad for her. Never the less...I check in. Flight is leaving at 11:15 a.m. now.

Fucking security. Item number 1) Why the hell do HUGE groups of family think it's truly necessary to stand at the outside of the security line and wave and take pictures of their loved one until they are out of sight? Please get the eff out of the way! thanks.

Item number 2 is this:

Dear TSA lady screaming at the top of your lungs at the metal detector about how much liquid I can bring on the plane in what size bag, what articles of clothing i can be wearing, which bags need a bin, and how I have to bring my boarding pass with me through the gate,

PLEASE...shut your God forsaken mouth and deal with the fact that 99.9 percent of travelers are still, despite your incessant monotone yammering, going to fuck it up once they get there because A) the sound of your voice is so painful that they have already tuned you out B) they don't even speak English or C) much like me, they are making fun of you inside their head so much that they don't even know what words are coming out of your mouth. You are the worst. Oh, and can you please take 5 minutes to refill the stupid bins? Because I now need 4 just to get everything I have to strip off, remove from my bag and take off my feet through the x-ray machine.

Your's truly, xoxo, I hate your guts,

me.

5 hours later, I put all my clothes and my shoes on again and I make my way over to the gate. I get my sausage biscuit and my big coke and I go to the good ol' newsstand to get my gossip magazines and something odd happens. I suddenly can't bring myself to read about how Lauren 'L.C.' Conrad went from a size 2 to a size 0 and how she looks "Amazing" now. Or about Jamie Lynn Spears breeding! "What is wrong with me?" I say to myself, I LOVE celeb gossip...but for some reason, I just didn't have it in me this day. My eyes settle on a magazine that I've never read in my life. New York Magazine. it was an issue about 50 reasons to love NY. It looks good enough so I grab that and also an issue of Martha Stewart Living (I wanted to see what it was like seeing as it may be what will be sent to me now that my beloved blueprint has been put to death and as I imagined, it's old). So i spend ten bucks on something I'm about to trash in three hours and head to my gate to sit, enjoy my greasy breakfast sandwich and stare into space for an hour and a half. Then, of course, something weird happened. I met...a self proclaimed...Rude Boy. The worst.

So...I sit down at the gate and I hear from behind me "Oh, someones wearing an Against Me! jacket!" (It was a hoodie, but whatever, that's what this person called it) I ignore it, because I generally dislike people and don't want to acknowledge their presence, much the less strike up witty banter about a band I listen to. Especially at an airport at 9 in the morning. I start to unwrap my tasty sausage b. Ol' dude comes around from behind me and says:

'rude boy': Thank you for wearing that jacket!
me: Youuuuur Welcome?
'rude boy': Did you see them in Tulsa?
me (trying to figure wtf this dude is talking about): Um, no? I'm from Chicago. I've seen them here a few times though.

I then realized that the flight leaving before mine is going to Tulsa at 9:55...and it's pretty close to then, so I don't get too worried because this guy will be gone soon.

'rude boy' gives me a roll of the eyes, like I just dropped some name or something by saying I live in the city of the airport he's in. I think he's going away. He isn't.

'rude boy': yadda yadda, I just saw the Tossers, yadda yadda, (rips open his shirt) look at my Irish themed chest piece!!!! yadda, yadda, I just got out of the Navy...What else is from Chicago?

me (in disbelief that this guy is still going on): uhhhh...The Lawrence Arms? A lot of stuff. I dunno, really.

I turned to try to ignore him and eat my breakfast and the dude sure enough plopped his ADD ass right down next to me and kept going.

The next few minutes were him talking about:

Chuck Palahniuk, how he volunteered to go to Iraq 3 0r 4 times only because he wanted to smoke cigarettes and be an asshole like the guys you saw in "nam," but they never sent him, area 51, the Zombie Survival Guide, Sean of the Dead, and some other weird ass stuff. I just ate my shit and laughed at him in disbelief because he was fucking weird...like on fast forward and shit.

Then he name dropped Death By Stereo. Then I said I don't listen to them. Then he asked me about the Ska scene in Chicago...then I said I don't listen to Ska (and that no one really does anymore)...then he got flabbergasted and told me that he was a Rude Boy...and I said, "yeah...I can tell." Then he pointed out his Fred Perry polo shit and his suspenders and his flanked jeans and his combat boots and then he took his tight ass jean jacket off and showed me his half sleeve that seriously fucking said "Rude Boy." then I almost passed out cuz he smelled like B-B.O. But instead I said..."Yeah..." and started to talk about how I don't really care about Ska. THEN! Right in the middle of what I was saying, they call final boarding for his plane and dude just gets up and says "oh, gotta go" and gets on the plane. WEIRD!!!!

Rest of the day included sitting in the airport...sitting on the runway...sitting on the plane and finally getting to San Diego hours later.

Traveling sucks. Now, I have to pack and go to bed where I'll be having nightmares about having to do it all again tomorrow. Well, that and also this:

k.

...

2008-01-03T11:43:00.000-08:00

The phone in the EMPTY cubicle next to me keeps ringing really loud...4 rings...every minute or so...I can't turn down the ringer. The woman on the other side has called the help desk twice about it, yet it proceeds.

I think my right eardrum is now bleeding.

1 more day and I'm in San Diego

Only 3 hundred some odd days until Winter Break '08.

3:03 p.m. Edit: I just found this on someone else's Blarg. It's good. Go there. http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/

I wish I had a river...

2007-12-26T17:27:00.001-08:00

In year's past, I always hated for Christmas to be over. This year, I kind of felt different. I was ready for it to come and for it to go. I am not sure what got into me, but I think I just wasn't really feeling it this year. I was actually pretty glum, blah, and bah humbug about it. I didn't even enjoy wrapping presents! I think next year, especially since we will be shelling out money for the upcoming nuptials, I will spend a lot less loot and perhaps try to do a bit more DIY stuff. But, all things considered...while it was here, it was a good time. I got lot's of nice gifts, didn't harbor too much bitterness towards any of my family members, and I'm on vacation until after New Year's. Not bad.

The nicest item I received this year was a brand new camera from Sean. I haven't had a nice camera of my own since mine broke in college. I had a camera that my parents gave me after buying a new one and it recently broke, so I'm very excited to have this nice new number all to myself! Plus I have to go to San Diego for work on January 5th, so it will be nice to be able to take pictures. If I have time...

Sean also got me this adorbz octopus necklace that I wanted and this cute little red memo book to write notes in (for the wedding, or ideas to write about, etc.) that has a pretty cool history.
Moleskin was very popular among a lot of famous artists and writers and has recently made a comeback. I love that it has a great history and is also very sleek and stylish also. :)

The little guy below is a recreation of the first rubber ducky. I saw him in Anthropologie the other day and was happy to reunite with him on Christmas morning. I'm not big on sitting in the tub in my own filth, so he'll stay displayed in his cute box in my bathroom.

The pretty box below him contains my favorite hand and foot cream from Aveda.

Most of the products from Aveda smell like hippies in my opinion. These two on the other hand, do not! They smell wonderful and feel even better.

Other cute gifts included cups to go with my owl teapot.

I also got a lot of great things from my family and Sean's family too.

I also decided to give myself a little gift. If you remember back in the summer, I created a top 5 list and on that list I declared my love for Marc Jacobs, and also included a hand bag by him. Since then, I've been salivating over this bag every time I see it and wishing I could afford it. Well, I decided that since pretty soon I'm going to have to start roping in my wallet and shelling out dough on wedding things, that it was NOW OR NEVER for me and the ol' MJ bag. So, I took some funds that I got for presents from family and today I marched into Nordstrom to lay claim to my bag...only to find out it had been sold. Waaaaaah Waaaaaaaah Waaaaaah. But have no fear! Turns out, when you are willing to spend a disgusting amount of money on one item at Nordstrom, they grovel at your feet and do anything they can to get you that product. They had it ordered from another store and shipped to my house (2nd day!) for no extra cost! And the store that it was shipped from had a lower tax than Woodfield, so it ended up being cheaper. Which isn't really saying much, but hey at this point...any penny helps. In the end, my x-mas money paid for half, and I paid for half. I had originally wanted it in a dark red color, but I decided that it will be more classic in black and I can make it my everyday bag. I can't wait until it arrives!

So, all in all...it was a prosperous Christmas this year. I hope we do something fun for New Year's. Then after that I'll be back at work for 3 days and then off to San Diego. I have to go to another math convention. I know...I know...but it may not be so bad. I've never been to California before and look forward to seeing what it's like. I wish I'd have time to actually hang out and look around, but I'll probably be cooped up the entire time I'm there. No complaints though, because I'll be out of the office and I'll be going to California in January. Plus, I'm pretty sure I'll be a lot more comfortable walking around at night by myself than I was in New Orleans last January.

While I'm in San Diego though, something sad will be happening back here in Chicago. My homeboy from college, Mr. Gordon Mays, and his lady love will be making the trek to Philly to set up shop for the next stage of their lives. I'm proud to say that my BFF was courted and wooed to the city of cheesey beef and bro-love to take over a coveted spot at a top tier radio station and I know this will be a wonderful opportunity for them both. With that said though, I don't think I ever imagined a "Chicago" without them. Words cannot explain how much they will be missed and it's going to be a little more lonely here without good friends like them.

So...congrats and good luck to my friends, Mordan Gays and Sarah Kennedy. Pull out the sofa bed and buy me a cheese steak, we'll be coming to visit soon!

I'm thinking of my plans for 2008 and I know they will involve planning a wedding, which will be so much fun. But...I'm a little afraid of it. Luckily I have a few good references to turn to as well as an old friend who is going through the planning at the very same time. I'll keep you updated as things move along. I've already collected even more ideas for inspiration which i'll get together for next time...

That's about it for now. Hope everyone (read: the two people who read this) had a great holiday!

k.

Fever....

2007-12-06T18:52:00.000-08:00

Ummm...yes, please.

Excuse Me Miss....

2007-12-04T21:03:00.000-08:00

I just watched the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Bitches be skinny this year! What happened to the Victoria's Secret models that actually filled out the underpants? Those push up bra's are seriously working OVERTIME this holiday season...

"I only agreed to wear these child size bloomers because they promised that this lunch box would have a sandwich in it...duped again."

"Santa Baby...just slip a pizza under the tree, for me. Been an Angel all year..."

Even my girl, Alessandra, is looking a bit desperate herself:

Seriously, quick! While they aren't looking...please...toss in some popcorn or something!!! A stick of butter? Dinner roll? No?"

I was actually frightened for this pint sized stutter:

"Somebody give me a salami or the dog gets it!"
"What? It's made of cotton? Does that mean no calories?!?!?! Even better!"

This girl wasn't as bad, but she probably wins the "weirdest looking belly button award" for the night. She probably ate too much...(click the picture for a closer look)

Besides all the hatin' on hungry girls, I did find my favs.

This girl, who I think is Miranda Kerr, but I am not sure.

She's a total babe and not "scary skinny."

and this one is my total favorite. I have no clue who she is, but she's so pretty, and I feel for her because i think she wore the more awkwardly un-sexy costume, the Christmas Bell? Maybe she had too much Turk-duck-en this Thanksgiving and they punished her by making her wear the widest outfit?

Nah...she's probably just a good sport! She even took one for the team and worked the wrestling uni! I heart you, unknown model.

But alas, out of all the freakishly malnourished, push up bra clad ladies of the night...I can't stray far from my where my loyalties lie, with my very own Posh!

(CBS.com)
Thank you, Posh for looking the whole time like someone had just told you that you could never get plastic surgery again unless you reunited with these four freak spices just to sing one of your not so great "hits." (Are the Spice Girls actually touring and doing a whole show of only old songs?) In my personal opinion, I would've liked a little "Zig a Zig Ahhh" or maybe even some "two become one" stuff, but nope. Anyway, i love that everyone else is all jazz hands, peace sign, girl power and Posh is just standing there with a shitty look on her face, boobs pushed up to her chest and earning her million dollar appearance fee. Sadly, she's probably the only one who could care less if she earns it. I love you Posh, always and forever.

In other news, Heidi Klum has added "Musical Artist" to her resume and is it in her contract that her hubby sing at every VS Fashion Show? Is Seal even culturally relevant anymore?

Lastly, I'm going to Jazzercize with my Mom tomorrow. I tried to take a Cardio Kickboxing class at my gym last week and I felt like I had tiny pieces of glass in my lungs and my legs were going to become dislocated. So, I figured jazzercise might be a bit more up my alley and my Mom needs to start exercising anyway...so we'll see.

If all goes well, my pelvis will be protruding in no time!

Enough cattiness for this evening. All these pictures, unless noted, are from theblemish.com there are like a gazillion there if you missed the show or if you just want to have some alone time with the ladies of the VS.

I'm already blushing...

2007-11-16T21:24:00.000-08:00

So, it's been a little while. I've been in the throws of reading every good wedding blog, Web site and martha stewart magazine trying to gather ideas for my future nuptials.

We haven't picked a date yet but I do know that it won't be until Spring or Summer of 2009. I'm a planner and I want to be able to take my time and make the right decisions, plus it gives me more time to gather up all my extra change so hopefully my parents won't be sucked dry by the end of the whole thing.

There are so many good and creative ideas out there that it seems a bit overwhelming. I do have an idea of what I want, I just have to find a way to put it all together and make it happen.

I think the hardest part is going to be finding a venue that suits us and what we want. I am in no way, shape or form going to be the "banquet hall" type of person.

I'd really like to do something open, either a loft-like setting or a tent of some sort. I want lots of natural light during the daylight hours and then at night for it to be twinkly and overall have a sort of "whimsical" kind of "kitschy" but still fancy feel to it. Pretty untraditional in most ways.

Sounds sort of like an oxymoron, but I hope to make it happen.

As of right now we know that we want:

No D.J., but an Ipod instead.
No cake, cupcakes...of course.
Photobooth

I've been gathering some "inspirational" pictures...a little glimpse into my vision so far.

There is this wonderful blog, snippet & ink, which posts inspiration boards daily. There is some really cool stuff on there. A few of my favorites:

I can't remember where I found the rest of these pictures. I've looked at so many sites.

Table Numbers

I saw a cute idea for some alternative place cards from etsy sellers:

As for the picture below, I really like these flowers, especially the color combinations. I love the zinnias (like the right hand photo in the second row), those and dahlias are what I would really like. I'd also like to work some dogwoods in as an ode to where I was born and spent most of my childhood. It's the Virgina state flower (or tree, really) and it's quite a nice one too!

I like these flower combinations too.

Cute Cupcakes!

Carolina Herrera dress (wishful thinking)

Cute decor for a shower or something

Adorbz "cake" topper from the dailybird

So, I will keep looking. Hopefully I'll find a place to have it, so I can put all these ideas to good use.

OMG....ROFL!!!! BRB!

2007-11-01T21:51:00.000-07:00

I was LITERALLY slamming my hand on my desk laughing while watching this among the other musical stylings by this man.

I'm crying...gunecologist, you did that.

If the videos don't load, you can go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwxvOKuLUQ0

Oh Hai...

2007-10-30T21:31:00.001-07:00

I'm just hanging out on the table where I don't belong.

...

2007-10-26T07:43:00.001-07:00

But of course! Nothing but the most adorbz.

A nice addition if I do say so...

My new weapon...watch out!

my favs. forevs.

Standin' on the corner...

2007-10-22T20:48:00.000-07:00

...suitcase in my hand.

The last couple weeks have been sort of weird. I don't really have much to say, which is strange because a lot has happened. But most of it is boring work stuff.

So....another picture post.

I had to go to D.C. last week for work. I was planning on doing a ton of stuff and seeing a ton of sights and taking a gazillion sweet pics. I ended up working my ass off, only leaving the hotel (for dinner) two nights out of five and taking 5 photos on the way there. I tried taking more pictures, but my camera broke while I was there. Le sigh.

I've never flown out over the city during the day. It's pretty neat.

It was really cloudy the day I flew out of chicago. Cool for the view, not so cool when I'm rummaging through the seat pocket for the puke sack.

Today I received a lovely bouquet of cookies for helping out a charity event while I was in D.C. I've never gotten cookies as a thank you before. Pretty cute. And they smell delicious.

Yumz times a buzzillion.

I've been back home since Wednesday, and I'm still tired. I'm a little stressed over catching up from "missing" a week of work and i think that may be why the storm cloud is hanging over my head. Coming back to a full to-do list after working five 15 hour days can take it's toll. Luckily I have Friday off. I'll be spending the day with my Mom for her birthday. I already ordered her a bouquet of cookies.

Bedtime for bonzos.

kids in america

2007-09-16T16:22:00.000-07:00

I tried revisiting the old "new me" the other night. I could only get half way through the beer.

Why am I subconsciously giving the "live long and prosper" sign with my beer hand?

Cat and Pony Show

2007-09-13T20:16:00.000-07:00

I've never been a big fan of horses. When I was little, my family went to Santa's Village. There was one of those real pony ride carousel things there and I really wanted to go on it. So we stood in line. I got to the front and I changed my mind. Then as we were walking away, I changed my mind again. I stood in line again...and I bet you can guess what happened when I got to the front. Eventually, minutes before the park closed, I finally made it on the pony. I don't even remember that happening, the only reason I know it happened is because my Mom reminds me of it. That and we have pictures. That is the one time I've ever been on any sort of horse. I think I was 5. 21 years later, I finally came nose to nose with a real horse(s), not a pony, for the first time ever. No, I didn't get on. But my brother did! He's been taking riding lessons for a while and I went to watch last weekend. He wants to play polo...that or be in the Olympics. Simple dreams.

I took some photos.

LITERALLY, sitting on his high horse.

I walked around the barn and took some pictures of the horses. They all look depressed.

Smarty, the horse my brother rides, in enjoying some hay.

Dirk, my mom's boss' horse. Enormous and very playful. He kept trying to get closer to my camera.

NO PICTURES!!!!

Diesel, the biggest horse in the barn.

A horse that looked ashamed of his/her bad weave.

It was nice out, so he went outside to ride. The horse seemed a lot happier once he got outside.

Barn Meowser. Covered in hay and likes to take poops in front of everyone while they are having their lessons. He was really friendly for a barn cat and I think he liked having his photo taken.

Maybe some day I'll get back in the saddle. No, probably not. Well, maybe...eh nevermind.

When the livin's easy....

2007-09-12T19:33:00.001-07:00

*Editor's note: I have no shame in saying that I actually had to refer back to Gnarbarge to remember what I did this summer. Also, I did way more than I actually thought, so I'm probably going to do a Reader's Digest version of this report on my Summer Vacation. Sigh.

Started off the summer by terrorizing my cat.

Annual Dub Date! Froze my ass off at the Cub's game, in July.

Then I decided to "reinvent" myself. The new me lasted for exactly as long as it took me to walk from this apartment to Sean's car. Sorry to all those who got super excited about me drinking beer. You can buy me a vodka drink and we'll call it even.

I went to the zoo for the first time in over 10 years.

Talk about not reaching your potential.

Cheer up, Emo Impala.

Yeah, we bought our cat a leash. What of it?

Joe Hall arrives back in the upper 48.

Streamwood spends all it's money on pyro.

Got to go to the beach at least once. Good enough.

Wedding #1. Totally Goth.

Sean grabbed my boob, of course, when we were trying to take a nice photo.

So instead, I took a nice photo with my boo.

After the wedding we went for some....

at the....

The next weekend, I take "that photo" at Grant Park waiting to be squeezed into a crowd to listen to LCD Sound System at Lollapalooza.

Mere hours before Sean ridiculed me for wearing my sunglasses at night. I do what I want.

I traveled to Vegas for my birthday and in total honesty can say these are the only good pictures I have. I need a personal photographer.

Getting fresh at the Foundation Room.

Drunk.

A brisk weekend on the lake.

Wedding #2.

Birthday #2.

I let someone else have a birthday for once.

Wedding #3. I sort of like St. Louis 0.98% more than I did previously.

Boy is my face red! As usual.

Very DIY centerpiece. I love carnations.

Pretty much my summer, in a nutshell. An action packed 3 months that I'm glad to put to rest...so now I can get some rest.

Next summer I'm going to:

Go somewhere I've never been before.
Plan myself a killer birthday party. In this state.
Take better care of my flowers that I spent a minor fortune on.
Not book every weekend up before the summer even starts.

I hope I get invited to a halloween party. I have a killer costume idea.

The end.

I have exorcised the demons....

2007-09-05T21:28:00.001-07:00

...this house is clear.

For exactly 2 years, 3 weeks, and 4 days....the item of furniture pictured below has been the bane of my residential existence.

My hand me, hand me, hand me and then hand me down again "oh I'll just slipcover it for a few weeks until we buy a real one" couch that has made appearances in my Grama's apartment, my parent's basement and my brother's apartment all before gracing me with it's presence. It has haunted me and taunted me for waaaaay too long.

For most of the time we had this couch, this is what it looked like. You might not have ever seen it look like this if you ever came over to my house because I had spent about 15 minutes "tucking" in that blasted slip cover and inevitably received some sort of rug burn on my hands all the while cringing at the cat scratches and snags that adorned the top and back of the beauty! Then it looked a little neater. Until someone sat down on it, that is and then magically like a balloon deflating, it went back to looking like this.

I paid nothing for the couch...so I shouldn't complain. But I will, because that is what I do.

Fast forward to the best day of my home owning life so far....the day my new furniture would be delivered.

Oh...why hello brand new, not outdated, not snagged, not stained couch and what is that....you brought along your sibling, new chair???

Welcome home, new furniture. Welcome home.

Next on the list...trashing my light wood tables from target. I think I've gotten more than the $80 they cost out of them, then ripping off the white tile from the fireplace, then repainting...then...well, I think you get the picture.

Top 5's

2007-08-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

When I was in college, my friend and I used to make these weekly "top 5" lists and post them in our away messages of our AIM. Mine mostly consisted of flavor blasted goldfish, snack packs, and word association, with a few other things mixed in. I don't know why I ever thought anyone cared about what my top 5 favorite things were every week...but still, I updated it quite frequently.

With all that being said, I still kind of think about things that way. When I see something online that I like or in a magazine-be it fashion or shelter related-I think, "that would be in my top 5 favorites list." Even when I eat something delicious or hear something funny...I say to myself, "you need to tell the world (read: the 5 people who read this thing) that this is your new favorite meal,snack, treat, phrase, quote, etc ."

So with all that being said, I think I am going to try to do a "favorites" list every now and then...I say "every now and then" because I know I'll never have the discipline to do it on a daily or even weekly basis. But I may surprise myself, who knows. I did one quite a while ago, but I never kept up on it.

So that's my plan. I hope you enjoy my random obsessions.

I'll do a quick little fav's list here. My of my favorite things at this moment in no particular order.

1. Spoon: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

2. Dark red and gray handbags:

I really like these colors for Fall and Winter.

Top two: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Coach

3. Marc by Marc Jacobs, as a whole.

I need this jacket. I almost humped it in the store the other day. Someone, please?

4. Blueprint magazine and it's online blog, Bluelines.

i love this magazine and look:

even the blog logo is adorbs.

5. iGoogle.

This is my life saver at work. I have all my rss feeds on here and can check to see if I have any new stories to read, new mail messages and I can even play my favorite game: Bejeweled! all in one place. I love it. And you can customize the theme for the top banner, my favorite is the "tea house."

6. Martha Stewart

I love Martha Stewart. I know that she might not be the nicest person in real life, but damn does that woman know how to make bank and she has some pretty good products out there too. Plus every time she goes on Conan, she's hilarious and usually drinking and I think they are like BFF's in real life. I'm currently in love with her new dishes at Macy's:

Martha Stewart for Macy's.

So there ya go. I still love snackpacks and flavorblasted goldfish are still a snack staple in my house. Word association doesn't happen as often as it used to and I think my tastes have changed quite a bit since college, but my love of lists is still just as strong as it was back then.

I'm only good at being young...

2007-08-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened in my absenteeism. A month has passed and in that month I have:

+Spent three days in the city sweating my ass off, hanging with good friends and watching good music at the expense of someone else.
+Sweated my ass off again watching the Lawrence Arms play an intimate show at Ronnie's.
+Jetted to Las Vegas for vacation and my birthday.
+Turned another year older.
+Turned around and came back home.
+Came home with sinusitis and heart palpatations.
+Wondered if turning one year older had really taken it's toll on my health.
+Took a trip to the lake to spend some quality time with my family.
+Saw one more of my cousin's take the plunge and wondered when we all grew up.
+Felt old, again.

Time goes too fast lately.

I can't believe the summer is almost over. We have one more wedding next weekend in St. Louis. I plan on posting a summer wrap-up via photos, soon. I've done quite a bit of fun things this summer. I'm actually looking forward to fall and hopefully having some down time.

I'm finally getting new furniture next Friday. I've only waited 2 years for this...well two years and 8 weeks for it to. It's about time.

That's all for now.

I'm depressed....

2007-08-02T05:50:00.000-07:00

That's my new excuse for anything.

Also, I have to retract my excitement for the Posh Spice show...I've just found out (sort of late, I guess) that it was a one hour special. Le sigh. We'll always have "major."

Today is my Friday. I'll be at Lollapalooza all weekend, thanks again to my BFFers for life.

Hurray.

That's why the lady is a tramp.

2007-07-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

The fact that it's almost the last week of July is disgusting to me. The summer has been packed and we will continue on the same track until Labor Day.

First of all, I really want to see the movie Hairspray. I know it lacks John Waters and Ricki Lake (who is seriously anorexic now in comparison to her past, right?) and of course the late Devine. But I just watched the "making of" special on HBO and it looks fun and the guy who choreographed/directed is a crazy person and he swears more than I do. Michelle Pfieffer is like "cat woman" hot in it also. But, I'm sure I'll wait till it comes out on DVD as I never go to the movies.

So, I have a new television love of my life. We've had some good times in the past, when she stared in a little flick called "Spice World," but we've been reunited...and really, it feels so good. Her name is Posh Spice. You may know her as the woman who is married to the world renound hottest man alive, David Beckham and rightfully so (unlike Fergie Ferg who has somehow managed to keep her lovely lady lumps wrapped around Josh Duhamel...all the while looking like someone hit her in the face with a brick...but don't get me started) I digress...back to Posh. I plan on writing about my television obsessions here. So please stay tuned for the details. Aside from Posh's totally amazing and I'm sure mostly scripted reality show, she's useless...but fascinating to watch none the less and kind of has a witty sense of humor, no? Anyways...I finally have a favorite Spice Girl...too bad it's about 10 years too late. You should watch.

Something I've been meaning to cover for a while. First a short warning...the links are sort of NSFW, so I would proceed with caution. A few weeks ago, I went to my bestie's apartment in Elgin. She happens to live right down the street (like two doors down) from this dance club called the Mission. Maybe you've heard of it? Maybe you haven't. Either way, it's a club that caters to over age and under age patrons in the same club, separating them by like different rooms or something? Again, I'm not sure of the specifics, but I know that 17 year olds and 28 year olds are all in the same club together, which in itself seems kind of strange, in a very real "to catch a predator" kind of way. So we decided to go down to the stoop so I could have a smoke. It was about midnight (on a Saturday night btw) and what I saw before my eyes was so unbelievable/disturbing/confusing/humorous/sick. If you've ever watched a documentary on I think HBO called "Hookers at the Point," (which, you can admit that you have) or anything along the same lines...I think you'll be able to envision the extreme ho patrol that I was a witness to that evening. But these aren't "women" or even like girls in their 20's...these are teenagers!!! DRESSED LIKE LADIES OF THE NIGHT! And thinking it's completely okay! I guess my biggest question is like...who is influencing these girls to dress like this? Hollywood (stars, not prostitutes)? I dunno...I mean cooter and nip shots aside...I don't see many of young ladies in Hollywood walking around in spandex cut offs and thinking they look good or mistaking a long and lean t-shirt from target for a dress. I'm seriously perplexed. I know that i'm 25...not 55...but I felt like giving each of these girls...who were stomping across the street like they were working it on a catwalk..or doing their best pretty woman impression, smashing out their parmliment/marlboro/camel light cigarette with the heel of their stilleto and trying to pull down on the back of their coochie cutter shorts (see underwear) or dress (see t-shirt) to pretend like they are at all in the least bit modest...and either slap the shit out of them, or give them a hug and tell them that things will get better and some day they won't hurt so much. Don't even get me started on the dudes that go to this place. I think my next move is to dial 1-800-chrishanson and ask him if he's ever thought of doing his hit television series in a night club setting...it's so easy! You don't even have to trap them...they are already here, dry humping and posing for photographic proof! To conclude, this parade of skanalicious girls kidding themselves into thinking they are entering Teddy's or Les Deux instead of a suburban sess pool and plenty of dudes working on a rape charge happens nightly every weekend in fabulous downtown Elgin. If you ever want to watch...give me a call. We have a stoop to perch on and plenty of flavor-ice. I promise you won't be disappointed, although you may give the idea of having children (especially a daughter) a second thought.

Speaking of skanks, hoes, and rape charges...I'm going to Vegas in about three weeks!!! I'm so excited. I'm going for my 26th birthday with my houseboy and my homeboy and his lady love. I'm super excited to eat lots of good food, drink a shitload of booze, and maybe even wear a t-shirt for a dress. I hope we can meet Carrot Top and that I have the best birthday ever. Sean and I have been to Vegas every summer for the last three years and this will be my 5th year in a row. I almost thought this would be the first year I didn't make a trip out there, but alas...it's all happening. I'm staying at the MGM and I plan on winning a gazillion dollars and never having to work ever again. In the words of Mrs. David Beckham...it's going to be "major." I love her.

I think I'm regressing...

2007-06-29T14:51:00.001-07:00

I usually only drink vodka (mixed with something red) or wine.

Friday night, after consuming multiple servings of the afore mentioned spirits, I decided to live on the edge and I had A beer.

"Oh hello. I'm the New Me. I am a friggin blast. I may get you into a fist fight, but it will probably be worth it."

I decided that the new me:

Likes to talk really loud.
Is super honest.
Wishes to fight everyone.
Thinks she is hilarious.
Only cares about herself.
Doesn't take no for an answer.

Basically the New Me is awesome. I somewhat resemble a matrix of my normally drunk boyfriend and a more sassy me. Get used to her, love her, embrace her because I plan on drinking more beer in the future.

How could you not love that face? She's a great girl.

Get your pagan on....

2007-06-21T20:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Summer Solstice!

2007-05-29T08:55:00.000-07:00

The first half of this weekend royally sucked, but I think the second half made up for it.

Friday night I hung out with my Mom and ate Mexican food. That didn’t suck, but I was still pretty miserable with a cold/allergies or whatever was tormenting me. Saturday night I had high hopes of doing something fun. Hopes=smashed. Sean went to watch ultimate fighting. I spent the night watching random crap on television, including an odd documentary on Vh1 about bi-curious house wives? Exactly.

With nothing else to do, watch, or look up on the internets, I put myself to sleep at 12:30 and put the night out of its misery. Or so I thought. 2 hours later I was awake…wide awake. In the mean time I watched a bad teeny bopper movie and a lot of music videos, none of which put me to sleep. I finally fell asleep at 6 and slept for about 4 hours, which wasn’t so bad.

Sunday and Monday were much better. Sunday I bought/planted 6 containers worth of flowers and then went to a bbq and added one more thing to my list of “things I’m no good at”: serving in badminton. I haven’t played since my sophomore year in high school and it showed as Sean and I did not place so well in the back yard badminton tournament. But alas, it didn’t matter, I still had fun watching other people play, smoking a lot of cigarettes (yeah that still happens every once in a while) and drinking lots of wine. I don’t have any pictures to post as I don’t think there are any pictures that are worth posting (in other words, I’m not in any of them. Ha.)

Yesterday I wanted to get a pedicure. Who would have thought that nail salons wouldn’t be open on Memorial day? Me, that’s who. I guess I should have figured. So instead, Sean and I met up with some friends at the so called “rib fest” in Elgin. It was the most busted rib fest I’ve ever seen. I guess it was the first year they've held it, but still! There were only two food vendors at the whole thing and only one had ribs! I don’t even like ribs and I was disappointed. But I did get a funnel cake and some lemonade, so it turned out okay.

Much like the ribfest, the weekend redeemed itself in the end. Thank goodness I have stuff planned in advance for the next couple weekends. At least I won’t end up sitting on my couch, hating life and wanting to drink alone…in the dark.

I wish I knew what to do about moving or not moving to the city. Seems like we talk about it once a week, but it never goes any further. I wish I had a crystal ball…or at least a magic 8 ball.

Thank mother nature for the fact that there aren't any cicadas where I live. I don't think I could have made it.

Moral of the story: life is pretty boring right now. Frealzies.

2007-05-24T20:18:00.000-07:00

I feel like shit. I can't figure out if I'm sick (have cold, etc) or if my allergies have arrived a month late due to the odd weather we've had. Either way it sucks, yet I did call in sick to work today for the first time in 2007...watched "She's the Man" and a lot of reality television...

Something else that doesn't suck, via Sean, via Viceland.com: tour diary of Against Me! It's good stuff:

"I feel bodies pressed against me. An arm is thrown around my shoulder. A girl grabs me and plants a kiss on my cheek and tells me she loves me. There is no greater high than this. There is nothing more addictive.

Afterward, we take some photos, sign some autographs. The club clears out. The gear gets packed and loaded. I change clothes, grab my bag. Everybody piles into the van to leave for the hotel. Tomorrow we will wake up and do it all again."

I slurp on this band so much, but they are so good...I can't help it.

I made this list of things I wanted to write about on Monday while I was at work. I always do that and then by the time I sit down here I look over it and they are all irrelevant or I find myself saying "that really isn't interesting to anyone but you."

this time, the list said:

-Arcade Fire Show ( i kind of accomplished that in my last post, but I had this whole "Von Trap Family" comparison thing all worked out that I've since realized has probably been done before.)
-Television (no clue...I watch a shit load of it...next)
-Places I want to go on vacation (this is still relevant, but time consuming...another night)
-Seattle (I was supposed to go for work, but have since been told otherwise, so scrap that)
-Post-it note mystery(I found out who it was, so it's not funny anymore)
and lastly....
-tanning stup. (I imagine I meant to write "tanning stuff" and got interrupted by actual work.) Besides the fact that I'm a retard for writing "stup," I can expand on that one.

This is me, in the summer (also in fall, winter and spring):

Now, I don't mean to imply that at any time of the year I can be found lounging poolside at a Wisconsin water park reading a fashion rag while my boyfriend goes down the lazy river for the thirtieth time. Although I wish that was a fact, I'm specifically referencing the ghostly shade of my skin in the picture, which was taken in July.

Some people, mainly my mother, would describe me as having "porcelain" skin. I prefer to label myself as having "pale" skin. Some people, again...mainly those with the first name Mary Lou, say I'm lucky because "my skin looks great all year round!" Such is not the truth. Although I think my pale yet porcelain skin doesn't look bad in the winter months, and I can wear almost any shade or color...the summer is when I get the blues about being so...well...white. For example:

This is what happens when I get a "tan":

See that slight change in color on me? That's called a sunburn, and it's not terribly red because I probably had sunblock on in order to keep my sensative skin from frying. At least I'll never get cancer right? Not the point. Point is, I'm constantly trying to find a way to add some color to my skin in the summer. I've tried lots of self tanners, lotions with tanner in them, etc. They don't really ever seem to do anything. But recently I tried the L'oreal brand. I tried it on my legs first, just to avoid embarrassment and it's a good thing I did.

The directions on the package tell me to apply the tanner every day for a week, then after that, once a week. I did it for two days. On the second day, while at work, I pulled up my pant leg and was horrified to see that under the fluorescent lights of my cubicle, my leg seemed to resemble something like Lindsay Lohan at her orangest. Not really what I was going for. Needless to say, I stopped applying it daily. I think if I do it once a week or so, I might be OK.

Long story short, I'd take my pale, non-tanning skin any day over looking like La Lohan or anyone else who seems like they've been eating too many carrots. Looking like you have jaundice is just about as attractive as being able to see the blood pumping through the veins in your translucent legs. So, I'll try this for a while, I'm sure in the end it will be more trouble than it's actually worth and by July I'll be blinding people with my whiteness again.

Side note: I was looking for orange pictures of Lindsay and I found this one. Even though in the picture below she is not too orange, she does bare a strong resemblance to all the white girls i went to middle school with that so desperately wanted to be Hispanic and/or date someone in a gang. For the life of me, I cannot understand why someone with millions of dollars insists on dressing like a preteen hoodrat.

What, you think I'm loco? Yes. Yes, I do.

This post brought to you by me, thinking I have anything of interest to say.

goodnight.

People pleasers...

2007-05-21T20:52:00.000-07:00

...are butt kissers.

Weekender.

Saturday: Poker. More importantly babiez.

A foldable baby: Alayna.

A baby deep in thought: Campbell.

A baby whisperer: Sean.

Sunday night I went to Church with the Arcade Fire.

Nosebleed: Me and Sean, who was still able to take lots of photos that I'm too lazy to look through in order to find a good one. Location was irrelevant though. They closed the show with my very most favorite song, Tunnels. It was religious and shit.

Cat Blog: Mile-oh.

Whack.

2007-05-20T21:36:00.001-07:00

The best Google "Did you mean..." I've ever gotten appeared before my eyes on Friday at work.

I wish Google...I wish.

Not so day of awesome.

2007-05-17T18:19:00.000-07:00

Today was sort of an awful day. I'm trying to be positive about where my life/career is going, or not going to be honest. I'm down in the dumpers for sure. My mom took me to Panera even thought she already ate dinner because I wanted a crispiani pizza. It made me feel a littler better. Now I'm watching the series finale of my all time favs, Gilmore Girls...eating strewberries...and feeling sorry for myself...and kind of half crying because I just realized that I started watching this show at age 18...that was along time ago.

Today at work I think I pretty much walked into someone talking about me and it sucked because I wasn't sure what was going on and I felt stupid. Blarg.

Sean played a song for me today by the Descendents called "this place sucks," and it explained everything I think the two of us are feeling about where we are at in our lives right now. I just want to be happy.

I bought the book "1,000 place to see before you die," at the book fair in my building yesterday. I'm going to highlight the places I want to go.

I need a vacation.

Day of Awesome

2007-05-16T21:07:00.000-07:00

Against Me! Day arrived on Saturday.

12 noon: I had a meeting in a small room with 20 people in it that permeated with what can only be described as "man musk" of the band, Against Me!, who happened to show up and play like 9 songs. No big deal, really. I only got to see my favs, up close and personal. I was as giddy as the 23 year old girl with braces in front of me who guessed Warren's name correctly on the radio the day before in order to win a coveted spot in this room. What did I have to do? Oh nothing really...just happen to have a total Bestie who even though I harbor feelings of jealousy and rage towards him when he has chilli for lunch and I'm stuck eating lettuce, bestows life altering experiences upon me like these....Oh look-there he is now.

Andrew, Tom, and Warren...my p.o.v. Not bad if I say so myself...and I do.

The house boy's p.o.v. and James across the way.

Just before this, Warren screwed up a song...and Tom sort of scolded him...joke? We aren't sure. Sean compared it to when your parents fight...except when your fav band fights, you can't turn their music up really loud to drown it out.* But...bonus...they get over it in like 2 seconds and continue to rock your world with like 4 more tunes.

Pretty much some of the best 30 mins of my entire life. Thanks to my road dawg, for like the zillionth time. I held my composure and didn't fan out, but as a result kicked myself when I saw stupid Gordon's picture in the W.C. with the entire band...including Warren with a wet crotch.

Now, I didn't just call it Against Me! Day for nothin'. We also were going to be attending the show that night...but we'll get to that later. What do you do when you have 5 hours to kill in the city and you've never been to Millenium Park? Well, yeah...you would obviously go to Millenium Park.

So did we.

Bean.

Me-"Take our picture"
Sean Baker-"It's just a big fucking mirror"
Me-Blarg. No fun.

There is a garden. It was pretty. I think I would have enjoyed this all a bit more if
A) It had been more than 55 degrees out
B) There wasn't a wind chill factor
Or
C) I was wearing a winter jacket and some socks

Never the less...one thumb up and a clenched teeth smile for insanely green grass.

Afterwards, we did some shopping around and then headed over by the venue for some eats.

We ended up at a gay sports bar. Yes I hate sports, I think they are gay...but frealz this was a gay bar that had a sports theme to it. It was like any other sports bar, except when there is a rain delay apparently they fill time singing Cher tunes and making out. It's pretty funny story, but too long to type it all at 12:20 am and I'm pretty sure the only people who read this already know. If not, ask and you shall receive.

We finally made it to the show by 6 pm. I was exhausted, so we sat up in the balcony. I've never seen AM! as close as I have in the morning or as far away as I did in the evening....I just couldn't stand up anymore.

tiny.

I can also say, I've never seen them so "pumped" before. It's like they won a sporting event...or did a shit load of blow before taking the stage. Either way...quite a performance. Warren played the same song he fucked up in the morning, only this time, we let out a sigh of relief as he proudly executed his part. Thank God, if they were really on coke, they might have killed him and he's the smelliest...how would they get their musk? Let us not think of such tragedies.

Instead, check out the sweet panther back drop, which also makes a sweet t-shirt which i purchased.

Which also makes a sweet forearm tattoo for Tom Gabel.

In closing, I wish everyday was Against Me! day...but I'd like to request the temperature be a balmy 80 degrees and that I would allot some time for a nap.

Sunday was Mother's Day...which although a tad less fun, did involve angel food cake with strawberry marshmallow frosting.

I'm effing tired. Goodnight.

*For the record, I've only heard that is what the teens do to drown out yelling matches between ma and pa and am in no way, shape or form insinuating that I have a less than perfect family unit.

El Presidente...

2007-05-08T20:28:00.000-07:00

+Culver's and American Idol with my Mom.
+Gilmore Girl's was interrupted by a phone call from some ol' boys.
+A strawberry margarita with a little nostalgia mixed in.
+Dice of Life Tour '03
+Genuine happiness
+Possible trip to NOLA
+Rory Gilmore graduates

-It's only Tuesday?
-Rory Gilmore breaks up with Logan.
-No smokes

Saturday is Against Me! day.

It's no Boston Legal, that's fo' sho'

2007-05-07T21:04:00.000-07:00

There were no beautiful people...no quick quipping counsel...no brightly lit court rooms filled with mahogany desks and modern comfortable chairs. That isn't how court rooms look in Cook County District 3. Much to my chagrin, that is.

What they do look like are basement rooms filled with lacquered desks covered in other peoples sticky finger prints, as if they haven't been cleaned in years, and chairs that have permanent butt indentations and mystery stains. They have florescent lighting...no windows...and 30 degree temperatures.

More importantly though, they also contain me, my boyfriend, my insurance company's lawyer, the dude who doesn't speak enough English to answer the lawyers' questions...yet miraculously obtained a driver's license, his insurance company's lawyer, three arbitrators to hear the case...oh and that's right, a big fucking waste of time.

If you haven't guessed already, I had to throw 2 and a half hours of my life away today in the basement of the Rolling Meadows Courthouse. Just stepping into the place makes you automatically feel like a criminal. Why in our dear Lord's name would I, a law abiding citizen, possibly be sitting in a court room today? I will tell you why.

Just a little over a year ago, Sean happened to be driving my car to pick something up from his Mom's. On his way home, while he was at a complete stop in a line of cars at a red light, some assbag was "distracted" and slammed into the back of my car. There was damage to the back end of my car and it got repaired, but ol' dude's insurance is fighting the claim and won't pay my insurance company for the damages. Sean is still out the deductible he paid and in total there are about 2000 bucks floating around out in insurance land that need to be paid by Ramos Insurance, the defendant's insurer to State Farm, my insurer. Basically they are trying to say that the damages didn't occur from the accident. The dude admits to fault and to propelling his GMC pick up truck into my vehicle, but he says there wasn't any damage to my car and that it must have either already been there or it happened after the accident. He's a douche bag. Insurance companies like this fight every claim so they don't have to pay them. In return, I have to take hours out of my personal time at work to sit in an effing court room for basically nothing. I will tell you why it is pointless.

Because even if the arbitrators decide to award us the damages, the other company has a right to reject the decision in 30 days and then it goes to TRIAL. WITH A JURY. No you didn't read that wrong...I said a trial. With a mother effin' Jury. Because they won't pay $2000.00. So basically whatever happened today, means nothing. it was like a "practice round."

In a way it really pissed me off that this guy's insurance won't pay the $2,000.00 and shut the fuck up about it. Then I got pissed when I thought of how much money my insurance company, State Farm, has and they are spending time and money going to an arbitration that means nothing and then a TRIAL by JURY for $2,000.00 in damages!!! How about eating it and saving yourself court and legal costs? I almost wanted to ask the lawyer how much money they were going to end up spending to prove a point...then we got into the room and the defendant attempted to say that there couldn't possibly have been any damages to my vehicle after he failed to stop while driving 30-40 miles/hr into the back of it and his truck was not drivable from the scene because the whole front end was smashed in and it was leaking various fluids. He admits to it being a very heavy impact, yet still held strong to the fact that nothing was wrong with my car. If that was the case, I'm pretty sure everyone would be driving a car with a spare tire attached to the back. Because they'd magically be invincible, you fucking genius.

By the time I got out of the court house I thought my head was going to explode. Frealz. Then I went back to work, did 2 and a half hours of nothing...told the same story 3 times...and went home. Today pretty much sucked and I felt like I was in bizarro world.

Moral of the story. People suck, too many things in life are a waste of time and eventually, I'll be attending my first trial by jury. At least I'm the plaintiff, right?

And there's our silver lining for the day.

....annnnnnnnnnd scene.

I guess you had to be there...

2007-05-03T08:01:00.000-07:00

Today I set a goal for myself of doing minimal labor. I succeeded. In the midst. I had some pretty entertaining e-mail exchanges.

#1. My Mom and I pretty much e-mail back and forth ALL day. I won't post what started this conversation, because it's mean and about people who I share some DNA with...but this is where it progressed to, and I think it's funny. You probably don't. I don't give a crap. it's Thorsday and i hate my daily grind.

Me to my Mom:

Frealz.

I can't stop thinking about our dinner at Culver's next week. I am looking forward to it...obviously. I want a butter burger, fries, cheese curds and some sort of custard. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM mm!

Mom to me:

FREAKZ is right! ....I want a butter burger! I smell food in the hallway!
tormenting!

Me to my Mom:

Okay I said, FREALZ, as in For Realz. But...FREAKZ as in Freak Shows is also appropriate.

Mom to me:

Ohhhhhh! I get it! ha!

#2. My brother e-mailed me this list...and only this list at 9:06 am:

1 worked
2 Clipped one toenail under my desk without being noticed ( as I am undervalued and unappreciated )
3 drew a picture of a cat
4 fantasized about falling down a well

Three hours later he e-mailed me this:

i sent you a list of things ive done today, thats what it should have said. i am so bored.

Obviously he got more accomplished than I did. and within about an hour of getting to work.

#3. Mr. Gordon to me:

I'd like to go to the flea market sometime soon, I'd like to get a big old ass mirror for my room.

Me to Mr. Gordon:

"a big old ass mirror for my room." I'm assuming you meant a big ass old mirror. But, either way...I guess you could probably find that at a flea market.

Mr. Gordon to Me:

bahahahahahahahaha!

Somewhere in between all that I did about 25 minutes of work. Mission accomplished.

Black Market Memories...

2007-05-02T19:32:00.000-07:00

The Chinese Government has recently opened a theme park that appears to have "fallen off the back of a truck."

Piracy at it's finest

Because once in a while isn't enough...

2007-05-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

You can see what happens periodically during my day.

http://twitter.com/itsmekw

I may use this for like 2 days.

we'll see.

Wishes.

2007-04-26T20:34:00.000-07:00

Currently Obsessed:

1. Creations by Ann Wood

I love her pirate ships and "the daily bird." Adorbz times 10,000. I'm going to need one to add to my "forest friends" that I'm collecting.

2. The Macbeth Collection

I have a thing for office supplies. Design your own filefolders, clip boards, caddies, etc. I'm in love.

3. Bunny Maxwell, especially the stationary and wrapping paper!!!

Check it:

Doggy wrap.

Doggy notes:

4. The Cupcake Courier. Never again will my frosting get smashed!

4. French Bulldogs

When I do get a dog. This seems like the dog for me:

5. Planting Flowers. I can't wait, but I must.

Snapdragons will be in the mix this year.

6. Vintage housewares on Ebay.

Including, but not limited to:

Vintage Pyrex:

and Noritake Palos Verdes pattern:

7. Orla Kiely

9. These bags, incorrect English 'n all!

Whirrrrrrrr. I'm beat. Time for bed.

Always a bridesmaid.....

2007-04-22T21:09:00.000-07:00

Oh hello...

We majorly neglected our cat this weekend.

Thursday night we went to a rehearsal dinner for my friend, Brianne. Sean and I rehearsed being wedding guests and eating a delicious steak dinner with mashed potatoes that had bacon bits mixed in. Bacon bits make everything tens times more edible.

Me in my dress...holla at forever 21!!! Brianne (the bride to be) and my BFF, Shelly, who is with multiples....aka, she's havin' TWINS!

Gussied up....pretty much an excuse to include another picture of my adorbz frock....oh and my new haircut.

Friday...wedding day...Cut to the bride...strutting down the aisle.

Cut to Courtney trying to stop laughing, my brother...who posed as soon as he saw me turn the camera to him and my Mom, scolding me for fucking around during the ceremony. Oh and my Dad, who looks like he's in a coma.

We made it! Mom's back to her 'ol self and Dad needs a cigarette...STAT! Whatevs!!! Let's Party!!! GAAAAAAH!

Sweet Cummerbund(seriously, that's the correct spelling)! By the end of the night someone else was wearing that. I bet you can't guess who it was....patience. First, we take date photos...

An equally adorbz dress...and my rack looking deceivingly huge...and Sean looking genuinely handsome.

My Bro and Courtney, who weren't actually dates, but by default...became "dates" for the evening...and who also took a very nice "prom" pic.

Tom and Shelly, part of the wedding party, who in about 7 months will be the proud owner of two children and who also clean up very nicely. I've never been to a wedding where I couldn't drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes...there should be a purple heart of some sorts for being a pregnant bridesmaid who doesn't get to get sloshed at the wedding.

After listening to many toasts, spilling my entire glass of champagne in my lap, and then having it dry mysteriously quick, I decided to make mashed potato patties at the dinner table....they didn't have bacon bits in them so I wasn't really interested in eating them.

Table-mates.

Poster child for the "Clean Plate Club." He ate everything from soup to cake. The meal was not wasted on this guest.

group pics...

more group pics...

Sadly this was the third and last beverage I had for the night. Why did I offer to drive again?

Oh...now I remember, for my own safety. If you guessed Sean would be donning the Cummerbund by the eve's end, you would win a prize if I had anything left to give.

All in all, it was a two thumbs up experience! Congrats to the happy couple.

Lamb of God...

2007-04-10T18:07:00.000-07:00

HOLY WEEKEND!

I spent Holy Thursday in Dekalb with some bffs watching Against Me! I smoked too many cigarettes, (which surprisingly when I say that now it equals 5, instead of 25) and saw lots of dudes I haven't seen for a long time. It was really fun. I don't think I ever laugh the way I do around certain friends, and I love that....

Good Friday=Egg Decorating and Homemade Pizza. Sean and I had the day off. We went and got eggs and I colored them. I boiled two dozen eggs and went to town. Seeing as I don't like to eat the eggs, I had to give some away, so I made sure they were extra pretty. I tried to do some jewel toned ones by mixing colors. My Mom noticed, so that's all that counts.

Good Old PAAS, nothing works better.

My favorite egg.

I found the bunny tray at Jewel. Basically adorbz.

I'm pretty much the best egg colorer.

MY FAVS!!! (semi)homemade pizza.

Sean's Mom found this head gear in the dollar section of Target.

.omigod.

Happy Easter Day.

It's supposed to snow tomorrow. Kill me now. Please.

I only have about 70 years left...

2007-04-02T19:30:00.000-07:00

So I better get started seeing the 1,000 places I'm supposed to lay eyes on before I die. Talk about pressure! Too bad I'm not lucky enough to be able to put my life on hold for 14 weeks and see at least 100 of them like the aesthetically pleasing couple that the channel picked to do just that. I missed the first episode, but the show feeds off the book by Patricia Shultz.

I mentioned in my previous post that I'll be debt free by January. I'd really like to do some real traveling after that. But until then, I'll be jealous and bitter and I'll add it to my DVR in hopes that someday I can see the real thing. I'm also going to buy the book, any excuse to use a highlighter.

Nothing lasts forever...

2007-04-02T10:02:00.000-07:00

Even my interest in sports. I think about 2 days after I said I was in first place in the NCAA Bracket Tournament, my pick to win, NC, lost and from there I have fallen out of the top. The number one reason I don't ever bet on sports is because it causes me to care about sports and watch sports...two things I normally stray far from. But it was fun while it lasted. I still owe my "bookie" 5 bucks.

Things that haven't sucked as much as losing out on about $300-$400 for nothing:

I get paid every 2 weeks, every once in a while I get 3 paychecks in one month. Unbeknown to me March was one of them! I'm going to use the extra cash to fix my Ipod and maybe open a savings account, or spend the rest at Target. Either way, a nice surprise.

Yesterday I assigned myself the task of sitting on the couch, and to watching a What Not To Wear marathon under my electric blanket while going through 2 months worth of fashion and home magazines. I did one load of laundry while this was going on. I took a shower way later than you are supposed to as a grown woman and I had pretty much the best day ever.

I've consolidated all my debt that is (non-school loan related) all onto a zero interest card. By January, I should be 100% debt free. I won't even mention how much money I will have paid off in that 16 months, but it's going to be nice.

Everyone is having babies and I love babies. It's baby season.

I bought a new beach bag for $4.98 at target which reminded me that I will get to go to the beach soon....which then reminded me that I haven't been to the gym in about a month. Where does the time go?

I have to go to a rehearsal dinner soon. I'll be wearing this dress.

I'll stop shopping at forever 21 when they stop making clothes that look cute as hell on me for pennies. They are my go to store for a cheap cute outfit. Thank god no one can really be forever 21. I think I'd buy a gun.

Things that do suck=Emptying a cat box.

I'm off to play in the sand.

Georgia on My Mind...

2007-03-23T18:57:00.000-07:00

It's Friday night, I'm watching Jersey Girl. Ahhh hotel TV.

Day three began with a bit of instant karma. The 'ol Church Lady from dinner the other night apparently had a scare with a cock-a-roach in her room last night! Even more ironically...while she was eating dinner!!! She was moved to another room, but alas, it had no air conditioning and it was the only room left in the whole hotel. I guess somethings do come back to almost bite you in the ass, huh?

Drumline, what? When we were leaving the convention center, we came across a high school drum line practicing in the parking garage below the Atlanta Hawk's arena. I took some video, they were awesome. Unfortunately I don't know how to put it in here. I guess you can take my word for it. As they were practicing, some guy was getting handcuffed for something near us, yet him and the cop were laughing. This place is amazing.

It was a very long day, but it ended wonderfully. After dinner, I went to Centenial Park which is across the street, with my co-worker Debbie. Beautiful flowers, birds chirping, wonderful breeze....glorious.

On the otherside of the park was a water feature shaped like the Olympic rings and it should have been called "Bring Your Adorable Children to Frolick in the Water" park...too much presh to handle.

Exhibits A, B, C...well you get the picture.

The last little guy pictured was one of the cutest kids I've ever seen. Running around, holding hands with the little girls. So much personality. After a while, all these kids rubbed off on me, I decided to do a bit of frolicking myself. It kind of backfired, I got a little drenched. But I had a blast! It was a bit liberating! Just like going in the sprinkler when you were little...except I was always the kid who didn't want to run through the sprinkler. Sometimes I think you need to just let go. Even if it takes you 20 years to do so.

I obviously enjoyed myself. One of the best nights I've had in a while. Oddly enough, on a business trip. I really like Atlanta. A lot.

Tomorrow, one half day of exhibiting and then try to do something cool before I have to go to the airport and then home to this monster....

This is...CNN.

2007-03-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

The weather back in Chicago was nice today huh? It was beautiful here too! I actually got out to see some of it also!

Had lunch outside the CNN building.

Neato Mailbox!

Christ School had a tour of the CNN building. They took a picture in front of the CNN sign...I'm in it, stuffing my mouth with a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger along with lot's of annoying kids and Mom's with HUGE hair.

HUGE, I repeat HUGE NCAA Bracket on the side of the convention center. The finals are going to be here in the ATL soon.

Super Duper Fans.

Speaking of superfans...

I've actually participated in the whole March Madness Craze this year. I did a bracket, for only $5.00, that I still haven't paid...but I've been in first place for while! I'm still doing well, but I picked NC to win it all...and I'm pretty sure Florida will. But still, pretty good for someone who knows more about the MTV version of Sweet Sixteen than the ESPN version. I even watched a few games tonight. Big ups to Kansas and Memphis for keeping me on top.

Exhibiting is going okay. I'm really tired though and I think my feet are broken. It's only day one. I ate dinner in my room and I then fell asleep until 8:30. I woke up to the sound of televised poker...which is ironic because that is usually what I fall asleep to at home.

I'm hoping to go to Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles before I leave.

No rappers yet. WTF? I thought I'd find Luda on the 50 yard line of the Georgia dome....ya know where the dirty birds kick for t'ree?

what a let down.

Bed time.

As God is My Witness...

2007-03-21T19:05:00.000-07:00

I made it to Atlanta. Finally. I left my house at 8 am and one shared limo ride, one 2 hour flight delay, two episodes of This American Life, two screaming babies, an hour and a half in the air and a cab ride later....I finally made it to my hotel around 5:30 pm. I didn't meet any rappers yet, but I also haven't really had a chance to get out and about. I also forgot (I'm not sure how) that "Designing Women" was based in Atlanta. I would settle for meeting a Sugarbaker...or Delta Burke.

Speaking of TV...because why wouldn't I be watching TV? I wonder how much more it would cost hotels to just go crazy and get extended cable in the rooms. They have the wierdest channels. At least I have A&E and Bill Curtis.

It's really warm and nice here. The cab driver said they had a really nice winter, no snow, no ice...It made me jealous.

One of the women I am with has never traveled for work before. For starters, she is one of the most annoying people I've encountered in a while...but being with her for 9 hours today was very trying. I'm having a hard time dealing with her. On the way to the hotel, she whispered at what a "bad neighborhood" we were in...I wanted to remind her that we were in Atlanta, not St. Charles and not to be alarmed, but...African American's do make up a majority of the population here. Then, at dinner this evening, she made the waiter re-do our bill because her entree was a dollar more than it was listed on the menu. A dollar. I was so embarrassed. Everyone at the table (there are a total of 4 of us) told her not to make a big deal out of it...but she did anyway. I tried to bite my tongue, but I think I ended up snapping at her. So I decided I'd split up the bill 4 ways and I gave him a big tip and she said "well, I guess he ended up getting an extra 3 dollars, so it didn't matter that had him take the dollar off." What is wrong with people? I failed to mention that she announced as we sat down for dinner that this was the first Wednesday in 24 weeks that she missed her bible study. WWJD if he was overcharged a dollar on his bill. For sure he would ask them to take it off....It was a wonderful dinner at a really nice restaurant and she was freaking out over a dollar...which she wasn't even paying for!!!

She's also never been to an ATM.

I have a smoking room. Tomorrow...I buy cigarettes. It's necessary.

As of right now though...things are looking up. I'm not in St. Louis, I haven't gotten berated for having a liberal arts degree yet, and it's only the first day but I've yet to be proposed to by a toothless black man in a silky budweiser shirt...although I did get visually undressed by a couple dudes setting up the exhibits...flattery will get them everywhere.

Tavis Smiley is on. I have to go now.

Tomorrow, exhibit day 1. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers...but don't you dare ask me for your dollar back, bitch.

Picture Box

2007-03-20T18:42:00.000-07:00

It may be unhealthy that I watch as much television as I do. With that being said though, I think I may start writing about either in here or in yet another blog. Just a thought...

Whiiirrrrrrrrrrrrr

2007-03-19T11:31:00.000-07:00

What a week! What...a...week!

Sean was out of town from Monday through Wednesday, which left me with a lot of time on my hands. I thought about having an torrid affair, but I figured that would have been much less fun than what I actually ended up doing. I decided since he was going to be coming home on Weds, which was his birthday, that i would make some cupcakes and put up some decorations as a surprise. I made funfetti cupcakes while I was watching Idol contestants slaughter Miss D. Ross' catalog of songs and I even made my own frosting which was very simple and it tastes awesome. I worked hard while the bonzo cat tried to destroy and eat everything that I was putting up. Whatever they coat streamers with is apparently mighty delicious to little kitties. Lots of hard work and TLC later, I think I did a pretty nice job!

My surprise was a success and he had a very nice birthday, besides being reminded that he is now in his "late 20's". Hopefully some youthful decorations and a dinner of Bison helped soften the blow.

Milo will be one in April and I decided while I was on a birthday kick, I would buy him an early present. I have had my eye on a certain article of cat clothing at Target, and I broke down and become "that person" who buys clothes for their pet. I don't care, it was awesome. Was being the key word. I had to take it back because it wasn't big enough to cover his fat gut. It's really a shame, I think he liked it.

Notice the fat gut in the first picture.

Oh well.

The weekend was just as busy and by yesterday I was exhausted. I leave to go to HOTlanta tomorrow and I will be there for yet another math convention. The weather is going to be grand and I can use a break from the office. While I am there I hope to go here and see some of the art they have on loan from the Louvre. Some people from work suggested that I go here and I would actually like to, seeing as it's closing on April 7th. Unfortunately, it closes at 5 pm and I don't think I'll make it in. Another suggestion was Diddy's establishment Justin's and last but not least Gladys Knight's joint which actually would be my first pick. Sadly enough, I'll be stuffed in an exhibit booth for 8 hours a day

More than anything though, I would like to meet a rapper. Maybe Luda, TI, or at the very least one of the East Side Boyz. Fingers Crossed!

I'm going to watch the Hills! It's Lauren's 21st! AAAAAGGHHH!!

I have no idea how this happens....

2007-03-12T21:56:00.000-07:00

I often think that the shittiest thing about becoming an aware adult is realizing that people are really a mess when it comes down to it. The question is when you give up or when you say you're in it for the long haul...or at least another couple years or so.

When you're young, you don't take into consideration that at a certain point in life you will have to deal with heavy shit. Illness, death, hurt, confusion, love, the absence of love, and all those other fond memories. I think it comes down to who you have in your corner and I've always tried to surround myself with people who I knew I could count on in a situation like that. In return though, I have given of myself to those who I thought were deserving. I think though that I, as many people do, have let some friends fall to the wayside in the past. As an adult, you realize when someone needs you, and you try to be there for them. Even if, as in my case, you get shit on a lot.

Recently though, I wonder whether I'll get any pay back for the shit storm I have often ensued. I guess I just have to wait and see what happens with the other 3 quarters of my life. It's frustrating and it makes you question who you are and what kind of standards you're holding others to. Are those realistic? In the sum of all things, probably not. People are a ball of flaws. Either you can deal with them or you can decide to break your ties. This has been my struggle the last couple days.

I think I just signed myself up for another tour of duty.

Do they give out purple hearts for acts of friendship?

Perhaps I'm holding myself in better regard than I should.

In other news, the new Wilco album is indescribably perfect. I can't stop listening to it.

back in the saddle...

2007-03-12T07:19:00.000-07:00

Blah. I can't believe it's Monday already.

This weekend I:

Drank too much. Smoked waaaay too much. Slept more than I ever should have. Listened to Christian music in dunkin' donuts. In other words, I had one of the best weekends I've had in a long time.

Sean has gone to Minneapolis for work until Wednesday. Milo and I will have our hands full until he returns to celebrate the 27th anniversary of his birth.

On Saturday, I decided that I decided that I will have to tell any children that I have that I am allergic to eating cooked veggies. Otherwise, they will probably call me a hypocrite when I try to force them down their throats. We wouldn't want that.

I'm at work...therefore I must work.

I hate Mondays.

Cat Blog

2007-03-10T16:12:00.000-08:00

three months later

2007-03-10T16:10:00.000-08:00

I created this because I made a lame new year's resolution to write more. I should probably do something with it.

I used to write here.

Now I write about my recent struggle and strife here.

I may eventually tire of that so I created this to encompass all that is me.

Welcome to me.