I ♥ Pac Man - Happy 30th!

Loving Google's banner today!  It reminds me of this old-school pac man board game my sisters and I had growing up.  You had to set all of these white marbles on the board, and there where plastic ghosts and pac men that you would roll over the marbles to pick them up.   

Thursday Night Exploits

So, J has work and class on Thursdays and is gone from almost 8 in the morning to almost 10 at night.  This leaves me with some alone time on Thursday nights.  The last three weeks, between class cancelations and Spring Break, he has been home early.  So last night was my first Thursday night alone in a while.  I MISSED YOU, THURSDAY NIGHT ALONE TIME! 

So many magical things happened last night that can only happen sans J.  I love him, but Thursday night alone time is THE BEST.  Last night included crazy phone lady, breakfast for dinner, and reeses-induced coma.

You could stop reading right here, but if you want the full effect of my awesome Thursday night alone, please, read on.

I hate going to the mall, especially by myself, but especially with other people.  I like to get in and out.  The mall is a life sucker.  Artificial light and air - it's no good.  It's like you could be trapped in there for days not knowing what time or day it was or even what planet you were on.  But I needed to go to the makeup counter, so I forced myself to go. 

As I'm walking in, some lady stops me - "Excuse me, but do you have a phone?"  I was like, yeah, me and every other person in the parking lot has a phone.  Apparently she had been waiting for her friend to meet her for an hour and wanted to try and call her.  She was a little rough looking, but I couldn't really tell her no.

I myself had been in a similar situation back in 2003, before I had a cell phone.  It involved a stranger, my future husband, and a bar - always an excellent situation.  (And yes, I was a 20 year old college sophomore without a cell phone.)  Anyway, if this lady wanted to steal my phone, she would be really disappointed.  It's a piece of shit.

So I let her use it.  It was very awkward because I felt like when you're in school and you get paired up with the nerdy kid and you want to try to be nice, but don't want the other kids to see you're being nice to the nerdy kid.  So I just stood next to her, but not facing her for about three minutes (felt like an eternity) while she tried to call her friend.  I was also  trying to stay very alert, because I was pretty sure that at any moment a brown rapist/murder van would pull up and try to kidnap me.

Her friend did not answer.  I got my phone back.  Finally got into the mall.  Trip to the mall was followed by trip to Walgreens where I probably spent an equal amount of time because they have everything you didn't know you needed.  J hates going there because he was a manager there for three years, and doesn't appreciate the browsing possibilities quite as much as I do.

When I got home I was super hungry.  J has lost 20 lbs. since the beginning of the year.  He can attribute some of it to working out and not eating fast food for lunch every day, but mostly he has been counting calories and eating super healthy.  So I have been forced through lots of meals with ground turkey and egg whites lately.  That's why it was so thrilling to put a giant piece of ham and scramble two real eggs on the skillet.  To round it all out and cover all of the Jessie food pyramid bases, I also ate about 6 reeses peanut butter cups.  Surprisingly, I passed out on the couch for two hours.

Thursday Night Alone Time - I love u.

Mystery Bag on My Doorstep

please stop leaving mystery bags at my door.  thxs.

Like a huge lame-o, I go home for lunch everyday.  Earlier this week, I came home and was slightly disturbed to see a lumpy plastic bag stuck behind the storm door.  I approached cautiously - when a strange bag shows up at your doorstep, common sense dictates to always procede with caution.  My heart was racing a little, because no one had called, emailed, or texted me to say, "hey, i'm going to drop such and such off at your house this morning."  So there was the huge possibility that this was a stranger's plastic bag, and there was no telling what could be inside....a bomb, dog poo, regular poo, dirt...

There was that time when I came home to find the railing that goes down our front steps missing.  I was certain someone had stolen it in broad daylight at first, but eventually rationalized that my grandpa had been working some home improvement magic.  Sure enough, it showed up later that day, painted silver and secured with extra bolts.  So it was possible someone I knew had left the bag.

I got my face down close to the bag, but was careful not to touch it - did not want to get cootied on by this weird bag.  No weird smells, which was a good sign.  I could make out a note and some very familiar handwriting.  Beginning to feel better about the whole situation, I felt it was safe to pick up and open the bag.  It was a sweater with a note  from mm that her mom was donating it to my sweater recycling venture.  Sweet relief.

Mardis Gras 2010 - Bacon, Black Jack, and Moustache Rides

 A quick recap...

9:00 am bacon at our place

10:30 am Bacon Vodka Bloody Marys at Morgan Street on the Landing

11:30 am Parade in Soulard

2:00 pm Dollar Moustache Rides for everyone!

4:00 pm Big Daddy's for more drinks, appetizers, and new friends

7:00 pm Casino Queen. Black Jack...black out.

I Love You, Lefty!

Image Courtesy of
Dvd Beaver

We hacked into my parent's netflix account over the weekend to watch streaming video. I know, crazy saturday night antics, right? After pouring over a long list of B-list, less-than-fresh movies, we decided on Donnie Brasco.

This is when "Lefty" (Al Pacino) and all of his mad Italian new yorker gangsta skills entered my heart forever.

Throughout the whole movies, he boasts of his "26 hits", so he's not like a good guy or anything. But as one of the younger mobsters climbs the ranks, overshadowing poor Lefty, you have to feel for the guy. I mean, he's put in a lot of time. Those 26 hits weren't for nothing. He's done his service, played by the mob rules, yet gets overlooked for a more shiny mob guy model.

Donnie Brasco was released in 1997, and takes place in the late '70s / early 80's. However dated, it is an eerie reflection of our own current reality. Work for the same company, expect to be taken care of in the end, and suddenly you're hacked. Loyalty stands for little these days - it's old school. Lefty isn't just a bad ass gangster, he's the guy down the street who just got laid off, despite his 25 years of service to XYZ.

In addition, I love old people. Especially grouchy crotchety ones. And Al Pacino does a great job of being an old curmudgeon.

I don't want to give the ending away in case you decide to watch, but it does not end well for poor Lefty. Tear. :(
(okay, i guess that pretty much does give the ending away)

EasyTone Go Outside

Yes, I am getting these gaudy gold shoes. Yes, I have a huge foot (size 10) and these are sure to make my feet look very sexy. And by sexy I mean like the hottest grandma in the nursing home. But, but, BUT, they supposedly tone your butt. Thank you to MODG for making me want these shoes really really badly even though they are obviously hideous. See for yourself here. Especially when she says they are sold out everywhere. Now that made me really really REALLY want them. Luckily, I have connections in the shoe biz (I bet that's what they call it, too). My friend S got me a discount - so these are guilt free ez toners. I just ordered them today and am super excited about wearing them to the gym that I don't belong to yet but am joining tomorrow.

it's thursday - can it be friday already???

Horrific migraine woke me up around 4:30 this morning. Luckily I have my routine - two excedrin and a cold wash cloth for my head knocked it out in an hour. But then I kept waking myself up because i was grinding my teeth. So I'm actually in a great mood because I am alive and pain free at the moment...

I was also very happy this morning to see that I received a shout out from Sarah @ Little Kitten Homemade's blog. You can check it out here.

Also, am working on a writing gig w/ Indie Smiles.

Oh, and my sister, S just emailed me that she got the part time job she wanted w/ DSW.

Not too bad for a Thursday morning!

Ready, Set, Goals!

I'm still trying to get used to writing 2010 on everything, but it's time to whip out some goals for the new year. Here is my checklist of attainable goals for the near future:

CAREER
Create a writing portfolio in pdf format ___
Open new Etsy shop selling writing services___
Register for at least one class pertaining to web design___


AT HOME
Finish homemade Christmas gifts (they are late!)___
Make slip cover for dining room chair___
Re-finish chandelier___
Refurbish ottoman to match dining room chair___
Ceramic tile in kitchen & guest bath___

Debacle

Stranded at work on Christmas Eve! It all began with a brilliant plan and ended in a huge debacle.

At happy hour with my sister, e:

me: want to stay at my place tonight & wake up early to hit the mall?
e: yes! awesome.
j: that is the worst idea ever. there is no way you will wake up in time to go shopping before you go to work.

this morning:

wake up at 6:30 am.
shower and get dressed
e is making scrambled eggs and coffee
we leave at 7:15 and are shopping by 7:20.
no one is at the mall.
it is glorious.

7:55 we leave mall and my sister drops me off at work. j is my ride home. j calls at 9:15.

j: do you have an extra set of keys?
me: no.
j: i am blocked in by your car. cannot pick you up.
me: NOOOOOO!

9:30 am
I call e. she can pick me up. relief, but anxiety because she is like me and is never on time.

11:30. everyone leaves office. it is time for me to leave. call e. she has not left yet. she is 40 minutes away.

11:31. finally realize that all of my friends live about 10 min. away.
call mm. goes straight to voice mail.
call mr. answers. can pick me up!

11:49. waiting for ride. wrap up some leftover xmas cookies for mr. she is the best.
mr: +1
me: 0

run run reindeer

My friend S just ran the 5k on the new highway 40. I was impressed, as I am very far away from running a 5k anytime soon. In fact the only time I have been close to running a 5k involved rolling out of bed at a friend's apartment after a night of shenanigans and making my roommate grab my running clothes and race t-shirt, pick me up, and drop me off at the race. I finished the 5k, but did not run the whole time. I did learn a couple valuable lessons:

• Do not attempt the 5k if you drank close to a gallon of milwauke beast the night before.
• Do not attempt the 5k if your undergarments consist of a thong and strapless bra.

Anyway, my point is, I have decided it is time to take up running once again. So far, I have managed to run two nights in a row this week with my trainer, J. J as in my husband who does not have school or work until the end of January.
I am pretty impressed with myself so far as we were able to make it around the park one night and around the library last night. However, all of my progress has been negated by ice cream, reeses cups, and cookies. If anyone else brings food to the office, there could be trouble. (okay, totally empty threat - food and gifts still accepted)

MLA - My Life is Awesome

Image Courtesy of
Strawberry Luna

Who could think otherwise on a gorgeous cool and crisp fall day in St. Louis? Some days are just so beautiful, it makes you glad to be alive. Can't wait to get out of work, take my pup for a really long walk and work on some fall projects.

Fresh Idea

Had brunch at the Benton Park Cafe on Monday with my in-laws. The best surprise was a slice of cucumber on my glass of water instead of the traditional lemon wedge. Tasted so refreshing on a hot and humid St. Louis day. A nice unexpected twist to a late breakfast/early lunch.

(image from here)

Dry Cleaning

What is it about dropping off dry cleaning that makes you feel so mature and chic? Dropping off my husband's suit for his interview on Monday!

(image from google)

The Couple's Guide to Vegas (or How We Survived)

If you’re thinking about going to Sin City with your significant other, take this opportunity to rethink. If you’ve already booked your flight, definitely read on. This is not your normal romantic getaway - there will be obstacles. To make the most out of Vegas with your one-and-only, it is advisable you dress up, drink up, and then get out!

With all of the glitz and glamour of the strip, the pools and fountains, and the freezing temperatures in the casinos, it’s easy to forget that you’re in the middle of the desert. Moisturize, apply your sun-block often, and stay hydrated. If you start feeling extra cranky, not only will it detract from time spent with your love, it could be a sign of dehydration. If walking down sunny Las Vegas Boulevard only renders stormy broodings and dismal thoughts, it may be time to walk into one of those ice cold casinos and grab an h20. You’ll feel pepped up in no time, and your beau will thank you for it. If water does not alter your mood, get yourselves to a bar. Spend some time out of the heat, distance yourselves from the dinging din of the casinos, relax and let the bartenders entertain you.

We all want to look our best, but just be forewarned that there will always be someone better looking than you in Vegas. Between the Pussy Cat Dolls, Chip and Dales, the high rollers and their arm candy, there is an endless supply of hot people. Be prepared to watch your significant other’s jaw drop to the floor at one point or another. Chances are, you’re probably staring too. It’s really not worth getting too worked up over. Don't get jealous - just pretend the hotties and freakshows are another eye catching casino or national treasure, like the Hoover Dam. Even take this opportunity to be a little more daring and baring with your own wardrobe than you would back at home.

Gambling is fun. But not always when you’re playing with your hunny bun. It’s hard enough to come out ahead on your own, but for both of you to win at the same time is a whole other story. Inevitably, you will end up watching your partner lose the hand you just won. It can still be fun, but just remember that “what’s mine is yours” takes on a whole new meaning when sitting around the black jack table.

Finally, the key to a truly fabulous Vegas get away with your sweetie is to leave there as soon as possible. This is not your ordinary lounge-on-the-beach-and-recharge type of vacation. It is a grueling test of how much fun you and your better half can handle. As a general rule, the longer you stay, the more sleep deprived and broke you will end up - major strains on any relationship. If you arrive that night and leave that morning, you have a chance of remembering what an awesome time you had (hitting your lucky number on the roulette wheel! Spotting Lindsay Lohan at Pur! Best hot dog you ever had at three in the morning! Watching the sun come up over the desert!) You might even look forward to your next Vegas trip.

Stadium Wedding

Getting married at Busch Stadium basically says, me and/or my fiance love baseball/cardinals. Other than that, it's hard to let your personality come through when having your event at a larger than life venue like Busch stadium. Definitely a unique experience for your guests, but lacks a wedding vibe. Maybe it's because no matter how large your wedding party, you'll be dwarfed by the huge stadium. A Busch Stadium wedding totally lacked the intimacy of a traditional wedding. The nervous twitches, tears, and laughter are all lost in the void that is an empty stadium. Even with your picture displayed largely on the scoreboard, you seem distant.


One other note, planning an outdoor wedding in August at 3:30 in the afternoon is a little risky. I blame the heat for slamming down one too many rum and cokes (just trying to rehydrate!) and spending a good portion of the night with my face in a toilet at the Ballpark Hilton.

Shopaholic Made Me Sad

I was ecstatic when I saw they were making the Shopaholic into a movie. I considered the Shopaholic series a guilty pleasure that was passable reading because it fell under the chic-lit category. So it's literature - I mean I took a class on this stuff in college!


Even my husband got on board and agreed to rent it with me.

[There are two plausible explanations for this:
1) secret crush on Isla Fisher (Rebecca Bloomwood)
2) thinly veiled man crush on Sacha Baron Cohen lived vicariously through his wife (Isla Fisher)]


So as we watched it, I began to feel more and more disappointed. First of all, Rebecca Bloomwood is a character defined by consumerism. And if you haven't notice lately, consumerism is part of a certain predicament our country is in. The magical plastic that may have seemed nice and shiny a year ago just seemed dull and foreboding. Bex's uninhibited spending just seemed cutesy when I read the book years ago (oops, went over my limit again!), but seems criminal in the current climate.

Also, Bex is clueless. She lands her job at a financial magazine through a mistake. The need for a fluke to get her the position undermines any brains or talent she may really have. Instead of being competent and qualified, she sort of trips and stumbles her way into a job she doesn't really want because it has to do with "finance" and not "fashion". Also, her boss who she falls in love with just so happens to be secretly from a filthy rich family. So convenient!

What did I find so charming about Rebecca Bloomwood the first time around? How is it that I am jealous of and annoyed with a fictional character?

My only hope is that perhaps she totally redeems herself in the end. I can't really remember the ending of the book. Plus, it was Sunday, so we had to stop the movie to watch "Kendra" on E. So maybe I'll never know.

How The Fray Turned Me Against Isaac Slade

 
I'll preface by saying this is less of a review, and more of a rant...

I wasn't forced to see The Fray in Houston last Saturday; I'll just say it was strongly suggested.

I am not a particular fan of the Fray's music to begin with, but don't mind hearing a song or two in the background while I'm at work. However, reflecting on the evening, it's a little ridiculous for the droning noise in the background at the office to be headlining a show.

There is a reason The Fray makes great background music - there's a pleasant formula applied to every song that is soothing in small doses, but will put you in a musical coma if forced to listen to for more than fifteen minutes. Each ballad by the band starts out with this slow pulsing beat, sometimes intertwined with a moaning vocal riff by lead singer Isaac Slade, eventually culimating in faster pounding piano - pause - and then back to the slower pulsing. This might actually be prefereable if you're say studying, taking a nap, or talking to friends over coffee. But as a live show, the music was painfully monochromatic - just like the black and white live performance video on either side of the stage.

In addition to disliking the music, I was annoyed by Slade, belting out the same musical riff over and over again, coaxing the audience to join him. I don't like to be told what to do, and if you are actually a compelling artist, I'll sing with you on my own.

Not only did I feel no appreciation toward his bleating vocals, Slade's little inspirational quips interspersed throughout the performance made me want to projectile vomit on the camera obsessed teenagers sitting in front of me (they are a topic for a whole other post). I don't really need a guy who stands on stage for a living to tell me to "hang in there if you're looking for work or hate your job," or to muse that, "the closer you are to someone, the easier it is to get hurt." If I wanted to be preached to, I'd go to church. Seriously, Isaac Slade can just shove it.

Brunch: Hodak's

Somehow, I managed to make it out on a Friday night. I was very reluctant to go, but sometimes you end up making the best of a bad situation and end up with a fun night. And sometimes you end up compensating for your lack of expectations for the night with beer.

Luckily, our brunch plan for the next day was Hodak's for fried chicken. Nothing helps a hang over like fried chicken, crinkle fries and a giant pepsi. I really thought I might throw up on our way there, but I knew what awaited me was sweet releif. So, I just gripped the door handle and took really deep breaths until we drove far enough down Gravois to get there. After two drumsticks encased in a crispy shell fried to perfection and about five pepsis, I was cured. I was a new woman and the house was spotless by the time my in-laws arrived later that afternoon.

Brunch: Rooster

My friends and I have been on a brunch streak lately. When Friday night plans kept collapsing on themselves over and over again due to our inability to stay awake past 10 anymore, we resorted to a mid-Saturday gathering. And sometimes Saturday afternoon begins to look a lot like Friday night.

A few weeks ago we decided on Rooster in downtown St. Louis for crepes. I will eat just about anything, and I eat fast, so I can't really critique food. Mine was delicious, but I will say that about a lot of things. Probably the stand-out at Rooster was their extensive list of Bloody Marys and mimossas. Also, it was a really cute and cozy place with exposed brick and several sketches of roosters and chickens everywhere that looked like they were done by school kids.

After round one of drinks we were feeling pretty wonderful, so we decided to head up the street to an irish pub for more drinks. Things probably would have escalated to a full-blown bar crawl had some of us not had other engagements that day. The point is, Saturday day can be just as fun as Friday night. Besides, who doesn't love a little day drinking?

1111 Mississippi

So, one of my good friends suggested we go to 1111 Mississippi for dinner last weekend. I love to eat and will try pretty much anything. I also enjoy having a cocktail or glass of wine every once in a while. And I have a great group of friends. So to combine those things is always a recipe for a great time - which 1111 Mississippi was. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, our server was knowledeable and attentive without being annoying, and the bacon wrapped pork tenderloin melted in your mouth.