Happy Halloween everyone! I hope everyone has something super fun and fabulous to do this weekend, I know I do. :)
I have decided to dress up as a crazy, drunk bridesmaid. I know, I know, it's quite a stretch. Either way, it's gonna be legen-waitforit-dary. Pictures will follow.
So, I'm not sure how much I'm 'allowed' to say about this next part, but I'm gonna throw caution to the wind and tell you anyway. As of yesterday I have two new nephews! Twin boys, born yesterday evening. Everyone is doing pretty well, last I heard. My older brother is very touchy about the sharing of information on the interwebs, however, so I will hold off on further details until and unless I get the ok from him (though, ahem, I'm sure if anyone were really dying to know, they could always drop me an email and I would be happy to share the news on a more one-on-one basis).
I hope everyone has a good weekend!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Drunk Santa
Because I know you love these crazy people stories.
Last Friday after a shopping trip and dinner with Alisa, we were partaking in some adult beverages at a bar near her boyfriend's shop. At the time we got there (approximately 7:30) there were a total of 5 people at the bar, not including employees. Us, the gentleman we were sitting with, and two guys down at the end of the bar, one of whom bore a close resemblance to Santa Claus. Now, Santa had definitely been tossing back a few, and from the looks of it, he'd been doing it for awhile. Apparently the younger guy he was sitting with got a kick out of him and kept buying him drinks. Strong ones, from what I could tell. Our friend Drunk Santa was swaying to and fro and slurring his speech something terrible. Little by little, people started trickling into the bar and the bouncers took up their posts at the doors, all the while Drunk Santa continued guzzling what I like to think was whiskey (I think all grizzled old men should drink whiskey. It just seems right), and his new friend showed no signs of closing his wallet and cutting off the drinks anytime soon. Eventually we lost interest in the Drunk Santa show and about an hour went by.
What happened next took approximately 60 seconds start to finish.
From the other end of the bar I heard what sounded like a door slamming over and over. I looked over to see Drunk Santa repeatedly lifting the counter flap (you know, the thing they lift to walk under, I don't know the proper name for it) and slamming it back down while gesturing wildly about something. People in the area were starting to look a little nervous. The bartender told him very firmly that he had to stop doing that, or he would be asked to leave. Apparently (the bartender told us later) Drunk Santa responded by threatening to kill him; which translated roughly from the Latin is, "please throw me out, I've had enough."
In record time, the bouncer flew in from the front door, grabbed Drunk Santa in the 'guy getting tossed out of a bar' hold and made for the door. But Drunk Santa would not go quietly into that good night, and for an old guy wrestling with someone about half his age, I gotta say he held his own. As they approached the door he threw out both of his arms and braced himself against the sides of the wall so the bouncer physically could not eject him, despite several attempts at different throwing techniques. In the end it took three guys to get him out. One on each side pinning an arm down and the bouncer to push as hard as possible to actually get him out the door. This tactic was apparently so forceful it landed Drunk Santa in the middle of the street. Luckily, there was very little traffic just then so no harm done, but wow. It was something to see. I'm still amazed he never tried to get back in, but the bouncer did shut the door behind him so maybe that proved too great a barrier to overcome.
The remainder of the evening was fairly uneventful yet still fun, mostly because we just kept retelling the story of Drunk Santa to each new person that came to join our little group. Good times.
As a quick recap of the rest of my weekend, Saturday most of the day was spent with some friends watching the MSU game (tragic) and eating Cheesecake Factory and then watching the Red Sox game all the while drinking Sam Adams Oktoberfest (which is really really good. You should get some, it's delicious and by the way when did I become a beer drinker? Very weird). Sunday I did nothing (it was pretty great) and during the week I'm as lame as lame can be so there's no story there, as I'm sure you're all very tired of my tv recap posts. :)
Now then, everyone do your part and watch Pushing Daisies tonight! If they cancel that show I will take it very personally and put the blame on all of you. I'm serious. (ok you're right, I'm not. But I will be very sad)
Last Friday after a shopping trip and dinner with Alisa, we were partaking in some adult beverages at a bar near her boyfriend's shop. At the time we got there (approximately 7:30) there were a total of 5 people at the bar, not including employees. Us, the gentleman we were sitting with, and two guys down at the end of the bar, one of whom bore a close resemblance to Santa Claus. Now, Santa had definitely been tossing back a few, and from the looks of it, he'd been doing it for awhile. Apparently the younger guy he was sitting with got a kick out of him and kept buying him drinks. Strong ones, from what I could tell. Our friend Drunk Santa was swaying to and fro and slurring his speech something terrible. Little by little, people started trickling into the bar and the bouncers took up their posts at the doors, all the while Drunk Santa continued guzzling what I like to think was whiskey (I think all grizzled old men should drink whiskey. It just seems right), and his new friend showed no signs of closing his wallet and cutting off the drinks anytime soon. Eventually we lost interest in the Drunk Santa show and about an hour went by.
What happened next took approximately 60 seconds start to finish.
From the other end of the bar I heard what sounded like a door slamming over and over. I looked over to see Drunk Santa repeatedly lifting the counter flap (you know, the thing they lift to walk under, I don't know the proper name for it) and slamming it back down while gesturing wildly about something. People in the area were starting to look a little nervous. The bartender told him very firmly that he had to stop doing that, or he would be asked to leave. Apparently (the bartender told us later) Drunk Santa responded by threatening to kill him; which translated roughly from the Latin is, "please throw me out, I've had enough."
In record time, the bouncer flew in from the front door, grabbed Drunk Santa in the 'guy getting tossed out of a bar' hold and made for the door. But Drunk Santa would not go quietly into that good night, and for an old guy wrestling with someone about half his age, I gotta say he held his own. As they approached the door he threw out both of his arms and braced himself against the sides of the wall so the bouncer physically could not eject him, despite several attempts at different throwing techniques. In the end it took three guys to get him out. One on each side pinning an arm down and the bouncer to push as hard as possible to actually get him out the door. This tactic was apparently so forceful it landed Drunk Santa in the middle of the street. Luckily, there was very little traffic just then so no harm done, but wow. It was something to see. I'm still amazed he never tried to get back in, but the bouncer did shut the door behind him so maybe that proved too great a barrier to overcome.
The remainder of the evening was fairly uneventful yet still fun, mostly because we just kept retelling the story of Drunk Santa to each new person that came to join our little group. Good times.
As a quick recap of the rest of my weekend, Saturday most of the day was spent with some friends watching the MSU game (tragic) and eating Cheesecake Factory and then watching the Red Sox game all the while drinking Sam Adams Oktoberfest (which is really really good. You should get some, it's delicious and by the way when did I become a beer drinker? Very weird). Sunday I did nothing (it was pretty great) and during the week I'm as lame as lame can be so there's no story there, as I'm sure you're all very tired of my tv recap posts. :)
Now then, everyone do your part and watch Pushing Daisies tonight! If they cancel that show I will take it very personally and put the blame on all of you. I'm serious. (ok you're right, I'm not. But I will be very sad)
Monday, October 20, 2008
how i met that other chick
So I'm checking in quickly to tell you how freaking good How I Met Your Mother was tonight.
It was so freaking good.
And I mean, I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, but I am SO happy that Stella is not the mom. I like Sarah Chalke and everything, but I did not like her as potential love interest for Ted Mosby, architect.
Random thoughts:
- Robin is the coolest, I totally dug that speech she gave to Ted
- I want a job with a chimp that throws marshmallows at my head
- the first clue this wasn't going to work out should have been the fact that they were getting married at a vegan yoga resort. Yikes
- why was Stella's ex like 50? He seemed very old and more than a little weird. Further evidence that she was all wrong
- I'm a little sad that Barney can't keep it in his pants long enough to get back with Robin, even if it's only for a minute
It was so freaking good.
And I mean, I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, but I am SO happy that Stella is not the mom. I like Sarah Chalke and everything, but I did not like her as potential love interest for Ted Mosby, architect.
Random thoughts:
- Robin is the coolest, I totally dug that speech she gave to Ted
- I want a job with a chimp that throws marshmallows at my head
- the first clue this wasn't going to work out should have been the fact that they were getting married at a vegan yoga resort. Yikes
- why was Stella's ex like 50? He seemed very old and more than a little weird. Further evidence that she was all wrong
- I'm a little sad that Barney can't keep it in his pants long enough to get back with Robin, even if it's only for a minute
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Presto Chango
The before:
The after:
I love nothing better than having my hair cut really short after growing it out for a year and a half.
Glorious.
The after:
I love nothing better than having my hair cut really short after growing it out for a year and a half.
Glorious.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Things Remembered
So on Saturday, as anticipated, I made myself a little nest on my couch and stayed there pretty much all day watching movies. It was swell. And also kind of disgusting when I think about how little I actually did in a 24 hour period. Yea. It's possible I need to leave my house a little more.
Anyway, at some point on Saturday afternoon I suddenly remembered that I know how to knit, even though it's something I haven't done in approximately 6 months. I figured I'd give that a shot so that at least I would be able to see progress in my laziness. So far, so good, this is two days' progress on a pair of socks for my mother:
I really like the yarn, it's soft and cozy feeling. It's Jawoll Cotton Superwash by Lang Yarns. I don't know much about it, my mom picked it up because I told her if she bought some sock yarn I'd make her a pair of socks. I think it's a good trade, I get free yarn and she gets new socks. Anyone else interested in this type of arrangement, you just let me know. :)
Friday I was at dinner with my old pal Sacha, and while expressing typical existential angst (that would be me expressing the angst - not an uncommon thing) he suggested I check out this book:
He cautioned me that it was over 1,000 pages. I assured him I could handle it. He agreed I'm probably up to the challenge. I'll keep you posted. I feel like this is one of those important books I probably should have read before now in life, but better late than never eh?
Anyway, so I was in the bookstore, buying this heavy (both literally and figuratively) book and my brain practically begged me to get something to balance the seriousness, so on my way past the clearance section I picked up this:
The cover makes me cringe, I want to cover it with a grocery bag like in junior high. I started reading it on my way home (while working very hard to hide the cover so no one would see I was reading a book with lip marks on the front) and it's basically just a slightly classier smut book, but whatever it's entertaining. It's the literary version of a mindless chick flick, but I don't hate it. :)
Meanwhile, I already miss the weekend, and I'm on my second glass of wine.
Anyway, at some point on Saturday afternoon I suddenly remembered that I know how to knit, even though it's something I haven't done in approximately 6 months. I figured I'd give that a shot so that at least I would be able to see progress in my laziness. So far, so good, this is two days' progress on a pair of socks for my mother:
I really like the yarn, it's soft and cozy feeling. It's Jawoll Cotton Superwash by Lang Yarns. I don't know much about it, my mom picked it up because I told her if she bought some sock yarn I'd make her a pair of socks. I think it's a good trade, I get free yarn and she gets new socks. Anyone else interested in this type of arrangement, you just let me know. :)
Friday I was at dinner with my old pal Sacha, and while expressing typical existential angst (that would be me expressing the angst - not an uncommon thing) he suggested I check out this book:
He cautioned me that it was over 1,000 pages. I assured him I could handle it. He agreed I'm probably up to the challenge. I'll keep you posted. I feel like this is one of those important books I probably should have read before now in life, but better late than never eh?
Anyway, so I was in the bookstore, buying this heavy (both literally and figuratively) book and my brain practically begged me to get something to balance the seriousness, so on my way past the clearance section I picked up this:
The cover makes me cringe, I want to cover it with a grocery bag like in junior high. I started reading it on my way home (while working very hard to hide the cover so no one would see I was reading a book with lip marks on the front) and it's basically just a slightly classier smut book, but whatever it's entertaining. It's the literary version of a mindless chick flick, but I don't hate it. :)
Meanwhile, I already miss the weekend, and I'm on my second glass of wine.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
My plan for a better tomorrow.
Yesterday, in what was a completely necessary bout of retail therapy after the issues that never fail to pop up at work, I purchased three movies in anticipation of what will be a glorious movie weekend extravaganza in which I will be a total hermit and probably not change out of my pajamas once. These movies along with the new Netflix movies that should be heading my way (I sent back three movies today that I'd had for over a month and didn't manage to watch a single one the whole way through. I don't know how I managed to get three depressing movies all at once, but I will have to be more careful in the future. In case you care, they were Magnolia [boring and depressing], Atonement [couldn't bring myself to keep watching a movie I knew would only get more depressing as it went on], and The Crow [which I did not remember putting in my queue and couldn't even convince myself to take out of the little sleeve]) should pretty well keep me entertained for two days.
Anyway, while making my purchases online yesterday, I was made more aware than ever of a disturbing phenomenon that is ruining this country (or at least, it's really annoying). Every single one of the three movies I bought (Sex and the City, Iron Man and Forgetting Sarah Marshall) had special collector's editions of the DVD available. And I know that at least in the case of SATC, the collector's edition came out before the regular edition. These are all movies that were released on DVD within approximately the last month.
People, please. Stop the madness.
On principle, I bought only the regular DVDs. I can live with spending $17 on a movie, but I see no reason to spend $23 for a cover sleeve and bonus features I will never watch. However, it's about more than just the money. You shouldn't be able to take just any ol' flick, slap a fancier cover on it, put a bunch of random stuff on a 2nd disc (or 3rd) and call it a "collector's edition". I brought this theory up with Toni today and we determined that some conditions need to be met before something has earned the right to have a "collector's edition":
1. The movie needs to have held up for a MINIMUM of 15 years. As in, people still need to love it. The Godfather, The Sound of Music, The Princess Bride, stuff like that.
2. The collector's edition should absolutely not come out BEFORE the regular edition. That shouldn't even require explanation.
3. Any collector's edition should come with some sort of prize that makes it worthwhile. Because as previously mentioned, most people will never actually watch all the bonus features. Most movies don't need them. Not unless...
4. There should be some sort of drama surrounding the initial release of the movie, some sort of untold story that needs to come out, or a director's cut that blows the original out of the water but was not released theatrically because the studio never thought it would work, something like that. This is not absolutely mandatory, but it doesn't hurt.
5. It should be part of something bigger that would cause someone to actually have a "collection" (and not just a movie collection). A series of movies, a cultural phenomenon, etc. This ties right in with the prize thing.
I don't think this is an unreasonable list of demands. Can't we all agree? Now, I admit that I do own several collector's editions, and that not all of them meet all the requirements. But the buck stops here from now on. No more.
Let me tell you what the absolute best collector's edition I have ever come across is. The Ultimate Superman Collector's Edition (which I got for Christmas last year) meets every one of the above mentioned conditions. The original movie it still great 30 years later, each movie was released on its own before this came out, it included both the 2000 extended version of the original movie and the Richard Donner cut of the 2nd movie (meets the requirements of #3 and #4), and it includes all 4 of the Christopher Reeve movies as well as the 2006 movie, not to mention a cartoon and several of the bonus feature discs, which I haven't watched. But that's ok, because even though I'll probably never watch all that stuff, it was still totally worth it just for fact that it came with seven movies and a cartoon! There might even be a mini Superman comic in there, but I'm not quite sure (and I'm not at home to check).
And while I'm ready to admit that the day might come when any of these three movies might merit a collector's edition (though I have serious doubts about at least one of them), that day has not yet come.
My advice to you all for today is: Watch Pushing Daisies tonight at 8:00pm on ABC. Its first (albeit abbreviated) season was really really good, and I just love it. Admittedly it's one of those "quirky" shows, so if that's not your thing you might not like it, but seriously. Just check it out.
If it gets cancelled I will be very sad, particularly in a season where that janky new 90210 is popular. That would be wrong in every possible way. All I'm sayin'
If it gets cancelled I will be very sad, particularly in a season where that janky new 90210 is popular. That would be wrong in every possible way. All I'm sayin'
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