Jungle Bash 2006

So Jungle Bash 2006 was rapidly approaching, and decorations were in demand. The boys asked for a painting. Not just any painting. No, this painting had to represent "The Jungle Lounge." You see, when a party like Jungle Bash 2006 creeps up on you - a party that consists of three house parties in one - there are themes, there are destinations, there are expectations.

(I'm being a little overdramatic here, in case you hadn't noticed).

Regardless, I've never been "commissioned" to do a painting before. I've given many as gifts, but the colors seemed to flow from the brush, without a care in the world. It was a daunting task. Could I do it? Could I follow the theme and still create something that could remain above the couch in the living room?

I found myself staring at a blank canvas for two days. I had painter's block. Is that even a thing? I finally committed to some colors... and hated it. The good thing about acrylic paint is that once it dries, you can cover it right up and no one is the wiser. I really should have taken a picture of the before, not just the after.

Anyway, this is what I came up with for the party. I did not like it at first, but it really grew on me. It's slightly surrealist, slightly Donutriffic. I don't know. I just made that up:

Don't you feel like you're on the edge of the Amazon? I do.

The party was a good time. Saw some old friends, met some new ones, and drank some jungle juice. Okay, more than some:

Drunkenness ensued. It's not that obvious, but it's there. Oh, it's there.

The best part thing about parties at Club 1139 is the time of night when Joshy dances on the table. Usually around 1:15 a.m. It's really not a party until then:

I wish I could remember what song was playing...

All in all, a good night. Got to bed at like... four? I don't remember.

Wine? No problem!

Let Laurel take care of that for you:


Oh. You didn't want half of the cork in your glass? Well you should have said something! No worries, she can get that. Hey! Someone hand her two knives?


In Laurel's defense, I have had the most awful time with corks lately as well. I haven't had to resort to the "knife defense," but I've come close. Either way, that was a fine Pinot Grigio. And I got some protein from the cork...

Special Kind of Stupid

I remember getting a "You Go Girl" type forward during my freshman year of college. You know what I'm talking about - forwards (along with email in general) were new and fun and you had yet to see the same ones over and over again and you'd actually send along the chain letters just because they warned that you'd fail your next midterm if you didn't?

Right. So this forward had a ton of "cute" quips about women. Most were lame. The one I always kept with me, however, never fails to make me laugh. It read something like this:

"Skinny women piss me off. They say things like, 'You know, sometimes I forget to eat.' Forget to eat? Now, I've forgotten my pin number, left clothes in the dryer for days, and even left the kids too long at daycare. But I've never forgotten to eat! You have to be a special kind of stupid to forget to eat."

Special kind of stupid - I love that phrase.

The thing is, I am that especially stupid skinny woman. I forget to eat lunch all of the time. Take today, for example. For once, I had a pile of things to do. I was breezing through each task -- entering new data, filing letters of recommendation, creating folders for new applicants. All of a sudden, it's 4. In the afternoon. What the hell? I guess it's nice to get to leave early because in your stupidity you forgot to eat lunch, but still...

I'm going to blame most of today's meal-skipping on this sweet cold I picked up the other day. Probably on the metro-germ factory. Everyone in the DC metro area is sick and phlegmy. I went to the Chinatown CVS this morning before work (I can't believe it's open 24 hours. How does it not get robbed every night?), and the cold/allergy section had been ambushed. It was like picking through the bins on the last day of Victoria's Secret's semi-annual sale-a-thon -- you have your eyes peeled, desperately trying to locate the matching bra and thong set, but rarely do you find both in your size. The moral of this story? Go early.

Anyway, I managed to find a dual pack Tylenol Cold - daytime and nighttime. Fantastic! Popped the non-drowsy ones at work, but never managed to gain an appetite. Ah well. I'm hungry now - time for lunch!

Have Car, Will Travel

So I had a car for the weekend. And I used and abused it to its full potential, let me tell you!

Friday, I metroed to the airport to get my car. I had no idea what to expect on this one, except that it said I would have a Ford Focus or similar. There were those scary words: or similar. Last time, I got the VIBE. What would it be? No worries, it's a Chevy Malibu! Cute!

I went all over the place - grocery store, Trader Joe's, Best Buy, etc, etc, etc. The news flash item of the trip: a new shower curtain liner to replace the mildew-covered one - I swear, the mold and mildew patterns were so intricate, you'd think that it was a map of the London Underground or something. It was gross. I felt dirtier after taking a shower because of that thing - you know, you're showering and all of a sudden, the heat comes on, blowing the damn shower liner against your leg and you shriek because you JUST WASHED THAT LEG but there's nothing you can do about it. Made stew that night and some peeps came over to watch some quality DVDs.

Saturday, I woke up with the sun, showered faster than I've showered in a long while, and hopped in the sexy MALIBU for a ride to Great Falls. Three deer ran out in front of me when I was on the curvy, hilly road on the way to the park - two does and a buck. They were amazing. I got there a little around 8, and there were about six cars in the parking lot - most of which belonged to the rangers, I think. I had the place to myself - I was completely alone as I stood on the overlooks - and it was so beautiful and serene. I stood watching the falls for probably a half-hour before I parked myself in the sun on a semi-secluded bench in the nature center. It was just what I needed - places like that are hard to come by in the middle of the city, and not having a car really detracts from my ability to relax when I just need to slow down. And lately? I've needed to slow down. Being in nature like that allows my heart to breathe. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's true.

I spent the rest of the day with Merrick (she was the enabler behind the camera purchase). I had the LARGEST cup of cafe mocha from Panera. Mmmm...

I had to take the car back this morning, and that kinda sucked - especially after the amount of wine I drank last night. Metroed back toward the city and ended up at the 12:50 p.m. showing of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in Chinatown. It was wonderful! I remember reading the books, but I must have been seven or eight years old at the time. I cried, of course, but not at the parts you'd expect. I just loved it. I'm glad I finally saw it.

Now? Now, I'm feeling a little down because the weekend is over and I feel a little ill after eating way too much popcorn. And as the house is roughly the same temperature as the Arctic tundra, I plan on watching DVDs on my computer while tucked into my blanket-laden bed. Because for real, when your little nose is ice cold, you might have a heating problem.

May I Direct Your Attention to...

... the no longer defunct DC Donut Photoblog?

As I have replaced my beloved digital camera (with the exact same model, of course -- thank you, Best Buy, for ridiculous sales!), I will attempt to post a new picture every day.

:)

I'm Flying!

Mario is better, but whatever.

 

Mario

Have you ever posted a post-type thing when drunk? Well, this should be fun. Not as fun for you - because I am using the spell-checker-y thing.

I love Nintendo. WELL, Super Nintendo, to be exact. Though there is something special about that original Nintendo system. Mario 1 thru 3... all good games. But Super Mario World on Super Nintendo?

PURE. GENIUS.

Right, so Amanda and I have "problems" getting past certain "levels." SO WHAT. So did you when you were 14. Oh and hey? I have to have the car back to the rental place in a few hours. Sleep is probably a good idea.

Malibu

MALIBU. That's so much cooler than VIBE.

So that's the car that I have for the weekend. It was either $50 on the car for the weekend or $300 plus a car rental to meet my mom and aunt in Florida. I was really debating a lovely trip to Florida. And then we got the gas bill.

TELL ME how our gas bill can be $303. SOMEone explain this to me. We keep the freaking house at 60 degrees, which normally has me wrapped in blankets and wearing two sweatshirts to bed. During that billing period, all three of us were gone for a week (or more) for Christmas. And we left it at 55 degrees then. And it's STILL that expensive. Right, our landlord emailed us this in mid-December:

It’s supposed to get really cold over the next few days so to prevent pipes from freezing would you leave your heat on and let a low constant flow of water out of the faucets till this bitter cold weather stops. Thanks so much Maria

Uh huh. Sure. And that's when it was supposed to be in the 30s. I've never even thought to leave water running, though I guess the pipes here are probably different than the ones in the great white north. Either way, no Florida trip for me - though it would have been a nice, relaxing way to get my mind off of things.

But I got a MALIBU. Nothing like the freedom of the road to give you a sunny disposition on life.

Well, I'm on my way.

Tomorrow!

The sun'll come out
     Tomorrow
   Bet your bottom dollar
   That tomorrow
   There'll be sun!
    Just thinkin' about
       Tomorrow
   Clears away the cobwebs,
   And the sorrow
    'Til there's none!
   When I'm stuck a day
   That's gray,
   And lonely,
   I just stick out my chin
    And Grin,
    And Say,
     Oh
   The sun'll come out
      Tomorrow
   So ya gotta hang on
   'Til tomorrow
   Come what may
      Tomorrow!
       Tomorrow!
   I love ya
       Tomorrow!
    You're always
    A day
    A way!

Ah... that song works on so many levels...

Okay, Just One More Thing

...about the gay cowboy movie. This is hilarious.

That is all.

Check It Out

Can't decide which will be more of a train wreck, The Producers or Cheaper By the Dozen 2? Are you snarky? Well, then, this site's for you! I'm totally linking to it over there on the right side of the screen. Done and done. (Although, to be honest, I kinda want to see The Producers. No, really).

The titles of the reviews make me laugh. For example, the review for The Producers is entitled, "Nothing Like a Wacky Broadway Nightmare to Make You Hate Christmas," and "Don't Even Think About It" is the title for Cheaper By the Dozen 2. Snerk. I know what I'm doing at work tomorrow!

P.S. If you have a chance, and if the words "that gay cowboy movie" don't scare you, definitely read their review. I've yet to see the film as the mainstream theaters in DC won't carry it, but I read the short story in college and have not forgotten its power.