Scrubs is back tonight! Wheeee!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Decision
After searching through Macy's Tuesday night, Merrick changed her mind about the chocolate brown, classy bridesmaid dresses, but now she can't decide between these:
Green and sassy
Red and bunchy
Decisions, decisions.
Green and sassy
Red and bunchy
Decisions, decisions.Monday, November 27, 2006
Basically, Her Hair is Amazing
So Jen and I, resigned to being lazy, were just flipping through the channels this evening (I grabbed the remote after she made me watch CSPAN2 for an hour. Well, I guess since she was interviewed on it, it was okay. But still. CSPAN? 2? Why do we need two?). We settled on TLC and a show about a family building their own house. It was called 16 Children and Moving In. Yes, sixteen children.
Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar live in Arkansas and have fifteen children with one on the way. They've been renting a house while building their dream home... for the past three years. It's going to be 7000 square feet or something ridiculous like that, and the whole family's been pitching in. The children participated in any way they could - the older children guided the younger ones, and private contractors were happy to explain what they were doing so that the children could really get some hands-on experience. It was pretty cool, actually. You know, if you like homeschooling...
Anyway, cut to the first commercial break, and it's an advertisement for this.
Comedy gold.
Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar live in Arkansas and have fifteen children with one on the way. They've been renting a house while building their dream home... for the past three years. It's going to be 7000 square feet or something ridiculous like that, and the whole family's been pitching in. The children participated in any way they could - the older children guided the younger ones, and private contractors were happy to explain what they were doing so that the children could really get some hands-on experience. It was pretty cool, actually. You know, if you like homeschooling...
Anyway, cut to the first commercial break, and it's an advertisement for this.
Comedy gold.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Total Excitement
After shopping ALL DAY with the bride-to-be, I pretty much passed out (heh. I originally typed "assed out.") on the couch. I had some Thai leftovers from Wednesday night, so that was a welcome change from the T-giving fare. I attempted to watch season two of Arrested Development, but slept through all but one episode on the first disc. Party Animal, I am.
Housemate Jen got in at about 10. Drunk. Off. Her. Ass. Yeah, she'd been drinking since nooner and assed out at the bar, apparently. Heh. Assed out.
I fell asleep again, waking up at 11:15. That's when I finally escaped from my cocoon of blankets and went to bed.
When I awoke this morning, I called K-10 (I think that it was about 4:00 p.m. in London at this point). After about five minutes into the conversation, I realized that I was talking on my phone. In my bed. It was amazing. LOVE Verizon. Headed to E's later on and watched a very confusing, very depressing movie, and headed to bed. Party Animals, we are.
Wow, that was a dull post. I'll try not to do that very often...
Housemate Jen got in at about 10. Drunk. Off. Her. Ass. Yeah, she'd been drinking since nooner and assed out at the bar, apparently. Heh. Assed out.
I fell asleep again, waking up at 11:15. That's when I finally escaped from my cocoon of blankets and went to bed.
When I awoke this morning, I called K-10 (I think that it was about 4:00 p.m. in London at this point). After about five minutes into the conversation, I realized that I was talking on my phone. In my bed. It was amazing. LOVE Verizon. Headed to E's later on and watched a very confusing, very depressing movie, and headed to bed. Party Animals, we are.
Wow, that was a dull post. I'll try not to do that very often...
Friday, November 24, 2006
Black Friday and Satin & Lace
I have never gone shopping on the day after Thanksgiving, and during December, I avoid the mall like the plague unless it is absolutely necessary. Even then, I always set a plan of action and I do not lose track of the goal: to get in and out of the war zone as soon as humanly possible.
But when Merrick asked me to accompany her and her sister, Gwen, to some bridal shops on that day of days, I didn't even think about the potential scariness - I am too excited and happy for her and Gerald.
She found the dress at the first boutique on our list - it's classic and graceful and very, very her. I would have taken pictures, but we weren't allowed (boo), but I also wouldn't want Gerald to stumble upon a rogue picture by mistake.
Then, it was time for bridesmaid dresses. Merrick chose tea-length dresses in a chocolate color, and is still deciding between two styles. Either would be a lovely choice, really. Gwen looked great in the few styles we tried on, but the intermediate length of the sample dresses made me look hilarious (like how capri pants look like regular pants on me? Yeah, that's how the tea-length dresses looked. I'm excited to be fitted correctly so I look normal!)
It was an exhausting, but exciting day!
But when Merrick asked me to accompany her and her sister, Gwen, to some bridal shops on that day of days, I didn't even think about the potential scariness - I am too excited and happy for her and Gerald.
She found the dress at the first boutique on our list - it's classic and graceful and very, very her. I would have taken pictures, but we weren't allowed (boo), but I also wouldn't want Gerald to stumble upon a rogue picture by mistake.
Then, it was time for bridesmaid dresses. Merrick chose tea-length dresses in a chocolate color, and is still deciding between two styles. Either would be a lovely choice, really. Gwen looked great in the few styles we tried on, but the intermediate length of the sample dresses made me look hilarious (like how capri pants look like regular pants on me? Yeah, that's how the tea-length dresses looked. I'm excited to be fitted correctly so I look normal!)
It was an exhausting, but exciting day!
Thursday, November 23, 2006
T-giving
Preparations for the day of gluttony began on Wednesday night - Jen and I started by cutting up two loaves of bread for the stuffing. Soon, Jen's friend Jenny joined the mix, as did alcohol:
These girls are crazy!
Getting up early to get the twenty-one pound turkey in the oven on time was a bit of a pain with a wicked hangover, but I did my best. Thanks to Aleve, my headache was soon gone and the aroma of stuffing and bird filled the air.
Mmmm... bird.
The bird went in at 10:45 a.m. and didn't see the light of day until 6:30 p.m.
By early evening, we had fourteen people crammed into the tiny living room while the wine and other spirits were a-flowing:
Who brought the scotch, by the way?
When the monstrous bird was finally done, it barely needed to be carved as the meat was literally falling off of the bone:
Golden!
These girls are crazy!Getting up early to get the twenty-one pound turkey in the oven on time was a bit of a pain with a wicked hangover, but I did my best. Thanks to Aleve, my headache was soon gone and the aroma of stuffing and bird filled the air.
Mmmm... bird.
The bird went in at 10:45 a.m. and didn't see the light of day until 6:30 p.m.By early evening, we had fourteen people crammed into the tiny living room while the wine and other spirits were a-flowing:
Who brought the scotch, by the way?When the monstrous bird was finally done, it barely needed to be carved as the meat was literally falling off of the bone:
Golden!It was a great night - I'm so glad that we were all able to spend Thanksgiving together, and I love that it's turning into a tradition. Love Actually, anyone?
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Raw
On a cold, rainy Wednesday, I tried Oya, a fairly new Asian/French fusion restaurant in Chinatown. I decided it was time to experiment at last and try sushi for the first time. And let me tell you, Oya did not disappoint.
I opted for the Spicy California and the Tuna Avocado. The Spicy California was very good, and I was intelligent enough not to add any extra wasabi (I am a bit of a wuss in the spicy department). The Tuna Avocado was heavenly. Each level of flavor was immediately apparent - the tuna was wrapped in seaweed, then surrounded by rice, and finally held together with thin strips of perfectly ripe avocado.I am excited to branch out and try new kinds of sushi as I stuck to the fairly safe options this time - a wise choice (I think) for my first sushi experience. What's next? Eel? I'll have to make myself try new ones, or else I'll be ordering the Tuna Avocado for ever!
It's funny - my parents both love sushi and my mom makes it every so often, but I could not be bothered to try it. Now? I can't believe that I have had sushi missing from my life!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
It's OVER!
I finally did it. It took forever, but I did it. The breakup that took longer than Britney Spears' marriage (the most recent one, not the Vegas one):
I've dumped Cingular.
Granted, Cingular was sometimes good to me. Every so often I'd get semi-acceptable service, and those, my friends, were the golden days. Most of the time, I would have to teeter on the back porch and try to crane my neck toward the sky to get even a slight increase in reception. Walking home from work was always a blast: dead spots everywhere, words cutting out left and right... And lately, it was taking two attempts to make each and every call. It would tell me that the call was connected, but I wouldn't be able to hear anything.
I tried four different phones in my house, and the most recent one was the worst: if I barely stepped into the kitchen? No signal. Damn microwave interference. Or... something.
And so, I am now a super happy Verizon customer. It's amazing - I can actually talk on the phone in my bedroom! Crazy, isn't it? Poor K-10 had to tag along as I tested the phone in each room. "Can you hear me now? Good!"
I've dumped Cingular.
Granted, Cingular was sometimes good to me. Every so often I'd get semi-acceptable service, and those, my friends, were the golden days. Most of the time, I would have to teeter on the back porch and try to crane my neck toward the sky to get even a slight increase in reception. Walking home from work was always a blast: dead spots everywhere, words cutting out left and right... And lately, it was taking two attempts to make each and every call. It would tell me that the call was connected, but I wouldn't be able to hear anything.
I tried four different phones in my house, and the most recent one was the worst: if I barely stepped into the kitchen? No signal. Damn microwave interference. Or... something.
And so, I am now a super happy Verizon customer. It's amazing - I can actually talk on the phone in my bedroom! Crazy, isn't it? Poor K-10 had to tag along as I tested the phone in each room. "Can you hear me now? Good!"
Monday, November 20, 2006
Oddjob
It was quite a weekend: a little bit of Bond and a little home improvement project, too much junk food and lots of sleep. Even after this, it was a good couple of days.
Casino Royale was pretty damn good. I'm no Bond oficianado by any means, but I have seen a few Bond films - mostly those starring Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan. Goldfinger is one of my favorites mostly because of the script and because I watched it with my Dad. "Do you expect me to talk?" "No, Mr. Bond. I expect you to die." Awesome. Casino Royale explores the beginning of James Bond's career as a 007.
Daniel Craig was brilliant, yet gritty as the newest Bond. He's a beautiful specimen of a man, and I never for a moment doubted his ability to play 007. And critics were silenced as well, once they got out to see the film.
See it - it's fun!
Casino Royale was pretty damn good. I'm no Bond oficianado by any means, but I have seen a few Bond films - mostly those starring Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan. Goldfinger is one of my favorites mostly because of the script and because I watched it with my Dad. "Do you expect me to talk?" "No, Mr. Bond. I expect you to die." Awesome. Casino Royale explores the beginning of James Bond's career as a 007.
Daniel Craig was brilliant, yet gritty as the newest Bond. He's a beautiful specimen of a man, and I never for a moment doubted his ability to play 007. And critics were silenced as well, once they got out to see the film.
See it - it's fun!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Tasty, Tasty
On my way to work the other day, I read a very depressing article about how eating red meat regularly can lead to an increased risk of breast cancer. Fantastic! Why couldn't it be something like... brussel sprouts? Or cauliflower? Nope, it has to be that lovely steak.
I'm just wondering if it'll be discredited - for a while, margarine was considered to be WAY better than butter and now health officials say that butter tastes better, so have that instead since they're both about the same amount of 'bad for you.'
It reminded me of a Lewis Black stand-up routine: he was (and I am paraphrasing here) "sick of the government telling us that eggs are good! And then, eggs are bad! And, eggs are good! And, the yolks are bad, the white part is okay... make up your mind!" So I searched for it on YouTube to no avail. I did, however, find this gem from the same stand up special. Enjoy!
I'm just wondering if it'll be discredited - for a while, margarine was considered to be WAY better than butter and now health officials say that butter tastes better, so have that instead since they're both about the same amount of 'bad for you.'
It reminded me of a Lewis Black stand-up routine: he was (and I am paraphrasing here) "sick of the government telling us that eggs are good! And then, eggs are bad! And, eggs are good! And, the yolks are bad, the white part is okay... make up your mind!" So I searched for it on YouTube to no avail. I did, however, find this gem from the same stand up special. Enjoy!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Stranger Than Fiction
I love Will Ferrell, no matter how over-the-top he can be, so I knew that I'd be seeing Stranger Than Fiction at some point. I was so very pleasantly surprised with this film. I mean, I had read a few reviews (all glowing), but I thought that Bewitched looked promising, too, so who knows.
I heard an interview (on NPR? I can't remember) with Will Ferrell a bit ago, as he was doing press for this film. He was humbled to be included in a cast that boasted Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson and was more than a little star-struck. Rightfully so. However... His performance as Harold Crick completely erased all doubts that he could play a dramatic role. He was amazing - his facial expressions alone were a far cry from the animated characters for which he is so well known.
Harold is a pretty normal guy. He's an IRS auditor who lives his life in a very mundane, counting-every-toothbrush stroke kind of way. He's a genuinely nice guy, but he's kind of... well, boring. Until the morning he wakes up and hears his life in narration. In his head. A voice no one else can hear. And yet, it's surprisingly accurate.
Emma Thompson is Kay Eiffel, a reclusive author suffering from writer's block. Thompson - easily one of the best actors EVER (her performance in Love Actually should be more than enough of an example to back up this statement) - surprises no one with her magical performance in Stranger.
And Dustin Hoffman. A literary theorist and professor. Amazing. Harold pleads for his help.
Maggie Gyllenhaal was absolutely perfect as an anarchist baker, and the bit part of Dave, Harold's work friend, brought Tony Hale (Arrested Development) to the screen. Love.
That's all I really want to say for I fear giving away anything. This film was delicate, humorous, and deeply touching. Though a little slow at times, it never dragged. Instead, I eagerly awaited each scene. The literary allusions and originality in this film made it so very worth while. While Hollywood continues to produce mediocre remakes, this film was fresh and good. I loved it!
I heard an interview (on NPR? I can't remember) with Will Ferrell a bit ago, as he was doing press for this film. He was humbled to be included in a cast that boasted Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson and was more than a little star-struck. Rightfully so. However... His performance as Harold Crick completely erased all doubts that he could play a dramatic role. He was amazing - his facial expressions alone were a far cry from the animated characters for which he is so well known.
Harold is a pretty normal guy. He's an IRS auditor who lives his life in a very mundane, counting-every-toothbrush stroke kind of way. He's a genuinely nice guy, but he's kind of... well, boring. Until the morning he wakes up and hears his life in narration. In his head. A voice no one else can hear. And yet, it's surprisingly accurate.
Emma Thompson is Kay Eiffel, a reclusive author suffering from writer's block. Thompson - easily one of the best actors EVER (her performance in Love Actually should be more than enough of an example to back up this statement) - surprises no one with her magical performance in Stranger.
And Dustin Hoffman. A literary theorist and professor. Amazing. Harold pleads for his help.
Maggie Gyllenhaal was absolutely perfect as an anarchist baker, and the bit part of Dave, Harold's work friend, brought Tony Hale (Arrested Development) to the screen. Love.
That's all I really want to say for I fear giving away anything. This film was delicate, humorous, and deeply touching. Though a little slow at times, it never dragged. Instead, I eagerly awaited each scene. The literary allusions and originality in this film made it so very worth while. While Hollywood continues to produce mediocre remakes, this film was fresh and good. I loved it!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Friday, November 10, 2006
Thursday, November 09, 2006
It's a Foggy Day in the Neighborhood
Tuesday was crazy foggy, but at least it wasn't raining (like Wednesday). The weather's been a bit bizarre, but nothing we can't handle, right? It's not like there's two inches of snow on the ground and the federal government is closed for the day, after all.
I do like waking up to fog - I think it's eerie and neat. And even though the weather today was absolutely amazing, escaping the city this weekend is going to be a nice change. Plus, my day off falls on a federal holiday, so I get Monday off, too! Fantastic! Dewey Beach, here I come!
Monday, November 06, 2006
Saturday, November 04, 2006
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