Thursday, June 25, 2009

I'm not like other guys.

:(

That literally makes me want to die.

I have not fallen off the face of the planet, but we're closing on the house tomorrow, yippee!

This has been me lately:


(Thanks Cute Overload...)

And thank you so much, Alex, for these Michael Bay Facts...

But I'll return to normal programming soon.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Hey, nice bulbs, Emily. Oh, and I don't mean that metaphorically.

DOG POST!

I used to sleep like this, both hind legs hunched up...



They glare, but they love.



ISIS!



CHAZZ!



I could tell you about Isis' shameful love of a particular man's extended leg, or Chazz's inability to control his lower hindquarters when he witnesses said encounter...but I won't. I mean, after all, they are both spayed/neutered. As a witness, I'm here to say that apparently, you just can't fight that feelin'.

In any case, here they are, looking very reserved, indeed...(well, except how Chazz has his junk situated just above the Lion's head, which he then proceeds to sit directly on, in a really funny and inappropriate shot...)



And btw, I ADORE sleeping with Chazz; he burrows for the whole night, only occasionally waking you with his panting. Pics to come, but SO CUTE.

Monday, June 15, 2009

I like my coffee like I like my news--watered down and stupid.

I can't help it, I have to post this, it's too goddamn funny. This is the beginning and middle of the feud between Jon Stewart and Morning Joe...

The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Corporate SynerJoe
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show
Full Episodes
Political HumorNewt Gingrich Unedited Interview


And that was great, but the second segment is even better...

The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Morning Joe's Sarcastic Starbucks Sponsorship
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show
Full Episodes
Political HumorNewt Gingrich Unedited Interview


Sarcasm? Doesn't even one of them know what sarcasm means? I think they meant they were exaggerating or embellishing, but yeah, sarcasm would imply some pretty hostile pokes at Starbucks on their part. JESUS.

There was a third segment where they called Stewart an angry man and The Daily Show got a pony involved, but I liked the first two best.

Don't look at me, I'm fucked up on corn bread.

So the weekend of June 5th (actually by "weekend" I mean Friday--Tuesday, I like a long weekend) was spent in NYC for my and my two best friends' birthdays. We landed in JFK and took the A train way out to the tip top of Manhattan where Drew lives, in Washington Heights. It was really starting to rain pretty heavily, and even though we found a neglected umbrella on the AirTrain, it just wasn't cutting it. Luckily Drew lives close to the station.

Luis was working late, so Drew and I caught up while D popped out for beer and wine. Drew cooked African peanut soup, a recipe from a vegan friend. We all had two helpings and it was incredible. It would make a great winter dish, and even though it was June, the weather was unseasonably suited.

Luis showed up and he and D were introduced. D had beer, the rest of us wine, and 3 bottles later it was time for bed. I'm really glad we got to squeeze in a night at their place, it's so easy to kill both wine and time there. Any conversation that can range from Slovakia to enema kits is a win in my book.

Saturday we all got a slow start to the day; I walked down to the local bagel shop for everyone's order. Eventually we set off for Christopher St., which is always great for people-watching. There was a street market set up as well, with lots of yummy looking foods and trinkets...



The creepiest book ever written?

On the way, we also passed the usual barrage of (fun, not creepy) sex shops. The people who work there are--seriously--almost too helpful. They are more than happy to open/demonstrate anything in the store. I not only learned the benefits of glass anal toys and dildos (!), but got to touch the inside of a fleshlight. Ew. I don't recommend that one.

We walked out to the pier at the end of the street. Drew said, "I always think of you at this pier! Gay Sex in the 70s!" (Drew and I watched this documentary when he visited me in TX; this one was during our day-long film & margarita bash. The docks featured in the film were the scene of much anonymous sex; they used to be just off the pier--you can kinda see the remains.)



The gorgeous weather meant a ton of half-naked bodies on the "lawn" area, sunbathing and an insane number of dog-walkers. I noticed a huge drop in the number of smokers while out and about in Manhattan, yet I don't recall all these fucking dogs. It's like all the smokers quit (apparently a pack is $9.50) and got a dog instead. I guess I prefer the dogs?

After a long break enjoying sitting and sunshine (and subsequently only a mild burn for me!), we walked through Union Square (I would spend far too much on foodie here every week if I lived near, yikes) and finally arrived at Les Halles a little early.

The service here is consistently shit (though our waitress really did improve from her initial ambivalence-bordering-on-irritation) and the food is always mind-blowingly tender. I had my usual (filet de boeuf, bearnaise), others had ribs, flat iron steak, mussels...I forget. It was OM NOM NOM to put it mildly. Desserts, shared, included bananas flambe (what a show) and the creme brulee, and a dessert wine. Totally satisfying on a transcendental level.

Then we all said goodbye and Drew and Luis left back for Washington Heights and we left with Gene and Emily for Brooklyn. I think Les Halles (the Park Ave location) was a perfect in-the-middle spot considering the two of them live quite far apart.

We took it easy the rest of the night with beers on the stoop (aka "stoopin' it"). They live in a fabulous two-story brownstone, with their apartment on the second story, in Windsor Terrace. Brooklyn is sooooooooo nice, I'm a fan. Bigger streets, more space, more quiet...I guess it's cheaper than Manhattan considering the space, but it's still pricey as hell.

More on the rest of the weekend next! But in addition to Gene and Emily, we also got the company of Chazz (brown) and Isis (white), their two miniature Italian Greyhounds. I'm not a dog person by any stretch of the imagination, but these two are damn sweet, often a little cat-like, and I'll take 'em both anyday.



And yes, that is their lion blanket cushion. LOVE.

Let me out there, sir, I have no problem exposing myself.

This can be a post of randomness. First of all, I love Linda in my finaid office at school. Everything is always better after talking to Linda.

Secondly, this past Saturday, with the heat index it was 108 here in DFW. Technically, I think it was 98, but it only matters what it feels like. And in Boston? It was 67. I don't care what the heat index was there because did you just read that part about how it was 67??

Also, after I posted my critique for La Zona on the little website I write for, the editor asked me if I'd like to become a featured writer rather than just a contributing writer. I'd never asked about it because I barely finish my crap by my deadlines as it is, and I didn't know if that was annoying. But neat-o! I don't know yet what category I'll get to cover, and I have to write a little more often (but like once a week instead of doing 7 in one week at the last minute, ha ha), but I'm happy to try. I want to have something to do outside of studying, you know?

I think everything is still going nicely with the house? I have drawn my own impressions about my buyer, but you know, I shall say nothing here. For the moment. And balls, do I need to finish up packing. Good thing I've got a ton of Stewart/Colberts to catch up on...

Random picture time! These are the miscellaneous pics from Boston I never posted; they didn't fit in with the others, really.



This was a shop near the hotel; I believe there was also a music school nearby. In any case, I just like shiny instruments. I also love the red curtains for the secret back room.



Sexy cupcakes at Whole Foods (yet another establishment that does not sell alcohol, wtf). These looked SO YUMMY. Don't know if I could actually eat it. (Yeah, right.)



There was a brief moment after a few beers where I really wanted this Barbie Vespa Scooter thing. It looked fun. Then I remembered I'd be driving it in Boston. Nevermind.

We'd already eaten dinner that night but were trying to buy a few drinks to take back to the hotel. Since this was turning into the stupidest of challenges, we drank at the cutest Asian restaurant near the hotel.



I really wanted to try the food, and now I am completely blanking on the type of food or the name. It will come to me...maybe...



But it looked delish and I think we were the only Caucasians in there, a good sign. I'll be back in a couple months if it doesn't come to me before then!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Are you sure you're a woman? You look more like an artichoke.

I know, I should be finishing up with the packing. But I had all these Netfux to catch up on! I polished off the newest season (4) of Weeds...not only are the episodes short but the seasons tend to be, too! It was enjoyable, if a bit choppy. And while I do really enjoy Weeds, I just need to take a minute to bitch about the marketing.



I mean, really? Of course Mary-Louise Parker is wicked hot, she always has been. And sure, the "tangled web" reference works, but why the fuck is she wearing this? I realize any excuse to show skin is going to be jumped upon, but really? It's just so shamelessly unrelated to the content of the show. And ok, so also, maybe this poster was ALL OVER the NYC subways and maybe I got tired of seeing it...it just started to bug me. (Ha ha.)

/rant off.

Anyhoo. Movie-wise, I can really recommend a film called La Zona.



It's a little hard to follow who's who at first, but it becomes rapidly obvious. It's a great film set in present-day Mexico City, and the story revolves around mob mentality and class divide--and it's not heavy or bleak (but great stark cinematography, I'll grant). I really enjoyed it--really nicely done.

Also re-watched La Strada. I have always loved this film, but somehow I often forget how damn depressing it is!



I mean, it's Fellini, so it's hardly a shocker in that department, but I guess because it's not necessarily something you see coming during the film? Sure, it's a bleak character mix from the get-go, with Zampano being a barbaric opposite to Gelsomina's simple Chaplin-esque character and Richard Basehart's The Fool. I mean, you know it's probably not going to end well, but somehow I forget it really packs it in there towards the end. Sneaks up on you.

But uh, on that note, I really do recommend it if you haven't seen it! What an endorsement, right?

Now I'm watching Recount, which I recall got a bunch of Golden Globes at one time.



It's enjoyable enough, though however much I agree with it, it's completely, unapologetically one-sided in its re-telling. The only people who would watch it probably agree with it to begin with, so what's the point really? It does have a slew of great actors, so what, just sit back and enjoy the performances? I will say that Laura Dern makes a fabulous Katherine Harris...

I'll pack later.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Hey babe, I negotiate million dollar deals for breakfast. I think I can handle this Eurotrash.

I'm working on my NYC post with pics, but in the meantime, it's Friday! Two awesome clips.

I was sad to see the hair go, but definitely funny...

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Stephen Gets His Hair Cut
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical HumorStephen Colbert in Iraq


And just great stuff all around, Nina Simone's Feelin' Good... (Eventually I start to think Bond video, but in a good way...)

Thursday, June 11, 2009

I have tremendous imaginary respect for you.

Now that THE FRAKKING POWER IS BACK ON...I can catch up on my episodes of The Colbert Report, which are taking place in Baghdad this week.

This made me giggle and I really want whatever kind of puppy they have.

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Tom Hanks Care Package
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical HumorStephen Colbert in Iraq

You know, maybe I just don't like you.

Ok, it's coming up on 24 bloody hours without electricity.

We passed "getting pissed" about 18 hours ago. Supposedly 200,000 others are still waiting as well.

We're not only wired to want what we can't have, but we're also wired to want what we really don't want.

So even if our plane was three hours late leaving JFK and we got home around 1 am, I'm still really glad we didn't fly home last night.

We were eating outside at El Arroyo (about five minutes from home) when a wind came through that made the temperature drop at least five degrees. It felt great, but it's also a huge tornado indication! It was kinda funny to watch all the people on the upper exposed part of the patio scatter like ants. It hadn't even started to rain yet. We got home just after seven to no power.

Shoulda stayed at the restaurant, jeez. At least they had cold drinks and power...

And guess what! The frakking power is still out. Eighteen hours +. So much for the fresh feta from Central Market...grrrrrrrr.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Hold on! Quiet! Let me ignore you one at a time.

I hesitate to write about it here, but fuck it. We got an offer on the house, we negotiated, and we've accepted an offer. WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Actually, that itself is jumping the gun. The guy's financing (a single guy is buying our house, which I love) could still fall through, a pigeon could shit on it, who knows. But still, it's a positive move in the right direction and I embrace it wholeheartedly.

I admit my first emotion is sadness--I really love that house and, you know, IT'S MINE!! Some strange dude is going to use my spa and probably neglect my fireplaces. Harsh. I'm working on it.

I have been really stressed lately and feeling run-down, so I'm hoping to quash that in the next two days since Friday brings a SEVEN AM flight to New York City. We're going to stay with Emily and her hubby Gene for most of the duration, since we've not even seen their new digs since the move to Brooklyn! The first night we're crashing with Drew and Luis in Washington Heights, so D can finally meet Luis, who is cute as fuckin' buttons. I am really, really, really looking forward to seeing everyone more than I can say. I'm so glad my two best friends will finally be within driving distance (ok, train distance, who am I kidding) for the first time in seven years.

Someone's gonna MOVE, aren't they?

Plus my dad sent me a great article about these great foodie places in Brooklyn that was in the NYTimes a while back and I am ALL OVER THAT BABY.

Oh, and we're totally hitting Les Halles Saturday night (D's present to me) to celebrate all three of our birthdays since we all turn ** this year (almost exactly one month to the day apart from each other). KILL ME. Everyone tells me their *0s were SO MUCH BETTER than their *0s, so I am throwing in the towel and choosing to believe they aren't just lying to themselves.

Oh, and even though I've known Drew for eight years and Emily for twenty-two (omfg), and even though we all lived in Japan at the same time (VERY different cities), they have never met! I have no doubt it will be a great night, since everyone is really wonderful and enjoys a rockin' good steak as much as I.