Having a great vacation! Dolphins were very close as we were boogie boarding yesterday - seventh heaven.

Challenged

Jenny & I "ran" the Corporate Challenge last night. Ran = run a little, walk alot, run a little, walk alot. Yep, made it in just under record time (record time for the Boston Marathon maybe).

I really hate running. I'd rather ride my bike hundreds of miles rather than run a mile. I just did it for the t-shirt and free food.

Speaking of the t-shirt, Jenny created the winning design for Kodak and as we were all cheering for her, they snapped my pic and it made their website. I'm just glad I don't look like a complete dork, because 4 out of 5 dentists think I do look like a dork in most pictures (luckily, they say I look quite normal in person).

Free Philosophy

Thinking I was going to get all existential on you? I'm lucky I can spell existential. But free beauty products, now that's enough to enlighten anyone.

"The "featured products" were basically men's skin care stuff - shave kits and cologne.

.

Happy Anniversary

Hub sent me roses from Arena's today for our 14th anniversary. I'm a lucky girl.

May the Force be With You as You Dream

Saw Star Wars last night, so I am no longer uncool. Or am I hiply nerdish? Either way, HELLO DARTH VADER! Mmmm, could have used a few more scenes of young Skywalker waking up from a bad dream. I, on the other hand, woke up this morning from a good dream in which I was hugging Anakin. Damn you evil alarm clock! I knew you were from the DARK SIDE!

Drive-In, Pig Out

Went to the drive-in this weekend with my sis and Mya. It was a candy-covered-fried-food frenzy. Combine cheap prices, comfort food and limited access and something clicks in my brain that leaves me a danger to myself and others.

Even though Jenny says I'm a "food exaggerator" (as in, "I ate sooo much yesterday" when I only ate a hot dog and a half of a watermelon), I am not exaggerating the indulgence that occurred at the drive-in.

Here's what I really ate: 3/4 of a slice of pizza (all would have been mine if not for mini-me (Mya) who also loves junk food), not much of a gallon size coke, a bite of a s'more cookie, half a box of Butterfinger Bites*, 3/4 of a cheeseburger (again, the rest given up to mini-me), a bite of a hot dog, and 1/2 a thing of fries.

Now you may be thinking... not too bad considering it's the drive-in and all... but all this came AFTER a dinner of steak and potatoes. And especially this coming from someone who was on track to wear a swimsuit next week - all week I ate chicken, salads, mushrooms, fruit, chicken, tuna, cheese and almonds. But get me behind the wheel of a car while in front of a movie screen and **SNAP**, bikini-body-bye-bye!

*Note: These were worth every last calorie and then some!

Self Conscious

As I entered my Little Gram's Senior Living Apartment Building this week, there was a group of blue-hairs sitting outside chatting it up with each other. For some reason, this was extremely intimidating to me. Why on earth should I be intimidated? This is a key question I need to address in therapy.

Here's the conversation in my head and the scenario - you be the judge if I'm crazy or not...

[me thinking] OMG, there's a whole group of them, they're going to stare at me.

[them, chattering]

[me getting closer]

[them looking]

[me thinking] OMG, they're looking at me! Am I walking funny? Should I look? Should I smile?

[them, suddenly completely silent, all staring]

[me, slight smile]

[me thinking] AAAGGGHHHH! I've silenced them. The moment I'm out of earshot, they're going to spend the next 15 minutes talking about me. AAAAGGGHHHH!

[me, turning the corner, thinking] Finally, I made it through. Whew!

[SUDDENLY, more blue hairs!! All staring also! ]

[One deranged looking man with Charles Manson crazy hair]: "HI!!"

[me thinking] OMG, don't upset him, be nice.

[me] "Hi."

[me, walking faster] I hope he heard me and didn't think I was rude.

[me getting inside the building] AAAGGHHHH! Just let me get up to the safety of my Grandma's apartment. No more crazy staring blue-hairs and no more old-person smell. AAAAGGHHH.

Oh, the traumatic life I lead.

One more Goodbye

We had to let Grizzy go last night. Chuck took him in to the vet for a growth on his side that had ruptured. The vet suspected it was a malignant tumor and thought he might have others. She was right. When they put him under and x-rayed, they found a "lemon-sized" tumor on his heart and a few other tumors in his lungs. They said the kindest thing to do was to not wake him up. If the tumor on his heart were to rupture, it would be a "very bad death". He was 13 1/2 years old and barely hobbling around, so we knew his time was nearing to a close, but no matter how prepared you are, it's devastating.

Mya had grown very attached to him and would constantly say, "Grizzy, treat" and bravely hold out a biscuit as he nibbled away at her little hand.

His ears were so soft as I kissed him goodbye.

No more death for me. That's it. Everyone and everything better stay healthy. Stop smoking. Eat your vegetables. Drive sensibly. Don't step out in front of buses. Don't bungee jump. Don't do drugs (except in moderation). Stay home, watch tv, and eat brussel sprouts, dammit!

Mmmm... Kettle Korn from the Lilac Festival - waited in line for over half an hour to get it - well worth the wait.

Sugar Rush

Another restaurant realized what people (like me) really want - dessert. The O-bar in West Hollywood has a Sugar Rush Hour - much like Happy Hour, but you can get high on sugar instead of drunk on alcohol.

I thought it looked familiar, then realized that this is the bar I went to with my brother on my "fun" visit to LA last November. I was surrounded by gay men who, though mainly interested in influencing my brother's persuation, were kind and funny and very enjoyable to hang with. It's not common in LA (in my experience) to just meet strangers who are nice and inviting, so it was a great evening.

Anyway, we didn't eat, just got drinks, but you can bet my ever-widening ass that next time I will partake of a dessert. Here's the menu... mmm... D'o'nuts!

DAVE’S FAVORITE D'O'NUTS
Fluffy Brioche Doughnuts Served Warm with Cinnamon Sugar Sprinkles, Butterscotch and Chocolate Dipping Sauces.

HEAVENLY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CAKE
Extra Rich Flourless Chocolate Sensation Served with Homemade Buttermilk Ice Cream and Fresh Raspberries.

BANANA CHEESECAKE
A Rich, Satisfying Treat atop a Chocolate Hazelnut Crust. We Add Dark Chocolate Sorbet Just to Show We Don’t Monkey Around with Our Bananas.

MEYER LEMON PANNA COTTA
Panna Cotta translated means, ''Cooked Cream.'' Meadow Adds Her Own Flair to this Traditional Italian Favorite with Raspberry Sauce and Almond Cookies.

WARM CINNAMON APPLE PIE
An Individual Apple Pie Served Piping Hot from Our Oven Topped with Vermont Cheddar Cheese Ice Cream. Mom would be so proud.

STRAWBERRY 'N CREAM NAPOLEON
Luscious Layers of Vanilla Mascarpone, Strawberry Sorbet and Fresh Berries Held Together with Almond Phyllo Tuilles.

THOMAS' DECADENT ''O'' COOKIE
A Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie Baked to Order in an Iron Skillet, Topped with Three Scoops of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Covered in Rich Chocolate and Caramel Sauce.

HOMEMADE ICE CREAM OR SORBET AND BISCOTTI

Goodbye

Well, yesterday, fourteen years to the day my Father (her son) died, my Grandmother passed away. I suppose that in terms of someone dying, this was the best of situations, older, prepared, peacefully. Tomorrow is the service. Let's see if any of my Uncles show up on their Harleys.

Purse Me!

Mya training to be a champion shopper like her Aunt Tina - while at the mall, she picked up this Dooney & Bourke and proclaimed, "Purse, Me!"

Happy Birthday

Today I am only four years younger than Jenny. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LJC!

Grandma Notes

I thought I'd clarify that the Grandmother that is dying is my Father's Mother (Big Gram). Not my Mom's Mom (Little Gram). Little Gram is the one who makes Pizelles, always tells me I look like I've lost weight then attempts to overfeed me, has shoes that are wider than they are long, hangs out with my crazy Aunt Del, gets disgusted when I give her gifts, and who we are very close with. Little Gram is doing mostly well, though about as deaf as a doorknob.

Big Gram is the one in the hospital. We were never as close with her. Dad's side of the family, in general, tended not to acknowledge us much. Whenever I go to visit this Gram, it seems that she has pictures of all her other Grandchildren plastered all over, but none of us. I remember specifically giving her pictures because of this, then next visit - no where to be found. Am I paranoid?

My sister was always her favorite though (at least among of our little group of outcast grandchildren) and sure enough, when I went to see her last week, her first words were, "how's Sherri?". Then next couple visits, she seemed to be getting better, but Sunday she asked for only comfort care, Monday they turned off dialysis, and yesterday she slipped in to a coma. She is going peacefully and is not in pain, which makes it easier, however, the whole idea of dealing with death is still too fresh in the sense of reminders of Mom's ordeal and not having Mom to help us through.

So in an odd, indirect way, it is very traumatic.

Rough weekend. Mother's Day. Grandmother dying. "The" Hospital. UGH.

On the brighter side...

The baby falcons have hatched. Jenny is one year closer to being old like me. The weather was amazing today. My niece Mya is hilarious - she thinks her name is "Me".

Shiny Shiny

While doing some research for work, I came across this site, Shiny Shiny - a Girl's Guide to Gadgets. It is a wonderful site and my estrogen swells with the site of all these girly products, especially this Monkey Nail Dryer. I MUST HAVE IT!!






:)

Slacking

Yes, I've been slacking on posts. As you can see from last nights, I'm just not finding my humor. I don't want to write about all the sad crap.

I have also been spending alot of time on the computer each night researching hotels in NYC. Looks like we are going again in August with Jenny & Aaron and when it comes to travel, I become this obsessive freak who has to look at EVERY SINGLE SITE and find out EVERYTHING ABOUT EACH HOTEL. Mainly, I want a hip, boutique-y hotel with good toiletries that is near Pommes Frites so I can feed both my Beauty Product Addiction and my Food Addiction in one fell swoop. Let me tell you that it is not a quick and easy task to find out what kind of toiletries a hotel offers. And this plays big in my decision.

The Hudson, as cool as it was, had crap toiletries. The W New York on the other hand, had a nice little travel bag full of Bliss products. Yes, it was sheer bliss to take home that little bonus.

But NY has so many choices, many of them out of my price range, so I'm still a bit undecided. As of tonight I have The Time Hotel booked, but I'm not done. I'd rather stay at the Tribeca Grand or Soho Grand or I might go for the City Club - only for their Hermes toiletries. Let's face facts, I'm not going to run out and buy Hermes stuff, but if it comes with a decent priced room, I'm THERE.

So I'll try to get back to my blogging, really I will.

And any thoughts/info on NYC hotels, let me know!

One Down

Well, it worked. I was enveloped by the intensity of celeb after celeb... first Brad Pitt, then George Clooney, Steve Buscemi, Jamie Foxx, then, the most trusted of all, Tom Hanks, asking me to help make poverty history.

How can you resist?

I couldn't.

Why should you resist?

So I signed the declaration and I bought wristbands.

Then again, I also gave some grungy-dread-locked-barefoot-tree-hugger guy who showed up at my door at 9pm one night thirty five bucks to save the environment from pesticides, so why wouldn't I help Brad Pitt?

Best of Craiglist

I hadn't seen this before, but these are hilarious!

New Yorkie

I'm still in a NY state of mind. One of the best parts of our trip was all the dogs. NYers love their dogs, and Citysearch has a great article on all the dog-friendly places. Next trip we might not have a dog with us, but who says you can't go trolling for a little puppy love in the city.

Bubby's Pie Co. in Tribeca allows dogs. Their menu looks pretty tasty too. I think I'd have to get the Frog Parker Pulled Pork with a side of mac & cheese and Corn on the Cob and chase it all down with a Creamsicle Martini and, of course, finish with Mile High Apple Pie. Mmm.

NY, NY

Back from NYC and aside from the jacked up, blistered feet, it was excellent. I did wear comfy shoes, but walking about 6 miles a day - when you normally barely put in 1/4 mile - is bound to do damage.

Thursday got off to a great start with Pommes Frites. I'd have to walk 6 miles a day if I lived there because I would eat these soul saving fries every day.

We were also happy to see that NYC is now spotted with Jamba Juices. They were busier than Starbucks! Banana Berry gave my soul and soles some much needed potassium.

Then it was on to Broadway. I cannot emphasize enough how hilarious Spamalot is. Tim Curry should win a Tony. Tim Curry's alto voice and charming smile warmed my soul.

The gentle rain that fell upon us as we politely handed our playbills to David Hyde Pierce and Hank Azaria was refreshing and enlightened my soul.

Friday brought us Maroon 5. Assigned seats and row 10 made for an easygoing, no jostling with teenage girls, good time. Adam's lyrics touched my soul and he was very easy on the eyes.

Sneaking into the secret Burger Joint was invigorating and the caloric bounty fed my soul.

Saturday brunch at the Brooklyn Diner was delicious. I love dipping toast in eggs, it remings me of my Mom and brings joy to my soul.

Chilling in the Oasis Lounge at the W New York made for a relaxing evening. Though there were no rhythm-less dancers to be amused with, there was a huge wall with dolphins being projected onto it. My soul is soothed with the sight of dolphins. The Corona didn't hurt either.

Making the most of Sunday, we put on our walking shoes and headed south. Walked over fourty blocks before bringing it all back around - back to Pommes Frites. Finishing off a great trip with a delicious chocolate milkshake while eating soul sticks with your best friend, that's what it's all about.

My soul was warmed, refreshed, soothed, and fed... and I am better for it.

Read Me A Drink

Jenny and I are in the Library Bar of the Hudson Hotel. We are using their computer like nerds while the cool people are playing pool. Jenny is fighting her alcohol allergy and I am flowing with my tolerance for it... We saw Maroon 5 tonight, they were great. There were alot of 8 year olds there too. I guess NYers like to spoil their kids. We also saw an eleven year old with a Louis Vuitton purse. Totally unneccesary in my humble opinion. I mean seriously, buy the girl a Hello Kitty purse and let her grow up empathetic. Another youngun in a fur scarf could have done with a sythetic blend. Oh well, that's NY for you.

Wear in New York?

As Jenny posted, we are going to NYC tomorrow for a weekend of fun, food, and financial farewell (ie, say goodbye to our money because we will be shopping like mad).

One thing I'm having a dilemma over - what to wear. I want to look nice, but I don't want my feet to feel like I've been walking on hot coals.

What I want to wear:


The extremely comfy shoes I bought to wear (but in tan):


But I also have the problem that flat shoes are not very flattering on me. Not only am I short already, but my pants are so long, I'll look like The Incredible Shrinking Woman on day 4. So if not my comfy jeans, then what?

What are short women in NYC wearing to look nice but be comfy and warm? Or are they all suffering for vanity, which is still an option?

Heavenly Donuts

In discussing the dire health of the Pope, Jenny & I agreed that it would be unfortunate for him to pass away on April Fools Day - yes, it would be unfortunate for him to pass away at all - but if it's today, it will just open the situation up for tasteless jokes and what not. We also discussed how he is likely getting the best care and at only 84, has probably taken good care of himself through the years, so may have a good chance of pulling through.

But then there are Krispy Kremes. The belief that Krispy Kremes were created by the Heavenly Father to bring peace and happiness to our ever darkening planet. That the sugary glaze is not just yummy, it feeds our soul with lightness and blesses us with an internal glow of joy that radiates to others and makes the world a better place.

I think the world has overlooked the power of the Krispy Kreme. That if there were donut proliferation, we might not have nuclear proliferation. If the people that hate Americans were offered a dozen hot glazed, perhaps their view would be softened, their perspective expanded, for how can you hate someone who provides something so loving and kind.

I don't think it's a mere coincidence that they are shaped like little angel halos. So even though the Krispy Kremes might shorten our lives with clogged arteries, the benefits far outweigh the risks. Krispy Kremes are, as we've all suspected, an instrument of God.

Glowing Orbs

I love these new glowing orbs. Much like the Candela rechargeable candle lamps Jenny blogged about, but now in available as ethereal little orbs that change color.

Now if they could just merge these with a Tomy Bobble Head Sunshine Buddy - like Jenny has - and I think they'd have a replacement for valium.

Bird Nerd

Yes, I'm rapidly becoming a Bird Nerd.

Kodak has two Peregrine Falcons nesting on our tower. Six years ago, kodak.com decided to set up a Birdcam sitelet, to watch the Peregrines nest, lay eggs, hatch eyases, then fly off for the winter... and it's been wildly popular. I've peripherally followed the birds, though not quite dedicated enough to go stand out on the bridge on my lunch hour to watch them. As a former docent at our local zoo, I am, however, a bunny hugger, and have great love for anything furry and cute (ok, not anything... Robin Williams doesn't quite make my list).

So now that I am part of the team, I can't tear my eyes away from these two beautiful birds - at least on the website. I'm still not trekking outside at lunch - not until Falcon Watch 2005, where I can yell into a walkie talkie "WE HAVE A BIRD DOWN, I REPEAT, BIRD DOWN" and save one of the fledglings lives. Then I will be a full-on Bird Nerd and proud of it!

And, as Lis spotted, I'm even showing up on the site here and there. Can't determine if that's a perk or a peril.

Jug Protectors

I got these milk and juice carton covers for Jenny for Christmas at a local store. They were deeply discounted and too funny to pass up. Then I saw them on shopintuiton.com for $10 each - are people really paying $10 each for these??!! Maybe they work wonders for keeping your milk and juice fresh.

Today is my Grandma's birthday. She is 85. She's in good shape, though she does suffer from CHS (can't hear shit). I called her to wish her a Happy Birthday today. Picture me at my desk, trying to be somewhat discreet...

[ring, ring]
GRM: Hello?
ME: Hi Gram!
GRM: Hello?
ME: Hi Gram, it's Tina.
GRM: Who?
ME: TEE NAH
GRM: Who?
ME: You're Grandaughter.
GRM: Dawne?
ME: No, Tina.
GRM: Sherri?
ME: NO, [near yelling] TEE NAH!
GRM: Tina?
ME: YES!!
GRM: Hi Honey.
ME: You can't hear me, can you?
GRM: What did you say, I can't hear you?
ME: Just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
GRM: ok
ME: I'll talk to you later, LOVE YOU!
GRM: LOVE YOU, BYE BYE.

Bless her heart.

Family Fun

Visiting with my Grandmother and Aunt Del - as I did on Monday night - without fail includes these three things:

1) definite insistance that I've lost weight

GRAM: you look like you've lost weight
ME: no, I definitely haven't
GRAM: [disgusted look of disbelief]
[10 minutes later]
GRAM: you look like you've lost weight honey
ME: no, actually I've gained 3 pounds since the last time I saw you, you can see it in my hips
GRAM: no, you've lost weight
[then I give up the debate, better her telling me I look thinner than I look "pouchy"]

2) insistance to eat more

GRAM: have a turkey sandwich honey
AD: what do you want to drink?
ME: I have water with my Crystal Light
AD: I have flavored seltzer water
ME: I have my drink
GRAM to AD: get Tina some of that soda
ME: I have my Crystal Light
GRAM: you need ice
ME: no, I used cold water
AD: have some Ambrosia Salad, I got regular and strawberry
ME: ok, I'll have a little
GRAM: are you going to have another sandwich Honey?
ME: I will Gram, just having a little ambrosia salad
[2 minutes go by]
GRAM: have another sandwich Honey
ME: I'm going to Gram [eat a second turkey sandwich]
AD: have some cheese and crackers Teen
ME: no thanks, I'm getting full
GRAM: have some cheese and crackers Honey
ME: no thanks Gram, getting full
GRAM: that's meunster cheese there
ME: oh
AD: I have Sugar Free Klondike Bars, want one?
ME: no thanks, having a sugar free klondike bar is like having [I stop myself before saying something gutterish to my Grandmother and very religious Aunt]

3) 20 compliments with 20 questions

AD: I love your coat, where did you get it?
ME: Banana Republic
AD: How much was it?
ME: About $79 - it was on sale.
AD: What was the original price?
ME: About $250
AD: Wow, that's a good deal.
[10 seconds or so]
AD: I love those boots, where did you get them?
ME: Kaufmanns
AD: How much were they?
ME: About $55 on sale

[To which I started rattling off info about all elements of my wardrobe, including my Hanky Panky underwear. I added that I am going to start showing up with those gigantic price tags attached to all my clothes like they do in the magazines.]

We had a good laugh.

iPodoke

I'm glad hubby loves his iPod Shuffle. I could do without the karaoke-with-no-background-music effect. Let's just say, he will NEVER quit his day job to become a singer.

$789 per Inch

A vicious cirlce I like the sounds of... spend more money on cosmetics and clothes --> earn more money to buy more cosmetics and clothes.

A study found that attractive people earn more money... But that "anyone can increase their attractiveness to others if they maintain good eye contact, act upbeat, dress well, and listen well." The researcher says to, "stand straight, tuck in your stomach, hold your head high, and smile at those you meet" and "you will begin to be treated with more warmth and respect." Sounds like Stepford Wife training rather than research.

and size matters, too...

another study found that "tall people earn considerably more money throughout their careers than their shorter coworkers, with each inch adding about $789 a year in pay".

Whoa, Aaron is in for a nice salary. Good thing, because what Jenny lacks in height, she far makes up for in beauty.

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth... I just haven't been too inspired.

I did have a great weekend.

Friday, hub & I and Jenny & Aaron went to see Bride and Prejudice, a Bollywood movie. It was dazzling with a little cheese sprinkled on top.

Saturday, Jenny, Aaron & I hit the slopes and went snowboarding. I litterally hit the slope... with my head... when I fell after getting off the lift. CRACK! My head bounced like a basketball. Today the tendons in my neck are sore, but otherwise it was alot of fun and worth a bit of pain.

Yesterday I visited my Sis and we took the little ones to Chuck E. Cheese. More like Chuck E. Birthcontrol. Holy Chaos Batman! I'm also going to just go ahead and say this and probably be unpopular for it, but little boys are nightmares with legs (though I'm sure they're adorable when they're sleeping =)

Yay for Jay

Yay to Jay McCarrol for winning Project Runway! Jay was catty and bitchy, but very funny, very honest and very talented. I love the skirt with the circles on it. I want one.

I was hooked on this show - the American Idol for fashion designers. It was great to watch them create something from scratch... and slightly amusing to hear Michael Kors rip their designs apart.

And in the finaly, Parker Posey looked Fab-u-lous with that crazy hair - you go Indy Girl!

My one rant for the show - I hated that the Producers manipulated the results to pick someone who they knew would add drama. Save that crap for the shows that need it, like Real World and Surreal Life. There was enough drama and suspense in Project Runway in watching the designs come together and seeing who won.

Paris Trumps National Security

The state of our culture today - Paris Hilton's sidekick getting hacked garners more law enforcement activity than a guy getting Secret Svc credentials for the Wht Hse with a fake name... which probably wouldn't even have made the news until they uncovered that he was a homosexual male escort who published nasty web sites. Then it becomes at least newsworthy.

I think it's all a PR stunt anyway. Paris' livelihood depends on her name being in the news. Helllooooo. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. She probably seduced some 15 year old kid to "hack" into her stuff.

On that note, I now possess the phone# of the lead singer of Maroon 5. I wonder if he'd like to meet me for a spot of tea.

Pretzels + Chocolate = Yummy

Tomorrow is Cookiepalooza at work - our fifth annual cookie baking contest. I think I won "Best Looking Cookie" last year for my frosted sugar cookies in the shape of ice cream cones.

This year I made Chubby Hubby Cookies. Yes, the name got me (though my hubby is no longer chubby as he has lost almost 30 pounds since last year and is continually shrinking and will soon fit in to my pants at which time I might truly lose my already loose grip on sanity). But moreso, I'm all about mixing pretzels and chocolate.

It started with the White Trash Mix given to us at Christmas - pretzels, crispix, cheerios, nuts all coated in white chocolate. I didn't think I was even going to like it. I was SO WRONG. Now I find myself at home, whipping up a batch as if it's popcorn and I'm sitting down to Colin Firth Fest.

Then Aaron and Jenny introduced me to the Take 5 bar. It was yummy. And now I'm hooked on the idea of pretzels with chocolate.

So I found this cookie recipe that includes pretzels. They're not that attractive, but I'm hoping they are tasty. Funny thing is, after all that, I have no desire to eat one. Perhaps the cookie dough getting in the way of the pretzel truly meshing with the chocolate dampens my desire.

Boarding for Breast Cancer

Our good friend Tony is riding for the 2005 Boarding for Breast Cancer Board-A-Thon. Tony helped teach me how to board and look at me now, I cut up the slopes like Kelly Clark... ok, not so much... maybe more like Kelly Clarkson. But I have the cutest snowboard ever, with pandas on it, incase I actually get serious about it. If not, I can still hang the snowboard on my wall as an artistic centerpiece.

Go here to donate for Tony

iPod Me

Got hubby an iPod Shuffle for Valentine's Day. He's happier than a pig in, well, poop. It came in this adorable green box and just seemed to say, "I've been waiting for you my whoooooole life!"

After a few bouts of him singing along to the song that was playing only in his ear, I've started to wonder what I've gotten myself in to here. Though he has multiple talents, singing is NOT one of them. Let's just say, not only should he not quit his day job, he shouldn't subject the shower walls (much less me and the dog) to this spectacle.

But let's be honest here, I'm just jealous. These days, having a white cord flowing out of your ears definitely increases your hip quotient... so needless to say, I am feeling like the nerdy, out of the loop member of this union - a position I am not used to.

I want an iPod!

Maroon Me on a Desert Island

Yay for Maroon 5, they just won the Grammy for Best New Artist. After Los Lonely Repeat the Chorus Over and Over Again Boys won Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group, I wasn't hopeful that Maroon 5 would win, but they did. Thank Goodness it wasn't a Jethro Tull wins Best Metal Album moment!

They look pretty handsome in those suits too. Looks like suits are the new black. I don't think I could endure another thank me lucky charms I've turned from rapper to golfer outfit like Missy Elliott wore that one year, ugh!

photo: Wireimage

Chomp

At this point, scary, but there's not alot of food that would make me feel happy (usually I can rattle off a long list). My food fantasies are fizzling.

I was going to mail order a Giordano's Chicago Stuffed Pizza, which definitely has potential for momentary bliss, but it was going to cost $41.25 for a 12" pie and I may be desperate, but I'm not crazy.

Matt, coming home for a visit anytime soon? =)

Cat Killer

My favorite SuperBowl commercial was the Ameriquest one where the guy looks like he is murdering the cat. Sick but damn funny.

Neither team is a favorite of mine (I'm still partial to the Miami Dolphins), so I cheered for NE only because I had heard on NPR that the QB was a QT, but let's face facts, he's certainly no Steve Young.

Krispy Krack

I realized that my blog has strayed from what my title implies... my lust for food. I had contemplated telling my brother that I was going on a hunger strike, but I know he would know I was full of crap. I cannot, in fact, stop myself from eating. To the contrary, I am finding myself eating everything in site, assuming it will give me a moment of pleasure to distract me from the drama. And you know what, it does. Sound familiar? Like an addiction maybe? Because even something as seemingly harmless as Krispy Kremes can be dangerous if taken to the extreme. Let me elaborate...

Research says that if we take in 3500 calories more than we burn, we gain one pound.

According to this Calorie Needs Calculator, I burn about 2000 calories per day.

Each Krispy Kreme Original Glazed donut (my drug of choice) has 200 calories.

I'd need at least 3 dozen donuts per day to continually dull my pain (and, I assume that over time, I'd need more and more to get the same results).

That's 7200 calories in donuts.

Plus I'd need to wash them all down with soda, so that would easily bring me up to 8000 calories.

That means I'd gain almost two pounds per day.

So if I went on a Krispy Kreme "runner" for just two weeks, I'd gain over 25 pounds! I would definitely need a new wardrobe, but probably couldn't afford it because I'd be spending all my money on donuts. Any clothes that did still fit would probably have glaze stains on them.

Then things would turn really bad... I'll have gained so much weight that I'll be depressed... and even though I know how hard it will be to lose the weight, I won't be able to stop because I really love how the donuts make me feel and can't bear the thought of not eating them... then I'd think about how I've let my family and friends down because I don't want to go out anywhere, I just want to stay home and eat donuts, so to keep them from bugging me, I'd lie and say I was having "tummy troubles", then I could hide out in the bathroom with no one bothering me to stop eating my donuts and even if they did beg me to stop, I'd say "to hell with it, I've already gained ridiculous amounts of weight" and keep eating the donuts... and the vicious cycle would continue.

Amazing how frighteningly similar this is to actually being addicted to a narcotic substance! Only I don't think on the Krispy Kremes you'd bug out or pass out. Then again, I don't know for sure because I don't think I've ever had that much pure sugar flowing around in my bloodstream!

More Brazil Pix

Bas put up more pictures from Brazil...

EF

What a horrible week so far. Brother is not doing well at all. My back is about to give out. My hair, well, we won't even GO there...

The horrible thing about having a loved one who is destroying themselves is that you wonder why they don't love you enough to be able to stop. It's a silly thing to think because you know damn well they do love you and you know addiction is not rational, but you can't help but feel hurt.

I wish I had the money to hire a couple big guys to go and kidnap him and keep him in a bungalow at Chateau Marmont for a month and only allow room service and a Psychiatrist to visit. Alas, independently wealthy I am not, so I'll continue on the Prayer route (though since that didn't work for my Mom's situation, I'd also like to win the lottery and hire the thugs).

Couch Potatoette

Along the lines of the state-the-obvious-research that showed drinking alcohol makes others appear better looking, they've now proven that couch potatoes tend to be obese. Duh. The major scientific breakthrough - they surmised that the drive to sit or lounge is genetic, rather than caused by the fact that they are/become obese.

...undergarment readings confirmed that the obese participants sat or reclined an average 2.5 hours more per day than their skinny peers... Despite their newly svelte status, these participants continued to prefer lounging over being more active. "This drive seems very fixed," he said.

Bottom line, whether it's genetic or just lazy-ass syndrome (which I suffer from often), everyone still knows that you need to get off your ass to lose weight. I probably have a genetic predisposition to become addicted to drugs but I know it's bad (very bad) so I don't give myself the opportunity. Not to compare this to being a couch potato - because it's not as if I'm surrounded by chunks of crack that I just choose to pass up each day. The opportunity to sit on you butt and watch Scrubs or reruns of Friends is constant and unrelenting. I understand this. I just think that to spend money on this research is ridiculous when they could have donated some memberships to Weight Watchers and at least helped create thinner, healthier couch pototoes.

Snow Peeves

As you may or may not know, we got dumped on with snow last week. I've lived in snow almost my whole life (minus those three years I spent in Vegas learning to be superficial and morally bankrupt), but there are some things I just can't get used to.

For example, how can someone who, for the past 7 or so snow-free months, understood the appropriate parking distance thanks to the yellow lines, suddenly, when those lines are covered by snow, become devoid of any sensibility such that they park soooo far away from the next car that each could open their doors and not ding one another... yet just close enough that another car cannot fit between them, causing the parking lot to now only fit half the number of cars it could in the spring? I cannot comprehend the stupidity present when someone parks like this. They are someone I want to beat over the head with a mallet.

And then there are the morons who are too damn lazy to wipe off their cars. I kid you not, a guy drove by the other day... his windshield barely wiped clean, and the rest of his car - including the back window - covered with 5 inches of snow, which was blowing off his car and leaving everyone behind him to navigate through his home-made blizzard. Mallet please.

And of course, those that drive too fast or too close. I pity the soul who decides to ride my bumper, then as I have to break for a wayward chunk of snow, plows into the back of me. Hello road rage! I better get a nerf mallet to put in my car.

Strangers with Candy

I am a huge fan of The Daily Show and of the now-defunct tv show Strangers with Candy. So I was delightfully surprised to turn on NPR (as I always do) to hear an interview with Stephen Colbert - who is brilliantly funny on both.

Strangers with Candy was just so wrong on so many levels... such as this one of many quotes:
"How many of you wanna wake up in a public bathroom, lying in a pool of what you HOPE is your own filth?"

So I was estactic to learn that they made Strangers With Candy movie - which is premiering at Sundance tonight. If I were independently wealthy, I would be on a plane to Salt Lake City right now.

My Friends

I have some very cool friends. There is Jenny, who is insanely creative and always finding new ways to express it, from Christmas Cocktails to Lollipop Cozies. There is Daniela, the dynamic sexpot, who got me my first pair of high boots and has inspired me with her taste and class ever since. There are the musicians - Jessica, with the voice of an angel, and Sarah who plays a mean french horn and tickles the ivories so well. There is Amy, who took a risk and pulled ideas together to author the hippest knitting book yet. There is Peppermint Tina, whose thoughtful words and gifts make me feel so special. There is Joel, who won't put his knives in the dishwasher, but will put chicken bones down the garbage disposal. There are many others - actors, painters, writers, artists, thinkers, travelers, mothers, fathers, and those who have a talent for humor.


The latest to impress is Mikha, who has had two really cool books published this past year. One is all about good luck charms and the other about spices. Unfortunately, they are in Portuguese, but even though I don't understand the words, the books are little works of art, with great pictures and beautiful design.

My friends insprire me. I am a lucky girl.

Oreo Personality

I took the Oreo Personality quiz and this is what it said about me:

Everyone likes you because you are always upbeat. You like to sugar coat unpleasant experiences and rationalize bad situations into good ones. You are in total denial about the shambles you call a life.

Sounds about right =)

Pictures!

It has taken me awhile to get back to my blog. I have been spending my evening computer time working on editing and sorting and adding titles to the pictures I took.

One of the drawbacks of buying a 1GB memory card for your camera - you take a TON of pictures and then have to sort through them to get to a collection that might not bore the hell out of everyone else.

So, after sorting through over 500 pictures, here, finally, is a photo album of pictures from Brazil.

Some quick highlights:

Tsunami Sadness

While I was away, we heard little news. When we left Sao Paulo, the death toll in the tsunami was estimated at 11,000. When we heard of it again a week later, it was up to 140,000. As I've returned back and am watching the news, I am seeing the true devastation and it deeply saddens me. I see images of beaches that prior to the waves, looked just like the beach I was on in Brasil. It is scary to think about being subjected to the fury of the sea. It's hard to understand why these things happen, sometimes to the smallest, most innocent among us.

Back from Paradise

Arrived home from Brazil yesterday, exhausted and a little bit in shock. It's not easy to go from warm, sandy beaches to cold, snowy roads. It was an amazing trip - gorgeous scenery, great weather, and wonderful people.

So as not to type a dissertation, I will try to list some highlights of the trip:

- Beautiful wedding
- Brasilian coffee
- Cheese for breakfast
- Fruit, fruit & more fruit
- Guarana Light
- 3 day bus trip north thru Brasil
- Flip Flops
- Churrascaria - Brasilian BBQ - a carnivore's dream
- bumpy, dirt/sand roads to Beach house
- Paradise
- Falling asleep & waking to sound of waves crashing
- Rising moons & starlit skies
- Sunscreen
- Caipirinhas
- Coconut Water
- Cashew Water
- Sunscreen
- Trying to learn Portuguese
- Riding in the dune buggy (pronounced boogy in Portuguese)
- Brasilian bikinis
- Sunscreen
- Gorgeous Brasilian women
- Hunky Brasilian men
- Skinny Brasilian dogs
- Boat Trip up the Lagoon from Marau to Barre Grande
- Lots of Sunscreen
- Yoga under the stars
- Getting hit on by a cute young Brasilian (que é seu nome?)
- Beach Volleyball
- Bug spray
- riding Shakey (the horse)
- Harry the dog taking my sneaker
- Pousadas - Bahia Boa
- Shrimp with faces & legs (yikes!)
- Yoga in the rain
- Family & Friends & Friends who have become Family

Feliz Natal

With things looking much better on the family front, our first day in Brasil has been wonderful. A bit jetlagged from an overnight flight, but between the Guarana and espresso, and the best Christmas Eve I´ve had in three years, I´m feeling pretty energetic.

We exchanged gifts, had a delicious dinner of lamb (yes, I tasted it and, to my surprise, liked it), turkey, rissoto, and rice, panettone filled with ice cream for dessert, and then listened to Daniela´s very talented friend Edrick play the guitar and sing for us. After Edrick sang, another friend of the family, Caroline, played the piano and sang opera. The evening was topped of when Daniela´s Dad sat down at the piano (something he rarely does) and played some beautiful music.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Paradise Found

Thank God for frequent flier miles. They have made it possible for Hubby & I to go to Brasil to be in Daniela's wedding. We leave tomorrow (today). We are so excited. Her family is so incredibly kind and generous, they take us in and take care of us. I feel like I am getting the gift of parents for Christmas because Daniela's family are the kind of people who treat you like one of their own. I just hope I don't get overcome with emotion and start bawling.

The wedding is on Sunday and I know it will be beautiful. Chuck is in charge of the rings, so I hope he doesn't faint or, worse yet, forget them.

The next day we all head up to the beach house in Maraú. The drive will be incredible, taking around two days, it will take us through the small towns in Brasil that most tourists don't get to see.

Then, relaxation on the beach for the next week.

Damn, after the month I've had, I need this. Though I am sure I am going to worry like crazy about my Brother. He does seem to be doing better today though. One day at a time, as they say in the program.

Have a safe, warm and happy holiday!

I
think
I
am
officially
turning
nocturnal.

Rebates Repulse Me

I hate rebates, they're the biggest scam EVER. These companies KNOW that 98% of us are schlumps who let them expire or just don't even bother. So today, when I bought new memory cards for my digital cameras, I tried to be very proactive and fill out the forms right away. On the form I noticed a web address - FINALLY - they're making it easy with online registration... so I went to the Office Max website and, lo and behold, it's BEING UPGRADED and ISN'T AVAILABLE.

YEAH, RIGHT! Why don't they just add a link to buy the Brooklyn Bridge.

em effers.

Cookie Monster

Well, I missed Jenny's Cookies & Cocktails party, major bummer. Her party was inspired by our favorite restaurant here in LA, Lola's, who serves hot fresh baked cookies as a dessert... so damn good!

So to make up for missing the party, on Friday night, bro called Lola's to order Cookies for take out... but much to our dismay, they were having a private party and weren't providing food. So we called again tonight, another private Christmas party. No fresh baked cookies. How sad is that?

Then again, I'm the type who puts my cookies in the fridge and my Faux Ho's in the freezer... and since Hubby grabbed me some molasses cookies that I will be sinking my teeth into within the next 48 hours, it really isn't so bad.

Day 4

Still in LA, in the midst of helping family. Things are going much better, though the stress is giving me migraines, upset stomaches, and crying spells. But it's what needed to happen.

Had a good day today, lunch at Bossa Nova, about the best Chicken Lasagna I've ever had... and for the first time in what seems like weeks, a REALLY GOOD Starbucks Vanilla Latte (non-fat, sugar free, extra vanilla, with whip - whew!)... a visit to some inspiring friends, and a stop at Costco - which was so insanely-mobbed, it's reason enough to keep me from moving to LA.

That said, having not shopped in quite some time, especially given the actual NEED to shop this time of year, I feel like I'M jonesing*. Driving by M.A.C., Kitson, Beverly Center, and Fred Segal about put me over the edge. I need SOMETHING, just a little bit of Target or Gap would get me through...

*I am NOT a Shopoholic, I checked the symptoms, hubby is well aware of all my purchases and I don't have to sell off my collection of Beanie Babies to pay my bills.

On a Mission

Family crisis got too much to bear, so at at 1am Wednesday I booked a flight and at 6am I was on my way to Las Vegas. I have to try to help, even if I'm not really the one who can change things. If something bad were to happen, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I hadn't at least visited.

Meanwhile, I think my body is feeling the effects of extreme stress, but I can't worry about that right now.

Winter Wonderland

Back in NY and greeted with cold and snow. I really don't mind the snow as far as looking at it and snowboarding on it... but the driving in it and walking through the parking lot in it (and nearly biting it) I could do without.

But for me, growing up in the Northeast, it just wouldn't be Christmas without it.

Love, Actually is Putting me on The Edge of Reason

Parts of my life seem to mirroring Colin Firth movies, but not in the way you might think.

I'll start with the Portuguese I am trying to learn, ala Colin Firth in Love Actually. We are going to Brasil in a couple weeks for Daniela's wedding and I don't want to be a completely ignorant American who can't even attempt to communicate. But I did also, just in case, buy the Point It book with all the pictures of stuff you might need, and I will be surrounded by beautiful Brasilian women - Daniela, Mika, Sofia and Charlotte - who will help me shop =)

This weekend, we're visiting the in-laws, who live in Florida's premiere retirement hotspot, The Villages - smack dab in the middle of the state. Earlier today, we went to a Christmas brunch, where I felt like Bridget Jones, mainly because we were half as old as the majority of people there, and most of them were wearing Christmas jumpers.

And the worst of all, I'm spending most of my time here worried about my family. I'm like Laura Linney in 'Love Actually', on the phone all the time, trying to make their lives better while nearly sacrificing my own sanity.

At least it's sunny here, not very warm, but sunny.

Gorilla Tears

Having a rough time as of late. Our family can't have good without bad rearing it's ugly head. Too much to mention, too depressing, and no matter how bad you think you have it, someone else is dealing with much worse crap.

So given my state of mind, when I read about the wake they had for Babs the Gorilla at the Brookfield Zoo, I bawled my eyes out...

"Babs' 9-year-old daughter, Bana, was the first to approach the body, followed by Babs' mother, Alpha, 43. Bana sat down, held Babs' hand and stroked her mother's stomach. Then she sat down and laid her head on Babs' arm."

Waaaahhhhhh!!!

Wake me Up When I'm Skinny

It's not new, I've heard it before, sleep affects your weight. But the new research spells it out a bit more. When you're sleep deprived your body makes more of the hormone that makes you want to eat and less of the one that tells you to stop eating. It also makes you want to eat all the crap that you didn't sleep long enough to dream about... Krispy Kremes, lasagna, Butterfingers, Big Gulps...

If sleep were the key to eating less, I should have been emaciated on those summer vacations when I stayed up until 2am watching tv but then slept until 3pm - getting up just in time to see Blackie & Jackie go at it General Hospital. Unfortunately, I was still a chubby girl exposed to a few too many late night cable movies.

So basically, I've tried the Stay in Bed all Day Diet (SO ahead of my time) and it didn't work. Because, realistically, you only have to be awake for an hour to down a box of Fruity Pebbles, some pop tarts, some leftover pizza of which you ate most of the night before and wash everything down with a few pepsis... and appetite has little to do with those food choices, while instant gratification and tastebud extacy do.