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!