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.