lunch parties

Day one (Wednesday, July 4, 2007):

• Awaking at 3:30 AM (Thank you, KM.)
• Car to airport at 6:00 AM
• Hugs from KM
• Talking her blessed ear off for two solid hours
• Asking for Bloody Marys at 6:45 AM
• Being rejected by the bartender
• Perfect flight
• Finally being served a Bloody at 8:15 AM
• Reading "Watchmen" on the plane and not being afraid of the bumpy ride
• Perfect MARTA trip to Inman Park
• Hugs from Sarah
• Vegan pizza
• Trip to Athens
• Trip to Kroger (Oh, how I miss large supermarkets.)
• Beers on KB's porch while he pumped iron
• Hugs from KB
• Hugs from Amber Bear
• Hugs from everyone else
• More pigs in a blanket (This time with spicy maple BBQ sauce.)
• KM and I binging on the grape tart
• Many beers
• Many small talk conversations
• Many unwanted trips down memory lane
• Serious sleep deprivation (It's starting to sink in now.)
• Texts to The Ex
• Discussing our first Kindercore single (Think Young Jeezy featuring Lil' Jon meets the Lemonheads.)
• Sugar-free Red Bulls (Two, thank you.)
• No fireworks
• No drama
• Reading "Watchmen" again at 12:30 AM
• Asleep by 12:31

mcgill

Alex: you know how I feel about blogging, right?

Me: no, but i'm sure i could guess -- but tell me

Alex: blogging is like a new fuck buddy; at first blush it feels like there is a connection, but after a while you come to the realization that you are just masturbating with an audience

Me: i'm going to go ahead and blog this conversation right now! thx!

looking up

Before meeting up with Josh, Paul, and Garett on Friday night and having a raucously good bar-hopping time, I actually had a date.

I went out with this guy a few months ago. Nice guy but, um, he didn't really make me laugh. He tried really hard. All in all, kinda boring. He was also freakishly tall. We awkwardly hugged at the end of our second date (mostly because he's a full person-size taller than me) and I thought that was that.

No.

Fast-forward a few months and he writes me:

"[N]one of the recent conversations I've had with women have matched the one I had with you back in March."

Okay, so I'm a sucker for flattery.

So, I go out with the guy, making sure that he understands that I'm not really looking for anything except maybe an excuse to grab a pitcher of beer and some popcorn shrimp at Trout.

The entire date lasts about an hour an a half. It's boring. I'm anxious to hang out with the boys. I end things by saying that my BFF is having major boyfriend issues and I need to go run interception. We end by (again) awkwardly hugging and without thinking, I blurt out, "Well, keep in touch!"

This, to me, sounds cold and I think he's got the hint.

"Really?!" he says, his eyes widening in excitement.

He didn't get the hint.

I got an email in my inbox yesterday and he's definitely wanting to keep in touch.

What to do?

(I'm really not as icy in real life as I sound in this entry. Promise.)

viva las vegas!

Best part of my roommate being outta town for two weeks?

Watching "Big Love" while lounging on the living room floor, drinking a big glass of wine, in my bikini.

Yeah, I said it.

makes me feel fine

Fancy olives and real cutlery! No plastic forks at this soiree. No sir.


Only the best wine for my friends: Two Buck Chuck. (Note: Costs more than two bucks in Manhattan City!)


Pigs in a blanket. (Note: Not really made from pigs!)


KM bringing it back to 2002 with some flautas.


Paul's seriously Italian contribution.


The day after...


This just about sums it up.


A couple more photos here.

entertaining

Scattered around my apartment are empty bottles of Olde English and pinot grigio and it smells like watermelon and mussels and stale beer and it's sticky and gross and greasy and I just feel like procrastinating until someone comes over and helps me clean.

If you couldn't make the So Icy / Stuffed Potluck 2007, here's what you missed out on, kids:

• A gigantic cooler of Summer Breeze, a tasty beverage consisting of vodka, lemonade, Red Bull, and 18 cans of Coors Light, all mixed by Josh in my bathroom
• KM's flautas, a few of which I ate cold this morning for breakfast
• Paul's highly impressive antipasti spread (on a bed of leafy greens, even!) and sincere effort on the mussels, though they died en route
• My bro's stuffed pizza, using jacked ingredients from the others' contributions
• Vedette & Karl's goooooorgeous stuffed Roma tomatoes
• Porkchop & Colleen's contribution of local favorite Jake's BBQ with vegan sides
  
• My vegan pigs in a blanket with chipotle citrus BBQ sauce
• Salsa cheese dip stuffed inside a bread bowl
• Green olives stuffed with garlic
  
• Mike's watermelon face
  
• Many bottles of wine
• Many beers
• Many glasses of Summer Breeze
• Listening to "Summer Breeze" by Seals & Crofts
• Listening to "Can You Feel It" by the Jackson 5
• Late night trip to Commonwealth with my bro, Monique, Mike, Paul, Josh, and Garett
• Late late night run to the bodega for gum and more drinks for the boys
• Late late late night viewing of "Flight of the Conchords" 'til we all just had to hit the sack

Oh, and you also missed out on us watching the following roughly seventy-five times in a row:


All in all, a success!

(Still, this place is a disgusting mess. Come help me get it back to its natural state of beauty?)

a lifetime of defeats

Go visit J.Ro's blog.

Please and thank you.

venido a la playa

GYC, even in the rain, is a good time.

Met Justin-the-bartender, had two pitchers with Josh and KM, watched Josh eat a hamburger and a hot dog, snacked on cashews, enjoyed a Presidente gratis, discussed crafting the perfect text message, eyed the boy-with-the-beard, chatted it up usual-style with my man, Alan, and am home by 12:21 AM -- just in time for another episode of "The Wire" on DVD before I crash and hit up Trout tomorrow night.

Oh, yeah, and I have work tomorrow, too.

overtime

I actually did some work today.

For, like, 45 minutes.

alma

So, when Soterios Johnson says that it's gonna rain and you have plans to eat ceviche and drink wine a full fifteen minute walk from any train, bring an umbrella.

Getting caught in a flash flood with lightning strikes all around you isn't as poignantly cinematic as one would think.

wild pegasus

Satan's Cheerleaders came in second-to-last place last night, kids. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

(And, uh, hey, Paul: don't go thinking that this means that you're getting out of coming in two weeks. The team is a mere shell of what it once was and we need your trivial knowledge and Operation Tri-Force strategizing capabilities. I think Josh and KM will be back on the 10th, too.)

(Oh, and paying for drinks at weddings is chintzy. Period.)

the creeping crud

Lest I be fined $1000 or thrown in jail or something equally traumatizing, I had to make an emergency trip into the city today to 60 Centre Street and prove to the City of New York that I am now a resident of the Borough of Brooklyn.

(I have to admit, it was a little amusing walking up those steps that I've seen Benson & Stabler ascend on many occasions.)

Somehow my iPod cracked up and showed only Chinese characters when I awoke this morning. I fixed it but it worried me for a second. Can I just blame Mercury?

I did laundry last night. Ate some lentils. Watched "The Wire".

Things seem kinda boring, to tell you the truth. Perhaps it's just the slow work week juxtaposed with the busy weekends I've been enjoying as of late.

Tonight brings trivia but, sadly, more than half the team has dropped off. A good number of people aren't able to attend the potluck and I'm (sigh) close to cancelling the whole thing.

Cranky moods are so unattractive, I know.

so icy

i think that it's working

This is the truth, folks: I've spent roughly three hours in my apartment since heading to work on Friday morning. I'm ready for a long shower and some food and some "60 Minutes" and some much-needed sleep.

After quickly posting the (bulleted!) highlights of my weekend yesterday, I triple-trained it to Clinton Hill with beer in tow and met up with Josh on the G. (Yes, running into friends on the train is always fun, but especially when you're headed in the same direction and are worried about getting lost on the walk from station to apartment.) Anyhow, yeah, picture this: Josh, Paul, and I sitting around on folding chairs and milk crates and drinking beer and wine and whiskey and talking shit.

It was merely a light version of bro'ing down, to use that corny phrase that Paul just hates.

Paul had to make it to a wedding in the wee hours of the next morning. Josh would be working a little. After all the fun had been had, Josh split, "Arrested Development" was watched, I crashed, Paul dipped out, I woke up at 9:00 AM, took the train to Port Authority, met my mom, brunched at Craftbar, shopped at H&M, watched the Gay Pride parade, drank Vitamin Water XXX in Union Square Park, and ta da! Here I am.

Everything's cool cool -- but um, was this a crazy weekend or what?

And to KM: <3

let's whip it baby

Just a taste of what I've experienced this weekend thus far:

• Another oyster shot (!) (no chorizo this time, howevs)
• Tits galore at the Mermaid Parade
• Witnessing a "Jerry Springer"-esque hair-pulling fight in front of Shoot the Freak
• Chili cheese fries
• Pitchers of beer
• QT with Josh, Tom, Porkchop, and Colleen at GYC
• QT with the above and KM, Dave, Megan, and Mary at Trout
• KM's brunch of pineapple pancakes and soysage grits
• Standing on the train all the way to and home from Coney Island
• Falling asleep on the beach
• Witnessing a racially-motivated near beat-down on F train
• PB&Js on the boardwalk -- two for $5!

More soon, I'm sure. Must hit the shower.

celebration

It's Kennie Bloggins' birthday, yo!

Haps on that shit!

the arrow of apollo

Little-known fact about me: I start planning my Halloween costume sometime in July. Now, rarely (if ever) have I actually followed through with any plan whose genesis lay in the summertime, but alas, I've begun thinking...

I know at least ONE person who will be going all out as one of these fellas. Spray tan, waxed eyebrows, highlights, the whole bit.

My thought was to be Capt. Kara Thrace ("Starbuck") from "Battlestar Galactica" or, perhaps, Alex from "A Clockwork Orange". I've been kicking around the latter idea for years now. Maybe it's time to just admit I'm a frat boy and do it.

Bonus: when I am ready to embrace full geekiness, I can use either costume at Comic-Con and score me a super nerd...

(Jokes, jokes.)

temptation rings in my ears

Thanks to Mezzy Eclipse for linking me on their sidebar and for giving me a shout out in a proper entry.

I was also introduced to Ryan Lewis' blog today and saw that creepy-ass picture of the Heath Ledger's Joker from The Dark Knight. Yes, creepy-ass. Reminds me of checking it out weeks ago on Paul's BlackBerry at GYC. He liked it. I was like, eh, not slick enough.

Was that the night that three pitchers turned into nine? Was that the night of coffee brandy? Or Op Ivy? My head hurts when I think about it.

jamon jamon

I think I shall begin to only blog copy-and-pasted GChats and/or entries about syrupy pop music, because do they ever instigate some commenting!

You know, relatively speaking.

(But, because I have no thoughts on popular tunes right now and I've already posted a GChat for the day, you're just gonna have to listen to me ramble on about my upcoming weekend. Y'ready?)

Tomorrow I will go back to Trout. Or GYC. Something. I'm in the process of getting a crew together and will eat some eats and drink some drinks and enjoy the Second Day O' Summer in a way one can only truly appreciate it: at an outdoor bar! Those of you who unfortunately cannot make it because of previous plans will have to come with me some other time, please and thank you. Y'all know who you are and you will be missed.

Saturday may bring the Mermaid Parade. (Also known as Tits Galore!) Last year it was sprinkling but I still shot some decent stuff -- hopefully this year, the sun will be out and the pictures will be that much better. Saturday night brings my brother's show in (big sigh now) Williamsburg. Hopefully Theresa will be up for it.

Sunday? Sunday I get to milk my mama for some summertime apparel and we'll brunch at Craftbar where I may just say fuck-it-all and eat some chorizo!

(With my apologies to KM -- look what your roommate and Paul started! Yes, of course I blame them.)

It's raining now.

(Also, to AC: Again, I'm sorry.)

tales of future love (the plague)

J: This morning, I saw a pigeon laying dead on its back in the street. Looked completely fine and maybe just taking an awkward nap, but he was obviously dead. Nothing visible wrong with him.

I'm afraid the end times are near.

Like in the Stand.

Me: Oh God, just my luck!

J: So, basically, don't sweat anything.

Me: In that case, I am off my diet.

everything begins and ends at the exactly right time and place

Battling insomnia? Try a viewing of "Picnic at Hanging Rock" on for size. Even the credits are slow.

I awoke halfway through the movie last night and realized that it was merely 9:30 PM. This, of course, led me to popping two Tylenol PM at 12:30 AM just to get some sleep. This, of course, led me to nodding off like Charlie-Pace-circa-Season-One on the train while simultaneously listening to bad (read: amazing) Foreginer songs on the ol' iPod. This, of course, will allow me to rationalize how I should skip the gym tonight, but no, I shouldn't. Skipped my favorite class last week while on an impromptu field trip to Staten Island and haven't resurfaced in the interim. I think that has something to do with going out all the damn time now.

And so tomorrow begins the Summer of Chillax. As a friend told me earlier, "You can go ahead and have fun, but it's not the Summer of 'Fuck It'." Um, you are right, sir!

Oh, also: Bloomberg officially relinquishes title of fake Republican.

woke up this morning so i'm still alive

Though I had told a number of people yesterday that my intention was to go home straight from work, pull the covers over my eyes, and hibernate (oh, and maybe read some "Watchmen"), I was seriously stir-crazy even before I reached my apartment. Maybe going out five or six out of the last seven nights will do that to a person.

I texted a few individuals, all of whom were smartly going to stay in -- save my dependable girl, KM. The plan was for me to have a beer at GYC and she'd meet me there, but the bar was predictably packed. Instead, we met on Union, walked to the Promenade, and caught up while sitting on a bench overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

Living in Brooklyn has its perks and that's one of them: when you feel like you just want to unload some stuff you've been kicking around in your head to one of your best friends, she's only a few stops away, and you have the absolutely best view in the world.

(KM: It was "closure is a luxury" and your roommate said it.)

i have a playlist on my ipod

(Shout out to Scarny.)

Today's 2.3074 mile-long walk to work (in our balmy weather) was enhanced by the following tunes:

At the Drive-In : One-Armed Scissor
E.S.G. : Erase You
Porno For Pyros : Tahitian Moon
Danzig : Mother
Kool & the Gang : Misled
Bad Company : Feel Like Makin' Love
TV On the Radio : Wolf Like Me
Stevie Nicks : Stand Back
Peter Murphy : Cuts You Up

I just love following up Danzig with Kool & the Gang! Love it!

I listen to "Cuts You Up" at least four times a day. I'm weaning myself off my "This is Radio Clash" addiction. I have also rediscovered how good that Maroon 5 song, "This Love" is and DON'T YOU GIVE ME ANY SHIT ABOUT IT!

I also love a bit of kinder-and-gentler Fugazi on occasion.

and if you wanna find hell with me

Okay, okay, so I can't stay away. It's like a sickness.

The debauchery in Brooklyn is beginning to mimic that of the Athens variety.

Friday night was spent on a bar stool in the Slope with some good lookin' guy. Ended with a wrestling match and a visit to MySpace to check out all his fine Italian cousins.

Saturday morning brought Mexican Brunch #1. Bought "Watchmen", my first graphic novel purchase ever. Took the local train to the Beer Garden in Astoria where we attended the world's largest outdoor frat party. Drank coffee at an authentic Greek diner. (Wanna know how I know it was authentic? It was in Astoria!) Returned to the scene of the-crime-that-was-my-30th-birthday-party, met up with Josh and Frances, and downed two Red Bull & Vodkas (lest I fall asleep standing up). We all took turns being in need of a second wind that evening. Ended up somewhere else in that 'hood. (It's hazy. Mona's?) Ate chocolate. We cabbed it home.

Sunday morning brought Mexican Brunch #2 and while I had anticipated some quality solo time, I was easily lured out by Josh promising good times. (Hard to resist, they are.) Hit up Trout and promptly forgot that tequila gives me hives: two margaritas later, and folks, lemme tell you, was I the picture of perfection! (Note: I'm being sarcastic!) Swallowed a raw oyster floating on the top of a Bloody Mary shot. Ended the evening sharing a big bowl o' clams and chorizo and watching the Yanks beat play the Mets. (I'm keeping my language neutral.)

I also did a lot of other really cool shit, but you ain't gonna hear about that. Maybe some other time.

(Note to self: learn to walk faster.)

yeah, it's a sign all right

Shutting things down Going into retirement for a while like, a week or so.

on pirate satellite

Briefly chatted with J (yes, that J) for the first time in months today. He told me that he was sitting right next to my friend, Theresa, and I pleaded with him not to tell her that we were speaking, lest she cancel our dinner plans tonight. (I kid; I will probably tell her about our chat during our first glass of wine.)

Yes, he is still with the girl.

Our road trip was already seven or eight months ago. Time flies when you're not speaking.

I wish him well.

Tonight brings dinner with Theresa, obviously. I'll be traveling into Manhattan City for wood-fired pizza, because apparently she and I can never eat anywhere except this same ol' place 'cause, um, it's yummy. The wine is cheap. It's close to the train. It's our place.

Theresa unfortunately won't be attending my potluck on the 30th, but I already have confirmations from KM, Scarny, Josh, my brother, and Paul. (I think? Unless he decides to skip town.) My co-workers are iffy. My brother will probably bring Monique and KM may bring Nicky and another new friend. Porkchop and Colleen are supposedly in-it-to-win-it, but I recently learned they'll be moving the next day into an apartment on KM & Josh's block.

Block parties all the time! I like the idea.

Tell me what I should make for this soiree, please. I'm leaning toward a pumpernickel bread bowl of some kind, stuffed with a spicy cheese spread? Or perhaps an artichoke and spinach dip? Potato and green olive salad? I may make an impressive savory tart a la Caddy. I may make a praline cheesecake. I may make the old stand-by couscous salad. I may make gooey butter cookies and a three-layered vegan chocolate Black Forest cake and a rosemary and feta lasagna.

I could go all Southern on everyone's ass and make pimento cheese finger sandwiches and Krispy Kreme bread pudding.

Josh promises lobsters stuffed with tacos.

"Suedehead" plays now. It was enough to bring that ex-boyfriend to tears, I remember. So many years ago.

I listened to "This is Radio Clash" on the train this morning and it took all I had in me to keep from dancing with a stupid grin on my face.

a change of scenery

Our little rag-tag team, Satan's Cheerleaders, finally made good and came in second place at trivia last night. (LaGuardia, Canseco, LCD Soundsystem, Frank Sinatra.) We scored a total of $28, which we promptly used to purchase the Champagne of Beers and just kept on celebrating.

Soon, the others trickled off and he and I stayed to chat about this and that. I was giggly and he was flattering. Went to Bar 4 for a few more and before we knew it, it was way past any reasonable bedtime hour. The decision had been made to play hooky.

We awoke with the best intention to head to Philly for a baseball game. En route, the realization was made that we were collectively broke-ass broke and thus, we instead stopped on Staten Island for big hippie burritos and a tour through the Mafia 'hoods. Entertained the idea of a Cyclones game, but alas, the season doesn't start for another six days. I will take a rain check, thanks.

(Didn't you say something last night about a party in Maine where I'd be the oldest attendee by an average of a decade? Is one of us supposed to be Harold in this situation and the other, Maude? The age thing isn't an issue. Issues are as pointless as the clue "thing" on "Wheel of Fortune". You never make me feel old when I'm with you; in fact, Time Out New York says you've got 12 years on me, Gramps. It's a race to sabotage. Who will get there first? Just hurry up and move to San Francisco, already.)

Returned to Brooklyn. Entertained the IT guys in the next building, was schooled in the ways of the comic books, and then fell fast asleep...

...and now I type and the Blackberry buzzes incessantly and though he doesn't snore, he will ask if he did and I will say "No, really, you don't snore. Do you want Thai food?"

i'm all out of bubblegum

I'm not gonna get all lame and shit and admit that I like this dude and that I had a really awesome time drinking beers and cooking dinner and watching the television and holding hands with him, okay? I'm totally not going to admit it. If you want mush, keep on moving.

The food was awesome: spicy sauce from scratch (with soy meatballs and lotsa garlic), whole wheat pasta, broccoli rabe with lotsa garlic, big loaf o' bread with lotsa garlic and cheese. (He estimated that eight to ten garlic cloves are now in our bellies.) Dessert was biscotti-stuffed baked peaches with marscapone. Some wine was consumed. It got hot in the kitchen. He did all the dishes. "Flight of the Conchords" is funnier than I thought it would be. "They Live" wasn't scary in the least. Noriega had an 11-year old pen pal. Bensonhurst is full of wiseguys.

I like Sundays like this.

(PS: "The Sopranos". Ending. Black screen. Tell me what you think happened, please.)

it was a "jump to conclusions" mat

Um, in a totes "Office Space" moment, I just got a promotion.

Didn't I mention, merely yesterday, that I don't do shit at work? The higher-ups have recognized that I'm not challenged enough and have decided to bump me two rungs up the ladder. The deets haven't been hammered out yet but I'm thinking this may bring some more money. I wouldn't turn it away, of course.

I actually brought in 25 Munchkins to work today to share with co-workers. That's some pedestrian corporate brown-nosing if I've ever heard of it -- and I work for a non-profit!

In other news, Girls' Night Out is tonight, and, oh yeah, I blogged about this shit yesterday...

I'm slipping.

I'm attempting to rally some folks for GYC'ing on Saturday and so if you live in the NYC area, show up. How can you pass up pitchers under the Christmas lights with yours truly? (Of course, I think only three people who read this thing are actually in NYC and one of them has a date.)

Sunday afternoon will consist of a (hopefully) authentic Sunday Dinner with lotsa lotsa lotsa garlic and broccoli rabe and red pepper flakes and maybe a glass of wine pour moi.

Oh, and that movie. With some dude.

...and the word of the day is palliate.

anything i want, he gives it to me

I've been on a regular late-night movie binge as of late. Have watched "Batman", "Star Wars", "Chinatown", "Cool Hand Luke", and "Lost Horizon" (the latter of which I should not have started at 9:30 PM on a school night! Took all I could muster to get through it and I think I still slept through 25% of it). I've started Season One of "The Wire" and I eagerly (I think) anticipate "They Live" with "Rowdy" Roddy Piper to show up in my mailbox on Saturday-ish.

(I also eagerly anticipate a mix CD from my buddy to appear. It better be good or the friendship is off!)

Tomorrow night bring Girls' Night Out with KM, Nicky, and Jendy and I will rock some heels and rock the hips.

"Red Hill Mining Town" by U2 is super duper good. Funny how you forget about good tunes. Morning commutes have been filled with the 1980s -- but the good stuff.

My superhero power is that I can look at any phone number and know who is calling. It's pretty amazing. Are you amazed? Admit it.

They let that ol' tramp Paris free. Celebrity justice!

I feel like baking something.

Hope KB has a good time out west on his sojourn -- and I do hope that he tries at least a bite of a Double Double, if just to be able to describe its deliciousness to me. Fingers crossed. Either way, I hope he and Crog enjoy the game at the Lodge. Y'all should try some seafood at the Hungry Cat.

By the way, did I mention that I do nothing at work? No-god damn-thing. It's true!

the pass

Me and the boys. Challenge from Moose: "Drink six pitchers and numbers seven and eight are on me." Deal made with other 'tender: "Gimme yr iPod and a pitcher's on the house." Nine pitchers. Only me and the boys.

Garett dropped out early-ish because he's responsible and had to work at noon. He knows everything about everything and will be on my trivia team whether he likes it or not. Someone, who had to be at work at the same hour, decided to tough it out 'cause he had The Pass. (I had The Pass last week. Paid about ten bucks when the bill was over $200. Somehow we ended this one with three of us throwing in a mere $50 each.) Paulie was making whispered threats about exposing my blog to the others. Josh tried to force feed me a hot dog to no avail.

Ripped my jeans on a chair. Kathleen Turner was, indeed, in "Romancing the Stone" and I lost a quarter that ended in my cup. Exploding Arzt was, indeed, named by moi. I'm gonna get liner notes credit if it kills me. (Songs: "Boarding Flight 815", something about Locke and Rock[e], "Blast Door Map".) Didn't fall down the stairs this time. Listened to Op Ivy for the first time in a decade, it seems. Was given a nickname that I promptly forgot.

Many, many beers. Never-ending cup.

Too much pressure on Josh when it was his last night in an empty apartment. I thought (turns out, incorrectly) that the train was skipping my stop. Paulie's all the way out in S.I. and God, how do you even get there at that time of night? Can we please crash at yr pad, Joshua? Nope, nope, nope. I have The Pass.

A few pitchers later and we're headed back to President Street.

No strangers on KM's bed, which leaves two boys in bed together. But, Joshua, I've slept in your bed. Yes, but KM didn't give me The Pass. I'd sleep in the bathtub, I say.

Morning: walked Polly to Coffee Den. I text Josh that everyone's gone, Polly's been walked, NYT is on table.

He responds: "Last night's episode is called 'The Pass' -- one for the bill, one for the drama."

30 minutes down memory lane

jurassic pork

Didn't do shit on Friday night.

Saturday, I hit up the grocery store, completed three loads of laundry, and ventured to the 'burg to get my hair cut. (Bangs. Layers. Not a mullet.) Then proceeded to head to cookout in Prospect Heights and ate chipotle veggie dogs and a drank Brooklyn Lager on a rooftop. Met up with Josh in the Slope and drank a cerveza while Spanish was spoken all around me. Headed to Bar 4 and did a shot with Paul. Walked home. Crashed.

Sunday, headed to the city. Binge-shopped at H&M and purchased a terry cloth Old Navy bikini (suit and towel all in one!). Trained it to Coney Island and dodged glass in the sand with Josh and Paul. Ran home, showered, changed, trained it to GYC and had a beer with the aforementioned boys until AC showed up.

Had the most amazing dessert (no, the most amazing DISH) ever at Frankies 457 Sputino: red wine prunes with marscapone. I saw stars as I ate it.

Headed back to GYC. Drank beer with boys. Went on a Sparkz run to no avail. Ended up at KM's pad (sans KM, as she's still on vacation). Drank brandy. Danced. (KM, stop reading! You will regret reading this!) Ate bacon-stuffed sausage. (Okay, KM, you may read now.) Crashed. Bolted in the morning before anyone awoke.

Recovery Monday. Finished BSG: Season Three. Talked to SM for almost three hours. Crashed.

Tonight brings trivia. We are Satan's Cheerleaders. We will not come in last place.

this just in...

KM and I will be in Georgia from July 4th through the 8th, which means...

Who's having the cookout?

Athens?

ATL?

A trip down the Broad River is also warranted.

Get ready.

through the looking glass

I know it's been a while...

More importantly, tonight is the big LOST finale!

(Whatever will I do with myself after tonight, what with this 8 month hiatus looming in front of me? I will need to get a life; I will first, however, need to finish BSG : Season Three.)

There's a bit of a get-together in our borough of Brooklyn (Scarny! I'm sorry you won't be here!), at which I will be the only lady (and you know I like it that way, though I'll miss KM, as she'll be attending an 8-course vegan dinner).

We're gonna order BBQ (I'll have veggie chili, thanks), and drink our Dharma beers...

and eat our Dharma cookie cake...

(It's a piss poor crooked-ass fuzzy picture taken at 7:00 AM with my camera phone, but you get the idea...)

and I'll be wearing my LOST/BSG hybrid t-shirt...


and we'll be pondering my cleaned-up screen cap of Jacob...


and, most fun of all, we'll be betting on the following questions that my friend and I generated:
________________________________________________

LOST : Season Three Finale
"Through the Looking Glass"
May 23, 2007
________________________________________________

$5 per person
Winner takes all, suckers!

________________________________________________

Name:

1. Five characters you think will die by the end of this episode: (two points each)

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

2. Five events you believe will happen in this episode: (two points each)

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

3. Who will be the leader of the Others by the end of the episode? (five points)


4. Who will be the leader of the Losties by the end of the episode? (five points)


BONUS: Who will make an appearance in the flashbacks besides the featured character? (two points per character)


SUPER DUPER BONUS: Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof code-name each season's top-secret finale scene: Walt's kidnapping in the Season 1 finale was known as "The Bagel," Season 2's introduction of Penny was known as "The Challah". This season's secret finale scene is known as "The Rattlesnake". What will The Rattlesnake be? (ten points)

________________________________________________

(Feel free to post your own answers.)

It's the geekiest night of the year so far and I love it!

the man behind the curtain

First of all, next week I'm going out to dinner with family and must (gasp!) miss "LOST", so please y'all, no spoilers! The following week is the Season Three two-hour finale and I'll be drinking beer and eating cookies with KM's roommate and my other male BFFs while she's eating Isa's yummy vegan cooking.

That being said, beware reading ahead if you haven't seen tonight's episode and give a shit about the show. Slippery with serious spoilers! You have been warned.

I know that tonight's show will be Ben-centric and will give us some background on the Dharma Initiative and its history on the island. Should be amazing. Should pose a thousand more questions, I'm sure.

And we're off.

So, Ben was Roger Workman's son, I'm guessing? No coincidence that his father was named Roger, the same name as the decayed corpse in the "Little Miss Sunshine"-ripoff-decayed-corpse of an episode a few weeks back, "Tricia Tanaka Is Dead". Boy, that episode sucked.

Ben's mother dies after childbirth. Who is the couple who rescues them? Could it be the DeGroots? Did they raise Ben?

Jacob is referenced! Ben is Jacob. Or Locke is Jacob. Or Danielle.

Or Vincent. Woof.

Locke calls Ben "The Man Behind the Curtain" -- yet another "Oz" reference. (I mean, "The Wizard of Oz", of course -- though Eko and Michael were both on HBO's "Oz". Oh, and Ben once made a video for the Federal Department of Corrections or something. Does that department even exist? I'll dig that one up for you, gentle reader[s].)

Y'know, Little Ben looks like my little brother, Dylan. And Harry Potter.

This Horace dude who greets Ben & Roger? He reminds me of Robin Gibb. Or Maurice Gibb. Or someone. Either way, we now know that Ben was Dharma, his father was Roger Linus, and he was a "work man". And we know he's gonna die in a (probable) drunken bus crash on the island.

Annie becomes Ben's wife, I think. Right now she's eating a Hurley-favorite Apollo bar. Speaking of Apollo, he's a super-hot character on "Battlestar". Speaking of "Battlestar", I'm halfway through Season Two and though the last couple of episodes have been kinda sub-par, it's still seriously, seriously good... and still seriously recommended to you.

Okay, back to the show at hand: why does Jacob instill fear in and/or elicit awe from the Others? Jacob isn't real! Or Jacob is Ben. Or Vincent. Woof.

Man, Locke is seriously angry! He's ready to take out Patchy one way or the other, yeah? Interesting that nobody is coming to Patchy's rescue. I think the Others are seriously tired of Ben and his charade.

Alex is giving Locke a gun for his trip to see Jacob. What is going on? Does she want him to kill Ben? Why give him the gun in front of Ben?

Wow, my teacher never had a loaded shotgun in the room. They do things differently on this island, yeah?

Ben's dad was being paid by Dharma? $30,000? His mom was outside his window? I'm getting confused.

Oh, God, here's Kate. Tattle tale. She's so on my last nerve. And she's so pregnant, I betcha.

Wait, is Jacob a volcano? Or that big "Simpson"-like foot statue?

It's Ben's birthday and his future wife gives him dolls. Though they're big dolls, this reminds me a little of "To Kill a Mockingbird". Jem and Scout. The tree. Boo Radley. Okay, maybe not.

Roger says: "Kinda hard to celebrate on the day you killed your Mom." Jesus, Workman, you're a dick. Ben runs to the woods, sees his dead mother. Psychotic break? Or island majik? Take us to Jacob!

Ash. Volcanic ash?

Back on the beach: "Turn the tape over and press play..."

Ben is comin' for the ladies. We knew this. This is what Jack and Juliet wanted to tell Kate? Just tell us that she's pregnant so that I can be right about something! Yes, Jack, start talking.

Harry Potter is going through the fence to find his mama. He sees... holy shit. Richard? Is that Richard? He's the same age as he is now? Okay, MIND FUCK. What is going on?! So, Richard is a native. He doesn't age. Is this why Hurley isn't getting skinnier? Is time standing still? How did Ben age, then? Okay, MIND FUCK.

They're at Jacob's residence and wait! I'm guessing Jacob is Richard! Please, writers, tell us something. Give us some crumbs!

"Are you sure this is what you want?" YES! Jesus. Give us answers.

There is nobody there.

Ben is ca-razy. Ben is psychotic. All of a sudden, we're watching "Psycho" and Ben is a regular Norman Bates.

Oh, God. Wait.

"Help me."

Oh, fuck. What is happening?! Holy shit. I need to look at screen caps of that shit tomorrow. "That was Jacob." We still have 14 minutes..!

Now, Ben is in the bus with Daddy and the crash is imminent, I'm sure. Did he cause the crash? Does Ben feel guilty for the deaths of both his parents? Or wait, will he kill his father? Everyone's got Daddy issues on this damn island.

Gas mask. There he goes. Little bug-eyes killed his father! I didn't think Ben had it in him. I thought he had others do the dirty work for him.

OH MY GOD.

He killed everyone.

Are you serious? He killed all of Dharma. This was The Purge? This is giving me the fucking creeps. This is so fucking Jonestown.

Oh, who are the others with gas masks on? The natives? The Others. Richard.

Oh no.

Oh no.

Ben shot Locke. Ben shot Locke. No, Locke can't die. There's no way.

There's no way.

order the biggest dinner you can

As I get older and my patience wears thin, I think I'm warming up to the idea of splitting the bill evenly when going out for big group dinners.

I can remember a time when it took at least 15 minutes to secure all the money from everyone at the table when fellow diners would pay for only what they ordered. I understand not wanting to throw in a lot of money when you've ordered a side of fries, but for a big birthday bash?

Hmmm.

I think it makes things easier to just split the bill evenly, gripe to someone who wasn't there, and then choose a fancy place when it's your special day.

(Even easier would be hosting a dinner at home and then going out for drinks, which may be how I celebrate my next nine birthdays.)

There's an article here about the practice, which also references this piece in the Times.

What do you think?

ladies only

I can't believe that I missed this open casting call for "The Wire".

Y'all know that I own a "so very sexy you will make a gay man want you" outfit, right?

put it in you

Picture this: KM and JBD on a rooftop-with-Chrysler-Building-view, with six others (including male BFFs Josh and Porkchop), engaging in a doo-wop version of "Give it Away" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers -- complete with a push-up interlude.

All of this after many, many beers at 2:00 AM.

All of this after a busted pinata provided the party with Hershey's Kisses, condoms, and joints.

All of this after I just about fell off the roof, immediately following telling Porkchop that I was "totally not drunk!"

All of this after some papaya salad in Greenpoint.

All of this after a cookout in Prospect Park, where we drank Tecate, ate Newman's ginger molasses cookies, and I was accused of having no original "Lost" theories (which is true).

Wow.

Good, good, good times at the Cinco de Mayo loft party.

This morning, we hit up a screening for the Tribeca Film Festival.



The minister was present and turned the post-screening Q&A into an uncomfortable (well, for us, anyway) quest to save our souls. Many of the kids to whom he preaches were in the audience and at one point, they started clapping rhythmically and in unison.

It was creepy.

We left soon thereafter, lest we be brainwashed by someone I saw as a fraud.

(I've never seen more crocodile tears in my life.)

forbidden fruit, hidden eyes

T-minus two hours 'til the weekend.

Tonight brings rooftop happy hour near Union Square (and maybe a quick trip to the two-story Forever 21 for sundress-shoppin' beforehand), and hopefully a meetup with Scarny and our out-of-town guest, Iceberg.

I'm hoping it will also bring a pre-Drinko de Mayo dinner, 'cause you know there ain't no way we're gonna find a seat at a restaurant to be able to eat enchiladas tomorrow night.

Tomorrow brings a possible trip to Prospect Park for pinata-bashin' and then a loft party in Greenpoint with the new male BFFs.

Sunday, KM and I are going to a Tribeca Film Festival movie and then heading to Paris Sandwiches for bahn mi.

Also, I'm in the throws of putting feelers out there to organize a bake sale for Share Our Strength. Not sure if it's gonna get off the ground, but I have three people who are interested in contributing, two maybes, and one person who will "write a check".

I <3 springtime.

the brig

I chose not to live-blog the episode last night, primarily because I was so tired that I could barely keep my eyes open, but I'm actually glad I had my full attention on the screen.

Jesus, it was probably my favorite episode of "Lost" ever. If you've been watching from the beginning, I think you'd have to agree with me.

Sawyer kills Cooper-Sawyer. Locke pines for the acceptance of the Others. Juliet and Jack are keeping a secret from Kate. No off-island flashbacks. Sawyer's rage. Ben is walking. Rousseau reappears. Sayid as human lie-detector. The Black Rock. The wreckage in the ocean. Cindy & the kids. The "Hell" theory.

The whole thing just blew me away. (Even though I knew that Cooper was the real Sawyer, so there was no big reveal for me there.)

Thoughts? KM? Scarny? LauraH? Coke Bref?

potent potables

Kate Moss and I (along with her co-worker and possibly a handful of our male BFFs, sans Scarny) are going to try to supplement our income at a local trivia night this evening. Fingers crossed they only ask questions about current sci-fi television shows, culinary anthropology, and/or early-1990s rock 'n roll.

Back in 2001 and 2002, Amber Bear, J. Ro, the Ex, and I used to frequent Taco Stand's rock 'n roll trivia night -- and we really racked up a nice bar tab, thanks to our collective genius. I think we ate and drank for free for quite some time.

Back in 2000, I made $75 a week for about a month at a trivia night hosted at an authentic line dancing bar (whose name now escapes me) in Round Rock, Texas.

Let's hope I can continue this streak...!

jinx

I went out with a guy last night...

...and I think it's the first first date I've had in a long time that inspired me to actually want to see the guy again.

He's really funny. He's really smart. He's really tall. He's really down-to-earth. He's really into sports.

He kinda reminds me of Chris-in-Texas.

keywords

As this is doing double-time as an informal "Lost" blog, various individuals are using Google queries to find it...

I like the person who queried "Jin's the baby daddy".

PS: If you haven't listened to Guns'N Roses' trilogy ("November Rain", "Don't Cry," "Estranged") lately, do it. Particularly on full volume while riding the train home from having beers at happy hour with one of your BFFs. You'll thank me!

d.o.c. (date of conception)

Tonight I must change up my live-blogging style. I think I was the only person watching last week that didn't see the picture of Ms. Hawking on Brother Campbell's desk because I was too busy typing. Yikes. Thank God for geeky podcasts. (Oh, Jay & Jack, how I love thee -- you make my commute to work on Thursday and Monday mornings so much brighter.)

So, long story short, I'm going to blog during commercials and keep both eyes on the screen while the show is on. Plus, half the episode will likely be in Korean and thus, I'll have to read subtitles to know what the hell is happening.

A little background on this episode: we know it's Sun- and Jin-centric. We will find out who the baby daddy is. My prediction: it will be Jae's baby and (oh, big sigh of relief!) good for Sun 'cause that means she conceived off-island and will live... but (oh, big groan of disappointment) bad news for Jin. I bet she won't even tell him. I've got such a soft spot in my heart for that guy.

Oh, and I assume we'll find out more about Naomi the parachutist (or, how some fans refer to her... Sanjaya!)...

Commercial Break 1:

Naomi has a branch in her side. Sidebar: I watched "Heroes" the other night (an early episode, actually) and was shocked by how graphic some of the scenes were -- like when Claire's head was impaled by that stick and she wakes up on the M.E.'s table with her chest sawed open. Jesus. (Oh, and have you noticed that the casts of both "Heroes" and "Lost" have a blonde chick named Claire, a heroin junkie, and a hot Middle Eastern man?)

Anyhow, back to the episode. Because they showed Jae in the "Previously on 'Lost', I assume this sets it up for us to assume he's the baby daddy...

Commercial Break 2:

SHUT UP! OMG! WTF?! Patchy is muthafuckin' alive! Patchy is muthafuckin' alive! The last we saw that dude, he was foaming from the mouth and bleeding from the ears!

I love how Juliet tried to play, "Oh, Sun? You're pregnant? Are you sure? How do you know?" Juliet, baby, you are on that beach because Sun is pregnant. You are on that beach because you're hoping that Kate is pregnant, too, because you and your Other cronies baited Sawyer with Kate-in-a-cage, just hoping he'd knock her up.

Juliet does have really pretty eyes, though.

Commercial Break 3:

I think this is when Juliet will figure out Sun's date of conception and thus, the father of the baby. My money is still on Jae.

It's only 10:24 and we're on our third commercial break. Sheesh.

Naomi has spoken Spanish, Chinese, and Italian thus far and was carrying a book in Portuguese. I'm not sure what this means other than she smart and shit.

(Update: Naomi translations here.)

Jin's father is so sweet.

Commercial Break 4:

I've noticed in this episode that Sun is kind of a bad-ass! I love it!

What did Naomi say? I know she didn't say "Thank you for helping me." And, wow, you know the writers are thanking the Lord for the 10pm time slot -- because they can now write in a blood spurting scene! Gross!

Commercial Break 5:

It's Jin's baby! Jin is the baby daddy! Sperm count on the island is 5x the average! That is heartwarming, except for the fact that Sun's been handed a death sentence. I suppose Kate won't end up pregnant after all -- the writers wouldn't write in yet another woman who gets pregnant on the island, right? Damn. I liked my theory.

I wonder where Patchy is sleeping? With Danielle?

Commercial Break 6:

What?! The plane has been found? There were no survivors? What? Huh?

I'm exhausted.

dîner avec mon frère

I have to toot my own horn for a second.

(Isn't that what a blog is for?)

Last night, I had my brother over for dinner. As we don't get together as often as one would think, I decided to go balls-to-the-wall and make individual 4" quiche tartlets with a from-scratch pastry crust.

Rather than going with the traditional flaky crust, mine included a bit of cornmeal for rustic texture and cayenne for bite. The filling was made with slices of red peppers I had roasted, scallions, spinach, cheddar, Greek-style yogurt, and eggs (mais oui). I also put together a simple spinach salad and made some of the best (vegan!) baking powder biscuit-y muffins (like a biscuit, but in muffin shape) ever:

(I think this is the recipe -- I'm going by memory.)

3/4 c. soy milk
1 t. apple cider vinegar (SM, I'm sure lemon juice could be used here.)
2 c. flour
3 t. baking powder
3/4 t. salt
1 t. dried oregano (This doesn't make them taste oregano-y but just gives them a lil' something extra so that they're savory... and so good!)
1/4 c. soy margarine, slightly melted

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Mix the soy milk with the vinegar/lemon juice and let sit for 10 minutes.

Mix dry ingredients together. Pour in milk mixture and margarine and combine until well-mixed. (At this point, I also threw in a few shakes of the leftover cornmeal I had on hand.)

Scoop dough into six well-greased muffin tins. Bake for 12-14 minutes.

Makes six yummy big fluffy light muffins.

Ta da! Delicious.

his favorite color is beige

Between beers at Abilene, late-night pajama jammy jam Sparks-induced dance party, shoveling compost for what seemed like hours, a rousing game of horseshoes at Pioneer BBQ, cinnamon cranberry pancakes, sunshine-sunshine-sunshine, finishing Season One of "Battlestar", being one of the boys, developing an authentic farmer's tan, chomping on greasy pizza, a group "Lost"-watching party at 8:30 AM, aaaaaand a trip to Coney Island...

...'twas the Best Weekend Ever!

PS: Should I get into "Heroes"?

fake empire

I was silly over The National back in late '05.

I'm so excited to hear that their new record, "Boxer" is finally being released on Beggar's Banquet next month.

Here's something that's tiding me over until then.

billions and billions

This isn't even one of my favorite pictures, but apparently the Village Voice liked it 'cause they asked for permission to use it and I'm on their site today.

With photo credit!

catch-22

Got off the phone with Kennie Bloggins tonight and I promised him a "Lost" live blog. I told him to live blog his evening: eatin' dinner, doin' some school work. Did you do it, KB?

Oh, it's on! I'm watching the last two minutes of "One of Us" and Juliet is giving me goosebumps.

There's no way that Jack has been duped by Juliet. He's got an ace up his sleeve. I have to believe this -- and I don't even love Jack anymore. I mean, yeah, he is Dr. Hero and all, but a touch boring.

"See you in a week," says Ben. Ominously.

Now, reader(s), we know that this is a Desmond -centric episode and apparently there's going to be some Nietzschean philosophy espoused... and here it goes!

Okay, "Previously on 'Lost'": We know that Desmond can see into the future. We know that he's trying to save Charlie. (Oh! Does this mean that Charlie's gonna die in THIS episode?! Fuck!)

Why does Charlie have his guitar on this trek into the jungle?

ljud;sg0238gflejjpf09urwuoujgruffldjfu949tjfwkfnldsjflasdfjlfjofo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HOLY SHIT! Okay, um, we just saw one of Desmond's flashes. Charlie got an arrow through his neck and gooey blood just oozed out of his mouth and... shit! Amazing. I love Desmond. "Someone's coming."

Desmond in prison. No, a monastery. His hair is so short. Taking a vow of silence. Your path has led you here, and now you're ONE OF US. "Welcome, brother." Desmond was a monk?

Hurley is the worst liar, albeit an adorable one. And I love his hair in a ponytail. Is that a scrunchie?

Does that cable go to the Hydra? (No, Jen, it went to the Flame before it was blown up.)

I've been wondering lately: did we ever see Sawyer on the plane? I rewatched the pilot episode the other day and there's just something that doesn't sit right with me. Maybe I'm looking for a twist. Was his name on the manifest? What if his name isn't really James Ford? Oh, look! Kate is half-dressed. Is this Sweeps time?

Sawyer's tryin' to get laid again. "You need me to make you a mix tape?" Um, Sawyer, I wouldn't need a mix tape from you.

I swear, Hurley's gotten BIGGER since being on the island.

So, Desmond wants Charlie to die -- or, rather, he wants to fit all of the pieces into a puzzle because the flash included Penny, and if he gets all of the other pieces together, Penny must be that "someone" who is coming? Am I following this correctly? Desmond-centric episodes are a bit of a mindfuck.

They're whistling the theme from "The Bridge On the River Kwai". I should know more about that movie other than that tune.

Moriah wine. Let's wiki that shit, too. while we're at it.

"I'm sure something will go wrong soon enough." No shit, Jack.

Kate is totally hitting on Jack. What a little tart! Oh, but look at Jack cozying on up to Juliet. Kate, honey, you should have thought of that when...

Oh, well look at this. Kate and Sawyer again. This girl is gonna end up knocked up within about ten minutes. I know that this is Juliet's plan: she needs Kate to get pregnant. She needs to do whatever she can (i.e., getting close to Jack) to drive those two fertile kids together.

OMG, something just fell into the ocean.

OMG.

WTF?

Was that a UFO?!

(How many three-lettered acronyms can I use in a row?)

LOL.

Okay, we're back. Who the hell is Ruth? She looks young enough to be Desmond's daughter and she was his fiancee?

Oh, look at this ping-pong pissing contest! "Finally! Something I can beat you at!" Aw, Sawyer. I heart you.

Penny's picture in "Catch-22" in the tree! Is Penny on the island? Are we just gonna bring everyone to the island? (Speaking of which, I have not forgotten about you, Anthony Cooper. Where are you? Where is Locke? Are you partying on that sub that wasn't blown up?)

Awww, Sawyer! He brought Kate a mix tape! "Why'd you jump me last night?" Um, it's because she's jealous AND 'cause the Others need to get her preggers stat! One pregnant Lostie is not enough, you see.

So, it's confirmed: Desmond is gonna let Charlie die so that he can see Penny. Something's gotta give, though. There's gotta be a twist. 13 minutes left.

(Sometimes I forget that the Losties want to get rescued. We don't want them to get rescued. Nothing's been explained yet!)

Okay, here we go, back in the jungle -- the flash that Des saw at the beginning. He sees the arrow. He sees the wire. Will he do it?! Will he let Charlie die?!

He saved him! He saved him again! This is truly a no-win sitch for our friend Des.

Now they're splitting up to find this beacon (aw, and I thought it was a UFO!). Des explains that saving Charlie is pointless because it's like God testing Abraham.

Um, wait. There is someone in the tree.

It can't be Penny, right? It's gotta be, oh, I don't know, that hottie Christian Shepherd or Eko, or Smokie, or Ana Lucia (I really miss her) or someone that we're not expecting. The writers are setting this up too well. It won't be Penny. It won't be Penny.

It's...

Who the hell are you?!

(BTW, that link is a spoiler.)

geekin' out

a) I have a total girl crush on Katee Sackhoff.

b) I cannot belieeeeeve that Jay & Jack didn't broadcast my brilliant theory on today's "Lost" podcast.

c) I'm ready to start on my costume for ComicCon, a year in advance. I'm going as Sexy Alex from "A Clockwork Orange". Who's comin' with me?

nor'easter island

I'm going stir-crazy.

Unlike KM, I decided to stay inside my apartment all day long, lest I be subjected to the harsh weather realities that would menacingly greet me. KM, on the other hand, went to see "Grindhouse".

How did I celebrate the storm? I made peach pancakes, baked hamburger buns, and officially got hooked on "Battlestar". (Damn fine show, by the way. You really should check it out. Yes, you, Mr./Ms. Yeah-but-I'm-totally-not-into-Sci-Fi. You'll still like it.)

Yesterday brought (working backwards), a lil' vino with T.Rich, much overdue quality conversation, a trip into the city, some cell phone trouble, some afternoon beers, a walk around Brooklyn, a much-needed nap, a bagel and coffee from Starbucks in the Slope, and an attempt to maneuver in 3" heels at 9am.

It feels like it will never stop raining.

i never slip, i never fall

While we're on the topic of lists, I present to you fifteen of my favorite words.

1. viscous
2. vapid
3. onomatopoeia
4. tchochke
5. yes
6. vacillate
7. myriad
8. precocious
9. kumquat
10. conundrum
11. vacuous
12. parenthetical
13. juxtapose
14. chiaroscuro
15. undulate

Tonight brings beer drinkin' and birthday party celebratin' in the LES. Cheers to KM's roomie, Josh, for living 29 years.

chowhound

Psmee recently posted her top ten favorite restaurants. It's hard to narrow it down to a mere ten, and I'm sure the second I post this, I'll think of ten more.

In no particular order...

1. The Grit (Athens, GA) -- too many memories to mention but a few of my favorites include me and Mariana, hungover, sportin' sunglasses.

2. Curly's Vegetarian Lunch (New York, NY) -- the best vegan Cuban sandwich I've ever had, and they give you crayons with which you may draw on your paper placemat.

3. Devi (New York, NY) -- a handful of my best friends in the world + the best brother a girl could have + a 30th birthday + halibut that makes you wanna slap your mama.

4. Six Feet Under (Atlanta, GA) -- I'm in Atlanta for a mere four hours and I find time take SM to lunch before catching a flight back to NYC. I just can't get enough of those catfish tacos.

5. Five & Ten (Athens, GA) -- the place for gettin' all fancied up for dinner with the girls; it's not just good by Athens standards, it's good by foodie standards.

6. Freebirds (Austin, TX) -- it's certainly not the best, most original, or the most authentic Mexican restaurant around -- in fact, it's a local burrito chain -- but I had many memorable meals with Chris-the-Ex-in-Texas here.

7. Joya (Brooklyn, NY) -- huge portions of spicy Thai, cheap wine, and good times with Kate Moss.

8. Dumpling House (New York, NY) -- standing in line for a $1.50 kimchi sandwich never sounded so good.

9. Union Square Cafe (New York, NY) -- my first birthday in NYC, and I celebrate with a forkful of foie gras and wine pairings.

10. Nuevo Laredo Cantina (Atlanta, GA) -- when I think of Atlanta, I think of rice, beans, beer, chips, salsa, and Holy Tacos.

one of us

Did you know that Juliet was a plant? (I did.)

Did Rachel's cancer really return or was it all a part of a con by Ben to keep Juliet on the island? (I vote for con.)

Kate better hope she ain't pregnant.

Sun better hope that baby ain't Jin's.

Ben must have been conceived off-island but born on-island, just like Aaron and Alex, right? (Yes.)

Is Juliet at the Losties' camp for Sun? To use as another control case? (That's my theory.)

Did I get a little weepy when Sawyer hugged Kate? (Yes.)

Who the hell is Jacob?! (God only knows.)

who dat is?

TEAM BIRKHEAD, y'all!

warm and spicy

Too much baking.

I love it, as you know, but the sugar turns me into a crazy woman. This weekend I was chained to my KitchenAid mixer: I made pumpkin mini-muffins for TH's potluck, Anadama bread and hot cross buns for KM's potluck. All vegan.

All jam-packed with refined sugar.

All making me nutsy-cuckoo.

In other news, today I decided to play the part of a grown-up and begin investing in a mutual fund. Between that, my ING savings account, and my contribution to my 403(b), I don't think I have enough money to eat.

(Which is a good thing -- see paragraph one.)

One refreshing highlight of my weekend, however: I talked to a hot lil' piece of 24 year-old tattooed musician action for quite a while Saturday night -- and he called to invite me to his show.

He's adorable.

...in that "Oh My God I Am Totally Thirty Years Old and You Were Totally Born in the 1980s" I-want-to-pat-him-on-the-head sort of way.

peter & una

"Blackbird" was simultaneously insanely satisfying and emotionally draining.

The relationship (if one wants to label it as such) between a 40 year-old man and 12 year-old girl was not black and white.

Is it possible for a 12 year-old to truly love this man? Is it possible for he to love her? Is it possible for it to not be predatory? If one serves time for committing a crime and is released, should he be able to move on with his life and find happiness again?

What I found most interesting was the woman's (as she is now a woman, 15 years after the incident that led to his incarceration) ultimate interest in becoming physical with the man yet again -- and his interest in becoming physical with her. After so much rage and sadness and shame, their desire to rewrite history was overwhelming.

into the light of the dark black night

Tonight brings one of the more cultural outings for myself in a while.

Going to see "Blackbird" off-Broadway (which is still in previews), thanks to my roommate who scored me a seat and a plus-one.

Actually not sure who will be my guest as of this hour, but even if I go solo, it promises to be a good time.

Jeff Daniels!

ballin'

Knicks game tonight!

My first NBA game.

(Well, I saw a Bulls exhibition game back in 1994 but that's nothing compared to being in the Garden.)

Fingers crossed we are brave enough to sneak court-side and hang with Spike Lee.

Update:

A mere minutes after posting this, I found out that we're actually not going. Long story. I like this pic of Starbury, though, so I'm gonna keep it up. Guess I'll be able to watch "Lost" after all...

accomplished

1. Finish watching both "The Grapes of Wrath" as well as "Tupac: Resurrection".

Finished "Tupac" but just got a bit into "Grapes". Need to finish it in the next day or two.

2. Complete at least two collages worthy of framing.

Started on one, and it may be finished, though it may strike my fancy to add more to it. Started another.

3. Attend my 11:00 AM Total Body Conditioning class.

Check. Did it and it felt great.

4. Shop for and bake cookie recipe to bring to co-workers on Monday.

Check. Made ginger-molasses cookies and ate far too many of them by myself at home (Big Tangerine is a hazard to my health). Did indeed bring in some for co-workers today and they thoroughly enjoyed them. (If I, however, see another cookie this week, I may hang myself.)

5. Attend party in Prospect Heights with KM while laying low on the vino.

It is of this I am most proud. I did attend a party with KM and imbibed in merely one and a half small bathroom-sized Dixie cups (think just a smidge larger than a thimble) of the homemade wine offered up. Prior to party, we hit up a bar and I had soda water and lime. Stayed sober the whole weekend, including during my prix-fixe brunch with a virgin Bloody Mary. Drinking more in moderation is something I've been contemplating and I'm happy that I've started down that path.

6. Check out the UU church in Brooklyn Heights.

Check. Received my palm frond to remind me to work on self for the year.

7. Walk the Brooklyn Promenade.

Check. Took pictures on a cloudy day.

8. Start a new book (an impulse buy this afternoon).

Check. Cannot get enough of this book. Highly recommended to everyone, especially if you're interested in travel, true crime, Yale, feminism, the justice system, PTSD, bicycling, serial killers, the 1970s, camping, the West, AND/OR the memoir genre.

9. Take self out to lunch.

Took self out to brunch, instead. (See above.)

10. See "Blades of Glory" with KM.

Good god, was this movie terrible.

(Oh, and I'll also try to fit in a couple episodes of "Intervention", a load or two of laundry, and some b'ball-watchin'.)

I watched the first half of the G'town/UCLA game before scampering off to meet up with KM. (I'm totally out of the tourney but I wish the best to KB, J.Ro, and Caddy, all of whom are in contention to win the whole thing.)

Did two loads of laundry. I love how Gain smells.

I watched two hours of "Intervention", which did nothing but reinforce my desire to cut back on the vino. (See above.)