I was just about to get up from the computer and continue in my mission to clean the house. As I started to turn, the buzzer on the dryer went off. Now you may think, uh...and? Oh no, this is no ordinary dryer buzzer. Number 1, you can't shut it off. Who makes a dryer where you can't shut the buzzer off?? Who, I ask, WHO???
Number 2, that thing is LOUD. Remember the part in Dumb & Dumber when they make the most annoying sound in the world? It's like that but WAY WAY LOUDER. I'm 100% sure it wakes up the neighborhood. It always makes me jump outta my seat. I hate that thing.
Cheers to dryers without buzzers. No cheers allowed for my dryer.
(Now I'm off to eat yet another Cadbury Cream Egg. Goodness gracious make it stop.)
Sunday, March 9, 2008
What the....
It's just gorgeous out! 75 degrees, cherry trees and mustard in full bloom, saturated colors that give me the worst spring fever - I went upvalley today to do some shooting.
Some days are boring - pretty routine, nothing special to note. Some days are just weird - random things that are out of place, running into people that you haven't seen in 10 years, silly moments that are worth writing about. I had the latter today.
1. I was leaving my house, turning onto Soscol when I see a Miata driving southbound. The driver was a white dude, probably mid-forties. Doesn't seem too weird, right? WRONG. He was wearing this:
I'm dead serious.
2. I'm driving down Soscol and a guy on a bike is next to me. Unfortunately I'm going really slowly which means he pretty much keeps up with me. I say "unfortunately" because this is what I saw......a guy, 45 or so, hair down to the middle of his back, psycho-mustache, horn-rimmed glasses, trucker hat placed ever so slightly on the head, slightly dirty, riding a bike like this:
(the unfortunate part....)
(NOTE: This photo was stolen from some website. This is not the actual photo of the dude I saw today on Soscol. I couldn't bring myself to take a photo of him.)
Gross.
3. The scene: Silverado Trail, the winding part before Calistoga. I'm going around a curve and there's a woman on a beach cruiser bicycle (lime green), in full on Kentucky Derby wear, or possibly going-out-for-a-sail-wear. I'm talkin' hat, dress, heels flying down Silverado Trail. Awesome.
Cheers to daily randomness!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Ups & Downs
Today was a pretty good day. No real reason why - I had my review, the sun finally shone through the high clouds, I'm trying to take control of my finances. It was a pretty good day.
My goal of getting organized is not quite happening. Between all of the photo work, my full-time job, commitments to friends and family, my house has gone downhill and I just don't have the energy or motivation to get it in shape. Usually when it gets to this point I plan a party - that way I have a goal I have to strive for. Of course, if I do that, I end up throwing everything in cute boxes or closets, never to be seen again. It's life or mess, man.
I have come to the realization that I am addicted to Cadbury Cream Eggs. Not like "oh I love those things" but more like "GIMME A CADBURY CREAM EGG NOW." I'm so addicted that I should go on Intervention for them. Actually, I should go on Intervention for being addicted to Intervention.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Back to My Vine Roots
To kick off my new blog, I thought I'd post about it on my current blog, one that might have like three readers. This one you're on now, Living the Vine Life, started because I wanted to write about my experiences in the wine industry. Since starting it however, it has become more of a story of my life, and less about wine.
In order to get back to my vine roots, I started this: Millennial Wino: The Pursuit of the Happy Grape. Sit back, relax, pour yourself a glass of wine, and enjoy.
In order to get back to my vine roots, I started this: Millennial Wino: The Pursuit of the Happy Grape. Sit back, relax, pour yourself a glass of wine, and enjoy.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
A Change of Heart
2008 rolled around and though I didn't make any serious New Year's resolutions by writing them down, I told myself that I'd do a few things. Lose a couple of pounds, try new things (I have a list of those...), and get back into wine. This last one means that to be serious about it, I wanted to create a new blog that focuses solely on my wine experiences. If I never post, that means I'm not doing enough!
This blog will continue to be the story of my life - well, at least the highlights of it that are blog worthy....such as what funny T I wore to the gym yesterday. I know you're on the edge of your seat......drum roll pleeeeaaasssseee.......
Once again, cheers to the funny T! Making gym time, and anytime, so much better.
Monday, February 18, 2008
A Bit Behind
It's been a crazy few weeks, causing me to fall behind in many things. Don't feel neglected - my clean clothes who have moved from bed to couch to bed to couch to bed to couch to floor feel much worse than you do I'd bet.
Megster just sent me this awesome link: http://www.improveverywhere.com/2008/01/31/frozen-grand-central/ Give it a minute - it's worth waiting for. I LOVE this type of thing! It's amazing when people, especially those in a major city, can get together for 5 minutes to do something cool. I'm a sucker for the bond with other human beings... It reminds me of the annual San Francisco Valentine's Days pillow fight in Justin Herman Plaza. I don't think they do it anymore, but if they do, I'm going! It sounds like so much fun! Talk about the happiest place to be - feeling like a kid again, pillow fighting in the middle of the city. I'm in......unless I organize one in Napa......hmmmm....
Every so often I need to entertain myself (let's call it "introtainment" from now on). Since I have joined the weight loss challenge at work and will be going to the gym more often, I have decided to wear funny shirts to the gym. Last week, I wore this one:
I was cool with it (aka not embarrassed at all) until I went to get gas. For some reason the Arco on Soscol felt like the middle of a fancy mall with other shoppers staring me down for my poor choice in clothing. Sometimes I just have to dance to the beat of my own drum and enjoy my introtainment.
Cheers to funny t-shirts and stranger-bonding!
Megster just sent me this awesome link: http://www.improveverywhere.com/2008/01/31/frozen-grand-central/ Give it a minute - it's worth waiting for. I LOVE this type of thing! It's amazing when people, especially those in a major city, can get together for 5 minutes to do something cool. I'm a sucker for the bond with other human beings... It reminds me of the annual San Francisco Valentine's Days pillow fight in Justin Herman Plaza. I don't think they do it anymore, but if they do, I'm going! It sounds like so much fun! Talk about the happiest place to be - feeling like a kid again, pillow fighting in the middle of the city. I'm in......unless I organize one in Napa......hmmmm....
Every so often I need to entertain myself (let's call it "introtainment" from now on). Since I have joined the weight loss challenge at work and will be going to the gym more often, I have decided to wear funny shirts to the gym. Last week, I wore this one:
I was cool with it (aka not embarrassed at all) until I went to get gas. For some reason the Arco on Soscol felt like the middle of a fancy mall with other shoppers staring me down for my poor choice in clothing. Sometimes I just have to dance to the beat of my own drum and enjoy my introtainment.
Cheers to funny t-shirts and stranger-bonding!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
The 'Dome
I know I haven't blooged* in like 10 years, so I guess I'll blog about something that happened weeks ago. I mean, why blog about the present when you can blog about the past?
(This post was inspired by Funk Master P and his trip to the Tower in Sacto. Shout out.)
How awesome are people? A few weeks ago, at the Cinedome in Napa (yes, it's truly a dome), Saturday nights = 13-year-old-annoying-brats-and-their-teeny-boyfriends-nights. They were typical obnoxious teens with no where else to go. (I truly believe this - it's Napa. A lot like Marin where I grew up. Nothing to do. Nothing.) The 'dome is circa 1968, and since Napa spends no money on anything that locals might enjoy, only catering to tourists, it's exactly the same as it used to be, only the prices have increased tenfold. We decided to go see PS I Love You on a whim, so we got there a bit late. Late on a Saturday night at the 'dome = FIRST ROW. It sucked. The first row, as you know, is the absolute worst possible place to be in a theater. I mean why did they even make those, it's not like you can actually SEE the movie, you get seasick during any parts that are landscape-y or aerial, and your neck hurts constantly. What is the POINT? My rant means that there are no stadium seats and the movies cost a lot. Ok thank you, I'll move on. The theater was filled with Britney Spears-loving teenagers, sprinkled around the room in random empty seats. They talked on their cell phones. They got up and down up and down up and down. They talked. They shook armrests and kicked seatbacks. There was a bit of yelling at these children, though none of us took the initiative to have them kicked out. Only at the very end did my friend get her true jab in.......we're about to leave and were surrounded by teeny boppers, when my friend (whose name shall not be released for privacy purposes) says:
"When you grow up you're going to realize how STUPID you look."
At that point, we needed to LEAVE, so we walked out and went to Napa Bowl for a drink and some pool. We needed to be with people our own age, or at least 35 years our senior.
Cheers to the 'dome!
*I always typo "blogged" as "blooged" so I thought I'd leave it. It's a funny word.
(This post was inspired by Funk Master P and his trip to the Tower in Sacto. Shout out.)
How awesome are people? A few weeks ago, at the Cinedome in Napa (yes, it's truly a dome), Saturday nights = 13-year-old-annoying-brats-and-their-teeny-boyfriends-nights. They were typical obnoxious teens with no where else to go. (I truly believe this - it's Napa. A lot like Marin where I grew up. Nothing to do. Nothing.) The 'dome is circa 1968, and since Napa spends no money on anything that locals might enjoy, only catering to tourists, it's exactly the same as it used to be, only the prices have increased tenfold. We decided to go see PS I Love You on a whim, so we got there a bit late. Late on a Saturday night at the 'dome = FIRST ROW. It sucked. The first row, as you know, is the absolute worst possible place to be in a theater. I mean why did they even make those, it's not like you can actually SEE the movie, you get seasick during any parts that are landscape-y or aerial, and your neck hurts constantly. What is the POINT? My rant means that there are no stadium seats and the movies cost a lot. Ok thank you, I'll move on. The theater was filled with Britney Spears-loving teenagers, sprinkled around the room in random empty seats. They talked on their cell phones. They got up and down up and down up and down. They talked. They shook armrests and kicked seatbacks. There was a bit of yelling at these children, though none of us took the initiative to have them kicked out. Only at the very end did my friend get her true jab in.......we're about to leave and were surrounded by teeny boppers, when my friend (whose name shall not be released for privacy purposes) says:
"When you grow up you're going to realize how STUPID you look."
At that point, we needed to LEAVE, so we walked out and went to Napa Bowl for a drink and some pool. We needed to be with people our own age, or at least 35 years our senior.
Cheers to the 'dome!
*I always typo "blogged" as "blooged" so I thought I'd leave it. It's a funny word.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Back to the Biz
I just got home from a wine business seminar at COPIA. It was a general overview of the industry trends, what's hot/what's not, off-premise/on-premise focus, and general industry numbers. I never thought data would interest me, but I guess it helps that the data is about something I love!
NOTE: The next part is commentary on the wine business. It'll be very worky.
Guess what one heavily covered topic was? Yep - Millenials. Almost exactly one year since I started in the wine biz, this trend of younger consumers (born 1977 - 1994) with disposable income is leading the charge in wine consumption both in dollars and in units. You would think, given this information, that there would be more wines targeted to these consumers, myself being one of them. Speaking as a consumer, there is a lack of focus in the target price point - $10-15, with wines from all over the world and wines that are a single SKU. I love trying new things, but the quality has to pull me back as a loyal-ish customer, not just the price or name.
I'm thinking I should start a winery where the focus is Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Cab. I would make a KILLING. These varietals are hot, and they are varietals that, Cab probably being the exception here, can play to the more adventurous wine drinker, the typical millenial. They can have interesting labels, fun stories, viral marketing, entertaining yet educational blogs, and engaging websites. Anyone want to play venture capitalist for me?
As much as it seems like the market is ridiculously saturated with wine (just walk into any Safeway), there are huge holes that are just begging to be filled with wines in that price point in those varietals. The big wineries capture the majority of the market in the $1-$9 segment, and the small wineries easily capture some of the $20-$100 market. Where does that leave the millenials, the folks looking for those $10-$15 wines, the ones who are adventurous and curious and willing to try new things? This powerful group of 21-30 years olds use the internet to research everything, including wine. They trust the word of mouth recommendations from their friends, funny and informative guys like Gary Vaynerchuk from Wine TV, wine blogs, and tastings. They have yet to be fully tapped as a wine consuming group, and we in the wine biz need to start cashing in on their curiosity to try new wines and eagerness to learn.
Coming from the tech world into the wine world, I knew I'd have to make adjustments. This industry is not on any cutting edge, and trying to force this industry into thinking in a new way, into considering the web as a viable place to do business or even just to reach consumers, will not happen overnight. It probably won't happen until the bubble has burst. I am hoping that this data on millenials and hot varietals, both qualitative and quantitative, will seep into the presentations to winery CEOs, retailers, and restaurants, and will creep into the vocabulary of sale forces and wine biz leaders. Just these two things - just two things! - can change the marketplace, the profitability and the direction of established wineries.
Hope that all made a little sense. Word to the millenials.
Out of curiosity - what do you buy? Are you loyal or adventurous?
Cheers to the wine biz - may it live long and prosper!
PS (you know how much I love these) - One of my New Year's resolutions, besides losing weight of course, is to try new wines. I'm sure Napa has a group of tasters but since I have yet to meet anyone, it's time for me to taste and taste, see what's out there, live up to my generation's stereotype. Bring it on.
NOTE: The next part is commentary on the wine business. It'll be very worky.
Guess what one heavily covered topic was? Yep - Millenials. Almost exactly one year since I started in the wine biz, this trend of younger consumers (born 1977 - 1994) with disposable income is leading the charge in wine consumption both in dollars and in units. You would think, given this information, that there would be more wines targeted to these consumers, myself being one of them. Speaking as a consumer, there is a lack of focus in the target price point - $10-15, with wines from all over the world and wines that are a single SKU. I love trying new things, but the quality has to pull me back as a loyal-ish customer, not just the price or name.
I'm thinking I should start a winery where the focus is Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Cab. I would make a KILLING. These varietals are hot, and they are varietals that, Cab probably being the exception here, can play to the more adventurous wine drinker, the typical millenial. They can have interesting labels, fun stories, viral marketing, entertaining yet educational blogs, and engaging websites. Anyone want to play venture capitalist for me?
As much as it seems like the market is ridiculously saturated with wine (just walk into any Safeway), there are huge holes that are just begging to be filled with wines in that price point in those varietals. The big wineries capture the majority of the market in the $1-$9 segment, and the small wineries easily capture some of the $20-$100 market. Where does that leave the millenials, the folks looking for those $10-$15 wines, the ones who are adventurous and curious and willing to try new things? This powerful group of 21-30 years olds use the internet to research everything, including wine. They trust the word of mouth recommendations from their friends, funny and informative guys like Gary Vaynerchuk from Wine TV, wine blogs, and tastings. They have yet to be fully tapped as a wine consuming group, and we in the wine biz need to start cashing in on their curiosity to try new wines and eagerness to learn.
Coming from the tech world into the wine world, I knew I'd have to make adjustments. This industry is not on any cutting edge, and trying to force this industry into thinking in a new way, into considering the web as a viable place to do business or even just to reach consumers, will not happen overnight. It probably won't happen until the bubble has burst. I am hoping that this data on millenials and hot varietals, both qualitative and quantitative, will seep into the presentations to winery CEOs, retailers, and restaurants, and will creep into the vocabulary of sale forces and wine biz leaders. Just these two things - just two things! - can change the marketplace, the profitability and the direction of established wineries.
Hope that all made a little sense. Word to the millenials.
Out of curiosity - what do you buy? Are you loyal or adventurous?
Cheers to the wine biz - may it live long and prosper!
PS (you know how much I love these) - One of my New Year's resolutions, besides losing weight of course, is to try new wines. I'm sure Napa has a group of tasters but since I have yet to meet anyone, it's time for me to taste and taste, see what's out there, live up to my generation's stereotype. Bring it on.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Water is Back, Life is Good.
On Wednesday morning, after a Friday of showering at the gym, a Monday of showering at work, and a Tuesday of showering at the gym, along with trips to Target to use the little girls' room, my water was restored. Losing water is just like flipping on light switches, the TV, the radio, the microwave, and the computer when the power is out. I turned on the faucet. I almost went to the bathroom many times. I had to be creative when brushing my teeth. It was fun for an evening, felt like camping inside. Yeah, the novelty wears off pretty quickly when you need to pee.
On another note, this past weekend I took my family (aka the clan) to Bear Valley for a ski weekend! My mom hates the snow, so I was sure to get a house with a nice heater and a fireplace that she could enjoy while we hit the slopes. By "hit the slopes" I mean yellow-slow-zone-designated-bunny-slopes for me. On Friday afternoon, I brushed the two-years of dust off my board and put it in my new Yakima ski rack on the burly yet sleek Murano, Enrique. I do have to say that Enrique was pretty stoked to hit some snow, being AWD and all. We headed up in separate cars and met at the house. 1972 here we come....the decor was a tad outdated but the house was comfortable overall. We played some crazy rounds of Cranium and Taboo, hung out and talked, and played in the snow. It was a great weekend with the clan. I'll post a video tomorrow of my dad stuck in snow - it's rad.
Cheers to water and boarding! (Uncheers to the lift)
On another note, this past weekend I took my family (aka the clan) to Bear Valley for a ski weekend! My mom hates the snow, so I was sure to get a house with a nice heater and a fireplace that she could enjoy while we hit the slopes. By "hit the slopes" I mean yellow-slow-zone-designated-bunny-slopes for me. On Friday afternoon, I brushed the two-years of dust off my board and put it in my new Yakima ski rack on the burly yet sleek Murano, Enrique. I do have to say that Enrique was pretty stoked to hit some snow, being AWD and all. We headed up in separate cars and met at the house. 1972 here we come....the decor was a tad outdated but the house was comfortable overall. We played some crazy rounds of Cranium and Taboo, hung out and talked, and played in the snow. It was a great weekend with the clan. I'll post a video tomorrow of my dad stuck in snow - it's rad.
Cheers to water and boarding! (Uncheers to the lift)
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Waterless
Today I got home from work. I put on a pot of water from the kitchen faucet and fired up the stove. I boiled that water and put in pasta. I settled in a little. I threw in a load of laundry, aka I put dirty clothes into the washing machine that washes them with water. I ate my pasta. I packed some for the snow weekend. I used the ladies' room. The toilet flushed oddly. I went to wash my hands. There was a dribble of water. I ran into the kitchen. A dribble then nothing. Nothing. No water. No water! I went outside to the pump house - the needle read 1. I don't exactly know what that means technically, but I can only deduce that it means I have no water. I flipped all the circuit breakers. No water. I tried every faucet 'cause, ya know, one might have a bit of water left. No water. Now that I know I can't go to the bathroom, I really have to go.
Why is it called a WELL? I'm not WELL - I HAVE NO WATER.
There will be no Cheers today.
Why is it called a WELL? I'm not WELL - I HAVE NO WATER.
There will be no Cheers today.
Word to the Blogworld.
You know you've made it when you're able to do this:
I haven't quite made it yet. I plan on practicing my newfound gang sign for blogs (provided by the Swimster) so that I can be as cool as this guy. When I perfect it, I'll be sure to show the world.
Cheers to blog representin'!
I haven't quite made it yet. I plan on practicing my newfound gang sign for blogs (provided by the Swimster) so that I can be as cool as this guy. When I perfect it, I'll be sure to show the world.
Cheers to blog representin'!
Friday, January 4, 2008
New Year's Day Adventure
After a hard night out on New Year's Eve, Meggie and I slept until 2pm on New Year's Day (hey, we're allowed), then finally got up, moved all the blankets to the couch, and posted it there all day. Around 7:30pm or so, only about 5.5 hours after getting out of bed, Meggie needed to go home and get prepped mentally to go back to work on Wednesday. I'd been off of work for a good solid eleven days, and my mental prep was pretty intense: I said bye to Meggie, locked the door, got back into my cocoon of blankets on the couch, and ate bread while watching yet another Law & Order. Around 8:30, "So Whatcha Want" was blaring out of my phone, signaling that one of my good friends was calling. Why, it was Meggie!
Me: "Hiya! Are you home?"
Meggie: {laughing hysterically}
Me: "What? I can't understand you? What's so funny!?"
Meggie: {laughing hysterically}
Me: "Wait, what?"
Meggie: "We forgot to get your car!!!!"
My heart dropped. My shoulders sank. I thought - you have got to be kidding me. Then I started laughing hysterically along with her. My first words to Meggie when we woke up were - "We have to remember to get my car." Being the planner that I am, I instantly debated what to do...I could call a cab. I could call friends. I could wait until tomorrow and just stay warm on the couch. I texted a couple of friends to no avail, then put on my new ski socks, a sweater, a beanie, and my snow jacket and just started walking. Yep, like Forrest Gump.
Here are some photos from my 4.3 mile trek from my house to Skankhouse...with commentary of course...
My new ski socks....so cute and argyle-y. It was cold out there...
This was at the walkway of an older building...not sure what the business was, I didn't see a sign. Thought this was one of the coolest things I've seen in a while though! I'll have to go back with my better camera.
Looking down Soscol. A loooooong ways to go.
I will eat breakfast here sometime.
Always wanted to shoot this building too. Another on my list to shoot with the the fancier camera.
Hm....Seventh Street. Never even noticed there was a Seventh Street.
Lookie here - Sixth Street. Only walked a block, but my ears are frozen despite the beanie and my fingers are numb.
Another awesome sign....fancier camera is missing out.
The Depot. I wish it was still a place to shake it. Now it's a Lobster Shack. Not quite as fun.
Closer, if only by a few blocks.
Ah, the First Street bridge. Hang a left, over the bridge, and right on Main
I love Christmas lights.
Someone's foot is really cold. Another New Year's Eve debacle.
"I'm almost there! Legs - keep movin! Oh no...what if they towed my car?"
TAAAA DAAAAAAHHHHH! A single light shining from above, angels singing, Enrique welcoming me.
Cheers to new adventures and getting some exercise!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
I Heart Post Scripts
PS - Happy New Year
PPS - Happy Christmas last week
PPPS - I love post scripts. A lot.
PPS - Happy Christmas last week
PPPS - I love post scripts. A lot.
The Red Stripes
I have this really great story about New Year's Day but you'll have to wait a day for that as I haven't yet downloaded the pictures from the evening to spice up that entry.
What I do have to write about is something that came up on New Year's Eve. Meggie and I were standing at the bar, just talking. Talking the way people do. It's New Year's Eve, it's starting out slowly, but I'm with Meggie and we always have fun. So we're chatting when I completely interrupt her to comment on the fact that a driver's license with a red stripe lands on the bar. A red stripe. A red stripe means that the person who tossed that license onto the bar is a recent 21-year-old. RECENT. As in not 8.5 years ago like me. My license with the red stripe is hanging out somewhere in San Francisco without me, probably having the time of its life at whatever bar I dropped it at. I loved that license. The photo of me as a 16 year-old, beaming with my newfound legal driving capabilities, was lost forever. When I finally got my new license, I had taken a bad bad photo and the red stripe was gone. They also upped my weight when I didn't ask them to but that's a story for another time. Right now, I'm lamenting my Red Stripe License.
Cheers to Red Stripe Licenses. This one gets no exclamation point because I'm going to be 30 this year, and the next time I'll see a Red Stripe License my kid will have one. Ouchie.
What I do have to write about is something that came up on New Year's Eve. Meggie and I were standing at the bar, just talking. Talking the way people do. It's New Year's Eve, it's starting out slowly, but I'm with Meggie and we always have fun. So we're chatting when I completely interrupt her to comment on the fact that a driver's license with a red stripe lands on the bar. A red stripe. A red stripe means that the person who tossed that license onto the bar is a recent 21-year-old. RECENT. As in not 8.5 years ago like me. My license with the red stripe is hanging out somewhere in San Francisco without me, probably having the time of its life at whatever bar I dropped it at. I loved that license. The photo of me as a 16 year-old, beaming with my newfound legal driving capabilities, was lost forever. When I finally got my new license, I had taken a bad bad photo and the red stripe was gone. They also upped my weight when I didn't ask them to but that's a story for another time. Right now, I'm lamenting my Red Stripe License.
Cheers to Red Stripe Licenses. This one gets no exclamation point because I'm going to be 30 this year, and the next time I'll see a Red Stripe License my kid will have one. Ouchie.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Things That Are Rad, Chapter 2
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
To go out, or not to go out. That is the question.
Monday Night Football.
Skankhouse.
Good company.
Cobb salad.
Mozzarella sticks.
Lemon drops.
Beer battered onion rings.
Patriots fans galore.
All in all, an awesome Monday.
It is interesting though that when you go out on a Friday, the weekend seems to be extra long. When you go out on a Monday, it's the same effect, but the problem is that it's a MONDAY. No sleeping in on Tuesday. No big plans for a Tuesday night. Tuesday does not equal Saturday. Ever. Well, unless you're unemployed I guess.
Cheers to MNF and laughter at the Skankhouse!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
New Starts
Tomorrow, my partner in crime, Cornbread, makes her debut into the WoW (that means World of Wine for those who haven't read my very first blog posting).
I just want to say that I am so proud of her - I know how much time, dedication, frustration, disappointment, excitement and craziness surrounds the job hunt. She powered through, with encouragement from all sides, and tomorrow is the start of her new life in Wine Country.
According to my first few posts, I was starry-eyed for soooo long, and I miss that feeling. I still love my job, though with days like today, I long for my eyes to go starry. Maybe I was so starry-eyed because I drank a lot of wine.........ok, no. I know it was because I had worked my bum off for a chance to work in wine, and I had finally accomplished that. I hope that Cornbread remembers her first month; the way it feels when you walk through the doors on that first day, not sure if you're going to get along with coworkers, or that you're wearing the wrong thing, but then realizing that everything worked out - your coworkers are awesome and your clothes didn't matter. I hope she remembers for a long time the way it sounds when you tell people you work for a winery - their reaction and your passion when you explain what you do. I know she'll remember it - I do, constantly.
Cheers to getting this far - you've earned it! An extra CHEERS for doing what we love, day in, day out, and sharing those experiences everyday.
I just want to say that I am so proud of her - I know how much time, dedication, frustration, disappointment, excitement and craziness surrounds the job hunt. She powered through, with encouragement from all sides, and tomorrow is the start of her new life in Wine Country.
According to my first few posts, I was starry-eyed for soooo long, and I miss that feeling. I still love my job, though with days like today, I long for my eyes to go starry. Maybe I was so starry-eyed because I drank a lot of wine.........ok, no. I know it was because I had worked my bum off for a chance to work in wine, and I had finally accomplished that. I hope that Cornbread remembers her first month; the way it feels when you walk through the doors on that first day, not sure if you're going to get along with coworkers, or that you're wearing the wrong thing, but then realizing that everything worked out - your coworkers are awesome and your clothes didn't matter. I hope she remembers for a long time the way it sounds when you tell people you work for a winery - their reaction and your passion when you explain what you do. I know she'll remember it - I do, constantly.
Cheers to getting this far - you've earned it! An extra CHEERS for doing what we love, day in, day out, and sharing those experiences everyday.
Things That Are NOT Rad, Chapter 1
False advertising
Being a sucker for false advertising
Beans
A rock in my shoe
Mashed potatoes
When a pen runs out of ink
Doing dishes
Gardening
Car problems
Doing dishes
Wet socks
Bad music
Doing dishes
Being a sucker for false advertising
Beans
A rock in my shoe
Mashed potatoes
When a pen runs out of ink
Doing dishes
Gardening
Car problems
Doing dishes
Wet socks
Bad music
Doing dishes
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Soccer Mom? I Think Not.
Ok, maybe a little. Unfortunately, I have turned into what some may call a soccer mom. I know it's a little premature, considering that I'm neither a mom, nor do I have anything to do with soccer these days. I do, however, drive the right car for a cool and sporty mom of 2007:
...and on Sunday, I bought one of these:
What's so funny about both of these is that 1) my first crock pot meal sucked and 2) I'm not all that into my car.
Details on 1:
My dinner really, really did suck. Now when I say I can't cook, I mean I can't cook....not even in something as simple as a crock pot. The chicken was dry, the rice was mush as were the beans. How can you screw up a crock pot meal? I'm not really sure, but given the lack of my cooking skills, I did it. I am such a bad cook that even my crock pot won't work with me. I will not surrender to the power of the crock just yet, but I vow to understand it's power and use it to my advantage.
Details on 2:
I thought I was being so practical when I bought my Murano (see post about my new fridge), and I was. The thing rocks in a lot of ways. On the other hand, it is anything but sexy. At my age, the ripe old age of 29, I need sexy. I need a head-turner. I need a wind-through-the-hair, five-speed, turbo-charged wonder car that makes my heart race and head spin, like one of these:
I also need a bit more spice in my life...and by spice I don't mean basil and oregano (reminder: I can't cook.) I need to be eating gourmet meals:
...with a lovely dinner companion, like:
or:
or:
or:
It's not quite New Year's, but I am making a resolution that I will spice up my life...I'll throw caution into the wind and get a sports car, be excited and thrilled to meet new people, go on more dates, eat gourmet food, put on some heels and strut the new me. I swear on my life that I will not be her:
Not yet, anyway.
Cheers to being thrilled!
...and on Sunday, I bought one of these:
What's so funny about both of these is that 1) my first crock pot meal sucked and 2) I'm not all that into my car.
Details on 1:
My dinner really, really did suck. Now when I say I can't cook, I mean I can't cook....not even in something as simple as a crock pot. The chicken was dry, the rice was mush as were the beans. How can you screw up a crock pot meal? I'm not really sure, but given the lack of my cooking skills, I did it. I am such a bad cook that even my crock pot won't work with me. I will not surrender to the power of the crock just yet, but I vow to understand it's power and use it to my advantage.
Details on 2:
I thought I was being so practical when I bought my Murano (see post about my new fridge), and I was. The thing rocks in a lot of ways. On the other hand, it is anything but sexy. At my age, the ripe old age of 29, I need sexy. I need a head-turner. I need a wind-through-the-hair, five-speed, turbo-charged wonder car that makes my heart race and head spin, like one of these:
I also need a bit more spice in my life...and by spice I don't mean basil and oregano (reminder: I can't cook.) I need to be eating gourmet meals:
...with a lovely dinner companion, like:
or:
or:
or:
It's not quite New Year's, but I am making a resolution that I will spice up my life...I'll throw caution into the wind and get a sports car, be excited and thrilled to meet new people, go on more dates, eat gourmet food, put on some heels and strut the new me. I swear on my life that I will not be her:
Not yet, anyway.
Cheers to being thrilled!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Things That Are Rad, Chapter 1
Fuzzy socks
Red wine on a cold day
Fireworks
Dancing
Ironing a shirt into utter crispness (ok, I'm only domestical right here, right now)
Finishing a project
The ribs at The Grill
Red wine on a warm day
Meeting new people
Karaoke at Rita's
Throwing parties
5-minute speed networking
Photography
Toasts (and toast of course)
Road trips
The beach
Dessert
Cheers to things that are rad!
Red wine on a cold day
Fireworks
Dancing
Ironing a shirt into utter crispness (ok, I'm only domestical right here, right now)
Finishing a project
The ribs at The Grill
Red wine on a warm day
Meeting new people
Karaoke at Rita's
Throwing parties
5-minute speed networking
Photography
Toasts (and toast of course)
Road trips
The beach
Dessert
Cheers to things that are rad!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Me, Myself, and My Dad
My dad can fix anything. Anything. My dad likes wine. I don't think he cares so much what it is, just that it's red and comes in a wine bottle. Now that I am basically a wine pimp, I give my dad wine for helping me with house stuff. Like putting a fridge in the back of my car.
If anyone has wondered what my dad looks like, here are he and my mom last June when we went to Costa Rica:
If you wanted to know what my dad looked like maybe 15 years ago, it may have been something like this:
Ok, fine. That's me having fun at the Halloween store. It was just too funny to keep under wraps, and though I know that most of the peeps who read my blog have seen these pics, they're still funny. Really funny. And a little scary.
Cheers to my dad!
If anyone has wondered what my dad looks like, here are he and my mom last June when we went to Costa Rica:
If you wanted to know what my dad looked like maybe 15 years ago, it may have been something like this:
Ok, fine. That's me having fun at the Halloween store. It was just too funny to keep under wraps, and though I know that most of the peeps who read my blog have seen these pics, they're still funny. Really funny. And a little scary.
Cheers to my dad!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Props to the Murano
As much as I want a new car, I do have to give mad props to the one I have. I bought a 2004 Nissan Murano last December in an effort to be practical. Working on the condo and then the house allowed me to justify the extra space in a crossover SUV. At the time, I had wanted to get a tiny sports car, manual, convertible, basically as impractical as possible, then also get a $3k used SUV for working on the house. I regret not making that decision because one year later, I am now looking to get that impractical little fun on wheels with a back up work horse.
That said, my car is pretty cool. It has a bumpin sound system, is pretty zippy, has tons and tons of leg room, fits backerboard perfectly in the back, and, I found out yesterday, can hold a refrigerator. Yep, a refrigerator. I went to Best Buy, saw an open item fridge, decided to get it (it was a steal), and then in the rain, we loaded into the back of my car. A Mini just can't brag about something like that.
Cheers to my Murano (for now)!
That said, my car is pretty cool. It has a bumpin sound system, is pretty zippy, has tons and tons of leg room, fits backerboard perfectly in the back, and, I found out yesterday, can hold a refrigerator. Yep, a refrigerator. I went to Best Buy, saw an open item fridge, decided to get it (it was a steal), and then in the rain, we loaded into the back of my car. A Mini just can't brag about something like that.
Cheers to my Murano (for now)!
Friday, November 9, 2007
Hilarious.
When I was messin' with my profile (he started it), I decided to update my profile. I didn't write much, but blogger has this cool feature that asks you random questions and you answer them. I know what you're thinking on that one, when a question is asked, usually someone answers it. Thanks, Ms. Obvious. Anyway, this is the random question I received, and the answer I gave. I just think I'm so flippin' funny, that I had to post it on my main blog and not leave it buried in my profile for no one to see.
You can punch a hole in an apple using a straw. How do you think that makes your milkshake feel?
I think my milkshake is ok with it because it brings all the boys to the yard.
Cheers to my milkshake and whatever that means!
You can punch a hole in an apple using a straw. How do you think that makes your milkshake feel?
I think my milkshake is ok with it because it brings all the boys to the yard.
Cheers to my milkshake and whatever that means!
Reason #73525183.7 That I Need a Guy
I just spent the last FIFTEEN MINUTES trying to open a teeny jar of Classico pesto sauce & spread for the pasta salad I volunteered to make for the baby shower at work tomorrow. I tried the bang on the lid to break the seal trick. I slammed the bottom of the jar with the heel of my hand trick. I busted out the blue rubber glove I use for washing dishes* trick. Nothing. Nada. Not even a budge! I tried them all once more. After the last rubber glove try, I went back at it bare-handed. With red, raw fingers and sore hands, it popped open and I was able to retrieve the delicious pesto sauce that my pasta was craving. I loosened it for me.
Cheers to FINALLY opening the pesto! Uncheers to not having a guy to do that crap for me.
*I HATE washing dishes. Hate it. Hate it more than ironing all of my clothes and textiles, including socks, undies, towels and sheets. Hate it. That's all.
Cheers to FINALLY opening the pesto! Uncheers to not having a guy to do that crap for me.
*I HATE washing dishes. Hate it. Hate it more than ironing all of my clothes and textiles, including socks, undies, towels and sheets. Hate it. That's all.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Really? A Post-It?
I thought I'd continue with the Wine & Food Adventure, but I had to blog about something I saw today that leaves me with a true shocked face. Someone TYPED a Post-It. I saw it with my own eyes.
1. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of a Post-It's true function? Correct me if I'm wrong, but a Post-It was designed for scribbling - with your hand - a quick note with a pen. This is a way to remind yourself to take care of something, or to let someone else know where you are, when you'll be back, or what have you. It's short, sweet, and informal. Ok, sometimes it's not sweet - like when Carrie was broken up with by Post-It on Sex & the City.
2. Who uses a typewriter?!? With the invention of the personal computer, aka PC, typing a quick note via email not only saves yellow Post-It paper, but can also be received on Crackberries and other smartphones immediately. Of course, this option isn't nearly as funny.
I could take a photo, by camera phone, of the typed Post-It and send it to the intended recipients so that they receive it instantly on their Crackberries and know that they need to reply, but that's a waste of camera phone text money and time. Granted, I already did waste my money sending myself two photos using my camera phone just for this blog entry. It was worth every penny.
1. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of a Post-It's true function? Correct me if I'm wrong, but a Post-It was designed for scribbling - with your hand - a quick note with a pen. This is a way to remind yourself to take care of something, or to let someone else know where you are, when you'll be back, or what have you. It's short, sweet, and informal. Ok, sometimes it's not sweet - like when Carrie was broken up with by Post-It on Sex & the City.
2. Who uses a typewriter?!? With the invention of the personal computer, aka PC, typing a quick note via email not only saves yellow Post-It paper, but can also be received on Crackberries and other smartphones immediately. Of course, this option isn't nearly as funny.
I could take a photo, by camera phone, of the typed Post-It and send it to the intended recipients so that they receive it instantly on their Crackberries and know that they need to reply, but that's a waste of camera phone text money and time. Granted, I already did waste my money sending myself two photos using my camera phone just for this blog entry. It was worth every penny.
Cheers to the joy that a typed Post-It has brought into my life!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
The Affair That Wine & Food Had This Weekend - Part I
The Wine & Food Affair. This event is my favorite of the Wine Road events - wine, food, wine, food. My mouth loves it, my waistline hates it, but that's a separate blog entry. My girls and I headed to Healdsburg for a weekend of amazing wines paired with delicious food. We paid a whopping $60 for this event this year, and expected great things...
This isn't a pic from the weekend, but man, looks good eh? Maria Manso restaurant in San Rafael. If you're curious.
Winery 1: J
We usually end at J, but decided to change it up a little this time. Guess what? Not impressed. Not even a little. Normally my friend A loves J, but nothing jumped out at even her! The Pinot was boring, the sparkling was dry (how I like it if I'll ever drink sparkling again) but unappealing, and my girls said that the Chard was just bad. The food portions were small and unappetizing.
Winery 2: Rodney Strong
Walking over to Rodney from J, up the stairs, we followed the signs and I get carded. Carded. On the Wine Road. Should I be flattered since I'm almost 30? Maybe. Was I? No. The pretentiousness that we never find in the Russian River/Alexander Valley/Healdsburg area wineries was too apparent for the first hour. It was discouraging. Extremely. The first wine we had was great - an '05 Reserve Cab. Yum. Paired with the smallest piece of steak on the ittiest piece of bread with the tiniest dollop of cheesy goodness, the wines were good. Good, but not great. They moved you too quickly from wine station to wine station, so fast that you didn't even have time to down the first taste before being moved along to the next one.
Our thinking at this point: J & Rodney Strong need event planners and FRIENDLY customer service training for their staff. Like all great events, when they get too big, they lose the fun! Think Halloween in the Castro. Think New Years in Tahoe. We hoped for the best on the way to the next round.
Cheers to the first hour of Saturday! Cheers to more wine reviews (finally)...coming soon!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Ahhhh The End of an Era. Ok, Weekend.
It's Sunday night, yet again, entering into my life with all those "shoulda's" that I was supposed to get to today. Should have mowed the lawn. Should have done more laundry* (funny story here, see below). Should have put away clothes. Should have cleaned the house. Big time. But no, Sunday night arrived, I needed to eat, and there it stands. I also needed to watch Thursday's Office because I can't live without some little Michaelisms.
*Funny story (funny possibly just to me, but so typical of my brain lately, I had to share): So I have one scoop of Gain left. As everyone knows, Gain is possibly one the best smells on the planet. I turn on the washing machine. I put in my last scoop of Gain. I shut the lid to adjust the temperature. I start making nachos. I'm multitasking and not doing it well. After some email checking, nacho checking, more internet surfing, nacho checking, I realize that I just did a load of laundry with no actual laundry in it. Yep, a full washing machine cycle of imaginary laundry. Eco-police? Arrest me now.
Friday night I headed into SF to meet up with J-Rock and her sidekick Blog Master G, Rockstars of the East, at Thirsty Bear, my long lost friend with the vanilla beer. It's always so much fun to see them and their CA posse - That's Hot Enoch and Funk Master P, brother of Blog Master G and new blogger-extraordinaire.
Sacto was in the cards for Saturday and Sunday - wedding dress shopping with Kellogg and her mom. I think K decided on a dress which was a feat in and of itself - choices, choices choices. I think this pictures tells all:
*Funny story (funny possibly just to me, but so typical of my brain lately, I had to share): So I have one scoop of Gain left. As everyone knows, Gain is possibly one the best smells on the planet. I turn on the washing machine. I put in my last scoop of Gain. I shut the lid to adjust the temperature. I start making nachos. I'm multitasking and not doing it well. After some email checking, nacho checking, more internet surfing, nacho checking, I realize that I just did a load of laundry with no actual laundry in it. Yep, a full washing machine cycle of imaginary laundry. Eco-police? Arrest me now.
Friday night I headed into SF to meet up with J-Rock and her sidekick Blog Master G, Rockstars of the East, at Thirsty Bear, my long lost friend with the vanilla beer. It's always so much fun to see them and their CA posse - That's Hot Enoch and Funk Master P, brother of Blog Master G and new blogger-extraordinaire.
Sacto was in the cards for Saturday and Sunday - wedding dress shopping with Kellogg and her mom. I think K decided on a dress which was a feat in and of itself - choices, choices choices. I think this pictures tells all:
Did she buy that beautiful headress, you may be wondering? You'll have to wait until May to find out. I don't want to spoil the surprise for her fiance.
Cheers to wedding dresses I mean bridal gowns and the Rockstars of the East!!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
The Mobile Tasting Room
Last Friday was my good friend's 50th birthday. We enjoyed an awesome dinner at Arrivederci in San Rafael, one of my favorite places to eat. The atmosphere buzzes, the food is delicious, the service impeccable. Being that I work in the industry, I arrive with a case of wine, sort of a given these days. Sidenote - who would have ever thought that *that* would be me...?
Anyway, I brought a plethora of vino to choose from, from Pinot Grigio to Cab and everything inbetween. I knew there'd be an eclectic group of folks there, so I wanted to be sure everyone was happy - and they were. In addition to my box o' wine, and not the 3 liter kind, others had graciously brought some as well. In the spotlight was a 1999 Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon that melted in my mouth, as smooth and silky as a dark chocolate truffle but with enough kick at the end to keep life interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed the dance off on my palate. PS - when you work "in the industry" you use words like "palate" a little too often. It's in the vocabulary toolbox to help make you sound WineSmart.
With a surprise visit from her sister and 20 of her closest friends enjoying her big day with her, she beamed like she was turning 21 all over again. Ok, maybe 22.
Cheers to C's 50th!
Anyway, I brought a plethora of vino to choose from, from Pinot Grigio to Cab and everything inbetween. I knew there'd be an eclectic group of folks there, so I wanted to be sure everyone was happy - and they were. In addition to my box o' wine, and not the 3 liter kind, others had graciously brought some as well. In the spotlight was a 1999 Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon that melted in my mouth, as smooth and silky as a dark chocolate truffle but with enough kick at the end to keep life interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed the dance off on my palate. PS - when you work "in the industry" you use words like "palate" a little too often. It's in the vocabulary toolbox to help make you sound WineSmart.
With a surprise visit from her sister and 20 of her closest friends enjoying her big day with her, she beamed like she was turning 21 all over again. Ok, maybe 22.
Cheers to C's 50th!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Crazy Thursday
I haven't yet written about the party-hopping Thursday night a couple of weeks ago. We started that week insanely busy with work because our team had flown in for a 3 day meeting. As much as I hate sitting in a grey conference room that lacks windows or normal temperatures, I learned so much! But I digress...this post is about parties not work.
We headed from work to a pouring at the Culinary Institute, then from there, to the Chandon Pink Party. I hadn't had the pleasure of attending a Chandon Pink Party to date, so this was big for me. Decked in boas and pink eyelashes, we danced our way to the bar for some pink champagne and then danced our way to the dance floor. This place was CRAZY! I absolutely loved it. They need to do that every week. Ok, they used to but had to shut it down because of fights. What is WITH people?? Anyway, after we danced the night almost away until 11pm, we headed to Ana's to top off the debauchery. Yeah, I'm lying, there really wasn't any debauchery. Imagine a pink punk wig, those eyelashes that made me feel invisible (see previous post about Snuffleupagus), and a couple of pink boas. And lots of champagne. No need to imagine...
Wenis and I at Ana's
There's a reason I don't drink champagne...I remembered that reason early Friday morning when I had to head into work.
Last Saturday, to keep the pink going, we did the Walk of Hope. It was a great day in the city, warm and clear, and we walked our tails off on the walk, then the trek down Market for some shopping. Still wearing our Walk of Hope shirts, we went into stores, and people actually congratulated us for doing the walk! First of all, I didn't think SF people were THAT nice, and second, in the grand scheme of things, all we did was walk. I guess every little bit counts, and I am happy to have participated in Walking for Hope.
Cheers to pink everything!
We headed from work to a pouring at the Culinary Institute, then from there, to the Chandon Pink Party. I hadn't had the pleasure of attending a Chandon Pink Party to date, so this was big for me. Decked in boas and pink eyelashes, we danced our way to the bar for some pink champagne and then danced our way to the dance floor. This place was CRAZY! I absolutely loved it. They need to do that every week. Ok, they used to but had to shut it down because of fights. What is WITH people?? Anyway, after we danced the night almost away until 11pm, we headed to Ana's to top off the debauchery. Yeah, I'm lying, there really wasn't any debauchery. Imagine a pink punk wig, those eyelashes that made me feel invisible (see previous post about Snuffleupagus), and a couple of pink boas. And lots of champagne. No need to imagine...
Wenis and I at Ana's
There's a reason I don't drink champagne...I remembered that reason early Friday morning when I had to head into work.
Last Saturday, to keep the pink going, we did the Walk of Hope. It was a great day in the city, warm and clear, and we walked our tails off on the walk, then the trek down Market for some shopping. Still wearing our Walk of Hope shirts, we went into stores, and people actually congratulated us for doing the walk! First of all, I didn't think SF people were THAT nice, and second, in the grand scheme of things, all we did was walk. I guess every little bit counts, and I am happy to have participated in Walking for Hope.
Cheers to pink everything!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Interesting Driving Thought
As I was driving to a work dinner this evening, I was thinking, wow, I need to get my eyebrows did. Badly. Then I thought, I have whacked eyebrows - I think I'll blog about that. Then I realized that I have blogged about my eyebrows before and that's just weird, creepy OCD. Then my crazy train of thought went to this.........
I have Big Bird's height and curiosity.
I have Cookie Monster's love of all that is sugar. C is for cookie that's good enough for me....
I have Oscar the Grouch's realism.
I have Snuffleupagus' invisible qualities, like when I wear costume items.
I have Ernie's sense of humor.
I have Miss Piggy's love of shoes and things that sparkle.
I have Animal's passion.
I have Kermit's sarcasm and the ability to burst into song.
And of course, I have Bert's eyebrows.
Cheers to the Muppets - whether they are on Sesame Street or The Muppets - and all that they encompass!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Surprise!
Big shocker of the day - my arm hurts. Monday, I saw an orthopedic surgeon whose main job in life is to torture poor souls like myself. In April of 2002, I was snowboarding with Kellogg. We were getting off the lift at Death Drop 2000 (for those who don't know this run at Heavenly, it's also known as Patsy's Run on the California side). It was warm - tshirt weather - and we were already sunburned and scraped up from the ice. Now, being the hardcore snowboarder that I am (read as: I suck), we decided to do one more run and then head down for some sunscreen. As all skiers and snowboarders know, "one more run" is a cursed statement. I got off the lift on a board without a stomp pad, my foot slipped, and I slammed onto the ground. There is a long story after that that includes a trip to the clinic in NV, followed by many years of pain, with some stuff inbetween. In any event, yes, my arm hurts. This doctor guy, aka torture man, gave me two shots in my shoulder. TWO SHOTS. Yes, I almost pssed out. Yes, I almost passed out again. He sent me home with an MRI referral (another thing I hate), physical therapy and a date to talk about surgery. Fun fun fun till daddy takes the t-bird awaaaaaay.
This morning, just like I always do, I got up and headed into the shower so as not to offend my coworkers with Dirty Megan. I proceeded to almost pass out. Whatever if going on with me is sorta scaring me. According to WebMD, I have MS, diabetes, heat exhaustion and a mild stroke. I should get those checked out.
Cheers to...um, well, nothing, because I hate doctor stuff.
This morning, just like I always do, I got up and headed into the shower so as not to offend my coworkers with Dirty Megan. I proceeded to almost pass out. Whatever if going on with me is sorta scaring me. According to WebMD, I have MS, diabetes, heat exhaustion and a mild stroke. I should get those checked out.
Cheers to...um, well, nothing, because I hate doctor stuff.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Hm.
It has been a chaotic week in the lives of people I'm close to...bad car accidents, a family feud and not the fun-TV-game-show kind, deaths of close friends...It's been a week to reflect. I am grateful for what I have, who I have, where I am.
On this gloomy day in October, I cried at work. Linked to from one of my new favorite blogs , I read an article about Officer Mark Daily written by Christopher Hitchens, in Vanity Fair. I haven't been that moved by an article in quite some time. I don't have many words to express how I feel about this. With emotions ranging from deep sadness and an overwhelming sense of loss for someone I didn't know, to anger over the reasons we have taken it upon ourselves to "fix" other countries, to confusion about my actual stance on this war, I sit here and think. I think about how my brother, Brandolian, was gung ho about joining the Army after high school, right before we declared war. I had very selfish reasons for his not going, then with the timing of when we went into Iraq, Brandolian decided to move to San Luis Obispo instead. I was overly thankful for his decision - I can't imagine losing him in the way that Officer Mark Daily's family lost their son, husband, and brother. I want to thank Officer Daily for serving our country, for giving his life for what he believed in.
Cheers to everyone in my life!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Lame!
Two days ago, after I got my manbrows fixed, I went over to Redwood Middle School to stalk the Raiders. They've been here for weeks and weeks and weeks and I decided to go check it out on the last practice. Big mistake. There was no way to watch them that I could see! I wandered around like the true stalker that I am, listened to them practice and get fired up, and couldn't see a thing. Lame. This turned out to be just like my decision to go to The Price is Right.
When I was 12, I was watching TPIR. I loved it. Still do. I swore that when I turned 18, I would drive down to LA and get on that show. My grandma had been on TPIR before Bob Barker even was, so it's in my blood. Well, I turned 18. 19. 20. 21. Took a trip to Anaheim. Then another to San Diego. 22. 23. 24. 25. Can't even tell you how many times I'd been to LA over the years. 26. 27. 28. Find out that Bob Barker is retiring. 29. He retired. I never went. I'll regret that for the rest of my life. I was destined to be crazy and spazzy enough to wear the silly t-shirt and jump up and down and kiss Bob Barker's cheek and play the dicegame and spin the big wheel and win the Showcase Showdown. I just never made the 7-hour drive south. Next year, when the Raiders are here again for training camp, I vow on this day, August 18, 2007, that I will watch training camp. And take photos. And try to get an autograph or two. Yay Daunte Culpepper.
Cheers to following through!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Ode to Camping
I had forgotten how much I love to camp! Kellogg and I took Wenis and Cornbread camping this weekend as a joint surprise birthday present. Now some people, like Wenis and Cornbread for example, may not think that camping is that great of a present. At least not at first. After a couple of hours, a Mike's Hard Lemonade, and a passionate game of Cranium, they were hooked. Ok, maybe not hooked, but at least enjoying themselves.
On Saturday we woke up frozen solid, defrosted for a bit and made breakfast (yes, the kind with bacon) and then headed out to Pt. Reyes cliffs to check out the ocean. It was extremely foggy so we didn't waste time walking to the lighthouse, instead we headed straight for Pt. Reyes Vineyards for a little wine tasting. We saw on the list a bunch of wines with "Quail Hill" in the name. I thought to myself, that's odd, I know there's a street in Terra Linda called Quail Hill...sure enough, those Cabs were from a vineyard behind Kaiser in Terra Linda, about a half mile from my high school. Cornbread and I just about flipped, and we spent $31 on a 1996 (yep - the year we graduated) Quail Hill Cab*. It was the first wine that I had ever purchased in a tasting room that I hadn't yet tried. We took the risk because of its sentimental value to us!
The vino consumption continued back at the campsite, as did another hilarious game of Cranium, as well as hamburgers and corn on the cob on the grill. After dinner, we headed for the bar in Olema just to checki t out. It was really fun - good music on the juke box (sidenote - I am a Juke Box Hero), a hardcore game of Liar's Dice, and then back to the campsite we walked. We decided it was time to meet some neighbors...we met a huge group of partiers who took picture after picture with Kellogg in the hot dog costume as if it were something they'd never seen before, then Kellogg gave the costume to Wenis and we crashed a bachelor party. I scored a bottle of Joel Gott wine which I have yet to crack open, got some perfectly roasted marshmallows in, and cracked jokes all night with strangers and my girls.
Sunday, Wenis and I played the Bubblicious game (more later on this one...) and then I went to Silverado Country Club for the Napa Valley Wine Library event. I was pouring at a table, but did get to check out some of the other wines there. They were top Cabs mostly, pretty much all delicious. My two favorites were Groth and Buehler**.
Cheers to camping and free vino!
*Pt. Reyes Vineyard 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon - deep red with touches of chestnut (it IS 11 years old...), heavy and rich in flavor, tannic but not overwhelmingly so. All in all, a good bottle of wine, with an even better story.
**Groth Cab - round, full, luscious. YUM. Didn't even ask how much the bottle was.
**Buehler Cab (Estate? '04?) - gorgeous label, spicy, big, seems like it'll just get better with time; Page Buehler was extremely friendly and great to talk to! Definitely a winery I'd like to visit soon.
On Saturday we woke up frozen solid, defrosted for a bit and made breakfast (yes, the kind with bacon) and then headed out to Pt. Reyes cliffs to check out the ocean. It was extremely foggy so we didn't waste time walking to the lighthouse, instead we headed straight for Pt. Reyes Vineyards for a little wine tasting. We saw on the list a bunch of wines with "Quail Hill" in the name. I thought to myself, that's odd, I know there's a street in Terra Linda called Quail Hill...sure enough, those Cabs were from a vineyard behind Kaiser in Terra Linda, about a half mile from my high school. Cornbread and I just about flipped, and we spent $31 on a 1996 (yep - the year we graduated) Quail Hill Cab*. It was the first wine that I had ever purchased in a tasting room that I hadn't yet tried. We took the risk because of its sentimental value to us!
The vino consumption continued back at the campsite, as did another hilarious game of Cranium, as well as hamburgers and corn on the cob on the grill. After dinner, we headed for the bar in Olema just to checki t out. It was really fun - good music on the juke box (sidenote - I am a Juke Box Hero), a hardcore game of Liar's Dice, and then back to the campsite we walked. We decided it was time to meet some neighbors...we met a huge group of partiers who took picture after picture with Kellogg in the hot dog costume as if it were something they'd never seen before, then Kellogg gave the costume to Wenis and we crashed a bachelor party. I scored a bottle of Joel Gott wine which I have yet to crack open, got some perfectly roasted marshmallows in, and cracked jokes all night with strangers and my girls.
Sunday, Wenis and I played the Bubblicious game (more later on this one...) and then I went to Silverado Country Club for the Napa Valley Wine Library event. I was pouring at a table, but did get to check out some of the other wines there. They were top Cabs mostly, pretty much all delicious. My two favorites were Groth and Buehler**.
Cheers to camping and free vino!
*Pt. Reyes Vineyard 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon - deep red with touches of chestnut (it IS 11 years old...), heavy and rich in flavor, tannic but not overwhelmingly so. All in all, a good bottle of wine, with an even better story.
**Groth Cab - round, full, luscious. YUM. Didn't even ask how much the bottle was.
**Buehler Cab (Estate? '04?) - gorgeous label, spicy, big, seems like it'll just get better with time; Page Buehler was extremely friendly and great to talk to! Definitely a winery I'd like to visit soon.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Small, Small World
...but I'm starting to like it...?? I went to a wine event this evening at Benziger and it was really cool! The tour was short but good, ran into a current coworker, an ex-coworker, and my old Sonoma neighbor (if it's random and you love it clap your hands! clap! clap!) and met some really great people. Can't wait for more of these!
This coming weekend is a surprise for Cornbread and Wenis - Kellogg and I are taking them somewhere to do something. I can't say because they may read this and then it wouldn't be a suprise now, would it?
Last night, El Jefe and I went to a vendor fair for one of our customers. I do have to say that I miss events and being a booth babe, for lack of a better term. I love talking to people and repeating myself.
I didn't really have anything to say this evening, I just felt like blogging. Sorry if you fell asleep.
Cheers to wine events and surprise b-day weekends!!
This coming weekend is a surprise for Cornbread and Wenis - Kellogg and I are taking them somewhere to do something. I can't say because they may read this and then it wouldn't be a suprise now, would it?
Last night, El Jefe and I went to a vendor fair for one of our customers. I do have to say that I miss events and being a booth babe, for lack of a better term. I love talking to people and repeating myself.
I didn't really have anything to say this evening, I just felt like blogging. Sorry if you fell asleep.
Cheers to wine events and surprise b-day weekends!!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Why Are Weekends So Short?
It's a great mystery of life...
This weekend was my first in a little over 3 weeks that I spent at home. It was SO NICE. I miss my home. I had a random day yesterday - a brunch date (how WASPy of us...) at Boon Fly Cafe which was great, followed by some bocce, yes bocce, which everyone knows I love, and then some good conversation on some beautiful chairs. Playing bocce just makes me inspired to create mine in the backyard! Bocce and wine parties..........just imagine the fun.
Last night, the crew came over to BBQ which was so great. I love entertaining, and wish everyone lived closer so we could do it all the time. I'd love for friends to stop by, even unannounced! I'll work on that. We then hit up the oh-so-classy bowling alley for some blacklight bowling. I believe I was a superstar...oh wait, that wasn't me, that was Cornbread. I suck. I almost broke 100 the first game - I think it was a 92 - and the second game...well I sort of lost my touch. A whoppin' 66. Yay me.
Today was nice - hung out, spent time in my own house doing nothing. That's all.
I know this was a posting of substance...ok, not so much. But that's ok! It's my blog and I'll blog what I want to...blog what I want to...blog what I want to. You would blog too if it happened to you.
Cheers to dorkiness!
This weekend was my first in a little over 3 weeks that I spent at home. It was SO NICE. I miss my home. I had a random day yesterday - a brunch date (how WASPy of us...) at Boon Fly Cafe which was great, followed by some bocce, yes bocce, which everyone knows I love, and then some good conversation on some beautiful chairs. Playing bocce just makes me inspired to create mine in the backyard! Bocce and wine parties..........just imagine the fun.
Last night, the crew came over to BBQ which was so great. I love entertaining, and wish everyone lived closer so we could do it all the time. I'd love for friends to stop by, even unannounced! I'll work on that. We then hit up the oh-so-classy bowling alley for some blacklight bowling. I believe I was a superstar...oh wait, that wasn't me, that was Cornbread. I suck. I almost broke 100 the first game - I think it was a 92 - and the second game...well I sort of lost my touch. A whoppin' 66. Yay me.
Today was nice - hung out, spent time in my own house doing nothing. That's all.
I know this was a posting of substance...ok, not so much. But that's ok! It's my blog and I'll blog what I want to...blog what I want to...blog what I want to. You would blog too if it happened to you.
Cheers to dorkiness!
Saturday, August 4, 2007
A Thought or Two on Life
Work has been crazy busy for me lately, partially because I was out of the office a lot over the past few weeks and partially because, well, clients want things. A specific account has taken over my week, but I'm happy that it's the client that it is. They do really fun projects and I love that copy that I write may actually be on a wine bottle or a sign! I think this little fact will always thrill me.
I have been online dating for almost six months now, using it as just one more place to meet people in this world, but it just isn't going as planned. Not that anything really goes as planned - my thought on life numero uno. At 16, I remember telling my posse, in the quad at lunch, that I was going to be married at 26 and have my first kid at 28. I didn't want to be "old" like my mom was when she had me - 30. For some reason, 16-year-olds think that the difference between 28 and 30 is ginormous. Now that I'm 29, right smack dab in the middle, it's not different at all. Anyway, my plan obviously didn't happen or this blog would be not about how I work in the wine industry and moved to Wine Country in a cool house, but it would be "New Mommy's Online Baby Album for All to Read and Love!" Yeah, not me. Not yet, anyway. Back to the online dating world, I think it's time that I unsubscribe, focus on my life in the Wine Country, and see what comes my way.
I don't really have a second thought on life at the moment - I just woke up and not all the pistons are firing.
Cheers to Saturdays!
I have been online dating for almost six months now, using it as just one more place to meet people in this world, but it just isn't going as planned. Not that anything really goes as planned - my thought on life numero uno. At 16, I remember telling my posse, in the quad at lunch, that I was going to be married at 26 and have my first kid at 28. I didn't want to be "old" like my mom was when she had me - 30. For some reason, 16-year-olds think that the difference between 28 and 30 is ginormous. Now that I'm 29, right smack dab in the middle, it's not different at all. Anyway, my plan obviously didn't happen or this blog would be not about how I work in the wine industry and moved to Wine Country in a cool house, but it would be "New Mommy's Online Baby Album for All to Read and Love!" Yeah, not me. Not yet, anyway. Back to the online dating world, I think it's time that I unsubscribe, focus on my life in the Wine Country, and see what comes my way.
I don't really have a second thought on life at the moment - I just woke up and not all the pistons are firing.
Cheers to Saturdays!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
I'll Stay in NorCal, Thanks.
Cornbread and I went to lovely LA this past weekend for a much needed and much deserved mini-vacation. Flying from Sacto to Mr. Bob Hope's aeropuerto is just about the smoothest flying experience I've ever had. There are no lines, everyone's nice, it's trashy and small and there's something to said for trashy and small. It's cool.
Harad Hishimi picked us up on Thursday night and we headed back to his house. On the way through Santa Monica, we drove down Main Street (which is so cute, by the way, lined with white bistro lights), and there were people on the streets, my window is down, I'm lovin' the warm weather and different scene. I look over onto the street (remember my window is down) and I see Vince Vaughn. Yeah, that's right Mr. Money Baby Money Vaughn. For those who are not aware, my heart is divided into approximately 5 sections - one for Office Space, one for Little Miss Sunshine, one for Napoleon Dynamite and 40-Year-Old Virgin (they share a space), one for all the other movies I like, and one for Swingers. I can't even tell you how many times I've seen that movie. So in my excitement, I yell to Cornbread who is in the backseat - "IS THAT VINCE VAUGHN???" Like I don't know that it is. I'm sure he heard me, though we sped through Santa Monica quickly enough that I was spared any embarrassment. I texted Wenis about this and she wrote back - "Your fates are intertwined." Yes, yes they are. He was my blackjack partner in Vegas once, but that's a completely different story and this is not the time nor the place.
Harad lives with JStag and Alice (yes, it's her real name, but it was my Oma's name, so I'm using it) in Venice Beach. Their pad is pimpin' and the roof deck is just sweet (except that it caused me to have 20 moquito bites on my legs. Gross.) We pretty much did this: walked, watched the weirdos, walked, went to the beach, walked, ate, walked, ate, went out, walked, and ate. It rocked.
Tonight at the gym, I went to my first ever Kung Fu class. I am Jackie Chan. HiiiiiYAH.
Cheers to new martial arts classes and mini-vacations!
Harad Hishimi picked us up on Thursday night and we headed back to his house. On the way through Santa Monica, we drove down Main Street (which is so cute, by the way, lined with white bistro lights), and there were people on the streets, my window is down, I'm lovin' the warm weather and different scene. I look over onto the street (remember my window is down) and I see Vince Vaughn. Yeah, that's right Mr. Money Baby Money Vaughn. For those who are not aware, my heart is divided into approximately 5 sections - one for Office Space, one for Little Miss Sunshine, one for Napoleon Dynamite and 40-Year-Old Virgin (they share a space), one for all the other movies I like, and one for Swingers. I can't even tell you how many times I've seen that movie. So in my excitement, I yell to Cornbread who is in the backseat - "IS THAT VINCE VAUGHN???" Like I don't know that it is. I'm sure he heard me, though we sped through Santa Monica quickly enough that I was spared any embarrassment. I texted Wenis about this and she wrote back - "Your fates are intertwined." Yes, yes they are. He was my blackjack partner in Vegas once, but that's a completely different story and this is not the time nor the place.
Harad lives with JStag and Alice (yes, it's her real name, but it was my Oma's name, so I'm using it) in Venice Beach. Their pad is pimpin' and the roof deck is just sweet (except that it caused me to have 20 moquito bites on my legs. Gross.) We pretty much did this: walked, watched the weirdos, walked, went to the beach, walked, ate, walked, ate, went out, walked, and ate. It rocked.
Tonight at the gym, I went to my first ever Kung Fu class. I am Jackie Chan. HiiiiiYAH.
Cheers to new martial arts classes and mini-vacations!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Contemplative and Antsy
First of all, I won't even dwell on the fact that I haven't written in ages.
In the wee hours of Monday morning, I returned from a whirlwind weekend of travel, emotions, and visiting with relatives back in Chicago/Minnesota. My Opa passed away last Monday and his funeral was on Thursday in Chicago and the burial was on Saturday in Holland, Minnesota. The weekend was a rollercoaster of sadness about Opa yet happiness to see my relatives, visit the tiny towns of Holland (pop. 215) and Pipestone (pop. 4300) where my mom grew up. With mixed emotions, I returned to my reality, back to work, back to ironing, back to the drive up the Trail.
The 21-gun salute was powerful, stories of the war were fascinating, my brother receiving our Opa's ring was incredible, and a 9-hour ride in a piece of junk Jeep Commander with my very, very long-limbed family from Chicago to Pipestone was pretty much terrible. In a way, we probably bonded over that trip, but it's hard to tell when you can never get comfortable.
In the wee hours of Monday morning, I returned from a whirlwind weekend of travel, emotions, and visiting with relatives back in Chicago/Minnesota. My Opa passed away last Monday and his funeral was on Thursday in Chicago and the burial was on Saturday in Holland, Minnesota. The weekend was a rollercoaster of sadness about Opa yet happiness to see my relatives, visit the tiny towns of Holland (pop. 215) and Pipestone (pop. 4300) where my mom grew up. With mixed emotions, I returned to my reality, back to work, back to ironing, back to the drive up the Trail.
The 21-gun salute was powerful, stories of the war were fascinating, my brother receiving our Opa's ring was incredible, and a 9-hour ride in a piece of junk Jeep Commander with my very, very long-limbed family from Chicago to Pipestone was pretty much terrible. In a way, we probably bonded over that trip, but it's hard to tell when you can never get comfortable.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Overwhelmed...
...yet excited. That explains me this week. I have 1287644620 things to do before my shindig on Saturday, and what am I doing? Blogging. Exactly the thing that will put away my mail, fold my clothes, paint my bathroom, and mow the lawn. I only decided to blog since I haven't in 100 years...I thought it was time.
Since I wrote last, nothing too big has happened. I still love my job, I still love this house (mess and all), and I am still generally pretty stoked in my new adventure. I picked up C-Money from the aeropuerto yesterday was so warmly welcomed by the one returning home, I almost wanted to do it all over again. I see this huge, beaming smile coming from curbside, and as she opens my back door to throw in her luggage, she says, "I have never been happier to see you!" Unfortunately, this really just meant that Omaha was pretty lame, but it was still nice to hear :-) I also wore my dope shirt that Wenis has too - "I have a black belt in CRAZY" - I even got a compliment from a limo driver on that one. Phew, thought I was losing my touch.
C-Money and I are going to go night shooting tonight...I am so excited! I haven't taken photos in much too long! Of course, shooting another thing that will obviously clean this house.
Until next time...
Cheers to aeropuerto pick-ups and shindigs!
Since I wrote last, nothing too big has happened. I still love my job, I still love this house (mess and all), and I am still generally pretty stoked in my new adventure. I picked up C-Money from the aeropuerto yesterday was so warmly welcomed by the one returning home, I almost wanted to do it all over again. I see this huge, beaming smile coming from curbside, and as she opens my back door to throw in her luggage, she says, "I have never been happier to see you!" Unfortunately, this really just meant that Omaha was pretty lame, but it was still nice to hear :-) I also wore my dope shirt that Wenis has too - "I have a black belt in CRAZY" - I even got a compliment from a limo driver on that one. Phew, thought I was losing my touch.
C-Money and I are going to go night shooting tonight...I am so excited! I haven't taken photos in much too long! Of course, shooting another thing that will obviously clean this house.
Until next time...
Cheers to aeropuerto pick-ups and shindigs!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
My Brothers Rock
In the past 3 months, my brothers, mom, and dad have truly shown their love for me in numerous hard labor projects. Tonight was no different. As my birthday present, my brothers said they'd come to the house to help with stuff. They did. Brandolian fixed the leaky valve under the sink, Joely Roley Poley fixed the crooked moulding my dad and I completely missed yesterday, we all grouted and changed light fixtures and hung the TV. A suberbly productive evening, but it ain't over yet. I need to get an OUNCE of organization in this pad or I will lose it tomorrow. Tomorrow. Really. My sanity is carefully teetering on the fence of messy house clean house. I know I'm close, and the light is finally at the end of the stupid tunnel, but I have a lot of stuff to do before I get there. I am so thankful for my family, and that they're very, very handy.
Today was a good day at work - I was comfortable, felt productive, and got to work on a lot of creative stuff that I totally dig. "Totally dig..." I can be such, like, a valley girl.
I have gross fingernails because the grout is black. Ew.
Cheers to half-finished bathrooms, black grout, hanging TVs, and my family!
Today was a good day at work - I was comfortable, felt productive, and got to work on a lot of creative stuff that I totally dig. "Totally dig..." I can be such, like, a valley girl.
I have gross fingernails because the grout is black. Ew.
Cheers to half-finished bathrooms, black grout, hanging TVs, and my family!
Monday, June 4, 2007
Today Was a good day.
Given the circumstances...a Monday and all...today was a pretty good day. Started off uneventful, caught up on work, had coffee, the usual, then went to Safeway with KK Digital and C-Dawg to pick up food. I love eating on the cheap! A hoagie, a banana, a peach yogurt and chocolate milk for about $5. It's no very adult mac & cheese, but it's yummy.
Right before I left work, I checked the website that tells me messages about my blacked out stock - usually it says, "We're working with the SEC to blah blah stock-speak stock-speak blah blah. Our apologies for the delay." Ok, I lied. They never apologize anymore...they just say DEAL...it's gonna be a while till you can sell. Well, today, I logged in, and lo and behold, WE CAN SELL OUR STOCK. I am beaming inside and out! I have waited patiently for this day (ok, I wasn't all that patient)...and now I'll have some unexpected cashola in my pocket.
After work, my dad came over and we put up the moulding in the living room...looks RAD. Just need to paint some more (it's neverending) and then voila...I'll have a living room!
Now I'm pooped and am off to bed.
Cheers to stocks and moulding!
Right before I left work, I checked the website that tells me messages about my blacked out stock - usually it says, "We're working with the SEC to blah blah stock-speak stock-speak blah blah. Our apologies for the delay." Ok, I lied. They never apologize anymore...they just say DEAL...it's gonna be a while till you can sell. Well, today, I logged in, and lo and behold, WE CAN SELL OUR STOCK. I am beaming inside and out! I have waited patiently for this day (ok, I wasn't all that patient)...and now I'll have some unexpected cashola in my pocket.
After work, my dad came over and we put up the moulding in the living room...looks RAD. Just need to paint some more (it's neverending) and then voila...I'll have a living room!
Now I'm pooped and am off to bed.
Cheers to stocks and moulding!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Oh the Napa Bowl
Last night, KK Digital invited me to the Napa Bowl to watch her friend play with his team. We ended up playing some pool while they bowled. The highlight of the evening was when KK Digital went to pay up at the bar, and discovered they took checks. Funny item # 1. The Napa Bowl takes checks. Who pays for drinks with a check?? Well, KK Digital does. And that's just rad. Funny item #2...she takes out her checkbook and writes the check, all the while thinking, "This pen sucks."
She then proceeds to tear off the check (just writing "the check" makes me giggle because, I mean, COME ON, who writes checks anywhere these days!?) and finds that she has written on the plastic that is supposed to go between checks. That's right, KK Digital will now always have a completed check made out to Napa Bowl. For fifteen dollars.
She then proceeds to tear off the check (just writing "the check" makes me giggle because, I mean, COME ON, who writes checks anywhere these days!?) and finds that she has written on the plastic that is supposed to go between checks. That's right, KK Digital will now always have a completed check made out to Napa Bowl. For fifteen dollars.
Absolutely one of the funniest things I've seen since at least Saturday, and definitely regarding a check and the Napa Bowl.
I promise to blog about last weekend - it's a good one.
Cheers to checks at the Napa Bowl and MORE POOL!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Contrary to Popular Belief...
According to some co-workers, hitting a bird is 7 days bad luck. Man, if someone had told me this on Friday I would have been BUMMED. As it turned out, it wasn't bad luck for me. Just the bird.
Seven pm on Friday marked the beginning of a whirlwind weekend that was full of 21-year-old activities that probably shouldn't have been tried again as a 29-year-old. That said, it was so. much. fun. I will have to write more about the weekend when I have recovered...I think I'm actually still asleep.
Now for today's top story...
C-Money, El Jefe, and I had lunch at Tra Vigne's little cafe...we were craving paninis and they hit the spot. The day is amazing - probably about 87 or so - so we sat outside at a little bistro table. Talk about having a hard time coming back. Conversation bounced from "what are military boys like?" to El Jefe giving his opinion on a precarious situation C-Money has found herself in. The food was delicious, the conversation not so much. Back at the office, C-Money and I were reflecting on this precarious situation, giving credit to El Jefe for being right, and then we decided we needed chocolate.
I scrounged up my change and headed to the vending machine with a fistful of dimes, nickels, and quarters. I first got C-Money's super-sized Hershey's bar with Almonds, then fed the machine the last of my change for my super-sized Reese's. Bet you can guess what happened next - my best-friend-turned-enemy vending machine DIDN'T DROP MY CANDY. When I need chocolate, I need chocolate. I shook the machine, banged on it, making quite a racket in the lunch room. Head hanging low, I walked back to the cave to tell C-Money what happened. She was suddenly fired up, said "I have some aggression I need to get out" and we stormed back to the lunch room to attack the vending machine. Little did I know, C-Money had grabbed a letter opener, all set to knock the little piece of heaven from its ring of death, but that didn't work. Not one to let a little obstacle defeat her, she rocked the sucker side to side and, lo and behold, I am equipped with 340 calories and 19g grams of fat, all bundled up into chocolate and peanut butter goodness. I owe her my soul.
Cheers to Reese's and recovery weeks!
Friday, May 18, 2007
What a Way to Start My Friday.
I went to the gym again last night which in turn caused me to miss both The Office season finale and the Ugly Betty season finale but did cause me to sleep like a ROCK. I woke up only at my alarm which never happens!
So all's good in the hood - makin' good time to work. I turn onto Zinfandel Lane to cut back over to 29 and I see something flash and then a thud on my car. There was no time to stop or even realize what had happened. After a couple screams and a racing heart, I pulled over at the Ranch and checked my front end. Sure enough, I had hit a bird. Two lone feathers were sticking out of my hood. I'm sad. Poor little guy.
Well, not much to say about that...hope the day gets better.
Cheers to the gym and The Office!
So all's good in the hood - makin' good time to work. I turn onto Zinfandel Lane to cut back over to 29 and I see something flash and then a thud on my car. There was no time to stop or even realize what had happened. After a couple screams and a racing heart, I pulled over at the Ranch and checked my front end. Sure enough, I had hit a bird. Two lone feathers were sticking out of my hood. I'm sad. Poor little guy.
Well, not much to say about that...hope the day gets better.
Cheers to the gym and The Office!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Ahhh Thursday - "The Almost Friday"
It's almost Friday. Thursday is The Almost Friday. Only 29 more hours until my friends and I jet off to some random tiny town and be silly.
Today was the second and last installment of training. What a great program! Unfortunately I sucked big time at the tasting (compared to my stellar performance yesterday at the aromas). It could have been that I am sick of drinking wine, or maybe it was just too early. Or maybe I need A LOT of practice. In any event, the program is awesome, and the Boston group was so much fun. Time to book my JetBlue flight to Boston.
I just heard C-Money talking about something called "What Crazy Looks Like on an Ordinary Day." This piqued my interest, though not enough to research what it is...yet...so instead I'll just show you my interpretation of that phrase:
Props to Refresher for catching this loverly photo of moi, along with her smirking boyfriend The Bobster (and that's Thenry in the background) He was the one who played pool with Cornbread and me, so we must not have freaked him out too much.
Cheers to The Almost Friday!
Today was the second and last installment of training. What a great program! Unfortunately I sucked big time at the tasting (compared to my stellar performance yesterday at the aromas). It could have been that I am sick of drinking wine, or maybe it was just too early. Or maybe I need A LOT of practice. In any event, the program is awesome, and the Boston group was so much fun. Time to book my JetBlue flight to Boston.
I just heard C-Money talking about something called "What Crazy Looks Like on an Ordinary Day." This piqued my interest, though not enough to research what it is...yet...so instead I'll just show you my interpretation of that phrase:
Props to Refresher for catching this loverly photo of moi, along with her smirking boyfriend The Bobster (and that's Thenry in the background) He was the one who played pool with Cornbread and me, so we must not have freaked him out too much.
Cheers to The Almost Friday!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Did I Ever Mention How Much I Love This Job?
Alright, since C-Money blogged about working out, so will I. I'm a copy-cat like that. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery or something like that...unless of course it's your little brother playing the copy game where you say "Stop copying me" and he says "Stop copying me" and you say "Stop it!" and he says "Stop it" and then you think you're oh-so-clever and say "I'm a stupidhead" and he says "You're a stupidhead." At what point did they get clever too?
Anyway, I digress. Back to the gym. Wenis and I decided that in order to actually GO to the gym we joined, we'd need to go together. Power in numbers. I went last night (without her actually, so forget my previous line), and man I had a great time! What is wrong with me?? I hate working out! Well, I have figured out that I don't mind it at all if there's a TV on my machine. Now I'm sure you've gathered from my blogs that I enjoy being a couch potato. I'm sorry - I'm not the type to say that I work out 3 times a week. For me, that really means that I walk from the kitchen to the couch more than 5 times per evening. So knowing this, you'll never believe it...I drove to the gym on my way home from work, changed my clothes, got on an elliptical for 40 minutes (10 min of Sex & the City and 30 min of Friends, with 50 First Dates and the Giants game during the commercials), then even did weights and some sit ups after! I'm so proud of myself!! I actually enjoyed it. Ok, enough about the gym. In the grand scheme of things, what I did was basically like walking from the kitchen to the couch more than 5 times per evening, but with weights on my ankles. 2 pound weights at that. Just humor me.
Today I got to experience a training session - today was identifying certain scented oils....super fun. The group that's in town is from a restaurant in Boston. Super cool and fun group of people! They even invited me to dinner...still on the fence though since I told Wenis I'd go to the gym again. Which I actually want to do. Again, what is wrong with me? I'm considering giving up a fun dinner with super cool peeps for workout time? Um yeah. Examine my brain please.
Cheers to meeting new people with awesome accents, BACON for breakfast, and drinking a lunch!! Oh, and the gym.
Anyway, I digress. Back to the gym. Wenis and I decided that in order to actually GO to the gym we joined, we'd need to go together. Power in numbers. I went last night (without her actually, so forget my previous line), and man I had a great time! What is wrong with me?? I hate working out! Well, I have figured out that I don't mind it at all if there's a TV on my machine. Now I'm sure you've gathered from my blogs that I enjoy being a couch potato. I'm sorry - I'm not the type to say that I work out 3 times a week. For me, that really means that I walk from the kitchen to the couch more than 5 times per evening. So knowing this, you'll never believe it...I drove to the gym on my way home from work, changed my clothes, got on an elliptical for 40 minutes (10 min of Sex & the City and 30 min of Friends, with 50 First Dates and the Giants game during the commercials), then even did weights and some sit ups after! I'm so proud of myself!! I actually enjoyed it. Ok, enough about the gym. In the grand scheme of things, what I did was basically like walking from the kitchen to the couch more than 5 times per evening, but with weights on my ankles. 2 pound weights at that. Just humor me.
Today I got to experience a training session - today was identifying certain scented oils....super fun. The group that's in town is from a restaurant in Boston. Super cool and fun group of people! They even invited me to dinner...still on the fence though since I told Wenis I'd go to the gym again. Which I actually want to do. Again, what is wrong with me? I'm considering giving up a fun dinner with super cool peeps for workout time? Um yeah. Examine my brain please.
Cheers to meeting new people with awesome accents, BACON for breakfast, and drinking a lunch!! Oh, and the gym.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Good Weekend All Around
What a good, productive weekend! I'm old now so I like the productive weekends with fun sprinkled in. It's amaaaaaazing how quickly you go from thinking that a good weekend is all about going out, staying up late, and sleeping, to thinking that a good weekend is one filled with getting up before 9, completing projects around the house, then having a nice dinner with friends.
Friday The C-Man from work had a BBQ at his place which was awesome - got to see everyone outside of the office which is always great. I tasted most of the wines* on the table - love that. After The C-Man's, Cornbread and I headed out to a local pool hall with some of my co-workers. After one game of doubles, Refresher wasn't feelin' so hot, so Viscious V took her home. Refresher's boyfriend ended up staying out with us, and we played a few games of cutthroat and then headed home to bed.
Cornbread and I forced ourselves to get up around 10 and we headed into the yard that was attacked by super weeds. After pulling weeds for a couple of hours and then putting together a patio set, we got ready, went to Chevy's and IKEA (why do all of my weekends seem to include Chevy's and/or IKEA...hmmm...there ARE other places to eat and shop....), then headed to Bailey's on the Rocks for her b-day dinner. I miss them - it was so nice and comfy to catch up! JAR and Patricio are gettin' hitched in September, so it was cool to hear about that and their honeymoon plans. It was so nice to see BOTR's parents and brother too - felt like the good ol' high school days!
Mother's Day/My Birthday Celebration was pretty cool - the fam came up and we mowed the lawn (my John Deere gets a lot of play) and BBQd and saw Spiderman 3. It's pretty funny - my brothers and I are in sort of an awkward phase...we're adults but none of us are married, and we're not kids (except Graham Cracker of course) so our interaction is a little off sometimes. We'll grow up soon. Maybe. But even if we do, I'm sure we won't lose the silliness.
Cheers to Birthday Months and my John Deere!
*Bitch - smooth and different, granache-y
Jekel Pinot Noir - super delicious, light but delightful
Cline Syrah - thick and rich as usual
Sexto from Spain - spicy and out of the norm
Friday The C-Man from work had a BBQ at his place which was awesome - got to see everyone outside of the office which is always great. I tasted most of the wines* on the table - love that. After The C-Man's, Cornbread and I headed out to a local pool hall with some of my co-workers. After one game of doubles, Refresher wasn't feelin' so hot, so Viscious V took her home. Refresher's boyfriend ended up staying out with us, and we played a few games of cutthroat and then headed home to bed.
Cornbread and I forced ourselves to get up around 10 and we headed into the yard that was attacked by super weeds. After pulling weeds for a couple of hours and then putting together a patio set, we got ready, went to Chevy's and IKEA (why do all of my weekends seem to include Chevy's and/or IKEA...hmmm...there ARE other places to eat and shop....), then headed to Bailey's on the Rocks for her b-day dinner. I miss them - it was so nice and comfy to catch up! JAR and Patricio are gettin' hitched in September, so it was cool to hear about that and their honeymoon plans. It was so nice to see BOTR's parents and brother too - felt like the good ol' high school days!
Mother's Day/My Birthday Celebration was pretty cool - the fam came up and we mowed the lawn (my John Deere gets a lot of play) and BBQd and saw Spiderman 3. It's pretty funny - my brothers and I are in sort of an awkward phase...we're adults but none of us are married, and we're not kids (except Graham Cracker of course) so our interaction is a little off sometimes. We'll grow up soon. Maybe. But even if we do, I'm sure we won't lose the silliness.
Cheers to Birthday Months and my John Deere!
*Bitch - smooth and different, granache-y
Jekel Pinot Noir - super delicious, light but delightful
Cline Syrah - thick and rich as usual
Sexto from Spain - spicy and out of the norm
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Aches and Pains
Ok just kidding - I have no aches and pains. I haven't started the gym yet...
Random comment of the day - people don't use the word "blouse" enough, as in "Hey Bertha, that's a nice blouse! Do you want to borrow my brooch?" I'll try to use "blouse" more often.
This week has been nutso. Work is so crazy busy that all I want to do when I get home is change into shorts and a T because it's really hot, and veg out. Unfortunately more vegging equals less house finishing which in turn means that I will live in this mess forever. I'll try harder. I really need to get the place going to have a party in June....tick tock, Megan. Tick tock. As for work, I am having a blast writing copy for two new labels for a fun chain store. Someday I'll post samples of that stuff here - or the stuff from the editing room floor - just because some is pretty funny. The cheesier the better - at least to joke about!
I went out on a limb and emailed new boy back - and even asked if he wanted to have dinner next week. No word back so far...trying not to think about it. Ok, that whole trying not to think about it thing isn't really working...but again, I'll try harder. As for the other new boys, I haven't called any of them back only because I haven't felt like being on the phone...I promise I'll call them back though.
Cheers to blouses!
Random comment of the day - people don't use the word "blouse" enough, as in "Hey Bertha, that's a nice blouse! Do you want to borrow my brooch?" I'll try to use "blouse" more often.
This week has been nutso. Work is so crazy busy that all I want to do when I get home is change into shorts and a T because it's really hot, and veg out. Unfortunately more vegging equals less house finishing which in turn means that I will live in this mess forever. I'll try harder. I really need to get the place going to have a party in June....tick tock, Megan. Tick tock. As for work, I am having a blast writing copy for two new labels for a fun chain store. Someday I'll post samples of that stuff here - or the stuff from the editing room floor - just because some is pretty funny. The cheesier the better - at least to joke about!
I went out on a limb and emailed new boy back - and even asked if he wanted to have dinner next week. No word back so far...trying not to think about it. Ok, that whole trying not to think about it thing isn't really working...but again, I'll try harder. As for the other new boys, I haven't called any of them back only because I haven't felt like being on the phone...I promise I'll call them back though.
Cheers to blouses!
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Almost over...
In the last half hour of my birthday, I just wanted to state how lucky I am to have the friends I have. On top of the carbalicious goodness that was had all day today, I enjoyed breakfast and lunch with new friends and dinner with old friends. I got emails, texts, IMs, voicemails, and myspizzle comments all day! Not to be super cheesy with extra cheese for only fitty cent more, but I'm happy to be surrounded by all these amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing people. This is why I love birthdays. And it's just beginning...I am a firm believer in the birthday month.
Cheers to the start of my twenty-ninth year!
Cheers to the start of my twenty-ninth year!
Monday, May 7, 2007
They Say It's Your Birthday...
Happy happy birthday to me. I'm old.
Can't be too depressed though because I love b-days! I've also already had a happy birthday cinnamon roll and a happy birthday latte. Looking forward to a happy birthday mac & cheese at Market for lunch and then a happy birthday dinner at Cuvee!
CHEERS TO CARBALICIOUS BIRTHDAYS!!!!
Can't be too depressed though because I love b-days! I've also already had a happy birthday cinnamon roll and a happy birthday latte. Looking forward to a happy birthday mac & cheese at Market for lunch and then a happy birthday dinner at Cuvee!
CHEERS TO CARBALICIOUS BIRTHDAYS!!!!
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Weekends are So Much Better than Weekdays
It's Sunday. Again. It always seems like this part of the weekend comes much too quickly. Wouldn't it be awesome to work Monday through Thursday, 10 hour days, instead of 5 days a week? I'd vote that in.
Friday night I went to my mom's concert in San Rafael, hung out with the boys and dad for a bit, held a rifle for the first time (thoughts on that...scary, heavy, greasy, scary, and scary), and had root beer floats. Yum.
Happy Seis de Mayo - my girlsies came over yesterday afternoon to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and the most Cinco-de-Mayo-type thing we did was eat Taco Bell for dinner. Oh and I had Tecates. Are we old, lazy, or just lame? I'm going to venture that we're just content hangin' at my house, talking and watching trashy TV. We haven't seen each other for a while now...Bean has been working on 8 Mile for like a month, Cornbread and I keep missing each other, and Wenis - well I see her a lot, she's on my way home. Cornbread started with some SH Pinot Noir then I opened her a Moonshadow Cab - delicioso. Sidenote - we're finally joining the gym this week - YAY. Watch those pounds melt away....ok I'd settle for watching them stop growing.
The new boy did email me back - that's pretty rad. Not sure if I scared him off a little anyway, but I'll think positively and just hope I was endearing. There are other boys in the mix too...no good stories yet on that front.
The house is coming along sloooooooooooooooowly but surely. I wanted to paint the moulding for the living room or mark out where it should go so I could paint the living room, or clean or do something, but now I'm just tired and need a nap. I also have about 1700 loads of laundry to do, so my Sunday evening will be capped off with a thrilling trip to my local laundromat.
Cheers to cervezas and my girlsies!
Friday night I went to my mom's concert in San Rafael, hung out with the boys and dad for a bit, held a rifle for the first time (thoughts on that...scary, heavy, greasy, scary, and scary), and had root beer floats. Yum.
Happy Seis de Mayo - my girlsies came over yesterday afternoon to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and the most Cinco-de-Mayo-type thing we did was eat Taco Bell for dinner. Oh and I had Tecates. Are we old, lazy, or just lame? I'm going to venture that we're just content hangin' at my house, talking and watching trashy TV. We haven't seen each other for a while now...Bean has been working on 8 Mile for like a month, Cornbread and I keep missing each other, and Wenis - well I see her a lot, she's on my way home. Cornbread started with some SH Pinot Noir then I opened her a Moonshadow Cab - delicioso. Sidenote - we're finally joining the gym this week - YAY. Watch those pounds melt away....ok I'd settle for watching them stop growing.
The new boy did email me back - that's pretty rad. Not sure if I scared him off a little anyway, but I'll think positively and just hope I was endearing. There are other boys in the mix too...no good stories yet on that front.
The house is coming along sloooooooooooooooowly but surely. I wanted to paint the moulding for the living room or mark out where it should go so I could paint the living room, or clean or do something, but now I'm just tired and need a nap. I also have about 1700 loads of laundry to do, so my Sunday evening will be capped off with a thrilling trip to my local laundromat.
Cheers to cervezas and my girlsies!
Thursday, May 3, 2007
What a Crazy Week.
Let me start by saying that this week wasn't crazy as my headline suggests. That's a major understatement. If there's another word that means crazy, but gives the impression that is was more like a fleet of Mack trucks (sort of like that distribution center on I80 where they're all lined up) coming into my life, unloading everything weird in my life into my brain, my desk, my phones, my emails, my house, and my car, then drove off and said - Hey! Have fun with that! - THAT'S what this week has been like.
It started off well with only a tad bit of weirdness - Sunday, C Money and I had an extremely productive IKEA trip and an overall good day that included flautas (yes, the ones from Chevy's) and even a call from ex#3. The call weirded me out enough to comment on the fact that we hadn't talked in a while and that I'd bet the farm (remember, I have one now) that I'll get contact from another ex this week. Not like ET-Phone-Home contact but contact in some other more earthly way. On Monday, my boss was back in town to give me some direction so I stop making mistakes, I talked to a new boy on the phone on my way home from work and we planned to meet on Wednesday night. I got to see Wenis and the VL crew Monday night and Bookcase fed me yet another meal of red meat and vino*, I got to take home my new wine cabinet thingy that is gorgeous. Tuesday fared ok as well, work was busy and I did pretty much nothing I was supposed to that night. Wednesday is when it all went down. It all went down so nuttily that I'll even start a new paragraph for it.
I wake up, all is routine (well, as routine as it can be when you live in a disaster area and have no clean clothes), I go into the office, again, as usual, and start working. Now mind you, I have a date with new boy that night. Then, drama for yo mama ensued. I got an email from ex#4 asking me to call him. Note that we have not spoken for a solid 2 months. The drama that spun out of that email was enough for me to start my own TNT show. In addition to that mess, I was starting to get nervous about my hot date. Fast forward to the date...
I met him in Slownoma and we had a drink, then ended up staying at this place for dinner as well. It was pretty awesome - he was much cuter in person and super laid back and cool. Now I have been on a couple of dates recently, and I think I have handled myself pretty well all things considered. I wasn't too nervous on those others ones, I did asking as well as answering, I was normal. I don't know if it was the glass of wine or the nerves or both, but I was a rambling idiot. And when I say rambling I MEAN RAMBLING. In my head, I told myself 3 times to shut up. You know it's bad when you're annoying yourself. A lot. I am seriously hoping that he was not freaked out, scared off, irritated, annoyed, happy to be in a silent car to get away from me, or all of the above. Well, if he thinks that was bad, then maybe it's better this way. If he thinks I'm still cool after that escapade, then that bodes well, yes? I'm not going to worry about it too much, but I hope he calls.
Cheers to new boys and whacked out weeks!
(Starting today, I will be adding the info, with commentary, on the wines I consume)
*Kelly Magee, 2002 Meritage, Napa: Very smooth and easy on the tastebuds, but had enough kick to compete with the prime rib and sweet potato fries.
It started off well with only a tad bit of weirdness - Sunday, C Money and I had an extremely productive IKEA trip and an overall good day that included flautas (yes, the ones from Chevy's) and even a call from ex#3. The call weirded me out enough to comment on the fact that we hadn't talked in a while and that I'd bet the farm (remember, I have one now) that I'll get contact from another ex this week. Not like ET-Phone-Home contact but contact in some other more earthly way. On Monday, my boss was back in town to give me some direction so I stop making mistakes, I talked to a new boy on the phone on my way home from work and we planned to meet on Wednesday night. I got to see Wenis and the VL crew Monday night and Bookcase fed me yet another meal of red meat and vino*, I got to take home my new wine cabinet thingy that is gorgeous. Tuesday fared ok as well, work was busy and I did pretty much nothing I was supposed to that night. Wednesday is when it all went down. It all went down so nuttily that I'll even start a new paragraph for it.
I wake up, all is routine (well, as routine as it can be when you live in a disaster area and have no clean clothes), I go into the office, again, as usual, and start working. Now mind you, I have a date with new boy that night. Then, drama for yo mama ensued. I got an email from ex#4 asking me to call him. Note that we have not spoken for a solid 2 months. The drama that spun out of that email was enough for me to start my own TNT show. In addition to that mess, I was starting to get nervous about my hot date. Fast forward to the date...
I met him in Slownoma and we had a drink, then ended up staying at this place for dinner as well. It was pretty awesome - he was much cuter in person and super laid back and cool. Now I have been on a couple of dates recently, and I think I have handled myself pretty well all things considered. I wasn't too nervous on those others ones, I did asking as well as answering, I was normal. I don't know if it was the glass of wine or the nerves or both, but I was a rambling idiot. And when I say rambling I MEAN RAMBLING. In my head, I told myself 3 times to shut up. You know it's bad when you're annoying yourself. A lot. I am seriously hoping that he was not freaked out, scared off, irritated, annoyed, happy to be in a silent car to get away from me, or all of the above. Well, if he thinks that was bad, then maybe it's better this way. If he thinks I'm still cool after that escapade, then that bodes well, yes? I'm not going to worry about it too much, but I hope he calls.
Cheers to new boys and whacked out weeks!
(Starting today, I will be adding the info, with commentary, on the wines I consume)
*Kelly Magee, 2002 Meritage, Napa: Very smooth and easy on the tastebuds, but had enough kick to compete with the prime rib and sweet potato fries.
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