A Gift Before I TakeOff

I got this in my email yesterday? Wednesday? Doesn't matter. The point is you get a doughnut for 49 cents if you get a medium or large coffee!

Who doesn't like a doughnut with their coffee. Sadly the pumpkin one is out of season.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

I am just leaving my house to get to work a bit early as I have to scoot out to catch my flight to CA this evening and I realized that a) I am going to be in CA before the end of the day and b) I will be in the middle of lift off one week from this minute on my way to Vegas. Life comes at you fast. One month ago I don't think I had plans to do either of these things.

More and more I have become a subscriber of taking that big leap and hoping that the landing won't hurt too much. It has been a fun experience so far. Not to many bumps or bruises. I may permanently have some extra ink on my skin but whatever that isn't so bad, and it's pretty.

I may get a few posts in before I jet off, but there is a good chance this blog doesn't get updated all that much in the next 10 days or so. So, sorry to disappoint. This can give you time to do some some leaping in my absence. It really does give you a high :) I know John Denver wrote this song, but I like the Peter, Paul and Mary version.

Lucky Jeans and a H&M tank

This title is obviously a play on one of the best Chick Lit books that I have found and shared this past year, Target Underwear and a Vera Wang Gown*. The main character goes through her closet and each piece of clothing reminds her of a story of her life growing up. Personally, I have some clothes that are from as far back as 2nd grade (pink minnie mouse t-shirt from disney). I also have sweatpants, sweatshirts, and t-shirts that I inherited from my father that are even older than I am (one sweatshirt is from his trip to Ireland that he took in COLLEGE with the rugby team). Interest of full disclosure this is not my closet --->

Today I was wearing a bunch of pieces that reminded me of recent events, I kind of have been revamping my wardrobe so sadly not as many old memories to share on a daily basis. What started the revamping was this past spring/summer I finally came to terms with what size I really was. Some people are in denial and buy clothes that make them look like sausages thinking they are the same size they were in high school. I have the opposite problem. My mother trained my sister and I with the idea that we will probably grow tomorrow. So always buy a size up. Once you stop growing, this causes one to just buy clothing that is just plain too big.

Well, this spring I realized I might just be a bit smaller than I thought. I went to Lucky Jeans - one my personal indulgences - and decided that I owed myself a new pair. I asked the store clerk for a pair one size smaller than I usually go. She told me to take a size TWO sizes smaller. I laughed at her. She said, no really try them on. I told I would, just to show her she was crazy. Let the record show, she was right. I had never worn pants this small in my entire life. This moment helped me reevaluate what I really looked like. I have always been comfortable about who I am as a person, I was even awarded a "I like myself" ribbon. But most people feel awkward about their appearance. I am no exception. But that weekend was the beginning of a change in my life. I have become more and more comfortable about myself and have become less critical. I mean I am not delusional, I still consider myself quite average, but now at least I feel average, before I felt less than. WHOA, this is getting personal. But so yeah, that was the story of the pants.

You may have gathered, I wear tons of layers. My sweater today was one I got from Old Navy - I think. It's a couple of years old, maybe, and I like it mainly because it has a hood. I will wear most anything that has a hood, can't explain why. But this piece makes me think of one of my best college friends. Simply because not only does she also own it - we did not purchase them together - but we also have a tendency to wear them on the same day. It can be awkward. You know what they say, great minds think alike :)

The tank top is from H&M. I got it just over a month ago. I needed something fun to wear to the battle of the bands. I was hoping to channel my inner b. spears and needed something to punk up my school girl skirt. A friend of mine went shopping with me and we found this great gray tank. We had so much fun looking through H&M together. That store normally really overwhelms me but that afternoon it was so simple. We had a ton of fun bonding that day and I think it really helped our firendship along. I feel really good when I wear the tank. It is so simple, but the gray and black lace just do something that causes me to look, for lack of a better word, hot. I normally don't like tight clothing, but this is so comfortable I think it might become a standard part of my wardrobe.

Oh, speaking of the battle of the bands night, the band I was cheering for, The Ben Kultgen Band, will be playing at the finals at the Paradise on April 14th...come watch and cheer them one! I'm fairly certain they are awesome and I hope to maybe drink a little bit less so I actually remember more about their music, all I can remember about the two shows I've seen is that I had a great time... I think after three shows I can consider myself a groupie - which would let me cross one more thing off my life list :)

I like that my clothes hold memories. It is like walking around with a set of photographs.

*If you want to borrow the book let me know. It is currently in RI but I should be able to retrieve it when I head home for Easter

What can't they put in vending machines these days?

A pizza vending machine is in the works in Italy. I don't exactly know how I feel about this. One the one hand this would solve my cravings for pizza rather quickly, on the other hand this pizza could be terrible. I think I need to travel to Italy to test this out. But then I'd be in Italy and would rather have some authentic pizza and pasta. Oh well...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Nerds Paying Bills

This guy just might be my hero. Found this on Fail Blog.



Completely unrelated note: Turns out I did win!! My ticket was dismissed. YAY
see more pwn and owned pictures

Not Your Average Pole Dancer

Enjoy! Got this one from my dad's assistant :)

Sack of Potatoes

Walking to work this morning, ok you caught me, walking to JP Licks to see a wicked awesome girl who I have been missing for about a year now, I saw a man in a business suit carrying his son over his shoulder. All I couldn't help myself, and my face broke out in a huge grin. I used to love being carried like that. My dad would call me a "sack of potatoes". I wonder why I was potatoes not something else. I would love for someone to carry me around like that now, unfortunately I am a bit long. The last time someone tried to do that to keep me from fighting they threw me over their shoulder...being as long as I am I was able to flip myself over by grabbing his legs. If anything I am very resourceful when I fight.

Little Miss Perfect

Last year when JEM went to Florida two of us found a show on the little airplane tv that is slightly disturbing, but very addictive, and that would be "Little Miss Perfect". Sitting on the couch just now, I came across it on WeTV. This is a show about pageants - for small girls.

First off, pagent moms are scary. The episode that I am currently watching is for a competition entitled "Perfect Mom and Perfect Little Miss". So these moms now get to compete along with their child. I am totally rooting for the hillbilly mom and daughter. They really seem to be having a good time. They didn't bother to choreograph their dance, and decided to just wing it on stage. It was cute. The mom doesn't let her daughter wear makeup. Well she lets her put on lip gloss and mascara, but that is pretty minimal, you have seen some of the girls they look like 30 year old women! This is a very functional mom/daughter duo. -- Awww...the judges think that this duo is super fun, but in the end it is "a beauty pageant" - ouch.

The other couple that we are following are crazy. The mom got botox and collegen injections into her lips in preperation for the event. The daughter had a temper tantrum behind the scenes and started crying. The girl is motivated to go along with all of this because the mom promised to buy her a DS if they won. Nothing like bribing your child. They hired professional makeup and hair people, because the mom is not leaving anything to chance. After coming off stage, the mother said "I like being judged". This woman is crazy, her hobbies are going to the gym and the country club. Eeek. While on stage the mom was telling the girl to "stick out her chin", "head up", "smile," and other stage directions, honestly lady - leave her be. In the judging room, the judges said the mom was goregous but the girl was boring. They could tell that the mom totally wants it more.

Oh man, the crazy mom and unhappy daughter just won. I can't believe they just got $1,000.

I do not agree with pagents, but I also can't change the channel as this stuff is addictive. The next one just started and there is a 9-year-old girl named Jordan who has been completing since she was 5 months old and has won over 100 pargents. This stuff is insane. These moms just spend so much time "practicing". They hire coaches and everything. Ok, one of the grandmas just commented that the girl's eyebrows were lopsided...well the left one was a little thinner than the right one! Honestly!

It is a blessing I was so awkward as a child. There is no way I would ever be allowed near one of these things. That and my mom would have nothing to do with anything like this.

New Feature

I was browsing the different features that Blogger offers to us, and found the "Reactions" feature. I've decided to go with it....like the counter (which is still here) this may disappear if I feel my self-esteem will suffer from the reactions.

Basically at the bottom of the posts there are three boxes you can click on; like it, funny, meh. You can tell I don't really want bad criticism so "meh" is as low as I could handle right now. Maybe later on I will think of different options, but again, we shall see if anyone uses them or not. Of course, you don't have use them, but I figured I would attempt to find another way I could encourage some interaction. As always I appreciate all the personal comments you have made to me beyond the blog and I think I am enjoying this project just as much as you if not more...

Out Damn Spot

I was just enjoying my leftover gnocchi and bolognese sauce and my fork somehow jumped out of my bowl and somersaulted all over my pants. Tomato sauce everywhere! I find tomato sauce to be the hardest stain to get out of clothing. While laundry takes up a lot of time, I don't really mind doing it and have quite the skills when it comes to stain removal. But the tomato stain really can be a huge pain. Just now I treated my pants and they are hanging in the shower, but I don't feel like I got all that far with them. I hope it all comes out in the wash. Granted they are pj pants (as I have been home sick today and felt like real pants were unneccessary) but I still don't want them stained forever.

Oh well. Hopefully it all works out. If anyone has any good stain removal tips, lemme know!

Good Thing My Flair Doesn't Do This To Me

This video has two of my favorite things sunglasses and chameleons. Ok, one of my favorite things and one animal I find very intriguing

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

Speechless, but Grateful

Amazon.com and I have had a great relationship over the years. I adore the super-shipping option that is offered. I always use it. I am very used to waiting 5-7 business days to get my goods. There have been times where it takes even longer, but whatever, as I have mentioned before, I tend to have enough unread books lying around that I don't NEED the one I just ordered immediately.

Last week I had a moment of weakness and bought three more. Twilight 3 (I don't know the actual title), Watchmen, and Chelsea Handler's One Night Stands book. I was hoping that it would arrive sometime in that 48 hour gap that I would be back in Boston before heading to Vegas. Much to my surprise the package was sitting there waiting for me at my apartment when I got home yesterday!!! That is two business days!! I once ordered my book club book 2.5 weeks before our meeting and it didn't show up until 3 days after the point I was supposed to have read it. Obviously that one got returned.

I just can't get over how fast they were this time. Maybe this is the way God is trying to make up for the fact that my cold is getting worse and I apparently have developed pink eye of sorts. Ew is right! Things can only get better...

Strong Words from a Witch.

I just finished "The Witch of Portobello" by Paulo Coelho - he also wrote "The Alchemist". It was good. Not as good as "The Alchemist" but I did enjoy it. There were two particular passages that I found particularly noteworthy.


The first goes along with what I have actually been thinking to myself these past few weeks:

"Changes only happen when we go totally against everything we're used to doing...One of the most aggressive things things a human being can do is to go against what he or she believes is nice or pretty..." (186)

Lately, I have been pushing myself even harder than before. Last spring I decided I needed to shake things up and so I joined the local kickball league. Really, one of the best decisions I have made in a long time. I now have a new set of friends who I have a great time with, and I have reached out and met their friends giving me a great network here. Any of my teammates can tell you I threw myself into the whole idea. I can swear that I never really wore pink or had any real feelings for the color...now, its kind of a trademark of mine, up there with my sunglasses.

The second passage goes along with something I have always had thoughts on, and that is our nations obsession with thinness. I completely agree that the US has a weight issue, childhood obesity is on the rise and that all needs to be addressed. What I don't like is that women and men now feel that they need to be so small and fit. There is nothing wrong with a woman wearing a size 8, 12, or 16.

"What is it that makes us, at forty years old, want to have the same body we had when we were young? Is it possible to stop time? Of course not. And why should we be thin? We don't need to be thin. We buy books, we go to gyms we spend a lot of brain power on trying to hold back time, when we whould be celebrating the miracle of being here in this world. Instead of thinking about how to live better, we're obsessed with weight. Forget all about that. You can read all the books you want, do all the exercise you want, punish yourself as much as you want, but you will still have only two choices --either stop living or get fat" (246-247)

If obsessing about weight and going to the gym every day is keeping you from seeing your friends, that is a problem. If your diet gets in the way of enjoying pastries from Mike's Pastry that is a bigger problem.

I wanted to share these passages with you all. Maybe they spoke to you too?

i fought the law and the law won....

The words of The Clash never rang more true...

Today I got a notice from the parking department. Either my appeal never made it in or they decided my story wasn't good enough as I now have $5 fine on top of my ticket along with a date to appear at some hearing. That is not going to work out so well, as I will not be here, I will be on the west coast.

Tomorrow I will call their office and see how best to take care of this matter. I really thought I would win over their hearts with my battery story...oh well.

An Era Ends

Due to new facebook, one of my 2+ years facebook poke wars has sadly come to an end. Since February 2007 I have been in a poke war with my best friend from home and an ex-roommate's younger brother. When facebook made their most recent layout changes, the notification of a poke was thrown way down at the bottom. I had almost missed the first return poke from the younger brother. My best friend seems to have lost the momentum, as it has been a few weeks now since I last saw a response.

Shakey fist to you facebook. Ruining a part of my routine like this!!! At least one of my foes was able to find that I had poked him back before the switch was made...

Mother Nature, Why do you torture me?

I ran out to grab a cup of coffee after staff meeting this morning. The good coffee is in the building next door. While walking back over here, I was thinking how cold it was in March, and as these thoughts crossed my mind I realized that I was able to see my breath!!!!

IT IS MARCH 24TH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!

I really really really could use some warmer weather. Just 3 more days...

There is a reason you can't get this stuff in the stores

will you write an entry about girl scout cookies and how they must contain crack in them because they are addictive
I just ate half a box of thin mints (this is not a joke) between the hours of 1:30 and 2:55

A friend of mine made the above request that I write about those wonderful treats known as Girl Scout Cookies. At the time I realized that I had yet to get a box. Walking to work and thus avoiding the T stops in the morning/afternoon causes one to miss out getting accosted by small girls in uniforms. Yes, I do mean accosted. At the beginning of their run I witness 3 teeny ones in the square screaming at the top of their lungs at passer-bys, the mom in charge actually had to tell them to cool it. I would have bought a box then, but they disturbed me, that and I had no cash on me.


After talking with my friend I was on the look out for those boxes, and couldn't my hands on one for the life of me. Eventually, I was successful, and strangely enough bought two boxes from a table hosted by a bunch of middle aged women, no young girls, weird, but whatever. Per my usual behavior I managed to misplace the two boxes that I bought; Thin Mints and Somoas. Fortunately, I found them this weekend and started munching. A friend of mine and I ate about half a box while watching Step Up or some equally trashy ballet/street dancer movie. I brought the rest of the box to work today...

I managed to devour the rest of it in the matter of minutes while reviewing files. They ARE addictive. You cannot have just one. It is probably a good thing you can't get these things in the grocery. If you could, I would probably be much rounder. I am slightly saddened with the fact that the Somoas are gone and only have one sleeve of Thin Mints left...I may have to actually go to the gym soon. EEEK.

If only they Girl Scout Cookie season didn't abut Mini-Egg season. Those are just as deadly, and my coworker totally just put a bowl full of them on our central table. Oh the humanity!!!!

Goats and Fish?

So we have entered the Taurus sign on the astrology calendar. Which reminds me I forgot to check out how compatible I am with Pisces. One of my best friends from college is a Pisces. There is clearly a reason we get along so well and everyone that meets us figures we are roommates or something. She and I balance each other out nicely... apparently our relationship was meant to be because it was written in the stars.

Pisces sees a Rock type, admiring the Goat's ability to make things happen. It's often said that Pisces thrives with a guiding hand and Cap is happy to play that lead role. Capricorn sees someone tuned into a world beyond what's tangible, and this intrigues. Pisces has the sensitivity and compassion to understand the Goat's dark days. Capricorn's real symbol is the Sea-Goat, one that climbs mountains AND plunges the depths. It's in the private deeply intimate moments between these two where the enduring bond is created.

It's a case of opposites attract, and that's the gift and the challenge of this duo. Capricorn deals with reality, as they see it, and likes to see tangible rewards for their efforts. Pisces is more apt to wile away the hours in dreamy contemplation, and this may or may not lead to something concrete. The Goat gets exasperated when Pisces resists following a linear path to success. Pisces takes a spiraly path toward its goals, and can't be rushed. Capricorn needs to be patient, and Pisces will do well to carve out some space in which to dream uninterrupted.

This stuff is so much fun! In honor of my other bff from school - who turns 25 today - I will do the Taurus + Capricorn stuff later this week :)

Side note: Last Wednesday's trivia night had a question that was "what animal represents the capricorn?" My team was the first to hand in the slip, I think we should have gotten extra points for being so quick.

Eeewwww - Yup that is my lunch

While drinking my Superfood Odwalla smoothie today it occurred to me that most people find this drink GROSS. I can understand why. It is GREEN. Like Grass Green. There are actually TWO different types of grasses in the ingredient list. Please understand there are only 14 items listed.

The real point to all of this is that no one else is going to want to touch it, therefore it is really safe in my office fridge. There are only 9 of us in the office, so I don't have any real reason to be concerned about lunch stealing, as it would be pretty easy to figure out who-done-it. But, I was thinking that eating things that others find gross or disgusting is definitely a great way to deal with this kind of problem. I used to work at a call center where over 100 people had access to the fridges. Lunches got "accidentally eaten" all the time. Had I been exposed to Superfood at that time, it could have possibly become a meal supplement at least once a week as a defensive measure. Fortunately, my food was never stolen...mainly because I kept it at my desk.

Madness is a Great Cure for Sickness

My stupid cold is still around. I figured I would try to have a relatively low key weekend in preparation for the awesome adventures that are soon to come...

Friday night was homemade pizza, garlic bread and bottle of wine paired with My Cousin Vinny with a bookclub friend. That movie lives in my top 10 easily. "They werrr!" Such a great line. I could watch the final court scene over and over.

Saturday, another friend of mine and I decided to be little old ladies. We took a stroll through the North End, instead of an early dinner, we dubbed our meal an extremely fashionable late lunch (at 4:45). After a quick trip to Mike's Pastry - in and out in 5 minutes, lines are for suckers - we were able to make it to the cinemas at Park for Sunshine Cleaners. The movie is cute, but as we discussed it on the T, it is more like a book than a movie. The movie obviously ends, but all the strings aren't tied up and tucked away in a pretty package, it leaves you wondering what will happen with the characters.

Sunday was left for getting clean sheets, doing taxes, and watching the tournament. I basically had games on from 2 pm on. Each year the tournament gets better and better as the competition gets stronger and stronger. I picked far more upsets this year than ever before, and I was pretty much dead on. I've had 9 wrong picks so far, not great but not bad. And I have 13 of the sweet 16 correct, none of my elite 8 have been punched out either. I only just realized that some of the tournament will be played here in Boston. Almost wish I had known, but I am going to CA this weekend so I have stuff to do :)

If I was going to have to feel the effects of my cold, Sunday was a great day for it. I had plenty to keep me occupied with games that really went to the final buzzer. Gotta love March...

I will lie in the bed I made and enjoy it

Putting new sheets on my bed is quite possibly one of my least favorite activities. The whole process just aggravates me. I have a queen size bed which is great for sleeping but is a royal pain to make.

Once the sheets are off, I need to deal with the fact that they need to be cleaned. All I can say is thank you inventor of wash-dry-fold. Before I found you, I would swear and just get annoyed at the idea of fitting all the bedding in a wash machine and then have to attempt to fold huge pieces of fabric on my own. Now for 92 cents per pound I can pay someone else to do it for me! Even in this economy I am not giving this small luxury up. If I did them myself I would still need to pay to use the coin operated machine in my basement so it isn't as if I am completely wasting money here.

Once I have over come the issue of needing clean sheets, I need to tackle my naked bed. It is time for me to climb all around attempting to get the sheets positioned correctly and figure out a way to squeeze between my bed and the wall so that I can use the proper military fold for the corners. Somehow by the end of all this I always end up a bit sweaty. It is kind of pathetic.

In the end as much as I hate making my bed, the best nights sleep that I have are always the nights where I am sleeping in a freshly cleaned/made bed. It just feels so wonderful...it almost makes me want to go through the process a little more frequently...almost

Taxing

Today's goal is to get through my taxes. Most likely I will bring them home with me for Easter to have my dad give them a look over before I submit them, as I haven't done them on my own since I moved here. (I was a wiz at the RI tax forms, most likely because if you get a refund it ends with a :) - no lie, yet another reason why RI rocks my socks)

Currently, I have completed my Federal Tax Return. I left my copies of my 2007 return at work so I don't have anything here to compare numbers...you know, to see if I am on the right track. I guess I will just have to check tomorrow.

Ok time to tackle the MA ones.

Wish me luck!

I am addicted

To buying books.

I am not allowed to purchase any more books for the next month. As a MINIMUM. In the last 6 days, SIX DAYS, I have purchased 6 books - three of them were bought today via amazon so they aren't technically here yet... But really, I already have like 10 books that I have not yet read on my book shelves and now I am adding another six PLUS I already have a mandatory book each month for book club. I don't know how I expect to get through all of these!

At least I purchase a wide range of books, I have purchased some chick lit, Twilight, math/science themed stuff, non-fiction, classical works, collections of short stories and modern novels over the last few months. I mean at least I can always find something in my room to read. I wish I would just remember that when I consider whether or not I need another volume for my shelves.

I was thinking that they may come in handy with all my upcoming trips, but two of my flights are red eyes... no reading then. But I will be able to read by the pool. Can't wait for my trips out west!

So, yeah, I figured the first step is admitting you have a problem. Well I do. I seem to think I have more time to read than I really do. If you see me in a book store, please, push me out!

Uncommon Cure to the Common Cold

Tums and Orange Juice are all one needs to get over a cold.

I swear these two items are just like magic.

On Tuesday I got a sinus headache and felt like pressure was building up in my sinuses. I opted to go to JazzFunk after work thinking that the headache could have come from just being inside all day. (I get headaches from the weirdest stuff). Dancing helped a bit, but by the time I got home and sat down to watch the Biggest Loser, the pressure was back. I took out my contacts to see if that would help, again it got a bit better but still uncomfortable.

When it was time for bed I figured I should take something so that I could get a good night's sleep. Instead of using Tylenol Sinus - great drug - I went for a tall glass of OJ followed by some Tums. When I woke up the next day I was feeling 100%.

Sadly, two days later when I woke up on Thursday the cold came back over night, I'm not sure what happened. But I swear had I had more OJ and Tums on Wednesday before bed as a back up I would have not needed the Tylenol cold.

Tums are my wonder drug.

Facebook, I already am

Like everyone else, I do not like the new facebook layout.

But that is not the point of this post, but I felt I might need to start out with that statement.

Facebook has been asking me for the last few weeks to "become a fan of Anderson 360". Well, I don't know if I am going to ever become a fan of the news blog. (I am so far behind in my Google Reader, I do not need to add anything to it. Yep, currently I have 865 unread items) But I am a fan of the Silver Fox.

Sigh.

Why I shouldn't watch late night news

Last night I saw a preview for a segment for the 11 pm news. The piece focuses in on "Talk and Die Syndrome". It is in response to Natasha Richardson's unfortunate death.

This is not a disease I should know exists. I don't even have to look up the symptoms, the name says it all...you are talking and then you die.

Awesome. Thanks Fox News.

Never Gonna Give You Up

Getting Rick Roll'd has become a cultural term. The first instance of rickrolling occured in May 2007, which is shocking to me - I thought it was something that has been going on for longer - granted my source for this is wikipedia.org. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade in 2008 got rick roll'd :P



Here's the pop up video for the music video complements of VH1.

Flair for the Everyday Woman

Fashion is art and style is personal.

I have come to realize that my style focuses in on attempting to take flair and turn it into everyday wear. (hey that is kind of catchy) This notion really was confirmed as I was walking into the pub last night with a friend of mine. He hadn't noticed my whole outfit before as it was night time and I had just quickly hopped into the car when he got to my place. I stepped up onto the walkway and he made a comment about how he was amazed I was wearing my shoes - 3.5 inches and fuchsia. They aren't exactly something most people wear on a daily basis, but I'm sure you understand I am not most people. He thenquickly went on to comment that whole look was pretty extreme and that he loved that I wear flair on a daily basis, not just for theme parties/kickball...

To give you an idea of what was going on, I also was wearing a matching fuchsia trench coat and suspender pants. I bought the suspender pants for a mathlete party -- who knew they would become part of my regular cycle. :) Oh and there was a headband and huge ass necklace, every piece adds to the overall look, so they all need to be accounted for.

I find flair to be a great way to add to my day. To work I have worn skull and cross bones leggings, as well as, psycholdelicly patterned sundresses with neon tights. There are days that I wonderful if I will be told to reevaluate my wardrobe, but so far so good.

I am happy to say that I am not the only one who thinks this way. One of my students came to the office yesterday wearing a superman hoodie...I saw her today in batman. She makes me smile, she often is carrying cartoon themed bags, it is pretty awesome.

So, if you need a way to spice things up, try some flair. Maybe start with some rainbow stripped thigh high socks...they are really comfortable

Happy St Joseph's Day

Happy St Joseph's Day!!

I love today. I did not have time to get a zeppole for today, but have every intention of getting one this weekend :)

A Tale of Two Pizzas

Yesterday, I had pizza for lunch and dinner. Now I realize that does not sound all that healthy, but they were from two different places and so it was like two very different meals...

The weather was begging for me to take a stroll down to the square for lunch, as Mother Nature totally knew I had been in back to back meetings from 9 -1. So I managed to coerced a coworker of mine from another department to go with me to Pinocchio's. There I get the 2 for $4.15 (plus tax) lunch deal. I went with two Sicilian style cheese slices, the extra thick crust is just drool inducing...If you are in the area and have never been - GO. The place looks like such a hole in the wall, and it kind of is, but the pizza has never disappointed me. The crust is flaky yet soft yet delish...

Now we get to the end of the day and my kickball teammate asks me to confirm my address so he can pick me up tonight to go to Tavern in the Square for Buffalo Chicken Pizza and drinks. Pizza twice in one day...eeeeer...well let's be honest, my diet is not so balanced so whatever. We get there and I go for it, order the buffalo chicken pizza. As soon as it is placed in front of me, I knew that I had not been steered wrong. (This pizza had been recommended by a couple people - granted most live together - but hey a vote is a vote)

The pizza is COVERED in shredded orange colored chicken. I slowly made my way through about half of it before having to call it quits (I had pre-dinner dinner so I wasn't able to eat the whole hting). But I was not disappointed. The buffalo wasn't that intense, but it was good that it was on the more mild side as it allowed for me to appear "ladylike" while devouring it. Who wants to see a girl who has to keep dabbing her eyes or nose because the spice is just that strong. If you are someone who really likes a strong buffalo flavor, it isn't for you, but if you want to be able to eat an entire pizza without a gallon of water next to you, it is :)

Now that is a HEEL

I really have no words. These shoes are absolutely ridiculous! You really need to check out John Galliano's entire collection. I found this on Project Rungay blog. The guys writing this talk about how the collection is breathtaking but completely impractical. I completely agree but part of me wishes that I could walk around in those heels...

Becoming More and More White

Stuff White People Like claims that white people love to listen to NPR. I had never listened to NPR as a child, but recently I have begun incorporating it into my morning routine. What happened was I felt like everyone I knew would make references to NPR constantly, I thought I would give it a try but as I try not to drive I wasn't sure when I would have time to listen to the radio...the iPod does not have AM/FM, so it became a part of me morning. Now after I get out of the shower, I turn on my laptop to check my email accounts, the weather and turn on the morning news.

The POINT of this admission is that I heard a really interesting news story yesterday morning about allergies. The story claims that children are being diagnosed with food allergies that they do not have because parents are using results of preliminary blood tests as the official word. From what I gather, the blood tests will show if an individuals have indicators for an allergy, but those indicators do not mean the allergy is definitely there. Out of 125 children who were brought to this study 50% did not have the allergy that they were diagnosed with via the blood test! I know that 125 is a small sample size, but really? those results still make a statement.

I have had a hard time believing that children are as allergy and learning diabled filled as studies keep trying to prove. Obviously someone will be allergic to wheat, milk, or peanut butter, but what are the odds that there is such a high population that is allergic to all three? I mean these are just things I think about. Hopefully people are a little more careful about this stuff, I would hate to have to deny my child peanutbutter if it wasn't absolutely necessary...

Wonderwho?

Each week at JazzFunk we add onto the choreography from the week before. This week there was a point where we were to bend our arms at our elbows and hold our fists out in front of our faces. This pose made me laugh as I felt like I looked like Wonder Woman:


One of my other classmates agreed that it did make her think of old superhero cartoons. But for her, it was something she was associating with the Wonder Twins. Now, there was a wide range of ages in this room, and I was probably the youngest one there. Yet, I was the only other person besides the woman who made the reference and our instructor that knew who the Wonder Twins were. The twins were apart of the Super Friends cartoon series in the early 90s, and the only reason I know who they are is because their ridiculous powers.

When they touch rings and say "Wonder Twin Powers Activate" the female twin will state what animal she wants to transform into and the male will transform into a form of water. Yes, you read that correctly, water. If they have to travel somewhere, she will often transform into a bird and he a bucket of water. Cartoons really were something special when I was a child. :) I found an episode of the Super Friends on youtube to illustrate their powers - and while watching it, I learned that the girl can't swim! That just seems silly...maybe it was that as a snake she couldn't swim...? Who knows.

Check out the change around the 5:20 mark:



I know you are hooked, so here is the second half...



oh man, there is one more part!!! I love the way Wonder Woman's Invisible Plane is drawn. The neon white outline is necessary, I mean seeing her fly around without it would make her look silly.

What was 4.4 lbs and had razor sharp claws?

That would be the smallest known North American dinosaur - Hesperonychus elizabethae. I was looking for more information regarding the ridiculous AIG bonuses that I got a CNN breaking news email about earlier.

I am sure you heard that 73 people received +$1 million bonuses - 11 of these people no longer work for AIG. I don't care if these bonuses were promised before shit hit the fan. I am pretty sure many Americans are thankful if they are still employed and are well awared of the fact that bonuses are no longer coming to them. Furthermore, I know of a few individuals who, along with their coworkers, opted to reduce their pay to 80% even though their hours did not change in the hopes to prevent layoffs. I mean really - how in the world do these AIG people believe they can rationalize the bonuses to the average American. ARG. I would love to kick one of these people.

But back to the dinosaur. "It's basically a predator of small things". I would think a dinosaur that only weighs 4.4 pounds would only eat small things, but I am no paleontologist

Nice Try Amazon...Again

Dear Amazon.com Customer,
As someone who has purchased science books at Amazon.com, you might be interested in new and upcoming titles, such as You Are Here by Christopher Potter and Why We Make Mistakes by Joseph T. Hallinan

---------------

I did like that the science book email came after I attended a party as a mathlete. BUT - one of the top suggestions was "Is God a Mathematician?", which was bought and shipped in the same box as the books that were suggested in my Indian authors email. (No I have not read it yet, but once I do, I will let you know how it was)

Amazon, please suggest a book I do not own. Thanks.

Cute - Again Happy St. Patrick's Day

This was sent to me by my aunt (from my Italian side - go figure). Enjoy!

Update: My dad (Irish side) has now also sent me this link.

Happy St Patrick's Day!!!

Happy St Patrick's Day Everyone!!

Hope your day is full of green and fun. The weather is awesome out, it is supposed to hit 50 or so. I am sure everyone back at HC is having a great time today on Caro. Ah, college. Well, it is time to start my day at the office :(

Bring Britney to Me

Tonight Britney Spears is singing - ok performing - at TD BankNorth Garden, I do wish I was there to see it. I didn't realize I was such a fan until JazzFunk. She may make some interesting life decisions, but she makes music that makes you want to move!

So here I am at my apartment, I just finished watching GG (gossip girl for you laypeople) which was finally new again...but I just feel like I need to do something tonight...

Thus in honor of the "dutchess of pop" - perezhilton just renamed her, apparently lady gaga is the new "princess of pop" - I am going onto itunes and to get her circus album. There will be some dancing going on in my room tonight!

I Want One

This is a post I started last week and never got around to finishing it. Interestingly enough the topic came up in conversation this weekend and my dreams were subsequently popped...


I don't know what the allure is, but lately I have really wanted a pet hedgehog. In all reality I WANT a dog. Sadly, I am not responsible enough, nor do I have a proper home, to care for a puppy of my own so I must wait. I don't like cats. So based on all these awwww-inspiring pics from cuteoverload hedgehogs seemed to be a good substitute. I mean, there are great stories about them...like the baby hogs that thought a cleaning brush was their mom!!

But now I learn that these guys are not so much fun. While hanging out this weekend, I was informed that these guys are not so pleasant. And that they screech when they get mad.

So bummer. This post is more of a FYI for you guys. Apparently hedgehogs are only cute online, in real life they are a pain in the butt. Go figure.

DIY - Ironic T-Shirts

Given the current economic environment I decided to try and cut costs by making my own ironic t-shirts for this weekend's festivities. For just $3 for a youth L (green shirt), $6 for a fitted adult M (white) and $1.19 for a tube of black metallic puffy paint, I was able to make two wonderful t-shirts.

Both shirts were well received. Well, let's be honest, the math one provided me with some interesting responses. And now a whole new set of people were exposed to my true nerdy ways. Meh, it's good to get that out in the open so we can all accept it and move on.

I highly recommend the do-it-yourself ironic t. It doesn't take all that long, and if I can do it, basically anyone can!

The Baker Judged Me

I went to pick up a pie for Pi Day this morning. As the girl was putting my pie in the box I told her that I was happy that it was Pi day. She was a little confused and then 2 and 2 made 4 for her and she said "oh, Pi" and drew the Greek letter in the air. I said "yes". She then said, "are you in high school...college...I mean you look too old for high school but that is the last time I remember someone mentioning this day to me" I said "no, I am out of college". She said "Did you go to Harvard or MIT?" I just smiled and said "No, just a nerd...". She then asked me how many digits I could recite - this question was in a tone that I bet she normally reserves for small children. I told her not many, all I only know is 3.14159265. I mean, I had to answer the question. With that, I took my pie and left.

Yeah. That was awkward.

Happy Pi Day

Square Root Day was just a few days ago.

But today is Pi Day :)

I have been celebrating this holiday for years now. It always brings me back to my roots of a math nerd.

If things go as planned this will post at 3/14 1:59 if i could specify the seconds at 26 i would.

Don't judge me

Late Night News...?

Last night I was watching the news.

Ok I was watching The Office, 30 Rock, switched it over to Private Practice and then the news came on and I was chatting on gchat so I chose not to turn it off.

But the news was on in the background and one of the local stories was about how Massachusetts grocery stores would be signing agreements to help reduce the number of paper and plastic bags are put into circulation. Stores are going to promote the use of reusable bags. There will be incentives to consumers to bring their own. There are a few places around here that I go to that offer either 5 or 10 cents off your purchase per bag. For more information check out the Globe's article.

The next segment was entitled "Hookers for Jesus". Annie Lobert, a former hooker, has started the group "Hookers for Jesus". She walks around Las Vegas giving out gift bags, that contain Bibles, to working women. The story was interesting, it hooked me in, but I don't know if I really needed it to be apart of my evening news report.

The Daily Show with John Stewart had a segment with Mad Money guy Jim Cramer. The full episode is on Daily Show website. Now this piece was way better than Hookers and Jesus... I was able to find the unedited interview in segments that I could embed. Couldn't get the html for it in one try.

Part 1

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Jim Cramer Unedited Interview Pt. 1

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things w/ Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Jim Cramer

Part 2

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Jim Cramer Unedited Interview Pt. 2

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things w/ Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Jim Cramer

Part 3

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Jim Cramer Unedited Interview Pt. 3

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things w/ Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Jim Cramer

just saying

I will never be a Suzy Homemaker

I may have gotten injured while doing laundry yesterday. I am dead serious.

This week I decided to focus in on the disaster that has over taken my room. I cleaned it to my best abilities (the floor is now visible), which then produced a series of errands that needed to be completed to get rid of some of the piles.

So I dropped of clothes at the dry cleaners, shoes at the cobbler, and finished off with a trip to the laundromat last night. Technically I still have to drop off sheets and towels at wash-dry-fold next week (I just hate trying to fold sheets by myself) but I'm considering that to be on next week's to-do list.

Anyway, I pulled the muscles located at the base of my ribcage and the only thing I have done that involved physical movement was doing my laundry last night. I know it sounds weird (and by weird I mean pathetic), but there is no other explanation. Just applying pressure to the area is causing me discomfort!

Clothes can be heavy when wet.... I did have to walk awkwardly down the street as I pulled my basket/cart-thing full of laundry down the street because I am too tall to use it comfortably...maybe it was the leaning?

I don't know. But this just shows I am not made to be a housewife/homemaker. Sorry Amy, I don't think you could even help me...

Still Pretty

The hunt for the green four inch heels has been basically on hold for the last month or so. Michelle Obama has the Jimmy Choos, but I have been hoping to find something a bit more affordable.

Nothing has popped up so far, but I did stumble upon something almost as great. (Of course by stumble upon I mean I am on the Aldo email list and they update me constantly on their sales and new stock.)

Meet the Lagatta.

It is only 2.5 inches, so kind of on the shorter side, and it may be borderline tacky. But I think I still may be in love.

I am trying to hold off pump purchases as spring is supposed to be around the corner and I prefer flip flops and flats for the warmer months. But I may need a pick-me-up purchase to get through March :)

You Stupid Slut. You God Damn Bitch

Heathers is one of my all time favorite movies.

It is a cult classic. If you haven't seen it, go rent it. Or better yet, ask me to borrow it and I will deliver it to you and then subsequently park my ass on your couch and watch it with you.

It is a dark comedy that is not for everyone, but growing up it was for me and my friends. We could quote most of the movie at age 14. Why am I talking about this masterpiece? That would be because I have read in numerous places that it is being made into a MUSICAL.

Currently, I am having mixed emotions about the press releases. They say that it is expected to hit Broadway in 2010. I know I will have to go see it if the show really goes on. I just hope it doesn't ruin the movie for me... Below is a clip for you to get a taste. Not my favorite scene, but a good one nonetheless.

Freaking Love Handles

Previously I mentioned that I went to a casting call for a runway show. It was so not what I was expecting. In college I was in the Black and Gold Show run by the Black Student Union. Super fun times. Those auditions required you to walk down a catwalk and show off your movement to some great music.

So not what I did this time.

I show up and in the small room there is a "runway" the length of one and half ping pong tables. We are instructed to walk to it, step up, and pose showing our back, each side, front and then get off. No real walking. Just standing. Clearly, they were checking out the goods. Not awkward at all.

After we do this a few times the designer finally shows up and the fun begins. The casting director is this woman and she has an assistant who follows her around it is almost as if he can't survive more than 4 feet away from her. We are explained that they will start with dressing their three favorites and then move through the rest of us as they feel they need to. She also stressed that everyone is beautiful and that if you are not chosen that does not mean you aren't, it just means that you are not the look they are looking for. I couldn't even tell you the number of times I was personally or collectively told I was a beautiful woman. It really boosts you up.

No big surprise, I was not one of the top three. But I also was not one of the girls asked to leave right away, so Go Me! So I did have to sit around for a little bit.

Here I want to stress that we were in one small room and used a utility closet as a changing room. The casting director would talk about us to her assistant as if we couldn't hear her. Maybe the others chose to ignore it, but I was engrossed. It was wonderfully catty and blunt. The best was when they kept referring to one girl as "Sarah Jessica Parker" and not in a good way.

Anyway, I was called over to try on a few pieces. There was not much left as they had already done a call the week before and were just trying to fill out the show with a few more looks. The first wasn't so great. The second was awesome. Well, ok let me be honest, it was simple but it was one of a kind so it was awesome. The top looked fantastic - it was the bottoms that were issue. For the record they were smaller than what I normally wear, but I was assured that other girls had been able to fit in them so I "should be fine".

This is what was discussed when the director looked me over...

"You don't have camel toe, nor do you look like a sausage. But there is a difference between fit and tight and you are walking a fine line." She then poked a small part of my side and said, "This right here is what concerns me". I apologized for my hips, and she assured me that I looked fine, and reiterated that it was just that they had so little to work with and they were hoping to use me but it wasn't looking to promising...

Before I left, she asked for me to tell her assistant my name so they could mark my sheet and keep my stuff on file. The designer saw me leaving and yelled over asking why I was leaving and not trying other looks. The director explained that there wasn't anything left. So I guess he thought I was a keeper too.

It was a pretty neat experience, but I am not holding my breath that they are going to actually call me. I may try another one in a few weeks if I see something. If I something does happen, I'll let you know, but until then I will be eating deep friend cupcakes =)

I love/hate you google reader

I think I may have just stumbled upon my downfall.

In the past I have had a number of favorite websites that I would visit every few days along with a few blogs that I would keep tabs on, a series of daily email lists and of course my regular hit of perezhilton.com. Then I started highheelsshortskit.blogspot.com and had the "blogs I follow tab" which lets me know when ever someone updates something. This up-ed my addiction as I didn't have to waste time going from page to page I would just look at my dashboard and find out who had something new.

Then came Google Reader.

I know it has been around for a while, but I just decided to test it out. I had been feeling that I was loosing touch with "real news". I have cnn breaking news sent to my email, but I can tell you way more about the Rhianna/Chris Brown abuse than anything else. So on my reader I have added CNN, sections of the New York Times and few other periodicals. This with my daily Globe highlights I have gone into over drive. I can't keep up! Currently there are 327 unread articles...I can't figure out what to read, and when I read it, I can't decide to send it to a friend, or blog or what because there is just sooo much.

I think I need help...ahhh technology is so overwhelming.

If it's fried, I will probably eat it.

The last two posts have been sports related. My readers may need a change of pace.

So I give you the Deep Fried Cupcake by Kickass Cupcakes.

These delicious creations are made fresh to order for your dining pleasure on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. I guess they figure there is no room for fried dessert during the week. There is always room for fried dessert.


I can testify that this place makes good stuff. A couple of friends of mine graciously brought a sampling of KickAss Cupcakes's cupcakes to my birthday party this past year. They were TASTY. I cannot wait to get the fried version.

Anyone who is interested let me know! We can all devour fatty goodness together!!!

Next Time Ask A Girl

I went to trivia last night. This is only the second time I have ever gone, but the first time I have been on a team small enough to compete. We took third which came with a prize. And what a prize it was.

My only issue with the night was that we should have took second. There were two girls on the team (including myself). There were two football related questions asked. One in round 1, and the second was THE FINAL QUESTION. Our team was sitting around two small tables, and both times the table of three boys decided on an answer and handed it in without asking our side. Both times they were wrong, both times we - the girls - were right. You may be asking yourself, what were those questions? Well here they are:

Q. Since the switch to a 16 game regular season what is the only team to have four consecutive season of at least 12 wins?

Q. Besides Dallas and Detroit, what team has made the most appearances in a Thanksgiving football game?

The other female and myself did have to talk it out, because neither of us knew the actual statistical data off the top of our heads but we were able to come to the right conclusions. The other side wrote down things at random based on whether or not they liked a particular team...it was very frustrating.

I LOVE football. It is my favorite sport to watch...although college men's basketball comes in real close. As a young girl I would correct adult males on the rules of football all the time, they always doubted my statements, but the commentators/refs would always back me up. Real women love sports. :)

----

Answers: Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears

And the prize was a Red Bull Chalk Board. Classy

----

The only good part is that because we were right about the Cowboys question, we were promised ice cream. In June 2011. I have already put it in my calendar

Getting Madder

March Madness is almost here!!!!!

Today I streamed the PC vs DuPaul game while at work. If you aren't aware of the ESPN360 website and love sports, you really should meet one another. The site lets you stream live games and ones that have recently finished. I can honestly say that I have not poked around the site that much as the games that I have used it for have always been right there when it opens. But I like to think that it is amazing.

Once the game finished I called my dad. Granted, the game probably ended about 25 minutes before then, as I had paused it to go to my lunch hour, but then skipped over the half time analysis. YOU CAN PAUSE THE GAMES. It is like tivo but for your computer. Really I love it, in case you can't tell... I think I will be a much better PC fan next year as I now know this exists. I found it when my father had called me as he was leaving the AMAZING PC vs Pitt game a few weeks ago.

PC plays again tomorrow at noon. This Sunday is the big announcement. I just cannot wait to hear what this year's brackets will look like!!!

Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House

As a child (and adult) I have come to love the game of MASH. Easy way to kill some time. An example of a good reason to pull out MASH would be, oh I don't know, as a college student who's housing lottery is about as close to the end as you can get and thus has the pleasure of sitting in a small cramped room for HOURS. Not that I would know about something like that.

Well, if you need a break from your day and are dying to see which of your five friends would be your best match, or exactly how many kids you will have in the future, have no fear, MASH is now available online! http://www.mashgame.com/

Based on my morning prediction, I will have a Green Escalade coming my way. Thanks hun!

Everyone Loves Interactive-ness

I've enjoyed the personal feedback so far about this site. So far, I have gotten a few requests on future subject matter - I will do my best to weave the ideas into future posts. And the comments have been fun to read when people have been daring enough to leave them.

I was going through the settings on this blog just now and saw that you needed to register or some shit to comment. Well I turned that off - I'd like to make this more interactive, otherwise it is like talking to myself, and I am fairly certain I have already explained that I do that enough already...with hand gestures. Maybe this is a good idea, maybe I am setting myself up for disaster. Who knows?

So, thanks everyone whose poked around here. I'm over 1000 hits in just two plus months (thanks to my shameless plug on facebook I had my biggest afternoon to date), but overall I would say not bad...

GG back to SVU

Bart Bass may have died. But he is doing ok. He still is in charge of Internal Affairs Bureau for SVU...that is Law & Order SVU.

I love seeing these connections.

imdb also just told me who Gossip Girl is - Kristen Bell aka Sarah Marshall from Forgetting Sarah Marshall. GREAT MOVIE

Can someone tell me what we did before imdb.com was created?

I'd rather be a Maneater than deal with a Womanizer

Two of my Pandora radio stations are "Womanizer" and "Maneater". Strangely enough, Womanizer radio station plays Maneater more than Maneater does. It also loves to play stuff by Katy Perry - go figure.

I actually adore Womanizer. It is one of my favorite songs to dance to. We use it at the end of JazzFunk. It just has such a great beat for jazz hands, body rolls, and HAIR FLIPS.




Yes I know that the lyrics are the bottom and are slightly distracting, but it was the only video I could find to embed.

Side Note: I absolutely love dancing to B. Spears's music. Toxic is one of my all time favs

Wonderful Time of Year

This will be my third St Patrick's Day here in Boston. It will be my first spent in Southie. This is long overdo and I cannot wait to head down for the parade and general festivities. Events are planned to start around 11 am, much later than my 7 am Kegs and Eggs days in college - but a very decent start nonetheless. :)

While my week will consist of counting down to Sunday... I have found that there are a few out there not so psyched about what will be let loose down in Southie. The Globe recently had an article describing the extra measures that will be taken this year in the hopes to curl public urination. (Really - the big complaint seems to be peeing in the street). Way more police will be out and about, bars will be asked to close by 7 pm and liquor stores by 5 pm - message to the public is clearly, get there early!

There are a couple of quotes that I found particularly great, real gems...

"We're not going to let drunken idiots get in the way of people just enjoying their family time."
and
"Just having [police] presence here will keep them from drinking in public," he said. "They won't walk down the street holding those paper cups."

Last time I checked Solo cups were plastic...

Well, I hope that my weekend is everything I have built it up to be. Five days...

On Repeat

Thanks to my impulse to click I "found" a new album by K-OS. I opened up the site and let the music play. Honestly, I think it may have been on loop for well over an hour and it didn't get old. In fact, the only reason I switched to Pandora was because I felt maybe someone else in the office could hear it and they were getting irritated with the repeating

Thanks to wikipedia, I have since learned that this individual is named Kevin Brereton and he is Canadian. "K-OS" is pronounced "chaos" and is an acronym for "knowledge of self" - deep man.

I do enjoy that his "lyrics frequently focus on promoting a 'positive message' while at times expressing criticism of mainstream hip hop culture's obsession with money, fame and glorification of violence". But there really is no reason for me to regurgitate the entire entry, so feel free to read up on him yourself!