| YES WE DID! |
[Nov. 5th, 2008|01:12 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  hopeful | ] |
"And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright -- tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.
"For that is the true genius of America -- that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow."
These are the words of President (!!!) Barack Obama.
Words can't describe tonight. There are STILL people honking their horns and cheering in the streets. We believe -- and I, Miss Cynical PR -- believe in the UNITED States of America. Despite everything we've been through, we still believe.
And that, my friends, is America the Beautiful, of the people, by the people, and FOR the people.
WOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! |
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| I'm proud to be an American |
[Nov. 4th, 2008|11:52 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  excited | ] |
Would you look at this:
I've been voting at the same polling location for ten years and have never waited more than 10 minutes, even in the 2004 election. Today, the line went down the long block, around the corner, past Tom's Diner, and almost to the next block. An hour and a half wait and I loved every second of it. Cars were honking; people were laughing, taking pictures and video. Everyone let older folks and those with babies cut the line. I even teared up once inside as I looked around at every possible type of person, all there to have their voice heard. This is America. BROOKLYN is America. I will miss it very, very much.
I should also note that my not-so-baby brother voted for the first time today. Apparently, he didn't like the one guy running for sheriff in his county, so he voted for himself as a write-in candidate. Now THAT'S democracy! And I need to get him a shiny sheriff's pin. |
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| Oui! C'est chouette! |
[Jul. 8th, 2008|11:59 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  silly | ] |
It's been high times here at the Fairy Princess Castle, what with the 1-2-3-4 punch of Euro 2008, Wimbledon, the Olympic Trials (helloooooo swimmers!), and the Tour de France. As one of my co-workers asked, "Do you do anything but watch sports?" Ummm, not much. Thank goodness it's not football season, or I'd be a goner.
Imagine our amazement, therefore, when we realized no one had created a Tour de France drinking game. The daily live broadcast on Versus is rife with opportunity. Our only explanation is that it occurs in the early morning when one's fancy does not turn to thoughts of cocktails. This has never stopped us, though, so we proudly present:
LE JEU DU VIN DU TOUR DE FRANCE!
We're keeping it simple, with noted exceptions.
Take one drink when:
* A time trial is referred to as "the race of truth."
* Thor Husvold is referred to as "the god of thunder" (take a little sip if alternately called "the big man from Norway.").
* Paul and Phil wear matching oxfords.
* A crash happens.
* The Tour is called "unpredictable."
* Any rider is called out as the national champion of his home country.
* Any mention of Team Garmin-Chipotle is accompanied by a GPS joke.
* Any mention of Uganda.
* "Big George Hincapie."
* Prolonged shots of farmer art.
* Helicopter shot of a chateau (take a second drink when accompanied by a historical fact snippet).
* Any man runs down the race course in a thong or less.
* Bob calls the race "the Tour dey Fraance."
* The pelaton catches the breakaway.
* Anyone is referred to as "the star of the future."
* Any mention of Lance Armstrong.
* Anyone watching confuses Vandevelde with Valverde, or vice versa.
* "38-year-old Erik Zabel." (thanks ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.2) tintintin!)
* A shot of anyone riding alongside the race course on a horse.
* Whenever the King of the Mountains jersey makes an appearance on screen (those polka dots are faaaaaabulous!).
* Any mention of Filippo Pozzato -- however, you must precede the drink with the "Enrico Pallazzo" chant.
Chug when:
* Phil pulls out THE SUITCASE OF COURAGE.
* El Diablo runs down the race course.
Trigger moments subject to change -- check back for updates! |
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 16th, 2007|09:20 pm] |
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My journal is now Friends Only. If you have an LJ account, feel free to drop me a comment and I'll consider adding you. Otherwise, please follow me in my new librarian career at my new journal, The Leisurely Librarian. |
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| It has come to this. |
[Nov. 12th, 2007|05:26 pm] |
I am drinking Sutter Home Fre Brut "Champagne". With another Fre bottle of "Merlot" waiting in the wings for sampling later.
My friends, being on drugs that completely disallow alcohol consumption is killing me. A short course, I could handle. When that was upped to two weeks, I muddled through; though truth be known I went off the drugs twice for two very important occasions (anniversary and baby shower) that required imbibing. Which is probably precisely why I was thrown back on said drugs for another two weeks. This simply will not do.
And so, here I am resorting to not just alcohol-free wine, but really bad, mass-produced, overly sweet alcohol-free wine...which tastes like heaven in a bottle because it's the closest I've been to G-d's Own Nectar for weeks. Though again, in full confessionary mode, I said to hell with the liver on Saturday night and had three whole sips of real grown-up wine. Sheer bliss and so hard to turn tearfully away from once I had my share. The fact that the bottle already sat empty was most likely my true saving grace.
Pomegranate seeds in the "champagne" add a nice touch, though. That and the thought that I'll finally be off this wretched wagon on Thanksgiving Day...with full access to my parents' exceptionally well-stocked bar. |
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| SPOOKY BOO!!! |
[Oct. 31st, 2007|10:46 pm] |
Hooray for Halloween -- my co-favorite holiday of the year (the other being Thanksgiving, for very different reasons).
I love handing out candy to kids, hearing eager "Trick or Treat!"s, and seeing a sad kid instantly glow with glee when you offer him a fun size Milky Way.
I love seeing all the costumes -- children, teenagers, adults and pets (some of the best are the pets, honestly).
I love our neighboring neighborhood for shutting down its main thoroughfare to traffic so everyone can trick or treat at the storefronts and feel safe about their candy collection.
I love the real significance of the day, for people of various beliefs and cultures. In particular, Happy Samhain and El Dia de los Muertos to all y'all.
I love that tomorrow is All Saints Day, which is a lovely tradition if you ask me.
I don't like being scared, but a little spooky and creepy wonderment is always a good thing.
I love decorating the inside and outside of a house and carving pumpkins and roasting pumpkin seeds and the fact that the Hummer House across the street has every spare inch stuffed with some sort of decor, including a life-sized scary puppet that dances to "Superfreak" whenever someone walks by.
I miss my hometown immensely today, especially my dad's seven foot "spooky pumpkin guy," scary cackle, and full-sized candy bars.
But most of all, I love that this is the night when good natured mischief reigns; when you can be whatever you want to be, if only for a few hours.
Happy Halloween! Woooooooooooooo... |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 31st, 2007|01:15 am] |
To those I offended with my last post, please know that I am deeply apologetic. My frustration was with the response situation, which I have dealt with in one way or another at least five times over the last 12 months and umpteen times since moving to NYC years ago. This event was simply the proverbial straw that broke my back and I snapped. Perhaps in an ungraceful way, but it happens to all of us from time to time.
Please also understand that party manners, RSVPing, thank you notes, pleases and thank yous in general, ma'ams and sirs, etc. are as ingrained in me as the ability to breathe or speak English. It truly breaks my heart when people do not spare the 20 seconds it takes to respond when asked to do so for very practical reasons (e.g., food/drink count). I try very, very hard to entertain my guests well, make sure they're taken care of, that the gathering -- no matter the size -- is something special. If I didn't, my father would have my head. All I ask in return is a simple yes or no to make the party the best it can be. That's all.
I should also mention (because I haven't really told anyone but Steven) that the last two weeks have been exceptionally rough as one of my best friends from home -- someone about to get married -- watched his dad pass away last Tuesday after a horrible cancer battle, so I have been dealing with that on several fronts. Plus there are other private things going on in our families which I choose not to discuss right now, but suffice to say it's not a fun time. No excuse, but you can understand the strain.
I really need this job to start so I'm not living in my head so much anymore. Well, that and to not be all PMSish. But you didn't need to know that! |
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| Anniversary Review |
[Oct. 21st, 2007|01:51 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  relaxed | ] |
Play along with eccles and me as we take place in this couples survey, in honor of our first anniversary. Are we well-matched or simply delusional as to our extended state of marital bliss? The Internets, of course, will REVEAL ALL!!
1. Who eats more?
We probably eat about the same over the course of a day. Steven eats more breakfast, lunch and dinner. I pick at things until about 4pm, then start snacking, eat a smaller dinner than him (generally), then snack until bedtime. Or sometimes past bedtime.
2. Who said "I love you" first?
I think I did. We were at my parents' house and I was having an agonizing night of wanting to tell him I loved him, but not sure how to say it. I think I finally came out with it after hours of tears around 3am and he said he loved me too. Then we had to be up for a 5am flight back to NYC.
3. Who is the morning person?
NOT ME. Unless you consider 4am to be the morning.
4. Who sings better?
I suppose I do, but Steven has a better singing voice than he thinks.
5. Who’s older?
Me. I'm a cougar. Mrrrow.
6. Who’s smarter?
We are both brilliant, of course. Steven is much better at science, world events, fixing/construction, patience. I'm better at people skills, writing, organization, memory, and getting things done. I don't think it's a matter of being smarter as it is that we have very distinct areas of intellect that, thankfully, compliment each others' weaknesses.
7. Whose temper is worse?
Mine. Ohhhh dear, definitely mine. Poor guy.
8. Who does the laundry?
I eventually sort it and send it out after Steven bugs me a few times. He always puts his away weeks (literally weeks) before I do the same with my clothes.
9. Who does the dishes?
99.99 percent of the time, Steven. For which I am thankful every single day.
10. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?
If you're standing at the foot of the bed, Steven does. If you're lying in the bed, I do. I prefer to be nearest to the window for reasons I don't understand, so if we're in a hotel with a flipped layout, we sleep on different sides than we are "used to."
11. Whose feet are bigger?
Steven's, definitely. Though mine are proportionally wider.
12. Whose hair is longer?
Meeeeeeeeee! *swings luxurious locks*
13. Who’s better with the computer?
Steven, no question. My expertise usually involves cursing and asking him to fix the thingy in the doohickey with the freakin' mrrrrowefifflefuff.
14. Do you have pets?
Our little princess Cleo was mine and is now a full Daddy's Girl. Because she knows who the pushover is in this family. And because he feeds her and changes her litter.
15. Who pays the bills?
At the moment, Steven -- due to my unemployed state. We'll reevaluate who pays for what once my first paycheck arrives on or around the first of the year.
16. Who cooks dinner?
Usually me because I love to cook. Steven can whip up simple, tasty things on the nights where I'm too exhausted to perform (like last night's tortellini with homemade tomato/veg sauce).
17. Who drives when you are together?
Since we don't have a day-to-day car, it's usually not an issue. When we visit my family, I tend to drive since I know the area. When we travel, Steven drives because he's trying to learn the American driving system and I'm a better navigator than he is. Besides, he likes playing Formula One driver behind the wheel.
18. Who pays when you go out to dinner?
We usually loosely take turns, but lately Steven's my sugar daddy for reasons explained above.
19. Who’s the most stubborn?
Absolutely me. But I'm working on it.
20. Who is the first one to admit when they’re wrong?
I'm honestly not sure. I think we're both pretty good at saying when we're wrong and apologizing.
21. Whose family do you see more?
Due to geographical proximity, mine. Not to mention sheer volume of people and places to visit.
22. Who named your pet?
I did, but Steven didn't know either of us at the time.
23. Who kissed who first?
I think I did, but only because we were sitting on Steven's sofa and he kept pushing my nose and going "Meep!" If that's not sexy, I don't know what is!
24. Who asked who out?
We never really asked each other out. I sent him an e-mail saying I was going to be nearby and would like to see Cardiff...could he be a tour guide? And then he invited himself along on a trip to New Orleans. The rest is history.
25. Who’s more sensitive?
Probably me. But he'll say probably him.
26. Who’s taller?
My tall, dark and handsome husband. By about seven inches (yay!).
27. Who has more friends?
Me -- but most of them are now Steven's friends too.
28. Who has more siblings?
Me. Two brothers versus one sister.
29. Who wears the pants in the relationship?
We both do. We like pants. Pants keep your butt warm.
In all seriousness, I'm more bossy and Steven is more compliant, so I probably take advantage of that more than I should. But it's evening out over time. |
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