Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Tuesday Tidbits

Hello, Wednesday! I missed work on Monday and since it feels like a Tuesday to me, enjoy some tidbits:
  • My beloved friend Karen passed away several years ago. My family treated her like she was my adopted sister and in a larger part her family has become a surrogate family, of sorts, to me. This weekend her little sister, Megan, got married in Austin and I was surprised by the emotions I felt being a part of it. The festivities started out with a bridal luncheon Friday afternoon, followed by a decadent rehearsal dinner Saturday evening, and a lovely ceremony and reception Sunday. Karen's mom said something touching to me, comparing her interest in my life to being the same as when an actress leaves a soap opera and the character is replaced by someone new. Karen and I are the same age, so I can understand her pleasure in seeing me grow up, get married, etc. I was a little surprised, however, to be seated at the table with the bridal party Saturday, but it was an honor and so great to catch up with Megan and get to know her groom, James better. I absolutely adore Megan's children, Astrid and Willa, and have kept photos of them on my dresser for years. They have grown into such spirited and sweet girls and I couldn't control my tears when they said "we do" when the minister asked, "Who gives this woman to be married?" 
Megan and James
Willa and Astrid
Phil and Megan
BBC and his MILF dance partner

LD and the MILF, my friend Marie
  • In more wedding news, it looks like BBC and I will be going to Costa Rica for our honeymoon after all!! Time to get our passports and travel vaccinations in order!
  • I've upgraded my electronic cigarette! I had been using Blu for nearly two years, but lately was disappointed with the cost of cartridge refills, the consistency of drags and inhales, and the battery life, so I upgraded to an industrial model. It's much, much bigger, but the battery lasts five times as long, the drag and vapor smoke is consistent, and most importantly I can refill the chamber with nicotine juice myself, which will save money! So far I am very pleased with the switch.
  • I think when new people ask how Brandon and I met, we should start telling them that we met online at Christian Mingle. I've been getting so many pop-up ads for Christian Mingle lately, that it seems like it could have potentially happened, even though neither of us are Christian, nor religious for that matter.
  • I went to the graffiti castle for the first time and it is so lovely! I heard through the grapevine that it would only be around for a few more months due to an impending redevelopment, so BBC and I rushed out there. I climbed to the top in heels, which I don't recommend, and we're planning on watching the 4th of July fireworks from the top with a picnic.



Look at that view!


  • And here's one last photo of me holding a tiny dog!

Zara

Friday, June 7, 2013

Friday Facts

Today's facts are brought to you by Mariah Carey!

  • Mariah has an amazing voice, nobody can disagree with that, but with regards to personality, she is probably one of my least favorite celebrities. 
  • She and Nick Cannon have a wedding every  year, which is not only extravagant, but plain stupid. Who am I kidding?! I would love to have a wedding every single year with tons of dancing, champagne, and friends. BBC wouldn't be able to handle it.



 
  • You're probably wondering why I'm posting about Mariah Carey and you're absolutely right to be confused. Well, last night I was googling celebrity measurements, heights, and weights and discovered that Mariah Carey is my Hollywood body double. This certainly doesn't please me, but then again, some people think she's got a smokin' bod.... until you see this
Anybody would look horrible in this swimmer!
  • And to close out today's facts, HERE is a BuzzFeed post on the itsy, bitsy dresses of Mimi.
That's a hoodie, silly!

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Thursday Tidbits


Now that the Every Day in May blogging challenge is over, I can get back to my normal, snail's pace blogging style. I had to take a bit of a breather afterwards, as it was a struggle finding time to post daily, but I think June will be the regular, two-posts-a-week month. And now, for some tidbits!

  • As someone who wears glasses daily, I get a bit offended when I don't and people compliment me. I'm going to wear contacts on my wedding day and since I'm very new to the whole process, I've be practicing putting them in and taking them out. Last night it only took me 10 minutes with only one lens casualty. Sure beats the 45 minutes and 4 broken/lost lenses of the last attempt. BBC played a show at Beerland last night and I went de-bespectacled and got complimented incessantly. I should be flattered and happy, but for some reason (probably PMS) what I heard is, "OMG, you look so much prettier than you normally do without those ugly things on your ugly face." 

My face without glasses

  • My cucamelons were thriving until I forgot to water them earlier this week. I was pretty heartbroken whenever I came home and saw that they were all wilted. They are doing better, but are not as vibrant and healthy as they were before. 
 
  • My sister recently posted some old photos on Facebook. As if an upcoming wedding wasn't enough to get me into shape, this picture of me 25lbs thinner sure did the trick!
 
With my sister at her bachelorette party, 2003
  • This weekend is going to be a busy and exciting one. My cousin Gilbert is graduating with his MBA and his family and my grandmother will be in Austin. Tomorrow night we're having a cook out and some evening swimming that's sure to be refreshing in this heat. Also, Karen's little sister, Megan, is getting married! It's sure to be a family-filled, fun weekend.
  • And finally, I present you with a video that makes my boom boom bounce:
 

Friday, May 31, 2013

EDIM: The End Has Come

EVERY DAY IN MAY, DAY 31:  A vivid memory.

 

Well, I have blogged every day for the month of May and I must say that it has been a little exhausting. I hope it hasn't been boring as a reader. I've enjoyed the prompts and have written about many things I wouldn't ordinarily have done, but today's prompt is leaving me blank. I have lots of vivid memories, but nothing that is earth shattering or necessarily interesting. So, I will offer you a list of some vivid memories that, on their own, would not be interesting.

  • I sampled some Bison meat in the 6th grade at a Whole Foods in Houston. I was a vegetarian at the time, but I thought Bison were extinct and that the meat was just supposed to be Bison-like in the same way that veggie burgers are burger-like. It was pretty damn chewy.
  • I can vividly remember my childhood dog running down the street after us every time we drove away, but I can't remember her name. She had mange and was outrageously infested with fleas.
  • My father bought me a bass guitar when I was in high school because the older dude working at the pizza shop in my neighborhood though Karen and I looked cool enough to be in a band. It turned out that I lacked talent and motivation, so nothing came of it, but we did talk frequently about potential band names. Once, while in the car with my father, we suggested The Knobs and my father did not  approve of that one and asked 20 questions as to why we thought of that. Now I understand.
  • In more vivid knob-related memories... There was a clock shop in League City named Ye Olde Clocke Shop. I spent many years in speech therapy, but before my impediments were fixed I had trouble saying the store's name. Every time we drove by the store I would say the name because it made my mum laugh hysterically and I've always loved the sound of her laugh. One day she snapped at me and told me to never say it again and my pride was pretty shaken up as a result, but it makes total sense now. Nobody wants their 5 year old daughter screaming "Ye Old Cock Shop" every time you drive past Main Street. (It really was on Main Street!)
  • Last night I had a dream in which I watched 3 episodes of the new Arrested Development. Even though I have still not watched them, I was pretty disappointed in my dream and I think that is as real as I need.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

EDIM: Letting Go

EVERY DAY IN MAY, DAY 30: React to this term: Letting Go.

 
Letting go, huh? Well, I think letting go is the best thing in the world, perhaps. Hmmmm... My reaction to this blog prompt is neutral and uninteresting. People should let go of the past and of things that hurt them, but it can only be done by self improvement and it takes time. Blah, blah, blah this blog prompt makes me feel rambley and without sufficient opinion, so I forfeit.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

EDIM: Mucho Musica

EVERY DAY IN MAY, DAY 29: Five songs that speak to you.


1.

Sure, Robyn's Dancing On My Own  will pump me up for a night with the girls, but it can't make me feel sexy in a grocery store the way Mel McDaniel can.

2.


INXS was my favorite band growing up. I say "growing up", but I mean in elementary school. My sister and I used to dance around to Suicide Blonde  and screech about wanting to be suicide blondes whenever we grew up. The closest I've ever gotten was getting my hair cut and permed to look like Micheal Hutchence in the 3rd grade.

3.

I think it goes without saying, that I am a big Greg Ashley fan. We pretend to be siblings, his voice is so deliciously smooth in a strange deep tenor sort of way, we've known each other for almost two decades, and well, he's made some excellent music. There is also a huge sense of hometown pride following his musical career. Having said that, I was completely taken aback as I watched him play this past week in San Fransisco. He played a song that I had never heard before and I couldn't get it out of my head for days, until I finally asked him about it. He was recording the Zoobombs and really liked a song of theirs and decided to cover it, but change the sentiment from happy to miserable. In his version he sings, "You make me feel like shit, I want to kill myself, I want to kill myself..." instead of the pop "Stay with me my big friend, I want to be your friend, I want to be your friend..." Both versions are playing on repeat in my head! 

4.

If I had my way, BBC and I would not only be walking down the isle to Beyonce's Halo, but it would also be our first dance. This song tears me up in my soul in the best way possible.

5.

And, to close it out on a rock n' roll note, I give you my favorite Rolling Stones song.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

EDIM: Bay Area Vacation Photos

EVERY DAY IN MAY, DAY 28: Only pictures


San Francisco and Oakland travel blog as told by vacation photos:

car2go parking at ABIA

1st Virgin flight from Austin to San Francisco

Our bed at Ghostown Recording Studios

Beach at the Albany Landfill

Albany Landfill rubix cube

Albany Landfill view of San Fransisco

BBC at the Nasty Club, Albany Landfill

Albany Landfill

Albany Landfill

Greg's casket garden

Rooftop drinks: Brittany, Lacey, LD, and Greg
Pigeon graffiti in The Mission

BBC on BART

Greg & Yea-Ming by some sculpture

Alcatraz
Alcatraz Ferry: Greg, LD, BBC

Alcatraz

Gorgeous Flora at Alcatraz

Alcatraz Gardens

Alcatraz birds nesting

BBC in the Rec Yard
 
BBC high atop the Rec Yard

Visiting hours

Look at that skyline! San Fran from Alcatraz

Dropping a deuce in Cellblock B

Drinks aboard the Alcatraz Ferry


Our Alcatraz triple date
Mai Tais at the Empress of China

BBC's head looks photoshopped onto his body

Brittany, BBC, and LD at Empress of China

Just us gals! Lacey, Beth, Brittany, LD

Pigeon Man in East Oakland

BBC dropping some beats

Matt, deep in recording thought

Mix-Master Greg