The Fat Man Walking

With all the sad news coming from the deep South, I lost sight of the story of Steve Vaught - a heavy man walking across America to lose weight. This is a nice story.

I found his website looking for some news about his journey. He says he is now 340 pounds and he's posted pictures from Arizona and New Mexico. That's pretty good. When he started his walk he weighed 400 lbs. He started walking in April so I think he's losing at a steady pace - not too fast and not too slow, he'll have permanent weight loss.

As of Sept. 5, 2005 he is in Tucamari, New Mexico according to the map on his site. His goal is New York City. Let's wish him continued good fortune and strength as he perseveres.

Poor Gym Etiquette

There were three guys displaying poor etiquette at my gym tonight.

They were taking turns doing shoulder presses using increasing weight with every set. When they started using particularly heavy weights (90 lbs.) they dropped them and the weights bounced. Scary right? I was sitting on a bench next to them doing my little work out with my 7.5 pound weights when one of those big ole weights bounced in the direction of my foot.

I looked at them and said "Dudes. If that lands on my foot I'm going to be really pissed." Just so you understand what was going on, these guys were enormous. I don't know where I got the cajones to say anything to them, but there is NO WAY IN HELL, I'm marching down the aisle with a broken toe. To my surprise, they assured me that it wouldn't happen again. They were true to their word. It didn't. They started working out with more manageable weights (65 lb. each) and didn't drop anything else.

Sleepy Time

Good morning all.

It's 7:45 am and instead of starting my morning walk, I am stuck to this computer like gum to a little girl's really long hair. I can't leave.

I entered a contest at blog explosion - battle of the blogs. It's addictive. There are only 3 votes left until a winner is announced. And I keep finding excuses to sit here but the truth is I just want to see whether I win or lose. I'll keep you updated.

Bright Smile

I brightened my smile in a boring, 1 hour long, uncomfortable technique at the dentist's office.

The technique is done in 20 minute intervals. The yellowness of your teeth determines how many. Mine was done in 3.

My mouth was stretched around a brace that kept my mouth open the whole procedure. Then Sandie shoved cotton in my mouth and coated my gums with a hardening substance meant to protect them from the "light" they use in the technique. She covered my lips with vaseline and a special moisturizer meant to protect them from the "light". She gave me goggles to protect my eyes. She put something in my mouth to bite down on so my teeth would stay in the same position. Then she put two spit vacuums in my mouth to prevent saliva from spilling all over the placebecause I couldn't swallow or spit.

Then, after all that, Sandie covered my teeth with special gel that would react to the "light" that would whiten my teeth.

The first twenty minutes were okay. I was pretty anxious so that helped the time pass. By the end of the first twenty minutes, my jaws were aching from biting down on that stupid thing. Sandie had put on this awful music that was supposed to relax me but only made me more tense. The second twenty minutes - my neck started to spasm from holding my head in the same position for so long. The third twenty minutes - Sandie gave me the massage controls for the chair. At the end of the procedure Sandie pulled off the hard gummy substance on my gums and left behind a beautiful smile.

My teeth are three shades lighter and look great.

I've been experiencing one painful after effect of the procedure called a zinger. It's a random shooting pain through any tooth exposed to the "light".

I'd like to know what kind of light this is. It's blue and apparently has the potential to harm everything living thing except teeth.

Heartwarming Story

These children were found wandering together - a little band led by a six year old.

Wow. (sniff) It's a nice story of survival from the N.O. (sniff)

R.I.P. Little Buddy

TV's Gilligan Dead
By Joal Ryan
(from E Online via Yahoo)

Somewhere, on some channel, in some time zone, Gilligan is still stranded.

Bob Denver, forever in reruns the most clueless castaway of Gilligan's Island, died at a North Carolina hospital Friday from cancer-related complications, his family announced Tuesday. He was 70.

Denver underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery in May.

"He gave us the gift of love and laughter," the Denver family said in a statement, "even in his passing."

Russell Johnson, the brainy professor to Denver's brainless first mate on Gilligan's Island, said he shared tears with Denver's friends and fans. "Frankly, Bob Denver would adore your laughter most of all," Johnson said on his Website. "That's more likely why God created him."

Denver starred on Gilligan's Island from 1964 to '67. The sitcom about seven shipwreck survivors, from Hollywood bombshell to Kansas farm girl, was never an Emmy nominee, was not a critical favorite and was a top 20 hit just once. It produced 98 episodes, two fewer than the traditional 100 believed to be mandatory for syndication success. And yet it was in reruns that the show became inescapable, if not indestructible.

"It's 40 years this year it's been on the air continually," Denver observed in 2004 to the Charleston Gazette, a newspaper based in his adopted home state of West Virginia.

If viewers wouldn't let go of Gilligan, Denver never broke with the Skipper's "little buddy," either. He revisited the character several times, in several incarnations, from Saturday morning cartoons (1974's Gilligan's Planet, 1982's Gilligan's Planet) to reunion TV-movies (led by 1978's top-rated Rescue from Gilligan's Island), to a cameo on ALF.

A slightly earlier TV generation, however, arguably best remembered Denver as Maynard G. Krebs, the bongo-playing beatnik on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959-1963). Though not a rerun phenomenon, the comedy produced nearly 50 more first-run episodes than Gilligan's Island.

Denver's 1993 autobiography played tribute to both of his iconic incarnations: Gilligan, Maynard & Me. Like a good parent, the actor refused to play favorites.

"I enjoyed both equally, but in different ways," Denver wrote on his Website. "Maynard gave me the chance to do wonderful word comedy...When I was offered Gilligan, I chose it because that character gave me the chance to do physical comedy, which I love."

"With Maynard and Gilligan, I had the best of both worlds."

Born in New Rochelle, New York, on Jan. 9, 1935, Denver enjoyed a prime-time run of 11 consecutive years, from 1959, with the debut of Dobie Gillis, to 1970, with the demise of The Good Guys, a little-remembered sitcom that ran for two seasons. Gilligan's Island--a script Denver snagged only because comedian Jerry Van Dyke turned it down first--was sandwiched in between those two shows.

Following The Good Guys, Denver returned to series work with the 1973 syndicated Old West comedy, Dusty's Trail. In 1975, the gone-gray comic starred in the Sid and Marty Krofft children's TV demi-classic, Far Out Space Nuts.

Three years later, Denver dusted off Gilligan's floppy white hat and long-sleeved red polo. At 43, the shirt seemed baggier and the antics more desperate, but Rescue from Gilligan's Island was popular enough to spawn two more TV-movies, 1979's The Castaways on Gilligan's Island and 1981's The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island.

The critical kibosh on the show, however, remained. In a 1994 Canadian radio interview, Denver was asked if the Smithsonian Institution, home to Archie Bunker's living-room chair and Fonzie's leather jacket, had requested Gilligan's hat.

"Nah, the Smithsonian doesn't ask for anything back from Gilligan," Denver said. "They haven't dropped that low yet."

Denver was back in the headlines in 1998 when he was arrested for marijuana possession. And he created some buzz last year when he launched an oldies station, dubbed "Little Buddy Radio" in West Virginia, and called out TBS' new reality series spin on his old show, The Real Gilligan's Island.

"I really don't think this show is going to work," Denver told the Bluefield [West Virginia] Daily Telegraph. "...I'd like to see them put a lion or a tiger on the island, but I really don't think that would happen."

With Denver's death, Tina Louise, who played movie-star Ginger Grant, and the rest, Johnson and Dawn Wells, as Mary Ann, the farm girl, are the only surviving castaways of the original Gilligan cast. Alan Hale Jr., the skipper, died in 1990; Jim Backus, the millionaire, in 1989; Natalie Schafer, the millionaire's wife, in 1991.

Denver said all the actors on the series were typecast as a result of the Gilligan reruns that never died, but he, for one, wasn't bitter.

"When you've been part of a show that has made so many people happy and continues to do so to this day, it's hard to resent it," Denver said on his Website. "Besides that, I'm also known as Maynard, which means I say 'WORK?!?!' for fans almost as much as I say, 'Skipper!' "

Marching

Last night we saw March of the Penguins - a beautiful movie about the odd life of the Emperor Penguin. They are sweet birds. Once a year, Emperor Penguins march 70 miles through unspoiled antarctic wilderness, to their breeding grounds. They find a mate for the season and the two of them taking turns caring for their egg and then march back and forth to the sea for food. The movie was both touching and heart breaking. When the penguins loose their egg or their chick, they really do seem to mourn. There are sad moments so if you have a child, you may want to consider their stage of development and level of maturity before bringing them in. Also, it's a little slow at moments - don't bring a child under the age of 7.

If you are weary from all of the sad news coming from down South, then take a break and see this movie. You will feel a little better afterwards.

A Litter of Soda

I learned today that if I buy a large pie I can get a litter of soda.

Beautiful Weekend on the Island

Jon and I spent a beautiful day on the beach. There are no pictures because we didn't want to have to worry about our camera, but if you can picture in mind an azure blue sky, soft sand and crisp ocean water, you don't need to see one.



On the way out of town today I shot some pictures of my parent's beautiful garden.




My father is a very good gardener. He's been keeping a garden my whole life and I really look foward to one day having a house of my own and keeping my own garden.

410 point game

I'm not one to brag (of course I am) but I had a 410 point score in a Scrabble game I played against my mother this weekend. The word on the bottom left - P.R.O.M.I.S.E.E.- earned me 167 points. I tripled the word twice and I played out my board, building on the M in M.I.L.L.E.T.

SubHuman Nature

At first I thought the looting was normal. People freaking out and exploiting the situation - trying to have fun on some level in the face complete destruction and total despair. But now people are loosing their minds. Last night I heard reports that the sports stores and hardware stores had been looted - the sports stores have guns and the hardward store, well every tool can be turned into a weapon, can't it.

There's one hospital that has been overrun by evil - gunmen shooting and stealing drugs and supplies. I also read that people are shooting at the helicopters airlifting people out of the Superdome.

There is complete chaos down there. What I don't understand is why there isn't any strong authoratarian presence down there. If can we move troops in and out Iraq like walking through a turnstyle why can't they restore law and order in New Orleans? They are so scared to declare Marshall Law.

I just heard an interview with Congressman Gindell and even he doesn't understand why they haven't restored civil rest. But he things the time is long past since they should have declared Marshall Law.

I guess Homeland Security is a BIG FAT JOKE!!!!! I mean wouldn't this be a perfect case study for whether or not that program works. Of course not, because it's not set up to catch a terrorist like Mother Nature. It's also not set up to secure American citizens from other American citizens.

Katrina Tears

The aftermath of Katrina is so devastating . . . my prayers go out to the Mississippi and Lousiana families whose lives have been forever altered by Katrina's path.

I watched an hour of MSNBC - Chris Matthews discussing New Orleans. Heart breaking.

I needed a break so switched over to "So You Think You Can Dance". Total bubble gum for the brain.

When I switched over to NBC for Law and Order it was actually more coverage of the hurricane damage. Just totally heart breaking.

Katrina and the Wave of Looting

The recent stories of looting, coming out New Orleans, in the aftermath of Katrina, are upsetting but not surprising. People are freaked out. I know there are people taking advantage of the situation by stealing things they could never afford, but I've also read that people are scavenging for supplies. Their whole world has been devastated. Have you seen the pictures of New Orleans? But can't you really be judgemental of people that are looting grocery stores to feed their families; that don't necessarily understand what's going on; that haven't been contacted regarding relief; that don't know where they are going to move; that are grief stricken because their homes have been destroyed; that have no electricity?

We're not there. We can understand from the comfort of our dry homes the images we see on our televisions - that New Orleans suffered great damage but we can't really understand what it's like to go through such complete devastation. I know I can't. I haven't experienced anything remotely close to that on the physical level. We don't know how we would behave or I guess most of don't know.

If my hypothetical children needed some food, water and dry clothes and relief wasn't coming fast enough I would have to find a way to get some. However, If my friend needed a television they would be shit out of luck.

Food, provisions, dry sundries - YES.
Electronics - NO.

A Quick Pick Me UP

Go here for a quick pick me up.

The Progress Wedding

Well. We got some work done toward the wedding this weekend.

Saturday, I went to the bridal salon for my first fitting. Sadly, my sales person advised us to buy the wrong size which we bought in a larger size than my actual size and was still too small yesterday in spite of my loss of three inches from all measured points of my body. I was so mad when I tried on the dress and it was too tight in the hips - I started crying and clenching my fists. I was so mad, I asked to be left alone for 5 or 10 minutes. I was freaked out. We left with the seamstress assuring me that I will be a happy bride. I'm not sure.

I really didn't feel better until my mom and I went to a formal dress shop in Farmingdale, Long Island. When I saw that they had wedding dresses in my size on the rack I felt much better, because now I have a backup plan in case things don't work out with my dress and worse comes to worse, I'll just go up to Steinway Street and rent an ivory tuxedo dress.

Today went well. I hired a makeup artist and hair stylist for the day of. Here is how I'll look on the day of my wedding, minus the whole bridal getup of course.

Morning Walk - Captured Moments

I took a lot of pictures yesterday during my walk. My company is building a new website and I was trying to capture some of the hustle and bustle of New York. Here are some of the pictures that didn't make the cut. Well, most of them didn't but anyway. . . .

I mostly walked down Park Avenue. I got stuck walking behind these two guys. For some reason I couldn't get past them so I decided to make the best of it - by photographing their backsides. I liked this shot of their feet the best.


For the first time yesterday, I started to really pay attention to what's going on on Park Avenue. I had a job once in a great building on 46th and Park and used to know it pretty well, but it's been a while. The corporate art has changed quite a bit and is starting to get a little weird as you can see below. The Haring sculptures aren't that bad - I mean they are colorful and fun, but I think they are definitely out of context. They don't fit in with their surroundings although they do brighten up the Lever House quite a bit. This other piece - I was so distracted by it, I can't even tell you what building is hosting this large and creepy piece of sculpture of a half flayed pregnant woman.



Above the Met Life building (formerly the Pan Am building for those of you over 35 years of age that might remember the time when the airlines ruled the business world) Park Avenue is beautiful, below Park - don't even bother. If you come to New York, your visit should include a nice walk up Park Avenue starting at the Helmsley actually. This building at East 49th put flower pots on every lamp post. It's beautiful and adds quality to a normally stressful business commute.


And Grand Central - it's a just a beautiful old building. Arches are predominant in the architecture giving the eye a break from the hard, rectangular buildings of the city. Also the height ceilings and marble walls not only make it cooler than the hot summer air around it, but also create a sense of space, seriously lacking in NYC. Space is a costly luxury here.

59th St. Bridge

A couple of snaps from yesterday's walk.

Scary Squirrel

Yesterday morning, Jon and I walked by this scary squirrel - eating into a sound blanket.

Then after he caught me taking his picture, he ran down to the sidewalk and started charging toward us. I thought he was going to take my camera and smash it in on the ground to destroy the evidence.

What's The Magic Word?

So far, so good.

The day goes well.

We walked the walk - Astoria, 59th St. Bridge, Chelsea.

Work - easy day, going well.

Other people? Well - I just came back from buying a bottle of water. Several people got in the elevator with me. I pushed 5 and two others pushed the button for their floors. One guy muttered "three". Of course, I responded by just pushing 3. But as soon as started out of hte elevator, I said to the others, in a tone loud enough for the exiting guy to hear - "He could have at least said 3 please." Then I muttered the word punk just as the door was closing, hopefully loud enough for that punk to hear me.

Honestly. My passive aggressive behavior notwithstanding, could that punk have been ruder?

I don't think so.

My Wedding Shoe

Myrna Loy You scored 19 grit, 23 wit, 33 flair, and 38 class!

You are class itself, the calm, confident "perfect woman." Men turn and look at you admiringly as you walk down the street, and even your rivals have a grudging respect for you. You always know the right thing to say, do and, of course, wear. You can take charge of a situation when things get out of hand, and you're a great help to your partner even if they don't immediately see or know it. You are one classy dame. Your screen partners include William Powell and Cary Grant, you little simmerpot, you. Find out what kind of classic leading man you'd make by taking the Classic Leading Man Test.

The Classic Dames Test

E = MC Hammer

The above was the name of the winning team from last night's trivia game. It was also the name of my team. I don't mean to brag but we scored 43 out of 50 points, a minimum of 10 points ahead of the second place team. We had an excellent combination of people, although two of them spent most of the evening catching up with each other and not contributing much at all. But that's okay too. Because we all love each other and that's all that matters.
===============================
Getting home from trivia was not so much fun although I did discover that from W. 4th the D train runs express to the 34th St. station on 6th ave. where I transfer for the N or W trains. That said, the D train pulled in seconds after I arrived at W. 4th lulling me into a false sense of optimism about how the trains were running. When I did transfer at 34th street I had to wait at least 10 minutes for my N train. Not that is a terribly long time but IT FELT LIKE A LONG TIME DUE TO THE INHUMAN STENCH AND HEAT OF THAT PLATFORM. People were wilting all up and down the station. It was hot, hot, hot!!! Did I mention it was hot? Because it was and very. Once the train got there and I escaped the OVEN into the blissful cool of the air conditioned car, the train moved slowly through the tunnels meaning that by the time we reached Lexington Avenue, the train was packed. This is because when trains move slowly, people gather in large groups waiting for the slow train, so at every station you pick up large groups of angry, hot and sweaty, tired commuters.

I was sitting so that's good but I was squashed so that's bad. I did get home eventually but it took a long time and I was uncomfortable. I was home by 10:30, considering I started out from W. 4th at 9:45 - isn't really that bad.

I just hate that 34th street station.

Morning Walk or Feeling Groovy

Jon woke up early so he could walk me to work this morning. The weather was perfect - cool breeze, blue sky, light fluffy clouds. It took us exactly 2 hours. We walked over the 59th Street bridge again. When the traffic is moving it's very noisy. I prefer the noise level when traffic is at a standstill. But it was a good walk overall.

The Progress Wedding

My dress is finally in. I got the call yesterday. First fitting is scheduled for this Saturday, so I just need to lose 40 more pounds by then. Wish me luck!!

Death of a Shopping Cart

I moved into Astoria 12 years ago - a studio apartment in an old building in a nice part of town. It was my first apartment - well, the first time I lived on my own. My family was supportive and they gave me gifts to make my life easier. One of those gifts was a shopping cart from my Aunt. I don't know how old the shopping cart was, easily 20 years old when she gave it to me. About 3 weeks ago, that shopping cart fell to pieces while Jon was bringing home the laundry. But don't be sad, because yesterday Jon bought us a new shopping cart. It's nice - turquoise with a rubber grip. We should have it for the next 30 years.

99 cent stores

One of the many cool things about living in Astoria, Queens is the over abundance of 99 cent stores. You can't walk two blocks without walking past one. Saturday was no different. Near the post office on 21st street, an Indian family converted the C-Town into a ginormous discount store. They are still getting things together and until they do, the store is really charming. Because for right now, they still have signs like this


and this

Lazy Saturday Revival

It's been a while since I've had a lazy day. I started by watching Kill Bill after I woke up. Again, it wasn't a truly lazy day but if you look at the condition of our apartment you would definitely think so. Anyway. Here is the sequence of my exciting day in New York City.

woke up around 9:30
watched Kill Bill around 10:00
went to the post office around 12:30
went to the gym around 1
went to the grocery store around 2
unpacked groceries around 3
watched Devil's Advocate around 4
internet around 7 and here I still am.

Tonight will involve gathering and sorting laundry, cooking Tilapia in one of my new cool pans.

I'll cook it with butter and garlic while the rice cooks itself in my new rice cooker and prepare some asparagus on the side. There might also be a salad depending on Jon's appetite.

I LOVE LAZY DAYS.

The Progress Wedding

I set up a trial with a makeup artist recommended by my hair stylist.

The day the makeup artist tries her hand at my face, is the day my hair stylist will find the right hairdo for my veil - my veil is being lent to me by sweet sister-in-law and it should match my dress perfectly.

Morning Walk

60th St. and Fifth Avenue down to 25th and Broadway.

Everyone is Fried by Friday

I am so glad it's Friday. Not only is it the end of the work week, but it is also pay day.

By show of hands, let me see who doesn't like to get paid. That's what I thought.
====================================
Jon and I walked over the 59th Street bridge yesterday morning. It was such a beautiful morning. Jon woke up really early to keep me company on the walk which was very supportive. I bought a cool new toy to keep me company so I can take exceedingly long walks by myself. Turns out jogging on an elliptical machine 1 hour at a time isn't enough for me to lose more weight, so now I'm going to try exceedlingly long walks to see if that does this trick. And what better time of day to walk than in the morning. One day I'll be thin and hopefully that day will be the day of my wedding.
====================================

Winner of Caption Contest

That's not a Banana in my pocket, that IS my pocket.
Dave
author of New York White Trash
oddly obsessed with Banana Man

Christopher Walken for President HOAX

If this source is correct, the website announcing Christopher Walken's bid for the 2008 presidential election is a hoax.

I'm actually a little bummed. I think I would have voted for him.

The Progress Wedding

Moving forward slowly.

I talked to my hotel today and tied up some loose ends.

My dress is coming in next week. Hopefully.

The deejay - we started those discussions last week.

The temple - we'll be discussing the final touches with the clergy and the catering staff shortly.

It's coming together...it's coming together.

Random Picture

Christopher Walken for President 2008

I couldn't believe it (pause) when I saw one of the campaign (pause) posters on someone else's website. I thought for (pause) sure it was a joke, that someone was making (pause) fun of the upcoming 2008 election.

But (pause) yes. It's (pause) true.



Christopher Walken is indeed running for President in 2008.

Saratoga Springs

This weekend we went to the race trackin Saratoga Springs. Jon's been telling me about how on Sundays the track has giveaways and that people pay the $3 admission just to get whatever the giveaway is and then spin around and pay admission again to get another souvenir. Turns out the technical term for these people is SPINNERS. Turns out that yesterday was blanket day and the track was giving away these chinzy red Saratoga blankets. You wouldn't believe the MOB that showed up. I saw some of these SPINNERS walking away from the track with up to 20 blankets. Several people on line and Jon commented that they've never seen the track this crowded, that it's never like that, that usually they just have to wait a minute or two before they get it. But Sunday was blanket day.

People were losing their minds for these blankets. We waited on line for an hour before we got to the admission gate. When we were getting close I turned around and shot this. Look at those faces. There is not a happy one in the bunch. Or actually there is ONE happy one in the bunch and I think it's because she is eating ice cream.


For the most part it wasn't that unpleasant. The weather was nice and the people around us somewhat amusing. The only unfortunate part was standing behind this guy. Even from behind I could tell he was a little unfriendly.

Oompah Loompah Doopity DUPE

I've got another riddle for YUPE.

This guy liked the movie Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory so much, that he lied about being in it for years.

This just in

Paula Abdul can continue as a judge on American Idol.



That's a load off my mind.

Harry's Burrito's - Interior

Harry's Burritos - 75 W. 3rd Street

I like to come here before I host trivia at the Baggot Inn on Tuesday nights. I usually sit in the far corner where I can be alone and unwind after work and gather myself for the evening ahead of me. I like everything on the menu but I am especially fond of the avocado salad, which consists of crunchy romaine lettuce, sliced avocado and salsa dressing.

August 6, 2003

I missed my own BLOG's birthday. Shame on me.I started this blog in August 6, 2003 because some people I met and like also had blogs.

Here is a link to my first post.

Reading it this morning, I realized I wrote longer posts in the beginning. Now, I generally keep it short because I don't have as much time as I used to. Like right now, it's after 8 and I'm not dressed yet because I've been surfing blogs and thinking of this topic for this post. So, I have to cut this short and get dressed.

What will I wear today?

I don't know. I was thinking of wearing a dress because I wear them so rarely except for this week.

Wednesday - skirt.
Thursday - dress.
Friday?

Who is Banana Man?

My picture of a man dressed as a banana has sparked some sort fanaticism for someone named Banana Man, but I'm not sure who he is. So I googled him and I'm still having trouble figuring out who he is.

IT could be this guy.


or this guy?


or this guy


or this guy even.

Triffids Dry

Well. I finished Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham. It was awesome. The author took me back in time to a place he invented. It really is a good piece of 1950's dystopic sci-fi. You will read this book and believe that the majority of mankind was blinded by a mysterious comet shower and that ne'er do well plants are taking over the earth.

This week's book of choice is DRY by Augusten Burroughs. It's the continuation of his memoir. I've never been addicted to alcohol, I hardly really drink much at all. This book is about his struggle with alcholism. He writes in a way that makes his life relatable. I've only just started the book. If you have ever had to deal with anxiety, lonliness and/or depression, you should be able to relate to the book as well.

Caption Contest (continues)

The contest is still open. Below are some of the submissions.


Banana Power!!!
Chris

Trying on bridesmaid's dresses is so hard. Next time I'm going to Macy's
Caren

Potassium strikes back...
or
Peel this, punk!
Vidiot

This goes to prove that you are what you eat.
Dawn

That's not a Banana in my pocket, that IS my pocket.
Dave

Getting Over the Hump

Monday night - 3 hour meeting with our DJ
Tuesday night - hosted Tuesday night trivia

Wednesday night?
Watching TV.
=====================================
I finished Day of the Triffids. It was excellent. The author transported me back in time to a world he invented - a truly great piece of dystopic 50's sci-fi. This week, my book of choice is DRY by Augusten Burroughs, a continuation of his life's memoir.

Tuesday Night Trivia

Dear Diary,

Tonight I hosted trivia with Caren. It was fun.

There were many people there. They had fun. They were nice.

Before trivia I was at work and I worked the whole day. I am tired.

After work, I had dinner at Harry's Burritos. I had a burrito. It was good.

Good night.

The Progress Wedding

We just had a meeting with our dee-jay to start planning the music for our wedding. We enjoyed listening to the different music we could use for the different wedding activities we have planned. We chose the song for our first dance; made some preliminary choices for my dance with my father and Jon's dance with his mother; considered some clever selections for cutting the cake, throwing the bouquet, and throwing the garter; started planning the music for the reception, etc.

What a relief. I feel like we got so much done tonight. I have three meetings set up with florist for Sept 3 - meetings that my mother and I will be attending together. Our photographer is already on board and should be giving us our engagement photos any day now. My dress should be coming in soon. The temple is reserved and has been. The caterer is ready to go. Now we just have to work on the small details like hair and makeup, wedding rings, etc.

If anyone tells you that you need a year to plan a wedding, they are wrong. The only thing that might take a year may be getting the place that you absolutely have your heart set on. But if you are pretty easy going about the locale or you're not that fussy about your dress, then you really can do it in a few months.

R.I.P. Peter Jennings

1938 - 2005



He quit smoking 20 years ago and lung cancer still got him in the end. If you haven't quit smoking yet, you should . . . right now.

Day of the Triffids

Harry Potter and Half-Blood Prince was a good book. I finished in about five days and that's no small feat considering I was reading it mostly only during my commutes to and from work.

After a two day wait, following the end of HP, I picked up a memoir I had been reading before HP's arrival - Growing Up by Russell Baker. While charming it wasn't holding my attention. I didn't know what I was going to do.

Until two days ago - when Jon brought me a great book from the library. The book is called Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham and it's an absolutely brilliant piece of 1950's science fiction. When I was kid, every now and then the movie based on the book would play on television and this movie was the kind a kid like me would find utterly fascinating. It was about the Earth being taken over by enormous walking plants after the planet's inhabitants had been mysteriously blinded by a meteor shower. I remember this movie as being fantastic but I think others categorize it as some kind of "B" horror movie. The movie tells the story a little bit differently than the book and I can already see the book is better.

If you are looking to buy the film Day of the Triffids, it's very expensive but it's worth it. If you're looking to read the book, you can get it free at your local library.

Martha, Martha, Martha

Martha Stewart can't keep herself out of the news.

The latest?

Her house arrest has been extended 3 weeks - until the end of August.

Why?

The reports I read don't say why although they allude to a Yoga class she was seen attending and on offroad vehicle she was seen riding.

Whether or not these were violations is not known.

Snuppy is not a play on Snoopy's name

It stands for Seoul National University puppy. Korea cloned a dog and for some bizarre reason they chose an Afghan Hound.

Personally, I would have gone with something smaller and less hairy like a Chihuahua.

Easing into Wednesday Morning

I'm sorry I missed Tuesday Night Trivia last night. Two very good friends of mine hosted but alas between worrying about the wedding, stressing out about getting into shape and just feeling generally blah last night, I couldn't gather myself enough to get there.

Regarding worrying about the wedding. . .I am working on it so I know there is no need to worry but there is always the fear that I'm not working hard enough.

Getting in shape . . .I thought by working out last night, I might alleviate some of that stress hoping that the blah feeling that led to feeling ill would vanish. It worked. I worked out on the elliptical machine for 50 minutes. About 40 minutes into it I started getting that runner's high feeling. It took so long for me to get there and then it only lasted a little less than 10 minutes. I ran into my trainer who has officially adopted me as his older sister now and programmed my new cell phone number into his Blackberry type device.

On the way home from the gym I ran into an old teaching friend who I haven't spoken to in three years. She was well and it was nice to catch up with her. She filled me on who is doing what and how much worse it is at the old school I taught at now that the teachers are using some new mandatory pain in the ass curriculum, probably the same CRAPPY curriculum I was using at the CRAP school I taught at in Long Island City.

So now it's Wednesday morning, I'm at the office and my boss is not. He is taking a well deserved vacation. Nobody works harder at this office than he does. With that said, I hope to get a lot done this week for him. Cleaning files, compiling lists of things to do and then crossing things off the list when I'm done, etcetera.

But I'm easing into it. I felt so much stress yesterday, I'm hoping for a low-impact, stress-free day today.

Under control

Dress - the salon will call me when the dress comes in. there is still time.

Flowers - started making inquiries

Dee Jay - made appointment to see him on Monday

Hotel - my amazing Maid of Honor is taking charge

All the other details will get done.

Wedding Freak Out Time

Dress: Ordered months ago, still not in

Rings: Not yet

Flowers: Not yet

Hotel: Still trying to add more rooms to the block

Invitations: Not yet

Ushers' Tuxes: Not yet

Invite List: Still not finalized

Dee Jay: Hasn't been returning our calls

Photographer: Okay. That part is fine. Whew!