I'm up for a bike ride!

Anyone want to join me?

What's with Matthew McConaughey doing all this physical activity lately? No bongo drums in sight!!!

I love the beach

A little Matthew McConaughey for you to enjoy.

I don't think I've ever been to THIS beach...I'm on my way, I swear!

I changed my mind

In this post, I mentioned that whoever invented speedos should be shot, or something like that. Then I saw a picture of soccer star David Beckham, and I changed my mind. If you look like this, you should only ever wear a speedo.

More about me!

I stole this one from Christine. Feel free to steal it from me!

1. If you had to set your own work schedule; 8 hours per day; 5 days per week. Which days and hours would you choose? at this point, if i could choose, i would probably pick the days everyone else in the world seems to have-monday thru friday. but i think i'd do 10a-6p. man, that seems like such a far-off idea. i've been doing Sun-Thurs overnights for SO long!
2. What Reality Show would you be on and why? i want to go on Big Brother! i don't think i could win, but it would be fun to see what really goes on in the house
3. What is the last book you read? Skinny Dip by Carl Hiassen. I bought it at La Guardia because I finished my other book and we were delayed. It was a FUNNY book!
4. There are many songs that bring us back to a certain memory. What song(s) do you HATE to hear for that very reason? Baby Got Back
5. If you could go back in time to be any place in world history, what time would you choose and what country/place? I don't know...that's a hard question to answer!
6. Do you know more than one language? Which one(s). i know a small amount of Spanish. minimal.
7. What is your favorite blog? Please link it. One only. GOSSIP!
8. What is your favorite web site? More Gossip!
9. Your house is on fire, the people and pets you love are safe and you can grab one other "thing", what are you taking? my pictures
10. You have $100 to spend in the next hour. How are you spending it? (Saving it or giving it away not permitted.) Only $100? I think I'd put it towards another vacation

We made it home!

We got home a little late, but apparently we're lucky we made it home at all. Check out this article about the heat affecting the power in NYC. And note: we travelled to LaGuardia on American Airlines!

HOT DOG, We had some good steak!

Last night we got restless just after 10pm, so we decided we'd check out the Empire State Building. It's a bit of a walk, but we enjoyed it. It was a nice night. When we got there, there was a 60-90 minute wait. We decided that we just didn't want to stand in line that long. It would have been good to see, but next time we're here, we will order our tickets online ahead of time. Saw lots of traffic on our way back, which made for some pretty cool pictures!
We tried to go to the Heartland Grill, which is a bar next to the ESB. Yeah, they were closed. For a city that never sleeps, places sure close early on Saturday night!
This morning we got up and hopped on the subway towards Coney Island. We met Dena & Greg at Avenue N in Brooklyn and they drove the rest of the way. Greg said "Whatever you've heard about Coney Island is wrong, it's not nice." Pretty seedy place, since they got rid of the Freak Show. Yeah, doesn't make sense to me either. We were there to try a Nathan's Famous Frankfurter. Wow. The BEST hot dog I've ever had.
Everything I expected it to be. After enjoying our hot dogs and bacon-cheese fries, we said goodbye to Dena & Greg, and made plans to meet them in San Diego sometime next year. Dave and I headed to the boardwalk to check out the beach. We saw a guy in a speedo. Whoever invented Speedo's should be shot, really. It was so stinkin hot at this point, we just decided to hop back on the subway back to the hotel. When we got back, we watched a movie (I slept, actually) and then it was time to get ready for dinner. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse...it's where we went on the last night of our honeymoon. The best steak. EVER. And we got a free dessert because it's our anniversary! Sadly enough, better cheesecake than Junior's from last night.

We then walked back to our hotel, and are relaxing for a few more hours before heading home. I don't know how we're going to celebrate our anniversary next year, because not much could top this!

No Soup-erman for you!

Another big day in NYC today. We started out at the American Museum of Natural History. A lot of interesting things there. We spent some time learning about the Big Bang Theory and looking at planets, then on to the geology department and then dinosaurs. There was a lot to see, and it seemed like we saw it all, but I know we didn't! Then it was on to the Imax viewing of Superman. Or not. We got there around 3pm and both the 5pm and 8:30pm shows were sold out. So, no Superman. We didn't want to waste seeing Superman on the regular screen, when we could see Imax, so we'll see it when we get home. We walked around a bit and found a place called Peter for lunch. Probably the worst service I've ever had at a restaurant. Actually, it was more like no service. She never came back to ask how everything was, didn't bring us our check (we had to ask the busboy), and then we had to actually wave her down to pay. So, she didn't get a big tip. Oh, and I took one picture. The bathroom was so small, the stall door had to be cut to fit over the toilet.

Everything in the restaurant was small. mini bottles of Coke...10oz, with obviously no refils. So, from there it was off to Rockefeller Center and the area around there. We went in the famous St. Patricks Cathedral. Holy smokes.

The place is amazing. HUGE. If you want to get married there, you have to donate a large sum of money and get put on a really long waiting list. And when you do get married, tourists can watch your wedding. They just can't take pictures. No thanks.
We did some more walking, and I almost got an "illegal" Coach bag. There are people roaming the streets with carts on them. They're covering up the bags that they have, and Dena tried to get 2/$50, and the woman said "follow me" because the security guy was making her move so she wouldn't get arrested. We followed, she said "$60" and Dena said "You said $50" and the lady wouldn't have it. So we walked on. The next lady was in cahoots with the first one, so she wouldn't take $50 either. I think she called Dena a fucker at some point. We kept walking. Dena and Greg headed home, and I was a bit too nervous to ask for a bag for $25, but when a guy asked me if I needed a bag, I said "$25" and he said no. I stuck to my guns. No purse for me! At that point we were on 5th Avenue, and we just walked toward 42nd street, and found THE Library. You know, the one in Ghostbusters! There were some kids dancing out front.

We went in for a minute, and when we came back out, they were gone. Must have had to move on like the purse sellers! After that we headed back to our hotel to rest our feet. It was another long day of walking. After a short rest, we headed over to Grand Central Station for dinner at Junior's. We got the biggest piece of cheesecake EVER.
Of course we didn't know they were so big, so we each got one. Oh well, lots of leftovers!
Tomorrow is Nathan's on Coney Island and Ruth's Chris Steak House. Yes, food is all we have planned for tomorrow!
Oh yeah, I checked the local news (at home) and it was talking about the temperature. At 7pm here, it was 79 degrees. At 6pm at home, it was 91. Supposed to be 98 there tomorrow. I guess we picked a good time to leave home!

How could I forget this part...Getting on the subway to go towards Rockefeller Center, we almost lost Dave. His metro card wouldn't let him through, and Dena, Greg and I were already on the subway. They tried closing the doors twice before he got through and made it on. Dena was keeping the door from closing, while I stood there with the vision in my head of the doors closing and us riding off without him! That would have been scary!

Looooong Day!

Got up early this morning (I couldn't sleep last night at all!) and went to grab breakfast for Dave & I. I went for bacon, egg & cheese sandwiches at a place called Fiore. Well, that's where I thought I was going anyway. Ends up they've changed to a place called Bella Luna, but they had the breakfast sandwiches, so I got 'em. Doesn't the overpriced hotel we're staying in have breakfast? Yes. Pancakes just $23. Breakfast sandwiches for 2 with drinks from Bella Luna, $10. I think I made the right choice. (A bottle of Grey Goose Vodka here is $125).

Anyway, Dena & Greg picked us up around 10:45 and we were off to the Bronx Zoo. A drive around the Bronx was interesting. Heard lots of stories. The zoo was pretty cool. LOTS of animals. Birds and monkeys and something we weren't sure of, so Greg called them Yik Yaks. Then there was the Slam Yams, also known as slender horned gazelles. It was very entertaining to say the least!
Here's a birdie we enjoyed



And a couple monkeys doing...well...you figure it out


And the Yik Yaks. Anyone know what they actually are?


Greg was very excited about the Yik Yaks. We were watching a peacock from above on a bridge, and Greg did his bird call. It didn't affect the birds, but a whole pack of yik yaks came to us. It was fun!
Anyway, we saw lots more animals, and then we decided it was time to leave. A lot of walking, and we were looking forward to some pizza. We went to Long Island to Bertucci's. YUM! Really tasty pizza, and good bread too! Then it was off to the mall. A HUGE mall. At one time, the largest in the world. But I spent NO money! Until we went to Cold Stone Creamery. It wasn't a pleasant experience, but it was good stuff. Then it was back to Manhattan and we're watching some shows and I'm getting ready to fall asleep. I hope. Something I ate/drank today didn't agree with me. Happy freakin' anniversary vacation to me! I hope it goes away soon. We have plans for Dena & Greg to ride the subway into Manhattan tomorrow and see more sites. We're going to be exhausted by the time this is over!!!

Welcome to NYC

Yes, we're here! We got in a bit late (just 40 minutes). It's been amazing so far. Dena picked us up and drove the LIE to the Midtown Tunnel to get us to our hotel. (they were talking in new york speak....take the LIE to the BQE to the Midtown Tunnel...it was quite fun!) The view from our hotel is pretty interesting. Very busy. Well, we are right near Grand Central! And we're on the 27th floor!!! (We met on 2/7...isn't that cool??) From our hotel room:

Anyway, they dropped us off and we went walking. Times Square, baby!!!

We had nachos at Chevy's Fresh Mex, and it was pretty tasty.

Friday should be the Bronx Zoo, then who knows what. I'll keep you posted!

no. No. NOOOOO!!!

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Raven-Symone, star of "That's So Raven," is attached to star in the Walt Disney Pictures remake of "Adventures in Babysitting."

The 1987 "Babysitting," which starred Elisabeth Shue, followed a high school senior who gets stuck baby-sitting a bunch of kids. The dull night is interrupted when she gets a call for help from a friend stuck downtown, leading her and the kids into a night of misadventures. The movie marked the directorial debut of Chris Columbus.

Lynda Obst, who produced the 1987 original with Debra Hill, is on board to produce the remake. David Stem and David Weiss wrote the script for the new "Babysitting." No director has been named yet.


NO ONE CAN BEAT ELISABETH SHUE AS CHRIS!!!



I've always loved this cheesy movie. I do NOT want them to remake it! AT ALL!

My anniversary present to you

It's ALMOST my one year blogger anniversary. You get an early present. But, only if you are prepared to laugh hysterically. If you're not...well...don't bother!

Peanut Butter & Ginelli vs. Sexual Chocolate

Have you seen the new VH1 show World Series of Pop Culture? OMG, it is SO addictive. Teams face off answering pop-culture questions that can be quite obscure. I had no idea what the name of the "guy" that granted the wish in the movie Big, but I knew that the true-crime show that was cancelled in 1996 but came back was America's Most Wanted.

I tell you...start watching and you won't be able to stop!

Randomness

First, I have a picture to share:



Ok, on to the real business of the day. Some things that have crossed my mind recently...

-You have self-confidence in yourself. Duh. Who else would you have self-confidence in?

-When you're passing me on the highway, you don't have to start moving back into my lane before you actually pass me. Especially when both lanes are going the same way.

-No need to yell at me because I moved the line of grocery store carts from behind my car to somewhere you wanted to go. It wasn't on purpose, and I don't work at the grocery store. I shouldn't have had to move them at all. And there's other places for you to go. So stick it in your ear.

-Cinderella Man is a really good movie, but it was hard to watch. Between going through the depression era and getting the blood knocked out of him in the boxing ring...it wasn't easy. But I'm glad I watched it.

-A very annoying source of stress went away...and so did my headaches. Hmm.

-How did all the stores I went into today have good deals on the stuff I wanted? That NEVER happens!

-I can almost guarantee that, while I'm driving home this morning, someone will pass me going way too fast on the beltline, and the thought that will go through my mind is "Oh my god, you must be drunk and you're probably going to hit me!"
*update: this did NOT happen on my drive home this morning. Which is a good thing!

-Why is it that when said drivers fly by me, there is NEVER a cop in sight?

Ok, that's it for now. Sorry for such a boring post...

A Year Already?

I can't believe it's been a year (on the 13th) since I started this blog. Oh, and a year (on the 16th) since I got married.

It's been quite a year. Be prepared for quite a profound post to come.

Oh wait, I'LL BE IN NEW YORK CITY BOTH OF THOSE DAYS! No way can I post from NYC.



Oh who am I kidding? I posted multiple times while on my freakin' honeymoon. I won't skip posting from NYC!

Seriously?

Is this really going to deter thieves from stealing my packages???

Kudos to Sur La Table for fast shipment. I ordered my new cutting boards on Tuesday night and received them today!

Oh yeah, there was another box in there. From QVC. Yes. Love them! It's a wall patch kit for the hole in our bathroom wall.

Have a fabulous weekend!

New car?

I got an offer today to buy my aunt's car. She's getting a new one next week. The one she wants to sell me is a 2004 Saturn Vue. (When we bought dave's Saturn Ion in February '05, I said "my next car is going to be a Vue!") It's a v6 AWD, leather, 20,000 miles. Sounds perfect, for $15,500. It's in great condition, and I know where it's been (never been smoked in, never been in an accident, etc.) My car will be paid off in September (or before) and my cousin asked about buying it from me. Both such GREAT offers. It would be SO easy to sell my car to my cousin, and buy my aunt's Vue. BUT, just this week, we decided that when my car gets paid off, we are going to focus on paying off credit card bills and then start banking some money for when the day comes that I go to part-time. You know, the responsible thing. It is not easy to decide between what I want so badly (a new car!) and what I know I should do (live for a while without a car payment...something I've NEVER done before). SO, we're taking the responsible road and not buying her car/selling mine. I may regret not having a great deal on a car I want, but I know that the Vue would cost me so much more in gas. I drive 25 miles each way to work, and my car does pretty well. I have yet to spend $30 to fill-er-up. I know that would be out the window with a Vue.
So, wish me luck in keeping up with what we plan on doing and not buying a new car in the next 2 months!

A first for me!

I'm 30 years old, and tonight, for the first time ever, I went to a movie by myself. Yay me! I know, no biggie. But I never could do it before. Tonight I had a couple hours to kill before work, so I went to see "The Devil Wears Prada". Yes, a complete chick-flick. But it was a good one. I enjoyed it, and may make it a habit to enjoy movies on my own from now on! Tomorrow I'm getting my hair did!!!

That's a negative

You know me. You have for about 5 years. For 4 of those years, I have worked late-nights. Until 3am or so, not getting home til 330-4am. For 4 years I've been going to bed somewhere between 430-5am.

There is a general rule that goes along with said bedtime. Do not call me until about noon. Sometimes that is pushing it! But do NOT, unless you are my family or very very good friend and it's a dire emergency, (like going in to labor with no one else available) call me at EIGHT THIRTY AM. I did not answer your call. I did have to get out of bed to get the phone though, which disturbed my cat's slumber, which is the worst part of it all! Your message said "I have to work, my mom has to take Billy Boy to the doctor, can you watch Tommy Boy for an hour this morning." I'm sorry. This may seem like an emergency to you, but....your mom could easily take Tommy Boy with her to the doctor. Yes, it might be a bit inconvenient, but he's a good baby. He could handle it. There's no reason for you to have called me at EIGHT THIRTY AM. (You are also the one who had the radio on my competitor's station when I babysat a couple months ago. I've babysat for you since then. Never at 8:30am).

*disclaimer: if you are one of my closest friends and are getting ready to have a baby THIS MONTH, you can call me at ANY TIME and I will be there for you! ANY TIME. Even BEFORE 8:30am!!!

I didn't really get tagged

But this kind of seemed interesting, and I've never "used" Wikipedia, so I wanted to try it

Instructions:
1. Go to Wikipedia.
2. In the Search box, type your birth month and day (but not year).
3. List three events that happened on your birthday.
4. List two important birthdays and one interesting death.
5. One holiday or observance (if any).

On January 19
Events:
1. 1977 - Snow falls in Miami, Florida. This is the only time in the history of the city that snowfall has occurred. I was born during an ice storm. I don't feel sorry for Miami
2. 1994 - Record cold temperatures across the eastern half of the United States brings temperatures below -20°F in many locations, such as Ohio and Kentucky. this was just a normal winter day in Wisconsin
3. 1983 - Klaus Barbie, Nazi war criminal, is arrested in Bolivia. i never knew barbie got arrested!

Births:
1. 1807 - Robert E. Lee, American Confederate general (d. 1870) that's kind of my uncles name. he's not that old though.
2. 1923 - Jean Stapleton, American actress gotta love that dingbat!

Death:
1. 1906 - 1847 - Charles Bent, New Mexico pioneer (assassinated) i wonder if anyone ever told him to get bent

Holiday:
1. The unofficial National Popcorn Day i LOVE popcorn!!!

That's it. If you try it, let me know what you come up with!

Who Knew?

Probably you.

I learned something from my nieces last week. They are 8 and 5. We went to the Children's Museum, and somehow a conversation of fruits and vegetables came up. One of them said "A cucumber is a fruit." WHAT? Seriously folks, I feel a little stupid. "If it has seeds, it's a fruit. If it doesn't, it's a vegetable." Huh. I guess I wasn't paying attention that day. (One question: what do you call the English-or SEEDLESS-cucumber?)

Well this changes a lot! Cucumbers are fruit. Squash is a fruit. Tomatoes are fruit. Dang! Maybe I can tell Dave (who doesn't eat vegetables) "Honey, squash is FRUIT! You can eat it!!!"