It's the Springtime of My Life

I thought I was in the clear the past two days and then I woke up to 4 new bites (three near the elbow where they usually tend to be) and one on the ankle. In case you don't know the back story, as of last week, we have biting ants in our apartment. I know for a fact that they are ants because I've caught them in action. They are definitely not typical NY ants (did the biting part give that away?), but they are also light-colored and these bites are really fucking itchy! Meghan and I have some theories on where they came from but they've all been disproved (brought in from the park? No, because that was over 2 weeks ago; they live in the couch? (where we usually get attacked?) No, because we bought that couch last June and had no critters till the other day.) My dad thinks they came from someone else's apartment and the people brought them in from South America (huh?) I called maintenance to report it on Tuesday evening but the exterminator (who I keep calling the Terminator unintentionally) only comes on Tuesdays, so I'm living for a week with these monsters. So if you see me with massive bites you know why. Oh, and don't come over.

Happy to see a Carolina Liar video on the TV, though the singer looks super-mannequin like.

Songs I like right now:

Little Boots - New in Town

La Roux - Bulletproof (kind of obsessed with that one)

Noisettes - Never Forget You

Hockey - Learn to Lose

Marmaduke Duke - Rubber Lover

Jack Penate - Be the One
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I just got motherflippin Bangles tickets!! They were the second concert I ever went to (Jones Beach with my dad in 1980something.) When I was a kid, I used to set up my room to give it a "concert feel" - put a cover over my lamp to dim the lights, set up my little Casio keyboard, and next to it was my pink Barbie guitar. Either myself, or with a friend, I'd act like I was the band, playing their albums for my fake crowd. For the record, my faves include "In Your Room" and their version of "Hazy Shade of Winter."

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The above show is at BB Kings Blues Club where I haven't frequented yet. I'm looking forward to the caberet-style atmosphere. When I was buying the tickets, I noticed that En Vogue are playing (first physical CD I bought - don't worry, I had plenty of tapes before that.) I kind of want to go but it's tonight so I doubt I could wrangle anyone in time (or in general.)
kjg

Nerd Alert: Friday was a good day - not only did I have a coupon for free Red Mango plus a topping (and it was ANY flavor yogurt, hello Green Tea) but I won two tickets to see Star Trek through work too! Although I've never seen an episode of the show, nor do I plan to ever do so, this is the second time it's popped up for me in relation to work. When I worked at ICSC, at the last Spring Convention in Vegas, we had our department dinner before the conference kicked off, and our VP gave one of the Meeting Planners Barry Manilow tickets for her birthday. I was joking around about wanting Star Trek Experience tickets (just because I wanted something for free, and the conference was in The Hilton which was Star Trek headquarters.) A few days later our VP pulled me to the side all serious and was like, I got you the Star Trek tickets and was like keep it on the hush, haaaa. Very nice of her but I really had done it for the principle of getting something for free. Immediately after the conference ended, I dragged Laura M. with me to the simulator and whatever else the "Experience" consisted of. The best part of that particular trip was following Star Trek, we went to The Sahara next door to ride the forwards-backwards roller coaster and screamed our faces off in relief that the whole thing was over. Not sure why it never occurred to any of us to do that in previous years.

jg

So, I'm doing one Fire Island weekend this year with my friends. When push came to shove, I couldn't resist. Plus it's at the end of the summer so fingers crossed Dave will be here and he can experience Ocean Beach in all it's glory.

kj

Yesterday, I went home for early Mother's Day. I went with my momma to get her dress for the wedding, which was going fine until I freaked out over a speeding car as I was merging onto 135 in Long Island and swerved and scraped the curb or whatever and got a flat tire. I will say that AAA is amazing - they logged my problem at 2:36 pm, and I was already driving away at 3:01 pm. Friendly service guy as well. Afterwards, we went to look at flowers for the wedding. Bouquets are pricey but boutonnieres clock in at $12 a piece - man flowers all around!

ljh

When I got down to the subway, my watch said 8:32 pm (I like to time the trip back from Queens), and I opened my book which was bookmarked at page 832!! Told you I was freak-ay.

jj

I finished reading I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb last night. That book was da bomb! I've never seen so many bad things happen to a character. Seriously, like every chapter something worse happened! Awesome book.

klh

Thursday night was Franz Ferdinand at Roseland. The openers, Born Ruffians, did not do it for me. Franz on the other hand, well, were awesome of course. They played a great mix of old and new stuff, and although I'm still waiting for the new album to grow on me, I really enjoyed those songs live. Good background images as well.

On Friday night, after my triple dork sensation of free Red Mango, Bangles ticket acquirement, and winning the Star Trek lottery, I ran home and changed, made it to kickboxing, then went to Ella with Kat and Heather and peeps for Veronica's birthday (not in my gym clothes.) Got the dancing out of my system so I stayed in last night. While being eaten by fire ants, I watched Grey's from two weeks ago (eh), Survivor (do I have issues for actually crying during an episode of this?!), and then Forgetting Sarah Marshall. It was much funnier than I expected, highly enjoyable.

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I forgot to mention that I saw Rock of Ages two weeks ago. Prior to going, I was complaining to someone about how I can't stand 80s music (that being said by someone who had hastily accepted the free show ticket and was wearing a George Michael shirt on the same day.) Well, can I just say that I thought the show was EXCELLENT! Of course it brought back memories of shit songs (some which I enjoyed in my childhood, and some which are just plain comical) but the way they strung everything into the storyline was really entertaining. So much so that I would actually like to go see it again (hello, they played "To Be With You", I almost died in my seat.) Two of the guys from Styx and REO Speedwagon were there and played a song as the encore too.

ju

Today's assignment: buy jeans that fit properly and look cool. I am 99% positive the result of this will be complete failure.

ujg

Currently Playing: Noel Gallagher - Talk Tonight (live)

The Sun Was Just Yellow Energy

Goings on as of late...

Max's surprise party...

We created our own dancefloor. I was in jolly spirits, even embracing the typical corny songs that get played in every generic bar (most likely because I drank too much) We made a new friend to dance with......who we think stole Faith's phone :/

jh

Zoe and Elisa were in town this weekend. We had some drinks at the apt first (hello Pineapple Vodka, YUM) then went to Black and White.

Ryan, Elisa, Zoe Me and Britchicks Enjoying how Max managed to fit his face into this one

After leaving the bar we searched up and down St. Marks for dumplings. Despite there being like 12 Asian restaurants on that street, Heather came away with a $1 slice of pizza and Meghan and I had peanut butter when we got home.

hg

I had a massive headache all last night which made me toss and turn until I finally got up to take Tylenol at 5:30 am. I got up a few hours later and headed down to L'Express with Meghan and Kat to meet Zoe and Elisa, her co-worker, and Gareth for brunch. It was pouring buckets so myself and the upper east siders came back to our territory to see I Love You, Man. It was funny, have some trailer:

I got my nails did and then ran home, changed, and sped to the gym to make it to Step Aerobics. I was hesitant about going to this class because the last time I did, the teacher creeped me out (in general, but also because he was wearing light grey sweatpants and had a very noticeable sweatstain on an area I should not have been paying attention to.) For these two superficial reasons, I had not been back to the class. I hadn't taken Step for a few months though and missed it so I took the risk, showing up to see that he was wearing the light grey sweatpants again (yugh!) Turns out today was his last time teaching this class so I'm in the clear, I do feel a bit shallow about having avoiding him for all those months, but sorry you shouldn't have been creepy and have chosen better clothing to work out in.

Let's talk some TV:

Amazing Race: Yay final 3 - and you really couldn't hold it in? Puh-lease.

Lost: Um hi I hate the writers right now!! Quality episode but you should not have done what you did at the end. At least we got some Desmond/Penny time.
Survivor: Can't believe my androgynous Mormon got voted off! He was my dude I predicted for winner. Kinda pissed off about that.

h

Does anyone want to see Those Dancing Days with me at Mercury Lounge on 5/26?
k

Meghan and I went to see Gavin DeGraw two weeks ago. I hadn't seen him in a couple of years (I went through a phase where I saw him like 5 times in a 6 month period.) The music was terrific - he rearranged every single song he played ('I'm Love with a Girl' was best) but the thing that amazed me was how grown up he looked. I was so used to seeing him in his hoodie and cap, that when he came out looking like a man I was totally shocked. It was a bit weird to be honest.

I'm only weighing myself monthly at WW and I lost 4 lbs. in the last month. Bing Bang Boom wedding dress here I come!

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Speaking of the big W, does anyone want to take over the planning for me? I'm too busy at work to do anything. Flowers are next, if you interested I'm accepting applications.

jg

And finally, can we talk about how it snowed at the beginning of April and then it was over 90 degrees last week? It was so hot I actually went to the beach! And burnt my hairline in the process, doh.

hg

This week's plans: Working late, working late, Dinner with Binghamton chicks, Franz Ferdinand, working late. Is it Friday yet?

These Rides Aren't Working Anymore

Productive weekend all in all.

Friday night =

Rock Band

+

Three of Cups
+

Cheeseburger Deluxe
Saturday =

Dunkin Donuts Medium Coffee + Skim milk + 2 Sweet n Lows
+

Manicure/Pedicure +

Bagels (which H&H double-screwed up AGAIN) with Kat and Heather +

Kickboxing +

All of the above in a monsoon +

Adventureland

+

The Pub

Sunday =

Treadmill --> Busted Knee --> Elliptical

+

Topshop

+

Soho Park

I've been to a bunch of gigs lately (all at Bowery.) Ladyhawke was fab! Not amazing but I love that album so really good minus a few ommissions. The jam on the end of 'Paris is Burning' was the best.

White Lies were decent. It's amazing how deep the singer's voice is despite him looking about 18 years old. Good stuff, not in love with them but "Farewell to the Fairground" is still pretty ace.

Friendly Fires were highly entertaining and the singer can certainly shake his booty! Here's a sample (it was much more all over the place during other songs.)

I also saw The Rakes but wasn't feeling it. The singer looked like Melanie's husband which distracted me because I kept thinking it was Eric singing and dancing.

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Now I plan to take my super slow computer and throw it at the wall. Goodnight.

Mmmango

I'm going to some ghetto dentist tomorrow for a cleaning, exam, and whitening for $1. I saw this ad on Facebook and clicked on it thinking a whitening for $1, WOW!! - and that's how I got this appointment. So, if I show up to work on Tuesday with no teeth, ya'll know why.

Just watched the final Flight of the Conchords, sad!! Speaking of that, Dave was here for a visit and we went to some of the show locations bc we are mega dorks.

Henry St. Apt. New Zealand Consulate (actually a disgusting "disbandoned" building) Dave's Pawn Shop I introduced Dave to Red Mango. We were appalled to find that the inside of the yogurt was hollow! I'm hungry after looking at that photo (that's kiwi and Golden Grahams on top in case you were wondering.)

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I went to a bridal event at Bed, Bath, and Beyond last week. They pretty much forced you to learn about china and other household products and tried to get you to register for them. The strange thing about this event is that you were contacted over email about it if you've already registered at BB and B. So, why were they trying to get everyone to register at this shindig if everyone there was already registered?! Anyway, they had 20 raffles for some kickass housewares and unfortunately I didn't win (I'm so good at winning things like that too, I was disappointed - they called #s 35, 36, and 38 and I was number 37.) We did get a goodie bag (actually, an extremely heavy bag that I barely got home) full of random fancy glass things which was fun. I also met Monique Lhuillier whose name I can never spell correctly. She explained her entire line of china to me which was kind of awkward but she was lovely.

Melanie wore one of her creations back in 2005

I am super excited to see Ladyhawke on Tuesday. Except that I heard she's really bad live. And I also heard that she has Asperger's Syndrome. Putting two and two together, well, I don't have high expectations but we'll see. I also have White Lies/Friendly Fires on Thursday. I only know 2 WL songs though, I'd better hop on that.

Highlight of the weekend:
Dancing with the girls to the Ronson/Winehouse version of "Valerie" all over the front of Fiddlesticks at 8 pm last night. Wedding "do" playlist please!

Rabbit in Your Headlights

I went to Scottsdale for work last week. The hotel was really nice, but the rabbits were a little scary. At night there'd be clusters of them in the dark waiting to jump me, it was super creepy.

I left the hotel at 4:30 am to go to the airport. Flight was fine, but when I landed the car never showed. I called and they said the flight didn't land till 4:45 pm. Well, actually, no dipshits, it landed at 1:45 pm as scheduled and I am standing in the freezing cold, ugh!!!

Saw the Bing girls for Sherri's birthday that night at Divine Bar, then went for food at Vinyl with Vicki and Thom. There was a Vanilla Ice doll on display hehe.

Yesterday I got woken up at 8:30 am by a hang up phone call. It was Saturday errand day and I did nothing but catch up on all of my DVRed shows after the gym. I also watched Eagle vs. Shark which was aiight.

Today I went to the West Village for brunch with Kat, Ryan, and Sanj because he's in town for the week. We went to Off the Wagon after for some pitchers. Yeah Sunday drinks in the pub!

Dave is coming for a visit on Thursday (woohoo!!) I'm looking for fun things to do. Ideas I am considering (that primarily include food):

- Peanut Butter Co.
- Long Island Day (show him wedding venue, hotel, etc.)
- Dinners with various peeps
- Possible football match (but prob on Fox Soccer Channel in the apt.)
- Ghetto 1st ave. Indian food
- Flight of the Conchords Season 2 marathon
- Scavenger hunt led by Ryan's dude
- Greenpoint warehouse giggage

Any other ideas?

If I hear about school snow days tomorrow one more time I'm going to throw the TV out the window.

Oscar Predictions 2009!

Lead Actor - Sean Penn
Lead Actress - Kate Winslet
Supporting Actor - Heath Ledger
Supporting Actress - Viola Davis
Animated - Wall-E
Foreign - Waltz with Bashir
Costume - Duchess
Make-Up - Benjamiun Button
Song - "Down to Earth"
Director - Slumdog
Screenplay - In Bruges
Adapted Screenplay - Slumdog
Best Picture - Slumdog

Everything's Coming Up Roses

I woke up at 9 again this morning. I don't like to sleep late because I feel like I'm wasting the day, but this is getting ridiculous.

So, I went to Bagel Express and had one of these:

But the dude forgot to put this on which mad me mad!

Now I'm watching this:

Which is kind of what I look like right now.

My favorite movie fight scene:

Though this one is pretty good too:

Hugh still has the best hair ever.

Just to show off my Martha Stewart skills, check out my Super Bowl spread:

I went here for the first time on Friday: I felt like such a fatass after devouring a bag full of crap that I went here afterwards:

Yesterday morning (again I had woken up at 9 am), I did a load of errands and when I came back there were a few bouquets in the lobby. There were lavender roses that were gorgeous and I was thinking I'd never seen roses that color and how I wish they were for me. About 2 hrs later I got a call that Meghan received flowers so I went down to get them for her, and they were actually for me - and it was the that same bouquet! I took a photo bc I love them so much:Last night, Heather, Liz, and I went to one of the Indian (well, Bangladeshi actually) restaurants on 1st Ave. in the East Village. I can't believe how ridiculous this place was - there were tacky chili pepper lights strung throughout the place, some weird dancy Happy Birthday song would play when people were celebrating, I had to shimmy sideways just to get to the table, and they practically ran us out of the restaurant for taking to long to drink our BYOB wine. When we left, the guy at the door was like bye thanks! and physically pushed me out the door! At least it was only $15 per person for the whole meal. Whatevs, I still need to take Dave to one of these places because they're so ridiculous.We went to 2nd on 2nd for karaoke which I hadn't done in almost a year. I was so excited, they actually had 2 of the 3 songs I've been dying to do at karaoke that I never thought I'd find anywhere. I did "Foundations" (Kate Nash) - not very good and kind of sounded like a Valentine's Day rage song, but at least it has a good beat for those who didn't know it. I can't do a "mockney" accent to save my life (not that I could do a proper one either.)

Then I did "Can't Get Along (Without You)" (Hard-Fi) which made me super excited because I've been wanting to belt that for months. And belt I did!! A guy in the crowd even gave me a rose after my performance.

I'm about to talk to Dave on this:

I'm planning on being lame and watch movies all day (10 Things I Hate About You is next.) Then step class, and later, I may be going to a party to celebrate this: