news of the weekend

1. Congrats to the Grant Family on the new addition: Adam John. Sammy Sam is doing well too, I hear. I'm glad Elizabeth tells everyone it is her baby!
   
2. I got my Christmas tree up yesterday whilst drinking hot apple cider and cooking. No picture because it looks exactly the same as last year! Presents are already under it :)
3. I got a little more seafood in my life over the holiday weekend, including calamari on Saturday in Chinatown.
4. I got to see New Moon again this weekend, and yes I decided I officially like it (except for the cheesey tween parts).
   
5. No cross country trip this week.....booooo!!! No extra cash and afraid it will push me over the Lupus ledge. Sad.
6. Got to have a couple beers with Brian on Saturday night once he got back from MN!
   
7. Had a great gobble gobble gobble weekend!
   

music of the moment

Soooo I wasn't a fan at first but Owl City has slowly grown on me....turns out they started in MN, so of course I'm more on board so that we are supporting those Minnesotans!!!

Here is the most popular song now, which is OK, but some of their other stuff is better:

things that make for a happy holiday

Here are some of the things that make for a good holiday weekend up herrrre in DC:

1. Perfecting my gobble gobble gobble noise into the next octave (the ability to break glass will be a goal for next turkey day).
2. Watching Terri throw down her knife and folk to exclaim "AND NO ONE TOLD ME THERE WERE WALLEYE FINGERS!"
3. The asian shoe guy at Macy on Black Friday at 9 PM who asked me if he could go wash his hands while going crazy in the tornado that was the shoe department
4. Buying new brown boots! And brown tights!
5. Getting to catch up and visit with Yvonne
6. Shooting oysters, eating crab cakes and adding creamy mussels to my list (I've been trying mussels and carrot cake all over the country the last 6 months). Yum, good DC seafood!
7. Brazilian turkey day celebrations including two crazy old people named Fran and Joanna (yeah Fran is the husband)....no judgment.
   
8. Learning that some people have a more "friendly" walk than others.
9. Wondering if people think I'm a stalker because I'm friendly and welcoming in the morning :)
   
10. Getting to try about 40 different kinds of booze: 15 year old whiskey, san-bouka, french spicy business, and lots more!
    
11. Eating two a-mazing nights of steaks (real good beef, friends).
    
12. Seeing Blind Side, and being the only person I know who hasn't cried during the movie. Good movie and not as cheesy as I thought.
13. A wonderful dinner and drinks with Terri and Mark!
14. My apple pie was a hit.....ohhh and the pickle/ham roll-ups. I'm continuing to spread the pickle/ham goodness across the country, Seattle check, DC check....
15. Betty's navigation saved the day again after we looped around I-66 a couple times. You just have to laugh!
    

if you were a true runner

To all my friends who are runners,

If you were a 'true' runner you would consider running in Stiletto heels like these dedicated ladies!

Love,
LL

this year's ruby slippers

Ruby slippers are legendary thanks to the Wizard of Oz and each year designers reinvent those shoes. This year we are going with the invisible heel:



Don't worry these can't be added to your Christmas list because they are over $1000 and the designer is only making a total of 10 pairs!!!!

10 pairs, or 5 pairs with 10 shoes....way to make a demand!

craig making me laugh

Craig was making me laugh on Monday night with his opening about the weekend movie excitement:

I heart the muppets

Just in time for the holiday season, the Muppet Studio has produced another heart felt video. This time the Muppets are singing Queen!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!

If you can watch this without giggling a little, then you have no soul:



Momma, Momma.....

they call me martha facher

Well about once a year I pull a martha facher, put on my baking hat, and make a pie. When I make a pie, I typically like to go all out, making my own crust and cutting my own fruit. So last night I got motivated to make my Thanksgiving dessert....apple pie! And surprisingly it went really really well. The crust is always the most difficult but it went smoothly this time. I even got some designs in the top. Check it out:



Cooking goals for today include making the turkey day celebration appie, pickle ham roll-ups. YUM!!! The goal is not necessarily getting them made, but trying to stop myself from eating half of them while I make them! That shit is soooo good.

HAPPPY early turkey day!!!! gobble gobble gobble.

my turkey day prayer

Well PETA nailed it for me....this is what I say before every gobble gobble meal:

a new cville venue

Soooo since I've lived in Cville, they have been renovating the historic downtown Jefferson Theater. Well its grand opening is happening this weekend, and if I was in town I'd be all over Trees on Fire (who I hear are really good). I want to see pictures of the inside....but hopefully T and I will make it for a concert in the beginning of December.

Again, why is everything named about TJ???? Oh TJ you zexy bitch/slave owner, you.

I hope the local Cville scene can sustain all these new venues....

dirrrty unibomber

I'm like a dirrrty version of the unibomber this AM. Here I am, at my favorite coffee shop with a hooded sweatshirt, layering the stank. Like that jhole at the DMB concert last year, I probably look like a yellow version of the unibomber with my hood up. I don't need people to recognize me! But I doubt that the unibomber listened to Luciano Pavarotti or worked on manuscripts that describe children's behaviors across preschool activity settings. He did probably stink though!

Will someone finish this paper for me please?

Focus LL, focus.

where pumpkin pie comes from

Thanks B, love it!



Now you'll be sitting down for your turkey day dinner and be thinking about this....

Making an apple pie tonight for my turkey day celebration!

I'm not the only ashamed adult

I just read a crazy funny article about adults who are ashamed they are addicted to tweeny books. I'm one of those people! First it was tweens, then it was twi-moms and then it was the rest of us. This was a great quote:

"One minute you're a functioning member of society, the next you're succumbing to the dark side, wondering how deep you're willing to go -- and what that longing says about you."

HAHAHA, that is perfect! Apparently older women (cougars, teheh) are really into the books too, since WA Post and CNN find this newsworthy. You avoid the books for years and then someone gives you a copy and before you know it you are missing work to read....this madness isn't going away in the next two years (but I'm hoping it leaves me soon).

my new fav ring

Sooo here is a stocking stuffer I can get on board with.....floating rings are all the rage (well probably not but they still sort of crack me up). I would snap this shit off before I could even make it to whatever event I was attending....happy hour, the club, work....none the less I would still attempt to rock it:

performance of the night

The AMAs were last night and the performance of the night was a tie between Adam Lambert's performance (not convincing me you don't want to be the poster child for the gays) and this:



I vote for this one, although I've already admitted I'm in LOVE with J and this song.

it's like a great simpson episode

So D forwarded me this list of professional names, which was discussed and laughed about much during HH this week, that are slightly dirty....after reading it and seeing photographic evidence, I can't help but thinking this is a really GOOD episode of the Simpsons. Like Bart would call the bar and ask for all these people just so Moe would yell it out!!! Ahhh good times.

My favorites:

1. Prof. Fuck (pronounced Fcuk probably like that damn clothing company in the UK)
2. Sally Mangina (yep she is most likely a lesbian)
3. Prof. Assmann (clearly I like the academic names because those make me giggle a little more)
4. Ben Dover (hahahah, and it says "a name you can trust" hahahahah)

Maybe someone can come up with a name like reach-around or butt humper...

sarah made an opps

Palin has been promoting her new book and going rogue all across the US the last couple weeks. Well recently during a stop in Indiana she didn't end up by signing all her fans books, after many people waited in line for hours (apparently everyone is waiting in lines this weekend with books and movies, and black friday coming). Listen to the crowd get upset outside her tour bus....yikes don't piss off the Hoosiers:

more bothered

I can't believe how Jimmy Fallon hasn't been sucking it up on late night as much as I originally thought. He did steal some of my favorite blog writers for his staff. Anywho, you know I love this series:

music of the moment

Norah Jones has released a new album and the first song is entitled Chasing Pirates!!!! ARrrrrggggghhhhh. I want to chase pirates....I bet I would win too because I have two good legs and eyes. I would be cooler if I had a peg leg or an eye patch, but it won't work well in the chase:

got mine

Officially got my tickets for the new movie this weekend. I'm NOT going to state it again because it is just too shameful for a grown women to.....ANYWAYS, I'm aiming to go later in the weekend so I won't be tempted to see it twice in one weekend. Over the holidays Betty and I will go again too :)

Should make for a better weekend of happy hours, yoga, Curry school appreciation events, and feeding my movie series addiction!!!

Shameful, I know. For all those haters, I thought this was funny (besides the gay reference):

new LFA video

Check it out...the Lupus Foundation is getting more techie, good work:



I'm a WAYYYY better narrator than that lady! She is looking above the camera!!!! Makes it look like she has crazy eyes (at least I disguise mine).

Thanks Sara!

crime on campus

I just got an email about some serious crime occurring on campus, and some not as serious crime....OK OK all invasion of people's right is "crime" but I found this report more humorous than serious (I know I'm going to hell):

"...to a male who has been seen in the stacks in Alderman Library loitering for long periods, and who has allegedly attempted to look up the dress of one or more female students."

I know of the "stacks" as a popular place for college students to get busy, so of course there are probably nerdy creeps trying to look up girls skirts. Did the guy have a stack of books in his hands, bottle cap glasses, and a pocket protector????? I might so bold to suggest that perhaps these UVA girls shouldn't be wearing stiletto heels and short skirts in NOVEMBER!!! Just a suggestion....

tehehehe library mc-creeps. LOVE IT!!!

team goat

I'm officially on team goat!!!! We have had repeated incidents of goat riding buses lately.....I'm not sure what it means but this appearance is a little more disturbing. Pretty soon parents are going to be worried about "goat flu" with these furry family friends befriending their children:



Goats are in every aspect of my life lately!

I'm a big weiner

So I met with my financial adviser this morning and it turns out that I actually made money in my portfolio last year. I was shocked at this because the economy has been in the shitter, but apparently others also did fairly well. Anywho, let's all take a moment that I actually am saving money---no less making money! We made some new investments that will hopefully make me a big weiner for this coming year as well!!!

One conversation which cracked me up was when he was trying to get me to save MORE money, and I said I need to look at my budget of "clothing and booze." I found this humorous whereas he didn't as much. Most men spend their money on women and booze, me...retail therapy and booze! OK maybe I should plan for my future better, one that doesn't include drinking.....

couple more days....shameful

OK it is positively shameful that I'm such a tween, twi-addict, vamp fan. I can hardly admit it. But last night I watched the live US red carpet premiere for New Moon along with 120,000 other fans around the world. It was fine, nothing exciting, but I did have to point out my favorite fan sign. I couldn't have said it better:

Amen sister. I'd take them both. Movie out in just 2 more days. I'm going to try to only see it once this weekend and once over Thanksgiving.

for all us academics

So Betty has officially got me addicted to the Big Bang Theory....as we have been watching the first season all this weekend. All the academic talk that no normal person understands, makes me laugh. And how the four guys like all the star wars and superman and video games.

Can't wait to get the other seasons and continue the marathon over Christmas....

music of the moment

Another older album in rotation, Kate Havnevik:



How hard do you think it was to film that video????

my helga is moving...

Well it is official, all my lovers are all grown up and changing their lives. Who ever would have that thought that Brian would have left MN, and now he is talking about a CA move. And to boot, my Helga has officially accepted a position in San Fran and will be moving from MN within two weeks. Who is going to rub my butt when I'm in MN now? (guess I'll have to settle for crazy grandma).

a BIG CONGRATS to my butt humping friend, who is doing what is best for her, even through it means a promotion to lead telemarketer. Can't wait to visit and reenact some of the scenes from Full House where we lean off the trolleys!! Can we eat sourdough bread too?

XOXOXOX

music of the moment

I know that this is one of Regina's older songs, but I love love it and it keeps coming back into my rotation:

some "r & r"?

I'm not sure I really am that good at getting some "R & R" (i.e., rest and relaxation). After years of yoga, I'm much better--but during a class last week they read a paragraph about how R&R is not a state but a process or something more meaningful than that :) A constant process....

Anyways I was just thinking about this morning because I'm a workaholic. It is ingrained in my blood (hello, have you met my fam?). I'm suppose to be relaxing today but I'm already doing some work. Don't worry through I'll dick around today and tomorrow some!

So I'm in my DC home wearing my MN sweats, with my MSU alum mug (that is not a shot glass and has a handle that I can really grib on), drinking tea and thoroughly enjoying the wonders of the internets and cable. I will get outside today and go for a run on the flats. Yesterday Betty and I went for a long walk (did you know that I love cities with water in them?---urban canhooing) And this morning it was amazing seeing the sun rise over the Potomac and the national monuments.....

headline of the weekend

"Goats try to hitch a ride on the C-Tran in Vancouver"

found her dress

That is a hot wedding dress for A:

mayo drama

Soooo I had no idea there was all this drama going down right now between my beloved Colbert (the "t" is silent) and the Miracle Whip company. It all started here last month:

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The Mayo-lution Will Not Be Televised
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor U.S. Speedskating

THEN Miracle Whip responding with a letter, a challenge, and buying out all the commercials during yesterday's show (can't anyone confirm this?). I did not personally see the show, but I did read this letter which was published in multiple newspapers from the their BOLD MARKETING team. I believe the next move is yours Mr. Colbert....

Can't wait to see what happens next!!!

beavers!!!

So a guest appearance by a Beaver on the CBS morning show recently ended in someone getting peed on! Check it out:


Watch CBS News Videos Online

I just couldn't resist talking about beavers and showing videos of them clearly unhappy they are on a sound stage in NYC.

great minds think alike

So every TH, T and I work out together which roughly equates to us sweating some and mostly gossiping. Occasionally the work out turns into a chattie chat over wine, or a walk with wine! I have no complaints here :)

BUT yesterday we walked out of the office, and looked at each other for the first time all day. We had exactly the same outfits on!!! From bottom to top: black boots, purple tights, black skirt, and a purple shirt. How funny is that shit? Apparently great minds think alike.



T, my sexy bitch of a twin. I like it. Good work.

PS, I'm unconsciously sending you signals as to what I'm wearing today....try to match it!!!

TV viewing up

So the Neilson TV ratings announced this year's results, which I participated in earlier in the year. All I know is they sent me money and I filled out surveys on my television viewing, which included 3 shows: NCIS, Grey's Anatomy and This Week with that sezy George S.

Perhaps I was an outlier for these results, because my television watching definitely hasn't increased. Since I moved to VA it has dynamically decreased--hazards of a new lifestyle, no cable, and an intolerance for commercials and the marketing industry.

Dear Neilson, please send me money again next year and I'll happily be that odd single girl who doesn't watch TV in fears it is sucking the little bit of brain cells she still has left (was a glue sniffer).

hi, how are you?

So when in Austin a last month on a epic trip, we spotted this mural on the Gauadadaluuuppee Drag (I don't speak Spanish---or English for that matter, so I will always say this wrong):



After a little research, it turns out that this is a historical and iconic mural. The artist passed away and the city of Austin has decided to keep it up. Rolling Stone mag even wrote it up! Turns out Kurt Cobain wrote this T-shirt during the 1992 MTV VMAs. We saw the building and all the t-shirt being sold by the street vendors (anyone want to stay with me in my 3 story house by an expensive restaurant? just wondering).

So.....hi, how are you?

I'm fine, thanks for asking....looking forward to a DC trip this weekend :)

she continues to amaze

The new Gaga Vid....a-mazing:

the only thing keeping me on the ledge

This picture was the only thing yesterday that was keeping me on the ledge....made me laugh and laugh. Then after 8 hours of filming I went for a long run to sweat off the entire day of green screens.

I wish I lived in London so I could walk by this:

hahahah

THIS made me laugh:

my new goals

I've got a couple new goals I'm working towards:

1. I'm growing my hair out to donate it for a wig. Perhaps I'll donate it to Locks of Love or another organization. I figure someday I'll need to wear a wig (although I was close 2 years ago) and I might as well pay it forward now. Plus it is a good incentive to keep myself healthy. I'm working towards 10 inches straight from tip to tip!
2. My winter project is going to include sewing some new outfits. Last winter I painted my apartment (no one tell my landlords), and this year I've decided to get creative with my fiber artist self.
   
3. I vow to make a pot 'o soup every week. I love soup in the fall/winter. This is already something I do pretty regularly, but I think I'm going to aim towards some new recipes. Yesterday I made this pork sausage, white bean, and white broth creation. It isn't half bad, partly because I'm still using the green peppers from my garden this summer! (plus that red crock potter is amazing!)
4. On the cooking note, I'm going to try to start perfecting my baking skillz, which leave much to be desired. I need to start working on my next career as a cake maker/decorator! Watch out for the cakes and bread forthcoming.
   
5. Read, read, read. Someone get me addicted to a new book series, please!
6. I'm going to start boxing more at the gym. I think this will be a good winter cardio to replace my random outdoor runs. After my first class last week with T & Katie, I've decided that every once and awhile I need to hook and jab out my frustrations (plus you know what that does for your back muscles?). Plus I love the idea of wrapping up your wrists and getting into the zone of a hard workout with music blaring.
   

a work weekend

So Friday night I hosted a teacher focus group till about 7 pm. Grrrr. But the good thing was it went really well, in the sense we got alot of good feedback. BUT not as well in the sense it gave me alot of work to get done before we begin filming on the green screen again first thing Monday morning.

Yesterday I spent 7 hours in the office revising scripts and finding new videos. And I only got 1 module done! Today I'm starting earlier to complete the 2nd module, in hopes of getting out of here in the daylight to go for a run. This means I might take these work days and apply it to a longer weekend next week (perhaps a DC visit?).

To get myself motivated this morning I made a fabulous cilantro denver egg scramble, and brought some pumpkin soup to tide me over all afternoon. And if you didn't think that was weird I also was listening to Christmas music this morning. Wish me luck!

I rarely have a soul in my eyes

So Rihanna has been promoting her new album quite alot lately. Her promotional tour includes finally going public and talking about her previous relationship with Chris Brown. For those who have been living under a rock since last March, there was a major incident where Mr. Brown beat her up. He was arrested and convicted, and Rihanna has remained very professional about that experience.

Don't misinterpret what I'm saying here....I don't have a problem with her coming forward to talk about Domestic Violence, and the seriousness of any form of violence. I actually applaud her for her countless bravery in standing up at his trail and being an advocate for women. BUT I think using it as a means of promoting your new album is different.

I'm not sure I like the idea of doing an interview about your experience with abuse and then after a commercial performing your new hit single! These two things could be considered more separate.

Rihanna has been quoted saying that Chris had "no soul in his eyes." Then she got up and said "buy my album".....(well not really but the implication was there).

forgetting something important

So I've been walking out of the house lately forgetting something important each day. What did I forget today, you ask???? Deodorant (must remember to apply at lunch, must remember). Good thing it was a shower day for me so I am refreshed and not having to layer the stank like I normally do.

Wednesday I believe I forgot to brush my teeth. Tuesday I forgot my coffee. Recently I forgot my phone. I'm slightly worried soon I'll start forgetting keys which will NOT be a good thing.

I may need a little down time (Is it thanksgiving yet?) to rest my brain. OR I may have to start tattooing myself, like in Memento, to remember the minor things in my life!

queen remixed

So those amazing immates are at it again, not MJ this time, but Queen!!! Makes me want to put their greatest hits on for a Thursday office jam mix. Check this out, you have to love the tut-toos:

grey's is still good

So GA went through a year or two of crappy writing and it is back....I've been thoroughly enjoying this season. The music is still great and there are this moments of classical instrumental pieces which I love. Case and point, check out this scene which gave me human bumps:

election day

1 year ago it was a mad mad day with BO and McCain.....remember that business???? I remember going for a run at 6 AM to my polling place :)

I voted today. I hope you did too.

Jimmy does bothered again

Jimmy did another "bothered" skit the other night which cracked me up:

I'll sponsor the Olympics

I heart Stephen Colbert. He is brilliant. Yesterday he announced that he is going to be sponsoring the USA Olympic speedskating team!!!! The previous sponsor pulled their endorsement, so Colbert Nation stepped up to raise some money. As Stephen said: "On their enormous, billboard thighs, it will say, "Colbert Nation" Crap I can't wait to watch how much he plays this up....

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Sport Report - NYC Marathon & Olympic Speedskating
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Religion

bats are lose

So during the Spurs / Kings NBA game on Halloween night, there was a real bat that got into the stadium. It kept flying around during the game, and then the thing got some balls and flew closer to the court. This wasn't a good idea because of the forwards just swatted the shit of that bat. He was like BO with that fly....cat-like reflects!

Check out the video:



Happy Halloween!!!!

thank you for being a friend

I love Golden Girls just like the next person, but this would not have been the Tattoo I choose during the Austin trip.....

And this is some dude's arm!

I like to sing the opening song when I'm drunk: thank you for being a friend!!!

walken cracks me up

That Christopher Walken just cracks me up....case and point, Wedding Crashers.

a good weekend for MN

SOooo it was a GREAT weekend for all my MN-related teams. The UMN came back to beat my second favorite time, MSU on Saturday afternoon. Sorry Ma, Pa and Terri, who made the trip to Minney for the game. Sorry we had to win!!! We have to take anything we can :) Hope you enjoyed the new stadium through. I think I got a drunken yell from my little goat in MI!!! Sorry girl, us rodent gophers are scappy :)

And yesterday the Vikings were in Green Bay with Favre returning home, and to both D and my surprise, they played pretty decent. It is always great to upset those damn cheddar heads. Defense almost gave us a heart attack in the second half but we hung on to our lead for a big W!!! Favre did pretty well all game despite the boos :) Who ever would have thought that the Viks would be having such a good year!!!

Today did a good chewy

I wonder if he can make the noise like my Brian can (thank B for all the good chewy laughs lately):

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the new vid

Finally, Jay and A released their new video:


Jay-Z - "Empire State Of Mind" ft. Alicia Keys

Jay-Z | MySpace Video