It has been an interesting Christmas. A lot of odd things have happened and people breaking presents rules making me feel bad--either spending too much or getting presents for people when we had agreed to refrain from buying presents...awkward.
I still love Christmas! Midnight mass at the Cathedral was the definition of AWESOME! I love the strings and the brass and the acoustics in there. Phenomenal.
In case you missed it, this is actually a pretty quality version, and the parts are linked within the video so you can move on and see the whole thing. LOVED this special.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Office Party
While I do not really have an office, we still had a party. Let me tell you, it was epic. We played games. And everyone who did not already know found out (much to their horror as we stared down a 25 pound ham) that I am vegan. I hate that conversation enough, but in a group setting...awful. I took my own advise and refrained from consuming vodka water with lemon all night and instead went for Rum and Cider, emphasis on the Rum. When the cider ran out, I switched to coke. Far inferior, I should think.
Toi, this came-up on MSN's top 5 stories the Tuesday after your holiday party, so I am sorry that I could not share it before your experience. Of course, it sounds like you did just fine, and most of this is common sense, though I like the one about your boss's husband and the bit about the too-drunk co-worker. Like they'll want to sit and have a drink of water. Good luck, Chuck.
ANYway, the best thing about the holiday party is that it got me out of Neener's bachelorette party. w00t! I love Neener and despite what my blog may convey, we *are* friends, but I do not feel the need to play "Guess who bought Neener these panties" and I am generally good with skipping the games where you suck on popsicle penises (MMMono is likely asking: how is that really different from a regular popsicle? I do not know, nor do I care to find out). And, friends, these are only the things that I *imagine* they were doing. I am sure it was far worse.
I popped in for one drink. Neener was already completely shit faced, and then I went to a very, very chill party and nearly fell asleep because I was all wound and liquered-up, so what else could I do in the face of watching a movie that I had already seen a bazillion times, no matter how much I love it?
Success!
Toi, this came-up on MSN's top 5 stories the Tuesday after your holiday party, so I am sorry that I could not share it before your experience. Of course, it sounds like you did just fine, and most of this is common sense, though I like the one about your boss's husband and the bit about the too-drunk co-worker. Like they'll want to sit and have a drink of water. Good luck, Chuck.
ANYway, the best thing about the holiday party is that it got me out of Neener's bachelorette party. w00t! I love Neener and despite what my blog may convey, we *are* friends, but I do not feel the need to play "Guess who bought Neener these panties" and I am generally good with skipping the games where you suck on popsicle penises (MMMono is likely asking: how is that really different from a regular popsicle? I do not know, nor do I care to find out). And, friends, these are only the things that I *imagine* they were doing. I am sure it was far worse.
I popped in for one drink. Neener was already completely shit faced, and then I went to a very, very chill party and nearly fell asleep because I was all wound and liquered-up, so what else could I do in the face of watching a movie that I had already seen a bazillion times, no matter how much I love it?
Success!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Size Matters
As I am sure you are all aware, I am the bestest clearance rack shopper EVER! I rock the socks off with my awesome skillz.
So, here I am at a random department store, combing through the clearance rack (which was ginormous for it being to close/far from Christmas) in the Juniors’ department. I refuse to shop in the old lady section, even if I do get to wear a smaller size there and everything is work appropriate. I don’t know how frequently you shop clearance, but you certainly cannot trust the size indicated on the hanger and everything is jammed in super tight and not so attractively displayed, so sometimes you must just go by color and pull things out to look at them if they seem even quasi promising.
So I pull out this dress that’s light purple on top and black on the bottom and it looks about my size, so I read the tag: X SMALL. It looks about right, though, so I am confused. I decide to put it in my pile of “to try on in fitting room” and continue browsing along my merry way. Throughout the clearance rack I pull some larges and extra larges, my normal Junior Department size, and proceed to the fitting room. The L’s and XL’s were too big, so I went back for Mediums, which fit fine. That X SMALL dress? Totally fit. Super cute. Bought it.
WTF, Junior Size chart? I have complained vocally before about being at “XL” because I am an average size, but you actually listened to me? I know that I have not changed sizes, so either the measurements have changed, or each brand has its own sizing. I am relatively certain that it is the later, which is just annoying. I would like to once again vocalize that we should have the same sizing scheme as Men’s clothing. Pants should be by waist and inseam. Dresses should reflect your bust and hip measurements. I am okay with S/M/L for tops, but why can’t we have a common size across brands. I am sick of being a Small and NYC and a Medium at Old Navy and having to **remember** that for every store that I ever shop at, even if I just want a plain colored long-sleeve shirt. This is not to mention pants sizing. My father has suggested that some stores are intentionally low to raise sales: if you fit into a "smaller" size, you are likely to return there. Of course, this is just confusing when I am a 6 or 7 in one store and a 13 in another. It's just awkward to keep sizing up and the sales people think you are delusional for wanting a 7 when you have such broad, child-bearing hips.
Size matters. Not for my self esteem, but for my convenience and enjoyment of the shopping experience. Can we at least post the sizing chart like online stores so that I can just figure it out that way?
Get your shit straight, American clothing producers--I am not the insane one.
So, here I am at a random department store, combing through the clearance rack (which was ginormous for it being to close/far from Christmas) in the Juniors’ department. I refuse to shop in the old lady section, even if I do get to wear a smaller size there and everything is work appropriate. I don’t know how frequently you shop clearance, but you certainly cannot trust the size indicated on the hanger and everything is jammed in super tight and not so attractively displayed, so sometimes you must just go by color and pull things out to look at them if they seem even quasi promising.
So I pull out this dress that’s light purple on top and black on the bottom and it looks about my size, so I read the tag: X SMALL. It looks about right, though, so I am confused. I decide to put it in my pile of “to try on in fitting room” and continue browsing along my merry way. Throughout the clearance rack I pull some larges and extra larges, my normal Junior Department size, and proceed to the fitting room. The L’s and XL’s were too big, so I went back for Mediums, which fit fine. That X SMALL dress? Totally fit. Super cute. Bought it.
WTF, Junior Size chart? I have complained vocally before about being at “XL” because I am an average size, but you actually listened to me? I know that I have not changed sizes, so either the measurements have changed, or each brand has its own sizing. I am relatively certain that it is the later, which is just annoying. I would like to once again vocalize that we should have the same sizing scheme as Men’s clothing. Pants should be by waist and inseam. Dresses should reflect your bust and hip measurements. I am okay with S/M/L for tops, but why can’t we have a common size across brands. I am sick of being a Small and NYC and a Medium at Old Navy and having to **remember** that for every store that I ever shop at, even if I just want a plain colored long-sleeve shirt. This is not to mention pants sizing. My father has suggested that some stores are intentionally low to raise sales: if you fit into a "smaller" size, you are likely to return there. Of course, this is just confusing when I am a 6 or 7 in one store and a 13 in another. It's just awkward to keep sizing up and the sales people think you are delusional for wanting a 7 when you have such broad, child-bearing hips.
Size matters. Not for my self esteem, but for my convenience and enjoyment of the shopping experience. Can we at least post the sizing chart like online stores so that I can just figure it out that way?
Get your shit straight, American clothing producers--I am not the insane one.
Monday, December 13, 2010
World Travelling: local outlook
Oh, God! It's almost been a month. Epic fail. Aussie is apparently not allowed to have a blog any more, since she can't keep this one alive.
I talked to most of you about travels, so I'll save that post for after I have gone through the 1,427 pictures that I took. Nope, didn't make that number up. Actual number of pictures that I took. At one point, my brother said "I think you have enough pictures to prove that you've been here." He later suggested that I use a picture 360 program to get a digital moodel of the Colloseum. I am considering this strongly.
In terrifying news, the person in charge of watering my plants at work failed me miserably. My spider plant is brown and sad. I am taking it home so that it can be nursed back to health. I haven’t even had it long enough to name it! I think it is a “her”, though, as they have babies.
I have also started to plan my spring break (woo hoo!), as travelling always gives me the travel bug. As does reading about travel. And hearing about travel. And being reminded of anything that links back to previous travels. Basically, I like to travel. I am currently on a quest to visit all 50 states. This is going to be epic. I have yet to determine the time line here, but I am thinking that within the next five years is very do-able. I am also considering what fulfills the criteria of visiting that will allow me to check it off of the list. Let’s vote:
A. Having spent the night and visited the major city
B. Visited the major city or attraction, not necessarily spent the night
C. Having eaten a meal in the state
D. Having seen 5 out of 10 of the major attractions of the state
E. Varies by state, based on a composite of geographic area and percentage of Republicans with guns
Depending on what criteria we use, I have anywhere from 8-19 states already done!
I talked to most of you about travels, so I'll save that post for after I have gone through the 1,427 pictures that I took. Nope, didn't make that number up. Actual number of pictures that I took. At one point, my brother said "I think you have enough pictures to prove that you've been here." He later suggested that I use a picture 360 program to get a digital moodel of the Colloseum. I am considering this strongly.
In terrifying news, the person in charge of watering my plants at work failed me miserably. My spider plant is brown and sad. I am taking it home so that it can be nursed back to health. I haven’t even had it long enough to name it! I think it is a “her”, though, as they have babies.
I have also started to plan my spring break (woo hoo!), as travelling always gives me the travel bug. As does reading about travel. And hearing about travel. And being reminded of anything that links back to previous travels. Basically, I like to travel. I am currently on a quest to visit all 50 states. This is going to be epic. I have yet to determine the time line here, but I am thinking that within the next five years is very do-able. I am also considering what fulfills the criteria of visiting that will allow me to check it off of the list. Let’s vote:
A. Having spent the night and visited the major city
B. Visited the major city or attraction, not necessarily spent the night
C. Having eaten a meal in the state
D. Having seen 5 out of 10 of the major attractions of the state
E. Varies by state, based on a composite of geographic area and percentage of Republicans with guns
Depending on what criteria we use, I have anywhere from 8-19 states already done!
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