It's Friday...Office Birthdays

When someone has to be in the office on their birthday, you do your best to make it good. This generally means decorating with whatever leftover decor you have from other parties, ordering pizza for lunch and giving them a card filled with insults from their coworkers. At least that's how it goes around here.

D was already scheduled to recieve a new office chair, so we thought, what better way to celebrate his birthday than with his brand spanking new chair?

We had Halloween decorations and 30th birthday spiral hanging things so we said "eh, they'll do" (even though D is turning 56, not 30) and slapped them all over his chair.

We also had a contractor in a box.

Nothing says "I love seeing you more than I see my own family and trying to complete impossible projects with you, procrastinating with you and raging against the machine with you" than the office birthday.

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Dagnabit, candy corn!

"The worst thing about Halloween is, of course, candy corn. It's unbelievable to me. Candy corn is the only candy in the history of America that's never been advertised. And there's a reason. All of the candy corn that was ever made was made in 1911. And so, since nobody eats that stuff, every year there's a ton of it left over. And the candy corn company sends the guys to the villages and they collect out of the dumpsters all the candy corn we've thrown away. They wash it!! They wash it!

I'll never forget the first time my mother gave me candy corn. She said, "Here - Lewis, this is candy corn. It's corn that tastes like candy". [high pitched sound] This tastes like crap! And every year since then, Halloween has returned and I, like an Alzheimer's patient, find myself in the room, and the room has a big table in it, and on the table is a bowl of candy corn. And I look at it as if I've never seen it before. "Candy corn", I think. "Corn that tastes like candy. I can't wait". Son of a bitch!!

-- comedian Lewis Black, from The Daily Show"

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1) I love Lewis Black. He speaks the truth in a very angry manner that I find amusing.

2) I actually feel the exact opposite as he does about Candy Corn, and I'm mad at it because I ate too much of it. So I'm really mad at myself, but let us agree to place the blame on candy corn.

It tastes deliciously syrupy, since it's mostly made of sugar and chemical dyes. Plus, it comes in little bites and so you take a few because hey, a few bites can't be that bad for you, how many calories can be in something that's only .5 inches long? And then you mindlessly eat them and they're delicious, and then it's like well, I'd better get another handful since they only come out once a year. And by then you have consumed five handfuls and your stomach is revolted by the saccharine sweetness and you realize you made a really big mistake.



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And then the next day someone puts out a new bowl of candy corn and you know what? It only comes out once a year, so...

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Overheard in...DC

On the Metro at rush hour last evening. Two parents are frantically trying to keep their little boy and girl with them in the crush and ensure they all get on the same train together.

Little boy, poking his sister: "I know what the carpet tastes like."

Dad: "...and we don't need to find out again do we? Don't lick the carpet."

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Three days off. Here's what I have to show for it (hint: not much).

I am coming down off of a 3 day weekend and its always hard to come back to work but I shall persevere. 

Friday after a doctor's appointment I had lunch and went shopping with my mom. The kittens were the big winners from that trip as I got them lots of toys.

Cuddles with his new squishy.

A little high off the catnip mice.

Being off also meant I got to wear comfy clothes and indulge my new found passion for leggings.

Saturday we slept late and did a short hike to a local little waterfall.

The shirt I got him in Hawai'i.

B took me to Famous Dave's for dinner since I love BBQ but have never been there. Let me tell you, it was worth it. I had a delicious pulled pork sandwich WITH COLESLAW ON IT (I am big on food mixing) and broccoli that I chose because I felt like it was the healthy option but it was really, really good so I'm pretty sure it must've been smothered in butter but oh well.

This weekend also marked the return of the Mickey Mouse antennae topper.

Also this:

                                                        

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This is a rant.

Last night there was a storm that rolled through D.C. and B-more. It knocked out the signals along the train tracks. It resulted in a 3 hour train ride home, during which I really had to pee but was reluctant to give up my seat so I just held it and squirmed. As we neared the 2 hour mark of sitting with strangers in a tin can my Nook's battery light started blinking. No! I screamed silently to myself. For what would I do without entertainment? Stare out the window and get increasingly angry, most likely. Not that I wasn't already angry. Especially when the conductor kept getting on the intercom to ask us to "please be patient." I'm being patient now stop asking me to because every time you do Iwanttopunchyouintheface. I finally made it home around 8 p.m., giving me just enough time to eat, shower, and go to bed so I could get up and do it all over again this morning.

 

Then this morning, there were still train problems, resulting in a 3 hour commute back in to work, and leaving me with 2 hours to make up out of my own time. At one point the conductor actually announced that the engineers were "talking about moving the train." Id've laughed if I didn't feel like cryin'. Once I got to D.C. the Metro was all effed up, but I did finally make it to work.

 

Now, I try to keep my perspective about these things. It wasn't anyone's fault we got stuck, and the conductors were doing all they could to get us home (after all, they had to get home too). And having a commute means I have a job right? Right.

 

That's part of the problem. See, there's no one to be angry at. I'm stuck on a train with hundreds of other strangers who work in D.C. and thus usually think that they are more important than everyone else and have to get home/to work on time, as if the rest of us don't, and...I just have to shut up and take it. I'm at the mercy of the train once I step aboard, and there's nothing I can do about it. And while I tell myself that there are many, many reasons why this isn't a big deal (it means I have a job, I live in one of the most prosperous nations in the world, I have the privilege to take a comfortable train to work, etc.), the moral of the story is: I'm still pissed off. And I wish there was someone to whom I could direct my anger so I could just punch them in the face and feel better.

 

End rant.

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Grati-Tuesday (including video!)

1. Laying in bed, luxuriating in the twilight that is the hazy time right before you fall asleep, and B just whispers "our life is awesome."

2. Weather where I can break out my leggings and its considered appropriate.

                                              

3. The Muppets are having a moment and I couldn't be more pleased to see them back. Witness here the Fraggles crashing Ben Folds Five's new single:



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What weekends are for.

This weekend was absolutely fabulous. Saturday after I got my beauty sleep (this is key to weekend happiness) we took a stroll down a winding mile or so trail that leads to an old mill town by the river.

Just last month two girls were killed when a train overturned as they sat on the edge of this trestle bridge (not a recommended activity, btw. Best to stay away from train tracks in general, as a rule) and its load of coal was dumped on top of them. Today there is barely any trace of the accident. How quickly we move on, though those girls' families lives were changed forever.

Up the hill from the bridge is a little cafe called Bean Hollow. When we take the trail B and I like to grab a table and a coffee and just people watch for a little while. It's always an eclectic group: older couples, new, teenage couples, parents with their kids decked out in soccer gear, a couple of motorcycle riders. It feels comforting that we all partake in this little ritual together, though our lives are so different. Maybe the world would be a better place if we all had time to sat down and had coffee together...



Spiced Caramel Apple Latte



B and a Maple Bar Mocha.

B opened a small drawer in the table we were sitting at and found an awesome cache of napkins on which people had written notes. Kind of like a local Post Secret. Napkin Secret. Some were sweet, some were silly, and some were heartrendingly sad. It was such a fun little find (though I declined to add my own napkin. I don't need strangers reading my secrets).

Saturday night was a rare date night. B picked the restaurant, the only qualification being that it have outdoor seating, since it was absolutely gorgeous here in Baltimore this weekend (high 70s, no humidity, a rarefied event). It was an Irish pub in Harbor Place, a mall/open air plaza right on the water, and the best part about it was the view (since, to be honest, the food was so/so and the service not so great).

View of the Constellation from our table.

There was a band down below us and people were dancing. It was another moment where I felt in connection with everyone around me, all of us enjoying the simple pleasures of a warm night and free music down by the harbor. After dinner we got Rita's, for which we had a coupon for buy one get one free, which made it even more delicious than usual, if that is possible. I know they're going to close soon and I am sorely disappointed. I do believe that they should let the indoor locations remain open year-round. I'd eat that business in the dead of winter.

B's Blue Moon and my Dark and Stormy

Watchin'

Dancin'

Sunday was for church, a loooong nap, and a skating session that was sorely needed after a couple of weeks off. I'm determined that this will be the week I finally defeat the last of the fleas hanging on to Truman and Tesla. You are on notice, fleas. Beware. Oh, also, my shows start coming back! Bones and Big Bang Theory I know start this week. Especially excited for Big Bang.

Now I'm just trying to start the week off on a good foot with some hot tea and a link up with these fine folks:

                                         

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It's Friday...I got a cape, so I'm officially a superhero.

Actually it's not that kind of cape. However, I still think it may give me superpowers. That remains to be seen. I am now waiting impatiently for the weather to be cool enough for me to wear it.

Via Modcloth


This morning in the office we're listening/singing along Disney songs via Pandora (the singing might just be me. I do particularly enthusiastic renditions of "Part of Your World" and "Belle"). Guaranteed to brighten your spirits if you're not sure you can make it through the eight hours of work remaining between you and the weekend.

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Hopefully the weather remains relatively pleasant so that B and I can take a little hike tomorrow. There's a trail that goes from near our apartment down to a quaint town with a coffee shop we like to pop in to every now and again, but we haven't been able to do much outside in months due to the overwhelming heat and humidity. I look forward to regaining our somewhat more active weekends. Happy Friday!

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Oh, history. You never fail to surprise me.

"Several of the Cheyennes at Lame Deer tell versions of the story of a woman pushing an awl into Custer's ears. This might be dismissed as fanciful fabrication but for the condition of Custer's body when found. It was relatively unmarked except for two bullet wounds-one to the chest and one to the side of the head-and an arrow that had been shoved up his penis."

Viola, Herman J. Little Bighorn Remembered: The Untold Story of Custer's Last Stand. New York: Times Books, 1999, 53.

I've been to the Little Bighorn. I have both master's and bachelor's in history, which means that I studied only history for six years. But never did I learn that General George Armstrong Custer (of hamper fame) was posthumously (one hopes) unmanned. Apparently that detail was not widely circulated due to respect for Custer's widow, Libby.

Dude.

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Grati-Tuesday.

Currently I am being thankful for:

1. Dawn Dish Liquid. Why? Because my cats are still fleabags, a week after we gave them Frontline and bathed them in flea and tick shampoo. Well, they're better, but I'm still finding one or two fleas every time I comb them. So we decided another bath was in order (the cats were really excited about it. Not.) Rather than use the special shampoo, we decided to go with Dawn Dish Liquid, recommended by the vet. Fleas started falling off in the bath, and then when we combed them that night we got dead fleas. I spotted a few still this morning, but I am much more impressed with the results from the household cleaner than the expensive shampoo.

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Apparently it has to be the original blue dish liquid though, so don't go dousing your cats in anything else as I have no idea what it will do to them. Another plus-it made their fur so fluffy!

2. Downton Abbey. I know I'm late to the Downton Abbey train, ok? Especially for someone who is into history. People at the museum have been raving about it since it came to America and I finally found a place to watch it and it is as fantastic as they have all been saying. Now, like everyone, I have to wait until February for the next season. Boo.

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3. Funny tumblrs to read over my coffee, such as this one: My Friends Are Getting Married, and I'm Just 25 and Drunk.

Seriously. I laughed till my stomach hurt, which is good because I feel like that counts as part of my workout for the day. Don't worry. I'm going to the gym as well. Hopefully.

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Kitten stool samples and other weekend activities.

So some things were nice this weekend, such as this note from B that I woke up to on Saturday morning:

And my first pumpkin spice latte of the season before church on Sunday:

Even having the windows open again and watching the kittens enjoy the breeze.

What was not great? Having to take a stool sample from the kittens to the vet. Actually, that part wasn't that bad. Tesla complied with our schedule and went before we left. Truman did not. What Truman did do was take a nice big one in his carrier as we transferred him from the car to the vet. 

B: "He's going right now. I'm watching him do it. Damnit."

Because they like to share a carrier, both the kittens got it on their paws. B pulled out the shirt that he had lined the carrier with...that now reeked so badly of cat feces he immediately shoved it in the plastic bag we were carrying Tesla's sample in. The nice vet tech took them back and washed them off, though we still had to bathe them when we got them home. 

When we told the vet (who seems to be some sort of veterinarian Doogie Howser. I think she's 12). She laughed and said "I will take the sample though. Is it in the garbage?" She was going to go through the garbage for my cats s&*t. Seriously. That's dedication. I like her.

Instead, we handed her the grocery bag and the advice that "Tesla's is labeled in the Ziploc. Truman's is...in the t-shirt. And possibly all over the side of the bag." And she took it. Thank you, Veterinarian Doogie Howser.

They're lucky I love them. Real lucky.

Linking up with these lovely ladies:

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It's Friday I'm...sucked in to a new TV show.

I just discovered the show "Scandal", which started last April and is slated to return Sept. 27th, and I've watched the entire season and I. am. hooked.

First of all, I have a girl-crush on Kerry Washington (she's gorgeous! Her skin! Jealous.), and she wears awesome outfits as Olivia Pope. Plus, the character is Bad. Ass. I like that. I wish I could be a bad ass sometimes, but I have too much empathy and I like to make people happy, not mad or sad, which Olivia Pope does on a regular basis.

I love the show "Bones", but I have to say that it may have jumped the shark this season. Thus, I am glad that "Scandal" has begun, since it actually may be better than "Bones". Each character is arrestingly complex, and every episode continues a storyline while offering a resolvable mystery to give some satisfaction by the end of the hour. It's great.



BAMFS. Via



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Grati...Thursday.

So I haven't done a Grati-Tuesday post in a while. But that doesn't mean I don't have anything to be thankful for! So I'm scooting it over to Thursday this week. Behold my thankfulness for:

1. Other Disney freaks on Pinterest, so I can get my fix vicariously through things like this:

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2. A vet that is open late so that we can get flea meds when we discover our kittens are infested. Not thankful for fleas or the WORMS THAT APPEAR TO HAVE COME WITH THEM. I just had to have the strays. Thankfully they are indoor cats, so once we take care of the problems they seem to have come with, they should be good to go for the foreseeable future, at least as far as pests are concerned.

3. Cheddar cheese sticks and grapes as a morning snack.

4. Stripes, stripes, stripes.

5. The Free TV Project, through which I discovered a new guilty pleasure: Underage and Pregnant, the British version of 16 and Pregnant. Yes. I will watch this.

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This is my nightmare.

When I was little, my grandmother would babysit me when my daycare was closed. One of my distinct memories of those times (besides my grandmother letting me do her hair while we watched soap operas and used a fan to blow her hair back like the ladies in the soap opera openers) is when her house got infested with fleas. I was so scared and disgusted by the jumping little insects and the prospect that they might touch me that I spent an entire afternoon sitting on top of the back of her couch (the actual back; it was as far from the carpet full of death that I could get).

Fleas are a scourge. I mean, they are responsible for the Black Death.

And now they are on my kittens. My adorable kittens have betrayed me and for the last four weeks have apparently been playing host to little flea eggs just biding their time until they could hatch in my clean apartment and terrorize me.

We launched a four prong attack last night when we discovered the beasts. To the vet for flea meds, combed out the kitties, doused them in flea bath, vacuumed the apartment and sprayed all the fabrics with some kill-everything-alive spray. We also banned the kitties from the bedroom, which I felt bad about but I WILL NOT HAVE FLEAS IN MY BED. As of this morning the kittens only showed one or two fleas each when I combed them out, which is a vast improvement. Still unacceptable.

Hopefully we caught it early enough that it won't become a big problem. But honestly, that's pretty much all I remember from my Labor Day weekend. Any good memories were apparently negated by the Flea Crisis of 2012.

Well, that, and I got new shoes.

Also I tried the new Autumn Apple Chicken Salad at Cosi and loved it. Highly recommend.

Link up and share your weekend, which hopefully did not involve fleas!

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