Category: Friends

Fashion, Friends, Health, Humor, Husband, Money, Shopping, Working Out March 31, 2010March 31, 2010

This. And That.

“Good God, woman, where have you been?” he cried furiously.
A morbid lunacy overtook her. She smiled fiercely and held up the bag.
“Shopping. Want to see what I bought?”
– Lois McMaster Bujold

My wallet is now under permanent lock-down. Because of going to That Show, I bought this and this (the latter for my sister-in-law’s upcoming wedding), but unfortunately not this because it did not look at all good on a less-than-five-foot woman. I looked a frilly mess.

0002264310960_AV_500X500 — Pictured: the THAT in question.

Then, the other day, Venice called me (from two doors down in her flat) and said I had to come over right now. I obligingly threw on some basketball shorts and scampered on over only to behold this.
“Where did you get that?!” I screeched in excitement.
“From that place we hate,” she triumphed.
“You’re kidding!”
“Nope. For $87.00!”
“I NEED THAT!”

The next step was to get J. to agree. I pitched it as the perfect solution to this problem, which has been exacerbated since getting married as the only time I really get to see my husband is the time I used to go to the gym. I pinky-promised my way through the usual litany of bargains (to use it everyday, not to be a little grump when he reminds me that I haven’t worked out that day, etc.) and expounded its virtues (it’s cheap, it’s nice and small – C. sized! – it’s light, and it’s portable for future moves).

If anything else, the sheer guilt that would come from having that sitting in my house (staring at me) will motivate me to use it. It’s easy to ignore the gym when it’s not sitting in your living room! So, with J.’s consent, I bought it.

I really think this could be a solution to my exercise problem. After coming home from work in the evening to feed this guy, coupled with the desire to enjoy this, and the lack of desire to drive back to campus to deal with this, the idea that I could work out in my own home sounds pretty darn good.

What do you think of this plan, darlings?

**And by the way, if I start talking about buying anything else in the near future, jump me, steal and hide my wallet, and under no circumstances return it to me.

Fabulous, Friends, Humor, Marriage, University March 24, 2010March 24, 2010

Spunky Chap With His Hat at a Jaunty Angle

“Strange to see what delight we married people have to see these poor fools decoyed into our condition.”
– Samuel Pepys

The Marriage Mart, of Regency fame, is alive and well on this campus. We’re getting close to the time of a semester (directly after finals, usually) that people rush to get married before the summer term starts up. In fact I have a small horde of friends tying the knot in the next two months. In a year or two, I’ll be attending baby showers.

This vid gets a Tip O’ My Hat to Sav for finding it, and check out her site for another dose (that one in honor of the mutual lambasting by colleagues, acquaintances, and Fox News we endured for our less than hateful attitude towards current events in the capital).

Food, Friends, Fun, Humor, Husband March 16, 2010

Come Together

“Video games are bad for you? That’s what they said about Rock’n’Roll.”
– Shigeru Miyamoto

Last Friday, J. and I headed north to the city to play with Angel and her husband Hotty. Both of the men lived/worked in Korea at some point and converted their respective wives to the cuisine so we went to Angel’s favorite restaurant, got ice cream, and retired to their basement flat to play Rock Band.

220px-Spyro_the_Dragon_(character) — In retrospect, I think I liked him because he was (also) touchy about his height.

Growing up we didn’t have gaming systems and to this day they remain verboten at Chez Parents, so I have never developed the necessary finger-eye coordination and thumb dexterity required by video games. My gaming experience was limited to watching Peregrine playing Final Fantasy back in the day, and trying Spyro The Dragon (exactly two times) while babysitting. And since I didn’t know what the point of the game was or how to achieve it, I mostly just scampered around whatever level I was on blowing fire and falling off things into oblivion while evil signs flashed “GAME OVER,” or something of the sort.

Sergeant-Pepper-and-Rubber-Soul-To-Be-Beatles-Rock-Band-DLC — Pictured: Angel, Hotty, C. (with mustache), and J.

So, Beatles Rock Band went about as I expected. They started me on the drums which was manageable on the easiest level, but still confusing as I couldn’t get the timing of my whacks on the drum set vs. the scrolling instructions right until J. told me to ignore it and go along with the beat instead (oOOOoohhhh. Rhythm. Right).

At some point I graduated to guitar and luckily we set it to “impossible to fail” because I proceeded to slaughter the music. Then I got really ambitious and went from “Easy” to “Medium” and discovered my lack of hand-eye coordination is not just limited to sports. And I must be mildly dyslexic because for the life of me I couldn’t manage to match my fingers with their assigned keys, much less with the dots of color that wouldn’t stop rolling towards me. And chords! Impossible!

I think I’ll be settling back into video game retirement now, thanks.

Friends, Humor, Work March 4, 2010

White Witch

“Aslan is not on the move.”
– Gretel

I feel as if I should point at out that until just about an hour ago the skies were a gorgeous blue, the clouds were fluffly and white and moving along at a brisk pace as a cool breeze meandered through the sky, and the sun was out.

And now?

THIS.

Books, Friends, Humor March 2, 2010March 3, 2010

“O, that I had but followed the arts!”

“Thereby hangs a tale.”
– William Shakespeare

Long ago, when J. was still a bachelor (side note, we’ve been officially together for two years now…weird) he lived with Scotticus, Cakes, Bear, Jaime, and Jazz. They’re still very much around in our lives. I affectionately refer to them as the Other Women when J. goes off to play basketball, get hamburgers, and generally boy about.

One of my favorite memories of Jazz was one day hanging out at their flat. I had glanced around and discovered that they had made a home entertainment system supported almost entirely by books. I was remarking on a tome of Shakespeare upholding a television speaker when Jazz explained the reasoning.
“Girls will come over, see all these thick books everywhere, and think we’re all really intellectual.”
“Not if you’re using them as furniture, dear,” I replied laughingly.

shakespeare — To be a paper weight, or not be a paper weight, that is the question.

However, while making a V-day present craft for Marie (sidenote the second: Marie, beloved, would you send me a picture so I can brag shamelessly about it?) I noticed that the canvas had bowed annoyingly in the middle. And the only thing I could think of that would be heavy enough to fix it, were Shakespeare and a dictionary.

Apologies, Jazz. I now suspect you of secret genius.

Fabulous, Friends, Humor, Work February 1, 2010

Good Company

“The antidote for fifty enemies is one friend.”
– Aristotle

How can you tell that you have a good friend in your life? Well, first of all you are able to have a complete conversation with them wearing just a towel (this is a crucial test that all of my closest friends have passed, I shall spare you the details). Second you are able to pique the interest of everyone around you just from hearing your half of a phone conversation. Again, all of my friends have crossed this threshold, but today here is what my office got to listen to when Venice called to brighten my day.

“No one’s making fun of you. This is a judgement free zone.”
“I don’t really wear them.”
“Was the steamer necessary?”
“Holy mother of pain!”
“I will need my dress back at some point.”
“Oh, honey! Do you need to come over and shower?”

I take particular delight in refraining from elaboration when co-workers, classmates, or random strangers look to me for further explanation. A good friend doesn’t lessen her pal’s mystique!

Friends, Humor, Movies, Silly October 31, 2009October 31, 2009

Bite Me

Extemporized conversation with Margot post-Nosferatu viewing:

(Editor’s Note: I stand by it. Vampires ≠ sexy!)

C: I really liked the part when he comes into Lucy’s room and says, “Love me like you do your husband,” and she basically comes back with a quick, “Nope!” only classier and in German. He actually looked confused that he wasn’t very persuasive!
M: Oh…I…I really thought that would work… I was really hoping you’d say ‘yes,’ this whole thing would be much less awkward. Having just broken in your room and everything.
C: I, um, don’t have a plan after this. Ok…well look, I’ve stalked you all the way from Transylvania-“
M: Actually moved in next door, after almost killing your husband-
C: And wiping any memory of you he has.
M: Did I mention I’m a harbringer of the Black Death?
C: And rats follow me everywhere in the countless millions. I also seem to spark insanity in the masses.
M: And I also drink people’s blood. Yes, suck them absolutely dry, poor devils.
C: ……….Why don’t you like me?

VampireNosferatu — Ok, last chance to become my undead girlfriend...wait! Where are you going?

Friends, Fun, Humor, Silly October 30, 2009November 12, 2009

Of Vampires

“Children of the night, SHUT UP!”
-Love at First Bite

silly_girls_vampire_tee_tshirt-p23523092877190415210c8_210 — This is for Small Dog's friends on "Team Jacob." He's still NOT REAL, but from my limited knowledge he's a little less whiny.

I cannot escape them! They’re every, everywhere! Cute campus couples as Bella and Edward (my opinion of the literary drivel that is Twilight can be found here) and teachers/staff dressing the part. The new stupid looking vampire kids movie the name of which I can’t recall, The Vampire Diaries on TV…even my weekly dose of Sherlock Holmes on PBS was a mystery about a supposed vampire this week! Yes, I get that crushing on the undead is trendy, but honestly! Way to beat a dead horse.

Now, I liked the Interview With the Vampire movie when I saw it, I was delightfully creeped out by Bram Stoker’s Dracula (I borrowed it from the library and it had such a chilling cover that I had to turn it face down and shove it under my bureau at night), and I am going to see Nosferatu with Margot tonight…but the obsession some people feel for vampires is bizarre.

How ''bout a date, baby? 'No?' But...Edward's a, uh, cousin of mine! — Hey, baby, how 'bout a date? No?! But...Edward's my, uh, cousin! Yeah, that's it!

Mostly I find it funny (from a historian’s viewpoint) that the sex-crazed, hauntingly beautiful, interestingly pale and tragic, romantic figures that most people associate with the term are only a product of the Victorians (actually…the above description fits those Victorians themselves pretty well too…). Originally vampires were the spirits of suicide victims, witches, heretics, etc. and resembled blood drenched bloated corpses. Sexy!

Family, Friends, Humor, Life, Marriage, Wedding October 26, 2009March 31, 2010

By Popular (Loud and Incessant) Demand

You demanded, Small Dog complied! Our wedding, in slideshow form, we apologize in advance for the crazy format:

With just a couple months away, C. and J. take pictures and try not to take everything too seriously.

L'Artiste tells C. to practice looking "sultry," C. bursts out laughing after the camera flashes.

C. is just glad she got veil and shoes figured out. J. is just glad C. can stop agonizing about it.

The whole clan meets up (the day before The Day), luckily everyone seems to get on well! It'd be a shame to back out at this point.

...Although...all this family can be a little overwhelming. Meeting/marrying into a clan, not for the feint of heart! — ...Although...all this family can be a little overwhelming. Meeting/marrying into a clan, not for the faint of heart!

No, not their six secret illegitimate children, C.'s newly acquired nieces and nephews!

Atticus, Darling, J., C. (who can't look at the right camera), Mama, Dad

J. chills with Scotticus, Cakes, and Bear...

...while C. gets fixed by Venice and Peregrine (AKA, 2/4 the greatest bridesmaid team ever)!

The complete gang: Snickers, Venice, Marie, Peregrine

Dad cracks guests up with the parents' viewpoint into our relationship.

Ring Ceremony, close up of my pretty engagement ring. Green!

The gorgeous spread...which we didn't get a bite of...

Good thing we got cake (red velvet!) to tide us over...but we still had to get fast food on the way to the carwash to get rid of our mutual brothers' handiwork in decorating it.

Speaking of! Here are mine, goofing off with the flowers.

Godfamily in the foreground. Early in the evening. Hostess said we had over 400 people, glad I didn't have to herd them!

Unfortunately, you don’t get to see the video of my dad completely showing up J. in the dancing section of the evening. But it didn’t matter so much because after I tossed the bouquet and we cut the cake, the real party started! Dancing, mayhem, the usual. Apparently we were partying too fast to be seen, because half of those pictures didn’t turn out at all! But there, your insatiable appetites must be satisfied by now!

Drama, Friends, Humor, Work October 16, 2009

Anatomy of a Panic

“Happy is the man with a wife to tell him what to do, and a secretary to do it.”
-Lord Mancroft

8:45 – Susie comes to my desk and says, “Chief would like to meet with you and Hennessy at 10, is that ok?” C. blanches in panic and promptly dives deep into a pit of the horrors (I’m getting sacked, Hennessy’s getting sacked, We’re both getting sacked, NO!!!!, They can’t do this, Don’t they know what I’ve done for them, I’m too important, right…No, I’m expendable…AH!, Angst Angst Angst, etc.) Susie assures her that nothing is wrong, but as you may imagine, this does little to help matters.

9:00 – Hennessy comes into work and receives the same message. Panic escalates. Circumstances are dissected during morning walk to turn in checks and cash to the accounting office.

9:30 – C. alternately tries cajoling and blackmailing anyone in the office for information.

9:45 – Bleak. All is bleak.

10:00 – Chief is nowhere to be found. C. is “defibbed” as her heart succumbs to the stress and anxiety of worrying.

10:15 – Chief, Lt. Figaro, and Susie convene with Hennessy and C. in conference room. Hennessy and C. sit at the far end of the table to give them more reaction time to the blow that is coming. They are sternly asked to move closer. They grudgingly comply.

10:20 – Chief reveals that the department has new needs, and needs to go in a new direction, so they need to shake up the ranks a little.

10:21 – C. and Hennessy clutch their chairs as the vortex of doom swirls around them.

10:22 – “So,” continues Chief, “we’re going to take you out from Figaro’s supervision and make you both subordinate to Susie instead. Fun, huh?”

10:23 – “Vortex of doom” evaporates instantly leaving C. stuck with the amassed fear and anxiety that has plagued her for hours. She feel oddly cheated.

Not exactly my boss. I'd like to think *I* could be this secretary (minus the dirty mistress part) but alas... — Not exactly my boss. I'd like to think I could be this secretary (minus the dirty mistress part) but alas...

Anyway, this so-called shake up just means that Hennessy and I are now reporting…to the person I, at least, have been reporting to for months now. Susie is pretty much queen of the secretaries: Joan without being social-climbing, manipulative, or sexually adventurous, just an all around decent person. She’s also the administrative brains of the office and actually managed to pound it through our supervisors’ heads that we’d be much more effective as a secretarial pool rather than as scattered puddles. Within ten minutes of us being under her command, I’d been given a list of both long and short term projects and assignments.

Unfortunately, since I’m a fast worker (or just possibly have nothing else to do) I’ve already crossed about half of them off. No change there, I suppose.

Small Dog Syndrome