ideas

So tonight, I was thisclose to calling the whole "blog-off" thing, well, off. I couldn't think of a single thing to write about, because I'm in a very boring phase right now where all I do is come home and watch TV. Well, I went to Target after work, but who the hell wants to hear about that? But then I remembered that Alan had sent me this website that gives you all kinds of ideas for blog and writing topics. Check it out. It's pretty cool. This is the topic it gave me tonight, which I will try to answer:

What age were you most inspired?

It's funny, because I think the age I was the most inspired was the age I was most confused, and that would have to be age 22. I had just graduated college with a BA in English and a concentration in Journalism, and I knew I wanted to be a writer, but breaking into newspapers is really hard to do. I was freelancing at a newspaper, as well as working at a youth theater program, along with working full-time at Barnes & Noble so I could have health insurance. I worked about 70-80 hours a week during those days, and I was never home. I went months without a day off. But when I did have a spare moment, I came up with all kinds of lists and ideas about what I was going to do with my life. I was tied down to nowhere and no one, and I scheduled my life out in a million different directions. Soon after, I did get a full-time job at a newspaper, and life became much more settled (or as settled as it could be as a reporter). But it was that year after college that, because I had no clue where my life was headed, I planned it heading everywhere and doing everything.

another exciting night at our house

freakin' Bachelor

First of all, let me just say that I am thoroughly ashamed that I watch "The Bachelor." It is such a stupid show - between the rose ceremonies and group dates and fantasy suites and what not, it is truly the cheesiest of all shows that I watch. Even for a reality TV fan like myself, it is humiliating to admit that this is on my list of shows to TiVo.

Nevertheless, there I was last night, watching the big two-hour finale. Going in, I knew I had picked the wrong girl. I always do. The Bachelors never pick the girl I want them to, so last night, I knew that it would be Jen who would get the final rose, not Sadie. And sure enough, I was right.

Why Jen, Lorenzo? Why Jen? Although she is a teacher, she really seemed kind of empty in the head, ya know? I had hopes for you, Lorenzo. You didn't seem like a total loser. You seemed to kind of hate the whole awkward Bachelor experience. I thought maybe YOU would be the one to choose the girl that I liked. But, alas for Sadie and me, Jen was the one you chose to be your princess.

Whatever.

Junior the dastardly dog

Well, in an interesting turn of events, Junior was the bad dog tonight. Jimmy has held that title pretty much since he got here. Tonight, Greg made up some chicken, and had cut it up, mixed it up with some stuff and was making some improvised chicken tacos. He left the chicken in a bowl on the kitchen counter and was with me in the living room when we heard Junior trying to get to something. Now, sure, he's a big dog and he can sometimes lick things off the counter, but when we walked in, he had both front paws up on the counter and he was eating directly out of the bowl. I swear, up on his hind legs he's taller than me! And to top it all off, he pulled the same stunt a while later when I left a bowl of pasta on the counter (much further back) (obviously I should have learned my lesson).

It seems Junior's learned himself a fine new trick. Bad dog!

fullness

Today we went to brunch at Avon Old Farms with my in-laws, my mother and my aunt who is in town from Illinois. It was fun but I ate waaay too much and I still feel like I'm about to explode!

I also attempted to take Junior and Jimmy's picture for the Christmas card this year, but it didn't go as well as I'd hoped. I got a couple of decent shots but I'm still hoping for something better.

I took Jimmy to my mother's house tonight, and he proceeded to fart up the whole joint - Stinky McPooperpants really wore out his welcome.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, was Sunday. Oh, I started watched my Netflixed "Weeds" - that Showtime show about a woman who lives in suburbia and deals pot for a living - but I haven't totally formulated my opinion about it yet. It's interesting though.

dear blog

I am hoping that Todd and Alan laugh at the title of this entry. Anywho, last night we had a very nice time with them - had some pizza and ice cream and general good times. For some reason, Alan thinks he's ahead of me in the great blog-off - after this I am going to have to go count and see how many entries he's done in a row, to see if he is really beating me.

I just watched my TiVo'ed "Survivor" - Todd insisted that it was a very exciting episode - to me, the most exciting part was not the immunity challenge, but the fact that Aitu managed to flip Jonathan once again and get rid of Nate! Yeah! I didn't hate Nate or anything but I always love to see the underdogs win. Ultimately I'd really like to see Yul win, and if he takes Jonathan to the final two, it would be incredibly smart, because everyone hates Jonathan! Hee.

Greg is busy helping his father with a project today, so I'm flying solo for the afternoon. I might head out to do some shopping - we'll see - and then tonight we have Heather's birthday party. Yup, I'm livin' like a rock star.

black friday

Well, we had a very nice Thanksgiving. Once of the nicest things about it was the fact I won $66 in a dice game called LCR. It's awesome, because it involves no skill, everyone gets really excited and into it, and well, I won two games. Otherwise, it was nice to see everyone, and, as usual, my sister cooks up a mean feast.

Today is the dreaded Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, the day where the malls and my general area of living becomes choked with people celebrating the season by maxing out their credit cards. I kind of forgot about it until we hit the intersection that brings us from our residential area to the main atery of chaos -near the mall and across from Corbins Corner - and I saw all of the traffic. Instead of dealing with that, we took the dogs to West Hartford Center for a walk, got lunch at Cosi, and now I'm watching an America's Next Top Model marathon on VH-1. Yeah, I'm a dork, but I'm really tired today, so I'm going to try not to feel too guilty.

Tonight we are going out to dinner with Todd and Alan, so it is sure to be a fabulous night. We are going to a restaurant in Southington that I've never been to. God, I hope I don't see anyone from high school.

oh, the weather outside is frightful

Oh, wait, that song is for another holiday, huh? Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Wow, the weather sucks, huh? All this rain might make my Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade a little soggy. I love the parade - only 40 minutes to go! I know it's totally cheesy but I don't think there has been one Thanksgiving when I haven't watched at least part of it. This year, we don't have to be at my sister's house until nearly 2, so I can watch all of it, plus a decent chunk of the dog show after.

TV - I am so thankful for you.

Also, for my family, health, friends, pups, home, clothes, food, and all of the good things I have. I am a very lucky person.

Have a great, relaxing day, everyone, and enjoy your turkey!

zombie pt 2

I could not be more thrilled that I am only working a half day today, because I have been awake for hours....I don't know why I can't sleep this week but at least it's the last day of work before Thanksgiving - yay!

ETA - I noticed that my friend Alan was blogging at the exact same time this morning - but his entry is longer and more interesting. He must've actually slept last night.

not funny

WTF is up with Michael Richards and his racist rant at a couple of hecklers last week?

And now he's apologizing on Letterman, saying he's not a racist and he doesn't know where his rage came from. I believe he's not a racist as much as I believe Mel Gibson really does like Jews.

What an ass. His career is done, not that it really wasn't already. I'm really shocked by this.

monday, monday

Well, I am continuing my blogging-every-day thing, but I'm sad to report that anyone who reads today's entry will be supremely bored, because I don't have a whole lot to say. I am extremely excited about the fact that it's Thanksgiving week, because that means only a two-and-a-half day work week for me - as long as I can get everything done by midday on Wednesday. I haven't really been able to take any significant time off this year, except for a week in July, so even a long weekend is really exciting.

I am so exhausted right now. I think it's because it's dark now. Why is it that when it's dark at 4:30, our bodies just say, "well, that's it for me. I'm done!" Yet if it was July, there would be no way I'd be dressed for bed at 5:25, like I am now.

OK, time to go watch my TiVo'ed Amazing Race and do some laundry. See? I told you it would be boring.

Taye Diggs is delicious

I just watched the season premiere of that new show Daybreak starring Taye Diggs. I have, of course, loved Mr. Diggs since I saw him in RENT in 1997. Anyway, it's a pretty good show. Every day, his character wakes up and it's the same morning, a la Groundhog Day. Except this isn't a lame Bill Murray comedy - it's full of action and mystery and shooting people and stuff like that. I'm already confused but apparently all of the mysteries will be solved in 11 weeks. I wonder if it's picked up again if they will have him wake up to an all-new mystery next year? I just hope it doesn't drag on, season to season, without any solution (are you listening to me, LOST????).

the daily show

Alan and I decided that we were going to try to write every day for the next couple of weeks. Let's see who keeps up with it, eh?

Last night I went to Simmer Grille in West Hartford. It was pretty good, but a tiny bit too expensive for the food, I think. I had onion soup with blistered cheeses (I heart cheese), and salt and herb-crusted French cut chicken with mashed potatoes. It was good - I think I will be going back at some point.

Over the past couple of days, Greg and I have been watching "The Comeback," which we Netflixed. It was an HBO show about a woman (played by Lisa Kudrow) who is a former big TV star, who is making her comeback via a reality show and a small part on a cheesy sitcom. It's super-uncomfortable to watch (kind of like "The Office") but I think she does a great job and I am enjoying it.

I now have to get ready so I can meet up with my friend Deb for dinner and The Pajama Game. Talk to you tomorrow! : )

zombie

Remember that Cranberries song, "Zombie"? Now it's going to be stuck in my head all day. I've been awake since 430 a.m., so I also think it's going to be the theme song of my day.

Anyway, not to sound too cliche, but thank God it's Friday. This has been a super-busy week, work-wise, and I still haven't kicked this cold, so I am ready for some good down time. Here's what's up:

Today: Work. Leave work early, maybe go shopping for bday present for Heather. Tonight we are going to dinner at Simmer with Matt and Cathy. Hope it's good - the menu sure looks tasty!

Saturday: Tomorrow is the first Saturday I haven't had plans during the day in over a month. I'm psyched. I'm sure Greg and I will just do our routine - get some lunch, read some magazines, go look at some puppies. Saturday night I am going to see some of my old Rumors peeps in The Pajama Game in Simsbury. Meeting up with my friend Deb before for dinner.

Sunday: We are going to a baptism for the baby of a couple of friends of ours. I wonder if there will be cake? : )

Have a good one!

boring Monday night

Self portraits with the pups

yet another sign I'm getting old

The most exciting thing that has happened this weekend is the fact that I cleaned the hell out of my house. It is now actually presentable - someone could come over, right now, and I wouldn't be humiliated or have to make excuses for the mess. Of course, a lot of the mess around here is due to the dogs, but when I'm involved with a show, the first thing that suffers is the general cleanliness of my life - my house, my car, my brain. So today, at least the house got the scrub-down it needed.

However, it seems that the most exciting thing that has happened to Greg this weekend is the fact that the Jets just won over the Patriots, because he's screaming all over the house.

Did I mention we're old?

weekend update

Haven't done one of these in a while...and this one will be fairly lame.

Friday: Yesterday I went to work, and went to lunch with the fabulous BBCS. After work, I went home and- you guessed it! - sat on the couch. Greg and I managed to go out and get dinner at Mayor Mike's (never have the chicken sandwich - it's dullsville). Then we went home, watched TV, and I went to sleep at 9:30. Have I mentioned I'm sick?

Saturday: So far today I've made cookies. We're going to a chili cook-off at a friend's house this afternoon, and while I have no skills in chili making, I can make dessert. Anyway, we'll soon be heading down there. Not sure if anything is brewing for tonight. Considering my lame-ass self, I doubt it.

Sunday: This is where things get really exciting, because I have nothing planned. I should clean the house and do some laundry. We'll see how that goes. I'll go see my mom. Yeah - that's about it.

Please feel free to leave a comment with your much more exciting weekend plans.

Votey McVoterson

Oh and PS, go and vote if you haven't already. Hurry! You only have 52 minutes left. I live by the rule that my mother beat into my brain (well, not literally) when I was young - if you don't vote, you can't complain (I'm sure she didn't mean that if you're Canadian and can't vote, Alan. So complain away). And since I complain a whole lot about how this country is run under the current administration, I got my sick arse down to the voting booth today. I almost couldn't shut the damn thing and thought I was going to need help, but I finally managed. Yup, it's people like me who help determine the course of this country. People who can't close a voting booth. USA! USA!

As a special bonus for election day, The Daily Show and Colbert Report are live tonight. I hope I can stay awake that late!

giving you what you want

Even though you've already seen this, Flannery and Alan, here is what my hair looked like last week. Specifically on Halloween, when I was dressed as Amanda of '89. This was at the end of the day, so my hair wasn't achieving as much height as the beginning of the day.

In other news, Britney is divorcing K-Fed! This is the first smart thing she's done since, well, since she met the guy. For some reason, I don't want her life to end up in the toilet. There is something about her that doesn't scream pure evil, which is unusual for Hollywood.

and......scene.

So that about wraps up that for Life with Father. I have to finish up some ad budget stuff and pass that over to the producer, but the show is DONE. Thank God. After Friday's drama with the almost passing out, I was kinda scared on Saturday, because the cold had only progressed. I did have a bit of a coughing fit at the beginning, but nothing too bad. We did the show, struck the set, had the cast party, and I was home by 2 a.m. Sunday I woke up feeling like total and utter hell, as the cold had taken up residence in my sinuses, which is where it remains today. I went into work this morning, but came home early because I think Beth and Flannery had just about had it with my coughing and sniffling. Not that I blame them, because, seriously....gross.

I am proud to report that after three days on the couch (minus show time) I have officially caught up on all of my TiVo. It makes me a little sad, because now I will have to watch TV like regular people. Weird.

Anywho, here's a pic from my show. This is one of my castmates Regina who very nicely helped me pin up my pre-wig hair for the show. The thing that I am holding is my wig cap, although it strongly resembles a knee-high stocking. And that's precisely what it felt like. I will be happy if I never have to put another wig on my head again.

Stage fright

Last night I had one of the most terrifying moments ever on stage. As y'all know, I have a cold/cough that's steadily gotten worse the past few days. Last night while doing the show, I felt a cough brewing in my throat while I was onstage. I didn't have any speaking parts at that moment - I was just serving breakfast to the family. I let out a couple of minor coughs, but I really could tell I have a huge coughing fit on deck. I held it back, and all of the sudden I felt like my chest was going to explode, my eyes filled up with tears, and the room started spinning. I thought there was about a 90% chance I was going to pass out, so I hightailed it outta there before I was done with all of my "business" (filling cups with coffee, clearing bowls, stuff like that). I went outside and coughed and coughed until I almost threw up (I know this is gross, but I'm trying to get across how horrible it was). Then I flew back onstage (about two seconds past my cue) and continued with the show, all the while my hands shaking and my head spinning. I felt better after a bit, but holy shit, scary! Can't wait to see what tonight brings, as I only feel worse today. My arse has been firmly planted on my couch for two days (minus the show stuff) so I'm doing what I can do to get better. I'm even drinking tea, for God's sakes! (that's a shout out to Miss Flannery).

I was very happy to have my pals and theater compadres Alan and Todd there last night to witness the whole thing - not just the show, but the shenanigans afterwards at the restaurant. : ) Thanks for coming, guys!

It's (cough) show (hack) time (wheeze)

Well, the show opened last night, after a very long hell week. The minor cold I've had for the past month blew up a couple of days ago, so by the time last night rolled around, I was a full-fledged cough drop addict, just hoping for the best. At one point on stage I got the much-dreaded throat tickle that threatened to turn into a major coughing fit, but it wasn't too bad - and the people I talked to yesterday after the show told me they thought the coughing was a character thing. okaaaay.....

I took today off of work because I needed some down time in a big way, but now it's just pretty much a sick day. Tonight ought to be interesting....

Sorry for this extremely boring post. I feel extremely boring. My life = work, show, work, show, work, show....I got nothin' else.