The Moonlight Margarita Run has only been around 4 years and has already turned into one of Austin's most infamous running events. The Town Lake Trail Foundation hosts the 5K, with an 8pm start time, as a fundraiser. The post-race party features Tex-Mex food, mariachi music, and margaritas on the grounds of the American Legion Hall. The prices are steep: $85 for the run + party; $35 for the run only, or $55 for the party only.

For runners who want to run for free, check out the Nike Human Race training run at SIX lounge, 7pm.

If you prefer to give your credit card a workout, head to South Congress, where Prototype Vintage (which you'll remember partnered with La Luz for a new space) is hosting a Grand Opening in conjunction with First Thursday. Officially called the Launch Pad Party, there will be an op-art photo booth, snacks, and something called a "sputnik space bar."

For your beauty fix, Austin Monthly is hosting a party at Sana Boutique from 6-8pm to introduce Rae Cosmetics and its creator, Rochelle Rae. Wine and apps will be served. At that issue release party last week, I tried on some lip gloss and it was pretty spectacular--silky smooth, not sticky, and my friends raved about how good it made my lips look.

And for a stellar close to the evening, I have a friend, Greg Vendetti, playing a big show at Apple Bar at 10pm. He's a pretty stinkin' good singer-songwriter (who bills himself as pop-rock ... can singer-songwriters do that?!). He has only been in Austin for about a year and has already made some waves on the music scene--his Stubbs gig landed him in the Statesman.

A visit to San Antonio would not be complete without a dinner at Rosario's restaurant. I have just been commissioned to paint a series of San Antonio's finest attractions and Rosario's is first on my list. We recently sampled their new menu and were as usual, impressed with the food,ambiance, service, everything. It is a family tradition with us and should be with everyone....

I took my sketch book with me and found a great view from the intersection of Alamo & South Presa for a plein air painting......

Got a secondary, productivity plan in place, too.  Tackle the boxes and bags and stuffed closets of clothes.  I so need to do this.  I know there is a ton of things I can say bye-bye to, and I also know there are a few items I could be wearing if only I could locate them.  Yeah, it's really out of control.  So, with the frequent commercial breaks, I can dash in and out of the bedroom and grab an armload to sort out at the breakfast bar while watching the Games on my kitchen television.  (I don't have a large screen television, so no loss in watching on the even smaller kitchen television.)  In a couple of weeks, after all the medals have been handed out, I hope to feel my own sense of accomplishment.  Of course, all this productivity and purging comes after homework is completed.

Yesterday, my opening ceremony plans were foiled.  Good reason.  Bad timing.

My friend Vanessa is in town this week, visiting from Tennessee, where she's been hiding out for the last few years.  Friday is her only chance to get together with the girls; her and her husband's families have monopolized the rest of the week.  We will likely end up at Chili's or On the Border because we need our 'ritas.  Screw those "Sex and the City" girls and their little pink cosmopolitans.  Real women drink tequila.

Not sure if there will be four or five of us.  Knowing Vanessa as long as I have, I know her other friends, and they're all good people.  Fortunately, Vanessa's friend Rosalyn is a definite yes.  She's such a hoot!

So, yeah, good reason, bad timing.

Sorry, Beijing.  Maybe next time.

By the way, I already have a favorite Beijing Olympian:  Dara Torres.  A swimmer and 41-year-old mother, she will be competing in her fifth Olympics -- against athletes half her age.  And just to show she's no slouch, she set a new American record at last month's trials.  Did I mention she is 41?  And competing against 20-year-olds?  Who weren't even born when she was competing in her first Olympics?  Ha.  I don't care what she does or does not do in Beijing.  She rocks.

* * * * *

I took advantage of yesterday's mild 75 degree high and mowed the lawn when I got home from work.  It really needed it (%&!# crabgrass), and I didn't have it in me to deal with last weekend's humidity.  Pacing the lawn with the mower, I reflected on how much yard work I have done this year compared with recent summers.  (Hell, I already have a couple of plans for next spring.)

The year Mom was in the hospital and subsequent rehabilitation, yard work was minimal -- like, mow the lawn every two or three or weeks and to hell with the flowers and anything else.  The pattern of laziness continued somewhat over the next couple of summers.  Sure, I had my assorted containers of impatiens and put in a few new shrubs, but some of the beds weren't cleaned out.  They just got worse, and seeing all that work made me even less inclined to remedy the situation.  Finally, this year, I got my act together, and after seeing how much extra "make-up" work I had to do, I'm pretty sure I won't let that happen again.

Yup, keep up on it, and you'll have less to do over the long run.  I guess that applies to the boxes and bags and stuffed closets of clothes, too.

Anyway, back to mowing.  It occurred to me that with all my sweat and labor in the yard this summer, I should be losing more weight.  Hey, maybe I shouldn't be following up the sweat and labor by cooling off with a big bowl of ice cream, not even the no sugar added variety.  Edy's No Sugar Added coffee ice cream is awesome, by the way, even if you don't have to be cautious with sugar.

Yeah, yeah, the margaritas, I know.

Suddenly, Nine Inch Nails' "Discipline" is stuck in my head.  Hmmm.

Rename this post "Discipline" because WordPress won't let me do strikethrough in the title.

=^..^=

P.S.  One week 'til Radiohead!

Just want to let you know that I haven't forgotten about you, or my mission to entertain and astound you with my stellar blogging skills to the point that you feel compelled to cast me on your show, simply because I'd be so much fun on set (and once on set, of course you'd see that I have the chops you require. Have I ever mentioned that I have an acting degree? I have an acting degree. And a psychology degree because, you know, they go hand in hand. Actually, I got the psych degree when I was contemplating studying dramatherapy at NYU. However, the counseling course I took in order to obtain said degree ruined me. I realized I had no desire to listen to people's problems for a living. I have too many of my own to complain to myself about. But I parenthetically digress...) I've simply been out of my head swamped. Friend had a baby, another friend in town from Australia, I even pulled kidsitting duty for a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old at 6 a.m. yesterday morning. Oh, and I had to go see The Dark Knight again (still awesome), and I set two of my friends up on a blind date and had to tag along (it went reeeeally well, btw). Then of course those damned margaritas have been summoning me at all hours. It gets exhausting.

So anyway, it's not you - it's me. I still adore you and want to be on your show. I will get my act together and write more soon. In the meantime, here's a page from the Dumb & Disorderly files. Enjoy.

Nude Intruder Caught in 'Sting'

A nude intruder fell for a police sting when they chased him out of a swimming pool straight into a hedge of nettles.

The skinny-dipping swimmer and his pals had broken into a pool in Dueren, western Germany, for a midnight plunge when police arrived.

"They were driven out by the officers and they all went separate ways and then one of them jumped over a wall straight into a hedge of nettles.

"The officers just followed the sound of the screaming," a police spokesman said.

While at the gym, I cycled with some serious resistance for 10.5 miles, which took about 35 minutes on the stationary bike.  During my work-out, I watched Comedy Central to make the time fly.  I am sure people thought I was a loony because I was laughing while cycling.  After my silly cycling, Lori and I explored the weight machines.

This morning, I popped over to our community pool and swam 16 laps.  According to my calculations, 4 laps in my pool equals about an 1/8 mile.  Usually, I try to complete 8 laps to train farther than the race distance.  Feeling overly ambish on this sunny Saturday, I swam 16 laps.

Tomorrow I plan to run 8 miles, so I will watch my margarita consumption. ;)

Have I mentioned that I wear #1 DD's hot pink goggles when I swim?  Now that's sexy!  Note to self: get bike and goggles.

My next challenge is the Babes and Bum Triathlon on August 9, a mini-triathlon consisting of a 3.1 run, 10.5 mile bike and 1/8 mile swim.  Although the date is fast approaching, I am no way prepared for this race.  Between my oldest daughter home for the summer, the humidity, my allergies/asthma, and the many margaritas consumed this summer, my training regimen is completely out of whack.

For Independence Day, I participated in the Lutz Independence 5K run.  Seems simple enough, right?  I’ve run farther distances!  I started the race off strong running 7 minute miles, but then I got the worst stomach cramps imaginable.  I’ve read on-line that diet and dehydration can really wreak havoc on you in the summer months.  I’ve also read that running faster than your breathing can cause cramps, but nonetheless, I had to walk quite a bit throughout the race.  I was so upset!  I have trained so hard and have run longer distances and yet, I could not run the entire race.  Oh well.  My time was still pretty decent despite the cramps (29:10).

To be ready for the triathlon, I am giving up the margaritas.  Well, I am at least cutting back on them! LOL They are my vice at the moment and “once it hits your lips, it’s so good” (Frank the Tank, Old School 2003).

The greatest challenge for me at the moment besides the margaritas and the heat/humidity is the fact that I do not own a bike.  Seems silly to train to for a triathlon when you don’t own a bike, right?  Well, I am not the glass is half-empty kind of gal!  Where there is a will, there is a way and my way is sneaking into my girlfriend’s gym and riding a stationary bike for 10.5 miles.  My sister, Simone, and my friend, Lori, have offered to lend me their mountain bikes for the race, which I’ve heard are not the best bikes for triathlons as they are much slower and heavier than racing bikes.  When riding the stationary bike, I’ve set it to the highest resistance level, so hopefully that will prepare for riding a mountain bike in the race.

As for the swimming component of this race, I’ve have been swimming 8 laps in my community pool but it has not been easy for me.  In my mind, if I practice to swim further than the actual distance, then it will seem less of a struggle the day of the race.

It's time to get serious again!  I will make a concerted effort to run 3 times a week again.  As I mentioned already, summer vacation has caused my whole routine to be jumbled.  Prior to summer, I was running 5 miles twice a week and 10 miles on Sunday.  With all our traveling and non-stop trips to Margaritaville, I am quite behind in my long distance runs.  Now that summer is coming to an end, I am able to redirect my focus and get back on track.  So, far this week I ran 4 miles.  I will run 5 miles on Friday and 8 miles on Sunday.  Hopefully, it will only take me a couple of weeks to reach 10 miles again.

As for my cross-training, I love kick-boxing! I’ve recorded dozens of episodes of In Shape with Sharon Mann.  Her shows kick my badunkadunk, especially boot camp and kickboxing.  On my days of rest, usually the Monday after my long run, Sharon and I do some yoga.

Today, my friend, Lori and I plan to visit the new Lifestyles gym that opened in Lutz.  We have a week’s free pass and I am excited to try out the group fitness classes.  I haven’t decided if I will join because I enjoy sneaking into my friend, Julie’s gym.  It's so quiet there at the crack of dawn.  Since I start my day around 5:00 a.m., I can check my e-mail and then dash off to work-out while my family sleeps.  When I return, I jump in the shower, get dressed and by the time I am finished time, my house is alive and everyone is ready to start the day, including me.  If I join the gym, I may become lazy and start my day later and find myself readjusting my routine again.  There is only so much time in the day to work-out, blog, run a moms’ group, attend playdates and raise a family!

Not that that happened last night. Last night was all about margaritas and pseudo-martinis that match one's blue shirt.

I had dinner with Alma and Josers and I haven't seen them in ages so that called for a pitcher of margaritas. I don't think I have actually seen Josers since we graduated high school. And in case you were wondering, he is freakin hilair. As evidence to attest to my previous statement, we had a conversation that went like this:

Josers: I realized that I hadn't ever hung out with her sober so I ordered a sweet tea. She hesitated, but then ordered a Dr. Pepper and they brought back a Dr. Pibb. She just stared at it. And I thought, 'when did Mr. Pibb go back and get his PhD?'

Me: No words, only a napkin to cover the margarita that almost came out my nose.

This was pretty much one of the most hilarious things said tonight. Next to Josers' story about how during a St. Patrick's Day lightning storm, in which the power was out, they had a 'Save the Beer' party and drank from aluminum cans on the porch yelling, "strike me Jesus." That is almost as good as my March 17th story in which I was told (unsolicited, I might add) that I was "really not that good looking." Did I mention this was coming from an Asian man who was in an Irish pub, directed to a girl named Mary Colleen on St. Patrick's Day? That is so wrong. Any other day of the year might have been acceptable. Rude, but acceptable.

But I digress.

I had an absolute blast with Alma and Josers. Josers confirmed what I already knew, that being that I would love the South and could be totally content living there, with all of my children referring to adults as "Ms or Mr insert-first-name-here", should I ever choose to uproot and leave Crapa. Because that idea has never crossed my mind.

I have to say that I'm also slightly jealous of Joser's collection of license plates that he keeps in his trunk. I'm pretty sure there were like, 4 different state plates back there. He is, for the record, currently sporting Georgia plates.

In honor of those, I'm now listening to Anthony David, where every song of his makes some sort of reference to Georgia or the ATL, and since we all know I'm a huge fan of the South, this totally works for me.

[audio "http://boredandsometimeswitty.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/08-ga-peach.mp3"]

Cheers to having a good reason to go to the new Compadres. Or the old River City. Or the place where Doug's Brother once worked. Or the place where one can play liar's dice at any given time of the day. Or whatever else you feel like calling it.

The combination plates are great if you want a mix of things and come with just about ever combination possible: tacos, burritos, enchiladas, rellenos, you name it. My personal faves are the chimichangas, the super burrito, and quesadillas. I love that they also have a great selection of seafood dishes although I have yet to give any a try.

So, if you find yourself in the Kennesaw area but don't want to deal with the hassle of Barrett Parkway traffic, why not try Las Palmas?

But now, in the middle of the summer, all I can think about it is skiing down Simba run in Vail, Colorado.  Sippy hot coffee while resting on a lounger watching other skiers wipe-out as my breath freezes in the cold air.

I think I need to just move somewhere where a constant temp of 70 doesn't screw with my hot flashes! :)

(I'm heading to Mom and Dad's again this weekend for MORE PEACHES and visit with my brothers and sister.  Ya'll have a nice weekend and try not to fry in this heat.)

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I grew up on MTV.  Back when MTV showed music videos (that's what MTV stands for, in case you didn't know, Music TeleVision).  They really did!  They were these neat, often kitschy mini movies used to promote new songs.  They were awesome and awe inspiring for a pre-teen.  In that bold new world, there was a world full of music and it looked pretty darn good.  That was back in the 80s.  Now, MTV is not even watched in my house.  Why?  THEY DON'T SHOW MUSIC VIDEOS.  Basically, MTV spends its entire operating budget trying to pretend that the 30 year old corporate execs (or 40 year old, or however old they are), can still throw a teenage house party and buy the beer to get everyone a good buzz (even if they're underage, don't call the cops okay?).  They specialize in sub-par shows catering to the "me" generation where everyone gets drunk and everyone gets what they want (sometimes after the obligatory dramatic tantrum for ratings).  However, MTV is going too far.

MTV Readies "Rocky Horror" Redux

Never before has my annoyance for retro camp remakes been so ignited.  Why would ANYONE redo what is quintessentially a low budget, campy as heck, over the top rock musical that is more of an EVENT than an actual movie!?!!!!  It's a midnight movie, teenage right of passage that deserves the true genius of Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick (insert names and insults here). Originally released in 1975, I went to see it in 1990.  I was a sophomore in high school and some friends asked me to attend the midnight movies with them.  They told me I was in for quite an experience.  The theater darkened, the audience erupted into insults and the rice flew...I was in AWE.  It was the most fun I've ever had at the movies folks!  There was sickening innuendo and shadow puppets, there was dancing in the aisles and for a moment you didn't realize how bad the movie really was...it was friggin FUN.  I know those songs by heart and I encourage all teens to experience the film as fully as they can - even with the bad pantomime actors in the theater pits (ah my few Columbia performances).

There is NO ONE alive today that I want to see in a pair of fishnets and platforms more than I did when Tim Curry ripped of his cape and a good Christian girl (like me), was finally thrust into the smarmy world of sexual ambiguity.  It was a wake up call for me to think outside the box then, even though I've played for the same team my whole life.   Tim was exactly what that role demanded, and he had the eyeliner and legs to prove it.  Are they going to get someone like Zac Ephron and Vanessa Hudgens to play Brad and Janet?! I mean, come on?!  They already are way past high school musical years anyway.

Never before have I been so annoyed by the reality that Hollywood is completely out of ideas.  I've actually thought about taking up a collection of money from anyone who's against this like I am to actually pay off Lou Adler (executive producer of the original film and aparently in talks for this schlock), so he can pay off those gambling debts or whatever he needs money for since I can't imagine why else you'd pursue this ridiculous venture.  I mean, I've been annoyed by things like the shot-for-shot remake of Psycho which was completely pointless.  Wanna see creepy?  Watch the original psycho and sit with Tony Perkins as he stares into that camera at the end with that horrific smirk.  Wanna see real campy, bad 70s musicals...find a midnight showing in your area...take a few friends with you, get dressed up and do some research on the shout-back dialog.  That, my good people is the way Rocky Horror should be and that is all I'm gonna say about that.

Yes, I know it's been quite some time since I've written . . . I'm terribly sorry (really, I am).  Some days I don't really know what to write and others I feel like I could go on forever (though I tend to spare you the details ~ you're welcome, by the way!).  While this blog is attached to Painted Beauty (the business), I feel inclined to write about whatever is happening at the moment . . . even if it's non-business related.  So, here's the skinny on what's been going on since my last entry . . .

Ranard and I took Pal on a hike at Crowder's Mountain today.  It was great fun and quite a workout.  We chose the "strenuous" trail . . . brilliant idea!  We hadn't even walked 0.3 miles before I was huffing and puffing!!!!  Thank goodness for the boulders strategically placed along the trail . . . a rest was required along the way.  Pal was a trooper and forged ahead without any coaxing.  Perhaps mom and dad need some more cardiovascular conditioning!!!!  The view from the top was absolutely gorgeous . . . well worth the rubbery legs and gasping (I assure you). 

I traveled to Dallas, Texas for the eWomen Network International Conference & Business Expo.  The conference featured distinguished speakers from all over the country and provided business owners with a variety of workshops to attend.  It was fabulous to meet women from not only the U.S., but from Canada and Australia as well.  Dallas is a great city . . . definitely a mix of old and new (think Buffalo meets Charlotte).  We had so much fun seeing the sites and enjoying delicious food (seafood, tex-mex, and . . . OH MY GOSH, the BEST mango margaritas I have ever tasted in my entire life!!!!!).  Seriously, if you're ever in the West Village of Dallas, you have to visit Mi Cocina for wonderfullly delicious mexican food and margaritas. 

As for the jewelry, well, let's see . . . The L.O.F.T. of Asheville (www.loftofasheville.com) now carries Painted Beauty Jewelry (yay!!!).  In addition, I've been keeping busy working on custom orders and creating new designs for the upcoming season . . . I must say, I am really excited about what I've put together so far.  I can't wait to share everything with you!  On that note, I must get going.  I have more to create and I'm certainly not working on jewelry if I'm sitting here typing!

DJ Markie was an drunken excellent hostess, as usual. She played a few of our favorite songs!

She also scored us a few shots from those delicious Absolut/SKYY boys. (Neither one could confirm if it was SKYY or Absolut they were serving us...)

But a quick note about the boy on the right. See that tie? Yeah, he wears that tie to every event. We've spotted him on three separate occasions in the last month. Same tie. Should we start a "New Tie Fund?"

If you're interested, e-mail us.

All kidding aside, the most amazing news out of Sunday, besides me getting home in one piece: Zoe Williams, my personal No. 1 fag hag won a free trip to Las Vegas on Kiva! We saw the details, the trip, like the drinks, are no scam.

Kiva hosts a delicious brunch every Sunday with $2 mimosas, margaritas and Bloody Mary's. The Absolutely Fabulous Brunch -- when you, too, can win a free trip to Las Vegas -- is the third Sunday of the month.

Stay tuned, the Smut Squad maybe making a special apperance...

]]> http://dn2erthgirl.wordpress.com/?p=80 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:01:47 +0000 dn2erth1137 http://dn2erthgirl.wordpress.com/?p=80 This weekend I hung out with some friends. We are a diverse group: male, female, black and white. We were having a few drinks, "Marc"aritas (cleverly named after our host). We sat out on his patio talking, chatting it up about different things. We talked about his legendary New Year's Eve parties where all the neighbors in his gentrified Atlanta neighborhood are welcome. These parties bring together the yuppies, buppies, urban hipsters, casserole toting grandmas from the projects and Everybody else I hear. All are welcome. Marc is a white guy from Mississippi but his friends are more colorful than a bag of Skittles. Then we got off into deeper social issues like interracial relationships, gentrification and white flight. And Jesse. No last name needed.

The irony is the black members of our group were more critical of Jesse. Marc believed that we were a little harsh in our attacks on Jesse. He believed that Jesse has made some missteps but believes he is sincere in his goals and should be respected for his work toward civil rights from the 60's til now. Where I agree with Marc that we should acknowledge "the good" Jesse has done or has tried to do, I also think he has become a divisive figure and a lot of what he says and does is more damaging and dangerous to those he claims to be speaking for. I believe that he is used by Fox News to fan the flames of racism and division that they are famous for. They despise him, yet have him on it seems almost every week like a circus clown. They whistle and he comes running, why, because I am sure they compensate him for his time.

For the record, he does not speak for me and I believe the majority of black people would say the same. I resent that he and Mr. Sharpton have somehow been elected the spokesmen for black people. We do not share one voice. We have varying visions, goals, outlooks and opinions. Every time something happens or there is an issue involving a black person, a microphone is thrust in either of their faces. Their opinions should be seen as their own not the opinions of a race of people. And when Jesse is on there speaking, these days is he speaking up for equal rights or just looking for something to babble about because he has bills to pay. Like, maybe his child support payments. You can't chase the ambulance so to speak, or jump on every trivial issue because if you do, you lose your credibility and that is what Jesse does and continues to do.

But Marc is right. He made me remember that I did grow up looking at Jesse with a sense of pride. I will give him his respect for standing and marching during some very difficult times. For speaking up when many would or could not. For trying to right some of the many wrongs. That still exist by the way. But while he may have once had a purpose and was pure in his goals and intentions, I personally believe those days are past. Jesse is like an old dog. You may not be ready to put him to sleep but everyone agrees that it is time to put him out in the yard and tie him up to a tree.

But we sat, sipping on margaritas, chatting it up. Late into the night, in the neighborhood where Martin Luther King once walked. Male and female. Black and white. We talked about many things. Painful. Real. Honest. King would be proud.

After the episode, and a couple of pitchers, Sequin and I decided that clearly the people at Bravo need some help, since they decided to recycle a first season challenge for the premiere. (holla at ya girl Miss Scarlett!)
So here are our suggestions, in no particular order:

- Bumpity Bump: Using their favorite outfits from their first trimester, designers will create outfits for ladies in their third trimester.

- You're Screwed: Send the designers to Lowe's for outfit materials! We thought swimsuits could be fun for this one...

- Give My Regards: Designers will be given brief character descriptions from a new Broadway show, pitch their ideas for 3 costumes to the show's head costume designer, the best designs will be picked, they become the team leaders and each team creates the 3 costumes!

- Delightfully Tacky: Well, they've done the USPS... and they did flight attendants on Project Catwalk... Time to do HOOTERS! Give those girls a new look!

- Flannel No More: Making over lesbians, 'nuff said

- Junior Miss Pageant: Making formal gowns for pre-teen/teen pageant girls! (audience favorite points to whomever's model cries the most!)

- Puppy Love: Make an outfit for an intimate date night using materials from FAO Schwartz

- Pretty in Pink: For the men's wear challenge, we would like to see the designers make going out outfits for super-trendy gay men

- Pop Rocks: Another team challenge, designers will pitch ideas to a young hot pop star for their next music video! The chosen designers become team leaders and create 3 featured looks for the video (they will have of course heard the song and heard about the story/concept for the video).

- Amazing Grace: Create outfits for a church fashion show, let the congregation's votes affect the outcome!

- Will You Be My Model?: Designers have to hit the streets to find their own model and then create an outfit for that average person to replace the one they were wearing when recruited (so business casual if headed to work, or a cocktail look if headed out for drinks, etc...) This is my FAVORITE one!

So what do you think? Do you have any ideas?

Well, I'm kind of recovering from last night (3 margaritas...etc) Why you ask? I spent time with my best friend from high school! Went to Botana's and well got schnoockered. (Is that a word?) It was nice hanging with him and talking, catching up, etc. We even talked politics (yea, he's a Republican) OK, I hear the gasps! I know - I know.... He asked me why I wasn't a Republican and I said basically because they think that homosexuality is a sin, they don't acknowledge our rights, they don't see us as human, etc. And he said - "Is that the only reason for not being Republican?" **

WOW.

Yep, this is why Bush has made it 2 terms - people that have blinders on and worry about money only - wow. I switched the subject fast and went on to talk about safe topics, but yes, folks, middle America is why Bush won twice and why McCain will win - I'm just saying....

I'm also going to say, that Chris is an awesome guy and stayed my friend AFTER I came out to him (I think I was 22) He was the last one I told because, I think it was the response I was least looking forward to. After I came out, found out he could care less, I set him up a couple of years later with Tamara and now, they have 2 kids (my god kids).... So - you never know how things will turn out :)

Anywho - hope everyone is having a GREAT hump day!!

** Disclaimer ** I know not ALL Republicans hate the gays, but hey check it out - Logo TV (television for GLBT people) had a political forum right when there was about 6 delegates for each party and they invited ALL of them for a forum about gay issues - well guess what party didn't respond? Guess which party chose to ignore the gay community? Guess which party didn't want to acknowledge us in a national forum? Yes, you got it - it was the Republican Party. (oh plus Republicans are pro-life (why should a woman have a right to choose for herself?), pro-war (kill American teens in war!), pro-big business (Go Wal-Mart!), etc.... but I digress)

** Disclaimer # 2 ** The only thing I detest more than Republicans are Gay Republicans (it's sort of like self-mutilation - like, what's up with that?)

So the past couple nights I have been enjoying myself with a few good friends, margaritas, and of course chips and salsa.  The genius in this is the following:

-Go after work, happy hour prices, half price margs

-Since it is right after work, you haven't eaten dinner, and therefore empty stomach, get drunk faster, and also tequila gets you drunk faster than beer.

-With the margs, you then recieve free chips and salsa

-The chips and salsa relieve the hunger and are also delicious.

-Conclusion: You have half-price margs, don't have to pay for din-din, get delicious chips and salsa, and also  you get to bed at a reasonable hour. Genius. All four missions accomplished (cheap, drunk, sleep, deliciousness)

Priorities.

Anyway, this afternoon I ate some cucumber slices:

And then I had a Z bar while I was waiting for the train:

Then I met my friend in SoHo and we went to Rewind on the Lower East Side. They had plates of chips and salsa set out on the tables when we got there, so we scored a spot:

That's my ticket for two veggie tacos.  I ate them.  I did not photograph them.  I forgot.  I'm sorry.  They were good.

I also had two margaritas, because the proceeds from the night when to a cancer research foundation and I am a-okay with drinking margaritas for a cause.

Yep, that's it, will update more in day or so.  The Ambien is starting to make me loopy..  er, sleepy.  Yeah.

I think it's only because Top Model used to have a deal with American and Top Chef has a deal with Continental.  And that Aminal Food wants to be Top Chef. But then again I say that nearly every week, so I don't think anyone will believe it.  Me: I'd just rather be on JetBlue and enjoy my The Move, thanks.

This is a limo in the desert.

Well, at least they're taping at Caesar's Palace.  It's not, like, taping at any of the newer theme hotels or a place with at least one rollercoaster, but still.

This is an "actor."  He is playing "Julius Caesar."  He is not convincing.  He needs to go back and work at the blackjack table where he belonged.  He tells the frat they have a suite in the hotel.

This is the suite.

And now, girls jumping on trampolines a bed.

"Tyra Mail!"  No, wait... "Jodhi Mail?"  "Erika Mail?"  No?

In the...um... "mail" the frat (as I predicted earlier.  Again) are meeting Bobby at the Vegas branch of the Mesa Grill.  And there they will meet Paula Deen.  There.  I said it. Don't blame me, blame Food Network's blatantly obvious editing.

Other than this...

nothing has happened thus far.  The frat talk about themselves with Bobby and Paula over food and margaritas.  Summary of this discussion: be yourself.  Which looks like a motivation poster I might've seen somewhere on a wall in A School in America.

Also, as our cry count goes to 10 (with Lisa, and quote by Paula to Bobby, who is wondering why she is quiet around the table):

I'd buy it for my home!

If Bobby needs cue cards to announce the challenge, a simulated Throwdown on the grounds of Caesar's Palace, just...wow.  No comment.

Similar to last year's fun-filled (and by fun I mean smoke) Iron Chef demonstration, the frat are pitted against one another to determine who comes out on top with their signature dishes (only to promote Throwdown, of course).  The Throwdowns will be 75 minutes long.  Lisa will be pitted against K and Whitney will be pitted against Aaron.  On top of that, the frat has to be interviewed by Little Man, Whatchamacallit, Deen and Dayna Devon while which sounds very, very similar to a certain American reality show that I frequently mention in my reviews.  And it also gives me a good excuse to pull this illustration out of my archives:

I can kick the shit out of those girls [her cast mates from America's Next Top Model, Cycle 10] anytime.

Lauren Utter

If someone could say something like that during these interviews I might just like the rest of the season.

The interview portion also sounds like some of the old shows that FN tosses to the dogs (read: Fine Living Network).

I could take the high road and say that this picture looks like the judging table set-ups in Throwdown. But I won't. (Credit goes to The Dirk for that link that doesn't exist in Aminal Food.)

And the outdoor setting looks very, very similar to a challenge on The Next Iron Chef, except, mercifully, we don't have Alton Brown subconsciously talking about his cock (™ Alex Balk).

Kraft picture taken from here.

Lisa's cassoulet will have spicy chicken sausage, a chicken pesto and duck confit (because this time the glass didn't get all over it).  Adam will add the pesto in the cassoulet rather than put it on top.

Paula is concerned that Lisa may not project a warmth if she were to win.  Lisa says she has two faces: a "game face" and a softer face known as a "crybaby" face.  I'm amazed that there isn't a quip about "We are so concerned that Lisa may be playing us" by the judges here.

If anyone can explain Adam's mac and cheese for me that would be awesome!  Thanks in advance!

Lisa, in a cheese sauce that befuddles Whatchamacallit (she's a promoter, for chrissakes!  She's too busy to figure out sauces!), is adding cheddar, parmesan and goat cheeses to her macaroni and cheese.  It will be topped with sliced tomatoes and grilled poblano peppers.

Hold the phone, ladies and gentlemen!  K will be adding lobster to his mac and cheese!  The man is trying to kill people before he can get a show on Food Network!  And watch the judges like his mac and cheese!  I have a bad feeling that K will be in the final three or, possibly, two.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnddddddddddd...girls jumping on trampolines.

3 Monkeys Cafe is located at:

#01-20, 400 Orchard Road, Orchard Towers
Singapore 238875

• contributing to the steady decay of rural towns (see our first post)
• forcing seniors to make choices that are just plain depressing
• giving rise to carpools in the sky

And then there was the Jose Cuervo ad touting the 'Staycation.'  Leave it to Madison Avenue to seamlessly hitch the rising cost of gas to the rising consumption of Cuervo-laced margaritas:

The pitch: gas is approaching $5 a gallon; we're celebrating the birth of our nation this weekend; out of town trips are more expensive than ever, and; either way, you're gonna be drinking...so stay put.

The payoff: a $5 coupon towards 750ML of Especial and $5 not spent on gas.  All of a sudden, that $20 bottle of tequilla just cost you ten bucks.

Editor's note: Of course, you'd do well to put that $10 towards a bottle of Cointreau (instead of triple sec) and fresh-squeezed lime juice (instead of say, Rose's).

Anyway, it would appear the folks at Cuervo have done their research (now that right there'd be a focus group worth your time!).  According to a CNN/Opinion Research poll, 31% of Americans have canceled or shortened their planned holiday weekend vacation because of the recent increase in the price of gas.  On a broader level, of those surveyed, 72% said record gas prices have caused them to make changes in their daily lives, and 30% said those changes were major ones.

Not to overstate the case, but this may just be the dawn of a new era.  Go ahead, book a staycation.  No blackout dates apply.

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