One time in Vegas...

As I said, those evil microbiologists infected me while I was in San Fran. So right when I was getting a leetle bit better, I had to go to Vegas for work. I took all precautions:



My first moments in Vegas, I met up with Annie's parents and aunt. We shall call them the Annies:

Here is Dad Annie:



Here is Mom Annie:



Here is Auntie A:


We ate at Salo Salo, a fantastic Filipino restaurant in Vegas:



There we had (BTW I am doing this to torture Annie -- look at the wonderful fooooooooood, Annie):

Pansit


Sour Chicken Soup


Fried Calamari



Spring rolls


We also had bbq beef and chicken adobo fried rice and some other dishes. It was amazing.

We capped off the meal with this. Can't remember the name, but they are bananas wrapped in spring roll wrappers and deep fried with purple mountain sweet potato ice cream:



BIG THANKS to the Annies!!!




Much love, Annie's "Fawn"

I am craving cream of wheat.

HOLLA! Yes, it's been a month since I last wrote, but it's been a jam packed three weeks. I was really lazy and then really busy and then really sick and then really busy again. And jet lagged.

So what was I up to? I went to San Francisco at the last minute for the American Society for Microbiology's 46th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC). There, I ate my first banh mi, which was super. Pork banh mi. yummmmmmmmy.




Then I had the best burger I have ever eaten. At Zuni Cafe. Also had the restaurant made anchovies and pickles. YUMMMMMY.








I think though that the microbiologists infected me with their test viruses because I came home with a stomach virus. That was gross. Everything came out. Even water wouldn't stay in. It was horrible. Those evil scientists really did something to me.

And once I got better I went to Las Vegas. That is Adult Playland. I immediately knew that it was going to be a different kind of trip when three goombahs wearing track suits and giant flashy watches were laughing and talking about how much fun they were going to have. THEN I saw David Blaine. YES, the boy in the bubble. The man who froze himself. like a popsicle. Well, he was waiting to get onto MY Jetblue flight. And he sat in the middle seat. Of course, after floating around in your own filth for a week, sitting in the middle seat is no big deal.

And while in Vegas, nothing happened. Absolutely nothing.

+==============+
I did get a sunburn on my lips. They blew up like tires.


+==============+

This week\'s horoscopes go out to:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVEN!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEN-IN-LAW!
HAPPY RECOVERY RUSSELL!


+===============+

+==============+

Checkout your horoscope at
Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of October 12, 2006
By Rob Brezsny
© 1995-2004, Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved.

WILL MIRACLES NEVER CEASE?????

Lotion Gives Mice Tan, May Be Cancer Shield. By Gareth Cook. A lotion that tans the skin without exposure to sunlight could provide a novel way to prevent skin cancer, scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Hospital Boston announced Wednesday. (Boston Globe, 9/21/06)

I HEART RODEO MONKEYS (9-15-06)

This rodeo monkey, Whiplash, has won a special place in my heart.

Check out this video of the rodeo monkey who has stolen my heart. I CAIN'T QUIT YOU!


+==============================+
Goombah is a wonderful word.
http://wordsmith.org/words/goombah.html

And it turns out that there is a female version of the word as well:

Goomah (or comare)
http://www.hbo.com/sopranos/mobspeak/

+==============================+
I got nothin' this week. Absolutely nothin. The weather sucks here in New York. F*ckin rain, rain, rain. Fall has hit with a vengence. They wiped out Summer and dumped her in the Meadowlands with cement shoes.

+==============================+
This week's horoscopes go out to:
My goombahs and comares! MWAH, mafioso style!
Mike, Jen and G - have a great time in HI! Bring me back a really cool bobble head hula girl for my desk too!

+==============================+
Check out your weekly horoscope at Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of September 14, 2006
By Rob Brezsny
© 1995-2004, Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved.

Meow Meow

Is there anything better than anthropomorphizing animals? Meow meow of course not!

My gals made it into TIME OUT NEW YORK!!!

Annie and Dabney of mogogoods.com are highlighted in this week's issue of Time Out New York!!! Their awesome cell phone cleaner ($6) is highlighted in "10 bucks well spent."

I AM SO PROUD!!!

Here's the awesome photo of the fantastic goods:



Big thanks to the Marthas for flagging this for me!

Yah, yah, Martha A., I am still alive...

I have been hanging out with my momma and poppa in La Floreeeeeda. It's been a slow week. I pretty much wake up around 7. Have some coffee. Watch the Today Show, Kelly & Regis, Price is Right and then have lunch. Maybe some shopping in the afternoon as this is still my mother's favorite sport. Then dinner. Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. And then pass out in front of the TV. Ah, Florida.

I come down here to spend time with my parents and aid/abet/enable their child-like inability to do things for themselves.

No, that's not entirely true. Most of the time they do take care of situations themselves, sometimes like adults, sometimes like children. The real problem is that they can't talk to customer service reps or schedule anything without most of the time having communication breakdown (situations have been known to escalate to yelling matches). Really, 99% of customer service reps do not know how to communicate with people who don't speak English well. And for many years, I have taken care of finding out what the problem or deal is. For my parents. I am the Translator.

So, since I have been down here, I have:

- Ordered a digital phone/cable/internet package;
- Checked in with the building company re: status on the year-and one-month-long installation of kitchen cabinets;
- Scheduled the building company to come and re-do items they promised to do, including caulking and painting cracks in t0e house's facade and determining why the garage door is two inches shorter than the other doors in the house;
- Scheduled the cleaners for the next month;
- Scheduled and oversaw the fixing of the kitchen refrigerator (the repair person broke the light cover -- and has to send us another one. We'll see when THAT happens. I will probably have to take care of that the next time I come to FL);
- Scheduled, met with and met again with the curtain designers who will be making curtains for two bedrooms and custom cornices for two rooms;
- Called my father's insurance company to find him answers to several questions;
- Researched the problem with some claims on my mother's insurance;
- Hooked up the printer to my father's computer and moved around several wires that he felt were in the way;
- Scanned my mother's computer for viruses.

I am sure there were some other items, but I can't remember them just now.

What a vacation.

+==============================+
I have also been having fun with my mom. We enjoy each other's company. We nag each other. We shop. We love. It's all good. Here are some photos of us hanging out this week:

Mom at California Pizza Kitchen


Me at CPK


Wearing the same Talbot's shirt in the Talbot's dressing room (my mom lurves Talbot's)


Good times....

+================================+
This week's horoscopes are dedicated to:

>To my lovely friends who annoyingly like to call me while they are in the midst of their commute: Ertischek and Dr. Sandy; I know they mean well, but how come you guys always call while I am in the middle of pooping or something equally as important?
> 糖菓旅行, Marcy and Alex!
>Tasha, who needs a job -- anyone looking to hire a fantastic, detail-oriented smartie with personality? Let me know

+================================+
Check out your weekly horoscopes at
Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of September 7, 2006
By Rob Brezsny

I have become obsessed with clouds

Hurricane season in Florida always brings the most amazing cloud coverage...

Crazy Florida Weather

Currently in La Florida with the folks and this is the beautiful cloud cover that occurs during hurricane season...




And over to the right...

I know what I want to be for Halloween

ZUPPERI ZUPPERI ZUPPERI

Ok, it turns out the the video from a previous post was actually a mock video of this actual commercial for Glico's Pretz. The mock video was actually a porn star making fun of the Pretz commercial and unfortunately is no longer available on YouTube.

What a funny world we live in.

OMG my favorite

And something complete random.

Running down memory lane

Weekend in Vermont

Following is a photo montage of my Saturday in Vermont. I was there on Friday and Sunday too, but Saturday was particularly stellar. Much thanks to Annie, Dabney, Al, Leondra, Evan and of course Fiedler!

New England Still Life

You have to love New England -- the changing leaves, the rolling hills, the jalepeno & aged cheddar chips...

You know it is going to be a good day when you have an everything bagel egg and ham sandwich, large cup of joe and a bag of chips just waiting for you.

Saturday in Vermont -- I think it was the 26 of August...

Sailing, sailing over the lake blue.... who knew there was such a nice, big lake in VT?
Me enjoying the sunshine
Annie and Cap'n Al

Dabney and Leondra

Then Annie decided to make a hat for Evan...

This is the first hat Annie created:
But it was too big for Evan.
The second hat fit just right:

...Then hat mayhem ensued.

Fighting crime one town at a time!

Then we went back to Evan's house and played with his sunglasses.

Superfriends Frannie, Frabney and me, Frichelle* fight crime in Vermont!







*Note: Names are changed to protect their identities.

The book of Carbs: My pasta bolognese begat a slice of pizza begat some Triscuits begat a bagel begat fig newtons begat.... (8-24-04)

I have the most uncanny ability to hurt myself. Last time, I got some weird DVT like illness when traveling to Korea, which caused me to get tendonitis -- or tennis elbow, which is hilarious as I don't know how to play tennis. I have had vertigo (twice) and years battling bronchitis (smoking-related). I have a damaged right sinus (one doc wanted me to remove it!!!) and I sleep with my hands tucked under, which has caused carpal tunnel. Yes, I am a walking freak. However, I have recently hurt my hip from exercising too much (I know, I don't know WHOOOOO I am). With the help of a co-worker with an MD, we diagnosed it as bursitis. I got a second opinion from my internist, who agreed it is bursitis. For more info about bursitis, check out the Mayo Clinic's Web site.

I go to my orthopod this afternoon to hopefully get a third opinion and most importantly a cortisone shot and stronger meds.

Now, I know you are wondering exactly HOW I did this. Well, thanks to my friend Annie, I have a video of almost exactly what I was doing when I hurt myself. Check it out!




Thanks, Annie ;)
+=====================+
I have been blogging more and have less concentration this week for my email horoscope. So please check out this past week's blogs at http://girlladyfriend.blogspot.com/

+=====================+
This week's horoscopes go out to:

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO HOLLY MARIE T in Tallahassee, FL! Girl, what are you STILL doing in that town?
HAPPY THOUGHTS to Albert F., dad to Russell
LET THE LONG TRAIL ALE POUR to Annie, Dabney and Fiedler! Can't wait to see you in Boston/Vermont!
SAD GOODBYE to my Ipod Mini -- although your top popped off, you are still loved!

+=====================+
Check out your weekly horoscope at
Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of August 24, 2006
By Rob Brezsny
© 1995-2004, Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved.

More Medical Studies of the Ridiculously Obvious...

BMJ-British Medical Journal

"Why are so many people dying on Everest? Personal view: Why are so many people dying on Everest?" BMJ Volume 333 p 452

He ain't heavy, he's my Frother....

My fro -- ain't he's got fun!

PLAYA's PIMP CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

My friend Frike asked for my help in searching for the ultimate of trophies for his beer pong tourney. I found this amazing chalice of wonder. I have to have one. I must have one. Are you worthy of the "King of Da Hood" Pimp Cup? Are you sucka?! I didn't think so...

www.totallyice.com/pimpcups.html

I miss the old Martha S.

Today, I am sitting at home, on an ice pack, trying to keep the bursitis in my hip at bay. (that's a long, stupid story which I will tell later) The old Martha Stewart show is on Discovery Home and I have to say -- I love this show. She is currently glueing felt into a drawer so that you can create your own silverware holder. This show was so insane and FULL of useless and useful information. Why did she have to go to the live audience format? She is not personable. She is better as the untouchable ice queen! That's who she is!!! Who cares she went to minimum security jail and made friends? I want to know how she takes care of her heirloom chickens and stores her antique quilts!

Oh Martha, come back to us!

Treadmill Brilliance

thanks to ladyfresh tasha for the treadmill happiness.

Martha A, come back to the Tiki Lounge for a Scorpion Bowl!

Tung Shing Dragon Scorpion Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
3 oz. Grenadine
3 oz. Pineapple Juice
3 oz. Orange Juice
2 oz. Vodka
2 oz. Gin
2 oz. Rum
1 oz. Bacardi
151 Proof Rum

Mixing Instruction
Fill a Scorpion Bowl half full of ice. Blend alcohol with a cup of ice and the juice. Garnish with a pineapple stick and cherries. Fill center with 151 proof rum and light.

I am not a tall, cool martini. I am more like a flaming scorpion bowl. (8-16-06)

Thanks to all who wished me a happy birthday this past week and for all of those who will after seeing this email ;) I have posted some of the cards received on my blog.

+========================+
I DON'T KNOW WHOOOOOOO YOU ARE

Responses from last week's email:

"Wahwahwah! Who ARE yoooooouuuu?"
-- Lisa D.

"Oh fer cute!"
-- Martha L.

"omg. I'm loving the 'hey, you're lucky I showed up and I am clothed.' I'm totally stealing that already. For use in my own head. I've already caught myself thinking that three times today. 'Cause that's what this week feels like. :-) And then tonight I'm taking a red-eye to Cincinnati for two meetings with [HUGE CONGLOMERATE] tomorrow that I haven't really prepped for... so yeah, I'll be using that phrase again tomorrow..."
-- N

"It is what it is."
-- Matt S.
+========================+
I have been working out every morning for the last two weeks and suddenly my hip feels like it is being ripped out of the socket. Of course, it is most probably due to overexercising, but I fear that it is really because of my LaZboy chair, aka the LaZgirl. I tend to sit in that chair a lot. Most of the time I am sleeping in it. But lately I have been sitting and playing on my computer while in the chair. And I fear that the chair is getting too mushy and causing me pain rather than pleasure!!!!! Oh what will I do without that chair????

+========================+
This week's horoscopes go out to:
Bob
Russell
Michelle E.
Sandy
Yvette
Alex
Carey
Steven
Sasha
Martha A.
Martha L.
Michelle H.
Tasha
Co-workers who indulged my salt cravings and got me a platter of fries instead of a cake

+========================+
Check out your horoscope at
Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of August 17, 2006
By Rob Brezsny
© 1995-2004, Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved.

har har har -- thanks freven

B-daycard From Freven Kane

B-daycard From Freven Kane
Originally uploaded by ilovermont.

And the piece de resistance card, from my pal Freven Kane!

bdaycard from Frannie & Frabney

bdaycardFranne&Frabney
Originally uploaded by ilovermont.

My mustache-obsessed friends Frannie and Frabney sent this card.

bdaycard from my Fro

bdaycardFro
Originally uploaded by ilovermont.

This card is from my Fro. I Love my Fro. Of course, none of you are allowed to call me Mo.

bdaycard from Frynn

bdaycardFrynn
Originally uploaded by ilovermont.

This card is from my friend Frynn who is currently somewhere in Iraq. Or Friraq. We hope to have pancakes in Jersey soon!

PEER PRESSURE: I caved in again

I am back on myspace. I was getting whiny emails from friends who wanted me back on myspace. So here is my page.

No More MySpace

I cancelled my whatever to MySpace. I couldn't take it anymore. It was boring. And it was just one more place I had to maintain. And I was really getting sick of the live sex web cam invites. :)

MOTORING! What's your price for flight?!!!! (8-9-06)

MY FAVORITE PHRASES:
Everyone has some phrases they say all the time. My bro used to say "whatchamacallit." For example, "Remember when we went to that rest stop and that guy had a whatchamacalli?" My answer is inevitably, "What?" [The first of my favorite phrases.]

I noticed that my friends and I tend to have a Tourette's-like repetitiveness about certain words and phrases. For a while, we were all saying, "Roight, roight, roight..." That's "right" with an obnoxious accent.

Other than "What?" which comes out of my mouth 3,000,000 times a day (It's not that I have bad hearing -- according to my ENT, I have perfect hearing -- but it is because I AM JUST NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO YOU), my other favorite phrases are:

Fav Phrase #2:
(Dramatic eyebrow lift, pouting of lips)

"I DON'T KNOW WHOOOOO YOU ARE."

I dropped the "ANYMORE" from the end because it seemed extraneous.

This phrase works particularly well when someone does something so out of character that you just have to recognize it. For example,

Girlladyfriend 1: I have been to the gym every morning at 7 AM this week.

Girlladyfriend 2: I DON'T KNOW WHOOOOO YOU ARE.


Fav Phrase #3:
I actually don't say this one out loud -- I usually say it in my head.

"HEY, you're lucky I showed up AND I am clothed!"

This phrase comes in handy for all sorts of situations, but mostly work-related.

+==================+
UNCONSCIOUSLY INCOMPETENT

So I recently learned of the concepts of the conscious competence model or matrix. It generally means that people have four different levels of awareness and understand.

First is the unconsciously incompetent. They think not neither do they do it well.

Second is the consciously incompetent. They do think, but they still don't do it well.

Third is the unconsciously competent. They don't think and somehow it still works.

Fourth is the consciously competent. They think AND do.

I am not sure why I am telling you this. There was a good reason. If I remember I will let you know later.

+==================+
I AM STELLAR

My best friend, Dr. Sandy, sent me the following email:

So I had a thought there are so many reality shows. There's something for everyone.

Take you... I think you would be stellar on Survivor, Apprentice or the Next Superhero.

THANKS SANDY! However I really need modern plumping -- so Survivor's out. And if I was on the Apprentice, I would be kicked off because I know I wouldn't be able to stop myself from running at Donald Trump and mussing up his hair. I would just jump over that table and go crazy on his comb over. JUST CRAZY MESSY!

That would so satisfying.

However, I TOTALLY AGREE about the "WHO WANTS TO BE A SUPER HERO?" This is a reality TV show with Stan Lee (of comic book fame) and he chooses from a group of self-styled "super heroes" the next super hero
for his comic book empire. They have had to battle attack dogs and fight their fear of heights. I could TOTALLY be there. I would be "LaZgirl." TV-watching, LaZboy sitting SuperHero.

+=================+
this week's horoscopes go out to:
dr. john and doug and annie - go shortie!
dr. sandy -- you're stellar too! - it's yo birthday!
bob and russell - we gonna party like it's yo birthday!
;)

+=================+

Check out your weekly horoscopehttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifs at
Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of August 10, 2006
By Rob Brezsny
(c) 1995-2004, Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved.

Why I Hate MySpace

I just got invited to a live sex webcam group on myspace.com.

Euw.

oompaloompa

oompaloompa
Originally uploaded by ann-dabney.

omg!!!!!! tooo cute.

Date fighting?

In today's Pediatrics journal, a great new study was published. And it has a fantastic title:

"The Relationship Between Watching Professional Wrestling on Television and Engaging in Date Fighting Among High School Students"