Friday, October 31, 2003
Waiting, waiting, waiting. I've been pretty ancy all week, and now Friday afternoon could not go any slower. Is it possible that there are more than 60 seconds in a minute today? I'm at a point at work where I have to wait for people to get back to me before I can take the next step on projects, so I'm just waiting here too. And I'm so much less productive when I only have a few things to do. The next few months are going to be boring. I see lots of filing and blogging in my future.
I am excited about Halloween tonight, or at least I want to be. I'm sure whatever party I end up going to will be fun, at least for a while. Fervent enthusiasm, I know. Last Halloween was pretty fun. I was dressed as Toto from the Wizard of Oz, and Kristin was Glinda the Good Witch, and Stephanie was the Cowardly Lion. We hosted a "Favorite Things" party, where everyone had to come as or wearing one of their favorite things (mine was the black velvet pants I wore). Somehow some of the best costumes of the night came from Downstairs Neighbor Jay and friends Jay and Todd, who came dressed as firemen. Yes, girls will always give firemen a second look. Yes, it's because they're in uniform, but also because there's a good chance they are hot. Yes, it works when it's a Halloween costume too.
Good times were had by all.
Tonight I'll probably end up going out with one of my roommates, who is going to dress up as a flapper. Last year she was a sexy zebra. What's a sexy zebra? I don't really have an explanation as to why Halloween has turned into an excuse for girls to show as much skin as possible while dressing as the most mundane people (or animals) in everyday life (or the zoo). Although the best idea for costumes that Laura and I came up with this year (and by best, I mean funniest) was Naughty Crossing Guard.
Of course, when people meet me for the first time in bars, they generally say things like "You're just as cute as a button" and "You just look so decent." Not that those are bad things, but maybe I haven't mastered SA yet. Except when I want to.
There was an Onion headline a couple of years ago this week that read "Slut Is Number One Costume Again This Year." Hee hee.
Nobody I know has burned down in California yet, and the fires seem to be dying out. That could just mean that national news is tired of covering them, but I don't think there's that much out there right now (comparitively). There was an interesting post on ESPN today about Arizona getting the contract for the 2008 Superbowl (much to the chagrin of Washington, DC). ESPN suggested that it should have been awarded to San Diego as a sort of sign of good faith for the economy and rebuilding process. I think it would be okay for the Superbowl to be in San Diego every year -- as long as the Raiders don't always go. And I think that's pretty safe to count on.
I am excited about Halloween tonight, or at least I want to be. I'm sure whatever party I end up going to will be fun, at least for a while. Fervent enthusiasm, I know. Last Halloween was pretty fun. I was dressed as Toto from the Wizard of Oz, and Kristin was Glinda the Good Witch, and Stephanie was the Cowardly Lion. We hosted a "Favorite Things" party, where everyone had to come as or wearing one of their favorite things (mine was the black velvet pants I wore). Somehow some of the best costumes of the night came from Downstairs Neighbor Jay and friends Jay and Todd, who came dressed as firemen. Yes, girls will always give firemen a second look. Yes, it's because they're in uniform, but also because there's a good chance they are hot. Yes, it works when it's a Halloween costume too.
Good times were had by all.
Tonight I'll probably end up going out with one of my roommates, who is going to dress up as a flapper. Last year she was a sexy zebra. What's a sexy zebra? I don't really have an explanation as to why Halloween has turned into an excuse for girls to show as much skin as possible while dressing as the most mundane people (or animals) in everyday life (or the zoo). Although the best idea for costumes that Laura and I came up with this year (and by best, I mean funniest) was Naughty Crossing Guard.
Of course, when people meet me for the first time in bars, they generally say things like "You're just as cute as a button" and "You just look so decent." Not that those are bad things, but maybe I haven't mastered SA yet. Except when I want to.
There was an Onion headline a couple of years ago this week that read "Slut Is Number One Costume Again This Year." Hee hee.
Nobody I know has burned down in California yet, and the fires seem to be dying out. That could just mean that national news is tired of covering them, but I don't think there's that much out there right now (comparitively). There was an interesting post on ESPN today about Arizona getting the contract for the 2008 Superbowl (much to the chagrin of Washington, DC). ESPN suggested that it should have been awarded to San Diego as a sort of sign of good faith for the economy and rebuilding process. I think it would be okay for the Superbowl to be in San Diego every year -- as long as the Raiders don't always go. And I think that's pretty safe to count on.
Thursday, October 30, 2003
It is a beautiful day in DC! It's in the 60's and is supposed to be in the 70's all weekend -- finally, perfect for being outside (at the beginning of October). And by October, I mean November.
It won't quite be the crisp, cold Halloween that so many New Englanders are hoping for. I am okay with that. Particularly because my costume involves flip-flops at this point. I'm going to be a bunny rabbit. I'm not wearing a bunny suit, or going as a playboy bunny. It's somewhere in between. The party I was planning on going to was cancelled this morning, so I'm not sure what I'm doing. Various roommates have invitations to fun-sounding parties, and there's always Adams' Morgan.
Tonight after work I'm going to a company happy hour at the Capitol City Brewing Company by my office, where the service is always abominable. It's too bad, because it's the kind of place I really want to like -- they really do brew their own beer and have great happy hour specials. It's really close to work, and is in a renovated warehouse space, so has high ceilings and exposed piping. But the service and food are consistantly dissappointing. Oh well.
Peter and I went out to dinner last night at a place called The Quarry in Silver Spring. We had to go down a flight of stairs to a tiny little pub with dark wood interior -- very reminiscent of Grendel's Den in Cambridge. The food was pretty good, although somehow the potato chips tasted like bacon grease. They had good beers on tap, including Yuengling Black-and-Tan, which is a fun new favorite.
There is not yet any exciting news from California (and by exciting, I mean that all of the fires are out). I was reading about them this morning, and there are a few they don't think will be contained until November 16th. By my calculations, that's over two weeks away. Wow. The person I know there who's most directly affected is Jessica, who lives in Clairemont and whose brother lives in Ramona. She says that his house is still intact at this point, but he and family were evacuated yesterday. The fire has been as far west as the 805. That's crazy! There was a minor earthquake down there as well yesterday (it was big enough to be felt, but didn't cause any damage). I think this officially means we will never hear the end of California-is-really-hell/damned/about to fall in the ocean/ being cleansed of everything there now. And our governor is an Austrian body-builder. And on a totally separate note, when he was here in DC this week asking the gov't for money, which he was planning on doing before the fires started, but he'll probably get a lot more support for it now, he and his wife had lunch with Ted Kennedy.
My favorite quote about the Kennedy's was spoken by Katherine Petrecca, who I worked with at New Balance my first year in Boston. She's from that area and she summed up the Kennedy's as "Good politicians -- just bad people." What other Republican govenor of California could get a sit-down with Ted Kennedy? How much further is Arnold going to be able to go because he's married to Maria? I'm not convinced he should be stopped, but I don't exactly think he's qualified for a political position.
Anyway, more political uncertainty hits DC as a Senate building was evacuated today because they thought two people with guns got into the building. At first, they reported one man had entered the building. It turns out it was two female staffers with Halloween props for a costume gone horribly, horribly wrong. Okay, maybe just horribly.
One final note: I just read a review for the new Will Ferrell movie, Elf. It looks funny. By why do I find him so funny? Why? Why? Three words: "We're going streakin'!"
It won't quite be the crisp, cold Halloween that so many New Englanders are hoping for. I am okay with that. Particularly because my costume involves flip-flops at this point. I'm going to be a bunny rabbit. I'm not wearing a bunny suit, or going as a playboy bunny. It's somewhere in between. The party I was planning on going to was cancelled this morning, so I'm not sure what I'm doing. Various roommates have invitations to fun-sounding parties, and there's always Adams' Morgan.
Tonight after work I'm going to a company happy hour at the Capitol City Brewing Company by my office, where the service is always abominable. It's too bad, because it's the kind of place I really want to like -- they really do brew their own beer and have great happy hour specials. It's really close to work, and is in a renovated warehouse space, so has high ceilings and exposed piping. But the service and food are consistantly dissappointing. Oh well.
Peter and I went out to dinner last night at a place called The Quarry in Silver Spring. We had to go down a flight of stairs to a tiny little pub with dark wood interior -- very reminiscent of Grendel's Den in Cambridge. The food was pretty good, although somehow the potato chips tasted like bacon grease. They had good beers on tap, including Yuengling Black-and-Tan, which is a fun new favorite.
There is not yet any exciting news from California (and by exciting, I mean that all of the fires are out). I was reading about them this morning, and there are a few they don't think will be contained until November 16th. By my calculations, that's over two weeks away. Wow. The person I know there who's most directly affected is Jessica, who lives in Clairemont and whose brother lives in Ramona. She says that his house is still intact at this point, but he and family were evacuated yesterday. The fire has been as far west as the 805. That's crazy! There was a minor earthquake down there as well yesterday (it was big enough to be felt, but didn't cause any damage). I think this officially means we will never hear the end of California-is-really-hell/damned/about to fall in the ocean/ being cleansed of everything there now. And our governor is an Austrian body-builder. And on a totally separate note, when he was here in DC this week asking the gov't for money, which he was planning on doing before the fires started, but he'll probably get a lot more support for it now, he and his wife had lunch with Ted Kennedy.
My favorite quote about the Kennedy's was spoken by Katherine Petrecca, who I worked with at New Balance my first year in Boston. She's from that area and she summed up the Kennedy's as "Good politicians -- just bad people." What other Republican govenor of California could get a sit-down with Ted Kennedy? How much further is Arnold going to be able to go because he's married to Maria? I'm not convinced he should be stopped, but I don't exactly think he's qualified for a political position.
Anyway, more political uncertainty hits DC as a Senate building was evacuated today because they thought two people with guns got into the building. At first, they reported one man had entered the building. It turns out it was two female staffers with Halloween props for a costume gone horribly, horribly wrong. Okay, maybe just horribly.
One final note: I just read a review for the new Will Ferrell movie, Elf. It looks funny. By why do I find him so funny? Why? Why? Three words: "We're going streakin'!"
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Hi again. Halloween is quickly, quickly approaching and today I found this online.
There has also been much discussion of what to be for Halloween this year. Although I long for the days of my youth, when I re-enacted such popular characters as Cindarella and a tube of toothpaste, I think this year I'm going to go as a bunny rabbit. Mostly because I already have everything I need for that, which is a separate, and possibly disturbing issue (but I'm not going to worry about it). Actually, the worst part is that my options within my own wardrobe are so limited because most of my PretendEars are in a box in Dallas.
There has also been much discussion of what to be for Halloween this year. Although I long for the days of my youth, when I re-enacted such popular characters as Cindarella and a tube of toothpaste, I think this year I'm going to go as a bunny rabbit. Mostly because I already have everything I need for that, which is a separate, and possibly disturbing issue (but I'm not going to worry about it). Actually, the worst part is that my options within my own wardrobe are so limited because most of my PretendEars are in a box in Dallas.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Now they're thinking about bringing alcohol to UCLA? I guess there's no more need to look for the beer vending machines in the graduate schools. Just to take the edge off between classes...
When they're together you can tell she's thinking, "What the hell is going on here? Who is this man? Why am I doing this to myself?" while he's thinking, "Soft. Pretty."
This is the first thing that made me laugh out loud today (very quietly, at my desk at work). It's from a review of the new Tarzan series, which makes it sound okay. I still don't think I'm going to watch it, but maybe to see these emotions play...
This is the first thing that made me laugh out loud today (very quietly, at my desk at work). It's from a review of the new Tarzan series, which makes it sound okay. I still don't think I'm going to watch it, but maybe to see these emotions play...
Okay, what's going on in California? Kristin (who lives in San Diego) told me that they had a Fire Day yesterday -- sort of like a Snow Day, but with fire. They mayor is telling people not to use the freeways, the speed limit has been temporarily lowered. The pictures from space make it look like the entire state is on fire. I can't even make any jokes about it.
In other, completely unrelated and more exciting news, amazon has the coolest new thing. They now have the capability to search the text of books for words or phrases. You can build your own library, so you can search the texts of all your books in seconds, or look at other people's libraries. Here's an article on what this means and how it can be used. Here's the page on Amazon that talks about it.
I really want to like the Chargers. I really, really do. But 3 interceptions agains Junior Seau's new team? Come on. If they ever decide to put together an offensive line, or Schottenheimer stops hollering at them and learns how to motivate them a little more, maybe I'll jump back on the bandwagon. For now I'll trail at a safe distance, and the Patriots will be my only hope.
In other, completely unrelated and more exciting news, amazon has the coolest new thing. They now have the capability to search the text of books for words or phrases. You can build your own library, so you can search the texts of all your books in seconds, or look at other people's libraries. Here's an article on what this means and how it can be used. Here's the page on Amazon that talks about it.
I really want to like the Chargers. I really, really do. But 3 interceptions agains Junior Seau's new team? Come on. If they ever decide to put together an offensive line, or Schottenheimer stops hollering at them and learns how to motivate them a little more, maybe I'll jump back on the bandwagon. For now I'll trail at a safe distance, and the Patriots will be my only hope.
Monday, October 27, 2003
It's an icky, rainy day in DC. Combined with the time change, I'm going to leave work at my regular time and drive into the blackest of nights. But at least it's not the inferno that's attempting to engulf Southern California.
There was another debate between the Democratic candidates yesterday, where apparently, nothing happened.
I'm having lunch today with Tim O'Neil, who I met in Ireland two years ago. He's driving through on his East Coast Tour for work, and has also invited me to the Second Annual Deep Fried Turkey/ Thanksgiving celebration next weekend in North Carolina. Mmmm.. Deep Fried Turkey....
There was another debate between the Democratic candidates yesterday, where apparently, nothing happened.
I'm having lunch today with Tim O'Neil, who I met in Ireland two years ago. He's driving through on his East Coast Tour for work, and has also invited me to the Second Annual Deep Fried Turkey/ Thanksgiving celebration next weekend in North Carolina. Mmmm.. Deep Fried Turkey....
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Yesterday was one of the best sports days ever. (Not as good as the day when the Red Sox beat the A's and the Colt's upset the Buc's, but close.) The Marlins won the World Series with 23-year-old Josh Beckett at their helm (and at the post-game press conference, he said that the weirdest part was that they didn't have another game today. And that it's okay because now he has time to go deer hunting.) Andy Pettite pitched for the Yankees, not Mike Mussina. And UCLA beat Arizona State 20-13, to win our homecoming game, and take us to 4-0 in the PAC-10 (6-2 overall). Awesome.
I just got back from church, which was good, and am listening to the soundtrack of Sweet Home Alabama while I clean my room. And by clean my room, I mean surf the internet.
I just got back from church, which was good, and am listening to the soundtrack of Sweet Home Alabama while I clean my room. And by clean my room, I mean surf the internet.
Saturday, October 25, 2003
I'm at home watching college football -- and remembering why I have an annual crush on this guy.
UCLA has their homecoming game tonight, against Arizona State. Kristin is going to be there -- she called me from Westwood Brewing Company last night, where I spent many a Thursday night my senior year of college.
UCLA has their homecoming game tonight, against Arizona State. Kristin is going to be there -- she called me from Westwood Brewing Company last night, where I spent many a Thursday night my senior year of college.
Friday, October 24, 2003
Watch out for flying space particles: The storm, called a "coronal mass ejection," is a mass of solar gas that swept toward Earth at 2 million mph. The usual cycle for such a storm is every 11 years; this one was expected to hit three years ago.
It's three years late, but it's definitely going to hit tonight.
It's three years late, but it's definitely going to hit tonight.
So the Marlins are ahead one game in the Series. Mike Mussina is pitching tomorrow night for the Yankees. I have never felt as much pain over a sporting event as I did last Thursday night when the Yankees defeated the Red Sox in Game 7 of the LCS. I still don't really like talking about it, and I don't know if I ever will. The Sports Guy collected some thoughts of the people after the Red Sox loss. There is immediate fallout though. Not a huge surprise to anyone.
Steve Spurrier is talking about resigning Danny Wuerffel and Pat Riley resigned as coach of the Heat. What?
Steve Spurrier is talking about resigning Danny Wuerffel and Pat Riley resigned as coach of the Heat. What?
On a more somber note, I pulled my peacoat out for the first time today. And yesterday someone told me the DC area is supposed to get 70 inches of snow this year. 70? Really? That's definitely over my head.
It finally Friday. Yay! And who knows what the weekend holds. (I might have a couple of ideas.) Here are a couple of interesting items I've found in the past days. If you like Office Space, (Jake) you'll love this.
Also, I though Arnold Schw... was going to win in CA (because he knows the most people there), but the Onion was not surprised either. You'll appreciate this more if you read The Onion frequently.
Kristin, isn't this exciting! Now I won't send you long articles anymore, because they'll all be right here!
Also, I though Arnold Schw... was going to win in CA (because he knows the most people there), but the Onion was not surprised either. You'll appreciate this more if you read The Onion frequently.
Kristin, isn't this exciting! Now I won't send you long articles anymore, because they'll all be right here!
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
I don't like living on the opposite side of the country from my closest friends. It's not that cool to feel like the commercial your life most resembles is the AT&T long-distance spots (although at least it's not the Quizno's ad). Even the same time zone isn't really good enough. I want to be able to see you every day, and not have to schedule time on the phone. This is silly.
Also, why is Don Zimmer's head so big? Really. I want to know.
And why have they started putting cologne ads in Sports Illustrated? My gym bag now smells like a gigolo.
Also, why is Don Zimmer's head so big? Really. I want to know.
And why have they started putting cologne ads in Sports Illustrated? My gym bag now smells like a gigolo.
Aaaahhhh. The power.
The whole internet has opened up before me like a blank sheet of paper. A giant blank sheet of paper. A large giant blank sheet of paper.
I'm lying on my stomach in my cold room in the basement of my house in Maryland, watching the mosquito on the wall who [that] is somehow managing to sustain a livable body temperature even though I can't feel my toes right now. I had a fairly stressful day at work at my office in downtown Washington, DC, and then came home and made dinner for myself and my roommate. The day ended sadly as the first rainy days of fall continued to sweep over the city. That means it will continue to get colder. And soon it will be winter, and everything will fall off the trees and die, and we won't be able to go outside for months and months. I think I live on the wrong coast, for so many reasons.
I had a nice dinner with my roommates, especially because one of them didn't lose her job today, as she was expecting. (The other one didn't lose her job either, but she wasn't expecting to lose it.)
The whole internet has opened up before me like a blank sheet of paper. A giant blank sheet of paper. A large giant blank sheet of paper.
I'm lying on my stomach in my cold room in the basement of my house in Maryland, watching the mosquito on the wall who [that] is somehow managing to sustain a livable body temperature even though I can't feel my toes right now. I had a fairly stressful day at work at my office in downtown Washington, DC, and then came home and made dinner for myself and my roommate. The day ended sadly as the first rainy days of fall continued to sweep over the city. That means it will continue to get colder. And soon it will be winter, and everything will fall off the trees and die, and we won't be able to go outside for months and months. I think I live on the wrong coast, for so many reasons.
I had a nice dinner with my roommates, especially because one of them didn't lose her job today, as she was expecting. (The other one didn't lose her job either, but she wasn't expecting to lose it.)
