I hauled it to work all the way from Youngstown today. First I had to swing by (e:Leetee) and (e:Uncutsaniflush)'s house to drop off my gear. They've been nice enough to put me up for a few days since I've been booted from my home. They even have the Fox Soccer Channel - woohoo!

So I went into work today and bitched at my boss about how unsatisfactory this situation is. Well, it was much more diplomatic than that, but it yielded results. They filled my gas tank and she's letting me do work from home for two days. Yay me! Ciao.

Yesterday I was supposed to work the basketball games at Hilbert. I drove my ass all the way down there from Youngstown, with (e:Theecarey) in tow, only to find out they didn't need me because the crowd was small. In the age of exponentially growing technology you would think someone knows how to make a phone call. I mean the telephone was invented in 1876, we all know how to use one! Not to mention the whole point of me going down there and doing this lame job was to make some money, which I ended up losing in this deal. Blah!

Yet the day was not to be wasted. We headed up to Hertel Avenue and checked out some cigar shop as well as Terrapin Station. We decided we were hungry and through the Virgo psychic connection both suggested Amy's Place. This is highly amusing to me, since neither one of us had actually BEEN there before. So, (e:Theecarey) treated me to a super delish lunch. We both had tasty bowls of potato-leek soup. She had some kind of spicy lentel wrap and I had this fantastical creation called the Barb Special. It was fried eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, french fries and a sauce rolled up in a toasted pita. Absolutely divine, and a huge serving! Someone had told me this place was 'Timika friendly' and they were so right. I couldn't believe the vegetarian choices.

After indulging at this retro little dineresque joint we trudged on over to Spot coffee and read some papers. We were looking for new and exciting things to do in the new year. Browsing the Art Voice we came upon the Geek Meet announcement and our very own master of ceremonies, Paul Visco's name! Go Paul!

We decided to head back home, throw a colourful log on the fire, smoke some cigar like things and made mojitos for the first time. I have to say, that refreshing sparkle of lime and mint is going to be my new favorite summertime drink! To make, simply crush about 4 sprigs of mint with 2 teaspoons of sugar in the bottom of a glass. Add the juice of a whole lime and stir. Fill with ice. Add 2 ounces of light rum and top with seltzer. Enjoy! Ciao.

Before I start the rant I just want to say I had the pleasure of meeting (e:Jenks) for lunch yesterday. The company was great and I had the most fantastic carrot and ginger soup! If the rest of their soups are equally delish, I highly recommend Solid Grounds.

Envision that puppet on Sesame Street that always played Yankee Doodle on the piano, would make a mistake, then start slamming his head on the keys. That's how I feel today. I had started my post with, 'I'm a little cranky this morning'. I was almost done writing when this bitch of a computer decided it needed to restart and I lost the whole thing. Now I'm pissed. I don't feel like re-writing it so here is the Cliff's Notes version:

• I only got 3 days of vacation; my cohort friends got an entire month
  
• I work 24 / 7; they work 20 hours a week
  
• I had 12 residents back early living in the residence hall
  
• I had to move them into spare apartment bedrooms because...
  
• They are shutting the heat off to the residence hall
  
• Everyone had to vacate, myself included
  
• I was missing all the keys I needed to do this
  
• This screws up the entire move-in process for next weekend
  
• It will be chaos in a 3 ring circus
  
• I should hire clowns and sheep to run around campus
  
• I requested space heaters so I could continue working / living there
  
• They are using gas powered heaters that will fill the place with lethal levels of carbon monoxide and no one can enter the building all week
  
• I had a great deal of work to complete next week inside the building
  
• My office is inside the building
  
• They are giving me no accommodation or financial assistance toward food
  
• They don't seem to grasp the concept that this place is my 'home'
  
• This really chaps my ass!
  
• My boss expects me to fend for myself and show up every day next week full-time
  
• Technically I'm part-time but I already work 24 / 7 as it is
  
• I have no money
  
• I didn't realize my car registration and 6 months of insurance are due today
  
• My credit card payment is due today (no luxury option of not paying)
  
• Even with today's joke of a paycheck I don't have enough
  
• I also need gas in my car
  
• I will need more gas in my car now that I have to commute for a week
  
• I won't get paid for another 2 weeks
  
• No really, I don't have ANY money
  
• This blows big fat goats
  
• It's not a cry for sympathy
  
• I think the line 'it could be worse' is condescending

I have an absurd amount of photos from my trip. I tried to condense it to my favorites, starting with the fireworks! It was so much fun to be back in a state where fireworks are legal. We shot off big ones with lots of sparkles and report. So, feast on these sparkling works of art.


the first few were beauties and went off without a hitch


then one of them tipped over, sending brilliant blasts of orange and blue right at us


and a mayhem of explosions that set the yard on fire


but painting with sparklers is much more intoxicating to the eyes


'7 days' ....(prize to the first peep that gets that)


this one reminds me of a chinese new year dragon

It was nice to see my whole family together again. I guess we were together at my brother's wedding in August, but it was nothing but chaos. This was a much more relaxed visit surrounding the sweet aura of a newborn baby: William Maximilian!!!


does this diaper make my butt look big? love it


asleep with his auntie mika on Christmas morning


too sweet

Other things I miss about the south, besides fireworks, is Sonic. I have never been much of a fast food enthusiast but man I love their cheese tots and slushies! Moreover, how fun is it to order from your parking space and have someone bring it out to you on a tray? They don't wear roller skates anymore, but I love that nostalgic 50's feel.


my older sister ordering


my cherry-lime slushy and cheese tots...yum!


who knew the middle of nowhere mississippi was home to this fantastic find?


but you knew you could find an entertaining statement like this


my brother-in-law and me


his dog cali, that i fondly called 'fur pig bear', because i think she looks like a little black bear, and she grunted like a pig...or maybe an ape, i'm not sure


my little sis and max


the obscene paparazzi that typically accompany a newborn


my dad saying 'heeeeey'


max answering him with 'heeeeey' - this one cracks me up!


my brother and sister-in-law


my mom on diaper detail


my older sister and me


oscar the miniature wiener dog...i think he looks sort of like an anteater


but his shadow reminds me of Crow T. Robot from MSC 3000


the glorious warm sunshine made me smile - and i love putting flowers in my hair


me and max on Christmas day...yes, those are little antlers on his head


his proud parents


Then it came time to return to Buffalo. My little sister's plane was four hours ahead of mine, so I had to kill time in Memphis.


so we did a Graceland drive-by


bordered by the graffiti wall


near another of my southern favorites, piggly wiggly - it's just a grocer, but i still giggle each time i say it


then i stumbled upon mecca....oh how i wish i had a whole day......


i was listening to 'recycled air' by the postal service when i took this


Lastly, I had the ultimate joy of babysitting my nephew one night. Who should happen to be playing on FSC but my boys in red, Liverpool. Max and I watched our first soccer match together! My heart was overflowing.

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting (e:Salvatore) for coffee at Spot. I have four pages of interesting drawings to prove it. I don't think I could explain, maybe you just have to meet him yourself. It was a spontaneous call, which I adore. So thanks for that Sal.

Now...I have so many photos to post I didn't know where to begin. I decided to go with my strange little New Year celebration. (e:Theecarey) already posted some photos [inlink]theecarey,76[/inlink] so I will try not to make repeats. Ciao.

P.S. The 'Nocturnal State' show on VH1 plays amazing music sets. Death Cab for Cutie, White Stripes, James Blunt, U2, Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park, Eminem.....


it all started when i found korbel on sale at premier


which we complimented with delicious dried green apples


but one bottle wasn't enough, so carey opened another


and we started to get silly


so we headed to the movies


and i got my beloved chapstick stuck in my glove

after filling our sprites with 99 proof orange liquor....


carey somehow broke the seat in front of her


and i passed out yet managed to take a picture in my sleep


so we rang in the new year in the ladies lavatory


i like dark hallways and exit signs

we went to denny's for a little sustenance...then headed home


where we celebrated by puffing on some spicy cloves, mmmm


puff puff


puffety puff